Time Travel Thursday #48 - That Nesting Instinct

Welcome to the 48th Time Travel Thursday linky party at the Brambleberry Cottage!

Are you ready to do some traveling? Great; 'cause time never stands still!

One of the greatest joys I experience every single day, living where I do, is the ability to revel in the wonders of nature—up close and personal!

A CARDINAL NEST AMONG THE BLACKBERRY BRAMBLES BEHIND THE CHICKEN COOP

I've always been an avid birdwatcher, but spending my days tending to our quaint little farmstead and encountering these lovely creatures in their natural habitats has given me an even deeper appreciation for the intricate details of their lives.

THE BEAUTIFUL, BUT MESSY NEST OF AN EASTERN PHOEBE, PERCHED JUST BELOW THE ROOFLINE OF A GABLE OF OUR COTTAGE

It is so interesting to note the locations chosen, as well as, the shapes and varied materials used in the construction of the nests created by each type of bird. 

NEST OF AN UNIDENTIFIED BIRD, TUCKED HIGH ATOP THE RAFTERS OF ONE OF THE BARNS

After living here almost six years, the Yankee and I have observed that these winged wonders will set up housekeeping almost anywhere.

And the sweet, petite Carolina Wrens are the most notorious for this.

A CAROLINA WREN NEST IN A BIRD FEEDER...

AND ONE BETWEEN TWO VINTAGE ENAMEL PANS ON THE POTTING BENCH...

AND ONE BENEATH AN OLD SINK BEHIND THE BARN...

No doubt, that old cast-iron sink made a very good incubator.  ; )

AND ANOTHER CAROLINA WREN NEST BUILT IN THE BACK OF A SMALL REFRIGERATOR, LOCATED IN ONE OF THE OUTBUILDINGS

During nesting season, anything remaining stationary for even a few days, becomes fair game for one of our feathered friends to homestead.

For example, this box of castoffs was placed on the front porch to donate to the local thrift store during my next trip in town.  But within a few short days...

it had become a cozy little birdie cottage.  So there it remained for weeks, atop a table on the porch. 

I just didn't have the heart to evict the tweet little family living there.

The joys these melodious marvels bring to us here at the Brambleberry Cottage are well worth any minor inconveniences associated with discovering nests in unexpected places. 

Linking to Susan's for Outdoor Wednesday, Mary's for Share the Love Wednesday, Suzanne's for Vintage Thingie Thursday, Tracie's for Cottage Flora Thursdays, Meg's for Everything But the Kitchen Sink, Debra's for Vintage Inspiration Friday, and Cindy's for Show and Tell Friday.

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

Time Travel Thursday #39 - Butterflies & Blooms

CHECK OUT ALL THE DETAILS FOR THE PARTY HERE!

Welcome to the 39th Time Travel Thursday linky party at the Brambleberry Cottage.

Are you ready for our next trip back in time and into the future?

Here we go!

I think the beautiful Swallowtail butterflies like my cottage blooms as much as I do!  ; )

Joining Mary for Share the Love, Susan for Outdoor Wednesday, Kathleen for White Wednesday, and Cindy for Show and Tell Friday.

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

Time Travel Thursday #35 - Cottage Critters, Too!

CHECK OUT ALL THE DETAILS FOR THE PARTY HERE!

And be sure to enter my newest giveaway here.

Welcome to the 35th Time Travel Thursday linky party at the Brambleberry Cottage.

Are you ready for our next trip back in time and into the future?

Okay, here we go!

About a month ago, I showed you some of the critters of Brambleberry Cottage, and I thought you might like to see a few more.

I came upon this guy—actually almost stepped on him—as he was making his way to the frog pond, last summer.

That's what we call the little watering hole at the edge of our woods. 

It's where the locals (the deer, rabbits, foxes, frogs, etc.) hang out, have a drink, and socialize.

This little lady is a frequent visitor.

She likes a well-rounded diet—as evidenced by the fruit and berries she eats from our trees and bushes, by day and...

the sunflower seeds she gleans beneath the sweet-tweets' feeders, at night.

As a matter of fact, we have quiet a few nighttime guests—especially once the trees and bushes load up with delectable fruit.

Unfortunately, my rose bushes are also considered delicacies by the deer.

We consider it a small price to pay to be able to enjoy the frequent visits of our woodland friends.  ; )

This sweet little guy spent several nights in our chicken coop, a few years ago.

He had been hit by a car—near our farm—but not killed.

The Yankee brought him home to treat his wounds and to rehabilitate him.

As it turned out, we were able to locate a professional rehabilitator and felt she could do a much better job.

So, a few days later, she loaded him into a pet carrier and carted him off to her own farm.

Besides deer, turkey are probably the most common of the wild creatures that visit us.

And they're not the least bit concerned about visiting—even in November!

So now you have an idea of some of the critters we get to experience around the cottage.

And, as I said before, there are many we see that I've been unable to capture on film, thus far—foxes, coyotes, hawks, vultures, and more.

But then...

there are those I have been able to "capture"—up close and personal—that I would have been happier to have never encountered—

like these canebrake rattlesnakes, the Yankee is holding!

From the moment we found this little farm, on the edge of a national forest, surrounded by nothing but trees and the beauty of nature, I've said this was our very own slice of paradise.

I just wasn't counting on snakes in the garden!

But then, we're not the first to encounter an ugly old snake in the midst of paradise!  ; )

Joining Susan for Outdoor Wednesday.

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.



Time Travel Thursday #32 - Cottage Critters

CHECK OUT ALL THE DETAILS FOR THE PARTY HERE!

And be sure to enter my newest giveaway here.

Welcome to the 32nd Time Travel Thursday linky party at the Brambleberry Cottage.

Are you ready for our next trip back in time and into the future?

Terrific; let's start travelin'!

Some of the animals that have visited the Brambleberry Cottage, over the years, are of the varieties one would expect to see at any home, anywhere in the world.

Case in point, there's our son's German shepherd, Ellie—introduced to you last year.

It was quite amusing to watch her play Jane of the Jungle in our daylilies when she was a pup...

and most delightful to see her interact with our granddaughter, Lana, as she got a little older.

The Yankee would say that our "granddog" was playing with our granddaughter.

And you probably remember this rascal—a "rescue" who lived with us for only a short while.

Frodo was quite the traveler and was forever missing in action around here.

He decided during one of his travels—after only a few months at our cottage—to take up permanent residence with a widow who lives on a nearby farm.

He does still manage to visit us here on occasion, when he's out and about on his adventures.

And, of course, no matter the season, the numerous sweet tweets that visit the cottage are some of my favorites.

But while those beautiful feathered friends come and go...

these spirited ladies were members of our little farm for several years.

Besides supplying us with an overabundance of farm fresh eggs, their entertaining antics kept us in stitches.

As one might imagine—living in a heavily wooded area, on the edge of a national forest—we also have our share of squirrels scurrying about.

And though there is an ample supply of nuts and berries and mushrooms to munch on—as well as our apples, when they're in season—they insist on devouring the birds' food we place in the feeders.

I guess—like many humans—they prefer "fast food".  ; )

Though we keep a vigil during the day to chase the gray squirrels away, their flying friends...

have apparently gotten wind of the fact that this diner is open all night!

Unfortunately, I never seem to have the camera at hand when the rabbits are racing around the grounds, or the foxes are trotting through the trees,

but...

I did have it with me on this occasion, last summer—thankfully.

The Yankee and I were on the little country road leading to our farm and had just rounded a corner, when we came upon these bovine beauties bounding down the byway.

Now cows and bulls are quite a common sight around here; we see them every day.

But they're normally spotted in fenced pastures.

This group must have been camera shy, because as soon as I snapped their picture, they bolted into the woods.

Then again, they might have feared I was going to use the pictures as incriminating evidence of their escape.

I didn't get a chance to explain that the images were just for you, my blogging buddies.  ; )

Now it's your turn to show us what you've got.

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE SOMEWHERE ON YOUR BLOG.

Joining Susan for Outdoor Wednesday.