It is really nice to have Carole Young back where she belongs. We missed her very much as she tried her hand at living in East Tennessee, but she decided that she belonged here around us. Me and her friend, Maggie Whiteaker, were invited to a hamburger dinner this past Friday out to Carole's home.

She pretty well lives in a heavily wooded area and you know what that means, Birds and other wildlife. A virtual plethora of things that I enjoy watching. Her property has a large field where you can find Bob White Quail, another species that is getting lost in this ever growing need for people to move out into the country. One of these days, we will have to go out farther into the wilds to enjoy the familiar whistled call, "Bob White!" 

As we made the trip down her driveway, which has washed out with all the rain and looks like a war zone, there were numerous species that followed us to the house. Field Sparrows and Indigo Buntings escorted our hungry group down all the way to the small "crick," which is northern for creek, where the woods begin.

After dinner, we sat in front of her living room window watching the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds fight each other for the rights to the Hummer juice. A large family of House Finches was shoving each other off of her feeder like they were not going to get another bite. One of my favorites showed up standing on their head hanging on to the bricks of the wall.

I just love the White-breasted Nuthatch as they search for insects by flying up high on a tree and then heading down the tree upside down in a spiral, picking at the bugs trying to hide under the bark. There used to be one here in my neighborhood that would eat at my feeders while uttering a very nasal, "Nenck, Nenck, Nenck." That is one type of vocalization that is not very easy to put in phonics. I have been sitting before my computer thinking, am I hearing myself correct or is the rendering of the Nuthatch song close enough? If I were talking to you in person, I believe you could understand me perfectly.

Did you get out to the new Lebanon High School this past Sunday for the open house? This might be one of the largest facilities of its kind in Wilson County. As soon as I got inside the door, I ran into an old classmate, Tony Mitchell, who also works at The Wilson Post. We took the self guided tour, and after getting to the third floor, we decided that we didn't have any idea where we were in the school. Lost! It would be best if the students were issued a compass to navigate with. Beautiful school!

It is strange how one week you have to put water in your bird bath and the next you have to pour rain water out so some bird won't drown. That is not a complaint as we should all be thanking God for his watery blessing.

Just walked back in from sitting on the front porch when I noticed my telephone was flashing a red light to let me know that a call was missed. After punching the numbers in, Ronnie Wright answered. He was looking for an ant moat to go with his Hummer juice. It was suggested that he should go to Garr’s in Mt. Juliet where I know they carry good ones, exactly like I use. Lowe’s has lots of bird supplies, and they had one that I just couldn't figure out.

Back before all this precious rain, Ronnie's wife Margaret has been placing shallow water dishes out and keeping them full of fresh water for the birds around their home. They had many visits from the birds so it kept Margaret busy just keeping out fresh water. Even the Crows and Meadowlarks would get in line for their share of the life giving liquid. Killdeers showed up along with all the Bluebirds to take advantage of the homemade oasis in their backyard.

Killdeers are a member of the Plover family and you will find them most of the time around a creek. With all this dry time, it’s no wonder that they would visit the Wright’s homestead for a drink. Several of the Wilson County creeks were dry as a bone, but now they are back to being babbling streams.

You remember the story of Ronnie dumping the starling's nest out of the electric fence charger box at his farm? Well he seems to have swapped the starlings for a Carolina Wren which has produced four eggs, and he said she is very welcome to stay there.

We would love to hear from you as to what’s lurking about in your neighborhood and at your feeders. You can reach Karen Franklin via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write me at 606 Fairview Ave., Lebanon, TN,37087 or e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it