I wouldn't mind the Mockingbords so much if they'd pick one call or tune and stick the EFF with it all night. Gawd help us, they do 'here we go round the entire bird catalogue of calls' all night loooooong. Just when you get used to one type of loud shrieking, they segue into some other horrible warble at an even louder decible, working their way ever upwards until by 4 Am, half the neighbors are out tossing rocks.

I've been nice to them this year - next year, all bets are off. I'll not start with pleading and negotiating. I'm going straight for the pressurized hose.

I was gentle on the buggers this year because the man who rents the garage behind out cottage adores Mockingbrids. Why? He says they remind him 'of the South' where he is presumably from. What I want to know is: Did He LEAVE the South because he couldn't get any sleep do to warbling mockingboirds? Maybe he brought them withn him.

Anyway - they are not a native species and aren't normally here every yaar. I'm hoping they take a hike this winter and lose their way back to my Magnolia tree where one is currently perched and singing like a drunken sailor.

And then.. when they shut up.. the Squirrels take up position in the Magnolia and start chucking seedpods at the dog.

Maybe we need to move.