A Tangle of Deer

It has been a chilly first week of spring. Frost on the ground every morning and single digit temperatures to start the day. We even had snow in the northwoods this past Wednesday. That has kept the feeders busy all week.We had not been seeing the Quartet regularly since early March but they made several appearances this week. Thursday I took a series of shots that show them crowded so close together that you have to look closely to determine how many are there.

 Joey came looking for me and noticed the intruders in her yard. That accounts for the last picture with the blur of deer fleeing. The coming week promises to be warmer. We can't wait.

Mourning Doves and Investigative Squirrels

I have been taking interesting pictures on the days I am not traveling. I was lucky to catch two Mourning Doves milling about a tree just off the deck yesterday. I also got to witness a pair of squirrels discovering a feeder in the tree that the doves are at the base of.  The birds had that to themselves for a little over a month. Oh well, spring means you should not expect having food sources to yourself, right?

Where have All the Colors Gone?

It's that faded looking time of year. The snow has melted leaving all the treasures it was hiding exposed. Flattened grass that looks like straw, sticks, last year's fallen dried leaves that got missed in the fall and for those of us with canine family members..... I picked up a lot of that yesterday. I also took a few pictures. The temperature was nice but things seemed pretty monotone. I saw hints of the colors that will be popping to life soon. The squirrels are coming around more too.

Day Light Savings Time

Today's pictures are late afternoon/early evening on the second day of Day Light Savings Time. I scared one of the deer visitors off around 6 AM this morning. I thought they would come in and clean everything out when I left. When I got home later this afternoon I could tell they had not been back. They strolled in this evening but just nibbled a bit with the exception of the button buck who consistently is the last to leave. This week is full of travel and meetings so I probably won't be posting again until next week sometime. I wonder if my backyard pals will notice the lack of photo ops.

Finches and Blue Jays

Finally it seems we are getting some warm weather. If the predictions are correct it will just get better throughout the coming week. The birds can feel it coming too. The finches have been thick around here most of the week and the blue jays look like they are settling in.

Hello Spring

Spring is right around the corner but I did not know it would manifest in the backyard within minutes after my last post that included images from early last May. I looked out my back window and saw several pairs of purple finches among the many small birds at the feeders. I caught a few pictures of the finches. 

Spring Dreams

It was -23 at 4:45 AM in our corner of the northwoods this morning. Temperatures in the 40's are predicted for this time next week. That is a hopeful thought. I hope we are seeing rose breasted grosbeaks and red wing blackbirds soon. These pictures are from early last May. We did get snow that month but you know when it comes that time of year it usually won't last long.

Snowy Day Blue Jays

I finally managed to get blue jay pictures and I discovered we have a pair. This picture is just after the one on the left gave a seed to the one on the right. I wish I had snapped the image a second sooner but I enjoyed watching their antics today.

Signs of Spring

Even though there is snow on the ground the days are getting longer, buds are trying to emerge on the trees and I saw a group of Mourning Doves today. Unfortunately they have not conversed with my deer pals so the group startled and took flight when I tried to take a picture. Fortunately for me one brave little soul was more intent on sunflower seeds than joining her skittish friends.

Everyday Magic

I took way too many pictures today, actually I don't mean that. When I was perusing the shots this one was a surprise. Anytime I discover I took a picture of something I couldn't see it gives me pause. It makes me think about all the magic going on around me everyday. Hope everyone's week is filled with noticeable magic.

Lone Blue Jay

I saw a couple Blue Jays towards the end of the day yesterday. This morning after I filled the feeders I saw another one but he didn't stay around long.