Monday, September 30, 2019

A Radish and Lots of Goldfinches

Design - "Radical Radish"
Designer - Ewe & Eye & Friends
Fabric - 40 count Sandstone linen
Fibers - Anchor & GAST - 1 strand over 2 threads
Started - 1 September  2012
Completed - 3 September 2012

I am awash in American Goldfinches.

They are everywhere!

In the tops of tees.

In the bushes.

Swarming the feeders.

Milling about on the ground.

Posing on sunflowers.

As you can see they no longer have their bright yellow courting colors. Instead they are a dull taupe.

Then woosh! They all take off in flight!

I think there are well over 100 birds.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Sunday's Hummers

There are at least four Anna's hanging around.

I hope that number holds steady as winter approaches.

The adult male is the easiest to recognize. 

There are a couple with a bit of color on their throat.

And an attitude!

See?

This one might be an immature male.

Here's a female.

Glinty.

Two together.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Saturday's Critters

Not much action this week.

I think the chipmunks are getting ready for possible mini-hibernation.

They 'rest' for periods of a coupe of days to a couple of weeks depending on the temperature. 

Here's a big-eyed brush bunny.

Be safe!


Friday, September 27, 2019

Buttons and Woodpeckers

Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric - 28 count Patina Lakeside Linen
Fibers - DMC & Crescent Colors - 2 strands over 2 threads
Started - 18 August 2011
Completed - 9 September 2011

I got this framed back in 2014 and gave it to an aunt who is an avid button collector.


My morning thrill!  Two female Downy Woodpeckers!

Bird on the left

Bird on the right

These are the most common suburban feeder woodpeckers. 

They are somewhat sporadic for me - so I enjoy seeing them when they deign to come to my feeders.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Autumn Stitch Autumn Birds



Design - "Autumn Sampler"
Chart - "Autumn Samplers" #66
Designer - The Prairie Schooler
Fabric - 32 Count Lambswool linen
Fibers - DMC
Started - 10 November 1997
Completed - 25 December 1997
Framed - August 2010

We are getting to true autumn weather here - cooler temps - lows in the 30s his weekend - rainy days and the windy bringing down leaves.

And here is one of my favorite autumn birds.

Cedar Waxwings!

Late September through most of October I get larger and larger groups as they much on cascara, hawthorn, elderberry, and other fruits.

They tend to gather in the morning and evening.

These photos are from Wednesday morning.

Pretty birds against a blue blue sky. 

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Wednesday's Walk

It's a nice day for a walk.
The last of the wildflowers are in bloom.

Berries are ripening.

Pine bough

Cottonwood tree is beginning to turn color.

Bright green licorice fern.

Snowberries

A brush bunny!

Ripening acorns

Oak tree against a clear blue sky.
Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Stash Acquisition

I've not manage much cross stitching this year - not because I do not want to, but because...I'm not sure.  No dedicated time of the day - no motivation? Questions yet to be answered.  It hasn't stopped me from purchasing new patterns - maybe one of these will provide some inspiration.

I have oodles of quail in the backyard.

They are active in the morning - eating...

...and grooming.

The Acorn Woodpeckers were grooming too - I was too slow to get a photo of two birds in the bird bath, so this one of a male will have to do.

After the bath it was time to preen.

I am thrilled after a quiet summer, to have lots of activity at my front feeders.
Black-capped Chickadees, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and a couple of Red-breasted Nuthatches. 

They are fairly common feeder birds - but quite erratic for me.

I'm glad they've become semi-regular for the past couple of weeks.