Good morning everyone, and Happy Saturday as well! It’s a very wet start to our holiday weekend and it’s supposed to stay cloudy and wet the entire time. Typical fall weather. But it’s still nice out there. The chickadees and nuthatches were here while it was still almost dark, just barely starting to get light. I had to turn my deck light on to go and hang out the feeders for them. They were very happy too and landed on the feeders before I had them in place. Last night about 9:30 Muffin woke up and ran to the window. Obviously she heard something. She didn’t stay at the window long however and she ran over to stay by me.

She had heard something earlier at the door and she just sat staring. I couldn’t see anything however. So I told her she was dreaming. This time was no dream however, that big bear was out on the deck again, so it probably was him that was around earlier that Muffin heard. She knows when it’s something important. At least I haven’t seen any bears during the day for a while now. That part is very nice. I’m almost hoping for that next season to arrive so the bears will be gone completely. Notice I said “almost”. The bears might be gone in the winter, but it doesn’t really change anything since I’m not outside much in the winter anyway.

There are 3 chipmunks here this morning, which kind of surprised me. Skamper, Coffee and Chips (used to be Super Chip, but I decided to change it) were all here about the same time and have made several trips back and forth now. The blue jays are not too happy about it though as the chipmunks are taking the peanuts instead of the sunflower seeds right now. I go out again with some sunflower seeds on my hand and the chickadees come flying over right away, landing on my fingers, hand and arm. I keep hoping the nuthatches will see this and come over to my hand as well.

So far they just look. I have had lots of re-breasted nuthatches landing on my hand, but never a white-breasted nuthatch. Jasper the squirrel was back this morning too, he has his winter coat on now. We talked for a bit. It was nice to see him again. The evening grosbeaks are here too, I counted 6 males and 4 females this morning. All of this adds up to solitude right here on my deck. Peaceful, quiet, just the various chirping sounds of the birds and occasional chip from the chipmunks and Jasper. Beautiful. Calm. Restful. It is cooler than it has been and there is a light mist falling at the moment. That means it’s time for more coffee. Have a beautiful weekend everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2021 Steve McLeod.