Saturday, September 10, 2011

What do you see in the woods?

So what does one see in the woods after sitting all day?  Well there is this wonderful caterpillar.  I also watched a determined inch worm head up the tree I sit next too.  I guess he wanted to see the top.  Sorry no photo.  Truth is I thought I would have a while to take his photo and before I knew it the little bugger was too far up to get a good shot.
 The robins, nuthatches, flickers, and sapsuckers provide me with constant entertainment as they splash and sing in the elk wallow.  One bird will start bathing and the next thing you know there are 20 birds around all jumping in the puddle. 

 
The bird on the right constantly landed above me to check things out.  I'm not sure what it is.  The one above is the regal ruffed grouse.  He strutted through the forest, king of his domain.  But the real prize is below...



This is a pine martin.  I so wish he had slowed down enough for me to get a good shot.  He was sprinting through the forest on his way to somewhere very important.  By the time I got the camera out and figured where he was headed I had seconds to take a picture.  I'm pretty proud of it.  This is only the second pine martin I've ever seen.

I also took a photo of a quiet coyote that also visited the wallow tonight, but it is too blurry.  I heard one elk bugle right at dark.  I love that sound.  I don't think I will see any as it is a full moon.  They can do everything at night when the moon is full.  I can't complain.  I had lots of other animal visitors and being able to get a blurry photo of that pine martin was worth it. 

14 comments:

  1. WOW WOW WOW, how cool is this! Beautiful wildlife you were able to see, how wonderful.

    I know what you mean about those blurry photos, you treasure what you got but wish they weren't blurry, but treasure them still!

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  2. Since we have "woods" around us too, I like just sitting on our deck and watching the wildlife, Birds, deer, a raccoon family, rabbits and squirrels. It makes for a very peaceful, reflective time. Love your photos, XOXO

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  3. Wow never seen one of these before, way cool! And you got a photo to boot!!!

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  4. I love your garden! It's beautiful. You take really nice pictures! Thank you for sharing them.

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  5. I would absolutely love to hear the bugle of an elk! My husband is an avid hunter, however, he has never hunted elk! That is definitely something that is on our "Things to do list"! I hope you have luck filling your elk tag! Happy hunting and gardening! Mindy

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  6. I've never heard of a Pine Marten and took a few minutes to look them up and read about them--What a treat to see and especially get a picture of!

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  7. the bird in the tree, on the left looks like it might be a catbird.

    they are soooo fun to watch, i just love all my feathered friends!!

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  8. Wow I don't care if it is blurry what an amazing shot. I have never seen one that close before Thank you. B

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  9. What a wonderful variety of wildlife in your area. The pine marten photo is amazing...I would have probably dropped my camera and had no photo at all!

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  10. WOW, you are blessed to be surrounded by such beauty and intrigue. It's just amazing. Count your blessing, they are many.

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  11. How fantastic are these creatures? And how blessed are we to have them around us like that? I loved it, and appreciate your sharing the experience with us!
    xxxxxxxx

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  12. Great photos...love the pine martin...I've actually never heard or seen that animal..so cool.

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  13. Great photos and how great of you to share them with us! That was a treat getting to see the pine marten :) and the ruffed grouse AND how cool is it that you at least have a nice wallow to sit over and watch the other animals using it. Hopefully a big bull elk will come in soon!

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  14. Oh my gosh! You are making me want to go and sit in the woods and not move for hours except to take photos and witness all of the animals playing! So, is a pine martin anything like a weasel? I have to look that up! I love the sound of an elk bugling too!! I heard one a couple of times while camping at 3,000 feet at a small lake in Washington state. It was awesome....and we knew exactly what it was! Wish I could go back there!

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