Ho, ho, ho!

Couldn't resist!

Hello again..

The dog noticed this guy in our neighbor's yard on her walk one day last week. We grabbed cameras and clicked away....I was inching closer flat on my belly till it was apparent that the little sharp-shinned wasn't going anywhere. He was unmarked, but acting dazed - we guessed he must have flown into something. He kept closing his right eye, and didn't react to us very much at all.

Looks like he's about had it with us in his face, doesn't he?

WINK!

We captured him fairly easily and called our friend at the VA Raptor Conservancy. We were able to take the bird to a volunteer, who transported him to the conservancy. I had word later in the week that he did recover and will be released soon. Hooray!

I just hope he doesn't ever see Ollie!

This is Olivia. I have always called my resident female Camille, but then I never had one for 7 years before the last Camille. This one is a little different -I thought she should have her own name.

Eeee, eee, eeeeeee!

Ditto.

And on a different note.....

Lane 2, Nick David, First Place !

Lane One, Nick David, First Place.

This one was close! Lots of Phelps record times on the board to the left.

All Star!

Just for a smile...

Before going to work....

I spied a titmouse in the bird tree....

A hummingbird posing for me......

Another - as cute as can be...

A lady for Ollie...whoopee!

And Ollie - my favorite to see!

This is what I've been waiting for - and Ollie let the female drink before he did - I think he's found one who suits him!

News from our gallery

We have 10 artists exhibiting in The Gallery at Backyard Boutique...every third Thursday we have gallery night from 6 - 8 with nibbles and the artists meet and greet. It's very enjoyable, and we're actually selling. The gallery itself occupies the front 1200 sf of my store space. Bird shop and online still crippling along.

Back again....

Both of the tiny Carolina wrens stayed busy feeding this cowbird stow-away. I didn't see any baby wrens - I guess this one took up all the room.

Just look at the size difference.

More, more, more!!!

And to add insult to injury, he seems perfectly able to get his own food!

I thought Ollie had found a new mate......

This lovely young female was with him for a few days - but he sort of ignored her, and now I haven't seen her since last week.

I have missed blogging, but just never seemed to have the time to sit down and do it. Today I looked at of my favorite blogs, and these are photos I've been planning to post. I'll probably only get to this every few weeks, but I'm still here!

Summer Clips -

Ollie - still alone. He has had interested ladies, but he isn't interested.

Serenity..

My older grandson, Jack, after swim meet.

The younger one, Nick (8), high-fiving and showing off his muscles - he's threatening records all over town this year.

Move over, Michael Phelps!

"Teddy Bears' Picnic"

Remember that song? Well it was very fitting at Shenandoh yesterday! We saw more bears than we have total in all our other trips to the park. They were close, but behind a lot of brush.....They were all over the place - several times along Skyline Dr we stopped to watch them.

I see you, but bet you can't see me!

I got a bazillion fawn shots!

I loved this one with the grass blowing.

"God's in His heaven; all's right with the world."