Merry Christmas!

Deck the Halls!

 

Ghost forest

Along the coast of North Carolina there are forests of dead trees due to salt water intrusion.  This one is due to runoff from a development flooding the forest.  (see here)

 

Winter on the boardwalk

The days get shorter and the shadows longer this time of year.

 

Theme Day: Symmetry

The reflection of the bridge made an example of horizontal symmetry.

 

Munch Crunch

A classic squirrel pose.

 

Red head

This red headed woodpecker was enjoying the sun after a long rain.

 

Somebody's playground

This is a forested area very close to a development.  This must be the place to play for the neighborhood kids.

 

Spooky old tree

When its leaves return it won't look quite so evil...

 

A murder of Crows

We could hear them a long way off, croaking at each other.  They would gather in the trees, then all fly off at the same time, circle and come back to the tree to gather again.  All the time making loud croaks.

 

Ready to fly

The red maples are ready to let their helicopters fly.

 

Carolina wren

Carolina Wrens are very curious.  We've even had them come into the house when a door is left open.  This one was just enjoying the sun.

 

After the Rain

After 2.5 inches of rain in 24 hours, there was water in places that are almost always dry,

A temporary swamp.

 

Song sparrow

The forest was quiet, but filled with song sparrows.  Why weren't they singing?

 

Yellow belly

This yellow bellied sapsucker was checking out the trees.  Maybe looking for a good spot to make his nest hole.

 

Deer me

Three deer beside the greenway, didn't run away when they saw us.  Instead they slowly crept closer.  I wonder who's been feeding them?

 

Nippy morning run

There weren't many people out running on a chilly morning.

 

Kinglet in the longleaf

This little golden crowned kinglet didn't budge when we walked right up to him.  He was intently working on the pine branch.  

There was something there that he really wanted.

 

Candelabra

The cattails in the wetlands looked like lighted candles.

 

Reflective swamp

The murky dark water reflected the sky very well.

 

How many deer do you see?

I counted three when I took this picture.  After I got it on the computer screen, I saw the fourth.   Do you see it?