AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR ...

First of all I would like to thank you for the comments you have been leaving.  I am a bit slow getting back to you, but hope to catch up in the next day or so.

I was about to sit down to dinner yesterday when I walked by the patio door and saw this beauty.  It was not too long after 6.00 p.m.  He was perched on the top of the deck rail.  I was totally mesmerized, so close! 

We stared at each other for a while.  I thought my sudden appearance would have frightened it off, but it seemed as though it stayed for almost 15 minutes and I was rooted in the spot.  

He wasn't the only one with an open mouth.  After I shook myself out of my own open-mouthed stupor, I grabbed the camera and started snapping away. 

Here is a closer view of the above pose.

I kept taking photos because I thought beauty here would be gone.  I have no idea how long it had been there before I walked by.  

I am thinking we have a Cooper's Hawk here, but would really appreciate an ID from an expert.  I read it is hard to tell between a Cooper's and a Sharp-shinned Hawk.  Also I know that a juvenile can be different in markings than the adult, as in other birds.  I looked on line to try and figure it out, one article here and another here.  I want to say a Cooper's Hawk but haven't seen enough sightings to be absolutely sure, so any help will be appreciated.

I didn't want to leave but after dozens of photo opportunities I thanked beauty for this early evening gift.  I had been feeling that because of the loss of our two main trees, wildlife would be sparse but there it was to prove me wrong.  Gorgeous bird!  

Beauty's potential dinner was in hiding.  What I have noticed in the past is that our backyard wildlife is very good making themselves scarce when one of these is around.  They have to survive and long may they do so, but I was glad I didn't have to see it catch its dinner, as much as I like and admire them.  

Eventually the head chef was calling me to dinner, and after we had finished I went back hoping that beauty would still be there, but there was so sign.  A lovely way to end the day wasn't it?

Thanks for looking and I hope your day is a wonderful one.

FINALLY BACK TO GREEN SPRING GARDENS - THE CARDINAL

On Monday, April 5th, we woke up to warmer temperatures and bright blue skies.  It was too good to waste and we decided it was time to get back to Green Spring Gardens, one of our favorite places about 35 to 40 minutes away by car.  A lot of people had the same idea as it was more crowded than our last visit back in the summer, with people who obviously had the same idea as us, to get out and enjoy the gorgeous weather.  It was not uncomfortably crowded, with 90 percent wearing masks, but those few who didn't were well away from others, unless they were with their family members.  We were very comfortable walking around.  It has been over two weeks now since we received our second Covid-19 vaccination.  We wore our masks and are still following safety guidelines.

I will be sharing more of our walk next time, but today I wanted to concentrate on the Cardinal.  We had just walked up a steep incline from where we started out, by the ponds.  At the top of the hill is a bench and it is our habit to sit there for a few moments.  Gregg happened to look up and saw a flash of red among the branches, which is a sign to pick up the camera and take a look as quickly as I can.  I only had seconds to take his photo before he flew off into the trees.  

I was happy to see him out and about.  We had arrived when the sun was high in the sky.  Not the best time to see or photograph birds.  He was a gift and one we thoroughly enjoyed as we sat on our bench.

The Cardinal's scientic name is Cardinalis cardinalis.  You will see it on the edge of forests, parks and yards across most of North America and parts of Central America.  We see them in our garden all year round and they look especially pretty in fresh fallen snow.

You can read more about them at this link.  If you scroll down the page you will see other links to several recordings of its song.

Thank you for looking at today's post, and enjoy your day.

BIRDS AND SNOW - AN OLD POST 10 YEARS AGO

 I got up early this morning. It is 4.45 a.m. and there is a fine blanket of snow everywhere. Thankfully it seems to have stopped. From what I have heard on the weather reports it isn't going to be more than an inch deep around here.

Yesterday I was more interested in how icy it was going to get as when I went to collect the mail at around 6.30 p.m., it was sleeting and everything was covered in ice, especially our driveway which is on a hill and can be very treacherous in bad weather. I thought it prudent to go down to the mailbox at a 45 degree angle on the grass, and even that had a fine sheet of ice on it but it was better than the alternative. I got back up without too much difficulty and only felt myself sliding a couple of times. 

An hour later it had started to snow and was still snowing when I went to bed at 11.00 p.m. This morning all is quiet. I will be filling up the bird feeders first thing and throwing out the peanuts. In the top photos we start off with an American Robin and a Carolina Wren. Below is a Dark-Eyed Junco.

The photos of all feathered friends were taken during the last dusting of snow a couple of weeks ago. Below is a male Cardinal. I love his bright red coloring against the white of the snow.

The Blue Jay was taken the following day when the snow had stopped and the sun was out. It is always a race between the Blue Jays and the Squirrels to get hold of the peanuts.

The Blue Jays always get their fair share.

Last photo is that of a female Cardinal. Her mate turned up a little while later.

Added note to this old post on February 20th, 2021. While we are not going out anywhere I will be sharing several old posts.  This one was dated January 12th, 2011 before hubby had retired and was traveling out of state on business.

A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK

Thank you David (Travels With Birds) for sticking with me until I got its ID correct!  I really appreciate your help.  David identified this beauty as a Red-shouldered Hawk.  Also my thanks go to Dorothy of the Frog and the Penguin for steering me in the right direction.

This is a post I shared on my old blog in February 2013.  If it is new to you, that's great. If it isn't, I hope you don't mind me sharing it again. 

 

For me, I have enjoyed looking back at several posts I made, and I will share those also at another time.  

I am not sure what type of hawk this is.  I mislabeled it originally, trying to keep up identifying the many I saw that morning, being new to birding, particularly birds of prey.  

I am still learning so perhaps someone more knowledgeable would help me out.  I looked online at several birds and they all looked so alike, even as I tried to identify feather patterns, color of eyes, beaks and claws.

I read about a demonstration given by The Raptor Conservancy of Virginia, which would be held in the open air on the grounds of a university about 45 minutes from where I live.  This was long before my sweet other half had retired so I went on my own, quite excited at the first-time prospect of seeing raptors up close. 

The birds have a permanent home at the Conservancy.  They were brought there to be cared for and rehabilitated after being injured.  Unfortunately the ones I saw could not be fully healed and returned to the wild.  They were now used for educational purposes.  

Taken good care of by their handler was very obvious, as she showed a lot of affection for them.  She was, in fact, quite protective, making sure we spoke quietly and didn't get too close.

I had joined a small group of fellow bird lovers/camera enthusiasts, who were as enthralled as I was.  For over an hour we were all delighted to be close to this beauty and others, as we were introduced to several amazing birds.

We were as quiet as could be so as not to startle them, having had a preparatory chat from their handler before they were introduced.  There was another lady who brought out each one.  

We were told all about them, and at the end of each session were allowed to take our photos, individually being given a turn at the best angle.  

Apart from the sound of camera shutters, no one said anything.  The handler was very interesting and knowledgeable, and we were able to ask our questions before another was brought out.

And we all just keep taking one photo after another.

As you see, I took many photos!

Thank you for stopping by, and stay happy and healthy out there.