Stories, events and life in general from Miss Kitty's point of view


Monday

Bird watching with dad



For a couple of days there was a break in the weather and we experienced temperatures we normally have mid-August, but all that has changed since. Now the skies are grey and everything outside is wet, however last Thursday it was so nice that dad and I were spending a good portion of the day birdwatching.




So here I am, resting comfortably on my pillow throne, partially hidden from view of the birds behind the azaleas, watching the entertainment occurring in the tree where dad placed all the bird feeders.
Very often a number of birds come real close to the window to check out the plants before heading back to the feeders.




Somehow they never see me as I remain ever so still, besides even if I could catch a bird, I no longer do, having given up the practice a couple of years ago. I guess dad likes that very much since he keeps feeding these flying creatures all year.
In the meantime dad was occupied setting up the tripod in the doorway of the kitchen since it is directly opposite the tree and as the day progressed dad did his best to photograph the various birds visiting our garden.




It was still early morning with a soft light when a sparrow landed on one of the upper branches, inspecting the sanctuary where others were feeding before joining.




Dad does his best to identify these beautiful visitors but mostly he simply enjoys their presence and song.




Dad was never sure of this birds name so he ace it one. He simply calls it ‘Hooded Monk’. What do you think?



Nuttall’s Woodpecker


The past eleven years that we have lived here, their have been visits from a woodpecker now and then, but this year we have been blessed with the continued presence of not one but three woodpeckers. Two males and one female coming regular to feed. We also hear them peeking on the tree trunks, before and after feeding on suet, nuts and seeds. 


Whenever dad sees one arriving, he announces it to anyone in the household. It is a big ‘thing,’ especially when one considers that according to American Indian legend, a woodpecker is to be the bearer of good luck.



Pygmy Nuthatch


This is one of the smaller birds and only once did dad see two of them at the same time, so it is not as common as some of our other visitors. It was not until dad brought the picture up on the computer screen that he noticed the Pygmy Nuthatch’s back was not grey, but a grey-blue with emphasis on the blue.





Once the sun passes further to the West, descending behind the trees, our visitors are few and far between. Tomorrow the entertainment will be repeat, regardless of the weather, but since the skies were grey, I was sleeping in my fur house.








With our next post we will share some news we received from Angel and six garden cats a few days ago. If you have not been visited her blog, please do pop in and have a look and meet her feline companions.


Before closing a quick couple of notes, we want to let you know that with our next posting we will be providing information as to the second quarter Calendar Bookmark Photo Contest. Also from now on we will respond to your posts directly with a post since so many of you do not show your email address. So you may wish to check the email follow-up box.



Wishing you all a wonderful start to the week.




43 comments:

Sparkle said...

I love the bird photos! They are very yummy-looking, I mean, pretty!

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings Sparkle,

Many years ago a number of these birdies were part of my monthly menu and it was so delicious. I never had any of the bigger birds, just the little ones.

lupie said...

So, Ms. Kitty - you are a retired 'hunter' ...?

You look so comfy on your throne. Such nice padding, bed ...

Thanks for sharing with us the lovely birds.

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings Lupie,

Than you for stopping by. Well old age forces one to retire, but I did not tell dad that I did try a few times this summer to catch a bird. In general, I just like looking at them now.

Take care,
Ms K

isabel gutiérrez said...

Hola Miss Kitty, me encanta verte sentada plácidamente en tu almohadón. Me recuerdas a los gatos que tuvo mi hermana en su jardín, en Surrey, Inglaterra.

Ella también tiene árboles de los que cuelga comida para pájaros y yo he hecho cientos de fotos a estos pájaros, aunque creo que no tan perfectas como las fotos que ha hecho tu dad Egmont.

Deseo que esos brotes de primavera se hagan realidad muy pronto.

Un beso para los dos, Isabel

Kea said...

Stunning bird photos, Miss Kitty! You're very lucky to have such fabulous kitty TV!

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings dear Isabel,

We were not aware that you have a sister living in England and who also a bird enthusiast, that is just great.

Maybe you should get one bird feeder and hang it close to a window were your feline can sit and also watch the coming and goings.

Wishing you a wonderful day and may spring come soon too,

Ms K & E

Miss Kitty said...

Hello Kea,

Thank you for dropping in and having a look at what has entertained us recently. I did not think of it as TV, even though I sometimes watch the tube with dad, especially when it is a foreign film and everyone speaks differently.

Take care,
Ms K & E

Mr Puddy said...

Ah HA ! I come to the right place !!!
Lot of beautiful birds here and so variety..must have so many taste I could imagine..hee..hee..hee
Yummy Yummy

PS : your photos are gorgeous : )

Katnip Lounge said...

Mommy misses all those pretty birds. Here in the desert not too many species around except sparrows and verdins, and of course hummingbirds. We can attest that the sparrows are tasty!

Miss Kitty said...

Hi Mr. Puddy,

Thanks for the visit and yes they are tasty but I could always do without the feathers getting in the way. What about you?

Well now I enjoy a finer palette.

Take care,
Ms K

Miss Kitty said...

Dear Trish, (Katnip Lounge)

Sorry to here that the desert does not offer a variety of birds but on the other hand, your felines have a palace and may just not crave the flying feathery entertainment I have.

Tell mum Happy Birthday wishes from us,
Ms K and E

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Miss Kitty
At first we thought, Miss Kitty is outside and then we saw you gorgeously lounging on your throne -- how fitting. What a lovely view you have and what glorious pictures your Dad got of all those savory (NOM) birdies!
Enjoy your view!

purrin
xoxox

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings dear Abby,

I think you should know that when I am outside I sit on the balcony and enjoy the view of the birds just as much. I also like drinking from the bird fountain and then sit there. Unfortunately no birds come even though I am not going to hurt them.

Dad took a few exposures of me drinking form the fountain but I told dad not to publish them.

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

chuckled at Sparkle's comment lol......

The photos are captivating!

Annie Bear said...

I LOVE your pillow throne, Miss Kitty! Mama says the bird photos are beautiful. What a wonderful home you have to be able to see all those birdies in such comfort!

Cat said...

Oh Miss Kitty you look so beautiful in the dappled sunlight!!! You must enjoy birdwatching very much and it is nice there is such variety. The winter is so harsh here that we only have some hardy Blue Jays (who enjoy to eat peanuts in the shells) and the occasional cardinal. Their bright colours are such a joy to see in this gray winter :-)

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings Lucy,

Thank's for looking in on us. The pillow throne is real comfy, but I also like the fur house I have especially when it is cold.

Ms K

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings Caren and Cody,

Thank you for your visit and comment. We agree, Sparkle hit the nail on the head with his comment.

Ms K

Miss Kitty said...

Dear Catrina,

Thank you for dropping in for an extended visit.
Our scrub jays love getting larger nuts and then we watch ho they place it between their clays and start picking at. Any time one eats a larger piece they stop off for a drink.

You are so lucky for having a red cardinal in your area since they do not migrate to us here and that makes dad sad since he really loves them.

Best wishes,
Ms. K and E

Christiane said...

Liebe Miss Kitty,
das ist ein gut gewählter und bequem aussehender Platz den Du da hast. Einfach perfekt für Vogelkundler. Einige dieser bunten Gesellen können wir auch bei uns
beobachten. Zwei davon kennen wir hier nicht. Und ich muß gestehen, wir haben uns noch nicht aus der Jagd des Federviehs zurückgezogen. Am liebsten mag ich Rotkehlchen. Die sind dumm und langsam und lassen sich leicht fangen. Sitzen einfach so auf dem Boden und warten, dass man sie frißt. Unsere Dosi-Mom schimpft dann immer und regt sich furchtbar auf. Was soll's. So oft kommt das schließlich nicht vor.
herzliche Grüße
Ninifee und Christiane

katzenfreundin said...

Liebe Miss Kitty,

was für einen wunderschönen Aussichtsplatz Ihr da habt. Ganz tolle Fotos von Euch.

LG Claudia

weaverpat said...

Dear Miss Kitty,
We love bird-watching. There is a tree right outside the kitchen window where both birds and squirrels play. We don't have a throne to watch from, though!
Mom hangs a wreath on the front door and sometimes finches come and try to nest in it. We love watching those seductive bird shadows throuth the sheer curtain.
Hope you are warm and cozy!
Deiter and the gang.

Mom especially likes the first bird picture with the soft muted colors. She thanks Dad for his kind email.

Miss Kitty said...

Dear Christiane and Ninifree,

Thank you for dropping and visiting.
We were surprised to learn that some of the birds we have here are also in Europe.
We know it is very hard for cats not to be hunting and I remember dad at times chasing me away from the bird feeders. Because I am a small cat I preferred sparrows and the hooded monks.

Wishing you all the best,
Ms K and E

Miss Kitty said...

LIebe Claudia,

Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch und freuen uns immer, wenn Sie vorbeikommen.

Liebe Grüße,
Ms. K and E

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings Kerstin, Finchen and Ayla,

Thank you for trying to find out the real name of our 'Hooded Monk' being a Oregon Junco. At first glance we would agree, but in the picture their back-body is grey while ours is tan-brown. Yet we think it deserves another look and we certainly appreciated your help in trying to find out what kind of bird it might be.

Wishing you all the very best,
Ms K and E

Miss Kitty said...

Dear Pat, Dieter and the gang,

Thank you for stopping by, we so love having your company.

We too have several squirrels that come to eat from our brick of seed and nuts but dad learned when sprinkling hot red pepper on it, the squirrels stay away. Once dad did this, the problem was solved. However we provided another spot for the squirrels with food so everyone can be happy.

THough we have trees and dad puts out nesting material, we have never had any birds make any nests and this makes dad sad but he remains hopeful.

Wishing you all the very best,
Ms K and E

Us4 Cats said...

Did you get to chirp at dem birdies? how very relaxing and soothing.
goegeous photos !

meowmeowmans said...

Hello Miss Kitty,

Such a nice update. You look even more striking than usual (as if that were possible!) in the sun. :)

What a pleasure it must be to watch the birds with your dad. We really enjoyed his wonderful pictures, especially since we are currently buried in snow and ice here in CT.

Have a great day, dear friends!

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings to Us4 Cats,

No I did not chirp with the birds, if I did, that would make me a flying cat.

Take care,
Ms K

Miss Kitty said...

Greetins meowmeowmans,

Thank you for your visit and comment.

You made our day with your words and dad is happy his pictures offered some warmth since you are covered in snow.

THe sunny weather only lasted two days and then it was back to gray skies and cold temperatures.

Wishing you all the best,
Miss Kitty and Egmont

Luzia said...

Liebe Miss Kitty, ein besseres Katzenkino hätte Daddy garnicht für Dich bauen können;-)) Wie Du da so schön auf Deinem Katzenthrom liegst und alles hautnah beobachten kannst. Früher wäre es Dir sicher viel schwerer gefallen dabei still zu bleiben?! Aber dies ist ein großer Vorteil im Alter, dass man gelassener wird. Und dies ist nicht nur bei den Miezen so:-)) Am Wochenende war ich bei Traumwetter in der Rhön. Es war unheimlich kalt aber auch schön. Dort traf ich einen ganz alten Kater, der Dir sicher gut gefallen hätte, denn er war so richtig cool. Ich werde mal einen post von ihm machen demnächst. Da ich immer ein paar Katzenleckerlies in der Tasche habe, ist er nun ein guter Freund von mir geworden. Im TV sah ich, dass es bei Euch auch unheimlich kalt geworden ist. Ich hoffe doch, dass Euer Ofen brennt und es Euch allen gut geht vor dem Kamin?! Für heute sende ich ganz herzliche Grüße an Dich und die ganze Familie. P.S.: Wollte Daddy nicht mal etwas schönes malen oder zeichnen?

Einen herrlichen Tag wünscht Euch Luzia.

Clooney said...

Dear Miss Kitty,

I love your fantastic window seat and all the varieties of birds that you are able to watch. (And the pictures of them are beautiful!) We don't have many birdies that come to our place yet so we have to do more research (because I love watching birdies and find myself quite bored without them). Please pass a hi to your Dad from us.

Miss Kitty said...

Liebe Luzia,

You are so very right, when I was much younger to keep still and not rush into an attack mode. I recall dad noticing that when I tracking birds my mouth was twitching, as if I could almost taste the bird. Now I am just not fast enough so I let t hem be.

Yes it has been cold here but not as cold as other parts of the US, it seems our winters have been harsher this year all over the globe.

We will look forward to the pictures of your new stray fried that you have been feeding with treats. Your such an angel.

Yes dad wanted to paint but still has not stated because of things needing his attention.

Wishing you all t he best,
Miss Kitty and E

Miss Kitty said...

Dear Cloon,

No birdies - that is horrific! So mum loves bird too, that is wonderful. Tell her to hang up some bird feeders and make sure that at least one is filled with suet since it offers much needed fat for birds during the cold winter months in cold regions. Then just sit back and watch, they will come.

Wishing you all the best,
Ms K and E

marg said...

Those are really gorgeous birds and what good pictures of them. We love your thrown of pillows. That looks so comfy. We are so glad you decided to make some more posts. We love seeing you Miss Kitty and all the gorgeous birds. Take care and have a great week end

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings dear Marg,

Thank you for dropping in and your kind words to dad's pictures. We are still trying to settle into a comfy rhythm of posting and it take a bit ore time.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend too,
Ms K and E

Jans Funny Farm said...

Hi, Miss Kitty, there is something to be said for the golden years when life is slower and quieter. But we cats are always curious and like our scenery.

Vicki said...

You have a beautiful blog! Prissie thanks you for stopping by and says hello! Beautiful photos by the way....Blessings to you and your family....

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings Jan,

Thank you for looking in on us and commenting, Yes the 'Golden Years', being pampered and just watching the events unfold in front of me is very relaxing and brings back memories when I was out there in the middle of it all.

Ms K and E

Miss Kitty said...

Dear Vicky,

We enjoy stopping by your blog and seeing what you are up to. Please say hello to Prissie for us.

Blessings to you and your family as well,
Ms K and E

Contemporary Cloth Inc. said...

Miss Kitty,
I love this post and your throne is perfect. You are such a beauty. You deserve only the best and thank goodness you have such a wonderful, loving family and dad, Egmont.
Best to you, also, Egmont!
Hugs to Miss Kitty,
Sondra

Miss Kitty said...

Dear Sondra,

Miss Kitty has had other places in the house as hers, but once we placed this large pillow by the window, it has been the place for her. She will be there for some eight-ten hours, looking out the window or just sleeping.

Dad says, they are so lucky to have me.

Wishing you all the best,
Miss Kitty and Egmont