Saturday, January 2, 2016

Saturday's Critters #107

Saturday's Critters #107

I hope everyone has recovered from their New Year's Celebration. Again I wish everyone all the best in 2016..

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.

I am sharing a few of my favorite lifers seen during the 2015 year. My lifer list is now 455. Considering how many birds are in the world 455 is a small number, I can say it was lots of fun looking for these new birds and seeing new places.



The Common Redpoll seen in a local Maryland park in January 2015


The Reddish Egret seen at Merritt Island NW in Florida April 2015


The Florida Scrub Jay seen in various spots in Florida April 2015



The Gull-billed Tern seen at the Edwin Forsythe NWR in New Jersey, July 2015


The Varied Thrush seen at the HOH Rainforest, Washington Oct, 2015


The Black Turnstone seen in Ediz Hook, Port Angeles, Washington Oct 2015.

The next three images are for Teresa's  of Eden Hills and her new meme and information can be found here  Friday Hunt . I hope you can join in and have some fun with her fun photo hunt.

For the 1st week of January.
1. letter "A"
2. week's favorite
3. Celebrate

My first entry for the letter "a" below.


For my "A" I am sharing the Rhinoceros Auklet seen during our whale watching trip out of Port Angeles, Washington. The Rhinoceros Auklet is one of 6 Auklets that can be seen in or around the Pacific Northwest or up to Alaska. Auklets are marine birds with short wings,webbed feet and compact bodies.

2. For my weeks favorite photo below


My favorite photo of the week was of this piggie squirrel on my deck railing. He just looks so cute.

3. Celebrate with my Great-nephew Neill


My family celebrated Christmas at my niece's house, it was the last year our family will be living in the same state. These are my three images for Teresa's new meme Friday's Hunt. Thanks to Teresa for hosting.


Above are my first yard birds seen on the morning of  Jan 1st 2016. Mourning Doves, Tufted Titmouse, White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Sparrow, Cardinals, Carolina Chickadee, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Pine Siskin, White-breasted Nuthatch

I am looking forward to seeing new birds at home or during our travels in 2016. I hope you enjoyed my images and my favorite new lifers from 2015..







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.

95 comments:

Cloudia said...

Oh I'll be back with my link!

You really are teaching me my birds, Eileen. What a super job you do!

TexWisGirl said...

awesome sightings and new birds on your list!

Mascha said...

Wonderful birds! My favorite is the first photo .
Happy New year :-)

Jo said...

Thanks for hosting this meme, Eileen. Happy 2016! Greetings Jo

Cranberry Morning said...

It's always fun to see birds add to your collection, Eileen. May you have many opportunities to expand the list in 2017. I enjoyed your new meme photos as well. That sounds like a fun one.

Nancy J said...

What a great start to the year, and for your family to be together, before some move further away would be very special. Enjoy all the birds in 2016.

NatureFootstep said...

455 lifers? You must have many more. I had 300 species on camera for Costa Rica alone. And you were there. The group said we had 498 seen and heard. Not to mention the other trips I made.

Don´t think I have seen the Rhinoceros Auklet before.

Wish you a happy "birdhunt" for new lifers this year. Myself I stopped birding, but still loves to photograph them. In the end of the month I will go on a bird photo tour to Japan. Will be some nice shots and species I hope.

Charlene N. K. said...

Wow, that a lot of birds you've spotted! I wish I could do the same. But thanks for sharing us your lifers. I learn much from your posts.

Nancy Chan said...

Hi, Eileen. All the critters are so pretty and cute. Your great nephew Neil is cute and adorable too!

Ela said...

Eileen, It's always nice to visit your blog and watch the beautiful birds and other animals !! Fantastic photos !!
Happy weekend :)

Bob Bushell said...

Lovely, the blog is fabulous, full of birds, I love them.

Blogoratti said...

Really beautiful sightings. Have a prosperous new year, best wishes!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
Golly, having been back in OZ and seen so many colourful birds, I do feel the lack here in Dunoon! Love your variety and may it grow throw 2016 as you wish! YAM xx

Irma said...

Hello Eileen,
Beautiful pictures of birds, including the collage is beautiful.
I wish you and all your loved ones very happy, but above all a healthy 2016.
Best regards, Irma

Marco Luijken said...

Hello Eileen,
That's amazing. Wonderful pictures of all these birds.
It's so nice to see many birds which I have never seen before. I like that so much.

Many greetings,
Marco

Lowcarb team member said...

Some lovely photo's her Eileen, a great mix.
Yes, my favourite is the piggie squirrel !
Mind you I also like the one of your Great Nephew too !

Have a great weekend

All the best Jan

Lea said...

Oh I do love that squirrel!
Happy New Year!
Lea

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Wow...that Thrush is a great catch, Eileen!...:)JP

EG CameraGirl said...

I think your lifer list is impressive! Your Great-nephew Neil is very cute!

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Belas fotografias, um abraço e um bom ano de 2016.

Tom said...

Yet another wonderful critter collection. Thanks.

Linda aka Crafty Gardener said...

How lovely to see lots of birds, some the same as ours and some very different.

Snap said...

Fun post! Loved seeing some of your "lifers". I wasn't ready for Teresa's new party ... I'll try for next week. Looks like you had a lovely holiday celebration. Happy New Year and Happy Critter Day. Thanks for hosting!

Mimi Foxmorton said...

Awesome birds!

Jenn Jilks said...

We don't 'do' New Year's anymore! Not unless the kids stay over, and even then...
Our kids with the 6-mos.-old even went to bed early!
I love your birds. They are always amazing. Mine are covered in snow, but that can be fun, too!

sandyland said...

terrific look at nature thanks

Brian King said...

I really like the egret and jay! It appears your yard stays busy, too! Happy New Year!

photodoug said...

Eileen, the best for you in the New Year. Thanks for sharing.

Magia da Inês said...



Feliz 2016!!!
All good things to you!♩♫ه° ·.
❤ه° ·.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for joining in. I am always amazed at your bird knowledge. As much as I enjoy watching them at my feeders, I really don't know very many. I'm pretty sure I'd have a hard time even naming a hundred different types of birds. Of course, the squirrels are always my favorites at the feeder.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Enjoyed :)

Susan said...

Hi Eileen, Happy New Year! I hope your year is filled with many wonderful moments and treasured memories. I love the bird captures- looks like you had quite the adventure finding them. The squirrel photo is precious, I love squirrels! Your nephew is a handsome guy, too. Thank you for commenting on all my blog posts though I haven't returned the favor often. I'll try to do better this year. Have a blessed week ahead and a great year!

Lois said...

Beautiful birds Eileen! I decided to add my mockingbird from yesterday.

Rose said...

I like all the entries...that squirrel is just too cute. I love that Varied Thrush.

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Congrats on discovering all those birds, and getting great pics to go with them, Eileen. I hope you have a great birding 2016!
~

Gerald (SK14) said...

love the birds but not the squirrel

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

There was a New Years celebration? (Couldn't prove it by me ;)))!). Your life list is impressive! And even more impressive is that you have pictures of all of them ...thank you always for sharing them and your knowledge and for hosting . Here's to good birding in 2016.

Florence said...

Well, that Varied Thrush just knocks my socks off!!! I've never seen one. How beautiful!

Buttons Thoughts said...

455 is an amazing number. Happy New year and I am sure your list will grow. Amazing photos and your family well beautiful. Hug B

A Colorful World said...

Great selection of birds! I remember learning that the Turnstone wasn't just a European bird, and now would love to see on! This community of birders/critter fans have shared so much! Don't want anything to ruin that (ie my Jan 1 post!) Have a great day!

Ranten said...

Hei Eileen! Beautiful pictures! I wish you a happy new year!

carol l mckenna said...

All wonderful photography ~ favorite is the Redpoll ~

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year ^_^

Klara said...

Happy new year Eileen to you and your family. 455 lifers, uuuu, that seems a lot to me. you were wise enough to leave some of the new ones for this year and years to come. :-)



Linda W. said...

Nice collection of birds!

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

All the birds are wonderful, but my emotional favorite is the Redpoll. I saw them for the first time in New Jersey when I was 12 years old. There were 12 in the flock on February 12th. When I reported my sighting at the Bird Club meeting the next week the old-timers were incredulous. They laughed and said "Did you put salt on their tails?" I was mortified and fed up with the entire birding cult! Luckily I had immediately told my scoutmaster who was a birder and led him to where I found the flock and he confirmed their presence. He wrote a birding column in the local newspaper and I got publicity too late for the meeting.Thank you, and Happy New Year!

Kathy said...

Happy New Year and wishing you lots of critters in 2016 - only the best kind, of course!

21 Wits said...

Always a treat to stop by and see your lovely photos and read about your days! Take good care, enjoy your day, and the beginning of our new year! I shall find some critters to post just for this later!

ShannonW said...

Such beautiful photos. Thank you so very much for sharing.

Happy New Year!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Beautiful lifers. I plan on spending a lot more time seeking out my own lifers this year. Happy New Year to you and yours!

Anni said...

The redpoll is definitely one I'd like to spot and photography.

All great photos Eileen.

brokenteepee said...

The squirrel is a great shot. They are so entertaining. Your nephew is a cutie. I'm here by way of Eden Hills.
Nuthatches are about my favorite bird. So cute!

Linda said...

Dear Eileen, your knowledge of bird breeds and your gorgeous photos always brings me so much joy! Thank you so much for all you share! Warm hugs, and Happy 2016 to you and yours. :)

Christine said...

Wow, Eileen! I think 455 is an incredible number of lifers! Your captures are lovely as always and that wee squirrel is so cute!
Thanks again for hosting your wonderful meme!

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

Happy New Year Eileen!
You really are spoiled for choice with the bird life in the U.S.
I always enjoy visiting even though I can't join in these days, though I will next Saturday as I'll Have a couple of pics from Australia!
Take care
Shane x

Anni said...

Thanks for dropping by and adding your link this weekend!!!

Gosia said...

interesting selection of anuimals,. In Poland we don't have grey squirrels only red ones

Maude Lynn said...

You take such beautiful pictures, Eileen!

Phil Slade said...

You had a great start to the year Eileen. As for the birds of 2015,I'm really taken by the Varied Thrush and the Florida Scrub May. However I'm hoping to catch a Common Redpoll exactly like the one on your feeder as a change from the Lesser Redpolls we see most..

Have a great week ahead.

HappyK said...

Great critters this week. The picture of the squirrel is wonderful.

vivi ka said...

My dear Eileen,I wish you a happy New Year!
I enjoyed your Critters and the older post with the magic travels of 2015.
I like the Friday's Hunt and your first three images! Have a happy Sunday!

This N That said...

Great pictures of the Redpoll and the squirrel..Thanks for hosting..You have an amazing collection of birds...I can't imagine that you've missed any..I guess we'll see...

Alexa T said...

Happy, Healthy, Positive and Prosperous, New Year, 2016! Un An Nou Fericit, 2016!

Lynne said...

I think we might have "Finch Twins!"
Really great photos Eileen . . . always!

Jim said...

Very nice pictures, Eileen. My favorite Isi the cute fat for winter little squirrel.
I came from Teresa's 'Friday Hunt'.
..

Gayle said...

No wonder the squirrel is you favorite. He's quite handsome.

The Yum List said...

What a great shot of the squirrel!

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen, Great list! I ooed and aad about that Redpoll - what a beauty. The Florida Scrub Jays are wonderful! Have a great week. Happy New Year!

Green Thumb said...

I'm feasting whenever I see a bird somewhere near. But htey fly before I could take a shot. Lovely photos! I have not seen a live squirrel in my life. Happy 2016!

Linda said...

I haven't seen anything like the varied thrush; quite a bird! I posted a bird story on my blog todayhttp://webcroft.blogspot.com/2016/01/robin-in-shock.html

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I've always been amazed at your skills in photographing and identifying birds.

Amy said...

I didn't take any photos of critters but I did visit an old historical cemetery we were reading about this morning, after 2 days inside because of rain it was good to get out. Hope things are good with you :-)

rupam sarma said...

Lovely bird pics.Thanks for sharing.
Greetings :)

Anonymous said...

Lots of loveliness! And handsome, too! I hope I can get a post together for Friday Hunt before the deadline. Thanks for the reminder!

Beate said...

Dear Eileen, I hope you had an amazing holiday season and I wish you a very happy and healthy new year! :)
I love all these bird pictures. And the squirrel one is my favourite :) We have squirrels here in our yard that try to steal a few walnuts out of the bird feeder every day, I love watching them in the mornings.

Have a wonderful Sunday!
Lots of hugs to you,
Beate

Hootin Anni said...

PS...from the comment you left for me this morning...for the most part, along the coast of Texas it's flat. But to the west border, along the Rio Grande there ARE MOUNTAINS in Texas. And up from here, toward San Antonio and Austin, there is a beautiful area year 'round...called the Hill Country!! Rolling hills with fantastic landscaping and colors in Spring and Fall.

Images of Texas Mounttains:

https://www.google.com/search?q=texas+mountains&biw=1600&bih=764&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwig3f6S343KAhVGOyYKHdCpD04QsAQInAE

Country Gal said...

Beautiful photos as always , You have quite an array of birds there ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

Crafty Green Poet said...

lovely photos, great selection of lifers for 2015. Particularly nice to see your redpoll, i haven't seen one for a while.....

Happy new Year!

My Desktop Daily said...

Lovely critters, as always, Eileen!
Thanks for hosting.

Debbie said...

ummmm, ok, so i such realized i never linked in or left a comment, oh my!!!! your great nephew is adorable and getting so big, they grow like weeds when they are little!!!!

beautiful birds, your yard is really filled with lovely views and a cute capture of mr. squirrel!!!!!

Shilpa said...

Lovely pics
Wishing u a great year ahead
http://shilpachandrasekheran.blogspot.in/?m=1

genie said...

What a gorgeous collection. The Varied Thrush is beautiful. I have never seen one, but then I have not seen so many of the beauties that you post on the blog. My favorite, as always, has to be the squirrel. So innocent in the picture, but a tyrant in my yard :-) Happy New Year.

Villrose said...

Lovely - especially the first one!

Little Wandering Wren said...

Here's another Wren for your spotting! It's fun to have a lifer list, you'll hit 500 birds for sure this year!
Wren x

21 Wits said...

Hello Ellen, I promised you yesterday I'd be back and here I am! I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Hannah said...

I enjoyed your bird shots, especially the Rhinoceros Auklets, so adorable, Eileen! I also have the Varied Thrush on my blog this week. Happy New Year!

Rebecca said...

Wonderful series of backyard birds to start the year! Can't wait to see more in the coming months!
!

GreenComotion said...

Hi Eileen,
A Very Healthy & Happy New Year to you and yours!
The bird in the first photo is very adorably cute.
Thanks for hosting SC.
Peace :)

Indrani said...

Cool collection of birds you have!

Black Jack's Carol said...

Such a wonderful post, Eileen! The Gull-billed Tern, the Rhinoceros Auklet, and the Reddish Egret are all new to me. I loved that first shot of the Common Repoll, and your piggie squirrel is adorable. It was a delight to see your grand-nephew. He looks like a very sweet little boy. You sure did make the best of retirement, so I'll just wish you more of the same for 2016! Thank you for contributing so much of substance in your blog posts, and for being such a reliable and kind commenter. You are truly an inspiration!

Donna@Gardens Eye View said...

Fine group of critters for the New Year Eileen!

Su-sieee! Mac said...

I had no idea egrets came in colors beside white. I'm living and learning today! Rhinoceros Auklet-- what a name. Love it though. I suppose their beaks resemble horns.

Ana Freire said...

A great post, to start the year, over here, Eileen!!!! ;-))
Beautiful shots!!!!
And I loved to see your Great-nephew! An adorable image from him...
All the best!
Ana

Helma said...

Truly beautiful pictures of many birds and other animals. The squirrel is pretty amazing to see but also many birds. I will keep my blog going again next Saturday also link :-)

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Hi Eileen,
fantastic photos of the different birds and the squirrel. Amazing !
Best regards, Synnöve

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Eileen; Belated Happy New Year for you and Happy to visit you as always♬♬♬
Great series of birds; among them I especially wished to be able see The Reddish Egret♪
Oh, your grand-nephew sure is the little angel in front of the decoration♡♡♡ And the birdies from the New Year are gorgeous to start the year☆☆☆ 

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

Saturday's Critters # 571

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