Neighbors, please don't read this.

Our neighbors aren't too fond of this: Tom and I decided to get a birdfeeder about a year ago. At first we wanted a hummingbird feeder, but after a couple of months of regularly changing the syrup/water combination, we only ever saw one hummingbird. I guess they don't usually fly that high. We've attracted doves and wild finches and lots and lots of bird poop. Our neighbors have installed a "hawk machine" which makes loud hawk noises to scare away the birds. It doesn't work. They've put up streamers and flashy confetti-looking stuff around their patios, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Tom keeps our balcony clean with daily maintenance, but we still try to minimize the poo by bringing in the birdfeeder during the day. We've discussed discontinuing the bird food, but it got really difficult. We recognize the different birds now. We've named them. We've both held them in our hands. The doves are as tame as ever. Several of them walk into our apartment if we leave the balcony door open. During the day, the doves have figured out that the birdfeeder is INSIDE the apartment. We've had to carry them out twice before, because they come in and can't figure out a way to get out. We are in a PICKLE!

A male dove sports a shimmer of pink on his neck and also they coo. Now we can tell a male and female dove apart. The females don't make any sound. Did you know pigeons are in the dove family too? They are called rock doves. Thankfully they haven't found our place. Neither have the black birds, so that's a good thing. Just doves and finches. Never thought the doves would become a nuisance! And certainly never imagined we would have to chase them out of the apartment. They are pretty fun to watch though. =) This is the only picture I have of the finch. The finches dart around SUPER quick. We call him "Spike"--but there are about 20 spikes. We can't tell them apart like we can the doves.

Tom made a huge step this weekend. He made a connection I don't think we will ever be able to UNdo. He fed one of them out of his hand! I saw it but couldn't get a picture. Tom has always liked birds though. A few years ago, he had me going to Petsmart to buy worms and crickets. A bird with a broken leg would wait on him to get to work to feed her. The bird would literally recognize his car and fly down to the sidewalk to meet him. Every time we see a one-legged bird, we think of her.