There’s something magical about the spring discovery process at a new home. We’ve lived at our house for nearly two years, but this is just the second spring we’ve experienced it here — meaning the outdoors isn’t entirely familiar just yet.
Right now we’re in the prime for blooming bushes. A brilliant orange flowering bush sits out one window, while bubble-gum pink colored flowers shaped like pom poms are outside two others.
My favorite flowering tree is concluding its bloom with great fanfare — white petals spread around its base like a spectacular, seasonal skirt.
The lawn and its trees are steadily coming back to life and this year we’ve added a new feature I’m slowly becoming obsessed with — bird feeders.
I’m an amateur by all accounts, but I come from a long line of birders. My father, his parents and many others in my family are knowledgeable and experienced on the subject of ornithology. I just happened to inherit an assortment of bird feeders from my brother, who moved to the suburban home on a lot with one tree. When we moved to our home I made my son count how many trees we had; he came up with 43.
So while I’ve always successfully drawn hummingbirds to our backyards, my new obsession this year is the Baltimore Oriole. I’ve enjoyed this beautiful orange and black bird for years, but haven’t attempted my own feeders. The oriole is a delight to watch and also has a wonderful song.
I’ve read that you should set your feeders out in early spring because the orioles will scout where they’ll nest and can be somewhat picky. There are a variety of feeders for the oriole, but I’ve followed my dad’s advice and went with the kind that allows you to put orange halves and a cup of grape jelly out for the offering. Now I wait.
Meanwhile, my other feeders feature your common sunflower seeds and Nyger feed. We’ve enjoyed a number of finches at these feeders and grabbing the binoculars and the book “A Guide to Birding,” has become common practice.
If there is a villain in my story about birds and blooms, it’s my dog. The German Shorthair Pointer is about beside herself worried about these birds coming near her house and getting her attention from her mom.
So while we’re enjoying the chorus of the birds, especially in the mornings and evenings, the poor dog is pacing near the patio door, barely able to handle it. Of course it’s in her blood — she’s a bird dog by design, though her actual hunting experiences have been few and far between. Instead, she’s perfected the chase of backyard birds.
Because I feel guilty the birds have to put up with our pesky dog, I’ve decided to spoil them in other ways. I’ve added another mixed bird feeder and some suet. Later, we’re planning on adding a birdbath. It’s just my little way of saying sorry about the canine; I realize she’s a real pain.
I’m excited to learn more about these new critters in our life and I’m especially glad I can call my parents for advice along the way. In addition to birding, my parents are also expert gardeners that maintain three large gardens on their acreage. At some point I really need to tap into their expertise to create our own gardens. My last attempt ended in a brutal takeover involving a variety of weeds I couldn’t keep up with. But again, this is just year two at our new place — one step at a time.
Contact Abigail Pelzer at 641-792-3121 ext 6530 or apelzer@newtondailynews.com