A Few Backyard Friends...

I looked out the window the other morning, expecting to see our normal morning visitors: squirrels, robins, woodpeckers, bluejays, sparrows, and loads of Canadian Geese.

I saw none of the usual visitors. Instead, I saw this grand fellow standing guard by the lake.

I think he scared off all of the other birds! I know I was a little scared - he looks to be at least as tall as BBJ!

There were, however, a few intrepid ducks in the lake...but they didn't stay around to chat. Just passing through....

I'm pretty sure I have a new set of friends in my attic. Remember the squirrels from the winter? I really can't tell if this new batch is mice or birds..or maybe both. Any idea how to tell? Oh, and if it IS mice...what do I do about it? I mean, they're not really in any part of the attic that is accessible, unless I want to take out a light fixture and stick my hand up inside. Ummm....that sounds even scarier than that blue heron up there!

(I did have a chat with my landlord, and showed him where the "mice" sounds were coming from. He concluded, based on the fact that there is no viable "attic" between the ceiling I was pointing at and the roof above it, that what I'm hearing is birds either on the roof or perhaps under the eaves. Alrighty, then. Sure.)