Eastern Phoebe
Not the greatest picture, but we did have an Eastern Phoebe visit this afternoon. He likes to perch on top of things, like the feeder shepard hooks and Christmas decorations.
Eastern Phoebe
Winter Birding at Callaway Gardens
We went to Callaway Gardens to see the Fantasy in Lights display, but during the day, we had a great time walking around the gardens. There are so many birds at Callaway!
Orchard Oriole
Junco
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (you can see the ruby crown!!)
White-Throated Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Tufted Titmouse
White-Breasted Nuthatch
Yellow-Rumped Warbler (Female)
Yellow-Rumped Warbler (Male)
House Finch
The Callaway Birds of Prey show is fun. They pick three of about ten of their birds to display during each show, and they let the birds fly (sometimes right over the spectators’ heads!). It’s interesting to hear about the different birds.
Peregrine Falcon
Hawk
Eagle
Eagle
Great Horned Owl
Harris Hawk
The chapel looked pretty surrounded in the fall colored leaves.
Chapel (Fall Colors)
We were surprised to stick see colored leaves on the trees. Being Floridians, it doesn’t take much color on trees to get us excited!
Woods
Twin Trees
Leaves
They had also decorated the Sibley Horticultural Center for Christmas. Some of the garden-inspired decorations were very clever.
Poinsettias
Train
Poinsettia Tree
Jack in the Box
Red Chrysanthemums
Callaway Gardens – Fantasy in Lights
Rich and I went to Callaway Gardens this week to see the Fantasy in Lights display. The gardens are decorated with Christmas-theme lights, complete with music and a “sleigh ride” (behind Snowflake, the imaginary reindeer!)
What’s so amazing about the lights is that they are virtually hidden during the day.
Christmas Tree Lane
Nutcracker and Toy Soldiers
Giant Nutcracker
Toy Soldiers
Santa’s Workshop
North Pole
Rocking Horse
Teddy Bear
Toy Drum
Elves at Work
Elves at Work
Elves at Work
Candy Canes
To the Skies!
Wagon
Hoola Hoop
Horse Ride
Ping Pong
He's Makin' His List
Animals of Callaway
Raccoons
Deer
Foxes
Turtle
Magic of the Seasons
This exhibit was new, and probably our favorite. As you drive through, you see Jack Frost arriving to kill all the plants, and then a little fit farther on, you see Tinkerbell popping up to wave her wand and wake them up again. There was a little girl in the tram with us, and every time she saw the fairy, she yelled out “Tinkabell!” It was so cute.
Tinkerbell makes the plants grow with pixie dust
But Jack Frost is never far away
Mean old Jack Frost!
But Tinkerbell always wins
Sunflowers
Pretty flowers
Fireflies and Butterflies
Pink and Yellow Butterfly
Pink Butterfly
Pretty Butterflies
Snowflake Wonderland
Snowflakes
Enchanted Forest
Twin Oaks
Close-Up Oaks
Oaks and Water
Twelve Days of Christmas
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Four Calling Birds
Five Golden Rings
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eleven Pipers Piping
Christmas Garden
Poinsettia
Poinsettia
Swan Lake
Swans
Skating Party
Carolers
Sledders
Hockey Game
Snowmen
Nativity
Nativity
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Down came St. Nicholas with a bound!