The Blackbird War
Learning to live with those around us44 total reviews
Comment from Regina Elliott
prettybluebirds, this was so
interesting to read, also
because I live in the Blue
Ridge Mtn. foothills in NC,
I've experienced most of what
you have, especially with
the bears. My late husband
came from Scots-Irish family
lines in the Asheville area.
His grandmother, Robbie,
lived in an old white farmhouse on one of the
country roads in that area.
Bears, bears, and more bears
trying to slap open bear-
resistant garbage cans at
3 a.m., deer, hawks, eagles,
raccoons, possums, field
mice, foxes, many species of
birds, etc. We live in a town
a little further away from
Asheville now. Robbie, my
late husband, one of his three
sisters, and his mother have
all passed away over the
past few years. His two
living sisters, me, my daughter, son-in-law, and my
two grandchildren keep in
touch. One of his sisters lives
not too far away with her
daughter. Anyway, your story
is well penned about the
country life, Congratulations
on 2nd place. Blessings ~
reply by the author on 18-May-2023
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prettybluebirds, this was so
interesting to read, also
because I live in the Blue
Ridge Mtn. foothills in NC,
I've experienced most of what
you have, especially with
the bears. My late husband
came from Scots-Irish family
lines in the Asheville area.
His grandmother, Robbie,
lived in an old white farmhouse on one of the
country roads in that area.
Bears, bears, and more bears
trying to slap open bear-
resistant garbage cans at
3 a.m., deer, hawks, eagles,
raccoons, possums, field
mice, foxes, many species of
birds, etc. We live in a town
a little further away from
Asheville now. Robbie, my
late husband, one of his three
sisters, and his mother have
all passed away over the
past few years. His two
living sisters, me, my daughter, son-in-law, and my
two grandchildren keep in
touch. One of his sisters lives
not too far away with her
daughter. Anyway, your story
is well penned about the
country life, Congratulations
on 2nd place. Blessings ~
Comment Written 18-May-2023
reply by the author on 18-May-2023
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Thank you. Your wildlife situation sounds much livelier than ours. All those bears make our blackbirds look like nothing. Thanks for sharing your interesting wildlife story with me.
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
What a story and what tenacity both you and your niece had during that time! I can't believe the extent of your wildlife. I love blackbirds but we don't see too many of them even though we live in the country. Your prose is very well-written, colourful, has good pace and is very enjoyable to read. Good luck in the contest! Take care, Debbie
reply by the author on 06-May-2023
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What a story and what tenacity both you and your niece had during that time! I can't believe the extent of your wildlife. I love blackbirds but we don't see too many of them even though we live in the country. Your prose is very well-written, colourful, has good pace and is very enjoyable to read. Good luck in the contest! Take care, Debbie
Comment Written 05-May-2023
reply by the author on 06-May-2023
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Thanks. It was an interesting year. The blackbirds are still here; we have learned to live with them.
Comment from K.I. Betancur
Nitpick: I would put "I'd" or "I would" for "an experience (I) never care to repeat."
I love this! I wonder: What would building a Scarecrow do for the blackbirds? I can only imagine there must be a way to fend off all these species...though I am glad you've crested that bump in the road.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Nitpick: I would put "I'd" or "I would" for "an experience (I) never care to repeat."
I love this! I wonder: What would building a Scarecrow do for the blackbirds? I can only imagine there must be a way to fend off all these species...though I am glad you've crested that bump in the road.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Thank you. A scarecrow didn't work. The blackbirds thought it was a great place to perch while snacking on treats from the feeders. Thanks for the tip. I will consider it.
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Oh boy! You're welcome!
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Ruth,
Thanks for sharing this interesting story. It sounds like you're surrounded by wildlife of all kinds. Every year people in Alaska are warned about keeping bird feeders out in the fall. That's the time when bears are the biggest problem, trying to fatten up before winter. I wish I had a suggestion for your blackbird problem, but I can't think of anything. Animals learn quickly, and they are going to go where the easiest pickings are. Good luck in the contest gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2023
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Hello Ruth,
Thanks for sharing this interesting story. It sounds like you're surrounded by wildlife of all kinds. Every year people in Alaska are warned about keeping bird feeders out in the fall. That's the time when bears are the biggest problem, trying to fatten up before winter. I wish I had a suggestion for your blackbird problem, but I can't think of anything. Animals learn quickly, and they are going to go where the easiest pickings are. Good luck in the contest gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment Written 18-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2023
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Thank you, and thanks for the wonderful comments. There is no known means to get rid of blackbirds. Thanks for sharing your interesting story about bears in Alaska. I have a step-son who lives in Alaska, and he often sends pictures of the wildlife.
Comment from BermyBye50
Prettybluebirds,
This is a perfect entry for the Wildlife Short Story contest. It is a winner in my book. The story offers the reader a play by play with every new twist and keeps reader on the edge of their seat anticipating the next act in the drama that became Wildlife Wars. A saga of you and your niece against nature. Excellent!!!
All the best in the contest,
Eugene
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2023
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Prettybluebirds,
This is a perfect entry for the Wildlife Short Story contest. It is a winner in my book. The story offers the reader a play by play with every new twist and keeps reader on the edge of their seat anticipating the next act in the drama that became Wildlife Wars. A saga of you and your niece against nature. Excellent!!!
All the best in the contest,
Eugene
Comment Written 17-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2023
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Thank you. It was an interesting year. This year we know what to plan for, so maybe things will be better.
Comment from Annmuma
I love this story! Well-written, scenes are vivid, characters -- especially the blackbirds - which might have been grackles during a migration-- added a lot of spice to the presentation. Great entry and I'm betting it does very well in the contest. ann
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2023
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I love this story! Well-written, scenes are vivid, characters -- especially the blackbirds - which might have been grackles during a migration-- added a lot of spice to the presentation. Great entry and I'm betting it does very well in the contest. ann
Comment Written 17-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2023
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Thank you. It was definitely blackbirds, red-winged blackbirds to be precise. They come in huge flocks too. They are back already, and the war has resumed. Lol
Comment from James Etheridge1
Great story! We love our backyard birds and have been in an ongoing jihad with the squirrels chipmunks and occasional hawk, but nothing to the extent you have described! Keep up the good work and the perseverance! - J.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2023
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Great story! We love our backyard birds and have been in an ongoing jihad with the squirrels chipmunks and occasional hawk, but nothing to the extent you have described! Keep up the good work and the perseverance! - J.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2023
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Thank you. At least we know what to expect this year. The blackbirds are already here, and the war has resumed. Lol
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LOL, I just came in from feeding the birds. The squirrels are out en masse. One is a mama squirrel and she is expecting. I'm going to give them a pass for a few weeks!
Comment from Pearl Edwards
This is amazing to me, all that wildlife sharing your garden and no doubt thinking, yippee. You've told your story of learning to live with the many uninvited with humour and I found it easy to visualise the Blackbird wars. Good luck in the contest.
Cheers
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2023
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This is amazing to me, all that wildlife sharing your garden and no doubt thinking, yippee. You've told your story of learning to live with the many uninvited with humour and I found it easy to visualise the Blackbird wars. Good luck in the contest.
Cheers
Comment Written 16-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2023
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Thank you. The blackbirds have arrived again, and the war has resumed. Lol
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
Been there; done that, although my problem is Canada geese and voles. This is a very well told story with more excitement than any gardener and bird watcher wants.
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2023
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Been there; done that, although my problem is Canada geese and voles. This is a very well told story with more excitement than any gardener and bird watcher wants.
Comment Written 16-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2023
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Thank you. Yeah, I could have done without some of the excitement, especially the bear. Lol
Comment from w.j.debi
Thank you for sharing your gardening experience and experiences with all the animals that seem set on taking advantage of it. It looks so easy on those T.V. gardening shows. I don't think I've ever heard one of them mention the animals involved. It sounds like you are game to go again.
This is well written. I can picture Cindy out there flinging those bottles and those sneaky blackbirds just waiting for the moment she leaves.
Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2023
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Thank you for sharing your gardening experience and experiences with all the animals that seem set on taking advantage of it. It looks so easy on those T.V. gardening shows. I don't think I've ever heard one of them mention the animals involved. It sounds like you are game to go again.
This is well written. I can picture Cindy out there flinging those bottles and those sneaky blackbirds just waiting for the moment she leaves.
Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 16-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2023
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Thank you. The blackbirds are back, and the war has resumed. Cindy loaded her water bottles to throw at the birds. It makes life interestig. Lol
