Bird Themed Gifts!

Frances N. from A Symphony of Stitches had a give away and I won this darling little Snowman Flatbed!  I was so pleased. Frances just received her Masters of Music Education last month so her blog title is especially appropriate! She decorates a small tree with ornaments that she changes out several times during the year.  It's a great way to display her many smalls.  

Frances is extremely generous and thoughtful.  Having followed my blog for a while, she sent not only the snowman chart, but also an assortment of bird-themed items: Audubon print bookmarks, bird fabric, bird charms, and a note on bird stationary!  A veritable bounty of great gifts!

Following along on the bird theme...  

 

Because he came back again early in the morning...the photos are not great as I did not have enough light.  

But I expect if a Pileated Woodpecker came by every day I'd share photos of this amazing bird every single day!

After many months of no Downy Woodpeckers at the feeders, in the past week I've had a female...

...and a male drop by.

The Downy Woodpeckers are so much smaller than the other woodpeckers, the Starlings, and the Jays.  They must be a bit feisty to elbow their way in for a turn at the suet.

I've had a larger Hairy Woodpecker flit by in the trees... 

...for the past several weeks.

But now I'm delighted to have a female at the feeders.

While the Downy Woodpeckers frequent the front feeders,

...the Hairy Woodpecker prefers the backyard feeders.

I'm just glad that everyone has found something they like.

It's a special day if I see two Acorn Woodpeckers.

I still maintain they are nesting so come to the feeders one at time for the most part.

He knows, but he's not telling.

As you can see this cage-in-a-cage suet feeder works for both the small Downy Woodpecker who can hop inside, and the larger Flicker whose bill is long enough to reach the suet from the outside.(The idea being to keep out the pesky Starlings.)

Flickers are pretty social and often hang out together.

Like the Robins they come to our yard to look for insects and... 

...for water which is available to any and all who need it!

I'd never deny that to any critter. 

We have a brand new addition to our extended family. My youngest cousin and his wife had a baby boy born on the 9th of June at 12:04pm. The baby weighs 9lbs 8.5oz and is 22 inches long.  He is named for his father and paternal grandfather and is beautiful!  I can't wait to see him in person.