Surprise Visitor

For those that have followed my blog, you know that last spring we had an opossum problem.

They were living under our house, and we repeatedly set a have-a-heart trap to catch and relocate them.

After catching nine opossum, we caught two skunks and one very hairy and large raccoon.

We figured we caught all the opossum.

We started hearing noises again this fall and put the trap back into action.

The opossum have returned - but only one so far.

This morning we looked out the window to see the trap had sprung.

And what was in there?

A Blue Jay.

Having a fit and making his loud calls of protest at being caught.

And sitting on top of the trap was another one watching him flap back and forth inside.

Seventeen degrees was too cold for my camera and me, but what a sight it was.

He was set free and the trap is ready again - hopefully that bird learned his lesson.

And we can get back to relocating another opossum family - one by one.

ABC Wednesday - G is for Gnawed

If you look closely, you can see all the teeth marks.
I could not believe the size of this stump.
The beaver did a tremendous job with his gnawing to bringing it down.
He must have worked on it for months - after all, he had all winter to do it.
You can also see the shavings he left behind on the ground .
It is easy to see where the saying "Busy as a Beaver" comes from.
And from the size of those teeth marks, I was glad that we didn't run into him!



This is the eleventh round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - X is for Xography

X is for Xography..........




 

A new word for today - Xography.


Which means: photographic process for producing three-dimensional images.


 Now, I do not have any equipment that does this.


And this photo has nothing to do that with that process either.


But I can't help thinking how pretty this one would be if it was three-dimensional.

 

This is the tenth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - Z is for Zodiac

  

Z is for Zodiac...........




In astrology, the Zodiac is a circle that is divided into twelve equal zones that line up with the celestial constellations that are determined by the position of sun during the equinoxes. Each "zone" is approximately 30.4 days long, and the time of the year we are born in determines which zodiac sign we are. I was born during the zone of Cancer, the Crab. Which means I am a water sign and my ruling planet is the moon. Since the ocean is my most favorite place to be, I guess I fit right in with my zodiac sign.   



This is the eighth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

ABC Wednesday - M is for Mouse

  M is for Mouse............




We were in a public park with many people around. We just happened to be standing next to an area that was roped off - and I caught him out of the corner of my eye. Nestled in the lush clover was this little gray mouse - having a snack in the late afternoon sun. Nobody else paid him any mind - but I just had to snap his photo. And all the while thinking - glad you are out here and not running around under my house where the mouse traps are. He knows where he belongs - out in the great outdoors - which is perfect for all of us.




This is the eighth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Barred Owl - My World

Barred Owl - My World






I peeked out the bathroom window - just like I do every morning to get a glimpse of the day. As I closed the curtain, something caught my eye in the tree. Upon a closer look - it was an owl - just sitting there in the cold falling snow.
I could not believe it - daytime, snow, and an owl - those factors just didn't go together.
He stayed for about three hours - taking a nap here and there.
But he was quite aware at all times.
 He looked in at me through the window - I was so lucky to get this photo.
And when the little mole that he had been watching made it's appearance, he didn't miss a beat.
After his meal he left us, and I haven't seen him since.
What a gift he was on that snowy morning!

Four Geese in the Fog - My World

Four Geese in the Fog - My World






While at the lake one morning this past fall, we were lucky enough to find a small flock of Canada Geese taking a break.

They were on the beach side, so we didn't see them when we first arrived.

Walking along the grass in the fog, we heard a commotion off to our right.

When the trees cleared, we saw them - out on the water - watching us with wary eyes.

How beautiful they looked in the fog, just gliding along the top of the peaceful water.

We enjoyed them for a few minutes, and left a few pieces of bread for them to eat after we left.

I so love these little gifts we get from Mother Nature when we least expect them!

What Caught My Eye

What Caught My Eye







Can you see what caught my eye the first time we discovered this swamp further down our road?

I have been posting about this spot for the last week, and this image shows what makes me want to keep returning to check on how they are doing.

I didn't have my long lens on at this time, but you can spot them with out it.

This image was taken in the late winter, and spring has certainly made a difference to this scene.

I have more photos from last week, and I can't wait to get back down there again to see how things have progressed with the occupants.

Garden Snake

Garden Snake







Last week I posted about a wood pile in our backyard.

I tend to give it a wide berth as a snake has surprised me a few times I have walked by it.

This is the resident of that woodpile.

The boys caught it sunning one afternoon and called me out so I could grab a photo.

I would have loved to get closer, but my fear of him coming after me would only allow me so much - and this was it.

If we catch him sunning this summer, I will use my new lens to keep a great distance, but capture him nice and close.

I am looking forward to this one!

Flock of Wild Turkeys

Flock of Wild Turkeys









We have seen more and more of these wild turkeys over the last few years.

They used to be on the endangered list in our region, but that is the case no longer.

There has been a spring and a fall hunting season for these birds as they have become so prolific.

But there are very specific rules that must be followed in each season.

They can only be hunted during a certain time of the day, and only males, or bearded females can be taken at a certain time.

The only birds in this flock are females though - no red beards to be seen.

I am hoping to get some closer shots of these birds this fall.

They are a quirky lot, these turkeys, and they easily spook if anything doesn't look just right to them.

And me being too close to them is certainly not right.

But I am anxious to give it a try!

ABC Wednesday - B is for Bird Prints

B is for Bird Prints.............







I saw these prints coming up our driveway and I just had to capture them.

We had received a layer of wet snow which was just perfect for these bird's foot prints.

I was pretty lucky to get them - if you look in the upper left corner, you can see the edge of the tire track. We just missed running over this set as we had all the others.

You can't tell from the image, but they are a really good sized impression.

It was a Black Crow that had waddled his way up the driveway.

He and his buddies were up in the tree squawking at me as I took these photos.

I don't know what they were doing in the driveway though, the bird feeders and all the seeds are way out in the backyard, way too far for him to walk to.

Must have been something that caught his attention, and I am awfully glad it did!



This is the fourth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.