Platter Birds, Porch Birds

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #154. And I'm also linking to Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'. I've been experimenting with the Canon G15 a lot lately. I suspect that it's become worn and damaged through use (and abuse, it's hit the floor once or twice), auto-mode doesn't work the way I'm used to. But it still can take decent pics, especially in macro mode. So now I'm trying other modes I've never bothered with before.
D.C. platter birds:




West Virginia porch birds:


Here's a turkey vulture:

I'm also linking to Carmi's Thematic Photographic 390 - Out for a walk. Of course that happens several times a day when there's a dog in your household. Here's Theda having a drink from Lake Siri:

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Introducing Miley

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes (#399). Here are some more shots of the porch birds from last week in W.V.


I'm also linking to Carmi's Thematic Photographic 388 - Abstract. I liked his idea so I'm copying it I'm paying tribute to Carmi's masterpiece:


It's Thursday already, so time for TexWiscGirl's Good Fences #138:
Amelia and Mikey by the porch stair fences:

Rory has a bit of fence behind him:

And the newest member of my sister's pack, Miley! She's a St. Bernard/Great Dane mix (Great Bernard? Saint Dane?) and cute as a button. (A big button, she's 10 months old and a hundred pounds already.)

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Fall Colors and Critters

My contribution to TexWiscGirl's Good Fences #137.

I'm late with my posts this week, so this one is also for:

Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #151

Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'

and Carmi's Thematic Photographic 387 - Where I Shop

This hotel is next to Berkeley Springs State Park.

These minnows live in Warm Springs Run, the creek under that bridge.

George Washington's bath tub:

I don't shop in many stores in Berkeley Springs, but this is one I visit often.

How about a bird and a fence? This is one of 'our' porch birds, a Downy Woodpecker.

A White-breasted Nuthatch:

Race for the seeds:

Fall colors from Cacapon Mountain and Lake Siri:



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We're On Your Porch, Eating Your Seeds.

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes (#398).



And here is some fall foliage with Canadian Geese, Lake Siri, and Cacapon Mountain.

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Dark and Orby Night on Cacapon Mountain

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #143 and Anni's I'd-Rather-B-Birdin'.

It was a dark and orby night:

So this tree frog came out to catch bugs on the sliding glass door. He/she/it/Hyla versicolor was doing well, I saw two captures.

Now for some porch birds:



Here's Lady of the Lake, Theda. Note the leaves are starting to fall:

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Mystery Bee and More

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes (#374). I have some pollinators to contribute. First, a Carpenter Bee on a white thistle.

This bee is new to me. Shaped somewhat like a small, shiny black bumblebee. It could fly as smoothly as a hover fly. A mason bee, maybe?

Carmi's Thematic Photographic 379 is Reflective. I have nothing great in that department currently, but here are some pics of Lake Siri from July.


Dog Department: Amelia

And Theda. (Do you see the chipmunk?)

Cacapon Mountain Front Yard

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes (#370). Lots of weeds and thistles and such in front of the Cacapon Mountain house. I started weed-whacking, but stopped for the weekend. And now it's pouring rain. Maybe just as well, since it's tiny toad heaven. Note that both of the Cercis canadensis have leaves now, as do the two in D.C.

My camera (and I) aren't always great at replicating colors. Pictures of Lake Siri with the sun behind me work out great, though.

Mrs. Red-winged Blackbird didn't think Theda and I should be walking by the pond above Lake Siri, at all. And she let us hear about it!

Rory Orb:

I've posted pics of the tiny toads. The rain brings the frogs to the front yard, too. But they're a lot quicker!

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Groundhog, Tiny Toads, Canada Geese

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #133.
This is a Cacapon Mountain hedgehog groundhog (aka woodchuck, thanks to Eileen for noting that).

Here's Cacapon Mountain behind Lake Siri:

As I mentioned last post, tiny toad season is here!

Here's a slightly bigger one:

I'm also linking to Anni's I'd Rather B' Birdin'. Happy Canada Day (yesterday) to the Lake Siri geese!

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