Backyard Birding

Sometimes when you are least expecting it....
You see something different in the back yard.
I was returning from a quick trip to the bank
pulling into the driveway I saw this
bird fly into a tree. It sure looked like a hawk,
but was so small.

I'm sure he was searching for breakfast, and kept
flying from one place to another. The sharpie feeds
mostly on birds and I had filled the feeders for
the many song birds I get. I'm sure my place looked
like a 'birdie' McDonald's.

As you can see when he landed on the roof of my shed....
He is about the size of blue jay. (excuse the blur)

In this shot you can see his beautiful slate gray back
and the dark and light gray on his tail.

As quickly as he came , he was gone. But I was happy
to get such a shot in my own backyard!

A Birding we shall go........

Two Friends a go a birding...
Before we even get
out of my driveway my friend spots a hawk at the
very top of the hill above my house. I managed two shots.
one resting....

One flying looking like a phantom

Bedford County lends itself to scenic country farms , covered
bridges and rolling farmland. I can't help but capture it
with the camera. A Farm along old Route 220 looks
picture perfect with it's own covered bridge.

As we near Bedford the old C.R. Pencil barn
dating back to July 1920 greets us.

Shawnee State Park has some gorgeous landscape
and a bench to rest on.

I am capturing a flock of Canadian Geese looking
for some open water. They did not land... it was all frozen.

My friend pointed out this tree. Doesn't it look
like the face of a girl?

After tiring of Shawnee I called my Niece's husband, Jeff
to assist us in some birding hot spots.
This barn was in Snake Spring twp.

I couldn't resist this horse and buggy. Jeff says they
come out on Sunday afternoons.

Here you see it all.... horse, buggy, dog, cow, barn... a way
of life few of us really know or appreciate.

Well finally............we do see a male kestrel on a wire with a
mouse in his talons.

I was excited because this is not a bird I see often.

Yellow creek is a beautiful setting for some ducks and we
did see a kingfisher but he was too faraway for a picture.

This is just a domestic duck..... but I was fascinated with
the black and white pattern on his feathers.

The catch of the day must have been this female red tail hawk.

go here for a look at the map of Snake Spring Twp. Bedford County

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Snake+Spring,+PA,+United+States+of+America&ie=UTF8&ll=
40.081749,-78.408051&spn=0.215402,0.466919&z=11&om=0

Thanks Jeff for your expertise in birding!!

Busy Day at the Feeders

As the temperatures dip into the single digits
over night and a little snow falls in PA, the
birds are looking for food.
I am so excited when I can stay home and
watch to see what is happening around the
feeder stations. Today was busy.
finches, cardinals, chickadees, titmouse

Whether it was seeds or suet the birds
were happily filling up.

Ms. Cardinal was just looking pretty perched in the lilac.


Mr. Snowman offers both seeds in the bucket
and suet by the fence at the bottom. The downy
loves this little station.

Red Belly will get suet about anywhere it is offered.

Ms. Cardinal tries the new 'heart' feeder...
Valentine's day IS almost here.

While Mr. Cardinal watches and waits for his turn.
His color is stunning in the winter leafless bushes.

He takes his turn at the 'heart' feeder.


I was sorry to see the day come to a close... watching
birds today has been fun.

A Very Old Cemetery

In the year of 1670, approximately 70 Dutch and English Settlers mostly from New England, received title to their lands located 10 miles Southwest of Newark and 6 miles North of New Brunswick. At that time, this territory was dominated by an Indian Chief known as Matouchin, the term meaning Rolling Land, the natural scenery here being the most attractive of any between New York and Philadelphia.
Metuchen is near Edison NJ where 'Maidenform' my husband's work is.

We visited this very old cemetery while there for the bullriding.

If you double click you will be able to read the plaque.

Those who are buried here are from the Revolutionary
War period.
The Cemetery sits right in town with houses
and streets surrounding it.

I was intrigued by the old but perfectly inscribed stones.

Can you imagine how hard it would have been to
cut and inscribe this stone in 1760?

I could not believe how well preserved the stones
seemed to be.


A Few of the stones were literally 'stones' inscribed
like the one here.

Cats Cats Cats

This post is for you, Roxi.
After our cat - a - strophic adventure
today with the 'wild' black cats I thought
you might enjoy the ones I saw on my trip to NY/NJ.

The first bunch were in a wooded area where we walked to
get to the pond where the Canadian geese and ducks were.
(The Post: Walk in the Park)

Then later we went down to the bay and another bunch
were running around. Someone had constructed a wooded
shelter and put food and water there for them.
But there was no getting near them.

Walk in the Park

While visiting New York and going to Bull riding, I also
visited the same park I went to back in November.
(the post was Meno Park)
This is the more of the same park. The ducks and
Canadian geese were gathered around the one
place where the water was not frozen.

Doesn't this Canadian Goose look like he is skating..

all graceful there on one leg..

Well, they were skating, watch the video below

My brother and his girlfriend posed for
a picture on the bridge at the park.

It says ''no skating' but there is an iceskating rink right
across on the other side.The seagulls were gathered at one end.


I noticed this black and white duck, but do not know
what they are. They were sleeping.
I liked the way this female cowbird looked. (didn't know
what it was until bird girl told me.