O Christmas Tree

For Many of us, this is how we remember our Christmas tree. Typically we think of the ornaments, lights and whatever presents it might be gathered around the tree stand. Early in their life as part of our families, Christmas trees tend to make men say things that are not very . . . well,  "Christmasy." They often say un-Christmasy things  while putting the tree into a stand or trying to get the lights set perfectly around (and around) so that the other decorations may be attached.
Once the tree is up and in its second phase of family life, it becomes appreciated and loved. But then, Christmas is over. What about that tree? This year my tree has been called to a second tour of duty. It will stay a bit longer in our family creating more happy memories and taking our minds away from that first day when it caused so much trouble.
 While I often leave the tree in its stand just by the front door a few days, it is usually due to procrastination and a sense of putting off the end of Christmas.  It seems so sad to dump that perfectly nice green tree.
There have been many years that I have taken it down but used it to protect my Azaleas or Rhododendrons, hoping that the deer will eat on the needles of our Christmas tree, sparing my garden plants. Now that we have a fence (Building a fence or more fence building)  we no longer have a problem with deer. 
This year, though, it was left out front with a purpose.


I have scattered sunflower seeds into the tree. Underneath, juncos, cardinals and song sparrows reap the benefits of seeds that fell through onto the concrete below.

Chickadees become tree-toppers

and a Carolina wren nuzzles among its boughs,

taking advantage of protection from the wind

as it seeks out seeds balanced against the needles.

Downy woodpeckers find nourishment froms suet hanging heavily from a branch.

Now, remember that cardinal you saw in Yesterday's blog? Well, you have probably guessed it.  It was perched in the Howard family Christmas tree.

The Giving Tree

I mixed some suet with blue berries, peanut butter, a few thawed raspberries and quick oatmeal, 

 Then squished it into the V's of the bark of the walnut tree outside my kitchen window. 

( I hope you notice the woodpecker in the upper, right-hand corner.)

  I found a place nearby to sit and watch.   Though I had expected to see the woodpeckers enjoying the suet . . . 

. . .  I was delighted to see blue jays turn into clinging birds in an effort to get their share of the goodies.

 This Red-bellied woodpecker, below won the prize for the biggest mouthful.

It quickly took its dinner and disappeared deeper into the woods.

Word must have gotten out about this new feeding spot.  Even the Dark-eyed junco became impatient, no longer content with waiting on the ground for pieces of the greasy mixture to fall.

The prize for persistence goes to the White-breasted nuthatch. There were at least three different ones, constantly coming and going. One must have claimed the tree as its own, for every morsel was haltingly carried up the tree to be re-deposited in a special nuthatch pantry.

And one more thing, for all you readers from the northern 2/3 of the United States, that shiny thing you see in the background is sunshine.  (Even some of you Europeans might be wondering.)