Category Archives: The Backyard Bunch
Daylight Savings Time Bird
Lady Cardinal
I love daylight savings time! I didn’t miss the hour of sleep. I just got up later the next day. More time to sit on my back porch and watch backyard birds, like this pretty lady cardinal! Extra daylight in the evening makes me happy! I wish we stayed on DST all year round. What do you think?
Suburb-The Changing Seasons V2 (August 2017)
Treasure
Treasure Haiku (Circumstance)
Treasure may differ
Depending on circumstance
And place in this world
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I like to put extra bird food on the ground for my favorite back yard squirrel, Curtiss. Yes, she is my favorite- I can always recognize her by the notch on her right ear! I have been watching her across the seasons. I have watched her build a nest in my dogwood tree for her babies, and I have watched her move those babies when danger (in the form of a hawk) had been near. I have watched her watch me, eye to eye, as she lounges on the tree branches. I have watched her diligently gather acorns in preparation for the winter. Other squirrels, with their own personality traits, partake in this food treasure too. But, only when Curtiss lets them. She is the queen!
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Today, with so much distress in the world, I am counting my blessings and feeling greatful indeed.
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This is my eighth 2017 post for year three of Cardinal Guzman’s photo challenge, The Changing Seasons. You can post a photo gallery (V1) or a single photo (V2) that showcases your view of the month. You can check out the Cardinal’s page for the general challenge rules and join right in! His photos are fantastic! Like last year, I am planning to add a haiku along with my single V2 photo each month. Even though it has been said that a picture paints a thousand words, I like pairing pictures and words; both can still mean different things to different people.
All my previous Changing Seasons posts are in one place under the Changing Seasons header at the top of the page. Take a look around my blog if you are interested! Comments are welcome!
My Little Chickadee
Look who I saw singing in the rain today!!! A little Carolina Chickadee! Yay! A new bird to add to my sighting list!! This is the first time I have ever seen one with my own eyes!
I am continually amazed at the beauty of each of the different types of birds I have the pleasure of seeing right in my back yard! To me, each small creature seems like a gift from God! I truly feel blessed!
Now, the sun is shining and I have a smile on my face! Have a great day everyone!
February 2016-The Changing Seasons V1
I am posting this photo gallery as a version 1 entry for Cardinal Guzman’s Changing Seasons challenge for February and also for the daily post weekly photo challenge: Seasons
February has been fickle. Last week, snow and ice were treacherous. Right now, it is 55 degrees. I much prefer the weather of today, even though there has been some rain.
Right before the bad weather, a large flock of robins returned to my backyard trees. Icy conditions had been forecast and I decided these birds were serving fair warning to prepare before the storm. In fact, there were many, many fallen branches from the heavy ice. I was lucky and never lost my power although thousands in my town did. The squirrels and sparrows seemed pleased when they could finally warm up in the sun.
This weekend, the squirrels have been dining leisurely and there have been lots of bird songs filling the warmer air. I hope the mockingbird was simply echoing a tune and not mocking my hopes for an early spring!
You can see my single photo version 2 entry for February here. To see my previous changing Seasons posts, you can click on the header at the top of the page. consider joining in so we can see the seasonal changes you experience!
Blue Jay Series
I was overjoyed to see this beautiful blue jay perched in my dogwood tree last September. I am so glad I was able to showcase his vibrant blue feathers and jaunty spirit in this series of photos.
I am submitting these photos for JNW’s Color Your World-Blue photo challenge as my second entry today. What can I say? I love blue and I love birds. I will also place them in Lucile’s photo101 rehab clinic as my first entry of the year.
Gathering Plan
Team Gathering
Okay, here’s the plan. You gather as many acorns as you can, and I’ll gather as many acorns as I can. Got it? Let’s go!
This gathering team is part of the Backyard Bunch that I love watching. You can click on The Backyard Bunch Header at the top of my page for more pictures and posts.
Posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge:
Gathering
Sonnet of the Robin
Robin
Sonnet of The Robin
Fly, Robin fly!
You sing your sweet song
Your notes never wrong
Music fills the sky
Soar, Robin soar!
Take flight tree to tree
Your wings set you free
Fluidity you can’t ignore
The sound waves you send
Floating in the air
Carried on the wind
Pleasure to declare
Songs that you lend
Joy you must share
*posted for writing201, poetic prompt-pleasure, poetic form-sonnet, poetic device-apostrophe
Autumn Cardinal
Autumn has arrived and the leaves of my dogwood tree are changing. I captured these photos of a beautiful cardinal enjoying a bounty of berries. The cardinal happens to be the state bird of Virginia and the dogwood is our state tree! His bright red feathers are eye-catching, even when surrounded by colorful fall leaves. I was enthralled by his majestic beauty.
*posted for JNW’s One Word Photo Challenge-Autumn
*also added to Lucile’s photo101rehab clinic
Wildlife Lessons
Lazy Curtis Taking a Break
Ten things I learned from wildlife while sitting on my porch:
1. Prepare for the winter.
2. Don’t hide all your nuts in one place.
3. It’s okay to relax when your work is done.
4. Blending in is safe.
5. Wear bright colors if you want attention.
6. Look around.
7. Move…run, climb, hop, jump, fly, and soar!
8. Claim your home but share your world.
9. Beauty is not only one thing.
10. Be yourself.
*posted for writing101, list made
To see more of my wildlife pictures and posts click The Backyard Bunch heading at the top of the page!
The Backyard Bunch-Woodpecker
Peck, Peck, Peck
Introducing Woody. Ever since I heard the “peck, peck, peck” of a woodpecker earlier this year, I have been hoping to capture a picture of the elusive bird.
Today, when my dog scratched the door to go out, I saw my opportunity. The small bird was pecking on my dogwood tree, near the hummingbird feeder. I ran to grab my camera. When the bird then landed on my poor braided hibiscus plant, which is now only sticks thanks to being a wildlife snack, I snapped his picture. Unfortunately, he flew away before I could get a clearer shot.
Still, I did get the one picture and here he is. Look closely and you can see the red spot at the back of his head, identifying him as an adult male downy woodpecker!
the beespeak 