Tom grew up in Milwaukee, bartended in Wauwatosa in the '70s and moved here in 1984.
Commentary, observations and musings about the outdoors, life in general and maybe Tosa politics and personalities will be the order of the day. He savors a lively debate as much as terrific cooking.
This year's nesting has drawn to a close.
However, something else that has been going-on in the background that deserves mention.
Feeding the birds.
Critters require some basics - cover, water and food.
Flowering plants are terrific for attracting insects for wild birds to feed-upon - including the native species you see below.
Nonetheless I fret over the birds.
So I planted a giant field of these:
If you click on the picture below it will enlarge. It is chock-full of bugs.
The song birds have been enjoying a veritable feast of bugs.
The equivalent of an avian fast-food drive-up.
These plants are going to be left to stand and overwinter. The seed heads will remain as a food source for the non-migrating birds during the harsh winter months.
I've been seeing a number of sunflower plantings around Tosa - more than ever before.
In the city a patch of these will brighten your yard and brighten your day - as you enjoy the birds through the summer, fall and winter. Think of it as a bird feeder you don't have to refill.
Girlfriend and I were out yesterday cleaning boxes of the old nests when we encountered one remaining batch of fledglings: