World Bird Wednesday



Just a few critters from around home.

On a really windy morning, the eagle was spotted not far from the house. You can tell about the strong wind by looking at the tail feathers..he only stayed in the tree for a few minutes because a big cement truck came along and scared him away.

More shots of the Goldfinches in one of the snowstorms we've had these past couple of weeks. One day snow, next day sun. Go figure..

No matter what the weather the little Downey woodpeckers will still come for lunch..

On a recent trip to Lake Erie I saw several Black-backed gulls. These are new for me this year, and they have been hanging around all winter. This one had caught a fish.
Click on over to http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com to see lots more bird shots.

Tuesday

As many of you know we heat with wood during the winter months, and early Sunday morning one of the 2 blowers on the back of the wood stove in our basement that blows the heat upstairs - quit! Of course these kinds of things always seem to happen on Sunday. It was determined we needed a new blower, and after contacting several stores we found an available blower 52 miles from home. Off we went, which brings me to the explanation to these 2 pictures. Along the highway on the road to our destination is this old delapitated farm house. Everytime we pass it I imagine what sort of family used to live in the house. How many children slept in the bedrooms upstairs and what pattern was the wallpaper in these bedrooms, did the family operate a farm, what sort of house plants did the mom have? They always had houseplants you know. What did they use for heat.? I wonder if they had a pie cooling window in the pantry like my grandma used to have.
It's interesting to imagine the life this family might have had.

It has been 2 beautiful days giving us many more sunny days in winter than in a very long time. We so appreciate them too.
Have a wonderful rest of the week all.

Macro Monday

It's Macro Monday and I thought I'd give you a close look at an American Goldfinch. They are just so darn cute, and the males will very soon be getting their golden color. It might even be sooner than expected this year due to this crazy winter we've been having. AND I saw 6 Turkey Vultures this afternoon, and I thought they weren't supposed to return until March 15th.

Happy Macro Monday. Do go to http://lisaschaos.com to see lots more close-ups.

Sunday

Thursday night we had a real winter snow storm with lots of blowing and drifting snow, but not much accumulation! It was a very heavy wet snow, and stuck to all the trees etc. What a beautiful sight.

It made for some great pictures even if I'm ready for it to be gone...

This is our front yard. I have 7 bird feeders out there, and now that the Great Backyard Bird Count is over, I have lots more birds. I'm sure it is because of the snow..

On Chautauqua Lake there is still some brave souls willing to venture out on the frozen lake even though the ice surely doesn't look very thick, and the temperature the day we were there was 43º

I have quite a few Downey woodpeckers, and I think they are just so cute.

To my surprise the other day, while I was watering the Orchids, I found this one blooming high up near the ceiling. It's on a hanging Orchid and has no fragrance.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

Weekend Reflections

It's the weekend again, and once again I forgot to be on the lookout for any reflection pictures. I did see this one, and I didn't use much imagination, but we were in the parking lot of this mall waiting for our family while they were looking for a computer desk, and I could see the reflections of the stores across the parking lot..
Click on over to http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com to see lots more reflections.

Skywatch Friday

Not much of a sky shot but it's all we had today. About an inch of heavy wet snow fell last night and with no wind it stuck to everything. It really was pretty. Click on over to http://skyley.blogspot.com to see more sky pictures.

Thursday

We actually had a partly sunny day, but it was short lived, and then back to winter. That is when I enjoy my greenhouse the most. These are a few of my African Violets that are blooming now. My header collage shows a few of the orchids blooming now too.

Below are a few Goldfinches braving the snow storm. Can't wait for that golden color to appear.
Have a wonderful rest of the week.

World Bird Wednesday

All of a sudden from out of nowhere around 1:00 this afternoon a blinding snow squall appeared and in the period of 20 minutes the temperatures dropped nearly 10 degrees, and 2.5" of heavy wet snow dropped on us along with high winds from the South. This poor Cardinal hung on for dear life even got a wild hair doo.
Click on over to http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com to see lots more bird photos.

Tuesday

Another gorgeous day dawned, and we were off with a picnic to watch trains. It was a fairly good train watching day and we saw about 5-6 long ones.

Later a ride down to the lake and all the hungry gulls were waiting as usual for some treats. It's so funny, they all know the sound of the power window as it goes down and they are all of a sudden on high alert. I saved them some popcorn and what a feeding frenzy.

Saw a small flock of Redhead ducks too, ones I haven't seen this season.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful week. Off to the dentist tomorrow.. UGH!

Macro Monday

Sometimes at this time of the year I need an orchid fix, and go to a wonderful greenhouse about 25 miles from home. They operate all year round, and you can actually go anytime, but on a gloomy, cold, middle of the winter day, it is pure heaven and of course I go with the intention of coming home with a new plant too. One can walk for hours taking in the sights of flowers everywhere, the warm humid air  and the delicious smell of dirt and foilage.

This little honey did come home with me, and the flowers are about 1" across and remind me of a Spanish flamenco dancer.
Happy Monday everyone, and do click on over to http://lisaschaos.com to see lots more close-ups.

Sunday

I don't have much to add for today. The weather has been less than perfect for pictures, and I spent part of the day counting birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count. I've had no new birds except the regulars that visit every day, but I welcome them any time..

This winter has been strange in another way in that the maple sugar folks are boiling sap already. They say early sap is sweeter.
Have a wonderful day everyone.

One last note:
   One of my original Bantam hens, a very small and feisty gal, Miss Oprah, died last night. I  had her for 8 years, she was such a cutie, and she gave us many tasty eggs... I still have 2 left from my original Bantam flock and so far they seem very healthy, but their time is getting shorter I'm sure..
RIP little one.

Weekend Reflections

Driving through a neighboring village on a beautiful sunny day, I did see the snowbank reflection in this store window. As of now most of our snow has melted away again. Oh, this is the strangest winter, but who's complaining?
Click on http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com to see lots more great shots.

Skywatch Friday

We have had more sunny days this winter than a very long time. Believe me we appreciate every one of them. This was taken on Lake Erie last week on just one of those sunny days. The lake hasn't frozen yet either.
Click on over to http://skyley.blogspot.com to see lots more sky shots.

Thursday Clouds and then Sun!

On Monday we took a ride to Chautauqua Lake and stopped for lunch to watch the ice fishermen. I was a bit worried because the temperatures haven't been that cold to make very much ice, and it can't be that thick. But everyone seemed safe when we left.

Across the road from the lake is the parking lot and I saw 2 Amish buggies with their horses. This one has a blanket keeping him warm while the guys are fishing.

This guy has a blue blanket. They both were so quiet. Good horses.

Tomorrow rain is on the way, and I hope the fishermen don't venture out on the ice for a while.
Have a good rest of the week.

World Bird Wednesday

It's Wednesday again, and for this week, we'll look at our old friend the European Starling. I fortunately don't have very many this year for they can clean you out of food in a very short time.

One of their favorite foods is suet. I keep lots of it available, and the Starlings will take big mouthfuls and in no time it will disappear..

I know Valentine's Day is almost gone, but did you ever notice the heart pattern on this guys feathers. Pretty cool..
Click on over to http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com to see lots more birds, and the wonderful job Springman has done with this meme.
If you have time take a tour over to our other blog Woodynook View Egg Farm to see the strange egg we got this last week. You can click on the side bar picture of the chickens.

It's Tuesday

We got 10" of snow over the weekend and then today was beautiful. Go figure. More snow coming tonight.
Anyway I had no new pictures to show you, so I'll take you back to last June when we went on a short train watching trip to Gallitzin, Penna. This is the wonderful B&B we stayed in. On the deck you can watch trains 24/7 if you want. It's fantastic!

From the deck you can observe the trains coming and going from these famous tunnels through the Allegheny mountains.. The workers on the left are cementing up the old tunnel to keep kids out since it is no longer used.

Across the tracks is a train museum with a beautiful flower garden.

Gorgeous lilies

These are called "pushers" and help long trains up through the mountains.

We saw LOTS of trains too. This is strictly Norfolk Southern territory.

The area has some of the most wonderful sky shots ever! Have a great rest of the week.