What I see in my backyard...

[Czevski]

Orioles, red-breasted grosbeaks, monarchs and other butterflies, dragonflies, and all sorts of beautiful creatures are around and I see them on my walks. But I have few butterflies in my yard. And my oriole feeder is just in hope - until yesterday only house finches were seen there. I've seen hummingbirds only one also. Cardinals, finches, robins, doves, bluejays and other more common birds keep me entertained. And the squirrels, bunnies, and chipmunks!

 

[Kaykaykay]

That is too funny, Kay! The squirrels here are plumping up real good for the winter...and so early, too. Am a little worried about that to think Winter is getting closer! I agree that some squirrels can look a bit scrawny, mangy looking. I guess when there is a known food source around, those squirrels feel pretty safe to just sit and eat all day without a worry of anything!

BTW...never had a date shake before. Was it any good or was it bad and that's why there were so many tossed in the garbage?

From what I remember, the date shake was rich and good, but once I got a look at those squirrels, I didn't want to stick around drinking whatever turned them into fur horrors, lol. The shake tasted grainy and like a Bit O Honey, if you've ever had one of those.

 

[stranding]

Orioles, red-breasted grosbeaks, monarchs and other butterflies, dragonflies, and all sorts of beautiful creatures are around and I see them on my walks. But I have few butterflies in my yard. And my oriole feeder is just in hope - until yesterday only house finches were seen there. I've seen hummingbirds only one also. Cardinals, finches, robins, doves, bluejays and other more common birds keep me entertained. And the squirrels, bunnies, and chipmunks!

We have had these 2 Red Admiral butterflies enjoying the sun on the side of our garage. Unusual, as there aren't many butterflies around.
Never seen a single squirrel here in 30 years! Which is odd because they plague bird feeders in some gardens.

 

[stranding]

After a gap, here are some of the other babies at the al fresco diner. This is a mother sparrow with one baby, who isn't very good at sitting comfortably on that bent branch! That's a very popular perching place & it's getting rubbed smooth, which is great because it's in full view from our "hide" inside the kitchen, with the camera ready.

 

[stranding]

Quite different from the bird we call a robin in North America.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Robin

It seems strange that the familiar robin here in the UK isn't the same one as in the US. Does that mean that "our" robin, which is used all over as a Christmas symbol here, isn't in the US?

Here are some baby (UK) robins being fed:
Plus something to cool things down after the hot weather we've been having here.

 

[scifan57]

It seems strange that the familiar robin here in the UK isn't the same one as in the US. Does that mean that "our" robin, which is used all over as a Christmas symbol here, isn't in the US?

Here are some baby (UK) robins being fed:

<img src="http://www.ipadforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=21471"/>

And since it's been so hot here, something to cool things down:

The European Robin isn't found in North America. The American Robin is a completely different species and was called a Robin by early settlers from Europe on account of it's red breast.

 

[skimonkey]

Orioles, red-breasted grosbeaks, monarchs and other butterflies, dragonflies, and all sorts of beautiful creatures are around and I see them on my walks. But I have few butterflies in my yard. And my oriole feeder is just in hope - until yesterday only house finches were seen there. I've seen hummingbirds only one also. Cardinals, finches, robins, doves, bluejays and other more common birds keep me entertained. And the squirrels, bunnies, and chipmunks!

Let's see what I see regularly...finches, cardinals, sparrows, red tail hawk, sparrow hawk (i think that's what it is called), squirrels, opossums, ruby throat hummingbirds, morning doves, robins...2 monarchs, tons of squirrels, chipmunks, ground hogs and many deer. Haven't seen blue jays yet...usually I see those closer to October.

From what I remember, the date shake was rich and good, but once I got a look at those squirrels, I didn't want to stick around drinking whatever turned them into fur horrors, lol. The shake tasted grainy and like a Bit O Honey, if you've ever had one of those.

I know bit of honey...seems like it would be better if you had a small cup serving. Me thinks that the sweetness would get a bit much if it was a large serving!! The squirrels...massive fur balls slurping left over date shakes!!

 

[skimonkey]

We have had these 2 Red Admiral butterflies enjoying the sun on the side of our garage. Unusual, as there aren't many butterflies around.
Never seen a single squirrel here in 30 years! Which is odd because they plague bird feeders in some gardens.

Hey stranding ...love your picture of the 2 red admirals and also the sparrows! The pics are so clear and very up close!! You are lucky to have a nice set up to take nice pics of the birds and creatures ...both you and Czevski!

Love the hand drawing of the robin...did you draw that?

 

[Kaykaykay]

I know bit of honey...seems like it would be better if you had a small cup serving. Me thinks that the sweetness would get a bit much if it was a large serving!! The squirrels...massive fur balls slurping left over date shakes!!

Yes, smaller servings might've helped avoid turning the squirrels into freaks of nature.

 

[stranding]

Hey stranding ...love your picture of the 2 red admirals and also the sparrows! The pics are so clear and very up close!! You are lucky to have a nice set up to take nice pics of the birds and creatures ...both you and Czevski!

Love the hand drawing of the robin...did you draw that?

Hi Ski
Yes, the set-up is the bit that really, really helps. A big part of that is the "diner" placement, with the bribery of free juicy food (though the Red Admirals were just sitting, not eating, which is a bit cheeky. That means you can get lots of shots from a supported camera, zoomed in. Loads of pics get thrown away, only a few are worth keeping.

Yes, the cold robin is a Christmas card painting with watercolour & pen, done on the PC before my iPad. It's one of a series of birds to help raise money for charity.

 

[scifan57]

This squirrel with a peanut in its mouth came right up to my feet while I was standing on my walkway.

 

[Czevski]

Rabbits and young Cardinals are supplying the latest interest in my backyard. There are 3 Cardinals but I didn't get a good picture when the parents brought them to the feeder together.

 

[skimonkey]

Hi Ski
Yes, the set-up is the bit that really, really helps. A big part of that is the "diner" placement, with the bribery of free juicy food (though the Red Admirals were just sitting, not eating, which is a bit cheeky. That means you can get lots of shots from a supported camera, zoomed in. Loads of pics get thrown away, only a few are worth keeping.

Yes, the cold robin is a Christmas card painting with watercolour & pen, done on the PC before my iPad. It's one of a series of birds to help raise money for charity.

Stranding...Those were great pics...great idea to have a teaser area for the birds so you can get some ultra pretty shots!!

Great watercolor drawing you did...and for such a nice charity fund as well!!

This squirrel with a peanut in its mouth came right up to my feet while I was standing on my walkway.

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How did you get it to come to you, Sci? Such a cute pic of the Squirrel with the peanut in his mouth!! Don't think I have had any squirrel come up to me like that!! Great photo op!!

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Rabbits and young Cardinals are supplying the latest interest in my backyard. There are 3 Cardinals but I didn't get a good picture when the parents brought them to the feeder together.

We had several baby bunnies running around in our backyard the last 2 days! I have decided that I need a better camera with a zoom in lens to capture some of these little guys!!

Love the rabbit pic, Czevski!

 

[scifan57]

I didn't do anything to get the squirrel to come up to me,I was just standing in the shade so I could read the screen on my iPhone. As soon as I saw the squirrel,I turned on the camera and took several photos, the two I posted are the best of the group.

 

[stranding]

I didn't do anything to get the squirrel to come up to me,I was just standing in the shade so I could read the screen on my iPhone. As soon as I saw the squirrel,I turned on the camera and took several photos, the two I posted are the best of the group.

Amazing squirrel! And for you to catch 2 photos like that!

Perhaps he's had a hard time from 'er indoors for not helping with the washing up? He wants a night in the pub with his mates, a beer & a packet of those whatevers that you're having