Another Christmas Day Photo

Merry Christmas

From our house to yours!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Hoping you all have a Peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Whoop Whoop!!!

Today we hit the road and went to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama to see what we cold see.

The sun was shining and the birds were out.

The big birds that is! 

 There were many Sandhill Cranes and if you've never heard them you must look that up.

What a great sound they make.

Check it out here.

But really the best part of the day was seeing the Whooping Cranes mingled in with the Sandhill.

There were two. We were in an observatory building and at quite a distance. These pictures are taken through a glass window and heavily cropped.

What a great day! 

Whoop Whoop!!!

The Joy of Bird Buddies!

It got really cold the night before I took photos of my trail and the Red-bellied Woodpecker and I noticed the water in the bird bath had froze. I saw a Nuthatch was looking for a drink of water, so I ran in to get some to top off the solid mass of ice and leaves. As soon as I went in the house I saw a flurry of wings out the window. Guess who?

I'm so glad I got my Bluebird house set up this year.

What a super treat!

A Woodland Walk in the Making

 This past year I've started a little project in the woods. I'm creating a path that leads from my picnic table, through the woods and around to the swing. With a little inspiration I got from a new found Alabama garden blogger, Deborah, at Deb's Garden, I was even more motivated to get cracking on the job. Above I've already got cinder blocks awaiting a rustic bench topper.

 I've lined the walkway with tree limbs and am raking off the leaves to promote moss growth.

I have plenty moss to transplant in hopes that it will fill in over time.

 Deborah's blog is just full of great gardening information and when I mentioned to her that I was in the process of starting my woodland walk she quickly sent me her tips, having mastered the job with a lot of hard work and devotion. I'm sure she wont mind if I share them with anyone interested, here. 

I moved a few young Hellebores to the trail, my very first plants for the walk to come. They are still looking great after more than a week and the freezing temps we've had.

As I walked back up the path today my buddy the Red-bellied Woodpecker was busy at his favorite spot on the Dogwood. He loves to gather up sunflower seeds from the ground and fly them up to the tree where he pounds them until they open and are snackable! 

He starts at the top... 

...backs his way down...Ok you can't see him backing but I promise you he is behind the tree, backing... 

 ...see I told you...

 ...down to a certain spot, then jumps to the ground.

He then grabs a seed and... 

 ...flies up to his spot.

 Yes! I talking about you!

Hopefully in the years to come, I'll have a beautiful woodland trail that will brighten even the shadiest of forests!
Thanks Deb!!

Morning Photo

Hi all!

Trees are getting bare on the mountain!