[Carl in Tampa]

Many months ago when it looked like Tampa might actually take a direct hit of a major hurricane, I had my two backyard bird feeders taken down and stored.

I finally got around to having them put back in place, and already I have been rewarded with sights that I have not seen in my back yard in a long time.

The first visitor was a brightly colored Cardinal, followed the next day by a large Blue Jay. I was next pleasantly surprised to see a Woodpecker on the feeder. In years past we have had many visits from Woodpeckers that were nesting in a nearby tree.

It has been like the return of old friends. I can watch them through my kitchen window with the aid of compact 12 power binoculars.

I also have very effective squirrel countermeasures, so although they may scavenge a few seeds off of the ground, they cannot get onto the feeders.

Bird watching is one of my simple joys.