Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Favorite Nature Shots from My Own Backyard – 2022
It’s awfully hard to pick “favorites” since I love to take pictures of the birds and the bees and there are literally hundreds (dare I say thousands?) to choose from!
That said, I’ll start with a Northern Flicker drilling a hole in the snag last spring, letting the chips fall where they may! I set my camera to ‘burst’ and had so much fun watching him.
Next are the little chickadees who love dropping by the stream for a drink and a bath. They are always welcome. š
The hummingbirds are welcome too and I keep their feeders full year-round. Isn’t that male Anna’s a handsome one?
Finally, I ADORE the bees who visit my garden, especially the herb bed.
Guess who else loves the ‘herb bed,’ taking it quite literally? Benji, that’s who!
Honestly, can you think of a better place for a nap?
And that will do for twenty-two!
Sharing with Sunday Stills.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
I think you have the same wild/bird life as we have over here, Susanne! These images are gorgeous and I know they give you hours of delight! We have a flock of Northern Flickers here that love the black sunflower seeds I’ve scattered across the snow. They nest in the neighbor’s trees, along with the dark-eyed juncoes that visit every day. As soon as I can manage a decent picture I will share one of these days. So glad you shared for Sunday Stills–Happy New Year if I haven’t said it already!
Thanks so much, Terri. I had to narrow my focus, as looking back on the whole year was overwhelming! We probably do enjoy most of the same birds, and every season brings unique activity. Perhaps you see even more being in a rural setting; while some of those that stay here year-round, seek warmer temps on your side of the state, during the winter. I love them all, the regulars and the occasional visitors to my yard.
Thanks again for hosting Sunday Stills. I love to participate when I can. And I’m so glad you’re enjoying your new home in Washington.šš
We do love it here, Susanne. I follow Spokane Birders on Facebook and have learned so much about all these different species of birds. One we get more trees and shade, we will have a lot more birds. I had to buy two big bags of sunflower seeds to feed these voracious appetites š
Your backyard is beautiful!
Thank you! Especially when things are in bloom!
Indeed, that’s just a few weeks away. ā¤ļø
Hooray! š
Beautiful shots.
Beautiful bird pics, Susanne! Your male Annaās is absolutely stunning!
And that cat bird is as cute as ever.
Agree! š»š»
A bouquet of birds bees and flowers. What a lovely gift 2022 brought. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed my little nature preserve! š
You are an amazing photographer, Susanne. š
Aw, you’re so kind! Thank you. š š
My pleasure!
Love the flicker with the wood chips flying and one can never see too many bee photos! All the best to you for 2023.
Thank you. š I was so happy to see that flicker drilling into the snag. Exactly why we left it standing. And I agree about the bees. Happy 2023 to you, too!
The Flicker is beautiful! We have one who is intent on putting holes in our porch posts! At the current rate our posts will be more wood putty than wood!
Thanks so much! Sorry your flicker is destroying your porch! I guess you need to provide him a standing snag so he can drill to his heart’s content! š
Lovely photos. I don’t know which are my favourites! Maybe the flicker with the chips flying? Or those beautiful bees? Of course, Benji is always the star!
Thanks so much! I was happy to capture the flicker and I love the bees, too And Benji! š»
We all love Benji!
Awww, thank you!! š»š»
That’s a delightful selection indeed, Susanne. Well done!
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks so much, Pete.
So much to see in my own backyard! š
You have a beautiful garden!
Thank you so much! I’m already looking forward to spring! š·š
Of course the Benji pictures are my favorites!š
Thank you. I don’t blame you! Benji is rather cute!! š»š»
Itās always a pleasure to see the beautiful nature shots that you share from your backyard, Susanne. The Northern Flicker drilling a hole in the snag is such an interesting capture, and the chickadees enjoying a drink and bath in the stream are adorable. The hummingbirds and bees visiting your garden and herb bed are also wonderful additions to your nature shots. And of course, Benji taking a nap in the herb bed is the cherry on top. Itās clear that your backyard is a haven for a variety of beautiful and fascinating creatures. Keep sharing your amazing nature shots with us!
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed my little nature preserve. And Benji, too! š»