Birds, Squirrels and Local Color at the Ditch

Alas, Harry the Heron hasn't shown up yet this spring, but I've had some other lovely sightings as the Ditch begins to awaken.

 

Slightly (emphasis on the "slightly") warmer weather and plenty of rain has helped the Ditch color to burst, and while it's still filling in, it's looking awfully good! (And yes, we dipped below freezing last night.)

Checking In on the Ditch Goslings

Time for a little bit of fluff! And a walk down to the Ditch!

I took these a week or so ago. I suspect by now, my goslings are more dark than light, fluffy yellow!

Things are greening up well -- even more so than in this photo by now.

There were some beautiful birds. I never seem to get a good photo of the Red-winged blackbird but this one actually seemed to pose and the lighting was perfect!

The grackle was quite handsome, too, with the sun reflecting off his wings.

Well, here are Jim and Suzanne with their brood. (How do I know? Four babies, instead of seven!)

I first saw them on one side of the pond, chowing down.

I love how Mom sticks close!

I continued my walk, spotting a beautiful robin...

...and this little fellow, who seemed like he was just stopping for a chat!

When I got around to the other side of the pond, the geese had moved over there and were swimming near the rocks.

It seemed like a good time to get out of the water, so up we go, rock climbing!

Who knows what you'll find?

I look forward to my next visit but I'll miss seeing them as fluff balls as they grow into young adults.

Like Toddlers.

Bushy Is Back!

The other day, Bushy the Squirrel shimmied up the bird feeder pole, smack in front of Gypsy who hissed at him.

He shimmied down quickly.

He's back. And the gig is up -- he knows he's safe!

And he's bold.

I went right outside and while he looked up...

...he didn't shy away! He just let me shoot while he ate...

...and ate...

...and ate.

...and ate.

Gyp needs to sharpen up his act.

Or else his bird friends aren't going to have much left for them!

(Note: There's a look at "American Eve," the story of the Evelyn Nesbit/Harry K. Thaw/Stanford White trial on Chopsticks and String!)

Northern Exposure -- It Humbles Me

I feel like a bit of a wimp.

A week or two ago, Rick and I were watching old "Northern Exposure" episodes I'd taped when the series was replayed on A&E. (That's back when A&E stood for "Arts and Entertainment," not "Awful and Excruciating.")

Anyway, in some of the episodes, they were in the midst of winter. Hard, Alaskan winter.

When I think back on that, I feel like a bit of a wimp! Not that I won't moan and groan a bit at the snow, the ice, the bad plowing in my neighborhood, rutty roads, higher heating bills and wind chill.

But I'll try to do it less.

I will leave you with the most recent visitor to Gypsy Rose's Bird Bath Bar and Grill -- a crasher, who tends to bully the others away and will stop at nothing to get a bit of seed.

Winter could be worse. We could be hanging by our toenails on a screen window, going for someone else's food in the cold.

Yes, it could be worse.