Saturday, December 29, 2012

Feather Mystery

Late yesterday I headed out to take the dog for her usual afternoon walk.  Her internal walk clock goes off and she will become quite insistent until it is just easier to give in and go.  It was a hard feeling cold to me yesterday with the winds feeling like they were coming off ice and I really did not want to go out.  We took only a short walk but when I got back home, I noticed all these feathers floating down off the roof.  I stepped back to look and the roof was covered.  There was no sign of any other bird remains.  When either the Red-Tailed or Red-Shouldered hawks are around, they are usually fairly vocal so I know they are near.  I can only assume that  this was perhaps the work of the Cooper's Hawk.  It is a very stealthy and quiet hunter.  Poor dove.  I sort of hate this because the doves were just beginning to return and I feel a little guilty because I had thrown down a handful of seed on the ground for them.

A Pine Warbler was sitting in the tree over where I was looking at the feathers trilling away and wanting me to get away from the suet feeder.  The cold temps have been bringing in the birds.  Used the last of the suet cakes yesterday and with rain today, making more will be a good inside project.







House Finches have started returning.  I usually have quite a lot and up until now, have been absent for the most part.






 

Friday, December 28, 2012

Sandy Hook Snowflake Project

A little diversion from nature posts for something I think is very important.  The recent shooting incident in Connecticut was beyond understanding.  I have refused to read anything regarding the shooter as I feel it only incites those seeking attention to perform similar or more shocking acts.

The focus should be on the children.  I just learned of a project to make the school the children will be going back to a winter wonderland.  This is not the school where the shooting took place  The PTA is asking for many snowflakes to help decorate the school.

These are a few that I completed today and 18 more ready to embellish tonight.  We have a group of us who are going to be working on a mad rush to get at least 24 done.  A small contribution but we are going to work as hard as possible to make each snowflake different with embellishments.

More information can be found at the PTA site here.  So folks, pull out those scissors and paper/felt or dust off that embroidery machine and get busy.  FYI if you have an embroidery machine, Embroidery Library is currently offering a free download of a snowflake pattern for use.  That pattern is available here.

Snowflakes cut from felt can be stiffened by "painting" the felt (both sides) with a liquid fabric stiffener/startch/sizing.  Let dry flat.  These turn out nicely and can then be glittered or otherwise embellished.

Snowflakes are asked to arrived by January 12, 2013 to:

Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway
Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT  60514

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Camouflage By Nature

 
Mother Nature does a pretty good job at providing camouflage.

 




Wednesday, December 26, 2012

And The Winner Is?

Rain, rain, and more rain last night and all today..  We needed it but I am soooo tired of rain and gray skies.  Tomorrow should be sunny even though cool, at least blue skies.  Yesterday was beautiful for the most part of the day but family stuff and visiting left little time for anything else.

Late this afternoon when the rain finally stopped I walked down in the woods to retrieve the trail camera.  Back to the house for boots then back again.  The normally dry to damp creek bed was filled with water.

I love seeing the interaction between species.  Based on size, who would you think would leave first?









Poor young buck!  He just keeps getting his feelings hurt.  One shot between these two is just a blur where the male fox charged at the deer.  It really surprised me.


Saturday, December 22, 2012

Battle of the Bucks



The high wind continues today and with the cooler temps, it cuts right through you.  The last minute Christmas rush is on with a cookie exchange yesterday so I have not been going out much.  I have some last minute projects to finish this afternoon. 

Last week, a new buck showed up.  His rack is not quite as impressive as the largest buck but he is definitely one I have not seen before.  I have not seen the largest buck in about two weeks now so I have some fear as to his well being.  I will be glad when deer hunting season is over on 1 January.

The smaller buck has just made himself at home like he is the ruler of the territory.  The new buck gave it a challenge last night but the younger buck stood its ground.














The male fox (on the left) has been showing up for the last few nights.  The female has nipped at him several times so I am not sure she is too happy to have him around.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Racing Duck

Winner by a bill!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Blue Jay

Sort of a slow day out.  Mostly cloudy with brief periods of sunshine.  A steady wind kept the birds hunkered down.  For a couple of years, I have been trying for that one outstanding shot of a Blue Jay.  No, today was not the day either.  There is one particular area where they like to search for insects but it is always in deep shade regardless of the time of year it seems.

They are noisy and boisterous but really quite pretty.  Oh well, for another day.

Blogger seems to be having issues tonight so short post.