Snowman Bird Feeder

Image at BirdsandBlooms.

Birdseed Wreath

via Recipes We Love: Gifts from the Kitchen (idea #5) Birdseed Wreath.

Pinecone Bird Feeders

Pinecone feeders are easy and fun to make. Hang these in trees or near your windows to attract birds and squirrels. These feeders are great in winter, offering animals a little “extra” when natural food sources are scarce.

WHAT YOU NEED:

1. Several large pinecones that have “opened” a bit.

2. Peanut butter, honey or both.

3. Wild bird seed (available at pet stores and garden/feed stores)

4. A large bowl

5. Spatula

6. Florist wire or heavy twine.

7. Scissors or wire cutters

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Cover your work area with newspaper. Using scissors or wire cutters, cut a six to eight inch length of florist wire and attach one to each pinecone for hanging (wrap one end of wire tightly around tip of pinecone). Using a rubber spatula, coat pinecones with a thick layer of peanut butter, honey or both. Be sure to fill the pinecone’s nooks and crannies! Fill a large bowl about halfway with wild birdseed. Roll the peanut butter covered pinecones in the seed until well coated. Hang by wrapping the wire (or tie the twin) around tree branches or hang with a hook near a window. Soon you will have many guests arriving for dinner!

via Rare Species Conservatory Foundation.

Western Covered Wagon Outdoor Birdhouse

Western Covered Wagon Outdoor Birdhouse from Collections Etc..

Animal antics at the Dickens house

As most of you know by now, three of our family members are felines. Most of their entertainment comes from guarding the four bird feeders that I keep filled around our property. I love the symphony of sound and movement the birds and squirrels and chipmunks have brought to our home.

Well, the other day, as they were parked under the bird feeders, waiting for one of them to risk landing and being pounced upon, and as the birds and squirrels were shouting objections their way from nearby tree limbs, a wise little chipmunk apparently crept through the hanging screen on the front door…

Later in the day, when the cats were in, they quickly alerted us to the fact that we had a critter amongst us, and we had a hilarious time moving furniture, letting the cats help corral the little cutie, chasing the poor thing from one hiding place to another, trying to shepherd him back out the door.

We never did see him actually get out the door, but none of our kitties have acted as though he’s still here, so I’m assuming he made his way safely home to his family. Very funny scene here for about a half hour.