Wrens, Sparrows and Their Houses

I love wrens. My father did too. They're so darn cute and their song is spectacular. I'm thrilled that a pair are building a nest in one of our birdhouses. I bet this wren is thinking, why don't they make these openings wider? But once inside, after the eggs have been laid, I'm sure he's glad it's small. 

Where there's a will, there's a way.

He was so proud of himself, he took time to sing a few refrains from his front porch.

Checking the roof for leaks?

No rest for this fellow. Out he comes to go in search of more nesting materials.

Gusty winds lifted his feathers.

Lo and behold, a few yards away from the wren's house, I saw a male House Sparrow coming and going from this birdhouse that hangs from our Pin Oak tree. 

The expectant mother viewed me with curiosity.

It was a warm day so I spent my lunch break on our screen porch out of the sun. If I hadn't been there, I would have missed all of this activity. 

Baltimore Oriole, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Red-Bellied Woodpecker and Robin

This Baltimore Oriole is holding on to the wire from which the feeder is hanging with his left foot. You can see raindrops coming down.

That's grape jelly he's diving into.

Robins often appear watchful. I feel like I better behave when he's got his eye on me.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks sure like being photographed, posing and smiling without pause.  

Yes, your left side is beautiful as well.

The male House Finch on the left is very curious about what's happening on the other side of the feeder.

Excuse me, sir. You've got something on your lower lip.

This peanut feeder attracted a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

This grosbeak appears to be quite drenched by the ongoing rain.

Today was a fun day to be looking out at the backyard.

Beer Journal #64: Spring Belle Saison, Ol' Reliable, Porter Joe, Yankee Buzzard, Illusive Grapefruit Ale & More

White Hatter
Belgian-Style White Pale Ale
New Holland Brewing
Holland, MI

All the important label info:
"Flavorfully blends the soft malt, fruity esters and delicate spicing of a Belgian White with hoppy citrus notes of an IPA. Pleasant hints of tropical fruit are framed with orange peel, chamomile, coriander and grains of paradise.
Pairings: fish, grilled chicken, hard cheeses."

Illusive Grapefruit Ale
The Traveler Beer Company
Cincinnati, OH

Label facts:
--Ale brewed with lemon peel--
with natural flavors and grapefruit juice added

Conway's Irish Ale
Great Lakes Brewing Company
Cleveland, OH

Label words of wisdom:
6.5% ALC/VOL
"Like the very popular Pa Conway (the owners' grandfather who was a 'meat and potatoes' kind of guy), the toasty flavor of our Irish-style ale makes it a real 'meat and potatoes' kind of beer. Or, environmentally speaking, an 'all natural, locally raised meat and organic potatoes' kind of beer."

GOLD MEDAL WINNER
World Beer Championships

"Named after Patrick Conway, the grandfather of co-owners Pat and Dan Conway and a Cleveland policeman who directed traffic for 25 years near the brewery, our ruby red ale is a medium-bodied beer with a toasty flavor.
In keeping with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, this beer is traditionally brewed from all natural ingredients: barley, hops, yeast and water. No chemicals or preservatives are used."

Yankee Buzzard
American I.P.A.
Wisconsin Brewing Company
Verona, WI

Label info:
ALC 7.1% BY VOL       IBU 60
WBC 002

Porter Joe
Coffee Infused Beer
Wisconsin Brewing Company
Verona, WI

Label details about this beer:
ALC 5.2% BY VOL
" Locally roasted coffee is cold-infused into our Brown & Robust Porter for the best of both brews! Java dances with malt, creating an aromatic, flavorful and irresistible beer. Cheers!"

OUR CRAFT. OUR PASSION. YOUR BEER.

WBC #006

Golden Amber Lager
Wisconsin Brewing Company
Verona, WI

Label offerings:
ALC 5.5% BY VOL
WBC #001

Ol' Reliable
Munich Style Laber
Wisconsin Brewing Company
Verona, WI

Label stuff:
ALC 4.8% BY VOL
WBC #008

Chief BlackHawk Porter
Tyranena Brewing Company
Lake Mills, WI

Label words:
"In 1767, a great Sauk leader known as 'Black Sparrow Hawk' was born. Strong beliefs, independent thinking and an unwavering commitment to his family and his people earned him a reputation as a man of integrity and courage. In 832, along with 1,200 of his people, Black Hawk was driven from his ancestral home during a war that bears his name. We celebrate this Sauf leader and his courage with our Chief BlackHawk Porter, the kind of beer that makes you say Ma-ka-tai-she-kia-kiak!"

"Chief BlackHawk Porter is a robust black and sharply bittersweet ale. This style was traditionally the session beer consumed by the porters in London." 

Spring Belle
Saison with Flowers
Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO

Label wisdom:
"Spring Belle marries the crisp, spicy flavor of a traditional farmhouse saison, with its citrusy hop notes, to the fresh floral aromas of chamomile, rose petals, and elderflower."
"Boulevard Brewing Co. Since 1989"
"Malt beverage brewed with natural flavors"
"Contains water, barley malt, hops, yeast, and natural flavors."

Challenge #9: Mentally Strong People Don't Resent Other People's Success

Amy Morin instructs us in her book, 13 THINGS MENTALLY STRONG PEOPLE DON'T DO:

"Challenge #9: It takes strength of character to feel genuine joy and excitement for other people's success. Mentally strong people have this ability. They don't become jealous or resentful when others succeed (although they may take close notes on what the individual did well). They are willing to work hard for their own chances at success, without relying on shortcuts."

A White-Breasted Nuthatch with Lunch

I'm so lucky to have captured this second in time as this nuthatch is just about to take off with his lunch.
 I love this photo.
It's one of my all time favorite bird photographs.

Siesta Key March 2015: Journal #11 (March 22)

...coffee with a special view...

We watch the day begin from our remote location on the balcony.

I love my cabana.

...peacefulness...

Beach walking gives exercising a whole new meaning.

I hope you enjoyed the sky, water, sand and sights.

Beer Journal #63: Betray Ale by Wisconsin Brewing Company, Hop Hunter, Undercover, Wrought Iron IPA, Big Mountain & More

Luna Coffee Stout
Malt Beverage with Coffee Added
Green Bay Brewing Company
Green Bay, WI

Wrought Iron IPA
Abita Brewing Company LLC
Abita Springs, LA

Label info:
ALC 6.9% BY VOL
"Abita Wrought Iron IPA embodies the resilient, indestructible nature of New Orleans. This india pale ale is forged with the intensity of Apollo, Equinox and Mosaic Hops. Brewed with pale ale malt for a golden color as bright as iron from a fiery forge."
Live It.  Love It.

Diablo Belga
Belgian-Style Dubbel
Ale Asylum
Madison, WI

On the label I found:
ALC. 9.2% BY VOL.
"Approachable yet complex, our Belgian-Style Dubbel is full-bodied and smooth. It has a soft, spicy aroma with subtle notes of caramel and chocolate in the flavor. The finish is long, wicked and warm."

Big Mountain
Pale Ale
Alaskan Brewing Company
Juneau, AK

Label fine print:
5.7% ALC/VOL
"Rotating Seasonal Release"

Hop Hunter
IPA
Brewed with Farm Distilled Hop Oil
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Chico, CA & Mills River, NC

Label findings:
6.2% ALC BY VOL      60 IBU
Purest Ingredients      Finest Quality
"Steam distilled hop oil, gathered right in the hop fields, gives a mighty boost to the floral and citrus notes of traditional whole-cone hops for intense, unmatched hop aromatics."
"Hop Hunter IPA is the first beer to feature oil from wet hops steam distilled directly in the field, minutes after harvest. We use this pure, powerful hop essence in concert with whole-cone hops in our brew kettle and in our Hop Torpedo to create the ultimate IPA experience."

Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Petaluma, CA & Chicago, IL

Label reports:
O.G. 1.085    Alc. 9.3% By Vol    I.B.U. 66.6
Lagunitas: Say "Lah-goo-knee-tuss"
"We brewed this especially bitter ale in dedication to all of the world's would-be astronauts, in remembrance of the 2005 St. Patrick's Day Massacre on the Brewery Party Grounds and also in joyous celebration of our 20-day suspension that following January. Do the crime. Get the bragging rights. Cheers!"
"...of hops, malt, hops, hops, yeast, hops, water, and hops"
"Beer Speaks. People Mumble." 

My Turn Series Andy
Pub Ale
Lakefront Brewery, Inc.
Milwaukee, WI

Betray Ale
India Pale Pale Bock
Wisconsin Brewing Company
Verona, WI

Label beer details:
ALC 6.5% BY VOL
IBU 30
WBC 011

Not Your Father's Root Beer
Ale with the Taste of Spices
Small Town Brewery
LaCrosse, WI

The labels says:
5.9% ALC/VOL
"Beer with natural vanilla extract, other natural and artificial flavors and caramel color"
"Small town brewery makes specialty beers that utilize unique ingredients with an unmistakable taste of nostalgia."