early to late wednesday

When i lived in the city, i had bird feeding stations in our postage stamp sized back yard. I spent hours leaning on the counter top and gazing at the few birds who visited continually. Along with the usual suspects, the house finches, house sparrows and occasional chickadee & tufted titmouse, there were some really great birds... the best for a tiny city yard was a indigo bunting.  the 'little bue bird' that started my interest in birding.

Here in the country i  have an array of feeding stations outside my kitchen window.  I can watch while i do kitchen clutter control. Just  like in the city, i often stand by the window  and check out the action at the feeder.  The Big difference here,  i can also watch the birds  at feeders from the comfort of the living room sofa. A favorite place to read and watch on any kind of day.

I  do bird inventory off and on. what birds visit at any given time. Comparing one year to another.  Always interesting to see when birds pass through the yard,  looking for water and a free meal on their way to some place else. Summer birds nesting, winter birds sticking around if there is enough food, (which i make sure there is).  Just last week two pheasants passed through the yard,  about the same time of year for many years now. Handsome him, plain Jane her.

For a long time, i have noted the last bird at the feeder, just before it gets too dark to see, is the Cardinal.  We have a huge summer  population with many babies raised right outside the kitchen window. Migration actually starts  Mid to late August, when food is plentiful.   Summer residents go south and birds that nested further north, fly in to take their place.  Seeing the cardinals at their evening feeding, i realized i had no knowledge of which birds were the first  to arrive in the chilly fall morning.  Mystery  finally solved!  The early birds and the late birds are one and the same  the cardinal!

Since Hubby now leaves for work at the unheard of hour of 6:30 a.m.  i often walk the dogs early and exchange a few early morning pleasantries before heading back to bed. Wednesday morning, while make  small talk, i heard the unmistakable sound that signals the arrival of the cardinal. Light from the kitchen illuminated the feeder, and there he was.. eating  all alone, One male cardinal.

Country life....
for the city girl.