The Pecking Order

My son keeps reminding me that I'm remiss in doing my blogs. Well, it takes a certain amount of solitude to engender inspirtation.

But then I had to do some dishes. The kitchen sink has wonderful windows over it, and I have a great view of several maple trees, the leaf pile, the "bunny garden" and the bird feeder. At least, the bird feeder is supposed to be there, but husband hasn't put it up in the last few days.

Have you ever noticed the "pecking order"? Our feeder hangs from the stump of a branch, and only the small birds can perch on it. They toss the bigger seeds or seeds they don't like down on the ground, where the bigger birds est it. The little ones are chickadees and sparrows, and the occasional red-headeded woodpecker. The cardinals, blue jays and pouter pigeons have to be satisfied with the buffet at the bottom of the hosta garden.

I always thought that the cardinals were afraid of the jays, who seemed to rule the roost. But the other day I was enlightened. The solitary red-headed woodpecker backs them all off.

Reminds me of a Marine sargeant.