In Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings the wizard Gandalf remarks that "hobbits are amazing creatures. You can learn all there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you." I feel the same away about common backyard birds. Take the Carolina Wren. I long ago comprehended their zest for protein on the hoof (as they comb for insects and spiders) and suet, and sunflower seed. So when one takes a meal from a safflower seed feeder, I it up and take notice. In this case, I am doubtful of parasites: this feeder got a very thorough cleaning two days before the picture was taken. And sunflower seed and suet are inches away. Yet this wren appears to be sampling a foodstuff I had not previously seen one consume. A delightful surprise!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
They Can Still Surprise Me
In Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings the wizard Gandalf remarks that "hobbits are amazing creatures. You can learn all there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you." I feel the same away about common backyard birds. Take the Carolina Wren. I long ago comprehended their zest for protein on the hoof (as they comb for insects and spiders) and suet, and sunflower seed. So when one takes a meal from a safflower seed feeder, I it up and take notice. In this case, I am doubtful of parasites: this feeder got a very thorough cleaning two days before the picture was taken. And sunflower seed and suet are inches away. Yet this wren appears to be sampling a foodstuff I had not previously seen one consume. A delightful surprise!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Hi David! Cool photos - the birdcam is a great idea. I love birdwatching too, though I'm not as dedicated as you!
What's your experience with squirrels and safflower seed? Mine went untouched by squirrels for about 3 yrs, until they decided that even though they weren't supposed to like it, they'd just hold their noses and eat it anyway! After the first brave soul tried it, they all joined the party and there were regular raids on my safflower feeder! :<
Hi Deborah!
(chuckle) This happened to me back in the spring. I got one squirrel who developed a taste for safflower. My mistake was to completely eliminate sunflower seed. Once I restored that to more accessible feeders the squirrels went for the tastier stuff and I reset the tastebuds. I am now trying to distract the squirrels with a platform feeder on the deck that is "theirs" and they seem to be behaving themselves. I can't tell from your comment if you have any sunflower seed out. Perhaps this tactic will help.
No I didn't have other distractions for them - will have to try that!
Post a Comment