Linderhof


Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas


Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The Birds of Linderhof

Linderhof's back garden is a bird sanctuary. We feed them, we nuture them, the Corgi, Oliver keeps cats at bay. And they reward us with their antics as they flit from feeder to feeder. I've not captured many photographs of our visitors but both Husband Jim and I enjoy their company.

We've been especially happy this summer to see the "teenagers" come to the feeders before they start their own life. What were wee birds with more mouth than anything are now timid visitors (under a parent's watchful eye) to the feeders.

We don't have a favorite bird but one that we do enjoy a lot are the cardinals. We sometimes "name" our birds and the cardnials are Jose or Claudia -- each and every male/female cardinal that comes to the feeder.

A May visitor for about two weeks were two pairs of Rose Breasted Grosbeaks. A wonderful sight and one that we thoroughly enjoyed. We hoped, perhaps, that they would summer in our garden. But they were on their way somewhere and stopped for a "vacation" on the prairie before they headed to their summer home.The finches come in winter not summer and they are a dullish grey. We don't get to see them in their bright summer coat (although daughter Sarah in Minnesota does -- they are summer feeders there while they winter on the prairie). We have named our finch -- Leonardo de Finche!
Each May during tulip tree blooming time, we have orioles visiting -- not only do they enjoy the nectar from the tulip tree but they enjoy nectar feeders as well.
They stay only until the blooms are gone and then they vanish. Where, I don't know. I am assuming perhaps somewhere close by that has more food for them but I'm not sure. We just enjoy their short time that they are in our garden.

The Brown Thrasher is a reclusive bird but not at Linderhof and each seems each year, they get tamer and tamer. Perhaps they are used to us and think of us as part of the garden. We enjoy their antics and we truly enjoyed seeing the first brood of 2009 as they came to our feeders and hopped around in the garden.
With a whoosh, the turtle doves arrive at the feeders. Big doves that live year round at Linderhof, I always think of the Twelve Days of Christmas and Two Turtle Doves whenever I see them. Not birds of peace, they are the first to chase other birds away from the feeder -- and they'll eat at the flat feeders as well as on the ground.
This little wren is one of our smallest birds. Not at the feeder but in the garden -- singing their heart away. The song of the wren is the best music in the garden.

Join Susan at Southern Daydreamer to see what else is going on outside this Wednesday.

10 comments:

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Aren't birds just amazing creatures? I also just love to watch and listen to them. I love that you name yours (especially love the finch name). I always try to interpret what they are singing about to each other. Lovely post. laurie

Joyce said...

I am totally clueless as to the names of the little birds that are flying around here making my daughters dog go nuts:)
Joyce

Unknown said...

Not fair!! We get a bunch of starlings. We do get a bunch of Robins and an occasional Red-headed Woodpecker.

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Martha! Aren't our little fine feathered friends the best. I don't get any pretty birds like you have here. I do have hummingbirds in my garden here in Phoenix. Don't see the colorful ones that you have. I have feeders and I have 7 birdbaths. I just get lots of sparrows and black birds. It is to hot here for the pretty birds. You are so fortunate. Please stop by and say hi. I would love to have you visit. Great OW post. Country Hugs, Sherry

bj said...

Loved your post..Birds are such fun to watch. i have a bird bath in front and in back of my house because I love watching them play in the water.

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

We love watching the birds here also. I have a feeder right outside my office window so when I am on the computer I can see them come and go. The cardinals and finches are my favorites too.

Mary Bergfeld said...

What wonderful photos, Martha. The birds are spectacular. This is a perfect entry for OW.

Barb said...

Hi Martha, they are all so pretty! Happy Outdoor Wednesday.

Barb

Regina said...

Amazing creatures. Lovely post.

Regina

Pondside said...

I love how you name the birds that come to holiday at Linderhof.
I've blogged about birds today, too. My birds are of a different ilk, though, and while they are passing through, they are really going nowhere.