Aw, that is a lovely shot of Mum protecting baby, and they really do have beautiful eyes, don't they!

I got some suet cakes and put out a suet feeder for the first time ever yesterday. They smell funny, sort of fruity is how I'd describe it (not rancid or moldy though) but the birds have not touched them. Maybe it takes a few days for the birds to try it, or I will attract a different type of bird with suet? It got cold very suddenly here, and we've had two chilly nights so I thought the time was right to start giving out suet.

I love those Curlews of yours Glen and the way the parents care for their offspring. So sweet. I too think they have beautiful eyes. Very soulful.

Glen, that picture is just precious! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Elaine, it will probably take the birds awhile to find your suet, a wide range of birds like the suet, especially when it gets cold.

Aww, that is so cute ... baby hiding behind mum's skirt.

Finally got to the photos I took over the weekend. We got a little snow so that really kept my one suet feeder very busy!

2 of our crows


A titmouse. They had not been coming until the snow blew in!


Best I could get of the Northern Flicker.


Pileated Wooodpecker thru the very dirty window. I will be cleaning that tomorrow!


Cardinal & a Dark-eyed Junco


These are from back on November 10
Dark-eyed Junco


Male Cardinal

Nice variety of birds Claudia.

Very nice Claudia!

Thank you Margaret & Ann!

I have a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers too but they are very skittish!

Nice pictures Claudia!!! I really like your suet feeder too.

We heard the Great Horned ows last night. After a year plus of sewer construction on our street last year we thought they were gone for good. So excited they are back

Ronnie!!!

plantladylin said:Hi Glen, haven't seen you around in awhile ... or maybe it's just that we don't visit the same forums. Love those pretty Parrots ... are they destructive? It looks like the one in the first photo is eating a plant leaf.

Lin I forgot to go look what it was the Red-rumped Parrot had in her mouth. It is a one of those herbs - I think they call it multispice. Smells like oregano plus 7 other secret herbs and spices. It is very pungent.

I haven't used it in cooking yet. But I have gone off the smell of oregano somewhat. It is permeating all the fast food joints these days too.

I should try and get the herb identified. The leaf is large and has substance - probably a mint thingy.

Gleni, your plant looks much like Cuban Oregano (Plectranthus parviflorus 'Variegatus')

wildflowers said:Gleni, your plant looks much like Cuban Oregano (Plectranthus parviflorus 'Variegatus')

It sure does. The only difference I can see is the leaf shape. Glen's are pointed and more arrow shaped whereas the Cuban Oregano has fatter, much more rounded leaves.

Thanks Ann and Lin.

They have come up to the house earlier today.



If you look closely, the baby is actually kneeling.

That little one is precious! Oh my!

Uh oh, somebody put his knees on backwards! Just gorgeous, Glen.

knees on backwards. But what a cute chick!!

Gleni, I have the regular Cuban Oregano (Coleus amboinicus) and it is a meaty plant, hairy too. It's a very good culinary and medical herb. We use it this time of year in a tea to treat upper respiratory colds and such.