I noticed weeks ago that a couple of squirrels were building a nest in a tree at the corner of our yard where it meets the woods. One morning last week as I went to turn on my computer I glanced out the sunroom window and noticed more than the usual two squirrels. Yep, Mama and Daddy had brought their three little ones to dine under the bird feeder. Later, Hubs put out a little corn for them which in turn brought out the birds in full force. Here a common grackle munches down. I watched them put the corn in their mouth and use their foot to stomp it trying to break it down.
I've seen this guy around a couple of times. The first time he was too far to capture a good image. I tried researching this a little and think he may be an example of a leucistic bird (in this case a grackle) or one whose pigmentation wasn't fully developed. If any of you knowledgeable birders can give me some insight please do see in a comment. 
I see Blue Jays but not everyday so I was glad this guy showed up for lunch as well.
Of course I have to show you mama school chowing down. She needs all the strength she can muster to raise THREE babies!
One of the babies under my lilac bush. The grass really wasn't as long as it looks. He was just so small. I love how soft and furry he looks. His tail isn't as coarse looking as his Mama's. 
Not many days of pretty skies lately. This was taken February 13th. I'm looking forward to seeing more of this kind of sky being the norm instead of the exception.
Enough said......
The weather Saturday morning brought out all the critters to my yard. These little guys have been hiding this winter. I took this through a double-paned window and wasn't happy with it until I cropped it and added a texture. Now I'm glad I didn't delete the image.
Saturday I walked around my yard looking for signs of new life emerging and found more than I expected. This is a macro shot of a bud on one of my bushes. I'm hoping it's not too soon. To see what the bloom will eventually look like click here.
Who doesn't love Woody in Toy Story!
I had to laugh at this little squirrel whose picture I took through my sunroom window. If you look closely just underneath him and to the right is a hanger that holds my bird feeder. I think he sat there contemplating how he could get to the seed. That thin strand of wire didn't seem to be the route he wanted to take.
I was on the phone with my Mom when out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw a flying gray mass. I told my Mom to hold on a minute and grabbed my camera. Mr. Squirrel had climbed down the tree and was across from the feeder when he took the risk and jumped a good three feet toward the feeder. As you can see he was hanging on for dear life.
After swinging around a few times he was finally able to position himself around the feeder and grab a few bites before dropping to the ground below. He had managed to shake some seed out so he had a few nibbles on the ground before scurrying off to find whatever nuts are left in my yard that he hasn't already confiscated.
This is week 53 of Raven's Wordzzle Challenge. Anyone new to the process can refer back here to find out how it works.
This little guy likes to grab a walnut from my neighbor's tree, run to the flowerbed under my oak tree, shell his walnut (see that mess there in the corner) and then run off with his treasure.
This is Heidi. When she isn't hiding she likes to sit in the bay window of the dining room.
Hmmm....wonder what she sees out there?
Looks like Heidi and Thumper are having a staring contest.
Do you think Thumper looks like she's pleading for Heidi not to come outside?
Later I saw her coming down the walnut tree.
When she got close enough to the ground she jumped!
This is the most recent turkey visitor to my yard. 'Jake' has been coming by recently with the hens and eating the bird seed that falls out of the bird feeder. From watching them in my yard this spring I don't think he's quite a year old yet. Check out his beard hanging there in the front. It will get longer as he matures. In the meantime we'll fatten him up with bird seed and maybe a little corn!
On this particular day Jake ate in the company of Thumper the squirrel and her friend under the oak tree. They all love the seed from the bird feeder hanging just above their heads but out of sight. 
Camera-Critters is a weekly meme hosted by Misty Dawn at Misty's Musings. Each week we post photos of our favorite animals/critters. If you want to see other participants or to join yourself just click on the icon at the left where you'll find all the rules and the link to join in! You never what you'll find.
A few months ago Tom of Welcome to Wiggers World posted about his pet squirrel. I thought it was so cool that his little friend would eat peanuts out of his hand. He told me to be patient with the little visitor that came daily to the bird feeder under my oak tree.
This Is Thumper!
Here's Thumper Cleaning Her Paws 
As I watched from the window the little grey squirrel ran down the lichen covered oak tree. He stopped and looked to the right to see if the coast was clear.
He scampered to the left beside the Rose of Sharon bushes. All winter he had stolen walnuts from the neighbor's trees and ran down the property line and into the woods to who knows where. I guess on one of his trips he had to stash the loot and run! As he dug furiously at the ground you could tell he was back to retrieve it.
He sat staunchly on his back paws and gnawed at his treasure from the ground. All the while not knowing he was being spied upon!
When he was satisfied he had it the way he liked it off he went. To where - who knows - maybe to eat his little morsel or perhaps to bury the treasure again!