Downy Woodpecker

As soft and sweet in appearance as their name implies.  Even their little call and murmuring as they go about searching for food is sweet. 

The Original Recycling Concept

I found out about a local photo contest late yesterday afternoon and set out early this morning with determination in search of something to fit the context of the exhibit.  With an entry deadline of 30 November, no time to waste.










As usual, I got sidetracked.  While exploring around an on log tobacco barn, I found some old drink bottles.  These were from a time you took the bottle back in the next time you got a drink so you didn't have to pay a deposit.  You could really get a cold drink in these unlike the plastic bottles now that regardless of how long you cool, they never really get cold and heat up quickly.








The old log barn was a haven for Carolina Anole that were basking in the sun.  They look quite different in their coloration now.  Definitely not the green of spring and summer.  There was a wide variety of brown toned coloration ranging from tan to dark brown.

 As for entry possibilities, well, I still have tomorrow.

Pine Warbler

 







The flash of bright yellow is conspicuous when seen out in the open.  However..............































when hunting in its namesake tree, easily blends in and is camouflaged.

The Curious Fox

Today was one of those exceptional birding days where you get fantastic shots.  To top it off, the weather was outstanding.  Tomorrow is suppose to be overcast with another cold front moving through so I made the most of today.

With so many wonderful shots, it is going to take me a while to go though them.  So what do I post instead?  A fox.  The fox has been spotted in this particular location on several occasions.  It is unreachable by human foot traffic (unless you brave the briars and/or water) so the fox feels safe to relax and enjoy the sun on a soft bed of grass.

Northern Flicker

If I had to choose a favorite bird, this one would rate high on my list.  I like everything about them.  It is as if the Creator could not decide what they should look like and gave them a dash of everything.  This bird was doing some serious chowing down on the poison ivy seeds.  Some acrobatic moves were required to reach the last seeds.










Female and Male

Busy Beavers

My first attempt at getting the beavers in action was nothing great.  Re-thinking how to set the camera I tried again.  Success!  I was able to document three different beavers, a muskrat and raccoon that showed up all three nights.

I went out early this morning to get the camera as temperatures are going to fall all day and a biting wind out of the north was building.  The beavers made quite a bit of progress last night beginning right a dark and last crossing the new dam site to go back to their lodge at 0630.

I did notice a new area they worked on last night as they are trying to contain an area of water that is already backing up.  I may give that location a go later in the week.

Poor Sportsmanship

I went out early this morning to retrieve the trail camera I had set to try and record the beaver. While I did get some shots, they were not very good so I am trying again tonight.  Moving on.  This park is considered a native wildlife refuge where hunting is not permitted.  A herd of deer come in and shelter in the park overnight and move to deeper woods surrounding the park in the morning.

As I was working getting up the trail camera, the herd came across the wetlands.  They had finished crossing and headed down the path further in the woods when a shot rang out.  Another gentleman who was walking stopped and looked at me.  The shot was very close.   There is no way that anyone should have been hunting that close to the park and in fact, firing into the park.

We talked about whether we should call a wildlife officer but decided the shooter would be long gone before one would arrive.  It showed poor judgement on the hunters part and poor sportsmanship.

I fear that the matriarch of the herd was probably shot.  I have watched them on many occasions coming across the wetlands and she was always at the head of the herd.