I was sitting out back for the "yard sale" (total bust, by the way; poorly
advertised and not soon enough, I guess; I finally brought my stuff back
inside).  Persia was sitting in her KittyWalk.  There were birds all over
the place!  Persia got a little disconcerted by this; she's not used to
birds other than Peaches, whom she ignores.  Oh sure, she sees them through
the windows and chatters at them, telling them all what a threat she is, or
would be, if she could get to them!  RIGHT!  This is the cat who is afraid
of tiny field mice, remember? LOL

Anyway, the fall migration has begun.  There were teeny little Carolina
chickadees zipping around yelling "bee-bee-bee-bee!".  They are the southern
U.S. cousins of the Black-Capped chickadee:

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/i7360id.html

Then I heard the unmistakeable sound of... yes, woodpeckers!  Those tiny
Downy woodpeckers, scooting up and down the pine trees and even on my patio
fence.

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i3940id.html

Last week I startled a Carolina Wren as it was digging for grubs by my
woodpile:

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i7180id.html

Pretty soon the Tufted Titmice will arrive and the lovely little olive green
Pine Warblers:

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i7310id.html

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/i6710id.html

I have to buy more bird seed and some bird suet.  I'll not begrudge a few
bucks for my fine feathered friends as we head into the cold months :)  And
Persia will still be able to chatter at them through the glass, telling them
how fierce she is.

Jill