Saturday, August 12, 2023

Saturday's Critters # 504

  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!

Still behind sharing outings and photos, back on June 28-29th hubby and I visited the Shenandoah National Park, we were able to stay in one of the Big Meadows Cabins. It is nice to be right in the park early in the morning, It is a great time to see the early birds and lots of deer. 

Prayers for the people and first responders in Maui!


1. Below deer seen from our hike on the Limberlost Trail, Eastern Bluebird were seen at the Big Meadows.  Middle row: Song Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Phoebe, cute fawn. Bottom Row: Eastern Towhee, male and female American Redstart and an Ovenbird with 2 juveniles. 





2.   This deer walked towards us while we were hiking on the Limberlost Trail. 





3. A female Eastern Bluebird  was seen from the Big Meadows trails. 






4.  At a distance we thought the red spots on this plant were berries but a closer looks the red spots were ladybugs. 





5. Adult Ovenbird is feeding one of it's young, I noticed 4-5 of these birds hopping around on the ground looking for food. 




6. The next morning before breakfast at the Big Meadows Lodge we took a short ride on the Skyline Drive. Looking for critters and birds.

Top row is a Cedar Waxwing, a family of deer, two bunnies. Middle row: more deer, Dark-eyed Junco, Hooded Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch, Scarlet Tanager in tree, Chestnut-sided Warbler, adult Black and White Warbler feeding young and a Scarlet Tanger on the ground.




7.  There was an early morning fog in the park, we were seeing a lot of deer this morning.  






8.  After breakfast and checking out of the lodge we slowly started home with a morning walk on the Limberlost Trail. It is a great trail for seeing the birds. I luck out seeing the Hooded Warbler. 





9.   The Black and White Warbler with it's young. 





10.  The Scarlet Tanager male was on the trail feeding another bird when we got close.





11.  Now we are back on the Skyline Drive heading out the park, we made a stop at an overlook when this Chestnut-sided Warbler starting singing in a nearby tree. 





12. Below are some of the wildflowers we saw in the park along the Skyline Drive and at the Big Meadows. 





13.  The Canadian Wildfires were causing hazy looking skies all the way down to Virginia and the Shenandoah National Park. The moon in the bottom left looked clearer than the sun that was setting. 





I hope you enjoyed our visit to the park, the deer and birds, the skies and wildflowers. 



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


110 comments:

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

I very much enjoyed your visit to the park, the deer and birds, the skies and such a lot of wildflowers, Eileen. The male Scarlet Tanager is stunning. Thanks for hosting and commenting. I hope you have a great week ahead.

Angie's Recipes said...

Have never seen a deer on our daily walk...lucky you, Eileen. Why is Bluebird called Bluebird while it looks brown?

Mae Travels said...

I'm impressed that you saw such a variety of bird life! We haven't been so lucky on our visits to Shenandoah. Your sun and moon photos are also very nice. Have a good week, and thank you for hosting Saturday Critters.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

roentare said...

So many good finds of pretty and gorgeous birds!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
Oh, the hooded warbler and scarlet tanager are extra special to my eyes today! And I love that trail name...Limberlost... YAM xx

Shiju Sugunan said...

Such a lovely post! Your time in Shenandoah National Park, meeting critters and seeing amazing birds, sounds like a dream. Your photos show the beauty, from the misty mornings to the colorful Scarlet Tanager.

rupam sarma said...

Hello, Hope you are doing well and sound. Amazing series of photos.
Great post. Thank you so much for hosting. Happy Weekend.

Iris Flavia said...

To be honest I never saw a deer other that at age two in a wildlife-zoo (and I cannot remember!).
We have lots of warning signs on rural roads - and when I had a car I certainly always was super-extra careful.
But I never saw one.
They are very... humble and cute, thank you for sharing.
This year I saw only one ladybug (at least one, right!).
The Scarlet Tanger is outstanding beautiful! And so caring, how very sweet.
Beautiful moon, too.
What a fun post!

Irma said...

Hi Eileen,
What a great series of photos these are.
Picture 10 is my favourite, but also the pictures of the moon and sunset are great.
I wish you a very good weekend.
Greetings Irma

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,
I have enjoyed all your photos very much! The deers, the birds and the ladybugs are so beautiful. Lovely wildflowers too. Take care, and have a great weekend!

NatureFootstep said...

So much beautiful wildlife in those island. I really they survive the fires that is going on.

italiafinlandia said...

Impressive the fires in Canada as well as in Maui and across Europe.
We are destroying our planet. N
Your post cheers me up, though: I love the Scarlet Tanager best.
Happy weekend and stay safe!

MadSnapper said...

fav pic today, ladybug, its a beautiful photo. yellow and red birds are always my favorites. the first deer looks like we can see the ribs, i hope she has enough to eat. the Hawaii fire is sheer devestation.

chica said...

Um SHOW de fotos! Adorei os cervos, os belos céus...Mas adorei as JOANINHAS! Lindo demais! beijos, tudo de bom,chica

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I have never seen an Ovenbird with young so that would have been quite a highlight for me.

Bill said...

Beautiful photos, Eileen. My favourite is the deers crossing the road. Gorgeous images of the moon and sun. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for hosting.

Tom said...

1...I love the female Eastern Bluebird. Thanks Eileen for hosting, take care and be well.

eileeninmd said...

Margaret, thank you for the link and comment!
The Scarlet Tanager is a beauty!
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie, for the visit and comment!
The female Bluebird is not a bright blue like her partner the male. The rust color is only on their chest.
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Mae, thank you for the link and comment!
The Limberlost trail has always been a great trail for my bird sightings, especially spring and summer.
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you YAM, for the link and comment!
The Limberlost trail is one of my favorite trails in the park. Those two birds are my favorites too.
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Shiju, for the link and comment!
Hubby and I do enjoy our visits to this park.
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Iris, for the link and comment!
We have a lot of those deer warning signs here too.
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Irma, for the link and comment!
The Tanager in # 10 is a beauty!
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Monica, for the visit and comment!
It is sad to see all the destruction from the Maui wildfires, it is a beautiful island.
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Luisella for the link and comment!
I am glad I could cheer you up, the Tanager is a beauty!
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sandra, for the visit and comment!
I think the deer have plenty to eat in the park.
The Hawaii fires are heartbreaking, so devastating.
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Chica, for the visit and comment!
The ladybugs are cute!
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you David, for the link and comment!
It was fun watching this family of Ovenbirds, the little ones are so cute.
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Bill, for the link and comment!
I always enjoy seeing deer.
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

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

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Truly amazing variety of birds. I envy your sighting of the Hooded Warbler, so nicely depicted. I have only seen it a couple of times, all before I took up photography.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ken! The Hooded Warbler is one of my favorites, they breed here at the reservoir, such a treat to see.
Have a great weekend.

Teresa said...

Me encantó ver tu reportaje, tiene de todo lo que me gusta. Que tengas un lindo fin de semana. Abrazos.

Ana Freire said...

Imagens incríveis, como sempre, Eileen! Já não me lembro de quando vi pela última vez uma Joaninha! Os incêndios têm alterado muito a vegetação daqui das redondezas nos últimos anos... no ano passado foram imensas colónias de abelhas que se perderam aqui por estas paragens. Tenho na minha varanda imensas flores que atraiam abelhas... mas este ano, é raro ver-se alguma... tenho mini romãzeiras e tenho de ser eu com um pequeno pincel a fazer o trabalho das abelhas se quiser ter agora algumas romãs nas pequenas árvores, por exemplo...
O fumo do Canadá, também acabou por chegar a Portugal, há umas semanas, após a primeira vaga de incêndios. Só assim nos apercebemos que o mundo é uno. E que as consequências das mudanças climáticas chegam mesmo a todos os cantos do mundo.
Adorei todas as imagens, Eileen! Apenas o cervo que vinha pela estrada fora, sozinho, me pareceu um pouco magro!
Tenho andado bastante ausente, nestes últimos meses... devido a problemas com as pernas da minha mãe: dermatite atópica combinada com má circulação crónica, e este mix foi mais problemático de resolver, este ano, do que o do ano passado passado, mais ou menos pela mesma altura do ano... vamos ver o que dizem os exames arteriais de Setembro... enquanto isso, vou aparecendo, conforme a disponibilidade o vai permitindo! Estimo que tudo se encontre bem, consigo e com os seus, Eileen!
Um beijinho grande! Bom fim de semana e continuação de um feliz Agosto!
Ana

Jenn Jilks said...

You have the most productive walks! I am amazed some are still feeding chicks. I think our cardinals are still at it. Thanks for hosting.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Teresa, I appreciate your comment and visit. Have a great weekend and a wonderful week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Ana,
The wildfires happening around the world are very scary, so much damage in Greece, Canada and Hawaii. The loss of habitat for the insects and wildlife and all the people loosing their homes and businesses is just devastating. Sending healing prayers for your Mother! Take care and thank so much for the visit and comment. Have a wonderful new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jenn, these photos were from last month. I am behind sharing my outings. Take care, have a great weekend.

Lea said...

Great photos! Lots of birds and lovely flowers!
My favorite is the doe and fawn.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

What a delightful location, Eileen! Certainly no shortage of critters or plant life to photograph. Thanks for hosting and have a happy new week.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lea! I always enjoy seeing the deer, they are so sweet. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Nick! I do love our national parks, the wildlife is usually always great to see. Have a happy new week!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The small birds are hard to see with so much foliage! But the colorful ones really show up. Love all the deer and wildflowers you are seeing there. I haven't been able to get out much this week...too hot! Happy weekend! Thanks for the party!

Barbara Rogers said...

What a lovely collection from various walks. I'm always so happy to see photos of warblers, as I can hear them but seldom see them. Thanks for your comments they do give me joy!

Anne Seltmann said...

Oh WOW Eilen, so many pictures. Another beautiful and interesting compilation.

I have a poem under my pictures in German. In English you might not understand the meaning the way I meant it. And the rhyme wouldn't work that way either.


Best regards

Anne

William Kendall said...

The deer certainly appeal to me.

magiceye said...

A wonderful variety of critters. Loved the deer crossing the road pic the best! Happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Diane,
Thank you for the link and comment!
I hope your weather permits some more outing for you.
Take care, have a happy weekend

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Barbara for the visit and comment!
The warblers are colorful and pretty.
Take care, have a happy weekend

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Anne, for the link and comment!
I think your poem translated nicely.
Take care, have a happy weekend

eileeninmd said...

Thank you William, for your visit and comment!
I always enjoy seeing the deer.
Take care, have a happy weekend

eileeninmd said...

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

RedPat said...

I always enjoy your posts so much Eileen. You see so many birds that I will never see.

Penelope Notes said...

Love seeing the ladybugs. The Ovenbird is a name many would relate to on such hot days. The deer on a misty highway is a particularly lovely capture and dangerous place for them to be. They're lucky you're careful drivers. PS: Good to know you got through the storm okay and remain as ever, thankful. :)

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

You certainly made the most of your stay at the park. Makes me want to go visit it. I had never heard of an ovenbird so I learned something new.
I love getting out in the morning when it is foggy in a park and seeing deer like what you found. It's magical.
Thank you so much for hosting!!

Marie Smith said...

That Hooded Warbler is a beautiful bird! The deer always make a setting photogenic, that’s for sure. The tanager is quite the show-off…so pretty. Love the bluebirds! Have a great weekend, Eileen.

Caroline said...

Beautiful photos. I like the deers. It's a long time ago I saw a deer. Have a nice weekend.

DeniseinVA said...

You captured some amazing wildlife Eileen. Great idea to stay overnight. We have been in the lodge and aim to do that again for an early morning walk. Have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you RedPat . I do enjoy watching the birds. Have a great weekend.

Red said...

We don't have hooded warblers here. It's a very attractive bird.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Maria! I appreciate the comment and link today. Yes, I am always careful driving and on the lookout for deer crossing. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Alan, for the link and comment. It is nice staying overnight in the park. You can see more wildlife early in the morning. Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marie! The Tananger looks like a show off, he is a beauty. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Caroline, for the visit and comment. Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Denise! This time we stayed in one of the Big Meadows cabins, I do like the rooms at Skyland more, they seem to be updated and newer. I like being in the park early in the morning. Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Red! The Hooded Warbler is a beautiful bird, a pretty bright yellow. Have a great weekend.

ellen b. said...

Wonderful photos of these critters you captured, Eileen. I especially like that photo taken of the ladybugs! So sad about the devastation in Hawaii...prayers for the people...

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ellen! The ladybugs looks so cute. Have a great weekend.

Cloudia said...

Wow! Look at all the people at your party. Eileen! This is a pretty swinging place. I love your photos, especially the deer in the morning mist and the right red bird! Thanks honey

Phil Slade said...

Hi Eileen. The Ladybirds(yes we call them Ladybirds over here) are lovely. So too the wildflowers and the deer with the spindly legs! Love the bright red Tanager. Enjoy your day and thanks for the link again.

Jeanie said...

Lots of beauty and wonderful finds here but I really do love the deer the best!

Debbie said...

it is amazing how tame some wildlife and birds become...i really enjoyed seeing the deer especially with baby in toe. the birds you shared are gorgeous, the tanger, what a beautiful, perfectly sharp image!! the ladybugs stand out in my mind also. lovely images today, you sure are hitting the jackpot on your walks. have a wonderful weekend, we are getting rain right now. and as always, many thanks for hosting!!!

Bob Bushell said...

Absolutely beautiful birds, my favourite is a Scarlet Tanager, thanks Eileen.

carol l mckenna said...

Awesome nature photography as always ~ favorite are the deer ~

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Cloudia, for your link and comment!
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Phil, for the visit and comment!
I like the name ladybirds.
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Debbie for your link and comment!
The Ladybugs were one of my favorites along with the Scarlet Tanager.
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Bob, for the link and comment!
The Tanager is beautiful!
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol, for the link and comment!
I always enjoy seeing deer!
Take care, have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jeanie, the beauty is all around us, if we look. The deer were sweet critters. Have a great weekend.

This N That said...

Another lovely nature outing..lovely photographs..Nice series.Beautiful Tanager..Love the Hooded Warbler..I don't think I've ever seen one ..Sad about the devastation in Hawaii

HappyK said...

Wonderful collection of critters. Favorite picture is the ladybugs!!

Linda said...

Great shots from one of my favorite places. Perhaps I need to revisit the
Limberlost Trail. Maybe I can see some of those birds.

The Happy Whisk said...

The baby deer is so cute.

eileeninmd said...


Thank you Missy, for the visit and comment.
I enjoyed seeing both the Tanager and the Hooded Warbler.
Take care, have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...


Thank you Karen, for the visit and comment.
The ladybugs are cute.
Take care, have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...


Thank you Linda, for the visit and comment.
Hubby and I love visiting Shenandoah NP, one of our favorite places.
Take care, have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...


Thank you for the visit and comment.
The baby deer is adorable.
Take care, have a wonderful week!

Black Knight said...

I have never met a deer. I only saw them in natural reserves.
I am sure that is a real pleasure to meet such creatures.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the comment. The deer are a sweet sight to see. Take care, have a wonderful week!

Inger said...

Thanks for sharing your knowledge of birds and all these wonderful photos. The deer with a young one was lovely to see, a great photo capture.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Inger, thanks for visiting and for the comment. The deer are a sweet sight to see! Take care, have a wonderful week!

Veronica Lee said...

I enjoyed the virtual visit to the park, Eileen.
Loved the variety of birds you captured.

Hugs and blessings

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Veronica! I appreciate the link and comment. Have a great week ahead.

Tanza Erlambang said...

great to see a lot of deer.... love them.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks, Tanza! I do love seeing the deer. Have a great week!

Crafty Green Poet said...

Lovely series of photos, especially the lovely Hooded Warbler! The wildfires must be very worrying.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Juliet! The fires were devastating. Take care, enjoy your day!

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Eileen
A lovely post, with so much to see.
I think the deer and the male Scarlet Tanager are my favourites.

All the best Jan

EricaSta said...

Amazing scenes, dear Eileen. You have a very good eye for special things. It is the love for nature and more... Thank you again for sharing, dear blogfriend and being part of
MosaicMonday

Wish you a wonderful week, hugs by Heidrun

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jan! Have a great day !

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Heidrun! I appreciate the comment and visit. Take care, have a great day!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful stay in the park -- how great to get a cabin inside the boundaries. Even when we were full-time RVers we very rarely were able to stay inside a national park (there are RV parks in the ones out west anyway, but the spaces were either always full or not large enough for ours). It would be so wonderful to wake up there already! I loved youor mosaics -- the scarlet tanagers and the other birds are wonderful. Also the sky shots.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sallie! we do enjoy staying inside the park whenever we can. We actually booked this cabin the morning we left, that way we know exactly how the weather will be. When we went to Yellowstone and the Tetons, we had to book almost a year in advance to get a cabin there. Take care, have a great day and happy weekend!

chica said...

Vim avisar que tem céus teu por lá!
Obrigadão, bjs, chica

https://ceuepalavras.blogspot.com/2023/11/blog-post_19.html

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much Chica, I am going now to check out your post.
Thanks for including my link and photo.
Have a great day and happy new week!

Happy Monday!

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