Hang in there

This is just a squirrel hanging strangely on the feeder, leg dangling down. Seemed to be having a good time. I'm kind of feeling the need to hang in there too, with a lot going on in addition to getting almost six inches of rain in 24 hours. I know we had more snow, but i don't think we ever had that much rain, it just kept coming down and soaking. Many basements filled with water (mine included, which only ever happened before when i pipe broke). Hopefully it won't rain soon and make it worse.

The other of the pair

This is the mate of the previous bird. Smaller and less colorful, but i'm not sure if it's male or female. Some species it's the males who are more colorful, and others it's the female. I keep trying to get pictures of the cardinals, who i know i have at least two couples of as i have seen four at a time on the deck. I also keep not getting very good pictures of the ravens or crows that have been hanging out back there, even though there are dozens, they seem to stick to the trees.

Bird plus thistle equals happy bird

I was doing dishes and looked out the window to see this bright yellow bird on the huge thistle plant near the deck. I am so bad at identifying birds, so i have no clue what kind it is, but i like it. I tend to let a couple thistles grow amoung the flowers and other plants in the yard, partly because i'm allergic to most plants and break out in hives if i touch them and partly for this reason. The wild birds seem to enjoy them. The purple flowers are pretty to look at too. I was about to put my camera away, when i noticed the other part of this bird couple. Not sure which is male and which is female, but i'll be posting the less colorful of the two next.