Bird Watch: This has been the week for intensive bird watching. It started out with the fighting humming birds. Let me explain. We thought there were three: a male and two female hummers. But, as we observed more, there are at least three humming birds plus the male. We haven't seen him much lately. What we have seen are three hummingbirds buzzing around, fighting, chasing each other off, and chipping at us when we are sitting outside. We noticed the numbers since they like to sit on the top of the trellis in the garden. They won't feed at the feeder at the same time. When they chase each other, they come dangerously close to running into us. There they go again. One landed on top of the lilac tree just outside my window. It appears to be a female. All we can think of is that these are babies and the mother is trying to distance herself.

Almost every bird we usually see has been bringing their babies to the bird feeder. It's cheep cheep feed me. We had a rash of woodpeckers and now it is the goldfinches and house finches with their young. We also have a young blue jay that looks bald because it doesn't have its blue jay hair cut.

One evening, Mudge started barking and when I went to the front door, I was greeted by a whole flock of turkeys. Two hens had about two dozen babies and they were strutting through our yard. I shooed them away since I don't want them scratching in my garden.

Another interesting bird development is the white dove that has made itself at home in our yard. No it's not a mourning dove. I'm talking about a dove that you would keep in a coop and train to fly out and come back home. This bird is pure white with pink legs and is very tame. BF went right up to her/him and reached out his hand. Dovey didn't perch on his finger, but then she didn't fly away either( BF keep pigeons as a kid) . It doesn't have a band on its leg. I hope it goes home soon before the weather gets too cold. We think it is some kind of sign. Not quite sure what, but the bird is very pretty and makes us wonder. We are wondering if someone released it for a wedding or a funeral.

Ah, birdies.