lazy, Legacy, and lollygagging

Tags

American Wild Mustang, Bluebirds, Central Virginia, feeding wild birds, Legacy Mustang Preservation, Mary Mockingbird, North Dakota Badlands Wild Horses, Wild Horses of America, Wild in the Pryors

Happy New Year to you!

This rigid, frozen, January morning, it occurred to me that I have not posted for over a month.
Goes to show that lazy settles in after the holidays. The only hourly demands come from the dozen varieties of wild birds who feed here.
I whip up a batch of chopped currants, millet, hulled sunflower seeds, nuggets, peanuts, and ground organic eggs shell (left from hard cooking eggs) for the LaSauce Bird Buffet here at Swallowtail Cottage. And yes, I run a chef’s knife through the large bits, to enable small beaks easier dining.

Virginia bluebirds dine at LaSauce Buffet

When I think about the life of a bird, and their daily challenges, I think nothing of helping them by chopping and shopping for ingredients at Whole Foods bulk department. I avoid suet, as undoubtedly that comes from mid-west feedlot beef, loaded with antibiotics and who knows what else.

Mary Mockingbird (AKA Miss Piggy) at her feeder

Bluebirds are especially timid at the feeders and Mary Mockingbird is wicked this time of year! Since bluebirds are endangered here, I especially spoil and encourage them to dine on my terrace. Mary, on the other hand, delights in harassing them. She tolerates other birds at her feeder, yet not bluebirds! Go figure.

I did manage a half-day trip away from bird-ville not long ago.
I traveled to the next county and dropped in on the Legacy Mustang Preservation. This non-profit sanctuary is the passion of wife/husband team, Jamie and Craig Dodson.  Find out all the details of this wonderful wild Mustang rescue preserve at http://www.ilovemustangs.org/.

A few of the Wild Pryor 9 at Legacy

I learned about the American Wild Mustang herds from a Freshly Pressed blog named www.wildinthepryors.com based in Montana. There Sandy fastidiously documents the lives of the wild Mustang located in the Pryor Mountains of Montana. When the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) culls wild members from the herd, they are often auctioned off to dedicated folks who care for them for life, OR they are sold to slaughterhouses. Apparently Canada and France like the tasty meat from foals.

Native nurses mama. Native was conceived in Montana while mama was roaming wild in the Pryor Mountains. Native was born here in Virginia

Through the unending dedication of Sandy in Montana and the Dodson team in Virginia, folks are educated and inspired to learn more about the Wild American Mustang. If you cannot adopt one, consider supporting the efforts though donations.

Native’s wild little mane

If you love horses, I strongly urge you to visit both web, blog, and Facebook sites of both these organizations.

Alert, gentle and strong. Consider helping preserve this part of living American history. If you have room on your farm, consider adopting

sweet faces all

Of course I could not resist adding a few more Legacy resident photos.

Sit back and enjoy.

Barn kitty enjoying the good life at Legacy

A once feral cat enjoys the love from Legacy and visitors.

One of the handsomest roosters I have ever seen.

oh so pretty guinea hen ~ an especially creative day when this bird was designed.

Rescued bunny from a meat production operation. Now it lives with other rescued bunnies, and can burrow and romp whenever the mood hops.

Love is endless at Legacy.
Please consider making a donation to this worthy cause.
Legacy’s mission preserves the dignity of the American Mustang, while improving the lives of other critters along the way. They recently rescued thirty-five wild horses from the North Dakota Badlands culling process. These horses are descendants from the gold rush days and wagons west. This is real history folks…living and breathing—and it ain’t cheap feeding and caring for the needs of large herds—at least they are not on dinner plates.

Plan a visit with your family, sponsor a horse, follow their progress, and help support this effort.

Now back to my wild feathered friends and less lollygagging.
May your new year be filled with memorable good times.

Copyright © 2014 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

bursting with pride

Tags

bluebird monitor, Bluebirds, nature, outdoors, predator guard, Virginia, young bluebirds

By now followers must realize my adoration of the US Native Bluebird. Four years ago, with the help of three bluebird experts, I joined the ranks of bluebird monitors. After a few rough starts and mortality rates, this year appears to be my most successful year. The following photos were shot this morning through my glass door, so some may appear blurry, yet the moment cannot be replaced. I hope that you enjoy!

for clarification this slightly blurry shot shows the predator guard acting as a perch for the 28 day old bluebird chicks. I rigged this private BB feeder in an unused BB box noel guard. It has worked splendidly–keeping other birds out.

28 day old chick safely explores the feeding ground below main feeder

adult male feeds chick and is instrumental in keeping fledglings healthy with food

OK, Smarty, as I named him, is the first chick to actually fly up into the private BB feeder

female adult perches amongst the chicks, as she has already completed her second nest in the other box used earlier (cleaned out by moi). I expect new eggs any day now.

Smarty enjoying the morning sun and awaiting more mealworms

notice Smarty’s blue tail feathers…at day 28 already we can see Smarty is a male. And how VERY adult he looks ~ very streamlined!

clever Smarty turned to the feeding bowl

I know, I am guilty of sharing too many photos, yet moi feels like a proud grandparent, with the hard parts left to the adult bluebirds

I surmise these three chicks are the ones that fledged first, before the last two from this clutch. If you recall, the last two chicks fledged two days after these, and I believe that somehow they do not associate themselves with the first three. I spotted a single chick with the adult male yesterday, a loner, who flew directly into my glass door window (despite the window ribbon) as I stood there, gasping. It was not killed, and flapped its way over the rooftop. The fifth chick alludes me to date. I shall hope to see all five together in order to soothe my concerns.
Observing wild birds can be difficult at times, as Mother Nature will take her course, despite the best efforts by moi. After all, I can only help so much, yet the hand wringing continues…
If you wish to see my other bluebird posts, merely type the word bluebird into the search bar on this site. I invite comments from readers more experienced than I. Yet, today I am one proud and grateful bluebird monitor. Kudos to the many naturalists who monitor bluebird trails and cope with hundreds of these beauties.
At home, garden, life, one box at a time is all I can manage.

Update as of 5/31. This face-guard is my adaptation to keep a nosy Thrasher out of the mealworm feeder. She happened by when adult BB was feeding the chicks. This quick contraption, made from another butter box, works perfectly.

PS I should mention another bird blessing this spring. A pair of robins decided to build their nest in the Little Gem magnolia, just outside my bedroom window. So close is the nest, that I merely need to glance through the pane to see their chicks eagerly gaping for food. A first for this birding woman, and a joy to behold.

PPS Just spotted Uno (the chick who crashed into the door glass yesterday) at the feeder. Female adult ignored it, yet in zoomed the adult male, who promptly stuffed Uno’s gullet with mealworms. Yay!

And off in the distance the din of a zillion cicadas….

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

joint venture ~ bluebirds and moi

Tags

animals, Bluebirds, nature, nesting bluebirds, Noel guard, platform feeder, predator guard, Virginia, virginia countryside

Crack that bottle of champagne! Today the first egg arrived in the bluebird box. Although I monitor bluebirds every year, this day is always special!

Woo Hoo! First Swallowtail Cottage bluebird egg of 2013!

I will admit I was a bit nervous this morning, when I observed only the female. Typically, the male is never far away, yet today he was absent. The female hopped out of the box and waited and watched on the Noel guard for some time—no male in sight. Then voila this afternoon I discovered this in the nest! Yay! Perhaps the male was out smoking cigars with the boyz…

This is the side view of the completed nest with side door raised. Notice the wire riser in the bottom ~ I added this to help deter blowfly. Notice the coir material on the bottom, yet the female finished the liner with soft grass. Nice mama!

This is the overall view of the bluebird box with hole extender and Noel guard (green) attached to box face ~ another predator guard.

Front view of bluebird box. Much ado.

Don’t laugh, but this is the second box in my yard away from the active nest box ~ the one this pair used last year. Since they chose the other box, I rigged up this private feeding station for the bluebirds. Parakeet feeder inside Noel guard and covered with (yikes!) butter boxes to prevent other birds from seeing the food.

This TACKY arrangement, ahem, works! The butter boxes are flexible and coated, so they stand up to weather, keeping the treats dry.

Bluebirds are bashful birds and will not come to feed at my public platform feeder where titmice, cardinals, chickadees, finches, doves, and woodpeckers feed.

Celebration is in order tonight!

And the best news is that just after I poked around taking these photographs, I noticed both the male and female checking out the box. Hurray!

All is well at Swallowtail Cottage!

These little things in life make my days sweet.

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

Bluebirds ~ our very special relationship at Swallowtail Cottage

Tags

Albemarle County, back yard birds, blowfly, bluebird monitor, Bluebird Monitor's Guide, Bluebirds, coir, garden, home, life, nature, nesting bluebirds, Virginia

rural Albemarle County

Bluebirds are native, timid, and endangered here in the US. In order to continue my life’s mission of sustainability and education, four years ago I became a Bluebird Monitor. During the nesting season, I observe, serve, and promote the health and survival of this wonderful species.

The following photos were just taken this morning from inside my home, so please forgive the few slightly blurred images, yet I think it is important to record and blog about the very special relationship I developed with this particular pair. They nested here last year and I welcome them back with open arms and camera in hand. They do not feed here during the winter, and I celebrate their safe return from the wild.

Virginia’s wild

Let’s return to the timid part—bluebirds frighten easily and nesting conditions must be just right for a pair to claim a box. Since I feed many other species of wild birds on my half-acre, placement of bluebird boxes is critical. Not too close, just the right size and angle, positioned on stand-alone posts just the right height off the ground, and goodness knows, plenty of predator guards.

I offer two boxes here and currently have a small feeding station set up in the Noel guard of one box—specifically for the blues. It is hidden from wrens, titmice, cardinals, and Mary Mockingbird, all of who adore the same sunflower seeds, currants and nuggets. Happily the bluebirds found this private feeder quickly, and chose the other box in which to nest. All this I learned by observation.

Another tidbit learned in recent years is, is about the nesting material. Bluebirds fancy pine needles here, yet with nearby cattle, the bluebirds are easily infested with blowfly parasites, which kill. I learned the hard way two years ago when I lost all but one nestling in an otherwise healthy brood. Blowfly apparently love pine needles, so last year I experimented with coir, a sustainable by-product of the coconut. It is cheap, clean, and nicely simulates pine.

coir nest built by moi when blowfly was detected in pine needle nest

I lined coir nest with raffia strips to prevent nestlings from tangling their nails in coir. From this nest the fledge was successful.

In spring I stock up on a few plant basket liners, and place shredded bits near the bird box when the female shows interest. This streamlines the female’s nest-building chore as the male does not help construct—he guards the process.

Can you imagine being a nesting bird who flies around large areas in order to return with just a few threads of nesting material per flight? Hundreds of trips must be made, using precious energy. While assisting in this process I feel such joy when through the glass, I observe a connection with this wild creature as she selects the coir and hops into the nearby nest box. Now for the photos taken within the hour:

this year’s scenario~
notice the coir tucked into the fence post

female bluebird making the connection, yay!

bluebird up on post ready to enter the box

there she goes!

male at private feeding station

Male guards while female grabs a snack~nest building takes energy!

Male bluebird checking out the nest-building process

Dear readers, I cannot begin to express the absolute glee—a kid in a candy store perhaps? Filled with hope, pride, and pure joy that I may share this small miracle with you.

If you host bluebirds in your gardens, please do not feed dry mealworms! Most of them are from China! Please order fresh (USA), live mealworms from Nature’s Way in Ohio. They are easy to care for (just put them in a deep tray with oat bran and a few fresh romaine leaves) where they happily reside until plucked out (I use tweezers) and feed to appreciative birds. If readers have questions, please write to me through the comments link above…

I would be honored if you would continue to learn about my bluebird adventures by typing bluebird into the search bar on this page. There you may read previous posts and see photographs of this miraculous process. If, per chance, I inspire you to become a Bluebird Monitor, please type suggested reading into my search bar to learn titles of the essential publications supporting this incredible bird. Also one of my followers a great source of information and her blog may be found at http://woolwinehousebluebirdtrail.com/
Check it out and get inspired!

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

empty nest

Tags

bluebird monitor, Bluebirds, eastern bluebird, empty nest, fledging, fledglings, meal worms, nature, outdoors, Virginia

As I completed last night’s blog rain fell in sheets then abruptly quit, making for a pleasant evening. I decided to go after a few stubborn weeds in the pathways. The mosquitoes quickly drove me inside, where I enjoyed a cool shower. Looking out the kitchen window, as is my habit when monitoring the back yard bluebirds, I noticed a bit of activity. Through my binoculars I saw a nestling sitting in the opening of the Noel guard. It then hopped into the feeding dish, looked around, then after Mama appeared, grabbing a mouthful of meal worms, seemingly unconcerned, she vanished into the nearby thicket—these nestling were fledging tonight!

I continued to observe from the kitchen, deducing that the oldest had already fledged, and the #2 babe was soon to follow. Indeed, within a few moments, #2 took off in the direction of #1, never missing a beat. THEN I held my breath as I waited to see if #3 had survived. Next I saw her, cautiously considering departing the box. Mama came back for more meal worms, ignoring #3. In turn, #3 hopped into the Noel guard, looked back at the entrance to the box, rested and observed, then quickly flew into the thicket. I could not believe how fortunate I was to witness this special event. By my calculations, fledging should have occurred two days from now.

empty nest following fledge~my coir and raffia nest design was a success! No blowfly!

side view of bird box and coir nesting material~cozy yet cool!

The night was calm and mild, and this AM, I see both adults actively feeding fledglings in the thicket. I filled the small feeder inside the Noel guard, hoping that the adults would continue to use the contents for supplemental meals…and YES they are. RELIEF! My chores are lessened and perhaps three additional magnificent bluebirds will grace this county. Mission accomplished!

Now to see if the adults begin a third nest cycle. As brutal as this summer began, I hope that they do not. Being a bird is challenging! Yet oh how they provide me with pleasure, lessons, and hope for the future.

Thanks for following. Your comments are always welcome.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

busy summer daze

Tags

Bluebirds, feeding backyard birds, food, fresh mozzarella, garden, garden fairies, lifestyle, nature, photography, sustainable living, Virginia

This blog captures images covering multiple topics:

Baby blue birds should fledge this Thursday. I can no longer open their box although I wish I could monitor the third nestling. I wring my hands—these photos were taken on day nine and day thirteen. Today is day fifteen. I am in awe of these delicate creatures and their amazing ability to go from egg to flight in a mere eighteen days.

On day nine, I discovered blowfly pupa in the nest box and decided to destroy the infested nest. I built a new one from coir strands and raffia. The chicks appear to be well. Mama did not notice the new accommodations. Blowfly is a killer of chicks, therefore monitoring is important.

nestling bluebirds day nine

day thirteen–notice how small the third chick is on right side~born last

By day thirteen the chicks eyes are fully open and they will no longer gape for me. Temperatures here hit the 100 degree mark a few times over the past week, and both adults and chicks were terribly stressed. The patio umbrella helped, and the fan moved enough air to keep them alive for another day.

YES, I did drag an electric line across the yard and erected a fan on the ground below the nest box. By opening the nest box door a crack, air moved through the hot box. YES, I do pamper the bluebirds in my care. That is what monitoring is all about. And YES, I am exhausted. Let us hope that all three chicks fledge. The third chick is three days younger than the first, and that may lead to its demise. Time will tell.

On Sunday, my neighbor Stella delivered another beautiful thank you card as I refreshed her fairy pots with petunias last week.

These are the images of her three garden fairies.

 I enjoyed her father’s garden tomato topped with fresh mozzarella and basil.

Summer is a time of challenge on many levels, as Mother Nature has her way with everyone and everything. I attempt to cling to her good and learn from her wrath.

After all I am mere mortal.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

bluebird project

Tags

back yard birds, Bluebird Monitor's Guide, bluebird of happiness, Bluebirds, climate, eastern bluebird, english sparrow, human dedication, nature, Virginia

In the US and Canada, bluebirds need help from humans to restore their populations. Continuing habitat destruction, insecticide use, and predation by the English sparrow caused dramatic bluebird decline. Through human dedication, education, and monitoring, bluebirds are enjoying a comeback. Here are a few photos showing my backyard efforts this nesting season.

six day old bluebird chicks

In 1939, Judy Garland sang “somewhere over the rainbow” in the Wizard of Oz and numerous poems and songs were scribed during the nineteenth century, celebrating the timid yet well-loved “bluebird of happiness.”

When the English Sparrow was imported to the US in 1851 for an exhibition, some escaped and rapidly competed with the eastern bluebird for cavity nesting spots. Therefore, nest boxes are now provided on Bluebird Monitoring Trails and in back yard gardens throughout the US. These houses are designed specifically for bluebird requirements, restricting some predation, yet additional assistance must come from humans in order to insure successful fledges.

Despite careful monitoring in May, only two out of six eggs survived. Three nestlings lived to fledge, yet one vanished in the wild. Dramatic spring temperature swings contributed to this diminished cycle. The adult pair returned for a second cycle, producing these three hatchlings—leaving one egg, presumed infertile.

bluebird box with four predator guards

Providing two bird boxes within my half-acre yard, I collect a small pile of pine needles and place them on the ground under the box. The female gratefully uses these to construct her nest. This chore takes me merely ten minutes, where if the female collects needles—a few at a time—this would take her days and dozens of flights.

Since blowfly is another killer of bluebird nestlings, I monitor daily for signs of infestation. Since the chosen box is in full sun, I also place my 8′ patio umbrella over the box during these oppressive summer temperatures. I remove this every evening, as a persistent raccoon attempts to breach the box. The green wire on the front of the box is called a Noel Guard, and was instrumental in saving this brood last week.

deluxe bluebird accommodations during very hot weather

The flat wire is something that I rigged up with bamboo stakes. This rests above the stovepipe guard, designed to discourage cats and snakes. Without the help of three local bluebird experts and naturalist, I would not be the monitor that I am today. Thanks to Ron, Priscilla, and Ann—the effort continues.

I hope that this blog gives readers a small glimpse of what bluebirds must contend with when nesting. If you want to learn more or care to become a bluebird monitor, please read The Bluebird Monitor’s Guide by Cynthia Berger, et al, a Cornell Bird Library Guide. This is essential reading.

Remember to glide your mouse over images for further captions.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

cauliflower love

Tags

baking with julia, blueberry muffins, Bluebirds, cooking, cruciferous, crunch crunch, farmer's market, food, photography, vegetarian

Who says we cannot get excited about a vegetable?? When I spotted this beauty at the farmer’s market Saturday, I thought, “come to mama!”

If ever you grow this cruciferous veggie, you will quickly learn this is not an easy process. I only purchase these, as I have not the time or patience. But OH how I love thee! Every time I opened the fridge on Sunday, I admired my prize and contemplated how I would devour it. Too pretty for soup…

This morning I could no longer wait, so I broke off a few florets and placed them in my trusty steamer. Piping hot, and with a healthy splash of olive oil and a light sprinkle of sea salt, down the hatch it went—crunch, crunch, crunch.

Sunday I had a few folks over and decided to break my rule of not cooking blueberries. My three bushes are loaded this year, therefore armed with Baking with Julia, I whipped up eighteen muffins, that turned out lighter than air.

Not huge or gorgeous, these melted in our mouths, or rather—were enhaled by my guests. I saved a few back and enjoyed two for breakfast at room temperature. YUM! The only thing that I would alter in the recipe, is REDUCE the salt to 1/2 teaspoon. I forced myself to freeze the remaining four and test how they handle the cold. Yeh, right!

The following are a few additional snaps from Saturday’s market—too beautiful to omit. Enjoy!

Bluebird Update

This morning the bluebird pair returned with their two chicks in tow. Both babes look wonderful, freckled, and still begging for food, as mama begins rebuilding her second nest for the season—in the same box. I fear the third fledged chick did not survive in the wild, yet I must focus on the success of the remaining two. How adorable to witness one chick mimicking mama by picking up a pine needle!

I awoke this morning to find both bird feeders toppled by some large critter, I presume the marauding raccoon. It will be a challenge for this new BB nest cycle. Have not seen the likes of the black racer since Sunday week, yet it too will be a risk for nesting birds—until I can capture/release it. Gulp!

Now back to the chores of this homeowner. The pressure tank begs to be replaced. Where is that plumber?

You all have a great week and please visit your local farmer’s market and fall in love with a veggie!

😉

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

oh to fledge

Tags

back yard birds, Bluebirds, fledging, meal worms, nature, photography, tree swallows, Virginia

I must preface this blog with the fact that birds are extremely difficult to photograph—especially bluebirds (BB), who are the most timid of my back-yard birds. Therefore I apologize in advance for the slightly blurry images submitted here. All exposures were taken at maximum zoom through a window with solar film.

Yesterday morning I set up my tripod to capture a long awaited event—the fledging of three BB nestlings resting in my back yard bird box. Eighteen days had elapsed since I spotted the four perfect blue eggs and both parents have been very busy since they hatched. I am unable to supplement the bluebird diet with meal worms, as the resident mockingbird gobbles them up before the timid blues fly in.

Three years ago I met two bluebird experts who happen to live in my locale. I hang onto their every word, as I learn how to monitor bluebirds and assist with the success of the population.

Last year I had no nesting bluebirds. Tree swallows inhabited one bird box, and greatly entertained me with their beauty and impressive flight pattern. The year before, four BB nestlings died from a blowfly infestation, yet the remaining nine-day-old nestling survived following my emergency transport to the Waynesboro Wildlife Center across the mountain. Therefore with some trepidation, I spruced up my two nest boxes for the 2012 season.

Mary Mockingbird was mellow this spring and left the BB pair alone as they considered the remaining box. The other box was claimed early by a chickadee pair who raised two chicks out of six eggs.

I paced the house, eager to see one of Nature’s miracles unfold.

The adult BB pair took turns feeding and observing as the three nestlings took turns poking their heads out of the opening. Alas, at eleven AM, I had to go on an errand, only to return to find the box empty—fledge successful.

The yard is not so interesting today, as it is quiet, except for Ethel, the flightless young Grackle, and of course, Mary Mockingbird, the bird who refuses to find another yard to inhabit.

Both bird boxes now stand empty, perhaps beckoning another brood. I look forward to being witness to this ongoing life process. As a monitor to both blue birds and butterflies, my life is enriched as never before.

So I ask you: when you are driving your automobile, slow down for the birds and flutterbies who cross your path, as their effort to thrive/survive in the wild is enormous, yet our benefit even greater.

And remember to slide your mouse over these images for captions.

Be well.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved