Slightly Wordy Wednesday: Backyard Wildlife

We bought our house about a year ago. And I feel in love with it from the start. Not just because it was by the schools of our choice. Or because it had the square footage we wanted. Or a suite for my mom on the main level. Or a newly renovated kitchen. But, we fell in love with it because of the back yard. There is a yard. And then there are woods. But landscaped woods. With gravel paths. And tiki torches. And a wooden swing by the creek. A creek that has provided countless hours of entertainment for the girls. And an amazing amount of peace and tranquility while I sit on the deck. To read the paper. Ponder the universe. Or wonder McSteamy eats for breakfast.

And on occasion, I am drawn from my musings by wildlife that has ventured into our yard. Or into our hot tub. Children are wildlife, right?

The backyard is glorious, but, trust me, you don't want to see what lurks in the front. Right at the door. To greet you. And welcome you with open arms. All of them.

So, what kind of wildlife is in your backyard?

Cardinal Camera Critter

I saw this meme for Camera Critters over at Rhea's blog. She has some cool frog photos posted. I wasn't planning to participate...but you never know how life might intervene. I was just making dinner and I could see two hawks chasing each other in my back yard. They were really "yelling" at one another. So...I grabbed my camera in the hopes of catching one of them in flight. But...as would be my luck...they were gone. And then this beautiful cardinal perches on the dogwood tree and begins his serenade:

Semi-Wordless Wednesday (because resistance is futile)

Last week, Katie and I were sitting at the kitchen table (err...my desk!) doing math work...when she looked out the window and saw a hawk in a tree. Hawks can be real distractions to school work. But hawks are lovely to have in one's backyard...as are owls. We love our birds of prey because we do not have squirrels. Oh...there are squirrels in our neighborhood...but not in my backyard!
Preening:

Looking oh so regal:

And here...it just looks like a chicken: