On April 25, the four fledglings from the first brood had flown up into the trees and for the next two weeks or so would be fed by their parents, primarily the male. I did not catch a single glimpse of any of them during this time. After the fledging event, I had taken the…Read more
After the first egg was laid on March 19, I felt joy but also apprehension; I had already begun to develop that sense of concern that bluebird hosts get when anticipating what might possibly go wrong. Bluebirds lay one egg per day until they reach the final egg for that brood, usually between four and…Read more
I mounted the nest box and pole in my back yard in late February. Frankly, I didn’t expect much to come of it and was prepared for disappointment. A couple of weeks went by and I saw no birds. In the interim I did some rudimentary research about bluebirds, which consisted basically of looking at…Read more
As you read in the first column of this series, I’ve been hosting nesting bluebirds in my back yard for the past three years and have become quite fond of this beautiful and wonderful bird. Because bluebird hosts find this activity so incredibly rewarding, we hope others will become involved, not only to enjoy the…Read more
For most of my life, I have appreciated birds in general. I understood they were an important part of the ecosystem, I enjoyed seeing them around, appreciated their beauty and songs, and I would occasionally put out seed for them (until I got fed up with the squirrels and raccoons raiding the feeders). I had…Read more
Blue is a color which has connotations and implications, usually negative or depressing. People feeling depressed or out-of-sorts are said to have the blues. Blues singers always have a sad song about love lost or some other gloomy situation beyond the control of the person suffering through the unhappiness and indignities. With no hope for…Read more
Exceptionally few entertainers have been able to transition across the generations and still amuse a wide variety of audiences. The theatrical acts which held the attention of crowds in 1936 usually bore theater goers of 2021, but there are a few exceptions. W.C. Fields still has a strong fan base thanks, in part, to the…Read more
Going “green” is all the rage these days. Businesses, politicians, public figures and more are promoting their commitment to ecological sustainability and environmental quality. It is curious that in times past the color green had other connotations, not always positive. The green-eyed monster of envy and having a green complexion because of digestive distress are…Read more
Dining out is an activity which requires some forethought and planning, especially in these days of “social distancing”. Choosing the meal, any dining companions (if allowed) and the location of the meal are decisions which influence the experience. Once decided whether alone or with a few friends or family members, the cares of the world…Read more
Word association is an interesting mental connection into the personality of the responding subject. A word is given and the respondent is to reply with the first term which pops into their mind. Some psychologists believe the response reveals how people subconsciously group concepts, ideas and experiences. The theory is this linkage influences how individuals…Read more
