What's outside of your picture window today?

John, I love this photo! Reminds me of those times in childhood when we used string to make designs, can't remember the term but they kept us occupied...cat's something or other???

@fiesty76.. Cat's cradle?

What fun! You're all my kind of folks! I don't have the beautiful property with wild turkeys - live in Florida, a chilly 67 now, down to 46 tonight! That's chilly for us! But, we don't have the changes and colors you have. We have trade-offs. I have 3 birdfeeders on my deck that give me enormous pleasure every day. The cardinals, woodpecker (1), bob-white, and others AND all the squirrels give me joy, peace, I seem to breath so much better and have a persistent smile. I've stopped 'fighting' the squirrels. Let them win. I actually enjoy them, love to see them hang by their tiny little toes, upside down, stretched out the whole length of their bodies to reach the birdseed. Even a fall is ok. They just run off and then back for more. The birds are in charge, tho. When they come to feed, they let the squirrels know it's time to step aside. What fun. My kitty, Samantha, loves to go out and just lie down and watch the activity. She's never tried to chase any of the visitors. Seems to enjoy them....and they watch her but accept her just fine. She welcomes these visitors to her world. BTW: the cardinals come back year after year, new families and I get to watch the babies learn from Mom and Dad and snack at my feeders. They know me! Some time I'll tell you about the time Mom and Dad cardinal came to my window to get my attention to help a baby who fell from the nest. Amazing experience!

@ess77 Hmm..."down to 46 tonight"...I guess it's a matter of perspective - up to 40 yesterday in Minneapolis, and we thought it was nice & warm for our walk.
I just filled my bird feeders, and scattered extra for the squirrels - the big guy just went and got all his friends, and they're busy cleaning up. I have some old squirrel-proof feeders that really are, and I want them to stay off those - one got mad enough earlier this fall to chew off the wooden perch and my husband had to repair it. There must be a hawk or owl around this morning - the birds are all twittering in my neighbor's spruce, but nobody is on the feeders.
We live in a wildlife filled suburban neighborhood - last week we found deer, raccoon, squirrel, possum, and probably fox tracks in the soft sand at a park one block from out home when we were out with my daughter and grandsons. Yesterday we found a "squirrel condo" during our walk - 7 nests in one tree! This morning I'm headed to the nearest lake to see if my eagles are out fishing - couldn't find them yesterday. Hoping for a photo-op.
Sue

Oh, poor baby! 'up to 40'......How do you survive the real cold? I used to love it and snow, not ice, but now it kills my bones, arthritis, all the junk going on. So, I guess the good Lord knew it was/is best for me to be in sunny Florida. I'm in a condo, with 14 steps to my bedrooms!!, that I'm able to transverse fairly well at the moment, very carefully with a cane and using the rail (sometimes the wall) for stability. We are surrounded by woods, although 2 sides of the propery now have homes. The woods and creek behind the property are home to eagles, hawks, owls-although I haven't recently seen or heard old Mr. Owl, a hugh fellow I've known for years. He really distressed the bird in the live oak tree in front of my unit! It a fairly large oak now, birds and squirrels love it. There are several squirrel nests in there now. We used to have possoms, raccoons, rabbits, and rats of course from the creek!, water moccassins (sp?), black snakes, etc. Gobs of little brown lizards, from S. America I think? Most of the precious little animals are gone now. I still have my birds and squirrels, occasional snake, but do miss the others.There's a hawk circling above....think I'll let my kitty inside from the deck....I had one circle above me when I was walking my little small poodle....I was always careful. (She died last year).Sounds like you get a lot of outdoor exercise, and good times w/family. That's lovely. Think I'm jealous! Blessings.

Hey there @sueinmn, @ess77.........Jump in the car and join us at Adam’s Landing. Our eagles come out and fly back and forth up and down the Mississippi looking for fish. It is beautiful when both of them do a flying dance. Just love nature. It is more and more the nurturing element in my life.
Be safe and protected today.
Chris

Oh, sounds wonderful! Wish I could be there with you. Those are things I so love.....Nature, animals of all kinds...I even love the animal channel! It makes me happy to see The Zoo-Bronx or Columbia or Australia, or Aquarium - Atlanta! Such characters. They make my life so much better....as do my birds, and life out my window. So thankful, so blessed.

Yes @mayofeb2020! Thanks, that was it!

Sue.....FYI: today was high 61, down tonight to 31!!!!!!!!!!,(turned on the heat), high tomorrow 51.....this is our winter and it's hitting me! We might get down in the high 20's a couple of days each winter, but usually don't have too many long freezing nights. My little Vanda orchid is hanging outside on my deck - with brand new flower growth sprouting up to the sky, with my big, healthy, old staghorn fern I raised from a baby about 16 years ago. It's too cold for me to go out and grab Vanda.....I think the fence will help cut the cold which can be a problem for them. Staghorn is way too heavy and big for me to move. Can't even cover now! I just ck'd the weather before closing up and to my surprise! Thought you'd get a kick out of this. Me and my Florida plants have a 'chill'.
Interestingly, this is really late for me to be up! I've been going to bed each night since 2018 anywhere from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. But, only the last couple months have I been staying up until this late. It's 10 and I'm still downstairs! Amazingly wonderful! Have a good night.

Well, Vanda and Staghorn Fern did just fine. It must have gotten down to freezing at our airport, but I'm across the river and a bit south, so we don't get the harsh temps as much. Today, it was lovely. Up to 57. Down tonight in the 30's again. When Vanda bursts into bloom, I'll send you a pic. I can't seem to get warm inside....heat's on, but I don't have a fireplace. Wish I did. Love that feeling, just hate the work! Stay well, warm and enjoy the evening!