I haven’t had much time this year to think of birds and birding, which is not like me at all. I usually have the binoculars on the ready for something new or just exciting and a field guide sitting nearby..

I came home from work today and, getting out of my car, heard the lovely sound of seagulls. There were a dozen flying high in circles over my house, as if to greet me. I love the sound of seagulls. It just brought joy to my heart.

I took my dog, Dixie, for a short walk and returning to my driveway I saw a large flock of birds going in unison from tree to tree in front of my house. Their sweet sound tipped me off immediately…Cedar Waxwings. I counted approx 80 to 100 between 3 trees. Oh, how sweet their soft twitter sounds. It’s been about at year since I noticed them in downtown Fairhope and I welcome them to my neighborhood any time. They’re wonderful to listen to. I’m writing this from my back patio and they are still here, pleasing my ears.

A Mourning Dove just drank from my bird bath. It’s low; easy to hop onto. A pair of Jays waited for it to leave, then took their turn. I’ll have to refill it soon; the Jays are aggressive bathers and what doesn’t go on them, goes out of the bath to the ground.

The sun is exactly straight behind my house, as the shadows show and heading north. I love this time of year.

My dog doesn’t, I think. She (now 6) has never been attacked by fleas or any other bug until this past winter. Now she is totally an indoor dog, fights the no-see-ums while she’s outside and scratches all day (her allergy medicine doesn’t work). I read if you crush mint leaves and wipe the oils on your dog, they’ll be able to repell fleas and other biting insects. I just bought mint for the garden. I’ll have to follow up on this one.

I spotted my first leaf-footed stink bug for this calendar year this morning.  It was on a planter on the back porch.  I knocked it off, stabbed it with a pruning clippers and flicked it into the bushes behind the house.  Sounds awfully violent doesn’t it????  Well is was just my nemesis and I got it…although there will be more.  (Stop laughing at me, Traci). 

Tomorrow should be a beautiful day as well.  I’m looking forward to it.