Female Downy Woodpecker

The birds are everywhere! No not really. But the feeders are certainly heavy with company during the winter. I think there is no better time to see the native birds in Ohio. Suet is a very important diet in winter allowing birds to store more fat and helps give them energy they need to forage.

We always enjoy the birds most during the weekends were we can sit by the window eating breakfast and watch them have theirs. We have been feeding these birds for what would be 6 years this April. And every year we generally see new species. Cardinals are so bright when they visit. There color looks exaggerated in comparison to there plume in summer. But a lot of me wonders if only it occurs that way because there is such and absence of color this time of year, making the cardinal seem more colorful. Either way they are so beautiful. I can't wait to practice with this new camera to get really great shots until then my apologies!

Experiments

It's December 20th and only 5 days till Christmas, its hard to believe how fast time flies. We just today finally finished decorating the tree. Cute white metal birds, and iridescent bows along with silver and white ribbon are just a few things that ordain our lovely tree. I have been getting an assortment of seed catalogs. Some that I had ordered previously from in the past. Others I have contemplated on an order but never did finally make one. This years selection process is going to be somewhat harder than years before. I have such a limited area and with that comes the challenges. Do I plant more Heirlooms. Or do I stick to the trustworthy plants that promises better yields. I know that I should be going for the time tested and harvest way of things. But I like diversity and Having a plain ole' tomato isn't always my idea. But what if I could have a Cherokee purple tomato instead? I used to know practically nothing about heirlooms. Now having been experimenting the last few years brings me to my conclusion. Taste matter's more than looks. And quality surpasses quantity. Cherokee purple upon first glance to me looked like a darkened unripe tomato. And even upon first taste I wasn't sold right away. But when I finally started eating it with  salads, sandwiches and making bruchetta I found there really is no comparison. On another note, flower's have been on the mind lately. Our winters here tend to linger. We are not even at a lingering phase but already I am ready to dive into spring. Last year on another experiment I planted some petunias and a few salvias in planter boxes on the rails of our deck. With the hopes that it would draw our hummingbirds nearer for a closer look. We were pleasantly surprised when we were enjoying dinner on our bistro table when one flew right up to the planter box and sipped up nectar with us only a few feet away. I decided then and there that next year I would go a little buzurk and plant dozens more and try and cluster them together for an even more tempting treat. Hummingbirds our one of my favorite birds. And one trip to our garden will tell you that plant choices were certainly made around the presence of hummingbirds. I doubt I could tell you what I love more of in the garden. But in there absence I find that I enjoy extremely fragrant flowers. Whether they are a English Rose or just a weed ( A weed is a beautiful plant situated in the wrong place) it doesn't matter I love them all. And to be quite honest at times our garden can sometimes have more weeds than flowers. But for the record, whoever says that gardens need to look kempt, clean, and free of the so called dreaded weed; Must have never took the time to stop and enjoy their garden. How do I know? I know because a well kempt garden is one were it's keeper never has time to enjoy it because they are constantly "fixing" it.
So upon this blistery cold day, take time to look at the seed catalogs you may have laying around. If you don't have any read a good book instead,
and Merry Christmas!