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.
