SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - A VISITOR!

The Froggies cousin was visiting from across the other side of the pond. No, not THAT big pond, the one at the garden. He hitched a ride home in the pocket of the mister of the house and hopped down onto the bird feeder as soon as he could. 

The froggies, at the pond couldn't be seen but were heard. They were very noisy and very chirpy to have such nice weather. Froggy 4 decided to join his cousins for a few hours. He recognized the mister as he liked to read blogs and saw his picture one day. That's how he knew whose pocket to jump into.

He was still very noisy and monopolized the conversation, but they didn't mind. Everyone was very happy to have him visit. Out came the best China, the kettle was put on and the teapot was filled with their favorite brew. They had endless cuppas and scones, but someone forgot to buy the clotted cream and jam. No clotted cream and jam for the scones? The horror! That's okay, Cappy the Catbird was very happy to be invited.

The Robins came by later when all was quiet and they missed the party, but there was always a kettle to put on.

 Out came the favorite brew from the cupboard, more happy talking took place. The sun was going down by the time they left. They had a long journey to get back to that fourth tree on the right, at least in Robin steps.

That's how it goes at this week's Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder.

Thanks for flying in and 

hope your wings aren't too tired. 

For our overseas friends to translate the photos, 

using the translation widget on the right.

Photo 1

"I am very nosy but who is that?"

Photo 2:

"Hello over there. Join us, we are having tea!"

Photo 3 and 4: 

No words.

 

YESTERDAY I DIDN'T KNOW THAT I WOULD BE COMING ACROSS THIS BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK

It was on a vehicle in the parking area when we visited the pond. I noticed it as we were leaving. There was no one inside and I thought I could take a few photos without disturbing anyone. 

The main artwork on the hood was that of an American Indian on a pinto pony. 

The man is shown in a ceremonial pose with arms raised and head tilted back towards the sky. He is holding a ceremonial staff in one hand.

I would like to have had a conversation with this very talented artist, but its occupants were most likely taking a walk in the woods. Below is a close up of the spear on the side. The same design was on the other side also. Seeing this lovely artwork made our trip to the pond even more enjoyable.

Thanks for looking and 

I hope you have a great day 

and weekend.

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - SNOW DAY AND UP IN THE SKY...

 The geese were fed up with all the snow and decided to pack up and fly further south. You can just about see their suitcases tucked under their wings. No? Well, I'm sure they're there!

Meanwhile, far down below them....

The squirrel has very sharp claws and has dug down to one of the flat feeders. I asked him if he could bring five hundred family members over to do the same to our driveway. I told him I would pay them peanuts, but the kind of peanuts they would like.

I think you are getting your classic lines mixed up there buddy! Oh, and the American Beaver came on by. 

Buck the Beaver also said he could chew his way through the ice. If he can fell trees with his teeth, I know he can help us with our ice problem. We have lived in this house 30 plus years, and we have never had it like this before. The snow shovel that has dug us out of many feet of snow in the past, threw its metal hands up in disgust.

In the meantime, the Dark-eyed Junco is digging down to parts unknown, while ducking pinecones. They are still falling off that tree and then there are those Kissing Bunnies again. Missy Mourning Dove is expressing herself today.

Sophie Squirrel finally let go of her acorn after being offered a nice cup of hot coffee with a few flowers. She's feeling much warmer now.

For our international friends to translate:

1st Photo:

"Keep up back there. No slacking!"

2nd Photo:

"I have struck oil. I mean birdseed!"

3rd Photo:

"Oil or birdseed, that is the question. Be it nobler to leave the seed? Or should I let them eat cake?
"If it were me I would take the cake!"

4th Photo:

"Do you want some help? I am very good at digging and building. I come with my own tools too!"

"How are you with heavy snow and ice on driveways? The man of the house could really do with your help."

5th Photo:

No words.

6: Photo:

"Tsk! Don't they ever quit? They are so embarrassing! I wonder what their kids think?"

7th Photo:

"How very kind. Thank you!"

8th Photo:

"And that's how it goes on a Saturday Morning at the Bird Feeder. Thanks for the visit. Have a great day!"

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - PUMPKINS AND SCARECROWS

 We were in Annapolis last Saturday, the 25th (history found here). Lampposts were decorated with scarecrows and some shops for Halloween throughout the town. Here are a few of the photos I took while driving around. This is a wider angle of the photo I shared yesterday.

I liked the positive sign in the window next door.

"Together we can, Annapolis!"

There were also very large carved pumpkins. I took a few photos but there were others further away, and we were heading out of town. This link tells you about them.

A close up of the one above.

And another outside the visitor center.

You can see it more clearly here.

There were more scarecrows nearby...

and several others in the area but I was only able to take a few photos.

This was a flying visit but we're hoping to go back next month.

(Message on signature logo above, "Thank you for stopping by and have a very happy Halloween Week!")

MILKWEED PODS AND SEEDS AT WALNEY VISITOR CENTER

 In the front garden bed in front of the old house, now the visitor center, there are several Milkweed plants. There is an initiative to plant Milkweed throughout North America, to help save the Monarch Butterfly. This simple looking plant could be key to saving our much-treasured Monarch. 

The Milkweed is vital to the survival of Monarch butterflies. They lay their eggs on milkweed and the caterpillars feed on the leaves, making it the only food source for them. There are over 100 species of Milkweed in North America and while the plant is toxic, some insects can tolerate its sap and benefit from its defenses. 

I was happy to see the milkweed floss that had escaped from the pods. I haven't seen it in this stage in I can't remember when. They were a beautiful sight to see, especially with the sunlight on them. 

Milkweed has a history of helping humans also, from weaving to medicine, and its fluffy seeds provided fiber for life preservers. Another interesting website on medicinal benefits can be found here. 

Milkweed seeds are attached to the silky hairs, forming fluffy parachutes that allow them to be carried by the wind for dispersal. 

The large pods are called follicles. These are stuffed with tiny seeds, each bearing a bunch of silken, fluffy hairs called the coma. When the follicles ripen, they split open and the seeds are carried off in the wind by their plumes of fluffy hairs. 

The pappus, the fluffy hairs making up the coma, are hypoallergenic and super soft. They can be used for making allergy-free pillow stuffing and blankets. 

They were also used in life preservers during World War II when the makers were no longer able to get the material from the Kpok Tree.

That's all for today's post. It has been interesting for me to find out more about this plant.

Thanks for visiting and 

I hope your week has gone well.

I AM INSPIRED BY DRAGONFLIES...

"I'm inspired by how dragonflies are both tough and fragile; fierce and mild." - Cindy Crosby

I have just learned of Cindy Crosby simply by looking for quotes about dragonflies for this post. She has a wonderful blog with superb photos. You can find it at this link. Her biography reads, "Cindy Crosby is the author, compiler or contributor to more than 20 books. Her most recent is 'Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural, Cultural and Personal History (Northwestern University Press 2020)'. She teaches prairie ecology, nature writing and natural history classes, and is a prairie steward who has volunteered countless hours in prairie restoration. See Cindy's upcoming online speaking events and classes at www.cindycrosby.com."

While still on the subject, there is another photographer whose blog I go to. He also takes the most amazing photographs of dragonflies and other things in nature. His name is Mike Powell and his blog can be found here. Also, his 'about me' page is here.

My dragonfly was found at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Not the sharpest as it kept flitting about but am always happy for the memory. We hadn't been to the refuge in quite a while and I was hoping to take the path down to the Potomac to see more birdlife on the river, but I am listening to my body more these days. It told me to pace myself. A short walk but nevertheless a very enjoyable one, and more importantly a bit of exercise. My doctor recently told me that 'motion is lotion'. I have adopted her phrase. For some reason it always makes me smile.

I still have photos from Walney Visitor Center and will share more probably next week.

Thanks for looking and I hope you have a great day.

A COUPLE OF OUR GARDEN FLOWERS

 

I was a bit worried about the flowers out front. We have had a lot of heavy rain lately and early this afternoon (7-1-25), a very loud thunderstorm. At the first opportunity I checked them out and am happy to say that, for the most part, they are hanging in there. There were no perfect petals, many had fallen off and only two of the plants have blooms right now, the Coneflower and the Ditch lily.

I am hoping to plant more of them as time goes on.

In the photo above you can see a hosta in the top right corner. I don't know what color of flower it will produce yet. 

"Happiness is to hold a flower in both hands."

~Japanese Proverb~

The above photos are mine. Hopefully with a few sunny days and lots of tender loving care, the others will be blooming soon. 

Great minds think alike as the old saying goes. Our son just sent me the rest of today’s photos on his walk, before I had finished my post. I told him I was just about to add my coneflower pictures from the garden. 

Whenever he and our daughter-in-law are out on a walk, they will often send photos. We are a photo-loving family and often send what we have taken. Photography is a favorite hobby we all share. If there is anything they know his dad would like, they send those too. Today he was on his own and saw the flowers which he knew I would love, as well as the little lending library, and what came with it. I love the fact that some dear person had put an umbrella over the box. A talented person also painted the word ‘peace’ on its pole. There are several who have added to the story garden, which brings a smile to most. I recognize Alice in Wonderland, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter. Our son and daughter-in-law have taken their own books to that little library. On our recent tidying up of things and opening of boxes, I found several old children's books I used to read to him when he was little. I have asked him to add them the next time they go that way. They are still in very good shape, almost like new.

These photos cheered me. It is an important reminder that there are still many kind people out there.

I asked him if I could share and he said absolutely. Thank you son!

And thank you for stopping by everyone.

I wish you all a great day!