Perfect Timing

Yesterday I kitted up and began to stitch"Black-headed Grosbeak" by Heartstring Samplery.

And who should I see for the first time this spring?

Yep!  A male Black-headed Grosbeak.

Welcome back!  I will enjoy your pleasant song.

The Evening Grosbeaks are slowing coming closer to my feeders... 

...and staying for a longer time.

This was a group of 9 birds.

Here's a group portrait!

Male Evening Grosbeak, male American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, female Evening Grosbeak, and a Junco.

I do like my stern looking birds.

Is he lifting an eyebrow?

A handsome profile.

Two for the price of one - with a blurry third in the background.

Look at those lovely yellow tail feathers.

Here's female with a bit of yellow on her neck.

Looking rather regal.

Going Out on a Limb - Part One

Design - "Bird Songs!"

Designer - Sam Sarah Design Studio

Fabric - 32 count Ice Blue Belfast linen

Fibers - Crescent Colours - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 21 April 2016

Completed - 21 April 2016

I changed the fabric from natural linen to Ice Blue as I thought that worked better for a spring scene.  I changed the bird button from a cardinal to this brown/gray guy as I do not have cardinals here. I also changed the color of the veins of the leaves. I do like how the brown long stitches detail the small nest.

Other than the swallows, I've not observed anyone nest building.  The birds have been going out on a limb to sing and defend territory.  

An American Robin. 

Closer still.

Golden-crowned Sparrow.

If you look closely, you'll see that there are two Scrub Jays.  The one in front is looking straight at us, the one behind is looking to the left.

More typical to see one Scrub Jay.

A big old Band-tailed Pigeon.

Two Band-tailed Pigeons.

A male Orange-shafted Flicker.

A male American Goldfinch.  He looks a bit ragged as he is still going through his molt to his pretty spring / summer colors.

This American Goldfinch is in molt too, but looks better than his neighbor.

A Steller's Jay.  This guy is having a Bad Hair Day!

A male House Finch.

I'll end today's post with one more Robin photo.

For many people around the USA, this bird is the harbinger of spring.

Sunday Squirrels

Are you having brunch this Sunday morning?

We like an all-you-can-eat buffet. 

Fat cheeks and a battle wound on the left ear.

Further fat cheeks.

A long Roman nose on this guy.

On the ground - chipmunks are after all, ground squirrels.

Safer, up on the woodpile.

That leg-straddle thing that makes me smile.

Gray squirrel.

Gallopy gallopy.

A Gray Raider.

Using the tail as a counter-balance. 

Time to Admire the Hummers

I think I have four birds.

This Anna's has an iridescent throat.

This is a female Anna. 

I ended up with several photos of her.

Sticking her tongue out. 

Posing prettily.

Here's my male Rufous Hummingbird.

U sure wish some female Rufous birds would show up.

And here's my male Anna's.

Earth Day Squirrely Day Cat Day

Design - "Checkerbird" (kit)

Designer - Heart in Hand

Fabric - 32 count Summer Khaki linen

Fibers - GAST & WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 17 February 2010

Completed - 19 February 2010

I'm not quite ready to show any of my current stitching, so here's a Blast from the Past.  

This kit came with a pre-finished tuck pillow.

It's Earth Day today so let's see what's been happening outside. 

 We've had some unseasonably warm weather the past few days with temperatures in the mid-80's.

Hot enough that this gray squirrel decided to take a cooling respite atop my bird bath. 

Yes you!   

Get down off of there...

...or not.

Feisty, aren't you? 

There are peanuts on the woodpile!

I knew that would get you.

Thursday night a storm moved in and as the temperatures dropped we had some thunder and lightening.

Today the rain is continuing and the Hufflepuffs have decided it is an Indoor Day. 

Isn't Padma a sweetie?

The back of the couch has become a Favorite Spot.  

Now it's Parvati's turn.