wordsfromanneli

Thoughts, ideas, photos, and stories.

Category Archives: Animals


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Calling All Girls

*Turn on your sound for the video clips.

 

I sense it is that time again,

When I should find a gal,

Someone whose looks drive me insane,

Someone to be my pal.

 

She’ll hold me close and nuzzle me,

What bliss is yet to come,

I’ll call her and she’ll fly, you’ll see,

To visit when I drum.

 


 

I hear so many songbirds call,

My drumming will be loud,

Beware the chimney and don’t fall,

Just stand here tall and proud.

 

Ah, here she is, she’s come at last,

Now I need to be cool,

I can’t acknowledge her too fast,

And then be played a fool.

 

 


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Sunshine on my Shoulders

 

NAP TIME

In the shed, a squirrel can hide,

But it’s dark and gloomy,

Warmer days now and I ride,

On the branches, “Zoomie!” 

Soon I’m tired of playing games,

Can’t keep up this pace,

Go away ye gents and dames,

While I rest my face.

 

See my head, it’s hanging down,

Too much work to lift,

No more danger all around,

Off to sleep I drift.

Thankful for my furry tail,

Just like in the nest,

Keeps me warm and without fail,

Sunshine does the rest

The squirrel is in the photos of the woodshed. Do you see him in the top left corner just under the edge of the roof? Over the last of the hoses?


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Herring Time Again

It’s herring time again. The seiners are taking turns setting their nets. Seagulls love it when the herring are seined. The fish mill around the ever tightening seine net looking for an escape, but hungry seagull mouths are waiting for them at the surface.

 

And for those who escape the net or those who are naively swimming around free, thinking that all is well, a surprise is waiting. These sea lions get their fill of herring in between having naps on these floating breakwaters.

 

Sometimes a nap after a big meal is just the thing.


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A Glimpse of Sun

A glimpse of sunshine feels so good,

A rarity today,

The breeze is buffeting the clouds,

And begs them, “Go away.”

 

The wind is messing up my hair,

Can’t get it to look good,

It’s threatening to blow me down,

If I don’t grasp this wood.

But look! The sun is coming up,

It’s bringing warmth and cheer,

And though it’s looking hopeful now,

It won’t last long I fear.

 

So I’ll just keep on hanging on,

And waiting for a break,

It has to warm up soon I hope,

Just how long can it take?


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The Lion Roars

March will come in like a lion, but who told that lion to keep on roaring? Enough, already!

And here I thought yesterday was bad. It snowed all night and is still snowing. Poor little birds. I hope they can find shelter under the hedges and can survive on the birdseed and suet I’ve put out. The good thing is that under the hedges, they can find bare ground, possibly with a few bugs to supplement the birdseed.

The next danger for the birds comes from the cascades of thawing snow clumps as they slide off the trees and shrubs.

Lionlike, the snow moves in,

Though it’s March and springlike,

Swirling snowflakes drift and spin,

Leo acting kinglike.

 

Where’s my lambie, bringing warmth?

Cowering, I’m sure,

Waiting till the time is right,

Meanwhile, he’ll endure.


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Eurasian Collared Doves in Love

 

Two Eurasian collared doves have come out of the woodwork to be lovey-dovey for Valentine’s Day.

 

It sure is lonely at the top.

 

Will you look at that!?

 

Oh no! It’s that dog again.

 

You stay down there!

 

Come on down here. We can play tag.

 

You just stay here by me, darlin’. I’ll take care of you. How about a little snack? I’m not afraid of that dog. I’ll find you something to eat. Make you forget about all your troubles.

 

Good! The doggone dog’s gone. The coast is clear for foraging.

 

That little bit of corn? That’s it? Don’t you think I’m worth more than that? You’re going to have to do better than that if you want to be my buddy.

 

Okay, what’s the trouble here? I see there are some ruffled feathers. Looks like someone’s head is hanging in shame. Let’s fix this up. Come on, you two. Kiss and make up. And remember she gets the kiss and he gets the makeup. Hahaha. Get it? Get it?

 

I’ll get you something bigger, darlin’. Be right back. And remember, I want you to be my Valentine. Is that a deal? Okay, that’s good then.

 

Good grief, she’s high maintenance. But I suppose she’s worth it. Life is such a fine balance. I’d better practice on this balance beam.

 

Have a happy Valentine’s Day on February the 14th and be happy every day after that too.

 

 


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Our Very Own Groundhog Day

We don’t have groundhogs around here, and the closest thing to them might be our marmots who live up in the hills. So Crispin has to do double duty while scratching out a life. He has to predict whether we’ll have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. I asked him what he thinks.

The winter here has been so long, I don’t know how we stand it,

If I don’t see my shadow now, it’s possible to end it.

A shadow means the sun is out, the day is cold and clear,

A cloudy day, though gray, is warm, and pleasant days are near.

 

 

The rainy days go on and on, and everything is  wet,

But daffodils are poking out to promise flowers we’ll get,

I’m sure that spring will show up soon and warmer days will come,

And if I’m not yet singing loud, at least I’m going to hum.

 


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No Crowds for Me

 

 

Just when we got settled, away from the gun,

Along comes this dog, for an innocent run.

“He can’t catch us all,” says an old duck so wise,

“But what if it’s me and it means my demise?”

“Most likely it won’t be, so fear not,” I say,

“Fly up in the air if you’re chicken, and pray.

I plan to stay calm and not show him my fear.”

“In that case I’ll be brave beside you, my dear.” 

But flying en masse is not what I prefer,

Wherever I turn, someone tries to deter

My flight path to safety, to freedom, and air.

I’m blocked by the crowds madly flapping up there.

 

Ah, this is more like it, with just a few friends,

We pick and we scrounge for a few odds and ends,

We don’t crash together in each other’s space,

A wonderful, so much more leisurely pace.

 

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Mother, What’s All That White Stuff?

Do you remember Bambi asking, “Mother, what’s all that white stuff?”  and she answered in such a soft voice, full of wonder, “Why … it’s … snow!”

Well, this morning I found myself saying, “Mother! What …?” etc.

It all happened overnight, and then it continued into the morning. My poor little birds!

The hummingbirds … where do they sleep on nights like this? At least they had a heated feeder this year. Last year I had to run out and exchange the frozen sugar water for liquid every 20 minutes or so. This year, I have one heated feeder, thanks to the thoughtful gift from a friend, and I can also put the not-heated feeders out there when the temperature stays above freezing. It works great!

The heated one is on the left, with the cord running from the outlet in the wall to the feeder.

For some reason the hummingbirds like sitting on the feeder penthouse.

Today it snowed for the second day in a row and just before it got too dark, a hummingbird came for one last drink. I took the video through the screened kitchen window as the light was fading. It’s not very sharp, but the hummer took a long last sip to last him for the night.

 

The rest of the birds have to find what food they can under the shelter of the eaves or the roof of a feeding station. I think they have a hard time in the snow, especially when the sun comes out and thaws huge portions that slide off branches, and threaten to bury them in the avalanche.

I’m always happy to see the snow because it looks so pretty, but I’m relieved when it thaws and the birds and little animals can breathe more easily again.

Do I dare to hope that this is the last of it for the winter?