Saturday, January 31, 2015

Saturday's Critters # 59

Saturday's Critters #59

Happy weekend, everyone!  It's Saturday and it's time to share your critters.. Any kind of critter will do, even a new or old post.. 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.


The Eastern Bluebird is a gorgeous bird and another one of my many favorites..seen at the same park as my Redpoll lifer.



While waiting for my lifer the Common Redpoll to show up I took a few shots of some of the other feeder birds.


A cute Pine Siskin with a few Goldfinches..


Back at home this squirrel has been showing up in my yard and on my deck the last couple of days.. It's face and head looks awful! Michelle of Ramblingwoods has told me it could have a Pox Virus.. So far, this is the only critter I have seen looking like this..


It's head looks swollen and there are bald spots around its eyes and on its head..The rest of the body looks normal?




Another backyard bird.. A Hawk ( a Cooper's Hawk thanks to my commenters)  has been seen hanging around and spooking my songbirds away.  They are awesome to see, but I like to see it move on soon..To someone else's yard...
I hope you enjoyed my post & photos..Again I thank you for linking up to the critter party. I also appreciate the visits, comments and the support of all my blogging friends................... Have a happy weekend!



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





To see more beautiful birds and cute critters, check out these two memes below.

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

96 comments:

Jocee said...

Your Eastern Bluebirds are absolutely gorgeous! Hope the squirrel recovers.

Sonja said...

I do like that first photo, Eileen - just lovely. I hope I see one one day. Good luck with the Hawk!

Lovable Derek said...

Fascinating post. Great photos. I particularly like the bluebirds.

Thanks for hosting this excellent meme. I made a bit of a mess of linking up this week, but think (hope...?) I've fixed it OK now.

Have an excellent weekend.

Joanne Olivieri said...

Eileen, I am so happy I came across your meme here. I love that bluebird and of course my favorite, squirrel. Beautiful shots as always.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

The bluebirds are just so pretty! My favorite color! Love seeing the hawk, too - I have one hanging around preying on the songbirds - I think it's a cooper's hawk. Poor little squirrel - hope it's not painful. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Oh, by the way, the photos in your previous post are amazing! xo Karen

Small City Scenes said...

I like the cute Pine Siskins too. We had a flood of them in the other day.
Poor ol' Squirrel. I hope he will survive.
MB

Unknown said...

I love the birds. Poor little squirrel. It looks aweful. Enjoy your weekend, Eileen!

rainfield61 said...

It's time to visit your critters again.

Jutta.K. said...

Dear Eileen,
so cute birds...i like it so much!
Especially the second photo is a sweet shot.
I'm back again with a bird.
Have a nice weekend and ♥ly greetings from germany

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi Eileen I was able to link in however thank you anyway. This is a wonderful selection of critters in this post today. I hope you have a very happy weekend.

Gerald (SK14) said...

The bluebird is so lovely

Nancy J said...

Hi Eileen, I added my link but the photo is not showing, however when I clicked on it I did go to my blog, Love that poor wee fellow, maybe he got snow-blight? or in a fight? hope the fur grows back soon. Pox virus sounds not good at all.

NatureFootstep said...

Hi Eileen, hope you don´t mind I´m posting two this week. I wanted to share teh flying foxes but people seem to like the wintery horses so I shared that as well. But you have already seen that one :) Wishing you a great weekend.
Monica at NatureFootstep

Marco Luijken said...

Hey Eileen,
Nice shots!! Wonderful that Bluebird.
Nice how you've get that squirrel, so cute!!

Kind regards,
Marco

Unknown said...

Hello Eileen,

love the pictures of the bluebirds. They are pretty :)
Can you please give a hug (careful) to that poor
squirrel? Hate to see it suffer like that :(
Have a wonderful weekend!
Knipsa

Anonymous said...

These shots are really beautiful :)

Cheers,
Firasz

Elaine said...

Love your pretty bluebird--not a bird we get here. Glad you were able to see the Redpoll, and that is one of our common birds that winters over here. So far this year they have been kind of sporadic at my feeders, but our winter has been warm so perhaps they are getting enough seed from the birch trees. Poor squirrel--he does not look well.

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

Hello Eileen!
The Bluebirds are really beautiful and your photos excellent!
But (yikes!) that poor squirrel does look awful.
Have a nice weekend!
(I hope to participate in Saturday's Critters soon, when the weather will be less cold and there will be more light.)

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Those bluebirds ae so pretty. I miss those northern birds while here in Florida. We had goldfinches (many) just one winter here, and never saw a siskin. Poor squirrel-- hope it isn't contagious whateverit is. Hawk may be a coop with red eyes, dark cap, light brow and horizontal stripes, but I could be wrong.Enjoy those feeder birds!

Irma said...

Hello Eileen,
Beautiful pictures of the birds, especially the Eastern Bluebird.
The squirrel looks pathetic, I hope he does not die.
I wish you a very nice weekend.
Best regards, Irma

Sue said...

I'm always torn when hawks show up at the feeders. I understand they gotta eat too, but not in my backyard--please! They are neat to observe, though.

Have a great weekend, Eileen

chica said...

Que lindas fotos e a segunda, um encanto! bjs, lindo fim de semana,chica

Giga said...

Beautiful birds in the first pictures. I look at a sick squirrel. Regards.

Betty Manousos said...

hi eileen, loving your images. look at that bluebird! fantastic! oh, poor squirrel...
happy weekend, dear
xoxo

Betty Manousos said...

thanks so much for hosting. happy weekend~

Hootin Anni said...

That lighting on your bluebird photo at the very beginning....incredible Eileen!!!

Ileana said...

Wonderful selection of critters. Poor squirrel. He does not look very well :( Have a nice weekend!

Jo said...

Hi Eileen great post and gorgeous Blue birds. I love the Coopers Hawk too. Have a great weekend. Jo

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hi Eileen,
fantastic photos of the blue bird and the squirrel. So cute !
Have a nice and cozy weekend, Eileen.
Best regards, Synnöve

Juni said...

Oi Eileen, como sempre eu fico encantada com seus posts!
Coitadinho do esquilo, espero que ele fique bem!!!
A segunda imagem do post é magnífica.
Beijos, bom fim de semana.

Deb said...

Hi Eileen - Love your photos of the blue-birds. I have not spotted them in our area yet. That poor squirrel...I do hope it is finding food. It's sad to see them ill. I have to head out this morning so perhaps will have a few pics to join in later today. Have a nice weekend. Deb

Linda W. said...

That bluebird is gorgeous!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Love the bluebirds - and the hawk is so impressive..

Lynne said...

Well you know already how much I enjoy your posts.
Today . . . that first picture of the Bluebird is beautiful.
I brought it up close . . . STUNNING!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Nice shots. The squirrel broke my heart. I hope he gets over his cocos. Poor baby. We have a scarred one that used to come by more often. Saw him the other day...was so glad he's still around.

DeniseinVA said...

Poor little squirrel, I have never seen that before. Your photos of all Saturday's Critters are super Eileen, from the Bluebird to the Hawk. Thanks for hosting and have a great day!

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Eileen; BEAUTIFUL bluebird photograph and I wondered what he is wondering . Answering my question, my husband said birds need to eat so often probably where he can find next food... not so romantic p:-) Oh, poor squirrel looks cold and hope not so painful. The Hawk looks handsome with brave face but he should not scare your songbird ♪

Have a wonderful weekend, night night from Japan.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

Memaria said...

Amazing photos!!!
Have a great weekend!

Brian King said...

The bluebirds are gorgeous! I don't mind the hawks because we get so many starlings and House Sparrows, but the Cooper's haven't been around much this winter. I've never seen a squirrel in that condition nor heard of that virus.

Uppal said...

Your pictures have always the X factor. such a delight to view!

photodoug said...

Eileen, the bird feeders have been busy. Thanks for sharing.

tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com said...

Your photos are so clear, I love the bluebirds .I never heard of that condition in squirrels.,thanks for sharing, have a warm happy weekend! Phyllis

TexWisGirl said...

love the bluebirds, too. :) poor squirrel! not familiar with that virus (and hope i never will be!)

Sharon Wagner said...

Poor squirrel. It's a hard winter for some of our furry friends. The bluebird shot is so pretty!

September Violets said...

The bluebirds are beautiful, and I wish we had them in my area. I love blue birds and blue flowers :) I love to see the hawks, even if they do pick off the occasional bird. It's all part of the game, and they're such beauties. That poor little squirrel. I'm not really up on wildlife viruses, so wouldn't know what was wrong with him. I hope it's not anything contagious if you have pets outside. Enjoy your weekend Eileen, we're back in snowy winter again. Wendy x

MadSnapper said...

that is so sad to see that squirrel like that.. and i bet the hawk will not eat him. i love your blue birds. i have never seen one, not hear or in Savannah.

NatureFootstep said...

I love your images of the Bluebird. It is such a gorgeous bird. The squirrels look very cold. Why don´t the hibernate?

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

This is my second try at a comment. My first one was eaten my google or some such monster ... Anyway, what I said was that I think your blue bird shots are wonderful and I feel sad about your squirrel. Wish there were something you could do for him. As for the Coopers Hawk, I have ambivalent feelings about mine when she comes around, but I pacify myself by knowing that if she takes one of my song birds it will most likely will be a weak or a sick one. Nature has a way of insuring the strength of a strain. Have a wonderful weekend, Eileen ...

Andrea @ From The Sol

Lee Ann L. said...

I think it's awesome you have so many birds practically in your own back yard! I adore squirrels and am sad to see it in that condition. Part of life I guess. Sometimes the cardinals around here get awful looking and I'm not sure why that is; but, they often return to looking normal.

sandyland said...

The blue bird has always been my love since a child . We see few here in Fl always associated with happiness

GreenComotion said...

Hi Eileen,
The birds are beautiful, especially the close-up of the Bluebird. I truly am sorry to see the infected squirrel. Hope he feels better.
Have a Beautiful Day!
Peace :)

waldlaeufer68 Frank Scholtyssek said...

hello, the first photo is super nice, even the squirrel is made great but it looks a little disheveled:-))
regards Frank

thewovenspoke said...

Blue birds are so pretty, love seeing them. Ah, that poor squirrel. I don't recall seeing that before.

lina@happy family said...

Poor squirrel. The birds look so wonderful.
Admire your shots, Eileen.

Bob Bushell said...

Excellent being of animals Eileen.

Maude Lynn said...

Poor little squirrel!

DIMI said...

Hello Eileen!
Poor little squirrel.He is so cute!
Wonderful pictures of your yard birds!
I like the Bluebird and the Hawk shots!
Thank you for sharing!I really enjoyed your photos!
Have a happy weekend!
Dimi...

Pat said...

I love your sweet little Bluebirds. Poor little squirrel looks like he might have been in a fight.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Eileen!:) Excellent captures Eileen! The first photo of the Bluebird is sooo beautiful, and also the little group in the second. At first I thought there was a black bird amongst them!:=) The little squirrel looks so poorly, I hope it recovers.
Enjoy your weekend
Warm Regards.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

oh, i just love the squirrel - he has such character. cold & all wild hairs like that. ( :

Crafty Green Poet said...

stunning photo of the bluebird, what a handsome bird!

and poor squirrel, it looks very ill

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Bluebirds are so pretty. I wish I got to see them more often.
~

carol l mckenna said...

Magnificent photography of nature as always ~ Favorite is the bluebird and the squirrel!

Happy Weekend,
artmusedog and carol

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Love your Bluebirds, Eileen! Poor squirrel....looks like he's hurting...:(JP

Stephanie said...

The Blue Bird is so pretty! Great squirrel shots!

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen, Sorry about that ill squirrel. That hawk should go... I have similar problems as there are now a pair here. Guess the crows will have an increasingly hard time shooing the hawks away. I am betting on he and she. Oh well. Have an especially nice week.

Barb said...

I think I saw your Cooper's Hawk on my hike at Chatfield. That Bluebird of happiness is sweet. The squirrel looks awful - hopefully he's not contagious.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Hello Eileen!! I love those bluebirds, as always. And that poor squirrel :( I hope he gets better.

Our photos said...

Wow, this Bluebird is very pretty !!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

That poor squirrel!!
I love your blue bird and the finches. When hawks come to visit us, the other birds leave also.

betty-NZ said...

Aw, I feel sorry for the little squirrel. Hope he comes right. Your other photos are awesome, as usual!

EG CameraGirl said...

I do love bluebirds!

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Sweet squirrel. I hope it's not feeling too ill from the virus. It looks happy that you're giving it attention.

HappyK said...

Oh I love that first picture of the blue bird!!!!!!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Amazing Bluebird shots--They're another one of my favorites too.

Healing vibes for that little squirrel -- I've not see any this year, but we do have owls around, so that may be why; I've not heard of that virus.

Nancy said...

So nice to see the photos of the bluebirds as we wait for yet another big snowstorm. Our feeder stays very busy. The turkeys were on the porch looking for food. I love squirrels and hope he gets better.

Anonymous said...

I love seeing the Bluebirds! These are wonderful captures of them! Up until last winter, I was seeing them every January at our feeders. Not sure what happened to them.

Poor little squirrel. Every so often we see one that has patches of bare skin and is scratching like crazy. My hubby says they have "the mange."

Fabulous picture of the Cooper's Hawk. His 'cousin' visits our yard on a too-regular basis!

Hope you're having a great weekend -

Lindy

Pat said...

Love the bluebirds. Have been spotting some in the late afternoon the past few days.

Linda said...

Sorry about the squirrel. He looks sweet. I found this link: http://michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10370_12150_12220-27274--,00.html

Ela said...

Eileen, these are so gorgeous pictures !
Poor squirrel looks so sweet :) I hope that he will survive !
Have a nice Sunday :)

Anni said...

Thanks for taking time out in your busy day to share this link at I'd Rather B Birdin' Eileen!! It's always a pleasure to see what birds you find in your part of the world!

John's Island said...

Hi Eileen, It's neat to find Saturday Critters. I'll try to add a post one of these coming Saturdays. I really like your pics of the Eastern Bluebird. I've not seen one out in this part of the country, but I do love the Mountain Bluebird I see in Montana. Thanks for sharing and for your kind comments on my blog. John

Rose said...

Gorgeous shots of the bluebird.

As to the squirrel...I am going to have to look up that pox virus. There is a young squirrel coming here that has a big patch of furn gone from the base of its head back half way down its back, and now looks like sores. It has been coming for a week or more...then today I noticed another bigger squirrel with a patch of fur missing...

I really wonder if they will survive...

Black Jack's Carol said...

I hope some day to see a Blue Bird, but for now, will feast on your delightful photos. I hope the squirrel will be okay! You caught excellent shots of him. I will hopefully will catch up with a critter post later today. Many thanks for hosting! I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday! Hm.. seems like my comment is full of hope :)

Unknown said...

Hi Eileen, I always love watching the eastern bluebird with its striking colors. Great photos and thanks for coming by my blog.

Betsy Brock said...

The bluebirds are beautiful! I haven't been able to lure them to my yard yet!

The squirrel, though...bed head! haha.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The feeders in that park are awesome with all they attract. Wow. I love bluebirds ... And don't have enough of them in my life! Poor squirrel, he looks like he's crying. Thank you so much for hosting.

Beth said...

Eileen, I have always been impressed with your bird photos. Love the bluebirds. We see them here once in awhile and it's always a treat. Have a good week; I recall you recently retired! Congrats!!!

Donna@Gardens Eye View said...

Oh the poor squirrel and I love bluebirds too...such a sweet face.

The Furry Gnome said...

I'm still surprised that you have bluebirds at this time of year. I thought they went further south.

maryaustria said...

The poor squirrel! Your bird shots are amazing! These bluebirds are so beautiful!

Bethany Carson said...

Lovely shots of the bluebirds! Hope the squirrel recovers soon.

Pat Tillett said...

Love those bluebirds! We have a lot of hawks around lately also. the other birds aren't making many appearances because of it. We also have a couple of Kites that hover our yard waiting for something to show up. Of course, this all drives the crows crazy...

Helma said...

What do you get many responses to your post!
This post is really gorgeous!
Prachgie pictures of different animals.

Liz Needle said...

Bluebirds and squirrels - I am in heaven. Creatures I can only dream about. Just beautiful.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It's amazing how bluebirds have captured the imagination of song writers. I can't think of any other bird about whom so much has been written and set to music.

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...