What Did You See In Your Yard Today?

[bobss396]

I was out on my deck in the late afternoon and came across a huge amount of bird feathers.

I don't see any hurt bird or blood. I tried to ID the feathers online with no luck. I think this may be molting. I'll see who shows up at the Bird Buddy with a bad haircut.

[ksnow]

The second feather looks like a dove's tail feather.

I would guess that a cooper's or sharp-shinned hawk caught themselves a meal.

[ewetwo]

On 8/14/2025 at 12:53 PM, johnyrotten said:

I've seen a fisher a few times on my property. 2-3 times in the decade ive owned the house. Angry, mean creatures I've been told. 

Yes. They are mean John. Come to think of it. I haven't seen any rabbits lately. Or the ground hog. Way too many ground hogs. So I hope it sticks around a while.

[johnyrotten]

56 minutes ago, ewetwo said:

Yes. They are mean John. Come to think of it. I haven't seen any rabbits lately. Or the ground hog. Way too many ground hogs. So I hope it sticks around a while.

All part of living in the "woods". I don't mind the creatures till they damage the house, or go after my dogs. Other than that, all good. It would be nice if they would pay some rent.

[rattle can man]

And pay for their meals (what they eat from my garden and the birdseed bill).

As for what I saw, my second Caroline Reaper pepper of the year.

 

[A modeler named mike]

Three fellows lugging my old 500 Lbs. plus oil burning furnace strapped to a motorized hand dolly going across my backyard. 30 minutes later, the same three guys heading in the opposite direction with my new energy efficient oil burning furnace to be installed. Yeah, I know it's not nature, but I did see it in my backyard..😏

[bobss396]

23 hours ago, ksnow said:

The second feather looks like a dove's tail feather.

I would guess that a cooper's or sharp-shinned hawk caught themselves a meal.

I do have hawks around, the bluejays usually make quite the racket when they appear.

If so, it likely took off with the bird after a brief battle. This may explain the trail of feathers across my yard and pool.

Nothing showed up on my Bird Buddy which was about 8 feet away. 

[bobss396]

Just a few shots of my columbines in full bloom. The bees are all over them.

[johnyrotten]

19 minutes ago, bobss396 said:

Just a few shots of my columbines in full bloom. The bees are all over them.

My wife loves these photos. We have a lot of shade, it's difficult to get certain types to grow. 

 

[slusher]

On 8/15/2025 at 6:50 AM, bobss396 said:

I was out on my deck in the late afternoon and came across a huge amount of bird feathers.

I don't see any hurt bird or blood. I tried to ID the feathers online with no luck. I think this may be molting. I'll see who shows up at the Bird Buddy with a bad haircut.

Something cought that bird like a cat 🐈‍⬛ or an owl 🦉 

[bobss396]

21 hours ago, slusher said:

Something cought that bird like a cat 🐈‍⬛ or an owl 🦉 

This was daylight and I have no cats around outside. Owls, I have yet to see one. Since the feathers had a 80' spread I'm saying hawk.

[bobss396]

Hot peppers 🌶 anyone? Red cayennes are coming in strong, at least 6 per day.

Green ones are siricha (sp?), similar to jalapeños. This batch I'm slicing up, vacuum sealed and into the freezer.

I pickled a couple of jars of them too. Plants are still producing like mad.

[meechum68]

In my front yard I have a few Ruby throated Hummingbirds playing on the different feeders I have out for them.  They were late this year, usually we see them in April, but they finally showed up, and it's been nice.