Thursday, August 18, 2011

I knew of a bluebird house with some sparrows inside down beside the pond so I thought I would drive down and take a look.
first I had to convince this fat fellow to leave the road.
I waited patiently because I don't really blame the groundhog.  It is fat and that is a steep hillside to climb. I've clamored o over that same bank while wondering why we don't have teleportation or at least an escalator available.
But finally the road was clear. I arrived at the nesting box at dinner time.  Do you see it?
Just one tiny mouth chirping faintly but loud enough for its parent to hear. 
Ah . . . there it is.
 The parent didn't like me there at all. Eventually it settled into a nearby spruce tree and the baby disappeared into the box.  I didn't want to bother them any more so I quickly left the area to study the pond.  Plenty of bullfrogs croaked, each disappearing into the water just as I closed in with my camera.  I'm thankful to this dragonfly that held still for a moment.
It even turned around to give me a better look and what a look. Such character in that face.
That is worth a double-click for enlargement, I think.

17 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

thanks for sharing it all. the fat groundhog made me smile. :)

MadSnapper said...

beautiful dragonfly and sweet little bird, but that fat old groundhog makes me happy to look at

Karen said...

That is a very charming face on the damselfly! Lovely trip to see all your wildlife.

rebecca said...

Sorry to be pedantic, but as Sandra said that is indeed a dragonfly, not a damselfly. (Wings spread when perched instead of folded over back.) It's a gorgeous insect, regardless.

RedPat said...

Love that fat groundhog! I missed the previous post but have to say that chicory is one of my favourites too.

JSK said...

It looks like a Blue Dasher. Nice pics.
Love the groundhog. I've never seen one; hope I do some time.

pumpkydine said...

Wonderful captures Nellie, It seems the housing market in your area has not felt the affects of the economy, Ha Ha! There seems to be plenty of renters! I spent several minutes one day trying to capture a similar dragonfly that would blink at me. I finally did catch a decent shot with it's eyes covered and open. It made a very interesting photo I plan to share in near future.

Rose said...

What a fat groundhog! Love the close up of the baby bird, and love the dragonfly captures.

Rick said...

Shouldn't be so hard on that groundhog - can't you see it's doing push-ups trying to lose some weight ! ;-)

Great capture of that baby bird and the damselfly, er dragonfly.

Unknown said...

What incredible nature you have around you! My fist time of viewing a groundhog, how interesting!!!

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

Thanks everybody for the help. I did some editing and the damsel has become a dragon. JSK, Blue Dasher, hmm, thanks.
nellie

floweringmama said...

Great shots! I am envious of your dragonfly shots. That is one that I have never been able to capture.

Out on the prairie said...

What a funy tale with the groundhog. They can eat your garden bare.You have a Blue Dasher dragonfly, I love shooting them.

Mia said...

I somehow felt I knew your groundhog, from my bathroom mirror, poor creature..
Your Dragonfly is absolutely beautiful, well worth the double-click :)

Les said...

Betcha that hungry mouth by the front door gets fed first.

SquirrelQueen said...

Great shot of the dragonfly. Go easy on the groundhog, he's trying to get fattened up for winter.

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm fascinated that the groundhog didn't scurry off! You had a great walk even if you did have a bit of climbing to do - neat shots of the baby bird and the dragonfly make it all worth it! :))