My Yard ~ European Starlings versus Cooper's Hawk

There is always a lead European Starlings looking out for any predators that might come through to grab them.  None seen at that time but the next day the feeders were quiet as this Cooper's Hawk sat in the middle garden waiting for some lunch.  Today, he had no lunch in my yard.

Hand Dyed Fabric Quilts

    

These blocks are part of a swap from my online dyeing group ~ Dyehards. They were made many years ago ~ 8 -10 years??. I made this first top and found I have enough blocks to almost make a second top so tomorrow will be making more blocks to finish up a second quilt top.  Below is an Electric Quilt rendering of what the finished quilt will look like once pieced.

Canvasback Duck ~ Life Bird #418

Pink-Footed Goose - Life bird # 417

Birding Cumberland County, NJ

Red-tailed Hawk

I made a spur of the moment decision to stop by Turkey Point on my way home from Philly and see what birds were around to see.  First stop at King Lake, I saw at least 6 young Bald Eagles , This Red-shouldered Hawk and some vultures. Going out to Turkey point I saw numerous Northern Harriers hunting across the fields, several adult Bald Eagles and some unidentified sparrows.  Then I drove out to the Maple Avenue impoundments to see if there were any swans.  I was hoping for Tundra's and ended up with some Mute Swans.  I am surprised at how few ducks are around this year.  Also out at Maple Avenue were the Turkey and Black Vultures having a meal.  It was an enjoyable afternoon. 

Mute Swan

Black Vulture

Turkey Vulture

Ocean Drive, Lower Twp, NJ ~ Bald Eagle

Wildwood Crest ~ Sunset Lake, NJ

Drake Bufflehead 

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebes

Red-breasted Merganser

Cox Hall Creek WMA

Double-crested Cormorant

Redhead Ducks

Ring-necked Duck

Villas, NJ ~ Lake Champlain

Drake Hooded Merganser

Drake Mallard

Hen Mallard

Avalon 8th Street Jetty

Herring Gull with American Eel

Hen Scaup

 I am always excited to go up to see the birds at the Avalon Jetty especially the loons and ducks.  There were few of either species there.  The Purple Sandpipers never disappoint!

Purple Sandpiper

Purple Sandpipers

Cape May Point ~ Northwood Center

White-throated Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Male Cardinal

Female Cardinal

Tufted Titmouse

My yard - Back Yard birds

Downy Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker face off with Blue Jay

Butterfly Quilt

Deb & Don with a (quilt made by me) for their new granddaughter.