Gorgeous day!

This unusual sight is a fellow that lives about 5 miles from us, and was in a bad motorcycle accident several years ago. He is paralyzed from the waist down, and gets his exercise by riding this 3 wheel cycle that requires great  upper arm strength because he can't use his legs, and turns the rear wheels with his hands and arms. He actually lays down in this cycle. Quite often he is joined by this other cyclist.

Still the Blue jays stop by for a bite.

I have lots of these Grackles, and recently the Crows have discovered their nests in the Spruce trees, and I suspect they are stealing the eggs.. The Grackles are NOT happy.

This male Sparrow is guarding the Bluebird house. I've removed their nest 4 times already, but they keep coming back. If the bluebirds leave there still is hopes for the Tree swallows that haven't gotten here yet.
Another cold one. Stay warm everyone.

Skywatch Friday

 Last Tuesday evening we had all these heavy clouds before the sky cleared, and the temps dropped well below freezing.

The next morning this was at sunrise and it turned out to be a gorgeous day, but really cold.
Happy Friday everyone. Do click on over to http://skyley.blogspot.com to see lots more sky shots.

Thursday

On such a beautiful day we decided to take a country ride. This is an old lumber mill that has been in business for years, and is now modernized. The wooden trestle you see used to carry trains from the main line over to  the mill with logs.

Next to the lumber mill is an old feed mill too. I'm sure at one time it had a water wheel. A couple guys were fishing on this beautiful day.

To the left of the trestle is a beautiful lake. At the far end, but you can't see it, is a huge Bald eagle nest. I got some pictures of the parents last Spring, but the eaglets were small and I didn't get any pictures of them. There is a road that goes partly around the lake, and it was there I found the eagles. It's on private property, and I haven't gotten back yet this year.

The wooden trestle now has become a walking/ fishing bridge.

A pair of cute ducks rest on the grass.
Well, another freeze predicted for us again tonight. I'm sure we will survive this one too.

World Bird Wednesday

Below is the story I promised about the survival chick. Not what you might think for World Bird Wednesday, but it is about a bird.

 We have 16 of these little girls in our basement. They will be 2 weeks old next Monday.

Last Wednesday morning I went to the basement to check on them and change their water. We have a 1 gallon waterer in the brooder pen. I took it outside emptied it out, then washed it and refilled it. Took it back down stairs and placed it back in the brooder. Thursday around 1PM, I once again went down and took the waterer out to change it, and with horror noticed a baby chick had been trapped beneath that waterer! She had been under there for at least 16 hours, and she must have scooted under it when I put it down on Wednesday morning. The poor thing was flattened but still alive. I picked her up and immediately placed her beak in the water, which has medicine. I did this 3 or 4 times, and she began to swallow. Thinking she should need warmth and rest, I put her under the warming lights, telling her how sorry I was all the time. Anyway I went down about 20 minutes later and did the same drinking thing. Then I mixed some of the water with some of their feed to make a gruel, and gave it to her through an eye dropper. She did eat, and later amazingly she was able to stand. We replaced the lights in the brooder with red lights to discourage the chicks from pecking each other, in hopes the rest would leave the little one alone. We've been keeping an eye on her, and so far so good. She is doing well! Can you believe it? If all goes well in about a week or so, I'm going to send in a survival story to the hatchery where we got these chicks.

The little chick that we now call "Crush" is growing. She had "pasty butt" too, and had to have a mini bath, but now she is up and running again.

The picture shows Crush and she is in the back with a dark spot on her head.
If you would like to see more bird shots, and a awesome meme just click on http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com

 

Tuesday and another cold one!

Another day has passed, and I don't have any good pictures to post again, so you get to see shots of Frosty. She sure does sleep in some wierd positions. This first one is just waking up.

My favorite..

Ocassionally she likes to bunk with Tauqua..

Good night all. Have a wonderful day, and Frosty says "HI"
Don't forget to stop by for Wednesday's post. I'm going to tell you about the survival chick story...

Monday

Here it is Monday again,and the sun is shining so brightly, but I can see off to the North big black clouds sneaking in. The forecast is for clearing though and another hard freeze tonight. I haven't been any place lately so here are a few birds from home. Mrs. Red-bellied woodpecker continues to show up, but I have yet to see the Mr.

Of course I have seen both the Mr. and Mrs. Hairy woodpecker, and lots of Downeys too.

Goldfinches by the tons, but I love them and their bright colors.

I was very surprised to see 2 Pine Siskins still hanging around. By now they usually have migrated North.
Have a great day everyone, and stay safe.

Overcast Sunday

Here is another shot of one of the many Goldfinches I have. They are everywhere, and the males are getting their Spring colors more every day.

Friday night we had a strong storm with a cold front blow through here, and we had a brief heavy downpour with lots of  hail stones.

We took a ride last week to check on the Great Blue heron rookery, and I did see several birds on the nests. Last Spring a early nasty Spring storm blew some of the nests out of the trees, but there are still at least 6-7 left. I'll keep an eye on them.

The peeps we have in our basement are growing like weeds. They are 1 week old today, and I have quite a survival story to post, but will save it for another day. Check back. It's a really good story.