'GOT MILK?'

Hello All!!
Bet you think I disappeared...but the truth is, I haven't had anything really exciting, that I could post.

Then, I got my latest issue of Birds and Blooms magazine. One of the articles 'Milk Jugs...New Uses, lists six things you can use empty milk jugs for. Well, I have a #7 reason for it's use. It's the cheapest toy for my dog, Maya, since she destroys almost every toy she gets. She get so excited when I give her an empty milk jug, running throughout the yard tossing it in the air and shaking her head from side to side, like it's an old rag doll.

As you can see, hubby got into the act, while in the yard, pulling a few weeds.

She didn't chew on for long, just enough to bend it up and sink her teeth into.
I think I have as much fun as she does, just watching her run around with a dumb old milk jug in her mouth!

This toy doesn't cost a cent, just rinse it out before giving it to your dog or it could make a mess indoors or get pretty smelly.

However, it probably won't last that long!!
Have fun. :-)

'DEER UPDATES'

Believe it or not, the seasons are changing, once again! If you can't tell, just take a look at the animals. The pictures of the deer, in the first several shots, were taken just 5 days ago. They are still bearing their summer coat. And, with the abundance of acorns on the ground, they are now starting to look a little healthier like the girl in the shot below. YEA!!The fawns are still sporting their beautifully spotted coats.Now that's one big acorn bite for this little one!

Look at those ears!!! Don't you wonder what caught it's attention?

They're filling out and growing so fast. It's hard to believe they will be shedding those adorable coats soon! In this last photo, (I just took this evening), you can see just how much this doe's coat has changed, preparing her for the fall and winter months.

For me, it's always a sad time of the year. They must prepare to endure the cold winter months and fight for their lives.

I thank all of you for visiting and for your kind, generous comments.

I've become quite attached to you and enjoy hearing from you always!

Please don't hesitate to ask questions or express yourself and please stop back!!

'MY GARDEN OF EDEN'

This post is for my dear friend BJ of 'BJ's BLUNDER'S. She is always so captivated by the critters in my backyard!

It's been said so many times that you can find true happiness in you own backyard, and believe me, I have! When my dear Mother was with us, she used to tell me that I have my on little 'Garden of Eden' at my back door. There are just so many animals that habitate here and just pass through on a regular basis. And believe me, I am just thrilled. There are two deer families. If you recall, I named the one the nothched-eared one. She and the other doe bring their little ones in almost daily! I just love watching them play and grow.

The fawns have become much more brave and independant over the past few weeks.But, theye're still not old enough to leave Mom! She has so much to teach them yet.It's so had to believe they will be losing their spots soon and putting on another coat to protect them for the bitter winter months.
They're just so precious at this age!On another note, Mom is dealing with the annoying flies that just won't leave her alone. I wish I could coax her in and give her a dose of fly spray!
The Moma's are rather lean this year, I hope they find enough acorns and food to fatten them up over the coming months.
If you think you've seen these deer before, well, you have!! Jane Lynn (Window on Nature), passes through my 'neck of the woods' frequently, observing what nature has blessed me with in my 'Garden of Eden'.

I hope you enjoy them too!

NEW BABIES EVERYWHERE, AND THEN SOME...

The cries of the young birds calling out for food can be heard as soon as I open my windows each morning. Currently, there seem to be an abundance of young Tufted Titmouse youngsters frequenting the feeders. They are so clumbsy at times, thier flying techniques are not quite as skilled at the adults which allows me to capture a better photo of them.They are one of the cutest little birdies around. This one (below) just couldn't figure out what to do with all of those tail feathers!In this next shot, this Red-Bellied Woodpecker youngster doesn't even have any red on it's head yet. It must be fresh out of the nest!
Then came the cute baby Chipping Sparrows. They were everywhere, calling out, 'Feed me!"I have waited for a long time to see what's in the next few photos...a banded bird. At this point I have no idea where it's from, but will continue watching for it to get a close-up of the band.
And, this beauty, a Great Leopard Moth, caught my eye and you can certainly see why. It's so unique with it's markings.

I hope everyone is having a great summer!!

CAN YOU ID, PLEASE?

Hi all! I've held on to a few photos that I've taken fairly recently and would like your help on identifying them. In this first photo is what I believe to be a Milk Snake. I usually only get garter snakes, rattlesnakes and blacksnakes. This is the first one of this kind. Am I right? Ok, now, #2...I found this turtle in a wooded area, however, it's not like the common Box Turtle I usually see. What do you think?

#3...is a weed of some sort. The flowers are very tiny and oddly shaped, but beautiful close up.

Can you tell me what it's called?
And, #4...is a fly with a beautiful golden, and I mean metallic gold spot on it.

This photo was cropped to show the detail.

What type of fly is this?

I didn't mean for this to be a game, just curious about the identity.

Thank you for your help!

DO YOU EVER WONDER WHAT A FAWN DOES WHEN MAMA WALKS AWAY?

...well, I did too; until now, when I got the opportunity to see for myself. One of the doe's, with the wart on her shoulder, that frequents my backyard often brought her fawn in and she left for awhile.But, before wandering away, she took time to groom her baby. Mama then walked away (upper left corner) as the fawn watched intently. I wish I knew exactly what the Doe does to inform the youngster to stay. The fawn never left the area, and it was well over a couple of hours!...it seemed to check out it's surrroundings...

...and, after doing it's business.. ...decided to settle down and stay put.
Before long, it was sleeping. What a good baby!!

Well, that certainly answered my question, hope it answered yours too.

I feel so blessed to be able to witness so many natural events in nature!!

"JUST A FEW MORE 'DEAR' SHOTS"

Photos like the following, in my opinion, speak for themselves.

There's nothing like a new fawn, baby, bear or bird and it's mama.

These are just a few of my favorites.

I really hope I'm not boring anyone with all of the deer photos.

'NOTHING SAYS IT BETTER THAN NATURE'

Take a close look. This Doe appears quite intrigued by the male and female Mallard Ducks on the pond. However, the ducks weren't the least bit bothered by her presence.

The next series of shots are a compete different story. They are still shots of 'Two-tone' (piebald) and her newborn fawn. Again, excuse the shots, because they were taken at dusk so the clarity is not good.

Hope you enjoy. I haven't seen her recently but will keep watching for updates.

'NEW FAWN - part 2'

Sorry I missed posting yesterday, but here is the second video of the piebald doe and her new fawn.

Enjoy!

'NEW FAWN' - part 1

I've been patiently waiting for a Doe that I've watched for many years to have her fawn. And last evening I saw her in the field nursing, grooming and watching it play. It couldn't have been more than a day old! The Doe is what's know as a 'piebald' but to me, for all of the years I've watched her, I affectionately call her 'Two-Tone'. This year she had a normal-colored fawn. Two year ago, she had two fawns that were piebald also.

Attempting to upload a spliced video failed! Therefore, I will load them one by one. I'm sorry it was late in the evening so the lighting is poor.

I will be posting the other videos next!

I hope you enjoy watching as much as I did!

'WHAT ARE BELTED KINGFISHERS DOING IN THE MOUNTAIN?"

Another confirmation for my daughter...she already thinks I'm crazy, but when I YELLED when I spotted these two Belted Kingfishers very close to our home, it confirmed it!

We were just leaving our house when I first saw them on a wire. When I stopped the car, they flew to an adjacent tree branch. I have no idea what they are doing around here, they typically frequent areas with fish-filled streams.

They were perched high in the tree and the weather has been gloomy, so the photos are not good. I cropped them and adjusted the color and lighting a bit.

Do you think, possibly, that all of the rain we've been getting is confusing them? Or, have they just been hiding from me! Either way, it was a very exciting event for me to see them near my home!

"STILL WAITING FOR SPOTS"

Nope, this one doesn't have spots, but he did last Fall. Look closely, you can see his antlers starting to develop already!

It's just a bit early for the new fawns to be coming in yet.

The deer don't frequent as often since we had such a wet Spring and there is so much for them to eat. I don't get them lining up and staring at the window waiting for me to bring them something to eat.

You can't really tell the difference in the photos, but this one was born the year before. His body is much larger.

The Doe, below, is still carrying her fawn or fawns. I haven't seen some of the others that she usually comes in with, like the doe with the notches in her ears.

It's odd, with all of the greenery surrounding her, ferns and lots of huckleberry bushes, she doesn't eat any of it, nope, not until the berries come on at the end of June. At that time, the deer usually win because they get up earlier than I do!The young bucks have started becoming more distant with me since they have gotten a bit older. They are 'spooked' very easily but the females tend to stay pretty friendly.

You would think that since I feed them and their babies, the least they could do would be give birth in my backyard so I could do a 'Deliver Me' posting!

You never know, I've seen black bears nursing their cubs so...maybe one day.As you can see, it's useless to try to keep a nice lawn in the backyard. I try to leave as much natural habitat as I can. Even though we had to cut a few trees down because they were getting too large to be close to the house.
This girl has been coming around long enough to know where I toss a bit of corn for the Bluejays and squirrels. She gobbles it right up.She has that,"Please, throw me some more corn look!"

Sorry, Aunt B isn't falling for it this time!