Resident Robin, and friends

Every morning when I wake up, I come out in the kitchen, eat breakfast, and wait for it to be light enough to find the Resident Robin. For the past month or so, like clockwork, there he sits in the Crabapple tree, his tree, outside the kitching window. This morning was no exception.

He seems happy enough and maybe that's because he knows a good thing when he see's it! Shortly after the sun comes up he'll fly down to the birdbath and have a nice drink of water, then maybe come back up into the tree or head off someplace else for a bit.

And through rain, sleet, snow, or freezing cold temperatures, there he is, guarding his treasure of food.

Shortly after arriving, Robin was joined by a Mockingbird. Now normally you would think the Mockingbird rules, right? Wrong. This Robin was quite possesive of his treasure, chasing the Mockingbird every chance it got! As the weeks have passed the two have learned to live in relative harmony.

The Mockingbird being what it is will not back down from much. As you can see it was flipping me the bird! lol! Finally it turned around and decided to cooperate.

Like it's friend the Robin, the Mockingbird also enjoys a daily drink from the birdbath (which has since been cleaned and filled). Since we don't have them in our yard in the Summer anymore it's nice to see one in the winter. The Mock is very quiet though. Singing season hasn't quite started yet.

Downy woodpeckers are in the Crabapple tree all the time also, waiting their turn for the Peanut Feeder. Robin seems to sense they aren't of any threat so he leaves them alone.

Phineas would give anything to get ahold of just ONE bird! Sorry Phin, not happening.

Last but not least, two of the showiest birds in the yard. I do so love the Cardinals, even if the Robin doesn't.

After all, who else could look this good in the falling snow?

* I thought for sure the Robin was off to find a new home when another Robin showed up this morning and they both flew off together. When I arrived home from work I instantly checked the tree. There he was, all by his lonesome. I'm thinking maybe he was just chasing the other Robin off! Yes, he'll be leaving sometime soon, just not yet, okay?

Sometimes you feel like a nut

Love this face!

Everyday the birds fight it out over who rules the peanut feeder.

It certainly isn't the Tufted Titmouse. They make a lot of noise but don't really bother anyone. And they gladly share with the other birds, including the little Chickadees.

We have a winner!

Once she lands on the feeder no one else stands a chance, and she stays a good long time. This is one aggressive bird! She pecks and dives at any other bird who even TRIES to land on the peanut feeder. Luckily she's a looker.

Durgin Covered Bridge

The last time we went to Durgin Covered Bridge, No. 45 in North Sandwich, NH, my husband and I were alone. Today we decided to go back but take the girls with us. Things didn't go exactly as planned. We had a late start, but that was okay. However, it was 36 degree's when we left home and 19 degree's with a blustery wind when we arrived! Andria refused to even get out of the car. Elise and my husband were a little braver but none of us stayed outside longer than a couple minutes. All photo's were shot very quickly!

Here we are on our way down the back road that brings us to our destination.

Fall

Today

And I thought we had a lot of snow! These photo's weren't taken in the same exact location, but you get the idea.

This is a new sign. It wasn't there in the Fall. Since we were legal, we crossed the bridge. The girls didn't care for that too much.

Fall



Today





Fall




Today
Looking downstream

This was a sign we saw several times posted on tree's. I've been up north a lot but I've never seen this before! What the heck are Bear Dogs? I'm assuming they hunt bears?

Fall would be my favorite, though Winter sure is pretty. Maybe I would appreciate Today's photo's more if it hadn't been so bitterly cold! Which season is your favorite?

A Bit Much?

$95

3+ hours in the salon (arrrgghhh!)

$10 parking ticket (double arrrgghhh!)

15 degree day

All for this . . .

And she thinks I'm not a cool mom. Okay, so I wasn't exactly thrilled with the results. Alright, I was livid, okay? There, I said it. Now I don't even notice. As long as I didn't have to pay for it, and it's not permanent!

The next 'doo' she wants? Long all brown hair with short bangs. Who am I to argue?

; )

* Since this post I have re-colored the front of her hair back into a blondish-brown. She's done with the colors. Just when I was really getting used to this one too!

Because you know you need it

And so do I! A little floral therapy during January never hurt anyone : )

Thank you Mary for putting the Paperwhite bug in my brain. It's been several years since I last enjoyed their lovely blooms and pungent smells. Now most of the flowers have gone by but a couple blooms are still showing their beauty on a daily basis.

I know I took some full view pictures of them in their container but where they went I have no idea! How could they just vanish into thin air?

And now my Amarylis

Woohoo!!! Doesn't that make your eyes POP! Every year my mom buys me one of these for Christmas. The colors vary but this year it is a peachy-orange color.

They may not smell but what a vision to look at!

It sure will be nice to see that first Dandelion in the Spring : )

SNOW . . .

. . . . bird?

. . . . angel?

. . . . bath?

Sorry the photo's aren't better quality but they were taken in the shade and I couldn't lighten them much more without losing the texture. The impression is about a foot and a half across. Any idea what it's from?

A Mighty Cold Morning in Rye Harbor

Or as they say in New Hampshah . . . Rye Hahbah

Since my husbands transmission went in his car yesterday I had to give him a ride to work this morning. Being that he starts work at 7:00 am I knew it would be a great opportunity to take a few pictures along the coast.

Hope you enjoy them because it was wicked cold out there!

I'm just glad it's not me out on the water this morning

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

This past Sunday morning I was lucky to view my first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ever. Not only one, but two!

(Because these photo's were taken through the glass door you may notice some lines or reflections)

Both Sapsuckers were immatures so I'm not sure if they were males or females. The first 3 photo's are of the same bird.

Then I noticed a little mid-air scuffle and was surprised to see a new Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was vying for a turn on the peanut feeder.

This one is larger with a more prominent white stripe running from the beak down the neck. Since then I haven't seen the smaller Sapsucker, only the larger one. They are quite skittish so I was lucky to get the shots I did. Everytime the see me they take off.

I am amazed how much the birds like the peanut feeder! Wish I had bought one long before now.