Jan. 21, 2012

Snow/Ice day bird visitors!

I was in the bedroom and heard this "knocking". My investigation revealed a Red Bellied Woodpecker pecking on the overhang roof under the bedroom window, above the living room window!

White Throated Sparrow

Dark Eyed Junco

Carolina Chickadee and White Throated Sparrow

Tufted Titmouse

White Throated Sparrow

Jan. 21, 2012

Steve and friend Dave braved the cold and ice yesterday afternoon to do a little fishing. Puddles and Daisy were "helping" him unpack his ruck sack! Puddles got a little TOO helpful. She managed to chew a hole in the pocket where his piece of fried chicken was!

The moral of the story is NEVER leave ANYTHING that has, or did have, food in it unattended!

DISCLAIMER: The photographer was unaware that the perp was actually chewing the pocket. No dogs were harmed as a result of the bad behavior.

Jan 7-8 confused plants popping up!

Testimonies to the mild winter popping up in the gardens!
These are in the front, which is the south side of the house. Sun hits here almost all day and it's quite a bit warmer than in the back.

Crocus

Day Lilly

Wild violets

Mums

Hyacinths a and crocus

Hyacinths and crocus

Not too clear a picture, but new growth on the rose bush

Daffodils

Out in the back north side, where sun NEVER hits this time of year, things are popping up as well!
 

Tulips

Sedum

Winter garden buddies!

Jan. 2012 Critters

Steve is prepping some venison to cook, and has an audience, just waiting for one little mistake....

Daisy sees a squirrel!

This little fellow was raiding the bird feeder hanging at the front window, and jumped onto the screen and then scrambled along the windowsill. Daisy was fascinated!

Squirrel on the screen, you can just barely see his tail at the bottom.

Squirrel looking in, hasn't seen Daisy yet, but she sees him!

The squirrel saw Daisy and FROZE! Daisy was thrilled!

He sat there still as could be while Daisy stared him down. Then he ran off!

 

Thurs. Jan 12, 2012

In the same area, and usually in the same tree that I pass each day on the way to work, I see one or two large hawks that I believe are adult Redtails. These pictures aren't so great, but I was able to pull over and take them!

There it is, in the center.

As I snapped again, he dove out of the tree, and flew off out of sight.

 

Tues. Jan 10, 2012

A beautiful full moon morning! Pictures taken on the way to work.

Took this one with the flash on.

Same shot, without the flash.

See the moon "sitting" on the fence post?

Monday, January 9. 2012

As a Steelers fan in an office full of Ravens fans....life isn't always easy. 

Meet Ruth and her dog Pickles. Ruth is a die hard Ravens fan, and we often banter about football. 

She was kind enough to bring me a Black Ribbon of Mourning the day after the Steelers blew the chance to move on this season. 

Being the good sport that I am, I wore it proudly all day!

Christmas 2011 with the folks in Terra Alta!

Christmas Eve

Me and my faithful (COUGH COUGH) hound dog, Daisy, warming by the fire.

Maw in the kitchen!

Maw and Norm

Lynne, Steve, Maw, Norm...and DAISY.

You'll shoot  your eye out!

Christmas Day

Steve helping Daisy and Puddles open their presents!

Dinner and Movie gift cards for Maw and Norm!

Maw in her Christmas morning attire!

Daisy supervising Steve as he tears bread for stuffing.

MY bread was neatly cut, Steve's was just torn. MINE is better. LOL!

The Great Stuffing Preparation Discussion.

Maw working on the stuffing. See that dog?

And now BOTH dogs are being pains.

Maw's new carving set!

Norm starting to , uh, carve?

Steve takes over.

And oh gee, there is Puddles waiting....

That darn radio station kept fading when I moved....

...so I did what I had to do in order to keep the music playing!

WAIT NORM!!!!!!

DINNER! (oh, and guess who sneaking up to the table?)

Beautiful Christmas night sunset with Venus (I think) and the baby moon....the moon didn't show on the picture.

and a Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!