The Battle of The Bird Feeder

I guess you know you're getting old when you become a bird watcher. We really enjoy watching the birds, so it was only fitting that we put up a bird feeder at the mountain home. We wanted to be able to see them while we eat so Keith attached the bird feeder to the rail right outside the kitchen window. Well, our guests informed us that the squirrels knocked it off and it fell to the ground way below the rail. They graciously retrieved it for us. 

Plan B! When we returned to the mountain house Keith took the time to hang it on a wire (which is what he intended to do all along). Hanging it suspended from a wire makes it not impossible, but more difficult for the squirrels to get to it. He hung it just over the rail where he could still reach over to fill it. 

Shortly thereafter we noticed the bird feeder was caught up and back over the rail. Those pesky squirrels!  How did they do that? Imagine our surprise when we looked out and saw this!

Bears like bird seed. Imagine that!  We watched them eat until it was empty.

Plan C!  Okay, so my engineer of a husband decided to move the bird feeder to a limb farther out where the bears couldn't reach it. For days we once again could enjoy watching the birds. But then last night we heard this horrendous noise outside. When you hear outdoor noises here, you better go check!  This is what we saw!

Mama bear pulled on this limb until it broke off and the bird feeder hit the ground below. Then she and her cubs RAN below to collect their reward!  

After they filled their bellies they settled in under our deck to rest!

We watched until we were sure they left. The bird feeder is currently somewhere in the woods. I hope that Plan D is to let it stay there!