Saturday, August 10, 2024

Saturday's Critters # 556

 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!


1. June 11-12th, hubby and I enjoyed an overnight trip to Shenandoah National Park, we like the Skyline Drive, hiking on the Limberlost trail and stopping at all the overlooks and of course the trails at Big Meadows. Below are photos from Shenandoah, birds that were seen and wildflowers and scenic views. 






2. Below are the Eastern Towhee, a Veery and I am guessing the Eastern Wood-Pewee.




I've been using the Merlin Bird Id app on my phone while I am out hiking, below are two screen shots of the birds I could hear while hiking on the Limberlost Trail. 









The Eastern Towhees were heard and seen all along the trail. 





3. The Mountain Laurels were blooming beautifully along the Limberlost Trail.





4. The Mountain Laurel blooms were either white or a pretty pink color. 






5. Our walk on the trail at Big Meadows , we saw some butterflies and lots of wildflowers. 




My first of the year Monarch Butterfly sighting. 




The speed limit on the Skyline Drive is 35MPH  for a reason, the deer and any wildlife can be crossing the road just around one of my many curves. 




One of the many deer we saw during the two days we visited the park. 





6. Birds seen at the Big Meadows were the Song Sparrows and the Field Sparrows and near the parking lot were the Cedar Waxwings. 





7. Stopping at various overlooks at the scenic views of the Appalachian Mountains, the White-tailed Deer , wild Columbine and an Indigo Bunting. 





8. The Limberlost Trail has always been a favorite of mine, below it looks like I captured a young Brown Thrasher, we saw  family of Wild Turkeys close to the parking lot. 




Shenandoah National Park is one of my favorite parks to visit, it is nice to stay overnight and be able to visit later in the day and early in the morning.  I hope you enjoyed the photos. 


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!

114 comments:

EricaSta said...

Good morning, dear Eileen, it's understandable that you appreciate this wonderful national park so much. A good Tipp for this special App on the handy, too! The birds and nature there in this park seem to be unique. That's why I'm very happy about your post again. Thank you for sharing and for hosting.
Have a good week. Hugs by Heidrun

Mae Travels said...

I hope you stopped at one of the cafes in Shenandoah NP for some of the famous blackberry cobbler! Your birds look pretty: nice photos. Thanks for hosting Saturday Critters!
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Cloudia said...

Luxuriant post! Thanks Eileen

Anu said...

Hello Eileen. I enjoy these photos. Wonderful landscapes and many different bird sightings. Thanks for sharing these photos.

Rostrose said...

I'll get back to you a little later! Hugs in the meantime, Traude

italiafinlandia said...

You had the possibility to enjoy a beautiful place and pleasant hikes.
Thanks for sharing your viewings. A lovely list of critters.
Happy weekend!

Marit said...

Hello Eileen,

Beautiful photos of birds, insects, animals and flowers. The Monarch butterfly is so pretty. You are lucky who can take photographs of it.
Take care and have a great weekend!

roentare said...

Eastern Towhee is a new bird I learnt! Love your nature post weekly

Iris Flavia said...

I remember when I was looking for my first job after studying. I bought a paper-map of the town chosen, a "Falk-Plan". Then I went to the book "Gelbe Seiten"/yellow pages.... you get the idea. Once that map was unfolded.... oh, boy!
And now there are apps for birds even. I felt a little old ;-)
If only we had a variety like you have, but then I enjoy every Saturday to pop over and enjoy yours! Have a great Saturday (I had to chose another way to join you today, hope you like it...)

Irma said...

Hello Eileen, great series of photos of your trip to Shenandoah National Park with your husband.
You saw beautiful types of wild flowers, I also love the monarch butterfly, here in the Netherlands there have never been so few butterflies as this year.
Also nice just a deer in the middle of the road, you can't really drive fast there.
I enjoyed your photos.
I wish you a nice weekend.
Greetings Irma

MELODY JACOB said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful time exploring Shenandoah National Park and spotting various birds! The Merlin Bird ID app seems like a handy tool for identifying the critters you encounter. Thanks for sharing your critter adventure!

I just posted a new blog post https://www.melodyjacob.com/2024/08/best-things-to-do-in-loch-lomond-scotland.html, I invite you to read and let me know what you think about it. Thank you!

Lydia C. Lee said...

Looks like you had a lovely time on the trip! Esp the deer!

Rostrose said...

Dear Eileen, I'm not surprised that Shenandoah National Park is one of your favorite parks to visit. All the delightful sightings of birds, deer and the Monarch Butterfly in beautiful nature and among wonderful plants 😍 - it was a pleasure to accompany you.
All the best and have a nice weekend, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/08/weltreise-2024-immer-noch-neuseeland.html

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Of course I enjoyed the photos! What an ab-fab place to be able to visit. I particularly love your Monarch image. I really like using Merlin... but it's a shame we can't save the sounds we hear to be able to put them up on our blogs! YAM xx

Veronica Lee said...

Sounds like your trip to Shenandoah National Park was absolutely magical.
I love your photos of the Eastern Towhee, Veery, and the stunning Mountain Laurel blooms.
The Monarch Butterfly sighting is especially exciting—what a treat to see it so early in the season!
The deer and the wild turkeys must have been wonderful to encounter as well.

Bill said...

Beautiful photos of all the critters. Great photo of the deer standing in the road. Love your new header. Take care and have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for sharing and hosting.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Looks like a beautiful area, with lot of scope for birding. I use Merlin sparingly. It is a useful tool, no doubt, but its algorithms seem to need perfecting. Earlier this year we had a Baltimore Oriole singing in full view and Merlin showed Northern Mockingbird.

Jenn Jilks said...

You do have marvellous adventures! Isn't Merlin amazing?! Thanks for hosting.

chica said...

Que lindo parque,Eileen! E tantas fotos maravilhosas!
Coisa boa ter esse aplicativo que te ajuda! Bem interessante!
Lindo fim de semana!
beijos, tuuuuuuuuuudo de bom,lchica

rupam sarma said...

Amazing series of photos, Beautiful birds, deer, Thanks a lot for hosting. Happy Weekend.

William Kendall said...

The deer look quite at ease.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Heidrun, for your link and your comment!
The park is one of our favorites.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Mae, for your link and your comment!
Hubby and I have had the blackberry cobbler at least a few times.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Cloudia, you are so kind! Take care, enjoy your weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Anu, for your link and your comment!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Traude, I appreciate your link! Have a great weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Luisella, for your link and your comment!
It is a beautiful place to visit.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit, for your visit and comment!
I was happy to find the Monarch, I am not seeing many here.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and your comment!
The Towhee is a beauty!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Iris, for your link and your comment!
The bird app is fun to use!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Irma, for your link and your comment!
I was happy to see both the deer and the monarch.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lydia, for your link and your comment!
I always love to see the deer, they are sweet critters.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Traude, for your link and your comment!
Hubby and I enjoy this park, we visit multiple times each year.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you YAM, for your link and your comment!
It would be nice if the Merlin App also saved the sounds.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Veronica, for your link and your comment!
We love the park, each visit we usually see beautiful sights.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Bill, for your link and your comment!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you David, for your link and your comment!
I am learning more birds sounds now and I can tell when the Merlin Id is giving me the wrong id.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jenn, for your link and your comment!
I do have fun using the Merlin App.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Chica, for your visit and comment!
The Merlin App is fun and sometimes helpful.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you William, for your visit and comment!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Lea said...

Beautiful!
Love the birds, wildflowers and scenic views!
Have a blessed day!

Intelliblog said...

What a marvellous park this is, Eileen! Wonderful flora and fauna and your lovely photos are the next best thing to being there. The app on your phone is very useful in identifying the species you encounter. Thanks for hosting and have a great new week.

Angie's Recipes said...

What a wonderful trail! I would love to take a walk there daily. So many beautiful birds...on my daily walk, I hear mostly magpies, great tits, European robbins and sparrows.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lea, for your link and your comment!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Nick, for your link and your comment!
The app is fun, but it is not always correct.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie, for your visit and comment!
It is a wonderful park with lots of trails.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

ellen b. said...

I can see why you like this park. You picked a great time of year for your visit, too. Loved seeing such a great variety of birds you captured and the flowering plants were a great addition, too! Happy day to you!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ellen! Hubby and I do love visiting this park! Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

Tom said...

...Eileen, this is a fabulous destination for both floral and fauna, thanks for taking me along to see the sights.Take care and be well.

Red said...

Bird apps are amazing. It's surprising what you walk by.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

When we lived in NC, we made this drive a few times and it is amazing! You see so much...you twist your neck trying to see it all. Love that app on your phone for birds. I hear so many birds that I don't see and wonder what they are. Enjoy your weekend. Thanks for the party!

Marie Smith said...

It looks like a great park and a special place for a ramble. The wildflowers are gorgeous!

magiceye said...

Loved all the photos!
Happy weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tom, for your link and comment!
Sending well wishes!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Red, for your visit and comment!
The birds do love to sing and hide behind the leaves.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Diane, for your link and your comment!
Hubby and I love this drive and park.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marie, for your visit and comment!
It is a beautiful park!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

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

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful series of nature photos ~ of course, especially like the deer ones ~ sweet ~

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

MadSnapper said...

thank you for my trip to visit Shenandoah Park. it is on the bucket list i will never fill, except for you and other bloggers

RedPat said...

It looks like it was a pleasant overnight trip, Eileen. And you saw lots of creatures.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Eileen, :)
I seem to have lost my comment, but I'll comment again just in case my comment didn't go through.
The Shenandoah National park has lovely views, and is filled with natural beauty. The trees with their floral blooms and the wild flowers are aak y haven for wild life. I enjoyed seeing all the birds you saw and heard, and the deer of course and the Monarch butterfly. Thank you for sharing your weekend, and also for hosting.
All the best
Sonjia.

Jeanie said...

Isnt Merlin fun? Half the time I never see the birds they say are singing but it's nice to know they are there. Shenandoah looks absolutely beautiful. You had some gorgeous sightings and it sounds like a grand place to be.

DeniseinVA said...

Great sights from your trip to the Skyline Drive Eileen. This is my favorite area and it certainly is lovely to see it through your camera lens. Thank you so much and have a great weekend!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol, for your link and your comment!
The deer are sweet critters.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you RedPat, for your link and your comment!
It was a pleasant trip!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sonjia, for your link and comment!
The park is a beautiful place to visit, one of my favorite parks.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the comment.
Shenandoah NP is one of our favorites, the closest NP too.
Take care, enjoy your weekend.

Debbie said...

i love trips like this, not too far away and not too long!! you saw some really beautiful birds and flowers, nice that you saw the towhee also!! i hope you are having a nice weekend and that debby was gentle on you!! many thanks for hosting!!

HappyK said...

What beautiful photos you took along your hike. Such a great variety of critters.

GreenComotion said...

Wonderful collection of birds and flowers, Eileen. Beautifully photographed and presented. The last time I saw a wild turkey was sometime in 2009-10. Since then I haven't even seen one in a liquor cabinet :)
Thanks for hosting. Have a Lovely Weekend!

Linda said...

It’s one of my favorite places too, of course. Lovely post!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

This National Park has everything Eileen Butterflies, flowers, Birds and Deer Wonderful photographs. You obviously enjoyed it. Thanks for hosting, and commenting. Have a good week ahead

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

I need to get that Merlin app. I saw a bird yesterday that I have no idea what it was. Kind of an orange/yellowish larger bird. It was from a distance, and I did not have my binoculars.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Thanks for the comment and visit. Maybe your yellow/orange bird was the Western Tanager. They are beautiful. Have a great new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, we seem to have a lot of "likes" in common. Skyline Drive is one of our favorite places. Have a great day and a happy new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Debbie, for your link and comment. We did have a lot of rain, but luckily no damage. Take care, have a great day and a happy new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen! Hubby and I do enjoy our walks, so much to see if you are looking. Take care, have a great day and a happy new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and comment. It is neat to see the wild turkeys, there is a turkey hunting season in my area. So, they are rare to see here. Take care, have a great day and a happy new week!

eileeninmd said...

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

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Margaret, for your link and comment. I do love visiting all our national parks. Take care, have a great day and a happy new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Denise, I appreciate your comment. Hubby and I love visiting Shenandoah, it seems there is always something to see there. Take care, have a great day and a happy new week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jeanie, for your visit and comment.
I like using the Merlin App, it is fun. The park is a beautiful place to visit.
Take care, have a great day and a happy new week!

Marco Luijken said...

Hello Eileen,
Nice post with all these wonderful pictures. So special to see all birds and nice you hear some while you are hiking and you look in the bird App. I have that kind of App to on my phone.
So special to see that dear on the road and a wonderful picture of that butterfly.

Many greetings,
Marco

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marco, I appreciate the comment. I enjoy looking for the birds on my walks, the Merlin App is fun to use. Take care, enjoy your day and have a happy week ahead.

VENTANA DE FOTO said...

Me parece muy bien, que cada vez que puedas te dediques a viajar y de paso, nos traes muy buenas fotografías.
Que tengas una feliz semana.

John's Island said...

Eileen, Thank you for taking us along on your trip to Shenandoah National Park. You know I love the National Parks, so I always enjoy the pictures you share from your visits, often to the Parks in the Eastern US, not so close to me. As always, your collages are great. Thank you for the info on Merlin Bird ID. I need to check it out. It does look like a valuable app to put on the phone. I love your first of the year spotting of the Monarch Butterfly. Images of Monarchs often make me reflect on the awesome creative ability of Nature. (I could get going on Spiritual thoughts here, but I’ll save that for another time. 😊) Lastly, thanks for including much of the flowers and foliage in addition to the critters. I may have a new post ready to link up next Saturday. Thanks, as always, for hosting and sharing. John PS Have you done Alaska yet?

eileeninmd said...

Thanks John, for your visit and comment. I love all the national parks, My most recent park visit was to Denali National Park and Preserve. All things nature related are beautiful! I was happy to see the first Monarch of the season. I wish I could say there were more sightings. Yes, we went to Alaska from 7/31- to 8/7, I will be posting about it soon. Take care, have a great week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for the kind words and visit. I do love traveling and all my nature sightings. Take care, have a wonderful week!

Rose said...

I bet that was a fun get-away....in such a beautiful area. And love the Mountain Laurel. It is so pretty.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Rose, It was a fun getaway! The mountain laurels are pretty. Take care, have a wonderful week!

21 Wits said...

Oh my goodness that is absolutely the coolest thing ever and something I could really use! They have apps for naming songs playing and planes flying above but the bird info it the best! Thanks for sharing this!

Shiju Sugunan said...

The photos are beautiful, and it's wonderful you got to see so many different birds and wildlife.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for your link and comment. The merlin app is fun! Take care, enjoy your day and have a great week!

eileeninmd said...

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

Sharon Wagner said...

We saw two sets of fawns on our last visit through the rose gardens. The deer are so tame there. Plus, lots of local birds.

Majo Dutra said...

I continue to appreciate your lifestyle and your precious photos.
It looks like the butterfly Monarch lives all over the world!
Have mild and very pleasant summer days.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the link and comment Sharon! Take care, have a great week!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your visit and comment. I am glad the Monarch is seen around the world, I hope they are doing well.
Take care, have a great week!

Open Your Heart to Gardening said...

What a beautiful post. Interesting about the Monarch. I do believe we also see it around our part of the world.

eileeninmd said...

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

This N That said...

I have yet to see a Monarch this year and I'm not alone...A lot of my neighbors raised them last year..They haven't seen them either.. I also haven't seen any mountain laurel but then I haven't been anywhere that it is. I have two in my garden but the deer keeping them so they're not getting any bigger and they don't get a chance to get flowers on them. Mountain laurel is Pennsylvanias ' state flower/Bush.

Jill Harrison said...

I can indeed see why you love visiting this park and stay overnight. Such a feast for the eyes and soul. Enjoy your week and thankyou for sharing this beautiful place.

EricaSta said...

Thank you for being part at MM and thank you too for your nice comment. Greetings by Heidrun

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Missy, for your link and comment. I still have not seen a Monarch in my yard, It is sad their population seems to crash. We have some mountain laurel along our fire roads here, they are pretty. Take care, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jill, hubby and I do enjoy visiting this park.. Take care, enjoy your day!

Tanza Erlambang said...

wonderful photos of nature.....
thank you for sharing .

eileeninmd said...

Thanks Tanza, for your visit and comment. Take care, enjoy your day!

Rainbow Evening said...

we saw some of your beautiful birds in our area.
fantastic captures

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the comment! All the birds are beautiful! Take care, enjoy your day!

Teresa said...

El parque se ve maravilloso, es normal que te guste, se ven muchas cosas lindas. Gracias por tu reportaje. Un abrazo.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Teresa, for your visit and comment. Yes, we do love the park, it is a great place to visit. Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend.

Happy Monday!

  Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "Calm is a super power. Don't let stress kill your happiness." "Jud...