Pileated Woodpecker Monday

There were two groups of Pileated Woodpeckers visiting the feeder in the last week: a couple of smaller birds and a trio of larger ones. These are the smaller birds:





And here are the big ones. I've never seen three on one tree before.



The above three pictures were all taken through the window. Each time I'd try to sneak up to get another shot, they'd hear me right away. Finally I got this one when it was raining cats and dogs.



This video I took in April, 2011, was also shot during a rainstorm.



P.S. Here's a couple more shots of Pieris rapae on the Russian Sage.




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Nutkin Series

Carmi's Thematic Photographic 202 is Series.

I noticed this squirrel lounging under the bird feeder earlier in the week. Then he climbed the flag pole and looked at it. Eventually, he figured out that the only way to get at it was to jump from the flag pole. A day or so later, I heard some of the local ravens on the front porch yelling their heads off. Nutkin was on the feeder, and another of his tribe was in the front lawn watching the proceedings. Now there are at least two of them raiding the feeder.









Other business: Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia









Mouse over pics for captions, and click them for larger versions.
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Shocking Developments

This storm hit Berkeley Springs before continuing on to D.C. Nature wants you dead, as M.B. says.



We lost power a little after 10 P.M. Friday, which I'm guessing is around when this tree fell across the power lines along Cold Run Valley Road.

Saturday, a little after noon.



Nine hours later, and some helpful person(s) has stretched some red tape across the road. SAFETY FIRST!







P.S. It's been while a since Jennifer was helped.



UPDATE: Bonus Sunday Critters









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