This summer I have been entertained by a huge variety of birds. They have visited the feeders keeping me entertained. I keep the feeders on my porch so I see them when I am eating. As I watch, there seems to be a pecking order to be able to eat. I notice that some birds stay for a while and continue to eat while other fly in, then quickly move on with seed in their beaks. The pair of cardinals are persistent. They are usually the first ones there in the morning. If I do not get my feeders put out soon enough, I hear the cardinals calling.

I also have some mourning doves. They call me if I am late. They are bottom feeders. They eat what the other birds drop. That is, they eat it if the chipmunks have not beat them to it.

I had to chase the squirrels away. They are very persistent, but as long as I keep watch I can keep them from getting all the seed. I had a grey squirrel and a black squirrel. I do enjoy seeing the black squirrel though.

I have tried different types of feed. The sunflower seeds seem to attract a lot of birds. The mixture I have right now is heavy with that so I have a lot of birds.

Then, I have the hummers. I knew I had at least one pair, but I think maybe there were two pairs. Now they are bringing their families. I have at least ten of them tapping the feeder. There are four portals, but most of the time only three of them are filled. They fly in and take turns eating. Sometimes they chase each other away. They have been draining the feeder daily. Every night I am cleaning it and refilling it.

I make my own syrup rather buying it.

It is just sugar and water. I use one part sugar to four parts water. I microwave it to be sure the sugar dissolves.

I think they are gearing up for their flight south. I know to take the hummingbird feeder down about the first of September so that they get away before it is bad weather.

Each morning I put out my feeders around 6 a.m. Then, I take them down around 7 p.m. I had a bear lumber up the driveway a short while ago and veer off into the woods so I am cautious. I have had feeders destroyed by bear in years past. One year the bear got all the feeders I had out.

Don brought up his oriole feeder. We forgot to take it down, and it did not last overnight. The next morning the hook is the only part that was still hanging there. I tried to warn him, but he had to experience it for himself.

I also have quite a herd of deer.

They come to my yard and lay down to rest. The dogs do not bother them even though Snaps barks at them. They seem to know they are safe here. Having deer has taken a toll on my plants.

They have eaten all the leaves off the Hosta. They also ate my day lilies. I did not have one single blossom this summer. I noticed that they also ate the leaves off my one rhubarb plant. Evidently, those leaves are not poison for deer.

I have been able to watch the fawns grow. They run back and forth in the backyard. If I see something fly by, I can almost be sure it is a fawn. They run one way, then back the other way.

They lay out there all hours of the day. My dog was out one day and a fawn came right up to him. I think he thought he found a playmate. Micah just looked at him then turned around and came back in the house. It was really comical.

Last winter my rhododendrons took a beating from the deer. They have filled in with leaves, but I did not have many flowers.

I have an electric fence that we bought years ago. I think I will have my son help me put it up to try to save the shrubbery.

While I enjoy my wildlife, I also enjoy my flowers!

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, Pa. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.