May 29, 2009
Empty Nest Syndrome
Sigh. This post is late, as the very next day I checked the nest and it was empty. No bits of egg shell, nothing. Many predators around, it's nature's way.
May 24, 2009
Step ladder nest
This perfectly round Robin's nest sits atop a metal step ladder that leans against the old stone house in the yard. It is vulnerable to sun and wind and rain (not to mention convenient step access for four-legged creatures), but so far, so good. Stay tuned. There are three well-protected Robin's nests on the house, each with baby Robins in residence.
May 8, 2009
The darling spores of May
This bunch of Morels "popped" sometime in the last 24 hours near the stump of an Elm that was cut down two years ago. The thrill of the hunt has me in its grip and I find myself wandering off into the woods a couple of times each day. Once I've spied a morel I crouch and pivot around 360 degrees until I'm sure I've spotted every single one in the area. Squinting hard helps. So does a cloudy day. I find that shallots are the perfect complement (most people use ramps, which are abundant now). Shallots, butter, wine, morels..on toast or pasta. What could be more perfect.
May 6, 2009
Warblers All Around!
This morning the windows flew open to the songs of Warblers, especially the Blackburnian Warbler, whose song was so close by (they like to perch high in evergreens) and sweet that the thought of listening to the chattering radio - the usual morning routine - seemed deadly dull. Listen to the song of the Blackburnian...this is very close to what I heard this morning.I grabbed this wonderful photo of this fiery little gem from 10000 birds, an excellent website for bird lovers. Click here to go to it, and enjoy!
May 4, 2009
Ovenbird
One of the common songs heard in the forest comes from the small warbler, the Ovenbird. It gets its name from its covered nest which resembles a Dutch oven. This ground nest is a woven domed cup of leaves and plant stems, and lined with hair, with a side entrance.
The Ovenbird inhabits the uplands and moderately sloped areas of the forest. Neighboring males sing together. One male begins, the second will join in immediately after. They pause, then sing one after the other again, for up to 40 songs. Go here to play a very clear recording of the Ovenbird's song.
April 18, 2009
NEST CAMS!
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has a beautiful new website, and one new feature is the web cam page...you can watch birds hatching. Click here to go to the page
April 12, 2009
Pelicans on Easter morning
It must be Spring! A flock of American White Pelicans flew over the meadow this morning, in a slow rhythm of flapping and gliding, almost as if in slow motion. They are very large and graceful - a majestic sight. From on top of the river bluffs, I have seen flocks of them ride rising air currents to great heights, soaring slowly and gracefully in circles. They are more buoyant than Brown Pelicans and do not dive for their food. They cooperate to surround fish in shallow water, scooping them into their pouches. They take in both water and fish, and then hold their bills vertically to drain out the water before swallowing. Because of pesticides, human disturbance, and the draining of wetlands, this species was in decline, but is slowly coming back.
March 22, 2009
Tundra Swans & Song Sparrows!
On this balmy morning I noticed a new melodic voice among the busy chattering chorus of Bluebirds, Robins, Cardinals and Red-winged blackbirds: Song Sparrows, while far above flew a flock of Tundra Swans. There is not a green blade to be seen yet, but those voices mean Spring can't be too far ahead of us now.
March 15, 2009
Spring is in the Sky!
As winter turns to spring, Orion's Belt turns horizontal as he sinks lower in the southwestern evening sky.The Vernal Equinox, which marks the first day of Spring in the northern hemisphere, occurs at 6:44 a.m. CDT on Friday, March 20th, when the Sun crosses directly over the Earth's equator and night and day are nearly the same length in all parts of the Earth. After the Equinox, days will continue to grow longer until they reach a maximum at the Summer Solstice in June.
Early Egyptians built the Great Sphinx so that it points directly toward the rising Sun on the day of the vernal equinox. This day also marks the beginning of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The celebration lasts 13 days and is rooted in the 3,000-year-old tradition of Zorastrianism. Go here for a well-written article with lots of fascinating facts on the vernal equinox»
March 9, 2009
March 5, 2009
More Pelicans than People
I caught this Brown Pelican in mid-gulp, during its extended breakfast of whole fish. I am well into my vacation on the barrier island of Sanibel, Florida, and my pace has relaxed to match that of just about every living thing around me. Check back soon for a full slide show of water, flora and fauna. Sigh.
February 17, 2009
Artists' Moon
If you've looked out your window in the wee hours of the night lately, you may have noticed the waning last quarter moon traveling on its low February arc across the night sky. The moon is often depicted this way in illustrations, especially in children's books, even though this is not the moon we usually see, because most of us are sleeping when it is visible at this stage. During these late waning phases, the moon, which rises later and later each night, gradually catches up with the sun in the sky. By the time the moon passes day 26, it is a thin crescent of light visible in the predawn sky (Feb. 23rd). Perhaps this "backwards" wee-small-hours-of-the-night moon is more compelling to artists somehow. Anyway, I hope you get to see it!
February 16, 2009
Elsewhere - the place to be in February!
That is why I would like to feature one of my favorite spots on the planet, The J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. It is located on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of Mexico. The refuge is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. It is world famous for its spectacular migratory bird populations. I will be spending about a week on the island very soon, and when I return (completely rejuvenated and with a tan) I will post photos of birds, amphibians, vegetation, and anything else I can find that we don't have here in the frozen north (which will be a lot). Learn about the refuge»
February 2, 2009
Hoot Man!
Great Horned Owls are calling from the woods in the river bottoms, their conversation adding soft round notes to the crackling silence of a deeply cold February night. Listen to the Great Horned Owl»
January 28, 2009
January 15, 2009
Eastern Bluebirds - why are they overwintering here?!
Bluebirds are determined little birds. They were endangered in the 60s and 70s, but have made a huge comeback. Most Bluebirds do fly much farther south for the winter, but some stay here and have found ways to survive the extreme cold, and to adapt to changing food supplies. They appear in large family groups, and often several family groups will flock together.) We have seen as many as 12 Bluebirds ringing our heated birdbath at once (fresh water is a must if you want to attract them in the winter.) Insects will always be the preferred food of Bluebirds, but berries and other foods such as peanuts, chopped suet, sumac fruits and mealworms can sustain them in winter. Read more about Bluebirds!»
January 1, 2009
A Story in the Snow
On this bright crisp morning, the first one of OH NINE, it was my luck to find this perfect record of one violent moment: a big bird had swooped down, snatched a small bird, leaving behind a spot of blood, a few downy feathers and a glorious impression of its wings at the moment they brushed the ground.
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