Saturday, July 6, 2024

Saturday's Critters # 551

 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!


Can you believe it is July already, the days and months are flying by. I am still sharing photos from our April Arizona trip and photos of our walks and backyard bird from May. Today's post is a mish-mash of images from my yard, neighborhood and our local trails. 


1. A walk to the Prettyboy lake, a blurry photo of a White-eyed Vireo, Red Admiral Butterfly, Double-crested Cormorants, the reservoir, Canada Geese, Cliff Swallows at the dam. 





2.  The Eastern Bluebirds raised at least 2 broods this year. I am glad to see them using my birdhouses and they are doing well.





3. The Peacock liked walking and sitting on our deck railing. 








4. I noticed a pair of Great-crested Flycatchers sitting on my deck, sunning themselves? When they saw me with the camera they flew to a nearby tree.





5.  In my yard, I was seeing the Eastern Bluebirds, Downy Woodpeckers, American Robin, Gray Catbird, Great-crested Flycatchers and the neighbors Peacock was becoming a daily visitor to our deck. 







6. Various photos of the Peacock that made repeated visits to our deck.





7. Out our den window perched in the rhododendron was the Gray Catbird and at another time the Robin. Both birds were knocking on the window.






8. The Black Rat Snake on our deck, I think it was hoping to find a meal in my Bluebird House. Luckily the house was empty and hubby chased the snake off of the deck. 






9. From one of our walks on our local fire road, I was hearing the Eastern Wood Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher and I believe there was an Eastern Phoebe, I saw a Baltimore Oriole high in a tree and than there were 3 of the Orioles chasing some crows away. The Mountain Laurel is blooming and looking pretty. 




At the end of May we stopped seeing the Peacock, I am not sure where it goes.  My neighbors have not seen it but they have notice a fox with kits has been hanging out across from their driveway. The Black Bear came back one night and got into the trash again but we did not see it since the first sighting.


We are grand-dog sitting Winnie the Corgi, excitedly waiting for the birth of our granddaughter. Should hear news soon.



Edit: We now have a beautiful granddaughter Sophie born July 3rd, 6lb 15oz. 


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.




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:




Thank you for sharing your critters and post!

112 comments:

EricaSta said...

It's Saturday, early in the morning... Dear Eileen, what a beautiful post this is. I look forward to every episode. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart on the birth of Sophie. All the very best for the child, for the future. It's a miracle, having a baby in the arms. Wonderful news.

Best wishes for you and your family, hugs by Heidrun

Mae Travels said...

Congratulations on your new granddaughter! Great to hear about the family addition.
And thank you for hosting Saturday Critters.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Angie's Recipes said...

Bluebirds family looks so darn cute and beautiful! Can't simply imagine having a snack on my deck...I hope it doesn't come back again! Have a most fabulous weekend, Eileen.

Anu said...

Eileen, hello from a long time. You have a very nice photo collection of many different species of birds. Winnie is so cute. Congratulations on the grandchildrens. Have a wonderful weekend.

Fun60 said...

What a variety of wildlife you enjoy from your home. I love the photos of the Eastern bluebirds as we don't see anything like those here. Not so sure I would be happy about the snakes and bear though.

magiceye said...

Beautiful captures!
Congratulations on the arrival of Sophie!
Have a great weekend!

GreenComotion said...

You, Ms. Eileen, are truly blessed. Mother Nature loves you. I am so psyched you have a peacock visiting you at home. I am speechless and so, so happy for you. All photos and stories in this post are precious. Thanks for hosting. Be well!

Katerinas Blog said...

Good morning Eileen!
Good luck with Saturday's critters!
Your photos are great!!
I tried to link but couldn't.
Probably something is wrong with my computer,
nevermind!!

Iris Flavia said...

I´m still in February/March.... (no critters, though, as Perth is a big city, maybe one museum visit is open still).
Time runs way too fast!

Where is the name Prettyboy lake from?
Wow, Peacocks on the verandah!
At Caversham Wildllife Park (in 2013) there was one scaring offf the kangaroos!

The snake would scare me off, I think. Oh, but the curly part is so pretty!

Congrats on your Granddaughter! That is exciting!

I hope my "critter" counts - there are just few animals in the city...

italiafinlandia said...

How lovely to hear about your granddaughter! Congratulations!
The Peacock is a nice view, as are all the pretty birds in your post.
All the best!

Irma said...

Hello Eileen,
These are beautiful series of photos.
I really think the Eastern Bluebirds are so beautiful, but I find that black rat snake really scary, that it can just come into your garden, we sometimes see snakes on the Veluwe, they are usually vipers, but fortunately snakes not are also found here.
I wish you a nice weekend.
Greetings Irma

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,
The Eastern Bluebirds and the Peacock are very pretty. The Mountain Laurel is very beautiful. I wish I could have it in my garden. Congrats to your new grandaughter!
Take care and have a great weekend!

MadSnapper said...

Welcome Sophie, don't buy out the supplies of girly dresses at the stores, ha ha... when my grandaughter was born, I bought girl stuff, her mom never put them on her, so each Saturday I kept her for the morning and dressed her like a girl and took photos. 12 photos evry Saturday.. that road makes me long to walk down it with Beau. your black snake looks just like ours. I hope the foxes did not get the peacock. I love your view from your deck, I see trees and more trees

roentare said...

The peacock standing on the fence is looking comical and lovely. The rat snake is truly scary

William Kendall said...

Winnie is such a cutie.

chica said...

Que lindas fotos .Só a da cobra não gosto nem de ver,rs...
Parabéns pela netinha!
Felicidades pra toda família!
beijos, tudo de bom, chica

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
Congratulations on your new granddaughter! Winnie is indeed a cutie, and I remain in awe of your back yard birds? YAM xx

Tom said...

...Eileen, you saw an amazing selection, I can do without the snake though. Thanks for hosting, enjoy a Jolly July.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It’s great to see the Black Rat Snake - but not at the expense of baby bluebirds. Maybe you could feed tiny politicians like Marco Rubio to the snake and do the whole world a favour!

Alexandra said...

Congratulations on the birth of your new granddaughter! I thought Western Bluebirds were pretty, I have never seen an Eastern Bluebird and oh wow how beautiful are they. You certainly do have nature right at your doorstep!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Heidrun, for your critter link and comment!
Sophie is so sweet, it is nice to have a granddaughter, but we do love all of our grandchildren.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Mae, for your critter link and comment!
We were happy to welcome baby Sophie into the family.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie, for your comment and your visit!
I hope the snake does not return. The Bluebirds are beautiful.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Anu, for your critter link and comment!
I am so happy to see a post from you, wishing you all the best, a speedy recovery.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your comment and your visit!
I am lucky to see so much wildlife around my yard, the bluebirds are lovely.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your critter link and comment!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your critter link and comment!
It is a treat to see the Peacock visiting our yard, when he is not here I can still hear him calling.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Katerina, for your comment and your visit!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Iris, for your critter link and comment!
There is an old tale about a horse named Prettyboy, lived on a nearby farm. The reservoir is named after the horse.
This peacock seems to be pretty tame. It is a joy to welcome Sophie, she is so sweet.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Luisella, for your critter link and comment!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Irma, for your critter link and comment!
The snake is part of the nature scene here, I do not like that it comes up on our deck.
The Bluebirds are lovely.
Take care, have a great weekend.

Jenn Jilks said...

Congratulation on the newest grandie! That is so exciting.
Your critters are wonderful to see. We have rat snakes here, but I've not seen one on our property.
Is the peacock a bit noisy? I've heard of a situation where a flock was driving someone nuts!

Bill said...

Beautiful captures, Eileen. Surprised the see a peacock and a snake on your porch. Congrats on the new granddaughter, Sophie. Have a fantastic weekend and thanks for hosting.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit, for your comment and your visit!
The Mountain Laurel is a lovely plant, pretty blossoms.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sandra, for your comment and your visit!
Sophie is so sweet, she will be the best dressed baby and spoiled by both her grandmothers.
The road in my header photo is our bike trail, where we like to walk.
The peacock is still around, I hear it calling often.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your critter link and comment!
The snake is scary, but not poisonous. It will eat the mice and rodents.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you William, for your comment and your visit!
Winnie is a cutie, a great dog!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Chica, for your critter link and comment!
The snake does look scary.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you YAM, for your comment and your visit!
I am lucky to see some great birds in my back yard.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tom, for your critter link and comment!
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Alexandra, for your critter link and comment!
The Bluebirds are beautiful, I am happy to see them nesting in my yard.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you David, for your comment! The snake is ok in the yard, but I would prefer it to stay away from my birdhouses.
So far, we have been lucky with the bluebirds nest. Have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jenn, for your link and comment. Yes, the Peacocks are very loud, calling all times of the day. Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Bill, for your link and comment. The Peacock has become part of the neighborhood.
We are thrilled to welcome our granddaughter to the family.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Lea said...

Great photos!
Amazing to see a Peacock on your porch.
Congratulations on your new granddaughter!
Have a wonderful weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lea, for your link and comment. The Peacock has become a regular visitor in our yard and neighborhood.
We are thrilled to have a granddaughter, she is beautiful. Have a great weekend.

Intelliblog said...

Hello, Eileen. What a great assortment of photos you have on show this week! Although the rat snake looks scary, I'm glad to find out it's not venomous. Here in Australia we have some of the most venomous snakes in the world! Thanks for hosting and have a great new week. (Nick from MAP)

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Nick, for your link and comment. I am glad the rat snake is not venomous, we see it often enough around our home. Take care, have a great day and happy new week!

Jeanie said...

Only one critter today and she's an unhappy girl in her cage! Hoping for more wildlife next week. I love all your birds and so excited you are Corgi sitting for such an excellent reason! I hope we'll see pix!

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much Jeanie, for your link and comment. Winnie is a cute doggie and our new granddaughter Sophie is beautiful. Take care, have a great weekend.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Congratulations on your new granddaughter. That is exciting!!
Thank you to your husband for not killing the rat snake.
I love all the bird images you captured. I love how you can get photos while you are hiking. I don't spot the small ones too much and when I do they are in the branches and it is hard to focus. I don't have the patience.

Thank you again for hosting Saturday's Critters.

Red said...

The birds in your yard would keep you busy all day. The peacock is a beautiful bird to have hang out in your yard. Right now I'm hearing a northern flicker nearby.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Winnie sure is a cutie. I've heard so many good things about this breed of dog. Glad the snake went on his way! Happy weekend!

Stone Cottage Adventures said...

Winnie is beautiful! I bet she is excited to have a little sister! ;-) Congratulations to everyone! -Marci at Old Rock Farmhouse

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yogi, for your critter link and comment!
Hubby could not kill anything, he feels sorry for the worms being fish bait.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Red, for your comment and your visit!
The Peacock is a beautiful bird.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Diane, for your critter link and comment!
Winnie is a cutie, a good dog.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marci, for your critter link and comment!
Winnie is a great dog for the whole family.
Take care, have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your comment and your visit!
Sophie is so sweet, what a joy!
Take care, have a great weekend.

carol l mckenna said...

Oh congratulations on your new grand daughter, Sophie ~ so exciting ~ Wow!

Great photo of your sweet grand dog ~ hugs,

What a beautiful array of photos ~ Your back yard is amazing with 'critters' ~ Peacock is awesome ~ the snake is not ~ lol ~

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol, for your critter link and comment. Sophie is a joy, Winnie is a good dog, easy to dog-sit. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Cloudia said...

Congratulations Eileen! A very enjoyable post and then a most wonderful birth! Thank you for sharing it all with us dear friend. Aloha!

RedPat said...

Congrats on the arrival of the new grandchild, Eileen. How wonderful to have a peacock visiting you. I love Bluebirds so it is good to hear of the 2 broods.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Cloudia, for your link and comment. Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you RedPat, for the link and comment. I am always happy to see the Bluebirds doing well.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

rupam sarma said...

First of all Heartiest Congratulations on the birth of Sophie. Greetings.
Loved the Blog, Beautiful birds , Peacock looks awesome, Amazing series of photos. Thanks a lot for hosting.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the link and comment. The peacock is a pretty visitor. Take care, have a great day and happy week ahead.

Debbie said...

ooooh eileen, you are seeing some "interesting" and really beautiful creatures lately!! is the peacock a daily visitor?? perhaps, if it belongs to the neighbor. i hope you get the opportunity to see it all fanned out!! the bluebirds are gorgeous, there are babies at the farm right now!! it is POURING OUT right now, i wonder if you are getting this rain also!! many thanks for hosting and enjoy the rest of the weekend!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Debbie,
Thank you for the link and comment. No one in our neighborhood knows who the Peacock belongs too, it just appeared and decided to roam our neighborhood. It goes to each house visiting. Sometimes I hear it more than I see it, so I know it is still here. The Bluebird babies are so cute, I have been watching them most of the summer. No rain here, we could use more rain. Take care, have a great weekend.

ellen b. said...

How sweet it is! Congratulations on your new granddaughter!! Yikes, look at that snake. I guess I'm okay with a snake that isn't poisonous and eats rats!! Happy weekend to you and no I can't believe we are already through half of 2024!

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Hi Eileen! Beautiful pictures and dog... Happy Sunday ahead

This N That said...

Congratulations on the new arrival. Is this number three?
Our bluebirds are being very prolific this year. They seem to be happy with their housing!
We sure could use some rain.
Enjoy your grand dog......

Marie Smith said...

Congratulations on the arrival of your new little sweetie. Such joy!

Love the peacock and that huge snake! Both are beauties!

HappyK said...

Wow how cool to have a peacock visit!!
Congratulations on the birth of Sophie. :)

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Eileen Love seeing Peacocks especially when they put their tails up but not so keen on snakes!!! Thanks for hosting and commenting. Have a lovely week ahead

Linda said...

Woo hoo! Congratulations on the new new grandbaby!

Teresa said...

Felicidades por tu nieta, espero ver pronto unas fotografías de ella. Tu reportaje de hoy es especial, todo me gusta hasta la serpiente, me alegra que no sea venenosa y que no comiera a los pajaritos. El perrito es precioso. Abrazos y felicidades.

Marco Luijken said...

Hello Eileen,
Congratulations with your new granddaughter. That's good news.
Fantastic pictures. Wonderful to see the Bluebirds. And brr...that snake...!! You don't dare leave the door open by night.... Before you know it, you have visitors in bed...brrr...!! Haha...!!

Many greetings,
Marco

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ana, for your comment and your visit!
Take care, have a great day and a happy new week.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Missy, for your critter link and comment!
Yes, Sophie was number 3. I have been enjoying my bluebirds, they are great yard birds.
Take care, have a great day and a happy new week.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for your comment and your visit!
It is neat seeing and hearing the neighborhood peacock.
Take care, have a great day and a happy new week.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your critter link and comment!
We are thrilled to have a Granddaughter, she is a joy!
Take care, have a great day and a happy new week.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marco, for your comment and your visit!
LOL, I hope the snake stays outside!
Take care, have a great day and a happy new week.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Margaret, for your comment and your link!
The Peacock does like to put on a show, with the tail up and shaking it's body.
Take care, have a great day and a happy new week.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Teresa, for your comment and your visit!
It seems no one likes snakes, I am ok with them as long as they keep their distance.
We are so happy to welcome a granddaughter, she is a sweetie.
Take care, have a great day and a happy new week.

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Eileen
Many thanks for sharing your wonderful sightings, I especially liked seeing the peacock.

Many congratulations on the arrival of your new granddaughter Sophie.
My good wishes to all the family.

All the best Jan

Shiju Sugunan said...

Wow, lovely photos! Congrats on the new granddaughter too!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jan, for your comment and visit. Take care, have a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Shiju, for your link and comment. Take care, have a wonderful week!

stardust said...

Dear Eileen - So nice that you can enjoy various, colorful birds (not a snake) on the deck or in the yard. The peacock sitting on your deck and coming repeatedly is a surprise. Winnie the Corgi is so cute. Congratulations on the arrival of your granddaughter.
Yoko

baili said...

many heartfelt congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter dear Eileen :) may she have health and wonderful life amen!
i really enjoyed the birds sighting wow you have very pretty visitors around specially i loved blue bird and others with them ,stunning!
all the birds are so cute and i cannot get tired to see them for long
you have many rattle snakes around as well which at first looks threat but how amazing that your hubby just hush them away . back in my town such snake bit people sometimes which makes them afraid of snakes enough to hit them when find around .
thanks for making my day friend .hugs and best wishes fr you nd family

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yoko, for your visit and comment. Winnie is a cute doggie! Take care, have a great day and a wonderful week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Baili, for your visit and comment. The snake is not venomous, but is a threat to the baby birds.
Take care, have a great day and a wonderful week!

Majo Dutra said...

North Carolina is beautiful!
The bluebirds, peacocks and butterflies decorate the landscape and enchant!
Great photos, thank you.
A very pleasant summer, Eileen.
~~~~~~~

eileeninmd said...

Thank you so much for the nice comment. Take care, enjoy your day!

Tanza Erlambang said...

hardly to see Canada Geese, because they are relocated to new areas.....
Have a wonderful day

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tanza, for your comment and visit! Take care, have a great day!

Veronica Lee said...

Those Eastern Bluebirds are stunning, and it's lovely to hear about all the wildlife visiting your yard.
Congratulations on baby Sophie's arrival!
Gorgeous photos as always, Eileen!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Veronica, for your link and comment. The Bluebirds are beautiful! Take care, enjoy your day!

Romance Book Haven said...

Congratulations on the baby's arrival. And I loved looking through your photos!

DeniseinVA said...

Congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter Eileen, such a sweet name for her too. Thank you for another great Saturday critter post and have a great week!

Lillian "sognafaret" said...

I love your amazing birdlife. Congratulations as a brandmother. That will be a great time.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for your comment! Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Denise, for your visit and comment. Sophie is a sweetie, such a joy! Take care, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your visit and comment. Take care, enjoy your day!

EricaSta said...

Big kisses to the sweet baby.... And thank you for linking your wonderful post at MM. Hugs by Heidrun

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for the comment! Sophie is a joy! Have a great day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ellen! The snake is beneficial, takes care of the nice and rodents. Take care, enjoy your day!

Rose said...

Before I forget, I love your header photo...and like Monday's photo....but that header photo really draws me in.

Love seeing all your birds...how blessed you are to be able to see them. I do see bluebirds here, and before we moved had seen my first bluebirds at our old home. The peacock is gorgeous...was it tame? I know nothing about them. I hope it is somewhere and is okay. Congrats again on your granddaughter.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Rose, for the comment and visit! The peacock does seem tame, it comes close to me if I have food. Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend!

Laura. M said...

Felicidades por la nueva nieta Eileen y un beso para Sophie.
Preciosas todas las fotos.
Y que cierto que elcielo es un lienzo y cada nube es una pincelada. Muchos días está así.
Buen fin de semana.
Un abrazo.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Laura! We do love our new granddaughter Sophie, she is lovely. Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend.

Saturday's Critters # 571

  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 ...