Sweet treat

I've been putting apples out for the birds and squirrels lately. The squirrels usually nibble on them as soon as I put them out and then the fruit disappears overnight. Today, I spotted this squirrel as he was pigging out on a quarter piece. He dropped it right after I snapped this picture and looked frantic for a few minutes.

Northern Mockingbird

Took the day off and have been trying to do a little birdwatching. Not much activity in the yard but did spot this Northern Mockingbird which I haven't seen for a while.

Almost time to ring in the new year

Venus and the crescent Moon

Have you been watching the sky the last two evenings? Venus and the crescent Moon have been putting on a show. If you looked out by 8 PM you would have missed them as they fell below the horizon. My photos don't show how beautiful is really was but I'm posting them anyway. This first photo was taken December 26. You can see Venus to the left of the Moon.

This photo was taken on December 27. You can see that Venus has moved below the Moon.

Views from the State Arboretum of Virginia

We drove through the State Arboretum of Virginia at dusk yesterday on our way home from Winchester. We'd seen a herd of deer as we neared the entrance so thought we'd see what we would find.

Sharp-shinned Hawk returns

I watched the Sharp-shinned Hawk perch in my neighbor's tree with a perfect view of my feeders on Christmas Eve. It's exciting to see a hawk but I sure hope he's not looking for dinner.

Merry Christmas!

U.S. Capitol at the Botanic Gardens

Albert Einstein Memorial at the Botanic Gardens

The Albert Einstein Memorial is tucked away in a grove of trees on the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences on Constitution Avenue, near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I'm surprised at how many locals have never heard of it. I've visited it several times. It's a lovely monument. I was happy to see it at the Botanic Gardens.

The White House at Christmas

The Canadian Embassy tree

The National Christmas Tree

A beautiful tree

You'll find this tree in the Garden Court of the US Botanic Gardens during the Season's Greening display. The picture doesn't do it justice. It was absolutely beautiful.

The Washington Monument at the US Botanic Gardens

Another beautiful display from the US Botanic Gardens. The reflecting pool behind the monument leads to the Lincoln Memorial, just like the real thing.

Lincoln Memorial at the US Botanic Gardens

I visited the US Botanic Gardens yesterday to see their annual holiday exhibit, Season's Greenings, and am happy to say it was well worth the trip. The Garden Railway in the East Gallery featured model trains, fairy huts, and model American presidential homes made of plant materials such as leaves, acorns, pinecones, etc. You have to look all around, including the ceiling, so you don't miss anything. The Garden Court was exquisite with all of the poinsettias, models of the Washington, DC monuments and one of the most beautiful Christmas trees I've ever seen. More pictures coming!

The Capital Christmas tree

The great tree

Ring around the snowman

You better watch out ...

So much to do before the big day

Christmas macaroons

I make these Christmas macaroons every year

We had a parade tonight

Sawyer family tree farm

Squirrels like apples

It took less than five minutes for this squirrel to find the apple I put out.

GiGi

We had a visitor today. Isn't she cute!

Warrenton's living manger

Love me some bagpipes

I love bagpipes so much that I must have Scottish blood somewhere in my ancestry. This was the first time I'd seen a female bagpiper.

Tree lighting in Warrenton

Tree lighting in Manassas

They lit the tree in Manassas last night

Mr. Bear

Snowman collection