Saturday, August 12, 2017

Saturday's Critters #191

Welcome to Saturday's Critters!

If you love critters like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!


I am sharing some critters from our last visit to Shenandoah Nat'l Park and Skyline Drive. It is a favorite place for a daytrip,  we enjoy hiking on the trails and just riding on the Skyline Drive.

I have to admit, seeing the black bears at this park is a thrill. This black bear below looked kind of young and skinny. I hope it survives.


On the Limberlost Trail I watched these two Hairy Woodpeckers pecking at the same tree. The Hairy Woodpeckers look like the Downy Woodpecker only bigger in size. Their bill is larger in size too. It is hard getting a clear shot of one moving woodpecker much less two woodpeckers. Their heads are always pecking into the trees, lol.


I believe this is the Field Sparrow below, if not I would appreciate the id help. It was seen at the Big Meadows, Shenandoah. The Field Sparrow has a pink bill.


Also on our Big Meadows walk we saw lots of Swallows, I believe these are the Barn Swallows.





The Big Meadows is an awesome spot in the park for a walk. We saw lots of butterflies and birds. I think this is the Wood Nymph Butterfly. Edited my butterfly id thanks to Karolina.








I appreciate and thank everyone who links up their post and for all the wonderful comments! I hope you enjoy my post and photos too!



Here is a list of my linky parties;
Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-BirdinThanks to the gracious host: Anni.

Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

70 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Precious, every one... YAM xx

DeniseinVA said...

Fantastic sighting of the bear. I wish it well also and hope it finds tons of berries to feast on. Your other critters are lovely also Eileen. Happy weekend to you :)

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Itcertainly seems a lovely place for a walk adn to see diferent critters. Love that you saw 2 Woodpeckers together. Thanks for hosting. Have a wonderful weekend Eileen

Joyful said...

I always love to see birds and butterflies in photos. But your little bear is cute. He looks like he is just out of being a cub and on the way to becoming grown up. You are right though. He does look a bit skinny and I hope he can find enough food.

Nancy Chan said...

I hope the baby bear is not starving. Good lesson to learn from the woodpeckers, they kept pecking no matter how hard it is! Beautiful sparrows and butterfly! Have a beautiful day!

Marit said...

Hello,

You take so many beautiful photos! It must a very special sight to see a bear. I hope it survives too.

Happy Saturday, and have a nice weekend!

NatureFootstep said...

how wonderful to see all the barnswallows. A lovely and fun bird to watch. They are still here but will soon go south. But this year the migration will be hard on them. :(

Helma said...

Jeetje ... just a bear over the road. That would be unthinkable in the Netherlands. The woodpeckers are very nice to see and the swallows are great too. Have a very nice weekend Eileen. I'm going to my job :-)
Greetings, Helma

Alexa T said...

Cute little sparrows, woodpeckers and swallows; the bear is so nice to observe, probably young as you mentioned. This park is very interesting and so nice to have an amazing time in nature.
A great weekend to you!

Tom said...

...black bear sighting are becoming more common here.

Christine said...

Hi Eileen! I am thrilled you photographed so many barn swallows altogether as I have a soft spot for them but I never seem able to capture them!
I do hope the bear survives too.
Thanks so much for hosting!

rainfield61 said...

Bear!
I have never seen a bear in the Nature before.
An interesting encounter.

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hi Eileen,
marvelous photos of the birds, the butterfly and the bear. This is so cute.
Best, Synnöve

Connie Smiley said...

Hi Eileen, how cool that must have been to see a bear (especially when you had your camera with you!). Thanks for sharing all your beautiful creatures, and for letting us share ours. Hope you have a great weekend!

MadSnapper said...

the swallows look like they are having a family confab.. they are so cute all gathered together.

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Eileen; Oh, woodpecker sure must need long beak and wish to see them pecking head p;-)
Beautiful and Lovely pictures of shallows and swallows♧♧♧ I always birdies talent for perching the branches of the tree (♡^.^♡) 
Gorgeous Buckeye Butterfly I've never seen.

Have a WONDERFUL rest of the week.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*

Anonymous said...

I agree with you, it must have been exhilarating to see that bear, although, as you said, he does look like he needs a big bowls of porridge . The Barn Swallows are beauties!!...:)JP

Sussi said...

A bear, wow! Lovely bird photos!

italiafinlandia said...

Hi Eileen,
I believe it was a thrill to see the little bear...
How nice!
A sunny weekend to you!

rupam sarma said...

Beautiful post. Great pics. My favorite 4 no pic.
Have a nice weekend to all.

Sandi said...

There is something very "people-y" about bears. Maybe it's the long arms and long legs?

Maggee said...

What a nice day trip you had! You were correct in your IDs. Don't you just love the colors of the Barn Swallows? And besides the pink beak of the Field Sparrow, it has pink feet! Thanks for sharing!

Ranten said...

Hei Eileen! Lovely pictures, specialize the bear and the swallows! Happy weekend!

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Lovely shots, all of them, Eileen, but the bear is my fave :-)
Thanks for hosting, have a good new week.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Better stay back....that little bear might be hungry! Love the pretty Swallows and butterflies! I can't wait to get back to weekly hikes! Happy weekend! Hugs!

Breathtaking said...

Hello Eileen!:) Wonderful sightings,...The bear in particular, and all the swallows. Such gorgeous captures of all the critters. Have a great weekend, and thank you so much for hosting.:)

Jenn Jilks said...

As always, amazing shots! You have marvellous trips. We have the girls this week, again. Gonna be busy!

Hootin Anni said...

Love the swallows all in a row in the tree!!! What a find...what a great image.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

loved your critters.

I hope Yogi grows big and healthy

Giga said...

It is great to have a place where you can always count on the birds and not only because there was even a bear. Regards.

carol l mckenna said...

Bear shot is awesome ~ must have been breathtaking to see ~ other nature shots are great ~ ^_^

Debbie said...

seeing a bear thrills me as well - i have no fear but i know i should!! i am seeing a lot of butterflies lately, that one looks "dark" for a buckeye!!!!

ellen b said...

Sighting a bear and catching it on camera would be a thrill for sure...if you were in a safe location. :) Fun.

Al said...

Seeing a black bear is always a thrill, but I prefer to be safely inside my car...

krishna said...

The sight of bear is so beautiful..

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Great photos from beautiful Skyline Drive. I only drove it once, many years ago. So memorable!

Jo said...

Wow Eileen, you managed rather good shots of the moving Hairy Woodpeckers. The Field Sparrow is a special for me; I've seen Phil Slade posting about these birds. And imagine, not long and possibly one or many of those Barn Swallows could land on wires just outside our property! But the cherry on top is tthe Buckeye Butterfly. Congratulations! Thanks for hostings this meme. Mine is filled with horses and dogs - critters all the same. Enjoy your Saturday. Jo

A Colorful World said...

Exciting bear sighting! Love the swallows too.

RedPat said...

It's good to see so many swallows! Hopefully the bear is just growing fast like kids do and he will fatten up!

Carol Blackburn said...

Lots of wonderful photos, Eileen. Those barn swallows bring back memories of living on my Grandparent's farm as a little girl. Barn swallows always nested in the barn and we would see them darting in and out feeding the babies. Those long pointy tail feathers always distinguished them from other birds.
Enjoy your day.

Linda said...

What a glorious and delightful series, Eileen! Thank you so much for sharing, and I hope you are having a great weekend!

HappyK said...

Great to get a picture of the bear. There are bears up at HT but we have yet to see one. Maybe once we move up there we will.

Our photos said...

Very nice! I love the birds !

Klara S said...

Poor bear. Looks skinny and hungry :(
Thank you for hosting.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful collection of critters for today. Thank you.

Deb from frugal little bungalow said...

That black bear shot reminded me of years ago when a young one was spotted in our area :) It was quite unusual at the time :)

The Furry Gnome said...

Shenandoah was our first encounter with a bear many years ago.

Anonymous said...

Awww, poor little bear. Hope he can fatten up some before cold weather sets in.

Rose said...

Nice critter collection...love the swallows. As for the sparrow, I am hopeless with naming them except for the house sparrow.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

You're right about the bear. I've been seeing reports on FB from a wildlife rehab center in VA about young brown bears being brought in, thin and starving. I can't recall why, but I hope that this young one will have a good long and healthy life.

Linda said...

Big Meadows is an awesome place! Fun to see your photos.

Angie said...

Eileen - great shot of the bear - hope it does survive.... looking pretty skinny for this time in the summer.

Anni said...

Your blog is always a treasure to view Eileen! I love coming here. Thanks so much for stopping by I'd Rather B Birdin' and linking in for us to come visit with you!!!

The Yum List said...

Oh my goodness! You caught a bear crossing the road! Something I have never seen! Thanks for sharing these shots and wishing you a great week ahead.

Linda W. said...

How cool that you saw a bear!

Phil Slade said...

Hi Eileen. And wow. yes, seeing that Black Bear would be a real thrill. I see he didn't wait to use the correct place to cross that road? LOL. I'm sure you're right about the Field Sparrow.

This N That said...

Nice bear sighting...Swallows are a favorite of mine..Love the butterfly.Hope you are having a good weekend..

Prunella Pepperpot said...

Your photos of the swallows and sparrow are beautiful Eileen. The little bear does look a little skinny.
Have a wonderful Sunday :)

Bob Bushell said...

Brilliant, the Bear and Woodpecker are superb. Thanks Eileen.

Deb from frugal little bungalow said...

That poor little bear DOES look too skinny:(

GreenComotion said...

That's one little baby bear.
Loved all the visitors in the photos this weekend!!
Thanks for hosting.
Have a Happy Week ahead, Eileen!
Peace :)

Ohmydearests said...

Anothe beautiful selection, Eileen! Have a beautiful week!

21 Wits said...

Good morning Eileen, you have brought joy and cuteness to us again! Happy day to all your critters.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You are so lucky to be able to hike and drive in that beautiful park. That bear does look sorta lean and hungry! Beautiful tour as always, thank you for taking us along. Thanks also for hosting and for all of your ID help .

Inspired By June said...

Wonderful captures, Eileen! I'm sure Mr. Bear will fatten up in time for winter. Sparrows and swallows can be challenging to id! Have a wonder-filled week!

RobertN said...

Beautiful post.
Thanks for hosting!
Best regards!

Lynne said...

Seven swallows in a row . . .(or more)
Great picture . . .
The bear was REALLY skinny . . .
Hope he fattens up!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Love Skyline Drive, so wish we could go this season, but I am just not sure yet. The Barn Swallows are such great favorites of mine, they LOVE Mosquitoes and that makes me LOVE them. Thank you for everything Eileen. Have a wonderful week~

Lowcarb team member said...

Wow, fancy seeing that bear ... what a sight.
Just love the photo with all the swallows.

All the best Jan

Pat Tillett said...

Fantastic photos Eileen. Another great place you've been to. Love the butterfly's coloring.

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