December 30, 2012

White-breasted Nuthatch

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
This is a photo of a 
White-breasted Nuthatch.  It's the first
time I've had one visit the feeder on a 
consistent basis...(whoo~hoo)  Once
in awhile a Red-breasted will show up, but 
I haven't been able to capture a picture of 
them together so you can see the difference 
in their sizes and coloring.  The Red-breasted
Nuthatch is about half the size of the
White-breasted.  I LOVE the coloring of the
White-breasted Nuthatch!
cindy :-)) 

December 15, 2012

Christmas Cardinal

Merry Christmas
from
my house to yours :)
 
I have been doing watercolor paintings and
watercolor pencil sketches for the past
3 years.  I have always enjoyed drawing and sketching
as far back as I can remember.  The subjects
that I enjoy interpreting the most are flowers, birds,
butterflies, and rural landscapes.  I hope you enjoy the
piece above entitled:
 "Christmas Cardinal"
 
For this piece of artwork I used
Prismacolor watercolor pencils.  The paper is CACHET
sketchbook paper by Daler & Rowney (recycled/toned).
 
cindy 

November 14, 2012

Autumn Birds in My Backyard




I am just as excited to see Fall/Winter
birds arrive as the Spring arrivals.  We have
one White-crowned Sparrow and half a
dozen Dark-eyed Juncos.  This makes me
very happy :-))

Have a great rest of the week!

November 4, 2012

October 23, 2012

Images of Autumn

 My husband and I take many walks in these woods.
It is so serene and back to nature here...we love it!
We see deer, racoons, wild turkeys, Barred Owl,
and Cardinals.  There are many native trees, grasses,
and wildflowers here.  It's called the Chaplin Nature Center.



 Wild Turkeys down by the Arkansas River



It is Autumn in Kansas.
I am seeing some beautiful Fall color, birds,
and wildlife.  I had a Red-breasted Nuthatch visit 
the feeder a couple of days ago, but I haven't
seen him since.  I did capture a few shots but they are
so fuzzy.  Nuthatches dart here and there like Wrens and
are not ones to sit still to have their picture taken...arghhh!
 
I'm sorry to have neglected my blog...I'm enjoying 
catching up with all of yours :-))
 
Have a wonderful week !!

September 23, 2012

Ruby-throated & Mr. Cardinal

 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
At first, we weren't sure we were going to get any
Hummingbirds this season.  In early Spring we
had a couple Ruby-throated stop and drink at
the feeder.  But, they left and I presume headed North. 
I figured it was too hot and dry for them as week after
week I didn't see any at the feeder.  Finally, in late Summer
we were thrilled to see them return.  This little guy, which I
think is a juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird is staying
close to the feeder and guarding it with all his might.  
I would say he is storing up for his long trek South
to Coasta Rica.  

 
Cardinal
He looks to be molting and he behaves
like a juvenile male.  We've had lots
of Cardinal youngsters at the feeders this year.

Happy Autumn!!  Everyone :-))

September 12, 2012

Sunflowers



I thought is was high time I posted something.
 
Summer is almost over and I am glad for that...we had
a terribly HOT Summer and a drought.  A few weeks
ago we had 3" of rain...it's amazing what a little moisture can do.
It brought hope and healing to a dry and thirsty land.

I decided that I should be able to grow Sunflowers...for their
bright and cheery color and seeds for my backyard birds.  I watered them
everyday and they survived the drought :-)

June 15, 2012

Salt Plains NWR

A sweet little deer to welcome us to the wildlife refuge.

This refuge is about an hour and a half from home.  
We (my husband, Ken & I) finally marked out some
time for a visit.  It was very hot and very windy that
day so we were thankful they had auto tour roads, too.
This refuge is located in North Central Oklahoma.
The wheat harvest was going on as well and we enjoyed
viewing the vast, golden fields being harvested, too.  Kansas 
and Oklahoma are definitely the bread-basket of America!


A woodland hiking trail through the refuge


Trumpet Vines were in bloom


American Avocet  (lifer)


Wild Buttonbush


Dragonfly


Small creek running through the refuge.


The Marsh


Small inlet of the Great Salt Plains Lake





Great Salt Plains Lake
Sunset after the first day.


Wildflower:  Indian Blanket Flower
This was my most treasured find :-)


Lark Sparrow  (lifer)
I was thrilled to see several Lark Sparrows!
They make a beautiful song...this one was perched
on this post singing away.


Wildflower:  Arkansas Rose
I am guessing here.


Wildflower:  Fleabane


Wildflower: Hairy Vetch


Hedge Parsley  (another guess)

Great Salt Plains Lake
shoreline

Great Egret
There were lots of Great Egrets.

I am just guessing at this...a Skink

Gray Hairstreak Butterfly

Snowy Plover
The Snowy Plover likes to nest here. 
Also, the American Avocet and Interior Least Terns.

Salt Plains
This wide expanse of mud flats is covered with a thin layer
of salt.  You can dig for Selenite Crystals here.  It was too
hot and windy for us.  We will need to save that activity
for another day.

May 21, 2012

Finch Chicks Fledge

 House Finch Chicks
 Here is my last shot of the House Finch
Chicks before they fledged.  They took
off 2 days later.

 Pink Lily
My Lilies are blooming!  The flowers seem
to be doing well this Spring.  I believe that's
because it's been a wet/cool Spring.

 Baltimore Oriole
We have an Oriole pair :-)
I'm using a soap dish for the Grape Jelly
 receptacle.
 

Carolina Wren
This shy little guy is becoming a frequent
visitor...I don't mind :-)

April 30, 2012

Early Spring Sightings

 3 Baby Robins 


 Snail or Slug ??  
I really don't know much about these :-)

 The Kiss
2 Eurasian-collared Doves

 House Finch Nest
This nest is located right outside the front door
in the Boston Fern.
 Female Cardinal


 Blue Jay Display

 Downy Woodpecker
We have 2 or 3 Downys visiting the suet
and 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker.

 5 House Finch Eggs

 Common Buckeye
A "lifer" for me :-))

 Red Admiral Butterfly
We have been inundated with Red Admiral
Butterflies.  They are a gorgeous butterfly.





I haven't been on here for a while for different reasons.  But, 
I am still taking photos whenever I can.  I'm looking forward
to catching up on reading your blogs.  

Happy Monday !!