Saturday, October 10, 2020

Mosaic Monday #100: September Spotlight

I intended to keep this post short, with only the BEST photos from September.  Well ... the more I looked, the more I found! Once I had my list, I pinched my lip, considering.  The inside and outside fire pictures - nothing out of the ordinary.  Gone.  What about the food photos?  Leaving them out might hurt the delicate feelings of Head Chef, and seeing as he feeds me - they stay in.  Hmmm ... six photos from our September camping trip?  Sometime in the future, I will write a whole post about that adventure.  Out.  How many lake pictures do YOU want to see?  But some are with #1 Son - can't leave those out.  Maybe I could discard the hand-drawn birthday cards I made - but then I am pretty darn proud of them.  All right, enough dithering, let's just get on with it and see how we go.  Work for you? 


In this post, I wrote about my pillow cross-stitch project.  I am pleased to report that the stitching is complete, and I will be taking all the materials I need on an upcoming road trip; I will use my sister-in-law's sewing machine to install the zipper and complete the project!

As long as we are on the crafty subject, below is  a mosaic with the two birthday cards I made during the month.  The coffee and cake-themed card went to one of my sisters, and the over-the-hill theme went to a former colleague in Arizona.  She has a whacky sense of humor and I knew she would appreciate it!

We've had a stretch of lovely weather the last couple of weeks; unending sunshine and temperatures in the low 70s.   Most days, I spend a few hours pottering in the garden.  Cutting plants down to the ground to promote future growth.  Transplanting volunteers and the prolific coreopsis to bring a bit more order to the flower beds.  Collecting seeds for fall and spring planting.  Along the way, I encounter little critters such as caterpillars and grasshoppers.  The spotted tussock moth caterpillar was shuttling across the driveway; I moved him to the edge of the forest, but 10 minutes later he was back on the driveway, on his original heading.  I transported him again, but this time in the direction he wanted to go.  I didn't see him again!

Mid-month, I had the opportunity to join Dear Neighbor Friend and another acquaintance for a morning kayak.  As we left the creek and entered the lake proper, we spotted something in the water.  Too low to be ducks.  Wrong shape for beaver.  As we got closer, the playful movements made it obvious that we were looking at otters!  It turned out to be a magical morning, as we saw up to 8 or 9 otters at various points around the lake.  Our phones didn't do the best job of capturing photos, but you can get the general idea.

At the beginning of the month, I moved my trail camera, and the location has yielded a plethora of critters.  I believe it is the water that makes this such an attractive site for all of these animals, especially the birds.  It has brought me great joy to identify those I didn't already recognize!

(For those real birders out there, please correct me if I've got it wrong!)

In the case of the marsh wren and the dowitcher, I was aided in the identification by having seen them in person before I saw them on camera.  The picture of the dowitcher certainly does not do its plumage justice!

I was also struck by the glorious feathers of the Canada Jay, especially how the gray tail is tinged with white.  Handsome, indeed!

In most of the photos, the Canada Jay appears alone, but in this series, two are bathing in the water.

Two more treats were in store - Williamson's Sapsucker and Clark's Nutcracker (look closely at the bottom picture in the second collage - can you see four of the nutcrackers?)  I have never seen these birds in person, so I am thrilled that the trail camera has captured them!

 

Moving on from birds, it would be a shocking day without at least one shot of deer.  I worked long into the night (!) to down select to only the most unique and interesting!

Well, folks, it's happened.  This post is long, and I fear even the most intrepid reader is wondering "will it ever end?"  So, come back next week for part 2!  More critters and more lake scenery.  Maybe even a rainbow to brighten your day.

Welcome to Mosaic Monday, a weekly meme where we get together to share our photo mosaics and collages.
Please include at least one photo mosaic/collage in your post.
The link will be open from 1 p.m. Sunday until 11 p.m. Tuesday (U.S. Mountain time). 
Remember to add the link to your Mosaic Monday post and not the one to your blog. 
Please link back to this post so that your readers will be able to visit and enjoy more wonderful mosaics; taking the MM blog button from my sidebar is an easy way to link back. 
As host I will visit every participant and leave a comment so that you know I stopped by. 
Please try and visit as many other blogs as you can, especially those that join in later, so that everyone's creativity can be appreciated fully. 
Thank you for joining in today and sharing your mosaics with us. 


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Click here to enter

41 comments:

  1. We always love seeing the critters and the beauty in your neck of the woods. Your stitchings are quite pretty too!

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  2. Congratulation to #100 MosaicMonday, Angie. It's again and again each week a pleasure being part of this community.

    Wonderful captures here in this Post of your nature around your home. Nice to see your lovely drawings, birthday cards and more.

    Stay healthy and well.

    Happy MosaicMonday

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  3. ...for me the deer are the best!!! Thanks for hosting.

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  4. Angie! An otter! How magical to see that on your canoe trip! Wow...awesome. Your shrimp dish looks fabulous! The bird photos are all so beautiful; but your deer photos are so beautiful. I LOVE deer, they are my spirit animal and I never tire of seeing their majesty! PS: NOT a long post at all! :)

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  5. Oh my dear you don't give yourself enough credit. I could have read for another 20 minutes. Especially if it involved critters and or water! What a lovely coffee card, right up my alley. The cross stitch project is a huge success, lovely and I know the recipient will be pleased too.
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

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  6. Love the photo of the Otter. And the photos of the deer are just amazing! Thank you and have a grand day!

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  7. Oh no I was wanting more!! Roll on the next post. You have so many interesting birds, bugs and animals around you . How special to see the otters on your canoe trip! The cards are wonderful and your cross stitch is beautiful.

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  8. Love the looks of that Canada Jay and the wing span on that heron. Otters fascinate me but I wouldn't want to get close. Your neck of the woods affords you so much beauty in foliage and critters! Hope you have a good week. Happy Columbus Day!

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  9. have to say your trail camera is really good. It must be fun to be able to have one to capture the wildlife around you when they act natural.
    Both birds and the deer is wonderful.
    And I like your pillow project. It is a beautiful image you created :) Take care.

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  10. I know it is difficult to know what to share in a post, but I particularly enjoy your nature shots, as I get to see something I wouldn't be able to otherwise. Have a great week, take care, and thankyou again for the link up.

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  11. Lovely photos of nature which I love to see from your part of the world.

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  12. Wonderful post! You are very creative, Angie! The cross stitch is gorgeous and I also make homemade cards at times using rubber stamps. I'm hoping my granddaughters will enjoy those craft supplies one day.
    You had wonderful wildlife visitors captured on your trail camera. Water is certainly a natural lure. Always glad to join in on Mosaic Monday!

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  13. Lots of fun pieces today. Happy Mosaic Monday

    (✿◠‿◠)

    much love...

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  14. Nothing wrong with a long post Angie when it's a good one AND we are celebrating #100! Congratulations and a massive thank you, I may not get here every week but I do enjoy this :)
    I must remember the words on your card, your deer is very cute.
    Have a fabulous week and a very happy Mosaic Monday #100
    Wren x

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  15. Hello Angie,
    Your cross stitch looks beautiful, well done. I love all your bird and critter captures. It is cool seeing the otters in the wild. Wonderful variety of birds, The Canada Jay is a beauty, I had to look it up as it is also known as the Gray Jay. I guess the name depends on what area you are seeing the bird? The deer are so cute, I always enjoy seeing them. Great collection of photos. Thanks for hosting.Take care, enjoy your day. Have a great new week!

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  16. Congratulations on the 100 and thank you, keep it up !!!
    These are such wonderful pictures of your wildlife, I am thrilled. Your pillow cross stitch * wow * is that pretty and so are the cards.
    I admired your posting with pleasure. So wonderful all the photos and words and I'm already looking forward to the 2nd part
    I wish you a nice week and take care of you, hug Elke

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  17. Your handiwork is very fine, Angie. Lovely photos as always and congrats on your 100!

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  18. That trail cam is positively amazing! I feel for you having to weed out your photos from it and from your camera. I have enough trouble deleting and my “best” pictures are nowhere near as difficult to choose ..my leaves and flowers and oceans don’t change much from minute to minute )..... I enjoyed your month in review very much and was definitely not wishing for it to end! You left us wanting more and looking forward to next week.

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  19. The deer shots are cute. We've been seeing them too, on all of our fall hikes. And yum! The shrimp looks and sounds delicious.

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  20. Angie, Moving the trail camera was a great idea. What a wonderful collection of birds. Thanks for hosting and sharing. Have a great week. Sylvia D.

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  21. I love the Canada Jay and the cute little fawn. It's nice to have good weather to get out and take lots of photos! I took a 'few' this morning! Happy Monday!

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  22. What great photos your trail cam captures. There's so much out there that we don't see! Love the idea of moving the butterfly and then having to do it again - in the direction he was headed! Have a great week.

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  23. Love the photos of the critters. Can't wait to see you in a week and get that zipper installed. Also looking forward to visiting the cross-stitich shop with you, cooking with Man in the Hat, and flying with the Bear.

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  24. Marsh Wrens are so sweet. How nice to have a cam. The deer pics are lovely.
    Your fun cards made me smile, Angie.
    Thank you for hosting!

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  25. September was a lovely month for you, Angie. So much done. I envy your outings and the beautiful nature photos, we are still in lockdown and missing the perfect weather.
    Amalia
    xo

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  26. Oh, that fawn! How precious!

    The mosaic in my thumbnail echoes your background. I got it from PhotoCollage dot com.

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  27. It's a lovely tour, with flora and fauna.
    I always post long posts, but I figure people can skim if their eyes glaze over. My hubby likes to read it and see who is on the trailcams, and where we've been!

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  28. Seeing the otters would have made my day. exciting cam captures of the birds. still tap-tap-tapping via on-screen keyboard over here :(

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  29. Hello my friend! Snow yet? Our mountains are covered. Rainy lately which I love. I love your posts about your gardens. I love to see what you are growing. I hope you are taking care and being safe. Kit

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  30. Your trail cam works so well Angie. Of course being a picky birder I would need to know. Is that a Long billed or Short billed Dowitcher?

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  31. I love your handiwork, the Otter, WOW, beautiful. And, the Deer, fantastic, in fact, love them.

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  32. Bom dia. Parabéns pela excelente qualidade da matéria.

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  33. Wonderful series of nature shots for Sept ~ favorite is the deer ~ Xox ~ Great creative works too.

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  34. i read the entire post and never thought "will it ever end"...

    i'm not sure why you always start with food, why anyone starts with food...it is so delightful but always makes me hungry. the shrimp look amazing but i thought they were meatballs before reading!! hehehe

    you are a crafty soul, your cards and other project look amazing!!

    i think the pictures of the baby deer were my favorites, so sweet...the otters were a close 2nd!! enjoy the rest of the week!!

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  35. My grandmother was the master of cross stitch and needlepoint. I have many table cloths and chairs upholstered with her needlepoint creations. - Margy

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  36. Congratulations on 100 Mosaic Monday :)

    Everything was good but those deer were so lovely to see.

    Have a great weekend.

    All the best Jan

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  37. Hi Angie! Your photo of the shrimp and feta concoction has me drooling. I like shrimp but rarely eat it because I haven't found a source for delicious shrimp. Grocery shrimp is bland. I like seeing the photos of the critters. Sweet deer. It must be amazing to skim on the water early in the morning. Hope all's well with you and your family.

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  38. It is interesting how you debate what to leave in and what to omit, and whether the omission of some pictures might even offend others. Miriam and I reached the conclusion a while ago that the cameras had in effect become dictators and when we considered how much time we spent taking pictures and then downloading and editing, it became truly ridiculous, verging on obscene! So now only one of us takes a camera when we ate out together, usually her, and we seriously and consciously restrict the number of pictures we take. In my last post for example, only five pictures from that session were not used. The other factor that influenced our decision was that when we looked at the sheer number of pictures we have organized in folders (thousand), labelled, categorized, sorted, we knew that most if them will never be looked at ever again. Our obsession with digital photography is well and truly over!

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  39. It should say above, when we are out together, not when we ate out together. Usually typos are easily recognized but this error could impart a different meaning to the sentence.


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  40. Your little world is magical, both in stunning landscapes and all the sweet critters which visit you. Love the pillow you have fashioned and I did laugh at your card. Over the hill hey....love it!

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