Saturday, May 31, 2014

Nose Dives, Nibbles, And Perhaps A Nap

 
 
Male (Driller), and female (Dainty), Baltimore Orioles
 
You can see a couple more oriole shots here, that I posted at the beginning of the week.
 
 
 
Grey squirrel (Patches), obviously a new mom.

Taking a break from the kits. She is in the process of shedding her winter fur. She will look sleek and beautiful when her summer coat grows in.
 
 
sharing with...
 
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Thursday, May 29, 2014

Good Fences -10

We live in the "burbs". When we bought our house 20 years ago, the fence fashion was chain link. Many years, and a few neighbours later, we found that chain link was great to define your property line, but not so good for privacy. Not wanting to spend the money to upgrade the link to 6 foot wooden wonders, we all found an alternative, lattice. It's not pretty, but it does the job.

 
Our neighbours to the left, put up beautiful hanging baskets every spring, that add a touch of colour and beauty to a rather rustic and utilitarian fence line.
 
 
sharing with...
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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

A Lifer!!!

Hubbers came in from work one day last week and said, "Hey, there's something on your feeder out back."
I said "Which feeder?" 
He said "The orange."
 
THE ORANGE!!!!  I'd had it up for days, hoping that the elusive Baltimore Oriole I spotted last fall briefly, a flash of orange and black in my neighbour's tree, would return.
 
Grabbing my camera, I left dinner cooking on the stovetop, and quickly but gingerly, walked to the back room window, I didn't want to frighten away the something that was on the orange.
 
As I was snapping madly, trying to control my excitement, and shaking hands, Hubbers was yelling from the kitchen, "Is it still there? What is it?" Now Hubbers is a wonderful guy, but when it comes to bird watching and photography, he hasn't quite mastered the art of being quiet. He did turn the burners on the stove to low, because he knows, when there is a new bird in the yard, I'm going to be taking photos until it flies away.
 
Here is my first view, and photo of the something!
 
 
I got a lot of great shots on day one, but this is my favourite!
Male Baltimore Oriole
 
A few days later, this little darling showed up.
Female Baltimore Oriole

They both come a couple of times a day now, (but she is very skittish).
I have added grape jelly and nectar (sugar water) to the feeders
to ensure that they return.

I have heaps of photos of this pair,
so you know you will be seeing a lot more in the days to come.

And, as always, no post would be complete without a...
 Squirrel (Buff)

sharing with...
OUR WORLD TUESDAY
NATURE NOTES
 
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Saturday, May 24, 2014

Grab Bag -2

sharing with...TODAY'S FLOWERS and NF BLO-MA
 I couldn't resist bringing this "Aztec Sunset" dahlia home, to put in my garden.
 
sharing with...CAMERA CRITTERS and SATURDAY'S CRITTERS 
 Black squirrel (Coalter)
 
sharing with... I'D RATHER B BIRDIN'   
Oh, what have we here? It's a lifer for me.
A little teaser of what's to come. (Baltimore Oriole)
 
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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Love In The Spring

 
A cute Rose-breasted Grosbeak couple,
and House Finch Couple have found love!
 
 
 
This Grackle is looking for love, and put on quite a show.
 
By the look of this Red-winged Blackbird, he may have found his true love,
and she has feathered their nest from his head!
 
And this grey squirrel (Wallenda), managed to get up a double baffled pole into the feeder that is 5 feet from the ground! Now that's real love, of food!

sharing with...
NATURE NOTES
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Monday, May 19, 2014

Boots For Buttons

Hubber's and I indulged in a little shopping over the weekend. Of course our retail therapy destinations are as different as chalk and cheese, but after 31 years together, we know how to compromise!
 
My choice was the "Wild Bird Unlimited" store, no explanation needed.
 
His choice was the "TSC" (Tractor Supply Company) store, farm and country home improvement, working the land, and outdoor hobbies. With "stuff" from automotive to fencing, to pet supplies, to work wear.

We both got what we went for, and I even enjoyed "his" store. (He bought me those cute floral gardening gloves in the upper right hand photo)
 
As I walked the aisles at TSC, I came across these delightful boots, that instantly brought to mind, my dear blog friend  Buttons. I know she has her "Pink Cadillac boots", but she's a bit down in the dumps, and I thought these may just bring a tiny smile to her face.
 
 
sharing with...
 
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Friday, May 16, 2014

It's A Long One

It's a long weekend here in Canada (Victoria Day, informally considered as marking the beginning of the summer season in Canada). A lot of people go away for the weekend, but we are staying put.
 
I plan to be outside in the forest, in my yard gardening, relaxing and barbecuing! This post is a tad long as well, so that I can join in with all my favourite memes. I have my iPad for visiting and commenting, but I still can't figure out how "post from the Pad"!
 
Adult female Red-winged Blackbird
I really like the touches of orange in her feathers.
 

Juvenile male Red-winged Blackbird
I love seeing the beginnings of that adult red and yellow wing patch.
 
 
Adult male Red-winged Blackbird
 
And of course, a critter post is not complete without a (peanut begging) squirrel.
Grey Squirrel (Buff)...yes I do name them all, and know them by their markings.
sharing with...
 
Maple leaves unfurling
sharing with...
 
Beep (my granddaughter) is joining in on some memes this week.
She's thrilled when people drop in to Beep's Blog (Click here)
 
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Thursday, May 15, 2014

Good Fences -8

 
Same fence, different posers.
 Brown-headed cowbird - female
 
 Robin
 
Starling

sharing with...
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Monday, May 12, 2014

Changes

Over the last few days, my world has been greening up!
 
The year round residents are making less trips to the feeders.
 
 Male Cardinal

Blue Jay
 
The Spring arrivals are gobbling up the seeds after a long journey from the south.
 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
 
 White-crowned Sparrow
 
And...the peanut handouts will start to taper off, but continue until late June.
 
Black Squirrel
 
sharing with...
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Saturday, May 10, 2014