By  Ray Pope

I don't believe we could have had a better Easter weekend even if we tried. It's about time that the temperatures climbed into the 80's. At all the stores I find people buying tomato plants and other vegtables trying to get started on the growing season. There may still be two or three more cold snaps that might jeopardize any tender shoots already planted in the gardens.

By  Ray Pope

I don't believe we could have had a better Easter weekend even if we tried. It's about time that the temperatures climbed into the 80's. At all the stores I find people buying tomato plants and other vegtables trying to get started on the growing season. There may still be two or three more cold snaps that might jeopardize any tender shoots already planted in the gardens.

Don't forget this coming Saturday, April 10, at 9:00 a.m., that Polly Rooker will be returning to Garrs Rental and Feed  in Mt. Juliet to present her seminar on Creating a Backyard Habitat that will appeal to Songbirds, Hummingbirds, and butterflies. There is no cost and you need to call Garrs at 615-754-2777 to reserve your spot. I plan on being there and would love to meet you. We had a wonderful time back on March 13 at Polly's last seminar on Bluebirds and Purple Martins. Light refreshments will be served and maybe this time I will be able to partake instead of running my mouth.

It is still a little early for some of our summer migrants, but I heard an Indigo Bunting out on Palmer Road which was my first for the year. Jim Gilchrist dropped off a CD with some pictures made at his home. It seems that their home has been targeted by several kamikazi minded birds that have crashed into their glass door going out to the back deck. A Goldfinch was the first one and lucky for him Mama Cat must have already had her lunch. She walked over to see what was there and then turned her nose and walked away from a possible dinner. Jim's wife, Jimmie Karol heard a big "whop" at the same door and discovered that a Bobwhite Quail had taken a turn trying to see if he could fly through the door. After about 20 minutes it shook off the cobwebs and then flew away. Sometimes one will get lucky and have a great photo fall right into their lap. Just ten feet out from their front deck a Barred Owl posed for his Our Feathered Friends debut, see enclosed picture.

It was nice to hear from the Bob Ward family now living in Mt. Juliet and formally from Mt. Airy, North Carolina, home of Andy Griffith. Gomer says hey! Bob, along with wife, "Sister Sam", and son, James David, have made bird watching a family affair. Several of the bird feeders were a father and son project at the local Lowes store. Bob says that the Robins at their home look like they have been working out as they seem so large. Cardinals, Bluejays, Thrushes, Warblers and Finches round out the many birds there on their property. Their next door neighbors, Brian and Betty McLaughlin have the same passion when it comes to taking care of their feathered friends.

I received a letter from an old friend and bird lover, Nancy Stroud telling me about the birds at their feeders and inviting me to the next Hartmann Luggage reunion on May 22 at the old skating rink on Hwy. 231 South. I will have more information on this event as the time grows closer.

This past week I circled behind Sellars Funeral home to observe the Purple Martins living there and found about four pair living with House Sparrows. I believe Judd Sellars will evict the Sparrows, giving the Martins more apartments to raise their young.

I would like to thank Carole Young for letting me dig up some of her Mayapples and Trillium which will be planted in the wildflower section of my back yard. I am still looking to find and dig up some Jack-in-the Pulpits to place in my little woodland shady spot. Anybody with them should give me a call and I will help you thin them out.

I would love to hear from you as to what’s lurking about in your neighborhood and at your feeders. You can reach me C/O The Wilson Post, or call me at 547-7371 or write me at 606 Fairview Ave, Lebanon, 37087 or e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it