Archive for September, 2009
Observing a hummingbird in flight, one can’t help but marvel at the rapid clip of the wings. They beat at such a fast rate that it’s no surprise the tiny birds require plenty of fuel. Hummingbirds are notorious for their sweet tooth – or sweet beak – and you can lure them to your window by setting up a hummingbird feeder. These specialized feeders should be replenished with a steady supply of nectar.
Nectar is deceptively simple to make in your own home. Just mix four parts water together with one part granulated sugar. You’ll likely attract a few bees and wasps at first, which could actually deter a hummingbird from dining at the feeder. In order to prevent a swarm of insects from taking over the feeder, dilute the nectar with some additional water. Once you find the right mix, the hummers will come fluttering in.
The most common birdfeeder is a seed feeder. Sunflower seed or mixed seed are popular for use in these bird feeders and will attract many songbirds such as cardinals, finches, and chickadees.
There are specialty “finch birdfeeders” with smaller openings to dispense niger (incorrectly called thistle) seed which is a favorite of smaller finches. Goldfinches are especially attracted to nyjer seed.
Hummingbird feeders, supply liquid food to hummingbirds in the form of a sugar solution. This mixture often is colored red to attract birds. There are many different styles to choose from to enhance your unique garden décor.
Mold tends to grow in hummingbird feeders, so they must be refreshed frequently and kept very clean to avoid harm to the birds. Ants and other insects are also attracted to hummingbird nectar. Smearing petroleum jelly on the feeder’s hangar will prevent the ants from crawling down to the bird feeder below.
As a diligent gardener, you undoubtedly enjoy showing off your green thumb on a daily basis. She who grows the most dazzling, colorful blooms in the neighborhood gets all the accolades, and competition can be fierce. A gorgeous garden requires considerable work – all that weeding, pruning and planting eventually pays off in unsurpassed visual splendor. But even the most impressive gardens requires some organization.
Unique garden decor works to break up the monotony, separating the garden into segments that are pleasing to the eye. This can be done through the simple addition of a decorative garden stake or a rustic bird house. Many gardeners underestimate the importance of uniting their flowers behind a cohesive theme. Garden decor is just the thing to put your collection of flowers over the top.
If you hang two-rod or nine-rod Wind chimes, made of either crystal or ceramic, in the southwest corner of the living room, it is supposed to bring you popularity. The Wind chimes help chi circulate, and this will attract more people to you and increase your circle of friends.
A home’s entrance needs to be vibrant and lively, but north is associated with quiet and isolation, which is not favorable for bringing life into a home. Metal wind chimes can enhance chi in this area, attracting more activity and vitality into the home.
The west side of the home is sometimes called the children area. Hanging hollow metal wind chimes in this west area may increase the flow of chi here. This can promote harmony within the family, increase the chances of having children and have a positive influence on the health, behavior and academic performance of children.
Squirrels will usually help themselves to the contents of your bird feeders. They are quite greedy and not only feed, but carry away the food to be hoarded. There are several types of anti-squirrel birdfeeders. Some Birdfeeders have perches that collapse under the weight of anything heavier than a bird. Caged bird feeders are often designed so that birds can easily go through the cages mesh, but the squirrels cannot reach the seed inside. Another way of detracting the squirrels is to add crushed red pepper flakes to the seed. Don’t worry, the capsaicin does not irritate the birds.
The placement of your bird feeder can also prevent squirrels from getting the seed. Or you can try baffles to prevent squirrels from getting a good foothold above or below the bird feeder. Just keep in mind that squirrels are very acrobatic and persistent. They often find a way to overcome any device you try. Watching them try can be quite amusing!
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice. Sound is one of the most significant factors concerning the flow of Chi, or energy. Wind chimes help by attracting lucky Chi and distributing inactive Chi through the air.
To bring good luck, Wind chimes with four, six, seven, eight, or eighteen rods are best. Metal Wind chimes are best placed in the West, Northwest and North of the house. Bamboo Wind Chimes do best if hung in the South, Southeast or East of the house.
A birdhouse is an artificial structure created for birds to nest in. They have been manufactured by humans in a variety of shapes and styles to cater to different types of birds. Birdhouses are most frequently utilized for wild and domesticated birds, but some mammal species such as bats may also use them.
Decorative birdhouses are typically made from wood, though sometimes they are made from concrete or a mixture of wood and concrete. While some are made from metal, these are generally unsuitable for outdoor use, as they can overheat easily in sunshine.
Now that summer has almost passed us by, it’s a great time to reflect on the sights, smells, tastes and sounds that will soon be retired for another eight months or so. Many of the colorful birds that visit garden bird feeders will be venturing south for the winter. The crisp, refreshing taste of lemonade just seems out of place during any other season. The same is true of that sweet cherry pie aroma wafting from a nearby windowsill.
The sound of wind chimes is equally evocative of summertime, but, unlike many of the season’s other unique pleasures, it can be enjoyed all year long. Even if you’re not outside on the patio, basking in the afterglow of a hot summer day, you can still set up some wind chimes indoors. Just give them a quick brush with your hand and enjoy their melodious strains all over again. When the weather warms up again, just replace the chimes in their customary spot outdoors.