Working on Friday!

 

This week has been more of a planning week. Dinner plans, cleaning and getting out when we can, so not as much time for projects. I have been working on a Christmas quilt. I am hand sewing, since I want to keep it prim, so just a simple outline with an X.

Last weekend we went to a concert, that Nick was playing in. Usually he plays the Glockenspiel but this time he played the Cymbals. 

The next day we went for a ride around the beach areas. We saw a lot of Ospreys, I thought this one was funny, the way she was looking at her mate.

This pair had quite the look, as well. 

During the week we had extra time for a local walk. We went on our bike path and enjoyed a long walk and water views. I spotted this Great Egret on the way back.

A squirrel along the path.

A Mockingbird, giving me the look.

And we spotted a Belted Kingfisher in the cove. It is a nice bike path, but walking gave us the opportunity to enjoy the nature along the way.

Today we had time to do a little shopping and ride around the scenic route. As we were riding past the marsh, I spotted a hawk, who was on the hunt so it was hovering as it flew. We were able to ride ahead a little, so I could catch a shot as it came up. The first time I was able to get a shot of a Northern Harrier.

Tomorrow will be spent getting things ready for Easter and some time for a walk. The weather will be nice, so we can do an Easter egg hunt for the boys. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter.

Friday finish!

 

While I am working on my hand quilting, I like to have a small project to finish. I also like to make something new for the holidays, just for fun. This week I wanted to make a needle felted egg and I found a design from an online coloring book page. It is a bit wonky, but it was fun to make and something different.

Last week we did a ride around the beach areas and got in some walks. One of the places we went to, is a bird sanctuary that goes to a cove, but no birds. When we went to get back in the car, a hawk flew past me and landed across the street. Once I got back in the car, he came back and went back to the hunt. Unfortunately, as you can see in the last photo, he was unsuccessful.

At another cove, I caught a Blue Heron on the hunt. They are fun to watch and this guy was successful in catching a few fish.

We had Bean on one day, he loves going out with us and playing at the dog beach.

It is a nice beach to walk along and enjoy the views across the channel, lots of fishing boats.

On one of the docks, I was trying to get some photos of birds in the channel, when these two flew over to me. They were quite friendly and even more so, with each other.

 

And had no shame in getting together in front of me.

Today we took a hike in a new area. It is called the Great Swamp and there are trails all through it and surrounded by a lot of swamp area. When we came out of the woods, we ended up at a beautiful pond and spotted a few Ring-necked ducks.

And the reason we went there was because I saw that there are a lot of nests in the area. We spotted two Osprey nesting on the telephone poles. There are other nests, but these were the only two that had come in. It is an area we will definitely go back to, I am sure it will be teaming with birds by next month.

I hope you all had a nice week and can enjoy the weekend. We have rain tomorrow, but will be going to Nick's school concert. He is playing the Glockenspiel this year. He also plays the piano, so he is definitely musically inclined. 

The Osprey are out of range, so I couldn't get close ups. We have a lot of nesting areas, so we are watching for more to come in this month.

Friday finish!

 

I finally got the binding on my quilt and finished it this week. It is one of the first quilts I put together, so I used materials I had on hand. Now I need to get some backings on others and quilt a few more. I am thinking of buying larger quilt backing, so I don't have to piece fabric for the back, but also think it would be good to use up some stash, so I will think about it. The photo makes it look brighter than in person.

We got to enjoy some time at the island this week. I have found a few pieces on nice glass, but not as much as usual. I do enjoy getting out in the fresh air and there are more birds coming in and migrating. I always love seeing the Mergansers, they are such a funny bird.

And more Gulls in the area. Some are shy and some will pose for me.

Today we got out for a nice walk at the bird sanctuary, then to the ocean. Lots of rocks on this beach, but no glass. The Ospreys are showing up, they have their nesting areas and come back every year. The old timers have the same nest and are the early ones, to make sure no one else takes the nest. I also saw turtles in the pond, a sure sign of spring.

I hope you all had a nice week and can get out and enjoy the weekend. 

Friday Finish!

 

I had big plans to finish my quilt, but that didn't happen. Instead I spent most of the week with a sinus infection and joint pain, so I rested a lot. Since I can't stand just sitting, I worked on another quilt I had prepared for quilting, so did some hand quilting.

Then I found this cute design and it made me smile, so I had to make it. It is an old design that I found on Pinterest. A design by Sami's Stitcheries and was offered as a freebie. You can still get the pattern download on Box.

Last week we got out for a ride before the rains came. We took Bean with us, so stopped at a few places to enjoy the views and let him enjoy some outdoor time. I always love the views from the Breachway, the waves were crashing.

Then we went to the dog beach, and Bean got to play off leash and made a new friend.

At the end of the beach, sits this house with a lighthouse. It is a private home and a place I would love to live.

Before we left I went to the marsh side and tried to catch a few birds I saw in the bush. Then I spotted this guy. Of course, once he saw that I was taking photos, he took off.

On the way home we spotted the new couple, this one is lighter.

And this one is the darker one, both beautiful Red-tailed Hawks. This weekend we have more rain coming in, but it should be overnight, so that won't be so bad. It does make it hard to get out hiking, since most of the trails we hike, are in swampy areas. I hope you all have a nice weekend and not stuck in the storms path.

Friday Finish!

 

Well, I finished my quilting, but then I got sick and it affects my joints, so I wasn't up to trimming and adding the binding, so that will be next week. Since I was down for the day, I decided to make up some simple stitcheries. I cannot just sit, I need to keep my hands busy and it keeps my mind off my misery. 

I took some old designs I had from Robin of Bird in the Hand Primitives. I had done these in punch needle but they work for stitchery too. The boy bunny has always been my favorite. A fun project to stitch in a day. You can still find some of her free patterns on her blog.

We got out over the weekend. We took a ride to Mystic village to check out a few stores but nothing good. I did enjoy watching the ducks in the pond.

Then we rode around the old routes and visited a preserve. It was a short walk and had an old cemetery. This grave was sitting by itself, a sign of the times.

Another day we did the ride around the back roads along the ocean areas. I spotted this Merganser at one spot.

And this Mockingbird was kind enough to sit for a pose.

At one area I spotted a little bird and grabbed a shot before he flew away. It was a Yellow-rumped warbler. Sometimes I can't tell what type of bird they are, until I see the full photo and can see the details, so always a treat. On the way back home I spotted a Red-tailed Hawk in a tree, so stopped for a photo and just as we started up, I saw another a few trees up, so I guess they are mates.

I hope everyone enjoyed their week and hopefully this weekend. We have rain tomorrow, so we are having the kids over for dinner and a little party for my son's birthday. Hopefully Sunday will be nice enough to get out a bit.

Friday is for the birds!

 I really tried to put more time into finishing my quilting, but I have one more outer row to go and then the binding, so that will be doable, next week. We have gotten out more and have enjoyed more birding. 

We went to our favorite spot and checked out the further end of the point. No birds in the marsh, but with the rougher waters, I caught a group of gulls, enjoying the beach area. This guy was having fun, taking a bath and splashing around in the water.

In the inner marsh, we caught the resident Belted Kingfisher. 

Bill spotted the female, hiding on a rock. The minute I started to get shots of her, the male decided to chase her away. 

In another section of the marsh, I spotted a group of birds. This one is a Greater Yellowlegs.

And this one is a Dunlin. They look similar but you can see the difference in the beak colors and shapes, and the leg colors. The Dunlin is about half the size of the Yellowlegs.

At the island I caught a group of Red-breasted Mergansers. The males were showing off for the female.

And I caught a group of Greater Scaups. Love their eyes and coloring.

At home we got a snow storm, so I enjoyed seeing the birds who came to visit. I love the Carolina Wrens and was finally able to get a shot of one.

And the White-throated Sparrow, stopped for a visit. Usually they are on the ground and always on the move.

And The Dark-eyed Juncos, snow always brings more around.

And it is that time of year, where the hawks are pairing up again and on the hunt. So far they haven't bothered the birds at the feeder. This one was above my neighbor's chicken coops, lots of wood piles and areas where the mice hide. He is a Red-shouldered Hawk.

I hope you enjoyed seeing the birds in my area. I really never noticed birds and the types, until I started looking. A lot of birds blend in with their surroundings, so you might not even notice them. Also, a feeder is a great way to bring birds to your yard. It is a fun way to bring a little sunshine to the winter and help them get through the colder months.

Friday Finish!

 This week was quite the week. We had a nice weekend and then got hit with snow on Tuesday. Now it is cold again, so winter is not over yet. I have been looking at old projects that I started and never finished and found one I could do up quickly.

I had made this design before and. used appliqués with stitching, this one is all stitching. I added a fun border and outer stitching. Even though the piece is primitive, I like how the brighter, fun fabric, works with it. 

One day we spent with Bean, he loves to go out with us, but sometimes we like to stop in shops, so he has to stay home. He enjoyed getting out and playing on the beach for a bit. We got to enjoy some birding, while out, as well.

While trying to get a shot of the Kingfisher, I noticed a bunch of cars, stopping in the road, then I noticed why. A Thick-Billed Murre was sitting in the road and didn't want to move. I have a feeling he got stunned by a car. I stood by him, trying to figure out how to get him back in the water, when a policeman came by. He had no idea what to do, so I explained that the bird has to be in the water, they do not walk on land. 

So, the policeman grabbed him and the Murre did not like that, so clamped onto his hand, with his bill, poor guy. But he held on and we walked down to the water and I told him to just throw it up in the air. He did and the Murre flew up enough over the reeds to get in the water and swam away. Our adventure for the day and a first time sighting for me.

After that, we headed to another beach. It was so nice out, that there were a lot more people than usual. I didn't find much on the beach until I spotted this guy. A baby blue lobster, a rare find. He wasn't moving but looked like he had just washed up, so I threw him back in the ocean, since it was going out. I am hoping that the ocean revived him and he lives to grow up, a happy thought.

Tomorrow a little snow flurry and we planned on taking the boys to the seaport, along with my son. They are having a winter fest, with reindeer, ice sculptures and other activities, so hopefully it will move out quickly and we can enjoy the day without freezing. I hope you all enjoy the weekend and find your own adventures.