Eager today

This is Eager, the squirrel I taised from a baby, taken today.

Sketch of Skulls

Sketch of Skulls, by Mary Stebbins Taitt, for the art piece "Everyone
We Love" (Must die).

Green Frog again

Another green frog, Rana clamitans. (see discussion below).

Young Green Frog on Lily Pad

Young Green Frog on Lily Pad, by Mary Stebbins Taitt.

You can tell this is a green frog, Rana clamitans, although it looks a little like a bull frog, because of the "seam" that starts at the eye and moves abck toward the "tail." This is a female; the males have larger ears. I love their golden eyes!

Wild Goose Feather

The wild geese, once such a thrill to see, are becoming so common they
are a nuisance, but I still find them, and their feathers, beautiful.

Baby Geese now

They're a LOT bigger!

This is a young wild Canada goose, Branta canadensis. You can read
more about them here. (Photo by me, of course).

Baby Geese

I love seeing the baby geese, but they are now almost all grown. I
haven't had time to paint because I'm working on a novel, but hope to
paint some soon!

Wild Ginger

I'm way behind on The Naturalist's Journal--haven't had time for
drawing or posting. This picture, of Wild Ginger, was taken this
spring at Cranbrook. The wild ginger is a different plant from the
ginger used in Chinese cooking, but can be used the same way or made
into candied ginger root. However, it is protected, so it shouldn't
be used unless found abundantly on your own property or the property
of a friend or relative.

Birdfeeder predation

Something has been killing birds at the birdfeeder (not this one). I
wanted to post a picture in case anyone knew what it was, but the
three latest victums have disappeared. Of the three latest, which
were all English sparrows (why do I care? They might get other birds
or my Eager), the first one was partly torn apart and the head was
missing but the second two had holes poked in their skulls and their
brains were gone, but the rest of the bird was untouched--anyone know?
Other birds taken include more English sparrows and a mourning dove.
Please advise--should I stop putting out food for the birds? That
causes a dilemma with Eager, our rehabilitated squirrel. We want to
be sure he has enough to eat. But I don't want all the birds being
picked off!

Ox-eye daisy in rain

I love the spirals in the center.