Saturday, January 7, 2023

Saturday's Critters # 473

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!

My birding outings slow down in the winter months, I am a wimp when it comes to the cold weather.  I am sharing some birds from my back yard, from our neighborhood and some birds from our Maryland State Parks. 

Click on photos for best viewing!

1. A neighborhood walk, we always enjoy walking our local fire road trails. This trail to the Prettyboy Reservoir has been one of my favorites. On this day we saw a juvenile Bald Eagle sitting on a downed tree on the lake, the Canada Geese are here year round. 





2. When the back yard birds are not eating the peanuts I put out, they are finding some berries to eat. They kind of get lost in the vines where the berries are growing. Below are the Downy Woodpecker, White-throated Sparrow, Carolina Chickadee, Northern Flicker and a squirrel. Can you find the birds?  





3. North Point State Park, located in Baltimore County, Maryland. Here we can see birds in the forest, male and female Bufflehead ducks, various ducks out on the Chesapeake Bay, we saw a group of Tundra Swans and a couple of Belted Kingfishers. I missed the Snow Buntings that were being seen at the end of the fishing pier. 




4. We were watching two Belted Kingfishers, chasing each other along the shore. 





5. I saw a few Song Sparrows on the fishing pier, I was hoping to see the Snow Buntings in this spot. But, they must have moved on. 




6. Back in my yard, a Northern Mockingbird posing on a old dead tree that we left for the woodpeckers. 




Dec 30th, coming back from our walk to the lake I found two Golden-crowned Kinglets bouncing around the trees in our front yard. 




These images are all from December, I am slowing catching up sharing outings and photos. 


Thank you for sharing your critters and post!

Thanks to all my visitors and for your past and present comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves and respects wildlife. Thank you for linking up a critter post.



Here is my linky:


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! Also, I am also linking up to Heidrun's Mosaic Monday  I hope you can stop by and visit Heidrun and check out the Mosaic Monday post. 

125 comments:

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

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  2. It really is cool jow well you know the birds

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    1. Thank you Cloudia! Learning about the birds is fun.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  3. Wonderful sightings as always. You did well capturing the birds lost in the vines, I know it is so difficult to focus. Wishing you many more great birding days in 2023!

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

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  4. Great way to begin the new year! Happy weekend!

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

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  5. Happy Saturday, Eileen! The mockingbird looks so elegant!

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    1. Thank you Angie, I appreciate your comment.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  6. Also today you shared a lot of delightful birds. Nice to see them.
    Take care, stay warm and enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Thank you Luisella!
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  7. Hi Eileen,
    What a great series of photos and collages from your trip to the Maryland State Parks.
    Photo 5 and 6 are my favorites this time.
    Would you mind posting my link?
    I wish you a very nice weekend.
    Greetings Irma

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    1. Thank you Irma! I appreciate your link and comment.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  8. Hello Eileen,
    Beautiful photos! The Belted Kingfisher is a very special bird, and the Northern Mockingbird is so pretty.
    Take care, and enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Thank you Marit! I do enjoy finding the kingfishers!
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  9. I don't get out as much in cold weather either. I made the Bluebird photo for my post today from my car. Window down, get a photo, window back up!
    Thanks for hosting!
    Have a blessed day!

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    1. Thank you Lea! You got a great photo of the bluebird from your car window.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  10. A lovely variety, Eileen. It's great that you have such easy access to the shore. That opens up a whole range of possibilities. Sorry you missed the Snow Buntings, delightful little birds, of which there are many around here now. Often they are in mixed flocks with Horned Larks. Enjoy the weekend.

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    1. Thank you David! I am hoping to still see some Snow Buntings and Horned Larks this winter.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  11. Eileen, como é bom ter nas vizinhanças cenários assim e esses adoráveis passarinhos pra tudo enfeitar!
    Lindo demais!
    beijos, ótimo fds! chica

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    1. Hello Chica,
      Thank you for the visit and comment.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  12. I have yet to see swans in the natural world, only those in parks here. I would like to see a kingfisher, have not seen them except photos. of course i would have to leave home to see them, or even have a chance to see them.

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    1. Thank you Sandra! We saw lots of Swans in Lakeland, the short time we lived there.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  13. Too bad you missed the Snow Buntings. They would have been a great find. There have been a few along the Connecticut shoreline, a two-hour drive from here. I gave up on trying to find the White-throated Sparrow in your photo. They have been much less common this winter as compared to last, with only one or two instead of nearly a dozen at the feeders.

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    1. Thank you Ken! That Sparrow blended in well with the vines.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  14. when we see all these wonderful creatures we understand why Saint Francis of Assisi wanted to spoke to the birds

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

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  15. Beautiful bird photos, Eileen. Have a wonderful day and thanks for hosting.

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  16. Amazing photos of Birds, Loved the post.
    Thank you so much for hosting. Greetings

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    1. Thank you for the comment. Take care, have a great weekend!

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  17. Looks like some nice weather for December and a happy place for the Mockingbird to land. :)

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    1. Thank you Maria! I can not complain about our weather, it could always be worse. The Mockingbirds knows to stay close to the bush with the berries. Take care, have a great weekend.

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  18. You find amazing birds. The mockingbird is my fave! Thanks for hosting.

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    1. Thank you Jenn! I have been enjoying the Mockingbird visits.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  19. Your backyard and local trails are amazingly full of birds. We have very few at this cold and dreary winter time of year.

    Thanks for sharing your birds and for hosting this great critter roundup!

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  20. I love how you photograph the smallest birds in the trees. I don’t have much success at that yet! Getting better though!

    More birds are staying here now over the winter. A sign of the changing climate I imagine.

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    1. Thank you Marie! It is hard to focus on birds with so many branches around them.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  21. Hari Om
    A greater variety that I have on my side of the pond... and the weather we've had is definitely not for birdwatching! YAM xx

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    1. Thank you Yam! I hope your weather improves soon.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  22. ...Eileen, once again you have a fabulous collection. Thanks for hosting and enjoy your weekend.

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    1. Thank you Tom, for the nice comment.
      Take care, enjoy your weekend!

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  23. Happy New Year, Eileen! I love that little Mockingbird. Thank you for hosting.

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    1. Happy New Year Nick! Thanks for the link and comment. Have a great new week!

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  24. As always I enjoy your Saturday Critters posts...the Kingfishers are so fast, so I'm glad you got a good photo of that one. Have a super great warm weekend!

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    1. Thank you Barbara! This mild weather has been nice! Have a great weekend.

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  25. We don't like hiking when it's cold, especially when it's windy. The Kingfishers are fun to see and to hear. Love the mosaics with lots of neat sightings. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Thank you Diane! The Kingfishers are a treat to see. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

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  26. Another lovely bird post and the Maryland shots are superb. The blue sea and sky are stunning! I believe that feeding from natural trees and shrubs is better for birds than feeding from feeders. Have a good weekend

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    1. Thank you Jeevan! The birds do have plenty of natural seeds and berries. Have a great weekend.

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  27. good post Eileen nice to see some kinglets.

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    1. Thank you Sondra! The Kinglets are so cute, I always love to see and hear them. Have a great weekend.

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  28. Enjoyed going on your walk with you and seeing all those many birds. It looks like a lovely place.

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    1. Thank you Yvonne! We do enjoy our walks! Have a great weekend.

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  29. awesome birds today, i enjoyed seeing the kingfisher. they are around here, but i have never seen one. you seem to have some great walking trails but i wonder if your yard isn't the best birding spot!! thanks so much for hosting us critter lovers and enjoy your weekend!!

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    1. Thanks Debbie! I am lucky sometimes to have some good yard birds. Take care, have a happy weekend.

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  30. Shame you missed the Snow Buntings then Eileen. But I think the Belted Kingfishers must hav been a great compensation, not to mention the Mockingbird you tempted in to pose for you. I hope you had a good day today. It’s just going dark here now. I hope both of our weathers are better next week.

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    1. Thank you Phil! The Kingfishers are one of my favorites birds to see. I was lucky enough to take a walk to our local lake today, still cold out there. I hope your weather improves, have a great day and happy new week!

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  31. That Northern Mockingbird posed so nicely for you. Such a sweet looking bird with those subtle colors. Hope you have a peaceful weekend, Eileen!

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    1. Thank you Ellen! I was lucky I did not spook the Mockingbird. Have a great weekend.

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  32. I love the song of the Song Sparrows and enjoy seeing the Kingfishers too. You have such a variety of critters at your place, Eileen.

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    1. Thanks RedPat! The Song sparrow does have a lovely song. Take care, have a great weekend!

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  33. I'm still amazed by all the variety of birds that you have in your area and the fact that you what most of them are and take great photographs of them. You are a true friend of wildlife.

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    1. Thank you Alan! I do love all things nature related, wildlife is a big part. Enjoy your weekend.

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  34. I think they're all adorable...
    Greetings from Algarve, Portugal.

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    1. Thank you so much for the visit and comment. Happy Sunday, have a happy new week!

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  35. I love seeing all the birs you have in you garden and surrounding areas Eeen. great shot of the Northern Mockingbird. thanks for hosting and linking me in. Have a great week ahead

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    1. Thank you Margaret! Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

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  36. A beautiful place for walking and capturing the many critters.

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    1. Thank you Karen! Happy Sunday and have a happy new week!

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  37. They are still a great variety of birding photos. So great!

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    1. Thank you for the comment and link this past week! Happy Sunday and have a happy new week!

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  38. How exciting to see and photograph the bald eagle ~ Wonderful series of photos of our 'feathered friends' ~ Xo ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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    1. Thank you Carol! I have been seeing lots of eagles lately. Happy Sunday and have a happy new week!

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  39. I love the Northern Mockingbird best in this post. I visited to say that I wish you the year 2023 with abundant joy, love, blessings, and amazing photos of critters. I'm always a slow starter on blogging in the new year and will be back in a month.

    Yoko

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    1. Thank you Yoko! I wish you and your family the same for a happy New Year! Enjoy your break!
      Happy Sunday and have a happy new week!

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  40. Looks like you found some great places! Love the birds!

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    1. Thank you Linda! I do have a few favorite spots. Happy Sunday and have a happy new week!

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  41. Good morning Eileen!
    I really enjoyed the beautiful array of bird life in your area. I would especially enjoy watching the antics of the two kingfishers!!
    Thank you for taking time from your day to share & link up at IRBB this weekend!!

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    1. Thanks Anni! We do have some great spots for birding. Happy Sunday, have a happy new week!

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  42. Una felicidad ver tantas variedades de aves. Me encanta tu reportaje. Que pases un bonito domingo.

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    1. Thank you Teresa! Happy Sunday, have a happy new week!

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  43. Such calming photos and beautiful creatures and scenery. Greetings!

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    1. Thanks for the comment and visit. Happy Sunday, have a happy new week!

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  44. Lots of lovely birds Eileen. I love the juvenile Bald Eagle and I see some waterfowl that are most interesting as well as the lovely songs birds. Song Sparrows are always so lovely, but I am quick to get my Sparrows ID confused a bit. Hoping the you are all doing well. <3

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    1. Thanks Mary! The Eagle was a treat to see. Enjoy your day!

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  45. Happy Sunday and a good week, dear blogfriend. In the new year again, I`m enjoying your post. It`s such a lovely reading here. Today we have rain and therefore I must work inside ... and can visit some blogs.

    Hugs by Heidrun

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    1. Thank you Heidrun! I appreciate the visit and comment. Have a great new week!

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  46. Beautiful birds, I think the Belted Kingfisher is my best, loved them Eileen.

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    1. Thank you Bob, I appreciate your link and comment. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

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  47. Hello Eileen
    I do hope you have been enjoying your weekend.
    Many thanks for sharing a very nice variety of bird photographs, I enjoyed seeing them.

    Have a good new week.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan! Yes, we had a great weekend, some birding and we had some grandson and family time. Take care, have a great week ahead.

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  48. Hi Eileen, I don’t have a new post to link up this week … hope to next week. Just wanted to stop by anyway to thank you so much for the super kind words you left for me on my post last week and, also, here on Saturday’s Critters. In this new post, I got a kick out of your mention: “My birding outings slow down in the winter months, I am a wimp when it comes to the cold weather.” Well, even if that is true, you have still included lots of neat photos from your backyard, from your neighborhood, and from Maryland State Parks. Your ability and reliability putting together Saturday’s Critters has my total admiration. As always, thank you for sharing and hosting, and no reply is necessary here. See you again soon! Have a happy week ahead! John

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    1. Thank You, John! I like to reply and I always appreciate your comments and visits. I am a wimp when it comes to cold weather, I could hibernate all winter. I am trying to dress up warm and get out there just to keep moving. Take care, have a great week ahead.

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  49. I've only been in Costa Rica for 2 days and it is a critter extravaganza! Thanks for hosting!

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    1. Thank you Sharon, I appreciate the visit and comment. Have a great new week!

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  50. Hi Eileen... Lovely birds and shots. Happy 2023

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    1. Ana, thank you for the visit and comment. Have a great new week!

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  51. Happy New Year, Eileen! Love seeing all the beautiful birds in your photos. The weather looks mild there. We have had cooler than normal temperatures lately but I'm glad in a way as the hills are full of snow and there is less wildfire danger. I saw 6 squirrels chasing each other around my backyard this morning--too fast for photos-- but they had me laughing at their antics!

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    1. Thank you Pat! Yes, our weather has been a little mild after a very cold start to the New Year. The squirrels are having fun in your yard. Have a great day and a happy week ahead.

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  52. I love Kingfishers.... beautiful birds

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  53. Fico sempre fascinada, com as imagens e variedade de espécies, nas imagens conseguidas no seu jardim, Eileen!
    Todas as imagens estão fantásticas! Sempre um gosto imenso apreciar, tantas espécies, que não encontro por estes lados!
    Belíssima partilha, Eileen! Um beijinho! Feliz semana!
    Ana

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

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  54. That is a lot of birds to see Eileen. It's good you can get outside sometimes when the weather is OK -- I would definitely be housebound during the winter up there -- I hate to be cold. Your yard and windows are always good for birding close to home though -- you've worked to make it a good place for them.

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    1. Hello Sallie, thanks for the visit and comment. I've been on a roll, three days in a row walking out in the cold.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

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  55. Oh my goodness, I'm adding your quote on Happy Monday to my getting even long list of mantra's to keep positive through this winterness here in Minnesota. Your lighthouse is an inspiration too, I adore them all! take care.

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    1. Thank you Karen! I try to keep positive, even on these cold dreary days. Take care, enjoy your day!

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  56. Fabulous photos as always, Eileen!
    I especially love the Belted Kingfishers.

    Hugs and blessings!

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

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  57. a beautiful collection of critters :)

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  58. Gran buceador el martín pescador, ese si lo veo por aquí en el río.Gracias Eileen.
    Buen miércoles.
    Un abrazo

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    1. Thank you Laura! Enjoy your day and the week ahead.

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  59. I always look forward to your Saturday's Critters to see what treats you have in store for us. These are great! Happy rest of the week to you Eileen :)

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  60. Happy New Year Eileen, wishing you a wonderful year ahead, with lots of bird spotting!
    Wren x

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    1. Thank you Wren! Happy New Year to you, I wish you all the best in 2023.

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  61. love to walk in your neighborhood with wonderful views.....
    thank you for sharing beautiful photos

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    1. Thank you, we do enjoy our walks. Have a great weekend!

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  62. I guess I'm going to have to get used to checking on you on Saturdays..I no longer get your blog in my email..Lovely pictures..So happy that we are finally getting some rain..

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    1. Thank you Missy, I appreciate your visit and comment. Have a great day and happy weekend.

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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

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day." "T...