Soggy Spring Critters

"April showers bring May flowers....."

Yeah, yeah, but they also cancel hiking trips.

Soggy squirrel

The first weekend of April I had big plans to get back on the trails, making up for the time I'd spent in Arizona.  BUT - the weatherman warned that an "atmospheric river" was barrelling it's way towards Oregon, packing high winds and plenty of rain.  And like an unwanted house guest, it of course timed its arrival for the weekend.

Bird feeder bandit

Like a true Oregonian, I don't mind hiking in the rain - I've done it many times.  But the combination of heavy rain and high winds meant the possibility of downed trees.  Trekking through the woods in a windstorm is not the safest activity.  So I sucked it up and stayed home.

Trying to hide

Sunday morning, I was drinking my morning tea while watching raindrops batter the windows.  Then I noticed a very soggy squirrel doing acrobatics on our bird feeder. 

You lookin' at me?

The rain didn't appear to bother that furry rascal in the least!  I grabbed my camera and began snapping shots.

Undecided

After awhile Mr. Squirrel got tired of seeing my camera through the window, and beat a hasty retreat.

First flowers of spring

So I trained my lens on other things.  Such as these brightly colored flowers in our garden.  The first bulbs to bloom!

Our ducks returned!

Every spring a pair of ducks make their home in our backyard pond.  As luck would have it, the female duck decided to waddle by.

Duck and tulips

Of course, ducks don't mind the rain at all!

Dove

After the squirrel departed, a flock of doves decided it was safe to visit the bird feeder.  This little dove was eating the seed that had spilled on the ground below.

Doves braving the downpour

One pair of doves perched themselves on our backyard fence.  The rain was coming down in sheets, but it didn't seem to bother them at all.

Blooming trees

Our neighbors have a tree that blooms in lovely pink flowers every year.  Combined with our pear tree blossoms it makes a colorful sight.  And I swear I take the same image each April. 

Although I didn't get to partake in any outdoor activities, I didn't totally miss out.  That weekend the outdoors decided to come to me!


Sharing with:  Saturday's Critters

November Backyard Happenings

In November, with the weather turning colder, and food getting scarcer, my hubby always begins filling up the backyard bird feeders.  Our feathery friends are most grateful.  Of course, these feeders attract wildlife other than birds.....

Stealing an apple

A posse of squirrels also make regular visits to our backyard.  Not only do they too love the birdseed, these bushy-tailed rascals eat the apples off our tree.

Our strawberry leaves are colorful

Although the fall colors peak in early November, by mid-month there's still a few leaves hanging on.  Our strawberry plants turn an especially lovely shade of red-orange.

Our front yard tree has brilliant yellow leaves

And the big flowering pear tree in our front yard sports brilliant yellow leaves.

Squirrel on the fence

I caught this little thief perched on our fence, waiting for an opportunity to raid the bird feeder.

Perched in a tree

My hubby and I love to watch the birds.  Many different species drop by, but I don't know the names of hardly any.  Guess I'll need to read up and educate myself!

Dove under my window

I do know what doves look like.  There's a flock that make regular visits, and I love watching them.  This one was right underneath my window.

Little bird at our feeder

One of our feeders is right outside the dining room window.  Perfect for getting some close-up shots!

Colorful visitor

There's a pair of these birds that are regulars at the feeder.  I think they are woodpeckers?  Again, I really need to buy that bird identification book!

Caught in the act!

My favorite photo of all - I caught this furry bandit right below my window.  I love his expression.  Busted!

Photographing backyard wildlife - a good way to spend these chilly fall afternoons.

Wildlife on a Snowy Day

Winter started with a bang here in Portland, Oregon.  Although our mountains get tons of snow every year, it's a rarity in the Willamette River Valley.

But so far this year is anything but normal.....

Little birdie on top of the feeder

Our first storm came in early December.  Meteorologists tracked a huge band of moisture moving northward towards the city, and warned it was bringing large accumulations of snow and freezing rain.  Since our local governments don't have a huge amount of snow removal equipment and most people aren't equipped to drive in the white stuff, schools and workplaces were preemptively closed metro-wide.  We got the news early one Thursday morning, before any flakes had even begun to fall.

Striking a pose

It was weird sitting home on a snow day without any snow.  My hubby and I busied ourselves with household chores.  But I became distracted by the many hungry birds visiting our backyard feeders.  Grabbing my camera, I tried to capture their antics through our dining room window.

The snow came down fast and furious!

Just when I thought the weatherman had missed the ball, I noticed snowflakes twirling in the wind.  It didn't take long for the sky to turn white.  And pretty soon our backyard did too.

Big snowflakes

Oh, the falling snow was so pretty!  Some of the snowflakes were huge, drifting softly to earth.  I stood by our back window mesmerized. 

"Don't bother me, I'm eating!"

The cold and snow brought birds out in force!  Our feeders are close to our house, and I think not only did they offer food, they also provided a bit of shelter from the wind. 

This bird sat right down in the seed

One little bird even made himself comfortable in the seed box!

A bird feeder bandit!

Of course, birds weren't the only critters attracted to the bounty.  I caught this furry bandit atop one of the feeders.

Amazing acrobatics

Squirrels are amazing acrobats!  This big guy hung from his hind legs while nibbling on a chunk of suet.

Showing me his best side!

Although I'm not happy with the squirrels stealing all the seed, I have to admit they are awfully fun to watch.  What better entertainment on a cold, snowy day?

The Bird Feeder Bandit

The other day our bird feeder got hit by a thief.  A four-legged bandit with a huge fluffy tail.

What's that hanging off the bird feeder?

I looked out my window to see a squirrel hanging by his hind legs from one of my husband's bird feeders.  He was helping himself to the seed.

Thieving squirrel!

While I marveled at the little guy's acrobatics, I wasn't super-pleased to see him munching down on the suet block we'd set out for the birds.

Peek-a-boo!

But the squirrel paid me no mind, even when I appeared at the window, camera in hand, and began firing shots (photo shots, that is).

The culprit escapes....

Eventually Mr. squirrel sauntered down the tree, mouth full of evidence.  Although I was able to catch him with my camera, I wasn't fast enough to apprehend this speedy four-legged criminal.  Justice will have to wait for another day!  :)



Sharing with Eileen's Saturday's Critters.