Birds

 A Indigo Bunting visited us for a few days.

Such a pretty guy! 

Yesterday we noticed a Bluebird at one of the nesting boxes.  Fingers crossed for a good hatch. 

The latest flag.

Minnesota weather; High 66 F or 19 C eh, Low was 40 F or 5 C eh.

Last night supper was BLT's and raspberries. 

Far Guy continues to recover...slowly...he feels a tad better than a few days ago. ( Probably due to the Prednisone)

Far Side

Bluebird and fails

 I happened to catch a photo of the female bluebird one evening, she likes the birdbath. I think the deer like the water in the birdbath too as some mornings it is empty. 

So we have the Bluebird of happiness in our yard.

I have failed yet another Rheumatoid Arthritis medication.   So far I have failed Leflunomide (mouth sores), Humira (it did nothing to help my pain after six months), Enbrel (cancelled out my Blood Pressure meds so now I have high blood pressure again and headaches).  Now I am waiting for the Insurance Company to approve Orencia...it will probably take two months. I am not real hopeful as it also causes high blood pressure...but I am only the patient not the doctor.

I am five weeks plus into the withdrawal from Cymbalta (the drug from hell).  I am finally feeling like my old self again.  It did help with my Arthritis pain but the withdrawal was horrid.  I am not completely over it's side effects yet as I still have an occasional tremor. 

I still have a good amount of arthritis pain; mainly on the left side of my body, ankle, knee, hip, shoulder and back and neck pain...same old friends.  The right side of my body feels old but doesn't scream in pain at me.  The fatigue is still horrible...when I need to lay down I head for the couch.

I am waiting for the last injection of Enbrel to get out of my system so my blood pressure improves.

Far Guy is doing pretty good for an old guy with breathing problems.  We stay away from crowds and sick people. 

One day at a time. 

Far Side

Bluebird Houses and Mice

 We cleaned out all eleven Bluebird houses one day...making sure they are ready for Bluebirds that should come any day now.   I really need to make a better pattern with a more slanted roof...and a piece of wood near the door with a screw in it so I can swivel it down or up to cover the hole for the winter ...so mice don't take up residence.  We cut down brush away from the houses...cause mice will climb up the brush and sneak their way in.

This bird house was a gift from neighbor Arvilla a long time ago.  It has hosted a number of Bluebird families.

Yesterday I mowed  the wildflower garden east of the house...I chased out a mouse that ran up a tree.  My lawn mower may make it another year...it doesn't smoke as bad since Far Guy changed the oil and the oil filter!  Our Lilacs on the far end of that area may have a few flowers this year! 

Spring is coming slowly! The Butter butts (Yellow Rumped Warblers) came yesterday however a number of Juncos are still here. 

Far Side

Trail Cam: Birds

We unloaded the trail cam again, it is fun to see what visits our yard.

We have been seeing flashes of blue and thought we might have a pair of Bluebirds and now we have proof.

They like the bird bath.

The Pileated Woodpeckers are back too…these may be juveniles or a visiting pair.

Hummer and a Bluebird

We have two Humming Birds as far as I can tell.  I still have the little feeder out, I will replace it with the larger feeder soon.

Can you see the Hummer in this photo?

Resting on a branch, making sure the coast is clear.

At the feeder

Bluebird passing through I hope he stays. Not a great photo I took it out the kitchen window.

Chance and I sit outside after supper, there are just a few bees and no skeeters yet.

Far Guy had a crawling wood tick and we heard the first Loon May 16 2018.

Only two Doctors appointments this past week, I have an infection in my eye and it is much better after antibiotic drops.  Far Guy has been woodcarving outside just about every day the weather has been fantastic.

Bird Time

The stop off and rest birds are starting to show up at the feeders. 

We hosted a Blue Jay convention yesterday morning.  I took this photo out the window.

Later in the day the Goldfinches started to arrive.

They remind me of bits of sunshine with wings.

The Orioles have arrived, but not in mass like last year… it is still early.  Grape jelly and oranges await them.  The best I can tell there are five or six males.

We see flashes of blue every now and again.  We think the Bluebirds are here.

We saw one in the neighborhood.

Everyday brings different birds to Minnesota…it is a wonderful time of year!

Far Guy is still sick, his fever is back.  Hopefully his medication will kick in soon.  We stayed home yesterday…we can go out for a Mother’s Day Dinner some other day.

Blue

There are Bluebirds flying around here and there.  I hope we have two sets..it is hard to tell.

I believe they are feeding young.

The little wild violets are blooming too.

I still have my cold, it is getting old.  Coughing at night until I get enough Nyquil in me that I can sleep through the coughing. ( The Nyquil induced dreams are amazingly colorful)  They say it is just a virus and it takes three weeks to get over..I have only had it for 13 days.

Chance was to the Vet for his annual shots and he is not feeling at all well.  His Blood Panel for Tick diseases came back negative..Yahoo! He has a hot spot over one of his hips..he is taking Rimadyl for a few days.  Last night we had thunder and lightening..he hates stormy weather and will try to refuse going outdoors alone.  He MUST have company.

Four days..that is all Far Guy got pain relief for.  His TN pain came back on Friday morning..he woke up with it.  We are both bummed out..he can have another injection in five weeks.

I will get better. Chance will too. Far Guy will just endure:(

Blue

I have decided that I am homesick at work, and feeling a little bit blue. I miss Far Guy and Chance, even though they come and visit me every couple of days.  The first time they came to visit Chance tracked me from the parking lot to the door. Yes, Chance can come in to visit..I am not putting a no pets allowed sign on the door.  Every morning when I leave Chance puts his ears down and looks sad…really sad.   Far Guy and I have worked together since 1998 when he retired..sure we had different greenhouses and different projects..I had flowers and he had veggies..but we worked closely together and got along just fine.  So I miss spending time with them throughout the day. So far they have not gotten into any trouble without me.

“Things” are going fine at work, I am always busy organizing, sorting or cleaning out something. The days go by so fast, and I am tired when I get home. Next week the school tours start, I would be nervous but they are only First Graders..how badly can I mess up?  If I do will they notice? 

I thought I would enjoy the job more than I do, perhaps when I know everything there is to know about the museum and it’s policies and procedures I will feel better..so far they don’t have much written down ..so I am writing the procedures and policies for them.  Many times I ask a question and no one knows the answer. I am finding the answers for them or making them up as I go.  I am trying to remember to take little bites..that was Far Guys advice. I do not want to reinvent the wheel..I want to get it moving in the right direction and stay on track.   

I stopped by my Aunts the other night after work, my cousins were quilting the quilt that will be given away at the Family Picnic in August.  This years theme was patriotic. They were doing a wonderful job and had plenty of help so I came home.

We had some visitors in the yard.

Playing peek a boo and trying out a bunch of different houses.

I hope the Bluebirds pick this one, it is close to the house and I can watch them from the patio. They occupied this nesting box two years ago..last year they picked a box near the wildflower gardens..we will just have to wait and see where they decided to build!  They are a good two weeks later than normal. They should be all settled in by now.

It is turning cold again here..we had two nice days..that’s it? As far as I am concerned we are having a non spring :(

Goodbye April, HELLO May!

This little woodland violet shows up every spring..she is a pretty little thing..I have never found her exact name.  So she is just a Violet. We are one month closer to flowers!

Yesterday I was pissed off all afternoon.  We got roped into doing something because Far Guy is a nice guy and never says no.  He doesn't like to stir the pot.  Why is it that if you volunteer your time once it is written in stone forever and ever.  I wanted to stir the pot so badly I could taste it..but because Far Guy asked me to be sweet..I was..sweeter than pie.  I was so nice, that sugar must have dripped from my lips..instead of venom.
Enough said about that..

Chance is feeling better, he is almost back to his normal self.   We finally got some more much needed rain..there is nothing like the smell of a wet dog!  Far Guy got out Chances little blue swimming pool..he loves splashing in the water on warm days.

The Bluebirds showed up on April 21st, they are occupying one of the new nest boxes that we put out early this spring.  I have not been able to get a photo of ours yet..but I did get one of the neighbors one evening.  I have a chair moved out near our occupied nest box..so that they get used to it..Chance and I sit out there from time to time..so far it has been the wrong times..but I am a patient person.

Today, Chance and I will deliver our May Baskets..they are filled and waiting in the old aluminum cake pan ready to put some smiles on some familiar little faces.  This past week was birthday week in the neighborhood, she who see robins first is in the last of her forties.  Nephew Josh turned thirty as did Niece Kate's husband Hunter ( he was a May Day baby), I recall turning thirty..I thought it was quite old and over the hill.  Happy Birthday Everyone! :)

Buffalo Gal and Bluebirds

Connections made through blogging with the right attitude can make a difference in your life. When I first began to blog, I told Far Guy, I just needed to write for the grand kids, so that they would know more about me someday if they cared to read my drivel. ( Someday when they are much older and more interested.) I also said that I would keep it real, and the truth as I know it or as I recall it. It had to be that way, for me. I was a blog reader before I became a blogger. Buffalo Gal the woman that inspired me to blog in the first place has become a friend. She might be a tad older than I am, but she is a very talented writer, I enjoy her style, and her stories! She has made me laugh and yes, she has made me cry too. She and her best friend whom she also just happens to be married to, visited with us on Friday afternoon. She knew I was going to be the real me, no makeup, no fancy outfit or shoes, I didn't thoroughly clean the house..but I did straighten up a bit. I did not weed my very wild naturally weedy perennial gardens. I like being me, and she is comfortable with that..thank goodness.

Buffalo Gal had never watched Bluebirds in the wild. Our set of Bluebirds seemed like such a small thing to share, so we invited them over, the Bluebirds busily kept feeding their babies while we feasted on homemade Buffalo Gal Rhubarb Custard Pie! I do appreciate a freshly baked pie, especially the first rhubarb of the season. She did share her pie crust secret with me..so in case I ever decide to bake a pie I will be prepared.

We had a lovely visit. I so enjoy their company, this would never have been possible..except for the fact that we are both "real" bloggers..my what you read is what you get attitude gained me a new friend. Let me tell you now- a- days everyone needs as many friends as they can get. This was the second time we have met, we are looking forward to a get together at their place on the Buffalo Bluff later in the summer. She reports that Chance is just as special in person as he is on my blog. I knew he would like her, he thought she was a wonderful ball thrower!

The blogging community, should you ever decide to join it, is a very interesting way to make new friends. That may seem foreign to some of the readers..but I know the bloggers understand! If you are lucky enough to actually meet a fellow blogger face to face, and still like each other your life will be just a little richer, and if they bake a great pie, that is an added bonus:)

Inside the Bluebird Box

You know you are getting old, when you watch birds every morning, afternoon and evening.

Far Guy and I have two pairs of Bluebirds, one set near the house and another set along the driveway. We watch for them everyday. I know where to look, I know where the male loves to roost to defend his area. He is not bothered by our activity in the yard, or Chance playing ball. In fact he seems to watch the crazy dog sometimes. Bluebirds are gentle little souls, they aren't flighty like the Goldfinches, they aren't pushy like the Blue Jays. They seem very task orientated, and non social, everything they do is for the nest and the babies. Seems to me that there are some human parents that could take a lesson from the Bluebirds.


Far Guy was concerned one day, he said "I think there is a problem with the nest." He thought there were babies, and now they were gone..so it would be time to clean out the nest. They have been here since early April, so this was a possibility. I took my camera and we investigated. Far Guy wore gloves, even though they have a really poor sense of smell, and will not abandon a nest box if you open it.
We opened the nesting box, there were eggs! Once we saw the eggs we made our investigation so quick that we didn't count the eggs..but we think there were three. I think they hatched on Thursday, that evening was the first time I saw the male with worms dangling from his beak on his roost in the Oaks.

Did you know that only the female Bluebird has a brood patch? It is a bare patch of abdominal skin..which makes her the nest sitter. It also makes her mate the nest watcher, and watch he does.. I have only seen them on their branch together a few times...I would like to get a photo of them together. Of course I would also like to get a photo of the baby Bluebirds fledging from the nest too...once they have fledged and the nest is empty, the box should be cleaned out, they may use it again to build another nest and raise another batch. It seems heartless to remove the empty nest, but all the "experts" say that you should. So I guess we will..unless she lays more eggs again before we get it cleaned out.

Female Bluebird, resting on top of the nesting box.

I am not sure how many of you are following the Live Loon Cam here in Minnesota, but this is the week! Larry thinks that the eggs will hatch sometime between Tuesday and Thursday. It is really something to see! The link is to the left on my page:)

Overlooked

We have two possibly three sets of Eastern Bluebirds nesting in our yard. We only have two proper Bluebird houses up. One was positioned so that I would have a good camera view. The males being the flashiest of the pair, are easy to spot in amongst the Oaks that are not yet budding. The females are a little harder to spot. The poor females, are often overlooked. I think they are just lovely... Another case in point is a Duck, the Mallards specifically, she is so nondescript she blends into the landscape...yet HE sticks out like a sore thumb. You must look closely at this photo...did you miss her at first glance? Far Guy was quite excited when I was taking this photograph, he kept whispering "Great shot, did you get them both?" "BOTH??, all I see is one Mallard" I only saw one..but I was lucky it was a twoferone that day. Ducks are really hard to photograph..they only sit on these little potholes for so long before they fly off...it is like they have little timers in their heads...aim, focus..shoot..and when you get to the shoot part..they fly off..It must be a "hunting thing."

Being overlooked, something both the female Mallard and the female Bluebird have in common..that and really flashy males:)