Perched

Perched at the dining room window in the RV park, I witness all types of bird activity.

A few weeks ago, a golden-fronted woodpecker was assaulting our neighbor's window. (In the first photo, the bird is NOT pecking at the cable, I had an awkward photo angle.)

Golden-fronted woodpecker looking at itself in the window.

"Oh, hello, what bird are you?"

Golden-fronted woodpecker still examining the window.

Last week, the boat-tailed grackles were fluffing. (From Wikipedia: Fluffing = "In breeding season, males tip their heads back and fluff up feathers to display and keep other males away. This same behavior is used as a defensive posture to attempt to intimidate predators.") In the last of the three grackle photos below, look for the fanned out tail feathers and the pulled back wings. That grackle means business!

"Hey, you're invading my turf!"

"You better leave now."

"No, I think YOU should leave! Now!"

Today a golden-fronted woodpecker took a bath atop our neighbor's 5th wheel slide out. First it had to make sure the coast was clear.

"Am I safe?"

One wet bird - call it a wet-headed woodpecker.

Still checking the perimeter for intruders.

Wet bird flies into nearby tree.

Then there's the rusty blackbird. This is the first time I've seen this bird. The blackbird was drinking from the roof drain rail on the 5th wheel next door.

Rusty blackbird.

Rusty blackbird.

Rusty blackbird drinking water.

There is a new hummingbird feeder next door to us; the hummingbirds are already fighting over it. I have not been able to capture the hummingbirds in flight. The feeder is partially behind a tree, so it's not easy to catch the hummers at the feeder either. We will have to put up our hummingbird feeder outside our back window. Then the cats and I will be entertained by these fast feathered beauties.

While I'm on the subject of entertaining cats, I found the best cat toy to date at Walmart. It's called SmartyKat® Hot Pursuit™. The cost was $19.99 plus tax.* The toy takes three AA batteries (not included) to run the stick with a "mouse tail" around and around under the cover.

For over a week, this toy has kept two cats very absorbed in catching and killing the moving "tail" sticking out from under the cover. I haven't had to put the attachment with feathers on yet because they're already having so much fun. (And no, I don't make any money off of these things.) See photos below. Happy, entertained cats = happy kitty momma.

Bowie always defers to Sunnie. Sunnie gets to play first. Once Sunnie is out of the picture, Bowie goes to town. He is such a busy, intelligent cat. He has to figure out every way he can possibly play with something.

In the photo below, note Bowie's feigned disinterest while Sunnie plays.

Sunnie attacking from the cat cave (box).

Bowie's turn.

You can't see it in the following photo, but Bowie has the cover in his mouth and is dragging the toy across the floor. He loves doing that.

Here you can see the little red "tail".

Conked out after playing with the toy. Notice the evil eye from Bowie.

*While sitting in the vet's waiting room last week, Animal Planet had ads for this toy. If you called then, it was $19.99, plus you got an extra one free. "But wait! There's more" ... the lady sitting next to me and I laughed because it sounded so much like the Ginzu knife ads that used to be on TV, so I missed what else came with it. I didn't write down the phone number or website to order it, but when I saw it at Walmart, well let's just say, in advertising terms, it triggered TOMA (top of mind awareness).

I'm so happy I bought it. You can see the result in the conked out kitties above. Too cute.

Travel Bug out.

Thanks Blaine & Xtreme Wheels

I have a mail box again!
When I stopped by Xtreme Wheels yesterday, Blaine said the shop has a spare mail box and post (already mounted). They offered to me and Blaine told me he would come out and make temporary installation.
This afternoon Blaine was out to the house. The post cut and secured to the original post (what was left of it). Its more stable that the old box and post!
Thanks Blaine and Xtreme Wheels.

An Easter Wish

Happy Easter!
Have a beautiful weekend - I hope you find plenty of goodies hidden by the Great Long-Eared One!

I'll be thinking of you and wishing I could
sniff out the yummalicious things in the tall
grasses with you all! Thanks to Hailey for thelovely Easter card on the left and to Checkers
for the bootiful card on the right. They are just delightful!
Big Hugs and Licks,
Sammie xo

The Opening - and home cooking

I know I said no more snow scenes, but I needed a wintry shot of the River Spey. The salmon fishing season on the river opened on 11 February. Opening ceremonies mark the start of the season on the major rivers of Scotland. A report of the ceremony on the Spey said "The other 3 major rivers, namely, Tweed, Tay and Dee had been opened by a variety of politicians and comedians, therefore the Spey, not to be outdone, had a combination of both in MSP Richard Lochhead." [MSP = Member of Scottish Parliament]. I can't find anything on the internet about Mr Lochhead pursuing an amateur interest in stand-up comedy, so I assume this is an 'affectionate' tribute. Perhaps it refers to the fact that the political comedian poured a whole bottle of Glenfarclas Single Malt whisky into its waters as a good luck libation. You can see some of the obviously chilly event here.
And the home cooking? The villages along the banks of the Spey have angling associations, through which residents and visitors can fish on certain stretches of the river for very reasonable rates compared to the most famous beats where prices are astronomical. The custom in the Aberlour Angling Club is to donate the first salmon of the season to the Fleming Cottage Hospital. So it was that my father enjoyed freshly caught salmon for his evening meal on 11 February.

Ride to Trails Center

Since the last day I rode, we had lots of clouds and 2 storms that left us a dusting of snow. Anyway, the weather finally started turning into Spring temperatures.

At noon, it was mostly sunny and in the low to mid 50s. Light breeze from the East. HAD to get out for a bike ride. Kitted up, loaded the hybrid on the car and headed to the Wabash Trace Trailhead. No plans for just how far I would ride.

Stopped at Indian Creek Bridge for a rest and some water. Visited with another rider. Turned North on Indian Creek Trail. As I neared Veteran's Memorial Trail, I decide I was feeling good enough to continue on to the Western Historic Trails Center. After all, I had not been there yet this year - needed to show my face.

As I parked the bike, I realized its Thursday - Jam & Bread day. Stopped in long enough to sign the register. Sat on the retaining wall for eat a granola bar and drank a bottle of G2. Time to head back to the car.

Knew I would have to take it easy on the way back as I was basically riding into the wind. Rode at a steady 9-10 mph. Stopped for a drink of water once I was along E Manawa Drive. When I was ready to turn over to Lake Manawa Trail, I stopped for a little more water and starteded sucking on a shot blok. Knew one would help me make it back to the car.

Climbing up after tunnel and RR trestle, I knew that I had made the right decision as for length of the ride. Exhausted and legs almost shot when I got back to the car. Loaded the bike and headed home.

Great ride! Re-hydrated with more water and PowerAde Zero. Topped the afternoon with my large salad. It will feel good to get horizontal in bed this evening.

Today's photo is my hybrid at the Trails Center. With very little color in the photo, processed it in monochrome and added some sepia tint. OH, I ended up with 16 miles, the longest ride of the season (so far).

Swinging

The bike fairy picked these up last night. They're oh, so Lobsterific!

I feel so pretty. I slept with mine last night.
I might not be the fastest girl out there, but at least I'll be one of the prettiest in pink.