DOWNY WOODPECKER AND OTHER THINGS

A lot of times when I go to take a photo of the birds outside, they will fly away.  I have often told my dear other half that I am going to attach a sheet up at the window, cut a hole and stick the camera lens through.  I believe he thinks I'm joking.  I would also take one of the kitchen chairs and sit down in comfort for a while to see if I can have more success.  

I didn't have to do any of that today.  I noticed the Male Downy Woodpecker perched on one of the rails.  He stayed still for the longest time.  I was wondering if he had spotted a hawk and was hiding.  I have seen them literally under the thickest part of the lower deck raiI, looking up at the sky, and sure enough I saw a hawk circling above.  I stared at this one for quite a while and decided to grab my camera, thinking he was going to fly away.  But I got right up there, took a few photos and he remained motionless.  Meantime a pair of Mourning Doves landed, along with a Blue Jay, and he still stayed until I decided to make sure he was okay.  When I opened the patio door he flew up into the trees, so that was good.

Another thing that happened this past week, we were out on the deck chatting with someone, and I saw movement in my neighbor's garden.  I was pleasantly surprised to see a fox jump over the fence, run across the grass, make a left turn and disappear into another neighbor's garden. Our visitor wasn't as excited as I was, but he lives more out in the country, and I suspect this is a regular occurrence for him.  I mentioned a little while ago that I had looked out the front window one night to see fox kits playing in our front yard.  I have been looking ever since and there has been no sign until I saw this one.  It was very healthy looking, had the most beautiful shiny coat.  No photos but a sweet memory.  I borrowed the fox photo from my go to place - pixabay.com.

We ran a few errands and on the way back we went through the drive-thru at our local coffee shop.  When Gregg handed me my coffee I noticed the name and said, "I think Drake may have gotten my coffee."  We were already driving home so no turn around to see.  It was my regular order.  I showed him the side of my cup and said, "I think I am going to call you Drake from now on."  "Thank you for my coffee Drake!"  "You're welcome!" Drake said.

Here's my doggy fix for today.  Doggy's human had just come out of the coffee shop and was getting ready to cross the road.  "Would you like to be called Drake Doggy? I think that name would suit you."  I passed the name on as I think my human is going to get tired of being called Drake."

We followed this truck for a while.  I looked at the words and the design and immediately identified a kindred spirit.  I am ready for the forests and the mountains, to lose my mind and find my soul.  It is one of my favorite quotes.

I am still in the middle of my garden post and thought I would send this to be going on with.