There were over 1700 posts in our last critter thread, I thought a new one was in order.

Here are my critters from today. The big mallard appears to be a "hybrid" or manky mallard but it is not the same one we had last summer. There were over a dozen ducks in the weeds today perhaps making nests. I think it must be mating season as the makes were fighting and splashing all day. The egret just posed for me today.

Great pick-up Alice! I had completely forgotten about "critters".

I can't remember just how many years it has been since I have seen a Mallard in the wild. They are unheard of in Fort Myers. I think I saw one in my 9 years down there and was still around for a Christmas bird count! Don't remember what year that was. Have seen one up here that I can recall.

How nice! I love this start of our new thread!

Thanks, I don't know why I called the last bird an egret, I believe it is an immature Tricolored Heron.

I think you are right, Alice.

Jim

We have this 6 mile bike-path loop nearby along a local river, which includes 3 ponds. It is well used, we take plenty walks here, especially around and near this Duck pond.

This is the first time in all these Winters that this pond hasn't frozen over.!
Some more, older pics, a lot of birds!

The ducks have discovered the seed the birds toss out of the feeder. They are good at cleaning up after the birds but now someone has to clean up after the ducks. They fly off when Murphy dog chases them but they come right back, they do not seem to fear us. The goose cannot fit through the fence and he has not figured out he cold fly in.


The sun was hitting the spider webs this morning, they are all so interesting.

Silly goose! Those spider webs are very pretty! They remind me waking up at our Pennsy place one cool morning and the meadow behind the house was sparkling with dozens of spider webs. Just amazing!

I consider the spiders, birds and now the ducks, my natural insecticides.

This was the scene this morning looking out the kitchen window!
Can you see the bird in the neighbor's yard?
I was able to get a couple of better shots through the window


Then Klaus went carefully outside and he too managed a couple of shots!
If you look closely at his left foot, he is holding a kill! We could see it better when he took off. Oh and they must be living nearby, that bird or partner just flew through the yard again. No wonder we rarely see any rabbits in the yard lately.

Say goodbye to that rabbit!
Red Tailed Hawk.

Not to be heartless, he is allowed to take a Squirrel once in a while, we are overrun with them, but those Bunnies really don't do any harm. I like them camping out on the lawn!

They sure are cuties but heartless when it comes to young lettuces and other greens in your garden.

We just visited a friend who spends one month a year at her home in Port Charlotte, FL. There was no landscaping to speak of around this house except for a seriously overgrown shrub in front. She was asking me about landscaping that would live on its own for 11 months of the year and the first thing I suggested was to trim back the messy shrub. She quickly exclaimed "NO, that is where the bunnies live."

Funny!
I quit growing Veggies years ago. I just keep Herbs right on the banister out the kitchen door, so no problem there. Klaus feeds the Bunnies.....

Here is one for your amusement!

Oh that is just so adorable!!!

Crocheting fun stuff keeps me sane?

Between crocheting and orchid growing/gardening, you have to be Super sane!!! Not to mention calm and relaxed.

It helps!

Ursula; Next crochet a Coronavirus Bug (with googly eyes)