Saturday's Critters

Some interesting critters this week. 

This large beetle was on the sidewalk in front of the store where I work.  A co-worker rescued it and put in the the grass in the back alley.

I found this Blue-tailed Skink on a rug in the kitchen. I corralled it in a plastic container and got in safely outside.

Lots of chipmunk action.

Vacuuming up seeds in those fat cheeks.

Having a nibble.

Up in the brush looking for blackberries.

And watching...

Speaking of watching...

Parvati had her eye on these two bunnies.

They were in the morning sun having a bit of breakfast.

Bunny #1

Bunny #2

This bunny has a light brown patch on the back of his neck. 

Look who's here!

It's Spike!

As August Comes to a Close

Design - "August" (Flip It)

Designer - Lizzie Kate

Fabric - 32 count Country French Cafe Mocha linen

Fibers - GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 28 August 2016

Completed - 29 August 2016 

August is rapidly coming to a close.  While many of my backyard birds have flown south, or will do so in the next few weeks, I do have lots of year around birds.

Those include a couple of my favorites.

Black-capped Chickadees.    

Uber adorable.

Bright-eyed a merry.

And the smaller Chestnut-backed Chickadees.

They've been pounding down this mix suet, sunflower seeds, and nuts. 

Sunflower seed in bill.

Opening the seed.

Pretty cute.

I'm glad my two species of chickadees are here all year long.

Five Birds and a Big Frog

So I've got five legless birds done only to discover that "March" needs to be frogged out.  It is up one stitch too high and over to the left one stitch too far. Ah well, stuff like this keeps me humble!

I had a couple of usual birds drop in Tuesday morning. 

The first one was a Flycatcher of some sort.

Based on the lack of an eye-ring and crest, I think it is probably a Willow Flycatcher.

This one did not stay long or did it perform any aerial fly-catching.

This was the second usual bird that showed up. 

It's a Warbling Vireo. 

The dark line through the eye helps to ID it correctly.

And off it flew!

Wednesday's Walk

We are under a heat and fire danger advisory - it's best that we get outside as early as possible. 

Based on how often my father has had to top off the water we've set out, we might have some interesting trail camera photos. 

While Ocean Spray is gloriously shiny white when newly blooming, I like the taupe color it comes as it ages.    

Turkey Tail mushrooms.

A big group of them.

Cascara fruit

These are a favorite of Cedar Waxwings, so they must not yet be ripe. 

Lots of taupe at the end of August.

Cow's Parsnip

Ninebark

Reeds

Osier Dogwood

Willow

Vine Maple

An explosion of Vine Maple at the edge of the Big Creek.

Horsetails - always a sign of a damp or moist place.

Looks like we are going to have a good crop of acorns this fall.

And, finally, a good crop of blackberries!

Tuesday's Report

Design - "Watermellon"

Chart - "123 August"

Designer - Curtis Boehringer

Fabric - 32 count Antique White Jobelan

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 4 August 2016

Completed - 5 August 2016 

Today is a watermelon day for sure - it's supposed to reach 100f! If it does it will be the hottest day this summer.

Most of the California Quail families have merged with one another and I cannot break them up into family groups.   

They stay close to the brushy edge of the backyard. I think there are well over 50 birds at any given time. 

I was very happy to have a Red-breasted Nuthatch stop by.

They are relatively common feeder birds for lots of folks, but not for me.

This feeder behavior mimics the insect gleaning they do on large fir trees - head first! 

I can only hope he'll continue to stop by.