Monday, February 27, 2012

Communin’ with the Critters

It was a beautiful day today so while THE BOSS and Mini Boss went to the DMV to fork over $50 to renew Godzilla’s license plates the livestock and I spent some time hanging out in the yard.

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My sidekick, Buddy was keeping me out of trouble……

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…..while Molly was looking for trouble for us to get into.

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Molly spots a cat!

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Tastes just like chickun!

No, he didn’t eat it. Buddy ignores cats but Molly is a cat chasin’ machine!

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I had noticed this hole in the maple tree outside our bedroom window last year but didn’t pay it much attention until I spotted the chickadees flying in and out of it.

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Today I climbed up on the picnic table for a better look and from that angle could tell that A) the hole goes all the way through, B) the chickadees are nesting in there and C) they’re using tufts of fur we brush out of Molly’s coat for nesting material! Can you see the tuft on top of the limb?

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While I was on top of the table checking out the nest this chickadee flew over and perched on a limb just a few feet from my head to check me out.

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As you can see, it was a bit breezy out today.

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What?

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While we were having a nice day, not everyone was. That deputy sheriff was pulling over speeders and handing out tickets as fast as he could write!

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If you have a lead foot in Wythe County, especially on one of the interstates, you’re probably going to have a conversation with one of these guys sooner or later……..and fines in this neck of the woods are downright horrendous! That’s why we avoid the interstates. You can drive as fast as you want on the back roads because the cops are all out on the interstates writing speeding tickets!

I shot  few frames of a Downy Woodpecker as well but you’ll have to go here to see them. How’s that for blatant self promotion?

17 comments:

  1. Chip i just love the pics of Molly and Buddy
    and your little bird he lovely too
    take care
    Sue

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  2. so glad the chickadees are putting molly's undercoat to good use! how cute are THEY?!

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  3. Those chickadees are so sweet. Nice to see they are recycling that dog hair:)

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  4. Really nice, Chip. Beautiful photos of your dawgs, and the burds.

    C.S.

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  5. There you go climbin' on that picnic table again! Is there anything you CAN'T see from up there?

    If your Chickadees are already starting to build nest, Spring must be closer than we think. I love that they are using Molly's fur as nesting material, talk about good insulation, this little bird know how to build a nest!

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  6. "In Boones Mill, you'd bettter not drive, in Boones Mill ole forty five"...LOL! Hey, I purposely leave the clumps of Moon & Copper's fur in an old onion mess bag for the birds to use for extra "fluff"...:)JP

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  7. Love the birds as always but the livestock...those pictures really blessed me today...don't we all need a dog in our lives? I don't blame you for avoiding the tickets...they truly can be monstrous.

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  8. You got some great close ups of the chickadee. I wonder if the birds here are using the brushed hair from our dog to make their nests with.

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  9. The pics are all great but I especially liked the pics of the dogs. Good job!

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  10. LOL I love your story lines. Couldn't help laughing at the livestock eyeing the cat. Tastes like chicken, Huh. :)
    That is so cool about the Chickadees using the leftover fur to make there nest. Those are smart little chicks. Ha!
    Great shot all around. Love the detail in the birds. Did you use your monster for these photos?

    I was finally out with my camera about a week ago , looking for owls only to find Chickadees and Nuthatches or maybe I should say they found me. Have you ever had one land in your outstretched hand? If not, give it a try. But then again it may not work with the livestock standing by. I had a really cool experience while out in the woods at a park. I held out my outstretched hand and had both chickadees and a nuthatch land in my hand. It was an awesome experience. One I shall not forget.

    Hey won't it be cool if you have little chicks born in the spring. I hope so and you are able to capture them through your lens.
    Take care and have a great week Chip.
    Dianne :)

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    1. Yes, ma'am, that was the big glass! I read your blog about getting the birds to land in your hand.....fantastic!

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  11. What to heck are you doing on that picnic table ...trying to take a flip Chip lol!!
    Love ya dogs... thems gooden!!
    Those Chickadee just love that dog hair ..makes for some nice interior decorating !!
    Nice photos of the critters!!
    grace

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  12. Molly is a wonder, fancy chasing cats, hee hee. On a table, I'll tell Frankie!!!!!!!!! Very good photos.

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  13. A great series of photos Kim. The close-ups of the chickadee are terrific.

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  14. Hidey hey Chip...we have State Troopers like that around here too. Local police are about the same any more. Gees.

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  15. Molly looks like she stays in trouble!

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