We had a quiet week, confining our activity to home and the boardwalk. It was hot and humid enough to keep us home one day. Several other days, we walked in the wind and rain. On those days, the camera was absent. However the area of the boardwalk always provides photo opportunities even if one gets there but one day a week.
Near the gazebo one day, multiple birdhouses decorated a tree. One can imagine children enjoyed this project and their efforts make the area a place of interest as people walk along.
One day, my husband and I watched as a Great Blue Heron came in for a landing near the salt marsh.
We observed four Herons in that area as we walked the boardwalk later.
Meanwhile, the rodents are not to be outdone. Chipmunks are busy these days and a new generation is out and about, approaching walkers cautiously.
Red Squirrels are present year round. This one let me know it wasn’t pleased I didn’t provide any peanuts.
When it turned sideways, I noticed its ear was malformed, the first time we had seen such a defect. The feisty little creature appears to be doing well.
On Saturday past, we saw a Snowshoe Hare again in the area we had seen several this past spring.
With the number of Bald Eagles which have been in the area recently, we suspected the hares hadn’t survived. At least one did and it’s a beauty.
I suspected the Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers were finished with the nest.
However, we walked earlier in the morning this past week and I discovered the nest is still busy with the birds,
back and forth with food for chicks.
One day, a Starling waited around,
watching the proceedings as adults occasionally poked their heads out but stayed in place at the sight of the other bird.
This Yellow Warbler added its song to that of the Song Sparrows another day. The Warblers are beautiful against the clear sky.
I couldn’t finish the week without sharing a photo of the Black Ducks, the reliables of the salt marsh. I hope everyone has their ducks in a row this coming week.
We do…ahh…did.
5 comments:
I am going to miss the island, its natural beauty and beautiful wildlife. [Family of course] Thanks a million for your blog which feeds my soul from a distance. My journey/flight to 'Down Under' is about to depart.
Very nice to see the hare and the warbler, but the ducks remind me that the world has gone quackers.
Holy Mackerel, hahahahaha! Love all those cheery, colourful birdhouses too. I wonder if the red squirrel's bad ear is a natural malformation or the result of an injury fighting some other critter? My money would be on the latter.
The Holy Mackerel made me laugh. You take such wonderful pictures. It is nice to walk along with you if only virtually.
Cathy
We will watch for others with the same ear trait. If so, it supports the genetic theory. We discovered a shortened tail in squirrels was inherited a few years ago. My bet had been on a predator in that case.
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