Birdfeeder Pecking Order

Some people have a fireplace as their focal point for a room...we have a birdfeeder ! Our comfy chairs have a literal birds-eye view of the goings-on of our feathered friends . Because we wanted to welcome the little birds , the feeder of choice is a tubular one , filled with rapidly disappearing finch food.These tiny darlings are a treat to watch , from the rapid darting of the adults to the endearing fumbles of the fledglings,who ,having finally made it to the far reaches of the feeder,settle onto the perch,all warm,sweet and downy for a little nap . One was so determined to keep his spot,that he ended up upside down,still clinging to his prize,while his cousin ? sat on the top of the perch to eat !!
There is a benefit to the finches sloppy method of eating from the feeder (they sort through the food available at the port before settling on their choice,resulting in a positive shower of seed down below !) . The other creatures bereft of wings get the benefit of the buffet . We see sunken-cheeked chipmunks who leave looking like poster kids for mumps and squirrels who hoover the fallen seeds then try to skip the middleman and gnaw through the galvanized seed pail's metal lid (the smart ones only try once !). The squirrels have another game they play...dodging the neighbor's orange tabby cat who haunts the place,wistfully hoping for a little fast food . She settles onto the sun-warmed concrete floor , much to the consternation of the afore-mentioned , who only want to stuff their little faces . We are quite thrilled with our tiny visitors and never leave the "show " without a smile. What a lovely way to start the day !