birds of prey

An Unusual Partnership

/ inkspeare
2021- Falcon hanging out with Crow friends Photo by M.A.D.

Last year, I shared this picture of a falcon that seemed to be friends with the crows. On occasion, I saw the bird hanging around with the crows, and none of them seemed to be afraid. This year, a falcon has been hanging around with the crows. I don’t think it is the same one; the colors of its plumage seem a bit different. I looked it up and it seems to be a Common Kestrel, a type of falcon, but I am not sure. This seems to be an unusual and unexpected partnership, and none of the crows seem to be afraid of the falcon. Here are the photos I took the other day.

A new friendship? Phot by M.A.D.
Photo by M.A.D.

Birds of a feather flock together?

A Few Visitors

/ inkspeare / 3 Comments

December and January have not been as cold and I have been observing more birds than usual around here, so I take it as a sign that it will be a mild winter. The forsythia is in full bloom, all covered in yellow flowers that did not shriveled with the frost and ice we had or the light snow that never stuck on the ground. The rose bush still has some buds and even a few flowers. Temperatures at night have been in the mid 20s and during the day in the 40s and 50s, with the occasional 30s in the mix. Not bad at all. The birds have been a very welcomed sight that has help me cope with all the sadness and craziness that is going around in our country. My faith has been an anchor, but watching these little ones go on and about with their day and routine has been a pleasure. Nature, as always, has given more than expected, and I have tried to find beauty in everything that surrounds me. I will share a few images with you, and I hope that these bring you joy as well.

The magic of an icy day. (Photo by M.A.D.)
Golden sunsets (Photo by M.A.D.)
The glow of a beautiful moon (Photo by M.A.D.)
The colors of a brand new day (Photo by M.A.D.)
The beauty of a chimney on a cold day (Photo by M.A.D.)
An old light post in the early hours (Photo by M.A.D.)
A gorgeous December moon (Photo by M.A.D.)
A kitty cat sunbathing (Photo by M.A.D.)
Our latest visitor in the early hours (Photo by M.A.D.)
Nothing says December and January like a beautiful Cardinal (Photo by M.A.D.)
The gorgeous orange of a Robin Photo by M.A.D.)
The cutest of them all. Noticed the green grass? Another sign of a mild winter? (Photo by M.A.D.)
Another cutie (Photo by M.A.D.)
A delicious meal for this little one (Photo by M.A.D.)
Ornamental grass seeds are yummy too (Photo by M.A.D.)
An unexpected punch of color (Photo by M.A.D.)
The word adorable (Photo by M.A.D.)
Taking a break from wood pecking (Photo by M.A.D.)
Can you find me? (Photo By M.A.D.)
Wearing a petticoat (Photo by M.A.D.)
Without words (Photo by M.A.D.)
First time seeing this one around (Photo by M.A.D.)
Unexpected (Photo by M.A.D)
These berries are favored by many birds (Photo by M.A.D.)
Blending with nature (Photo by M.A.D.)
The beginning of another day (Photo by M.A.D.)

I hope you enjoyed these, and that looking at them brought you a bit of joy. The hand of God is everywhere if we care to look.

New Beginnings

/ inkspeare / 3 Comments

As a new year starts, new possibilities and challenges do as well, for us personally, and for Country. I spent the last two weeks pondering many things, letting go of many others, and setting up the stage for a new year, a new year in which no matter what goes around, I expect to keep up the faith as well as a positive outlook. I wrote some goals as well. During this time, I was able to take notice of a new visitor that has been coming around and staying for a while everyday. It is a gorgeous bird that I think it is a hawk or a falcon; I am not sure which one. I have been observing it almost daily and it seems to have established a morning and afternoon routine. Wanting to start the year in a positive note, here are some pictures of this lovely bird.

Photo by M.A.D.
Photo by M.A.D.
Photo by M.A.D.
Photo by M.A.D.
Photo by M.A.D.
Photo by M.A.D.
Photo by M.A.D.

I have seen this bird around crows as well. It has been a joy to watch it hunt and eat from the ground as well, enjoy the warmth of the sun, and just perch for a while, until in a split of a second it takes fly again.

Photo by M.A.D.
Photo by M.A.D.

During the last couple of weeks, I spent time watching nature and its beauty in many forms. I needed to put aside and away all the negativity 2020 left in my memory, and I wanted to start the new year with a hopeful look and a grateful heart. I saw the miracle of nature, the hand of divine creation, the hand of God surrounding me, and it is all I needed to start the new year. May this new year be full of blessings for all of you.

The Turkey That Keeps On Giving

/ inkspeare

Thanksgiving day was not the same this year. I decided to cook a turkey just for the two of us, and a small traditional thanksgiving meal. I shared the meal with my neighbor, and saved a few leftovers for today, and to use in future cooking. One thing that I enjoy doing with the rest of the picked turkey (the parts that I will not use) is to place the entire pan outside for any critters to enjoy – cats, meat-eating birds and many other critters. Usually, by the next day, the pan is licked clean and the carcass gone or spread out in a few bones without any meat left. Then, we place it into a garbage bag to be disposed.

Today, I was able to capture a few vultures and crows joining in to enjoy the rest of the turkey. I took the pictures silently, from inside, through the window with a screen, so I would not scare them, hence why they are not perfect and a bit hazy, but I will share them anyhow.

This pan is empty now; all turkey juice gone as well as the turkey.
Not much left of that turkey.
Crows and Vulture join in.
It seems satisfied enough.
This one is standing on my neighbor’s roof. From a distance, and especially when they are all together, they look the same, but they are not. Look at the face and feathers, and the color of the legs and beak as well.

It is nice to know that all the turkey was used, and the outdoor critters enjoyed it as well.

Awesomeness – Yes, Much More of It!

/ inkspeare / 4 Comments

I had to dedicate this post to my awesome friends – Toni, Beth, Kathi, and RJ.  Well, last night, I had my first unofficial book signing, thanks to them.  I was supposed to meet two of them at a Portuguese restaurant, or so I thought, but when I got there, they had a surprise get together for me – great food, great conversation, goodies, and yes, books to be signed.  It was a night full of yes – you guessed it – AWESOMENESS!  My only regret is that I was so enjoying their company that I totally forgot to take pictures with my phone, 😦 so these after the event will have to do.

Flowers and goodies

Flowers and goodies

They presented me with the framed covers of Moonlit Valley. Is that awesome or what?

They presented me with the framed covers of Moonlit Valley. Is that awesome or what?

 

Guys, I had a great time, wait no, the word is Super-Awesome time – I love you.

On a totally unrelated topic, but certainly full of awesomeness, yesterday I spotted an Eagle perched on one of the trees in front of my house.  I have never seen one in this area, so it was a treat. I hope that I get to see it again.

eagle1 025 026

eagle4

It was eating a bird, yummy! Wait no, what are you screaming Mr. Eagle? OH, I see, I must correct myself, then – Mr. Eagle says that the bird he is eating is full of AWESOMENESS!