Grey Squirrel

These guys can be quite entertaining.

Camera shy

Sharing with a Black-capped Chickadee



Sharing with a Black-crested Titmouse  

Gray Squirrel and a Black-crested Titmouse

 

Whitetails, Northern Cardinals, Pileated Woodpecker, White-throated Sparrow and a White-breasted Nuthatch

On one of the few sunny days that we had recently, some Whitetail deer thought they would catch some rays. Also a Pileated Woodpecker briefly showed himself. Our bird feeders usually collect a variety of local birds. This particular day and time Cardinals seemed to dominate. The White-breasted Nuthatch and the White-throated Sparrow are daily visitors.    

 

Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals enjoying the snow.

Pileated Woodpecker

Whitetail deer

White-breasted Nuthatch

White-throated Sparrow

 

Downy Wood Pecker, Brown Creeper, Goldfinch (winter plumage)

The back yard bird feeders bring in some of the common local favorites.

Brown Creeper

Brown Creeper

Brown Creeper

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Goldfinch (winter plumage)

Goldfinch (winter plumage)

Goldfinch (winter plumage)

Goldfinch (winter plumage)

Goldfinch (winter plumage)

Goldfinch (winter plumage)



 

 

A Red Fox...

As luck would have it this beautiful creature gave me some of it's precious time. It amazes me how one moment there is nothing, not a single bird, a squirrel, nothing. Then all of a sudden its there, the Red Fox. It apparently had found something in the road and was taking advantage of the find. I investigated later but found nothing. I'm guessing maybe a small critter of sorts may have been road kill.  The red fox's resourcefulness has earned it a legendary reputation for intelligence and cunning.  The fox's thick tail aids its balance, but it has other uses as well. A fox uses its tail (or "brush") as a warm cover in cold weather and as a signal flag to communicate with other foxes.  

 

The Red Fox seems to have discovered something in the road.

Still sniffing it's find.

Chewing on something.

Seems to have heard something.

Looks like he might be licking his nose.

Hello there...

Better head out...

As he was leaving I noticed he was favoring his right rear leg. Hopefully the injury

will not keep him from acquiring his prey 

 

Cooper's Hawk

Sometimes surprises can be favorable. I have caught only a few glimpses of this Cooper's Hawk on occasion and heard it many times. I believe it lives in the woods some ware around the house. On this day it presented itself long enough for me to collect a few photos. It's among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds.