First Semi-Annual Birding and Bonding Fest

The stage was set.  The supplies were at the ready.  The day was hot and humid.  As we contemplated the marvels of a beautiful day (in the always inviting hammock), our first guest arrived.  As mentioned in an earlier post, we had already seen a Purple Finch while peering out the kitchen window.  Happy to be able to add a new bird to our list, we were now excited about the prospect of bonding with close friends who share our mutual love of birding. 

We were both moved by the expressions of our first guest, who, rarely has opportunity to view the blog, but appreciates the value of friendship and the gift of the world around us.  It bolstered our commitment to our project and to ourselves.  Thank you, Fay.

Where to begin...a table full of supplies, glue gun, pliers, wire cutters, pine cones, chicken wire, boots and an assortment of ribbons, all waiting to be transformed into a masterpiece of bird art.   We had a large pot of suet on the stove and re-hydrated dried fruits ready to be strung.

Our friend Raven took advantage of the pot of suet as she used it to apply to a pine cone,  well 10lbs of suet later this is what it looked like.  Can't really tell it's a pine cone anymore, but Raven had fun making it.  (We helped her carry it to the car!)

We also had peanuts strung with pretty ribbons, apples embedded with sunflower seeds and bagels slathered with all natural organic peanut butter and sprinkled with a bird seed mix. 

Besides food items there were other projects aplenty.  While Kristyn assembled projects of a food related nature, Patrick put together a little bird house, the Napster screwed the hooks into the pine cones.  And I put together my Nest in a boot. 

We all had a great time, which is why we will be having another birding and bonding party in the fall.

So, you might wonder if any self respecting bird will use any of our creations, well Ar waited patiently with camera in hand to catch one in the act.  And a Downy Woodpecker obliged as you can see.

The verdict is still out on some of our projects.  Janis's fruit wreath was devoured by the next morning.  By who, we don't know.  San's peanut butter pinecone was being enjoyed by a squirrel.  We will keep you posted on how the other projects faired.

So for all who may wish to join us next time, we have worked through the kinks and look forward to a fun Birding and Bonding Fall Fest.  We will keep you posted!