Sign of Spring in Wisconsin

I noticed the first sign of Spring for me here in Wisconsin. Look at the photo. Notice the Goldfinch at the forefront of the feeder? If you look closely there is a brighter patch of yellow coming through just above the black of the wing. See it? Yes, the Goldfinches are starting to turn color!

I encourage you to look closer at the Goldfinches visiting your yard in the next few months and notice the graduation of brighter color that arises from their feathers.

Stop in the shop and share with me your newly discovered signs of Spring. I know for sure Spring won't have arrived until I spy the Red-Winged Blackbird sitting atop the reeds along County CB. Enjoy the Birds!

Second Breeding for Some Migrating Birds....New Discovery!

Follow this link for the latest discovery that some migrating birds have been found to have a second breeding. http://is.gd/4CUFH

Very seldom can we say that there has been a new discovery in this natural world of ours. So, when there is...it is very interesting to learn about.

Laughing at Blue Jays

Happy Fall Day! I just love the coolness in the air these days. I don’t know about you and what you’ve been noticing in your yard lately, but for a while the birds seemed to have disappeared. I just read an article about how the birds currently have a wide variety of natural foods from plants and trees to eat from, that they are not at the feeders for spurts of time during the early Fall season because of this. They must be seizing the season, just like we do with the produce in our gardens or at the store!

I want to take this moment to share what I just spied this morning in my backyard. I have seen this in years past, but at that time didn’t have a large audience to share my bird observations with. I hope you don’t mind.

While at my kitchen sink this morning, I noticed the Blue Jays landing on the deck. When I see them, it reminds me to put out peanuts in the shell which makes a bunch of them come swooping down, while calling to all their friends. I just love the commotion it causes. It’s like my own “lumber party”!

So I put the peanuts out along the deck railing and one comes and picks up a peanut. It then flies down to the leaf littered lawn and attempts to “bury” it by picking up leaves and covering the peanut with them. It was so funny. Can you imagine? Like the leaves are going to stay there and keep the peanut safe for them to find another time? And as if there isn’t a squirrel watching from a tree branch and the minute that dumb Blue Jay flies away, it’s not going to steal it for it’s own cache?? It was just so amusing to see.

It’s that kind of backyard entertainment that enriches my life. Does it enrich yours, as well? If it does, do I have a deal for you.

For the next week I will give you a free 2# bag of peanuts in the shell to share with your backyard friends, just for stopping in the store and saying “Hi”.

I look forward to seeing you. Bring a friend and/or pass this offer on to another person. Let’s share the fun and the stories! It all enriches our lives….the sharing of birds, friends, and free food!

See you soon at......Go Wild With Birds, 192 Main St. Menasha, WI 54952 Phone: 920-751-3880 www.gowildwithbirds.com
Visit the website and check out our upcoming events, like Witches Night Out on October 15, "witch"happens to be the start of our Bye, Bye, Blackbird Sale!

Marie

P.S. If I’m not at the store, Krista, my assistant will be happy to serve up the peanuts!

Settled and Serene

Yes, I realize it is end of July and I haven't posted anything since May. But I'm back to say there is life after opening a shop. Whew. It's been like having a baby. Everything is new and different with much to learn. Your life schedule totally changes.

Now that life has settled in at the shop and routine has taken hold somewhat, I am breathing easier and the birds in my yard have wooed me once again. Here are a few photo highlights of what has been happening at my feeders and in my yard the past week or so.

I apologize for the fuzziness of some of the photos. I am not very good with my awesome camera, but sure enjoy capturing these beauties anyway. The more I do, the better photographer I hope to become.

I hope you enjoy looking at them, too. Feel free to stop in the shop and chat about them with me and also what you're seeing out your windows at home these beautiful summer days in the Fox Cities.

Hummingbirds Have Arrived in the Fox Cities!

I'm sorry, I tried to zoom in too close and my shakey excitement got the best of it, but it really is a Hummingbird at my feeder this evening around 8 p.m. Really, it is. I have had Orioles and Rose Breasted Grosbeaks at the feeders yesterday and today, too. THEY'RE HERE!!!! YIPPPEEE......my heart is lifted, my spirit high.

I was rewarded after getting home on Saturday from a full day's work at the shop with the Grand Opening and other nearby shops having special activities, too, making it a very busy, bustling, customer heaven day downtown....anyway, I digress.....I was rewarded after a busy day with a Rose Breasted Grosbeak at my window platform feeder on Saturday evening. It was a beautiful ending to a busy customer filled day at the store. So, these days the birds lighten my heart and lessen my burdens of busy-ness. They remind me of why I am in the business in the first place.....to help others experience the fascination and wonderment of birds in our home spaces. There's nothing like it....that constant reminder of the beautiful wonders of our world right in our own backyards.

They're here, and they're beautiful. My heart is singing with them, filled with happiness.

Grand Opening Celebration planned

Well I'm finally getting around to scheduling a Grand Opening. I initially thought that I could forego such an event since I can be prone toinitial fear and shyness, but as I got more confidence in my new job and environment, I thought I might be able to handle it and go forward with getting a mailing list together and start incubating my own customer base instead of relying totally on Sandi and her NEST customers.

Her customers have provided me with some great contacts and buzz advertising. Plus whenever a customer enters Sandi's shop in the front, she never fails to tell them about "Marie's shop in the back, she has such wonderful stuff", and "isn't her shop cute?." ....when they come back to the front after visiting me. I am so very grateful for Sandi's support and flag waving for me and "Go Wild With Birds".

So anyway, here are the details of my Grand Opening Celebration. It's happening Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with refreshments and prize drawings throughout the day. I am offering 10% off all my store merchandise, and 20% off selected professional grade bird feeders on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of that weekend. My store is located at 192 Main St. in the lovely riverfront and historic downtown Menasha, Wisconsin. I need to let everyone know that on Sundays and any day NEST is not open, they must enter my store from the back of the building where the door enters directly into my shop. Hope to see many of you then!

One Bird and Many Shop Photos

This novice birder thinks you are a Hermit Thrush. Picture isn't the best....but for me it's grand. Granted, I'm not a professional. But maybe someone can confirm?

This visitor arrived while I was relaxing at home after an afternoon at the shop. Just what I needed.

Here are some additional photos of the transition into Go Wild With Birds, 192 Main St., Menasha, WI