With a pressing need for an off-the-ground bird feeder but with marginal handyman skills, assembling lying-around bits and pieces into a coherent unity is, well, possible. See above.
The Spladder - de Chirico Model, it is hoped, will spare pecking varieties of birds from FELINE ATTACK. Or, given that
The Spladder has climbable rungs, it will at least spare pecking varieties of birds from INSTANT attack.
So far, of course, 24 hours after installation, not a single pecking bird from the many pecking birds encouraged to visit this garden through the distribution of birdseed ( formerly placed on the ground ) has even noticed
The Spladder's aim or utility...
is that a design fault or a failure of marketing strategy? Are the birds here simply too spoon-fed or lacking the sharp instincts of their wild or under-nourished cousins?
I could call a spade a spade but I am not. I am going to call a spade an integral part of a piece of garden architecture and hope my beaked friends can perceive that this particular assemblage has a purpose beyond its stunning visual impact. Birdseed anyone?
That's a good solution and I'm sure the birds will find it and peck away soon. They always seem to find wherever we place the seed. Meanwhile it does make a nice garden ornament.
ReplyDeleteWell, Shirley, you are a kindhearted human being so I'll say thank you for the compliment. Is it a nice garden ornament? It's A garden ornament, anyway. And yes, the birds have begun - just - to peck!
DeleteI love your platform feeder! The architecture is marvelous. Birds sometimes take a little time to become accustomed to a change in their feeding habits so I'm certain that they'll catch on soon and appreciate your artistic offering!
ReplyDeleteHello there! Sometimes it might be of benefit NOT to have any handyman skills, if finding your own solution works as well as anything proscribed. The birds are not obliged to recognise art, but seeing them eating semi-safely may inform my own sense of the beautiful!
DeleteBrilliant F..now i want to see a Faisal birdbath!
ReplyDeleteA birdbath, Billy, is going to take considerable effort, or no effort at all...as everything is, isn't it? It's either a massive amount of work or it's nothing at all. But you've got me thinking...
DeleteI don't really DO birdbaths but have a couple of slightly elevated copper pans for the wee birds to quench their thirst on the really hot days without having to fly out to the cattle troughs! They of course are perfect for the dog too...AND a couple of summers back a large Echidna was seen rolling on its back within..absolutely hilarious! So I might rescind the 'birdbath' suggestion...its way too suburban a name for this brown duck anyway! An elevated waterhole (slightly) would be more in keeping with Ocker-land?
DeleteYes, mate, I'm gunna have to make something interesting, and that would mean digging a hole in the ground, making a tarn. Don't you love tarns, Billy, they are so rare now, those little pools of water, little circles, coming up out of the ground, purely.
DeleteAh TARN! A new one on me but I rather like Tundra's! Of Tarn and Tundra ..
DeleteA very nice piece of work, Faisal, and I hope by now being used. I love your use of the ladder, spade and Tarax box - I haven't heard the word Tarax since my childhood, though perhaps I lead a sheltered life. Yes, bring on the birdbath. I'm assuming there will be more creations as this is number 1.
ReplyDeleteHello Carol. You know it's not only Tarax I remember but Marchants (lemonade) and even Loy's, we had in Melbourne, home-delivered. You'll be relieved to know two crested pigeons ( Ocyphaps lophotes - I had to look that up ) were the first with brains, ie, the first to have found the seed on the bird-feeder. I've always thought they were smarter than the average bird! As I said to Billy, an attempt at a bird-bath will have to be made, despite the several ready-mades I have, that is!
DeleteOh, I remember Marchants and Loys is ringing a very faint bell. And yes, there was a home delivery truck for soft drinks, along with the green grocer, the milkman and baker's van.
DeleteSo pleased the crested pigeons got the message. They are such delightful birds.
Do you think Penguins or even Ducks might use the Spladder? Or is this a Dodo question?>
ReplyDeleteDodos don't exist, Billy, so neither do Dodo questions. Ducks and penguins I can see, yes, definitely, having a go at the spaldder, if that is, they have a taste for seed. But I wouldn't mind them just trampling about!
DeleteYou could invest in a tin of black and gold sardines from Thailand..they are wonderful quality and I eat them daily as they are a fraction of the cost of those splendid but expensive Norwegian tiddlers..eat half the tin and leave the rest either on the BT or the new BB..the dog and cat will love the oil left over.. its a win win situation..I suspect Pelicans will soon be on your doorstep soon too so think big with the BB..Olympic size I would say..gold gold gold! (Black and...)
DeleteThere's been a grey egret hovering lately. Perhaps, unless the dog and cat get to them, he'd like the sardines? Nothing goes astray in the world, does it? Always there is some critter hungry.
DeleteCrikey! We have pelicans here and the thought of them landing in the bird bath is awesome! I think they'd make short work of Billy's sardines, even in the cans. I'd love to have a dodo, bit late to wish for that though...
DeleteI thought one would only feed the birds during winter
ReplyDeleteHappy new year dear Faisal :)
Hi Demi! Summer's the toughest time here, so it's whatever I can do to help. X, Faisal.
DeleteThis is just inspired Faisal! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure i couldn't make another the same Jan. By the way, it hasn't blown over yet!
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