Hot & Humid

We're in the midst of some very hot & humid days, with some areas receiving a little rain, others not so much or none.  Don't worry if your lawns have turned brown, they look after themselves by going dormant. It is so much more important to water & take care of the trees on your properties....they provide shade & cooling for you & your home; they provide homes, food and cooling for the birds & critters that enjoy your yards & gardens!!

White-breasted Nuthatch searching for food in one of our trees.

Happy International Cat Day!

It's Monday, August 8th.....It is also International Cat Day!! We have been delighted over the last several years to support a local rescue - Holly's Hope Cat Rescue! If you are looking to add a new feline member to your family, please consider one from a rescue near you. If you already have a cat in your family, reminder that we offer catnip toys/monkeys with all $$ to Holly's Hope!! Cash Donations are also accepted! Looking for gifts for the Cat Lover in your family? Drop by to see what we have to offer....Never know what you might find!!

Eastern Bluebirds such a Treat!!

All birds are so very special and are such a joy to observe. We've been blessed with their visits the whole year round, with new arrivals & a few surprises! The Eastern Bluebirds have been a real treat to watch as they swoop & dive from their perches on a quest for food, choose a nest box, raise a successful brood and just plain make us smile!! Should you want to enjoy some of the best entertainment around, add a bird house to your garden....the joys are endless, the scenes amazing, the fun unending!!

New Guest....First Time Ever Spotted...Pileated Woodpecker!!

It's always so very exciting to hear about a first sighting or to experience a first sighting or to welcome wildlife to the garden that one hasn't seen in a very, very long time! A first sighting while on holidays, on a hike near home or anywhere is just so amazing to experience! We've been delighted to share with you photos of some of our "firsts", along with the regulars, or those we haven't seen since childhood.  Today was another one of those days for us!!

Upon arriving home earlier, we heard a loud, hollow knocking. Didn't really think much about it...it wasn't really that loud! We noticed a Crow part way up a tree but it wasn't doing anything to make this type of noise. Something told us to get the camera and go back outside. Upon further investigation, we discovered a Pileated Woodpecker at the base of one of our trees. Struggling to get the camera in focus in order to get a few decent shots, we realized there were in fact two of these beauties!!  Still shaking with excitement, while also trying to hold a fully zoomed camera lens & once again focus, we noticed a third "flaming red crest"!! For the most part, this third one remained hidden on the other side of the tree and since we didn't want to scare them all off by trying to get closer, we just captured what we could with the zoomed lens!! Many thanks for not minding our excitement...We've never seen one before, but after seeing so many pictures of them, they were on our "list"!!

Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker!!

Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles are still putting on a show, visiting quite often! We just love their antics & fun at the feeders as well as in the trees & shrubs surrounding the feeders. One can hear their calls, their squawks for food, although most of the young have figured out the feeders by now. One Oriole was having a huge splash this morning in one of our bird baths...first time we've captured that scene!! We've had customers share their pics along with thanks for our suggestions for nectar or jelly feeders....they are loving the fun as much as we are ~ Thank you all for your support, so glad we could help!! 

In the end, it is truly amazing how quickly the birds grow, how quickly they learn, how much entertainment they provide....Isn't nature just so very precious!!

Baltimore Oriole sitting just above the grape jelly feeder

Never Give Up....Learning from the Birds!

We all try many things, do many things, attempt many things....and sometimes we are unable to accomplish what we set out to do. Imagine if the birds didn't keep trying, especially when it comes to building their nests!! We've been fortunate to witness, and sometimes record, the energy & determination of many birds, while building & working on their nests. We've previously shared video of everyone's favourite, the Baltimore Oriole, now we are happy to share some fun with the Eastern Bluebirds!!. Heat & Humidity continue, please take care & make certain there is plenty of fresh water for all!!

Male Eastern Bluebird at the entrance, Female on rooftop

Temperatures Rising...Take Time for a Splash!

Once again, we are under a heat warning for our area. Please take a little time to relax, refresh, cool off, take a splash & drink plenty of water!! Consider offering fresh, cool water in a shallow dish to help out our feathered friends. Add a few rocks so that they can determine the depth of the water. The entertainment is perfect...Check out this Blue Jay having some fun a few days ago!!

Sultry Summer Days

We've had some very warm, humid days in our region and looking ahead over the next couple of weeks, we could be in for more. Everyone needs water to survive...the birds are no exception! One just never knows which species will show up at the bird baths!! If you don't have a bird bath, try adding a flat, shallow dish to a quiet spot in your garden...many should benefit from your kindness. Remember to change the water often, as standing water will create a mosquito problem, plus fresh, clean water is healthier for the birds!

Crows

Mourning Doves

Eastern Bluebirds

It's simply amazing to read about the different habits of various bird species, then to actually see what you've read...in action!! This has been the case with many & most recently, with the Eastern Bluebirds! The Cornell Lab of Ornithology suggests that the male Eastern Bluebird will search out nesting sites, then proceed to draw the attention of his mate to the site. We've witnessed this....over and over and over again with the male Bluebird until finally the female arrived and began to bring nesting materials to the box. Such fabulous fun to witness the happenings & interactions! Have a great Tuesday....very warm temperatures for the next few days...Take Care!

Not An Oriole but....Look on the Bright Side!!

Some things in the Wildlife Kingdom are pretty amazing! Some wildlife things make us sad. Some things make us a little confused, but isn't it best to look on the bright side when it comes to nature? Earlier this week we noticed a Baltimore Oriole tending to a bird in a nearby tree. Upon further inspection, we thought "it isn't an Oriole fledgling in that tree, but we were certain it was an Oriole that was taking food that way". A quick zoom on our camera answered our questions!! It was indeed an Oriole that visited the spot several times but it was not an Oriole that she was feeding. It's common for Brown-headed Cowbirds to lay an egg in the nest of another species.  It was a Brown-headed Cowbird that the Oriole was feeding....a first for us to see this happening with an Oriole. While it upsets some, it does happen and there's nothing we can do about it except maybe....Look on the bright side!!

Brown-headed Cowbird waiting for "Mom" - Baltimore Oriole

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks ~ Here I am, Here I am!!

It's the time of the year when many species of bird parents are doing plenty of teaching. After their broods have fledged, the young will learn how to find food in the wild. If there's feeders in the garden, feeder birds will eventually bring the family to the trees & shrubs near the bird feeders, then they will learn to land on the feeders! It is just a great time of the year for folks of all ages to enjoy the fantasy & mystery of our feathered friends!! Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are some of the best & favourite backyard birds through spring & summer! If you've welcomed these beauties to your garden through May & June, chances are they have nested nearby. Listen for a sort of cry or mew sound...it just might be a Rose-breasted Grosbeak letting parent know where they are and to "bring food"!!

Rose-breasted Grosbeak....Here I am; Here I am!!

Downy Woodpeckers

As we've mentioned previously, early summer provides for some great viewing & fabulous entertainment around the garden as bird "families" arrive near or at the feeders. The Downy Woodpeckers (along with the Red-bellied Woodpeckers & Hairy Woodpeckers) are some of the best visitors!! The tiny squeaks of the Downy Woodpeckers can be heard from the trees as they anticipate the arrival of food.   Eventually, the newly-fledged Downys will follow mom or pop to the feeders, waiting for a delicious feeding of peanuts or suet...two of their favourites! It is so fun to observe the wee Downy as he or she moves around the feeder as a parent gathers the food. Soon the Downys will have this feeder thing figured out & are able to feed themselves....just a treat to watch all the action!!

Mealtime for the Downys!!

Eastern Bluebirds Fledge!!

It's really so amazing to see adult birds building their nests, feeding their young, then knowing the nest was successful when one sees the chicks fledge!! We were lucky enough to see this happen with a family of Eastern Bluebirds & we were also delighted to spot one of the fledglings in a nearby tree shortly after leaving the box!! Add a birdhouse/nest box to your garden & you never know what you might see....Great fun & educational for everyone in thefamily!!

Eastern Bluebird just after we saw three of them leave their nest!

Happy Summer Solstice along with a "Strawberry Full Moon"!!

The first day of summer "officially" arrives later today, although it has been feeling like summer for a few days - whew...pretty hot!! Another heat warning for today for many areas so please take care.  It's a time for more blossoms, blooms & butterflies, more local fruit & vegetables! It's also a time for more fabulous birds at the feeders as the young fledge their nests & their parents show them where to search for food. It really is an amazing season to feed & watch the birds!!

Enjoy a wonderful first day of summer....Plenty of water for all when the temperatures soar! Clean bird feeders often & place them in the shade, if possible.

For Father's Day

Father's Day is just a couple of days away!! We're here to help if ideas for Pop have run dry! Our always-superb selection of Bird Feeders awaits, including the ever-popular Squirrel Buster line of feeders...If Dad is having trouble with squirrels, be sure to check these out! So many other styles & varieties of bird feeders are offered as well...we have something for everyone.

We also offer a wonderful selection of birdhouses, cement bird baths & statuary, rusted iron garden decor and so very much more! Our store must be seen to be believed! Stop by today...thank you one & all for shopping at local, family-owned shops here & everywhere!!

Squirrel Buster Bird Feeders

Just-arrived Cement Statuary

Baltimore Oriole Nest!!

We knew that the Baltimore Orioles had been sitting on their nest but were very surprised when we zoomed our camera in on it earlier this week!! We could see more feathers than we expected on at least one of the chicks. If you've never seen an Oriole nest, the workmanship by these birds is pretty amazing....really, all nests are! Consider the size of the sticks collected & placed by Bald Eagles or Osprey. The wee Orioles are fed often by mom and dad providing for the greatest of entertainment. It won't be long til these cuties will be out learning & exploring the world!!

Male Baltimore Oriole feeds & cares for thefamily!

"Pop" Baltimore Oriole checking on the nest!!

Check out that wing!!

Eastern Bluebird Update!

A few days ago, we noticed more action around a Bluebird house....in addition to Mom & Pop making several visits, as they have over the past little while,  heads were visible & starting to "peek" out the entrance hole!! What were these wee, beautiful Eastern Bluebirds thinking? Were they close to leaving their home? We've shared various photos of the male & female Bluebirds, all taken from a distance, or closer when they came closer to us. As their young prepare to fledge, we'll also keep our distance from them & let them be as they learn the ropes of life away from their cozy nest!!

Eastern Bluebirds

Male Eastern Bluebird

Thoughts to all....

Red-bellied Woodpeckers Never Disappoint!

No matter how many times we are blessed with visits from the Woodpeckers, they never disappoint! The Red-bellied Woodpeckers are no exception! Yesterday, both the Male & Female Red-bellied Woodpeckers were visiting our peanut feeders providing some excellent entertainment! Don't you just love their colouring? Their vibrant red heads, the mixture of colours on their bodies and that splash of red on their bellies - stunning birds! Bring the beautiful Woodpeckers in to your gardens with peanuts....they love them!! Suet blocks are also a favourite!

Female Red-bellied Woodpecker has her treat!!

Female Red-bellied Woodpecker at a nearby tree

Local Food Week ~ #LoveONTfood!

Monday, June 6th to Sunday, June 12th is Local Food Week...A time to think about, support & #loveONTfood! Ontario is blessed with growers & producers, markets & family-owned shoppes, roadside stands with folks selling their delicious produce & more...what could be better!! We have access to local commodities all year long; we have farmers who care about the items they are growing & providing for us.

We are delighted to support local by offering Maple Syrup, Honey, Sparkling Cider, gourmet Jams & Preserves, Ontario-grown Peanuts along with Sweet Corn & Garlic when in season. Many thanks to you for purchasing the local delicacies we & so very many others offer.  This, in turn, supports the wonderful growers, farmers, artisans we are proud to call part of our family!

We encourage you to make local food purchases this week, then continue throughout the year...We thank you so very much for doing so!!