New Year's Memories

A deer in the meadow
stood still in the moonlit night
with the snow falling all around
before journeying on its way

It had become a tradition when our children were little to take a walk in the beautiful meadow which was adjacent to our property at our old home at Hawkshaw, on New Year's Eve. Our two older children still remember it and talk about it. However we no longer have access to the meadow anymore and further I am getting too old to wander through a snowy meadow at night anymore ( My walker would not work well on a snowy hillside) and besides we don't have any snow lying on the ground this year. ( I am thankful for that!)

A Happy New Year is wished for everyone. Welcome 2012. My memories are still fresh of new year's eve 2000., so anticipated by all.

filtered sunset light for Thursday's Challenge

a Christmas Eve sunset

The photo above filtered on photoshop leaving the shadows below and the light in the sky!

Thursday Challenge is a meme which offers a different theme each week. This week's theme is light. To join in on the fun you can find this meme at:http://www.spunwithtears.com/thursday.html

nature fabric pillowcase

A most beautiful and delightful gift I received from my daughter was a small pillow and pillowcase she had made for me out of nature fabric, The fabric is bright and bold with colourful songbirds on it; such as red Cardinals, Blue birds, Blue Jays and Chickadees. She also has given me a swatch of the fabric. She says it is a Fabricville piece. I shall go looking for it as it is a 'must have' beauty that would warm the heart of any birdwatcher. What shall I make with it? I dunno know, I shall just enjoy gazing at its beauty.

A Christmas Eve Sunset for Mellow Yellow Monday

A most ,beautiful evening sunset viewed from our daughter's kitchen window at her home when we dined and visited on Christmas Eve. We had an enjoyable Christmas with our daughter's family, including two very excited grandchildren

Got pictures with yellow? Why not post them on the mellow yellow Monday meme by connecting to this link. http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/ Or You can click on its icon found on this page in the right column by finding it by scrolling down this page. If your plan is not to post a photo, then perhaps you will just want to enjoy all of the yellow contributions posted there

a belated welcome to winter, goodbye autumn

Needles of pine quilt a soft warm blanket using
hushed hues of faded browns and yawning yellows
as Autumn prepares its winter bed

Northern vagabonds of wind and snow
whistle a warning lullaby of winter's approach
and Autumn falls asleep upon a soft white pillow

As a white blanket covers the land

a layering of snow today

We have had very little snow this year so far, but this morning there is a thin layering lying on the ground outside my window and it is still coming down. This snow this morning caused me to recall o a blog post I had made in 2009 remembering previous winters and perhaps prompted by the memories of those Christmas when a new sled was under the Christmas tree which was always a cause for joy. We lived on a farm which had a few great sliding hills. They would have been better for tobogganing, but we we seldom had a toboggan, it was often a sled instead;

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Snow today, still on the ground

Our snow covered ground this morning has prompted this winter memory for me:

piecing together
computerized visual art
fragments from my mind

Remembering the brief rapture of stolen moments
between after school chores and suppertime

cold wind on my face
exhilaration of speed
sliding memories

rushing headlong, down the snowy hill
climbing up again, only to fly downward once more
each time the upward climb becoming slower and s l o w e r

then the call to supper

with red rosy cheeks and chaffed wrists
from snow clotted mittens
we would rush indoors to the parlor wood stove
remove our felts from snow clogged boots
and hang our woolen snow pants nearby to dry
in readiness for another winter's day

Have a great day everyone and a wish for a safe joyous Christmas to all.

A Hungry, Young Sharp-shinned Hawk

This young Sharp-shinned Hawk spent ( it seemed like hours) huddled at the base of our thorny wild rose bushes yesterday, hiding out in hopes of snatching a little Goldfinch for lunch as they ( the Goldfinch)fed at our feeders. the Hawk appeared to be very determined as it waited and waited and waited, but had no luck. At one time I went outdoors with my camera and stood about 4 feet from it and took its picture. It looked at me, but it never moved and remained there in wait after I returned in doors. I expect it will be back today hunting again. We already have lots of Goldfinch feeding at out feeders this morning.

Just look at its sweet face and hungry eyes in the picture above! Yes, I mean the hawk. I think it is a young one as I don't see any red in its eyes. adult Sharp-shinned Hawks have red eyes

Sharp-shinned Hawk Update

After having had a visit from a sharp-shinned hawk yesterday at our feeder area. I knew it would be back today, and I was right! After seeing a small flurry or squall of Goldfinch fly past my window in a frantic hurry!, I heard a loud thump as something banged into my window. A Sharp-shinned Hawk in pursuit? Yes! I saw it on the ground below the window. It sounded like quite a big hit, but it appeared none the worse for its collision. After it gathered itself together it flew to the rose bushes and scrambled down to the ground in the middle of them. I think my hawk watch days have begun. I think out little Goldfinch buddies are winning so far. Hawk 0
Goldfinch;lots of them still flying around!

A Sharp-shinned Hawk in Bird Alley

I hadn't seen a hawk for months; until yesterday that is. I was sitting in my living room when I saw something with large greyish wings fly downward past my window. I looked out and saw a Chickadee near our feeders, but then noticed movement in the branches of our wild rose bushes. I knew it was a hawk although it was difficult to see. Then it tried to get the Chickadee which was saved by its quick movements and the thorny rosebushes which slowed the Sharp-shinned Hawk in its pursuit. Click on the photo above to see the thorns on the bushes.; the Chickadees seemed to know the branches it offered protection so it stayed around. I couldn't get a good picture of the hawk but I now know its around. I have lots of goldfinches feeding here each day so if the hawk returns they will be in danger. Have a great day everyone!

Purple Finch for World Bird Wednesday

Hiw refreshing it was to look out my window this mornin to see a bird species that we hadn't seen for a long while. I had to stop and think! "What is it?" Then the name and gender popped into my head, "s female purple finch. how delightful!
The female finchappeared to be quite interested in the thistle stalk that it had landed on. And she took a couple of bites from it. "yummy ", she declared!
And in answer to my mental query. "We have a her, Now what about a him?"
And in no time there he was!!! I do hope they return tomorrow!No thistles for him. The finch food on the ground appealed to him.

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

a red Cardinal brooch for Ruby Tuesday

I fell in love with this beautiful red rhinestone Cardinal brooch when I first saw it and I knew I had to buy it. The cardinal is such a beautiful bird and this jewellery reproduction appears to be quite faithful in its duplication I especially took note of the blunt looking heavy finch beck on this brooch and the red colour !!!!!!

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/

Goldfinch again for mellow yellow Monday

The colour choice in birds outside my window doesn't vary much fromGoldfinch yellow and it is our cat's preferred watching. Other than Goldfinch in multitudes we have Blue Jays, woodpeckers, both Hairy and Downy, Mouring Doves and Black capped Chickadees: That is our usual daily variety.

Got pictures with yellow? Why not post them on the mellow yellow Monday meme by connecting to this link. http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/ Or You can click on its icon found on this page in the right column by finding it by scrolling down this page. If your plan is not to post a photo, then perhaps you will just want to enjoy all of the yellow contributions posted there

CanadaGeese have returned to my favourite pond!

I have been watching a particular flock of Canada Geese in my favourite pond since early November. Most days I could find them, sometimes they were in a field where a crop of corn had been harvested. Recently though the surface of the pond had become iced over with a skim of ice and they had disappeared. They hadn't gone too far though for this week with lots of mild temperatures and rainy days, the ice skim has melted the geese have reappeared again. Most days when I sight them on the pond they are out near the middle,too far away for good closeup pictures . Yesterday however, they were quite close to the shore of the highway where I sat in my car and took a few closeup pictures of them. There were only eight geese in the group on Friday, Perhaps only a few returned and the others are still en route to more southern climes. Whatever? but I did enjoy seeing them so close up. I love the colour in the eye of the Canada in the top photo. The eye of the goose below can also be seen quite well if you look for it.

A two eagle sighting!

Most of my daily birding drives recently have not been very successful , however on Wednesday there was a difference, a Big difference. Two big eagles perched in a rugged,scruffy looking tree just a few kilometers from my home. For taking these pictures I got out of my car. Usually a windshield view is what I am satisfied with but I didn't want to miss this opportunity.
It was difficult to get a good photo of both birds in the tree? The eagle perched mid way on the tree was definitely an adult with a full white head and its white tail showing also.
Above, a bad hair day I think!

The eagle at the top of the tree featured a lot of white mottling on its breast, influencing me to guess that it was probably a 2nd. or 3rd year eagle but it lacked a white head and tail. This eagle appeared to be a bit antsy and figidity and I knew it wouldn't stay there long as I stood far below it with my camera pointed up at it. I wasn't sure I would stay there long either as it was I felt a bit intimidated when looking up at those sharp claws above me. The top eagle spread its mottled wings and left, giving me a further view of its extensive mottling patterning.

Now that I know where to maybe find them I will go looking for them again today.
Good-bye Eagles. You were magnificent!

The moon comes early for Skywatch Friday

Sitting at my dining room table yesterday afternoon at 4:30 p.m., this was the view from my window there. A lovely round full moon seen through the bare tree branches of our back yard.

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.

apple tree for Ruby Tuesday

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/

American Goldfinch for Mellow Yellow Monday

This is a daily view for us of the many American Goldfinch clustered around our Niger seed feeders constantly feeding and flitting about and it is not only my husband and I watching out our windows. Our black cat Shakey delights with his view from the windows. His tail wags and his teeth chatter.! He has anticipations un-fulfilled as he has hunting dreams,

From October to March the non-breeding females are hanging around

in their seasonal feathered garb of dull brown.

With coverts of yellow , the non-breeding Goldfinch fellows help brighten the scene

through my window pane

until spring returns again.

Got pictures with yellow? Why not post them on the mellow yellow Monday meme by connecting to this link. http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/ Or You can click on its icon found on this page in the right column by finding it by scrolling down this page. If your plan is not to post a photo, then perhaps you will just want to enjoy all of the yellow contributions posted there.

A cardinal placemat for Ruby Tuesday.

Bringing nature indoors is a wonderful way to decorate and to extend the pleasure of observing nature. This cardinal picture you might recognize from my header. The cardinal drinking glass I had found at a large flea market this past summer. The bordering fabric used with cardinals flitting about among the trees is called "Fresh Fallen Snow by Chris Lammers and Maywood Studio. This fabric was a delightful gift from my daughter Riel of http://www.quispamsisquilter.blogspot.com/


I'm very happy to hear that you and Jesse both like your birthday present, Davis!!!

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/

Sunrise on the Prairies for Mellow Yellow Monday

A beautiful early morning photo taken by my brother Roger L. R. on the past weekend in the Prairie Province of Alberta. The colour is more than mellow, It is vibrant! Beautiful job Roger.

Got pictures with yellow? Why not post them on the mellow yellow Monday meme by connecting to this link. http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/ Or You can click on its icon found on this page in the right column by finding it by scrolling down this page. If your plan is not to post a photo, then perhaps you will just want to enjoy all of the yellow contributions posted there.

ITs been a Woodpecker Week in Bird Alley

This morning this delightful little woodpecker showed up in Bird Alley,a male Downy woodpecker. He looks very similar to the male Hairy Woodpecker that came visiting earlier thisweek. I shall now be watching for the female Downy.

Have a great day everyone!

Reflections at Oromocto

Last week I had seen Mallard Ducks in the Oromocto River from Hazen Park in Oromocto. Yesterday I looked again for ducks and found some swimming there in the river. As well as ducks the river contained beautiful reflections of the tree lined shore on the opposite side.
Have a great day everyone. Also this view above was from the same location at Hazen Park. This reflective view of the Burton bridge ,which is just slightly downriver from the park.

Snow in Bird Alley brings birds and deer!

This handsome male Northern Cardinal has found the source of the food in bird alley. Above the cardina lis a new bird feeder which the Blue Jays dominate. As the jays are hastily feeding they are scattering seeds that fall below on the ground. It the snow in its beak is a clue at all, I would observe that thid bird guy knows where the bird food has fallen and he is foraging for a few tender bits and pieces. Now that we know he knows where to feed we will be awaiting his return appearance today.

above: female Hairy Woodpecker

Earlier this week in a previous post I had posted photos of a male Hairy Woodpecker. today its female counterpart arrived, a female Hairy Woodpecker. This gal bird is quite striking in her appearance. Notice her contrasting black and white beauty. Also she is lacking the red at the back of her head which the male Hairy displays. Maybe the little male Downy will show up today also, as it has done previous this week.


American Goldfinch, We now have a passel of them. Previous to the snow I was seeing two a day feeding at the nyger seed feeder. Today I have had up to eight at this feeder.

I also mentioned deer in my title today. We didn't see a deer but the tell tale tracks that it or they? left behind. Howdid it get in? We have fenced our yard so that no deer could get in, but we have been outsmarted! I probably won't get any pictures of them in Bird Alley for it is only overnight while we are sleeping that the make their feeding visits. I kind of miss looking out my window and seeing them.

Our yard birds so far today:
Blue Jays
one female Hairy Woodpecker
Black-capped Chickadees
Mourning Dove
American Goldfinch
one male Hairy Woodpecker