Chuck and Cody decided they wanted to attract orioles last spring, so they took a trip to the local bird store. A friend had said she attracted orioles with grape jelly; after consultation with the bird store staff, Chuck and Cody came home with a squirrel-proof pole and a little bowl for the jelly. We had previously received a wooden bird feeder, which they added to the hook at the top of the pole.

Add seed and, voila, “Chez Semrow” was open for business.

It’s been a busy restaurant (outdoor seating, you know). I’ve taken to keeping my camera and tripod right by the sliding door, and we’ve had fun trying to record the visitors before they flit away.

Last week Cody came home from school with a printout of a poem he had written. Chuck and I were stunned by it. I know parental pride may influence our perception but, even if it’s not as good as we think, I thought I would share it along with several of the photos we’ve received over the last year.

It’s been a sad week watching world events. So, as they say at the end of the TV show “Sunday Morning,” we leave you with nature. Just pause for a few minutes and enjoy.

**Note: the dark vertical lines on some of the photos are our deck railings.

LIFE AROUND THE FEEDER

A red flash travels past the window
Several seconds later it can be seen at the feeder
A little bowl out in the open
Filled with seed it is a target for many birds.

Cardinals Chickadees House Sparrows House Finches.

Squirrels also sit longingly at the bottom of the feeder with the Junkos
Shells fall from the Cardinal’s mouth as it breaks into the seed itself.

It is a lucky day for those on the ground.

Suddenly another bird appears at the feeder black head and a gray and white body

“Chickadee Dee Dee Dee Dee”.
It's a lucky day for them all.

~Cody, age 11
ComeSoAlive.com