Deer and Bird Visitors

Yesterday, I posted a picture of a deer and some little birds at my feeders. Today, I'll add a few more to the collection. Since we had TEN deer visiting us on Monday, I will show you more of the pictures of them---plus more of my cute little birdies. Above is a neat picture of a Mourning Dove --perched near the Rhododendron on our deck. Below are more!





I love this picture of my Baby Blues (Eastern Bluebirds)--taking turns at the Suet feeder.





We first saw the deer in the empty lot next door to our home.





This female Downy Woodpecker (NOTE that there is no red spot on her head) visits the Suet feeder also.





After visiting our back yard (see yesterday's blog picture), all of the deer headed out toward the golf course fairway behind our home. There really were ten of them --but they were too spread-out to get them all in one picture. (I had never seen groups of 10 before. Last year, we had groups of 7.)





Isn't this a sweet picture of the male and female Eastern Bluebirds? We have many Bluebirds around our yard... I wonder if these were some of the little ones I photographed in the summer when they were born????





When I took the picture of the Cardinal featured in yesterday's blog, I also took a picture of this little Carolina Wren --who was also forging for food on our deck!





Our resident Pileated Woodpecker comes to the suet feeder almost everyday when it's cold and snowy outside. I took these pictures this past Monday. He comes and checks out the situation before heading to the Suet feeder.





From the top of the clothes line post, Mr. Pilwood (the resident Pileated Woodpecker) flies to the Suet feeder. I have never been lucky enough to catch a bird during flight before much---so was thrilled to capture this one. Their wingspan is amazing!!!





Now Mr. Pilwood is at the Suet feeder. He really knows how to hang onto the feeder. I added this photo so that you can see how LONG this guy is... Isn't he HUGE?????

One more story about Mr. Pilwood... As big as he is, I was disappointed to see him fly quickly away when one of those stinkin' Starlings (I don't take pictures of Starlings --or Squirrels.. ha) came to the Suet feeder... I guess most all of the birds--including the Pileated Woodpeckers, don't want anything to do with the Starlings. (Luckily, we don't have very many Starlings at our feeders!!!)





Here's another picture I took of a male Cardinal ---waiting in a nearby tree for a turn at the feeders.






And finally, here is a sweet picture of a female Easter Bluebird. Such a gorgeous little bird!!!

Let's all remember the people in Haiti today. What a horrible situation. May God be with them!

Hugs,

Feed Me, Please

"I'm cold and hungry," says the little Tufted Titmouse.





"Me too," says the male Cardinal.





"How 'bout me?" says the little deer (who almost came to our back deck).





"I'm looking for something to eat also," says the little Mourning Dove.


All four of these beautiful creatures struggle to live during the cold winters. I try to help them the best I can. Yesterday besides all of our backyard birds, George and I saw TEN deer in our yard... I will post more pictures of the deer (and of our birds) on another post.

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To be honest, I just couldn't get 'into' my post for today. I started not to say anything because I feel a little 'silly' to be upset over something like this.. But---I AM upset, so I am going to share it since all of us have things in life which we enjoy and are passionate about---even though those things may be very different for each of us.

As most of you know, I am a HUGE fan of University of Tennessee sports. (Why??? I don't know sometimes. ha) BUT---I sat in total disbelief last night after hearing that UT is losing its new coach, Lane Kiffin, after being here for only ONE season. Kiffin has chosen to go to California to be the head coach at USC.

So many emotions and feelings went through me during the course of the evening... I cried; I was angry; I was stunned; I was shocked; I just SAT and kept thinking that this couldn't be happening. He just got here. He was building a program. We had almost signed a good group of new recruits (signing day is in Feb) --who now will probably go elsewhere (and maybe even follow Kiffin to CA). AND---not only is Kiffin leaving; he is taking at least 2 other assistant coaches with him, leaving UT with almost NOTHING.

I have SO many questions (which made me think of other things besides sports):
-Is there no LOYALTY left in this country---not just sports, but ANYWHERE?
-Is everything about SELFISHNESS and GREED??? Is that what we have become here in the good ole' USA?
-Is it always just about the MONEY and PRESTIGE?
-Are there any good ROLE MODELS left out there for our young people to follow?
-Did Lane Kiffin think --even for a minute--how his choices were going to effect the young players he has been working with this past year, and to the new recruits coming in????
-Did Lane Kiffin care one single bit that he is leaving UT totally 'high and dry' at the worst possible time? Obviously not!

Well---you might say that this is JUST SPORTS and it doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things. And you are probably correct. HOWEVER---this kind of crap is going on in many other aspects of life these days, and sometimes, it's just DARN UPSETTING---even to a usually POSITIVE person like me.

I try to see the good in everything ---and know that, in the end, this TOO will work out for the best for everyone, including UT. I now know that UT doesn't need a man with no character leading any of our young people anywhere. BUT--- I will admit that this entire incident has made me very very sad.

Sorry about the 'down' post. I'll perk up ---and take some more birdie and deer (maybe--if they come back) pictures tomorrow. I'll keep telling myself that this is what is truly important, and that everything will work out for the BEST.

Hugs,