Don't we all look forward to a time of being busy without the business? Yeah. The good busy! I'm counting days until the college closes its doors for two weeks. A break from business! I think the anticipation of a break is sometimes better than the break itself.
For this post, I got nothin. Not much to say. I’m occupied with clearing the desk at work for a calm return in January and have been feeling like a confused mouse in a maze, frustrated, wanting the cheese. Only three days till cheese!
Saturday was a good day to visit the backyard after several days of dark clouds, crazy wind, freezing temps, and two straight days of rain - glorious soaking rain.
For this post, I got nothin. Not much to say. I’m occupied with clearing the desk at work for a calm return in January and have been feeling like a confused mouse in a maze, frustrated, wanting the cheese. Only three days till cheese!
Saturday was a good day to visit the backyard after several days of dark clouds, crazy wind, freezing temps, and two straight days of rain - glorious soaking rain.
Sunlit fence rails reflected on the pond water made me squeal.
There are three pairs now…Cardinals are returning to the bird buffet.
Meal worms and homemade suet will be served soon. It’s been unusually cold and winter-like here; however, nothing like the Midwest and New England! Brrrrrr.
Since bringing out the feeders two weeks ago, this is the list of birds I’ve seen:
American Goldfinch (today!), House Finch, Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Carolina Wren, Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, House Sparrow, Mourning Dove, European Starling, Yellow-rumped Warbler (on Wax Crepe Myrtle & pond), Red-winged Blackbird, Great Blue Heron (just kidding), Eastern Bluebird (only one, on pond), Song Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Crow (only one), American Robin (on pond), Cedar Waxing (on pond), Northern Mockingbird. And let’s not forget the critters: Chippetymunks, Bunnehs, Raccoon tracks, and Squirrels.
Missing: Woodpeckers & Nuthatches :o/
Missing: Woodpeckers & Nuthatches :o/
They will never stop challenging my photography skills. Tufted Twits.
Look at Sherry’s Blue Jay! Click on it. Gosh, I’d jump for joy to see them here and get a photo like that…
I’m fiddling with the html to customize photo sizes. Let me know if you see distortion on your monitor, please?
28 comments:
Love all your bird visitors. Certainly cheers the wintery days.
Dear Mary,
You will love being home, busy with the girls and the birds for two full weeks! Yeah for Christmas break. Worth at least one month of no window I guess!
There are a set of six Blue Jays that come to the deck. They like the peanuts in the shell. Thank you for linking the Blue Jay. Some people do not like them as they can be aggressivr. As long as they peanuts all is good!
You have had lots of great birds return. I have not seen a Cedar Waxwing in two years.
ALl your photos are wonderful. Once in awhile I can only see half of one! Big photographs!
Sherry
Great pictures, Mary! I've seen many of the same birds on your list.
Your fabulous pictures just pop right off of the page! Love the size!
Mary, you will find the cheese! And you will enjoy it immensely.
I am always in awe of your photos. Thet are so clear and bright, just like I was there. I enjoy the size although it sometimes takes a while to download them-but well worth the wait.
Hapy Holidays to you and all of yours!
How nice that your trashy birds have gone, replaced with some of my favorites. Lovely photographs.
Enjoy your time off. It couldn't come at a better time.
Great pictures Mary! You never disappoint!
I'm excited for you.....in that you will be off, re-grouping for two whole weeks! Snuggling in the mornings....playing with your girls and taking pics all day if you want too. Sounds like fun to me.
It appears as though we will be furloughed the day after Christmas & the day after New Year's Day. Oh....isn't that nice? Two days off WITHOUT pay! Nothing is official at this date....they'll probably wait until Christmas Eve to tell us. Lovely!!! Sigh....
My word verification: agoat!
Enjoy your time off Mary. Your photos as always are breathtaking and perfect.
I remember when I used to teach school, Mary... I loved those 'breaks' we got throughout the year--off and on!!!! But--you have to work very hard in the meantime JUST to get ready for those breaks!!!!
Love your pictures, Mary. You have lots of birds---lots of different kinds. How NEAT!! Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy
Nice photos! I'm glad that your birds are returning! We have nuthatches and woodpeckers galore, here, but I'm still waiting to see a pileated this year.
Ha! I've got all the woodpeckers and nuthaches in my backyard! I thought we could do an "exchange". I'll send some your way if you send me some, oh, let's see, how about a bluebird or two? Ours are all gone. Or that lovely goldfinch?
On second thought, they'd freeze.
Your pics are gorgeous. Big and clear.
Another fun set of bird shots. I'm coming down to look for your feeder, that fruit looks good.
LOL! I saw your comment and I'm waiting to see if I get buyer's remorse. I was told to take it home and play with it for a few days. So, I did. It rained today, so I couldn't do too much playing. The price of cameras right now is pretty amazing. I have a several senior portrait appointments lined up, along with doing a church directory and I thought now just might be the time to upgrade.
What a party you are having at your house, Mary! Enjoy your time off--I always counted the days till break, too:)
Lovely photos..my that fence photo is so very cool...you have the most spoiled little birdies...they are sooo lucky...
Have a great two weeks off, Mary. Take lots of pix to share with us. And you can keep posting more cardinal pix so I can get my "fix!" How about more pix of the Licker sisters, too?
Love your pictures. The chickadee photo is too cute!!
I too am looking forward to having two weeks off. It can't come soon enough for me.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas break.
That first photo would make an intersting painting. Actually it looks like a painting to me.
An tis a pation...
Hello Mary! These are beautiful pictures of all these different birds! What variety and what colors - so well done on getting their amazing details!
Beautiful! Wish I had some vacation time left but I've burned it all. Still, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will probably be spent either birding or being lazy--depends on the weather. Can't wait!
Enjoy your vacation! I know the birds are loving the fruit bowl.
No distortion just great giant-sized photos of birds.Don't start counting species now Mary.-Wait till January 1st and then see how many species you can see in the entire month of january!
I love all of your photos, but the first one is so cool, Mary!
Yay to some time off from work!!! Enjoy!
Mary,
What a nice variety of pictures!!
Love the fence rail being mirrored in the pond water...lovely. Sending you a blue heron just so your list will be complete. Thanks for the great post!!
Thanks for the birds:) i also thought the photo of the lake was amazing. i loved the list of the names of different birds, it could almost be a poem. enjoyed this visit, hugs!
I'm loving the bigger pics Mary! Much easier to look at the deets.
Enjoy your time off! Only two more days :)
I think you must be the birds angel!
Mary that first reflection photo is awesome! I thought at first that you did some trickery but you didn't..great capture girl!!
Love the fruit filling up that feeder..I just throw mine on the ground..I had better get with it and buy one of those feeders!!
Mary that last bird photo is beautiful! You had lots to say my der and I love stopping by..boy you really are keeping stock of who flys by!! birds..I mean! hugs
Hello dear,
Your photos are terrific. I do have trouble getting them to load on my computer; I often have to hit refresh several times to get them, and the biggest ones often only come in halfway. Wondering if it has to do with their size. Much as I love to see the detail and clarity, I'd prefer to see the whole shebang.
On Baker's behalf, I applaud your use of the proper spelling for chiptymunk, and add that the proper spelling is squirtle. He is so excited because every once in a while two squirtles brave our feeders and then he gets to watch them, trembling, from the studio window.
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