(written Friday at about 4:30 pm)...just looked up and saw this amazing display of light outside my sewing room window. The sunset was reflecting on the top of the trees across the river, making them look as though they were on fire ...
While I was out on the balcony getting that picture I heard chirping from beside me and ended up playing a long game of peek-a-boo with a woodpecker. She kept popping her head around the feeder and chirping at me before ducking back to hide. I managed to capture the moment....
AND.....huge excitement here at Chez Magpie when a pileated woodpecker visited our feeder. I've never seen one up close so it was a thrill.
Our feeder is a tree limb with holes drilled into it that are filled with suet. When it's cold like this the birds will empty it in a day (sometimes less).
- Not Christmas-y, but if you're a quilter, you might like to pour yourself a cuppa and gather up some breadcrumbs before you explore all the goodies available HERE.
- Perhaps visions of sugar plums might be dancing in your head if you make THESE.
- There are some nice-looking treats you could make HERE.
- THIS is an awwwww-thing!
- Lots of easy gift ideas can be found HERE.
- More cute ideas HERE.
- There are some good last-minute gift ideas HERE.
- Although I've never thought gnomes were particularly cute, I know they're popular so how about making one of THESE?
Today's quote... Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection.
Your bird captures are great. I've never seen a pileated woodpecker! So impressed. Considering you're on a high floor, these birds are intrepid.
ReplyDeleteI have seen a pileated but only at a distance, so this was the thrill of a lifetime. They're a whole lot bigger than I thought they were.
DeleteNeat stuff for last minute gifts you've found:))) I am not a gnome fan either...!!((
ReplyDeleteThat pileated woodpecker is amazing--we had one a few years back that we caught sight of on our dessicated apple tree trunk...
Now, we have a few of the smaller ones that insist on pecking on our cedar fence--holes galore. We finally got one of those plastic owls with the revolving head to try to scare them away..so far mixed results...I mean here we are in the midst of Oakridge Forest--with trees galore--leave our fence alone!!!! (Sorry, rant over) :))))
I went out and did what I hope is my last big shop for groceries before Christmas...my daughter and her four children are coming
Christmas Eve afternoon and I will make my chicken and rice casserole for them. [I know, I know, I said no more big cooking after T-Day--but 3 big boys (= men really) and one daughter that eats just as much as they do-- despite the fact that she is thin as a rail!! ]
And so it goes....of course I am happy they will be with us....but....at 81 I get very tired out...;**))
hugs, Julierose
We just got back from what I hope is our last shop too. It's exhausting to be in the stores this time of year.
DeletePerhaps you should suggest to your family that they bring food to contribute to the meal? It's too much to have to do it all yourself. Resident Chef is, as of this moment, doing make-ahead potatoes and a make-ahead turnip casserole that will go in the freezer. IF we have company we can haul it out...otherwise we'll be eating it in January.
I just had a fabulous read of your recent posts and learned so much. Love those repurposed to ornaments you made; I think they are lovely. And your knitting and your generosity to donate it too. Lesley the Bird Nerd just made a YouTube video about the Pileated Woodpeckers...she's from Newfoundland, btw and we learned so much about them. They are so big and a thrill to watch.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of a post for feeder and wonderful photos. Lucky to catch them because if they are like the ones here, they are very skittish.Thanks as always for the links too.
Glad you enjoyed catching up. How true that the pileated was amazing to watch and that I was able to sneak some pictures. Thrill of a lifetime for me, that's for sure.
DeleteWe usually get Downy woodpeckers and Redheaded here. I would love to see a Pileated Woodpecker. That photo is just great.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
We get downy and hairy at the feeder too and sometimes a red-bellied comes. We hear pileated but this is the first time one has ever paid us a visit. Huge thrill for us!
DeleteMerry Christmas MA: You are so lucky to have the birds so close and enjoy them as I know they were enjoying you.
ReplyDeleteThank-you for the links.
Catherine🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Our feeder is such a simple one but the woodpeckers (and nuthatches) seem to love it. Keeps Resident Chef busy keeping it filled.
DeleteGlad you got to enjoy some of Nature's friends.
ReplyDeleteI downloaded a keto no bake cookie recipe. Thanks!
You're welcome! I was excited to see the pileated back early this morning so maybe he/she will keep coming. We can hope!
DeleteWonderful photos of Woody Woodpecker! We get downy woodpeckers here and they like drilling into the cedar siding on the house. (Such noise from little critters!) The first photo looks like the beginning of one of your landscapes.
ReplyDeleteI would think they would make a lot of noise drilling on the house...maybe not so fun. Hmmm....never thought of using that photo as a landscape.
DeleteNice photos of the woodpeckers, Mary Anne! Pileated woodpeckers are amazing - here they get huge and are shaggy - they almost look prehistoric. I haven't seen one since early spring, but I get excited when one makes (a rare) appearance. I love your suet feeders! I think I'm going to ask our son who has a workshop to make a couple for us!
ReplyDeleteYes, they certainly do look prehistoric...amazing. If your son makes a feeder for you, I'd make it bigger than ours if you have pileated around. Our feeder is a bit small and they empty the holes in no time.
DeleteThank you for the advice! I haven't yet asked him about it, but if he's game, we've got the wood - in all sizes. :)
DeletePileated Woodpeckers are magnificent birds, aren't they? How lucky you are to see one close up like that!
ReplyDeleteFirst time I'd seen one up close so it was definitely a huge thrill!
DeleteGreat photos! I normally hear the woodpeckers in the trees near us, but don't see them very often.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the pictures were taken through our living room window I was happy.
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