Welcome to Sawyers Landing.  I'm Alan Andrew and my goal is to share things I see from our backyard and neighboring woods and trails. I will mix in family gatherings and of course pictures of Ky, our Standard Poodle.  You'll see plenty of pics and posts of Russell - our dearly departed Standard and really a key component of even getting me outside.  This post is purposely pinned to the top so look below for the most recent posts.

"Posts" will appear in chronological order but that's just how a blog is set up to work.  I can "label" (categorize) posts by a name or topic and that is how I see the blog being used.  To find categories, look at the menu (File Cabinet) on the right.  So for example if you want to see posts related to "Buck", then click on that and see them.  At any time, you can click at the top of the page and go back "home".  If you are in a label/category and get to the bottom of the page, look for "Older Posts" and you can continue until there are no more posts for that category.

 

This is not my backyard but I like this photo taken by my grandson Jacob.

Fox in the 'Hood

 Walking Kyanne this morning around 6:15 I looked over and saw a Red Fox just sitting in a yard.  Didn't seem bothered by us and Kyanne didn't seem impressed.

Zooming in with a cell phone isn't the best option but here's what I saw...

Our neighbor across the street posted a video of a fox and at least 3 kits by a shed in her deep backyard.  Possibly the mama that I saw?

Turkeys and Orioles

We have a pair of turkeys that have been hanging around more than usual.  They like that my neighbor has bird feeders outside of his fence.  We've been here 14 years, and I've never seen one fan his tail.  

Later that day, I saw a flash of color and was fortunate to take what I think is my first pictures of a Baltimore Oriole.  This was in the oak tree behind my fence.  You can see in the second picture that I was "made" 😀

More turkey shots from my back window...

The early owl gets the worm

 I did not realize that Barred Owls will hunt for earthworms.  They are opportunistic hunters.  I saw owls over three mornings after it had rained.  Two of the days I saw in the same spot, and I saw them in the street, and you could tell they were grabbing something.  Not great photos you can see where they were...

Pileated Woodpecker and an Eastern Bluebird

If it's sunny outside, I try to remember to take out my pocket camera in case I see something.  It's not a great camera for zooming but does it faster than my phone and the pics are slightly better.  Someday I will have a better camera for zooming in, but the best camera is the one you have with you.

I was out with Kyanne on Sunday standing at the top of my hill by the fence and movement in the woods caught my eye.  It was a Pileated Woodpecker!  Not my first sighting behind our house but it's not something you experience often so I grabbed what photos I could.  It was hard to miss once you saw the size.

The next day I was looking out our back window and noticed an Eastern Bluebird flying down in the yard and back to the tree overhanging our fence.  Grabbed the same camera and got this shot...

Not sure where it is nesting...the sparrows have taken over the boxes my neighbor put out.

Spring 2025 Outdoor Refresh

 NOTE FOR FUTURE - We like "Sierra Red" mulch not just "red mulch".  Put out new mulch as a refresh of our front yard.

BEFORE

AFTER

I also planted a 6" mini-rose bush that Jane Ferguson brought for Cindy.  We'll see if it takes hold like Barbara did.  Just in time for a 25-degree night.

Coyotes and Turkeys

 We've had quite a bit of turkey traffic recently.  Even captured a fanned tail (it's mating season)...