Saturday's Critters # 624

  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.

My walks with nature in October were on the NCR bike trail and our local fire roads

1. Oct 3rd, our walk with nature was on the fire road with Miney. We were finding some mushrooms along the trail.

2. Oct 14, another walk with Miney. We were enjoying the pretty fall colors. A deer was standing on the fire road, we turned around rather than spook the deer.

3. Oct 17th our walk with nature was on the NCR trail in Parkton. Another deer in a near by field, a Robin sitting high in a tree, the view of bike trail with Miney and the stream.

4. Another fire road walk to the lake and then a drive around the lake to the Prettyboy Dam. There was a big flock of Canada Geese, I had to hold Miney back or she would have chased them away. 

5. I am sharing some of the winter birds I am hearing on our walks.  It is nice to hear and see the winter birds. Some of these are archived photos, it is hard to hold Miney's leash and take bird photos. 

Below is the Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Below are two Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

6. My Merlin App is picking up the sounds of the Brown Creeper now, another winter bird in my area. 

7. In my yard, a winter bird is the White-throated Sparrow. 

8. Another bird I see in the winter is the Purple Finch. Below is the male and female.

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! 

Saturday's Critters # 418

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 am sharing archived photos, pairs of various bird species. Are they mates for life? 

1. The Bald Eagle is one of bird species that is known to mate for life. The Bald Eagle mating season starts the month of  October in Maryland. 1-3 eggs are usually laid in February.  Both sexes help to build the nest, bringing materials to the nest.  The female is known to do the placement,  then together they weave the materials. They can take up to 3 months to complete a nest and the nest could be re-used year after year. 

2. Cardinals are monogamous and will typically mate for life. The Cardinal couple will work together building the nest and they can take 8-9 days to build their nest. Breeding season can last from March to September. the female will lay 2-5 eggs.  The male Cardinal will help feed it's mate and their young. 

3. A male and female House Finch. I read the House Finch will have one mate for life. The male will feed the female and guard their mate from other males.  They build a nest shaped like a cup. Their nest is made with fine twigs and stems, two inches deep. 

4. Below are the male and female Purple Finch. The Purple Finch is closely related to the House Finch seen above. During he nesting season, the male will sing and hop around puffing out it's feathers to attract the female.  The female does most of the work building the nest, taking about 3 to 8 days to complete. They have 2-7 eggs and their nesting period is 13-16 days. 

5. One of my all time favorites are the Eastern Bluebirds. Some years they like to use my nesting boxes, either to keep warm or  during the nesting period.  They have been known to mate for life, unless a mate should disappear. The male bluebird will help supply building material and then the female will construct the nest. The bluebird can lay 2-7 eggs and nesting period is 17-21 days. They can have 1-3 broods during a season. 

6. A pair of Wood Ducks, they form seasonal bonds or monogamy.  The use nest cavities in trees, 2-60 feet high and not far from water. Sometimes they use an old woodpecker's nesting cavity or a nesting box is provided. They can have 6-16 eggs, taking 56-70 days for their nesting period. 

7. The male and female Hooded Merganser. I was surprised when I read that the Hooded Merganser is known to egg-dump. They dump their eggs into a nesting cavity of their own species and other duck species like the Wood Duck. Apparently the other mommy does not mind taking care of all the extra chicks. The young chick can leave the nest in 24 hours. 

8. The male and female Downy Woodpecker. It is said most woodpeckers will mate for life. They often return to the same nest cavity each season. They can lay 3-8 eggs and their nesting period is 18-21 days. 

9. Below are a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. These woodpeckers will excavate a nest in a dead tree, usually takes 3-6 weeks to construct a nest. Sometimes they will re-use a nesting cavity.  The female can lay 3-5 eggs, nesting period is usually 24-31 days. 

10.  Barred Owls, I saw this pair close together often during our walks at Circle B preserve in Lakeland Florida.  The Barred Owl male is known to be territorial, therefore could possibly mate for it's life time. 

Thank you for sharing your critters and 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 sharing your critters and linking up a critter post.

Here is my linky:

I am also linking up to Anni's blog party found here I'd Rather B Birding   Anni always has some beautiful birds to be seen on her blog, check it out!

Saturday's Critters # 375

  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 feel like I am sharing the same photos, I have not been anywhere special. Hubby and I are doing well, keeping our distance. I am still cutting back on my computer time, resting my eyes. We are waiting for the vaccine, it is slow to arrive here. On a pretty sky day, hubby and I took a walk to the lake. These photos are from my back yard, luckily I see the birds right outside my windows.   

1. It seems like it snows every day or every other day, the snow doesn't get a chance to melt before it snows again.  In my mosaic I am sharing the Red-shouldered Hawk, a view of the lake, Red-breasted Nuthatch, female Cardinal, Pine Siskin with a Dark-eyed Junco and a male Purple Finch.

2. Over the shoulder look, his back is to the feeders. I am pretty sure this is a young Red-shouldered Hawk.  I have caught him in my yard a few times now. 

 

3. I do love seeing these cute Red-breasted Nuthatches this winter, I see at least 2 males and 1 female every day.  

4. I see lot of Dark-eyed Junco after or during a snow storm. 

5. A pretty male Purple Finch, if you look closely you can see it is snowing. 

6.  There is a feeding frenzy at my feeders when we have a snow storm. Below are the usual birds at my feeders, the Cardinals, Dark-eyed Junco, Woodpecker, squirrels and one day I saw 20 or more Grackles with a few Starlings mixed in. 

7.  Below are 2 male Cardinals, one female Cardinal and a Dark-eyed Junco.  The squirrel has taken over the feeder.  

8. I counted 8-9 squirrels on my deck and feeders, where are the birds?  The Hawk must be sitting close by, the squirrels do not seem to worry about a hawk.  

Update:  Our Grandson Wyatt arrived on 2/15, a healthy 6lb 7oz. Hubby and I, Mama Allie and our son are doing well and very happy. Hubby and I are now happy grandparents..

 Thanks to all my visitors and for your comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves critters and has linked up their critter post.


Here is my linky:

 

 

 Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the host Anni.

Saturday's Critters # 373

 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!

 These are some of my back yard birds seen Jan 26th and a bunny seen on Jan 24th.  

1. I assume this bunny is finding food in my yard and has a warm place to sleep on the cold winter days. 

2.  I have posted previously about the birds I see out my "treadmill" window, I labeled these post as Treadmill birding.  My treadmill died, now I have a new exercise bike now next to the same window.  While riding my bike, I noticed a few American Robins at the edge of our yard and the street. One Robin was perched right outside the window at the rhododendron and on the gutter of our house.  

3. The male Cardinal with two male Purple Finches.  

4. The male Northern Cardinal in front of a partially hidden Purple Finch.

5. Two pretty male Purple Finches.  

 

 Thanks to all my visitors and for your comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves critters and has linked up their critter post.


Here is my linky:

 

 

 Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the host Anni.

Saturday's Critters # 371

 Welcome to Saturday's Critters!

Hello, 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 am sharing more of my recent yard birds, from Jan 11 and 12th.  I had a few Pine Siskins and a male Purple Finch. These two species have been randomly visiting within the last couple of months.  These are just some my winter birds. I also see maybe 3 of the Red-breasted Nuthatches and lots of Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows. 

 

 1. Below top are the Pine Siskin and bottom are the Northern Cardinal with 2 Pine Siskins.

 

 

2.  The Pine Siskin is close to 5 inches in size. It has a thin bill and a yellow streak on it's wings.

 

 

 

3. A closer look at the Purple Finch, it has a forked tail. It's head and back are a rich rose red or raspberry color.

 

 4. Top is the Carolina Wren, below is a Downy Woodpecker and a White-breasted Nuthatch and a Red-breasted Nuthatch.

 

 

5. A male Purple Finch

 

6.  A female Red-breasted Nuthatch, the head was moving causing a blurry look.

 

I hope you enjoyed these birds, I am always happy to watch my feeders and yard  birds. 

 

 Thanks to all my visitors and for your comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves critters and has linked up their critter post.


Here is my linky:

 

 

 Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the host Anni.

Saturday's Critters #360

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. Below a few feeder birds, two female Purple Finches and a Tufted Titmouse hanging on. 

2.  The Purple Finches were here in my yard for a short time, I never was able to take a photo of the male Purple Finch. The females have heavily streak underparts, dull brown back and the white "eyebrow"  or supercillium which is seen below right above the eye.

 

 

 

3. Tater or Tate the Corgi was with us for just  a short  time.  Hubby and I have been talking about getting a rescue dog for some time. One day my son called and said 9 month old Tate needed to be  re-homed and did we want to take him.  Tate originally belonged to DIL's friend, they did not have the time for a dog.  We had Tate for 2 1/2 days before we decided he was way too energetic for us, he needed a family or other dogs he could herd. So Tate ended going back to the family we got him from, he was happy to be back with the kiddies and Maggie the Labrador.   So I am sharing photos of Tate, also known as Tater or Tatertot.  Bye-bye Tate, I wish him a happy life wherever he is.

4.  Tate would try to herd me around the house, barking and nipping at my ankles. I was afraid I would fall over Tate while I just trying to walk..Tate had a few walks on the fire road with us, we played ball and walked around the yard and house.

 

 

5.  Below are 3 Purple Finches, one looks to be begging. The third is around the back side of the feeder, only see the 3rd bird's beak is seen.

 

 

Thanks to all my visitors and for all the wonderful comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves critters and has linked up their critter post.


Here is my linky:


 

Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the host Anni.

 

Our World, My World

 Happy Monday,

It is hard to believe it is the last week of October, these days are going by way too fast.  I am sharing some of the fall colors, back yard birds and neighborhood scenes from our walks.  I have a mix of migrant warblers and FOY winter birds arriving, I am lucky to see some great birds in my backyard.

 

 1. Hermit Thrush on the Devil's Walking stick, eating berries.

 

2.  A walk on our local fire road, the trees were looking pretty and colorful.  The shorter bushes were turning a pretty yellow color. The bigger trees were lovely oranges and yellows.

3. Scenes from my ride to pick up our carry-out dinner from the local Friendly Farm restaurant.  They have a few ponds, the Canada Geese seem to enjoy hanging out at the pond and their property.

 

4. My new feeder, I have a mixed blend of sunflowers chips, safflower and peanuts. The birds seem to enjoy the new food.

Birds seen below are the Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch and a Carolina Chickadee.

 

5. The view out my kitchen window, the fall colors are looking pretty. We have  a nice view while washing dishes.

6. A week later, the same view out our kitchen window, fall colors are a little more colorful.

7. Our potted plants on the deck are still blooming, the Lantana has lots of blooms as of 10-21-20. 

8. A look at the fire road and the the colorful trees. A pretty day for a walk. 

 

 

 9.  One evening we had a pretty sunset, seen from our deck.

10.  I am ending with some more back yard birds seen on 10-19-20, a few new winter birds have arrived. 

Below in the top row: A Northern Mockingbird and a male Blue-throated Blue Warbler. Bottom row is a female Purple Finch with an American Goldfinch mostly hidden, the Red-bellied Woodpecker and my FOY Red-breasted Nutatch.

 

 

My world lately is like this mish-mash post and photos from the middle of October.  The fall colors seem to be a hit or miss. Some leaves are not colorful and seem more of a dull rust or brown, more leaves and acorns are on the ground. We voted, we dropped off our ballot in a local drop box. We already had an email stating it was received. Hubby and I are happy and healthy at this time, I hope everyone is doing well too.

 

What's happening in your corner of the world? Please check out and visit the following memes and links. I hope to see you there.


 
Thanks to Angie the host of  Mosaic Monday

Thanks to LadyFi  the host of Our World Tuesday!

Thanks for visiting and commenting, have a happy day and a great new week!