Throwback Mystery Solution

 Before we have the big reveal, let's recap the clues. 

The first clue was a little distant, but careful observation might just reveal the subject(s).

Clue two is a closer, clearer view. 

In the center of the pictures above is this sweet Mother Goose. She was nesting in the reeds and sitting very still, trying to escape discovery. 

Father Goose is off to the right and a just little closer to the top edge of the picture. 

I hope you enjoyed this small mystery throwback. :)

Throwback Mystery Clue #2

We're continuing with yesterday's mystery. 

Above is clue number one again. 

This is clue number two. Once again, clicking on the picture will enlarge it so you can take a closer look.

And remember, don't stop with just one. :)

Throwback Thursday Mystery

People have been requesting a little mystery. This one is a throwback from some pictures I took for the purpose back in May. 

As usual, clicking on the image will enlarge it so you can search more carefully. 

Oh, and don't stop with just one... :)

My Friend Flicker

After a recent rain, Piper and I discovered a young flicker taking advantage of the water captured in the top of an old wine barrel. He watched us watching him get a drink. 

He didn't seem to mind our presence, though. 

I really love the flicker's markings. I did a carving of one a while ago, just to try and capture all those spots and stripes. 

This pose got the cuteness prize for the morning. 

An adult flicker was foraging nearby. You can see that his bib is more complete and the red feathers on the back of his head are more brilliantly colored. The youngster's patch of scarlet is still muted by some baby brown feathers. 

See? The spots on the front and the stripes on the back (not to mention the dramatic moustache!) Then, to top it all off, when they take flight a flash of bright yellow under their wings is an extra treat. They're called yellow-shafted flickers as well, because rather than being white, gray or brown, the feather shafts are that same bright yellow. 

These beautiful birds fly south for the winter, too, so I'm appreciating them while I can! :)

Ducking and Diving

Piper was too spooked by all the booms in the vineyards to go on a walk to the wetlands, so I had to wander off by myself. As a result, I got to sit and watch the ducks for a little while. 

Once this picture was downloaded from the camera, I noticed that I had not only captured the duck in the foreground, but also a painted turtle in the background. Serendipity!

Madame Wood Duck was sailing along through the water lilies looking regal and serene.  The white of the flowers highlight her strikingly beautiful eye markings, making them even more dramatic. 

Speaking of strikingly beautiful, Monsieur Wood Duck was way on the other side of the marsh, so the picture is a little bit grainy, but I thought it worthwhile, if only to see the way he found the perfect camouflaging background to blend with the greens, reds and browns of his handsome ensemble. 

Prickly Personality

Piper and I encountered a porcupine while out on the trail. It was shimmying down a tree not far off the path. 

Little Miss Piper was very curious about this new and exciting creature. 

Happily, she was on a leash and didn't have an unfortunate meet and greet. 

There was, however, a lot of sniffing and observing (and a lot of me telling her to "leave it"). 

Yikes!

Back Yard Buddies

 I always enjoy keeping an eye on the creatures visiting my back yard. 

Chickadees are regulars, of course, but every now and then I get a fun picture. This pert little bird was peering out from the middle of the miniature lilac bush. 

Baby critters are always a delight. The red-winged blackbird fledgling above is starting to molt into its adult plumage. Check out the red patch just starting to blush on the shoulder. 

Finally, this gray squirrel is taking full advantage of the low hanging bird bath. She's being so well mannered as she slakes her thirst. 

Piper is frightened by all the cannons going off in the vineyards to keep the birds from eating the ripening grapes, so we've been sticking closer to home. There's always something to watch and enjoy, though. :)