January Ending Shares and a Warning~

 Those beautiful, wonderful American Kestrels...this female was hunting here in Oldham County at Foxhollow Farm above~

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slideshow presentation after you have read the narratives~

I will be linking up with Judith for:

www.lavendercottagegardening.com

Mosaic Monday

&

Stewart for:

   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Wild Bird Wednesday

I have been trying to figure out what my life changes all need to be for this year and beyond.  Walking has become even more important to me and this past week I walked over 17 miles.  One of the walks was at my favorite walking trails in Anchorage.  The Northern Mockingbird, Great Blue Heron and White Tailed Deer were seen there.  

The Bald Eagle was photographed along the Ohio River another time~

Sure evidence that a female Cardinal was taken, more than likely by the local Coopers Hawk~

More of my Long Coat German Shepherds having snow fun~

A Coyote hunting in daylight at the near by Hermitage Horse Farms, where Queen Elizabeth and her family have visited in the past~

WARNING

As I said last week, my neighbor called me to say that I might want to see what was going on in her back yard.  A large hawk... that turned out to be a Red-Tailed Hawk was eating a Gray Squirrel.

When I first walked down my driveway, the first image is what I could see from this side of the lane.  The remainder of the images were taken from my neighbors Mona and Grant's yard~

Here the hawk dropped it's food, just for a brief moment down by the grand children's riding toys~

The End of the Cold Bare Season Ending~

Memes...I belong to two of them and it is such a great way to reach out and become friends with like-minded individuals.  Every week, we all gather up what we want to share, and some deliver even more posts, as I did in my first couple of years, per week.  I try to have a couple of drafts set up and waiting, just in case...life! Once posted, it may take me a couple of days to visit other blogs and make comments.  I try to do my very best at this and in using my very slow to use laptop.  For every blog visit, and then the jumping to comment and then getting it relayed, may for me, take a couple of minutes and so if I miss you one week, I will hopefully catch you the next, and I so appreciate your understanding hearts.

I don't know about you all, who live in changing climates, but we bid a big farewell to Winter and the bareness it brings.  Sometimes there are surprises.  You just have to be looking for it,  when the quiet takes over your walk and they are watching you ;)  Winter season is not all bad,  in that being a birder and  nature photographer, you can see the birds and other wildlife, a whole lot better when the green canopy is missing. As I write, the colours of Spring that were formed last Autumn, are starting to unfurl.  Spring rains have brought about some flooding to our land, as well as strong winds produced our first tornado warnings, and yet, the brown tones of Winter are slowly fading, and being turned into beautiful shades of green and rich colours are returning, along with longer, warmer days.

I am so ready... are you?
My father-in-law, so many memories flowing in my thoughts...he always enjoyed when I shared my blog with him.  He just could never grasp how it all worked together, but he knew that he enjoyed it.  I miss him so!

Have a wonderful week, stay safe~

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slide show presentation after you have read the narratives~

I will be linking up with Judith for:

www.lavendercottagegardening.com

Mosaic Monday

&

Stewart for:

   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Wild Bird Wednesday

When I I usually see Vultures soaring, they are on the hunt for food, but this particular morning, these two seemed to be caught up in a flight ballet of sorts~ 

A Red-tailed Hawk, gorgeous birds, so many different variations, but one of the main ways of telling it is a Red-tailed other than the really dark morphed, especially in young juveniles, whose tails are not yet red, is the belly band pattern of feathers.

I paced myself and walked quietly through this small herd of White-tailed Deer.  Because I held my camera up to my face, they never saw my eyes, and I was able to take these images and walk along and not disturb them, and they never even knew that I was aware that they were right there ;)

A juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawk~

It appears that this Coyote has had a past injury that healed nicely, and I am thinking this is a pregnant female.  They are considered vermin around her and many a farmer kill them on site and are allowed to do so~

I only got one capture of the wee Golden Crowned Kinglet, as they hardly rest while flitting about, looking for food~

The Dark-eyed Juncos, one of my favorite Winter visitors, have thinned out and soon, I will not see them until late Autumn~

One Sunday morning, a few weeks ago, I watched as the European Starlings went into a murmuration flight, just amazing~

I forget if I already shared this sweet little bird.  This was the only image that I got.  Not sure which species of Sparrow it is, but it was so pretty~