Never Fear, Cardinals Are Here!

In Indiana most birds don’t stick around for the winter, I don’t blame them one bit, Winter can get very mean here. But the Cardinals are a very loyal bird. They stay in the same place year round. They are the state bird for at least seven states including Indiana. They are also very loyal to their mates, Choosing, taking care of and staying with the same mate for life. Only when one of a pair dies, does the remaining bird look around for another mate to remain faithful to for the remainder of it’s life span which can be up to 15 years.

The sex of a Cardinal is easy to determine, The male is a bright red with a top-knot and black mask, the female is a grey/brown with some red on their head, wings and tails, also with a top- knot and mask . Both sexes have an orange beak. Both of them also sing, but the female tends to sing longer and more often than the male. When you see one of them, you can be sure the mate is close by.

The male Cardinal takes very good care of his chosen mate. He will feed her before, during and after the mating period, bringing her carefully selected seeds and insects and placing them directly into her beak. The female builds the nest in dense shrubs, bushes or small trees only about 1 to 15 feet off of the ground. It usually consists of twigs, bark, vines paper, and leaves, then lined with grass and hair, She will lay between 2 and 5 eggs that are a buff color with dark specks. The female will stay on the nest for 9 - 12 days, rarely, if ever leaving the nest until the eggs hatch, during which time the male guards the nest protecting and feeding her.

After the eggs hatch they both feed the young until they leave the nest approximately 9 to 11 days after hatching. The parents however continue to feed the chicks for 25 to 56 days after they fledge from the nest.

The young birds are colored more like the female, the males slowly getting their red coloring as they mature. In cardinals eyes the redder the better, The males with the reddest coloring being more favored by the females.

Cardinals like to perch while they are eating, so a tray style bird feeder filled with sunflower seeds will definitely attract them. They like seeds, fruits, buds, spiders, and other insects. They also love the birdbaths. Of course they need heated when it’s cold.
In the winter months, it is common to see 20 to 50 cardinals in a pack. They depend largely on the seeds at birdfeeders in snow covered areas and tend to be the favorite bird in those areas during the winter months. They are also a favored species for photos, home and garden decorations and even Christmas ornaments.

I know that the cardinals are one of my favorite birds, and I sure appreciate the fact that they stay in Indiana during the winter because they brighten up the very dull winter scenery and look so beautiful up against all of the snow. (Can you pick out the cardinal in this picture taken during a sowstorm?) >>>>>>>>
Their presence is very welcome year round.
The birdlady

Groundhogs Day 2009

Well folks it is finally Groundhogs Day. I don’t have much hope in that fat, furry, critter saying that spring is on it’s way here in diana today. We are supposed to get more snow today and tomorrow. ( just what we need.)I can see most of my statues now. And my birdhouses have thawed out. They have changed the forecast however and it’s not supposed to amount to much,
About 2 more inches altogether. But it is supposed to get real cold here. Our groundhogs will probably stay inside for fear of frostbite.

I have had people ask me, why I stay in Indiana if I hate the snow so much well………. I have lived in Indiana all my life, which is a long time. (and that’s all I’m saying) Most of my family is here. Most importantly my kids and 10 grandkids live here. For the most part Indiana is O.K. but the weather is so unpredictable. For instance it’s supposed to be in the single digits for one night and then by Sat up to almost 50, How’s that for drastic differences? It changes as much as the gas prices.

While we are on the subject of change, I have a lot of changes that I want to make in my gardens. Some of my decorations need to be retired. I have been wanting to start a new Gnome Village anyway, so I guess now would be a good time to do that. I also want to put out butterfly feeders in an already established area that has a lot of plants that the butterflies love. I also want to order some praying mantis egg sacks from one of my favorite links. I am trying to get rid of my bad bugs without spraying because I have a lot of living things in my garden and don’t want to harm them too.

I have a lot of birdfeeders and birdhouses that always have nests in them and the parent birds get bugs out of my garden to feed their babies. I also can’t risk harming my frogs and toads that live in my toadtown. They do help a lot with the bug population, but I need to get rid of those pesky Japanese beetles. Maybe I can bribe one of my new Gnomes to catch them all in a bug trap, I hear they will do almost anything for a chocolate chip cookie. Hmmmmmmm
The birdlady

Getting Antsy, Need Sun

Well today is the first of February, and it looks like the North Pole here where I live. White stuff every where that you look. It's very pretty where it's undisturbed but so sloppy and nasty looking where it has been tromped through. I don't mind the snow at Christmas time but I would prefer it to be gone shortly after Santas arrival, is that so selfish of me? I hear that we have more snow coming soon, I guess that the 1 foot from the last snow just wasn't enough, We have to have more.

The two pictures below are the same spot in my garden. (which do you prefer?)

It's hard to believe that just a short time ago my gardens looked so beautiful with my lilies all blooming and the Black Eye Susan threatening to take over the whole bed, with the birds happily feeding at my birdfeeders during the day, and the Frogs croaking all night long. My goose statue has traded in her bikini and sun hat for a blanket of snow. Everything looks so bare and abandoned, most of my garden decor stored away for the winter. The real animals are also scarce, off hiding in the snow covered bushes somewhere, no doubt. I have seen rabbit tracks in the snow leading to the barn and some unidentifiable tracks leading towards the fields. I feel sorry for all of the wildlife having to endure these cold temperatures and all of this nasty white stuff. I bet they are hungry.

Maybe if I start some plants in pots it will chase away these winter time blahs. But I'll have to trudge through the snow to get my greenhouse out of the barn and set it up in the garage. One of these days I'm going to get a real greenhouse with a good heater. But for now my tiny portable one will have to do. I also need to get a heater for my birdbath, so the birds can have water during the cold months. Who am I kidding, what I really need is a bigger yard.

thebirdlady

Waiting For Spring

Every winter I anxiously await the first signs of spring. The long cold winter seems to be never ending. Time stands still and all you can see is snow, brown grass and bare trees. Indiana don’t you just love it? It’s nearing Ground Hog Day February 2nd and I find myself wondering is it almost over? Will the ground hog see his shadow? Could spring possibly be right around the corner? Well it’s not likely to be an early spring here at least, it is snowing now, the biggest snow Indiana has had this season in fact. The groundhog probably won’t even be able to get out of his den, and if he does make it out, who will see him?

My bird feeders are covered with snow so badly that I‘m not sure I can find them to fill them up. I guess I’ll wait a while to try, at least until it stops snowing. I don’t see any birds out in these blizzard like conditions anyway, but I’m sure they are there somewhere waiting for their seed. There are no animal prints out there that I can see either. Snow is so pretty and I would love to see it, if it would stay white and smooth like it is now, But it ends up dirty and slushy. It also causes a lot of power outages and very dangerous road conditions. But overall I would rather have the snow than the ice.

I can see part of my Goose statue, but the Buddha Statue is almost covered and I can see the tips of wings suggesting that my Gargoyle is almost thoroughly covered. Somewhere scattered through the big garden are my solar lights I don’t see them but I know they are out there. All of these got left out in the weather this year because they are so big and I have little room in the barn for anything. It is cramed with garden tools and my lawn furniture and garden swing take up most of the available space, maybe next year I’ll buy some covers for them and leave them on the porch so I’ll have more room.

My husband is going to brave the storm and start the digging out process, maybe I should tie a lifeline to him and then to the porch so he can make his way back. I wouldn’t want to lose him, I’m kind of use to having him around. I think I’ll cheer myself up and look through the seed catalogs and websites , maybe even do some ordering for the veggie garden, that will chase away my winter blahs.
The birdlady

Strawberries Everywhere

My strawberry patch is 4 years old now and I’m hoping for a good harvest this year. I started this patch for my Dad who loves strawberries. Now that he lives with us I thought that he would feel more at home with his favorite thing in the world growing right outside his bedroom window. It has taken a while for the plants to fill in nicely and I hope to get several nice berries this year. Last year we had too much rain and then horribly high temperatures before all of the rain soaked in, my tiny miniature green berries all dried up and fell off. I was very upset. I babied these plants for three years and was expecting more than the previous years handful of puny berries. The few berries that didn’t fall off were so waterlogged they didn’t taste right.

When I started the strawberry patch I spaced the plants accordingly and grew extra ones in a strawberry pot, in small hanging pots and little planters too, just so I could add them to bare spots at the end of growing season to give them a head start on next years plants. I bought a mixture of ever bearing and June bearing so they would have a longer bearing time. I had to buy a protective netting because the birds love them too. I can remember when I was a kid, In my sunhat with my own tools, weeding my dads strawberry patch for him. We always had nice juicy berries.

I have a statue of an owl to scare off the birds and other varmints that are everywhere out here in the boonies where I live. But I have to wonder who’s kidding who when I look out the window and see a chipmunk sitting on my owls head with a berry in his little paws turning it round and round while he nibbles away on his prized treat. Maybe I had better try something else. The net works on the birds but some of the animals can find there way in. Maybe I’ll try a wind wheel. Some animals don’t like the constant movement. Noise can be another natural deterrent. Maybe I’ll add a wind chime too.

If you are limited on space It might be a good idea to use one of those tiered beds for your strawberries. There are several ways to do it. I prefer to make my own if I do something like that. It’s usually cheaper and you can make it as big as you want and as sturdy as you can. But if you’re pressed for time I’m sure you will be able to find what you want for a reasonable price.

Just find a nice sunny well drained area and use a lot of compost or manure and you’ll have nice juicy strawberries in no time. If you have the room maybe you should grow some for the birds too, Or better yet hang up some bird feeders,They’ll love you forever.
The birdlady

Gardening on a Budget

Gardening doesn’t have to be expensive, It can be a inexpensive way for you to escape the drudgery of a job, kids, or just plain boredom. You can start out small and work your way up to a nice sized flower garden, with all the trimmings. There is no need to do it all in one day or weekend. Take your time and choose wisely when picking out plants and decorations. Pick a website that has a large selection of items that you like and order them one at a time if you have to. You’ll enjoy your garden time much more if you don’t rush or work too hard. Check around for the best prices, The internet is a great place to shop for garden décor and plants. You can even shop in your jammies, without wasting gas or having to pay for your lunch out.

You can dig up a small area to start with, maybe start with about six taller plants and a birdbath. Then when you see some other plants that you like you can dig more area around your first addition and plant the medium sized plants on the outside edges. If you have bare spots between plants when they grow I suggest filling them in with oriental lilies or Asiatic lilies, for a permanent solution or you can even plant some annuals to fill in until some more permanent plants catch your eye, or you can afford to get the plants you want or can’t live without. (once you’re hooked you’ll know what I mean.) Or just put a statue of a frog until you get a plant that you want inthat spot. another thing I do is put a plant growing in a pot in bare spaces until I make up my mind as to what I want as a permanent solution for that space.

If you have a friend or neighbor that gardens, they most likely would gladly give you some starts or cuttings of their favorite plants. Most gardeners are very generous that way. I have never met a stingy gardener. They all like to show off their most prized plants and are always eager to help with advise and if they can, starts off of their plants. That is how my gardens have grown so large. I have purchased some of my plants but the majority of them have been given to me. I also divide my plants when they get too large, and give some away then plant the rest. I have even had people stop and get out of their car and ask me about a plant or two that has caught their eye, only to head back to their car, happily with one or more plant starts in their hands to plant in their own gardens. I like to spread my plants around.

To finish off your garden, whenever you decide how large you want it to be, you can then decide what kind of border you want. The nice landscape blocks are rather expensive but they last forever, timbers are a cheap alternative but they will rot over time, plastic borders or fencing last a little longer but do break after a while. Or if you don’t mind taking a while you can drag home your own rocks to make the border. I have two large garden borders and one long row of river rocks of all sizes and shapes, that I have drug home over the years and too many to count shells to decorate with. They make a great natural looking border and they didn’t cost me a dime. I know a lady who used old bowling balls to surround her whole flower bed, Some she bought at yard sales and after a while people just started bringing her their old bowling balls to use. Sometimes the best things in life are free.
The birdlady

The First Sign Of Spring

Every gardener watches very closely for the first sign of Spring, There are many different things to watch for. It can be the first early plants starting to poke through the ground, the leaves starting to bud up on the trees, or the first Robin. Whatever you watch for it is a cherished event for any gardener that is waiting for the long, cold winter to be over. Where I live in Indiana, Winter can be long and brutal. Every year I watch for the return of the Robins. I love the sounds of their happy singing in the trees and seeing them hopping across the ground looking for worms. It doesn't mean that there will be no more snow, but It is a sure sign that Spring is getting close.

Time to start dragging out my garden decorations that have been stored in the shed all winter. I look every thing over carefully and replace anything that has seen its better days. It is also a good time to paint and repair things, before the plants start growing. I know my trellises need some painting this year. I have to get that done before they are covered with the vines that they support. One thing I like to get out early is my birdhouses that weren't left out for the winter and clean out any that have left overs of last years nests in them. The birds will be looking for nesting places soon and I want my bird houses to be ready for them, and in move in condition.

Birdbaths need cleaned and or repaired. I'll get my garden hoses out and ready to wash them down and look for cracks or breaks that need fixed. I have a lot to do. A gardeners work is never done. Every nice day is used preparing for the nice weather to return. I also need to get out my pots that will be used for seedlings and clean them before I plant my seeds or plants in them. I have many things planned and I never get them all done, but I every intention to try. I have so many flower beds that I start cleaning them up and work my way from one end of my yard to the other and then start over, It keeps me busy, But I love it.

I also start my veggies in pots at the end of winter, and plan out every square inch of available planting space that I have. As soon as weather permits I get a few in the ground, looking forward to the first tomatoes. I like to plant some a week apart so that I have an endless supply of ripe tomatoes. Now that the temperature is outside is warmer , everyone knows where I'll be. No point in calling the house phone, I won't hear it, don't bother knocking on the front door, I won't answer it, Just look around outside, I'll be here somewhere just look for the garden tools and cart. or better yet, grab a hoe and start weeding, I'll find you.

birdlady

Gardening Comes Natural

One thing that I look forward to every year is my first ripe tomato, There is nothing better than home grown tomatoes, I have been growing my own tomatoes since I was a child. You might say I was born with a green thumb and garden tools in my hands. My family has always had a garden, and I grew up thinking everyone did, In fact I was rather shocked to find out that not everyone got to experience the flavor of their own home grown tomatoes.
I couldn’t live without them now that I know how easy it can be.

I don’t intend to get carried away with my gardening this year, I am getting to old to spend all of my time weeding in the hot sun, I prefer to spend it in my garden swing in the shade, admiring my flower bed. I do have a few things that I consider a must to grow every year, Tomatoes, peppers and green onions. There have been a few years that I have intended to grow only these three things, to make it easier for me to take care of my garden, but Now that I think of it I have always added other things and never succeeded in growing just those three favorites. I guess I might as well admit that I am a garden addict. I can’t help myself. If there is a bare spot of ground, I have to plant something in it.

Next on my list is to try to make my flower beds a little easier to take care of too. I am going to buy praying mantis eggs this year to help with the insects, Between the birds, frogs, and praying mantises I should have a fairly easy time controlling the insects, I need to find a natural way to cut down on the weeding though. My husband wants me to make my flower beds smaller, But the one bed I chose to take out this next spring was so beautiful this year that I changed my mind and decided to keep it. It also contains a birdbath, and two bird feeders, so I would have to put them elsewhere. I am going to tell my husband that the birds took up a petition saying it would be too stressful on them to relocate. Do you think that would work?
The birdlady

Try Container Gardening.

There is a lot to be said for container gardening today, especially if you are short on room but love plants and flowers. We have come a long way from the drab clay pots that our grandma used to grow her plants in, and there are many different ways to display those pots too. Your front porch or patio can come alive with just a little help from you.

The first thing to consider when starting your plants in containers is where they will be located and the conditions they will have to endure while growing. If your plants will be in mainly sun, plant sun loving plants, shade - shade-loving plants. They will also need to be watered more often than your garden, because they will dry out faster in containers. If you have several planters and pots you may want to have a garden hose handy. A watering can is fine for just a few plants and saves a lot of time.

Make sure your pots have adequate drainage, if there are no holes in your planter you can put some rocks in the bottom to help keep the water off the roots of your plants. To cut down on the watering you can cover the exposed soil with mulch or peat moss, making sure not to put it all the way up to the base of your plants.
Of course, there are exceptions but almost anything can be grown in containers if you can find a planter or pot big enough to give it room to grow. There are so many choices on the market today and the internet makes it even easier to find exactly what you consider the perfect containers for you and your plants. You are only limited to your imagination.

When you are mixing different plants together in one pot make sure that they all have the same requirements in care such as sun, water and fertilizer. Most container-grown plants do not need fed as often as plants grown in the ground. You can even buy potting soil with fertilizer already in it, if you don’t want to bother with buying plant food or have no clue about the requirements on feeding them, that may be the route to go. However, for the most part you can read the seed package or ask the attendant at the nursery where you buy your plants or once again try the internet, There are many gardening sites that will answer any questions that you may have.

If you have a deck with no place to hang plants or place pots never fear you also have options. There are planters made especially to hang on deck rails, ranging from large planter boxes to single pots. If you can’t find them in your store, I’m sure you know by now where you can find anything you may be looking for, without me saying it again. ( aren’t we lucky to live in the computer age?) I love it!

After the planting is done you can accessorize, adding decorations a bench, swing, statues, or even a small fountain. The possibilities are endless. Make it a place that is all your own by choosing what you want to be surrounded by whether it’s classy or whimsical, you are only limited to your own style and imagination. So let’s get started making our porch, patio or deck the perfect place to go to relax and be with nature.
The birdlady.

Make Your Annuals Last Forever

Saving your seeds from your annuals is a great way to save money and always have a very large supply of your favorite plants. My favorite plants to do this with are Petunias, Moss Rose, marigolds and snapdragons. There are others that I save seeds from after the plants dry up too, and I always have plenty of plants to use as fill ins and to fill many pots and hanging planters. It saves me a fortune every year and sometimes I even have plants and planters to sell for profit. But to be perfectly honest with you there is no such thing as profit because I see too many new plants and decorations when I go to the nurseries that I always end up spending my profit.

Gardening is an addiction ask anyone who has it and they will say that they have a seriously awful hunger to have more and more plants, It can't be helped. If you see bare soil you have to put a plant in it. But of all addictions that one can have, Gardening is by far the prettiest and nicest smelling habit that you can have, so I say, GO FOR IT!

I keep a small decorative flowerpot on my porch and one on my patio, So when I am sitting there watching the birds at the feeders ( my favorite pastime) I plop a planter on the table and start deadheading or pinching seed pods off. The ones that are planted I'll work on when I weed or some may have to wait until blooming is over. Some of my perenials seed up too. I love to gather seed pods from my columbines and they always do great when they are replanted in pots the next year. They also sell well.

You can save your plastic pots that plants come in at the store for new plants next year to save even more money. I also use dixie cups, yogurt containers and anything else I can get my hands on. You would be suprised how fast ideas pop into your head once you have the obsession to grow your own plants. They will be everywhere. Gardeners are also very generous people. They will give you a start of practically any plant that you want. Sometimes without even asking.

In the early spring I take over the garage with my plants and plant lights. My vegetables need a lot of room too. There are plants on tables, chairs, boxes, shelves and even the floor. If my husband pulls the car out to go somewhere, he may not get back in. I work hard planting, then adding accessories such as statues, birdbaths, fountains and other decor, But it's all worth it when the yard is full of beautiful flowers everywhere you look. It can be breathtaking!

the birdlady

Bird Watching

Birdwatching can be very relaxing, I love to go on long walks and keeep my eyes open for the different types of birds. I have noticed the population of Red tail Hawks has really increased in Indiana. and have seen a few Coopers Hawks lately too. I have never noticed as many Blue Heron here as I've seen in the last few years either. I live in the country and the wildlife here is great.

Of course I have bird feeders to attract the birds and there are ponds on both sides of me so I see a lot of water birds also. and My yard seems to attract a lot of other animals too, My husband thinks I feed every animal around here. Not really, but you never know what kind of animals you're going to see. The hummingbirds are among my favorites.

I have several types of birds that visit my feeders,and I like to just relax in my garden swing and watch them for hours. I keep bird houses for them too. and of course birdbaths, so they have plenty of water to play in and drink. One particular bluejay I had use to come every day for peanuts I would put out for the squirrels. He would land at the peanuts grab one in his beak, and fly to the birdbath where he would dip it in the water several times and then fly up to the tree to break it open and eat it. Was he a clean freak or did he do it to soften the shell? He also did it with cheese curls when I gave them to him, Or should I say when he swiped them from the squirrels.

Birds can be facinating to watch, Give it a try sometime, You won't be disappointed.

the birdlady

Winter Time For The Birds

In the summer when food is in abundance, I have many different birds that visit my feeders, but a lot of them fly south for the winter. Although it gets awful cold in Indiana, Most birds do not hang around because food is hard to come by for them. Winter is the best time to feed the birds and they will provide you with hours of entertainment. Birds can lower their body temperatures to help them keep warm and burn fewer calories. They can also fluff up their feathers to help insulate them from the cold. However, they have to have food. So place as many birdfeeders as you can out in your yard.

You can also put bird houses out for them but most birds prefer evergreen trees and bushes , Brush piles and roof eaves to nest in over the winter. They will huddle together to keep warm and even pile up if the temperatures get very cold. If you see a bird, that has lowered his body temperature and he looks like he cannot move. Chances are he is O.K. When they lower their body temperature, it is like hyperthermia their heart rate and body functions are also slowed. That is very dangerous for humans but also for the birds because they cannot fly off if attacked by a predator. It takes them a while to raise there temperature again to resume normal body movement.

Feeding bird suet is also good for them in the winter. They need extra body fat. Woodpeckers love suet feeders. However, other birds such as blue jays, titmice, nuthatch, chickadees and cardinals to name a few like them too. The best seed for them in the winter is black oil sunflower seeds. It also helps them to store a little much needed fat for the long cold winter.
Birds also need water. If your winter temperatures get as cold as they do here in Indiana you may need to have a heated birdbath, I have also seen a solar type that is small but will keep a small area in the center from freezing, just enough so they can get much needed sips of water as needed, But I think the lowest it can be is 20 degrees.

I also place a piece of poultry netting over my chimney and a downspout guard in my vent pipes. I have had birds perch on the chimney to keep warm and fall in when they are overcome by the fumes. The vent pipe is another place they perch, but I have not had to remove birds from them. I have however removed a very large stash of walnuts cookies, peanuts and other things belonging to a very confused squirrel, But that’s another story altogether.

the birdlady