Saturday, December 4, 2021

Saturday's Critters # 416

 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 a mish mash of photos from walks in my neighborhood, on the fire road to the lake and from our last visit to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park. 

1. Our wildlife sightings for our day at Shenandoah, was one deer at the entrance station and one deer seen below walking across the Skyline Drive. 




2. Some scenes from Shenandoah and the Skyline Drive, the Limberlost Trail. 



3. Below seen at the Big Meadows, Shenandoah the Northern Harrier. They have a white rump patch which is noticeable in the photos below. 



4. At the Big Meadows we watched a Northern Harrier hunting. The Harriers are known to be expert mousers. 



5. Below images are from our fire road walk to our local lake,  the Canada Geese and two Pied-billed Grebes.



6. Looking across the lake, we noticed a larger group of Canada Geese.



7. A group fo Canada Geese were hanging out along the lake shore.



8.  I noticed on the far side of the lake was this wake from this Pied-billed Grebe. This bird was too far for a god photo, the Pied-billed Grebe has a short black banded bill, they are a warm brown color with dark eyes.


Take time to appreciate the beauty around you, the more beauty you will see!

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:

Thank you for taking the time to share your critters and post!




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

113 comments:

Shiju Sugunan said...

Excellent views from Shenandoah and fire road walk. I really liked the deer crossing the road shot.

Nancy Chan said...

Beautiful wildlife critters and landscapes from your day at Shenandoah. The trees are still showing their autumn colours. Thank you for hosting. Enjoy your weekend.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Some wonderful sightings for you on this one - which is to our benefit too! YAM xx

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HOw lovely to see the Deer crossing the road and also to see probably some of the last of your autumn colour Eileen. Thanks for hosting, stay safe and have a wonderful weekend.

rupam sarma said...

Beautiful pics.
Have a nice weekend. Stay well.

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,

Beautiful photos! The scenes from Shenandoah are very pretty. Take care, and have a happy weekennd!

Angie's Recipes said...

You live in a very beautiful area. I love the scenes from your local lake too. Wish you and yours a wonderful weekend!

italiafinlandia said...

Your final sentence tells a lot: stop to admire the beauty around you!
Happy Saturday and happy weekend to you!

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

Wonderful photos of the Northern Harriers, and the golden leaves are just amazing!! Happy Weekend!

-Soma

Irma said...

Hi Eileen,
You could make beautiful series of photos and collages during your walks.
The crossing deer is great to see.
Could you post my link, I can't do it myself.
Have a nice weekend.
Greetings Irma

chica said...

Que lindos caminhos ,Eileen e tuas fotos mostram muito bem o lugar e os achados. Adorei o veado e as cores das folhas! beijos, lindo fim de semana! chica

Phil Slade said...

It's always a thrill when I see a deer as it rarely happens over here. Your Shenandoah trail certainly brings some goodies to you you Eileen. Good to see your harriers doing well and mousing like that. Have a happy weekend and thanks for the link today.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Wonderful fall colors. Nice variety of harrier photos. I rode the Skyline Drive and Blue ridge Parkway only once, in the spring. The Dogwoods were in bloom and it was a magnificent experience.

Marco Luijken said...

Hello Eileen,
What a nice pictures. So great to see your neighborhood. It's a fantastic area.
Pictuyre 2 shows a great view. So nice.
And so nice with the hunting birds of prey.

Greetings, Marco

Black Knight said...

The images from Shenandoah are very beautiful: it is a fantastic area with fantastic critters.
Too nice to meet a deer while crossing the road.
Have a good Sunday.

MadSnapper said...

the grebe looks like the wake of a motor boat following him.. i would love to see the Shenodoah valley, I have seen it in movies and on your blog but not the same as seeing it.....

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Sandra! Shenandoah is one of my favorite places, the scenic views are beautiful.
Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Margaret!
The deer can pop up in the street any time.
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you YAM!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the visit and comment!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Nancy! I appreciate your comments and links!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the comment and visit!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit!
Shenandoah is a beautiful place to visit.
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Very evocative autumnal photos, Eileen! I love that first one with the deer crossing the road.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Angie, thank you for the comment!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Luisella!
Nature's beauty does sooth the soul.
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Soma!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Irma,
Thank you for the comment and visit!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Chica!
The fall colors were beautiful to see!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Phil!
I enjoy watching the Harriers on their hunts.
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ken!
The Dogwoods and the Mountains Laurels are beautiful in the spring time.
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Marco,
Thank you for the comment and visit!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the comment and visit!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

Bill said...

Beautiful photos from your visit to Shenandoah. You captured some beautiful critters on your visit. Have a great weekend and thanks for hosting.

Tom said...

...such a gorgeous area to enjoy critters. Thanks Eileen for hosting the party, enjoy your weekend.

My Desktop Daily said...

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

magiceye said...

What a lovely walk!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Nick!
I appreciate the links and comments.
Have a great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Bill!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tom!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks again Nick! Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the visit and comment!
Take care, enjoy your weekend!

Jenn Jilks said...

You so enjoy your critters. I enjoy yours, too. It gives me hope of spring, after you send the birds back north! Thanks for hosting. Take care.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Jenn! I love all the critters.
Have a happy weekend!

John's Island said...

Hi Eileen, Enjoyed all your photos. Excellent collages. Image #6 is just wonderful! "Take time to appreciate the beauty around you, the more beauty you will see!" ... perfect closing thought. Thank you for sharing and hosting. Happy weekend and week ahead to you and yours. John

David M. Gascoigne, said...

As long as you have CANADA Geese to keep you company you will be in great shape!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you John! I always appreciate your linking up and for your nice comment. Nature soothes the soul.
Take care comment and have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you David! We do see lots of Canada Geese here.
Take care, have a happy weekend!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love the geese framed by the colorful leaves. You've seen a lot of neat critters and birds this Fall. Enjoy your weekend!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I'm not sure if I have ever seen a harrier before. Probably I have and just didn't know what I was looking at.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Diane! Most of our leaves have fallen now, a few are hanging in there.
Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yogi! The Harrier's are usually seen flying low over fields looking for a meal or mouse.
Have a great weekend!

Barbara Rogers said...

Thanks for introducing me to the Northern Harrier. Now I can tell the difference between it and other hawks. I loved the leaves framing the first photo of the geese...so bright!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Northern Harriers are VERY COOL!!! Great shots, Eileen...we've been seeing deer (a small herd actually) passing through our woods lately...probably trying to avoid the young buck that's been scraping the trees!...jp

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Barbara! The Harrier is one Hawk I am able to id quickly.
Take care, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you JP! The hunters have spooked all the deer we used to see here.
Take care, have a happy weekend!

Red said...

You show some very warm critter photos that make me feel warmer when it's minus 18 here this morning.

Debbie said...

lots of very cool, beautiful sightings. i have never seen a northern harrier, you captured some really nice flight pictures!! i have been seeing a lot of pied-billed grebe, i can tell by the size and shape but they always swim in the middle of the lake, they are so hard to photograph!! i have not really seen any critters this week, maybe i can participate next week!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Red, thank you for the comment!
Take care, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Debibie,
Thanks for the comment and visit! The ducks do like to stay in the middle of the lake and as far away as they can.
My camera's zoom is not that good. Take care, enjoy your weekend!

Marie Smith said...

I’ve never seen a grebe. That would be exciting in itself.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Marie! The Grebe's are cute. I have better Grebe photos than these, I just like to keep track of what I see at our lake. Have a great weekend!

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! Eileen ~ I love the deer, of course, but all your nature photos are awesome ~ great job! Xo

Happy Days,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Klara S said...

Hello, lovely shots. I added my small critters from September trip to the forest

bread&salt said...

Dear friend! The deer crossing the road and trees' colors look beatiful. Season is just turning to winter but I love autumn colors. Thanks for sharing.

HappyK said...

A great selection of critters. The collage is beautiful.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol!
Take care, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Klara!
Take care, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the comment and visit.
Take care, have a happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen!
Take care, have a happy weekend!

Sondra said...

Hi Eileen, so very pretty there. The leaf color was excellent in your post...I always enjoy seeing a N. Harrier hunt, they are amazing to watch. Hope you have a great weekend.

Rostrose said...

Dearest Einleen,
Your opening photo reminds me VERY STRONGLY of an experience we had in Bryce Canyon National Park - a deer (a magnificent, huge animal with mighty antlers) was just about to cross the road. I wanted to warn my husband - and brought out only one word, but this twice: "DEER! DEER!" Fortunately, my husband understood what I was saying to him. ; -DDD
Your photo souvenirs from Shenandoah National Park are very nice. It must have been very exciting to watch the Northern Harrier hunting!
Sorry, I only have a few bathing pigeons for you today - we didn't see any more critters that day in Italy...
All the best and happy December-Days,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2021/11/italien-reisebericht-siena-und-san.html

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sondra! The colors this year were very pretty.
Have a great weekend!

RedPat said...

The harrier shots are super, Eileen! Love the collage too.

William Kendall said...

Deer are quite graceful.

ellen b. said...

Wonderful photo of that Harrier! Great collection, Eileen.

Linda said...

The collages are gorgeous!

Ellie_In_Moz said...

Dear Eileen, what beautiful images. Thanks for sharing and thank you for hosting this meme. I have added my link. Have a happy day. Jo

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Traude! It is scary when one of these deer run across the road, some cars drive way too fast around the curves. I enjoyed your post! Take care, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you RedPat!
Take care, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you William!
Take care, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ellen!
Take care, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda!
Take care, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jo, thank you for the link and comment!
Take care, enjoy your new week!

Jeevan said...

Excellent shots on the Harrier! The fall colors, lake, and mountain views are mesmerizing to stimulate my craving for mountains that I miss a lot lately. Happy Sunday

Anni said...

Hmmm, harriers! A favorite of mine. Excellent Eileen.
I wish for you a good birding week ahead,and thanks for linking in!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jeevan!
Have a great day, enjoy your new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Anni!
Have a great day, enjoy your new week!

Rose said...

I enjoy seeing what you post every Saturday. Love the one of the deer crossing the road.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Rose! I do love seeing the deer, just not in the road.
Have a great new week!

21 Wits said...

Good morning Eileen, what a beautiful post to brighten our day. Your opening photo is a lucky catch and what a lovely day and view you shared. Now that's just the way autumn should be. Perfect in every single way. Enjoy your weekend, and week ahead.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Hi Eileen! Again you've taught me something - I've never heard of a Northern Harrier; what an interesting bird and what a fun trip for you. You go to the best places!

Bob Bushell said...

The Deer is always the so sweet, love it. And, Harrier out hunting. Eileen, thanks for pictures.

Jeanie said...

You've seen some beautiful color this year -- and loads of other wonderful things! Beautiful photos, Eileen!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Jeanie. The fall colors were beautiful this year.
Take care, have a happy day and a great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Bob!
Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen! We did have a lovely Autumn, with beautiful colors.
Have a great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Kim! Shenandoah is one of our favorite places to visit!
Have a happy new week1

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Eileen; So sorry for my late posting and short comment not being able to read your post yet. I just wrote my post and I need to cook dinner (7:30 pm now, haha) I may be able to comment again tomorrow.
Lots of LOVE, Miyako;

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Miyako! I appreciate you linking up, I am glad your computer access is ok now.
Take care, enjoy your new week!

stardust said...

The autumnal views with colored leaves are so beautiful. I can relate to the first image, a deer crossing road. I often encounter such sight in Nara Park area. There are road sings with pictogram “Watch out for deer!”

Yoko

Teresa said...

Siempre maravillosos tus reportajes. Besos.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yoko! We have the deer crossing signs here too.
Have a happy new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Teresa! Have a happy new week!

DeniseinVA said...

One of my favorite places and it's great to see it through your camera lens. Thanks so much Eileen and a Happy 29th Birthday to you son :) Have a great week!

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Eileen
Lovely post, I always enjoy your photographs, and especially lovely to see the deer crossing the road.

Have a wonderful week and I send Happy Birthday Wishes to your son for December 7th.

All the best Jan

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Denise!
Have a great day and a happy week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jan!
Have a great day and happy week ahead.

Veronica Lee said...

How cool to see the deer crossing the road!

Love the gorgeous fall colours.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Veronica! I hope your day is great!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The Harrier was very interesting Eileen, I don't think I've ever seen one (at least well enough to identify). I remember I used to see a blog from England that was mostly about trying to save the Harrier Hawks, which apparently were endangered there. I have only ever gotten pictures of the pie-billed grebe that have to be cropped like mad in order to see them! But I have a lot of pictures of where the grebe used to be! (The wake after they dive the minute I snap the picture).

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sallie! I am glad to see the Harrier's here, they seem to do well.
The diving ducks are too quick for photos, I know I have trouble catching them.
Have a great day and week ahead.

Angie said...

Eileen - thanks for your recent kind comments on my blog - I am sorry I have not been around to comment much - hopefully things will calm down soon! I love your photos of the Northern Harrier!

Happy Monday!

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