Farewell to 2021...May the New Year Bring Peace and Hope to All~

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Every Day~

Sending warmest of greetings to all who have followed my blog for these past twelve years.  It has been a very different, very difficult at times past 18 months.  Losing my identical twin sister Haze to cancer, losing friends that I have known since childhood.  Many from cancer, others from the COVID pandemic and it has been daunting at times to say the least.

This past Summer, I raised several Monarch butterflies and was able to release them into the wild and that was truly a remarkable experience.  One that I will assuredly be doing again in the future.

The floral mosaics below are from the beautiful gardens of my friend Beth.  She also raised Monarchs and enjoyed the experience as well.  These were all taken from her deck garden...I am going to have one this coming season.

*Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slideshow presentation after  you have read the narratives. Thanking you so very much~

  

                                                                        I'm joining Eileen at: 

Saturday's Critter

                     http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/

 

 

Anni at:

http://id-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.com/ 

I'd Rather Be Birdin'

 Linking to I'd Rather B Birdin' 

   

 

Angie at:  

Mosaic Monday

https://tentoesinthewater.blogspot.com/

 

 

& 

Stewart for:

Wild Bird Wednesday

                                                      https://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com/

 

A male Dickcissel singing his nightly tune over a nearby meadow~

One of my Monarchs emerging from the chrysalis.  

I was truly moved by the experience~

       Two beautiful Red-tailed Hawks changing positions on one of my favorite country lanes~

In the past several months I have tried more to get out and view sunsets nearby our home.  From our land, I see very little and have to drive about 4 miles away and then have a good view...just amazing~

One of my most favorite Birds of Prey are the Northern Harriers that come down into our area on migration every Autumn and Winter.  The rufous coloured ones are the females and the males are grey.  There is a nick name given the males, called the Grey Ghost.  I am so thankful to have them nearby ~

A little Green Tree Frog resting on a leaf frond in our garden~

I took food to this lovely little feral cat and made sure that the proper people were told about it.  It seemed content to remain where it was and I didn't want to upset it.  What a darling face~

The male Northern Harrier hunting low over the fields near our home in Oldham County, Kentucky.  Many call him the "Grey Ghost"~

This is a very rare to Kentucky visitor.  The Northern Shrike has been visiting our area for about a month now.  It's been seen 17 miles from home and I made 3 ventures over to try and see it.  The day that I snagged these, I was on my way with one of our three dogs to the Vet and was thrilled to get to photograph it~

Okay so not my best photography!  However I was extremely happy to finally see my first ever Short eared Owls.  Four nights this past week I watched them lift off anf fly near where I stood.  It has been 4 years of waiting and watching this time of the year for their arrival and this week it finally happened.  They are so beautiful, and talkative too.  There were 4 of them flying together night before last, which was absolutely awesome to see~

A large Cottontail Rabbit near where I traverse every day near home~

The frostings have begun, bringing with it colder temperatures and a cause for some concern for me. I don't do well in cold weather and I will have to spend more time inside catching up on other things that I have left by the wayside~

This was way too fascinating to observe.  A White-breasted Nuthatch had taken a temporary stop over in this antique birdhose down the lane from me.  Evidently the Eastern Bluebirds called it home and they were trying to figure out a way to evict the little chap.  They won to battle~

The only picture that I got of the little Nuthatch.  It flew to safety of a tree nearby after much harassment~

Milkweed...the plants that Monarch butterflies must have to sustain life of all cycles~

The Morning Glow~

It was the 17 year Magi-Cicada year and yet we got nothing out our way.  I had to travel into the city of Louisville to hear and view them.  It was a roar like I had never heard before out here~

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were seen in great numbers this year.  I miss them, but they will return in the Spring~

I LOVE Swallows and these two young Barn Swallows gave me a smiling lift one morning~

This Red-Shouldered Hawk for which my blog is named after has had so many failed nest attempts the past few years.  They gave it a huge try twice this year, but both failed.  This one was right outside our front door~

I kept myself busy, safe and creative this past 18 months by doing hand painted mandalas and other kinds of acrylics.  Many were sold, many were gifted and many others reside here awaiting their forever homes~

I also painted Santorini stones that I purchased online.  I created these 2 shawdow boxes for my favorites and gifted, or sold many others to family and friends~

Happiest of Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones~

Mary/Ting