The barred owls continue to include our yard in their territory. We usually see the male shortly before sunset, as shown in the photo (yes there really is an owl in those trees, and yes I need a telephoto lens and do not have one). It was a nice, mild weekend in Atlanta, so we hung out on our patio late this afternoon with the cats. The male owl flew into a nearby tree to roost before the nightly hunt began. He called to the female a few times and she answered. We didn't get a glimpse of her, just heard her replies. She may be nesting already. There was also a brilliant red male cardinal wooing a female with song. It is safe to assume from the duet that she was interested. Never saw her either. It appears to be the bird-romance time of year. Our birdhouses are cleaned and ready, and I have been putting out dryer lint for the birdies along with keeping the feeder full. In a few weeks, it will be time to hang the nectar feeders again for the first wave of migrating hummingbirds. Ahhh, spring! Almost here...
Speaking of our patio, we met with a contractor on Saturday to discuss transforming that concrete pad into a screened-in porch. It is something we have wanted to do since we bought the house. We have a wonderful, wooded, peaceful back yard. We would enjoy it a lot more if we could sit out there and not get chewed up by mosquitoes. Before and after photos will be posted here once things get going. Hopefully that project will proceed more smoothly than the damn bathroom project, which is STILL going on. It seems like no matter what we do, those walls aren't good enough to paint.
6 comments:
A screened porch?
Just think of all the mosquitos that you'll be depriving of a meager meal...
I never knew you were so heartless...
Since you mentioned screening here -that brings to mind something I would dearly love to find. I want screens for my kitchen windows that is of a fine enough mesh to keep those damned little gnats out! There are double, wind-out windows above my kitchen sink and a light in between them so I can see what I'm doing when I'm washing dishes and those freaking little gnats are drawn to the light and slide through the screen way too easily. Therefore, the backsplash area of my sink from spring on through to the chilly temps arrive always has this fine black coating accumulating all the times from those damned gnats!
A screened in porch sounds lovely!
I heard on the news that GA wasn't able to work out a deal with Florida and (was it AL?) on the water issue. I thought of you and thought dark thoughts about the other two states.
ll - I kill mosquitoes with pleasure. Especially when I catch them in the act of feeding on me.
jeni - sounds like you'd need cloth instead of a screen, and then you'd have trouble seeing out!
kat - can't wait for the porch! The water wars have been going on a long time. The drought has made them more urgent. It is a tough thing to solve. With the drought, there is not enough water for everyone to get what they want. The Atlanta area and most of north Georgia is under severe water use restrictions. I would like to see the other two states share some of that sacrifice.
Screened in porch, yes, that's definitely a lovely idea. I haven't seen you in such a long while. Are you upset with me?
beth - absolutely not! I replied on your blog.
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