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.)

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

Peck's Skipper, Dogs, Sparrows

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #146.
I usually call these Peck's Skippers, although I might be wrong.

Here are Mikey and Amelia:

I'm also linking to Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'. I saw this flock of sparrows next to a fence, and tried to take a shot. They all took off:

I was out walking Theda, so when I came back I tried to be a little sneakier.

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

Wicket

My contribution to TexWiscGirl's Good Fences #132. This is Amelia's new friend next door, Wicket.


So who is Wicket named for?

Wicket W. Warrick, that's who!


In other business...

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

Bambi, Monarch, Mocker

My contribution to Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #145. I went for a nature walk on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail on Thursday and was promptly greeted by Bambi.


Yesterday, I saw a Monarch Butterfly.

I'm also contributing to Anni's I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Here's a mockingbird from my sister's backyard.

I passed this mockingbird on the trail. Usually they fly right off, but it kept singing to itself. So I got ready to record...and a string of bicycles came by. Then a plane from Dulles. Then more bikes, another plane...I was about to give up, and then there was a window.

Last but not least, here's Rory!

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

Nutkin Style

My contribution to Michelle's Nature Notes #(379).
Regular and Blonde Tail Nutkins from the backyard in D.C. earlier this month:

Snowberry Clearwing:

Fiery Skipper

I'm also linking to Carmi's Thematic Photographic 381 - Please Be Seated. For this, I'm going with professional couch connoisseur Amelia:

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

Teasels and Tiger Swallowtails

My contribution to TexWiscGirl's Good Fences #126.
My sister's crepe myrtle is still blossoming nicely along the fence line (as are the neighbors'):

Here's Amelia, always on the wrong side of the door:

I'm also linking to Carmi's Thematic Photographic 380 - Hidden: Can you spot the WIDE LOAD hidden in this picture?

I misidentified these as white thistles. They are actually teasels, a thistle relative.

You can find many critters hidden in the teasels, if you try. For instance, this Tiger Swallowtail.

Here is another. Note the teasel has spikes on top of the flower, unlike a thistle.

Update: Gilly and Bob both posted frog pics for the theme. Since one was hopping around the spa this morning, I'm joining suit.


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

Chill Your Tail

My contribution to TexWiscGirl's Good Fences #122.
Here's little puppy Amelia!

And here's Rory. Sometimes, you need to chill your tail.

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

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!

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

Ashburn Bambi and More

I got all backed up with my weekly contributions, this week.

I'm too late for Michelle's Nature Notes (#367). But you should go visit her anyways! Here's another pic of the Black Rat Snake from last week. So cooperative!

Thursday's come and gone. Here's Amelia for TexWiscGirl's Good Fences #117 (I'm too late for that one, too. Just didn't have my blogging shoes on this week :P ).


I'm not too late for Eileeninmd's Saturday's Critters #131. Here's a sweat bee on a thistle flower:

Here's an Ashburn Bambi. Usually they run away when they see me, or shortly after. Not this one! A jogger came by. A plane went overhead. A couple people on the trail behind me stopped their bicycles to watch. And Bambi kept on eating about 10 feet away.


I've got four of these, I'm saving two for later.

I'm also linking to Carmi's Thematic Photographic 373 - In the metal.

After checking my June photos, this is about the only metal I took snaps of. It was rush hour traffic and this car had cut in front of me FOUR times. (Note the four minute difference between the two pics, and this after he'd aggravated me enough to take his picture in the first place.) For an encore, he cut in front of the car behind me a couple more. Obviously, the weaving in traffic approach was getting him no where, but he just kept on doing it.


And now for something pleasant again: Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'. Some of these are house finches, I'm not sure who that is in front though.


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