New Year, New Lens

I finally received my new 100-400mm lens. It has been a two-year wait for this thing. During that time, there were lots of different rumors about when Canon might release it. It was worth the wait...but maybe I need some curtains in the den. Apparently we are just as interesting to the creatures outside as they are to us.

This little female Dark-eyed Junco was torturing the cats, Trixie in particular. Trixie tried to get at the bird by standing up on her hind feet and pawing rapidly at the floor-to-ceiling window while making some weird clucking sound. The bird was hardly fazed and kept staring.

And then I looked up and saw this squirrel enjoying some bird food.

Even in the middle of a meal in the first snow storm, no one can keep their eyes off us. He was probably watching Trixie go crazy in the window...

And then the snow subsided, but apparently the show wasn't over, at least for this female cardinal. She was sitting on a branch near her all-red "boyfriend". I was so focused on him that I didn't even see her until I saw the image on the screen. She is really a beautiful girlie and from now on, I will look for her near him.

Wishing you a happy new year and a new lens to look through in 2015!

My Sweet Squirrel

My sweet squirrel is back. Remember him from Death-Defying FEET? Hopefully he's getting a boost of vitamin C from eating the rose hips from my rosebush pictured in Tudie's Roses.

He is perched on a snow-covered boxwood bush. Lucky for him the snow is frozen solid. It's the perfect thing for reaching snacks. You have to admire his gymnastic abilities...

...and his profile.

I know squirrels have a bad reputation, but you have to admit. He is a cutie pie! And he loves to stare into my lens!