Saturday, July 3, 2021

Saturday's Critters # 394

 Welcome to Saturday's Critters!

Hello and happy Saturday!  Happy July everyone! 

 

 If you love all God's creatures like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!

Latest news in my area, birds are going blind and dying. Here is a link to this article.

Take bird feeders down in D.C., nearby states, experts say - BirdWatching: No word yet on the cause of bird deaths in and around D.C., but as a precaution, you should take your feeders down and clean your bird bath.


The local Md and Virginia are birding clubs and bird club facebook pages are asking for people to take down their feeders. It is not known if the disease is contagious? Could they be eating insects/cicadas that have been sprayed with poisons?  Just a heads up, I have already taken my feeders down,  a few months now due to critter problem.  

Hubby and I enjoyed an overnight in Dover Delaware, the reason for our little getaway was to visit Bombay Hook NWR in Smyrna Delaware. It is also nice to be close by for an early morning drive on the wildlife drive. Timing for some bird sightings and wildlife sightings was great. I will break up our 2 day visit into two posts. 


1. June 16 we arrived around 9:40 am and we drove on the wildlife drive  till around 2:30pm. Near the entrance are the Purple Martin houses, seen along the wildlife drive were the Great Blue Heron, Common Yellowthroat Warbler, American Avocets, Raccoon family, Snapping Turtle, Black-necked Stilts, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Mallard ducks, Black-crowned Night Heron with Great Egret, Black Skimmers with various Terns and Gulls, Indigo Bunting and a Blue Grosbeak. 





2. The American Avocet were looking pretty with their breeding colors. 




3. Raccoon family walking across one of the ponds. 




4. Mute Swans and some Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets.


5.  Black-necked Stilt on nest. 





6. Two Osprey with a Great Blue Heron flying by. 




7. Indigo Bunting, such a pretty deep blue.




8. A Blue Grosbeak, shows off his chestnut colored wingbars. 





9. Great Egret and a some what hidden Black-crowned Night Heron.





10. Port Mahon Delaware, Double-crested Cormorants 




11. Port Mahon Delaware Osprey on nest. 




I hope you enjoyed the birds and critters, we had a nice little trip and visit to the wildlife refuge. 


I am also linking up to Anni's blog party found here I'd Rather B Birding   Anni always has some beautiful birds to be seen on her blog, check it out!


Thanks to all my visitors and for your comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves critters and has linked up their critter post. 


Here is my linky:

YOU are all # 1.



107 comments:

  1. I hope the experts find out as soon as possible the cause of the birds going blind and dying. Interesting sightings from your drive. Looks like an enjoyable getaway for you and hubby.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nancy!
      I hope the experts find out what is happening to the birds.
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  2. Hari OM
    Your photos are gorgeous, Eileen... but I could hardly concentrate, so disturbing was the news about your dying birds... sad to say your link isn't working (looping back into your blog and blank page) so I provide this one as a back up! So glad you had a good trip away though. YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you YAM!
      I was able to change my link to the one you provided. I think it is working now.
      I hope they are able to find out what is going on with the birds here, it is disturbing.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend.

      Delete
  3. Eileen What a wonderful trip this was and once again so many species of birds seen The American Avocat certainly is a beautiful bird and I loved see the family of Raccoons. Thanks for hosting, stay safe and have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Margaret!
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  4. I liked the post! You saw some really interesting things, I especially like the Raccoon family shot, Osprey on nest and Black-necked Stilt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the nice comment!
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  5. Thanks for the beautiful and varied post. I enjoyed a lot seeing the Raccoon family! How nice!
    What a pity the bird's illness...let's hope people take down their feeders, for good.
    Enjoy the summer weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Luisella!
      It is sad news about the birds here are sick and dying.
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  6. Hello Eileen,

    Beautiful photos! The Raccoons are so sweet. The Indigo Bunting have a very niçe color.
    Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marit!
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  7. Hi Eileen, what beautiful photos and collage.
    The raccoon family is really totally awesome.
    The Indigo Bunting is a beautiful bird that you only see here in the zoo.
    Could you post my link, I can't.
    I wish you a very nice weekend.
    Greetings Irma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Irma!
      I linked up your post, the raccoon family was a treat to see.
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  8. wow, I think you nailed every favorite of mine. Like the stunning American Avocet and the Stilts. The cormorants sitting on the poles is quite a cool image. Love it. Nice to see the Osprey too, the ones that used to nest at a lake in my reach did not arrive this year :( And, to see a Raccoon family walking in the lake must have ben joyful.

    Have a great week with many more birds. :)
    The link to the Natureworldnews did not work. :( It did not exist?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Monica!
      I am sorry to hear your Osprey did not return this year.
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  9. ...Eileen, you have an amazing collection this week. My favorite is the Indigo Bunting! Enjoy a safe and fun July 4th weekend.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Tom!
      Happy 4th of July to you!
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  10. A wonderful variety of critters. The raccoon famiy is my favorite. Have a great holiday weekend, Eileen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Bill!
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  11. We actually are not allowed to feed birds here...I am sorry that birds are dying and hope they find out the cause soon.
    Indigo Bunting and white egret are so gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Angie!
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  12. What a great photo's you made! Those Racoons are so cute to see! Thanks for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marianne!
      The raccoon did look cute walking across the pond.
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  13. Very productive visit. I especially enjoyed the avocets, stilt on the nest, Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting. Your photo of the egret was beautifully composed-- ready for the wall!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ken !
      It was a great visit, lots of birds and wildlife to see.
      Have a great day and a happy weekend!

      Delete
  14. Eileen, que lindas tuas fotos todas e adorei a familia dos guaxinins.Um amor! Pena o que está acontecendo com as aves. Tomara descubram o motivo! Pena!! beijos, ótimo fim de semana,chica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Chica! I hope they discover what is making the birds sick!
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

      Delete
  15. It bothers me to learn that insects are still being sprayed with poisons, especially cicadas that are totally harmless to humans and their crops. Do we never learn? Rachel Carson must be spinning in her grave.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, David
      I am only assuming the insects are being sprayed, I hope not. The bird deaths are being investigated, I hope they find out what the problem is. Thanks for the link and comment. Enjoy your weekend!

      Delete
  16. I'm so sorry about the disease. At least it is summer, and they can find their own food. We've a bear, methnks. I have to take feeders down.
    What a great array of critters! I enjoyed the visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jenn! I hope the bear moves on, they are cool to see though.
      Have a happy weekend!

      Delete
  17. What an extraordinary day trip to the reserve!! I do hope that this bird catastrophe ends!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Anni!
      Yes, I hope the birds survive this illness.
      Have a happy 4th of July weekend!

      Delete
  18. Sorry to hear about the bird diseases Eileen. I hope everything improves soon. We have had similar outbreaks here that are blamed on poor cleaning regimes of bird feeders and ground feeding gardens. Cleanliness is essential. I love the lines of Avocets and the slightly comical raccoon family. And of course the Ospreys with that very large Great Blue Heron that makes the Ospreys look small even though they are not. Thanks for the link today, and enjoy your weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Phil! I hope things improve with this bird disease.
      The Osprey are large birds, always a treat to see.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  19. I hope there isn't a serious issue with birds! You got some lovely shots of birds from your drive, and I loved the raccoon family crossing the pond and the pretty bluebirds. I actually thought the purple martin houses were fat gulls sitting around a pole!

    Have a nice weekend

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jeevan!
      LOL, some gull do love very fat.
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  20. Replies
    1. Thank you William!
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

      Delete
  21. The Raccoon family sure is cute! And I love the variety and numbers of birds you've seen. We didn't see the Blue Grosbeak here this Spring...so that's where he is! heehee! Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Diane!
      Enjoy your blog break!
      Happy 4th of July!

      Delete
  22. raccons and the nest i think said stilt, not the osprey nest the other one are tied for first place of my favorites today. talk about adorable babies. wow. a great place to spend a few days. that bunting is stunning

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sandra!
      The Stilt on the nest was cute.
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  23. Beautiful photos Eileen. I'm so glad you were able to have a little getaway! The baby racoons are just adorable and the Indigo Bunting is gorgeous! Have a fantastic 4th of July weekend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love the photos of the Snapping Turtle and the Blue Heron in flight!! How cute to see that racoon family in the water! I've never seen that before, great photos Eileen! :) Btw...after reading your post, I read something similar in the news here, that Purple Finches are spreading a deadly avian disease called Trichomonosis. There were 4 cases in Nova Scotia last month so I'm off to take all the feeders down. It's a shame because I love those birds at my window, but I don't want them to be in danger and spread the disease! Thanks for the heads up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rain!
      The Finch eye disease has been around for years! It is contagious! I was surprised to see the raccoons in the water, luckily it was not deep water. Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  25. Happy July to you too, Eileen. Gorgeous shots as always. The Indigo Bunting and Great Egret get my votes this week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nick!
      Have a great day and weekend!

      Delete
  26. PS: Thank you for hosting, Eileen. Happy 4th July!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks again Nick!
      Take care, have a great new week!

      Delete
  27. You certainly found all sorts of birds on your trip. I've never seen too many raccoons in the wild especially in broad daylight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Alan!
      I have seen the raccoons in the daylight, I was surprised to see them walking in the pond.
      Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  28. All the bird photos are delightful and wouldn’t the world be a sad place without them. That is disturbing about blind and dying birds … likely human caused in some yet to be determined way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment.
      I think humans have caused this problem with the birds, in some way.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  29. Hello, Hope you are doing fine. Sad to read the news about Birds.
    Thanks for sharing beautiful pics.
    Happy Weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, yes we are doing fine.
      Hopefully, they find out what is going on with these birds.
      Have a great new week ahead!

      Delete
  30. Hi Eileen, beautiful serie photos. I like very much the American Avocets and the Raccoon family in te water. Have a nice weekend. Greetings Caroline

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Caroline!
      The Avocets are pretty, they have beautiful breeding color.
      Happy weekend to you!

      Delete
  31. Love the raccoon family - the wee ones look so cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, I appreciate your visits and comment.
      The raccoons were cute.
      Have a happy weekend!

      Delete
  32. Oh my goodness, I hope their going blind and dying can be halted, such a sad thing to happen. Whatever it takes to control it. You have posted some lovely areas what a pleasant hike you had. Enjoy your weekend and whatever 4th of July celebrations you may have. One of my pups really doesn't like the fireworks and it's a hard time for her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Karen!
      I agree we should do whatever it takes to control the bird disease. I hope your pup is ok, the fireworks are a scary time for the pets. Happy 4th of July weekend to you!

      Delete
  33. Hi Eileen, I enjoyed all your photos, especially the stilt on the nest and the Racoons, I love seeing them in the wilds. the refuge sounds like a really special place to visit. I hope you enjoy your weekend! Is it all species or just the finch population going blind? Ive been rehabbing blind finches for many years, but I can't always catch them in time...currently I have none with conjunctivitis at the feeders.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sondra! This wildlife refuge is always action packed, something to see around every corner.
      I think this disease attacking the birds is not the same as the finch eye disease. But, I am not positive.
      Have a happy 4th of July!

      Delete
  34. OH I just saw the link to the article, I wipe down the surfaces of my feeders with a 70% alcohol each time I add seed to help keep disease at bay I never get any of the species mentioned at my feeders as they are small I get jays in the yard but they never get on the feeders. Hope its only a temporary issue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sondra, it sounds like you take good care of the feeders and birds. I hope this is temporary issue with the bird illness.

      Delete
  35. Lovely racoon family! Enjoy your weekend.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Klara!
      They are cute.
      Have a great new week!

      Delete
  36. Dearest Eileen,
    I am shocked by the report that birds are going blind and dying. Your report of your visit, however, makes me happy. The photo with the Raccoon family walking across one of the ponds makes me laugh. And your many bird sightings delight my heart!
    All the best
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2021/06/tagesausflug-schloss-artstetten.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Traude!
      Luckily I have not seen any sick or dying birds around me or my area. It is really sad.
      Take care, enjoy your day. Have a great new week!

      Delete
  37. Preciosas como siempre Eileen. Mi favorita ese lindo pájaro azul.
    Buen fin de semana. Cuidaros.
    Un abrazo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Laura!
      Take care, have a happy new week!

      Delete
  38. Loving that raccoon family, Eileen...the BEST!!!...jp

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you JP!
      The raccoons did look cute!
      Have a happy 4th of July!

      Delete
  39. What a great shot of the raccoons - never saw baby ones before!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Love the raccoons. I take my feeders down in April when Mr. Bear starts coming through.
    Wouldn't it be something if our wireless technology was harming the birds?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Linda!
      I hope they are able to identify the reason for the bird's illness.
      Happy 4th of July!

      Delete
  41. I'm happy to be here and thank you for sharing your blog with us today at IRBB!
    Have a safe & happy 4th!8

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Anni!
      I enjoy your IRBB each week.
      Have a happy 4th of July!

      Delete
  42. Love seeing all the birds, but the cutest photo is the raccoon family crossing the pond!
    Happy 4th of July!
    Have a blessed day!

    ReplyDelete
  43. In love with your bird's photos ♥.♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the visit and comment.
      Have a great new week!

      Delete
  44. I loved the bird photos, especially the avocets. However, those raccoons are priceless!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marie!
      Have a happy day and a great new week!

      Delete
  45. Wow! What an outing for you both and gorgeous nature photography shared with us ~ have never seen raccoons in water before ~ what a photo! thanks ~

    Happy Independence Weekend to you,

    Living in the moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Carol!
      It was neat watching them cross the pond!
      Have a great day, happy 4th of July!

      Delete
  46. Beautiful Double-crested Cormorants images, one for each pole. Love American Avocet, and the Osprey, what a shot.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Todas tus fotografías me gustaron mucho. Siento lo que les está sucediendo a los pájaros, espero que termine pronto. Besos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Teresa!
      Enjoy your day, have a great week!

      Delete
  48. Hello Eileen
    Thank you for sharing these lovely photographs.
    I think the one with the racoon family is so sweet.
    The indigo bunting is such a wonderful colour.

    I do hope they are able to find out what is going on with the birds, it's very worrying.

    Many good wishes and a happy 4th of July.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jan!
      Take care, have a happy new week!

      Delete
  49. your images are, as always, really beautiful!! i really enjoyed seeing the raccoon family - nature is so amazing!! i would have missed the night crowned heron, the egret is gorgeous!!

    many thanks for hosting eileen, i hope you are having a nice holiday weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Debbie!
      Nature is amazing!
      Take care, have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  50. What a fantastic trip, Eileen! Love the many species of birds captured!

    I enjoyed seeing the racoon family too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Veronica Lee!
      Take care, have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  51. Bombay Hook is a wonderful place -- your pictures from there are stunning this time (as usual) but it seems like you saw even more species than usual this time. I am so very sorry and worried about the birds. I've been reading a little about it, but your post made me realize more about how bad it is. Sallie (fullTime-Life)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sallie!
      I am worried about the birds and wildlife.
      Take care, have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  52. All the bird images are so nice, but the raccoon family is the most eye-catching. Sorry to hear about the tragic incident for birds. Wish they regain safe, normal life soon. Have a nice week.

    Yoko

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Yoko!
      Take care, have a happy week ahead.

      Delete
  53. Eileen - I had not heard about this problem with birds - it is unlikely to be happening here, but thanks for the heads up. Loved the parade of raccoons, and the Blue Grosbeak and Indigo Bunting are stunning!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Angie!
      Have a great day and happy week ahead.

      Delete
  54. Fabulous images I really love the raccoons in the water.

    Hugs diane

    ReplyDelete

Hello, thank you for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.

BTW, Anonymous comments unless a name is included will not be published. Also, comments with links will be deleted.

Have a happy day, Eileen

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