Five Years Ago

Design - "Just a Little Snowman"

Designer - Ruth Sparrow / Twisted Threads

Chart - 2003 Ornament Issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine

Fabric - 30 count Hog Wild Blue R & R linen

Started - 29 November 2009

Completed - 17 December 2009 

My yard is very quiet.

But five years ago, I had a lot of activity.

 

I had a White-throated Sparrow show up.

See the yellow in front of the eyes?

That and the white throat are what distinguishes it from a White-crowned Sparrow.

And I had festive photos of my flock of Bushtits.

They started coming by around 3:30pm for a final taste of suet for the day.

This time I was able to stand within five feet or so of the feeder.

They flit and chatter and are great fun to watch.

I'm hoping they hang out for the rest of the winter (2020).

Towhee Lesson

Design - "Just a Little Snowman"

Designer - Ruth Sparrow / Twisted Threads

Chart - 2003 Ornament Issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine

Fabric - 30 count Hog Wild Blue R & R linen

Started - 29 November 2009

Completed - 17 December 2009 

It's possible to tell male and female Towhees apart relatively easily.

It has to do with just how black the coloring is.

Perfect example - a female in the front and darker male in the back.

I mostly see males for whatever reason, so kinda' cool to have a female show up.

Pine Siskins!

Design - "Turkey Sampler"

Chart - "Thanksgiving Trio"

Designer - Twisted Threads

Fabric - 28 count Light Mocha Cashel

Fibers - WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 24 November 2014

Completed - 27 November 2014

Look who came by!

Pine Siskins that's who! 

A group of around 30 birds swarmed the feeders Tuesday morning.

At first glance they appear nondiscript.

But on closer examination they have bright yellow wing bars.

Are they moving through the area, or is this going to be a Pine Siskin Winter?

Stay tuned!

Bigger Guys

 

Design - "Snowman" 

Designer - Twisted Threads

Chart - "Winter Trio"

Fibers - WDS and GAST as charted 

Fabric - 32 Count Dirty linen - one thread of floss over two threads of linen

Started - 16 November 2009

Finished - 21 November 2009

Lots of woodpeckers day in day out.

Two males - an Acorn and a Flicker.

Male Acorn

Male Flicker

Most pleased to see a female Acorn Woodpecker.

Friday Finches

 

Design - "Turkey Sampler"

Chart - "Thanksgiving Trio"

Designer - Twisted Threads

Fabric - 28 count Light Mocha Cashel

Fibers - WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 24 November 2014

Completed - 27 November 2014

The border of this stitch reminds me of Indian corn.

I haven't seen an American Goldfinch in several weeks.

One came to the feeder on Thursday.

I also had quite a bit of Junco activity.

They are in good numbers. 

A rather photogenic male House Finch also popped in. 

Nice profile

Inquisitive

Contemplative

She's Back

Design - "Bitty Birds"

Chart - "Harvest Trio"

Designer - Twisted Threads

Fabric - 32 count Dirty Belfast linen

Fibers - WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 9 October 2010

Completed - 10 October 2010

Just three colors used for this stitch.

She's Back!

I worry that each time I see an Acorn Woodpecker it might be the last for a while. 

The female Acorn Woodpecker has been the most reliable as of late.

And even she has been pretty erratic.

I only see her once a week, if that.

So I probably have gone overboard with photos.

She is a very handsome bird.

The trio of colors: black, white and red are very striking. 

Suet is always good.

Those big claws are good for gripping trees while caching acorns.

Watching

This view gives a great look at her red head.

And woodpeckers are wonderful at hanging upside down.

Who Do I See?

Clear back in May of 1999 I stitched "Itty Bitty Glory" by Twisted Threads over one on 32 count linen .  I then gave it to my Mom who loves all things red, white, and blue.

Now it is framed.

I think they did a very nice job.

Who do I see?

 

Back-capped Chickadees, that's who.

They also see me.

California Scrub Jay

Female Black-headed Grosbeak

Male Black-headed Grosbeak

There's much to enjoy in late July.