I see some of our backyard beauties often, like the chipmunks. This one came right up to our sliding glass door, driving our indoor cat crazy. It was showing me its best side.
Other animals give us unique views. This immature Cooper’s Hawk posed nicely for me on the back porch.
Our regular visitors can be very entertaining. Playful Mule Deer fawns like to run full speed around the yard (when they aren’t busy munching on my plants).
Other regulars are much more secretive. This Mountain Bluebird pair hide every time they see a camera, but I found where they nest and I think they laid two clutches this year. 😀
Some of our backyard beauties make themselves at home for too long. Last winter we had an invasion of American Robins. The birds are nice to look at; their droppings are not!
I can never see enough of some of our backyard visitors. Cedar Waxwings are one of the few bird species who are unafraid of the robins. They are bold and beautiful birds.
Some of our visitors try to blend into the background so I won’t notice them. This California Scrub-jay was pretending to be a tree.
Other visitors do what they can to stand out. This Mountain Cottontail thought it might get more attention by standing on top of the waterfall rock. Did you know this species has been observed climbing juniper trees for food? Yup, really!
There’s never a dull moment when watching backyard beauties in Bend.
Wonderful comments on the backyard beauties.
Thank you, Delores!
What an active back yard you have Siobhan! I love all the birds and the deer. Maybe you can plant a bush especially for the deer! Thanks for participating.
Thanks, Anne! Yes, though I don’t feed them, they are attracted to the water. We do have a large shrub I call the “sacrifice shrub” in the backyard. The deer trim it up nicely. 😉
Never a dull moment indeed Siobhan! Loved your squirrels and chuckled more than once on your commentary. Your yard seems to be a haven for many species!
Thanks, Tina! Glad I could make you chuckle. 😀
Fun times watching the critters in your backyard.
Yes, there is always something to see!
Nice series. Appreciating our backyard gifts is important. 🙂
Thanks! Lots of variety of critters in the High Desert. Loved your game cam captures!
Wow. QUITE the backyard! 👏
Thanks, John! The wildlife LOVES it. 🙂
Aren’t we lucky to share our home with all these lovely creatures!
Yes, we are Vikki! So many interesting things to see close by. 🙂
Beautiful photos. Enjoyed reading about them.
Thank you, Jessica!
How lucky you are to have such beautiful neighbours!
Yes, we are! Thanks, Marilize.
You do get some beauties in your backyard for sure! I always enjoy seeing the different species of birds you get in the US 🙂
Yes, we get a good variety for a desert. 😄 Our robins look much different from yours.
Is that a stone bubbler you have there in your yard? I’m looking to install one. Such a draw for wildlife Lovely yard!
Thanks, Alanna! I’m not sure if that’s what it’s called. We have a recirculating water feature that was here when we bought it. The wildlife is attracted to it like a magnet. 🙂
I have to get one!
Excellent 👌
Thank you, Priti!
The first photo of the chipmunk is adorable. Bend is such a great place to live. Feels mountainous, but is high desert, isn’t it? I love the brilliance of the mountain bluebird. It is funny they always try to hide when they are such a vivid color against the landscape. No…never a dull moment for you. Looks like a nice place to sit and watch the day pass by.
Yes, the chipmunks are cute! The color of the male bluebirds is unbelievably blue. Yes, we’re lucky to see so much right out our back door. 😁
We lack some of the species you point out, but like you, we get to enjoy a wide variety of creatures calling our woods home (and some visitor as well). Pretty much have a love hate relationship with the ground squirrels – cute as can be FROM AFAR. Constantly having to relocate them elsewhere as their digging has caused major damage over the years – this year we had to replace a dropped piece of concrete in our driveway thanks to not catching they were living under it – sigh. Would love to have a California Scrub-Jay turn up here!
You’re lucky you too get to see a good variety of critters. Sorry the ground squirrels have tried to make your life more difficult. So far (crossing my fingers) our ground squirrels, chipmunks, and voles have not caused much damage. Had to add more fencing to the veggie garden to keep the cute bunnies out, then take some away up high when the Lesser Goldfinches kept getting caught in it. 🙁 The scrub-jays have BIG personalities!
Love love love!
Thanks, lots to love here!