I so enjoyed watching the birds gather at the feeder I put out a few months ago and have since decided to add two more.

Obviously, this increased the amount of seed I had previously purchased, but it has been well worth the extra expense.

My beloved redbirds have brought over several of their friends. I have seen a woodpecker or two and I even have a blue jay that shows up.

He is quite overbearing and I have noticed he does not dine well with others.

Additional feathered friends, who are also colorful, come to visit, and with all this action hubby has even gotten in on the fun.

This week as we were bird watching, he suggested getting a pair of binoculars.

These, along with a bird book, would certainly be an aid in determining the species gathered at the feeders.

In the current issue of Vicksburg Living, we featured Sarata, Tel and Carol Dunkin’s home.

Included in the renovations Carol’s father did to the historic property was a two-way mirrored window in the kitchen that had a bird feeder attached outside.

It was the coolest thing. You could literally be inches from the birds and they would never know it. No binoculars needed.

While I have become charmed with this part of nature, it has made me less tolerant of the neighbors’ cats.

These felines are taking their nine lives into their own hands when they come into my backyard.

On several occasions now, I have jumped up like a madwoman and run out of the house yelling when I see them slinking around near the bird feeders.

If those kitties want to come over and feast, I wish they would go after the pesky mole that has completely tunneled through both the front and back lawn and flowerbeds.

I would even reward them with a treat if they could eradicate this destructive rodent from my yard.

I also have a pair of chipmunks, that while they are cute, have played havoc with the potted plants. Their digging has made a mess on the patio and it keeps me having to continually add more soil to the planters.

I wish Alvin and his brother could get a glimpse of the cats. Then maybe they would reconsider hanging out at my house.

My backyard has also been home to bunnies, bees, butterflies and turtles.

Nature is truly fascinating, and while I don’t necessarily appreciate the creatures that undo what I have done, I still feel fortunate for all I have right outside my backdoor.

 

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. She can be reached at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.