I don't live out in the country like my sister and brother do. For them, seeing a hawk is routine. For me, anything beyond a squirrel, chipmunk and the occasional skunk is exotic.
Recently I was watching the birds that come to my feeder. Again, I live in a suburb near Philadelphia. We get sparrows, cardinals, robins and purple finches--basically, the run-of-the-mill birds. I enjoy watching the birds, and I have a feeder near my big front window. I did not expect to see this beautiful peregrine falcon sitting on top of the feeder.
I've got a feeling he wasn't after the sunflower seeds.
Keeping my bird feeder filled has become a challenge. When we first started feeding the birds, the squirrels found out about it rather quickly and figured out ways to eat holes in 
the feeders so the seeds would pour out onto the ground. After the squirrels made short work of two different bird feeders, I bought a "squirrel proof" feeder, which has allowed the squirrels to still enjoy eating at the feeder, but without tearing it down or chewing holes into it. They've figured out that they can jump onto the feeder and hang on upside down. This causes the bird feeder to swing enough to spill birdseed all over the ground beneath the feeder. While I've considered more drastic solutions, like the feeders that somehow shut down when something as heavy as a squirrel lands on them, the squirrels do perform a service for the ground-feeding birds such as ducks and mourning doves, as well as for the chipmunks and even rabbits who will clean up the mess of seeds the squirrels leave behind.
With all the rain we've had in the past two weeks, my birds have been neglected. The feeder is not sheltered enough to keep it dry in that kind of weather, so I don't fill it unless there's going to be a several-hours'-long dry patch. But this week promises nicer weather, so I'll enjoy filling my bird feeder and getting the laundry back onto the clothesline.
And that clothesline out back is the reason the feeder is near my front window.
COUPON TIME
We don't have pets, so birdseed is the only reason I go to the pet store. But not matter what kind of pet you may have, there's a coupon here for you.
$5 off orders of $25 or more at PETsMART.com 
Use promotional code APRIL in your shopping cart. (Code must be entered in capital letters.)
Valid through: May 26, 2009
VISA CARDHOLDERS:
$10 off an order of $60 or more at PETsMART.com when you pay with your Visa card 
Use promotional code VISA60F8 in your shopping cart. (Letters must be capitalized.)
Valid through: June 30, 2009, 11:59pm ET
ULTIMATECOUPONS.COM EXCLUSIVE
$10 off an order of $100 or more at Drs Foster and Smith 
You must use a link on this page for this coupon to work!
During checkout click on the Add/Edit Coupon button. Enter coupon code 3658583.
Valid through: December 31, 2009
$5 off an order of $40 or more at Drs. Foster and Smith
During checkout click on the Add/Edit Coupon button and enter coupon code 3078/5132.
Valid through: August 31, 2009
Cannot be combined with other coupons.
$5 off your order at 1800PetMeds.com 
Plus, get Free Shipping on orders over $39.
Use coupon code webc5.
This coupon is instead of quantity discounts.
Valid through: Unknown
Free Shipping on orders of $60 or more at Petco 
Use this link to activate the coupon or use promotion code affreg.
Valid through: May 28, 2009
10% off orders of $50 or more at Petco.com
Enter promotion code mayspecial.
Valid through: May 28, 2009
