Birds on the Balcony

I like watching birds - always did for as long as I can remember. We had so many different birds in our Midwest backyard, but we had birdbaths, flowers and baskets, and feeders to attract them. Even in our Capitol Hill home we had a small garden patio with a birdbath and garden that attracted a lot of critters. The bird bath was a big hit! Having cardinals stop by was always a treat. When we moved to northern Virginia three years ago we now just have a small balcony in our condo. On the back of the chairs we hung three hanging baskets that have liriope, ivy and some left over winter pansies. I haven’t felt like setting annuals just yet to refresh the dull contents. But the baskets are enough to attract the crows who love to hide things in them and have face offs with us. Whenever they show up it feels weird. A mockingbird stopped by yesterday and sat on the rail for a long time having taken nest materials from the coco liners. A group of sparrows also popped by last week. And of course there were the morning doves that I don’t particularly like. We are on the fourth floor so it’s odd to get the occasional visitor, but I’m glad they stop by. We saw a bluebird in the park the other day and of course I love watching the ducks on the national mall. They are everywhere there. Sometimes we have rice to throw at the birds when we think of it. Feathered friends are nice to know. It’s the small things that count.