Silver Sisters Online Rally

[wheel interested]

Paula and Sharon your pictures are great. Pretty, pretty, pretty.

[janetb]

Sharon, You captured some fabulous shots of those birds! Love the clear colors. But what are they? I have tons of feeders and do the "Great Backyard Bird Count" every year and have never had those lovely visitors. Always have lots of hummers and house finches, California Quail and Thrashers in year-round residence. Our seasonal visitors include Spotted Towhees (here most of the year) Golden crowned sparrows, Goldfinches, Tit mouses, Bushtits, Scrub jays, Stellar jays, Flickers, Oregon Juncos, a big flock of Acorn Woodpeckers, and lots of Red Tailed Hawks, Kestrels, and Coopers Hawks soaring and hovering for our entertainment and awe. We visit relatives in Alaska (Kenai Peninsula) and are humbled by all the birds that migrate to the Kachemak Bay from all over the world. An amazing convergence. Even Sandhill Cranes! And of course the Bald Eagles...who cruise the moored boats like seagulls.
Nice to be back by this cozy and welcoming fire. I'll have some of whatever is going around. And remember that sherry (or?) in a green bottle that someone mentioned about this time last year? What was that, anyway?
Happy Birthday Laura! Get well, treasure your youth, and enjoy!
Take care,
Janet

[thecatsandi]

Wow Very Nice!

[05ModPod]

I forgot to mention that we had a visitor. Unusual because of the dogs. And they surely went nuts when they finally saw him - but not before I snapped a few pics through the windows. He was a very brave little guy....but now it is deer season and I am sure he will be a prize.....

I just do not know how anyone could shoot such a beautiful creature other than with a camera

JanetB - wow what an impressive line up of feathered friends you have visiting.

I will have to pull up my birding book to make up my list of the NorthEast compliment....

But the two pictured above - are The Blue Jay (Blue )
And the other Yellow Birds - are Evening Grossbeaks

Laura and others - anyone up/over here now with a persistant cough is tested to SARS. Our hospitals have maintained their safety protocal and all people with a cough must wear a mask, and sit in a particular section of the waiting rooms. There are "onestep" hand cleaning stations everywhere in all medical facilities. It is a nasty virus. And with limited protocols I would certainly look into it.

Tw years ago I had a persistent cough after a very bad cold. it turned out that I had damaged broncils and membranes in the nasal passage from going through 1000 kleenex boxes I had no choice but to go back to the Dr. I was prescribed an inhaler and nasal spray and It cleared up in a week!!! sometimes you just have to give in and see a professional....Good Luck with that cold Laura - take care of yourself

[05ModPod]

I know more is not always better - but for bird lovers it is

[maxandgeorgia]

Sharon, beautiful pics of your grosbeaks! I've read about them, but I've never seen one. We are feeding our lingering birds, those who haven't left for warmer climates: lots of finches, yellow and purple, still around; lots of redwinged black birds, who should be leaving; sparrows and titmice. I'm missing our cardinal pairs though. Last winter we had about a dozen who stayed all season feeding here. I wonder where they've gone? Recently we saw a bald eagle in a neighborhood tree, probably watching for ground squirrels. We've seen lots of these along the Missouri River before, but not out from there. Hello to all of you at this transitional time: somewhere between Halloween pumpkins on the stoop and Christmas wreaths on the door, at the same time. I love this November-y time of Thanksgiving, but it surely is getting overlooked these days. The day after Halloween, Christmas advertising began full blast on tv--a good reason not to turn it on! I'm heading outdoors to move my irises. They've moped since I planted lots of them around some pine trees in the yard, so I'm resetting them along the edge of our garden, rich deep composted soil. They should thrive there. I've procrastinated on all the great craft ideas posted here, but I'd like to try some this winter, especially the state pillows. Laura, congrats on the big 21! Ages ago for me, but I dimly rmember It's a high of 65 here today, so I'm moving my log for sitting back a little from the fire, and I'm putting out a pitcher of sun tea. Indian summer to die for! ~G

[LuminumTraila]

Janetb - you and codybear have got some really gorgeous fall scenery out there in Cali. Thanks for sharing it with us!

And thanks for the bird shapshots too, Sharon. On the feeders we get yellow warblers and goldfinches occasionally, but nothing like your grosbeak. I did get a trio of wild turkeys walking through the yard last week. And we were awakened by a screamin cacophony of barred owls fighting with horned owls in the middle of the night this past summer. Oh, and one day I looked out to see a big black raven sitting in the yard! It's a regular jungle out there, but I'm never quick enough with the camera to get a good picture.

The hubbard squash sounds great, Sue. Good for Ike! I've made a few pumpkin pies this fall this year I even baked the pumpkins I picked up at farmer's market and made my own puree. That's a first for me. It's not nearly as big a chore as you might think. And it tastes great!

-J

[05ModPod]

Harris Sparrow
Purple Finch
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
Olive Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Northern Cardinal
Pine Grosbeak
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Cedar Waxing (very lucky to spot these!!)
Blue Jay
Gray Jay
American Crow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Grackle
Rusty BlackBird
Red-winged Blackbird
Norther Oriole
American Robin
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breated Nuthach
Downy Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Pileated Woodpecker
Tufted Titmouse
Black-capped Chickadee
Boreal Chickadee
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Tree Swallow
Snowy Owl
Common Barn Owl
Barred Owl
Great Gray Owl
Great Honred Owl
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Coopers Hawk
Ruffed Grouse
Canada Geese
Mallards
Gray Heron
Bittern
even a pair of Loons landed in the marsh - a little off their mark from the lake just 1/4 mile south of us....

this rounds out my list of visitors - and I wish I had camera in hand at the time I have seen them all - but mostly binoculars

Well the movers at the Kingston end are making great speed...So we (Mom and I) are hangin out waiting for the 3 hour warning call - that should give us just enough time to get out the door and meet them at this end.....

Will now look up all your visitors G and Jamie...

[tin sista]

Heat wave here too Georgia, and very sunny

Anybody becoming a temporary "widow" for deer hunting firearm opener? Hubby has his deer blind supplies and I'm getting my home girl kit together...

chocolate/hazelnut bars check
Dark Chocolate ice cream check
hot chocolate check
pile of good books check
chocolate chips for scones check

Ok what did I forget?

[loudruff]

Wish him luck in the hunting!
You forgot the chocolate syrup for over all of that chocolate goodie stuff!

And you forgot to invite the rest of us!!!!
LOL!

Larry no longer goes out, but he used to do that! I was teaching then and did not get to do the home girl stuff! Darn!

[wheel interested]

Stef's got her set up real sweet. After the fire dies down tonight it's a PJ party to do girl stuff.

[codybear]

I become the 'duck and fish widow' when Steve goes goose, duck, quail, chuckar, dove,hunting like he did this past weekend...Next weekend after Thanksgiving we're headed out w/the Safari south to AZ ..he's going to be looking for the Mearn's quail..last year he got the female, so he wants the mate this year..

I just started another mini project..anyone into sculpting?..here's my latest..

[airedale]

Not married yet *tear*

[codybear]

Hi Laura,

How'a the birthday gal?

[airedale]

The birthday girl is good. Recovering from last night. Working a lot, missing the camp ground, can't wait until next spring.

[05ModPod]

Hey Girl - should you not be at work by now!!!

I too hope we have a fast and mild winter.....bring on the camp grounds...hold the alcohol for a bit anyway.....

[05ModPod]

Cody Bear - What a cute Bear - what species????

[05ModPod]

Originally Posted by wheel interested

Stef's got her set up real sweet. After the fire dies down tonight it's a PJ party to do girl stuff.

Hey did anyone show up to the PJ Party????

Laura - ya think I would have a tough time with a PJ party at a camp ground (Ralph no comments now!!! I know you are lurking )

[05ModPod]

Okay where is everyone wake up!

[airedale]

I'm up, and I'm not at work, I'm at home, I have to be at work by 2pm, and then after work go out with some friends. I had planed on drying out with the drinking, but it hasn't worked yet!! How are you Sharon? I haven't talked to you in awhile.