Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #140 – Unwanted Change of Scenery

Beth at Wandering Dawgs is the guest host of Lens-Artist Photo Challenge this week. The theme this week in Change of Scenery.

March 18, 2021

Days of stormy weather is on the horizon! Mother Nature at her best and worst all in a few days.

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Birds were frantically feeding and flying around as storms approached Jacksonville, Florida. We had been in a Tornado Watch all day and as it got closer, we were in a Tornado Warning. A tornado was spotted in Gainesville heading northwest towards Jacksonville. Luckily it dissipated and much of the severe weather stayed north and south of us. We had about 10-20 minutes of rough weather. No damage!

March 20, 2021

A male Northern Cardinal helps himself to some seed.

Frank filled up the feeders during a slight break in the weather as a Nor’easter was now heading our way. Just days after the tumultuous weather had passed through from the west. Our feeder system has been up for 8-9 years in some capacity. This is Frank’s project that allows him to be creative. He is building bird feeders at the moment and we have been testing them out. You can see a little of one of them in the right corner. and one of them in the photo below with the dome.

Mourning Doves gouging themselves while squatting in the feeders.

March 21, 2021

Feeders Down!

For two days we had seen high winds. It was similar to a Tropical Storm except it was spinning in the middle of the United States and we were getting whipped by the tail. The photo shows the carnage after a 45-50 mph wind gust hit our feeders just right. Snapped the pole about 12 inches from the ground. With two broken feeders, busted pole and another pole compromised, our yard seems naked without the full feeder system and the birds are beside themselves. Time for a trip to Wild Birds Unlimited.

A mere rod in the ground.

The resemblance of what once was the beauty of our buffet for the birds. Frank was able to get it the rest of the way out of the ground. Now it is time to rebuild. Interestingly enough, all the wooden feeders that Frank has created were undamaged.

March 23, 2021

A temporary fix for now with Frank’s new feeders.

The sun has finally come back to Florida. Two of the poles are still intact even though one of them is going to need replacing. When I walked outside to take a photo, the American Goldfinches were coming in. A lone Carolina Chickadee and Tufted Titmouse stopped by. A change of scenery is in order and I’m sure the new feeder system will be even better once we purchase the new poles!