Recent activities, and fauna around Chez Beanie

We have lots of these little guys fighting each other for the sugar water. They try to
drink it all before the raccoons come by at night to guzzle it.

On the other hand, this guy was patrolling the crappie bed by the dock.

This fox lives up the street from us and isn't worried about humans at all. She had a number of
babies this spring, and they were really cute to see every day. They've moved on though...

These guys hang out by our dock most days.

Spring is sprung

It was winter for one day...

Mr. Woodpecker is a daily visitor to the bird feeder. I think he should be keeping the trees bug free, but maybe this is easier than banging your head against a tree all the time. Maybe a lesson in there somewhere...

We've had hundreds of these guys (gold finches) ((and some purple ones)) this year. They've gotten so yellow that we wonder if they're not   canaries!

Sooooo....Will our dinner be out soon?
Is it even out of the oven????
These are feral cats that won't let us get near them, and hiss at me when I bring their food out. Looks like they'd get a clue...

We looked outside, and everything was red, the sky, the lake...it only lasted a few minutes, but it was magnificent. 12/8/01 This is pretty close to real color.

Then there were these three (actually four) deer that I thought were eating our rocks, but it turned out they were eating the cherries that fell from the trees.

I'll just wait here until a birdie comes to take a bath...

The big 90th Birthday Bash (Louie, Virginia's Dad)

A good time was had by all

Then it turned cold and rainy. Virginia thought this nuthatch looked as cold as you could get...

mmm, bird for lunch...Ferris tries a little charm

A sudden spate of slate-colored juncos (juncoes?) passed through.

How many pieces of dog food can I carry in my beak?

Ans.: 5+

Finally, someone to eat the thistle seed! Only, who are these guys? (Ans.: Goldfinches)

Fishing hole on 11/11/01. Very serene, especially since most of the fish hid out at 20 feet or more.

Capt. Ahab sets sail to the secret fishing grounds where mate Virgie Pooh will catch enough fish to last us all winter (see next pic).

About 3 ounces (total) after fileting (by amateurs), but fierce fighters (nearly pulled Virgie out of the fishing chair, seat belt and all)

Fall colors as viewed from Virginia's office in mid-October. More to come as more trees turn...

Fall colors to the South

Mr. Squirrel from about 5 feet away in the sunroom.

The neighborhood: Bill and Jane's cabin, our house (behind the trees), Tom and Beverly, and the ballet dancer's.

Helping the cats to finish up dinner, we have Pansy Possum (as seen through the safety of the storm door)

Downstairs deck with new swing.

No, the picture isn't upside down, the bird is.  They get seeds from the feeder and eat them facing down so the hulls fall straight down and don't get caught in their whiskers. They are very fast and don't stay in one place long, so Virginia was lucky to get this shot after two days of hiding in the blind with only rainwater and breadcrusts stolen from the birds to sustain her. What dedication!

Hot Springs (well, most of it) from the tower.