BACKYARD WILDLIFE

While posting for Christmas, I cannot neglect to share with you are visiting wildlife in the backyard.  We have been so blessed in the last couple of weeks!  We have had visits from the Wood Stork, Woodpecker, Swans, etc.  Here are some of the pictures we have snapped in the last week or so!

I drew a sprig of holly and berries on this picture and used it to make
 Christmas Cards.

The Swan was very jealous that I was taking pictures of the stork and came from half way down the lake to assert his postiion! 

And of course Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are ever present and watching all that goes on.   She is scratching herself with her hind foot-ha!

I love this one as I tried to capture the exquisiteness of his wings as he was posturing to show his dominance.  The feathers are so beautiful and snowy white, except for their head and neck that they are constantly dunking in the water and eating the greens that grow.

 Hubby has the better camera and was able to zoom in on Mr. Stork!  I love this because you can see the greatness of his bill.

Hubby loves the reluctant Woodpecker, who hates to have his picture taken-ha!  As Bill tried to take his picture, he would hide round and round the trunk of the tree, just out of sight!  But he did finally catch him!

You can really see the detail on this adult's head in comparison to the young ones we posted a few weeks ago.  They had white feathers on their heads but the adults are mostly bald and definitely not as cute-ha!
  Thank you so much for visiting and appreciating nature with us!  The Great Blue Heron came yesterday but I have not downloaded the pictures yet.

Thank you so much for visiting our little nature center in our own backyard.  Help to promote preservation of our earth by not adding to polution.  Teach your children young how important all the creatures are on earth and how to keep it safe and clean for ever!
                  HUGS to you and warmth of heart to all who are experiencing bitter cold and snow!  It was 20 degrees even here in SC this morning and is now up to 21 at 11:50.  For today's spiritual message see http:kerrieshomejournal.blogspot.com

♥KERRIE♥

My merry heart to yours...

LAZY, RAINY TURTLE SUNDAY

GOOD MORNIN'! We are getting a much needed downpour that does not bother any of our wildlife!  An Egret was fishing along the bank on the other side of the lake and a big ol' turtle was following quite fast a yard or so behind him!  Such fun to watch!

Turtle was still following, maybe he is hoping for a morsel?

The swans are so graceful even in the pouring rain and they flatten all of their feathers and pack them together tight repelling the most amount of water.

The Good Lord Gave Us Rain

 ©Kerrie O'Hearn Marquart

The Good Lord gave us rain

to quench the thirsty earth.

And a bit of rolling thunder

Just to remind us of His worth.

And I always enjoy the raindrops

'Cause they make the sun so sweet!

Raindrops are splashing on the little pond

But all the critters are hanging round.

'Cause God gave turtles a hard shell

And Swans and Egret's feathers,

That serve them well

As the rain runs off their lovely backs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for stopping by to see me today, you are a blessing in every way!  Now pop over to TWO HAPPY Blog to see what's cooking in my pot today!

NIGHT SWANS...

Hubby took these wonderful pictures of the swans at night!  I just love them.  We just happened to notice they were swimming in the little lake in back after dark and they are so used to us that they swam right up like it was daylight and did not mind their picture being taken at all!

Thank you for visiting and do come back soon!  I am wanting to paint these so badly and there is never enough hours in my days!  See my post today on TWO HAPPY blog.

♥Kerrie