Our World, My World

Happy Monday, 

I wanted to share some more photos from our getaway to Shenandoah Nat'l Park. We saw a Black Bear along the drive and took a short walk on Big Meadows and my favorite trail called the Limberlost Trail.  

The view from the Range View overlook on the Skyline Drive.

A Shenandoah Nat'l park bird mosaic: Top row are the Red-eyed Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Hooded Warbler. Middle Row is the Indigo Bunting. Bottom Row is a female American Redstart, not sure maybe a Veery and last a Great-crested Flycatcher. 

Pink Trillium, a pretty wildflower found in the park. 

Some of the Shenandoah Nat'l Park wildflowers. 

A Black Bear seen along the side of the Skyline Drive.  

A view of the Limberlost Trail.  We watched a couple of Eastern Phoebe in this area. 

Not sure what this moth/butterfly is?  

The Indigo Bunting was a common bird seen in the park, they were everywhere we went in the park. 

Thanks for your visit today!  I hope you enjoyed my post and photos.


Thanks to Angie the host of  Mosaic Monday

Thanks to LadyFi  the host of Our World Tuesday!

Thanks for Yogi for hosting Skywatch Friday! 


Check out the links above, I hope to see you there. Thanks to the hosts today. Enjoy your day and new week.


As always I thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

Saturday's Critters #94

Saturday's Critters #94

Happy Saturday, it's time to share your critters and post. Any kind of critter will do, even a new or old post..  I will be away from the computer during this post but I will catch up and visit and comment on your post as soon as possible. I appreciate everyone who is linking in with this week's critter party.

The last few years I have been seeing the fall warblers stop by my yard to eat some of our wild berries growing in our yard. This year we saw some warblers maybe not as many as previous years. Some of these warblers were in my yard and some seen in the local woods near my house.

If you click on these image you will see a larger image which looks better.

 On our devil's stick berries the Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Above the male American Redstart, another quick mover.

The female American Redstart in our Weeping Cherry tree. It is hard to get a clear shot of these fast moving birds.

Above is a breeder here at the watershed next to our house the Hooded Warbler. It was constantly on the move and hard to get these images.

The Hooded Warbler would not stay still for a second. It was hard just getting the shot above.

The Black-throated Green Warbler in our Weeping Cherry tree.

Above is a fall Tennessee Warbler, the line across the eyes is helpful for this id.

Above on the left is the Black-throated Blue Warbler and on the right the Cape May Warbler.

On one day, we were seeing two-three Cape May Warblers on the Devil's Walking Stick berries.  The brighter yellow colored warbler above is the male.

In the mosaic above is the female Black-throated Blue Warbler. It has an arc under the eyes and a small white patch on its side.

I hope you enjoyed my warbler post. Thank you for stopping by for a visit and thanks for the nice comments. I also appreciate everyone joining in with my critter party. Have a happy weekend!

Again I want to mention I will catch up with everyone's post as soon as possible..

An InLinkz Link-up

To see more beautiful birds and cute critters, check out these two memes below.
Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious host: Anni.  

Weekend Walk_Aug 10th

  I am linking up with   Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday 


I am happy to joining  Judith of Lavender Cottage as the new host of Mosaic Monday..I am sharing some scenes, birds from last weekend's walk on a local trail called George's Creek.. I have been there a few times lately because there have been some cool birds sighted there.

 My birds of George's Creek: top row are the Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting male&female, Hooded Warbler. Bottom Row: maybe a Pine Warbler, Gray Catbird, unknown juvie flycatcher?

Edit: Kathie of  Kathie's Birds  posted in her comment below that my maybe guess on the Pine Warbler is actually a Yellow-throated Vireo.. Thanks to Kathie for the id.. I appreciate the help.

 I like this shot of the Canada Geese, GB Heron and a couple of Wood Ducks floating by..

 We have seen the Great Blue Heron during each of our walks at George's Creek, also some Wood Ducks and Canada Geese.  The top right shot is either the Solitary Sandpipers or Spotted Sandpiper, there has been a lot of discussion on these birds id.

 This is a larger photo of the Sandpiper in question, if any one else can help.. I am thinking it is the Solitary Sandpiper..not the Spotted.

We saw the Red Admiral Butterfly on the way back to our car, I am always checking out the milkweed to see what is nearby, a Comma Butterfly is in the middle left photos.. It was a wonderful morning for our walk.. Our weather has been cooler and not as humid, great weather for a hike..I hope you enjoyed my walk and George's Creek.



As always I thank you for stopping by and for the nice comments.

I hope you can join in on our at  Mosaic Monday and   Our World Tuesday

 Thanks to Judith our new host of Mosaic Monday and to the hosting group of Our World Tuesday: Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy and Jennifer.  I wish everyone a happy week ahead!

Shenandoah National Park

  I am linking up with Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday 

Happy Father's Day to all the father out there!

Last weekend, hubby and I went on a daytrip to Shenandoah Nat'l Park. We hiked on my favorite trail  called the Limberlost  trail.  We had awesome weather and saw great birds.. We also saw some deer, turkey and one black bear.. We took a picnic lunch and ate our lunch at the Big Meadows, always a pretty sight..

A view of the Shenandoah valley from the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.

 

Birds above are the Veery, Chestnut- Sided Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Hooded Warbler, Eastern Towhee and a Cedar Waxwing

Some scenes from our hike on the Limberlost trail, the boardwalk, wildflowers, mushrooms and clovers.

The ferns were gorgeous next to this down tree, it is a pretty scene to me


Scenes from my favorite Limberlost trail in Shenandoah..an easy 1.3 loop trail with gorgeous flowers and greenery..

More from the trail, these low growing bushes seem to attract the warblers, pretty ferns and some wildflowers..

These clovers? grabbed my attention,  the shadows and lighting looked pretty to me.

The only sighting of a Black bear, it had just crossed the Skyline Drive and walked into the woods as we drove by.

Hubby and I had a great day, Shenandoah National Park is a wonderful place to visit..
Thanks for stopping by and for the comments.

Join in on the fun and for more wonderful photos please visit  Mosaic Monday and more
 from  Our World Tuesday

 Thanks to our host: Mary our host of Mosaic Monday and to the hosting group of Our World Tuesday: Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy and Jennifer.  I wish everyone a happy week ahead!

Shenandoah National Park

I am linking up Camera Critters and I'd-Rather-b-birdin   I hope you are joining in and posting your birds and critters.

Last Sunday hubby and I went on a daytrip to Shenandoah National Park, we enjoy riding on the Skyline Drive and hiking on the trails. 

A Downy Woodpecker seen on the Limberlost Trail.

The Limberlost Trail is my favorite trail. I knew the Hooded Warblers were nearby and I took my time looking for the warblers and other birds along the trail. I could hear the Hooded Warblers nearby along with a few American Redstarts.

Pictured above I was trying to follow my Hooded Warbler around the branches I started hearing noises that sounded like acorns or branches falling. So I followed the sounds to the top of the tree and noticed a tree swaying back and forth. Then I saw two black spots one big and a smaller black spot at the top of the tree. I zoomed in with my camera and I see two bears, one I think is the momma bear and the smaller definitely a baby bear.

The tree was swaying was actually from momma bear reaching for some kind of berries to eat. I think she had a feast up there in the treetop.

She was resting her head on the branch with the legs dangling off.  I wonder what the birds were thinking?

Momma looks comfy laying on the branches, she decided to take a nap in the tree. I hope she didn't fall out.

I did finally get to see the Hooded Warbler out in the open with a caterpillar in its mouth. But I think the excitement of seeing the bear I couldn't focus on the warbler. Seeing a bear up in the tree gives new meaning to the term "warbler neck". We stood on the trail and watched momma bear for some time, probably the longest bear sighting we ever had. We actually left before the bear, I did not want to be there when the bear came down the tree.

The American Redstart is beautiful, with its halloween colors black with the bright orange. I guess the birds do not mind sharing their trees and berries with the bears.

This week I am sharing some of my favorite memes. I have met some wonderful bloggers by joining in on the blogging parties and memes. Also, by linking your blog up you may increase your blog visitors and readers. So today, I am sharing the links for some of my favorite memes.


Sunday link up to: Mosaic Monday Mary at Little Red House has been hosting this fun meme you can join by creating mosaics and linking up. For my mosaics making I use the free site PicMonkey it is my favorite and easy to use.

Monday link up to: Our World Tuesday meet fellow bloggers from around the world sharing what is happening in their world.

Tuesday link up to : Wild Bird Wednesday Stewart is the Host of Wild Bird Wednesday. Fellow bloggers from around the world share their birds and photos.

Wednesday link up to : Nature Notes is one of my favorites..I love anything to do with nature. The birds, butterflies, flowers..a world of beautiful things.

Thursday link up to : Skywatch Friday is another one of my favorites. I love to skywatch, the sunrises and sunsets are beautiful. The cloud formations are beautiful. So many skies to share, a new one everyday.
Thursday link up to:NF Winged if you enjoy birds and other winged things  and like to share them with fellow bloggers.

 Saturday link up to: Camera Critters  and I'd-rather-b-birdin I am a bird and animal lover,  it is wonderful to see everyone's critters.

Saturday link #2 is Scenic Weekends I link up my travel blog Travel with Eileen it is fun to virtually travel the world.

There are many more blog memes and parties, these just happen to be some of my favorites. I hope someday you can join in on our fun. See you there!

Thanks for stopping by and for the nice comments! I wish everyone a happy weekend.

 To see more beautiful photos and cute critters

 please visit:  Camera Critters and I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious hosts Misty Dawn of Camera Critters and to Anni of I'd Rather-B-birdin.

Hooded Warbler

I am linking up with Wild Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes

On Sunday morning hubby and I took our walk on one of the reservoir fireroad trails.  The Hooded Warbler is one of the birds seen in this area. We were not disappointed with at least two Hooded Warblers moving around a tree covered in berries. I am using one of my archived shots of the Hooded Warbler, the birds we saw moved around much too quickly for a photo. But, we had fantastic views of this beautiful bird.

The Hooded Warbler is one of the warblers I am starting to learn its song or sounds. I could hear this bird even before we were close. I love the pretty color and markings on this warbler, it is one of my favorite warblers. The male Hooded Warbler has a yellow mask in a jet black hood.

Seeing the Hooded Warbler reminds me of the quote.. My favorite bird is the bird I am seeing right now. I am sorry I can not find the author of the quote and I may not have the quote worded perfectly. But, I think you can tell I too have many favorite birds.

Join in and post your birdies and to see more beautiful and wonderful bird photos please visit:
 Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday and Michelle's  Nature Notes.

Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday and thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes.

Thanks for stopping by and for leaving your nice comments. I always appreciate your visits.
I wish everyone a happy week ahead and Happy Birding!

My Favorite Birds of 2012

Hello, I am linking up with Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday.

Since the year  is almost over and I do not think I will be doing much birding in the next two or three weeks I believe it is safe to post my favorite birds of 2012.

Above are some of my favorite birds seen while traveling this past year. Some of my favorite birds seen in on the island of Curacao are the Troupial, Saffron Finch and the Bananaquit. And seen in Oregon this year, I loved the cute Pigeon Guillemot. 

 The beautiful Saffron Finches seen in Curacao.

 The Bananaquits above were also a lifer a favorite of mine. They seem so tame and such a pretty bird.

The pretty Pigeon Guillemot was a common bird seen on the Oregon coast, it was a lifer for me.

At home in Maryland, some of my favorite birds and sightings are the Le Conte's Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Snow Buntings and the Evening Grosbeak.

 As a birder some of my sightings were exciting and rare, at least for me they were awesome. The Evening Grosbeaks in my yard was a real treat for me and a few other birders that showed up at my yard to see my Grosbeaks. The Snow Bunting and the Grosbeak appear on my post below and I considered them my Top Ten Birds to see.

Some of the birds are regular breeders in my area and some are birds that pass thru every year but still a thrill to see. The warblers are a spring, summer and fall treat to see and I was thrilled so many showed up in my yard this year.

The Le Conte's Sparrow is a "rare" sighting in Maryland as is the Evening Grosbeak that showed up in my yard.

  Above the beautiful Scarlet Tanager is a breeder in the woods next to my house, I think they are beautiful birds to see and are always a treat to see.

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The Rose-breasted Grosbeak has been a long time favorite. I only see it passing thru in the Spring and Fall but they grab my attention when they do show up in my yard.

I was so happy that this summer was a year for new yardbirds for me, it was cool to see so many warblers eating the berries in my yard.

Above are some my favorite warblers of 2012 the:  Northern Parula and the Tennessee Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler and the Tennessee on the bottom right.

The Nashville Warbler was only one of the many warblers that showed up in my yard.

Again in seen my yard  the Tennessee Warbler along side a local breeder the Northern Parula. The Northern Parula is also a breeder in the woods next to my house.

The Hooded Warbler is a gorgeous bird, this is a pretty male.

Another new Warbler sighting and lifer for me is the Kentucky Warbler.

The Black-Throated Green Warbler was another great new yardbird for me.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my favorite birds of 2012. I am hoping that 2013 is another great year and I will have a lot more favorite birdsand sightings.

To see more wonderful photos and mosaics please visit Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday
 Thanks to Mary of Mosaic Monday and to the hosting group of Our World Tuesday: Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia and Sandy .  Thanks also for stopping by to see my post.  I wish everyone a happy week!