1. He can toss, flip and catch seed using only his beak.

2. Upside-down, even.

3. He is very inquisitive.

4. He allows me within 18 inches of him on the feeder.

5. But not on the tree.

6. He does not like it when I bring my camera outside.

7. He’s persistant, stuffing seeds in behind the bark.

8. He cleans up after himself, picks up any seed he’s dropped.

9. He watches me and knows when fresh suet is out, he’s the first one there, usually.

10. He’s acrobatic, flips and twists upside down and sideways with just small flaps of the wings – incredible little guy to watch from 18 inches!

It’s MONDAY! I feel like today is a good day to be busy in the studio, so I’m going to attempt to get things organized and get some canvas time in today! I’ll let you know how that works out – being summer vacation and all, we’ll see how the stars and moon have aligned themselves today. Wish me cooperative children and a peaceful puppy!

I’ve been away for a few days, we had a nice relaxing trip to a waterpark resort and did some hiking at Starved Rock State Park. This little Chipmunk didn’t mind us being nearby, in fact I was surprised to see so many critters pay no mind at all to passing hikers.

On our way to the store yesterday, about a block from our house, there was a man starting to mow a section of grass alongside the road. It was one of those large mowers that pulls behind a tractor. We turned right and I noticed a red tailed hawk swooping down low and then perching right up on this telephone pole. We thought he was being sneaky, getting a hunt-free lunch from the rodents that the mower would rustle up – and we knew he was going to be there for a few minutes so we quickly made a big circle around the block and went back for my camera.

We came back, pulled into a driveway and I got a few shots of him. I got out of the car and stood about 30 feet from the base of the pole, and he did this:

I saw a Ruby Throated Hummingbird the day before yesterday when I put fresh nectar out, he must have gone and told all the other Hummies about us. I’ve been waiting, patiently, for the opportune time to photograph them, and that’d be around now (noon’ish). She seems to be getting comfortable with me near her now, I’ve been standing about 2 feet from her (behind glass) and she’s been checking me out a bit. It won’t be long before she perches for me. Have you ever seen a Hummingbird perched? They’re amazing. Here’s a photo I took last summer.

One more for good measure (you’ll be seeing SO much of her, I’m sure!)

This morning I gave the wildflower garden a good watering, and to our surprise, we got to enjoy a little Ma & Pa Cardinal fun ‘n’ frolic. I’ve never seen cardinals playing in a sprinkler before, and it gave us a good belly laugh! Pa was divebombing the sprinkler, Ma was very daintily ruffling (and giving a little shakey shake) of her tail feathers in the shower. It was quite a sight!

Want to see some of the fun?