Cow Killer

This crazy bug is a cow killer, also known as a velvet ant. They get the name 'cow killer' from the painful sting of the female. It is so severe that some claim it could kill a cow! We know that this is a female, because the male has wings. These little creatures can run quickly and are ferocious fighters.

Birds

These are pics that I have taken, mostly in my backyard, in the past few weeks.

Infrequent posts, but frequent in nature!

Goodness, I do struggle to keep up with blogging. I don't, however, struggle to enjoy nature. Each morning you can find me at the kitchen window, coffee in hand, looking outside for each 'hello from heaven' that God blesses me with.

Squirrels, birds a plenty, the rays of the sun, my ducks, scattered evidence that my children have enjoyed the yard...so many blessings!

Second son and I are both learning photography. He is in a class at co-op and his teacher, my friend, is great! We are learning a lot. AND for the second year in a row, faithful husband has spoiled me for my birthday. Last year I got my binocs, a bird book, and a new kitchen window to better see the birds. This year, he got me two tripods and a new lens for our camera...OH...and the camera! Yes, a spoiled birder am I. We have taken many pictures lately. Here are some of my favorites.

Starling (taken by me)

(taken by me)

American Robin (taken by me)

Leaf with bokeh (taken by second son)

Snail shell with bokeh (taken by second son)

Beauty (taken by second son)

Tufted Titmouse (taken by second son)

Homemade Suet

I make all of my suet. In my backyard I have a suet log, two suet cages, and one suet bag. The Downy Woodpeckers, Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, Carolina Wrens, and others love my suet. I have to fill the feeders mulitple times a week (except when the starlings, blackbirds, and cowbirds are here...then it is daily!). The pictures above are suet cupcakes that I made for my mom for Christmas. It is an easy gift for the birder in your life.

Suet Recipe
1 cup fat
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup wheat flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup cornmeal

Melt the fat and peanut butter in a pot and stir in the remaining ingredients. Use this as a bark log filler.

To make suet cakes, stir in some seeds, nuts, fruit...whatever you have on hand and fill a greased cake pan. Freeze, cut into squares, serve.

If you want to make cupcakes, just spray some cupcake liners with nonstick spray, fill, freeze, and serve.