Saturday, July 31, 2021

Saturday's Critters # 398

 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!

Hubby and I have recently visited the Great Falls National Park near Potomac Md. We make it a day trip, stopping at a local French bakery for a sandwich for our little picnic. We also stop at Riley's Lock and walk along the C&O Canal trail.  

1. Below are photos of the Potomac River @ Great Falls NP, the C&O Canal trail @ Great Falls, Great Blue Heron, Canal Lock, Canal, Mallard, Black Vultures and Turkey Vultures. 




2. A view of the C&O Canal and the trail.  




3. There is a Great Blue Heron rookery or is it called a heronry, so there are plenty of Herons to see at the Great Falls @ Potomac River. 




4. A mix of Black Vulture are seen with their Black Head and the Turkeys Vultures have the red heads. 




5. I always enjoy seeing the Great Blue Herons, they pose so nicely for me and my camera.  




6. Below are some of the scenes and wildlife we saw along the C&O Canal trail at Riley's Lock.  A group of Wood Ducks, a Common Whitetail Skimmer, more Wood Ducks, Great Blue Heron, Zebra Swallowtail butterfly, Prothonotary Warbler, Black-crowned Night Heron, Slider Turtles, Black-crowned Night Heron. 





7.  A few Slider Turtles hanging out with the Wood Ducks. 





8.  The Red-eared Slider Turtles are non-native but the Eastern Painted Turtle is a native turtle seen in Maryland.  Below the photo could be a mix of both of the native and non-native turtles. 




9. I usually see a Green Heron in this area, but on this day I saw the Black-crowned Night Herons. 




10. A Common Whitetail Skimmer above the pond and duck weed.



11. A closer look at the Wood Ducks. 




12. A Great Blue Heron was seen on the canal side hunting for food.



I hope you enjoyed our walk at the park and on the canal trail, the birds and wildlife are always great to see.  

I want to share my cute grandson, he is growing quickly almost 6months old. He has two bottom teeth now. I think this is the first time he tried a teething biscuit. 




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. 


120 comments:

  1. You had wonderful day trip to the Great Falls National Park. A fruitful trip with great captures of the feathered critters, turtles and dragonfly. Your grandson is cute and he is enjoying his teething biscuit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nancy!
      Hubby and I do enjoy our walks with nature.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  2. Very nice series and you sure ended with a wallop!

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

      Delete
  3. Helloo, Hope you are doing well and sound.
    Beautiful pics :) Thanks sharing your grandson's lovely pic:)
    Happy Weekend.

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

      Delete
  4. Your grandson is adorable Eileen. That certainly was a worth while trip you made as you saw a great many birds. I love the Turtles on the log. Great shot of the Heron. Thanks for hosting, stay safe and have a lovely week ahead

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

      Delete
  5. Your grandson is a real cutie. Chewy food oh yum yum.
    Is that frog-bit covering the water?
    My daughter's ranch in Eastern Washington had a large Great blue Heron rookery on the creek. Way up in the trees. And then one year a big storm came along and blew the nest down with loss of life and the Herons have not been back. I like your collages. very neat
    MB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello MB,
      I think the plant covering the water is called Duck weed, frog-bit is new to me.
      It is sad to loose the heron rookery, it happened in our neighborhood too.
      Thank you for the link and comment!
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  6. Hello Eileen,
    Nice that you could enjoy your outing and picnic. The place was certainly rich in wildlife. The turtles are so funny.
    Wyatt is a cute boy with beautiful eyes!
    Enjoy your weekend! All the best!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Luisella!
      Wyatt has my son's eyes, they look so much alike.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  7. Good morning Eileen - I'm amazed at all the Great Blue Herons! And you are so right ... when they are around they post nicely for the camera. :-) Sure enjoyed your photos from your visit to Great Falls National Park. Thanks for hosting and sharing! A happy weekend to you and yours. John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you John! I appreciate the link and comment.
      I always love when the birds pose for a photo, lol.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
    2. Hi Eileen, I just wanted to stop by and say thanks again for Saturday's Critters and tell you how awesome you are with the way you reply to all comments. I have tried that in the past and so I know it is a lot of work. Speaking for myself, I know that I appreciate your replies and I'll bet most others do as well. So thank you! And you do NOT need to reply to this reply. :-) Have a happy week ahead! John

      Delete
  8. Hi Eileen,
    What beautiful photos and collages you have made during your trip.
    I really like the turtles in photo 8 and the last photo of the blue heron is also great.
    What a cute grandson you have.
    Would you mind posting my link I can't do that myself.
    I wish you a nice weekend.
    Greetings Irma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Irma!
      We do love our cute grandson!
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  9. Hello Eileen,
    Beautiful photos as always. The Blue Herons are very special and pretty. I like them very much.
    Your grandson is very cute!
    Happy weekend!

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

      Delete
  10. wow, that is quite a collection of critters you share today. I have to come back as I am heading out soon. :)
    Your grandson is cute, I love his hair :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Monica!
      Take care and stay safe.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  11. I think the heron have some aura of special dignity. Love to see them!
    Happy Saturday!
    /Irene

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Irene!
      I appreciate you linking up and commenting.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  12. As fotos estão belíssimas demais,como sempre!
    Mas teu neto ,roubou a cena hoje aqui. Que amor ele está e crescendo bem! Coisinha mais querida! Como passa o tempo! Adorei! beijos, lindo fim de semana! chica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Chica!
      Our grandson is growing quickly, he is a cutie.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  13. Rookery has its origins in the colonial nesting habits of Rooks, a species of corvid in Europe. Heronry is the correct term for herons. Bravo for raising this issue, Eileen. It has long been one of my pet peeves to see people randomly using rookery for almost any aggregation of birds!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you David!
      Yes, there are various names for the groups of birds nesting, the rookery, colony and heronry.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  14. Hello Eileen,
    What a nice pictures. A wonderful nature area.
    Nice shot of that heron.
    And you are lucky with the cute boy, a lovely grandson. He has naughty eyes...hihi...!!

    Many greetings,
    Marco

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marco!
      We do love our cute grandson!
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  15. Hari OM
    Your lad's a cutie! All your images today are linger-worthy, but I found I lingered a little longer over #4 and the vultures -maybe not the prettiest, but fascinating! YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Yam!
      I think the vultures are interesting too.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  16. Oh the turtles! I love that photo, what a nice place to visit. I love seeing the vultures with their wings spread like that. The heron shot at the end is wonderful! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rain!
      The turtles are a favorite of mine too, I like seeing these big groups together.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  17. Gracias por este paseo. Y gracias por compartir la foto de tu nieto. Está precioso un beso pae él 😘
    Buen fin de semana Eileen. Cuidaros.
    Un abrazo.

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

      Delete
  18. Hi Eileen!!! Fantastic series of great bird pics... Happy weekend

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

      Delete
  19. Awwww, your grandson is growing so fast. How adorable!!
    Love your birds as always Eileen. The trail photos are mighty pretty!!

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

      Delete
  20. Little Wyatt is coming on fine there Eileen. Once again a very fruitful birding trip where you saw many super birds. I like those turtles resting along the log. And a lovely picture of the Heron. Thanks for your hosting today and enjoy your weekend and the week ahead.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Phil!
      We did enjoy our walk and all the birds and turtles.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  21. Great captures this week! I like the poser heron and Wood duck shots. I find vultures beautiful. Nice to see your grandson. Beware of the new tools he has acquired :))

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

      Delete
  22. I always enjoy when you take us along on your excursions! This was a great one.

    I always enjoy turtle photos since I’ve never lived where any live. Love the photo of the ducks and turtles sharing the log.

    Herons are a favourite of mine. Great photos.

    I’ve never seen vultures in the wild. Thanks for sharing your photos. I look forward to your next adventure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marie!
      I am happy to take you along on our excursions.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  23. He'll grow fast.

    Herons are very graceful birds.

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

      Delete
  24. Your grandson is just precious! Isn't that a sweet age with so much happiness in their eyes! Love seeing your sightings, what a nice trip. It gives you a boost to see something new or different!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Diane!
      I think it was his first time with a teething biscuit, he is a sweetie.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  25. What an adventure in various critters! I like the colour of the vultures feathers, but the heron is my favourite. Of course, your grandie photo is the best!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jenn!
      I always enjoy seeing the herons.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  26. A lovely selection of birds, Eileen. I like the way birds splay out their feather to dry, look like they have done their laundry and have hung out the clothes. :-)

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

      Delete
  27. Your grandson has stolen the show :-) He looked so happy with that teething biscuit..so much better than those mushy foods, right :-) The National Park is full of treasures and I am glad that you two had a good time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Angie!
      We did have a great day and walk.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  28. I would say your grandson APPROVED of the teething biscuit! LOL

    Great Falls is one of my favorite places. I hope to get down there again this fall. Your photos are beautiful and make me want to be there NOW!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Dee!
      I think it was his first ever teething biscuit, he seems to like it.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  29. ...a wonderful collection and a cutie! Thanks Eileen for hosting.

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

      Delete
  30. the grandbaby is adorable, and i am ashamed to say, when my boys were eating teething biscuits, i would eat one too. my favorite pic is #3, i love the way they look standing tall on the rocks, all are fantastic finds in my book

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sandra!
      I do not remember having the teething biscuits, I think my son like cheerios but he was probable a toddler at that time. Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  31. Amazing to see the vultures!
    Your grandson is adorably cute!

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

      Delete
  32. Your Grandsons' photo is so adorable. Glad you had a very nice trip with so many birds to see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Yvonne!
      Sometimes I am lucky with the birds sightings.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  33. I wonder how on earth a heron catches a fish hidden under the floating weeds! I never realized the two kinds of vultures would hang out with each other. I can still learn a thing or two! Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Barbara!
      Yes, it was neat seeing the Black and Turkey Vultures hanging out together.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  34. the green heron and the great blue herons are such great images!! amazing captures today but i think your grandson stole the show!!

    enjoy your weekend and many thanks for hosting!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Debbie!
      Wyatt is a cutie!
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  35. Oh what a cutie your dear grandson is. I sure hope you can see him often and kiss those sweet cheeks! Love all the images you shared today. So great to see so many herons together!

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

      Delete
  36. Your slide show was excellent-- just like being there with you. Love that grandbaby!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ken!
      the slideshow is much better than the little blog images.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  37. Glad you could enjoy a day trip with a picnic.
    As usual beautiful photos.
    Your grandson is adorably cute.

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

      Delete
  38. Hi Eileen, another good day trip. I sure enjoyed seeing all the waders and the young Wood duck Now Im off to see the Slide show happy weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sondra!
      I was happy to see the Wood Ducks, they are usually shy.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
  39. Your sweet little grandson 'steals the show! ~ Xo ~ Awesome nature photos ~ love the rocks with the birds ~

    Great slideshow!

    Living in the moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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

      Delete
  40. Your grandson is so cute! I love seeing the turtles and the wood ducks! Thanks for hosting us Eileen.
    I have been having problems with blogger - for some reason I am not showing up on people's reading lists but I am still around. I don't know what is happening as a lot of blogs take about 20 seconds to open. I'm still here though.
    http://occasionaltoronto.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the nice comment!
      I have your blog on my sidebar, usually I see the new updated posts.
      Have a happy day and a great weekend!

      Delete
    2. Thanks Eileen but if you check my blog is at the bottom of your list on the sidebar and when you click on it a weird code comes up. It is very frustrating.

      Delete
  41. Great collection of beautiful photos. I'd sure like to walk along the canal trail!
    6 months already - your grandson is adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Tuviste preciosos avistamientos, me encantaron. Tu nieto se ve muy bonito y creciendo. Besos.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hello Eileen
    Many thanks for sharing your photographs from your recent trip, all are lovely to see.
    I think your Grandson is so cute, I can't believe he will soon be six months old, the time flies by so quickly.

    As we say goodbye to July, I wish you a happy August.
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  44. As I love to paint about a little girl and her cat, I thought I join in the linky party today. Thanks so much for hosting. What a great place for a picnic. Sadly I have only seen vultures in a zoo. It was great to see them in their natural habitat in your photo. Amazing!

    -Soma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Soma!
      Take care and have a great day!

      Delete
  45. Interesting post. I haven't been there in decades.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Linda!
      It is a great place to visit and for a walk on the C&O canal trail.
      Take care and have a great day! I wish you a happy new week!

      Delete
  46. Thanks so much for taking time to share your birds with us at IRBB this weekend.

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

      Delete
  48. Dear Eileen, how beautiful is your grandson! Thank you for sharing this cute photo. Thank you for sharing the critters and for hosting this meme. I have linked mine. Have a great week. Jo

    ReplyDelete
  49. Thank you for hosting, Eileen. Your grandson is a bonny child!
    Have a great new week.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Wow, he's adorable! Lovely capture from the tail and the canal seems to support a lot of birds and other critters. Hope u had a great day walking beside the channel.
    Have a great week

    ReplyDelete
  51. Looks like a great place for a day trip..Wonderful pictures of the Heron, Vultures and the Canal trail..Your grandson is a cutie..Hard to believe it's been six months already..Happy Sunday!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Missy!
      It is a great day trip, I am not thrilled about driving on the DC beltway.
      Have a great day and happy new week!

      Delete
  52. Enjoyed this post. Wonderful pics, but my favorite is the last. What a cutie! I miss the littles. Mine are all grown up now. The youngest is a Sophomore in high school and way taller than me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Betty!
      The little ones grow up so fast.
      Have a happy new week!

      Delete
  53. Green to go fishing, love everything Eileen.

    ReplyDelete
  54. What a nice place to walk! And what a cute grandson - they do grow so quickly, don't they?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Vera!
      Yes, they grow so fast.
      Have a great week!

      Delete
  55. You have an adorable grandson Eileen, such a sweet photo! Loved all your photos today. Amazing shots from so many places. Thanks for sharing and have a great week :)

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

      Delete
  56. Sorry I couldn't join in last Saturday but my weekend was booked solid! It's always a treat to see your Critter post and I actually learn a lot from them. Thank you for posting this for us all. Enjoy your evening!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Karen. It is nice just having you visit and comment.
      Take care, have a happy day and week ahead.

      Delete
  57. Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  58. Your grandson is too cute!

    I enjoyed the photos especially the turtles.

    And that heron shot is incredible!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Veronica Lee!
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  59. Lovely selection of photos! Here in the UK we'd describe a heron nesting site as either a rookery or a heronry. Your great blue heron looks very like our grey heron, though I guess it must be bigger!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Juliet! Our Heron is tall as tall as 46in.
      Have a happy day and a great 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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