Saturday, December 19, 2015

Saturday's Critters #105

Saturday's Critters #105

Happy Saturday, it's time to share your critters and post. Any kind of critter will do, even a new or old post.. I appreciate everyone who is linking in with this week's critter party.

In case there are some bloggers breaking, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!


During our good weather times, hubby and I try to take a walk or go somewhere to enjoy the outdoors, birds and nice weather. On this day we went back to the North Point State Park in Baltimore County, Maryland. It was a great spot in the summer to see the Little Blue Herons and on this day we saw the Red-headed woodpeckers.




A mosaic of some of the birds we saw at the park top row: Red-headed Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Brown Creeper. Second Row: Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Great Blue Heron. Last row: another Red-headed Woodpecker, Mourning Doves, American Robin.


American Goldfinch on gumball.


Red-headed Woodpecker


On this warm December day we saw a Black Rat snake was on the trail. At least I think it is the Black Rat Snake.


Northern Flicker


Another look at the Red-headed woodpecker on our way back to the car. I hope you enjoyed my birds and critter post.  As always thanks for the visits and the nice comments. I also thank everyone who is linking up and sharing their critters.. Happy Saturday, have a great weekend!






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.

75 comments:

Unknown said...

I love your woodpeckers. They're gorgeous birds. Have a great weekend, Eileen.

Jo said...

Good morning Eileen, I love all your birds and critters; but once again the Red-headed Woodpecker is my favorite. I love the black rat snake too. Cool post. Thanks for hosting this meme. Have a wonderful Saturday. Greetings Jo

Nancy J said...

I Googled "Gumball" and now I know they come from the Liquidamber tree, can understand why the birds like them so much. Super photos.Lovely colours in every feather.

Small City Scenes said...

Nice shots. Love the Goldfinch and the gumball.
Happy weekend.
MB

Tony McGurk said...

The Red Headed Woodpecker is so beautiful. I read about how their brain has built in shock absorbers to prevent them getting concussion. Amazing.
Not so keen on the snake though.

Irma said...

Hi Eileen,
Beautiful pictures of the woodpeckers, and also beautiful collages.
Best regards, Irma

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Great to see lovely photos of the woodpeckers, Eileen. We don;t have them here in Australia.
Thanks for hosting and enjoy your weekend.

Linda said...

Another gorgeous series, Eileen! Your posts and photos always bring me much cheer! Thank you so much for sharing.

Nancy Chan said...

Thank you, Eileen for all the beautiful birds pics. Thank you for hosting Saturday's Critters. Have a great weekend!

Christine said...

A fantastic bird album, Eileen! Those woodpeckers look so cute and that last shot of one peeking out between the branches is so good! I wouldn't be brave enough to hang around to snap a photo of the snake though!
Thanks so much for hosting and enjoy your weekend!

NatureFootstep said...

loved to see the woodpeckers you share today. :)

Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful birds, Eileen. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Marco Luijken said...

Hey Eileen,
Wonderful!! Amazing how you've could photograph this amazing woodpecker.
A very wonderful bird. Well done!!

Many greetings and have a nice weekend,
Marco

Phil Slade said...

Good morning Eileen. I just love your blue sky birds today. The Red-headed Woodpecker is a real stunner, as is the flicker. Meanwhile the mosaic shows a lovely selection from your park walk.

Have a great week ahead and thanks for allowing me to join in today.

Hootin Anni said...

I do NOT like snakes of ANY kind!!!
But...that very last photo of the woodpecker is just priceless!!!

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Red-headed Woodpeckers are one of my favorite birds. I get to see them at our second home in Illinois. We had a flock of goldfinches here this past week, only the second time they visited south Florida in large numbers in 10 years. They were eating the seeds of an exotic Australian Pine, Most other birds seem to ignore them as a food source.

Tom said...

A delight as always Eileen!

Ohmydearests said...

both the woodpeckers are so beautiful! love that little gold finch! have a beautiful day!

Betty Manousos said...

good morning, eileen. i love all your birds and critters!
i always enjoy visiting you as you always have pictures of beauty to share with us.

happy weekend~

Sue said...

I've only seen the red headed woodpecker a few times and it was always a thrill.
You captured some great photos, Eileen.
And you are missing out on some beautiful nature if you only walk on warm sunny days.
Hubby and I NEVER miss a day out and there is nothing prettier or more peaceful than walking during a heavy snow. Gorgeous!!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
Those are some top shots!!! Hope the weekend is filled with Christmas promise for you Eileen... YAM xx

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hi Eileen,
fantastic photos of the hidden birds in the tree.
Have a great weekend, Eileen.
Best regards, Synnöve

Existe Sempre Um Lugar said...

Para si e sua família desejo um Natal de Luz! Abençoado e repleto de alegrias.
AG

EG CameraGirl said...

What a character!

Debbie said...

wow...what a great set of images eileen!!! i have not seen my flicker yet this winter, i'm not sure he has returned!!! love those redheads (chuck was one)!!!

i need to get back outside and get back to reality with my images!!!

photodoug said...

Eileen, the Red-headed woodpecker is one of our favorites. Thanks for sharing.

GreenComotion said...

Hi Eileen,
The Redheaded Woodpecker is very cute. In fact, the one you have photographed looks very healthy - awesome.
Lovely snaps.
Thank you for hosting SC.
Have a Great Weekend!
Peace :)

Jenn Jilks said...

I love your birds, as ever. You the woman!
Today is bird count day in our area. Lots of fun.

It is amazing to see a snake. Looks like a rat snake to me. I've never seen one in our forest, but have on the road, and nudged it off the road.

Happy meme day!

Lynne said...

Cute little Goldfinch with the cone like thingy . . . Gumball?
Love that last peek a boo pic of the woodpecker . . .
(They like to peck on the cedar on our house . . . although that doesn't make us happy! There are plenty of trees!)
Happy Saturday's Criiters Day Eileen . . .

Gail said...

Your photography and your subjects are beautiful.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Good morning! My husband and I both enjoyed looking at your photos. I knew he would like to see the snake! lol And we don't think we've ever seen a red headed woodpecker like that. I like him peeking out in the last photo. Happy holidays, Diane

Bob Bushell said...

Awesome birds, and my favourite is the Red-headed woodpecker, it is excellent.

FANCY the Red Standard Poodle said...

Hi Y'all!

Love your photos of the Red Headed Woodpecker. They are such spectacular birds!

Y'all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog

Katarina said...

The Red-headed Woodpecker is a beauty!
Happy weekend!

Liz said...

I love the Red-headed Woodpecker! Such a standout!

MadSnapper said...

that rat snake is perfectly camouflaged by the stick. that little bird on the gum ball is gorgeous. your bird pics are so sharp and clear i can almost touch the bird. beautiful

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

nice array of critters :)

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Beautiful shots- I just love the woodpecker- such a pretty bird. Fascinating to watch, too. Have a great Saturday!

Al said...

That is such a pretty little bird. No critters for me this week. Have a very Merry Christmas.

carol l mckenna said...

Always beautiful nature shots here ~ lovely photography!

Wishing you the magic and love of the season,
artmusedog and carol

Giga said...

Woodpeckers rarely seen in nature, so with great pleasure with you to look at them. Regards.

Anonymous said...

Except for the blue jays we saw the red headed woodpecker once. Was surprised it was such a little bird -thought it would at least be the size of a blue jay! Have a great weekend, Eileen and thank you for hosting!

HappyK said...

You captured some really good pictures of the red headed woodpecker. Such a pretty blue sky too.

sandyland said...

what an angle second shot

Linda W. said...

Wonderful bird photos, and I'm loving that bright blue sky!

This N That said...

It's always fun to see the red heads of the Woodpeckers...Nice series..Merry CHristmas to you and your family as well, Eileen...

Michelle said...

I like seeing the woodpecker, but not the snake!

rainfield61 said...

Wow, the gumball is interesting.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

gorgeous red headed woodpecker. that red is so vibrant. ( :

genie said...

How exciting to see the red headed woodpecker. We have never seen one here. It definitely has a bright red head. That last photo is my favorite with its head sticking out from the tree.

The Yum List said...

I've never seen a bird quite like this one before - with a distinctly different head colouring to the rest of the body. I know it's probably for some adaptation to the bird's environment, but I wonder what specifically.

Maude Lynn said...

Gorgeous shots of the woodpecker!

The Furry Gnome said...

What a neat seed pod the Sweetgum has!

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Red-headed Woodpecker is amazing. Another birdie I've yet to see in real life. But there's still time!
~

Linda said...

Your red-headed woodpecker is stunning!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Beautiful photos - love those colorful woodpeckers! Hope your weekend is fun. x Karen

Anu said...

Great photos! I have read from somewhere that the Red headed woodpecker is listed near threatened.

rupam sarma said...

So beautiful

betty-NZ said...

These are such colorful critters that you caught!!

Magia da Inês said...

❀✿゚ه
Fotos muito lindas, principalmente a primeira.

Que o menino de Belém traga esperança e muitas alegrias para todos nós!!!

Bom domingo! Ótima semana!
Beijinhos.
✿˚Ù‡° ·.

Uppal said...

Wonderful and well timed captures of the avian families. However, the snakes give me creeps.

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Eileen; Oh, Red-headed Woodpecker looks really lovely and colorful♪ And truly enjoyed seeing your varieties birds' photographs♡♡♡
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan and 'Night Night' to my Dear Japanese friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

Sharon Wagner said...

Happy Holidays Eileen! And Happy New (birding) Year to you.

Donna@Gardens Eye View said...

Lots of woodpeckers here too, but we don't see the red-headed ones...wish we did!

Country Gal said...

Fantastic photos ! Thanks for sharing , have a good day !

sunshine said...

The Red-headed woodpecker looks very interesting, beautiful photos and area.

TexWisGirl said...

wow! beautiful redhead shots and the flicker, too!

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen, Wonderful woodpeckers! You knew that is what I would focus upon, didn't you? Of course. I sure enjoy your blog and look forward to seeing every post! Have a pleasant coming week!

Anonymous said...

That gumball is fascinating. Lovely image of the flicker!

Rose said...

Great pics! We have a red=headed woodpecker that comes here but he is too quick for me to ever get a photo.

p.s. In case this is a repeat, ignor or delete. For some reason part of the time blogger gives me trouble when I try to comment!

sami niilola said...

Great pictures

Alexa T said...

Hello, Eileen! It's wonderful to see so many birds,especially woodpeckers (ciocanitori...) Even I was in a trip vacation in september, I was not able to make photos of birds in the wild!! Sad...but I still hope to have the chance to do pictures with critters in the wild.
Best regards and warm greetings of december

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The woodpeckers are wonderful! Beautiful mosaics.

Ana Freire said...

Impressive details!!!!
Another stunning sequence... but I'm terrible afraid of snakes!... :-(
A great work, over here, as usual, Eileen!
Great shots!
Kisses
Ana

Anonymous said...

I love your Red-headed Woodpecker! Such a cutie!

Saturday's Critters! # 575

  Welcome to Saturday's Critters!  Hello and Happy Saturday!  If you love all God's creatures like I do and also like to blog about ...