From this window - 5/4/12...

For the first time since March I saw two deer run down the grassy strip across from our home.  We haven't even seen any deer droppings in our yard this spring and the reason our grass is so lush is due to the ever-present deer droppings over the fall and winter.  The does usually have fawns this time of year and have them hid somewhere in the trees.  Several years ago we had one hidden next to our brush pile.  After my husband discovered him, he still remained perfectly still and allowed us a really close look at him.  Mom moved him the next day but we still saw him once in a while in the trees behind our home.

The hummingbirds have returned.  One dominate male is protecting the honeysuckle.  He stays in the crab apple tree and runs off any intruders.  While he's protecting this side of the house, the rest of the hummingbirds are feasting on the other side.  Hanging feeders so the birds at each feeder can't see the birds at the other feeders will keep the dominate males from hoarding all the food.

Two house wrens are singing in the yard, one by the deck where there are two boxes available and one that has loaded the back bluebird box with sticks (I cleaned them out today).  There are two wren house in the back he could use, I try to discourage them from nesting in the bluebird box.  However, wrens are protected so I can't trap him.  I haven't seen any females yet so they may not have arrived.

The flock of rose-breasted grosbeaks have found the feeder again this year.  They usually stop for a couple of days and then move on back into the trees to nest.  I saw 3 males and one female this morning.  The male Oriole hasn't shown up yet, I've been listening for his song.

It has rained for the better part of a week here.  My husband left on a photographic journey yesterday and I'll be eating corn flakes for a week while he's gone (I love corn flakes, it will be a break not to cook).  He finished putting up the canopy on the deck so I could sit out there and have my coffee in the morning.  I'll move into the gazebo as soon as the floor is stained and the screens are back in.

The bluebirds have been back checking out the craft room house and either the same pair or a different pair was checking out the box in the back.  I would prefer they nest where I can see them daily but I'll take them anywhere I can get them.  A house sparrow has been spending time in the craft room box but I'm hoping if the bluebirds finally nest there, they will chase him off.  I may be able to trap him if it keeps raining.  The bluebirds use grasses as nesting material and they won't build until it dries out, giving me time to put in the trap.

We had tickets to see The Rat Pack is Back Wednesday in Peoria.  My friend Ruthann and her husband  also went although we didn't sit together.  She is a big Frank Sinatra fan but I always loved Dean Martin with Sammy Davis Jr. a close second; I never cared for Frank Sinatra. Out of the four impersonators (Dean, Frank, Sammy and Joey Bishop), I thought Dean the most perfect but the show was worth every penny.  The orchestra was filled with horns and their act was like the one the original Rat Pack did at the Sands in Las Vegas.  If you're a fan of the Rat Pack, this was worth watching.