The winter solstice occurred last night at 11:20. The sun entered the sign of Capricorn, officially welcoming winter.  So I'm here to say HAPPY WINTER!!!

 

I'm having a little trouble finding things to blog about, but I haven't forgotten about you.  We're always on the lookout for interesting things in the neighborhood!  Check out the picture above.  

 

Not sure, since we didn't see the resident, but we think it's a hummingbird nest.  It's only about 2 inches in diameter. The bird book didn't give a size, but it said the nest is made of plant down, covered in lichens, bound with spider's silk, and located on a horizontal branch 10-20 feet above the ground.  I can't be sure, but I want it to be a hummingbird nest.  Anyway, thought you'd like to see our winter find.  

 

Hope you all have HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!  See you next year, 2020!!!

 

 

 

I didn't do it, but somebody transformed the jack-o-lantern haybale into this cute turkey.  

 

We all wish you a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 

 

 

 

If you haven't checked on the bluebirds lately, you really should go there now!!!

 

 

On Saturday, I saw five baby birds waiting for momma or daddy bird to feed them.  I couldn't look away, afraid I'd miss the feeding.  It's fascinating!!  That nest is FULL!!!

 

HAPPY BIRDING!!!

 

 

 

Hey!!!  The first bluebird fledged, and the folks at Wildbirds Unlimited in Yorktown cleaned out the nest.  They set up the camera, ready for the next brood.

 

Go to Bluebirds in Yorktown .  As of this writing, there's one little blue egg in the nest.  And mom or dad should be back soon.  Maybe there will be more eggs.  

 

We check daily so we don't miss anything.  ;)  Good thing too, cause today is Saturday, and there are FOUR eggs!!!

 

My sister in Yorktown just sent me another link.  There's a camera inside a chickadee nest box too!!!

 

Go to  Chickadee nest   There are 5 baby chickadees!!!  

 

 

HAPPY BIRDING!!!

It’s working again. I didn’t have to do anything, except be patient. 

 

Better hurry and check out the bluebird camera.

Cause this baby is getting ready to fledge. 

 

 

Here's  another good picture of the bluebird in Yorktown.

 

I just tried to go to the Bluebird cam to see the baby bird, but the site isn't working right now. I'll keep trying, but I may have to reload, or rewrite the blog.

 

I'll get back to you!!

 

The Wildbirds Unlimited Store in Yorktown, VA has a camera set up inside a bluebird nestbox.  This picture is from last year, but the camera is set up again, so we can see the daily development of the bluebirds.  It is fascinating to watch live.  Just click on this link, and you can see them too.

 

 

HAPPY BIRDING!!!!

 

Meet Sky.  She lives with Tom up on Bella Vista.  

 

She's only nine weeks old, but is already getting to know the neighborhood.  

 

If you see her and Tom out walking, please go slow.  She doesn't understand cars yet.  But she loves people, so stop and say hello.  They will be your friend forever.  

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

 

The first one in my whole life without my mom.  :(

 

If you love me, and want to show it:  do something kind for somebody today.  Not for me, for them!!!!

 

 

THANKS!!!!

 

I'm just guessing, but I think this is another Indian Trail Tree, right here in our neighborhood!!

 

I wrote a nice article on Indian Trail Trees back on October 31, 2017.  No sense repeating myself;  just go to the archives and look for that date.  You can read some interesting info on these special trees.  There's even a link to a website about them.  Please go read it;  it's fascinating.

 

Then on November 2, 2017 we saw another one in Meeks Park, and I wrote about it too.  Great picture of that one.

 

Well, on my walk yesterday, I saw another one!!!  It's on Beaconhill, just past the Quinns' house.  It made me wonder:

Were these trees the guide for laying out the roads in Five Forks?  They seem to be located at some of the major turns in the roads.  Another question that came to mind:  Do hunters and mountain people still practice this, as a way to know where they are in the woods?  Got any ideas about Indian Trail Trees?  

 

I love discovering these trees.  Can't wait to find the next one.

 

HAPPY MARCH!!!