I pulled up a chair and sat and watched her quietly….love how they walk! I think her eggs have been laid somewhere and she was heading back to the lake. Those swinging back legs! She heard our neighbours dog bark, then they got in their car and drove away. She hunkered down for a bit…
She looked at me a few minutes later, quizzically, like, I think it’s safe now…the coast is clear!
She passed over the herbs, pausing to look out towards the lake. It wasn’t until I walked around the front for a shot and to wish her luck that I noticed her right eye was missing:( Looking back at older photos of her she seemed fine until 2023 where you can see some damage to her eye. In a few minutes she was into the tall grass and headed to the lake…See you next year Mrs. Snapping Turtle!
Gamora came across this beautiful Painted Turtle making it’s way past the Mewberry mobile. It took awhile before he would stick his head out after she sniffed it, I went to get my camera. Those beautiful eyes! Then she/he went along his way…love that turtle snoot! We had another one trying to lay it’s eggs in a very rocky spot, it did give up and move on.
So far, just a few frogs. Our Gray tree fog is living in the cushion box on the deck and has a very small friend living nearby as well. They are so cool looking! From bright green to gray, and those legs!
Groot found a small leopard frog and patted it on the head with his paw…it was not impressed. What IS this slimy thing asked Groot? Who is that belligerent cat the frog wanted to know! “Ewww…cat germs!”
I’ve coaxed a few garter snakes off the road and the Water snakes skedaddle pretty quickly when you are walking! Those sunny days they do love the road.
The forest is alive with sound, bullfrogs calling, Vireo’s calling. One finally flew down to a lower branch in front of me, belted out a Pavarotti chorus smugly before flying off. There human…now you now who I am!
An Eastern Wood Peewee but in a stellar performance as well…
The Scarlett Tanager said yeah, you can hear them, but me, well Honey…You can’t miss ME! I had the honour of not just Mr. Scarlett Tanager but his lovely yellow wife hung about for some photos as well. First time I have seen them together so closely!
He did moon me as well;) Not to be outdone the Red Bellied Woodpeckers both came by for a visit to the oranges. NOT just Oriole food they said:) Keep putting that suet up as well they chimed!
It’s wonderful to have these regulars all year long. The Hairys and Downys are quiet quiet right now, nesting. Except one female who chatters at me early in the morning telling me to hurry up and get that suet feeder up! One day I feel she may land on my hand as I carry it out! Like the Orioles, they have a very particular voice! One might say chastising at times!
The Grosbeaks and Purple finches are bringing their young to the feeders. They are very naive and trusting, it’s sweet to watch them. We had an Eastern Kingbird visiting at the front. The tree they nest in, an old cedar along the shore is dying with no branches for cover so not sure where they are nesting this year.
One morning a lone female Merganser passed by the front of the house on the calm lake. The smokey skies lent a eerie colour to the water. So much life. I wondered if it was a female taking a break from nesting.
Then I have my ever patient little buddy Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The female has been very quiet, hope to see more of her soon! I move the feeders around for the best light and he just follows along. A patient soul for a photographer! Light is so important in bringing out the colour in these amazing little birds! It’s a quest!
I sunk to new lows last week and placed small flowers in the feeder holes I didn’t want him to go to, his back at me, in the shadow…he caught on pretty quickly what I needed from him! Ha!
When there isn’t enough light I like the blur in the wings as well, it adds a sense of motion to these beautiful little birds.
Now to talk him into getting nearer the flowers!
Alright-it’s turned into a turtle and bird novel. Stay tuned for flowers and The Mewberries! Coming to a tree near you! I’ll leave you with my bird feeder examiner…top notch job she does;)
My home made baffle works for squirrels…not raccoons;)