This Little Bird.

Well, not so little. Yesterday Chuck and I were standing at our sliding door looking out at the backyard when a pileated woodpecker flew through the yard. I recognized what it was right away and shrieked "Pileated Woodpecker!" and ran and got a camera. Chuck didn't know what the heck was going on. The woodpecker stayed for about 10 seconds on one of our trees and then flew to a neighbours.
These birds are so magnificent! Their size is amazing, their call something you think belongs in a jungle and their ability to drill holes in trees is fantastic.
We saw them all the time when we lived out in the country in Nova Scotia. I have seen them occasionally here but not too often. After about 5 minutes he flew off.
I just wanted to show you Toby and Oreo yesterday. I went over and had another good cuddle with them both. After I came back inside I looked out the kitchen window and saw this. Our yard ends at the end of the evergreen bushes. Oreo always comes and sits just out of Toby's sight, Toby being tied up and Oreo not.
I paid a quick visit to one of our local thrift stores and finally found the blue cornflower casserole I had been looking for. I saw one a couple of months ago in an antique store for $35.00. I didn't want to pay that. I knew if I was patient I would find one at a thrift store. I love this pattern. One of my aunt's had the whole set having been given it as a wedding presents in the early 1960's. I remember eating many yummy casseroles out of them as a kid growing up!
Dreary, rainy, miserable day here today so with all the awful weather I went out to fill all the feeders so everyone would have something to eat. We had saved some acorns from our trees so I put out a handful for the squirrels. I came back in the house and looked out on the back deck and this is what I saw. Trying to bury an acorn in my pot! When I dump the flower pots out (which I will do shortly) I always come across a few peanuts and acorns. He decided that was not the spot and jumped out.
He couldn't find the perfect spot on the deck so it was buried in the yard along with hundreds of others.
I put out a pile of peanuts too. This squirrel decided to have takeout and went and sat on our neighbours deck railing. You can see the rain teeming down.

At this moment Chuck is painting one of the bathrooms. The original owner of this house lived here for 25 years mostly by herself. She pretty well only used the master bathroom so the bathroom that Chuck is painting was hardly used. It has the original paint from 25 years ago, surprisingly in very good shape. The colour is not to our taste so we are changing it along with the mirror, toilet and light. It never ends!

We are doing a bit of travelling over the next few days. I will talk to you when we get back.

Take care!
Robin

Comments

  1. What an awesome feathered visitor, Robin. And no, no so little! I saw a pileated one once in Lemoine Point, and once in someone's backyard, I think in the Cemetery too. Not very often and always a treat. :-)

    Good find on the casserole dish! I ate lots of [gag] tuna casserole from Mom's casserole dishes growing up. I can't stomach tuna now. LOL.

    Your squirrel(s) won't remember where they buried their peanuts and acorns anyway, so it's no matter if you end up tossing some away. :-p

    Enjoy your travels and see you in a few days.

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    1. Hi Kim, Yes, I was so pleased to see the woodpecker!
      Oh man, I ate lots of Tuna Casserole at my aunt's too. My Dad HATED casseroles so we never ate them at home.
      See you soon!

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  2. What a striking little woodpecker!

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  3. My goodness! I have a casserole dish just like that one. I didn't know it was worth that much. I've often wondered if the squirrels remember where they bury all those nuts. That woodpecker is amazing. Occasionally we will see one here and I run for the camera too. That has got to be the woodpecker that Woody the Woodpecker was made up from. :)

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    1. Hi Henny. It is crazy what antique stores charge sometimes for such commonplace things.
      Supposedly the squirrels remember where something like 10% of the nuts they have buried are. Lots go to waste!
      Hope you are feeling better.

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  4. lovely, lovely woodpecker (and I love the squirrel!) As for the Corningware, I think ALL of us with parents from the 50s, 60s ALL had casseroles served out of these and chicken cooked in the baking dishes, etc, etc............who would think they would be a part of nostalgia? None of the people who got rid of them, including me! lol catchatwithcarenandcody

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    1. It is crazy what is considered "vintage" now isn't it?

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  5. Oh yes, those woodpeckers are pretty big. I see them occasionally around here.
    Another rainy morning walk for me and now it is VERY WINDY out.
    Have a safe and fun trip.

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    1. Everyone seems to be having terrible weather these last few days. Next week is supposed to be sunny and warmer.

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  6. We're having the same kind of nasty weather here, strong winds and heavy downpour.
    I went to the kitchen and checked. I have 2 of the blue cornflower casseroles. One medium and one smaller one. They are pretty but not hard to find in thrift stores out here yet.
    Smart of you to go away while the house smells of paint. Have fun.

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    1. I imagine so many of us have what is now considered "vintage" cookware.
      We are off to visit my Mum in a couple of hours.
      Have a good day!

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  7. You must have been quick with that camera, I've never seen a pileated woodpecker before,, thank you for sharing, he looks quite a beauty xx

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  8. I keep two cameras right in a drawer in the kitchen so I was able to grab one quickly.
    Glad you enjoyed it Cheryl!

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  9. You really live in an amazing place...the wildlife...and your photos..are just wonderful.
    By the way....I have that casserole dish too.
    Phoebe x

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    1. Hi Phoebe, thanks for your kind word about my photos! I seem to always have a camera within reach, just ask Chuck!
      That pattern on the casserole dish was a very popular one. Small world isn't it?
      Have a great weekend!

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  10. Hi Robin! This is one of the nicest blogs i have ever seen! I love your pretty pictures of the birds and the old houses! I surfed in thus evening and wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I blog from beautiful Charleston SC. Hope you will come visit. How do i sign up to follow you?....i dont see a follow option

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  11. This evening...not thus evening!! Ha ha lol

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    Replies
    1. Hi and welcome. Glad you enjoy my blog. Just below "My Blog List" you can enter your email address there. I popped into your blog. Just beautiful!
      Take care.

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