Stealing the Coco Liner

It was bad enough when the crows kept coming around to visit the balcony flowers. But they weren’t admiring the flowers. They were taking bits of the coco liners that keep the dirt in the window baskets. We have three small baskets that hang from the back of the seats because we can’t use the balcony rails. So we got zip ties keep everything in order. But the crows love the baskets and the liners as much as we do. They also hide stuff in the dirt and break off some of the flowers. So now the other birds are catching on. Last week there was a mockingbird who was taking advantage of the liners too. An occasional morning dove stops in. I am hoping that our flowers attract more than these feathered friends. Last year we actually had yellow finches. I’ve always enjoyed watching the birds - as a youngster in the northeast, then the seabirds in the south, then a whole host of critters in the Midwest, the cardinals on Capitol Hill, and now these. We used to have feeders and birdbaths but no manger have the yard or space for that. So it’s nice to see them fly in once in a while. A bit of garden is always so pleasant. 

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. 

A Walk Down Independence Avenue to the Smithsonian Castle

Finally a sunny day has arrived so it was a great opportunity to see how far the spring blossoms have progressed. Rather than taking our usual route, we headed out to Independence Avenue past the House Office Buildings. The cherry blossoms were flourishing against the white backdrop and crisp blue sky. The Capitol Building looked very regal, and down the street the US Botanical Garden was the background for the fields of bright yellow daffodils. At the Smithsonian Castle the photographers were having a ball. The magnolias and blossoms were simply gorgeous in the surrounding gardens and architectural elements. On the way home we passed by the American Indian Museum. The fountain has not been turned on yet, and we were on the un sunny side of the building. The massive boulders in the pond made their presence known in the reflection of the stone walls. Passing back through the Botanic Garden, the mockingbird was trying to get someone's attention as he chirped in front of the distant Capitol. His mind was obviously somewhere else when I snapped his photo. The purple hyacinths looked spectacular in the fresh garden. We really love the early spring here compared to Milwaukee, and especially find the afternoon walks this time of year heaven sent.