Every Green Lake and our Normal Back Yard

Nature has its graceful animals, its beautiful and then its fat and sassy squirrels.

Corn fed fat and sassy squirrel out in the back yard.




Another corn fed squirrel, look at that belly!



And here is a very thankful squirrel! I do believe he is giving thanks for the corn and peanuts he was about to partake.



These were in a heard of about six deer south of Ever Green Lake. Found two groups of deer about 6pm on Sunday.



The last subject is a Ring-Necked Pheasant, Male, that strutted across the road in front of us. Had to stop the car to get the camera and lean out the window. He had gotten into the tall grass by then.

Grackles and Starlings

After our trip to Georgia I had to go get more bird food. Decided to get the deluxe feed and filled both feeders. What a mistake! We have had Grackles and Starlings all over the place but little of the colorful birds. Today refilled the feeders with safflower seed and waiting to see if the color returns and the black birds leave.

Since I put out peanuts in the shell the Blue Jays have been in and out of the feeders. They will come and grab a peanut in the shell and then fly off with the peanut in their beak. Even a squirrel made it out of the nest to find a peanut, but unlike the Blue Jays only one squirrel and one peanut. Spoke to soon, now a squirrel is parked under the feeder where several peanuts were dropped. The Blue Jay will sleep well tonight I think about 15 trips thus far.

May have to take a drive to get any pictures today.

Peregrine Falcon (Tundra)

Another first this noon in my bird observations.

I was heading out of work for lunch nearing my car and heard the screech of a Starling or Grackle in trouble and then flying within five feet of my head. I thought it had flown under a tree and across the street. Upon entering my car and looking out the wind shield about 10 feet in front of my car I saw a beautiful Peregrine Falcon (Tundra) stepping up and down on the prey. What a time to not have my camera! I was able to watch the falcon make sure the bird was dead, have a few bites and then fly off with the bird in tow. The whole incident lasted about two minutes.

I had to turn on my wipers a couple of times to clear the mist from the wind shield but this did not seem to disturb the Falcon. A unique and interesting experience.

Wedding Photos

For those interested a few Wedding pictures are on my Photo Gallery, see the link on the right side. Most of these are thanks to Aashish Sharma a friend who himself will be married this coming June in India. Now that will be a wedding celebration. As I have been told the feasting and dancing goes on for four days and then the wedding. Reports have it that mom has rented a hotel for family who will be coming to the wedding and plenty of good food will be available.

Pictures from Georgia as Promised

Poor tired Ninja, what can you expect after having an almost 3 year old chasing you around the yard and then you chasing the critters in the brush too!



Now this is our Happy Camper after a hard day at school, shooting Pop with the squirt gun and chasing the dog.



Sometimes you just have to take a quick snooze!



You just have to jump into the shrubs to find the critters!



The birds of Georgia! Can you identify them? I could use your help. My brother-in-law wondered how I could name all the birds on this site, but the truth is I can't! I will give a couple hints, you will find a Mocking Bird, a Black Headed Grosbeak, a Chipping Sparrow and then a few unknown.

Georgia has been fun

We are in Georgia with the grand daughter. Been here all week and have watching the bird ativity down south. Will have a few pictures when we get home. Have been almost a week without internet access and email, can only imagine the junk mail awaiting!

I am tired and haven't done any work, wonder how that happens?

Coming next week the Georgia bird pictures! Who knows maybe a few from Kentucy and Tennessee.

Wedding is over and soon the couple will be heading West.

Yesterday was a hectic day for all involved with the wedding but as they day unfolded the wedding was lovely and the wedding was very nice. We started off with the promise of sunshine by the weather man, but the skies didn't seem to coincide with the predictions and it was very gray and overcast most of the morning. Even as we headed for Lake Bloomington the sun would only occasionally pop out for the briefest of time. About 1pm the clouds lifted and the sun came out and stayed out until about 6:30pm and by then all that was left was the clean up.

My wife wanted to enjoy the wedding and decided to leave all the cameras at home. Plenty of other people were bring cameras so no picture opportunity was missed, except by me. We had the outside wedding facing the lake with boats and skiers in the background. Our almost three year old granddaughter was one of the flower girls and as the ceremony moved along after the "who gives this woman" she decided to cross in front of everyone nearly stepping on the brides dress to get to her daddy who was one of the grooms attendants. Then while being held she begin to sing the lyrics "the wheel of the bus goes round and round". Since I had a front row seat I got to hear everything, I think those in the back missed the serenade.

This was a time when I was watching two young people that I know very well get married. My youngest son of 25 who has lived in California for most of the last five years and my new daughter-in-law that has lived with the wife and I for the last two years. I felt like I was watching my daughter get married as well as my son. Jessica and Peter have dated for six and one-half years and the most of the last five years has been long distance.

I am including a few pictures from the rehearsal dinner. Of course, had to include just a few pictures of the birds out back.

Big day today! Wedding of youngest son

Peter and Jessica this is your day!



Our first Baltimore Oriole! And all it wanted was the grand daughters bright toys.





Help me! I am just not sure what kind a bird?



Two female Rose Breasted Grosbeaks



Brown Thrasher been around for a week or two



Cardinal and Male Rose Breasted Grosbeak



How does a hungry Blue Jay get to these peanuts?



Gold Finches



This squirrel really hangs out to catch a bite to eat.



I am a bird, please name me.



Seven male and female Rose-breasted Grosbeaks



Even a Blue Jay can share the food with a Grosbeak



Now this squirrel really takes hanging out to the limit