Backyard visitors

Here are some recent shots of deer passing through.  And a picture of Russ securing the perimeter.

 

 

 

 

Like a giraffe

 

 

 

 

 

What kind of bird is this?

I saw this bird land in my yard and my first thought was a Brown Thrasher due to the coloring.  But the size and shape were wrong.  It looked like a small Robin in shape.  But it seemed bigger than a sparrow.  Got my bird book out and decided I saw a Fox Sparrow (which are migratory).

Ater talking with my brother Dean, he thought is was more likely a Wood Thrush.  It's a good bet he's right.  I got my interest in birds from him.

Below are two pictures I took.  And below those, I've posted pictures from the internet to compare a Fox Sparrow to a Wood Thrush.  Hard to distinguish.




Photo I took

 

Other photo I took

Fox Sparrows

Fox Sparrow

 

Wood Thrush

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother's Day!

I was getting ready to let Russ out early this morning and saw we had some visitors next door.  A nice way to start Mother's Day.  Even after I led Russ out on the deck they didn't run away...more walked away.

It's fun to have deer close to your house.  But then I went out front and saw why some people don't think they are fun to have around.  They munched off the tops of about 15 tulips including my ring around the front tree.  But we'll take the deer over a few flowers.

Mayday! Mayday! We have snow in Iowa in May...

I remember April snow in my life but not May.  It was a bit patchy but measurable.  Here are some pics looking outside.  I was looking at the trees and thought I'd really like to see a Cardinal against the white.  And along came a Cardinal.

Toad relocation

We get our share of little frogs and toads.  I saw this bigger guy in a window well and figured he was big enough to get out.  Later I saw him by our deck doing a good job of hiding in the grass.  Russ didn't notice him.

Here is Mr. Toad...

I'd go out with Russ and I'd see him under the step and thought I better keep an eye on him. The other day we were out and Russ was sniffing along the fence and I saw movement.  It was the toad.  Russ pulled back and was drooling and apparently trying to clear out whatever he got a taste of.  He didn't get the toad but the toad got him.  I know they secrete something to protect themselves.  I was worried the toad could be poisonous.  I called the vet and was relieved to hear that our American Toads are not.  He likened it to a person biting into a jalapeno pepper.

So, Cindy and I agreed the toad must go.  I said I would relocate him somewhere so I drove him all the way down to the bike trail and let him go by a creek.

Here is Mr. Toad's new home...