Saturday, December 6, 2014

Saturday's Critters #51

Saturday's Critters #51

Happy weekend everyone!

Ok, it's time to share your critters.. Any kind of critter will do.. I appreciate everyone who has linked up in the past and for those who are linking in on this week's critter party. And of course I always appreciate my blogging friends stopping by just for a visit..Also, I hope you can check out the post at Annis's I'd-Rather-B-Birdin.  You should also check out Misty Dawn's Camera Critters.

Hubby and I went on a beach vacation for my birthday and a last minute getaway..  We drove to the Outer Banks and stayed at Nags Head, NC for four nights.. So, you may or may not have noticed I was not around as much as usual. I will try catching up on my comments and visits..


Here is a Northern Pintail seen at the Pea Island NWR in the Outer Banks..


I believe this is a Peregrine Falcon..but could it be a Merlin?
Edited..thanks to Margaret and Phil for helping to id the bird above..it is a MERLIN..


I was surprised besides all the Brown Pelicans we saw in the Outer Banks, there were also lots of White Pelicans..


Brown Pelicans were seen flying up and down the beaches.. 









Thanks to Tex Theresa aka Tex, I was able to add this link up button and thanks to  Jennifer for creating my photo badge.





Thank you for linking up to the critter party. I also appreciate the visits, comments and the support of my blogging friends................... Have a happy weekend!
To see more beautiful birds and cute critters, check out these two memes below.

Please visit:  I'd-Rather-B-BirdinThanks to the gracious host: Anni.  Also check out Camera Critters. Thanks to Misty for hosting this fun meme.

65 comments:

Sue said...

Nice shots, Eileen, and a Happy Belated Birthday as well!

DeniseinVA said...

Great bird photos, loved the Pintail. Also I know I am a little late but Happy Birthday Eileen.

Nancy J said...

Lovely series of photos, Eileen, the ocean, water for miles, just lovely, totally, Jean.

lina@a happy family said...

Belated happy birthday, Eileen. That must be a great time there!
Enjoying your bird shots.

NatureFootstep said...

I loved to see the Northern Pintail. I have not seen it for over a year.

Thanks for hosting the meme. And have a great weekend.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Eileen The lighting in the first shot is fantastic and a gorgeous duck it is. Now I think the bird of prey is a Merlin. I am NO expert on this matter. One of the reasons I say this is because the Peregrine has no streaked feathers just below its beak/neck, at that point it is pale in colour and streaked lower down and also this bird does not appear to look big enough. Wait and see what others will say about it.

Unknown said...

Beautiful birds! I love the texture and the colour of the water in the first photo. Enjoy your weekend, Eileen!

chica said...

Lindíssimas fotos!Adorei ver e mesmo atrasada, felicidades pelo teu aniversário! bjs, chica

Bob Bushell said...

The Northern Pintail is my favourite, it's beautiful, thanks Eileen.

Phil Slade said...

Morning Eileen. Love the bright eyed Pintail and the Merlin. The Merlin is tiny, a Peregrine much sturdier.

Thanks for hosting again and have a lovely weekend.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

How nice that you were able to get away to the Outer Banks. I've been there only once and loved the place! Happy Birthday!

Donna@Gardens Eye View said...

Happy Birthday and what a critter filled day you had....it is wonderful to spend your special day with those you love doing what you love!

EG CameraGirl said...

I especially like the photo of the flying pelicans!

Jo said...

Hi Eileen, Happy Birthday again! What a wonderful way to celebrate your special day. Your birds are awesome. Thanks for hosting this critter party. Greetings. Jo

DougPhoto2009 said...

Handsome Pintail. Thanks for sharing.

sandyland said...

wonderful views the cardinal is superb

Montanagirl said...

Well that appears to have been a fun and productive getaway for you! Very nice photos, Eileen.

Linda Kay said...

Eileen, love to see those pelicans flying across the shoreline.

Brian King said...

The pintails are very "dressy" looking ducks! Congratulations on the Merlin! Beautiful photos.

Michelle said...

That Pintail is a beautiful specimen.

TexWisGirl said...

happy birthday to you! love the pintail and congrats on the merlin!

Hootin Anni said...

Yep, that's a Merlin...the peregrine falcon has a 'black mask' with white cheeks.

Love the pintails...they're showing up here in big numbers too.

DIMI said...

Hello Eileen!
Happy Birthday again!Great shots!Beautiful birds!I like the Northern Pintail and the flying pelekans pictures!Excellent captures!Have a happy weekend!
Dimi...

Minoru Saito said...

Hi! Nice captures. The pelican photo is very fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

Sharon Wagner said...

The top photo is so crisp. And the water color is so pretty.

MadSnapper said...

what a beautiful duck and I love pelicans, we have only seen the white ones here twice, they are not common like the brown ones

FAB said...

Great to see the elegant Pintail. Have a glorious weekend Eileen.

21 Wits said...

Beautiful photos!

Linda W. said...

Looks like you got to see lots of different birds on your trip. Nice pics!

This N That said...

Happy birthday. Beautiful bird shots.super Pintail. Have a great weekend.

Irma said...

Hello Eileen,
Beautiful series of images of the birds.
All captured perfectly.

Pat said...

What a nice birthday getaway! Beautiful shot of the Pintail and I love the Pelicans.

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Very nice pintail and merlin pics, Eileen.

Hippo Birdie! I guess you had a great getaway!
~

Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla said...

Nice pictures! I hope you had a great time at NC and Happy Belated Birthday!

Magia da Inês said...

♪♬° ·.
É sempre bom vir te visitar e encontrar pássaros e aves que não conheço e que são sempre muito lindos!...

Ótimo sábado!!!
Beijinhos do Brasil. ♪♬° ·.
·.·.✿✿ミ

Heather said...

Great shots -- I love the falcon. Hope you had a great birthday getaway, and have a nice weekend!

Little Wandering Wren said...

Nags Head looks a great break - welcome back to you and your birds! Wren x

Lee Ann L. said...

The picture of the falcon is awesome!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

The raptor is a Merlin for sure!

Black Jack's Carol said...

Oh my, I wish I could follow you around for a week or so, Eileen. We saw pelicans exactly once in Vancouver; I yearn to be so lucky again. And you even got them in flight!! The Merlin and the Pintail are wonderful as well. Thank you so much. I'm rushing off now, but coming back to check out more of your posts as well as those of your readers. Have a wonderful Saturday!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

very much enjoyed the visit :)

Ela said...

Happy Birthday !
Great photos of these beautiful birds !
Happy weekend :)

HappyK said...

excellent shots. Favorite is the first one of the duck.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

I saw my first Pintail in Aruba and that Merlin is awesome, Eileen!!! Did I read BIRTHDAY? If so, hope it was a HAPPY one!! ...:)JP

Our photos said...

This is very nice. I love the pintail !

Unknown said...

Hello Eileen,
wonderful pictures you've taken :)
I love the pelican, don't have that around here :))

Have a fine sunday
【ツ】Knipsa

carol l mckenna said...

Great shore life shots ~ Hope you had a wonderful time ~ Love the Outter Banks!

Happy Weekend,
artmusedog and carol

A Colorful World said...

Great photos! For some reason, I cannot look at anyone's posts on yours or Misty's memes. Hope it's just a temporary glitch with my computer.

Jen said...

Blue water and beautiful birds, what a great way to spend your birthday. Hope it was a good one.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It looks like you had the perfect birthday! There's always so much to see at the ocean...it's my favorite place to spend time! Holiday hugs, Diane

Maude Lynn said...

Pretty shots!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

What a fun getaway and great photos too Eileen! My favorite in this series are the Pelican's!

Hannah said...

The rippling water is so pretty in the first photo, and the duck is so cute as well.

cedarmerefarm said...

What a nice way to celebrate your birthday, Eileen. Happy Birthday. I enjoy learning birds' names from you.

Linda said...

Great group of photos! Fun to see.

Stephanie said...

Love the Pelican image!

GreenComotion said...

Hi Eileen,
All photos are very nice.
My favorite is the ripples in the water.
Awesome!

Have a Beautiful Day!

Peace :)

rainfield61 said...

The world never run out critters, but i get only mushrooms.

A silly one.

Crafty Green Poet said...

great photos, specially the pintail. That's near the top of my list of birds i want to see.

Anni said...

Thanks so much for linking in at the Bird D'Pot this weekend. Your participation is appreciated!!! Have a great week ahead Eileen.

Uppal said...

Magnificent bird pictures all!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

so pretty what a gorgeous area. i love the bridge shot. lovely times.

happy weekend!! ( :

sunshine said...

Beautiful photos, like the pelican.

orchid0324 said...

How wonderful to have birthday get away♪
Great photographs, I LOVE the Brown Pelicans flying♡♡♡
Oh, I NEED to catch up friends :-)
So sorry for my belated comment, Dearest Eileen.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

Lynne said...

Happy Critter Vacation Birthday post!
Happy belated Eileen . . .

Happy Monday!

  Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "Calm is a super power. Don't let stress kill your happiness." "Jud...