This was a very good week.

After consulting the on-line hummingbird migration charts one month ago, I noted that they were on their way! Hurrah!

I ferreted out the feeders from the jumble in the garage and soaked and scrubbed and boiled my mixture (1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water). After hanging two feeders on the shepherd’s hooks, I waited in anticipation. Nothing. I took them down and rewashed and re-hung. And waited some more.

And then, this week, as I was glancing out the dining room window – a quick flash. But very black. My “Birds of the Great Plains” lists only three hummers for this area (unlike the many species we encountered in California). The Ruby Throated, it seems, is the primary visitor. But the Rufous and Black Chinned can occasionally be seen whizzing and buzzing about.  Looking at my bird maps I see that the Black Chinned is considered “limited and less common,” but there he was, with a predominate blackness, at my Mt. Faith feeder. Welcome.

The next day I caught a glimpse of a brilliant orange at the same feeder. An Oriole! Hence another quick run to the garage for the hanging dish which holds the grape jelly. And now the Oriole is home again at Mt. Faith.

My friend, Susan, has reported a wren soap opera in their yard in Michigan, where the male has already made the nests (often three). The wren waits and sings and pines and waits some more. It’s a compilation of “The Bachelor” and “House Hunters.” Will she come and choose him? And will they find the perfect pad? Stay tuned.

Last year I experienced a successful wren mating on Mt. Faith, and I have yet to see, this season, another episode. It is true that Mom, last year,  brought food AND took out the poop bags, and Dad only fed and ignored the diaper chores. Perhaps that’s the problem. Divorce. And no child support.

The sweetest bird world scenario, however, also occurred this past week, when I spied a cardinal flying to the sunflower seed feeder and repeatedly, grabbing a treat and taking it to a female who scrounged upon the ground. At first, I thought it must be a feeding routine, in the way that parents poke worms and seed and other bird yummies into the progeny. But it seems  far too soon in the season for the appearance of youngsters. However, my bird book confirms – “During courtship, the male feeds seed to the female, beak to beak.” How dear. It reminds me of my own marriage.

My personal chef admits that he gets up each morning and plans the meal he will serve to me that day. For my pleasure.

Lucky Mrs. Cardinal. Lucky me.

I must brag. Take a look at some recent culinary treats.

(I would print the recipes, but he doesn’t have any!)

Breakfast – poached egg, with asparagus and fontina cheese

Tillapia Tostada

           Chicken, cabbage and rice

Spinach Salad with Yam

Shrimp and noodles

Roast Pork and Vegetables

Home-made Pizza (I DID make the dough)

Barbeque with Salad