Saturday, May 16, 2026

Saturday's Critters # 648

 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!


"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir



Click on images for better viewing.



1. Our walk on the local fire road with hubby and Miney. Hubby has his favorite rest stop, Miney is like the Energizer Bunny, she can keep going on and on. 





2. Back at home on the deck and on our roof, the Peacock always feels at home.  





3. I have been seeing a Northern Flicker pecking away at our grass and weeds, I assume finding bugs to eat. 







4. The Chipping Sparrows were one of the early Spring birds to arrive in my yard. They are cute and have a pretty sound too. 







5. The Pine Warbler is one of my favorite yard birds, the male is seen below with his pretty yellow color. Images are new, they may look like I have shown on previous posts.







6. Miney is always on guard while sitting out on our deck.  






7. One morning, we took our walk on the local George's Creek trail. George's Creek dumps into the Prettyboy Reservoir. It was a good morning, filled with bird songs, my Merlin App picked up 36 different bird songs.  It was a mixed of our winter birds like the Ruby-crowned Kinglet bottom left photo, White-throated Sparrow, Brown Creeper and some summer birds like the Gray Catbird, Barn Swallows, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher top left photo, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Louisiana Waterthrush. 




The Merlin App was on while we hiked the George's Creek trail. It was neat to hear the wild turkeys across the creek.


















8. On our walk we saw some wildflowers and ran into one of our neighbors Linda out walking her two labradors. Linda pointed out the trout lilies in the top photo on left, bottom left are the May Apples they were not in bloom at the time , there were lots of the purple violets and dandelions.  




On the NCR bike trail , I saw and heard the Belted Kingfisher along with some other regular birds.




Merlin App on the NCR trail in Parkton, Md.





"An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day."


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.




Check out  Catblogosphere.com





Here is my linky:






Thank you for sharing your critters and post! 

123 comments:

Shiju Sugunan said...

Lovely spring arrivals and beautiful captures, Eileen! The Chipping Sparrows and Pine Warbler are among my favorites.

Angie's Recipes said...

So many cute birds and my favourite peacock is also here...wonderful!

rupam sarma said...

Great to read your post. Glad to see Miney with your Husband walks. Peacock looks awesome, Beautiful birds. Thanks a lot for hosting. Happy weekend.

Cloudia said...

Miney Is keeping you both young! So pleasant to be out on the fire road with you. Have a nice weekend my friend. Aloha

Rostrose said...

I'll get back to you later with a proper comment, dear Eileen 😊.

EricaSta said...

Hallo, dear Blogfriend Eileen! Yes, it's well being walking early in the Morning. You found several birds and wild flowers. Beautiful indeed. And of course your true peacock... it's wonderful.
Thank you for sharing and for hosting. Greetings by Heidrun ❤️

Irma said...

Hello Eileen,
What a beautiful series of photos and collages this is.
The Northern Woodpecker is my favorite.
You heard so many birds with the Merlin app.
I wish you a very nice weekend.
All the best, Irma

italiafinlandia said...

Thanks for sharing the lovely birds, like the Northern flicker and the Kingfisher. They are my favourite.
Miney is a precious company in your walks.
Your hubby is enjoying being outside too.
Have a nice weekend, with peaceful walks!

Soma @ InkTorrents.com said...

Such lovely photos. I specially link the one of your husband and Miney.

-Soma

rainfield61 said...

Such a lovely peacock.
I wonder whether it is the same peacock that comes back everyday.

Violetta said...

Have a wonderful Saturday dear Eileen. You always make nice walks with your Miney dog. And I learn the english words of the the birds...that I even don´t know in german LOL.
Have a good time and all the best
Violetta

Marit said...

I am so impressed with the peacock that you often have as a visitor.
You use the Merlin app a lot, and I am not as good at using it as you are. I need to get better at using it. Miney is always so cute.
Take care, and have a nice day and weekend!

Iris Flavia said...

Eileen, Miney seems to be a good trainer, LOL.
That Flicker wears my Gurri in other colors! And the yellow one is very beautiful.
Ingo got me lilies yesterday, they´re still closed, too. Cute Kingfisher. Have a crittery, happy Saturday!

chica said...

Eileen, tão lindo ver a amizade entre teu marido e a Miney... O lugar escolhido para o descanso dele é muito bonito ,embora a parceirinha de 4 patas queira seguir adiante e correr. Belos bichinhos todos aqui! Ótimo fim de semana! beijos, tudo de bom,chica

Linda said...

Nice spring walk, and finally the weather seems to be cooperating. That peacock is right at home in your backyard. Love the Merlin app when we go for walks.

Barbara Rogers said...

Love seeing all of your birds, especially the kingfisher today, as well as your hearing him! Hint about the header being so big...when loading it you can press the button to have it be "shrink to fit" which is last choice offered.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
I love my Merlin app, too... though I get nothing like the variety you do! Adorable photos of Miney and Hubby. Have super weekend. YAM xx

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

I am surprised that the flicker did not appear on your Merlin list, they have such a distinctive sound. As does the kingfisher and pileated woodpecker. I know those sounds any time I hear them.

Alexandra said...

Your husbands favourite rest spot looks like the perfect place to be one with nature! I would get no where if I was hearing the number of birds your Merlin app showed on April 12th. What a symphony that must have been!

The Florida Furkids said...

Miney is so cute! Mom's going to look for that app.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Such wonderful birdie photos, the peacock is still one of my favorites though!

Tom said...

...I love the Northern Flicker , occasionally one is outside my window, looking for a meal in the rough bark of the tree. Thanks Eileen for host be well and have a wonderful week.

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Beautiful post, Eileen, with all of the birds and wildflowers, not forgetting Miney. It looks as though Spring has started to show. Thank you for hosting and have a great new week.

an artist reflects said...

Miney is a precious and handsome doggie ~ love the photos of your hubby sitting with him ~ Wonderful series of birds ~ Hugs ^_^

Jeanie said...

I just love that photo of Miney on guard! What a beauty! Like Marit, I think I need additional Merlin instructions, trying to retrieve bird images like you do!

Anonymous said...

Hello, Eileen. Among all the various cute birds in this post, I’m so attracted to the Northern Flicker, especially the colors and the large black spots. A nice walk in the morning. Keep walking, keep smiling.
Yoko

Red said...

Technology certainly increases the number of species you find in an area at that time. It makes thing more interesting as you look for the bird.

ellen b. said...

What a wonderful abundance of birdsong you were able to enjoy on your walks. Miney does look alert and ready. Happy day to you!

The Rev. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

That Northern Flicker is gorgeous, and that picture you took would make a great reference picture for a drawing/painting. Miney looks like such a sweetheart. Have a blessed week!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Eileen! The Merlin app is an amazing app being able to dsicern so many bird sounds and you are a good photographer to get so many photos of the birds. It was nice to see your bubby enjoying the walks--I am also one to rest along the way of a hike. It looks like Miney always has a good time on the walks. Glad to see the peacock is still enjoying being around your home!

Debbie said...

i like how you describe miney, our days for going, going, going are kinda gone. as a guard dog, i wonder how she feels about having a peacock on the roof?? i love the flicker, you captured many of it's pretty details very well. it's going to be a great weekend, enjoy...and many thanks for hosting!!

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Glorious series of captures, Eileen. Thank you so much for sharing, and for bringing joy to others, including myself, with your beautiful photos.
Thank you so much for your visits and kind comments on my blog as well, it really means a lot to me.
I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Wow, you live in a great bird area. Sometimes I get six or maybe eight separate types of birds in an area and wow. You really got them. Of course, the birds probably recognize you as a friend.

Penelope Notes said...

So many bird sounds are a marvel. I think the peacock has adopted you and is seeking a way into your home. :) Wishing you and your husband a wonderful weekend!

Marco Luijken said...

Hello Eileen,
Very nice post with wonderful birds.
Great pictures of that Northern Flicker and the Sparrow. Really great to see them.
And so nice that portret of your truly dog. The dog is so cute.
Nice to go out and enjoy of that wonderful nature.

Many greetings,
Marco

Rostrose said...

Dear Eileen,
It's amazing how many different birds you have in your area—36 different bird calls! I can only dream of that here. I'm already thrilled if I hear or see six different birds during a walk...

As always, it was a pleasure to join you and see your animal garden visitors!

Warmest regards to your hubby and gentle scratches to your Energizer Bunny 😉
All the best from Austria, Traude

HappyK said...

So many wonderful photos. One of my favorites is the Northern Flicker. Wow.

RedPat said...

Thanks for taking us along on your walks, Eileen.

Michelle said...

Your bird photos are excellent. I do like seeing the peacock. Miney seems to have it all under control :)

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

What a gorgeous portrait photos of Miney Eileen Love the Flicker and of course the Peacock Thanks for hosting and commenting. I hope you and your Hubby hae a good week ahead

pilch92 said...

Beautiful photos. Our hummingbirds just arrived today. XO

messymimi said...

The natural world is full of wonders and you live among so many of them.

Linda said...

Nice! May apples are coming up in my yard and I don’t know where they came from.

The J-Cats said...

Lovely pictures - especially the Northern Flicker, a bird with which I am not familiar. I also particularly liked the peacocks on the roof!

William Kendall said...

Lots of birds to go out and see.

Linda G said...

Great pictures of the northern Flickr and the belted kingfisher. We have always seen a belted kingfisher, while in Virginia. We didn’t see one this year :(

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Shiju, for your link and your comment.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Angie, for your comment and your visit.
The peacock is beautiful.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and your comment.
It is good to get out for a walk.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Cloudia, for your link and your comment.
Miney is keeping us active.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Traude! Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Heidrun, for your link and your comment.
Spring flowers are looking pretty.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Irma, for your link and your comment.
I do love using the Merlin App on my walks.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Luisella, for your comment and your visit.
They are two of my favorite birds too.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Soma, for your link and your comment.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Rainfield, for your comment and your visit.
Yes, it was only one peacock. We have seen others down the road some. Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

Helma said...

Hello Eileen,

I forgot to put my link with the critters from last Saturday. I tried again just now, but unfortunately I couldn't manage it. I hope I succeed this coming week. Now I can take a look at the beautiful little animals on others' sites :_)
Have a wonderful new week,
Best regards, Helma

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Violetta, for your link and your comment.
We do enjoy our walks!
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marit, for your comment and your visit.
I am sad it has been a few days or more since seeing the Peacock. Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Iris, for your link and your comment.
The Kingfisher is cute. Enjoy your lilies.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Chica, for your comment and your visit.
Miney does need nest to rest as much as hubby, she is like an energizer bunny.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your link and your comment.
Our Peacock has been missing for a few days now.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Barb, for your link and your comment.
I wish I saw and heard the Kingfisher more often, it seems their numbers are dropping? Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you YAM, for your comment and your visit.
I have been using the Merlin App every walk and sometimes on my deck. I do hear a good variety of birds.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jim, for your comment and your visit.
I have noticed bird sounds further away that the APP does pick up, maybe the bird is too far away.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Alexandra, for your link and your comment.
I am lucky to hear a good variety of birds on my walks.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and your comment.
Yes we love our cute Miney.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and your comment.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Tom, for your link and your comment.
The Flicker is a great yard bird.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Nick, for your link and your comment.
I am enjoying all the Spring flowers.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Carol, for your link and your comment.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jeanie, for your link and your comment.
I found the Merlin App pretty easy to use. Miney is a good guard dog. Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yoko, for your link and your comment.
The Flicker is a beautiful bird. I plan to walk as much as I can.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Red, for your comment and your visit.
I wish they were so high up in the tree tops.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Ellen, for your comment and your visit.
Yes, Miney is always on alert during our walks.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

EricaSta said...

Thank you for being part at MosaicMonday. Have a wonderful week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Arnoldo, for your link and your comment.
Sometimes I get lucky with the bird posing for my photo.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Pat, for your link and your comment.
I am glad hubby gets out for some of our walks.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Debbie, for your link and your comment.
Miney is always alert and on guard.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your comment and your visit.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Yogi, for your link and your comment.
It is nice to have the river and the lake nearby, the forest also attracts lots of birds.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Maria, for your link and your comment.
I am sad that our Peacock has disappeared, not seen for a few days now.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Marco, for your comment and your visit.
I do enjoy birdwatching! Miney is a cute dog, we love her.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Traude, for your link and your comment.
Hubby does want to get outdoors more often, Miney and I go on walks every day. I am lucky to live in an area with a great variety of birds.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for your comment and your visit.
The Flicker is a beauty!
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you RedPat, for your link and your comment.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Michelle, for your comment and your visit.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Margaret, for your link and your comment
Miney is a cutie!
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your comment and your visit.
Enjoy your hummingbirds, they are a treat.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your comment and your visit.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your link and your comment.
Maybe the birds have left the May Apple seeds in your yard?
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your comment and your visit.
The Flicker is a beautiful bird.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you William, for your comment and your visit.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Linda, for your comment and your visit.
I am not sure why but I am not hearing the Kingfisher in their usual places this year. I wonder what is happening with them. Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Helma, for your comment and your visit.
I can you help with your link any time, just let me know.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for hosting the Mosaic party.
Have a wonderful week.

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Eileen
It's so lovely to get out and about for a walk.
I always enjoy seeing Miney and sweet pictures of Miney with your hubby.
Lovely sightings and that peacock certainly likes being around your home.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a happy week ahead.

All the best Jan

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Jan, for your comment and your visit.
Miney, Hubby and I all enjoy our walks in nature.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

Basil and The B Team ~ BionicBasil ® said...

We loved todays post, there's nothing like exploring nature, supurr selection of photos too!!! Thanks for hosting and we hope your week is pawesome! 🐾😸🐾

MadSnapper n Beau said...

Miney is so pretty. Glad to see hubby still walking with her. I saw on our local news, there is a neighborhood here that has been taken over by a flock of peacocks and the neighbors are having a war, half like having them and half want them gone... Peacock Civil War.

roentare said...

Northern flicker looks just so gorgeous!

DeniseinVA said...

What a wonderful walk you gave us. So very nice to see hubby with Miney, aka Energizer Bunny :) Super photos and I noticed your garden art butterfly on your patio, very pretty and yes, that's a gorgeous peacock. Lots to look at today and I enjoyed each and every photo. Thank you Eileen and wishing you a happy Sunday evening and rest of the week.

Pietro Brosio said...

Great sequence of images, Eileen, so cute the Northern Flicker.
Many greetings

Handmade in Israel said...

Lovely photos! I do it enjoy it when we are out walking and other people point out wildflowers to us.

handmade by amalia said...

Picking the Northern Flicker as my favorite today. Such a pretty bird.
Amalia
xo

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Amalia, for your comment and your visit.
The Flicker is a beauty!
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Lisa, for your comment and your visit.
I am happy to learn the names of the wildflowers.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your comment and your visit.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Denise, for your comment and your visit.
It is always nice to get hubby out on our walks.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Roentare, for your comment and your visit.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you for your link and your comment.
I do love all things nature related.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Sandra, for your comment and your visit.
Miney loves her walks and her Daddy.
I am sad to say our Peacock has disappeared, he has been missing for 4-5 days now. I hope a wild critter like a fox did not attack him. The Peacocks are loud, I can imagine a lot of people not liking their sounds.
Take care, enjoy your day and the new week ahead.

Mary Kirkland said...

I love all the pictures, so sweet.

21 Wits said...

Hello Eileen, Yes! I got my post in on time as things were busy this weekend. Great post and that photo of Miney sitting so calm and adorable, is very special. She looks quite focused on something though. Great outings with your hubby too, life is just wonderful outside again! Take care and enjoy your week and thank you for commenting on my post too!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Mary, for your comment and visit.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Karen, for your link and comment.
Miney, Hubby and I all love getting outdoors for walks.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

Alastriona, The Cats and Dogs said...

Miney you do such an awesome job guarding and what wonderful walks you get to go on full of birdsongs and plants. It looks really beautiful there.

eileeninmd said...

Thanks so much for your visit and comment.
Miney is a good guard dog and she enjoys her walks.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

Hena Tayeb said...

So many birds. Lovely photos you've gotten.

Veronica Lee said...

Beautiful captures, Eileen!
I especially love the Pine Warbler’s bright yellow and the sweet Chipping Sparrows.
Miney looks like the perfect walking companion for your husband.
Happy Thursday!

eileeninmd said...

Thank you Veronica, for your visit and comment.
The Pine Warbler is one of my favorites, so pretty.
Take care, enjoy your day and the weekend ahead.

eileeninmd said...

Thank you, for your visit and comment.
Take care, enjoy your day and the weekend ahead.

Teresa said...

Que suerte que oíste y viste tantos pájaros bonitos. Gracias por tu reportaje. Te dejo abrazos para tu esposo y para ti.

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a happy new week! "Loose yourself in nature and find peace" Ralph Waldo Emerson "In all thin...