Warmth and Yellow Signs of Spring

It's the first day it felt warm enough to open the windows and let 

fresh air in and keep the door opened so Josie could go out on 

the porch.

Was she ever excited to see the chipmunks, squirrels and birds

from a new vantage point.

The goldfinch is still turning yellow.

The first yellow crocus appeared like magic.

Little Signs of Spring

The goldfinch is turning a brighter yellow.

Saw a Flicker at the suet bird feeder yesterday.

Noticed this little dog running 

for joy on the beach yesterday.

Chippy on a little deck….

Blizzard

New England is in for a big blizzard this

weekend, a Nor' easter and it has already begun snowing

here. Woke up to about 4 inches overnight and there could be 2 feet

by the end of it.

We're in for a lot of shoveling!

Hope everyone stays safe and warm!

Happy Birthday!

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to my sister

October 19, 2012

to share with those you love

filled with favorite and delectable foods to munch

 

and savor,

 

 

and filled with love!

xo

Turning Yellow

a sweet goldfinch couple was visiting today
and he looks like it is still in the process of
turning yellow....

and then we saw pussy willows
with a tinge of yellow.

Winter Critters

A dusting of snow lightly fell yesterday morning
adding to the feeling of winter that was slow to
reach us this winter.

The crabapples attracted many birds, among them
the cardinals


and

the goldfinches.

The squirrels were also part of the scene
and this one also found hanging
upsidedown helpful in reaching for the crabapples.

The real delicacy for the squirrels suddenly appeared
when D threw into the yard
a basket of apples we had stored from
the fall that had gone over the top for our consumption
but was just perfect for the squirrels.
The apples disappeared nearly as quickly as they had appeared
as the squirrels carried them away and tucked them way up in the
trees for safekeeping.


Oh, how I love observing wildlife.

The First Week of May

The first week of May brought so many birds
to our yard and some unusual sitings in the
area.

Here are some of our visitors...

the white-crowned sparrow



the goldfinch...


the rose-breasted grosbeak...

The oranges we attached to the trees not only attracted
the orioles

but also the catbirds
and of course the chipmunks
that you can see over here
along with a finch!

A bird we have never seen before was this
Little Blue Heron who was fishing in a nearby pond.




While down by the beach I loved watching
an Oldsquaw ...


On Sunday something caught my husband's eye
as we were driving along the road in Scarborough, Maine.
I quickly turned on my camera and
this is what came into view.


At first we had no idea what it could be...
don't know why the name Ibis came to mind
and a look up in the bird book verified
that's what it was.

It sure is a busy time of year for discovering birds of
all shapes and sizes!

Some Spring Characters

We set out a few grapes the other day to see
who might discover and enjoy them.



Didn't take long for this busy little chipmunk to
stumble upon it!



Caught a glimpse of an Oriole yesterday and hoping
to lure it back to our yard
we placed an orange sliced in half on top of a post.

Haven't seen the oriole return for the orange but
noticed someone else had found it
and left behind the shells of sunflower seeds.

Hmmm, I think it might have been the one who likes grapes
for the little chipmunk is also very fond of sunflower seeds!

The goldfinch has discovered the thistle seed bird feeder
and hopefully will be a frequent visitor!

Love the cast of characters that the Spring season brings.

Who's Living in the Attic?

This morning I heard sounds on the roof while
I was working upstairs in my studio.
Had noticed with the latest snowfalls, some tracks
on the roof...hmmm, who could that be!


As I looked out at the dolgo crab apple tree
beside the window, I noticed some goldfinches
eating the crab apples.

and then I saw her or him...
our red squirrel must have taken up residence
in the attic again for I have been hearing commotion
in the attic for quite some time and didn't know who
was up there. Several autumn's ago, Dave had blocked
the outside entrances to the attic but he evidently
missed something!

To see more red squirrels from years past
click here and here and here!

Goldfinch

While I spent the afternoon helping with
yard work, this beautiful fluffy bird was
camouflaged in the dried flowers finding
precious seeds.