One of my old favorites...
Spring migration has been ongoing here for several weeks, and I have said not a word about it. It's also the same story about the making of the gardens... "Where go the days down that tunnel of time..."*
The Summer Tanager did not come back to his post in the garden this year. And, the hummingbirds are scanty few, at best. Of course, change is a way of life that we must learn, at an early age, to accept, but still... It's the song I will miss on those long summer evenings when a warm breeze blows and those soft sweet notes linger on..."Chick-tucky-luck, chick-tucky-luck.... "
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Now, this is not to say that there are no Tanagers here this year, for I have seen a male and female pair when going up the lane to the main highway, and another male near the old barn where the kitty cats first lived.
Speaking of cats... Do you remember when they were just one big happy family? Well, I suppose an update is long overdue. You may remember that the sweet little black one, Baron I called him, went missing, causing me great worry and grief. But, gone he was!
However, the remaining three seemed happy and brought me much pleasure. To tame four feral cats, mean little hissing things, was no small task. I had accomplished much! (I am still amazed that I was able to catch all of them, one and a time, and take them to the Vet Clinic for their vaccinations and little operations.)
And, then, the unexpected happened. The little tabby with the white markings began to be absent quite often at feeding time. And, then, she, too, was gone. More sadness and worry!
It was at least two weeks before we found her at another part of the farm, living among the hay bales and in one of the long barns. So, that's her new home. She chose it. I feed her there every day. But, I still have trouble imagining why she, the most lovable of the four, would do this. I told my family that I didn't love her anymore, but I DO.
The other two are a pair and stay together. They seem content with one another, eat together, hunt together, and sleep together. I love them too.
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I had intended this post to be about gardening, but I suppose that will have to wait for another day. I will write then about the Flickers and the rabbits. And, the ground hog. Take care!
14 comments:
We have fewer birds around as well. No hummingbirds for the first Spring that I can remember.
How sad that the little black kitty disappeared, then the tabby decided to move elsewhere. At least you have the last 2 although that doesn't really make up for the loss of the other 2.
Our last cat was a feral one we kept as an indoor kitty when we found him as a kitten. He did not like our other two cats at first and once he got use to being inside, he had no desire to go outside in the catio my Bob built to let our kitties go outside. We sure do miss our Shadow now as he crossed the rainbow bridge. I sure hope the remaining kitties you have stay put. So glad you still feed the one. When I first moved here neighbors told me if I had cats to leave them inside because of all the wild animals we have around here. I sure hope your bird friends come back. The Tanager is a beautiful bird we do not have around here. Have not seen the Hummingbirds yet. Janice
Thank you for the update on the kitties. Glad you found one of the missing and can still have interaction. This Spring is different in so many ways. For us it is dry with cold temperatures at times; enough to make it not safe for any flowers or gardens just yet. The last of our 3 large backyard trees has been cut down. The trees grow so fast and tall; and being on top of our hill we get the winds. The tree had a crack from bottom to top. Knowing it will eventually fall we have spent this weekend removing sections bit by bit. All so very sad as it was our "shade" to our patio. The Robins were quite vocal about all the action going on! Happy Mother's Day to you. Looking forward to more post on your garden and happenings on the hill.
We have fewer birds this spring--hummingbird activity is less, only a few bluebirds after the invasion of them several years ago. I wonder about the 'no till' farming in the area with pre-emergent weed killer used.
My son rescued a family of half-feral kittens after the mom-cat gave birth in his woodshed. Mom-cat and the two females kittens have been spayed, the two males always seem to be on safari when it is convenient to schedule a visit to the vet clinic. We fret when several of them go missing for days at a time. A feral tom visited here for nearly three years, eating from the communal barn cat's dish, shying away from any contact with us. He disappeared last July.
I often resent the strays--even knowing their disruptive presence is beyond their choice, but we feed those we can.
Cats are their own people and make their own choices. Sad, though.
I enjoyed reading this 🤍 It’s sad when familiar birds don’t return, especially when their songs become part of summer for you. And the story about the cats touched me too. Even when they choose their own places, you still care about them so much.
I’m looking forward to reading about the garden, and the rabbits next time 😊
Like Aritha said, it's very touching to hear of your bird friends who didn't return (yet?) and the little cat who decided to move, and the other who disappeared. Maybe the tanager will appear?
My last post went a bit "sideways" from what I intended to post about as well...and, now, apparently it disappeared altogether. In any event, it is good to get an update from you. I've been wondering about the kitties. I'd fret about the black one's disappearance as well...life is so precarious for their sort; but I am glad you finally found the tabby again. Who knows her reason for "relocating." Perhaps, like some humans, she's just a loner. And how you must miss your Tanager friend. Is it possible he may return yet? We have had no humming birds return yet here. It has been a cold, wet, spring however. We still have frost or freeze warnings most nights - tonight it is a freeze warning with temps dipping down to the 20's again.
Beautiful photos and I love the cat.
We can't feed the birds as we have a bear issue.
Poor missing kitty glad you found the other one.
Cathy
I had neglected to service my hummingbird feeder for a few months, and since I got it cleaned up and filled again, I haven't seen a hummingbird drinking there. I'm sure there are many more places to find sugar syrup in the neighborhood, and hummingbirds like to drink from the pomegranate flowers in my garden, as well as other blooms.
But the Hooded Orioles have been back at that feeder, and I hadn't seen them for a couple of years. They have drained it halfway in a few days. AND I saw a fat robin for the first time in years, too. But I haven't had a seed feeder up for a long time, so I've been adjusting to fewer birds because of that change. I used to have doves eating the seed that fell from it, and I rarely see them anymore.
We are lucky to have so many different kinds of birds around our feeders. It's a joy to watch them all.
I loved this sweet post. Your kitties look very healthy and loved.
Ah kitties can be funny pets...some need us and love us while others move on hurting our hearts - have had several in my 69 years of life. Each one had their own special personality. Now I have a shed cat that became a garage one. My GSD's want to kill him so he stays safe in a part of the garage where the dogs don't bother him. He is warm and safe and each evening he gets held and cuddled after the day comes to an end. Funny you wrote the title of your post before mine yesterday. Honest I did not see yours. Guess between walks, art, and gardening and pets we are kindred spirits. Take care - have a wonderful weekend. Hugs!
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