We had an interesting experience. I mentioned that we had put up a hummingbird feeder. It has been a great success with lots of hummingbirds coming, although there is one bird (grey back, white chest and bright red beak) who had taken to guarding the feeder from other hummingbirds. It sits on the wire on our back wall watching. It then zooms in to chase off other birds. There is a real whir from the wings. However, other birds manage to sneak in.
However, after Barb & I had gone to bed Friday night, Matt called us out to look at the courtyard. After the lights had gone out, there were a bunch of ‘birds’ swooping around the courtyard and some seemed to be going to the feeder. By morning, the feeder was completely empty. Matt looked up on the internet and concluded that what we had seen must be bats, not birds. The next night, he was ready with the camera. Sure enough, they were back again and he got a number of pictures. Indeed, they were bats and quite large numbers of them. Again in the morning the feeder, which holds about a litre of sugared water, was completely empty. It was all very interesting and exciting, but we decided that we can’t continue to feed the bats. It takes over a cup of sugar to make a batch of liquid for the feeder; we would go through a lot of sugar feeding the bats. Last night, we took the feeder down and brought it inside for the night.
Yesterday, we took Matt and Angie in to Tlaquepaque where they had booked a small hotel. It looked very nice and has a small swimming pool. It is also just a couple of blocks from what is considered one of the best shopping areas in Guadalajara. In fact, while we were still on the way home (i.e., after about half an hour), Matt called to ask that we bring the big suitcase (they had decided that they didn’t need it for the return home). We are planning to go in this afternoon to look around Tlaquepaque (pronunciation, approximately, ‘tla-ke-pa-ke’) and have dinner. They are leaving very early on Tuesday to return to Halifax. Tlaquepaque is only 5 or 6 kms from the airport and thus a short taxi ride. It was short, but a very successful visit.
About Me
- Barbara and Wally
- During a week's visit with friends in Ajijic on Lake Chapala in February 2008, we decided to buy a house and move here from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Many things (including the climate, a very different culture and simply the adventure) motivated the decision. While formally retired, Wally can still teach university history courses on the internet on a part time basis. Barbara is looking forward to being able to garden 12 months a year. Thus, as neophytes from a cold climate, we have begun our adventure.
3 comments:
Hey. you guys are having a very interesting time with the bird feeder. We too kept the "sugar business" going while we replenished the feeder every couple of days. But we never had bats! How exciting. Resourceful creatures huh? We miss Ajijic. We miss you. Only four more months and we will return. Can't wait!
Love....Kate 'n' Jack
Kate, I think that I know why you did not have bats. The latter are very leery of light. They don't come into our centre courtyard area if any of our main lights in the house (such as our kitchen light) is shining out there. Only when we turn off the lights do they swoop in. We have night lights at the side and front yards, but not at the back; as a result it gets pretty dark there with the lights out. You had your feeder out in front where the street lights kept the area lighted up--too bright for the shy bats.
Oh My but you are having an "interesting " time of it! Bats in the belfry not withstanding!!!
We are anxious to rejoin you in our beloved Mexico. What a strange notion our Canadian government, hence our population have of this very fine country. We shall talk about this....Much love and hugs to you both and the puppy. Bijou.
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