Autumn Delights the Senses.....

My first Delight is the Rose- Breasted Grosbeak. . .

He's still here and coming to the feeder.

He shares with a shy little Nuthatch

He sure looks be-dragled! (is that a word) haha


Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods.
William Allingham

As fall winds down the leaves start to turn brown and
the trees are getting bare

But Beauty still abounds in the woods and my sense of
smell and vision are delighted

I'm still looking for that shot of the Kingfisher, but I must say
the walks are just therapeutic to me with or without him

Meanwhile back in the yard, I catch a perfect shot of
a beautiful Cardinal

And I just sighed with happiness when I spotted this
Carolina Wren yesterday. After my failed nest episode
last May ... I feared I would never see one again.
He is so well blended with his surroundings I
would not have even seen him if he hadn't moved.

I too have American Gold finches trying out my new Niger feeder

The squirrels continue to search and conquer every nut
they can find. I don't know why, because as soon as
the snow flies, they will be eating my bird seed!

I'm sure this guy is hunting for an acorn or something....but
I had to smile as it reminded me of the my kids jumping
in a big pile of leaves..

My grandson Jarred hiding from my dog Ben in a pile
of freshly racked leaves...Nov. 9, 2003
Savor these moments that are warm and special and giggly

Hellllloo way over there Mr. Gray Squirrel...

Close up you're a handsome one!

Delightful happiness is a two inch carpet of bright yellow
leaves and blue reflected in the water

Now I bet you are wondering what is this?? Well...
the other day I was walking along this path and the
sun was shining and I got so hot I took off my
orange jacket and then lost it....

Today when I went back someone had kindly hung it on
a branch for me to find. Thank You...someone!
How thoughtful was that.

To God be the Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done

Hairy or Downy

Except for size they look very much alike.
The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium sized bird
7-10 inches long
who is often seen clinging to an old stump or tree

He likes to explore for bugs in holes
left by other woodpeckers.

You can hear them drumming on the hard surface
to get the bugs to move around

Their three toed feet easily can cling to the side of a trunk

Black and white plumage with white under belly and
white stripes on face

The male has the red on back of head, female does not

An interesting bird to watch... and listen for

You hear his song and drumming HERE

I believe you can see his tongue in this picture below.
very similar is the Downy Woodpecker who often
frequents the feeders. He is 6-7 inches long
and has a smaller bill. He is the smallest woodpecker

Get out and VOTE!

Surprise Breakfast Visitor

Beauty can be found in beginnings as well as in
endings, for they are each apart of life's journey.
Author unknown

Keep your eyes open.... you never know what you will

see out the window.. And keep the camera close too.

When I got up this morning it was still a little dark outside.
I saw this bird from my bathroom window and knew it
wasn't just any bird. But it took me a while to ID it.

It sure looked like a Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, but I
haven't seen one of these since about July.

They usually show up at the feeder in late April or
early May, not in November.

He stayed in the tree for at least a half hour, just looking
around and turning his head in one direction and then the other.

After taking many pictures, I had to jump in the shower
and start the day. When I came out he was gone from
the tree, but I found him on my feeder.

You can sure tell he is immature as his red neck is
still not turned yet.... streaks of pinkish red now or.....

is it a female? I can't make up my mind. The female

does not have the red???? But she has the eye stripes!

help!

And the usual black and white back and tail feathers have
quite a lot of brown like the male...
The female would be all brown...

Quite a difference from the first siting last Spring!

To God be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done