Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A Feeding Robin For World Bird Wednesday
This picture above, taken in October 2008 is the kind of picture I was hoping for when I saw a Robin fly into our Mountain Ash tree one day last week. the robin's mouth was full but not with what I had expected.It had a grasshopper in its mouth!. It definitely was having a protein lunch. I was surprised when I downloaded the picture. I had expected to see its mouth full of berries.I have never seen a Robin eat a grasshopper before!And the Robin ate it or swallowed it whole. When first looking at the picture I wondered if the bird had sprouted whiskers? But no, it was having a grasshopper lunch.
Got pictures of birds you would like to share? Why not post them on Worldbird Wednesday? http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com/To find out how, please scroll down the right hand side of this page until you come to the worldbird logo, click on it and follow the directions from there
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
G is for grasshopper for ABC Wednesday Round 9
Can you see it? Perhaps this grasshopper didn't mean to seek out a camouflaged location on this old railroad tie, but it worked
Grasshoppers
As the summer season progresses I notice changes in the plants and small creatures that I see along the trails and paths that I follow each day.
In July, most morning walks were interrupted by my stopping to take pictures of Skippers and Fritillaries; then Common Wood-nymphs, Monarchs, Painted Ladies and Viceroys appeared. Cabbage Whites and Sulphurs started alighting on vegetation long enough for me to catch their images with my camera; last weekend I saw a Milbert's Tortiseshell ( in 2006 when this was written)Then gradually I noticed changes. During the past couple of weeks I seldom saw Skippers anymore and fewer butterflies. However now I am often alerted with a dry, sharp "click-click" sort of sound and I see many flying dark wings with light borders crossing my paths. Grasshoppers. There seem to be many and they jump and fly about as I walk along . I don't know their special names but I do have a few pictures of them to share.
ABCWednesday is hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt. Each week a different letter is featured. It goes in alphabetical order and next week is the letter 'g'. I have never photographed a giraffe before it won't be giraffe,so I'm not sure yet, what 'g' topic I will feature. If you would like to contribute to ABC Wednesday , you may do so by locating the meme here:http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/
A Robin and Mountain Ash berries for ruby Tuesday
We had a huge Mountain Ash tree at out previous home at Hawkshaw and each year we waited for a huge flock of evening Grosbeaks to descend upon the berries. there used to be so many birds, it was a seasonal delight that we anticipated and enjoyed.
Here at our present home we get mainly Robins and sometimes Cedar Waxwings feasting on the red berries of this magnificent tree, which was a gift to us from our son Davis several years ago.
Got photos with red? Why not share them by posting them to
Ruby Tuesday. To find this delightful red focused meme, please click here.http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 26, 2011
Cloudy skies for Skywatch Friday
A happy day for everyone and have a great weekend please.
Skywatch Friday is a long standing meme where sky views from all over the world are posted at:
http://skyley.blogspot.com/Why not participate as well
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
F is for Frog for ABC Wednesday Round 9
Boys, when spring comes again and the frogs have laid their eggs, which you will be able to see in your ponds, then the eggs will grow into tadpoles (some people call tadpoles, Pollywogs) and you will see the tadpoles swimming around in your pond.
There are different names for some frogs and the pictures of the frogs shown here, above and below these words, with the spots on them are called Leopard Frogs.
Another Leopard Frog. You can see that this frog has some green on its body also. I think this frog is quite handsome.
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)
I had forgotten that not all frogs live in ponds or watery areas and so was very surprised yesterday (2006)This information about the leopard frog is from a post posted in 2006. to see a Leopard Frog in my garden.
Upon doing some research I find that this species prefers to live in grassy or cultivated areas.
This green frog above really has its eyes wide open. Some people would say that a frog's eyes pop out. Not really but they are very big and bulging and noticeable and outstanding at times. All the better to see the flies with that they like to eat with their quick, sticky tongues.
This picture above and below is of a Green Frog. A green frog's upper jaw is green and it has striped bars on its legs. I saw a lot of green frogs when I visited with you and your family this summer.
A. Green Frog above. I took this picture at Jesse River's Pond, when we went there one day.
The rest of these frog pictures are of Bullfrogs. Bullfrogs are big and noisy The sounds they make are very loud. I think you also have bullfrogs in your ponds.
A bullfrog here is puffing up its throat.
.The lily pad of the Yellow Pond Lily aboveprovides ample seating for this resting frog.
ABC Wednesday is hosted by Mrs. Nesbitt. Each week a different letter is featured. It goes in alphabetical order and next week is the letter 'g'. I have never photographed a giraffe before it won't be giraffe,so I'm not sure yet, what 'g' topic I will feature. If you would like to contribute to ABC Wednesday , you may do so by locating the meme here:http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
decorative water glasses for Ruby Tuesday
I had gone to New Brunswick's largest flea market on the past weekend at Sussex, New Brunswick. One of my goals was to find an old series of water glasses with wildlife images on them. I didn't find the ones I was looking for but much to my pleasure I found three old glasses with beautiful, vibrant cardinals painted on them and here they are above, now in my china cabinet. I love them!
Got photos with red? Why not share them by posting them to
Ruby Tuesday. To find this delightful red focused meme, please click here.http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Tree Watching for sapsuckers
I spent some time this morning sitting in my back yard watching our Buckthorn Sea Marina Tree. This tree attracts many bugs and birds. My purpose in watching it this morning was in hopes in getting some photos of a sapsucker that I frequently see there. My patience was rewarded and more. I discovered that hummingbirds are attracted to that tree also.And finally my wait was rewarded and a sapsucker came along.( See the sapsucker in the picture below) Notice the holes drilled in the tree. This action is characteristic of a sapsucker. They drill holes in trees to collect sap which they drink. came along. I shall have to continue my watch in hopes of getting , clearer pictures as these ones I have below show the bird behind small branches, first it was in top of the branch and then under it.
But the biggest surprise and delight to my tree watching was this: A most beautiful Mourning Cloak butterfly!The butterfly then flew through our fence and landed nearby on some dry grass.What productive enjoyment that was; sitting with my camera watching our Buckthorn Tree. I think I may try that again. Have a great day everyone! A happy Sunday to all.