More Frequent Visitors

I don't recall squirrels being frequent visitors to our property.  Sure, I would see them occasionally, but, this year, they seem to have taken up residence.  Fine by me. :)

I enjoyed their antics earlier this year as winter was coming to a close, but spring was taking way too much long to break free from winter's grasp.  They have offered me a few opportunities for photos, but often these occur through a pane of glass.  I was fortunate today, to get these shots after spotting this little guy from the path through my "would be woods".

These are probably the best shots I've ever gotten of squirrels.  I love the profile picture with him coming down the tree trunk (a black walnut tree just a bit over the property line in the field behind our place.

He let me take several shots of him in different poses, before looking right at me (in the last pic) as if to say, "what are you looking at?" then taking off, apparently tired of the game.

Squirrel Antics

This post is supposed to be about the Great Backyard Bird Count...but, instead, it is about squirrels. :)

This morning, while watching and tallying the birds that came to our yard, I witnessed activity up in the trees by the property line.  Squirrels.  Two of them.  Leaping from branch to branch. 

Here are some of the better photos that I was lucky enough to get from the second story window.

 

 

Oh...and then there was that one chipmunk. :)

It has really felt like spring for the past few days...temps in the 50s--even close to 60 one day.  Today, was more seasonable...with snow in the forecast tonight...but more warm weather starting tomorrow and into next week.  Hearing the birds and seeing these active mammals really has me longing for spring.

Great Backyard Bird Count: Photos & Tallies

I think it is only a month late, but here are the results of the GBBC back in February...and a few photos as well:

Okay...I just tried to find my bird count results and had no luck, so, if I find them, I'll post them later.  Either way, here are some pictures:

I had a Carolina wren, a nuthatch or two, some chickadees, and goldfinches in addition to the songbirds pictured above, but one of the highlights was when I spotted a hawk (thanks to the two crows causing a ruckus as they harassed him); it was nice to add something new to my lists.

Most surprising to me was that the rest of the birds kept on eating despite the predator so close by...perhaps they felt secure with the crows as their bodyguards.

Oh, and, not officially part of the count, there was one gray squirrel. ~smile~

Bitter Cold

Yesterday we had a high of 54 and a low of 4.  After the rain and warmer temperatures over night, the temps dropped all day...today we had a high of 3 with windchill making it feel like -16.  I hate to think of wildlife (especially the bluebirds if they are still around) in these temperatures.  I guess they are equipped to handle them.

Sure enough, birds came for the seeds I put out...as well as a squirrel
.

Rainy Day

We finally have some temperatures close to 50 degrees...I guess I shouldn't complain that it is raining. At least it is warm and most of the snow is gone. Spring is (almost) here!

Morning Visitor

Glancing out the window this morning, I took time out from getting ready for work to take quite a few pictures of this guy. Only a couple shots were worth sharing.