Cardinal Chick rescue

Yesterday I wrested the baby Cardinal away from a black cat! Popped the chick in a compost cup I was carrying and snapped this pic before returning the baby to the nest.  

The 2 other eggs remain unhatched.

Phoebe call

A pair of Phoebe flitting about in the White Oak.

(Not a great video, but their tispy call can be heard despite a vocal Robin.)

Robins Nesting

This is a screen-grab from an Arlo-camera neighbors have set up in a Boxwood Bush by their front door.  These neighbors also have a second Robin's nest in another bush, not far from this one.

(Thanks for the pics Gunther.)

Cardinal Offspring

Cardinal babies are progressing....

Donkey

Not local nature, but just have to add these photos my sister took of Mom enjoying a donkey at Vassar Farms' annual Plant Sale.

Lovely Spring Day -- May 6, 2019

Early morning bird-song

Recorded this snippet to hear a Hermit Thrush, but can also hear many others.

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More flowers in bloom....

  

Crabapple

Bleeding Heart

The lowly Dandelion

Beautiful Grape Hyacinth (muscari)

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When a female Cardinal kept flying out of a bush North of the house I had to check......yep, a nest.  With 3 wee eggs.

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And all day we can hear an Oriole calling from the tree tops.

(despite the ubiquitous airplane)

More Spring Flowers

Spring's moving along

Pretty raindrops on Eastern Hemlocks after a strong early morning thunderstorm.

Spring Flowers

  

Pachysandra

Forsythia

Tulips

Daffodils

Hyacinths

Red-backed Salamander & Chionodoxa

Opening up the Lily garden for the season today, I inadvertently uncovered a napping Red-backed Salamander.

While the Chionodoxa are blooming in the triangle-garden.

Garter Snake & Spring-Peepers

Yesterday we had a Garter Snake waiting by the front door, then Peepers serenading at night.

Peepers calling

Snowfall

Lovely snow-fall a few nights ago.  

Unfortunately most of it was gone by the end of the day.

Bluebirds

Flashback

Feb. 16, 2017 we had 5 bluebirds visiting by our back patio.  The summer of 2016 we had bluebirds successfully fledge 3.  Could have been the same family.  No luck keeping bluebirds in 2018 as we were overrun by house-sparrows.  We shall see how we do this year.  Here's hoping for lots of bluebirds!

Crows and Frost

Lately we've had many crows passing through the neighborhood.

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Yesterday morning, while the temperature was still below zero, we had lovely frost on the East facing windowpanes.

Peanut Squirrels

Squirrel at the back window waiting for a peanut.

They have me trained.

Male Turkey Patrol

The 5 male turkeys passed through the yard.

Avian Pecking Order

Pecking-order in action as a turkey drives a crow from the front lawn.

Raccoon

When I went out back around 9 pm, 

I heard someone clamber up the White Oak tree.  

A beautiful Procyon lotor.

Used a torch to get pics -- reverse and forward.

Left him a turkey leg to pay for the photo-shoot 

-- with which he away eagerly scampered.

Fish Crow Chatter

Early morning Fish Crows (Corvus ossifragus) gathering. 

(An American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) can also be heard flying by briefly.)

(There may be some immature American crows as well -- they sound so much like Fish Crows.)

Hen-turkey Party

Yesterday the hen-turkeys were having a party in the yard.

Flurry-squall

A very brief clip of a flurry-squall we had this afternoon.

Autumn Day-trip to Cat Sanctuary

Quintessential sunny breezy Autumn day today.

Took a video of the Fishkill Creek when we dropped off donations at the Beacon Cat Sanctuary.

Stopped at the Alps Sweet Shop in Fishkill on the way back.  They had a lovely window display.

Crickets

Got crickets in the garage.  This one is particularly vocal.  

Best enjoy him now since cold weather's coming and we won't hear their songs again until next year.

Inchworm

A little inchworm making its way on our Geranium planter.

Hen & Poult with "Boys-club"

Today the "mother & child" were being followed after by the "all boys club" of 5 toms that live in the neighborhood.

Mama Turkey with Poult

Mama turkey with poult stopping by for a visit.

(Security camera pic)

Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar  (Lophocampa caryae)

And yet again I'm down on the ground taking a picture when a neighbor walks by  :)  ["Hi Cecilia."]