Saturday, July 24, 2021

Saturday's Critters # 397

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!

I am sharing some yard birds and birds seen from our local walk at the Hemlock Gorge part of the Gunpowder Falls State Park and our Prettyboy Reservoir watershed. 


1. Eastern Bluebirds in our yard, they are back to using one of my birdhouses.  The male Bluebird is often perched in a tree in the side of our yard which overlooks the birdhouse. A young bluebird has been sitting in the back part of the yard, easily id by the speckled chest. 




2. I am pretty sure the Bluebird below was born this year. The bluebirds can have 2-3 broods each year.  The young Bluebirds are speckled with touches of blue on their wings. 




3. The male Eastern Bluebird is beautiful, a lovely color blue, rufous underparts and a white belly.




4.  The only feeders I left up it the Hummingbird feeder, I can change out the sugar water and clean the feeders often.




5. The deer has been a regular visitor in our yard and on the neighbors driveway.  I can watch the deer from my kitchen windows.  



6.  An area of the Gunpowder State Park is always a good spot to see the Louisiana Waterthrush in the summer months.  These are some photos from one our our recent walks to Hemlock Gorge. 



7. The Louisiana Waterthrush breeds near a fast moving stream. They nest in thickets on the ground, they can be found walking along the shoreline in search of insects.  



8. A young Lousiana Waterthush below has found a tasty grub or worm to eat. We watched at least 3 Waterthrush foraging along the river on this day. 




9.  Another guess below is an Eastern Wood-Pewee. they have olive gray with dark wings and thin white wing bars. I usually can hear these birds before I can see them. They like to perch in trees with good view points. 




10. I believe below is an Eastern Phoebe, they have a dark head with a gray back and they lack an eye ring. 



I am happy to find the birds on our walks, there are times I have some great bird sightings.  Happy Birding!  


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. 


118 comments:

  1. I have never seen those Eastern Bluebirds before...they are so tiny and beautiful. The deer is adorable too. Have a wonderful weekend, Eileen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Angie!
      The Bluebirds are beautiful to see, they are one of my many favorite birds.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  2. Lovely birds in this post. Favorites are the juvenile Bluebird, Louisiana Waterthrush and the Eastern Wood-Pewee. Also like your photos from Gunpowder State Park.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment, link and visit!
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  3. Beautiful birds photos. Wonderful to have deer visiting your back yard. Pretty flowers and butterfly and cute tiny mushroom. Have a fabulous weekend.

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  4. I also am glad you always find a wonderful selection of birds in both in your garden and on your walks. also lovely to see the young of the adult birds. Thanks for hosting, stay safe and have a wonderful week ahead

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  5. Replies
    1. I thank you Cloudia for the link and comment!
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  6. Dearest Eileen; I accidentally posted the one I planed to put next week. I am writing the "Tokyo Olympic Opening Ceremony" version write now.
    I truly appreciated if you delete the first one I posted.
    I wish to post it next week. So sorry for my mistake. I really AM looking forward to create a post to your link.
    Lots of love, Miyako*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Miyako!
      I deleted your link, I hope to see you next week!
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  7. Another beautiful post. Awesome birds pics :)
    Thanks for hosting.

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

      Delete
  8. Hi Eileen,
    What great photos and collages.
    The male Bluebird is really beautiful, a species that you don't see in the Netherlands.
    The hummingbird is also really great, it does not occur here in my country.
    Would you mind posting my link, I can't.
    I wish you a very nice weekend.
    Greetings Irma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Irma!
      I am lucky to see these birds in my yard and neighborhood.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  9. Hello Eileen,

    They are all so beautiful. My favorite today is the Louisiana Waterthrush. Your photo is very good!
    Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello,
    thanks for sharing this beautiful parade of critters. I like the Bluebird and the black butterfly in particular. It is funny to have deer visiting your own garden...isn't it?
    Have a nice weekend and thanks for hosting! All the best!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Luisella!
      The Swallowtail butterfly is a beauty! I like seeing the deer walking around my yard.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  11. Hari OM
    As ever, I am in awe of how many different birdies you manage to get in your lens! YAM xx

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    Replies
    1. Thank you YAM!
      I do enjoy looking for the birds and I am happy to get somewhat of a good photo too.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  12. Hi Eileen. You have so much beautiful wildlife around you. To be able to see the young bluebirds among others is a treasure. And need to be cherished. The Eastern Phoebe was a favorite during my travels. I love it. But you seem to have the same problem with deers as I have. They prefere to show you their behinds!
    Yesterday I visited a place where it used to be wetland. With ducks, geese, svans and waders.Lots of different birds. Now it is dry and going to be farmland. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Monica!
      Yes, I am lucky to see the deer's behind. It is sad to loose the wetland but farm land is important too.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  13. Thanks for your wonderful photo's. The Humming bird I saw for the first time when visiting the States, had never seen one before.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Marianne!
      It is fun to watch the hummingbirds, they are so tiny and cute.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  14. Beautiful bird photos. The deer are my favorites today. It must be great to see them in your yard. Enjoy your weekend!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Bill!
      Yes, I enjoy seeing the deer walking around our yard.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  15. looking at your bluebirds i can understand where the bluebird of happiness quote comes from. they do make me feel happy looking at them . the smaller the bird the more I like them.. i would love to see deer out my window

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Sandra!
      The little birds are pretty, though harder to find and photograph.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  16. ...hand down your favorite are the Eastern Bluebirds, a rarely sighting for me. Thanks Eileen for hosting the party, take care and enjoy your weekend.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Tom!
      The Bluebirds are my favorite too.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  17. Adorei os bichinhos de hoje,sempre muito bem escolhidos e mostrados! Ótimo fim de semana! beijos, chica

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love your critters! Your birds are amazing.
    I had a mystery bird last year, eastern pee wee, it took me ages to ID it. I love a challenge.
    Thanks for hosting!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Jenn!
      The PeeWee is usually easy to id, their sound is similar to their name.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  19. I especially love the bluebirds. There is such variety within some species. Thank you for acquainting me with these beautiful birds.

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  20. It's a wonderful experience to have breeding bluebirds in such close proximity. And Eastern Phoebe is exceptionally endearing too.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you David!
      I am happy every time I look out my windows and see the Bluebirds sitting there.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  21. The Eastern Bluebird are beautiful, Hummingbird and the Deer from window, fantastic.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Bob!
      Seeing the deer here, it is a treat.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  22. You've had some lovely sightings but that Eastern bluebird is a knockout! Happy weekend!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Jeanie! the Bluebirds are beautiful.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  23. In New Mexico we had Western Bluebirds in our nest boxes. They have blue throats and reddish "vests" which extend around their upper back. Love the waterthrushes. Did not see a single one inour local wetlands this spring migration. They are more common in the fall, so here's hoping.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ken!
      I have seen all 3 of the bluebirds, the Western Bluebird, the Mountain Bluebird during trips and the Eastern Bluebird here in my yard. Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  24. Beautiful captures Eileen! Have a fantastic weekend. :)

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  25. You must be very pleased that the Eastern Bluebirds nest so close to your house Eileen. What a lovely sight to greet you every mo9rning. Your Louisiana Waterthrush has habits reminiscent of our Northern Dipper, a bird of fast running streams. But the two do not look alike in any way, it's just their habitats that seem to coincide. "Filling a niche" is what the experts would call it.

    Many thanks for sharing your birds today, and thanks for the chance to join in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Phil!
      Yes, I am pleased the Bluebirds are using my nesting boxes, they are a treat to see.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  26. A lovely selection of critters once again this week, Eileen! Those bluebirds are so beautiful!

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  27. I love your bluebird pictures. We removed all our feeders too. I took down the hummingbird and oriole feeders a while ago, as they were not being used.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Linda!
      I am surprised you are not seeing the hummingbirds there.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  28. PS: Thank you for hosting, Eileen! Have lovely new week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks again Nick !
      Have a great new week ahead!

      Delete
  29. What a lovely place to visit. You have captured all so beautifully!

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

      Delete
  30. I love, love, LOVE the bluebirds Eileen. It's been a couple of years since I've seen any around here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Anni!
      I think they are working on their 3rd brood, I am thrilled to see them using my birdhouse.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  31. HI Eileen, the blue birds did well this year. It's always good to the whole family out doing their thing. I enjoyed all the birds you shared today, the Pewee has been calling a lot in my yard, Im thinking it's the young calling to the parents. And it's so good to have deer right by the window...hope your weekend is good, it's HOT here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sondra!
      I am so happy that the bluebirds are doing so well this year. The Pewee has such a cute sound.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  32. I think you definitely have an Eastern Phoebe there. I love them and have been watching two families up close both with nests attached on the back of my house. Meanwhile, How I would love to see the bluebird. What a sweet share of blue the adults are! Lovely photos all, Eileen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jocelyn!
      The Phoebe is a pretty bird, you are lucky to see them nesting there.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  33. It is great to see the young Bluebirds, Eileen! Thanks for hosting us and for all you nice comments! ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you RedPat!
      The young Bluebirds are adorable.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  34. Beautiful Bluebird photos!
    Love seeing the deer too!
    Have a blessed day!

    ReplyDelete
  35. oooooh the bluebird images are really fantastic and how fun to see the young one!! the lousiana waterthrush is new to me and again it is awesome to see a young one!!

    i did not know that you have so many deer on your property, i am surprised you are able to maintain so many flowers!! a lovely entry today, many thanks for hosting!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Debbie!
      Our property backs up to the forest, so the deer often are seen walking around our walk.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  36. Wonderful critters today...thanks so much for sharing them, and for commenting on my blog!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Barbara!
      I am glad to see you stopped by to see my critter post.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  37. Dearest Eileen,
    I now had to find out whether we have Blue Birds in Europe - but we obviously don't have ... What a shame, these are very pretty birds! My favorite birds, hummingbirds, are unfortunately not found here either. And the birds you photographed in Gunpowder State Park probably also don't exist with us. But at least we have deer here ... although not in front of the kitchen window ;-))
    Happy weekend, Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2021/07/katzengeschichten-und-gartenbilder.html

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Traude!
      There are so many birds and wildlife to see around the world. I am sure the birds you see there are beautiful too.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  38. Our mule deer prowl around at night. we rarely see them out in the day so I'm surprised to see the photo of deer in your yard in the daytime.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Red!
      The deer seem comfortable walking around our yard. They have to disappear in the fall, hunting season starts in Sept.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  39. Great bird watching from your backyard and local walks! Love your collage from the park and deer visit. Have a nice day

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  40. Fun to see those eastern Blue Birds! Love the hummer, too. Hope your weekend is relaxing and peaceful!

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  41. Hello Eileen,
    What a nice post withall these birds. They are so nice.
    The bluebird is very special. Wonderful.

    Greetings, Marco

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marco!
      I appreciate the visit and comment.
      Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  42. Hello Eileen Your eastern Bluebirds are beautiful. And the Waterthrush remind me of our Robin -chats. Thanks for hosting this meme. Have a great weekend. JO

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Jo!
      The Bluebirds and Waterthrush are both beautiful.
      Have a happy day and a great new week!

      Delete
  43. Love those bluebirds. What a treat to watch them in your yard. Nice to see the visiting deer too. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Karen!
      I am lucky to see a lot of wildlife in our yard.
      Have a happy day and a great new week!

      Delete
  44. Me parece maravilloso que veas tantos pájaros. Besos.

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

      Delete
  45. I do enjoy seeing baby bluebirds. I used to see a lot of them around here, but haven't seen many this year. Deer are a favorite of mine. Happy Saturday!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Betty!
      I always love to see the deer!
      Have a happy day and a great new week!

      Delete
  46. Sweet critters! I'm not very familiar with many of the small birds. They are hard for my old eyes to see clearly.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Linda!
      My eyes are having trouble finding the little birds too.
      Have a happy day and a great new week!

      Delete
  47. Eileen - as always, fabulous bird photos, especially the bluebirds. A month or so ago, I was able to identify the song of the waterthrush with the birdnet app, and then find it in a tree. A very handsome bird! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Angie!
      The Waterthrush song is one I have learned over the years.
      Have a happy day and a great new week!

      Delete
  48. Enjoyed your post, and photos. Thanks for linking up this week at IRBB.

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

      Delete
  49. Beautiful photos, as always.

    I have heard Phoebes on our walk at the lake, but I have not seen one (yet!).

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  50. I would love to have bluebirds here....they are so pretty. I had never heard of the water thrush, so thank you for introducing him! There are so many birds I do not see here, plus there were some birds I seen when I worked at the orchard I did not know. And of course was working so didn't have a camera...I bet you could have told me what they were.

    That is nice shot of the pileated woodpecker you have up today.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Rose! The Waterthrush is usually found close to streams or rivers.
      I do love my Bluebirds. Have a great day!

      Delete
  51. What a great selection of bird photos! The eastern bluebirds are very pretty!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Juliet!
      The Bluebirds are pretty!
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  52. Hi Eileen! :) That is a GREAT photo of the hummingbird!!! Lovely! Those bluebirds...I wish I could see them here, they're so beautiful! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rain!
      I have been enjoying the hummers zooming around my yard.
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  53. All great photos! I haven’t seen a Pileated Woodpecker in years. Loved the Eastern Bluebirds, and fun to see the young ones in their speckled feathers. The same for your hummer. How lucky you are to be able to watch deer from your kitchen window. Great collage from the Gunpowder State Park, and enjoyed your other birds also. Thanks Eileen and happy day and week to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Denise!
      I do love seeing all the birds, I am lucky to see so many right in my yard and neighborhood.
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  54. As you know, mine have all been down for several weeks. In fact, I received another update from DEEP reminding birders to remove and keep them down since migration will soon be starting. My "hummers" are loving all the Bee Balm Varieties (although they seem to favor the red...no surprise there!!) and their trumpet vine as well. I really hope that the effects on fledglings is minimal...so sad...jp

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    Replies
    1. Thanks JP! I am hoping the fledglings will be ok too. I watch them eating the wild berries growing in my yard, so I know they have plenty to eat. Enjoy your day!

      Delete
  55. Hello Eileen,
    Thank you for a lovely post.
    Some beautiful birds and wonderful to see the deer.

    Hope the week is going well for you.
    My good wishes.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  56. BEAUTIFUL photos and collages, Eileen.

    The male Bluebird is gorgeous!

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  57. It is so nice of you to share your fabulous yardbirds! It's like a nature park right there at your home! (I loved the picture of the Florida pileated too in your Monday post). Hope you are having a good week Eileen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sallie! I do enjoy seeing all my yard birds.
      Have a great day!

      Delete
  58. Dearest Eileen,
    I am writing to you here because no comments are allowed in the new post ;-) - Such a beautiful woodpecker! I have never seen anyone with such a red "hood"!
    Unfortunately I will not be able to link my current post to your "Cirtters" on Saturday, because there is not a single animal in it - not even a bee or a butterfly - but a sea of red and pink poppies :-))
    Wishing you even now a wonderful weekend (because I will have no time tomorrow or on Saturday :-))
    Hugs, Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2021/07/kom-mit-ins-mohn-dorf-teil-1.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Traude, for the visit and comment.
      I will be visiting your new post soon.
      Take care, have a happy weekend!

      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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