Bluebirds vs. squirrel; Bluebirds win

While I hate to sound like I obsess over bluebirds, given my previous post about the pesky, little critters, I have to say the more I see of these birds, the more I admire them. 

This morning, I heard a noise outside my window. It sounded like a scraping and then a thump. There was a squirrel at the base of the bluebird's tree--the one that contains a nest box recently built by my husband, John.

The squirrel looked like he was hanging on for dear life as a male bluebird went about diving and hitting the thing. Now, I normally don't have much sympathy, or positive feelings about squirrels. They tease the dog, taunt my cats, and steal bird food. Though I will admit I enjoy watching their antics at times.

This morning, I sympathized with this obviously young squirrel--just a little. Poor thing was just trying to make his way down a tree--perhaps to get some exercise or make his way over to a bird feeder, which is where my sympathy would end.

The female bluebird sat inside the box, peering out as her man--er--the male bluebird instigated a death-defying battle. It looked as if she was cheering him on. She reminded me a little of myself as my husband dutifully checks off the completed items from his honey-do list. 

Soon the female bluebird joined him. That struck a familiar chord as well. There is no such thing in our house as gender-specific chores We both pitch in to take care of whatever needs doing. More often than not, we do them together.

The two birds were dive-bombing this poor defenseless young squirrel. If I could read the expression on his face, it would be one of bewilderment. He probably had no idea what he did wrong. 

The two birds perched on a branch before taking off. They flew almost straight down like barnstormer performing at an air show. They came right at the squirrel, slapping their bodies against him. At other times, they thrust their beaks into his fur. These birds meant business.

Finally, the squirrel scurried up the tree, and out of sight, using the back side of the tree, opposite the bluebird box. He was gone, so they settled down. It was quite a show.

I have wondered if there was anything inside the nesting box. I figured they built a nest, but I didn't know if it was filled with eggs or babies. Their behavior indicates this pair was being protective. While they were very aggressive, I can only imagine what it must be like to be a small bird in a world where there are so many other creatures bigger than you and most are predators who look at you as prey. Those birds must have viewed that squirrel as a terrorist. 

I admire the way they stuck together. They actually risked their own lives for the nest--parenthood at its finest. Any parent can understand that behavior as well. Birds and humans may be totally different species, but we obviously share many traits.

Narcissus, daffodils and Springtime

Even on rainy days, the colors found in daffodils and narcissi

can almost substitute for sunshine.

I can't resist picking a bouquet of them

to bring indoors to warm the still-cold temperatures. 

These hardy flowers come from one garden, 

planted in full view of a huge window, 

where they tempt me until I can no longer resist. 

These are some of my favorite flowers, 

probably because they are among 

the first to bloom in the Spring.

I love their almost-transparent pastel yellow petals 

and faded-looking yellow corona. 

The daffodils stand out among the bright and pale 

yellow double narcissi. Together, what a striking combination.

BTW, only 21 more days til Earth Day!

Is our government involved in bait and switch?

While President Barack Obama, speaking to students about alternative energy recently, talked about incentives for large companies to up their game on energy efficiency.

Every year billions of dollars--our tax dollars--in incentives are given to companies that pay little or no taxes of their own, in an effort to boost their businesses.

It is an ever-increasing practice business and government uses, at our expense. The benefit of tax incentives is often times touted as a benefit to consumers, but often times it isn't. Any perk for consumers is minuscule compared with the monetary gains businesses and politicians enjoy by the practice.

I can't help but wonder, what about the little guy? We should be so fortunate...

Recently, my husband and I were promised an Energy Star Appliance Rebate--$225 for the purchase of an energy-efficient washing machine. We spent a little more than we wanted to, but were lured in by the promise of the government-promised rebate.

I have begun to believe that all rebates are a scam. I can't recall the last time one actually paid as advertised.

Despite this being a government rebate, this one didn't deliver either. I thought a government rebate might be different. It wasn't!

Like the billion-dollar grants given big business, this rebate was an incentive to cut household energy costs. It was offered by the Obama administration and distributed by the states, and as we learned, sub-contracted to an outfit in another state.

We purchased our GE front-loading washer and matching dryer. We had been using a 30-year old pair--also a GE. We were very happy with the performance of the brand. Our machines were old, but still functional. They did not need to be replaced and we did consider waiting. But our decision was swayed when we learned the ones we wanted were on sale and there was a rebate being offered. We did something we haven't done since we retired; we purchased the appliances with a credit card. The decision to use a credit card was a difficult one.

Several months later, when we didn't receive the rebate, my husband contacted the Michigan company charged with handling the rebates for the State of Arkansas. He was told that we didn't qualify because we didn't write the serial number of the old washer on the application form and we didn't include the sales receipt. Also, it would do no good to reapply because the money had all been spent. Out of luck, was the way he put it.

My husband, who filled out the paperwork distinctly recalls the form said the old serial number wasn't necessary. The sales receipt was stapled to the form.

Is our government now involved in bait and switch?

Spring is by far the best season

The calendar says we are four days from the start of Spring, but no matter. In my mind, we have been there for days--weeks even.

 
Early this month, all the signs were there, despite cold temperatures designed just to throw us off. 

Still, it was hard not to notice the sun rising higher in the sky. Turning our clocks ahead only enhanced the obvious longer days. 

There was just something about the sound of the birds' song in the morning too, signaling a behavioral change. They began to scurry around looking for the perfect nesting material. They seem to sense that  Spring was and they were happy to sing all about it.

One of my favorite less subtle signs is in the plants. Nothing is more enjoyable than walking through the yard and scouting out those tiny green sprouts as they emerge from the cold, still leaf-covered ground. Here, my first crocus appeared on March 2.

Other buds also began to appear, like those pictured on the left: the redbuds, lilacs, and those big, fat, pink magnolia blossoms.

Today, things have advanced nicely. Springtime is unmistakable and it is a joy to behold.

Is there anything prettier than a new stand of daffodils in the spring garden?

The magnolia, though only a few years old, is magnificent.

I have even turned one of the blossoms into a screensaver on my computer. Pink is my favorite color and there is nothing more pink than one of these lovely flowers.


Waking up in the morning to start another day is always a joy, but there is just something almost magical about waking up on a mild spring morning. It is unlike any other time.

Enjoy!

NASCAR women from Arkansas have a great day

Mark Martin may be the man but Danica Patrick is the woman!

Not only did we women of Arkansas get to watch our native son, Mark Martin from Batesville, AR win the Sam's Town 300 at Las Vegas, but we watched Danica Patrick make NASCAR history.

Mark Martin brings it home

It was great to watch Mark Martin back in victory lane, a place he has been 95 times before.

His #32 Dollar General Chevy owned by Turner Motor Sports finished first at Las Vegas, ending a long winless streak. Martin hasn't won since 2009 at Phoenix. He went without a win during his entire 2010 season.

Martin was in the right place at the right time Saturday, as led only one lap during the race--the only one that really counts. Taking every advantage, he was nearly out of gas when he passed Brad Kezelowski, the race leader, who cut a tire, allowing Martin to cruise to victory.

It was a first win for Turner Motor Sports who enjoyed a good finish last week as well when Ryan Newman brought the #30 car home in fourth place.

And for the ladies, the big news of the day

Saturday's race has made history, as Danica Patrick, driver of the #7 GoDaddy Chevy, finished the race in fourth place. It is a career-best finish for her, and makes her the first woman driver in NASCAR ever to achieve such a finish.

Patrick broke a record that has stood since 1949 when Sara Christian came in fifth.

Patrick said she was secretly hoping for a finish in the top 10, but instead it was in the top five. In reality, what she really accomplished was a history-making fourth.

Bluebirds are such scrappers

A Male Eastern Bluebird,
originally uploaded by rivadock4.

I have seen and even admired bluebirds who fight with other birds to protect their nest, but this was very different.

The other day, while sitting at my desk, I heard noises outside. My desk is right next to a window that faces east. When I glanced outside, I saw a female bluebird sitting on a low hanging branch of a young oak tree.

Normally, bluebird noises are among my favorite. They sing a very sweet song as if they haven't a care in the world. But this morning, that wasn't the case. The female seemed to be looking toward the ground, so I got up to see what all the fuss was about.

There was a real ruckus going on.

There on the ground, right below my window, which is about nine feet from the tree where she sat, I saw flashes of blue and rust tumbling all around, wings spreading wildly, as two male bluebirds were squawked and nipped at each other.

They were obviously suitors fighting for the lady's attention.

My husband made a bluebird house and nailed it to the very tree on which she perched. The winner would likely lay claim to the house, where he and his lady would build their nest.
 
A few minutes later, two more males and one female joined the fray.
The girls got into the dirt just like the boys. Everybody--all six of them--were  fighting.

This went on for some time, until there was only one male and one female left. The others flew away relatively unscathed. There are other bluebird houses in the yard, so I'm not sure what all the fuss was about. But, I look forward to monitoring their progress this summer. I can't wait to see little the little fledgelings peak their beaks out of the house. 

 * * *

The following day I related this story to my husband who, after spending some quality alone time in the garage, emerged with a new bluebird house.

In addition to the house worth fighting for, the bluebirds have taken over our  purple martin house in the back yard and three other houses in the front yard. There have never been nests in all of those places at once, but who knows, if they are fighting for a home already, this could be an up-and-coming neighborhood.

I am anxious to monitor their progress as the season moves forward.

Arkansas nickname to remain 'Natural State' as compromise fails; local officials had opposed - News | KTLO AM & FM and Classic Hits 101.7 Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corporation

Well finally, something done by government pleases me. 

Arkansas nickname to remain 'Natural State' as compromise fails; local officials had opposed - News | KTLO AM & FM and Classic Hits 101.7 Mountain Lakes Broadcasting Corporation