Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Arkansas 'Critters'


While we were in Arkansas, we saw lots of Deer on the top of the mountain. They seemed almost 'tame'--for I am sure that many people stop and look at them and take their pictures all year long. They are a different color of brown than our Deer here in Fairfield Glade.


I also took birdseed with us this year ---and put it outside on the back patio each day. It took them a few days to find it ---but to my surprise, I saw a new bird (new to me). Can you guess what it was?????


And the third 'critter' we saw was when we were hiking at Lake Catherine. Hope you enjoy my photos. Above is one of the many pictures we took of the deer. Below are more.





















The edge of the mountain is in the distance. The Deer are enjoying some shrubs and grass in someone's yard. Glad they aren't in my yard (here in Fairfield Glade).







I love this picture. That little Deer stood up and looked at me --and then he bent back down to eat some more. BUT---look at his eyes. He's STILL looking at me... Cute, huh?







This is our back yard/patio/ledge. There were big Blackbirds (crows???) all over the place --but they never came up to the ledge and patio to get the bird feed. I had to throw some out into the grass for them. We also saw some huge Turkey Vultures while out driving but didn't get any pictures.







This is my new bird!!!! He's a Dark-eyed Junco. I have heard others talk about this little guy so much--but had never seen one myself. I still have not seen any here on the plateau.







This was the day when there was so much ICE all over Mt. Nebo. Can you see the ice--as the Junco looks for the Sunflower seeds I put out there? It was a cold day on that mountain. AND--once one Junco came, we had LOTS and LOTS of them all day long. I was glad I took some seed for them.







I love this picture of the Junco on the patio. I was worried about those little birds all day since it looked as if their tails were icy.. They were constantly flipping their tails I'm sure to get rid of the ice build-up. Kinda scary for the birds ---I'm sure.









Our final 'critter' was a little Turtle we saw when we were hiking to Falls Creek Falls near Lake Catherine. This little guy didn't have a care in the world--as he sat on that rock enjoying the sunshine.


Have a great weekend..
Hugs,

33 comments:

Grammy said...

Those are all great photos. Wish I could see them in the day light around here.

Kim said...

Love the photos and congrats on the Junco find!!!! Those birds are some of the heardiest birds I know of. They are one of only a few who will eat at my feeders in blizzard like conditions. They adore birdseed too!

Cedar ... said...

I'm glad you saw the Junco. We have them here all winter long. Nickname is "Snow Birds"... not to be confused with our other "Snowbirds" that rv to the south for the winters! haha....

Jayne said...

I like seeing the occasional deer too Betsy, but that many eating in the yard might be a tad too much...lol. Congrats on the Junco!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Beautiful pictures Betsy. You are so thoughtful to bring bird seed with you. The deer are so cute too....what, no carrots for them???

Karin said...

Just amazing to me! All those deer hanging around a place where there are people. I love that the one is still keeping his eye on you while taking a nibble of grass! Too cute. Lovely Junco bird says thanks for the seeds I bet!
Have a lovely week-end!
Karin

SmilingSally said...

My sister constantly has deer in her yard, and she is not happy to see them.

Janie said...

Hi Betsy,
Nice deer photos. It's always fun to see them.
Your little turtle is cute, too.
Glad you saw a new bird. We had dark-eyed juncos at our feeder last year. Maybe they're more common around here.

Mandy said...

I always love your photos! I'm beginning to really take an interest in birds lately too.

Thanks for sharing!

Mandy

NCmountainwoman said...

The deer seem to know when they are protected.

Have a great weekend yourself!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful critters to spend your day with, especially that adorable little turtle, all stretched out in the sun. I know just how he feels!

Susie said...

I enjoyed looking at all your critters. That little turtle is too cute! That little Junco is a cutie too.

Shelley said...

I wish our deer in Mich. were as tame as the ones you saw - you got some great photos of them! And congrats on your junco - the bird of winter is what I call them. And your turtle photo was outstanding!
P.S. It snowed this morning at the cabin!!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

The Dark-eyed Junco is really pretty bird.I'm glad you saw one.
Blessings,Ruth

Diane said...

I love the deer pictures, Betsy and the ones of the junco. How fun to see the little turtle, the water must be warm there.

Diane said...

I love the deer pictures, Betsy and the ones of the junco. How fun to see the little turtle, the water must be warm there.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Both post are filled with so much beauty...m...

Wendy said...

What beautiful pics! I love the deer looking at you while eating. So you've discovered juncos too. So have I - just this winter. Didn't know what kind of bird they were. I've learned so much from my blogging buddies.
Have a good weekend too!

marmee said...

hey there betsy trying to get caught up on some of my reading been busy with home school and gardening. glad you got to see so many critters on your trip. we went fcfalls last year and loved it. i think it is almost time to go camping again. . glad the parents are well. you and george look like you are having too much fun. good for you!

HWHL said...

Beautiful deer... and you're right.... their coloring is a bit different. Almost.... taupe, perhaps?

Do you know who LOVES birdseed at my house?! Our Chocolate Lab, Diva!! It's one of her favorite "snacks"! In fact, she get furious at the squirrels when they try to eat it.... she chases them away.... (luckily, she doesn't mind the birds... but boy those squirrels are her mortal enemies!)

Jane said...

Oh, what absolutely great shots! Hope you are well this weekend,

Jane

EG CameraGirl said...

I love deer as long as they are not in someone's garden, just like you. Interesting how they seem to have no fear.

Judy said...

These are all great pictures, Betsy. We have a lot of deer in Kentucky. My sister lives right in the city and they come in her backyard all the time. They eat her flowers and tomatoes in summer. I love the little Turtle.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Wonderful shots of the deer and other animals.
I'm feeling better today and did a long slow walk.

Unknown said...

Those deer look downright overpopulated, as if there are more deer to house than people!!!

Anonymous said...

Betsy, I've never seen a Junco before. That was so nice that you took seed for the birds. The deer photos are really cute too.

Rose said...

I have tried to remember if we had juncos in Tennessee when I was a kid and I just cannot remember seeing them....but that doesn't mean we didn't. I think they are a cute little bird.

Looks like the deer were very interested in you!

Diane AZ said...

Loved seeing some of the critters you encountered. The picture of the deer looking at your while eating is so cute, but my favorite is the turtle basking in the sun!

Small City Scenes said...

We have a lot of deer up here in the woods. Some are light colored and some darker and they are very fuzzy right now. MB

Leedra said...

Nice post, congrats on the new bird.

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Adrienne Zwart said...

Hi, Betsy. Congratulations on seeing a new bird. I love adding new ones to my life list, too. The turtle pic is my favorite though. I'm so ready to be soaking up the warmth of the sun. What a blessing that winter doesn't last forever around here! Happy spring to you. :)

Aleta said...

What great pictures! The dark-eyed juncos come to our feeder in the winter time, then move out when the weather warms up. They are gone now.
I looked in my amphibian book and I believe that turtle is a Pond Slider, also called the red-eared turtle. They are found in our area, around sluggish rivers, shallow streams, ponds and lakes with soft bottoms and dense vegetation, and they are fond of basking, as this one is demonstrating. I also believe this is an older one, as evidenced by the blacker head (versus striped), per the book. The book further states that these turtles do not often make it to adulthood. These are the turtles that are raised on farms and sold in stores as pets. You found a rarity!

Connie said...

I always love your deer photos, Betsy because I so rarely see them close up here. I really liked the one of the turtle on the rock too. That one made me smile. :)