It’s not a turkey that needs to be carved, but Fletcher the Flicker is getting creative as he dines on a snack of suet at the feeder.
“I’m going to carve you into a little duckling. Who knows? It might improve the flavour.”

“Oops! What was I thinking? I’ve eaten your bill, my little duckling.”
“Hmm! You’ve got a problem there, Fletch.”
“Well don’t just sit there and criticize, Orson. Do you have any bright ideas?”

“I guess not. Unless he’s gone to think about it….”

“Well, Fletch, I … er … let’s see …. For one thing, his bum’s too fat.”
Fletcher closes his eyes and counts to ten. “Lord give me strength.”

But then Orson has an idea.
“You pick away under his chin – that will help – and I’ll pick away at his fat tush. And by the way, it’s great working with you, Fletch. That snarky starling is not nearly as nice as you are.”

“I’m keeping my distance when he’s around. Get a load of that spearing beak and those mean, beady eyes. Not to mention that grabbing set of claws he’s got. No, Sir! I’m not doing anything to draw attention to myself. No sneaking a bite while he’s there.”

Fletcher carves a duck of suet, Asks his friend for help to do it. Orson's happy to oblige him Least he knows he won't get bludgeoned. Snarky starling, meanest birdy, Doesn't share, and oft plays dirty. Orson spends his time with Fletcher, Both are happy, yep, you betcha.
January 30, 2021 at 5:14 pm
Oh my gosh, Anneli! I have a big smile and giggles after reading this, so sweet and fun. The birds are really beautiful too. Thanks! 😊❤️🇨🇦
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 30, 2021 at 6:58 pm
I’m happy to have put a smile on your face, John.
LikeLike
January 30, 2021 at 6:40 pm
That’s beautiful! I love your bird photos and how you include their commentary. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 30, 2021 at 6:58 pm
Thanks, Lynette. The starling flew away (coward) when the flicker arrived, and yet the flicker was not a bully like the starling was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 1:33 am
I have to smile a lot about your contribution.
You really have a funny story about your very good photo
which gave me a lot of joy.
Perhaps you owe me an explanation,
How did they teach their birds to make figures?
I don’t know these woodpeckers from Germany.
Greetings from Germany Werner
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 9:56 am
I’m happy to have put a smile on your face, Werner. As to who taught these birds to carve figures out of suet – I think they were born with this natural ability. Just as some people are more artistic than others, some flickers are naturally more right-brained and artistic. Hahaha. Just a bit of fun for us. I hope you’re doing well and staying happy,
LikeLike
January 31, 2021 at 3:40 am
I love this, Anneli!
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 10:05 am
Makes me happy, Jill. I love to have fun with my birds and squirrels.
LikeLike
January 31, 2021 at 12:31 pm
So do I!
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 5:51 am
Anneli, your fertile imagination is a delight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 10:07 am
Aw, thanks Laura. That’s so much nicer than when I hear people say, “Boy, she sure has an active imagination,” after I say something kind of crazy, and I sense that they think I’m a bit of a kook. But it’s more fun to be a kook than a stick-in-the-mud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 2:06 pm
Auntie Mame comes to mind for some reason…
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 2:24 pm
I’ll take that as a compliment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 1, 2021 at 8:27 am
Absolutely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 7:27 am
I wouldn’t want to stick my fingers in that cage! Great photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 10:04 am
For sure not when the starling is there – although they are much more skitterish than the other birds. Probably because they know they are not wanted and are more wary.
LikeLike
January 31, 2021 at 8:03 am
A lot of fun at your feeder 😊. Handsome flicker, we never see them in winter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 10:03 am
That’s an interesting point, Belinda. We are seeing more of the “fall” birds staying through the winter. I guess that tells us something about our winter temperatures being milder in the last few years. The local skihills struggle more each year with less snow, and I think it’s an indication of warmer winters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 10:36 am
The really cold weather took it’s time arriving but we’re in it now. Not much snow though and no flickers 😏
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 9:12 am
Dear Anneli,
we love your dialogue of Orson and Fletcher, just GREAT! And fine pictures 👍
Wishing you all the best. Keep well
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 10:08 am
Thanks so much, KB. One or two of the pictures have a bit of blurriness, but I needed the actors to be in a certain pose, so I used them anyway. Lots of fun. Glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 11:58 am
So sweet, Anneli. You have a delightful imagination! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 12:15 pm
Thank you, Carol. Glad you enjoyed my birds talking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 12:07 pm
I had to laugh out loud about the conversations going on at the suet blog cage. Keep on going like this, I just love those posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
January 31, 2021 at 12:16 pm
It’s fun to guess what the birds might be saying. Thanks for your visit, Ursula.
LikeLike
February 1, 2021 at 4:25 am
Sweet story, and the photos confirm . . . a little teamwork helps in carving up each day’s agenda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 1, 2021 at 6:06 am
What a beautiful little story and wonderful photos – I love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 1, 2021 at 8:44 am
Thank you so much, Ms. Griz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 1, 2021 at 6:49 am
That is beyond darling. Lincoln wasn’t interested, I see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 1, 2021 at 8:47 am
No, he doesn’t visit the birdfeeders, but hangs out in the woodshed where he gets his daily treat of cracked walnuts. He’s off sunflower seeds for the time being.
LikeLike
February 1, 2021 at 7:21 am
So cute. I love the little poem at the end. And great pictures as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 1, 2021 at 8:48 am
TY, Diana. The animals and birds can’t wait to tell everyone what they have to say on my blog post. What can I do? I have to let them talk!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 1, 2021 at 9:09 am
Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting. I find that our backyard is a haven for birds in every season. They’re fun to watch.
Jude
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 1, 2021 at 9:19 am
So glad to hear that you welcome the birds, Jude. They make life so much more interesting for us.
LikeLike
February 2, 2021 at 9:08 am
Soo sweet
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2021 at 9:24 am
Thank you very much, Athira.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 2, 2021 at 9:26 am
You’re always welcome🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2021 at 9:40 am
How you brought a smile to my face! And an out-loud laugh. First, yes, our woodpeckers make “art” on our suet feeder too. I’d never thought of it that way. I better go look and see if there are any ducklings out there. I did find a suet “heart” once. Your photos are fab and your poem so so so cute. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 3, 2021 at 9:46 am
Thank you, Pam. If you smiled at it that makes my day. An out-loud laugh is even better. Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 4, 2021 at 6:04 am
Xo
LikeLike
February 14, 2021 at 3:51 pm
This was delightful, Anneli! Your poem was the icing on the cake, or better yet the seeds in the suet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 14, 2021 at 7:33 pm
I like that “seeds in the suet.” I might have to borrow that expression one day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 15, 2021 at 4:55 am
😀
LikeLike