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.
15 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
things were looking very good, until the "we do...ahh...did"!?!? i especially loved the bird houses, so colorful, so necessary!! my squirrel, junior, has the same ear, that's how i can always tell him from the others!! the hare is big!! and beautiful...it is hard to think about the circle of life, but it does work. lovely images today, have a great week!!
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.
Those little birdhouse are just sweet. Your camera must be a good one to take such clear photos of the critters you see! And of course, your skill is obvious. Just beautiful, Marie.
I look forward each Monday to your thought provoking posts. Complete with tack sharp photos that show incredible detail. Great timing on the incoming Heron :) You have such a good eye and steady hand!!
Marie, you take the best action shots. I don't know how you do it. The birdhouses make me think about putting some up on my tree but I don't know how I would get up there.
Aweome critter shots. Love the heron coming in for the landing and the squirrel's face of amazement. :)
I love the painted birdhouses. And I suspect the squirrel was in a fight. Maybe a bird did it. They don't tolerate squirrels around their young.
These are wonderful shots, especially of the herons. I love your walks and all the wildlife you bring with you in your pictures.
Debra,
As she outlines below, Debbie at https://itsallaboutpurple-debbie.blogspot.com/, has a squirrel with a similar ear. I suspect that supports the genetic reason for the ear. We’ll keep looking.
Marie
The shot of the heron about to land is amazing! Love the chipmunk, such a cutie. :)
I'm wondering if the malformed ear might be the result of ear mites. A friend had a cat who suffered from a bad case of mites and ended up with an almost folded ear. It didn't look quite like that but if I recall, my friend took her cat to the vet so there was some treatment.
If you go for a walk, you meet all kinds of critters. Then you show us all kinds of good photos.
Post a Comment