Just passing through...

Cindy took these pictures of a doe and two fawns today.  It starts like it always does with Russ barking.  And we usually see things through the blinds first.  She said one was trying to nurse but the mother kept on walking. 

Female Brown-headed Cowbird

I saw this bird and did not recognize it right away.  My first thought was a Brown-headed Cowbird based on the size but the coloring didn't seem right (although I'm used to looking at the males).

So I consulted my nephew Jon who thought it looked like a female cowbird.  After looking in my bird book and online, I'd say he's right!

Jake will be watching for Goldfinch in his front yard

Jake has wanted some type of feeder at his house.  I thought he would enjoy watching Goldfinch so I got him a thistle sock and we put it out yesterday.  He helped me transfer nyjer seed from a bag to a gallon jug to use later.  And as you can see, he climbed up to hang the sock.  I asked him to give me updates and hopefully pictures from his front window.

We got "munched"!

I know rabbits do some nibbling but this looks like a case of deer having more than a snack...

Rear Window

Here's what I saw looking out our back window yesterday (Russ is always helpful to let me know when something is in the yard).

First up is a Northern flicker.  A member of the woodpecker family, they do their work on the ground and peck at ants mostly.

 

Fox squirrels are always plentiful and often entertaining.  This one seems to be getting enough to eat.

 

 

 

We've had plenty of baby Eastern cottontails around.  This one is eating whatever the squirrel didn't.

 

 

And I saw this snail this morning on my way out of the house...

 

"Hey, that's a deer in their yard..."

I was heading to work this morning and saw this deer standing in my neighbor's front yard. 

 

Here it is a little closer...

 

"Can" they grow?

My seedlings have either stopped growing at about two inches, been nibbled on or have died...except for two or three that are hanging in there with the help of a coffee "can".  Not really cans anymore...all plastic.  So this doesn't seem impressive but I see new growth and they are starting to exceed the height of the coffee container.

Gold watch

More pictures of American Goldfinch in our front tree.  These were taken from my porch.  I'm trying to get as close as I can.  Sneaking up from the garage will get me a little closer so I will try that again.  Fun to see color in our tree.

I tried my other feeder in the usual spot in the woods.  I even cleared some branches so I could see.  The challenge/problem is it's so shady back there with full foliage and birds have so many other food options.  Plus I was starting to get some Common grackles.  So I will just use that in the winter and look for other opportunities to capture images.