New visitors

This weekend was the first time we saw either a Carolina Wren (lousy pic) and a Dark-Eyed Junco (a male) visiting our yard.

Hawks were out and about as a red-shouldered hawk followed us in the car for about 5 seconds on Youngblood Rd. He was flying even with us just up and to our right. I think grabbing a camera is the fastest way to make them fly the other way. Another hawk was perched on a tree in the median on I-70 while driving home but I figured I wanted to get home in one piece so didn't try to look for the camera as I blew right by it.

In other news the birds seemed hungry. They devoured an entire feeder full of seed in about 36 hours. A much different scene than when it was left untouched except by squirrels much of the summer.

Now THAT'S a bull.

Note the car height for reference.

Downy Woodpecker

What is this?

Haven't had time to look up the bird on the tree. Anyone know what that is?

Where's my food?

We have had a lot of luck feeding birds the past couple months but now when we arrive we get tufted titmice like this guy staring us down through the window saying, "You can unpack later. Fill that feeder and hang it up!"

Bear Sightings (Sideling Mtn Trail and Youngblood Rd)

[copied from neighborhood group with names removed]

Hi HH,
You surely had a scare! Please call us if you need help at any time!

Our builder reported seeing a mother bear and two younger bears crossing Highway 9 at Youngblood about 7:30a.m. one day last week.
Just a couple reminders for the group:
It is unlawful to feed bear - the animals are left open to disease and may be put to death if they become a nuisance.
It is also suggested that bird feeders not be used until December - I have put ours out already and will remove them for a few more weeks.
Trash is a magnet to bears. Their sense of smell is so much better than ours is. Free lunch - We all know this but it bears repeating.
Adult bears usually weigh between 125 and 400 pounds. Adult female black bears achieve a maximum weight of 150 to 300 pounds.
Adult females have an average home range of about 13 square miles, while adult males can cover 25 square miles or more.
You may also download a pdf of info on bears :
http://www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/PDFFiles/Nuisance%20Black%20Bears%20in%20WV%20brochure.pdf
LK

HH wrote:

I had an early Friday morning visitor this week. At 2am, I woke to
some heavy thumping noises on the small deck outside my room. When I
looked up, a large (ok...I don't know HOW large, but it was taller
than me) bear reared up and looked in. When I made some noise, it
left. Later, I heard noises on my main deck and found him (her?)
rummaging through my recyling can. I turned on the lights, and it took
off. I haven't seen it since.

I guess we just need to be careful about feeders and garbage.
Fortunately, I had neither outside. And we need to understand that
River Ridge is WILD and Wonderful!

HH

The View from River Ridge

Driving to Paw Paw

Red-bellied woodpecker

It's so tempting to call this is a red-headed woodpecker since it's belly is not red! This is probably a male as the red stripe goes all the way down the forehead. As always, click to enlarge photo.

Morning fog over the Cacapon

Bucks

Finch and bluebird taking it all in

I think that's a finch. Anyone else think differently (click to enlarge photo)?