I have a passion for the outdoors and I am most happy enjoying what nature has to offer. Hobbies include photography, birding, Pickleball, astronomy, biking, and hiking. I have been happily married, for 50 years, to an amazing person.
As I mentioned in one of my previous post, the Bullock’s Orioles have migrated north. Some will nest and spend the summer here in Loveland, Colorado. I look forward to their arrival every spring and enjoy seeing them in my yard. I have seen six males at my feeders so far, no females.
“Did I eat it all?”
A new feeder I purchased last week. They go through a lot of oranges; I just put these out.
“Where’s the Peanut Better?”
These photos were taken using my Canon 70D with Tamron 600mm lens.
He has been hanging around the suet feeder today, notice his bill. I finally got a decent photo; however, taken through the glass. I open the door and he is gone in a flash. What a beauty!
The Rambling Rose pulled into Loveland, Colorado over a month ago.
Before we left Texas the Rambling Rose had a wash and wax, and is now winterized waiting for her next adventure. It was a flurry of activity to unload her and to get our house in order, but now we are settled in enjoying being home.
In early April we took our Koudy girl “The Explorer” back to Colorado State University Vet Hospital for a check-up. She hadn’t been there since early November when she received her “Cancer Survivor” bandana after completing chemotherapy.
It has taken me awhile to write about her last vet visit. They took a chest x-ray, an ultra-sound and did blood work. The results of all tests indicates the cancer is back and aggressive. One day after these tests, Kloudy became very ill and spent two additional nights back at CSU Vet Hospital.
She has since recovered (cause unknown) and continues to enjoy eating, walking and on occasion even playing with her younger sister, Skye River. Kloudy still likes to “talk” to me about her food, her walks and somethings about things I don’t even know! I love our chats!
We at first, after speaking with an Oncology vet, decided to have her under go surgery again; however, after her illness and some painful soul searching, I believe we have decided to let her enjoy her days – eating, talking and doing her most favorite activities – taking long walks and exploring new trails.
Last July she underwent surgery and chemo, the process lasting into early November, why put her through that again since the cancer is fast growing. We try not to be sad, realizing our girl has enjoyed a wonderful life; she will be twelve this year. Some days are better than others, but we continue to celebrate, each and everyday, having this beautiful, sweet, Sibe girl in our life. Those of you, whom have given your hearts to four-legged best friends, know how heartbreaking it is when they are ill.
Okay, some brighter notes – It is always nice to be home enjoying hobbies and activities in our beautiful community. You can see from the header photo we have been having lots of rain, which makes things green! The photo is of a little valley just to the north of us about two city blocks.
Howard has been busy rebuilding his Ham Radio antenna, which was damaged in an early April blizzard. High winds and heavy snow broke two of the 16 foot poles. The antenna is back up in the air, and with a new Software Defined ham radio, he continues to enjoy this hobby, one he has had since the age of 15.
Howard’s Spider Antenna
I have been playing Pickleball, coloring, enjoying the numerous bird activity in the yard, taking photos and visiting with friends (some I still haven’t seen I’am back, but will). I can’t believe the number of different birds we have had in our yard this spring: Juncos, Chipping Sparrows, White-crowned Sparrows, House Sparrows, House Finches, White-breasted nuthatches, Bullocks Orioles, Western Tanagers, Scrub Jays, Blue Jays, Townsend Solitary, American Robins, Morning Doves, Eurasian-collared Doves, Lazuli Bunting, Lessor Goldfinches, Rufous-sided Towhees, Black-capped Chickadees and I am sure I have forgotten some.
Since the weather is improving it is time to turn some of our attention to “sprucing” up the yard, which can be fun. Or not….
On our daily walks we try to take different routes. The photos below were taken yesterday as we walked along the Big Thompson River.
Mallard Pair
Canada Goose Pair
Reflection
This morning our walk took us past a natural area called Meadowbrook.
Meadowbrook Natural Area.Meadowbrook, another view
This migrating, Western Tanager has been visiting our yard the last several days. Can I get a good photo of him – n0! What a skittish guy he has been! I finally took a photo through the glass door; you can see he is watching me. He seems to enjoy one of the suet feeders. I saw my first Western Tanager on July 1, 1984 on a trip to Yellowstone National Park; we were stilling living in Louisiana. What a beautiful bird!
Western Tanager
This guy is easy to photograph.
This American Robin was sitting in a tree across the street from us.
American Robin
They are back, arriving the last few days. I have only seen the males. I will post a blog on these gorgeous Orioles. Yesterday, I managed to capture some photos of them.
Bullock’s Oriole
Enjoy life and give lots of love to those that mean the world to you!
I just completed a book with the above quote woven into the story. I thought it was lovely enough to share with you. I don’t know if the author of the novel created the quote or if she borrowed it from the original author.
A small heron, adults dark blue-gray with purple-maroon neck, immatures are unique among all herons in that they are white. Prefers to feed in fresh water and edges of grassy pools. Eats fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, turtles, shrimp and crabs. When water disappears they will eat grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, and other insects of the grasslands. Flight is graceful and strong, wing strokes quicker than that of larger herons.Flies with head drawn in on shoulders.
Little Blue Heron (Juvenile)Jonathan Dickinson State Park, FloridaLittle Blue Heron (Myakka River State Park)
Wolf Song Blog 