Polly's Turn

Yesterday's post, shows Brody's encounter
with chippy.

Well, today was Polly's turn!

Wishing she could reach out and touch!

A Close Encounter

It started when I let Brody out
on the front porch. I noticed his
gaze was very intent on something.
I paused and watched and waited
and then we both saw it.




You can see the chipmunk's
little head peeking
over the barrel that happens to be
filled with sunflower seeds!

A bit of hide and seek!

"Hmmm, I know he's here some place!"

Outdoor and Indoor Cats

Kita Cat paid a visit to our yard yesterday morning
and supervised my husband's work in the garden.
You can see her at work if you click here.

Thinking she had gone back to her home in the
horse barn across the way, D was surprised when he
noticed her in the late afternoon sleeping on our
compost bin.

Later on as D was working, he felt something tugging
on the twine...sure enough it was Kita.

Ellie May looked so dreamy in her basket on
the porch. Though it was chilly, the sun
streaming in kept her toasty warm.

Amazing!

I did a double take, as I walked by
our owl garden ornament
this morning on my way over to the
studio.

Stop by my Studio

Welcome!

Ellie May the cat would like to invite you
to stop by her art studio and see what her
artist Mom has been doing.

Click here to visit!

Thanks!

Could this be the Culprit?

We have accepted that our bird feeders
service not only the birds but also chipmunks
and red and gray squirrels.

Well, this is a different story... it has to do
with our vegetable garden....
check it out here, what do you think?

Cats and Chipmunks

Keep an eye on the wooden post in the photo above.

Now we will continue to quietly walk down
the path towards the studio where, Ellie May,
the artist cat resides. She enjoys the view
of the garden from a window on her porch
and most of all the sight of anything that
scurries or flies. She's in luck!

Meanwhile, back in the house, Brody is
content to hang out with his mouse friend.

How'd He Do That?

In case you're wondering what you're
looking at...
(for when I first saw it, I was quite puzzled)

.... it's a chipmunk upsidedown and actually
inside the bird feeder.

I was glad he or she was able to
get out without outside assistance!

Sunday's Garden Visitors

Didn't take long for this little chipmunk to
discover the apple that D wedged into the tree
at the bird feeders.

Among the birds in the garden this afternoon
were this yellow warbler and a hummingbird.

Red Squirrel Sentinel

Looking through the window screen
this morning, I was surprised to see
this young red squirrel sentinel!
This is the time of year that the
red squirrel babies are old enough
to be out on their own discovering
their world!

A Sunny Day

Yesterday was cloudy and cool and we were
very worried about our dear Polly...
she seemed ill.
She slept all day and didn't eat
which is very uncharacteristic of her.

This morning I was so relieved to see her
greet me for her breakfast.
She went out on the back porch and when I
peeked out to see what she was up to, I was
touched to see her in a basket in the sunshine.

Perhaps she was being entertained by all of the
chipmunks we have running through the
garden this year and doing very funny things.

The Chickadee's Nest

Whenever I comb Brody, I save his fur
and place it on the honeysuckle vines
surrounding our front porch.
This little chickadee took me by surprise
this morning ... she was in the distance
and I wasn't quite sure what she was doing
til I got closer... I recognized Brody's fur
and the chickadee was gathering some of
it to line her nest.

Mother's Day

One year ago on Mother's Day,
I heard a commotion outside the
upstairs studio window.
Looking over towards the roof overhang,
on a ledge were 5 baby red squirrels.
It was their first day out into the world of
nature having been born in the attic.
I was glued to the window for hours and
continued to follow their progress for days
as they played, boxed, comforted each other,
became daring and explored
until they were ready to leave the
safety of their attic home via the branch of
the apple tree. It was fascinating!

Two of the baby red squirrels caring for
each other.


We were fortunate to see a mourning dove couple and
their baby in our yard.

Last year we were very excited
to spot a kildeer ( plover )
and her babies running around a field.
When the mom called them, they ran to her
and she hid them under her wing.

Best wishes to all mothers for love, caring,
sharing and understanding....

The Oriole and The Chipmunk

What does an oriole and a chipmunk
have in common?

Who would have thought, an orange!

I was thrilled to see a flash of orange and realize
the oriole had discovered the orange.
It almost immediately flew to higher branches
and began to sing.

Next time I glanced over at the orange,
something else seemed to be feasting on it
that didn't resemble the oriole.


Upon closer inspection, I was so
amazed to see our chipmunk actually
sitting in the orange and enjoying
the fruit.

What a day for wildlife ... saw the oriole,
a ruby-throated hummingbird,
the rufus-sided towhee is
still here along with the finches, cowbirds,
chickadees, cardinals, sparrows and more...

We dot oranges cut in half onto branches
and other spots in the yard to attract the orioles.
I never imagined it would catch the attention of
our resident chipmunk who seemed to enjoy
the fruit immensely!

I can't wait to do drawings of this!

Cat and Mouse

Brody, have you seen Polly's mouse?

We Love Chipmunks

Ellie May, the cat and I love chipmunks!


Today was a chipmunk kind of day.
With the help of my camera,
I gathered these images from
which to draw at a later time.
These 2 very busy resident
chipmunks have learned how to
make the most of
our bird feeder and garden.
Luckily for them, Ellie May is an
indoor cat now.

Can You Identify This Bird?

This morning I was intrigued by
something partially hidden in the
garden. I waited patiently with my
camera and managed to photograph
this elusive bird. I have never seen it here
before and was wondering if anyone
can identify this lovely brown bird with
some orangy rust color.

Thanks!

PS.
Thanks to those who know, she is an Eastern ( Rufus) Towhee!

My Art Helpers

Woke up early this morning with Brody, who
was thrilled and trilled and purred when he
realized I was going to be working for a little
while in his studio,
a little room upstairs in the house!
He settled in right beside me on the work table
and watched as I continued to work on a
drawing of cormorants sitting on the dock.

Meanwhile, right through the window, I
could see Ellie May in her studio watching
and waiting for me to bring over her breakfast
and then to work under her guiding countenance.