Western Tanagers!

Western Tanager

Might be a juvie

This has never happened before: tanagers, orioles, and lazuli buntings at the feeders, often at the same time. I’ve only seen female Bullock’s orioles so far. They and the female tanagers are hitting the hummingbird feeders, of course. (Jesus, this is turning into a bird blog!)

Meanwhile the goddamn squirrels are on a rampage. Running barefoot outside with my BB gun is counterproductive (ouch). The rodents have no shame, reappearing five minutes after I chase them away. You know what that means: the bastards are vulnerable! Later today I’ll shift to direct hunting mode and lie in wait. If the BB gun doesn’t faze ’em, there’s always the carbine or the .410. My machete would be more satisfying. Whack their stupid heads off, stick them on little pikes around the feeders.

It’s already snowing across the valley, with Taos Mountain completely blotted out. We could get half a foot overnight. I should have some lovely hummingbirds-in-the-snow photos by this time tomorrow.

Oh Lord.

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John Hamilton Farr lives at 7,000 feet in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, U.S.A. As New York Times best-selling author James C. Moore tells it, John is “a man attuned to the world who sees it differently than you and I and writes about it with a language and a vision of life that is impossible to ignore.” This JHFARR.COM site is the master writing archive. To email John, please see CONTACT INFO on About page. For a complete list of all John’s writing, photography, NFTs, and social media links, please visit JHFARR.ART  

  • Rita May 12, 2014, 12:38 PM

    So lovely. Squirrels are tasty baked on a bed of cornbread dressing with lots of sage. Keep covered so it doesn’t dry out. Seriously.

    • JHF May 12, 2014, 12:44 PM

      I believe you. Will never try that. 🙂 Well, not until, you know.

  • Beth in Taos May 12, 2014, 2:04 PM

    There’s always Brunswick Stew. Or not.
    I love your description of squirrel heads on little pikes around the bird feeder. And your tag of “fucking squirrels” made me laugh out loud, not a bad thing on a Monday.

    • JHF May 12, 2014, 3:15 PM

      Ground squirrels don’t even live in trees! Damn fakers.

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