Green Stink Bug, Chinavia hilaris

Green Stink Bug

Chinavia hilaris

- Green Stink Bug -

Eastern Chipmunk, Tamias striatus

Eastern Chipmunk

Tamais striatus

"I am on alert for the first signs of spring, to hear the chance note of some arriving bird, or the striped squirrel's chirp." (Walden)

Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta

Painted Turtle

Chrysemys picta

Moseying towards the driveway

Sometimes nature's critters will be waiting right outside your backdoor, like this painted turtle. One morning when I got up early to photograph birds and flowers, I found this little guy moseying towards the driveway. He was very patient with me and didn't run away as I moved him

Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina

 

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

 

One June morning I placed a lawn chair in the middle of my driveway and from there captured as many birds in my field of sight. I was able to get a couple of nice shots of the American chipping sparrow collecting some material as it was returning to its nest in an azalea bush.

 

This sparrow is famous for making its nest out of horse hair earning it the nickname, hair bird. Being that Paradise Farm is a horse farm, it is no surprise to find these little birds creating homes on the property. As a child I'd collect these delicate little hairy nests that fell out of bushes in the autumn.

 

On the driveway

 

In the azalea it called home

 

It's hidden nest (with furry little chicks)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipping_Sparrow
Reader's Digest Book of North American Birds (2012)