tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48547627927788784522024-03-12T22:53:44.576-05:00Nature KnitterStories & pictures about birds & nature, mostly in my backyard.....with occasional bits of pets, knitting, weather, food & family thrown in for variety.RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.comBlogger742125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-8511516200737289842017-10-10T13:18:00.000-05:002017-10-10T13:18:20.313-05:00One Step Closer to Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The juncos have started to arrive for the winter in my backyard. I enjoy seeing these cute little birds visiting my birdfeeders all winter long. However, this does signify the beginning of the loooooong winter season in Minnesota. We haven't had freezing temperatures yet, although the outside thermometer did drop to 38 degrees this morning and I turned the furnace back on for the winter (just for the sake of the dog, who has very little fur) 😏.<br />
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<br />RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-40264164819793946082015-01-03T07:17:00.002-06:002015-01-03T07:17:34.816-06:00Pennies from Heaven<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you believe in Pennies from Heaven? I had never heard the story until I was talking to my sister one day and told her about a penny I had found at the gas station on the day I was leaving for a trip. "It's a penny from Dad!" she told me. My dad had passed away only a couple months before and we were really missing him. Then Sissy sent me a copy of the Pennies from Heaven story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now I'm a believer! It's funny how when things are going bad at work or I just need a little pick me up, sure enough, I look down and there's a penny! (sometimes even a nickel or a dime if it's a really bad day!) I seem to be finding them most frequently at work these days. A couple of my co-workers really try my patience some nights and just when I seem to be losing hope of getting everything done with very little help from my co-worker, I find a penny! It's like Dad is there cheering me on. I can almost hear his voice saying, "come on Ruth, finish it up, you've done it before and now you can do it again." So even though Dad is gone now, I like to believe that he's still looking out for me from Heaven!</span><br />
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-14656992873385655692014-12-28T02:57:00.000-06:002014-12-28T03:07:14.030-06:00Saturday Afternoon Drama<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was sitting at the dining room table this afternoon working on a lace patterned knitting project that requires lots of natural light. With 4 inches of new snow last nite, it's been a busy day at the birdfeeders right outside my window. Without any advance warning from the bluejays, a Cooper's hawk flew in to try and catch some dinner. It landed in the big oak tree right near all the birdfeeders. Woodpeckers had no warning and had to "freeze" wherever they were until Cooper's finally flew away hungry again.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is a first year Cooper's Hawk -- you can tell that by its yellow eyes. (Adults have dark rusty-red colored eyes). It's cold out there, so the Coop kept one foot tucked up into its tummy feathers for warmth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Poor little Downy Woodpecker didn't even have time to fly away and was just barely able to duck down behind the deck railing and hang on by two toes, hoping desperately that the hawk wouldn't be able to spot her.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfisJSS94tPbdViNtc1DAq3EJ8J8G8ExYKKONvxygX0WS39HKc81ctjqSGYIcMMT-G8hUBBlkApCE9b7ZpOl6QtwbKEb19foR-9MLvTTZgmawXdWC2WWCzpfJjE7VZbBhAJsKpSt0yyLb/s1600/Dec+27+2014_2429_edited+copy-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfisJSS94tPbdViNtc1DAq3EJ8J8G8ExYKKONvxygX0WS39HKc81ctjqSGYIcMMT-G8hUBBlkApCE9b7ZpOl6QtwbKEb19foR-9MLvTTZgmawXdWC2WWCzpfJjE7VZbBhAJsKpSt0yyLb/s1600/Dec+27+2014_2429_edited+copy-1.jpg" height="320" width="251" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's where the Cooper's hawk was perched in the tree in perspective to the Downy woodpecker on the deck railing. Distance is approx. 10 yds. The majority of my birdseed and suet feeders are concentrated in the area outside my dining room windows (for best photo ops!) and there are at least a dozen feeders on the deck and hanging in trees all around this big tree where the Cooper's hawk is perched.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I believe there are a nesting pair of Cooper's Hawks in our neighborhood. I feel privileged to be able to see these birds up close. The ratio of Coop's to songbirds is probably 1:200 in my backyard, so if they need to hunt here, that's fine by me. I see the hawks fly into the backyard several times a day (if I'm home to watch them), but I believe the majority of times they fly away without ever catching anything.</span> <br />
RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-19704177861971333452014-12-11T21:55:00.000-06:002014-12-11T21:55:47.351-06:00Looking Back on 2014<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I got a gentle "scolding" from a friend recently who's been missing my blog posts. So I decided I'd get one more in before the end of 2014. Working two and three jobs for the last few years has pretty much kicked my ass to the curb and left me with neither the energy or initiative to devote to weekly (or even monthly) blog posts. But for those of you not on Facebook or also missing my blog posts, I'll recap my 2014 with one picture for each month of 2014.
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A beautiful January sunset</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A February snowstorm was beautiful only to those who didn't have to worry about moving all the snow or figuring out how to drive in it!</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In March I took a trip to California to visit my brother. It was nice to see green grass, water that wasn't frozen, and birds that wouldn't be back to Minnesota for a couple months yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">April brought a few spring birds back to Minnesota, including this Robin who was determined to battle that "other" robin taunting him from the window reflection.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrp_IGMVvm1syaoc1vKnzpFS1WAN7h9omppPK9KvtO-um8d3bCQ7gBWcANwgRztXYnXteRFa3xk4alaQhDg1jWRrq4GV1owylKv5by_T77j3waOkMPdRsoWX0YfNGbVWO3I5ptJB9DHooJ/s1600/Apr+08+2014_0598_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrp_IGMVvm1syaoc1vKnzpFS1WAN7h9omppPK9KvtO-um8d3bCQ7gBWcANwgRztXYnXteRFa3xk4alaQhDg1jWRrq4GV1owylKv5by_T77j3waOkMPdRsoWX0YfNGbVWO3I5ptJB9DHooJ/s1600/Apr+08+2014_0598_edited-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In May the colorful summer birds finally arrived. They're the hope we hold in our thoughts and hearts during the long Minnesota winter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Backyard critters enjoying June clover and other treats falling from the birdfeeder above.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A long July weekend in northern Minnesota gave me the opportunity to photograph this rainbow over Snowbank Lake after a brief late afternoon thunderstorm.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2I43zqHQrOxk_HJtHGES2AxG5bN1EMrmdEwoUmfYtWj5ZUKvT0jKHCei1RetMn50WKQpVWVQhuk7S2DXGdGfogChei2sorlsifq7wBhnJuWvCX6wieXafSazMvur-kYO6J-qYyeWLyo44/s1600/Jul+26+2014_1599_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2I43zqHQrOxk_HJtHGES2AxG5bN1EMrmdEwoUmfYtWj5ZUKvT0jKHCei1RetMn50WKQpVWVQhuk7S2DXGdGfogChei2sorlsifq7wBhnJuWvCX6wieXafSazMvur-kYO6J-qYyeWLyo44/s1600/Jul+26+2014_1599_edited-1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thankfully we saw more Monarch butterflies this summer than last year. An August Monarch took advantage of the Rough Blazing Star blooming in my backyard wildflower garden.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBvfM0pV9i4_zzRQYdQRPYwyEraeodQmG3EYvc92ZdrrZjoRT6Rr9l015GCyJhL9TDtoMOJE9JaJn_Q6Od2PpuX5EEKibXevv341lBA5u_uDEHTpz5-0A8M7-T5ZapR4VC_ry_GrENgJU/s1600/Aug+16+2014_1686_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBvfM0pV9i4_zzRQYdQRPYwyEraeodQmG3EYvc92ZdrrZjoRT6Rr9l015GCyJhL9TDtoMOJE9JaJn_Q6Od2PpuX5EEKibXevv341lBA5u_uDEHTpz5-0A8M7-T5ZapR4VC_ry_GrENgJU/s1600/Aug+16+2014_1686_edited-1.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In September, this first year Cooper's Hawk was trying its best to catch one of the birds hanging out on my deck. Unfortunately, no birds were caught, but I did get the chance to capture this awesome photo!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB-THdsxwJkchoPSz6SVb9MqV3IxFkIswenqdv4lbZ10lnjzVKuOmWCNjhyphenhyphenpmZU75jlK0QU1uCLcMXR20jpJdYHKw6qCzZCUOQtcu6OHS0aVzkkaKj1XQIayikbU9i7dZK7m0LdPDjgEf/s1600/Sep+30+2014_1976_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB-THdsxwJkchoPSz6SVb9MqV3IxFkIswenqdv4lbZ10lnjzVKuOmWCNjhyphenhyphenpmZU75jlK0QU1uCLcMXR20jpJdYHKw6qCzZCUOQtcu6OHS0aVzkkaKj1XQIayikbU9i7dZK7m0LdPDjgEf/s1600/Sep+30+2014_1976_edited-1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fall colors delighted the senses in October.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTRI2WxKol2M33-KOjtA5YX7VmPsbBIeg_m-AVnWB6Mx3wWea3Myi3P5IDzfloiBQbJJLbKe64u9YZGoZEGKaP2JjOyUNprTjVS5Xkbd0tCUEEjuobiVnlDpwS5v7pYWH2wY5ck_2T8JP/s1600/Oct+16+2014_2162_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTRI2WxKol2M33-KOjtA5YX7VmPsbBIeg_m-AVnWB6Mx3wWea3Myi3P5IDzfloiBQbJJLbKe64u9YZGoZEGKaP2JjOyUNprTjVS5Xkbd0tCUEEjuobiVnlDpwS5v7pYWH2wY5ck_2T8JP/s1600/Oct+16+2014_2162_edited-1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Early one morning in November, this small buck showed up in the backyard to sample some of the corn we put out for birds and bunnies.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmJoGAGAvhtWLFEQFWOOlv-EfGrJ5C3ehLR9xlpEcyUk6No-fZ1DrFr3hfseJc2XWperwQ0G0tKqaw0cxIknygGIsdrAed4XyoqLFaflch74xxM5mnc3xBf56dOms_oyCUDCkK-4MUPgt/s1600/Nov+07+2014_2219_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmJoGAGAvhtWLFEQFWOOlv-EfGrJ5C3ehLR9xlpEcyUk6No-fZ1DrFr3hfseJc2XWperwQ0G0tKqaw0cxIknygGIsdrAed4XyoqLFaflch74xxM5mnc3xBf56dOms_oyCUDCkK-4MUPgt/s1600/Nov+07+2014_2219_edited-1.jpg" height="253" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Christmas from me and my pretty girl Holly the Pibble!</span></div>
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-31054144543418720032014-06-12T11:38:00.000-05:002014-06-12T11:39:07.455-05:00On Being Nice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8Od9Q4Zrtt9ydyQo-jDCjWtGIYJbgOUwxpNr8ujUPPTyiJY5p9VwCrbMsIoUPHek3AoNLBRp7Or-na8bWoQZa-QCxI2WQqGDMC8QudjsoIKOmIK5EyB6AVU9RPSGAZx8oi_Bn2fQvqal/s1600/store-clerk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8Od9Q4Zrtt9ydyQo-jDCjWtGIYJbgOUwxpNr8ujUPPTyiJY5p9VwCrbMsIoUPHek3AoNLBRp7Or-na8bWoQZa-QCxI2WQqGDMC8QudjsoIKOmIK5EyB6AVU9RPSGAZx8oi_Bn2fQvqal/s1600/store-clerk.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
Three months ago, I started a new part-time job at a convenience store. Recently at work, one of my co-workers commented on how "nice" I was. I'm sure she meant it as a compliment, but since we're all working in the same store and for the same organization, I thought her comment was kinda weird and it gave me something to think about....<br />
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Here's the mission statement from our store: "To serve our customers and community more effectively than anyone else by treating our customers, co-workers, and suppliers as we, personally, would like to be treated and to make a difference in someone's life." Simple, right? Kind of a variation on the Golden Rule and I like this idea. <br />
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If I walked up to a clerk in the store only to have them speak to me in a fast and impatient way, I'd be really put off by that. And sadly, I've seen and heard several co-workers who respond to customers that way. Yes, I know we're busy and yes, I see there are 6 customers waiting in line, but can we not still show each customer a few moments of courtesy and kindness? <br />
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Years ago (>15 yrs) when I worked for an employer that utilized "peer reviews" for our annual appraisals, one of my co-workers stated that I was impatient and difficult to get along with (she was an extremely sensitive person and I probably was). Sadly, that review stayed in my personnel file and prevented me from transferring to any other work areas at that company, because no supervisor wanted a "meany" working for them. I eventually left the company, but the comments in that review haunt me to this day. <br />
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Now, lest you think I'm a truly lovely person, let me set the record straight right here -- I'm Not!! If thought bubbles were visible, I would have not made it past my first week at this new job. I see a lot of things that truly piss me off and it's hard to bite my tongue and be courteous.....like the person who comes in and pays for Funyuns & a 12-pack or Mountain Dew with their EBT card, or the person who comes into "my" clean bathroom and creates a shit explosion that I have to clean up, or the person who does a gas drive-off for $93 on a pump I authorized. However, to counteract that, there are all kinds of nice people who come in and really make my day better. <br />
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There's no way to know what some of these people are dealing with in their lives, we have lots of senior citizen customers who maybe don't have any family members nearby and are lonely. We have truckers who are only an hour or so away from home, but end up spending the nite because they are at their maximum hours for driving. Many travelers stop by our store in the middle of a trip: to a funeral, taking their child to college, or returning from a 24-hour vigil at the hospital where a grandchild just had surgery. It's my pleasure to take a few minutes to talk with them. Maybe I'll never see them again, but hopefully they will remember their visit to my store and possibly stop in the future, or at one of our other stores, based solely on the fact that someone was "nice" to them at a previous store visit.<br />
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So yeah, I think I'll just keep on being nice (at least when I'm being paid for it....) Simple to do and makes most everyone feel better. And if my co-workers think I'm weird, well, I guess that's their problem. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it, cuz I know when I'm the customer in any store, even if I have to wait, I'm always going to choose that "nice" cashier I had on a previous visit.<br />
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So I'll end this rant with my standard farewell for my customers, "Thanks for stopping. Please come see us again!" <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPe4JUhRbz7K-gUPx0yNQGP60qpRNlKeHCVYItq5p2FJorw82R-LISMtRXZLo7uWGUoM4AvVhYxhBScgC9ea255P8ruhtQypM0WhiXh5rJigL-oZB5fZ7fbM1VtO6JLoXs81lV7_kHkMx/s1600/smiley-faces-91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPe4JUhRbz7K-gUPx0yNQGP60qpRNlKeHCVYItq5p2FJorw82R-LISMtRXZLo7uWGUoM4AvVhYxhBScgC9ea255P8ruhtQypM0WhiXh5rJigL-oZB5fZ7fbM1VtO6JLoXs81lV7_kHkMx/s1600/smiley-faces-91.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-25008693585983816922014-01-11T17:10:00.001-06:002014-01-11T17:10:30.289-06:00Happy New Year!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy 2014 Everyone! I hope all of you survived the "Polar Vortex" with no lingering difficulties. Minnesotans expect this sort of weather in January, but I feel especially bad for folks in other areas of the U.S. who don't have the resources to deal with extreme cold and snowy conditions.
Earlier this week we hit -25, not a new record, but still TFC for most of us. Fortunately the cold snap lasted only a few days. Yesterday we had temps above freezing and some freezing drizzle early in the day which changed over to light snow in the evening. That soft ice coating on the trees caught and held the snowflakes quite nicely and we woke up to a winter wonderland. Here are some of the images I captured while filling birdfeeders earlier this morning. Hope you enjoy them from the comfort of your warm house!</span><br />
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The butterfly garden is waiting for spring -- hopefully only 4 more months!</span></div>
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Frosty asparagus remains</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Highbush cranberries will be a tasty treat for robins when the come back in spring</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeciMiW1gdRHFk6ZrauhKhYszv4m1tpTxufG5n-zEaeywD0rKThVP8vupsJT4N6UwXrfKjb5-vdMLajT0F9Oc9S3qZMl2LlgwBSJFq_mB8AC9duz4ktzDFk2iilPoZxhKk_lXKSafvkIHn/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0218_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeciMiW1gdRHFk6ZrauhKhYszv4m1tpTxufG5n-zEaeywD0rKThVP8vupsJT4N6UwXrfKjb5-vdMLajT0F9Oc9S3qZMl2LlgwBSJFq_mB8AC9duz4ktzDFk2iilPoZxhKk_lXKSafvkIHn/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0218_edited-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">These were purple coneflower blossoms last summer</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtV_gANhpWO9BD6S_JKgRc_uI1mc7xAvKBDeOko6gyugoQcZerNxlbeOfQnCHWMevgcjlw9gi1ACVjMwN2CmUBwT57VxpqCRhCAfKvaavgYLgt4Ze6omhodlSrV_3aUNnmquXWEhyoeNxn/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0219_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtV_gANhpWO9BD6S_JKgRc_uI1mc7xAvKBDeOko6gyugoQcZerNxlbeOfQnCHWMevgcjlw9gi1ACVjMwN2CmUBwT57VxpqCRhCAfKvaavgYLgt4Ze6omhodlSrV_3aUNnmquXWEhyoeNxn/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0219_edited-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Swamp milkweed -- seeds have scattered in the wind</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Kokopelli windchime still dances from a tree branch</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The birds have picked all the seed from this small sunflower clean</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Crabapples provide a treat for chickadees, cardinals & starlings</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEROSk7z6v3UXZz2oClkFBZFgNWr0zEJskl6PMMFlRJsEikkeODSOfHI_ZaoEHQ9KBK_Twha_u0NVA-VdPTyHHhj57dmIkMkDspXkFI2k0xdvMGrzMYjadWIkCf1azC2FlfQYeta1G0jlh/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0226_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEROSk7z6v3UXZz2oClkFBZFgNWr0zEJskl6PMMFlRJsEikkeODSOfHI_ZaoEHQ9KBK_Twha_u0NVA-VdPTyHHhj57dmIkMkDspXkFI2k0xdvMGrzMYjadWIkCf1azC2FlfQYeta1G0jlh/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0226_edited-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A lone oak leaf remains on this tree</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Apples that didn't get picked provide a feast for bunnies & deer</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncoVRccALEr4Z6g-xGCFaPT8RvE4k0_UMBj5R3l8tILkJ4mtiKESFy0o6FkvCjkBUIoyALCm2C4jsH8wnnInYdKJKYQK018AdjBLay2S9tuZrLv2S3ErQE0nme7hB9NKL3CiKovth-ANH/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0228_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncoVRccALEr4Z6g-xGCFaPT8RvE4k0_UMBj5R3l8tILkJ4mtiKESFy0o6FkvCjkBUIoyALCm2C4jsH8wnnInYdKJKYQK018AdjBLay2S9tuZrLv2S3ErQE0nme7hB9NKL3CiKovth-ANH/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0228_edited-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Common mullein</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A frosty apple ornament still hanging on the tree</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Mountain ash berries -- we've found that deer love feasting on these!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgMljw523RKeluOmvcqWNh4pVqnxSrLYvVqG3BSYTXBBlcEwb4BjzSB6qvxNsX1TpiqbWp_LqVyYoXBAoudq3MifvT8UkJ7eI8kTDnfnY9XdNlHPqDhbSruqrS3Js0yZnUMg3o9q9u013/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0233_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgMljw523RKeluOmvcqWNh4pVqnxSrLYvVqG3BSYTXBBlcEwb4BjzSB6qvxNsX1TpiqbWp_LqVyYoXBAoudq3MifvT8UkJ7eI8kTDnfnY9XdNlHPqDhbSruqrS3Js0yZnUMg3o9q9u013/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0233_edited-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Frosty evergreen</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpTK9jsqPKQuTj1DplQlshMX0GwvAK11w6pXtBXjSDUTQ_Mi9J-7Qm7f63Nk7DhzRmRInEUC2ex2Zk7JPBSm6x5kJyj1Go9a9a7NXurZS8xgwlj4oTWalQbWh2x38U8Tmj5DhcnExSLEz/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0235_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpTK9jsqPKQuTj1DplQlshMX0GwvAK11w6pXtBXjSDUTQ_Mi9J-7Qm7f63Nk7DhzRmRInEUC2ex2Zk7JPBSm6x5kJyj1Go9a9a7NXurZS8xgwlj4oTWalQbWh2x38U8Tmj5DhcnExSLEz/s1600/Jan+11+2014_0235_edited-1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Enjoy the beauty of winter!</span></div>
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<br />RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-25199058353718504962013-11-09T20:03:00.001-06:002013-11-09T20:03:13.050-06:00Annual Pilgrimage to Crex Meadows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last weekend, my sister, Holly the Pibble and I piled into the car for the annual visit to Crex Meadows in Grantsburg, Wisconsin to experience the Sandhill Crane migration. I love Crex Meadows, it's one of my most favorite places in the world. I could easily spend a couple days just driving around on all the roads through the wildlife area to see what's going on. There are so many different types of habitat there, so you never know what you're going to see. We were pretty excited to see these two adult Bald Eagles sitting on an Osprey nesting platform.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIM42N_5-BYWloRJpIlCLM-_PK8Fs9Z_DHvGllZnVerodgY1mUSXiYRmqt_Etf2wDhQG5xVMuu7fDSYLeBsG_zVXQd8neST51qvxBd-iI661LeXuKFNWpLNacBkO6q6myFCCqjDy_DOrW/s1600/Nov+03+2013+042_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_898657="null" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIM42N_5-BYWloRJpIlCLM-_PK8Fs9Z_DHvGllZnVerodgY1mUSXiYRmqt_Etf2wDhQG5xVMuu7fDSYLeBsG_zVXQd8neST51qvxBd-iI661LeXuKFNWpLNacBkO6q6myFCCqjDy_DOrW/s320/Nov+03+2013+042_edited-1.jpg" width="220" zsa="true" /></a></div>
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I did manage to get a photo of this pair in flight also.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSCfw9P6kOdfkJn3U3V2u-ns2CPzGG22TtOrUszNe0k6Kg1QnyXGX3q6SusjgFkyUQ7F7WrZEfzsPgmV8FsKndYKNiES-rUtU6wJj8y5K0mO3bGO20uh6Rtlz73MKOz_LTIO0sLw06VqY/s1600/Nov+03+2013+050_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_898657="null" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSCfw9P6kOdfkJn3U3V2u-ns2CPzGG22TtOrUszNe0k6Kg1QnyXGX3q6SusjgFkyUQ7F7WrZEfzsPgmV8FsKndYKNiES-rUtU6wJj8y5K0mO3bGO20uh6Rtlz73MKOz_LTIO0sLw06VqY/s320/Nov+03+2013+050_edited-1.jpg" width="320" zsa="true" /></a></div>
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There's a lot of water in the Crex Meadows wildlife area, from lakes to rivers and small streams and creeks. This guarantees spectacular photo opportunities around almost every curve.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvwvddJriLotp0RhYYhWkDK7FYM-PI30qRtuodveN8Qb-5pd5va-RMaP2HHTtl04gf60dWNazeeFjDWdpPQT4GqbD7mjkUq_LRalgMJs5rjuy8jqHbKLFQuzYt_BHdcmIPxk_R8YZKaON/s1600/Nov+03+2013+059_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_898657="null" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvwvddJriLotp0RhYYhWkDK7FYM-PI30qRtuodveN8Qb-5pd5va-RMaP2HHTtl04gf60dWNazeeFjDWdpPQT4GqbD7mjkUq_LRalgMJs5rjuy8jqHbKLFQuzYt_BHdcmIPxk_R8YZKaON/s320/Nov+03+2013+059_edited-1.jpg" width="213" zsa="true" /></a></div>
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The tamaracks were all displaying their golden fall colors. It was neat to see them interspersed with the evergreens. (Green & gold was appropriate for this adventure in Packer land!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00gF9FK4dJl6lCVaNVFKWCymTWRJgb3TO27OUf68GI92c9gWbJFEcqKq9nP-wilyfitFTiRzBrmp3LbWcgEKmLf-7sYhNc2f0Ive49c1k4ef9P3mXikuqcx8gC4lpV9RmUej_okeRcBTX/s1600/Nov+03+2013+079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_898657="null" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00gF9FK4dJl6lCVaNVFKWCymTWRJgb3TO27OUf68GI92c9gWbJFEcqKq9nP-wilyfitFTiRzBrmp3LbWcgEKmLf-7sYhNc2f0Ive49c1k4ef9P3mXikuqcx8gC4lpV9RmUej_okeRcBTX/s320/Nov+03+2013+079.jpg" width="213" zsa="true" /></a></div>
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Holly is a very good traveler and loves any sort of new adventure. She was happy the weather was warm enough to keep her head out the window.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiozW1tzS6njizruESTT6i15DM9HUUVxGbPxVBYs-Oj1sdi1LzG_481BarnRROj4d3Pu6D-CRD8R_qYiBhupl2vrFVPKhrv7lD3YurSYQjD3sVxOHpC2RbH-RJKwtdAQIl0OQdOuL7k1i8/s1600/Nov+03+2013+082_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_898657="null" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiozW1tzS6njizruESTT6i15DM9HUUVxGbPxVBYs-Oj1sdi1LzG_481BarnRROj4d3Pu6D-CRD8R_qYiBhupl2vrFVPKhrv7lD3YurSYQjD3sVxOHpC2RbH-RJKwtdAQIl0OQdOuL7k1i8/s320/Nov+03+2013+082_edited-1.jpg" width="320" zsa="true" /></a></div>
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Some parts of the wildlife area are quite boggy and this area of Wisconsin hadn't experienced a killing frost yet this fall, so I found these pretty fungi when Holly and I went off-road for a little walk. Don't know what they are, but I thought they made a really pretty photo.<br />
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Pretty yellow leaves covered the roadway in this area sheltered from the strong winds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwApmv4CCxlKmiZnblLuzR6ETVbUhVJddI1jinqksbxZdGIeOn5MZeRY_-fTBxxf_3AAqNK0tVo1REsMXbqVj-goe9TQNoVmdlrDZenSsRCfGw4YdRtj6GCuclt4c5zbhw45zGVdNgaoj_/s1600/Nov+03+2013+086_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_898657="null" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwApmv4CCxlKmiZnblLuzR6ETVbUhVJddI1jinqksbxZdGIeOn5MZeRY_-fTBxxf_3AAqNK0tVo1REsMXbqVj-goe9TQNoVmdlrDZenSsRCfGw4YdRtj6GCuclt4c5zbhw45zGVdNgaoj_/s320/Nov+03+2013+086_edited-1.jpg" width="320" zsa="true" /></a></div>
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And, of course we saw the sandhill cranes. They are one of my favorite birds and I was thrilled to see this pair standing in an open field close to the road.</div>
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And there were plenty of flock flyovers also. Such beautiful birds in flight. I never get tired of watching them and even though this was a really quick and short trip, I'm glad we took the time to visit Crex Meadows again.<br />
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-66658399753818940872013-04-28T18:17:00.003-05:002013-04-28T18:18:47.471-05:00Holly the Pibble Rocks (& Walks!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next Saturday (May 4th) we're scheduled to participate in our second pet walk fundraiser for the shelter we got Holly from. The theme for this years' walk is "Rescue Rocks" and they've got a very cool t-shirt design to go commemorate the walk. (I even found an awesome bandana for Holly to wear that coordinates nicely with the t-shirt design.) </div>
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This post is to let you know about the walk and ask if any of you would like to help us reach our fundraising goal of $300 here's the link to our on-line fundraising page <a href="http://www.razoo.com/story/Holly-The-Pibble-Rocks" target="_blank">(click here).</a> We would sure appreciate your generosity if you're able to donate. Plus for any donations of $10 or more Holly will send a special thank-you gift!<br />
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Holly also has her own <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HollyThePibble" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>! If you're on Facebook, you can become a fan and get regular updates on Holly who has a much more exciting life than I do! </div>
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-39201219454138948532013-04-07T21:45:00.000-05:002013-04-07T21:49:13.621-05:00Checking out the Survey Route<div style="text-align: left;">
To maintain my active volunteer Master Naturalist status, 8 hours of continuing education and 40 hours of volunteer activity must be logged for each calendar year. Last week, my sister notified me of a Frog & Toad Survey project coming up this spring/summer and the Minnesota DNR was looking for volunteers to work on this project. I was definitely interested and checked out their website to apply for a route. Fortunately, there was a route available in rural Fillmore County, not too far from where I grew up. I sent in my application and found out late last week that I had been accepted for this route. Hooray! Since the monitoring has to be done after dark and the roads are all mostly unmarked and in a totally rural area, my sissy thought it would be a good idea for us to check out the route in the daylight. I agreed, mainly because this could also be turned into a birding trip! Mom was supposed to go along with us, but wasn't feeling well today, so Mr. Johnson & Holly went instead. </div>
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Here you go Mom -- a look at some of the sightings you missed. We'll take the drive again someday soon when you're feeling better.....</div>
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There were still some winter birds hanging around. We saw plenty of juncos and this nice horned lark who posed very nicely for us in the middle of the road.</div>
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A big surprise for me was finding the Minnesota Karst Preserve! I had read about this cave and knew it was in Fillmore County, but had never taken the time to find it. If you're a caver, or have any interest in caving at all, you will want to read the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Opening-Goliath-Danger-Discovery-Caving/dp/0873516494/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top">"Opening Goliath"</a> which takes place at this very site in Southeastern Minnesota.<br />
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While we were at the intersection of the Minnesota Karst Preserver and the turn to our next survey spot, Mr. Johnson spotted this large bird in the trees just ahead. Could it be a Red-Tailed Hawk?<br />
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Yes, indeed! Right on cue, this beautiful raptor made its distinctive "keeeyahh" call and took off from its perch so I started snapping pictures. I especially love being able to capture these "in flight" shots!<br />
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There used to be a farmstead here, all that remains is the foundation of a barn and this windmill.<br />
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We drove through all types of habitat on this route -- tilled farmland, grasslands, and even some woods. My observant sissy spotted this deer in the woods. She's got good eyes, until this deer moved, it had blended in so well, I almost missed it.</div>
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In another tree near an old cemetery, a Rough Legged Hawk was perched. Of course it decided to fly away as soon as the car slowed down, but I still managed to snap a few photos -- here's the best one.<br />
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The end of our survey route was pretty close to Preston, so we stopped for an early supper at our favorite restaurant, <a href="http://brandingironmn.com/">The Branding Iron</a>. We had a really fun afternoon and were glad that we took the time to explore this route in the light of day because it's going to be a little tougher in the darkness of this totally rural area. We thought our adventures were done for the day and my camera and binoculars were already stowed away in the trunk, but on our drive home, Mr. Johnson spotted something in the ditch. We stopped the car so I could get the camera out and then turned around to see if I could get photos of this last and best sighting of the day.<br />
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There it is! Can you see that big dark spot in the ditch? A Turkey Vulture feasting on a dead deer!<br />
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Aw cool! Of course, it didn't want to stick around with a car driving past slowly.<br />
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By this time I had my car window rolled down and I was halfway out the window snapping pictures as fast as my camera could go.<br />
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Because you see, it's not very often you get the chance to photograph a Turkey Vulture up close, and certainly not with the sunset shining through its wings!<br />
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I know some people think they're ugly and horrible birds, but I also know for a fact that there are many of us who think they're fascinating and beautiful birds. <br />
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What an awesome way to end a very special birding adventure with my loved ones. </div>
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-76313278465836255092013-03-14T19:59:00.000-05:002013-03-15T06:23:00.630-05:00Late Winter Birding Drive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After what seemed to be a fairly mild winter earlier in the season, February and March have decided to make up for the winter snows and weather we didn't receive in December & January. The winter blues are really starting to set in so a couple weeks ago, we decided to take advantage of a sunny Sunday afternoon to go for a birding drive (with a stop at the yarn store, of course). It's a good thing my favorite yarn store is in Winona & right on the Mississippi River as that gives us a good excuse to take my favorite birding drive through the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area for waterfowl viewing and then up the river road on the way home for eagle watching. Here are some of the pictorial highlights from our Sunday afternoon drive......</div>
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A pair of Tundra Swans have spent the winter again in the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area. They were in exactly the same area as last winter. Pretty cool!</div>
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There were some ducks in this little patch of open water also. I was excited to see this Northern Pintail as it's been quite a few years since I've seen one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQBbXR0tbv1vyO1Mgg4uCj2_7W3e5TkwDA-W4FxDXQRyHGJzy5oyRiQUYqLBRnESeaSHlZit4VmRBwZiURAGk3BvWsAFA5ctSbkz5xyikB_gEDOG7E9fUvj6vgfpzBwYdKROT_4TwbetH/s1600/Feb+24+2013+025_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQBbXR0tbv1vyO1Mgg4uCj2_7W3e5TkwDA-W4FxDXQRyHGJzy5oyRiQUYqLBRnESeaSHlZit4VmRBwZiURAGk3BvWsAFA5ctSbkz5xyikB_gEDOG7E9fUvj6vgfpzBwYdKROT_4TwbetH/s400/Feb+24+2013+025_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Driving along the Whitewater River I saw these tracks along the riverbank. I was thinking they were probably made by otters. What do you think?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hy9ArweeBbTkexOCubS1Ds1E521RZbU4K8X4wgLGPPZGpnoHqK7DzWVjnE2C90siiSFrgDOj7HFBFRP-QZ0tZFqLjNXt5JHLFKQTYQbbdr1Yh0mASfikdNQLBBgTmE-KkjGqc36bglhb/s1600/Feb+24+2013+028_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hy9ArweeBbTkexOCubS1Ds1E521RZbU4K8X4wgLGPPZGpnoHqK7DzWVjnE2C90siiSFrgDOj7HFBFRP-QZ0tZFqLjNXt5JHLFKQTYQbbdr1Yh0mASfikdNQLBBgTmE-KkjGqc36bglhb/s400/Feb+24+2013+028_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As we were driving past this one little patch of open water, I was scanning for waterfowl when something dark caught my eye in the ditch. "Back up," I ordered Mr. Johnson. As we were backing up, I got my camera ready and started snapping pictures as soon as we got past this little critter. Once I got home and started editing the photos, I was able to ID this furry little creature as a Mink. Woo-Hoo! I've never seen one in the wild before and felt extremely fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPsGw7IhfP8YdmyzBAN0mn4hLEUM4P_wyOYKaOrbkGSa-3oOkL64Ko3mecVHC-2kj2Mz2MBz_wIyx_C8Wrnw3FKr_ldRF3MoX7nOXWvyTUc49ji7mD83MFCk4_dd3Jk6t7NnsE4WuZumC/s1600/Feb+24+2013+036_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPsGw7IhfP8YdmyzBAN0mn4hLEUM4P_wyOYKaOrbkGSa-3oOkL64Ko3mecVHC-2kj2Mz2MBz_wIyx_C8Wrnw3FKr_ldRF3MoX7nOXWvyTUc49ji7mD83MFCk4_dd3Jk6t7NnsE4WuZumC/s400/Feb+24+2013+036_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Farther down the road we spotted a large hawk perched in the top of a tree, thinking it was maybe another of the numerous red-tails we'd been seeing all afternoon, I got out of the car and started walking towards the tree with my camera ready for a possible flight shot. The raptor didn't disappoint me. I was even happier when I was reviewing my shots and found out this wasn't a red-tailed hawk at all, but a Rough-Legged Hawk who only visits Minnesota in the winter!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2IWSvT3evNS-FRoysC5I-jtZMJX9UWUVJtc-EZqoRFHr5rn_-FAljfmUJsH1qMaiunpX4Ivvq7Y16t176tSnhnAn_XcA9nSzNKfo4aRJI9_FQUg6HvJfda8KG-kX4YSnUurCjmJ6BROp/s1600/Feb+24+2013+042_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2IWSvT3evNS-FRoysC5I-jtZMJX9UWUVJtc-EZqoRFHr5rn_-FAljfmUJsH1qMaiunpX4Ivvq7Y16t176tSnhnAn_XcA9nSzNKfo4aRJI9_FQUg6HvJfda8KG-kX4YSnUurCjmJ6BROp/s400/Feb+24+2013+042_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Down in Winona, there was a small patch of open water on one of their lakes going in to town. We stopped there to see if there might be any interesting waterfowl besides the usual mallards and Giant Canada Geese and there was! Here are several nice Canvasbacks, plus a Lesser Scaup.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJo_zLF_wzyMjCScuTnPSojK9em7uzdNe4R4-GgkxFvuQuQ2U8oWUOyuwDvkgWr71KLYp1LbmlvB-Z3JHSP1e_NoCGYyK8k63gT4op_I5URl_UcKcUmN0TeQv5ivdNZy8fz3SXnWh_duP/s1600/Feb+24+2013+043_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJo_zLF_wzyMjCScuTnPSojK9em7uzdNe4R4-GgkxFvuQuQ2U8oWUOyuwDvkgWr71KLYp1LbmlvB-Z3JHSP1e_NoCGYyK8k63gT4op_I5URl_UcKcUmN0TeQv5ivdNZy8fz3SXnWh_duP/s400/Feb+24+2013+043_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was really surprised to see a Coot hanging out with these ducks too. Then I read a birding report later in the week indicating that some of these ducks are already starting their spring migration. I'm glad they decided to hang out at this nice spot in Winona on the day of my visit!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmBRvfURzJeJ5P0gVZAUYiJju6eSELqQ529jXkWhceJQ5kdv3ac3QCf00Nu4f3ny2gnoIAQa5f4gmSp9pv0IxLds9g8eLXSIoLA9uhCiS0wBuHRjizEqK0kLzc8oLlZruGQN7tjfJGlcN/s1600/Feb+24+2013+047_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmBRvfURzJeJ5P0gVZAUYiJju6eSELqQ529jXkWhceJQ5kdv3ac3QCf00Nu4f3ny2gnoIAQa5f4gmSp9pv0IxLds9g8eLXSIoLA9uhCiS0wBuHRjizEqK0kLzc8oLlZruGQN7tjfJGlcN/s400/Feb+24+2013+047_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There were even some pretty interesting looking mallards mixed with the regular ones. Obvious there's been some duck hanky-panky going on here!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEyRkuNd__q3HctAniKxIj4dat17P6P9hLlhGhjt_cHooUwKMOgmLXGWXuxirW_hgDkz-iqCypJaGaS7YkNCq0Y2Ebc-B_ocQwn3wyFKr8Q3uviOO4JA6iIt3CvO645rIBB0z8F5pFoMc/s1600/Feb+24+2013+048_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEyRkuNd__q3HctAniKxIj4dat17P6P9hLlhGhjt_cHooUwKMOgmLXGWXuxirW_hgDkz-iqCypJaGaS7YkNCq0Y2Ebc-B_ocQwn3wyFKr8Q3uviOO4JA6iIt3CvO645rIBB0z8F5pFoMc/s400/Feb+24+2013+048_edited-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The mallard hen seemed pretty happy with her dapper looking, multi-colored mate. And I was happy with how nicely they posed for my camera!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdvhRTGnlgC-yWCDQOssG7Wek_PTC2m_5XzaPOtJdDusYFnCPmjyoevB80MMLywoSDpTjUdeXMB_wryl3vq1_kN9YuiX3Lqd9TuYYpXpe6M_f1B-XVD9g4jOPkwPYfM1GpQUnlz1Rb3kU/s1600/Feb+24+2013+062_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdvhRTGnlgC-yWCDQOssG7Wek_PTC2m_5XzaPOtJdDusYFnCPmjyoevB80MMLywoSDpTjUdeXMB_wryl3vq1_kN9YuiX3Lqd9TuYYpXpe6M_f1B-XVD9g4jOPkwPYfM1GpQUnlz1Rb3kU/s400/Feb+24+2013+062_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was getting late in the afternoon and close to sundown by the time we finally started up the river road towards home, so the light wasn't the best for pictures anymore, but I did manage to get this one shot of an eagle fishing for its supper in the Mississippi. There were so many eagles in this area, but most of them were hanging out on the ice at the far side of the open water, and beyond the adequate focus reach of my 300 mm camera lens.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4rqSdbBzUIHfQkDY4ZHIlAuD4CgVzmegCvVLctfmG8tfMNqH9pzXXRZwo-ivhjGHvcdhauGYClmSmfGZZwhdzeOdbkCVC8ZXnsmOBwR8iHE0jzIbvwlloHB3vS8kSoePdVKWsBlPnJxV/s1600/Feb+24+2013+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4rqSdbBzUIHfQkDY4ZHIlAuD4CgVzmegCvVLctfmG8tfMNqH9pzXXRZwo-ivhjGHvcdhauGYClmSmfGZZwhdzeOdbkCVC8ZXnsmOBwR8iHE0jzIbvwlloHB3vS8kSoePdVKWsBlPnJxV/s400/Feb+24+2013+057.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Train tracks also run parallel to the river road, and we usually see at least one train. This day's train was a long one and the engines were working pretty hard to get all the cars up this gradual incline. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdoJN_FCw1RG4h5v6O5NwE__NgXj4NFCWyMiSa_cD38Ri_LU_rzIGyNhk-tH6MzsybPsQrNDIHNYwsu7Zwu6_yRZPyPYEN8-5rLTEY0faew1Q14tVN0FXIR0Amjbar1EtakL3GSUUe9zy/s1600/Feb+25+2013+001_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdoJN_FCw1RG4h5v6O5NwE__NgXj4NFCWyMiSa_cD38Ri_LU_rzIGyNhk-tH6MzsybPsQrNDIHNYwsu7Zwu6_yRZPyPYEN8-5rLTEY0faew1Q14tVN0FXIR0Amjbar1EtakL3GSUUe9zy/s400/Feb+25+2013+001_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And of course, Holly had a great time. Even though the temps were only in the 20s, we were going slow enough that she was able to have her head out the window. She loves the wind in her face and being able to smell all the wild things outside.</div>
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I see by my ticker at the top of this blog that there's only a few days until the first day of spring. Hard to believe it this year, especially with the 20+ inches of snow we've already received in March and much more predicted for the next week. I'll be very happy when spring weather and birds finally arrive this year!</div>
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-19367487877584556222013-01-24T21:30:00.000-06:002013-01-24T21:30:48.898-06:00Holly The Donor Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you're a regular reader of my blog posts, you all probably know that being a blood donor is a pretty big deal for me. I'm hoping to get my 16 gallon pin with my upcoming donation on Valentine's Day. Every 2 months, Mr Johnson and I have a "date nite" at Mayo Clinic's Blood Donor Center. Their donor center is open evenings the 2nd Thursday of every month, so we plan for an evening out with a good meal at a restaurant and then go to donate a unit of blood from each of us. Our dessert that nite is the free cookies at the donor center! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmIzYhfZZoPvCv7DEB9SMCUn_AEB85ucV2OuHgQYQnih4YiSw0AW6VY-MiV_iPPtYgR6c8MipS729goFzkOqpFyP060fkv7tj7mpS8Pn07jPDs6m_6hmiMMWLKBrfQZnugDNBTGtxF26q/s1600/2009+12+15+001_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmIzYhfZZoPvCv7DEB9SMCUn_AEB85ucV2OuHgQYQnih4YiSw0AW6VY-MiV_iPPtYgR6c8MipS729goFzkOqpFyP060fkv7tj7mpS8Pn07jPDs6m_6hmiMMWLKBrfQZnugDNBTGtxF26q/s320/2009+12+15+001_edited-1.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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So in keeping with the spirit of being a blood donor family, I decided (after reading some stories about blood donor dogs) to contact the local emergency vet clinic to see if they were looking for blood donor dogs and whether we could have Holly tested as a donor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC0osze0OO3V4try7j3kZzcpDz7t8xRwdozTydUAEfmsCNGs85Ugq4HPR-ozPJpmcpKHQj_FMCMT4Pu6VuRH7YJzjRMICOGPncDdUKuRXbvWwVj8ui8pZSmZqR1yD_Z1nO5fdcv6NVtrJ/s1600/Dec+17+2012+008_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC0osze0OO3V4try7j3kZzcpDz7t8xRwdozTydUAEfmsCNGs85Ugq4HPR-ozPJpmcpKHQj_FMCMT4Pu6VuRH7YJzjRMICOGPncDdUKuRXbvWwVj8ui8pZSmZqR1yD_Z1nO5fdcv6NVtrJ/s320/Dec+17+2012+008_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the articles I had read mentioned that bigger dogs, like boxers and German shepherds, were generally good candidates for being donor dogs and more likely to be positive as universal donors. Since Holly supposedly is a boxer mix (according to the information we received from the shelter), I thought I would volunteer her services as a potential donor dog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiRMbbwuq6077DAWMLTb3tdWl-_yrAn8J-hJR87E-XRUlNqy9RTSdbYyGUyzVN08KFlLx3S9eI4EV1W6iDPW5bPIJkOhg4KhyphenhyphenwAYBu0CLK0DTFD1fHqW8S7O1LwQb589y1L5CAQo4aem0/s1600/Dec+17+2012+003_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiRMbbwuq6077DAWMLTb3tdWl-_yrAn8J-hJR87E-XRUlNqy9RTSdbYyGUyzVN08KFlLx3S9eI4EV1W6iDPW5bPIJkOhg4KhyphenhyphenwAYBu0CLK0DTFD1fHqW8S7O1LwQb589y1L5CAQo4aem0/s320/Dec+17+2012+003_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Several weeks after the initial phone call, one of the vets from the Affiliated Emergency Vet Clinic in Rochester called me back and asked for more information on Holly and to schedule her to come in for some blood tests to see if she would be a compatible donor. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwWB-TfWbV2_vnKw4nc7BEa4TSrZiVpINGO2o7lHH7ObhclxnaPlwLWCJO9Wf3daOOZB0jOAGHW2KiC6VhHuP_XIefwRPEInKQSHTXJ_hNCops8H7rFFUMDAIPF2YQ5ZSkiRHsNlW8nOb/s1600/Dec+17+2012+009_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwWB-TfWbV2_vnKw4nc7BEa4TSrZiVpINGO2o7lHH7ObhclxnaPlwLWCJO9Wf3daOOZB0jOAGHW2KiC6VhHuP_XIefwRPEInKQSHTXJ_hNCops8H7rFFUMDAIPF2YQ5ZSkiRHsNlW8nOb/s320/Dec+17+2012+009_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I wasn't able to accompany Holly back to the blood drawing area, but asked one of the technicians to take photos with my camera. I'm always so proud of Holly and how well-behaved she is at the vet and around people she's never met before. When the vet tech took hold of Holly's leash to go back for the blood draw, Holly just went right along with her -- without even a backwards <em>"help, save me!"</em> glance to me & her dad.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtphCQf8oNlNVhOVShUWix9mZdYTtqb-7AUgdTcOPSXfpaX6ajV0Uv00bvD12XXGJDG3RwNapg5ozYOx7_r_XPevVSSZAhW8h0Rl9v7E4m4HspTyt-EjskTuRjX-3zwDxkO62LhFokIhpQ/s1600/Dec+17+2012+010_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtphCQf8oNlNVhOVShUWix9mZdYTtqb-7AUgdTcOPSXfpaX6ajV0Uv00bvD12XXGJDG3RwNapg5ozYOx7_r_XPevVSSZAhW8h0Rl9v7E4m4HspTyt-EjskTuRjX-3zwDxkO62LhFokIhpQ/s320/Dec+17+2012+010_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Holly is an exemplary patient! No squirming or fidgeting and never any worries about having to muzzle her either. I could hear the vet techs through the door and they were just adoring her. I'm sure Holly just loved all the attention!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8qy-2eRJ6b9fzzj5QWnKrIDA197XqY0qX2LWxlG_Xqs6QWLLFeaqq1ntSN7X7dsQivW12HghA0UPCJ0SAJAZGMNxU5oZ0z98A_wtN1DEsJ-IM_d3ttJ3_T1sCZC4RP2yjKCC3XsWPGHo/s1600/Dec+17+2012+012_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8qy-2eRJ6b9fzzj5QWnKrIDA197XqY0qX2LWxlG_Xqs6QWLLFeaqq1ntSN7X7dsQivW12HghA0UPCJ0SAJAZGMNxU5oZ0z98A_wtN1DEsJ-IM_d3ttJ3_T1sCZC4RP2yjKCC3XsWPGHo/s320/Dec+17+2012+012_edited-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So after a couple weeks (and right before Holly's birthday celebration on January 1st), we got the report we were hoping for. Holly's blood type was DEA1-Negative, DEA4-Positive, DEA7-Negative. The interpretation of that is as follows: <br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><strong>DEA4-Positive only</strong> (negative for all other canine RBC antigens) <strong>is IDEAL.</strong> <strong>Universal Blood Donor</strong> (can received blood only from dogs of the same blood type)</span></div>
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So Holly's now at the top of the emergency vet clinic's blood donor list! They were happy at the clinic to finally have a donor dog in the Rochester area with the ability to get the clinic within minutes should an emergency situation arise where a dog needed blood immediately. Prior to this, one of the techs would have to make a 2-hour round trip drive to the Twin Cities when blood for a transfusion was needed. And I was happy that Holly has the chance to be a blood donor hero and help save the life of someone else's beloved doggie. I think we are very lucky to have adopted this sweet pitbull mix from the shelter, don't you?<br />
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-59967067989787333372013-01-20T19:59:00.004-06:002013-01-20T20:02:07.533-06:00Let's Eat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My friend Lynne gave me this little round mesh birdfeeder a few years ago. It's designed to feed black oil sunflower seeds, but I fill it with cardinal mix (containing sunflower seeds -- shelled & whole, safflower seeds, and shelled peanuts). All of the birdies love this feeder and to alleviate the mess of shells on the patio below, I added a tray feeder beneath to help catch the mess, plus it give the birds another place for dining. I have this feeder hanging right outside the dining room window so I can enjoy the view of the amazing variety of birds the feeder attracts.</div>
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Red-Bellied Woodpecker (male)</div>
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Pine Siskins really love it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GYr71IgoQv0U9x4AY_rR4RKJPps6T1Q-Rkbyk8Eb4JEzb5i0ynbxnhxDeNNXcKdfF_GkcJRBc4VMXPlG-fUZVa3rXFqrx0lH1Qmwbt25s0bsozcFdjOA4pyTLgxstFIpLMWuZEnTPRMk/s1600/Jan+01+2013+001_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GYr71IgoQv0U9x4AY_rR4RKJPps6T1Q-Rkbyk8Eb4JEzb5i0ynbxnhxDeNNXcKdfF_GkcJRBc4VMXPlG-fUZVa3rXFqrx0lH1Qmwbt25s0bsozcFdjOA4pyTLgxstFIpLMWuZEnTPRMk/s400/Jan+01+2013+001_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pine Siskin & Cardinal</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPxHa0aPCtTKeQ77gQidRW-NpOA4IcGJ09sr97UJnJurzRBiGLolZKF_ecU-fRldEWUbNo_mVWYRx6dLzmpY10wcGy-8CuQG_X5-wU7kEOohP3BOtsugsHK3cVbTuqSYgD0RTQL6ipDNl/s1600/Jan+01+2013+019_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPxHa0aPCtTKeQ77gQidRW-NpOA4IcGJ09sr97UJnJurzRBiGLolZKF_ecU-fRldEWUbNo_mVWYRx6dLzmpY10wcGy-8CuQG_X5-wU7kEOohP3BOtsugsHK3cVbTuqSYgD0RTQL6ipDNl/s400/Jan+01+2013+019_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Black-Capped Chickadee & Downy Woodpecker</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKK9HhCaQlGSX2lLQC9LDXH3IiLj-NE5IoI5oq-xJLmMIqNaToH7P9_Vzj4k_E3u7ib6auiiWuUarNpnzrbMF4idC5seXMKvrMdlyaYkmsxS9IqniINBPJi7UUVTuWYHZBr5cv4XsshF1e/s1600/Jan+01+2013+014_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKK9HhCaQlGSX2lLQC9LDXH3IiLj-NE5IoI5oq-xJLmMIqNaToH7P9_Vzj4k_E3u7ib6auiiWuUarNpnzrbMF4idC5seXMKvrMdlyaYkmsxS9IqniINBPJi7UUVTuWYHZBr5cv4XsshF1e/s400/Jan+01+2013+014_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Female Cardinal & House Sparrows</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fRoNesLtRS9giZONV7Z053QqW6hKed5V5cPmlqC-UGWauHdx8Kk9WF8ZqIO0t2GFsJmdndjicDeorTVQF4JAULtrTKxdk4qU6Y8I9fRFAwf1coTzHyQ9V22uQiM5Fc5WOOlw6o6rYwPe/s1600/Jan+01+2013+012_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fRoNesLtRS9giZONV7Z053QqW6hKed5V5cPmlqC-UGWauHdx8Kk9WF8ZqIO0t2GFsJmdndjicDeorTVQF4JAULtrTKxdk4qU6Y8I9fRFAwf1coTzHyQ9V22uQiM5Fc5WOOlw6o6rYwPe/s400/Jan+01+2013+012_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Goldfinches</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp1UUvXIIkwX6ea5PV4QE_o-0KV_C7bQ6cAwYd9pWlHNeg-eGOhlV8LhMuzBAQLBckd_SrbhFO2g6IATk9ZgnkFlLy_Csiik1t_-J-Oy-UMZYJMXPrkw5G2B5Nz0scheS-Rujhq3tIL9R/s1600/Dec+20+2012+003_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp1UUvXIIkwX6ea5PV4QE_o-0KV_C7bQ6cAwYd9pWlHNeg-eGOhlV8LhMuzBAQLBckd_SrbhFO2g6IATk9ZgnkFlLy_Csiik1t_-J-Oy-UMZYJMXPrkw5G2B5Nz0scheS-Rujhq3tIL9R/s400/Dec+20+2012+003_edited-1.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
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More Goldfinches</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaKDYw4osLTIcdY9vKzCnKm7zARMTyV9l8oYf3pWodtniXuDBrB537qgX4VPlOQXPXODV2fl9oWH_7wfJMPVdN1rsBSUOPUyZLvx4wYCq8Qrt6DJMHMgzYg40t4ZoWK7yCaph-dFyc4Ar/s1600/Dec+20+2012+013_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaKDYw4osLTIcdY9vKzCnKm7zARMTyV9l8oYf3pWodtniXuDBrB537qgX4VPlOQXPXODV2fl9oWH_7wfJMPVdN1rsBSUOPUyZLvx4wYCq8Qrt6DJMHMgzYg40t4ZoWK7yCaph-dFyc4Ar/s400/Dec+20+2012+013_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stereo Chickadees</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCApdhwabktcyQojQjUJM0VfBj1ICRJ2Na70n9-YVGh9JcXkIYllHEnE3nUrwvMdRyNajWxd1ZQqWH5VkdvqrptHwrq2GXFTf0oY5DLB211uTM-SsPKwa1V_mF5ODKLInVtZKhqLwsawj/s1600/Dec+20+2012+022_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCApdhwabktcyQojQjUJM0VfBj1ICRJ2Na70n9-YVGh9JcXkIYllHEnE3nUrwvMdRyNajWxd1ZQqWH5VkdvqrptHwrq2GXFTf0oY5DLB211uTM-SsPKwa1V_mF5ODKLInVtZKhqLwsawj/s400/Dec+20+2012+022_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thanks for this feeder Lynne! My birds and I really enjoy it!</div>
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-1650243499734458072013-01-17T07:19:00.000-06:002013-01-17T07:21:03.196-06:00Winter Visitors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJgzL-ibGZUpFR9rBeNe2WKT6JpqFGHvE5nCo32mK9WaQbqJ9PeO6wjSM1D3daqyMGj74e7n-LN_9X_Yqt_YNsFWscb41vVzrxw2pMklR488sgJiRbjgh8fk-hA5idy7NKoOGSr0mZNQ7/s1600/Cedar+Waxwings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJgzL-ibGZUpFR9rBeNe2WKT6JpqFGHvE5nCo32mK9WaQbqJ9PeO6wjSM1D3daqyMGj74e7n-LN_9X_Yqt_YNsFWscb41vVzrxw2pMklR488sgJiRbjgh8fk-hA5idy7NKoOGSr0mZNQ7/s400/Cedar+Waxwings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This past Tuesday was a beautiful and sunny mid-January day -- especially when you think of how awful January in Minnesota could be (and has been in the past). While I had Holly out in the backyard for her potty break, I heard the unmistakable call of Cedar Waxwings. Looking around I saw this small flock perched in the top of one of my crabapple trees. I was thankful to see that they stuck around long enough for me to grab my camera and even continued posing while I walked around the yard to take advantage of the last afternoon sunshine and capture a photo of them in the best light. I love Cedar Waxwings and what a treat to see them in the middle of winter!<br />
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<br />RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-53325115192545905702012-12-17T20:46:00.000-06:002012-12-17T20:47:23.166-06:00Nocturnal Surprises<em><span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>Squirrel, these are for you..... :-) </strong></span></em><br />
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Since archery deer hunting season is coming to a close, Mr. Johnson decided to bring his trail camera home and put it up in the backyard. The corn trays have been emptied nightly and we wanted to see just exactly when and how many nocturnal visitors were showing up in the backyard. NOTES: the date & time stamps on the photos aren't correct -- these photos were taken from Sunday nite (12/16) into Monday morning (12/17). Also, these photos were taken about 5 yards from our basement walk-out patio door.... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pkVTWj7efmJRZyy8jYNR9JImjZraOO4w4JY1hrvAm51Tyqc-AZqAnZq2nc5RO1dgxtrJ_SCCucEFrTHIAC0aF5EfKjkPn83P65oPb-3ErhgGAOFoS6okhov04gPLQo3oSKYSgoMowTUy/s1600/Jan+03+2010+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pkVTWj7efmJRZyy8jYNR9JImjZraOO4w4JY1hrvAm51Tyqc-AZqAnZq2nc5RO1dgxtrJ_SCCucEFrTHIAC0aF5EfKjkPn83P65oPb-3ErhgGAOFoS6okhov04gPLQo3oSKYSgoMowTUy/s320/Jan+03+2010+019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With our current point restrictions, this isn't a legal buck, but he might be a good one to watch our for next season...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOTK9wtCzr_qSgTse5vdXPSeruTSfCt1deFoIJ5jaITp9Ylt6pGTmSNQxAzVnMyiVt5pdAsrHWIcT3BerVF71OYdmMoROhnAUheanUOH8LDZne7jQUxxbmdRarEkOceJYhsGpwdWFTau3/s1600/Jan+03+2010+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOTK9wtCzr_qSgTse5vdXPSeruTSfCt1deFoIJ5jaITp9Ylt6pGTmSNQxAzVnMyiVt5pdAsrHWIcT3BerVF71OYdmMoROhnAUheanUOH8LDZne7jQUxxbmdRarEkOceJYhsGpwdWFTau3/s320/Jan+03+2010+023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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oh, hello! more visitors arriving.... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTeL58aHw46wyDvPMWnnrEXYucKqJNLPwqB6iA1nNaaLTY80VliCfiiYcJzZmTLRbocN2G27OMGi3tBGxbTlUDhiQ4CPEqAyJC962Q1C03CM5U0peAlW4XpjBHl-U-Y39XaURl0nUmfvK/s1600/Jan+03+2010+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTeL58aHw46wyDvPMWnnrEXYucKqJNLPwqB6iA1nNaaLTY80VliCfiiYcJzZmTLRbocN2G27OMGi3tBGxbTlUDhiQ4CPEqAyJC962Q1C03CM5U0peAlW4XpjBHl-U-Y39XaURl0nUmfvK/s320/Jan+03+2010+024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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hungry!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB5OW1XoyBycxpPh1rkvWHQRHgcqu9roNpyUCGnKedp10FeRnAcHwDU71MI5k-SmfnFugmOpBMq0CdGpHCKrRa8ghFKTaaYBV0Z4j0uKNl5SG2ChjS7y6RoW5_O2jErs-4u3dA8aA_EIx/s1600/Jan+03+2010+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB5OW1XoyBycxpPh1rkvWHQRHgcqu9roNpyUCGnKedp10FeRnAcHwDU71MI5k-SmfnFugmOpBMq0CdGpHCKrRa8ghFKTaaYBV0Z4j0uKNl5SG2ChjS7y6RoW5_O2jErs-4u3dA8aA_EIx/s320/Jan+03+2010+025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think there's only room for 1 buck here!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5JyiLOlrnOAEw8e0r_oxKW6PZUapuL6IujSh3QvAF_q5H9_s-TsgxMS-_5HAnV3jtn0qJLZLkhM9s4NItb5IvRrrVgKEVfDr49jaie28Cc-C4a42zbCcc-uD7B1Us5nqN_Jv41SySs-B/s1600/Jan+03+2010+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5JyiLOlrnOAEw8e0r_oxKW6PZUapuL6IujSh3QvAF_q5H9_s-TsgxMS-_5HAnV3jtn0qJLZLkhM9s4NItb5IvRrrVgKEVfDr49jaie28Cc-C4a42zbCcc-uD7B1Us5nqN_Jv41SySs-B/s320/Jan+03+2010+033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In all photos of this guy, he seems to be favoring his left hind leg</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7dpxebPnPR9EkHhCSwIQfBQSNjO43_qFp-_3CWEuQSz-j_dVeMGmw8agKY8UUyF1vdTJ3ldd1kowA6ynIyF6UBDmJZXn8hHDNvpHMUs2bc0u8hpco7HZerahoQGftK8_iKOHhnT1u1dH/s1600/Jan+03+2010+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7dpxebPnPR9EkHhCSwIQfBQSNjO43_qFp-_3CWEuQSz-j_dVeMGmw8agKY8UUyF1vdTJ3ldd1kowA6ynIyF6UBDmJZXn8hHDNvpHMUs2bc0u8hpco7HZerahoQGftK8_iKOHhnT1u1dH/s320/Jan+03+2010+051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looks like there's something wrong with his "knee"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3SYpiK3_i2g5W95OfhEH7zpB85O6IX1v7AYeBqv7yat7rU8ueVuJ3O4jz6OZrzFYeRCczSC2_g8R-k-sDQ-U9RitZQj50LatG_YohKNASdGXTGq57G381rgbCpQc9BztV0X4HFbWdh60/s1600/Jan+03+2010+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3SYpiK3_i2g5W95OfhEH7zpB85O6IX1v7AYeBqv7yat7rU8ueVuJ3O4jz6OZrzFYeRCczSC2_g8R-k-sDQ-U9RitZQj50LatG_YohKNASdGXTGq57G381rgbCpQc9BztV0X4HFbWdh60/s320/Jan+03+2010+052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's obviously swollen and it doesn't appear that he's able to put any weight on it either</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLW8LadEFWnfSlK9n02cCXLyF7rh_4d8djo_T4lI6kxBJJpTTbPgzDyjtwZE7p28iYuYY4gELQQatwi3qO-Q5P8oV6aH8FGtjylcSM16GMJmVuO7NS7X9bKB-doBPyzS7VDuu3euJ3g2Aj/s1600/Jan+03+2010+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLW8LadEFWnfSlK9n02cCXLyF7rh_4d8djo_T4lI6kxBJJpTTbPgzDyjtwZE7p28iYuYY4gELQQatwi3qO-Q5P8oV6aH8FGtjylcSM16GMJmVuO7NS7X9bKB-doBPyzS7VDuu3euJ3g2Aj/s320/Jan+03+2010+056.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Checking out the suet!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vSZmEZi8dPg3YZmMwcnjBbGKHCULKobitg2WGDgZ7btQC9_5RjilGGbvZhyrJzMV5NXV89xhZ0bHartZWmt3g02JuTjohg5IAcbe25RH7i-FRnPHzeShpJkmg-jRnEYK5edXt6C7Rhyd/s1600/Jan+03+2010+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vSZmEZi8dPg3YZmMwcnjBbGKHCULKobitg2WGDgZ7btQC9_5RjilGGbvZhyrJzMV5NXV89xhZ0bHartZWmt3g02JuTjohg5IAcbe25RH7i-FRnPHzeShpJkmg-jRnEYK5edXt6C7Rhyd/s320/Jan+03+2010+057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I don't think this doe is gonna let this sorry little buck stick around for long.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPla0ShEq1CCz8X5xislQM24exbaCfL-oDRWHtdrlqy3G6UnRMWf7fkBxvtH4baqLu3l1j61SnrRqVBHFyyaqYNUqQ1izHjsfjLg1hp2xG2QDWEwekIAB3q45TMn2Y_V006T6VVlrD1CyV/s1600/Jan+03+2010+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPla0ShEq1CCz8X5xislQM24exbaCfL-oDRWHtdrlqy3G6UnRMWf7fkBxvtH4baqLu3l1j61SnrRqVBHFyyaqYNUqQ1izHjsfjLg1hp2xG2QDWEwekIAB3q45TMn2Y_V006T6VVlrD1CyV/s320/Jan+03+2010+069.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looks like this doe still has her fawns with her</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUp2OcUCohY7y8ydkc7bANNhhC0oSu4UtBJpvmtFj8rRNdLfUX2I9SddHUZt2qFAAPuzPp_W5LKVwJiplSvlu25Sd9xQXZNtGcE894BFABAndsiRQrwWERqxgt_4tRA5mtp2atSzL4EDk/s1600/Jan+03+2010+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUp2OcUCohY7y8ydkc7bANNhhC0oSu4UtBJpvmtFj8rRNdLfUX2I9SddHUZt2qFAAPuzPp_W5LKVwJiplSvlu25Sd9xQXZNtGcE894BFABAndsiRQrwWERqxgt_4tRA5mtp2atSzL4EDk/s320/Jan+03+2010+074.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can see the little antler "buttons" on the deer to the left</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk21co2c_nmdaKsZDxO2wmcNI31B-OSPT03zujvjQ8kp7BBNoCk4y4hdeBgPhl0ivzrJD3nqkFuhilw5VJlKDQey2-efT9leTae_eucFVOvzfI8sArfe3nNCsDRGOdAK5jjgJfUczimRe/s1600/Jan+03+2010+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk21co2c_nmdaKsZDxO2wmcNI31B-OSPT03zujvjQ8kp7BBNoCk4y4hdeBgPhl0ivzrJD3nqkFuhilw5VJlKDQey2-efT9leTae_eucFVOvzfI8sArfe3nNCsDRGOdAK5jjgJfUczimRe/s320/Jan+03+2010+081.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Eyes in the background......</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaETLFUwsDDWC1XIbfl8dUfZ7OpK0i334f_rOED2XBx9Xli5STiqT00mkjh0l7QQJ4ohlH17vseYZh_ZI_OvWrtdUipkF4Mu3wVkLXMaVpkjKslftVevRv12ibYcwjYSxqmpdaRHcaeHbC/s1600/Jan+03+2010+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaETLFUwsDDWC1XIbfl8dUfZ7OpK0i334f_rOED2XBx9Xli5STiqT00mkjh0l7QQJ4ohlH17vseYZh_ZI_OvWrtdUipkF4Mu3wVkLXMaVpkjKslftVevRv12ibYcwjYSxqmpdaRHcaeHbC/s320/Jan+03+2010+092.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now the deer are gone, so it's time for bunnies to clean up the leftovers.</div>
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(I didn't realize we had this many bunnies -- time for some visits by the Great Horned Owl!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zeavbTNPC1jgrXpWdpJ2oSvny-yRsSVO6JxJL8b3toYAMGiWywMZQPD310mgfcdQVYhZ2CDvtK-hmud2UMZMAvqzedC9_cb6vW5EGGTyBmtUsuzmBKkBbrdAE2KLPtk4RUFnqAbtlc9l/s1600/Jan+03+2010+131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zeavbTNPC1jgrXpWdpJ2oSvny-yRsSVO6JxJL8b3toYAMGiWywMZQPD310mgfcdQVYhZ2CDvtK-hmud2UMZMAvqzedC9_cb6vW5EGGTyBmtUsuzmBKkBbrdAE2KLPtk4RUFnqAbtlc9l/s320/Jan+03+2010+131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The corn in the tray is gone, so the deer try their luck with the hanging corncobs</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPdtNtualZGPiS-2IML3NYCz9tBUaUHWGEN2d_tWzL6C27XgxIjLLYviIjv4E1D7zMhWyjRbu7fw80wodJocaAjkVl-P8eYh4se7ZRQp2xT793b1thS7Dbom_n_IhhSU4t2g_x1S-IICk/s1600/Jan+03+2010+145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPdtNtualZGPiS-2IML3NYCz9tBUaUHWGEN2d_tWzL6C27XgxIjLLYviIjv4E1D7zMhWyjRbu7fw80wodJocaAjkVl-P8eYh4se7ZRQp2xT793b1thS7Dbom_n_IhhSU4t2g_x1S-IICk/s320/Jan+03+2010+145.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is pretty challenging because the corncobs move quite easily</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVIvPsiPYvxUq5Fr0XJXUwDcONqkmgLtxRiDBrW4RW0npdPuwZt74VQzXj92pmVKdomLntHcK4GGJTSy6XV4PIJx4Vuo2rom-8DjWHIsPwj-vVwbLBf1Lu8ZDgVhSfdJYJovpYp-Zz7KQ/s1600/Jan+03+2010+152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVIvPsiPYvxUq5Fr0XJXUwDcONqkmgLtxRiDBrW4RW0npdPuwZt74VQzXj92pmVKdomLntHcK4GGJTSy6XV4PIJx4Vuo2rom-8DjWHIsPwj-vVwbLBf1Lu8ZDgVhSfdJYJovpYp-Zz7KQ/s320/Jan+03+2010+152.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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it's kind of like "bobbing for apples"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrj1mqKGWEJxSeo0jxBBrccU-cL9ziSYz2auds2hNgnwcPZgxPqadS68J_UwN9LVgnwDXvbyjgofDh0QFr1TFqjFantTG0P9hBZscGMXQCKVxBeGXZYmh_XFRhKzWS5k-taiwBC5xjycR/s1600/Jan+03+2010+155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrj1mqKGWEJxSeo0jxBBrccU-cL9ziSYz2auds2hNgnwcPZgxPqadS68J_UwN9LVgnwDXvbyjgofDh0QFr1TFqjFantTG0P9hBZscGMXQCKVxBeGXZYmh_XFRhKzWS5k-taiwBC5xjycR/s320/Jan+03+2010+155.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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there! finally got it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVK_cfdEt0Exu0xBekp4_qT72u4cxFFgUWOL45JhBqMsYf0km9ZwNNXdz1p2QIROeGQNycAElXVhzwbZIcJcNkxrIHK9n73RMiwORNprHOPhWY5knEhyXbtKRY6rcs90q7915dhoC9t-i5/s1600/Jan+03+2010+166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVK_cfdEt0Exu0xBekp4_qT72u4cxFFgUWOL45JhBqMsYf0km9ZwNNXdz1p2QIROeGQNycAElXVhzwbZIcJcNkxrIHK9n73RMiwORNprHOPhWY5knEhyXbtKRY6rcs90q7915dhoC9t-i5/s320/Jan+03+2010+166.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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nom, nom, nom</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-JZ2Xz2eaQFSMXh-EnMAisSs-kmnwMkcOqoIX0hhh2OON3mZv39uoruVKuA0OL3cSDHqDQa4zcnT7v1jrrektvSM-UdmghLSfaMCShWWj2wFX1-_CRXEbP9BD3hbsQn6V-ZoSGMxD9QD/s1600/Jan+03+2010+190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-JZ2Xz2eaQFSMXh-EnMAisSs-kmnwMkcOqoIX0hhh2OON3mZv39uoruVKuA0OL3cSDHqDQa4zcnT7v1jrrektvSM-UdmghLSfaMCShWWj2wFX1-_CRXEbP9BD3hbsQn6V-ZoSGMxD9QD/s320/Jan+03+2010+190.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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here's another buck!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXhyphenhyphenpsRVA81duedXqtt8LCObI9qEWSzJ3Tn6c_goJFbve74KfnDYP23eJqEOrLHbik4X8He2wFvj6pto9EHygjFTsb6H7kprzho3Ffu3MzglCrCR7zRCQTUYtPFE_CcqLR5_XlhUKaYYW/s1600/Jan+03+2010+191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXhyphenhyphenpsRVA81duedXqtt8LCObI9qEWSzJ3Tn6c_goJFbve74KfnDYP23eJqEOrLHbik4X8He2wFvj6pto9EHygjFTsb6H7kprzho3Ffu3MzglCrCR7zRCQTUYtPFE_CcqLR5_XlhUKaYYW/s320/Jan+03+2010+191.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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this makes a total of 3 different bucks visiting in just one evening</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQRVTLy-n_Mdg79SonHr9sZGdK3t0xg-IP-_gQqqaePGNmFdsdPdaftWKeoDj_uOVlXyAaX8XVjB3ySJcuIQp5P4d1VoCz6dJboyl24bUmUMj12zcyvhqtDzw785UbZFxI4qsNGXmR7Tb/s1600/Jan+03+2010+250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQRVTLy-n_Mdg79SonHr9sZGdK3t0xg-IP-_gQqqaePGNmFdsdPdaftWKeoDj_uOVlXyAaX8XVjB3ySJcuIQp5P4d1VoCz6dJboyl24bUmUMj12zcyvhqtDzw785UbZFxI4qsNGXmR7Tb/s320/Jan+03+2010+250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bunny acrobatics</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pn2JjnEE4O3uwqeadx88ckBOXM6gan-gvE874XkvR9E40GD3Nr0Z3IjxkNsV05Hd0KlX7mxHCUu0kqLYBZlrYNu5YdmoAxmwoSFALXAbU_zyHgRgPVEtm9TPHhmCFd-WJUT7at3RQRY4/s1600/Jan+03+2010+252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pn2JjnEE4O3uwqeadx88ckBOXM6gan-gvE874XkvR9E40GD3Nr0Z3IjxkNsV05Hd0KlX7mxHCUu0kqLYBZlrYNu5YdmoAxmwoSFALXAbU_zyHgRgPVEtm9TPHhmCFd-WJUT7at3RQRY4/s320/Jan+03+2010+252.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This hanging corn feeder was designed for squirrels. They're really the only critter that's able to reach up to grab the corncob with their little paws and successfully munch on the corn. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFz5wK0-fpfIZQhDR9S5OLXICqC4yxqbs59RsEHhyphenhyphenqsvN0wHyMaEtErzasEeea1TCS4VTfzYiUdSHxO5gfeGgnTV2Is2aARyIHHv3ZQVA7eipC9c6IoOC054QIedyqz9nLGGoY7jBV48A8/s1600/Jan+03+2010+266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFz5wK0-fpfIZQhDR9S5OLXICqC4yxqbs59RsEHhyphenhyphenqsvN0wHyMaEtErzasEeea1TCS4VTfzYiUdSHxO5gfeGgnTV2Is2aARyIHHv3ZQVA7eipC9c6IoOC054QIedyqz9nLGGoY7jBV48A8/s320/Jan+03+2010+266.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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but the lack of "hands" doesn't stop this bunny from trying!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jxoTXXvoCvmBv8h1pNagzWseC-OIxgQ7BPcvb7rfO6Y6T14r2LY2EhE1HdI51gkCBo6VM0TAf8oyrVsd9GQtfLrZfDfr6TUynynAtS4ugOSQHBxEtpGiKdnZq5YCxwNwps3L4h0t_0qF/s1600/Jan+03+2010+289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jxoTXXvoCvmBv8h1pNagzWseC-OIxgQ7BPcvb7rfO6Y6T14r2LY2EhE1HdI51gkCBo6VM0TAf8oyrVsd9GQtfLrZfDfr6TUynynAtS4ugOSQHBxEtpGiKdnZq5YCxwNwps3L4h0t_0qF/s320/Jan+03+2010+289.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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the camera even captured this bluejay attempting to get some corn</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1qp6D7JsydtMXF7WW4fEoZNtw0ds0dGj0O1Or6l_jnNJiSTVBOQpbzgZBdcHtd6qBzi1ARb8T2pqDIcvew2yk9_PWCySl7CFyb7CYfRI9zp33k1mABGBjXsrjrgNPDCKSt_NAoObCDdK/s1600/Jan+03+2010+299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1qp6D7JsydtMXF7WW4fEoZNtw0ds0dGj0O1Or6l_jnNJiSTVBOQpbzgZBdcHtd6qBzi1ARb8T2pqDIcvew2yk9_PWCySl7CFyb7CYfRI9zp33k1mABGBjXsrjrgNPDCKSt_NAoObCDdK/s320/Jan+03+2010+299.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There's Holly! Out for a little walk around the yard with her dad.</div>
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-31241464997213170322012-10-23T21:45:00.000-05:002012-10-23T21:46:46.789-05:00Pileated Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the first time in many weeks, I didn't have to work last Saturday morning, so I got to be home and watch some birds. I had just gotten done starting a load of laundry and I heard the unmistakable call of a Pileated Woodpecker. I looked out the patio door and there he was -- on the suet feeder about 3 yards away!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUscazcpKrHstqKrO4MqF6FBclJwJQu4FQoU7Xgcm3unnot90kMUT3r3c67gnQyCEYAaLCFOPdJP8oBxc4e0lvaQ7QYpMvV_Qt4G0hgCYPgtdwFfl3ZmNB5n0Qezu-dOXcOr7UiCLrv_kC/s1600/Oct+21+2012+001_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUscazcpKrHstqKrO4MqF6FBclJwJQu4FQoU7Xgcm3unnot90kMUT3r3c67gnQyCEYAaLCFOPdJP8oBxc4e0lvaQ7QYpMvV_Qt4G0hgCYPgtdwFfl3ZmNB5n0Qezu-dOXcOr7UiCLrv_kC/s400/Oct+21+2012+001_edited-1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I dashed upstairs for my camera and got some good photos of him on the tree nearby. (See that nice red "mustache?" That's how you tell the males from the females -- females have a black mustache.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiASOGyfXOA7NXvAQ7-evIVjX-hKr4GhiFyfcs9S7IeP6r1RNldJy83lh9Q7KZmZQ__Gs3VJNjFhmIQkoKWP0J0Rk1820q_DoixnGsF-CCiYBXbUAhZO2SGNeaY8C3MDEb0lQ-VzmBuBd1/s1600/Oct+21+2012+002_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiASOGyfXOA7NXvAQ7-evIVjX-hKr4GhiFyfcs9S7IeP6r1RNldJy83lh9Q7KZmZQ__Gs3VJNjFhmIQkoKWP0J0Rk1820q_DoixnGsF-CCiYBXbUAhZO2SGNeaY8C3MDEb0lQ-VzmBuBd1/s400/Oct+21+2012+002_edited-1.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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And on one of the other big suet feeders in the backyard.<br />
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A female Pileated Woodpecker has been an infrequent backyard visitor in the past, but this is the first time I've seen a male here.<br />
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I'm always amazed at how huge these birds are! This suet feeder is about 12 inches long. The long tail prop on this suet feeder makes it really easy for big woodpeckers like this to spend lots of time enjoying a suet treat.<br />
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This afternoon Mr. Pileated was back again and decided to check out the "upside down" suet feeder. He had a little bit of trouble figuring out the best way to get suet from this feeder....<br />
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But he eventually managed to hang upside down and satisfy his suet cravings.<br />
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I really love these big woodpeckers and I'm so glad this guy has decided to start frequenting my backyard. He always announces his arrival with his loud call, so we get some good chances to watch him for the few minutes he's here. Fortunately I stocked up on suet a couple weeks ago and will be watching the ads for future suet sales. I would gladly spend my last dollar on suet if it guaranteed daily sightings of these awesome woodpeckers. <br />
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-81236613499081448622012-10-11T21:35:00.000-05:002012-10-11T21:38:01.651-05:00Bluebird Oasis<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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A few weeks ago while we were eating supper, some migrating bluebirds showed up at the birdbath on my deck. It was still warm and dry then, so my birdbath was getting lots of use and had gone almost empty while I was at work. You could almost see the concern on these bluebird's faces when they realized how low the water was. <br />
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"Good grief, there's not even enough here to make a splash!" they seemed to be saying.....<br />
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"We might as well leave now if this is all she's got for us!" "Wait, don't go yet," I pleaded from inside the house. "I'll leave my supper to fill the birdbath for you, if you'll just let me take a few more pictures!"<br />
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So I grabbed the water jug and slowly stepped out onto the deck and of course, they all flew away.....<br />
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But almost before I got back into the house, the bluebirds were back again!<br />
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"Oh, look how nice and full this birbath is now. Let's get cleaned up a little!"<br />
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A bright sunny afternoon turned the splashes into diamonds. <br />
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And even bluebirds can share a few cross words when it comes to sharing the bath!<br />
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But hey, that birdbath really is big enough for both of you, isn't it?<br />
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Super Splash!!</div>
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House Finch thought he needed to join the pool party, but look in the background -- more bluebirds!<br />
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And even MORE bluebirds! There were a total of 6 on my deck for a few minutes. I'm guessing it was probably a family group on their southern migration journey.<br />
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A few more splashes with chickadee enjoying a sidelines shower, and then the bluebirds were gone. <br />
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Farewell Bluebirds and safe travels to you. I'll be looking forward to your return next spring....<br />
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-15040920004222993662012-09-05T22:05:00.000-05:002012-09-05T22:07:25.945-05:00RIP Penny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday I had to call the vet and make that difficult appointment that every pet parent dreads. Poor old Penny has been in poor health for months and recently had begun having difficulty getting to the litter box, some trouble with walking, and frequent vomiting. She also slept about 22 hours of the day. I don't think she was in pain, but it had become increasingly difficult for me to see her struggle with these things each day. This is the one thing about having pets that I really, really hate! I've had to make this decision for all of my furry babies and it never, ever gets any easier. The staff at the vet clinic were so wonderful, giving us all the time we needed to say good-bye. I know Penny didn't suffer and I was able to hold her in my arms until she went to sleep. Even though that's the hardest part, it's important for me to be able to surround her with my love as she makes her final journey over the Rainbow Bridge and to repay her for the unconditional love she's given me for so many years.</div>
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Penny was 16 and a half years old -- the longest-lived kitty of all three kitties that we've had over the years. I left work early this afternoon so I could spend some time with Penny. Since it was such a lovely day, I decided we would spend her last afternoon outside. There was nothing she loved better than being outside and I only ever let her go out for a few minutes every now and then. After sniffing around and nibbling on some weeds, Penny was content to just lay in the grass and I was happy to sit with her, stroking her pretty fur and listening to her purr.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-kBOWIrefPedBZxtxLAmZ2b2cA6h-pPUDDU_huk5FSouyZsHSyyqofvE0f14GFR41MuymOkZCNoIW9Fav2c9nJQvygWAVgiwtu5F-nAQaQwUIgbODTKXk8vBTDSpb4O5lsVh9xIGMG_x/s1600/Sep+05+2012+006_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-kBOWIrefPedBZxtxLAmZ2b2cA6h-pPUDDU_huk5FSouyZsHSyyqofvE0f14GFR41MuymOkZCNoIW9Fav2c9nJQvygWAVgiwtu5F-nAQaQwUIgbODTKXk8vBTDSpb4O5lsVh9xIGMG_x/s400/Sep+05+2012+006_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Holly got to spend some time with Penny too. As Mr. Johnson and I were looking through the photo album and reminiscing about Penny's life with us, we realized that she had been a "sister" to all 4 of the dogs we've had. A lot of times Penny acted more like a dog than a cat. She was a good friend to all of our dogs, but best friends with Sophie because they were the two closest in age. They had some good times.<br />
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Silly kids!</div>
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After we got back from the vet we buried Penny in the hosta garden under the deck -- that was one of the first places she'd head to when she got outside. I found a heart-shaped field stone amongst my landscaping rocks and will take it to work tomorrow at my cemetery memorial job so my boss can get it sandblasted for Penny's final resting place.<br />
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There was one bright spot at the end of our sad day though. Right as we were ready to go in the house, the neighbors stopped over to show us their new puppy. Meet Theo! He's a sweet little boxer/pibble cross just like Holly. He's 7 weeks old and I imagine this is what Holly looked like when she was a puppy. I'm looking forward to watching Theo grow up and hope he will become a good playmate for Holly.<br />
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(If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you can see Theo's little pink tongue giving Holly a tiny kiss!)</div>
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<br />RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-84336335783486957812012-08-30T21:35:00.001-05:002012-08-30T21:44:24.924-05:00Enjoying a Few Raptor Moments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last Sunday afternoon Mr. Johnson was outside washing the car when he happened to look up and notice a big bird on the TV antenna. Because he's the well-trained spouse of a birder, he immediately came to the back door and told me to get my camera because there was a hawk on the TV antenna! I went out the garage and took this picture of the hawk back-side. Do you know what it is?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12Q1ZUn4_brcNrN5q8JnxSgaZJrz_t-ltB62xBwixYdsvAWJJSjdxjeMdGUj1N-Bu7wq8JzOzRs-dktR1loxanuVvNdjPqsCyUqZQKZlmXh5sDabrgZqc6zs3PKUwIr_U0ucLgtsWwYRv/s1600/Aug+26+2012+003_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12Q1ZUn4_brcNrN5q8JnxSgaZJrz_t-ltB62xBwixYdsvAWJJSjdxjeMdGUj1N-Bu7wq8JzOzRs-dktR1loxanuVvNdjPqsCyUqZQKZlmXh5sDabrgZqc6zs3PKUwIr_U0ucLgtsWwYRv/s400/Aug+26+2012+003_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I knew I could get a better view of this huge hawk from the deck on the other side of the house, so I went back inside and crept slowly out onto the deck. Fortunately, this hawk didn't notice my arrival.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPcWz79DS4lqDpSdmvpd2wlTTdw3_ZBYhJBbteQWQTK2QMDJ2GAZFegXUeJZpc551ifzax_XgjmT7ohcMmaDHR79ppZ1KLqydbH47FxLlNCfOCZAw4oblsASkcOuVBW459Qtyz3Dw78Ol/s1600/Aug+26+2012+005_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdPcWz79DS4lqDpSdmvpd2wlTTdw3_ZBYhJBbteQWQTK2QMDJ2GAZFegXUeJZpc551ifzax_XgjmT7ohcMmaDHR79ppZ1KLqydbH47FxLlNCfOCZAw4oblsASkcOuVBW459Qtyz3Dw78Ol/s400/Aug+26+2012+005_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The TV antenna tower is about 40 feet high, so it's an excellent observation tower if you're a hawk!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wRdMlsOfOn8BeCMVI4xDxox7IQOAAuMQj_7_yWvoSt7NTDIrUZ48NAirhyKrgLnvgQXKT9sMzX8x4j-Xa7Qa0nA6MgOsbPJAg4O0iBJDTkhLwtKAZP3bDXrAvyG3NFsHy-HI5RLT_dCo/s1600/Aug+26+2012+009_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wRdMlsOfOn8BeCMVI4xDxox7IQOAAuMQj_7_yWvoSt7NTDIrUZ48NAirhyKrgLnvgQXKT9sMzX8x4j-Xa7Qa0nA6MgOsbPJAg4O0iBJDTkhLwtKAZP3bDXrAvyG3NFsHy-HI5RLT_dCo/s400/Aug+26+2012+009_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This hawk seemd to be relaxing and just enjoying the view. If you notice on most of these pictures, its right foot isn't even clutching the antenna pole!<br />
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I noticed there weren't any squirrels hanging around the backyard bird feeders while this hawk was up there, but all the other little songbirds in the backyard were extremely vocal in their alarm calls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjOZjWIt5VLQ8o12BKebcVlIKhTgUG5YaxtTQABxa-MttiNYlcGULMhEoIIU4Ih4CVsf9xP1Rl9MzbwUQ7XfYjg4AjbfgKsFiXrpAXWouEV1V5dbVczSEe-MGNbMVLH4DRRcdVBE_493a/s1600/Aug+26+2012+014_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjOZjWIt5VLQ8o12BKebcVlIKhTgUG5YaxtTQABxa-MttiNYlcGULMhEoIIU4Ih4CVsf9xP1Rl9MzbwUQ7XfYjg4AjbfgKsFiXrpAXWouEV1V5dbVczSEe-MGNbMVLH4DRRcdVBE_493a/s400/Aug+26+2012+014_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then the hawk gave itself a mighty, all-over shake -- feathers floating away on the afternoon breeze.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9glyUTgCr-n2jNxEhCdPz7ftoqudH3Fh2-0hyphenhyphen8J3xgGg2RTO41pRrBbWUCqHfUL2U9VseEL4LiVODhGUfnqqa3b-aefPlh8t0OsLTiUENdsPw1f4_ID0kBKWc6Npk3GgpN1h3oJNEmiX/s1600/Aug+26+2012+023_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9glyUTgCr-n2jNxEhCdPz7ftoqudH3Fh2-0hyphenhyphen8J3xgGg2RTO41pRrBbWUCqHfUL2U9VseEL4LiVODhGUfnqqa3b-aefPlh8t0OsLTiUENdsPw1f4_ID0kBKWc6Npk3GgpN1h3oJNEmiX/s400/Aug+26+2012+023_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then a moment to settle the feathers and get everything back in correct position again......<br />
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And in an instant the hawk was airborne again!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5QNo1VYPrC5lSYon1yHThvyM97rxTBp1OPrxjChtYTWrYDcmb8IoUZ9CbDJuLiiSk78-PieA5mzUmkCAGyzNMotwpuZeLJyCgXekdtGmfQ2BGDDPWpQADwcjA1kai1r3EFWVXoNSfGHg/s1600/Aug+26+2012+028_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fea="true" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5QNo1VYPrC5lSYon1yHThvyM97rxTBp1OPrxjChtYTWrYDcmb8IoUZ9CbDJuLiiSk78-PieA5mzUmkCAGyzNMotwpuZeLJyCgXekdtGmfQ2BGDDPWpQADwcjA1kai1r3EFWVXoNSfGHg/s400/Aug+26+2012+028_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love the continuous shooting feature on my camera for photo opportunities like this and I was thrilled to be able to capture the majesty of this beautiful juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk in flight.<br />
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In the woods about a quarter-mile from our house, there is a mated pair of Red-Tailed Hawks that nested successfully again this year. We see them frequently during the year and this juvenile has been hanging around for several weeks now. I often hear its pitiful calls and I've seen the parents nearby, so I know it's not been abandoned yet. Plus there's an abundance of small mammals and rodents in my backyard habitat to support a family of raptors. I hope I get the chance to see this youngster up close again this summer.</div>
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-61814899224779683622012-08-29T12:00:00.000-05:002012-08-29T12:00:04.043-05:00Sunflowers & Bumble Bees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em>This post is dedicated to my dear friend Martie (the </em><a href="http://www.taossunflower.blogspot.com/"><em>Taos Sunflower</em></a><em>). I never look at a sunflower without thinking of her!</em> </div>
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I have some "volunteer" sunflowers growing in my little vegetable garden. I think the chipmunks might have had <em>a paw</em> in that.......</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYrFe501ZHpt9E14lFNoJNBs-55opo_LF-6h_cbUOgqOBMrmKD26AiHzMMWVOiQhsYl8-Tu34PcqoGhzxrumS2dplAWR3T3j_5CgFb_sFmTheebP3YYSoCpxgWnOUvjPLomfNcivInBc_/s1600/Aug+25+2012+002_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYrFe501ZHpt9E14lFNoJNBs-55opo_LF-6h_cbUOgqOBMrmKD26AiHzMMWVOiQhsYl8-Tu34PcqoGhzxrumS2dplAWR3T3j_5CgFb_sFmTheebP3YYSoCpxgWnOUvjPLomfNcivInBc_/s320/Aug+25+2012+002_edited-1.jpg" width="213" yda="true" /></a></div>
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The sunflowers don't interfere with the tomatoes or zucchini, so I let them grow because my goldfinches, cardinals and chickadees love sunflower seeds! (plus it's free seed!)<br />
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Since I don't use any pesticides, there are lots of bugs in the garden too. They don't seem to bother my veggies or flowers much -- the birds do an excellent job of the "insect extermination" chores for me. And I count on the bees to complete all pollination activities so I can grow lots of tomatoes. Mr. Bumble Bee takes this task very seriously and as you can see, he's already picked up quite a bit of pollen today!<br />
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Tomato blossoms are OK, but Mr. Bumble Bee knows that he can get the biggest "bang for his buck" on the multiple blossoms of this sunflower!<br />
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Look at him go! Making his way around the entire flower!</div>
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By the time he was ready to fly away, he had collected so much pollen on his back legs that he could barely fly! He really had to work at getting up some speed for the journey to his pollen storage facility. (What do they do with that pollen anyway??)<br />
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Finally got the landing gear retracted and he's off! Good-bye Mr. Bumble Bee! Thanks for allowing me to photograph you. You're welcome back anytime & bring your friends too! It's a short summer season here in Minnesota and we have to enjoy these flowers while we can!<br />
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-57881831514831794242012-08-26T16:23:00.000-05:002012-08-26T19:29:29.614-05:00Holly Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been almost a year already since Holly left the shelter to come and live with us here in her "forever home." Every day we're treated to her happy smiles.</div>
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Holly did very well in her scholarly pursuits at PSU (Pet Smart University). An additional benefit is that we learned quite a bit about dog training too ("it's all about the treats!") I only wish that we had taken our previous three dogs to obedience school. I would recommend this training to anyone who gets a new dog -- and even though Holly was 3 years old when she started school, she was a fast and excellent learner. I believe more classes are probably in her future.</div>
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Holly would like us to look around for a doggie driver's education class......</div>
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We have found out over the past year that Holly is a champion napper. What a difference from the three energetic German Shorthaired Pointers we had as pets prior to Holly! Holly does have her high energy moments, but mostly she's really laid back. Holly will nap by herself......</div>
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but she actually prefers napping with her people! She's usually right between us at night.</div>
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Holly also enjoys afternoon naps -- especially on the couch with her mom!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7x7meqcG8DkKIXcB7jyADr2rZJxyFm2ad-_whmF7WurvBXqfafJTHFTHCdRDF06pknULAdo_KNu0SSJO3QB8TTc6aRNpIvwqi2CwYwthuGugAGczT5ZB00B3kKMgjGv90XqvvTH3c8Hq/s1600/May+02+2012+004_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7x7meqcG8DkKIXcB7jyADr2rZJxyFm2ad-_whmF7WurvBXqfafJTHFTHCdRDF06pknULAdo_KNu0SSJO3QB8TTc6aRNpIvwqi2CwYwthuGugAGczT5ZB00B3kKMgjGv90XqvvTH3c8Hq/s320/May+02+2012+004_edited-1.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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We didn't know Holly was a lap dog when we got her, but she's gotten her dad trained to help her up on his lap when he sits down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY37DITvuSUo7dmSXb6m0h3STuylppHhTDOtoKZaTq4zI370TcSgVQQ8P0VFCLf2-2o-wdmsEPekV533L59Gb1hQ5KiYDz8tyV-3FVn5rlpSw_OqDk-Z3UqzHf7wGPWvr5ztthyphenhyphen0fy_Oph/s1600/May+22+2012+004_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY37DITvuSUo7dmSXb6m0h3STuylppHhTDOtoKZaTq4zI370TcSgVQQ8P0VFCLf2-2o-wdmsEPekV533L59Gb1hQ5KiYDz8tyV-3FVn5rlpSw_OqDk-Z3UqzHf7wGPWvr5ztthyphenhyphen0fy_Oph/s320/May+22+2012+004_edited-1.jpg" width="232" yda="true" /></a></div>
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Holly loves to play. This is a "soccer" game she plays with us in the kitchen when we're washing dishes. She brings a toy over by the sink and then she stands in the doorway while we try to kick it past her. This is Holly's "goalie" stance.</div>
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I'm having a lot of fun dressing Holly up. I discovered lots of cute doggy apparel and accessories at BaxterBoo.com. They even carry Holly's "big girl" sizes. Holly's a pretty good sport about wearing everything I buy for her -- even though she won't appreciate the benefits of this hoodie keeping her ears warm until the colder weather gets here.</div>
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When we have Holly out in public (which we try to do as often as possible), everyone always comments on what a pretty dog she is. We think she's quite beautiful and have never experienced (knock on wood) any negative comments from people because she's a pitbull. She's very friendly to people of all ages and sizes and I'm always thrilled when little kids come over to pet her and she gives them a "kiss." (She's a super kisser!) Every day is a new opportunity for us to help change people's minds about the negative, "vicious pitbull" stereotype.</div>
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When we adopted Holly, we had to sign a Dog Adoption Contract. One of the points we had to agree to is as follows, "I agree to provide this animal with.......loving, humane treatments at all times." I think we've accomplished that and Holly has paid us back ten-fold with joy and happiness every day.</div>
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Here's a little video of Holly at her tail-waggin' best.....</div>
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RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-14161052393330724922012-07-22T15:20:00.000-05:002012-07-24T15:27:36.908-05:00Here they are.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's County Fair time again! (jeez, I can't believe it's the end of July already though......) Here are the items this Nature Knitter has completed in the past 12 months for entry into Open Class competition at the 2012 Olmsted County Free Fair. (Award information has been listed after each picture.) </div>
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Wool Houndstooth Check Mittens</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IzsELtqxFL6nnQG-AURIgOCgMvENuQ0TQSnNGxEb3AChey74ubdkZ07tRad5XiweeMDacmu_-B8f-MJHpBsP83JbNxJx_DEXFe_Iow7mbzHsmjs4gjXo_KkbSTrn_lYipVFqxlFYLnoo/s1600/Jul+20+2012+002_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IzsELtqxFL6nnQG-AURIgOCgMvENuQ0TQSnNGxEb3AChey74ubdkZ07tRad5XiweeMDacmu_-B8f-MJHpBsP83JbNxJx_DEXFe_Iow7mbzHsmjs4gjXo_KkbSTrn_lYipVFqxlFYLnoo/s320/Jul+20+2012+002_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue ribbon (first place)</span></div>
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Glitter Shawl</div>
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(knitted from *1 ball* of a wool/alpaca/nylon/metallic blend yarn) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5PyM-gilWJ4GMiuxdCcqbbA6FhsTTb7LfuxQQHs7-2LgQUnkOBCSD5anv6GSj02dgv4LTA26N_CgdTVi264vtyg70dSw-8a30zpMu83A5RVHynZzg1JC4PEkWe6_yI6_BUvQGz8AFfyO/s1600/Apr+14+2012+017_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5PyM-gilWJ4GMiuxdCcqbbA6FhsTTb7LfuxQQHs7-2LgQUnkOBCSD5anv6GSj02dgv4LTA26N_CgdTVi264vtyg70dSw-8a30zpMu83A5RVHynZzg1JC4PEkWe6_yI6_BUvQGz8AFfyO/s320/Apr+14+2012+017_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">White Ribbon (third place)</span></div>
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Celeste Shawl</div>
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(knitted from Red Heart Stardust yarn - 70% superwash wool, 25% nylon, 5% glitter yarn)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYylAlQfbR-91KYej210W4byL5CGMtx2IEa6t0xPWRLish34rEyoOHRJln-K0wM1VxN_VfA-iIyIayWavHtcNQFo2mf1EEuhuujWaPHu1fo2QDkxutvOkdvvxquc9WQYOJrj-pPNdhuSoX/s1600/Jul+18+2012+003_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYylAlQfbR-91KYej210W4byL5CGMtx2IEa6t0xPWRLish34rEyoOHRJln-K0wM1VxN_VfA-iIyIayWavHtcNQFo2mf1EEuhuujWaPHu1fo2QDkxutvOkdvvxquc9WQYOJrj-pPNdhuSoX/s320/Jul+18+2012+003_edited-1.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue Ribbon (first place) plus Grand Champion Purple Ribbon and Best of Show Award Plaque</span></div>
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Click on the photo to enlarge so you can also see the copper metal beads knitted into this lovely pattern</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEZNfQXNUB6G89ufQ3r0fyhyphenhyphenpE2V3QmmzDxezt_CXbOFLDklXJl8J1AeNMuvb9Gz0hi9JPeq3xtaVDkQxylBFXV5QD4xxM-LQFiWjMk1nU3wBNQ6MH_k9wNTENBTqirf-753QN1Wksbpo/s1600/Jul+18+2012+004_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEZNfQXNUB6G89ufQ3r0fyhyphenhyphenpE2V3QmmzDxezt_CXbOFLDklXJl8J1AeNMuvb9Gz0hi9JPeq3xtaVDkQxylBFXV5QD4xxM-LQFiWjMk1nU3wBNQ6MH_k9wNTENBTqirf-753QN1Wksbpo/s320/Jul+18+2012+004_edited-1.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
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Basic Knitted Mittens</div>
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(knitted from washable acrylic yarn)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFXYDK3DOtKzCFEjzJDjJLfo0MfzRJ14KMeVVL-evz54l39Mp_OT_8VpYwg3gnVB0Odrc38CCD7uox5JhmxIbh6-GN_Il1d6qw8N7GS5BdkOHClXM0mXgL23-T3QgGhY-g8S6414vNzCS/s1600/Jul+18+2012+005_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFXYDK3DOtKzCFEjzJDjJLfo0MfzRJ14KMeVVL-evz54l39Mp_OT_8VpYwg3gnVB0Odrc38CCD7uox5JhmxIbh6-GN_Il1d6qw8N7GS5BdkOHClXM0mXgL23-T3QgGhY-g8S6414vNzCS/s320/Jul+18+2012+005_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">White Ribbon (third place)</span></div>
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Wool Cables Hat</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqDs9eKmxTd6YqcuW3hmLWzbtlRPRPAsVV1zhS27Xtkj7ik6JHRsrESP4i1o6q2dOF5JTZ08ZBnH4VQNZpGYk0FNDL7kxicpg-ros_K_xsaCAgcRXTwmyy80OBnCudYeXFVzkPtElHeDP/s1600/Jul+18+2012+009_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqDs9eKmxTd6YqcuW3hmLWzbtlRPRPAsVV1zhS27Xtkj7ik6JHRsrESP4i1o6q2dOF5JTZ08ZBnH4VQNZpGYk0FNDL7kxicpg-ros_K_xsaCAgcRXTwmyy80OBnCudYeXFVzkPtElHeDP/s320/Jul+18+2012+009_edited-1.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue Ribbon (first place)</span></div>
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Rainbow Beanie</div>
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(crocheted with Brown Sheep Nature Spun sport weight yarn) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcC0nPVIq8L_rZMQWXplBWeKF_URZqaPWy-VSx5QDxqT4YanUMkyCb9h2Pchi4IGMPwa6ABWP_QKwA_EKYB4WBtPWEeyj7IPFjOXotad8GprMhosYq5gvXjIkxufk0YEyX_GTX0dd1UZQx/s1600/Jul+14+2012+006_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcC0nPVIq8L_rZMQWXplBWeKF_URZqaPWy-VSx5QDxqT4YanUMkyCb9h2Pchi4IGMPwa6ABWP_QKwA_EKYB4WBtPWEeyj7IPFjOXotad8GprMhosYq5gvXjIkxufk0YEyX_GTX0dd1UZQx/s320/Jul+14+2012+006_edited-1.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Red Ribbon (second place)</span></div>
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Undergrowth Hat</div>
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(knitted with Brown Sheep Nature Spun sport weight yarn)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHZitasBEx5VBJTV6HJIeVG7_nRfpJYLmnQ7012pC5aGBDyEBbiaO5u-wzyODr-pqWgoiXOnodRqTNCSW0gpNYojNWYDaqHHoZub8wrnMItYc8OuBzwO_iTHzE1dklhXzaK2UN3zIc719/s1600/Jul+14+2012+007_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHZitasBEx5VBJTV6HJIeVG7_nRfpJYLmnQ7012pC5aGBDyEBbiaO5u-wzyODr-pqWgoiXOnodRqTNCSW0gpNYojNWYDaqHHoZub8wrnMItYc8OuBzwO_iTHzE1dklhXzaK2UN3zIc719/s320/Jul+14+2012+007_edited-1.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue Ribbon (first place) and Reserve Grand Champion Pink Ribbon</span></div>
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Top view of Undergrowth Hat</div>
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I stopped at the fair with these entries shortly after noon last Friday -- I didn't see what any of the other competitors had brought in then, but I'm optimistic some of these items will do well in the judging that was held on Saturday, July 21st. I'll post results later this week.</div>
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</div>RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-43890395925340123062012-07-01T13:07:00.000-05:002012-07-01T13:07:44.903-05:00Raptor Spa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For a lot of people with backyard bird feeders, the appearance of a hawk is a horrifying experience. For me, the appearance of a hawk is always greeted with excitement. The ratio of hawks to songbirds in my backyard is probably about 1:150, so I'm not worried about the hawks decimating my songbirds (the free-roaming cats and raccoons cause much more damage). I know there is a Cooper's Hawk who visits my backyard regularly and usually the chickadees, robins and bluejays sound the alarm. This time of year, the grackles are especially watchful because they have all kinds of nests around here and I've found several piles of juvenile grackle feathers lately (not gonna complain about losing a few grackle babies, that's for sure!)</div>
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Since the weather's been so hot already this summer, keeping the birdbaths full is almost a full-time job and on this 90+ degree day back on June 10th, a Cooper's Hawk decided to take advantage of a shallow birdbath in my backyard for a little spa session. Fortunately I was home on this day and managed to capture these photos out the kitchen window. Hope you enjoy them!</div>
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Hope you're enjoying your summer and be sure to keep your birdbaths full during these hot days for all of the backyard critters and birds -- raptors included!</div>RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-8841391932686023452012-06-27T22:08:00.001-05:002012-06-27T22:10:38.283-05:00The Misadventures of Holly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Holly loves hearing her dad talk about cheeseburgers!</div>
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Last Thursday Holly and Mr. Johnson were playing a little game of ball toss while waiting for me to get home from work. Holly's pretty aggressive when it comes to chasing after her ball and on this particular afternoon, Holly took a really bad spill on the concrete driveway. Mr. Johnson phoned me in a panic to tell me about this accident and he thought Holly had broken one of her hind legs because she couldn't walk. I got home and was able to determine that her leg wasn't broken, but it did look like her hip was dislocated. After a couple phone calls to pet hospitals to find out who could see her, I broke many speed limits racing back in to Rochester with our poor doggeh and her heartbroken dad in the back seat.</div>
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In her fall, Holly suffered a number of other injuries including some serious "road rash" on the inside of her hind leg.....</div>
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and a really bad abrasion on her elbow that required a couple of staples (ick!)</div>
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She was in a lot of pain at the pet hospital, so the doctor gave her an IV (the little shaved spot on her front leg is almost grown over again).</div>
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Fortunately, x-rays revealed no broken bones or dislocated hip, but Holly had to stay in the hospital overnight so the vet could monitor her condition. It turned out that when Holly fell so hard from her fast run, she ruptured a disc in her back. For anyone who's ever had a ruptured disc, you probably can remember how painful that was and how your doctor probably recommended bed rest for a couple weeks. Holly's a pretty active girl, but she is trying to follow the doctor's orders as much as possible! </div>
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Holly also came home with some presciption meds to help her feel better (no co-pay on pet meds though!) For 2 weeks she's taking Rimadyl (an NSAID) and Tramadol (for pain). She loves the Greenies Pill Pockets and so do I. (I wish I had know about these years ago when I was shoving pills down Sophie's throat every day!)</div>
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Holly's doing much better now. Her back legs are getting stronger and she's enjoying all the special attention we're lavishing upon her during her recuperation (including licking off the supper plates). We're looking forward to her full return to health and regular activities again -- especially those daily walks that we've had to discontinue until her injury has healed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd_T20wGpt7sTkI86FSJDjQ_y1WATV9pZqToIc1iR0bZ52bSmuwUe84RlFy9ODgw-Ve3p0rPDBG6RtqKgDy6SNMvxiPn6fozH7v9g50mDVPRjy7LMI226nTRBr78KeDIfmM9c2t8xq8bA/s1600/Jun+27+2012+009_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd_T20wGpt7sTkI86FSJDjQ_y1WATV9pZqToIc1iR0bZ52bSmuwUe84RlFy9ODgw-Ve3p0rPDBG6RtqKgDy6SNMvxiPn6fozH7v9g50mDVPRjy7LMI226nTRBr78KeDIfmM9c2t8xq8bA/s400/Jun+27+2012+009_edited-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-70004820988038165962012-05-30T18:29:00.001-05:002012-05-30T18:31:42.676-05:00It's a Boy! or maybe a girl.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Bluebird! Proud parents of these newly hatched babies. I think there might be a third one underneath, but I didn't want to mess around with them too much on this chilly afternoon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_5d5DCcM3VJ3H6wRF5dEWBKBtATbS9mSXrIAzZKGO76GEGR8w8gt6JNRWR6Tec-Q0JqyjuyV5Rq95kDLrLVzwIXrFndPDHpLjPwAKR7fklqikRQkfb7tpRUpVwtUhbXV-2gEbGnieTdd/s1600/May+30+2012+001_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_5d5DCcM3VJ3H6wRF5dEWBKBtATbS9mSXrIAzZKGO76GEGR8w8gt6JNRWR6Tec-Q0JqyjuyV5Rq95kDLrLVzwIXrFndPDHpLjPwAKR7fklqikRQkfb7tpRUpVwtUhbXV-2gEbGnieTdd/s320/May+30+2012+001_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'll check back in a few days to see how these little ones are progressing.RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854762792778878452.post-78014753952474207462012-05-28T16:15:00.000-05:002012-05-28T16:19:03.543-05:00Memorial Day Holiday Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Looks like summer has definitely arrived in time for Memorial Day weekend here in Minnesota. It doesn't seem very long ago that we were wondering what happened to winter and now summer is here. We had storms on Saturday that dumped quite a lot of rain (which we needed) then a nearly record-breaking warm day yesterday (high of 89 degrees). </div>
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Today has turned out to be a perfect day and I'm taking a break from getting my gardens in shape to do this blog post.<br />
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It's really nice to hear all the birds singing in the backyard again and I have some birdies taking advantage of the houses and nesting material I put out for them. Here's the cozy little nest the chickadees made with moss, grass and some of the alpaca fiber I provided for their use. There are 6 little eggs tucked into this fuzzy nest!<br />
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I took a look yesterday and here are 3 little baby chickadees almost ready to fledge. They are just the cutest little things! I'm not sure why the other 3 eggs didn't hatch, but 3 babies will be more than enough for the parents to take care of.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUQUY8EWAmKe-DT1uv2Iff4L3QrTtn0S-Bemk-Ml2F_uZLiwGSKcvU77Eq87MHev3cAU3JeqBcYTxKapBtQ8oegeGJWwAaLBL7osD2sxUuelFGG3GffDNo7s2GwQZF2oVxXPB-DFwWRVQ/s1600/May+27+2012+004_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUQUY8EWAmKe-DT1uv2Iff4L3QrTtn0S-Bemk-Ml2F_uZLiwGSKcvU77Eq87MHev3cAU3JeqBcYTxKapBtQ8oegeGJWwAaLBL7osD2sxUuelFGG3GffDNo7s2GwQZF2oVxXPB-DFwWRVQ/s320/May+27+2012+004_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mr. & Mrs. Eastern Bluebird also moved into one of my Peterson nestboxes. They built a nice multi-layered nest with alpaca fiber on the bottom, then some grass and lastly a good layer of white pine needles. This is the first time I can ever remember the bluebirds using white pine needles, but it definitely makes a nice, substantial nesting material for them.<br />
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There are 3 pretty blue eggs in here. They should hatch sometime in the next week.</div>
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I've been working on getting some more native flowering plants added to my butterfly and hummingbird garden. I bought this Golden Alexander plant at the garden center a couple weeks ago. On the plant info card, it said Golden Alexander is a host plant for swallowtail butterflies. I was happy to find this little swallowtail caterpillar on the plant stem. Now I'll have to be really careful when I plant it so I don't dislodge the little bugger! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kcVeum9Zxf5bGX59r3FQxZG8QHh54zZ3Xaj4pOGO0u43cKcbKmg3JjJsBA5cDe_SPtnvs3TYwIRLIQd2BNkRCivgYBU-ACHSopc3-JXtk5i6M7eP8dvknV1gaglZGQ6Cg4Uo5_wU1-Nw/s1600/May+27+2012+001_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kcVeum9Zxf5bGX59r3FQxZG8QHh54zZ3Xaj4pOGO0u43cKcbKmg3JjJsBA5cDe_SPtnvs3TYwIRLIQd2BNkRCivgYBU-ACHSopc3-JXtk5i6M7eP8dvknV1gaglZGQ6Cg4Uo5_wU1-Nw/s320/May+27+2012+001_edited-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm starting to see lots more butterflies in my yard already this season and I'm hoping that all the new flowers I'm planting will encourage them to stick around for the summer. I had a nice Question Mark on the hummingbird feeder yesterday and also saw a couple of Mourning Cloaks earlier this spring. Quite a few Monarchs are already flying around and the milkweed is coming in nicely, so there will be plenty of food sources for the monarch caterpillars. I bought 2 new milkweed plants for my butterfly garden too -- one has orange flowers and the other has yellow flowers. Probably won't be long and I'll have to think about getting the monarch ranch up and running again too......</div>
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</div>RuthieJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663411478574192825noreply@blogger.com2