Spatter

Quidditch At BBR

Every day I get to watch a quidditch match here at Blackberry Ridge.  The hummers dart about from one feeder to the other and seem to be playing a quidditch match as they vie for a place at the feeder.  If you've seen Harry Potter movies...and who hasn't...you'll understand what it looks and sounds like.  It's a great sport to watch  and it's free admission! 

Any attempt to photograph this territorial game results in just a big blur.  This is as close as I got to capturing it:

 

Here are a few solo shots of them coming in for a landing.  They're not that good, but they're better than the ones I took in previous weeks.  Hopefully, the  pattern will continue and the ones I take next week will be improved over these. 

 

One thing I know for certain: they're drinking up nectar so quickly that hardly a day goes by before I have to refill the feeders.  Here's the dinner party from yesterday evening:

 

Post Note
It seems the quidditch has made it to the muggle world.  You can read about it here or have a look see here:

The Eyes Have It

Here are two shots of the same limpkin I came upon at Green Cay Wetlands.  The first with his eyes open..

The next with his eyes shut.  I'm wondering if this is just a half way blink  that they can see through...still watch for prey or enemies while cutting out the glare...or if this it it.  Do the lids ever close?

He got a bit tired of being gawked at and voiced his objections. In case you're wondering, that's his tongue sticking out.

 

Birdbath

Part of the renovation of our rock garden was the addition of a birdbath.  We originally had thought making a water feature in it to get some running water in sight and sound, but in the end, we opted out of that expense. 

We found an old concrete birdbath at Finders Keepers here in Floyd and  we sprinkled some colored stones in its bottom.  No moving water, though.  I'm thinking about getting something called a Water Wiggler to at least stir things up. 

In the meantime, I've waited anxiously to see the birds take a liking to it.  So far, nobody's wanted to take a bath...it may be a bit too deep for their liking...but much to my delight, they've started to drink from it.  It took a day or so.  First, a goldfinch, but then  Mr. Cardinal came.

Hopefully the word will get out and I'll see many more at the trough!

Dog Days

This weekend Judy's sister and niece and their dogs paid us a visit. We spent most of our time visiting on the mountain porch while watching the dogs run and play.  Barney and Charlie lost no time in enjoying the freedom of being in the country. 

Worn out, they came with tongues wagging for some water.

Meanwhile our Shaynee left the running around to the youngins and found her pleasure in digging for voles.

An Angry Male

An Angry Male
bydamanti

Close Call

It's not the first time it's happened, but it's the first time I've seen it happen.  A little bird busy flying somewhere flew right into the window of our living room sliding doors.  Bam! He fell lifeless to the deck.  He just stayed there, seemingly unconscious, or worse...dead.  It was a pathetic sight.  But after a while, lo and behold, he righted himself.

He stayed just like that for many more minutes...legs flat on the deck for stability.  I imagined him dizzy with things spinning in his little brain.  

Thankfully, after a few moments more, he flew away A-OK.  No doubt he told his close call story to his friends and family.

 

Wordless Wednesday - Snacking Squirrel

Snacking Squirrel
bydamanti

More Wordless Wednesday participants found here.

Photo Hunt - Bad Hair Day

"Bad Hair Day'
 bydamanti

More Photohunters found here.

Ready, Set...

Like this limpkin, I'm in my "ready, set" posture.  Well, I'm not quite completely ready, but my to-do list is shrinking.  Two days left before take off.

Just Plain Fun!

Here are a couple of clips that made me break out in smiles.  See if they don't do the same for you...

Have a great weekend!