Sunday, March 30, 2014

Around the yard_March 30

  I am linking up with Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday 


These images are from the past week up to yesterday.. I am finally seeing some new spring birds moving back into our yard and neighborhood..The weather has had its ups and downs..Snow, rain and finally some warmer weather.



 The above photos were taken this past week on Tuesday, when we had some snow. Hubby took the shots at our lake with the sun setting, snow and ice and the Canada Geese enjoying some open water.


 The lake still has some ice but is melting fast now..


The above shots were all taken on Saturday..almost the end of March. I am seeing some new Spring birds..the Great Blue herons have returned to their nest across from my neighbors driveway. The Chipmunks have been up on my deck collecting seeds.. The squirrels are always around. The Pine Warbler and Downy woodie are sharing the suet.. A Purple Finch is an occasional visitor to my yard and the last shot is the FOY cute Chipping Sparrow..


I was standing on my deck when I noticed two GB herons flying over my yard back to the old nest from last year.. I watched for awhile one of the herons gathering sticks to re-enforce the old nest. I love being able to watch and see their progress on the nest.. Thanks for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.


Join in on the fun and for more wonderful photos please visit  Mosaic Monday and more
 from  Our World Tuesday

 Thanks to our host: Mary our host of Mosaic Monday and to the hosting group of Our World Tuesday: Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy and Jennifer.  I wish everyone a happy week ahead!
I hope you enjoyed our quick visit to the shore and seeing the birds. 


54 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

how neat to see the gbhs nesting! the chippy made me smile. :)

Brian King said...

The lake is beautiful with the ice on it, though I'm sure you're tired of the snow and ice. LOL! Love the chipmunk with his fat cheeks!

DeniseinVA said...

Gorgeous shots Eileen! And you have a little chip pie there. Haven't seen any sign of ours yet. Happy Sunday to you :)

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Great bird photos - and I'm so envious of your heron nest - what a thrill to watch their progress.

Most of our herons nest in rookeries that are protected. A few years ago a man cut down 100 trees, many containing heron nests - when he was caught he of course got a fine. The judge hadn't made a final decision on the sentencing and in the mean while the culprit mouthed off in public - telling a reporter that it was worth getting the fine because now his property was cleared and he could build his housing development. Not sure if he understood that the judge could read newspapers - well he did - and when the final sentencing came the judge fined him hundreds of thousands of dollars and put specification in the sentencing that the land could not be used for human habitation for 25 years. Wow - talk about a stiff fine - but it is only what he deserved - thinking he would just cut the trees, take a fine and then earn millions by selling upscale homes. Plus he had to pay to have the area replanted, and if the herons returned the land had to be left wild forever - justice does work sometimes.

DIMI said...

Ηello Eileen!
What a beautiful image of the lake!Wonderful shots and captures!I remember,last year,the heron birds where nesting in your area!At last!Spring has arrived in your area!Happy Mothers day!!Wish you a nice week!!Hugs!!
Dimi...

Ela said...

Gorgeous pictures of nature. I love all your pictures but my favorites are with birds and squirrel.
Greetings :)

Montanagirl said...

Love that son coming through the trees, and seeing all your backyard visitors. Pretty neat to see the GBH's.

Lynne said...

Wonderful to see the snow begin to melt, yours and mine!
Liked seeing the hidden herons . . . no smiles for chippies from me. They are so destructive around here, persistent too!

Ahhhhhh . . . the sunshine is so glorious! More please . . .
Happy Sunday Eileen!

Mersad said...

The lake is beautiful. Would love to take a stroll and take some shots myself. Your images are great. I really enjoyed looking at them. Here in South Europe, spring is in full swing.

Alexa T said...

Beautiful all of them... but for today.. my favourite photo is the one with "the four birds (ducks? swans?)" on the lake... great views!!

Merlesworld said...

Lot's of visitors and looks like it's warming up.
Merle........

Pat said...

Lovely shots of all your backyard visitors.

Carole M. said...

such contrasting weather patterns; I enjoy seeing your photos Eileen. Nice that your hubby also shares these interests, Cheers

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Your hubby captured a nice sunset and it's a good feeling to know the lake is finally thawing.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It still looks a little cold there but the birds are certainly active. I love seeing the herons in the tree!

Anonymous said...

Nice signs of spring.

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Eileen;
Good Morning from Japan. Oh, still cold ,isn't it☃ Wonderful to see varieties of birds and Chipmunks♡♡♡
How great to be able to see the nest of GB herons's progress♪ I wish I could stand on your deck with you.

Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

Maria said...

Beautiful scenes, you live in a wonderful place.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i love the peeking through the trees sun shot. gorgeous view. that is a very icy day. ( :

George said...

It's good to see signs of Spring beginning to pop up, although I must admit that I'm somewhat jealous that you can watch the Great Herons from your doorstep.

Linda W. said...

How cool to have a GBH nest so close by!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Now that is awesome..Nesting herons!!!!...:)JP

Kay said...

Wonderful photos.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Enjoyed all the nature shots. Thanks for sharing them with us. Have to admit the lake looks cold.
Thanks for stopping by.

Linda said...

I don't think I've ever gotten a picture of a chipmunk. They don't come to my feeders and they scamper so fast!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Another lovely set of photos, I remember the GB Herons from last year, and it's good to see their return!!

Debbie said...

You have such a great spot Eileen, it must be amazing to have all these wonderful critters around you!!

The purple finch is beautiful!! I'm not sure if I get these....some of my male house finches look like they could be purple finches. I'm never sure!!

Stephanie said...

Cute Chipmunk and do adore those Cardinals!

Life Images by Jill said...

ah your deck has been cleared of snow. I remember seeing your deck up to railing almost with snow some weeks back. No doubt you and the birds are looking forward to warm spring days. We here had our first proper rain in months on Saturday. A little of the autumn chill is creeping in. It has been a long hot dry summer.
Have a wonderful week Eileen.

Jo said...

Eileen, how wonderful that the Great Blue Herons are re-building their original nest. Do you call this a heronry? I wish you a wonderful week ahead. Jo

Sue said...

Glad to see you are having some critters returning for spring. We have nothing yet--but on a bright note, I'm down to about 18 inches of snow left---spring is almost here for us-hooray! It's really been a tough one this year.
Have a wonderful week, Eileen! And think warm thoughts!!
:)

Stewart M said...

I makes sense that you are still in winter - its back to summer here today.

I'm sure things will be back in place soon.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hi Eileen,
it seems to be cold in your area. A lot of snow and such beautiful guests. Amazing !
Best regards, Synnöve

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I prefer our weather to yours, but the snow and ice IS pretty.

Nice shots. Great critters to have around. But aren't they all.

Icy BC said...

Lovely shots of the lake and having all of these birds around must be a joy everyday to see.

My name is Riet said...

Hi Eileen. Still snow there? I guess we are the lucky ones this time with a very soft winter and no snow at all.It is really spring here with higher temperatures than normaal.But I don't mind at all, LOL
Have a nice week

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Wonderful shots, Eileen, and I love seeing the GB Herons nest! Have a great day!

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

Whatever the season Eileen you always WOW us with your bird photography and observations!
How marvellous that the herons are back and making alterations and additions to their nest from last year.
The rhythm of life starts all over again according to Mother Nature's clock.

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

Adorable critters and the lake shots are so lovely !

Crafty Green Poet said...

lovely photos, glad your herons are back!

Marie-Anne said...

Hello Eileen!
I so much enjoy visiting you and your wonderful pictures!!! So many beautiful birds around your place! The blue herons in their nests are fantastic!
Have a nice week!
I wish you a happy month of April!

Our photos said...

Finally spring. Very nice photos

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful captures as always, Eileen!! Love the squirrel -- I now have three hanging around waiting for peanuts and sunflower seeds!! Amazed to see you still have snow and it does look cold!! Hope you have a great week!!

Valerie said...

Lovely captures Eileen. That chipmunk is gorgeous! Am looking forward to experiencing some cooler temperatures in the northern hemisphere for the next couple of months as our (South Australian) so-called Autumnal weather gives us 35C degrees! Thanks for sharing your part of the world.

Jen said...

I would love to have a nest of anything so close. I only get to see anything good on the weekends.

Carver said...

These are all great shots but I think the purple finch is my favorite because it looks like it's having a punk moment with the wild purple feathers. Looks like it's still very cold in your part of the country.

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots, but still so snowy!

Kusum said...

Haven't gone birding for some time now. Your pictures make me go!

Phil Slade said...

Despite the frozen lake and continuing snow it does sound as though the signs of spring are definitely there now Eileen. And to see the herons collecting sticks and returning to their favourite spots is just wonderful. Enjoy thwe rest of the warming week.

Fun60 said...

Amazed at the amount of snow that's still around. What a beautiful part of the world you live in though with all that nature around for you to absorb in your everyday life.

Ileana said...

All of your photos are beautiful, but i love squirrel.:)

Helma said...

Even when you is spring now arrived so Eileen and I see the blue herons and a few other nice :-) Lovely birds that lovely time again is :-)

A Colorful World said...

Really cold and lovely!

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots. Nice to see the snow finally melting.

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