“Are you going to come out here and fill this feeder for me? Its cold out here!”
We have had COLD temperatures the last several days; lows at night getting down into the teens, highs during the day hovering around the low fifties. Rain, hail, wind and snow all during the past few days. Spring?
With the temperatures getting down so low at night (19 degrees), I felt it necessary to try my best to make sure the birds were feed well during the day. We setup several feeding stations, even purchasing a couple of new feeders.
I am tired of the Squirrels, Coons, Deer and Bear getting into my bird feeders! The bears are the worse!
It would be nice if the other wildlife wouldn’t destroy the feeders, while trying to eat. We have been taking the feeders in at night, trying to minimize the damage, but that can be a real pain!
I looked out my kitchen window this morning and there was a rabbit, chowing down on the seed I threw out on the ground. So, I should add rabbits to my list above, but they don’t destroy the feeders. I love all the critters, but just don’t want them destroying our bird feeders.
Squirrel Proof? This is one of our new feeders. A deck mount. I sure hope the critters can’t reach this one, because it is a long way down if they fall.
Love this little feeder (not a sharp photo, because the wind was blowing hard)
I found the little feeder above at Wal-Mart. It is perfect for feeding the Orioles Oranges and Grape Jelly. They seem to love it also.
Bullock’s Oriole
Bullock’s Oriole
Dip, Dip, Dip
This Oriole feeder is one I purchased last year and I fill it with sugar water and a little of the Oriole orange colored mix, which turns the water an orange color. I also fill a Hummer feeder with the same liquid, which the Orioles seem to enjoy.
“Are you still watching me?”
The photos below were taken from inside the house through the glass. I can’t seem to sneak up on these guys!
Western Tanager on a very cold MAY day
Black-headed Grosbeak (male)Sitting in the Sun
During the last couple of days we have had the following birds visit our yard:
Western Swallowtail (looks more like a Two-Tailed Swallowtail, but can’t see the tail(s) clearly)
We have a Radiant Crabapple Tree in our yard. This tree was obviously grafted from two different crabapple species, because it has both red and pinkish blooms. Before, our hail storm yesterday it was in full bloom and had caught the attention of this lovely butterfly.
It was going to be a fun Sunday. Several days ago we purchased tickets to see a performance at our locat Budweiser Event Center. Cirque Du Soleil, Varekai was performing in Loveland!
We have seen most of the Cirque Du Soleil performances and truly enjoy them. We decided we would go to the Sunday show at 1:30pm.
On Sunday morning we woke up and decided after coffee and a walk we would have brunch at our favorite local restaurant called The Egg and I. They have excellent food and we love going there. After brunch we would then head over to the Event Center a little early and watch the arena fill up with people. People watching can be fun.
After we had our coffee we set off to enjoy our morning walk with our two “girls”. We have been walking our dogs, on this hill where we live, since March of 1987. Skye, the Keeshond is going to be nine and Kloud, the Siberian is going to be ten. They have enjoyed daily walks for all these years. All of our previous best friends have enjoyed our daily walks in this neighborhood as well.
We were calmly walking along enjoying the morning when we noticed a big, black dog in front of us. The dog spotted us and charged, attacking Skye. No hesitation from the black dog, full out run and attack. It all happened so fast.
Skye is crying as the black dog is biting her on her back and side, Kloud is howling, I am screaming and Howard is trying to hold on to Kloud while going after the black dog. I am on the ground grabbing for Skye and trying to get her out from under the black dog. Howard grabs the dog by its collar and is pulling with all his might. Finally, he manages to get the dog off of Skye as I continue to grab for her. Finally she is in my arms, still crying, as I try to calm her down and see if she is hurt.
We were both so upset that our sweet girl, that doesn’t have a single vicious bone in her body is attached. We are dazed and become angry. Nothing like this has ever happened to us before. This family has had another dog that attacked and seriously injured a neighbor and their dog. The big, black dog is one of five the owners currently have.
Our friends and neighbors that live diagonally across the street from the people that have the black dog heard the screams and came running outside. I thank them so very much for assisting us. Howard was banged up, injuring both knees and suffered a sore shoulder from pulling at the dog. They brought out supplies for Howard to attend to his wounds. They, after we requested, called the Animal Control office for us and an officer came out a little later.
In the meantime, I take Skye and Kloud back up the hill to our house to put them inside and Howard stayed holding on to the dog and waiting for the officer to arrive. I didn’t have my house key, but put Skye and Kloud on our enclosed deck and told them to use the doggie door to go inside. I wanted to drive back down to see if Howard was okay. I didn’t have my car keys, but remember our next door neighbors had a key to our house. I ran over to their house and asked for the key or garage door opener. They realized I was upset and offered to drive me around to where Howard was. I thank them so very much!
Arriving back at the scene, I saw that Howard was okay just banged up and still holding the dog by its collar. Finally, I get his house key and go back home to check Skye. She had appeared to be okay as I walked them home, literally wanting to run back to our house.
I cut away some of Skye’s fur so I could clean the area around what I thought was the only two puncture wounds she had, I used Peroxide. The animal control officer told us when he came to our house to put Neosperin on the wounds, which we did. I also gave her an 81mg baby aspirin.
It turned out to be a difficult time for Howard, at the scene, when the lady that owns the dog pulled into her driveway, as he was talking to the Animal Control Officer that had arrived. No remorse, on her part, for what happened and that it was all our fault. I will just leave it there.
We had to fill out paper work when the Animal Control Officer came to our house. He took our statements, took photos of Skye, Howard’s injuries and my scrapes. As of now we have not heard anything else from him.
Monday morning we called our vet and took Slye in to be examined. We wanted to make sure she was okay. The vet cleaned the wounded area and shaved fur in order to get a clear picture of the extent of her wounds. We were horrified when Skye came back into the room. She was bitten in several places and she was so bruised and very swollen. She was prescribed three meds and we were instructed to keep giving her a baby aspirin for five days.
I had make the mistake of giving her the aspirin, because the vet could not give her anything stronger as it would react with the aspirin. I leaned continued use of aspirin in dogs will result with injury to their stomach.
Our vet also gave us the name of a gel that would help with the bruising. It is called Arnica Gel and I put it on Skye’s injuries three times a day.
I write this to warn others that have dogs. Beware of dogs off leash and even dogs being walked on a leash. Our love for dogs, especially for me, reduces my fear of other dogs and it shouldn’t. Howard has been more alert at the possible danger than I have been. Not anymore! Very sad, but necessary. We will, from now on, carry something to defend ourselves and our beloved dogs.
Please be on alert, it can happen so fast. I know all of you probably are, but just be extra careful.
Our situation could have resulted in a more horrific result, Skye being severely injured, Howard and I could have been bitten or badly injured.
I took these photos, in my yard, the day before we left Colorado at the end of October.
We are currently at Tyler State Park near Tyler, Texas. We plan to leave in the morning heading to Lake Bistineau State Park near Shreveport, LA.
I am behind in blogging and hope to catch up, in a few days, sharing all our experiences since leaving Ray Roberts State Park. All is great! Back in a day or two!
Wolf Song Blog 