Home of the Practically Perfect Pink Phlox and other native plants for pollinators

Friday, December 4, 2009

Tell Me, Please



Do you see what I see?

Somehow she has found a way into my garden and has settled in!

She's a clever girl and has even managed to fly away from the neighbor's bothersome cat!

If she thinks she's here for keeps, she has another think coming!

I have responsibilities!


The little birds need my attention!
They are cute and pose so adorably

If given a choice would you opt for a big bird that pecks at your plants and makes a lot of noise or the sweetest little birds ever?
Sigh!

Tell me please! Is You Big Softy written across my forehead?

Gail

ps Is there anyone out there who wants to adopt this beauty? Kim, don't you think Gizmo needs a friend? Marmee, do you have room on the farm? Marnie, I know you like birds! Frances, Kitty needs an outdoor pal! Sweetbay, she could certainly take out those Japanese Beetles! Hey, all you Texas gardeners, have I got a treat for you!

57 comments:

  1. Gail, I would love to have her. I used to have wild pheasant visitors but the coyotes eventually got them all. She would not have a long life here with so many coyotes living nearby.
    Marnie

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  2. I'll stick to large wading birds instead, thank you very much. Great shots of the cute little birds at the feeders.

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  3. Hmm, I don't think I need one...I wonder if the Zoo needs any? You might try calling them.

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  4. She knows a paradise when she sees it! lol

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  5. I've been reading about caring for these giant creatures...They need a 6 foot raised roost and someplace to keep their toes warm! They need to be given tons of water and game bird foods. Thank you Santa!

    gail

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  6. I thought you were going to eat that bird for thanksgiving?

    I would rather has the sweet small birds, thank you very much!

    Rosey

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  7. Now, I'm all for having a peahen in principle... but in reality I'd have to get some sort of winter accommodation for her... and I have seen foxes in my backyard (OK, only once)... and I have other wildlife. She is cute though and kind of adorable. :)

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  8. Do you have a bird rescue group locally? They might know someone who wants to keep her.

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  9. I've been searching for a rescue group Monica and have a call into the Human Society.

    gail

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  10. I wish I could help, but my little plot is much too small! It sounds like the humane society is the best resource. Please let us know what happens! (PS-As for those hypericums, yes spring would be best! We just got our first snow and it's really cold now.)

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  11. Gail,
    I would not want her in our garden and the dogs would just have to chase her. Wow such camo she has the second photo she was nearly invisible!

    Enjoyed the bird feeder birds! Today I saw my first of season Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on a tree here and two days ago I saw a brown Creeper on the same tree.

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  12. She would be welcome here Gail ... but not sure how we could arrange that and it might be a bit chilly this winter! Too bad there is no community of her kind nearby. Great photos of her and your other little darlings. Carol

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  13. I have always wanted a property big enough to accomodate peafowl. As is, I'm sure her screams would offend my neighbors. I have to satisfy myself with the occasional turkey that strolls through here. Thank you Santa:D:D:D

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  14. She is a mistress of blending in. I'd make sure she knows the boundaries and that she is responsible for keeping her own toes warm. :) I have to say I'm glad my neighbors' guineas took a hike. Their cackling was starting to split my ears!

    The little birds do pose very adorably. When I worked in an ornithology lab I actually had an argument with a grad student about who was cuter, Tufted Titmice or Chickadees. lol

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  15. I'm sorry but I almost fell out of my chair from laughing so hard. I was never so glad NOT to see my name in a list! ( I hope that karma stuff doesn't send a terribly big bird my way)

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  16. She has bonded with you Gail, you might as well accept that and move forward from there. Get those toe warmers and roost ready, and keep the earplugs close by. She is quite beautiful. The most important question....have you named her yet? :-)

    Thanks for the link love, but I believe Kitty would not be good for her health emotional and otherwise.

    Frances

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  17. Ms Peahen wouldn't last long here I am afraid. Too many dogs in the neighborhood, including mine.

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  18. If I name her she will stay forever, Frances, and you know that! She disappears into the underbrush and I only know she was here today because she was sitting by the backdoor. I did feed her some cracked corn...but, that's pesky squirrels may have gotten to it first.

    gail

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  19. She'd make a beautiful addition to a wildlife park or something similar. I hope she finds a suitable home, though I can't blame her for wanting to settle in on your beautiful property! :)

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  20. Gail if I lived along the lane I would most willingly take this little girl into my heart and home.....after all what is a few pecks on a few plants......

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  21. She looks very settled - I think she is waging a very clever campaign for your sympathy!

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  22. They make quite a haunting squawk, but it would probably sound nicer in someone else's yard.

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  23. She's beautiful! I would keep her in a heartbeat. Chances are though that she'll move along after a while. Wild animals are fickle. Enjoy her while you can.

    Robin

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  24. What great photos, Gail! As much as my grandkids would love having her around, I don't think she would like it here. Sophie and the cats would no doubt pester her to death...literally:)

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  25. Robin, I expect you are correct~~They resent small spaces and my garden/yard is only an acre. I do worry about these creatures that wander homeless. gail

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  26. She is pretty Gail. It's a shame someone close by doesn't take her & make a home for her.
    I couldn't have her here as it's a small lot in town & you know what that means.
    The closest I came to wild here was a snake & an armadillo once. It's not far to the country tho.

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  27. Um. . . yes, I'm sure I did see You Big Softie written indelibly on your forehead Gail! Even with her little pea brain, she's a good judge of character. She's even managed to mooch some corn from you already.

    If she doesn't take off on her own I'm sure you'll find her a suitable place to stay. She's very cute, but I can understand why you prefer she'd find someplace else to call home. I'd offer to take her off your hands, but I don't need any more critters who eat plants.

    Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  28. That seems like such an odd critter to have in your garden! Is this normal where you live? How on earth do you get rid of peahens, for goodness sake! I know you said I have lots of life in my garden yet, but it's all an illusion. I have flowers, but not much green. And today, it's only in the 20's, so I think the final decline has begun. But I can still say I had roses blooming in December!

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  29. I'm pretty certain you knew not to include me in that list. There are two peahens wandering our neighborhood again. GRRR. I'm praying that a stray male does not find them.

    Don't be so sure she will move along... my experience is they find places with those folks that have Big Old Softy written on their heart and forehead and are happy to roost. They aren't usually in a hurry as long as their needs are met. Your little birdies are not in danger... they can all inhabit the same space. So, what did you say her name was?

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  30. Meems, LOL...I am not naming that Big Bird! You did notice I asked your sister if she wanted her!

    gail

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  31. Did I read "I did feed her some cracked corn"? That sounds like an invitation to stay...

    Congratulation, your invitation was accepted.

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  32. Awww, she knows a good place/heart when she sees one! I think you can have both the peahen and the little birds. She's so attractive and who couldn't use a little free pest control?? I sure could but my garden is very, very small. I hope you work out a solution. What happened to the neighbors place? Didn't take long for her to figure out C&L was better!!!

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  33. so gail...big bird is her name, eh?...but i have a solution...buy her a bus ticket and send her to florida...she already has two friends in meems' garden.
    happy december.

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  34. She's beautiful, Gail. In that third picture she looks like she's stepping onto a stage with makeup, a fancy hat, and a sparkly feather boa. She looks like she could be a Florence, or maybe Estelle... ;)

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  35. Gail, good to hear from you. It may not be a digital glitch, I have been so absorbed by a side project that I have had little time to blog, which includes both writing new posts myself as well visiting others, like your lovely musings! You spread so much joy and warmth, Gail!

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  36. Thanks Gail, for the comment on the CSA post i wrote. I would be glad to have you as a customer! lol

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  37. OMG~~I've just discovered peahen poop! It's ginormous and everywhere! Too bad she can't be trained to go in one spot~~lol. gail

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  38. That's so amusing, Gail - if you could put her on a boat and send her across the Atlantic...

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  39. Oh, yes... forgot to mention the peahen poo... it is like a small dog's except more frequently deposited like most birds. Just one small negative of these garden pecking, stomping, picking,roosting critters. :-)
    (Marmee really could use a peahen on her farm ~~ it seems a perfect place for her).
    Meems

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  40. Meems, I so agree~~The other names were merely ruses ~~I was so hoping marmee would say "Yes, Gail, I so want this marvelous bird!"

    Gail

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  41. Well, Gail, I suppose the poo might help the compost pile along, that is if they're herbivores. Maybe a big dog could clear him out. Or not. You are a softie, aren't you? Love your photos.

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  42. I'll take her, how do peahens taste?
    it sure would be christmassy, and i do have a wonderful cranberry sauce recipe hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

    kidding, i would take her but my dogs would eat her up

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  43. Grace, That's a good question~~They are omnivores so will eat anything.

    gail

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  44. LOL I agree Gail. Marmee sure could use this pretty bird on her farm.
    Meems on the other side already has 2 of these fine birds of her own. I always heard 3's a crowd.
    Do keep us informed as to her where-a-bouts.

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  45. Lola, The gate was shut to see if she would find her way in...We heard a crash and I think she flew on the roof and into the garden! It's too dark to see! Let's see if she's waiting out there in the morning. gail

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  46. I've never had a stray animal show up that wasn't pregnant! You may be raising PEAS next spring!

    WHERE did she come from? Is there someone nearby who raising them? I realize that they can fly, but I didn't think peas ventured too far from home.

    Cameron

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  47. Cameron, We think she's been wandering for months as reported by neighbors on the listserv. So she must have a home nearby. I can't get close enough to even think about capturing her...When the dog visits from out of town we may have a surprised peahen.

    gail

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  48. Oy, I do feel sorry for you! I know you're worried about the peahen but she doesn't seem to be that worried herself. I hope you find a home for her very soon!

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  49. Send her over to me, Gail. She's so sweet. I love birds in any size!

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  50. Chandramouli, I think she would love you and your garden.

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  51. will she chase the little birds away?

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  52. Lynn, I hope not! But she is a big girl. gail

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  53. Sorry, I did peahen duty when my kids were little. You have not lived until you chased a peacock and a peahen down the beach, trying to retrieve them while being followed by four little urchins (all under 8 years of age)crying that their peacocks were going to die! And all the time, I am swearing silently. I did not catch the birds, but they returned home on their own. I think nobody else would feed them.
    If I hear of anybody who wants one, I will pass it along...

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  54. She is cunning! I didn't see her in the first two photos until l saw her in the third, then looked back. They say chickens are good for a garden. I wonder if she would be. Great photos of your other birds!

    I just noticed you rescheduled your surgery.

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  55. This Texas gardener must politely decline your kind offer. Annie the Garden Terrierist would be beside herself if such an interloper appeared in her domain. She just about barked herself hoarse when a possum made an appearance.

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"Insects are the little things that run the world." Dr. E O Wilson