PEEP PARTY

“I’m seeing another sign that summer is on it’s way!” I called out to my son Alex as I stood by the kitchen window looking out at the bird feeders.

“What’s that?” Alex asked as he came into the kitchen with an empty glass and headed for the sink to refill it.

“The goldfinches are back!” I pointed to the back yard. “There must be a dozen of them at the feeders!”

Alex came over and stood next to me. “Looks like a bunch of highlighter markers flying around.” He laughed.

“Hey. I never thought of that one.” I looked over at him. “They always remind me of flying marshmallow peeps.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Maybe because they always come back around Easter.”

We watched as a chipmunk ran under the feeder to collect the seeds that had fallen from above.

“I could spend hours just watching all the action that goes on in our yard this time of year.” I sighed.

Alex went over to the sink and started to fill his glass.

“Wow! I wasn’t expecting that!” I cried as a red headed woodpecker crashed into the feeder making all the goldfinches fly to safety in the nearby pine trees. “I think you’re looking for the suet feeder my friend!” I pointed over to the other side of the yard. “It’s over there!”

Alex had finished filling his glass and set it on the counter. “Do you want me to open the window so he can hear you better?” He reached over to the window and started to laugh.

“He heard me.” I said as I pointed to the woodpecker who left the feeder and was now pecking at the suet.

Alex shook his head. “Total coincidence.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Maybe.”

I headed for the back door.

“Where are you going?” He picked up his water and took a sip.

“I’ve got to get the bird bath ready for them.” I looked over at the hooks on the deck that held the hummingbird feeder during the summer. “I should probably get those ready, too.” I clapped my hands together. “They’ll be looking for some sugar water any day now!”

“It’s still only April.” He reminded me.

“It’s never too soon.” I scooped up the bird bath that had been stored on the deck and headed for the yard. “Hey, do you see that?” I called over my shoulder and tipped my head towards the birdhouse. “The chick-a-dee’s are already making their nest!”

Alex came out and stood next to me. “They sure are busy.” He said as we watched the couple take turns bringing small twigs into the house then quickly flying away to collect more.

I laughed as two squirrels chased each other around the base of an oak tree as fast as they could. “Even the squirrels are cute this time of year.”

“Wow. That’s saying a lot for you.” Alex raised his eyebrows. “You usually hate squirrels.”

“Maybe I should wait on the bird bath.” I put it back down and backed up. “I don’t want to break up the peep party at the feeder!” I whispered.

Almost a dozen goldfinches, one on each post, were busy eating the nyjer seed I’d filled it with.
“That’s their favorite.” I whispered again.

“Is that what they told you?” Alex whispered back, looking concerned.

“No.” I looked over at him with a confused look on my face. “That’s what it said on the bag of seed.”