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The Mealworm Feeder New Year’s Resolution
Soooo guilty as charged below, ours gets stocked twice per day! Spoiled, spoiled birds- really isn’t the best scenario for them, it’s out of selfishness for simply wanting to observe. One 2015 resolution… lay off that mealworm feeder while weather remains mild and until there’s some nestlings for mom and dad to raise. The logic’s well explained below.“WAY too many people worry about buying mealworms by the thousands, spending WAY too much money and feeding them normally at a time of the year when a healthy bluebird should be able to find WAY more than enough natural foods. Johnny Appleseed planted apple trees that were still producing fruit for many decades after he was gone! There are dozens, if not hundreds of species of plants in most areas that will provide fruits and or berries that bluebirds will feed on at different times of the year. Many/most of these are hardy enough that anyone could become an amateur “Johnny Appleseed” planting for wildlife in their own area. Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas”
Bet you thought there would be all kinds of newfangled mealworm and bluebird feeders here? Nope! Almost weird how this info was received on the heels of discovering an article on Houzz, which was titled “Feed the Birds: 6 Plants for Abundant Winter Berries” by Therese Ciesinski.
These shrubs and trees not only enhance the landscape (the pics were stunning) they’ll offer birds natural food sources for years to come. Listing them here and tucking the list in my wallet for the future jaunts to the nursery!
- Winterberry
- Northern Bayberry
- Arrowood Viburnum
- Chokeberry
- Dogwood
- Crabapple
Looking back over 2014 and the small slice of heaven that is our habitat, it’s honestly helped to keep sane! A retreat, an escape, an unexplainable aspect of nature that calms, decompresses and relaxes the soul. A quote from Roger Tory Peterson sums it up pretty well: “The birds could very well live without us, but many-perhaps all-of us would find life incomplete, indeed almost intolerable without the birds.”
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2015!
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Who are those Two Turtle Doves? The Carol’s True Meaning
Idea #1: Have Yourself a Merry Christmas!
What do all those birds mean? It’s certainly that time of year… so a re-post is in order!On the eve of Christmas, we thought revealing the code for the popular carol was appropriate… especially since we never knew its true meaning!
Maybe it’s common knowledge for most? But for those who don’t celebrate, you may be surprised at finding reference to the Old Testament and Torah in the popular song, The Twelve Days of Christmas.
History has it that from around 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. The famous carol was written as catechism for young Catholics during the holiday season. There are basically two levels of meaning: the surface, plus a hidden meaning that was known only to members of the church. Each element is code for a religious reality which children could easily remember.
Partridge in a Pear Tree is Jesus Christ.
Two Turtle Doves were the Old and New Testament.
Three French Hens stood for faith, hope and love.
Four Calling Birds were the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
Five Golden Rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
Six Geese A-Laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven Swans A-Swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
Eight Maids A-Milking were the Eight Beatitudes.
Nine Ladies Dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
Ten Lords A-Leaping were the Ten Commandments.
Eleven Pipers Piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
Twelve Drummers Drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostels’ Creed.We wish for you the merriest of holidays,
filled with light, love, laughter and family!
The Birdhouse Chick -
Bring a Hanging Bird Bath to Life with Solar
Gift Idea #2: Get it immediately
with a personalized gift certificate!There’s really not much time left to find that perfect gift and get it by Christmas, but offering a shopping spree at a cool store is always fun! Folks do love to browse and shop for themselves… especially when they’re not paying!
So many unique, yet bird-friendly items to be had, it might even be a difficult choice! The hanging bird bath shown includes a solar bubbler and decorative river rock. The rock helps to both camouflage the pump and offers birds better footing.
Because fresh water is the best way to entice feathered friends, moving water is even more effective! The pumps (solar and electric) are offered separately so they can be added to an existing birdbath if preferred. Leaf misters, bath drippers and water wigglers are all neat accessories with big impact. Moving water simply attracts more birds!
And that immediate, personalized gift certificate? No kidding! Purchase any an e-gift and we’ll email you a large, colorful, personalized gift card to print out and give to the recipient. Place it in a box, gift-wrap, and ta-dah… one awesome gift in hand! Tons of fun to choose from including birdhouses, feeders, garden art and more. The list is complete and shopping is done!
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