Thanks! I’m so glad someone remarked on how camouflaged they were. Nature is amazing.

Thanks, Jeanne! That front duck especially really did look like it was smiling, I just had to place that pic as the featured image. 🙂 My trip was a much-needed break from the city.

Thanks, Sheila! Sorry about the blackbird. Yes, it’s sometimes conflicting when the Hawks eat an especially ‘cute’ critter like a young squirrel. But I’m happy my site helped you identify the bird!

What great stories! Thanks so much for sharing such great memories with us. I can picture it so nicely.

A few years ago, I was watching what had been an eagle nest, which had been destroyed by a wind storm. The neighboring folks re-built the nest, but the eagles didn’t come back. Instead, a family of Canada geese took up residence. I had never seen geese nesting like that before. The father explored the big nest and looked around to see if it was safe, then called his wife to come and check it out too. She approved, although she ordered some renovations to the people-made nest. Soon there were goose eggs filling the nest. I had no idea how baby geese would get down from a tree top nest, but saw that when the mother declared it was time, she got dad to come and help with the family move. She floated down to the ground and encouraged all the babies to follow. It took some longer than others, but they all made it safely to the ground, with ma and pa both checking all their little heads to make sure every baby was accounted for and that they were all safe and following ma down to the edge of a nearby pond. For a country girl, I sure still have a lot to learn! 🙂 Thanks for these pictures which reminded me of that class in raising yet another type of feathered babies.