This and That

 

Design - "Mr. Owl's Wintergreen Gala"

Designer - Artful Offerings

Fabric - 28 count Patina linen

Fibers -GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 13 October 2017

Completed - 9 November 2017 

October birds include

Towhees are back in force

Still have a few American Goldfinches hanging around/

And Flickers are also in force at the feeder

And on the ground.

Two females

Fox Sparrows Are Back

 

Design - "Mr. Owl's Wintergreen Gala"

Designer - Artful Offerings

Fabric - 28 count Patina linen

Fibers -GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 13 October 2017

Completed - 9 November 2017

 

Weirdly I have some Goldfinch  activity.

After not having much at all all summer...

Now I have several birds

All these at the feeder and that many more waiting their turn in the bushes.

Lots of Towhees...

And the first Fox Sparrow sighting of the season.

Owls and Vultures

 

Design - "Mr. Owl's Wintergreen Gala"

Designer - Artful Offerings

Fabric - 28 count Patina linen

Fibers -GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 13 October 2017

Completed - 9 November 2017

So on Tuesday and Wednesday I got to view a pretty cool Willamette Valley migratory phenomenon - a Turkey Vulture kettle.

Kettling is a migratory behavior shared by raptors.

While the birds seem to be flocking together, their goals and behavior are still individual—they are not actually cooperating in any way other than to share airspace. All other aspects of this behavior, such as the timing of the flight, direction, location, and even the altitude, are based on the best possible flight dynamics for each individual bird to save energy, conserve strength, and fly more efficiently. (Source: The Spruce https://www.thespruce.com/glossary-definition-kettle.... )

This was a group of around 30 birds.

They soured and swirled...

...and slowly drifted off to the south. 

Wednesday's group was larger. 

And yes, once again Turkey Vultures.

I counted upwards of 40-50 birds.

In Woodland, Washington over the weekend, a group of dedicated birds counted over 1000 migrating turkey vultures.

One of my photos captured a small group of Cedar Waxwings flying at a much lower altitude.

How fun!

First November Finish

Design - "Mr. Owl's Wintergreen Gala"

Designer - Artful Offerings

Fabric - 28 count Patina linen

Fibers -GAST - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 13 October 2017

Completed - 9 November 2017

Here's my owl!  I had lots of encouragement to keep plugging along on this owl.  I think with all bow-tie, the greenery and the red berries he looks rather festive.

If I counted correctly, I had over 50 Pine Siskins at the feeder the other day.

They gather in large groups to feed, and then fly away in a cloud of feathers like Starlings do. 

Here's a close up of one.

I call this photo "Grumpy Bird".  Doesn't the little Golden-crowned Sparrow look all bent out of shape?  The quail must be crowding him.

Over 40 quail the other day. 

A nice mix of females...

...and males.

Plugging Along

Don't give up hope Mary!  I'm still plugging away at my Artful Offerings Owl. Mary at Stitching Friends Forever has been very encouraging. 

I should also mention the DMC website and newsletter.  Kristen, a No-Reply Follower brought it to my attention a few days ago. The site is well worth exploring with free patterns and special offers. The newsletter sign-up is near the bottom of the web page. 

I wonder how many Cooper's Hawks there are?

I see one or two most days.

And oodles of Pine Siskins.

The love the nyger thistle feeder...

...and the feeders with shelled sunflower seeds.

Look at the bird on the left - you can see the yellow stripe on the wings that gives them a small pop of color; less noticeable when the wings are folded.

It's nice to see my small female Downy Woodpecker.

She was waiting for...

...the larger Hairy Woodpecker to leave so that she might have a bite.

October Surprise

Plugging away on my white striped owl... 

Let's take a look at who has come to the feeders lately - "Regulars" and the Surprise Visitors.

I have to include Chestnut-backed Chickadees as 'regulars'. 

I see one, two, or three birds a couple of times a week.

The Cedar Waxwings are 'regulars' too.  While they do not come to the feeders, they gather morning and evening in trees nearby.  

Here's a size comparison - the Acorn Woodpecker is substantially larger.

Evening Grosbeak!

These are my Surprise Visitors.

I heard them in the forest for several days, and saw them flying high overhead.

Then for three days running a small flock, topping out at three males and two females, came to the feeders.

I don't think that has ever happened before in October.

It was a nice surprise.

Now I'm back to hearing them off in the forest.