Saturday, December 30, 2023

Saturday's Critters # 524

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 wish everyone all the best in 2024, a very Happy and Healthy New Year

This is my last critter post and linky for 2023. I want to thank everyone who has participated and commented throughout the year.  I hope to see you and your critters in 2024. 


I am sharing some of my yard birds and local birds from our walks around our lake and to the NCR bike trail.  I am still catching up with my photos, these were mostly from November and early December. 


1.  Late fall we enjoyed a walk on the NCR bike trail. My bird sightings were the Brown Creeper and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. The Brown Creeper can be hard to find it blends in well with the bark of the tree.





2. Below are a few yard birds and neighborhood raptor.  A yard bird is the Dark-eyed leucistic Junco, he is a cutie. 






3. In the back corner of our yard, I noticed a flock of Cedar Waxwings.  They found some berries on a nearby tree. I counted 10 Waxwings, there may have been more. 





4. On our walk to the lake, we watched some Blue Jays and a Vulture flying around a hawk perched high in the tree. 





5. At the local lake, we found a Bald Eagle taking a bath. The Canada Geese were not too far away. The bottom right photo is an unknown in my back yard. 





6. Our outings are not always nature related, we do visit with our son, DIL and grandsons and of course we love seeing our grand-dogs Winnie and Nibbles. They are cute critters. 




Christmas with the family and the grand-dogs.



7. The Tufted Titmouse hanging out in our front yard too, this one is sitting in the rhododendron outside our den window.  




8. I've been seeing and hearing the White-throated Sparrows around my yard. Sometimes they come to the deck for the peanut nuggets I put out on our deck railing. 




9. The Blue Jays seem to be the most common bird seen in my yard. They can grab up to 5 of the peanut nuggets at one time. 





I hope you enjoyed my birds and critters. Thank you for sharing your critters and post! Happy New Year to you and your family!  


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.

98 comments:

Shiju Sugunan said...


Loved your bird and critter pics! Adorable family and grand-dogs too! Happy almost-New Year! Wishing you and your family, including Winnie and Nibbles, health, happiness, and many more delightful adventures in 2024!

Iris Flavia said...

The birds are interesting - but the whole family steals the show! Thank you, Eileen, for hosting and to a wonderful, healthy, fun 2024!

Angie's Recipes said...

Beautiful! And that Junco is for sure a cutie. Happy New Year, Eileen!

Nancy J said...

Eileen, your birds and family photos are always a huge delight. I wish to you and yours a joyous New Year and maybe some more lifers to add to your collection.

Mae Travels said...

Have a wonderful birding year in 2024 and lots of good blog posts. THanks for hosting us.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Cloudia said...

Aloha Winnie and nibble! Wishing you a brilliant year ahead. Eileen, aloha!

Cloudia said...

Great to see Winnie and nibbles! Wishing you a good year ahead. Eileen, Aloha!

magiceye said...

Beautiful captures as always!
Happy holidays and a Happy New Year!

roentare said...

It is always lovely to view your blog with so much nature and beauty

italiafinlandia said...

Lovely critters also today in your post, but also lovely children happily play.
Nice to see them.
Happy New Year to you and your dearest too! Take care and love one another.
💝

chica said...

Tão lindas todas as fotos e adorei ver os netinhos lindos e os cachorros!
Um radiante e muito feliz 2024, cheio de saúde, muito amor e PAZ no coração! beijos, chica

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,
You show so many beautiful birds through the year! The Blue Jay is my favorite bird.
Happy New Year!

Irma said...

Hello Eileen,
You could make beautiful series of photos and collages.
The White-throated Sparrow and the Blue Jay are my favorites.
Great that you were able to celebrate Christmas with your family and the dogs.
I wish you and all your loved ones a happy New Year and, above all, a healthy 2024.
Greetings Irma

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I think your mystery bird is a Broad-winged Hawk. Thanks for host all year, Eileen, and all the best for 2024 - David

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Well, the light and joy of Christmas sure comes across from you family photos, Eileen! Sorry I won't have any link ups for a while, but will always love to visit and see what you saw... here's to photographically fruitful 2024 for you, and good health and happiness to you and yours! YAM xx

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Thank you for your work in hosting this meme, Eileen. I appreciate your efforts and your lovely photos each week. My best wishes for health and happiness in the New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Shiju,
Thank you for your link and your comment!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Iris, for your link and your comment!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie, for your comment and your visit!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jean, for your comment and your visit!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Mae, for your link and your comment!
Happy Birding to you!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Cloudia, for your link and your comment!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Yes, it is always a treat to see our grand-dogs Winnie and Nibbles.
I wish you a great new year too!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and your comment!
Happy Holidays!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and your comment!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Luisella, for your link and your comment!
We do love to visit our grandchildren and the grand-dogs.
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Chica, for your comment and your visit!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit, for your link and your comment!
I am hoping to see some new birds in 2024!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Irma, for your link and your comment!
Yes, it was a fun Christmas with the kiddies, dogs and family.
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you David, for your link and your comment!
I appreciate the help with the Id.
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you YAM, for your comment and your visit!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Nick, for your link and your comment!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a great weekend.

Jenn Jilks said...

Thank you for hosting! Your images are always amazing. I travel vicariously through you. Let's hope 2024 is excellent for you and yours.

Tom said...

...of course you critters are wonderful, but seein your little pirates is a treat. they are at a great age to sejoy Christmas. Happy New Year, Eileen.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jenn, for your link and your comment!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tom, for your link and your comment!
They are cute little pirates and were happy with their Christmas presents.
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Christmas with the little ones sure looks special! Love the Cedar Waxwings and hope we see them here soon. Happy New Year!

rupam sarma said...

Loved all birds photos, Beautiful Christmas pics.
Thanks a lot for hosting. Greetings.
Best wishes for 2024

Barbara Rogers said...

Beautiful new header with geese flying above. A good reminder of how critters have instincts to follow the seasons. Loved seeing all your birds, dogs and family photos today. Have a happy 2024, Eileen, for you and all your loved ones.

RedPat said...

It looks like it was a fun Christmas with family, Eileen. There seem to be few birds around here the past couple of weeks as we have had so much rain every day.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Diane, for your link and your comment!
It is a treat to see the Waxwings, they are beautiful.
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and your comment!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Barbara, for your comment and your visit!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you RedPat, for your link and your comment!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

Laura. M said...


La mejor Navidad pasaste 😘😘 También la nuestra fue familiar.
Feliz 2024 🥂 Eileen. Seguimos
Un abrazo 🤗〰〰💕

Red said...

I always like your walk at the lake. I'm wondering why the turkey vulture is giving the hawk the evil eye.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Laura, I appreciate the comment and visit. I wish you and your family all the best in 2024, a very happy and healthy New Year!

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Nice variety of species and great shots of the family Christmas. I have been hoping and looking for a Brown Creeper since moving to Connecticut and so far no luck. Our surrounding forest is mostly second growth and there are no ancient trees. This may have something to do with their absence.

Penelope Notes said...

Happy New Year, Eileen, to you and yours. It's so nice to see the critters but also your grandsons who have one another to play with at all times. :)

Teresa said...

He sido feliz al visitarte durante el año 2023, gracias. Te deseo un Feliz Año 2024 y que llegue cargado de salud y amor, para ti y tu familia. Tus nietos están preciosos. Abrazos y besos.

EricaSta said...

The holidays are finally over. Dear Eileen, in today's post I see some amusing pictures of your family, especially lovely with the two boys. Winnie and Nibbles are also very cute ... the granddogs, which makes me smile. A walk after the festivities, yes, we did that too - although not very far as it was cold and rainy in our region.

Now we are looking forward to the upcoming turn of the year. What will the new year 2024 bring us? Hopefully more peace, more insight into sustainability for the whole of nature. It is urgently needed!

Thank you so much for this wonderful post on
MosaicMonday

Warm hugs from Heidrun, I wish you a pleasant New Year's Eve and a healthy, happy New Year 2024

Debbie said...

you are getting some really great birds in the yard!! i have not seen any junco yet, i don't usually see them until the first snow!! your images are beautiful, i always enjoy seeing the bald eagles!! but when you share the kiddos, you know they are going to steal the show, you are so lucky to have them in your life, they sure do make the holidays special, especially at that age!!

have a great holiday weekend, and many thanks for hosting us crazy critter lovers!!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Red! We do enjoy our walks, the hawks are not very popular with other birds. Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ken, for your link and your comment!
I was lucky to find the Brown Creeper, they do blend in well.
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Maria, for your link and your comment!
We do enjoy any time we can spend with our grandsons.
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Heidrun, for your link and your comment!
My wish is for peace and hope and joy for all.
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Debbie, for your link and your comment!
We do love our visits with the grand kiddies, they are a joy.
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Teresa, for all your comments in 2023!
I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year!
Have a safe and happy weekend.

Jo said...

Hello Eileen, the brown creeper is well camouflaged. I love your granddogs and what a treat to see your dear grandsons. Thank you hosting this meme. Thankyou for your regular visits to my blog, Enjoy your Saturday. Jo

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jo! I appreciate your link and comment! It is a joy to spend time with our grandsons and the doggies.
Take care, have a safe and happy weekend. I wish you and your family a very happy and healthy New Year!

carol l mckenna said...

Sweet photos of your grandsons and grand doggies and always wonderful photos of our feathered friends ~

Happy New Year to you and your family ~ hugs

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

ellen b. said...

It is so nice to see all the birds you see and with proper names, too. How fun to see your grands and grand dogs, too. The pirate ship looks like fun! A very happy New Year to you and yours!

John's Island said...

Hi Eileen, After looking over today’s post, I scrolled through the comments to see if I could find one from David Gascoigne. I had a hunch he would ID the mystery bird. 😊 He is sort of like a bird scientist. Maybe even a real bird scientist … an ornithologist. 😊 Congrats to David on IDing the Broad-winged Hawk. Moving on, I enjoyed seeing the Eagle taking a bath. And, of course, you always get a high-5 from me for the variety of critters in your posts. I sure admire your location and ability to get out and see so many critters in nature. Lastly, I love the photos with Winnie, Nibbles, and the grandkids. It sure looks like a great Christmas for you and the family. In closing, I want to thank you for another year of hosting and sharing Saturday’s Critters! You are so reliable and dependable publishing this popular Saturday party. I hope you and your family have a Happy New Year. Best wishes for 2024! John

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Eileen
Many thanks for sharing your sightings.
I agree with you, the Brown Creeper does blend in well with the bark of the tree!

Lovely Christmas pictures of your Grandsons and the dogs.

Enjoy this last weekend of 2023 and my good wishes to you and your family for a happy and healthy 2024.

All the best Jan

Linda said...

Lovely birds and the children are cute. Best wishes for a happy new year!

William Kendall said...

The pups are sweeties!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol, for you link and your comments this past year.
I wish you all the best in 2024, a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ellen, for your comment and your visit.
The pirate ship was a hit, they like that they can ride it too.
I wish you and your family all the best in 2024, a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you John, for your comments and visits this past year.
David is an expert on the birds, I am thankful for his id.
Spending time with the grandchildren and family is a joy.
I wish you all the best in 2024, a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jan, for your comments and visits this past year.
I wish you and your family all the best in 2024, a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your links and comments this past year.
I wish you and your family all the best in 2024, a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you William, for your comments and visits this past year.
I wish you all the best in 2024, a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

Black Knight said...

Christmas with the family is priceless.
Great photos of the birds.
Happy new year.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for the comment and visit. Happy New Year to you and your family, wishing you all the best in 2024!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I love your eye for birds and your photographic skills in capturing their images and your big heart for all your critters. I loved seing the grand dogs again.
Thank you so much for hosting. I wish you and your family a wonderful 2024.

21 Wits said...

Hello and Happy New Year's Day Eve, and thank you for being here I know I'm so behind and have missed blogging and reading with my fellow friends and my post today details my missing out and a promise that I'm back on track! Love your nature and critter photos and especially those photos where the family dog is like hmmm what is this thing they play with as they check everything out! Life is so good right?! Take care Karen

DeniseinVA said...

Very enjoyable photos and thank you for hosting and sharing all this beautiful wildlife. Seeing your grandsons and grand doggies are a joy too. Must have been a wonderful Christmas! Happy and Healthy New Year to you all.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Alan, for you link and comments today and from the past year. Happy New Year to you and your family, wishing you all the best in 2024!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, I appreciate your time making and linking your critter post. I understand people are busy with their every day lives. Family time is special, that includes the doggies. Happy New Year to you and your family, wishing you all the best in 2024!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Denise, for your visit and comment. It is a joy to spend time with our grandson and the family. That includes the cute granddogs. Happy New Year to you and your family, wishing you all the best in 2024!

Veronica Lee said...

Your blog, filled with nature's beauty, is always a pleasure to visit, Eileen.
Wishing you a year filled with joy, success, and countless moments of happiness.
Happy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Veronica, for your link and comment. Happy New Year to you and your family, wishing you all the best in 2024!

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

Several of those species bring back memories of growing up. We don't see cedar wax wings very often and I still remember the first time I saw one as a child in Wisconsin. The blue jay is pretty common and one of the few birds I see and hear in the forest on a cold fall day.
Now that we are traveling again, I'll have to get out and see what birds are in these areas.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the visit and comment. I enjoy looking for birds during my travels, it is possible to see new to me birds.
Happy New Year to you and your family! Take care, have a wonderful first week of January!

Sharon Wagner said...

Happy New Year! Happy birding and traveling in 2024!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Sharon, for the link and comment. Happy New Years to you and your family.

Angie said...

Eileen - so fabulous to see a numerous flock of Waxwings. I think my favorite photo is the Tufted Titmouse, but your grandkids and granddogs together is hard to beat! Thanks for your kind comments on my blog, and hoping 2024 brings you many more spectacular critter sightings!

handmade by amalia said...

Such pretty birds! Wishing you and yours all the best for this new year, dear Eileen, hope it's a good one!
Amalia
xo

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie, I appreciate the comment. The Titmouse is a cutie. I wish you all the best in 2024, a happy New Year.

eileeninmd said...

Happy New Year Amalia! Thanks for the visit and comment. Take care, have a great week!

Jeanie said...

Well, I missed joining in this week but I especially loved seeing your Christmas photos and all the lovely nature of this year! Happy New Year!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jeanie! It seems Christmas and New Years happened quickly, time is flying by. I wish you and yours all the best in 2024, a happy and healthy New Year.

Tanza Erlambang said...

we love to observe blue jay in our backyard....regular bird in the spring...

Happy new year and wish youand yours all the best.....

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tanza, for your link and comment. Happy New Year to you and your family!

John's Island said...

Hello Eileen, I'm stopping by here on Friday to ask you a question about tomorrow's Saturday's Critters. I titled my most recent blog post The Chief Invites You. You have already left me a very kind comment on the post. The old brochure does have a photo of folks riding horseback and I am wondering if that is enough to link up the post with you tomorrow on Saturday's Critters? I always like to link up with you but I don't want to take advantage of the meme when I don't really have many critters in the post. If you have time, thank you for leaving me an answer here and I will check back this evening. Thanks in advance for your decision ... either way. John

eileeninmd said...

Hello John,
Yes, please feel free to link up! The horses on the brochure are enough for me. No worries , thanks for asking.
Take care, have a great evening and happy weekend.

Ana Freire said...

Imagens maravilhosas que nos proporcionam tantos detalhes dos pequenos passarinhos! Achei aquela foto dos pássaros pousados como se fossem folhas na árvore, super especial!...
E grata por partilhar imagens dos seus netinhos, que estão ambos lindos, para mais nesta época do Natal, que é sempre tão especial!
Estimo que tenham passado a quadra natalícia da melhor forma, com saúde, e alegria, para mais em tão adorável companhia!
O meu Natal e Ano-Novo, foi em modo adoentado, mas pelo menos aqui a minha mãe escapou da gripe, o que já foi um grande alívio, pois os serviços de saúde, andam terríveis em matéria de atendimento, nesta altura do ano...
Já com um grande atraso, aqui deixo os meus votos de um muito feliz 2024, com saúde, amor e paz, para si e todos os seus!
Tudo de bom! Beijinhos
Ana

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ana! Spending Christmas with our grandsons and family is a joy. I wish you and your Mother all the best in 2024, a very happy and healthy New Year! Take care, enjoy your day!

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "A new year means a new chapter. I hope this one will be an incredible part of your...