Over the last few sunny days my son Tyler and I have spotted this Great Blue Heron
in our trees and down the creek.
Magical...especially to see him soaring....
Showing posts with label creek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creek. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
'Tis Autumn
Song - 'Tis Autumn by Red Garland
Picked a basket full of Lady Apples the other day and I hope to prepare them for the freezer after having a few fresh ones on top of our salads.
The dogwood tree is enticing me with her beautiful colors.....
And our October Glory Maple is changing overnight into a show stopper. Every Thanksgiving we take family photos in front of this tree when she is at her peak.
However, everyone is not on the same page - "It's Autumn" so why are my spring bulbs blooming now? Confusing weather we are having?
While I was filling up my bird feeders this morning, I noticed this hawk flying high in the sky looking for some tasty tidbit. As I walked over to our creek, I saw some large water rings and figured there was a large fish beneath the surface. Then there were more and a creature came up for air.....there were two otters playing! They slowly made their way downstream before I could grab my camera. But I'll tell you - it was magical!
Picked a basket full of Lady Apples the other day and I hope to prepare them for the freezer after having a few fresh ones on top of our salads.
The dogwood tree is enticing me with her beautiful colors.....
And our October Glory Maple is changing overnight into a show stopper. Every Thanksgiving we take family photos in front of this tree when she is at her peak.
However, everyone is not on the same page - "It's Autumn" so why are my spring bulbs blooming now? Confusing weather we are having?
While I was filling up my bird feeders this morning, I noticed this hawk flying high in the sky looking for some tasty tidbit. As I walked over to our creek, I saw some large water rings and figured there was a large fish beneath the surface. Then there were more and a creature came up for air.....there were two otters playing! They slowly made their way downstream before I could grab my camera. But I'll tell you - it was magical!
"Happy Fact: Otters hold hands while they sleep
so they don't float away from each other."
so they don't float away from each other."
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Just Fishing
So sorry if you receive this twice but I accidentally posted this on my painting blog instead of my personal blog!
Monday morning I woke to a gathering of Cedar Waxwings on the bare tree in our backyard creek. Since the sun was behind them I had trouble getting a good photo.
But trust me, they were Cedar Waxwings with their beautiful eyeliner showing.....
On Tuesday, as the sun was setting, a Belted Kingfisher landed on the same tree and posed for about 20 minutes. You can spot him right?
He even stayed there while I ran inside for my camera and found a better spot to photograph him from.
Mr. B and I hear them all day long going up and down the creek looking for fish but it is rare for one to sit this long.
Thanks little guy as it was a good way to end my day!
"Nature always wears the color of the spirit"
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Pecking Order
Song - Blue Jay Imitating Red Shoulder Hawk Call
The crows have been taking over our little neighborhood for the last few months.....and I don't like it!
On Sunday there must of been about 25 of them flying overhead and landing in our trees. Just at the point of peak noise, a hawk flew low across our patio and deck and headed straight toward them! He did it about four times and we figured that he was just trying to retake his favorite lookout tree near the creek.
He/She has a nest in the Oak trees above our driveway. When we went to get in the car later that evening, Mr. B noticed an adolescent hawk dead on the driveway beneath the nest. That must of been what the attack was all about.
I don't really like the hawks because they kill my songbirds and doves but they are majestic birds and have amazing life energy.
The other day I heard a hawk in the bushes while I was out watering the garden and as he hopped onto the deck railing I noticed that he wasn't a hawk at all but a Steller Jay! I had heard that they sometimes mimic other birds but I don't remember hearing one before. It was spot on! If you listened to the "song" above you will see what I mean.
On Saturday we had a little Green Heron on the dead trees near the creek. Those dead trees sure do attract a lot of birds! Luckily Mr. B & I were reading on the back deck and spotted him.
He paused long enough for me to run inside to get my camera and tripod. He was looking up and down the length of the creek.
He observed the moon for awhile........
Then flew off for other adventures.......
We have had a couple of Spotted Towhee's in our side lawn area and although I have not had the opportunity to photograph them yet, they look a lot like this grosbeak above.
When I do get a good photo I will share it with you.
Meanwhile, right over our front door I have been noticing a lot of debris and assumed it was our gardener who blows the front porch weekly. But several days ago when we come in or out of the house, we have noticed a bird flying away from the area and looking up......there is a little nest on a two-inch piece of molding above the door.
Hi little Mama Bird - just what made you pick that spot?
She is welcome to it for a few weeks. I have now posted notes inside and out to use other doors if possible.
Just this morning as I was filling my bird feeders I spotted a Snowy Egret down in the creek looking for something to eat.....
He wasn't too sure about me hanging out and snapping photos of him so he slowly.....
....gracefully....walked further down the creek where he could eat in private!
The crows have been taking over our little neighborhood for the last few months.....and I don't like it!
On Sunday there must of been about 25 of them flying overhead and landing in our trees. Just at the point of peak noise, a hawk flew low across our patio and deck and headed straight toward them! He did it about four times and we figured that he was just trying to retake his favorite lookout tree near the creek.
He/She has a nest in the Oak trees above our driveway. When we went to get in the car later that evening, Mr. B noticed an adolescent hawk dead on the driveway beneath the nest. That must of been what the attack was all about.
I don't really like the hawks because they kill my songbirds and doves but they are majestic birds and have amazing life energy.
The other day I heard a hawk in the bushes while I was out watering the garden and as he hopped onto the deck railing I noticed that he wasn't a hawk at all but a Steller Jay! I had heard that they sometimes mimic other birds but I don't remember hearing one before. It was spot on! If you listened to the "song" above you will see what I mean.
On Saturday we had a little Green Heron on the dead trees near the creek. Those dead trees sure do attract a lot of birds! Luckily Mr. B & I were reading on the back deck and spotted him.
He paused long enough for me to run inside to get my camera and tripod. He was looking up and down the length of the creek.
He observed the moon for awhile........
Then flew off for other adventures.......
We have had a couple of Spotted Towhee's in our side lawn area and although I have not had the opportunity to photograph them yet, they look a lot like this grosbeak above.
When I do get a good photo I will share it with you.
Meanwhile, right over our front door I have been noticing a lot of debris and assumed it was our gardener who blows the front porch weekly. But several days ago when we come in or out of the house, we have noticed a bird flying away from the area and looking up......there is a little nest on a two-inch piece of molding above the door.
Hi little Mama Bird - just what made you pick that spot?
She is welcome to it for a few weeks. I have now posted notes inside and out to use other doors if possible.
Just this morning as I was filling my bird feeders I spotted a Snowy Egret down in the creek looking for something to eat.....
He wasn't too sure about me hanging out and snapping photos of him so he slowly.....
....gracefully....walked further down the creek where he could eat in private!
"Something opens our wings.
Something makes boredom and hurt disappear.
Someone fills the cup in front of us.
We taste only sacredness."
--Rumi
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
A Winter Walk
Song - Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head by B.J. Thomas
After a good rain storm and spending way too much time indoors,
I took a little walk around my garden today.
The creek in our backyard was roaring.
The lettuce in the vegatable garden was happy.
The Alyssum growing on the rock walls surrounding the vegetable garden smelled wonderful
and is bright and cheerful.
The Narcissus are ready to open!
My wild Violets are a little bug eaten but blooming.
My Mother Ferns are unfurling and......
...growning baby ferns!!!
The Camellia's are outdoing themselves this year!
Even our woodpile is growing! Maybe some Rainbow Bracket Fungus?
Buds on the Flowering Quince
And the biggest shock is that my brown lawn (ugg!) has turned green (sigh!)
The Spring Snowflakes are budding
And I have several blooms on my Sea Foam Rose!
After my garden walk, Mika and I came indoors and lit the fire and curled up with a cup of tea.
"We cannot stop the winter or the summer from coming. We cannot stop the spring or the fall or make them other than they are. They are gifts from the universe that we cannot refuse. But we can choose what we will contribute to life when each arrives."
--Gary Zukav
"We cannot stop the winter or the summer from coming. We cannot stop the spring or the fall or make them other than they are. They are gifts from the universe that we cannot refuse. But we can choose what we will contribute to life when each arrives."
--Gary Zukav
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Small but Mighty
Song - Little Bitty Pretty One by Frankie Lymon
Late in the afternoon, just before dinner, Mr. B and I like to sit on the back deck with a glass of wine and watch the birds come & go. The other evening there was a Green Heron sitting in a dead tree near the bank of our creek.
Upon closer inspection, we noticed that he was being "buzzed" by a little bitty - Hummingbird!
Now the Heron kept his eye on that Hummingbird but that didn't stop the little fellow.
Which way did he go?
He's not behind me.....
Oh yeah, he is!!!!
It's the skank eye, stare-down portion of the show.
And a final happy good-bye buzz from the little Hummer!
"Hummingbirds are incredibly powerful. They are the only bird whose flight power comes from the upstroke as well as the down stroke. They teach us not to judge power by appearance."
Monday, April 20, 2015
Wild Goose Chase
Song - Little White Duck by Burl Ives
You have probably heard me complain about the Canadian Geese overpopulation in our neighborhood. They fly overhead and "honk", they land on our roof and in our pool, they are noisy and at times messy.
They even follow me to Lake Tahoe!
But I have to tell you that they also bring me a lot of joy
Some years they nest right under our deck, near the creek.
Some evenings at sunset they fly overhead in a large flock and are beautiful to watch.
Did you know that they mate for life?
And that they were nearly extinct in the 1950's?
This afternoon my son, Tyler called for me to watch the two geese in the top photo, down in our little creek. They seemed to be enjoying the waterfall and the warm sunshine.
After a few minutes, these six little goslings came out from behind a bush.
And floated away with mom & dad........
Who were keeping a watchful eye on Tyler and me!
(Did you happen to see the horse head shadow on the floor of the creek? I have been teaching them to do shadow puppets all year now and it finally paid off!!!)
"If you feel the urge, go on a wild goose chase. What do you think wild geese are for anyway?" --Will Rogers
You have probably heard me complain about the Canadian Geese overpopulation in our neighborhood. They fly overhead and "honk", they land on our roof and in our pool, they are noisy and at times messy.
They even follow me to Lake Tahoe!
But I have to tell you that they also bring me a lot of joy
Some years they nest right under our deck, near the creek.
Some evenings at sunset they fly overhead in a large flock and are beautiful to watch.
Did you know that they mate for life?
And that they were nearly extinct in the 1950's?
This afternoon my son, Tyler called for me to watch the two geese in the top photo, down in our little creek. They seemed to be enjoying the waterfall and the warm sunshine.
After a few minutes, these six little goslings came out from behind a bush.
And floated away with mom & dad........
Who were keeping a watchful eye on Tyler and me!
(Did you happen to see the horse head shadow on the floor of the creek? I have been teaching them to do shadow puppets all year now and it finally paid off!!!)
"If you feel the urge, go on a wild goose chase. What do you think wild geese are for anyway?" --Will Rogers
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