Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Sunday’s Sunshine #20.
Good morning on this beautiful sunny Sunday! Hard to believe it’s already warmer than our daytime high on Friday. The gulls have had their breakfast, though only Sir George, Lady Pearl and Ricky have been here so far. And they really don’t stay around very long. Not sure what happened to Grover, he was coming every day, then suddenly disappeared. There was one blue jay here this morning, probably Baxter, but he’s molting right now so it’s hard to tell who it is. One blue jay has lost all his head feathers, he looks quite comical. This is molting season for most birds, getting new feathers for the winter, and for many birds, a whole new color as well.
Winter colors are very subdued on many species of birds, but mostly for those that migrate. Our resident bird’s coloration is the same year round, but they still molt. My chickadee family still comes each day, so I make sure there is always a few sunflower seeds out there for them. The chipmunks are wildly busy these days. They all fluff out their tails, making themselves look bigger and more fierce. I don’t think a chipmunk could ever look fierce. One of them has a huge tail, biggest I have ever seen on a chipmunk. And it’s long too. Something happened to Skamper’s tail. It’s like the last half of it has no life to it now. Only the first half will fluff out now, so he’s at a real disadvantage in the tail show-off competition. There’s not really much happening this morning. Aside from the chipmunks showing off their fluffy tails, there hasn’t been any real fights and very little chasing either.
They just want food. More food. And even more food. But I guess the amount I put out really isn’t much when divided between nine of them. Maybe I should give them some more. Now they’re happy again. When I was out earlier feeding the gulls, one of the chipmunks just came up on the deck as I was walking back to the door…and I happened to step on an empty peanut shell. They can crack quite loudly at times, like just then, and that poor chipmunk turned and flew off the deck! He went about 6 feet and landed in a clump of daylilies. Poor little critter. It was kind of funny though. He came back right away and was the first chipmunk at the peanut pile this morning. Muffin and I will be back early this afternoon as we talk about our new business venture, well, sort of. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and God bless!
Steve and Muffin. (top featured image is cleome)
©2021 Steve McLeod.
Saturday’s Solitude #16.
Good morning and Happy Saturday everyone! It’s a beautiful sunny morning, with a bunch of clouds coming in from somewhere and blocking the sun which was providing us with a sunny morning until about 1 minute ago. That was fast. There were no clouds around, just nice bright blue sky and sunshine. I can still see a little blue sky, but no sun. Sigh. Well, it was nice and I’m sure the sun will return. Actually the sun is still there, it’s the clouds that are in the way. But they will move out of the way, soon. I hope. It’s supposed to be sunny today.
Yesterday, after finishing my Friday morning post, I noticed it was very quiet outside. So I went to see, and there was a broad-winged hawk sitting on the railing of my deck. How beautiful! He was obviously after my chipmunks, but they had all disappeared. Now, how do I get a picture of this nice hawk. I decided my phone would be my best chance, so I hid behind the flowers in the window and slowly put my phone up to get the picture. He spotted the phone and was gone up into one of the black ash trees. So I grab my camera and head onto the deck, slowly. But he flew. Sigh. Oh well, maybe another time. Providing it doesn’t catch my chipmunks, or birds.
No other excitement yesterday, except one of the bears was back munching on apples in the evening. It doesn’t look like there are any left now. They certainly flattened all the raspberry bushes in that section as well. Solitude. The word itself is relaxing. I’m certainly glad I have a lot of pictures from my walks to the river. It is just so peaceful and beautiful down there. A place to just totally relax. Watching the water glisten in the sun. Ducks swimming past with their families. Sometimes an otter or mink running along the rocky shore, or swimming quickly by. Sitting on the bench, under the big pines, enjoying this wonderful scene.
A couple of white pelicans soar quietly past, while further down the river 2 loons begin calling back and forth. A doe comes out of the bushes and walks slowly over to see who is sitting on the bench. I turn and talk with her for a bit, and she stands tall with eyes lit up, obviously recognizing me. She then continues her walk along the river, munching on leaves as she goes. It’s a hot summer day, but I’m in the shade and there is a gentle breeze blowing off the river, so very refreshing. There are numerous dragonflies darting here and there, keeping the area free of flies and mosquitoes. All of this happened on one trip to the river. A memory. I wonder if I will get back there again? Have a wonderful day everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2021 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 