A Bird In The Hand

Owen has recently discovered birds.  He calls them "Bah!"  He's also still doing this thing where he squeezes his own cheeks with one hand and says "Bah Bah" but I'm still not sure if that means "quack quack" like ducks or all birds?

Well, since it's officially spring and I have left all gardening up to my new best friend, Felipe, I decided that maybe we could go get a bird feeder and that could be this year's landscaping investment (read: little to no investment as per usual.) 

Bird feeders are hard to find!  I wanted to find one that came with a hook that would go into the ground vs hang from our roof.  I know very little about birds, but one thing I do know is...where there are birds...there is poop.  So no bird feeder hanging above our deck, or patio, or anywhere where I will have to clean bird droppings all summer.  Also, since this was for Owen, I wanted one to be at his height so he could actually see them.  So a shephard's hook into the grass in front of the living room side windows where Owen could watch to his heart's content (and bird poo will be safely away from public areas.) 

It took us two stores and one exchange to find what we were looking for (you can see O is pleased.)  Yesterday, as Owen and I were shopping for our supplies, I was having a hard time picking which one I wanted.  So, I asked Owen what he thought.  I held a few in front of him and asked, "Do you like this one?  Or this one?"  And Owen replied very thoughtfully, "I-eee?"  I said, "You're right - I think this one is nicer.  But do we need one that keeps away squirrels or do we not care?"  And Owen replied, "hee hee hee."  So we had about a 10 minute discussion about which feeder to buy at the store.  I was glad he was with me, he had some great advice! We did get a few sideways looks from some shoppers - but I'm sure they were just jealous that their 20 month old kids didn't provide them with such valuable advice.

Today, we went back to the store and made the exchange (I needed a taller hook) and came home and I set it up (well, kind of set it up.  Steve will be finishing the job when he gets home tonight.)  Our neighbors have a similar feeder about 30 feet away, so it may take awhile to lure the little birdies from their usual buffet.  But I'm hoping once they get a taste of what we're offering, they will set up camp at least long enough for Owen to see one before he scares them away.  But how could this view scare anyone away?  Ok, yes...they both look like they want to eat whatever lands there.

After Owen went down for his nap, our first diner arrived.  It's been a slow but steady patronage ever since. 

Here Birdie, Birdie, Birdie!

Oops, and as I write this a bird just flew from the feeder straight into the window.  Hopefully this isn't a sign that the feeder is too close to the house.  Or that the food I put in there makes birds into drunk birds?  Stay tuned...I know you're fascinated.