Saturday, August 26, 2023

Saturday's Critters # 506

  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 think I will be forever behind sharing photos, these are from our backyard, morning walks at the bike trail, local parks or on the local fire roads and to the reservoir. 


1. Hashawha Nature Center, one of my favorite local parks. They have a great trail system, going by lakes, streams and large fields. On this day hubby and I saw a cute young River Otter, it saw us and went into hiding so no photos. Below: Slider Turtle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Kingbird, possible Rat Snake, another turtle, Song Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird, Mourning Dove, waterlilies, lake and trail and some Queen Anne's Lace. 





2. A pretty Red-winged Blackbird perched on a nearby bush.  They were very vocal in this one area. 





3. A Great Blue Heron, common to see at our local reservoir.  





4. Another morning walk to the lake, it is a short walk just down our street to the fire road trail and to the lake.  On this day, we saw the usual Great Blue Heron and Canada Geese, a Mourning Dove was standing on one of the rocks next to lake, a view of the lake and a Belted Kingfisher in the usual spot. 






5. We watched this Green Heron fishing, it found a small fish you can see on the bottom right photo. 





6. I am seeing 4-5 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds zooming around my yard and deck.  I caught this one sitting on the feeder, looks like a female. 




7. Backyard birds, the female Eastern Bluebird, Cottontail bunny, Fritillary Butterflies and a Blue Jay. We had something sad happen with the Bluebird house and nest, I was happy to hear the babies inside making noises one day and just a few hours later I look out the window and see a rat snake sticking it's head out of the nest box. We made the snake leave the box but it was too late to save the babies. 






8. These images are from our walk on the local NCR bike trail, in the mosaic are photos of the trail, a Belted Kingfisher, Acadian Flycatcher, Gray Catbird, Red Shouldered Hawk, Song Sparrow, Box turtle, Eastern Phoebe. 





9. Red Shouldered Hawk, there are a couple of Tree Swallows that kept dive bombing the hawk.  



10. The Red-shouldered Hawk did not seem amused at the dive bombing Tree Swallows , I caught 2 blurry Tree Swallows flying at the hawk's head. 



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

118 comments:

  1. Nice pictures, especially the hummer. THanks for hosting this great blog party each week.
    best,mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Mae, for the link and your comment.
      I will miss the hummers when they fly south. They are so cute.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  2. I guess even snakes have to eat, but sad to hear it was bluebird babies. Love all your photos as usual :)

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    1. Thank you Yvonne, for the link and the comment.
      It was sad to loose those Bluebird babies.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  3. I have never seen a red winged blackbird...it looks so beautiful. Love your new header too. Have a great weekend, Eileen!

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    1. Thank you Angie, for your comment and visit.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  4. Thanks for sharing the lovely critters. You saw so many!
    Love the poor hawk being bombed. It makes me smile.
    Have a nice day and a lovely weekend!

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    1. Thank you Luisella, for the link and your comment.
      The hawk seemed very tolerant, didn't mind the Swallows pecking at his head.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  5. Hi Eileen, so many different birds and wildlife that you have shared! I love the sound of red-wing blackbirds, it brings back memories of growing up beside a small pond. The drama of nature is sometimes tragic. I had a snake get a nest of juncos last summer. Life is not easy for songbirds these days, never mind dealing with snakes. Always love your informative posts with all your sightings. Don't have a post to share this time, but will join in when I do! Hope you have a relaxing weekend. x K

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    1. Thank you Karen, it is nice of you to stop by. I appreciate the comment and your visit.
      I love the sounds of the red-winged blackbirds too.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  6. You have really great places to walk around you. More wonderful critter pictures. I was particularly interested in your hawk having just seen one in our back garden. Great captures on the dive-bombing swallows. Have a happy weekend Eileen and thanks for hosting.

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    1. Thank you Denise. Those swallows were brave flying so close to the Hawk. Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  7. Great shot of the Great Blue Heron and the Hawk Eileen. Thanks for hosting and commenting. I hope you have a lovely weekend and week ahead.

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    1. Thank you Margaret, for your link and comment.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  8. Buongiorno Eileen e grazie come sempre per le magnifiche fotografie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment and visit.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  9. Good morning dear Eileen!

    You have a wonderful number of pictures with you today. How patient you have to be to capture the animal on camera. I'm always way too impatient! You hit the egret particularly well!

    Kind regards and have a nice weekend

    Anne

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    1. Thank you Anne, for your link and comment.
      Your captures of the butterflies are beautiful.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  10. Hello dear Eileen, I just quickly linked my post here and will get back to you later in the day!

    Have a good time!
    Traude
    🌻🌺❤️🌺🌻
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/08/drei-einem-tag-viva-frida-kahlo.html

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Traude, for your link and comment.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
    2. Now, as promised, I'm here again. You experience a lot on your walks and even in your backyard, dear Eileen. The experience with the rat snake and the bluebird babies was really sad, but nature is so cruel sometimes... But you also saw so many beautiful and special things. It's a pity that the cute young River Otter was hiding, but even without a photo it will remain in your memory. Very fascinating your shots of the Red-shouldered Hawk and the dive bombing Tree Swallows. They were probably also afraid for their brood...
      All the best and happy weekend!
      Traude
      🌻🌺❤️🌺🌻

      Delete
    3. Thanks again Traude! Yes, I think the hawk was too close to the swallow's nest. The river otter is in my memories, such a cute little critter. Enjoy your day and have a great new week ahead.

      Delete
  11. I like red shouldered hawk that looks so sleek and regal.

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    1. Thank you Roentare, for your link and comment.
      The hawk was a beauty!
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  12. Hi Eileen,
    What a great series of photos and collages.
    I think the red-winged blackbird is fantastic, it doesn't live here, maybe only in a zoo.
    The great blue heron and the Canada goose are species that are very common here, but the green heron is not found in the Netherlands.
    The Ruby-throated Hummingbird and the Red-shouldered Buzzard are my favorite this time.
    I wish you a good weekend.
    Greetings Irma

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    1. Thank you Irma, for your link and comment!
      I will my miss my cute hummers when they fly south.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  13. So many wonderful animals. The bunny is the cutest and the Hawk... a poet? A mathematician? It looks like he thinks real hard! I once read a book, the title was "If a Lion could think" - a so-called scientific book with the author stating animals cannot think.
    What a waste of time to read it, glad others proved, certainly animals can think, make tools, can love and hate, help even other species.
    To Critters and a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for the link and comment.
      Just how could the author prove animals cannot think.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  14. Hari OM
    ...and my morning walk yielded seagulls and cormorants... and magpies. Which is why I am reminding myself of the Aussie variety I miss so much! I like your new banner photo, too. Happy weekend Eileen! YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hello Yam,
      Thank you for your Aussie Kingfisher link and your comment.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  15. Tão lindas e diversas criaturas conseguiste mostrar!
    Adorei!

    Ótimo fim de semana!

    beijos praianos, chica

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    1. Thank you Chica, for your comment and for your visit.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  16. Replies
    1. Thank you William, for your comment and visit.
      And I like seeing the Herons.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  17. the hawk don´t seem to mind the bombing :) :) Nice catch Eileen. :)

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    1. Thank you Monica, for your link and comment.
      The Hawk really didn't seem to mind.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  18. There are some sequences in nature that you really wish didn’t happen, even though you know they must, like the snake eating the bluebirds. But you did get to observe life as it really happens. And had you seen a heron eating a snake you would have probably felt not a moment of remorse for the snake. I am also reminded by your picture of a very handsome male Red-winged Blackbird that it is so common we take it for granted, but we shouldn’t!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you David, for your link and comment.
      I have seen an Egret eating a snake, the snake was wrapped around the bird's beak. Looked like an awkward meal.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  19. Love the Red shouldered Hawk and the Great Blue Heron. Great variety of critters. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Bill, for the link and comment. Take care, enjoy your weekend!

      Delete
  20. Hello Eileen,
    Beautiful photos of the Hawk. It's so sad to read about the bluebirdbabies. The nature can be very brutal.
    Take care and have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marit! Nature can be cruel, I was sad to loose those sweet baby birds. Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  21. What a great array of critters! I think my favourite it the hawk ignoring the swallows! Thanks for faithfully hosting, Eileen.

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    1. Thank you Jenn! I thought those swallows were brave getting so close to the Hawk. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

      Delete
  22. I like the bird shots some so different then in our parts of the world. Great to see.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for the link and comment. Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  23. The tree swallows were brave to take on that hawk. It just goes to show what parents will do for their young! I love how you do your windows with so much in each pane!

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    1. Thank you Marie, for the comment and visit. The swallows were brave. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  24. Great photos!
    So sorry about the baby birds.
    Love the rabbit eating a leaf photo!
    Have a great weekend!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Lea, for your link and for the comment.
      The bunny was cute, I see them every day eating the grass.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  25. Another collection of beautiful photos, Eileen! Thank you for hosting and have a happy new week!

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    1. Thank you Nick, for your link and comment.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  26. Lovely critter mosaics! Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your link and the comment.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  27. That bunny found a garden full of goodies. Love the dive bombing swallow too. Nature is full of the odd and neat things to observe if we will just take the time. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Thank you Diane, for your link and for the comment.
      Yes, there is always something beautiful to see if we just look.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  28. You are lucky to have such a choice of different habitats so nearby. The variety of species bears this out. The header photo of the reservoir is so peaceful-looking. One bird attacking the hawk has white outer tail feathers like a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, or maybe more likely, a mockingbird.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Ken, for your link and comment.
      The birds I saw dive-bombing the hawk looked too small to be a Mockingbird.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  29. many times we sit in awe at the crazy small birds diving at the hawks. we have seen jays do it the most, but other birds do it to, even the daddy cardinal. one time it was small birds, several but did not know what they are. either crazy or BRAVE. and we wonder why the hawk doesn't attack them, he just sits there and doesn't move. you sure saw a whole host of differerent birds on this visit. your header just pulled me right in to its peaceful feeling. gorgeous

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    1. Thank you Sandra, for your visit and for the comment.
      The little birds are very brave to fly so close to the hawk.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  30. It's nice to enjoy beautiful bird photos. Thank you for sharing us.

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    1. Thank you for your visit and for commenting.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  31. You see such a variety of birds so close to home, Eileen.

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    1. Thank you RedPat! I appreciate the link and your comment. Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  32. ...WOW three Fritillary Butterflies on a zinnia! Thanks for hosting the party Eileen, enjoy your weekend.

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    1. Thank you Tom! The butterflies do love the zinnia. Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  33. Beautiful Birds, Awesome clicks.
    Happy Weekend. Thanks a lot for hosting.

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

      Delete
  34. I always enjoy seeing your critters...as well as those who contribute theirs! Love your lake header, so peaceful!

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    1. Thank you Barbara, I always appreciate your comments and visits. Have a happy weekend.

      Delete
  35. Oklahoma has river otters and a group of them showed up at a nature center here in Tulsa. I've been up there many times looking for them but have yet to spot one. I've never seen one in the wild and I would love to at least spot one. We have green herons up there and I have just had brief glimpses of them.
    Sad about the rat snake. Too bad that they just can't be happy eating rats.
    I love all your other photos as well.
    Thank you for hosting!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Alan, for your link and comment.
      I was surprised to see the River otter, it ran off quickly. Too fast for my camera.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  36. A great variety of birds. Love the hawk photos. Wonderful capture of the tree swallows trying to get the hawk to move on! Hope your Saturday is starting out well!

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    1. Thank you Ellen, for your visit and for the comment.
      The hawk did eventually fly off, the swallows were determined to make it leave.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  37. The rat snake story is sad but it's nature and things are set up so that things work even if we don't like it.

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    1. Thanks Red, for the visit and comment. Nature can be cruel, but the snakes have to eat too. I just did not like having to see it happening. Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  38. Good morning Eileen, you are the master of bird captures in my world and I totally believe you have a whole stored up and that's a lucky thing for us. I say this knowing in a few months I for one am going to need seeing some of those photos. Your great blue heron really is handsome, and that photo clearly shows their proud existence! Enjoy a wonderful last weekend in August of this year! Take care, Karen

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    1. Thank you Karen! The heron is a handsome bird. I enjoyed your post and images, great quotes and wise words. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

      Delete
  39. Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the comment and visit. Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  40. Thanks for the great diversity of your birds today Eileen. I must tell you that I am a sucker for Red-winged Blackbirds; if only we could have them here in the UK. Small birds soon know when there is a predator around and in fact they often alert me to a predator that I may not have seen until they pipied up their alarm calling. I enjoyed you post today. Thanks for the link as ever. Enjoy your Sunday.

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    1. Thank you Phil, for your link and for the comment.
      The bird's alarms are often heard around here, I think I have a hawk hanging out near my yard.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  41. Oh wow, Eileen, you have such an eclectic mix of critters in this post. I enjoyed every image, especially the Green heron fishing and the beautiful, Red-Shouldered hawk being divebombed by angry Tree Swallows, Sorry about your nest disaster. I've added my humble offering to your meme. Thank you for hosting and for always visiting my blog. Have a great Saturday Jo

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    1. Thank you Jo, for your link and for the comment.
      I enjoy seeing your post and I always appreciate your visits.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  42. sooooo many of my favorites today, you are lucky to see all of these locally. the red winged blackbird and the heron, are 2 huge standouts here. i am surprised to see the tree swallows diving at the hawk. it's a great capture, i wonder if this is a normal practice for them?? you would think they would be concerned about getting too close!! such a nice variety of the locals today, have a great weekend birdwatching and many thanks for hosting!!! oooooh and i forgot about that adorable bunny, what a wonderful picture!!

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    1. Thank you Debbie, for your link and for the comment.
      Yes, it is common to see the small birds dive bombing the raptors. I think the larger bird is confused with all the little ones flying around it's head. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  43. Your Harry is so handsome! In fact all your birds are really lovely. (I think my blog will always be at least a week behind my real life! Today is about the only day it has been close -- only a few days off!)

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    1. Thank you Jeanie, for your visit and for the comment.
      I do love all my birds, the heron is always a treat to see.
      Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  44. The Red-shouldered Hawk is one of world Eileen.

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    1. Thank you Bob, for the link and comment.
      Take care, have a great week

      Delete
  45. What lovely places you have to walk and take your fabulous pictures.
    If I had to pick a favorite it would be the bunny eating the leaf!!

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    1. Thank you Karen, for the visit and comment.
      The bunny is cute!
      Take care, have a great week

      Delete
  46. Sorry, I'm an idiot. i shared the wrong one but don't seem to be able to delete it. Apologies for the repetition.

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    1. Thank you Lydia, for the link and comment.
      I hope you do not mind, I changed your link to one of your other post with the parrots.
      Take care, have a great week

      Delete
  47. A lovely post. The hawk is impressive.

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    1. Thank you Linda, for the link and comment.
      Take care, have a great week

      Delete
  48. Es emocionante encontrar tantas aves en los paseos por la Naturaleza.
    Feliz domingo de descanso.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the comment and visit. Take care, have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  49. Yes, I so enjoyed this journey through Birdland. Here, blackbirds have taken over on my property. The house finches I so loved have moved on. There are other birds here too, of course, one recently fell down my kitchen vent and had to be rescued by my neighbor. The ravens are still here, but prefer to visit with my neighbor, Bob, who gives them treats meant for his horses. He's sort of an animal whisperer and has one of the ravens trained pretty well. It even sits next to a dog, if asked to do so. How he asks them, I have no idea. I love your Saturday posts.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Inger, I appreciate the comment. My yard birds have slowed down, I think they are al flying south now.
      Your neighbor Bob must be a bird whisperer, I assume Ravens are smart birds when it comes to their food. Take care, have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  50. You go great places and get great photos of nature ~ favorite is the Bunny Rabbit ~ thanks,

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

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Carol, we are lucky to have lots of nature all around us! Have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  51. Hello Eileen
    Another week has zoomed by!
    A very nice selection and variety of photographs to enjoy, thank you.
    I particularly like the sweet Cottontail bunny :)

    Have a good new week.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  52. Beautiful captures, Eileen. You have even captured the hawk's eyes - quite the feet if you ask me! Thank you for hosting. Enjoy your weekend and take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your link and for commenting. Take care and have a great week!

      Delete
  53. we saw Great Blue Heron in our city lake.... beautiful bird

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    1. Thank you Tanza, I appreciate the link and comment. Have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  54. Replies
    1. Thanks Gillena, happy Monday to you! Have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  55. I enjoyed seeing the different birds and wildlife you shared.
    I especially loved that shot of the Great Blue Heron.

    Hugs and blessings, Eileen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Veronica, I appreciate your link and comment. Have a great day and happy week ahead.

      Delete
  56. Happy MosaicMonday

    I was curious and searched at Google Maps about this Parc. he is in the north of Baltimore. It looks really fantastic. I understand very well your enthusiasm. Thank you for sharing an being part of
    MosaicMonday

    Have a very good week, hugs by Heidrun

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Heidrun! I enjoy the Mosaic Monday party. Have a great day and happy week ahead.

      Delete
  57. lovely Red-winged Blackbird ..... pretty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the comment and visit. Take care, enjoy your day and 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

Saturday's Critters # 541

  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 ...