Tim Diebert Posted February 20, 2003 Posted February 20, 2003 I was getting used to the whole gleeful notion that we are about 4-6 weeks early for spring-like weather this morning. Our Resident flock of Pine Siskins arrived today (about 100 or so), the Purple Finches came home last week. The yard SOUNDS GLORIOUS! Then Daphne runs into the shop whispering in that really loud kind of whisper, "look under the bird feeder!!" I grabbed my camera before even going for a look. A full grown male ringneck pheasant. Too Cool. He even posed for me. Taken through the living room window. I must have got 20 shots or so. This is one of the better ones. Since we are on the topic of photography (Ah Hem), on of my oldest a most enjoyable of hobbies, there is a great thread over on WBF where a bunch of folks have been showing off their photographic skills (including myhumbleselfofcourse) have a look if you are so inclined. http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=008099 Quote
Johannah Posted February 20, 2003 Posted February 20, 2003 He is certainly pretty, but good luck if he decides to settle down. I worked for a few years in the late '90's as gardener in a historic botanic garden in Philly whose property still ran down to the river as all the old farms once did. A large and successful family of pheasants lived in an area of underbrush which I left alone for them (plus there was too much other work to take on more brush). Foxes had also reestablished their turf, which was really unexpected in that the garden was a remnant, saved for its historic value, in an area that industrialized beginning in the mid 1800's. The river was the only natural corridor left. We could tell when the foxes were on the move early or late in the day because the "giant chickens" went off like fire alarms. Understandably nervous, the birds went off predictably when we approached their home to a fixed distance. They not only squawked when we arrived at the limit but sounded exactly the same every time. This made a great parlour trick to show off for visitors to the garden, but on some busy days it just became maddening. You get some really strange looks when you stand up, stare off toward nothing and yell "Shut up birds". Quote
Tim Diebert Posted February 20, 2003 Author Posted February 20, 2003 Great story Jo. I can just imagine the scene. These guys are all around here but rarely in 'town'. I keep a full feeder of number #1 grade A (warp free) Sunflower seed and lots of them are spilled onto the ground. I figure this guy was having trouble finding enough to eat at home..so he came to Timtone's Bird Dinner. "Where we feed birds ...not eat them." Funny, while we were watching this guy move around the yard, one of my crazy neighbours cats was attempting to do the 'belly crawl' sneaking up thing on him. The bird was way wise to the cat...and when the cat actually got close enough to get a good look...he turned tail and made for the house. That is one big Finch daddyo! Those !@%$#@%$#!@cats eat my birds all the time :puke_left: Now that the birds are back, I will have to put up of a fresh stock of marbles and re-string my sling shot. I ain't hit one yet...but boy they know what's going on. Quite the game we have going. :2gunfire: Some days I just have to open the back door and all you can see is cats scrambling everywhere! I bet she has 10 or more... My crazy neighbour probably wonders why she is always running over marbles on her lawn........when she asks me I always tell her, " they are popular with the kids these days". 8) Quote
Tim Diebert Posted February 20, 2003 Author Posted February 20, 2003 Isn't anyone else going to say something nice about my BIRD? :cry: Quote
Frank Hagan Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 Hey, aren't those birds good eating? I mean, wild turkey, pheasant ... I know they are good looking creatures, but I can't help wondering how tasty they would be. I admit I was a fan of the People Eating Tasty Animals web site (PETA.com) before they shut it down. I'll admit to having the same thoughts whenever I go to the zoo, thinking that the gazelles and the like would be tasty, but the hippos might be greasy, akin to bear or something. Quote
Joe(Cold Spring onHudson) Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 Before Lucky (BL) the 130 # yellow lab we used to have everything. I used to sit looking out my kitchen bay window and see deer walking down the hill to the pond for a drink. I saw wild pheasant and turkeys in groups of 10 or more wander across the side yard. Wood & Chuck the two woodchucks who lived under the rock wall in the back yard go from the stream to there den daily. NOW after Lucky (AL) nothing even ventures within his woof. One evening a raccoon with a set of brass ones decided he wanted a little cat food. So he jumped in the cat room and started snacking. Wally and Blanche were non bothered by the new guest. They were like yea eat up the lady in the house just fills it up if it gets low. About that time my wife saw this huge raccoon munching down in the mud room. After a brief discussion as to what to do I just sent lucky in. Cleared that coon out in an NY second I never saw an animal jump so high as Lucky bounded into the room with me and broom in tow. Never to be seen of again. Quote
Johannah Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 Ray, what sacrilege! :? I went to grad school with a bunch of guys who worked for years on the reintroduction of the wild turkey. One of the great successes in wildlife biology of the last 50 years has been the complete recovery and even extension of the original territory of the turkey. When you begin to find them a pest, that's success. People would have paid big money to see your turkeys roosting even 40 years ago. Now we even have them back in a couple of the wilder parks in Philly. But it's a shame about the Grosbeaks. Can you put out feed for them that the turkeys can't reach? Imagine if turkeys end up being the pigeon of the 21st century. :shock: Quote
Tim Diebert Posted February 21, 2003 Author Posted February 21, 2003 I Looove those Grossbeaks. I call them Northern Parrots. We only get them once the warmer weather hits. SOmetimes I see wild turkeys ...in the wild, but never here. They are cool looking birds....big. We get lots of Grouse, deer, coons, and skunks. I like them all...even the smelly ones. Go about 5 minutes away, then you get to see bear and very occasionally a cougar. Another 30 minutes and we see Elk and Moose. An interesting point you made Joe, never would have crossed my mind...but I guess having a dog would put the kybosh on wild critter visitors. Bummer...but then you seem to like your dog OK. I really like the song birds. We normally get many species...this winter, even though it has been mild for us, we had almost none. The occasional Chickadee or Junko. We always have Northern Flickers around. Since November I used one bucket of feed until today. Today I went through 1 1/2 buckets! A big change. I recon I go through about 500lbs of seed a year. Some people have horses, I have birds. Having that Pheasant here today was a real treat. I hope he comes back. Ray....no trade. I already have crazy neighbourlady cat bombs, thanks very much. Quote
Charlie Jones Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 AMAZING!! Some one else with marbles and a slingshot to keep the cats away from the bird feeder My wife laughed at me at first. The cats don't- I'm pretty good with it and have thumped a couple in the head several times. Nowadays they pretty well stay clear. The bird is beautiful by the way. Quote
Tim Diebert Posted February 21, 2003 Author Posted February 21, 2003 Wow...you must be good Charlie! I nailed one between the eyes one day...but only after my red aggie ricochetted off a wire fence...a lucky shot you might say. But then...after that, I felt so bad that I might have hurt the cat...that I shoot to miss now. :roll: (turns out this cat has got me back many....MANY times over) As it happens...they all clear out as soon as I show anyway. They don't need to know how much of a pussy I am.... Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 whats with the shortened digit shot. is that a warning to be careful with power tools? :? Quote
capt jake Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 I remember something about 4.5!!! And also a story about a table saw or another power de-limber!!.... Quote
capt jake Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 Ray, that is not a true quote of Johanna! !!!! I think I see what you are trying to say, but you put your words within her quote!!! There is a legal term that come to mind. Quote
Tim Diebert Posted February 21, 2003 Author Posted February 21, 2003 whats with the shortened digit shot. is that a warning to be careful with power tools? My nick name and sometimes signup name with some forums has been Orf 4.5. The Orf is too long to explain...the 4.5 is obvious. I used this image with a musician site. The all-time greatest excuse for being a lousy player. :wink: That is one of many bites I have had. Playing with power tools full time for 25 years... combined with cronic absentmindedness, makes for great party tricks. I have changed my avatar to something less disturbing to musicians. Quote
capt jake Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 I have changed my avatar to something less disturbing to musicians. I used to be one of them... Played proffesionally for 8 years. Seems like another lifetime ago, one that I wish I could go back to.... I made a damned good income then also, besides having FUN while working!! ;D If I knew then what I know now............;( Quote
Tim Diebert Posted February 21, 2003 Author Posted February 21, 2003 Jake. You must still play. Do you play out any? What did you do during your pro years? Kind of music..where? We want to hear a recording...(I feel a chant building) Quote
capt jake Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 Well, sorry to say, I haven't really played for 15+ years. I dabble a bit here and there. I had a run in with the 'leader' or so he thought, of the band on night long ago and left mid session. I took all of the lighting and sound system half way through the gig and have yet to return. I started playing professionally at 17, mostly in the 'animal' clubs (Moose, Elks, Eagles, etc). I made a heck of a paycheck doing it!! Heck you mean i can get paid for having fun?? Obviously, later it became a 'job'. I played with several groups though most of my time was with a group we called 'Travlin' Lite'. We mostly played what we called rockin' country. As most of the money at the time was to be made playing country. We jazzed it up a bit and put our own spin on most of the tunes. We also plyes some 50's, but mostly 60's 70's 80' rock tunes (Eagles, Kansas, etc, etc) and current country tunes. At one time we had a repartour (sp?) of over 300 songs. I was also working a 40 hour a week job at the time. Needless to say, I had little time to get out other than at teh nightclubs and places we played at. I really enjoyed it for many years. Heck, I made more playing music than I did at my day job!! It was just kinda spotty, you couldn't count on a steady income. At the end I was playing 6 nights a week and still holding down a full time day job. Needless to say, I was getting burned out fast. I still can show the youngster a thing or two ( occasioannly) though he is coming into his own light. He is getting pretty darned good!! I am proud of his abilities. He must have it in his genes as his mother was the singer in one of the other bands I was in. If you want to see something really amazing, check out the link at the bottom. This kid si now 13 years old. I saw him live last year when he was 12. Pure raw talent!! http://www.ericsteckel.com Quote
Charlie Jones Posted February 21, 2003 Posted February 21, 2003 Wow...you must be good Charlie! I nailed one between the eyes one day...but only after my red aggie ricochetted off a wire fence...a lucky shot you might say. But then...after that' date=' I felt so bad that I might have hurt the cat...that I shoot to miss now. :roll: (turns out this cat has got me back many....MANY times over)As it happens...they all clear out as soon as I show anyway. They don't need to know how much of a pussy I am....[/quote'] LOL- I grew up with a slingshot stuck in my back pocket. During the late 40s cars had ball bearings instead of roller bearings, so we would go to junk yards and get loose ones- called them "Steelie balls" Deadly on squirrels . The cats involved around our house are strays - two toms and a female. They live under an abandoned house behind us. I really declared war on these stray tomcats only after one of them got inside both my truck and my wifes van and sprayed. THEN after I had just gotten my truck cleared of the stink the SOB did it again- so now I don't shoot to miss. At least I haven't broken out the .22 yet. Quote
capt jake Posted February 22, 2003 Posted February 22, 2003 And still no comment from the Luthier??? Quote
Tim Diebert Posted February 22, 2003 Author Posted February 22, 2003 I hear cats are good eatin... Quote
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