We have a new backyard visitor… a young, nimble, ravenous squirrel. Since this one arrived, we haven’t seen our resident three-legged squirrel. This one appears to have taken over the territory. Even worse? This one is light and agile enough to jump from our barbecue onto the bird feeder! We’ve moved things around and stumped … Continue reading »
Here in California, due to the lack of any spring showers, it’s already feeling like summer. That means hot weather, dry hills, and, unfortunately, an early fire season. Here are some images from a walk I took with my son yesterday around our neighborhood in the San Francisco East Bay. Photos taken May 2nd, 2013 Continue reading »
Our three-legged buddy is healthy and hanging out more than ever… Photos taken April 23rd, 2013 Continue reading »
I saw this beautiful hawk land on one of the oak trees behind our home a few days ago. I frequently see them soaring in the sky or perched on telephone poles, and have even had one attack the birds at our feeder, but I rarely see them land in the trees. Now, maybe one … Continue reading »
Early yesterday morning, my son ran into the living room and screamed, “The turkeys are back! Come look at them all!” Sure enough, there was a gang of ten or so, walking across the hill behind our home. The turkeys can be seen around Dublin throughout the winter, but only return to our neighborhood in … Continue reading »
After school on Monday, we went for a walk around our neighborhood to look for signs of spring. As an extension of the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge (Phoneography Challenge: My Neighborhood), I gave my iPhone to my five-year-old son and asked him to take photos of what he could find. The signs he saw were … Continue reading »
A walk around my neighborhood… Photos taken March 8th, 2013 *** WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge.. Phoneography Challenge: My Neighborhood Continue reading »
I often wonder what happened to his leg… I first noticed it missing a few weeks ago. Photos taken February 14th, 2013 Continue reading »
My son, home sick today, lethargically watching the bird and squirrel activity at the feeder. So sad to be missing the Valentine’s Day party at school… Photo taken February 14th, 2013 Continue reading »
My son excitedly informed me yesterday afternoon that there was a boy deer on the hill behind our home. The buck was in no hurry to leave, giving me plenty of time to snap some photos. My son is sick (again), so he stayed home from school yesterday and today. Luckily, the neighborhood wildlife has … Continue reading »
A deer grazing on the hill behind our home, enjoying the warm, sunny day… Photos taken February 12th, 2013 Continue reading »
Happy Sunday! Our Neighborhood Squirrel Photos taken January 19th, 2013 Continue reading »
We’re down with the flu, so there won’t be any outdoor play for us for a few days. I’ll be back in touch when we’re healthy again. Continue reading »
It’s been a while since I’ve taken any photos of the deer that graze on the hill behind our home. You may also enjoy: The Baby Deer Another Favorite… The Coyote Continue reading »
My little Wanpanoag is ready for the feast! For those of you in the U.S., enjoy your time with family and friends today. Continue reading »
We now have both juvenile White-crowned Sparrows and juvenile Golden-crowned Sparrows visiting our yard. Now that I can see both, frequently side-by-side, I can clearly see the difference. The one I thought last week was a Golden-crowned Sparrow is definitely a White-crowned one. Here are a few photos of the fist-year Golden-crowned Sparrows who visited … Continue reading »
Renewal, to me, is when the hills begin to turn green after our first few rains. We typically go for five-six months without rain here in the San Francisco East Bay, so the grasses are pretty brown and thirsty by this time of year. It’s lovely to see the hills “renewing” already! The hill behind … Continue reading »
Photos taken on our neighborhood walk, November 6th, 2012 Continue reading »
More photos from our November 6th “Signs of Fall Walk”. Related post: Neighborhood: Leaves in Transition Continue reading »
We enjoyed a walk around our neighborhood yesterday, to look for some “signs of fall” and to collect leaves. It was another hot day here in the San Francisco East Bay… in the 80′s! This does not feel like November, but we can’t complain. The lizards are loving it, too! Also from this walk: Neighborhood: … Continue reading »
Yesterday, I took a “Signs of Fall Walk” with my 5-year-old son. This is what we found… leaves in transition. Photos taken November 6th, 2012 Continue reading »
For months, I’ve been trying to capture a photo of the jay that visits the feeder in our backyard. Finally! Continue reading »
I need help identifying this bird. It’s been visiting our yard in the San Francisco East Bay for about a month now. At first, I thought it was an immature White-crowned Sparrow, but now I’m thinking it’s an immature Golden-crowned Sparrow. With Project FeederWatch coming up, I want to make sure I have the right … Continue reading »
Now that the weather is cooling down, the bird activity in our backyard seems to be picking up. Continue reading »
Hope you all had a great Halloween! Continue reading »
It rained during the night. My son found this feather in the backyard this morning and asked me to take a photo of it. Things are dry and calm now, but it will probably be raining for trick-or-treating tonight. Do ninjas wear rain coats? Continue reading »
Yesterday, I wrote about taking your child out on walk to look for signs of Autumn (Take a “Signs of Fall” Walk). I didn’t feel the seasons changing yet as I wrote the post, but decided to head out for a walk around our neighborhood with my 5-year-old after I wrote the article. Here’s what … Continue reading »
I have to admit, I’m in love with the Dark-eyed Junco. Not only are these little birds gorgeous, but they do an incredible job of cleaning up all that birdseed the finches drop from the feeder. You may also enjoy… Finch Fun Continue reading »
Yesterday morning, my son was quietly building with his Lincoln Logs when he happily exclaimed, “Look, Mommy, a goldfinch! There’s a goldfinch at the feeder!” Now I had to run to the window to check it out, because I honestly can’t remember ever having any yellow birds in our backyard. My son was correct. Two … Continue reading »
For at least eight summers now, we’ve had a pair mourning dove visiting our backyard. Every year, they have a child. Last year, my son and I were able to watch the parents teach the baby to fly. So cute! They showed up just a week ago with their child from this summer. I’m sad … Continue reading »
