Some Winter Sunshine

Some of us really know how to enjoy winter sunshine.

The sun is SO bright!

Lolling about in ecstacy!

As an experiment I decided to use this birdbath as a platform feeder. 

Thus far, the gray squirrels are the main occupants.

Warm weather and the chipmunks are out and about.

I see two or three most mornings.

Smile!  It's going to be a great day!

Pretty in Pink

We had a lovely sunrise Friday morning.

And I was greeted by an Early Bird whose colors matched the sunrise.

I was on Hummingbird Patrol all week long.

I continued to see my male Anna.

And finally, finally got to see a female Anna as well.

I also observed two hummers in pursuit of one another.

So I know I have at least two birds.

Friday ended with a sunset that was but a pale reflection of the sunrise.

Back to the Archives

Design - "January Snows"

Designer - Bent Creek

 Fabric - 32 count Country French Cafe Mocha linen

Fibers - GAST & WDW - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 5 January 2011

Completed - 8 January 2011

When all else fails, there's the Cross Stitch Archives at hand.

I hope you enjoyed this blast from the past.

I counted five Acorn Woodpeckers in the trees a couple of days ago.

I think I have three guys and two gals.

He knows, but he's not saying.

I have oodles of Flickers. 

I had five in the backyard and two in the sideyard.

I like this photo as you can see the white rump feathers. These feathers are very noticable as the birds fly away.  My sister has been known to shout out "Flicker butt!".

These two were grooming and preening.

Counting Snowmen and Birds

I now have three snowmen under construction!

I should have some finishes to share next week.

I stuck some Valentine heart gels on the dining room window in the hopes of deterring the birds from hitting the window. I never have a problem in the summer, but something about the light in the winter makes the window invisible to the birds. As you can see the feeders are active with an Acorn, a couple of Steller's Jays, and Towhees. 

The Golden-crowned Sparrows have also found the front feeders.

They are generally on the ground eating the spilled seeds.  

They also hang out at the edge of the berm in the backyard.

I had three Acorns at the feeders at the same time today - I counted five birds total waiting in the trees. 

And as you can see I have Starlings too. 

What Can I Say?

After seeing Carol's wonderful finish on 'Stitching Dreams', I was inspired to kit up "Let It Snow-Man" by the Prairie Schooler.

We don't have any snow, just mild gray days, so there's no excuse. Let's take a walk.

A wandering, winding path through the woods.  Doesn't that beckon you to explore?

During dull gray days, it is nice to see the deep green of our native Sword Ferns.

They manage to stay good looking for most of the winter.

Other greens include lichens...

...and mosses.

Mossy rocks dot our branch of the Big Creek...

...and the Big Creek's main channel a bit further down the road.

I guess the colors of the day are gray, taupe, and green.

Bouncing Around

I said I would, and I did. Kit up and begin another snowman, that is.

I've chosen to begin work on Heart in Hand's "Snow Joe" from the Just Cross Stitch 2000 Special Christmas Issue. Last night I stitched the hat and started the face. 

There have been too many hawks around lately. 

While I do not mind the larger hawks, like this one - maybe a Red-tailed Hawk, the smaller Sharp-shinned Hawks are having a big impact on the number of birds I have at the feeders.  Yesterday one got a chickadee at the front feeders - the poor thing flew into the dining room window trying to escape, to no avail.

Speaking of lovely feather patterns, the polka dots and stripes of a Flicker are pretty awesome.

Note how she is using her strong tail feathers to balance at the suet feeder.

And again they provide balance at this feeder as well. Even wearing gray, tan, and black, a girl is pretty in stripes and polka dots.

This female Acorn Woodpecker is also using tail feathers to balance.  It's a woodpecker trick!

I continue to hear and see a male Hairy Woodpecker. The bird lands in the top of nearby trees, but thus far has not been active at the suet feeders.