Garden Window Snow Snaps and More to Share~

Carolina Chickadee above with a seed berry at it's head...

LOL 

At first glance I thought I was seeing a new kind of bird in my garden window~

It's been a very nice week here in "Bluegrass Country"  The week began with snow on the ground and has ended with higher temperatures and lots of brilliant sunshine.  For over a year I have been wanting to walk the lanes in my neighborhood, other than my own.  On Tuesday I took to the hills and they are steep, but I managed to get to the overpass that was my first goal, a bit over two miles total walk, but I managed even with 40 mph frigid wind blowing... I got frosty, but I smiled in my heart a bunch...  Some of the images shared in this post were taken on either sides of the overpass where a lovely stream runs through.  I had to put my camera lens up to one of the holes in the fencing to get capture them. What about you, did you work on any goals this week, take any walks?  Take good care, stay safe and enjoy this coming weekend and week doing what makes you smile in your own hearts~

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slideshow presentation after                                                                you have read the narratives~

I am joining in the fun with Eileen at:

http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/

Saturday's Critter

Anni at:

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

I'd Rather Be Birdin'

 Linking to I'd Rather B Birdin'

    

Maggie's  MOSAIC MONDAY

                                              https://normandylife.blogspot.com/

 Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global 

   http://communalglobal.blogspot.ca/

& 

Stewart for:

http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Wild Bird Wednesday

Above is a Chickadee at the Rose of Sharon seed pods.  My mother gave these plants to me back in 1981 and they have scattered everywhere.  Both Butterflies and Hummingbirds enjoy their blossoms during the Summer months~

These two shares of the White-breasted Nuthatch were taken as the window was still quite frosty.  I used a slight HDR to them for a better view~

Kentucky has received from the Northern most part of Canada and beyond several Snowy Owls this season.  They have not fared well in that automobiles and lack of good food they hunt has not been great.  The younger first year birds have been forced South and less than 10% of them will survive their first Winter.  I was getting the mail the other day and spotted the snow atop a yard art piece and thought.....now there is my Snowy Owl~

The little Carolina Wren says YIKES it's an Owl...Scatter ;) ~

Male Cardinals are so sweet and enjoy bringing seeds to their mate and young~

Dark-eyed Juncos~

White-throated Sparrow~

House Finch, male~

American Goldfinch~

Mourning Doves~

Blue Jay~

American Crow and Sumac~

An American Kestrel flies swiftly over land looking for a meal~

Then the Kestrel flew right by me as it was hunting the other end of the lane~

One of our local Red-Shouldered Hawks that this blog was named after flying over our home~

Horse country USA, KY~

Our White-tailed Deer, especially the young ones have such a difficult time their first Winter.  The adults will begin knocking them, hoofing them and even kicking and chasing the fawns that are now 7 months of age.  It's difficult to watch, but part of the herd setting the rules~

These next three images were taken at the Rosewell Mansion~

;(   ;(   ;(

This little fawn finally made it to the pans, but they were pretty much empty.  I could not go all the way back down and give it anything, for by the time I would have reached the area, the Deer would have moved one~

My frozen creek looked so pretty in the morning sunlight~

A thawing pond a few miles from home...do you see any life there?

How about now?  

There were 4 pairs of Northern Shovelers, a few Green Winged Teal as well as at least a single Gadwell~

Here are the images that I took on both sides of the overpass Tuesday on my two mile neighborhood walk~

Finally artsy images...taken in the pouring down rain as a Red-Tailed Hawk flew up into the trees after missing what it had gone to the ground after~

A New Bird and Blogging Changes~

This is an all natural image of a Great Blue Heron passing me along the walkway where we go with dogs, kind of artsy~

When Friday arrives, it should feel right.  Yet, I feel like an entire week was lost, make that 8 weeks and still counting.  It is such a waste of time being slowed down, and trying to do what needs to be done.  My good breaks actually come when I have doctor visits, or physical therapy outings and on the way, take the long route so that I can photograph from within the confines of my car.  

Change what we can and make do with what we cannot.  

The Neurosurgeon still has an outpatient surgery on the table for me, if things do not improve over the next 6 weeks.  I am supposed to take a train to visit my youngest daughter in Florida next month, and we had hoped things would be all well by now.  

On Wednesday PT delivered my very own floor traction machine, and I am to use it 3 times a day for 15 minutes and do all of the other exercises that PT has taught me.  

My blog... the banner/header is changed, and the background has changed a few times this week, as I can only do so much using this laptop.  The desktop has been tied up by the husby who is working hard on his next Vietnam reunion.  

Blogging is such a escape for me and yet, I feel I am neglecting everyone, and letting you down.  I have been viewing many of your shares, but it takes forever to write a comment from this computer, so I have failed many this week.  Also I am thinking hard about letting go of Google+.  I do not ever remember signing on for it and as I have shared, I cannot transfer comments from there to my published posts along with others, and I cannot find links to some of the people who follow me and it just is quite difficult.  A couple of blogger friends are trying to help me sort it out, so I may lose some of you if I switch back and that is heart breaking.   

A local birding group, BirdKY alerted us to Snow Geese at a lake just 6 miles from home and so I got to see them for the first time ever.  There were 34 counted and what beauties they were~

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slide show presentation after you have read the narratives~

I will be linking up with Judith for:

www.lavendercottagegardening.com

Mosaic Monday

&

Stewart for:

   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Wild Bird Wednesday

An adult male Gadwell was swimming among Canada Geese at Cave Hill Cemetery. We have had chatter of Cackling Geese being around as well, but I do not think I saw any~

A female Gadwell, I believe, and other waterfowl seen with blue skies overhead and temperatures in the 60's, warm for January.  The news people state that Kentucky is the fastest growing hot state in the USA. Not good!~

The sunrise was so beautiful as I was making my way to the Neurosurgeon's office.  I nearly ran late, as I pulled off to get the images ;)

A Belted Kingfisher was all a buzz making noise claiming it's territory~

A ride along the Ohio River coming home.  This home sits along the shoreline~

This is a Great Blue Heron shot that I got in high, cold winds...I call it the Wild Feather Heron ;)

I had to pull off the main road coming along the river drive, as my arm goes tingly at times, and I have to shake it out. When I did, I was made happy at seeing among the Canada Geese a pair of Pied-billed Grebes and a single Hooded Merganser~

This is one of the local yachting clubs along the river, all snug and ready for Winter.  Drift wood along the shore lines.  Wow the blue skies even cleaned up the muddy Ohio River~

A few Blue-winged Teals joining us for Winter months~

When I was a teenager, we spent some time in this home, formerly owned by the Hamilton family.  Every time that we pass it, I wonder what happened, for it has sat empty, just like this along the river for many years now~

One of my Christmas gifts was a scanner and it has been something that I can do while resting.  So easy to use and this was in one of the first photo books that I peeked at.  Kind of nice to read this and know all I have accomplished with my photography since this was printed.  

Have a happy week and know that I care about each of you, even when I cannot write to you individually~