Bird Sightings 2/26/09

Yesterday was a warm and windy day on the Cumberland Plateau. These are the birds I saw in my backyard: Pine Siskins, Goldfinch, Tufted Titmice, Carolina Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Cardinals, Mourning Doves, Red-winged Blackbirds, Downy Woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens, Robins and Northern Flickers.


I didn't even try to take pictures of some of our 'regulars'--that I have featured on several blogs. I did however try to get a photo of the Red-winged Blackbirds and the Mourning Doves---but both were camera-shy. I did get some pictures of a male Cardinal --who is getting his bright colors back. And George got some pictures of the Northern Flicker and one of our Red-bellied Woodpeckers. The Flickers are such gorgeous birds--and have been gone most of the winter. I was happy to see them return!!!! Hope you enjoy the pictures. Above is a picture of the Northern Flicker and below are more of our photos! Be sure and click on them to see them larger.














Didn't George do a great job getting these pictures of the Flicker?? There were two Flickers eating on the ground. SO pretty, don't your think?







The Red-bellied Woodpeckers have been with us ALL winter.. I named the male Pete and the female Petunia. I hope they have some baby Red-bellied this spring.. Wonder what I'll name the kids?????????? Hmmmm---how about Penney and Paul...????







"Aren't I just the most gorgeous bird in the world??????"





"See my back side... My pretty color is coming back!!! Wonder where my lady-friend is?"





"I thought I would smile for the camera one more time!!!"


For a bird-lover like me, it was a good day!!!! Hope you had a wonderful day also.
Hugs,

Craggy Gardens

In June of 2007, George and I went on our anniversary trip to Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown. As we do on most all of our trips, we stop along the way searching out new waterfalls and/or scenic areas. One of the first places we stopped on our way to Williamsburg was Craggy Gardens. This is one of the most scenic areas in Western North Carolina, just north of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway.


The Great Craggy Mountains are an area of exposed rock surfaces and high peaks that provide breathtaking views of distant southern Appalachian ridges. Large expanses of native rhododendron cover the slopes and summits of the Craggies. In mid-June, pink and purple blooms of Catawba rhododendron cover the Craggies. Throughout the summer, smaller native wildflowers cover the ground with vibrant splashes of color. These natural garden meadows are "balds."


They say that mid to late June is usually prime time for viewing the pink and purple blooms of rhododendron that blanket much of the Craggies. We were there on June 18---and missed the 'peak' by about a week. BUT--we still saw some gorgeous blooms. Elevation at Craggy Gardens is about 5900 feet---and it was cool, even on a Summer day. While there, we took a 1.5 mile easy hike, called the Craggy Pinnacle. This hike led us through a 'tunnel' of rhododendrons to the summit. Here are some of our pictures taken that day at Craggy Gardens. Above is a photo of some of the rhododendron blooms. Below are other pictures. Be sure to click on the pictures for a better look.







Above is one of the views of the mountains from Craggy Gardens.







George --standing in front of one of the large Rhododendrons







A close-up of the gorgeous Rhododendron blossoms







A picture of me --in front of more of the Rhododendrons







And finally, here's one more photo of the gorgeous view from Craggy Gardens. We highly recommend this beautiful place at Milepost 364.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Hugs,