Willow and Wren

For the Joy of It

Black-and-white Warbler

I decided to forgo common sense today and take a walk around Heinz with holes in my feet.  I justified it by saying it would be a short walk.  I hobbled/geisha walked around the small loop through Warbler Woods.  I was just beginning to think my pain was all for nothing when I caught sight of this Black-and-white Warbler.

From the Couch

Some of what I was doing all day on the couch.  It's a bit dull to have one's feet out of service.  I know I should have been reading and writing and good stuff like that but all I could think about was wanting to DO something!!!  On the other hand if I can't go out for a walk it's nice to see where other people have been walking, or swimming and flying in most cases.

Ducks and Snipes

Thursday morning before I went in to play with lasers and needles I took a four or five hour two mile walk around Heinz.  I finally got close to a Wood Duck and his mate but of course I didn't have my branch and foliage remover with me.  I just can't get tired of that joke.  Mainly I guess because it's more like wishful thinking than a joke. The snipe, on the other hand, was very accommodating.  She was very close and didn't move so I wonder if she was sitting on something special.  I'll have to check with the bird experts on that one.

Ribbit

Couch Ridden

I've been stuck on the couch since Thursday when I had laser surgery on my feet.  Stuck with 5 shots of lydocane (or something like that) into my feet-ouch.  Or rather OUCH.  I did sneak out of the house a couple of times to take pictures of the flowers around our building.  Recovery seems to be quick so I'm hoping to get in a walk at Heinz before the end of the week.  I'm missing stuff!!

Chipping Sparrow

I wish I could have gotten a few more (and closer) shots of the Chipping Sparrow in the Dogwood Tree.  Although, I was happy to get that shot.  I'm working on learning my sparrows this year and this was my first Chipping Sparrow.  Of course until I got home I thought it was a Tree Sparrow but...baby steps.  Anyway while I was preoccupied with the Chipping Sparrow I heard a bird nearby.  I looked all about and then finally saw the Chickadee REALLY nearby, right in front of my face.

Hiking Linvill Trail -ish

I set out last week to hike the Linvill Trail with my friend Lyn.  We tried really hard to stay on the trail but ended up hiking through Linvilla Orchards.  After two attempts last week and again today it seems that the problem is that part of the trail is blocked by fallen trees.  But it also seems like the trail could use more signage.  None of this is a huge problem because walking back through Linvilla Orchards is very beautiful.  I went back out with my camera this time hoping that the Northern Flickers would light on the small pine tree tops right in front of me like they did when I didn't have my camera.  Of course not.

Red Admiral Butterfly

I can't believe how amazingly patterned the Red Admiral's wing is underneath.  And he's not too shabby on the top. 

Small Things in Manassas

Heinz Roundup

Palm Warbler

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Carolina Chickadee

Mourning Dove

Eastern Towhee

Hermit Thrush

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Eastern Phoebe

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Just a few of the birds I've seen at Heinz this month. 

In the Trees

If I didn't say it already Magee Marsh and the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (one point all known as Crane Creek) are some of my favorite places.  I took so many photos on my walk with Sally that it's hard to decide which ones to post.  I think these tell a nice story.