WOODYNOOK CREATIONS

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Macro Monday

It was a gorgeous day here although the temperature never got out of the low 60's. Now tonight as I type this it's 36ยบ and there is another frost predicted. Maybe even worse, a freeze. I have all my plants in the garden covered, and all the potted flowers have been brought into the garage. I also just came back from bringing in some of my bird seed off the feeders so as not to feed the raccoon, and to my surprise under the big stationary feeder was a skunk. I tried to shoo him away, but he wouldn't leave, so I tossed a stick his way and he scurried off, BUT you guessed it, he left behind his calling card. That pungent odor hangs around for ever!
On a walk this morning I got lots of pictures on the creek trail. This macro shot of some kind of fly caught my eye. It's rather colorful. I must get a book so I can ID this type of insect.
Thanks to Lisa at http://lisaschaos.com/ for hosting this meme. Just click on her web site to see more macro shots.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Today's Flowers

Since we were very busy with yard work, planting garden, and weeding yesterday, I didn't take very many photos. This first picture is of my pink Rhododendron that is just opening. I have a white one too, and will post pictures of it when it is in full bloom. A blossom that hasn't opened yet.
A few Zinnias

A hanging basket of Verbena.

I'm hoping to plant more garden this afternoon, BUT the weather folks are calling for a frost tonight, so I might wait a day or two.
Thaks to all responsible for hosting Today's Flowers. Just click on the Today's Flowers badge on my side bar to see lots more gorgeous flowers.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Photohunt

This weeks theme for Photohunt is BOOK(S).

I don't give myself much time to read. I love to read, but somehow I've always got something else to do. Recently our Aunt Sally told me about a wonderful easy quick read about Tasha Tudor. Tasha was born Aug. 28th 1915 in Boston, Mass. Ever since she was a young woman she had wanted to live back in 1830. She eventually had her son build her a farm house to her specifications in Vermont in which she lived till she passed away last June 18th. at the age of 93. She was a wonderful author and illustrator of 70 children's books. On her farm, living alone, she had chickens, goats, Fantail pigeons, many fancy birds in the house, her ever present Corgi dogs, and a one eyed cat named Minou. She cooked on a wood stove, made all her own clothes, collected beautiful clothing from fashionable ladies out of the 1800's, made dolls and marionettes, and all the while drawing and illustrating her books. She also had lovely gardens full of heirloom vegetables, flowers and herbs, again tending to these herself.

I'm finished with the book you see here, and have one more waiting called " Tasha Tudor's Garden" I also will be ordering more of her works. Below you see some of the illustrating she had done on her book called Corgiville Fair. She had 5 Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs. Illustration from the book "Corgiville Fair."

Thanks to tnchick who hosts this meme each week. Click on Photohunt on my sidebar to see more lots more BOOK shots.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Skywatch Friday

This shot looking West was taken around 8:45PM last Saturday. We had some rain earlier, and the sky was clearing. I have this sky picture on the Black and White blog also.
Thanks to everybody responsible for hosting this meme. Click on http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to see lots more sky photos.

More Birds at Home, Day 2

On my walk yesterday morning I saw this Killdeer out in the middle of a corn field. He was visibly upset with something. Running around and scolding. I can't think it was me. I was too far away, but probably he didn't want me closer. Must be a nest in the field.Later in the morning this pair of Cedar Waxwings showed up eating something in my Lilac bushes. This is the first time since last year that I've seen them when they were here eating my Holly berries.
They are just gorgeous, and so soft.

Mr. Hairy woodpecker came by to try out my new recipe for suet. I think he approves, as do the raccoons. I forgot to take it in last night, and they had a snack for themselves.
A pair of Titmice were here in the afternoon.
Now, we have this Grackle taking a few minutes to do a bit of preening.
A little neck itch.
A check on the right side.
Shake your booty.
Standing tall.
Oops, a spot I forgot.
We had rain on and off most of the day. It is warm and humid. No complaints. The creek is low. We need the rain.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Birds at Home

TaDa--- Look what showed up on my feeder this afternoon. I've been waiting for this male Indigo Bunting. What a beauty. Let's hope he comes back with the Mrs. Now this is a strange one. This is a female Eastern Bluebird. What a strange color. She looks similar to the female Mountain Bluebird? ? ? At any rate they are setting up housekeeping right outside our bedroom window.
Taking more nesting material inside.
The Mr. checking in on her.
And then picked up some of the grass she dropped and took it to her.
I'm not sure if this male House finch is feeding a child or is he just wooing his honey?
Then I spotted this Grackle sitting low in the grass.
Not too smart with Azrael on the prowl.
Finally it stood up and I could see it had only one leg. It should do just fine as long as it stays out of Azrael's reach.
It was rainy and cool here today so we didn't venture out. I did some work on the computer and watched the birds.
Have a great rest of the week.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Ruby Tuesday

For Ruby Tuesday we saw this new engine house in Allegany, New York on our way to the cemetery yesterday. They have built a new fire house and in a glass enclosure up front have a beautiful old restored Mack fire engine. Sorry about the quality of these pictures. I was taking them through glass.
Thanks to Mary/the teach for hosting this clever site. Click on http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/ to see lots more RED.









Sunday, May 24, 2009

Macro Monday

For Macro Monday I chose the Buttercup. We have them growing around here in the fields and growing along side the roads. Thanks to all responsible for all hosting this meme. Click on http://lisaschaos.com/ to see lots more Macro shots.
Happy Memorial Day

Today's Flowers

I have a small greenhouse attached to my home, and these are the Orchids that are blooming now. Some of them have a wonderful fragrance.
Thanks to all who host this meme. Click on the Today's Flowers sidebar to see lots more flowers.
Be sure to check out my regular post for today below...

Well, it was a beautiful cloudless day yesterday, and we set off early this morning to pick up the remaining veggie plants we need for the garden. We visited 3 Amish greenhouses in the area. They had just about everything we need, and now we are waiting for the night time weather to warm up before we plant.Out and about today I saw this tree where the Tent caterpillars are hard at work. They will strip all the leaves, and can eventually kill the tree.
This Great Blue Heron was closer, but you all know what happens when you get near them...

We came by a Amish farm that had these 2 pony foals. How cute are they?

Have a super week-end, and if you go anyplace please drive careful.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Forgotten shots

These pictures are from a few days ago. This Azalea isn't mine, but surely is gorgeous. Mine got damaged over the winter, and we'll have to wait and see how it fares. Our Red Maple is coming along nicely. The leaves look like leather.
This is a patch of Oregano after the frost last Monday.

Lots of early cut hay this year
One day we spotted this Turkey Vulture guarding his road kill. They will challenge you and I have had them fly at us.
As we got closer, he did fly up to a tree
Then of course we have the nightly visitors at the feeders. This Raccoon was pulling down this feeder at 5AM. I leaned out the window and told him to go home!
An unwanted visitor. At least they don't climb up on the feeder trays.
Here are both critters. They keep their distance too. LOL

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Skywatch Friday

This shot was taken 1 week ago at the May Day celebration at the local high school.The clouds were really different.
Happy Skywatch Friday and thanks to all involved in keeping this meme going. Click on http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to see more sky shots.