BIRDS and APPLES

Check out this baby flicker (below)!

In the garden, as the apples on the tree ripened, not only did we enjoy them, but so did some of our fine-feathered friends. We weren't sure if it was the crows, raccoons, or which critters were responsible for the holes we found in many of the apples. In many, there was one deep, gaping, huge puncture. Perhaps these critters did sort of a taste-test, moving from one to the next?

Could this stellar jay have been the (only) guilty party?

There were plenty of apples to share with the birds so we didn't gripe too much!

The day ended with a lovely sunset...

~Aerie-el

Duck, Duck, WHAT?

So, plenty of feathered friends on the lake of late.
Check out this little guy below.

(click on any of the pictures to get a closer view)

I'm not sure what sort of DUCK she is, but she sure was cute.

And she was okay with me quietly photographing her from not all that far away.

Then there were some ring-necked ducks (above). That is an odd name for a DUCK that has a ring on its bill, but none on it's neck.

The yard is full of interesting food for critters, so it probably should be no surprise there was another unlikely visitor scarfing up berries and seeds. Even so, I looked out and said WHAT?

Check out the ears on this guy. He came through the yard daily for about a week. So cool!

Til next time...

~Aerie-el

MORE LAKE VISITORS

With the change in seasons has come a change in birds at the Gardener's Roost. I mentioned previously that the adult bald eagles have returned to the nest.



In addition to the eagles, we've had a variety of water fowl stopping in for a night or two and traveling on to their next destination. It was fun to see 4 different type 'ducks' in our little cove all at the same time. Apparently water lilies are more than just 'weeds' and are at least a little bit useful, as the wood ducks found nourishment there; the scaups, mallards, and buffleheads also stopped by for a visit.


The cormorants are regular guests on the lake as well. I spotted this pair just before they took flight for their next stop.

It's almost like there's some 'sign' that advertises the lake as a big, open 'Holiday Inn' on the flight path to the next destination...
More pictures in another post.

~Aerie-el

EAGLE RETURN

The long-awaited return of our resident bald eagles may have arrived. Here's a shot of one of them from last week:


And just the other day I saw two adult bald eagles on the nest. One eagle is easily visible in the middle. The top of the other eagle's head can be seen below and to the right (click on the picture to see larger image).


They brought some branches with them and were busily rearranging the ones on the nest.

Let the eagle-viewing excitement begin!

~Aerie-el

SPIDER-FEST FOLLOW-UP

Exciting news about the spiders in my recent post. A cube-buddy who is an entomologist said what I captured in the photos was mating behavior of the European garden spider. He also passed along this awesome link to spider information, which has some great spider pictures!

The female is the spider in the center of the web. The male is the one with long legs who gingerly approached her from the spruce tree. If you click on the picture below you can notice the tips of one of their legs touching. How sweet!


Did you vote today?

~Aerie-el