This young flicker was very busy digging for ants when I stopped to take his picture. I love their combination of stripes and polka dots. It always makes me think of my mom, who would tell me when I would dress myself as a kid, “We don’t wear stripes and polka dots together.” Clearly northern flickers did not get the message. They might also be wearing white after Labor Day. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I spent some time out playing in the snow this morning. While I think many of us in these parts are over it, maybe the thing to do is just embrace it. It is lovely to look at and it is still coming down. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
It is such a pleasure to sit in my office and watch the diversity of visitors to the yard. One of the best spots for taking pictures is crouched between the back of the car and the garage. More than one neighbor has done a double take when seeing me sitting on the ground behind the car. Hopefully, they see the camera and don’t think I am too crazy, but I guess I don’t really mind being the crazy neighbor. 
Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
The backyard is a wonderful place to spend some time. So many of us run out to our cars, run into the office, grocery store, etc., and never stop and look around, or look up. We’ve been trying to make a point of having our morning coffee in the yard (at least while it is still warm enough to do so). Once you start looking, start really paying attention to all the beings around you, you may find you’re not able to stop, and that’s not a bad thing. It happened to me. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
The tree trimmers have been slicing and dicing the neighborhood for a few weeks now. I understand it has to be done around the power lines, but this is so much more than pruning. I’ve been concerned about all those who live in the trees and/or depend on them. I spent some time out in the yard this weekend and was very happy to see most of the usual visitors accounted for. I’m glad this “trimming” isn’t going on during nesting time. I was happy to see our white-headed cardinal friend, though she was too fast this morning for a picture. I did manage to get a couple of pictures of her handsome partner. I also spotted a flicker, red-bellied woodpecker, white-throated sparrow, hungry titmice, and a very curious bunny. Click on pictures to enlarge.
We don’t often get out to this lake, but it is always a treat, particularly during a weekday morning when we’re the only humans around. Click on pictures to enlarge.
