Some of the yard birds.....

A few of our recent visitors at the home front.  Mike heard this hawk hit the glass doors.

 A young Sharp-shined, I believe.  Sat on the rail while it got its senses back.

 I'm always glad they aren't hurt, but it does give the chance for some photos.

 A very lovely hawk.

One of the squirrels eating some of the crab apples.

 The Carolina Wren has been around a lot lately.

 Mrs. Cardinal waiting in the bushes.

Mr. Cardinal in the crab apple tree.  There were probably a dozen Cardinals out there today at the feeders. 

 Downy male at the suet.

A pair of House Finches that looked pretty good.  No eye disease. 

 Red-bellied Woodpecker at the suet.

An adult Yellow-bellied Sapsucker showed up!  I think there were actually two out there at one point.  This is not the same immature one I saw a few weeks ago. 

I wish I could have gotten better photos of it's neck area.  I'm not sure I have seen the adult so well before.  I'm used to woodpeckers with red on the head but not on the throat. 

The Carolina Wren was back and looking cute. 

For a few who asked:  I am still fighting this back/disc pain, but some days are better than others and I am determined to ignore it the best I can and try to get out and about some to get some photos.  We want to head over to Henderson this week to look for the Snow Geese.  We've had a lot of dreary weather, but have a few days of sunshine coming up, so I don't want to miss the opportunity.

A few new photos....

We got a bit of snow....about 3 inches.  Nothing like out east!  But it brought plenty of birds to the feeders.  A few of these were taken the day before the snow.

 Our front yard the morning it snowed.  I had been out filling the feeders.

 Looks like the snow is Titmouse high :-)

 I've been seeing at least 3 Chickadees.....one of my favorite little birds.

 Mr and Mrs Cardinal on the rail  Lots of those around....half dozen pair for sure.

 Mr and Mrs Downy

The Red-bellied Woodpecker getting seeds from that feeder and then holds them against the tree to peck them open. 

Hummmmm....wonder who is behind that tail? 

All fluffed up to keep warm.

Saw this hawk down in Henderson a couple weeks ago, but not much else yet.  The geese should arrive soon I would think.

Sapsucker, Mockingbird, and Mallards......

I may not be getting out a lot yet, but I can see birds from my doors and had some nice visitors yesterday.

 High up in my maple tree, I noticed a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker!

I don't know if I should be worried about the damage he is doing to the tree or not. He is certainly pecking away at a nice series of holes!

 He blends very well with the tree.  If I had not noticed his motion, I would not have even spotted him. 

Sort of "scrunching" up here, but shows his tail area.

Out back, this Mockingbird has decided to declare the deck area as his territory.  I believe the ornamental pear with all its fruit is probably his motivation, but he will have to fight others for them. 

 He sits there on the top of the bird feeder glaring at all who come near.

And last but not least a pair of Mallards landed on the lake and spent the night. 

 All decked out in mature mating colors.

I'm enjoying the birds that visit and always have a lot of them at the feeders to keep me occupied.  Each season brings a few new ones.  I saw a Pine Siskin yesterday, too but didn't get a very good photo.  Haven't seen any of those since last year some time.

Blogging break....health related rest

I've spent the last two weeks fighting a pain problem in my upper back and neck that doesn't allow me to use the computer much or my camera, so I am taking a blogging break for awhile.  I got an injection in the back today, so I feel well enough to write a quick note and post a few photos I had on the camera from the same day as the British car show.

We followed the Ohio River upstream towards some of the small river towns along the way.  We stopped at the Blue Heron Winery.....how could I not with that name :-).  It was a lovely place high up on the bluffs above the river. 

 The view is fantastic

On another part of their property, a local artist has carved a beautiful Celtic Cross on the grounds from the local limestone rock formations.

This side has the most carving but the light wasn't as good.

Tell City is in the process of filling their flood wall along the river with wonderful murals depicting the history of the area and the 1937 flood. 

Mike is 6'4" and you can see the mark for the 1937 flood waters way above his head (above that red brick).  This flood will always be remembered in this area because of it s tremendous effect on the area and everyone living here.  Those who are still alive don't forget it and the flood walls are the end result all along the river near populated areas.

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Please keep me in your prayers and I will return to blogging when this pain problem is cleared up.  It may be a long haul, but it is getting better!  God is good!