Sun, Sun, Where'd the Sun Go?

I had no more thought "wonder where the Quail are?" and darn if they didn't show up.  One thing is for sure, they have been well fed where ever they've been.  I look out there and see these really plump, healthy, gorgeous birds and all I can think is how good they'd taste.

All of the birds showing up are well fed.  There is one male Robin that is so fat that I don't know how he flies.  I've never thought of Robins as a particularly pretty bird, but this dude is down right handsome, if a little plump.  His colors are so vivid.  There's a leaner, younger male coming in as well.  His color isn't quite as vivid as the other, but close.

The Pine Siskin's have shown up.  They are a pretty little bird, but they come in such large numbers and their call is so shrill, that I really wouldn't have hurt feelings if they left.  There is a yard about a mile down the road that they appear to like.  As you drive by their place all you can hear is this cacophony of shrill bird calls, no mistaking that call.

Haven't seen any signs of ground squirrels, but I do have tree squirrels.  Jack loves to go after them.  Poor boy is nearly blind, but if he catches sight of their movement, boy does he zero in.  If I'm in the house and see the squirrels getting too comfortable and considering coming across the driveway, I'll say "squirrel, squirrel, who wants to get a squirrel?", open the door and the chase is on.  No chance they catch them, but it keeps them away from the house.

Well, except for that little red squirrel that was on top of the house yesterday.  It came in from the horse paddock.  Not good.  Hmmm, I'm watching one right now doing a tight rope walk out to the feeders.  I have pipes on the rope, so that if they get to close and step on the pipe, it will swivel and toss them to the ground.  Ah, he stopped before stepping on it. Probably has tried it before.

Darned rodents are why I have hesitated to put feeders out.  I don't understand why people actually put squirrel feeders out.  Do that not know that rodents not only do huge amounts of damage but that they carry all sorts of nasty diseases?  I mean, they are cute and fun to watch, but, wow, they love to chew on things.  I see they have dug up the electrical wire from the solar panel to the gate again.  They did so much damage last year that I finally had to give up.  I cut it short and reburied it, but it's sticking straight up in the air about 6 inches this morning.

Not sure where the sun went.  Sure getting tired of it hiding!