Winter Wildlife

With gardening a few months away I turn my attention to the wildlife in my sleeping garden.  This morning my home looks like a scene out of a Disney movie.  Both Red and Fox squirrels are feeding on the seed and suet.  Flocks of Chickadees, Titmice, and House Sparrows are joined by the occasional Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker and House Finch.  The ground feeders like Juncos and Tree Sparrows prefer the side yard where they can glean the seed spilled from the feeders by the squirrels.  I am especially please to see the sprightly Red Squirrels.  We have enough conifers around the neighborhood to provide habitat for them, and they come to the sunflower feeders for a treat.  The larger Fox Squirrels are more numerous, and drive my dog Phoebe into fits for barking when they come onto the porch and stare through the patio door at her.  At night the Whitetail Deer suck the seeds right out of the feeders and gnaw at the sugar beets I put out.  Phoebe barks at the deer as well, and they seem to fascinate my cat Cricket.