Last Walk in October

The day rather got away from me, so I am posting in the evening rather than first thing in the morning. 

We can still take a virtual walk even though it is dark. 

This is what October has looked like for most of the month.

If it has not been raining, then it has been gray and foggy. 

It has been warm (in the 60's) and most mornings there is light localized pockets of fog. 

We do have spots of brightness like this Sweetgum.

The Big Leaf Maples are bright yellow.

This small tree forms part of the berm in the backyard.

Here's a wild cherry.

Yellow / green Cottonwood.

Douglas fir covered with droplets.

A pair of Big Leaf Maples.

Close up.

Yellow and green.

Closer still.

Hazel brush.

One of our prettiest trees - a Paperbark Maple.

On a Roll

Design - "Whoo's There?"

Designer - Barbara Ana Designs

Fabric - 32 count cream linen

Fibers - DMC - 2 strands over 2 threads

Started - 23 October 2016

Completed - 24 October 2016

Two finishes in four days - Wahoo!  Lots to like about this cutie.  The bright blue lizard, the trio of dangling spiders, the owl's hat, and the toothy pumpkin to name a few.

  

We had a rain-free weekend much to the cats' delight.

Parvati prefers to be outside even when it is cold and raining sideways.

Padma though is more of a fair-weather cat.

This studly gentleman provided our excitement over the weekend.

He strolled by with great presence and then tore off after a doe. Hormones in over-drive! (Apologies for the blurry photo)

Nothing new on the birding front.

A Steller's Jay

A Fox Sparrow.

Cut in Line

Design - "Hoot"

Chart - "Bump in the Night" (#201)

Designer - The Prairie Schooler

Fabric- 32 count Lambswool linen

Started - 21 October 2016

Completed - 22 October 2016

This little Prairie Schooler owl cut to the front of the line to become my next owl stitch and finish.  It's from one of the newer Prairie Schooler charts.  I will miss Prairie Schooler's offerings as they've decided to retire. 

Maybe some bird photos will cheer us up a bit. 

Here's a quizzical Song Sparrow.

On Saturday a male Lesser Goldfinch showed up after several week's absence.

Unlike the American Goldfinches, he is still quite yellow.

That makes it pretty easy to ID him. 

On Sunday, a female Lesser Goldfinch came by.  So there is a pair in the area. 

Over the weekend I counted eight Oregon Juncos.  They will be one of my Winter Bird staples.

It was also nice to see a Mourning Dove.  They are Winter Regulars too.

Sunday Hummers

I counted four hummingbirds on Friday morning. 

Here's one of the younger birds.

All my other photos are of my mature male Anna's.

So I'll share most of them without commenting. 

The original Angry Bird!

Anger management issues!

Thanks for posing.

Good Morning!

Good morning!

So glad you dropped by...

All of you!

Young...

...and older.

Don't step on a quail now!

I do think the backyard is big enough for all of you.

After you eat...

...I recommend a morning nap!