Our Little Woods...Fall Cleanup #2

Here is the sign that hangs in "Our Little Woods". The box elder bugs have gathered there to keep warm. They were on the ground next to a big plastic pot and a minute later they had gathered here. Do you suppose that the leader says, "OK, we are flying over to the sign...and they all follow?" The birdhouses all stand empty...waiting for their residents to come back next year, but what is that rustling in the dry leaves? I am sitting on the bench and am being very quiet. All of a sudden that same black rodent scampered up the post and into the house. He was long and could make his body very skinny...in order to get in the hole.

Then started the waiting game. There I sat with camera ready I waited....and waited...and waited some more. I thought .."Hey get out here I don't have all day." I waited a little longer and then gave up and got back to work.

Later in the day, Joe opened the birdhouse and a nest had been built. Probably by a bird, but it wasn't hollowed out on the top. Things had been put on top to cover and a tiny entrance hole was near the bottom of the tall nest. We didn't disturb it.. he had worked so hard repairing this nest and I could imagine all sorts of yummy things to get him through the winter.

As I looked around I spied the little tin birdhouse. Many little birds have built their home in this house. It used to blow out of the tree often and now the branch has grown around the hook. I'm just going to leave it this way. Jenny Wren and her babies will hang on for dear life during the summer storms in this little secure house. This is the 2nd installment of my fall cleanup pictures and tales. Today it is raining and a very gloomy day. The leaves are done (Joe borrowed a lawn sweeper) the lawn has had it's final mowing and we are done outside. One more year of yardwork. Will there be more?

Balisha