BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?

Subject: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 08:19 PM

Since yesterday a pair of bald eagles has been flying by my window and then perching on one of three tall spruce trees nearby. They sit on a branch about 3 feet from the top and there is no nest there but maybe there is one in the denser part of the tree. If there is, and if they rear eaglets, I may be able to watch them all season. Interesting.

We have a number of birds here already, early as it is. A huge flock of crows showed up one day, a winter wren has been hopping about and someone told me they saw a robin (American thrush) the other day.

It has been snowing tiny flakes the last few hours and the ground is whitening. The temperature is 18F, from a low last night of 1 degree.

Maybe we'll get winter again?

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 09:03 PM

Nothing, at the moment. The blinds are closed.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: frogprince
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 09:11 PM

Just outside the window, there's snow. Then, a little further away, there's more snow. On beyond that, there's snow.

Haven't seen any eagles here, but we've had more deer crossing the road within a quarter mile or so of our house than I've seen here before. Not really a big surprise; there have always been plenty of 'em in the immediate area.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 09:17 PM

At 4PM, like when Ebbie posted, it was Cardinals and Sparrows and wrens... and squirrels... stuffing themselves as if they knew what was coming.

Now? Street lights glinting on snow at about the same temp as Ebbie. Maybe 3/4" now... expecting 8" or MORE by morning.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 10:02 PM

Bill, there are a number of things I miss from the east side of the Rockies, including fireflys and cardinals.

It is now 6 o'clock here and it's still snowing. Have maybe close to an inch so far.

The one good thing about not having snow for so long is that there is no ice. When/if it warms up, it will be a different story.

Stay safe, everybody. And warm. You have had a goodly number of hammer blows this winter.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 10:06 PM

Forgot to mention that we have pan ice floating on the ocean. Alwqys a source of bemusement to me, even though I realize that the ice forms from fresh water flowing from the mountain sides into the sea.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 11:30 PM

Mostly what I see out the only window that's "lookoutable" is the dirt on the outside of the glass (that I can't get to for cleaning because of "storm windows" installed out side those, improperly nailed up by the previous owner).

A few times daily I do see the butt end on one of the neighborhood stray cats. I started putting dry cat food out last winter when one was huddled up against the window and acting like "somebody stole my people" when it was 14F (-10C) with sleet coming down. I've continued since and have about five fairly regular "patrons."

"Scruffy" is a really ugly dirty grey, quite large, and known for at least the past 4 years as a neighborhood scavanger. Extremely WILD and unapproachable.

"Predicate" (pronounced "Pretty Cat") is a really cute calico, and at first seemed less wild (recently abandoned?), but has become somewhat more "feral" recently. It would be tempting to be adopted by this one, but I haven't had time or energy to make much of an attempt.

Two or three others show up occasionally, but not often enough for me to pick a name (which of course needs to match the personality) and the others intermittently show signs of owning a family somewhere nearby.

I do have to make a point of looking at the "watering trough" at least daily, since they all seem to appreciate fresh(?) water about as much as the food. I used a small "bread tin" about 4"x5"x9" and put a 50W acquarium heater in it to prevent freezing, and they pretty much empty it at least daily. The itty bitty heater only flips on intermittently, and has been sufficient so far to keep it clear of ice down to 8F (-13C), the lowest I've seen since I set it up, provided the water stays up enough to cover the heater.

A side reason for feeding the strays, aside from my indignation that someone abandoned them, is that rabies has been far too common here, and with easy and clean food they should be less likely to stalk wild critters that could pass that infection to them. So far all that have come to my "diner" seem to have stayed quite healthy.

I do wonder where they live when they're not "out to lunch," but it doesn't really matter much since there's little I can do about it if they haven't found a good enough shelter.

John

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 12:25 AM

Finches and dark-eyed juncoes, and lots of hummingbirds.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 12:31 AM

that's a lovely thing to do, John

Sometimes when I look out my living room window I see Tabby Next Door, we both live on the 3rd storey of 4 storey buildings. Mostly I just see the walls & windows of her building, & if I look out my bedroom window I see the buildings on the lane behind our buildings.

Which I why I have sheer lace curtains on bedroom & living room windows, & masses of plants on the sills & hanging at various levels.

sandra (inner city bird in an old neighbourhood of 4-8 storey buildings)

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,UK town centre
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 12:48 AM

The rented building across the road full of drunks, junkies, and skinheads.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 12:55 AM

It is now about 9 o'clock and it has almost entirely quit snowing; the temperature is below freezing so walking is lovely. Maybe two inches of snow on the ground so it is white and fresh and beautiful.

I'll be keeping an eye out for that pair of eagles. I do hope they will nest.

As far as birds go, I much prefer ravens but when eagles are nesting they become more copacetic(sp?).

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 04:52 AM

70 or so starlings that arrive early in the morning for some food that I offer.They roost, all fluffed up,high in a tree in the back, always facing the sun for warmth and remaining face into the cold wind until sunset (I also give them a late afternoon snack).

Two seagulls fly high over the neighbourhood most days spotting any unclaimed food of their liking.

Midday, a family of four blurjays arrive for a few peanuts which they first check over and take to store for later meals.

Each day, just before dusk hundreds of crows connegrate in two tall trees in the adjacent back property. It seems thatv they have a daily meeting before leaving for their nightime sleeping spot, chattering loudly - possibly recounting what they did and saw throughout the day.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Ed T
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 04:53 AM

Oops last was me.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Megan L
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 05:57 AM

Today I see the ghostly white winter sun lancing through the thick banks of dull grey clouds. It pays them no heed forcing their edges to glow in its brightness. The lazy big old fellows are to gorged on water to chase to defend the breach allowing him his moment of glory.

The sparrows see his boldness and dart around in a delighted spring dance from garden to garden. There are those who think our little sparrows are drab brown little things, they are sad people who have never thrown out a cup of seed. As soon as it reaches the grass my lawn becomes the most attractive in the town. They arrive quicker than teenagers texting the knowledge that their favourite band is in town.

What a wondrous mix they are when you look each as different as we are ourselves from those who look in need of a good meal to the little golf balls who look fit to burst. The "I'm here look at me!" to the timid hovering anxiously at the edges hopping to find some morsels unnoticed by the flight bully, they flirt and bicker allowing me to see the myriad of glorious browns that adorn them. The shy grey collared doves wait patiently on the fence till the mini mobsters head of hopping the will find something nice left hidden in the grass.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: gnu
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 08:31 AM

Beautiful, Megan. As usual.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 08:59 AM

Millions of gallons of filthy,turgid,swirling,muddy brown floodwater that has surrounded the house for 53 (yes, ! fifty three ) days now .This is because Tewkesbury, a riverside town in England with a beautiful 12th century Norman Abbey , is at the confluence of the rivers Severn ( Hi Severn, how are ya ? !! ) and Avon .Whilst many other towns in this "system" , ie Stratford On Avon, Worcester , Upton,Bewdley, Pershore ,Evesham, and others ,are all becoming increasingly "protected" with sand-bags,barriers, pumps ,and other flood defences ,Tewkesbury,because of its geographical location,is denied these reliefs , and cannot be protected AT ALL !! So I guess we just have to wait for the inevitable and watch the Abbey and all its treasures , sink beneath the waves ( more VERY HEAVY rain is forecast for tomorrow and Saturday ( 80 millimetres !!). Help !

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 10:37 AM

Our front windows are quite close to the pavement. We have net curtains so no-one can see in. I like to sit by the window and watch all the village go by, the little ones going to nursery with their mums, older children to school, then all my lovely neighbours heading down to the village shop to get their paper. Then the fish man arrives tooting his horn, then the postie. I suppose I'm a bit nosy, but I take a great interest in all the folk who live here. And not long ago, I spotted a red kite soaring in the sky over the field. Wow!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 11:01 AM

Yup... we got the snow 8-9" so far - with more to come in awhile, they say.
There were Cardinals, Doves, Goldfinches, Titmice..(Titmouses?)... and one Blue Jay! looking for treats, so I tossed 'em some sunflower seeds to go with the hanging suet. (We usually have 3-5 varieties of woodpecker come by when there's suet available.)

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 11:17 AM

Still, quiet streets in the aftermath of the sleet storm.

The mailman just went by, about 5 hours early. Apparently access by car to the rest of the world has opened up.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 11:17 AM

In the city: semi-opaque drapes mute the sight of the butcher, pizza and luncheonette, the bus which stops right here, the uly buildings and the bit of sky crossed with electric wires AND a couple nice sized trees - leafless at the moment.

In the country: large window, no curtains. we watch the sunrise - when it does - and the ever changing sky, though it has often been monochromatic grey lately. We see the chimney sweep come and go from his workshop across the road and the traffic on the highway, the neighbours next door who are very nice and the corn fields which are under about 18 inches of snow. There is Trout River way out there across the fields but we only know it is there but cannot see it. Flat is the land! Birds of some sort fly in the coldest weather and sit on the wires and poles in the yard and two grungy cats go where they please. The neighbour must feed them.

There are neighbours across the street we have never seen well enough to recognize elsewhere. Maybe in the summer, we could visit them.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Sawzaw
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 10:35 PM

Birds at the bird feeder. Doves on the ground under it.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Andrez
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 02:56 AM

My big old oak tree and the red sky still carrying smoke from nearby bush fires earlier this week.

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 03:20 AM

All i see is grey sky but a brightly plumed pheasant over the last two days taking an interest in my chickens. My wife baricaded into her office at the bottom of the gardem because she is divorcing me, like the last outpost on Hadrians wall to keep away invaders.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: gnu
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 05:29 AM

Snow, rain, slush. I pity the birds. Of course, all wild animals suffer with this warm 'wet' as it will freeze before day's end.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 03:39 PM

Right now, I see (and hear) light rain, very welcome rain. Much of the state is currently in drought, and for many weeks now everything has been dry, brown and parched. Even though the rain......and some yesterday, and hopefully more tomorrow......won't break the drought, it will bring some relief to farms, animals and gardens. If it keeps up, the mob of kangaroos who live in the hills behind us will appear out of the trees.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 04:00 PM

Oh my goodness Jennie! If it's rain you want, we have so much here we're all nearly drowning. Thousands of homes are flooded, railway tracks washed away, the whole of the West Country a gigantic lake... Please, take some of our blasted rain, you're welcome to it!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 04:34 PM

Had someone local been looking out their window this morning, they would have had a good (I wrote 'goof') view of me sprawled on the snow. My first fall of the winter.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 05:08 PM

Thanks but no thanks, Eliza.......floods are not unknown here, too! Here's a poem you might like -

Said Hanrahan

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 05:14 PM

The windows are partly blocked by the snow and in the open spaces -snow!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Ed T
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 05:41 PM

Rain last night and much of today. Strong winds now, that are supposed to last overnight.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Janie
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 06:52 PM

Not from my window, but if I step out on the carport, which I do often to put another bullet in my lungs - moon rising through the trees. Orange/pink and diffuse - will not take the shape of an orb for a few more minutes.

Hugs to you guest. I've noticed your posts here and elsewhere on threads in the past few days. I was the leaver rather than the left after many years, but no matter, it is very painful and disorienting. My ex and I both agree that focusing on the natural world in the here and now is one way to get through.

All the best to you and your estranged spouse.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Ed T
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 07:25 PM

I was also a leaver many years ago, Janie.

Though, in retrospect, it turned out to be the long term best for all.

I don't dwell on it. But, when I do, I very clearly recall the many mixed and gut-renching emotions at the time (as clear as if it were today) .

My departure was on a dark and cold evening during a snow storm. When at the end of the street, I stopped my car and looked back in my rear view mirror. I saw my tire tracks as the oly ones in the snow. A lonely and empty feeling came over me, as it hit me hard that I was on a one way voyage away - never to return to a life I had known - with both very good and very bad memories.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 07:39 PM

Thank you, Janie. It isn't easy on anyone, ever. You take care of yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 07:44 PM

Oh, yeah: white stuff, white stuff and more white stuff.

Also, Janie, I don't know to which guest your remark was addressed, but my remark back is heartfelt :-) regardless.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: bobad
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 08:01 PM

Muchosnow.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Janie
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 10:02 PM

I spend way to much time at the computer and have long compensated, to some extent, by being sure me and the 'puter are right by a large window with a broad vista and lots of bird feeders visible by a simple turning of the head. Even at night, where I live, I might see an owl swoop down and across under the streetlight from the large magnolia across the way, in pursuit of some small prey. Rabbit and vole populations are down this winter so haven't seen or heard an owl this winter. Used to see a handsome gray fox in the yard or on the street under the streetlights in late summer or fall, but did not see him/her this year. Hope the fox has moved on as opposed to died.

We had a rare significant snow followed by freezing rain a night or so ago which has not melted. Unusual here in the Piedmont of NC to see a long expanse of glassily reflective snow covered yard under a nearly full moon. Bright outside, with lovely stark shadows cast by all the trees on the gleaming snow cover. I really ought to go buy a decent camera.

Earlier today, and also yesterday, a large mixed flock of assorted blackbird species descended on the yard. Raucous, greedy and gorgeous against the snow and ice.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 10:22 AM

SNOW! Poles and wires, some bare trees, but nary a bird today. YEsterday morning my car was concealed under a foot of snow but today I can see it and the bumper sticker, "Celebrate Diversity", its rainbow the only colours out there today.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 01:56 PM

Aaaaarrrgh! Looked out of the window this afternoon, and our lovely Iceberg rose (about 5ft tall) is flat on the ground. It was attached to the greenhouse, which luckily is still in one piece. This terrible wind is getting dangerous. My husband bravely went forth and reattached the rose (which hasn't snapped off at the base, phew!) lashing it firmly to a fence post. Icebergs are a tough variety, so I hope it will survive. It's had flowers on it all through the winter. You hardly dare look out with all these storms.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 02:39 PM

Sparrows (about 20), pigeons (about 25), nuthatches (2), cardinals (2) and chickadees (4).

And snow.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 03:25 PM

GUEST, here ya go. I have more chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and mourning doves. Mourning doves are lovely and sound sad, but they're stupid as pigeons. Maybe not THAT stupid, but they're still pretty stupid. Got snow, too.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: RichM
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 09:55 AM

We have regular winter visits to our backyard feeders...pigeons, grey squirrels, red squirrels, blue jays, crows, chickadees, sparrows, finches, cardinals, an occasional nuthatch, small hawks,an owl---and mallards! thirteen of 'em yesterday, filling up on black oilseed.

We aren't in the "country", just a suburb 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa. It's kinda nice to see these ducks swoop in and devour seed.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 10:06 AM

Tough year for our feathered friends. The crust on/near the surface is preventing hawks--we have a Cooper's that visits and grabs the occasional pigeon--from getting the mice, moles and voles he'd usually take. I expect that those of us who've been hit with this weather will see a substantial drop in numbers of partridge and pheasant this coming warm season and a substantial rise in rodents. We have five crows that come in every now and then. Seldom seen them this close in before.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 10:19 AM

Just went to put some seed and suet out and there were at least a dozen gold finches (?) that flocked off. Haven't seen too many of them in the past few years.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 10:48 AM

Tan grass, dark brown trees, and a light gray sky with spots of blue. NO snow.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 12:15 PM

On again. Off again. On again. Day before yesterday we had about a foot of snow. Yesterday it rained it all away. This morning we have snow again.

Birds must wonder what's going on. (I just thought of their behavior when I was standing on an Oregon hillside watching a total solar eclipse: as the air darkened, birds all around me went swooping into the the bushes. )

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Megan L
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 01:03 PM

Right now I am watching the twinkling lights glinting like a necklace around the edges of Scapa flow.

Flash flash in red then ten second count and repeat I smile knowing I am safe from the dangers of Copinsay pity help any ship that ignores those red flashes. The slow stately red flash of Hoy High reminds me of other days when that light would entice me from bed to watch its white flash. Eyes swinging a little farther right brings me to the blinking red eye of Hoy Low just visible over the low rise at the far edge of town.

Dropping my eyes a little without realising it I check for the blink of the channel boys guiding the ship into the deeper water of the Cairston Roads. Not of course to be confused with orange lights on Cairston road. Our ancestors weren't very good at choosing names of either their families as son was named for father or their places (just don't ask an Orcadian how to get to Kirbuster you could end up on the grand tour of the island).

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Ed T
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 01:31 PM

A couple of hours ago, I noticed out my front window an elderly woman walking up and down the sidewalk in front of my house quote a few times. She was carrying a couple of grocery bags.

Concerned, I went outside and asked her if I could help her in some way. She said she went shopping for groceries she needed and could not find her way back to her house. She asked if I could call her a taxi. When she gave me the address,a it was only a couple of blocks away. I offered to drive her home, and she seemed very thankful. As I was leaving her house, her next door neighbour called me over to talk. He told me she is 85 years old, lives alone and has a touch of dimentia. He said she never goes outside, and was very surprised that she dis so. He said that the neighbours "keep a watch over her" Sadly, he told me she has a daughter who lives near-by but rarely visits her, just comes once a week with groceries.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 04:04 PM

Ed T, that is a great thing to see - and respond to - out your window.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 08:59 PM

It's dark now, but when I awakened from a nap a little while ago the sky was so blue it was nearly painful. Dark tree branches created cracks across the panorama.

There was light rain earlier today, and even flood warnings. If what snowpack we have starts to melt in rain our aquifer wouldn't be the only thing damaged!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Janie
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 09:25 PM

For about 100ft darkness with a few very small patches of remaining snow faintly glimmering - shadows of light rather than shadows of dark. Raising my eyes gradually, the darker than shadow outline of tree trunks for about a hundred feet down the gradual south slope that is my yard, then, under a streetlight across the road, a just as slight north sloping yard still completely snow covered and a brightly lit tree trunk of what I know to be a large old oak. The large old Southern Magnolia I know to be standing just 15 yards east of the oak is completely invisible in inky blackness, unless one notes the ragged contrast of the edges between snow and blackness under the streetlight, and happens to know what causes that contrast.

Lovely thread.