Every spring I feel like the antithesis of "Goodnight Moon" as I individually remark on and greet each new leaf, bud, and bloom. Each fall I find myself bidding each adieu. This little ditty popped into my head as I walked around the garden today... In a great green garden There was a hammock And balloon flowers And a woman- Who lolled out back for hours And there were three little roses and a pile of hoses And two little gayfeather Who liked only fair weather And a little bird nest Filled with Robin Red Breast And a hoe and a spade and other tools mislaid And a giddy old lady sipping lemonade Goodbye green Goodbye beans Goodbye to my summer routine Goodbye warmth And the blooms you bring forth Goodbye roses Goodbye hoses Goodbye gayfeather And goodbye fair weather Goodbye bees And goodbye leaves Goodbye birdÂs nest And goodbye Robin Red Breast Goodbye hoe And goodbye spade Goodbye to all the tools mislaid And goodbye to the giddy old galÂs lemonade Goodbye herbs Goodbye hummingbirds Goodbye summer everywhere.

Dawn, We had a painted bunting that came to our feeder in Lone Grove. The first time I saw it, I thought it was a pet that had gotten away from someone. The colors looked like a parrot but of course it is much smaller than that. He continued to come to the feeder all summer and I think he returned the following year also. I only fed regular bird seed but there was a bird bath next to it and I think the water was the attraction because the birds didn't have a natural source of water anywhere near. I don't think they are listed as coming into Oklahoma either. Susan - If we hang a thistle feeder here in the spring, we have dozens of American Gold Finch. They are cute little birds. I never see a blue bird here, but I live in a lot of trees and I think they like wide open spaces best. A couple of years ago I could hear something banging on the house. At first I thought it was a woodpecker because they will peck holes in your house and they really love my neighbors cedar siding. I followed the sound to the other side of my house and it became extremely loud. I went outside to look around and it stopped. Later it started again, and I went outside again. After several days of this, I was outside and I heard it start. It was a big black bird sitting on top of the chimmney. Our chimmney has a metal cover that is solid on top and has mesh on the sides. He was sitting on top and banging his beak against the metal. I guess the noise was really bouncing around in that chimney because inside it sounded like someone hitting the house with a basketball -- repeatedly. After about a week, he moved on.

Hi Skybird! I meant to post this too, but never got around to it, so thank you for reminding everyone! I took the two little ones out today. This is the first year my daughter was old enough to go. However, my oldest boy chose to go snowboarding instead. Guess I can't blame him, LOL! Anyway, we got too late of a start, didn't get out till around 11 a.m., so there wasn't much activity. Here's what we saw: 30 Canada Geese 10 Red Winged Blackbirds 2 Red Tailed Hawks 2 House Sparrows 1 Bald Eagle - way off in the distance, but easy to identify Not the best year, considering all of the warm weather we've had, and the lack of snow cover. My son looking for birds at the Rifle rest area park So what did you guys see today? Bonnie

I think Black Pheobe is the one!! I checked these photos online (see link below) and as soon as I saw these pictures I said "That's it!". The markings are similar to a Junco, but that beak or bill is very distinctly different. Wish I had a better camera! I am so excited to learn more about this adorable bird. I've watched it swoop down and catch tiny moths or other insects...sometimes in mid air. Thank you all for replying and for taking interest. Laurie Here is a link that might be useful: Photos of Black Pheobe