For the past 2 or 3 weeks I’ve had a freestyle wrestling match with Mother Nature.  It’s a 2 out of 3 falls kind of deal and so far she’s ahead 0-2.  Now I’ve had somewhat similar bouts with her before like on the water more than once when, not able to catch fish (Largemouth) my comments to partners are “If I were a fish…” or “let’s think like a fish!”  When it’s gotten to this extreme I’m in trouble because seldom if ever have my thoughts reflected those of that finny, scaled quarry.  Other times, well more often than not the ring bell again sounds with thoughts trying to be a deer or attempts to move silently through the woods as a Whitetail buck might.  Again Mother Nature’s come out on top as the glimpse of a white flag is seen bounding out of sight.  Tracking pheasants in fresh snow is yet another example of an ongoing battle we have only to have it disappear in the distance leaving only a couple tell-tale snowy wing impressions from taking flight.  However, really taking the cake is a very personal battle with Grey Squirrels and my bird feeders.  They just can’t seem to get it through their heads or pay attention to the signs saying “No Squirrels Allowed” nor do any of them even seem to care.  I’ve hung feeders by monofilament only to have them hang by hind legs to thieve the seeds.  They’ve been placed on poles only to be climbed.  Metal shrouds have rung the supposed access and they’ve climbed the edge.  Lastly metal poles have been in play too.  Do you have any idea how high that little furry creature can jump?  Neither did I. The phrase try, try again is certainly appropriate.  But yours truly did win one round via extreme measures – I quit feeding altogether just so there would be some sense of accomplishment of not being totally bested by a creature less than a foot long weighing in at about a pound!

Now on to the most recent grappling battle with Mother Nature.  This one pits yup you guessed it me against Wiley Raccoon and the “Battle of the Hummingbird Feeders” in the latest 2 outa 3 falls grudge match.  Of course Mother Nature’s in Wiley’s corner so based on past experience we’re in trouble already.  It all began about 2 or 3 weeks ago when the feeders began showing up empty each morning.  Full at sundown then empty at daylight.  Initially thinking the feeder may be leaking every morning the sugar water (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) was refilled.  The little birds returned each day till dark only to have them empty the next morning.  Stan Tequila’s book Amazing Hummingbirds mentioned who the potential thief might be and since I had lost one Wood Duck nest last spring to a similar suspected villain it became the prime suspect.  Hanging the red feeder from a hook on the side of an oak tree had worked well for 2 years prior but now we’re doing battle.  The first attempted solution was suspending both feeders with a length of mono thinking the lack of rigid support might give me the advantage.  Nope, same result as we considered it a loosing pin.  Next I strung a length of braided fish line between 2 trees about 8 feet apart 7 feet in the air hanging the feeder right in the middle.  Thinking that would be the ticket it worked the first 2 nights and then --- with an obvious bow in the line like something heavy had been swinging on it empty again.  The next night the feeder bottom was even pried off like a weight had been clinging to it.  Another round lost with pin #2.  Yesterday with morning coffee in hand I sat staring at the once again full feeder being visited by the intended guests the most recent plan was cooked – one round left before the undisputed winner’s declared.  With an old metal fencepost in hand, a Sheppard’s crook whose flower now sits on the ground, a ladder, big hammer, a can of spray paint and a handful of tiewraps we’re in the ring again.  The feeder now has no surface to climb, is about 8 feet off the ground and easily seen from the cabin window.  After one evening the results are encouraging and I’m “dancin’ like a butterfly” for the time being but there’s still ticks on the clock in this 3^rd round and Ma Nature’s planning something new I’m certain of it.  So until the final bell sounds it’s really good to still be in the game even with just an underdog’s chance!

It would seem that on a level playing field Mother Nature is more than a match at least for this guy but it is frustratingly fun!

Stay tuned for the final bell.  You’ll be the first ta know!!!

Capt’n