Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Stylin’ in the backyard

I’m just going to come right out and say it rather than beat around the bush.

Today I came home to this.


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Yes, this is what you think it is. It’s a fishing rod with a birdfeeder attached at the end – and it’s the newest weapon in my husband’s ongoing war against the squirrel population in our backyard.

He has foiled them completely with the feeders that he strung on the wiring. See {this post} if you’re new here.

But the feeder that hangs from the house has been an ongoing issue. Sometimes I cannot believe how adept the little critters can be when it comes to getting the seed from the feeders. It doesn’t matter how slippery something is, they will keep at it until one of them figures it out.

And then they’re all over it.



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This used to be a nice rod that my husband used mainly to surf fish. But it’s about 25 years old, and the cork on the handle is wearing and oh what the hey – let’s use it as a pole and attach the bird feeder to it.

I’ll tell you what . . . I secretly think it looks a heck of a lot better than the mop handle that was previously in its spot.

Don’t you?


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George agrees. At least I think he does.

: : :

Another photography assignment over at Pioneer Woman’s site. This time it’s ‘Horses’, a subject near and dear to my heart. But a subject I haven’t photographed for nearly three years, since my husband stopped being able to work. He was in equestrian management all of his adult life, specifically in Thoroughbred horse breeding and we lived on horse farms since our early 20’s.

Here’s the link to the assignment: Photography Assignment: Horses

And, for what it’s worth, my first entry.

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Taken in the paddock off our side yard in March 2008, I could usually go right up to the mares and foals as long as I was quiet.

Of course, the competition is crazy fierce on the Flickr group, as it always is in PW’s assignments. But I enjoy looking at the entries. And I’m especially looking forward to seeing all of them in this particular category.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

123 Signature

46 comments:

Hilary said...

I know someone who would recoil at seeing a fine old rod used this way but it's as good a squirrel-deterrent as any I've seen. Clever idea. They're tenacious little things, aren't they? Gorgeous equine photo. :)

TexWisGirl said...

The fishing rod cracked me up! Talk about "baiting" the competition! Ha ha!!!

Tammie said...

I too can't wait to see the photos. Love the rod idea, might use it myself.:)

Mental P Mama said...

Oh sweet Lord. That right there is sheer genius.

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

Oooh, I like the fishing pole. I need something. Right now I just feed a few seeds at a time in my non-squirrel proof feeder. Maybe I'll try your idea
nellie

mrs mediocrity said...

I'm telling you, he could make millions. I think it looks kind of cool actually.

Love your horse photo, good luck!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, I read the first sentence or two in my feed reader and started laughing before I had even opened up your post. He's ingenious!

And I love your horse photo. Very sweet and great composition. Not that that's a surprise. : )

~Andrea~

Cloudia said...

waiting for more
with "baited" breath!





Aloha to you
from Honolulu!


Comfort Spiral

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Rambling said...

Your husband is one in a million!

Country Girl said...

texwisgirl - I am laughing out loud. That should have been the post title!

~ C.G.

Low Tide High Style said...

I love that your husband has made it his life's mission to thwart squirrels and I really think he's on to something with his latest invention. I mean it! He should start selling these things!

And I love seeing pictures of horses, I grew up with horses and our daughter rode for years so they will always have a warm place in my heart.

Kat :)

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

Oh my gosh! That fishing rod....too funny! Hope it works:)

Rain said...

Cosmic relief in the ongoing war against the squirrels!!! Love it!!

Deb said...

your husband is a clever fellow...love the horse photo...good luck...

Unknown said...

My wife has so many feeders hanging in the sucker maple tree outside our bedroom window that I've christened it Burd Town. Some mornings there are so many birds singing in that tree that I swear it's going to take flight! Even though there are several squirrel nests in the trees on the ridge behind the house I've never seen a squirrel in our yard. Deer, turkey, raccoons, chipmunks, the occasional fox, a coyote now and then but no squirrels. We have had a black bear raiding the suet feeders.

Char said...

sweet and beautiful - it should do very well.

i like the rod and reel idea

Mental P Mama said...

Wait: Call me Ishmael....

I cannot help myself.

JaneK said...

your husband has the persistence of Bill Murray in Caddyshack in his war against the gopher! And I do need to say that he is coming very close (but has NOT crossed the line yet) to be a line in "you might be a redneck if....." He'd have to be using some duct tape to fully fit that bill. HA! Love his ingenuity!

JC said...

I knew I should have taken up fishing ... I have lots of squirrels that eat very well.

Love your horse photo ... I used to take care of my Dad's horses.

beth said...

okay it's final....your husband cracks me up !

deborah said...

giggling at your husband's ingenuity!
I feed the squirrels here, we enjoy watching them eat.
Best of luck with the contest, you always have the best photos!

BB said...

Ingenious rod feeder!
Thanks for the encouragement to enter the Horses contest Kate... I have! No chance against that lot, but still a lot of fun to have a crack at it.
:-)
BB

Annie said...

Great idea with the rod

Anonymous said...

MEN! Gotta love em', don't we? And, why did you never show us the mop handle?? That had me laughing out loud.

Di

Country Gal said...

What will he think of next lol not a dull moment with him I take it lol I think its funny, sorry but I do lol
Love your photos, your horse photo is beautiful. Miggy says hello to George. Have a good day !

Gail said...

What a brilliant idea...maybe he should patent some of these!

Your horse picture is a winner in my book.

abb said...

Your horse photos are so gorgeous, if at least one if them isn't at least mentioned over at Pioneer Woman, I will know for sure not all the entries are actually looked at. There, I feel better!
That fishing rod...LOVE that fishing rod!

Mental P Mama said...

Wait. Wait....

We're gonna need a bigger boat....

sorry

Kathryn Dyche said...

Got to love your husband, he comes up with some pretty genious ideas. Sounds like life is never dull with him around. x

Daryl said...

Laugh but when he gets a patent for it and makes a bazillion off it ... that's bucks not peanuts

Kerri Farley said...

I think your hubby is a genius! What a creative way to foil the squirrels!

Good luck with the PW assignment. It's a LOVELY pic!!

Rusty said...

It's going to be a riot watching those fuzzy tails as they try to solve this problem. (I'm betting they will) Hope you can get some videos of their prat falls. Grinning from ear to ear. ATB!

forgetmenot said...

Give that husband of yours an A+ for creativity! As you said, the squirrels will eventually "figure it out", so tell your husband to be working on Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan E and so on. Great shot of the foal--I'm a horse lover too-such beautiful animals. Have a terrific day. Mickie :)

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

LOL... this is too funny.. and very attractive!!

And you know I love all things horse.

Laura~peach~ said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE your hubbys thought process MUST MUST MUST show mine as the squirrell wars are never ending here!

Skogkjerring said...

Hahaha, I think your husband is a genius, a real McGyver type like my Captain...the things that man comes up with amaze me!! I guess we should be grateful we are living with such clever fellows!!
Your horse photo is beautiful and yes, the competition is fierce with PW's assignments, but it's amazing to see the talent out there, one walks away from her site very humbled....
Have a great evening Kate!

Skogkjerring said...

Hahaha, I think your husband is a genius, a real McGyver type like my Captain...the things that man comes up with amaze me!! I guess we should be grateful we are living with such clever fellows!!
Your horse photo is beautiful and yes, the competition is fierce with PW's assignments, but it's amazing to see the talent out there, one walks away from her site very humbled....
Have a great evening Kate!

ELK said...

better than the mop handle for sure .. i like the way he uses the resources.. i bet a squirrel will balance on it...let us know OK

ahomespunyear said...

What a brilliant and inventive idea. The squirrels are such a nuisance, and jackdaws are also coming all the time...they've broken the top off the feeder.

Unknown said...

I want to move from the rules of suburbia to try some of your husbands ideas.

Best of luck with the photo. Horses. Oh.

Jeanne Walker said...

OMG!!! My husband would come up with something like this!Hilarious!!!

Caroline said...

I'm sorry...men are so weird like that. Oh God, now I am laughing all over again. God, I wish you lived closer...I'd love to have a drink with you and just discuss this nonsense! LOL.

Jill of All Trades said...

Man I love that fishing rod idea. I think I may get The Hubby to do that. We have some laying around too.

Mary said...

I love the new development in the Squirrel Wars! Doesn't it sound like it should be a show on The Discovery Channel? :)

Love your PW entry, too. You have taken some beautiful equine pix. I bet you make the finalists again!
xoxo

The JR said...

hey, he's recycling!

Lili said...

Oh Kate, that is way too funny for words. You sure your husband isn't just a teeny bit "Downeast"? Loving your horse photo, how beautiful! ~Lili