Birds-Birds-Birds

There are many birds who visit our feeders on the back deck... Recently,  they are all busy singing their songs and finding a mate... It's a great time of year to watch the birds... And since our weather recently has been so nice,  we are able to sleep with the windows opened... The birds love to sing loudly the first thing in the morning ---so it's totally awesome waking up to the beautiful sound of birds singing!!!!!

Today,  I'll show you some pictures (taken at various times over the past 3 years or so) of eight of my favorite Backyard Birds... Above is an all-time favorite bird of mine,  the EASTERN BLUEBIRD...   Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird are busy nesting in the Bluebird House... I hope we have some baby Blues soon.  Be sure to click on the pictures for larger views.

Here is another favorite bird,  our NORTHERN CARDINAL.  The Cardinals are the first ones at the feeders in the morning and the last ones there before dark.   Such beautiful birds --and it's fun to watch the Mister feed the Misses during the mating season!!!!!   I love seeing the colorful birds this time of year since they are beautiful showing off their colors.

We have more GOLDFINCHES this year than any other bird I think... I don't know how many we have --but there are a BUNCH of them!!!  It's fun to watch the males change to this gorgeous yellow color in the spring.

These little CAROLINA CHICKADEES are year-round visitors along with their buddies,  the Tufted Titmice and the Nuthatches....  When you see one of these guys,  you usually see them all.  I love this picture since that Chickadee was telling me to quit taking pictures so that he could come to the feeder!!!!!  Is this a bird with 'attitude'?????? ha

This beauty,  the ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK is a short-term visitor here every year.  They stop here in April or May as they migrate north ---and then they stop again in September on their way back south for the winter.

We have at least five resident woodpeckers which visit the feeders off and on during the year.  Woodpeckers love suet --- so I try to accommodate them!!!!   Above is one of the prettiest woodpeckers,  our NORTHERN FLICKER...  Isn't he gorgeous?

This woodpecker,  the RED-HEADED WOODPECKER,  unfortunately does not come around as much as the others... He comes in the Spring ---and brings the little ones to the feeders during the Spring/Summer... SUCH a beautiful bird!!!!

And finally,  you know I cannot do a bird blog post without featuring this bird...  This is another favorite,  the PILEATED WOODPECKER.    This huge woodpecker lets EVERYONE know when he is nearby... He has a very loud call!!!!   Oh --how I love this bird!!!!

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of my Backyard Birds today!!!!!  I have SO much fun --feeding them and watching them...  Soon,  I'll do another bird post showing you some of the 'funny' bird pictures I have taken...

We have been out-of-town for the past 3 days... SO---again,  I'm behind on blogging...  I love traveling and we have a wonderful time ---but it's hard to catch back up when we get home!!!!  I'll catch up with you SOON.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday.
Hugs,
Betsy

Anna Ruby Falls, Georgia

Smith Creek

Another waterfall we visited on February 14th  (besides Horse Trough Falls --click HERE  to see that post) was ANNA RUBY FALLS.   This is one of the more popular waterfalls in Georgia --but since we were there on a cold, drizzly day,  there weren't too many other people around.

Anna Ruby Falls is found near the Unicoi State Park in White County, near Helen, Georgia.  Anna Ruby Falls gets its name from the daughter of the land owner,  John Nichols... After Nichols died,  the US Government purchased the land in the 1920's.  The entire area was named the Chattahoochee National Forest.

There is now a visitor's center and craft shop and a paved path up to the falls (which is .8 of a mile).  The path follows Smith Creek up to the falls, so it is a beautiful hike.   There is a small fee in order to visit this waterfall...

As you can tell from the pictures,  Anna Ruby Falls is really a double waterfall.  Curtis Creek (on the left) falls 153 feet.   York Creek (on the right) falls 50 feet.  Both  come together forming Smith Creek.   Curtis and York Creeks are named for early settlers in the area,  and Smith Creek got its name from one of the surveyors.

If you ever get to Helen, Georgia,  check out this gorgeous waterfall...   Be sure to click on all of the pictures in order to see them larger.  Above is a picture of Smith Creek---as we walked up to see the waterfall(s).

'Creative' Water at Smith Creek

Both George and I love to photograph water in a creative way... George is REALLY good at this---but this picture is pretty good,  don't you think?

As we hiked up that mountain,  we finally got a long-distance view of Anna Ruby Falls. You can see the paved path to the falls--with Smith Creek on the left.

Here is a picture of Anna Ruby Falls.  They have built some great platforms for viewing.  Curtis Creek is on the left and falls for 153 feet.   York Creek is on the right and fall for 50 feet.

Once we got to the top platform,  we got some close-up pictures of the waterfall(s).  Even though it was foggy and drizzly,  we loved these waterfalls ---and were glad that we visited here.. We had visited Anna Ruby Falls several years ago---but enjoyed it much more this time.

Here's a picture from the top platform looking back down the trail and Smith Creek. See the platform on the left?   The next picture of us was taken from this platform.

Finally,  George put up the tripod and took some pictures of us at Anna Ruby Falls.  We really enjoyed this gorgeous double waterfall.

I hope you can visit this one someday...
Hugs,
Betsy