From FL to NC!

 May 21, 2024


In March of this year, we moved to North Carolina. The lead photo above is an example of our new denizens around here.... specifically in the backyard! There are at least 2 cardinal nests near the house and they are all over the place - enough cardinals for a Papal Conclave!

But alert readers will wonder what happened with the GBH nests in FL. I didn't see the end of the story, but here is how it was when we left in late Feb.

These were the 2 new chicks, from the old standby nesting area (location #1) - the latest offspring of Ma and Pa Kettle . No names! The newest nest location (#3) was taken over by anhingas, who started their assault by ambling by and glomming onto the softest nesting material. The furthest nest (#2) had no chicks the last time I saw it, but was still being tended.

There are several nature reserves nearby our new home in NC, and hope to see more of the shore birds that we've seen for years. But for now, the backyard songbirds are providing plenty of entertainment. Although photographing at the feeder seems like cheating, it certainly brings a variety of customers around!


Bird feeders bring concerns with squirrels. There are a few here, but they seem very polite and have shown no real interest in getting to the feeder. That's uncommon behavior in my past experience; I'm more accustomed to 4 footed psychopaths who want to tear out my throat.  Here is one of the kinder and gentler squirrels...

My last conflict with FL squirrels was in the Great Squirrel War of 2018 in FL. The got into the attic of my previous condo building. At that time, I captured this shot of the generals plotting their next moves:


Ultimately, with professional help and no loss of life, the squirrels were evicted from the building. I saw one of them in a tree a few months later and it gave me an obscene gesture.


But, back to NC with the (so far) friendly nonviolent squirrels., and we'll close for this entry with a female cardinal after a storm...






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