Mt. City Montage
by PAULINE TOM
Nancy and Stanley Bolf on Poplar Drive tidbitted on March 24th, “We had a couple of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks visit Mountain City this morning. I only managed to get a picture of one before they flew away. I am not sure how rare they are around here but it was a first for us!
Very cool.
Black-chinned Hummingbirds came back by the droves a couple weeks ago. The recipe for syrup is easy: Boil one part sugar in four parts water. Cool and fill the feeders.
My favorite hummingbird feeder now is the Hummzinger Highview by Aspects. It’s simple to clean, and the hummers in clear view perch.
RonTom and I watched a Black-crested Chickadee pulling dog hair from a suet feeder filled with nesting materials. Cornell Lab of Ornithology suggests providing colorful natural fiber yarns (not longer than 6-inches), twigs, leaves, dried grasses, feathers, and pet hair (if the pet has not been treated with repellants).
Enjoy watching nests? Join NestWatch. Discovering and monitoring nests provides a wealth of data that scientists need to learn more about nesting birds and how to help them. It’s also fun! Learn safe ways to search for and observe nests and find out how to submit your data, at www.nestwatch.org (Or, contact me. I serve as a NestWatch Local Coordinator.)
Woe to the scaly lizard whose movement or scent captures KissMe’s attention. Try as we do to stop the Mighty Weenie Dog Hunter, he managed to catch two this past week. One, he ate. KissMe got stopped before destroying a Checkered Garter Snake.
BoD (12 ½) hurt his back in all this shenanigans, so he cannot race in the Buda Weiner Dog Races the last weekend in April.
Butterflies and caterpillars galore at Easter time speak to me, “What a picture of new life in Christ!” Our yard features abundant native plants that provide nectar for butterflies as well as food for the caterpillars. Lilly and Hannah from next door made a field trip to gather inhabitants for their butterfly houses.
Happy Resurrection Sunday to you!
I could use tidbits (Mountain City-related in any way) galore. Please send to [email protected] or phone 268-5678. Thanks! Love to you, Pauline
