I’m old, so back-yard drama might seem tame to most readers, but it is exciting to me.

A couple months ago I bought from the QVC shopping channel, a five-cup bird feeder, each cup on a long stand so it stood rather dramatically in the yard. The QVC ad had shown several small pretty birds using the bird feeder.

After assembling the bird feeder, I bought some Kroger Wild Bird Seed when I next went to Smith’s. At home, I put a little of the bird seed in each little cup. A day or so later, I noted the cups were empty and tried again. Once more the Wild Bird Seed was gone within a day.

On day three I sat outside, waited and watched. Yes, a couple of small birds came into the yard and landed on the cups. Then came one pigeon and then another and then another. I have two small dogs, both chihuahua mixes, and when I’m outside, they explore the yard, I noticed that when they got near the bird feeders, the birds all few away. The dogs liked the power they had—so they stayed near the bird feeders or dramatically came back to the bird feeders when the birds were around and watched them scramble away.

I noticed that although the birds few away, the pigeons landed on my roof and sat there waiting for those (damn) dogs to go inside. (Like their owner, the dogs would eventually go inside because the heat is still plus 100 degrees in Las Vegas.)

Once the dogs were gone, the birds came back–-lots of them. Some of the birds ate from the cups, but a bunch of then were on the ground under the cups picking up the scattered bird seed on the ground. Tops, I’d say I had some 30 birds in the back yard.

Somehow the pigeons, particularly, had gotten on their cell phones and called everyone they knew to tell them about the bird feeders and when feed was in them. Yes, my backyard grass is gone, but the bird feeders are alive and well and the word goes out. Some smaller birds get the calls as well, but the pigeons seem to have the upper hand.

So now I buy very big bags of Kroger Wild Seed and every other day or so, fill the feeders ad sit and watch the drama. The dogs scare the birds. Some of the birds fight each other – many birds know the waiting game – and all the birds act hungry.

I’m old and these days, watching birds at my bird feeders is my fun.
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PS: Those readers who worked at S&C Electric Company will remember Ed Kowalski. Phil Thompson wrote to Ed who lives in North Carolina on how he was doing in the midst of the recent hurricane. Here is Ed’s answer:

Hi Phil –
I’d run away from 3 hurricanes in Florida over 8-1/2 yrs. but always came back to “normal” after power returned, once lasting 10 days. This storm was nothing that anyone in WNC experienced before or expected and it was devastating with extensive property damage and loss of life. Fortunately my home made it through with no damage but my generator’s been running since 6 am Friday – no power, phone, internet or water and of course no food stores or gas stations open. Some power may return this weekend but they’re saying it could be weeks before water. I finally bailed out Monday with my pups and am in a Hampton in Commerce, GA near friends of mine who are in a small apartment. Will head to friends in central IL this weekend for possibly a long stay. It’s a mess but many have it much worse than me. Thanks for checking in.
–EK2