Saturday, July 17, 2021

Saturday's Critters #396

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 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!

These are some photos from our visit to Bombay Hook NWR, we were able to visit early in the morning since we had spent one night at the Dover Delaware hotel.  It is one of my favorite places, to bird from our car. The bugs can be horrible in the summer, I was happy to take my photos from the car window. 


1.  Top row are the Snowy Egrets and American Avocet, Black-necked Stilts, Great Blue Heron and a Great Horned Owl. Middle row are the Black Skimmers, Willet, Ospreys and Mallard. Bottom row are a rabbit, possible Mud Turtle, Bald Eagle and a Mute Swan.



2.  We saw a few Blue Grosbeaks, easy to id with their rusty colored wing bar. 




3. The Black Skimmers seen doing their thing skimming over the pond. 




4. The American Avocets are so pretty, one of my favorite shorebirds. 




5. A few Snowy Egrets with an American Avocet. 




6.  The non-native Mute Swan are a common sighting at Bombay Hook NWR. 



7. Apparently the Black-necked Stilts do not approve of the Mute Swans being in their habitat.  The Black-necked Stilts had a nest nearby they were being very protective. 




8. Hubby and I enjoyed watching this Great Horned Owl from our car, we making are way along the wildlife drive when I spotted this owl out on a branch in the open. 




9. I was happy to see this Great Horned Owl out on an open branch. 



10. Ospreys were on the same trees as the day before, a small bird is chasing one of the Ospreys. 



11.  A Great Blue Heron shows off his wing span and is happy to be social distancing. 


I hope you enjoyed the birds from Bombay Hook NWR, it is a great place for birding from the comfort of your car.  


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!




Here is my linky:

YOU are all # 1.



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. 


150 comments:

  1. Amazing birds.
    Happy Weekend. Stay well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the comment, link and visit!
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  2. I enjoy looking at your birds from your visit to Bombay Hook NWR. The Black Necked Stilts are trying to chase the Swan away from their nests. That is a beautiful owl. Thank you for hosting. Happy Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Nancy!
      It was interesting to watch the Stilts chase away the Swan.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  3. Beautiful photos -- how lucky to have an owl pose that way!

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Mae!
      I always feel lucky when I see an Owl in the wild.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  4. A wonderful selection of birds and the best for me was the Great horned Owl. Brilliant Eileen. Thanks for hosting, stay safe and have great week ahead.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Irma!
      I hope you take care and stay safe!
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  5. ...Eileen, you have another amazing collection! Thanks for hosting.

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

      Delete
  6. Hello Eileen,

    You have taken so many beautiful photos. The wildlife around you are great. The Mute Swans are living in our nature too. I think they are very beautiful.
    Take care, and have a happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Marit!
      We are lucky to see so much wildlife around us.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  7. I had to google to see what a mud turtle looks alike...those animals are so beautiful and can be made into postcards. The owl always brings a smile to my face....just love their funny face. Thank you for sharing them!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Angie, I appreciate the visit and comment!
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  8. Hi Eileen,
    What a great series of photos and collages you were able to create during your trip.
    The owl in photo 9 is my favorite.
    Would you mind posting my link, I can't.
    I wish you a nice weekend.
    Greetings Irma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Irma!
      The Owl is one of my favorites too.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  9. Hari OM
    Another delightful bunch - I particularly enjoyed the swan v the stilts mini-series!!! YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you YAM!
      It was fun to watch the Stilts defend their nest.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  10. Many beautiful photos, thanks for sharing.
    Here a couple of swans appeared on the promenade: after few minutes a lot of people was there to take pictures of this "rare" event.
    Love the photo of the owl.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment!
      I enjoy seeing the swans too.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  11. Hi Eileen. Hope everyting is fine. Loved to see my favorites Snowy Egrets, American Avocet and stilts.And the owls and osprey.
    I never see owl. There are some but they are only out at night, and I am not :)
    I´m heading out to see swifts now. I hope they are still here.
    Taek care!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Monica!
      I am always surprised to see an owl during the daylight and out in the open.
      I hope you get to see the Swifts.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  12. Nice advantage when yo can bird from your car. Those feisty stilts are turning the tables on the swan, which itself can be aggressive. They must have had a nest nearby. I once got divebombed by stilts when I approached their nesting area in the Florida Keys. Nice cooperative Great Horned Owl. Beautiful series!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Ken!
      The Stilts were very fiesty! The Owl was very cooperative.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  13. Beautiful photos , Eileen. My favorite is the Great Horned Owl. Enjoy your day and have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for hosting.

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    1. Thank you Bill! I loved seeing the Owl.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  14. Hello Eileen,
    Nice pictures.
    Special to see that blue colored bird and very nice shots of the owl.

    Many greetings,
    Marco

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment and visit Marco!

      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  15. Hoi Eileen, thank you for visiting my blog. Beautiful serie photos. I like the blue birds, the owl and the American avocets. Have a nice weekend. Greetings Caroline

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the link and comment Caroline!

      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  16. That was a very cooperative Great Horned Owl, Eileen, and you were able to get some terrific shots. Whenever I come across them they seem to always be hidden deep in a tree.

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    1. Thank you David! I was surprised to see this owl out in the open.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

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

      Delete
  18. As always Eileen,extraordinary sightings and fantastic imagery. I think the owl is exceptional. Have an awesome weekend.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Anni!
      The owl is one of my favorites.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  19. Hooray for the birds! Well done. Thanks for hosting!

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

      Delete
  20. Hello,
    What an enjoyable series of critters!
    The American Avocets are lovely and so is the majestic Owl.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Enjoy your weekend in peace and serenity!

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

      Delete
  21. Tão lindas as fotos.Passam uma grande paz! Lindas corujas! beijos, ótimo fim de semana,chica

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

      Delete
  22. Good Morning Eileen. I enjoyed seeing each and every one of these pics. Would love to have a nature drive where I could capture these beauties from the comfort of my truck.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Betty!
      A lot of the wildlife refuges around the country have these wildlife drives.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  23. Excellent collection Eileen, my favorite is the Great Horned Owl just sitting out there modeling for you. Have a fantastic weekend!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Martha!
      I was lucky to see the owl, timing is everything.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  24. Good Saturday morning Eileen. I've got to tell you that I'm going to be smiling all day about your caption on the Great Blue Heron ... "happy to be social distancing" ... that is absolutely part of their nature, pandemic or not. :-) I enjoyed all your photos from your visit to Bombay Hook NWR. I can totally understand why this is one of your favorite places to bird. Thank you for creating, sharing, and hosting Saturday's Critters and thank you for all your kind comments on my blog. Happy week ahead to you! John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you John!
      I think the wildlife did good during the pandemic. I do love visiting the wildlife refuges.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  25. Lovely photos as usual, Eileen. I love the owls!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nick! I love the owls too.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  26. Replies
    1. Thank you William!
      The owl is a favorite of mine too.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  27. PS: Thank you for hosting, Eileen! Have a great new week.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Amazing variety on view! Thank you!

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

      Delete
  29. all this from the car is amazing. we have those bugs too. the avocets look like they are standing on rocks to cross the water, it is their reflection but looks like stepping stones to me. LOVE the owl

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    1. Thank you Sandra!
      I was happy to be able to bird from the car, those bug bites hurt.
      The pond water was not too deep.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  30. Dearest Eileen,
    haha, I didn't know that there is social distancing now also with birds :-)) These are again very special (and for me as an Austrian: very rare) animal observations. I found the Great Horned Owl particularly impressive, as well as the Black-necked Stilts that drive the Mute Swan away from their nest. But also all the other animals that you have seen are impressive and interesting.
    I have very SMALL critters for you today ...
    Hugs from Austria, Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2021/07/auf-ins-hochgebirge-ausflug-auf-die-rax.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Traude!
      I always enjoy seeing the Owls in the wild, they are beautiful.
      Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete
  31. La natura stupisce sempre per la sua infinita bellezza!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I find mornings are a good time for bird watching. Great opportunity and pictures of the owl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Linda!
      I am a morning person, besides the heat later in the day can be awful.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  33. The owl would be the big thrill for me, Eileen! It is amazing the you can see so much from the car.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, the wildlife drives are great for birding from the car.
      Have a happy weekend!

      Delete
  34. Beautiful birds, what great shots you captured! Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Eileen!! :) Thanks for following my YT channel!!! I'm so appreciative of everyone's support!!! :) Your bird photos are awesome...a BLUE Grosbeak!!!!! How neat! As you know I've only seen the yellow ones, but they left in the late spring! The Great Horned Owl is a beauty. I haven't seen an owl here yet, but can hear them at night in the backwoods. Oh the bugs...I wouldn't be able to survive without my head net from May through to early July!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rain!
      I loved seeing your Evening Grosbeaks, they are lovely too.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

      Delete
  36. Excellent shots from the drive through the place and wonderful bird watch and action series! Terrific staring from the owl.'
    Have a nice weekend

    ReplyDelete
  37. I can clearly see why Bombay Hook is a favourite place to bird Eileen. The list of birds to see is tremendous. Of them all I would love to see the Skimmers and take close ups of the Great Horned Owl. Thanks for the link today and enjoy your weekend.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Phil! There is always something to see at Bombay Hook, a great place for birding.
      Have a happy weekend!

      Delete
  38. You are a very good "spotter " to see all these birds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Red!
      I am sure I missed plenty of birds, I am not always the best spotter.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  39. WoW!!! what a great collection of birds!! i am lovin' those american avocets and the snowy egrets with their yellow goulashes. how lucky of you to see the owl out in the open like that, wow!! the blue grosbeaks are so beautiful, with their lovely shade of blue!!

    i am so happy to be here today, many thanks for hosting us critter lovers!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Debbie!
      I am happy to see you feeling better and blogging.
      It is always a treat to see an owl.
      Have a great day and a happy new week!

      Delete
  40. Dearest Eileen,
    I fell out of the system during my first attempt at linking and then linked by mistake my post from last week ... I noticed it from your comment there - thank you very much for that! In it you write "The worm crossing the pavement looks big for a worm." - It is a blindworm (Anguis fragilis). It was about 35 to 40 cm tall.
    I have now also linked my current posting :-)
    Hugs from Austria, Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2021/07/auf-ins-hochgebirge-ausflug-auf-die-rax.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Traude.
      No problems with the links, all is good.
      The worms are long there, like the snakes here.
      Have a happy new week!

      Delete
  41. What an abundance of birds you have the good fortune to sight! Amazing array! And Eileen, I learn something. I never knew there were blue grosbeaks. And such a pretty shade of blue too. Of course, if I had to say a favourite here, it would be your photos of that magnificent owl.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jocelyn.
      They are actually several species of Grosbeaks, like the Blue and Evening and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks which I have seen. There are a few more I would like to see like the Pine Grosbeak and the Black-headed Grosbeaks. It is always a treat to see an owl in the wild. Have a happy day and a great new week!

      Delete
  42. Good morning Eileen and how amazing your wildlife critters are this morning just all enjoying their moments in life. You share the best of birds and other critters and I'm learning many names to go with them too. My new resident is doing well so far, I've looked up what they like to eat, but I know it's selfish and come winter if I don't locate where this beauty escaped from, but I don't want the wrong person to get it. Enjoy your weekend and life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Karen! It is nice you want to take care of your new visitor. It may consider your place a new home now.
      Enjoying the critters is one of my favorite simple pleasures. Have a great new week!

      Delete
  43. Beautiful Great Horned Owl images, and all of them, Eileen, good photographer.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Bob!
      Take care, have a happy day!
      Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  44. Wonderful series of nature's gems ~ favorite is that magnificent owl ~ Always fantastic nature shots! Happy weekend to you ~ xo

    Living in the moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Carol!
      The Owl is a favorite of mine too.
      Take care, have a happy day! Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  45. Ohhh…such a gorgeous places to visit and observe birds. I would love this area too. Such varied and beautiful creatures.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Marie!
      Bombay Hook NWR is a great place to observe wildlife.
      Take care, have a happy day! Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  46. More wonderful birds from your travels, what a treat to have the owl out in the open, and great photos of him also...I enjoyed seeing the stilts put the swan on the move, people should be more like birds..
    I hope your weekend is a good one!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sondra!
      It was fun watching the Stilts going after the Swan.
      Take care, have a happy day! Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  47. How amazing to be able to see all these beautiful critters from the comfort of your car!! Love that owl! Beautiful photos Eileen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ellen.
      I do enjoy birding from the car!
      Take care, have a happy day! Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  48. UGH! I don't like bugs either!

    However, I do like ALL of your photographs, especially the owl, it is amazing.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jan!
      It was a treat to see the Owl.
      Take care, have a happy day! Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  49. A beautiful collection of birds. My favorite is the lone swan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Karen!
      The swans are beautiful.
      Take care, have a happy day! Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  50. You are a amazing spotter! Love the owl photos.

    -Soma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the visit and comment!
      Take care, have a happy day! Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  51. Wow, Eileen, so much to see, how do you even know where to start taking photos, and decide which ones to post? The best way to spend any day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kim!
      It was hard deciding on which photos to post, I had a couple hundred photos from our 2 day visit.
      Take care, have a happy day! Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  52. Wonderful to see an Owl in the daytime so you can get a good photo!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for linking up and for the comment Lea!
      Take care, have a happy day! Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  53. Wonderful birds! Thanks for sharing and also for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Linda!
      Take care, have a happy day!
      Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  54. Replies
    1. Thank you Diane!
      I loved seeing the Owl.
      Take care, have a happy day!
      Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  55. Hi Eileen!!! Very nice and varied images... I love the osprey... Happy Sunday and next week...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ana!
      Take care, have a happy day! Wishing you a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  56. re your question: No, Eileen. I am not affected of the flooding. I live further north. The south point of Sweden got some heavy rain and flooding. But no real disater. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so happy you were safe from the flooding!
      Take care, have a great new week!

      Delete
  57. You already know, the owl is my favorite!!
    Sharing this with us, along with great photos is much appreciated at IRBB this week, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for hosting IRBB, Anni!
      Have a great day and happy new week!

      Delete
  58. Dear Eileen, thank you for sharing these beautiful critters and hosting this meme. I'm linking my post to you today. Jo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jo
      I appreciate the link and comment.
      Take care and stay safe, have a great new week!

      Delete
  59. Maravillosas fotografías como siempre, me encantó verlas. Besos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the nice comment Teresa!
      Have a great new week!

      Delete
  60. I'm very behind -- maybe next week I'll post my geese but meanwhile, lovely birds and sightings all around!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jeanie!
      I hope you are having fun times at the lake.
      Enjoy your new week!

      Delete
  61. I enjoyed your photos. It is so hot here just now, almost too hot to be outside.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Amalia!
      Take care, have a great new week!

      Delete
  62. Oh, such a beautiful collection of birds !
    I love and admire them all!
    Have a happy Sunday and new week !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ela!
      Take care, wishing you a happy new week!

      Delete
  63. Interesting assortment of birdies as always.Thanks for sharing..Hope you are staying cool..Today is a relief...Have a wonderful week!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Missy!
      Yes, the cooler weather is nice!
      Have a great day and week ahead.

      Delete
  64. Birding from the car---how neat. Love the Blue Grosbeaks. I had never heard of them. I have always like the beautiful Avocets--so cool. Thank you
    MB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you MB!
      The Avocets are lovely!
      Have a great day and week ahead.

      Delete
  65. Fabulous selection of images Eileen, what fun it would be to see all those wonderful birds.

    Hugs Diane

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

      Delete
  66. Un placer siempre llegar aquí amiga. Preciosas.
    Buen lunes Eileen. Cuídaros.
    Un abrazo.

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

      Delete
  67. ps...your Monday's post. I lived there for 50+ years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anni, I was happy to visit this one time.
      The national park was beautiful.

      Delete
  68. I loved seeing your photo of RMNP in the post prior to this one! The wildfires last summer burned quite a bit of the forest in the western slope of the park--so sad, but nature will recover over time. Love the owl photos in this post--we hear them at night but they are difficult to spot in daytime. Have a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Pat!
      We did enjoy our visit to RMNP! The wildfire are scary and very sad to see the damage.
      Have a great day and week ahead.

      Delete
  69. Great photos of beautiful birds, some I have seen but many I haven't. Always appreciate you sharing your photos Eileen. Thank you and have a great week!

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

      Delete
  70. Birding personified and from your car, no less!!!...jp

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you JP!
      Birding from the car is fun!
      Have a great day and week ahead.

      Delete
  71. Great photos! So many beautiful birds, especially the blue grosbeaks and the American avocets. It's funny to see the stilts chasing the mute swans! Here, where mute swans are native, they are very aggressive to other birds and I think it would be a very brave bird to chase a mute swan!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Juliet!
      It was interesting to see the smaller Stilts chasing the huge swan.
      Have a great day and week ahead.

      Delete
  72. Love the wonderful selection of birds, Eileen.

    The Great horned Owl is my favourite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Veronica Lee!
      The owl is my favorite too.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  73. I would so love to visit Bombay Hook! You have wonderful birding places in your area, but I think this one is my favorite. Amazing to see the own in daytime and love seeing the stilt defending its territory! Beautiful sightings and pictures; thank you so much for all you do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sallie!
      Bombay Hook is one of my favorite place to see the birds and wildlife.
      Take care, have a happy day and a great weekend ahead.

      Delete

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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