Gas Pains

Tom grew up in Milwaukee, bartended in Wauwatosa in the '70s and moved here in 1984.

Commentary, observations and musings about the outdoors, life in general and maybe Tosa politics and personalities will be the order of the day. He savors a lively debate as much as terrific cooking.

Birds of a Feather

Life In Tosa, House Finch

Every year the asparagus ferns on the hanging baskets come out of their winter storage in the basement and get hung on the porch.  In the fall they go back to their basement hiatus.

Every fall we have to remove the delicately woven cup nest of some house finches from one of the baskets.

This family of Carpodacus mexicanus has returned.  Third consecutive year.

These birds aren't native to Wisconsin.  Originally found in the western United States they were introduced to Long Island, NY back in the 1940s.  Since then they have expanded their range across the entire country.  They're a delight to listen to and are a common bird observed at your backyard feeder.

The finches are shrewd.  The dim-witted mourning doves who build an exceedingly flimsy nest on an exposed shelf under the eaves of my neighbor's house expose their young to either predation by crows or destruction at the hand of wind and rain.  Somehow they prevail.

The hanging baskets are not only great camouflage for concealing a nest but the overhanging roof shelters it from the elements and other predators.

I'll be keeping an eye on my developing brood. 

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