tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887577534665022772024-03-06T01:18:45.983-06:00Shawnee Forest DiariesEnjoy life in the slow lane while we explore the beauty of the Shawnee National Forest and the Ohio River in southeastern Illinois. Come and sit a spell.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04576180310029479557noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-35053264229695322312017-01-24T17:39:00.003-06:002017-01-24T20:20:25.559-06:00Well, it's 2017Still pathetic at blog upkeep, aren't I!?! It is among the plethora of resolutions for this year, let's see if I can succeed.<br />
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Life continues on after the trials and tribulations of 2016, although it was at least an improvement over the several preceding years! Still, much to be thankful for, particularly two wonderful grandchildren born (and I've even gotten to meet one of them!!!), and yet another resolution is to dwell more on the positive instead of the negative. Kids are happy and some are procreating so life does go on! <3<br />
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I still enjoy cooking! It's the one thing I've been consistent with, but wow, so much thanks to Hello Fresh and Home Chef (read more about them under the <a href="http://shawneeforestdiaries.blogspot.com/p/food-delivery-kits.html" target="_blank">Food Delivery Kits</a> tab) for lightening the never-ending tasks of finding meals/recipes, planning, and shopping, which is what I had found to be the most overwhelming on a continual basis, not to mention the time and gas expense. Without those issues, I have been able to concentrate on the most important part, cooking with fresh ingredients. I love trying foods and combinations that I would never otherwise try, especially with ingredients that I cannot get locally at our Food Mart, which makes this service even more valuable to me.<br />
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Here is one that I added to my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OutToPasture/media_set?set=a.10152060389993821.1073741825.753133820&type=3" target="_blank">Hello Fresh photo album on Facebook</a> today (prepared in November, it's not just blogging that I am pathetic at, there are 504 photos to go through downloaded today tsk tsk), Panko-Crusted Cod with Wasabi Aioli, Quinoa, and Green Bean Tomato Saute. It was delicious! I fell in love with the hot kick wasabi provides (including in mashed potatoes!). Of course, I can't find <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasabi" target="_blank">wasabi</a> at my local grocer, so it's one of those nice treats to have from HelloFresh. Treat yourself and use the code under the photo to save some $$$!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use code 9E93XP to save $40 on your first HelloFresh box! </td></tr>
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With the recent milder temperatures (and since it will be cooling back off again), DH took advantage and burned off some of our "natural habitats" he has been testing out since Spring is right around the corner! The birds and animals sure seem to love them for the extra food and cover. Leaving the natural growth has done wonders for the soil, although it's a long road to go yet, and the controlled-burning certainly helps in that regard. DH is always very careful and mindful of the wind conditions, we don't want to lose our forest!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lord of the Cottage enjoying a cuppa whilst tending his garden</td></tr>
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Still love living in our forest by the river! Trying to recover from more setbacks and roadblocks, but we shall endure. There isn't any other choice, curling up in a ball and crying isn't an option. :P Besides, the itch toward minimalism is getting stronger and stronger. I've already started selling on ebay, who knows where this could end up. haha<br />
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Until next time...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-29515023822813686222016-05-27T15:39:00.002-05:002016-05-27T15:39:18.791-05:00More wildlife visitorsThe wildlife here never ceases to amaze me, and you never know what you're going to see or hear next, including at night. There was quite a ruckus out on the deck last night, obviously fighting over seeds left out in a bucket. I couldn't see out the window and I sure as heck wasn't going to open the door! haha I hope they got it sorted out, there was no blood or fur anywhere so I guess it ended peacefully.<br />
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We have left some areas to grow wild again this year, the animals of all sorts seem to love it, and are always enjoying them. And it has a real benefit of helping with astronomical seeds costs! David has mowed pathways throughout the property, and the animals appreciate them too (they must, since they're always using them!). David is also working on some ponds. He still has to be very careful because of his shoulder(s) and back but he does enjoy a bit of a dig once in a while.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March 2016, still working on the ponds...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but you never know when you may want to fish or see something to photograph.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April...a bit more work on the ponds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">handy riding mower with trailer! </td></tr>
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Some more recent visitors that stopped by to see me....<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Cowbirds up to their usual antics</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJcEJ4RdWn-4SfOy23bSmvtzwWyODy1QIL1Lo7puLYjh0JjvC8fPgJET85nW10ih40XfA63UJJnPE9B5vjqgcuTAdq4DyhagBUdbj-41nMAPkoNKP_nU1WOvAPN_oL40H0Hn9WMVDzIo/s1600/P5120023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJcEJ4RdWn-4SfOy23bSmvtzwWyODy1QIL1Lo7puLYjh0JjvC8fPgJET85nW10ih40XfA63UJJnPE9B5vjqgcuTAdq4DyhagBUdbj-41nMAPkoNKP_nU1WOvAPN_oL40H0Hn9WMVDzIo/s400/P5120023.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyril, the male Red-bellied Woodpecker, digging around in a log.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5bMs8AfVF6B0I0REh0MCwtdczAwEQI5hyphenhyphen2Yr1zYywuqtz61pgrHjvLcgZDuTh8GvDYJSgNx84xwY89M9BHqkkQRbrJ7npICACAetnJwtj5ymdZsoR8CxO7b9oqj6PKHhfBTuDkbs97Y/s1600/P5120025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5bMs8AfVF6B0I0REh0MCwtdczAwEQI5hyphenhyphen2Yr1zYywuqtz61pgrHjvLcgZDuTh8GvDYJSgNx84xwY89M9BHqkkQRbrJ7npICACAetnJwtj5ymdZsoR8CxO7b9oqj6PKHhfBTuDkbs97Y/s400/P5120025.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May as well enjoy a seed while I'm at it. </td></tr>
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I remember when we first moved here a few years ago, we saw one little skinny squirrel at the forest edge. Now look! A great buffet helps, and we now have several that live around here, always using the footpaths but like having that tall growth to dive into when needed.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Love having the Blue Grosbeaks back here!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Blue Grosbeak enjoying the heck out of plants left to grow wild <span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtzFusPQ8wJ4zipu6HUoT6b1N2is9j_YMGnNIlg8GaAUjfmKU2wDZF_Pg_Br2a5copBxUDwwUXdW-43U3G-384qj_5fDBgtMawVjsUL-o-wJq-FO3XTro2OU9Hi_EOUSe03kUge6seTI/s1600/blue+grosbeak+male+4+5-22-16+eating.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtzFusPQ8wJ4zipu6HUoT6b1N2is9j_YMGnNIlg8GaAUjfmKU2wDZF_Pg_Br2a5copBxUDwwUXdW-43U3G-384qj_5fDBgtMawVjsUL-o-wJq-FO3XTro2OU9Hi_EOUSe03kUge6seTI/s400/blue+grosbeak+male+4+5-22-16+eating.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> A day isn't complete without seeing our Indigo Buntings!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4xccD-Ggw7MUK-yxPf_GsL1I_roHB3fDbAubXu4l6J-nqvB1mBSNTM7AQQK84Il3Z_pDbAz2WZSR9MF9Ay9_nTrX1M7vzIedekrXD9bACQuwfMhH_SuAnqUh6VqZZwabf547Vo9r6Lk/s1600/P5230115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4xccD-Ggw7MUK-yxPf_GsL1I_roHB3fDbAubXu4l6J-nqvB1mBSNTM7AQQK84Il3Z_pDbAz2WZSR9MF9Ay9_nTrX1M7vzIedekrXD9bACQuwfMhH_SuAnqUh6VqZZwabf547Vo9r6Lk/s400/P5230115.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTX34tm0k4xjZRl72WFoJnze4nyQ8zdUlwL0iUpZiRsO6tJXbgigwlZQ0Zfid1G4CBi6iiEkLK1Zh5WLO9-BEmvrbe3q6i4sSwUOCTvCuu6y_7vIQbTjUCTOlPzYXfDwho0WBNuhsmJA/s1600/P5230117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTX34tm0k4xjZRl72WFoJnze4nyQ8zdUlwL0iUpZiRsO6tJXbgigwlZQ0Zfid1G4CBi6iiEkLK1Zh5WLO9-BEmvrbe3q6i4sSwUOCTvCuu6y_7vIQbTjUCTOlPzYXfDwho0WBNuhsmJA/s400/P5230117.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Northern Cardinal and male Indigo Bunting let each other eat some seeds<br /><br /></td></tr>
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I never dreamed we would be seeing birds in such beautiful colors! It's wonderful learning about their habits and quirks. </div>
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Until next time...<br /><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-11706011579227812102016-05-23T12:24:00.000-05:002016-05-23T12:26:02.859-05:00Enjoying life again...Slowly but surely...beginning to see the light of day and enjoying our life here. I wanted to post photos of s<span style="text-align: right;">ome recent visitors to our yard while looking out my living room window. It's heating up quickly here since the humidity is settling in. We did have a nice Spring, oh the blossoms in the forest were particularly stunning this year! </span><br />
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The photos below were taken within the past few weeks, I'm nearly just as bad downloading the photos I take as I am posting on the blog!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1USRkwa0TtK4gJimCcFBGyFTj0-igrMGM7tH-CyTYomVX_yNjRj2eIJlTu3KOYeFmQ4BCPXu9KkkywNybL1gvvayXAoDKjkJyjoJ2bW07Mgmg3lX-x-hxGcEWcg1BaUh4jgnaC1njJRE/s1600/P4270048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1USRkwa0TtK4gJimCcFBGyFTj0-igrMGM7tH-CyTYomVX_yNjRj2eIJlTu3KOYeFmQ4BCPXu9KkkywNybL1gvvayXAoDKjkJyjoJ2bW07Mgmg3lX-x-hxGcEWcg1BaUh4jgnaC1njJRE/s320/P4270048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Indigo Bunting </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PeBU9huyIHO4Uz-NTb4bFW62vYvyDs31p0ce2pynR7EqSBfMPMLwi3bdqsnGC8eI_7iflBIbyu1Owb54gE6M0XJci5WP_d5IQdpO6CLGL1iGOuI1hljuSK_s9hsqxza366NlhxGXerw/s1600/P4280064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PeBU9huyIHO4Uz-NTb4bFW62vYvyDs31p0ce2pynR7EqSBfMPMLwi3bdqsnGC8eI_7iflBIbyu1Owb54gE6M0XJci5WP_d5IQdpO6CLGL1iGOuI1hljuSK_s9hsqxza366NlhxGXerw/s320/P4280064.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two male Cowbirds up to their strange cluck-cluck ritual, with heads raised as if signing in a choir. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_hTNeKLRTnqKPCPqlNDVMsJubuYzfpJIhoX_8f5PxosENiLut0d8Q5ICim9MeHK1EhxTAzseM4pzW-krh0GibMObzRTVisGWNifxXmEIeIewfcBdcSbS9h3kssTZXqRcGSpckLhyqCI/s1600/P4290076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_hTNeKLRTnqKPCPqlNDVMsJubuYzfpJIhoX_8f5PxosENiLut0d8Q5ICim9MeHK1EhxTAzseM4pzW-krh0GibMObzRTVisGWNifxXmEIeIewfcBdcSbS9h3kssTZXqRcGSpckLhyqCI/s320/P4290076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the resident turkeys strolling (quickly) through the yard</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2TTa1RLtLRTCO097HJc4Jwpim0svCpkUyvkM_GvT6eq-79kz-sELwbT64pHevl-uZKPIezIsefLW3S1EFluSWAa_fCkrVzsz23Pg2mqeyXB2FWnDOKlKW4Fgwv8qOKdOCATi_gPaZMM/s1600/P4290077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2TTa1RLtLRTCO097HJc4Jwpim0svCpkUyvkM_GvT6eq-79kz-sELwbT64pHevl-uZKPIezIsefLW3S1EFluSWAa_fCkrVzsz23Pg2mqeyXB2FWnDOKlKW4Fgwv8qOKdOCATi_gPaZMM/s320/P4290077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSrThbsHWcyMS5FXKH9EAhyphenhyphenpdo39yqIJcukcirvwu2EV9gIMhoaZZ4gtkgLEkXJ09-vKF7-vAM4yvFOeLv_ZCKZGsRZ0zF63s7dVCMrDxwA_7AXfjQkIy3-1Pd6KUKyFWmfwQ8qcl_DI/s1600/P5030109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSrThbsHWcyMS5FXKH9EAhyphenhyphenpdo39yqIJcukcirvwu2EV9gIMhoaZZ4gtkgLEkXJ09-vKF7-vAM4yvFOeLv_ZCKZGsRZ0zF63s7dVCMrDxwA_7AXfjQkIy3-1Pd6KUKyFWmfwQ8qcl_DI/s320/P5030109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male American Goldfinch, in its summer splendor enjoying a seed.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFH8OxLYbJz634xoM6M6UFz2UfSYvHx_xSG96QTiNl7Krfa0-y6XvfsfwDl5ojaUO2BRmSHFNjW2bt78e7To1Tzh-ItfznE4vtrvMXVUtKUFQuX4McfmOJqG5luclTEO72ZpVeyvVpCk/s1600/P5100017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFH8OxLYbJz634xoM6M6UFz2UfSYvHx_xSG96QTiNl7Krfa0-y6XvfsfwDl5ojaUO2BRmSHFNjW2bt78e7To1Tzh-ItfznE4vtrvMXVUtKUFQuX4McfmOJqG5luclTEO72ZpVeyvVpCk/s320/P5100017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaxpMhLzAabPpvwdGBuPFfzrA4-TVFx8wZbf4C_YBC02-IJVnSVP4Q1c7wSCFsOXNNYf6a-VEcRcqhSCp_8TIVhdRrayHSgjVDqS1KYlNkvOa_GuYJxXll1rqA7dK1Z4gJSS6YnKefO4/s1600/P5100010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaxpMhLzAabPpvwdGBuPFfzrA4-TVFx8wZbf4C_YBC02-IJVnSVP4Q1c7wSCFsOXNNYf6a-VEcRcqhSCp_8TIVhdRrayHSgjVDqS1KYlNkvOa_GuYJxXll1rqA7dK1Z4gJSS6YnKefO4/s320/P5100010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did not poop on this chair. Honest. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mnRxgk55FB08UKXHrSXYGtLOvcocjOEn0QIw_BSc672by-MtQ4c-_bm5p4g_xph8Gwk69zJnBL1LzNJ18MsgheW8D9-g6XY8qfPDdNgWlwyc3YKOLtsDWyFoEuuwZ53Fg1Y7ML_Tpy4/s1600/grosbeak+snip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mnRxgk55FB08UKXHrSXYGtLOvcocjOEn0QIw_BSc672by-MtQ4c-_bm5p4g_xph8Gwk69zJnBL1LzNJ18MsgheW8D9-g6XY8qfPDdNgWlwyc3YKOLtsDWyFoEuuwZ53Fg1Y7ML_Tpy4/s320/grosbeak+snip.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We have seen at least four male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and two female! Love having these around now.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSxnRJ9EcTcfCpmBr2M0GArjneT7n15481_3DfMmd6jGYh9qm_N83kvxZ9PUVCT8VEwiX1c6jAbKpX4-YCCvwcO3H6eAmvbddwdracuPfKu9yeBNCLb4NVnFFd8lZJ-t5PkZchVZ5m3A/s1600/P4260025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSxnRJ9EcTcfCpmBr2M0GArjneT7n15481_3DfMmd6jGYh9qm_N83kvxZ9PUVCT8VEwiX1c6jAbKpX4-YCCvwcO3H6eAmvbddwdracuPfKu9yeBNCLb4NVnFFd8lZJ-t5PkZchVZ5m3A/s320/P4260025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vv5bkHQ5NdEAQHOAGhU-Ce3dCNoNO88afv7BhXW0heEuIOEd9VirlRPtwUtt-o0SKOzt3L-x8ccg-xKuFYCY8DfX7Qo3vVDV549UrtjlzSK51AGqcJCfjR0xwEk8Z5A9xrCXuN56ytM/s1600/P4260023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vv5bkHQ5NdEAQHOAGhU-Ce3dCNoNO88afv7BhXW0heEuIOEd9VirlRPtwUtt-o0SKOzt3L-x8ccg-xKuFYCY8DfX7Qo3vVDV549UrtjlzSK51AGqcJCfjR0xwEk8Z5A9xrCXuN56ytM/s320/P4260023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (back with profile) Don't make fun of his nose, he's sensitive.<br />
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Until next time....<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-68127202064938487192016-05-02T16:46:00.002-05:002016-05-02T16:47:54.148-05:00Still loving it here! I have been even more remiss about posting here than on the other blog, Lourdes Hospital Watchdog. I finally did a post there today, you can find it here at http://lourdeshospitalwatchdog.blogspot.com/<br />
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I wish I had it in me to write a lovely post...they will hopefully be making their way here very soon. If you read the other blog, you will hopefully understand the absence.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-13116128456085009382013-11-04T12:22:00.002-06:002013-11-04T12:29:02.201-06:00Sharp-shinned HawkYesterday, another one of the birds David photographed appears to be a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Unfortunately, the bird wasn't cooperative in posing properly but he was able to get some photos of its back. <br />
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The Sharp-shinned Hawk is a year-round resident in our area, and they are 10 - 14 inches in length, the smallest of the North American accipiters (hawks characterized by short wings and a long tail). Adults are slaty blue-gray above, with narrow, horizontal cinnamon-colored bars on the breast. Immature birds are mostly brown, with coarse vertical streaks on white underparts. <br />
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Adults and young have broad dark bands across their long tails, and females are larger than males. They prey on birds and small mammals, such as songbirds and mice. Accipiters fly by flapping their wings a few times, then gliding with wings flat or slightly bowed, then flapping a few more times. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0y0DE6GcOELonvbBaq3NxpXNef0RO6OvHv-59bZyHlqX1anp866hqXiGF4cz7_qb-AC0DmuuxRaa1zJ2x6dZDvObMslEB9oIp7fMtXjoioVbeEbbOPcUSNqbj3th-Hnpd8FSjK_QYlvo/s1600/IMG_4024sharpshinnedhawk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0y0DE6GcOELonvbBaq3NxpXNef0RO6OvHv-59bZyHlqX1anp866hqXiGF4cz7_qb-AC0DmuuxRaa1zJ2x6dZDvObMslEB9oIp7fMtXjoioVbeEbbOPcUSNqbj3th-Hnpd8FSjK_QYlvo/s320/IMG_4024sharpshinnedhawk.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
In the photo below, it seems you can faintly see the cinnamon stripes on the breast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu1Tyu9H9tIZYuMzD0nCdQ9pBuAu9BGo0nG3BTEt4SQ2wIh52ZsPnaaQHXjxV-0a0DT6X_p-ghbH-WZovWHRupC908_A8sqHjURMgCNeKp4ew45q0c94elBj7Aun9RgOZaRwFrrmunRU/s1600/IMG_4031sharpshinnedhawk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu1Tyu9H9tIZYuMzD0nCdQ9pBuAu9BGo0nG3BTEt4SQ2wIh52ZsPnaaQHXjxV-0a0DT6X_p-ghbH-WZovWHRupC908_A8sqHjURMgCNeKp4ew45q0c94elBj7Aun9RgOZaRwFrrmunRU/s320/IMG_4031sharpshinnedhawk.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sharp-shinned Hawks are agile fliers that speed through dense woods to surprise their prey. They do not stoop on prey from high overhead. They may also pounce from low perches. Their habitats are in woodlands and brushy areas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn7pLFJhtPUTjZphFBPDBs_qc6a12at_q2Bht_hdqQul0A9_zEdgcfftEYCOT4mG07MbC5-hQ5GPVmKED4C6tPPukBAlbeebdQfOm_mEMxXXPtH1ukN-KYmmFkH88du5FBK49lPWLW1c/s1600/IMG_4028sharpshinnedhawk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn7pLFJhtPUTjZphFBPDBs_qc6a12at_q2Bht_hdqQul0A9_zEdgcfftEYCOT4mG07MbC5-hQ5GPVmKED4C6tPPukBAlbeebdQfOm_mEMxXXPtH1ukN-KYmmFkH88du5FBK49lPWLW1c/s320/IMG_4028sharpshinnedhawk.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Unless we find out differently, I will leave it at that. I might see if I can tempt one into the house to eradicate the mouse I've been hearing in here, it may at least distract it from eating our songbirds!!!<br />
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Believe it or not, that is it for today :) Until next time....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-26520343950763745512013-11-03T16:33:00.001-06:002013-11-03T17:15:26.816-06:00Common Flicker, Woolly Bear Caterpillar, and Deer (of course)It's amazing how time can fly...my last post was August 4th!?!? I guess that shouldn't surprise me...we were still waiting for David to see the doctors at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO to see if they could rid him of the infection and fix his shoulder. Mentally, we were both finished by then; the good news, however, is that the doctors there were able to repair the problems better than we dreamed. <br />
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He still has a long road ahead of him, but it does seem the infection is finally subsiding (he had to have a catheter PICC line with IV antibiotics for just under six weeks and he has to take oral antibiotics for some time yet) and the orthopedic surgeon pretty much un-did what the original doctor did and a lot of "fixing up". We're still in shock that this nightmare that we've endured for this entire year may be coming to an end.<br />
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He's been very busy trying to get his workshop going now (that we bought shortly before he tore his shoulder last year!) and with the massive restoration needed, this has taken all our energy and then some (on top of David's physical therapy as well). Is life back to "normal"? No...but we don't really have a "normal" so we just take each day as it comes. He hasn't been able to take photos much as of yet, his arm and back tire very easily and he gets very sore, but he does what he can.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-jVLAn2CJJ_jVMLkFE-JT1YsEGEAEQlwDCrninJBM8Cr-8IVZ405b6ZugJ77iICPNaQiVpps0YFR5nPovA79IbiN-DOvZlA178ZrEXEQFc93LpfxgbC5KzPbaPdZWRJk05rs7gsHku0/s1600/IMG_3845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-jVLAn2CJJ_jVMLkFE-JT1YsEGEAEQlwDCrninJBM8Cr-8IVZ405b6ZugJ77iICPNaQiVpps0YFR5nPovA79IbiN-DOvZlA178ZrEXEQFc93LpfxgbC5KzPbaPdZWRJk05rs7gsHku0/s320/IMG_3845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We're seeing the gorgeous fall colors of our trees now; the various deciduous trees emblazon the sky with their copious shades of yellows, oranges and reds, the fruit trees laid mostly bare with the recent rains ripping away what leaves were still hanging tenuously from the branches, and intermingled are the stately pines with their green needles a constant reminder of life, and the holly tree announcing a robust crop of berries just in time for winter. What a joy to see! <br />
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Today unfolded with a rather strange morning...there I was, sitting in my recliner, sipping my coffee and looking out my living room window, as usual...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZL6BODnHBp4_pl1IAbUonEFGBoXdiFX3oBPDHu-bbaUEiUutXcvzaTCOIJEbKT065tjaBZ-NLTRLUn9igw_Cf7Mw-zphktEsOM8pkpEHvRhlNhaukvixKGo58PzccPcejTaso7wWO3bc/s1600/IMG_4219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZL6BODnHBp4_pl1IAbUonEFGBoXdiFX3oBPDHu-bbaUEiUutXcvzaTCOIJEbKT065tjaBZ-NLTRLUn9igw_Cf7Mw-zphktEsOM8pkpEHvRhlNhaukvixKGo58PzccPcejTaso7wWO3bc/s320/IMG_4219.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
...when David opened the front door and exclaimed, "Come look at the mist!". Sure enough, while I was looking at a perfectly clear north side of the house (above), the south side looked like this (below)...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCFs-3A9C8IakaueuzwszBGZWUOG3ix7IVg8snOvsdZk3SPOc3HTzWVJU8EKG-gExN79ES3gl-ZJKph9skY7TfQQAr-tt_FlKkLa8pM6FpEPksesxBcoSCJyIYJSZ2sEdS6I40dwRkZw/s1600/IMG_4114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCFs-3A9C8IakaueuzwszBGZWUOG3ix7IVg8snOvsdZk3SPOc3HTzWVJU8EKG-gExN79ES3gl-ZJKph9skY7TfQQAr-tt_FlKkLa8pM6FpEPksesxBcoSCJyIYJSZ2sEdS6I40dwRkZw/s320/IMG_4114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and the east side was like this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0v0Mt4kf1Oq5NfO4akLFBvzJW1Xf1VVAkqLUlkRIPAmYGYJw7yTdbvdzPU0yvqBBtRWg9eLk9HrHkaXh-RG5PFzw9iX8OFS2BK8tbAnlaXLw52gAbYDotAUui8vhz1vOvO1F4pYPeFSM/s1600/IMG_4106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0v0Mt4kf1Oq5NfO4akLFBvzJW1Xf1VVAkqLUlkRIPAmYGYJw7yTdbvdzPU0yvqBBtRWg9eLk9HrHkaXh-RG5PFzw9iX8OFS2BK8tbAnlaXLw52gAbYDotAUui8vhz1vOvO1F4pYPeFSM/s320/IMG_4106.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Crazy. </div>
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We're seeing the blue jays again, and juncos, and hearing our friendly neighborhood woodpeckers. Today, David was able to capture the Common Flicker (the yellow-shafted race) that we have never seen before, although they are year-round residents of our area.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_q7Hl14E2h41h8BYQoFSAF1QYejuNyYqG_haE3be5_Wdo6fQSRZO7mlJ6ZlxD5PzXKjD74Xiv4adxRkvWZy-tdEBjFOFBqnP7Ncls2GpaZpb69tLn-MluzfV13xd7hJqzzFaLgipjwM0/s1600/IMG_3946commonflicker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_q7Hl14E2h41h8BYQoFSAF1QYejuNyYqG_haE3be5_Wdo6fQSRZO7mlJ6ZlxD5PzXKjD74Xiv4adxRkvWZy-tdEBjFOFBqnP7Ncls2GpaZpb69tLn-MluzfV13xd7hJqzzFaLgipjwM0/s320/IMG_3946commonflicker.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
They are 10 - 13 inches in length, with a wingspan of 18 to 21 inches. Weights range from 4 to 6 ounces. There is a red chevron on the back of its head; white rump; black crescent at throat; yellow or red on underside of wings and tail (in the East, yellow only); male with "moustache" of black (in the East, the yellow-shafted race) or red (West, the red-shafted race). Their habitats are deserts, farmlands, suburbs, parks, and open forests. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SzqB5ZKYtQt7DqC8tD8kB67zm7T9atAnmSS8gecf7UhJSucrT_UkfryTAdOpXmvZZpdolcmHhzqU3K4dY1zzMDRDuXXuZqFUbgrgBCkwUizD19WYUK1hyyghU6HOJwaTHrtAcOKipzY/s1600/IMG_3950commonflicker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SzqB5ZKYtQt7DqC8tD8kB67zm7T9atAnmSS8gecf7UhJSucrT_UkfryTAdOpXmvZZpdolcmHhzqU3K4dY1zzMDRDuXXuZqFUbgrgBCkwUizD19WYUK1hyyghU6HOJwaTHrtAcOKipzY/s320/IMG_3950commonflicker.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
In the photo below, the Common Flicker is in the lower right...so pretty in flight, you can just see the hint of yellow. I hope to have many more photos to share of this beauty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wRqRdNPabYx9G1W9UGGgHdDgV87iy2T5wbhaYDb8DukyeALWoIAVTO06HoEE_ykIFZBpCiXWt95b7hxMV4PQbIWwGvbsrlZBMMO3BczpGpEEGpLGv21oiyYPdR9gWtXzgCChiCO9G6E/s1600/IMG_3961commonflickerflying.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wRqRdNPabYx9G1W9UGGgHdDgV87iy2T5wbhaYDb8DukyeALWoIAVTO06HoEE_ykIFZBpCiXWt95b7hxMV4PQbIWwGvbsrlZBMMO3BczpGpEEGpLGv21oiyYPdR9gWtXzgCChiCO9G6E/s320/IMG_3961commonflickerflying.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This woodpecker, unlike most other woodpecker species, is often seen on the ground, searching for ants and licking them up with its long tongue; they also eat termites, caterpillars, crickets, and grasshoppers, but will come to feeders for seeds and suet. It nests in holes in trees (or substitutes such as telephone poles). Both sexes excavate a cavity from 10 to 90 feet up, unless natural cavities are available. From 3 to 12 white eggs, incubated by both parents, hatch in about 12 days. Both parents care for the young, who leave the nest in just under a month. Flickers are conspicuous in the Fall, when they often travel in loose flocks. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxPAtZiy0_LGDuxEcyW06tNyAFm6u7nYV5nFd4cdGGenFsX7rQs4olGF4xQeqax0BEE_K5GCq3p2DosGGePMKABjaCHXXKJx8doQGc8NVwRcrdnZX0ACgYqDKLH0Ss_UngI-BeqgQX-E/s1600/IMG_3962commonflickerfront.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxPAtZiy0_LGDuxEcyW06tNyAFm6u7nYV5nFd4cdGGenFsX7rQs4olGF4xQeqax0BEE_K5GCq3p2DosGGePMKABjaCHXXKJx8doQGc8NVwRcrdnZX0ACgYqDKLH0Ss_UngI-BeqgQX-E/s320/IMG_3962commonflickerfront.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
David also snapped 168 photos of a caterpillar today! haha It turned out to be the Woolly Bear, which turns into the Isabella tiger moth. A common sight on our roads, David now humors me and swerves as safely as possible to avoid running over them. I do admit, they are difficult to see, so I try and scout for him and tell him where to weave. As a kid, I always just knew these as woolly worms, and of course heard the folklore that the length of the black bands foretold the severity of the upcoming winter. Apparently, though, it merely determines the age. Another childhood tale dashed! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmCtK4OFAevWQvxDJebVL-s-Iy7xZv4csWWCSZkgPITdnFvPSbgM0xaneTXePUOKuzOVpLdF5RnR-GEzRvUA9dkqpNufU3_9Bzh_zwSdxY-IntWVA4r2yDIx-DdsJiDoHx_-ZWdwPZI8/s1600/IMG_4355caterpillar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmCtK4OFAevWQvxDJebVL-s-Iy7xZv4csWWCSZkgPITdnFvPSbgM0xaneTXePUOKuzOVpLdF5RnR-GEzRvUA9dkqpNufU3_9Bzh_zwSdxY-IntWVA4r2yDIx-DdsJiDoHx_-ZWdwPZI8/s320/IMG_4355caterpillar.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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(from Wikipedia): The Isabella Tiger Moth (<i>Pyrrharctia isabella</i>) can be found in many cold regions, including the Arctic. The banded Woolly Bear larva emerges from the egg in the fall and overwinters in its caterpillar form, when it literally freezes solid. First its heart stops beating, then its gut freezes, then its blood, followed by the rest of the body. It survives being frozen by producing a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryoprotectant" title="Cryoprotectant">cryoprotectant</a> in its tissues. In the spring it thaws out and emerges to pupate. Once it emerges from its pupa as a moth it has only days to find a mate. </div>
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Caterpillar hosts are: asters, birches, clover, corn, elms, maples, and sunflowers.</div>
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In case you ever wanted to see the facial profile of a woolly worm, see the photo below. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxcnHDtBMpUJPiUPQajAmiMHWfY4Ouu7pJYP7u_3C8M6n7A8X_XvU5FJM3ma130PpnQC3ATzfSWamFXueYp3Nr_2ANlAwQaoO02Rzhfcy2XTTqXsSMjf-CncF37GcvU5hlU92AihJN4E/s1600/IMG_4403caterpillarprofile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxcnHDtBMpUJPiUPQajAmiMHWfY4Ouu7pJYP7u_3C8M6n7A8X_XvU5FJM3ma130PpnQC3ATzfSWamFXueYp3Nr_2ANlAwQaoO02Rzhfcy2XTTqXsSMjf-CncF37GcvU5hlU92AihJN4E/s320/IMG_4403caterpillarprofile.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This time of year also brings many hunters to our area (since Pope County is the deer capital of Illinois)...the deer are noticeably absent, they surely know the hunters are around! David was still able to find one sneaking about though.<br />
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I had better stop for today...I keep rambling on! Apologies for the long absence yet again...this time, hopefully, I can get back to enjoying life around here again and actually documenting some of it! </div>
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Until next time....</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-86261108104754019452013-08-04T15:18:00.001-05:002013-08-04T15:18:21.211-05:00The Common Milkweed: Butterflies & The Importance of Going NaturalAs I mentioned in another entry previously, we decided to leave areas of our property not mowed so that we could see what grows naturally and its effect on local wildlife. So many "weeds" are quite beneficial and beautiful with flower displays. . <br />
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We want to keep our designated areas as natural as possible, identify those plants that seem beneficial, and then add other good sources of food and shelter as we need to, in order to "beautify" and expand the resources for our beloved animals. It's going to be a long process but I am glad we are starting this early so we can gradually attain our final goal of our own private wildlife preserve.<br />
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An area by our cess-pond (as I fondly call it) was mowed last year since the entire property was seriously overgrown (the previous owners used it only occasionally as a vacation home), but this year with David leaving it among our "test areas" we recently saw about 30 butterflies of different species engulfing plants with pinkish flowers, a Common Milkweed <em>(Asclepias syriaca). </em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhM4iHWrjaRAbRzEgnXhd0detrvgjM-GF_qnBxRopWULT4JuuHZ7r7AizfXENzLYx55pl2QnigWFuF8-PocgLcmkjWUnl3tBZVz04iNnGGAtEfBKW8fFOTbVPTjct5S60lZ9XKu8BOIzQ/s1600/IMG_6027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhM4iHWrjaRAbRzEgnXhd0detrvgjM-GF_qnBxRopWULT4JuuHZ7r7AizfXENzLYx55pl2QnigWFuF8-PocgLcmkjWUnl3tBZVz04iNnGGAtEfBKW8fFOTbVPTjct5S60lZ9XKu8BOIzQ/s320/IMG_6027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This native perennial plant is 2 - 6 feet tall (typically 3 - 4 feet tall) and unbranched, except sometimes toward the apex, where the flowers occur. The central stem is relatively stout, pale green, cylindrical and slightly tapered. The opposite leaves are up to 8" long and 3½" wide, broadly oblong in shape, and smooth along their margins. The upper leaf surface is pale-medium to dark green and hairless above, while the lower leaf surface is densely covered with woolly hairs that are very short. There is a prominent central vein along the length of each leaf, and finer side veins that radiate outward toward the smooth margins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4wYcDpGZZvxytkfyYkPlcHUN3bztZJd80kQEiwr_dft0RE6HATKX52FrJuuKS3vWiIMBCOYBcaFFYCPWEs6UbbqnIaCKFjJFKUv0GPtV2M7A29QMUowsc9abFvCh3nRqYmxls8g7opU/s1600/IMG_6114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4wYcDpGZZvxytkfyYkPlcHUN3bztZJd80kQEiwr_dft0RE6HATKX52FrJuuKS3vWiIMBCOYBcaFFYCPWEs6UbbqnIaCKFjJFKUv0GPtV2M7A29QMUowsc9abFvCh3nRqYmxls8g7opU/s320/IMG_6114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Umbels of flowers, each about 2½" - 4" across, emerge from the axils of the upper leaves. These flowers are quite fragrant, with a scent resembling violets or pansies, and they range in color from faded light pink to reddish purple. Each flower is about ¼" across, star-shaped in dense rounded clusters at top of straight stem. The hoods are more light-colored than the petals. The pedicels of the flowers are light green to pale red and hairy. The blooming period lasts about 1 - 1½ months from early to mid-summer (June, July, August). The seedpods (follicles) are 3" - 4" long and covered with soft prickles and short woolly hairs. At maturity, each seedpod split along one side to release numerous seeds that have large tufts of white hair, with dispersion of seed by wind. The root system has long creeping rhizomes, promoting the vegetative spread. <br />
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Common Milkweed occurs in every county of Illinois and it is quite common. Habitats include moist to dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, sand dunes along lake shores, thickets, woodland borders, fields and pastures, abandoned fields, vacant lots, fence rows, and areas along railroads and roadsides. This plant is a colonizer of disturbed areas in both natural and developed habitats.<br />
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The crown-like flowers of milkweeds are cunning traps for insect pollinators, second in their intricacy only to the orchids. Each blossom has five nectar cups with smooth, incurved horns growing from them. When an insect lands, its foot slips on a horn and goes into a slit between two cups. If the insect is not strong enough to pull its legs out, it dies there (or is eaten by another). If it is strong enough, it comes away carrying two bags of pollen, called pollinia, like saddlebags. At the next flower, its foot slips again; this time, as it picks up more pollinia, it deposits the first two beside the cups, where the pollen develops to fertilize future seeds. <br />
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When either the central stem or leaves are torn, a milky sap oozes out that has variable toxicity in the form of cardiac glycosides. The name milkweed refers to the milky white sap, which contains bitter chemicals to protect the plants from predators. A few insects are immune to these poisons and accumulate them in their bodies, protecting themselves from their own predators. Monarch butterflies cannot complete their life cycles without milkweed. <br />
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<br />There is a legend of the Old West about a runty outlaw who drank rattlesnake venom every morning so he could kill a big man by spitting in his eye. Milkweeds furnish similar venom for Monarch butterflies. The leaves are poisonous to most animals, but Monarch caterpillars and a few others eat nothing else. As a result, they - and the butterflies they become - are themselves toxic to potential predators. The Viceroy butterfly benefits by its resemblance to the Monarch; predators tend to leave them alone. This is known as mimicry and is also true for other species as well, such as the Pipevine Swallowtail.</div>
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And believe it or not, the milkweed can be used as food for human consumption, but please first note: <strong><span style="color: red;">Warning:</span></strong> ***<strong>Poisonous Parts***:</strong><strong> Milky sap from leaves, stems (toxic only in large quantities). Symptoms include vomiting, stupor, weakness, spasms by ingesting other species; need careful identification</strong>. <br />
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<em>Edible Parts: Leaves, new shoots, flower buds and firm seed pods. Gather leaves in early spring when they first open. Gather seed pods in summer. Parboil for three minutes, then discard bitter water and replace with clean boiling water. (Cold water tends to fix bitterness.) Repeat this process three times, then cook the leaves for 15 minutes before seasoning them. A pinch of soda can be added during cooking to break down the fiber and improve flavor. </em><br />
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<em>The young shoots under six inches long, found during the spring are used as a vegetable. Remove the fuzz on the shoot by rubbing it off. Preparation is the same as for the leaves. Collect flower buds and flowers during the summer. Dip buds in boiling water for one minute, batter and deep fry. When cooked like broccoli, buds are similar to okra. The flower clusters may also be battered and fried. After cooking, buds, flowers and leaves can be frozen. Use like okra in soups. A bit of baking soda in the water will help break down the tough fibers in the seed pod. Parboiled for several minutes, the young pods may be slit, rolled in a cornmeal/flour mixture and fried or frozen for future use.<br />
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Whether it's as a food source, shelter, or as a balance with other plant life, so much of our wildlife depends on them! When I was a kid walking the soybean and corn fields on my dad's farm, though, this was one of the plants I detested trying to get out the most! They seemed impossible to cut or pull and it usually ended up with my brother-in-law forced to cross over row upon row of crop to help me. Hey, I was only a little kid! haha That sap was no fun when it got on you either! </div>
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As for the butterflies that David photographed on the milkweeds, I will be posting separately about them so that I can provide some (hopefully) interesting facts about each. I can't believe the massive butterflies around here, I can see them halfway across the property! The eastern tiger swallowtail, spicebush swallowtail, and great spangled fritillary (to name a few) certainly add to the colorful beauty around our home, and deserve their own featured entries.<br />
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And for a quick update on our "pet" birds, we haven't seen bluejays or cowbirds for quite a while, and this was true last year as well. We are seeing more cardinals and their young, many goldfinches and indigo buntings (which I am very happy about!). The goldfinches and buntings are in the "weed" patches often, and those natural areas appear to have attracted greater numbers of them. The hummingbird charm (who also like milkweed by the way!) is in full force and going through our sugar like crazy. Our summer thus far has been hot but with some cooler temps mixed in, and lovely rains that we missed out on last year during our drought. It's just about 80F today and sunny, another gorgeous day in the Shawnee Forest.<br />
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Until next time...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-1659403110293412562013-07-26T15:48:00.004-05:002013-07-26T17:15:56.719-05:00Life goes on....Tough day, emotionally, for me, after a tough week. Week? Haha, pretty much from the start of the year, as far as David goes. Another visit to the ER for my husband David yesterday. Still no resolution of course, not much they could or would do at this point. Chug, chug, chug...<br />
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A year ago my Mom passed away and I awoke feeling tearful. Today, July 26th, my dear long-time companion, Katy, who I've mentioned before on this blog, passed away. <br />
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Oh, this is for birds?</div>
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Sure, she was just a stray from the Humane Society, but she gave me as much happiness as any pet could give. Being around 20 years old, she hadn't been well for a while and while I knew "her time" was near, I'm still devastated. <br />
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Being already high in the "grief-alert" category, and with everything else that has happened this summer and with yet to find a physician who seems to care a flying fig what happens to my husband's shoulder, I'm ill-prepared to handle the raw nerves exposed in grieving. Yet, just having laid to rest my dear cat in one of her favorite go-to spots, here it's difficult to dwell on loss when I'm surrounded by life in its extreme and wild beauty...colorful birds, flowers, trees, butterflies, bees, and dragonflies going on about their daily lives, oblivious to my loss. I see Katy everywhere I look, and probably always will. Heck, I still hear the sound of my golden retriever's chain when he walked and I lost him in 2000! <br />
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Katy, you may have been "just another cat" but you were, and always will be, precious to me. Thank you for the joy you gave me all these years. I hope I made you happy, made you feel loved, and that you lived a life a cat dreams of. <br />
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And, Mom? Yeah, I still miss you like crazy. I woke up thinking about how you giggled about the corniest jokes and I began the day crying. I still break down when I see your phone number in my contacts, but I can't bring myself to delete the entry. They say time is the great healer, but I'm not sure what healing even means anymore. <br />
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Yes, I'm pushing myself through this...I'm still an infant in many ways emotionally. PTSD had kicked my behind for years, shred my life into tatters, and sifting through the past few years of what's supposed to be left of me has been more of an ordeal than I expected, and am still unable to handle much. I've gained some strength and determination in ways I never had or expected before, though but don't realize it until they're called upon. Perhaps we get dealt what we need to make it to the next level. Maybe I can try to not feel that pain and loss, but feel that bliss, that comfort, that comes from having loved, and been loved. <br />
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Here in the Shawnee Forest, you can't see the sadness for the trees. <br />
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And life goes on....<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-35115196999698241232013-07-21T19:17:00.002-05:002013-07-21T19:17:17.234-05:00The Boat!Yesterday, I mentioned a new exciting addition to our life and since I'm sure all my readers are dying of suspense (haha), I wanted to fill you in...we got a boat! David had actually come across this months ago at the Golconda marina and had agreed to purchase it then (when he was still under the impression he was getting better after his shoulder surgery!) but the guy we bought it from wanted to do a bit of work on it before we exchanged the dough (gulp!) for the title, so it wasn't until recently that we took our maiden voyage. <br />
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It's a 1990 27' Bayliner (Ciera Sunbridge 2755) and it's an unbelievably exciting time for us! We did regret buying it for a while, just after David's setback in mid-June, but 1) we had agreed to buy it and didn't want to go back on our deal, and 2) we felt we needed something like this in our lives (while relatively young and healthy enough to enjoy it) and as encouragement for David to get better. Mentally that is extremely important! We liked that this was already at the marina, where we planned to keep it anyway, and wouldn't have to hassle moving one there...the likelihood of finding a deal such as this again later is slim. And furthermore, this opens up a whole new world for photography! Go for the gusto, right?<br />
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So, on July 1st we took our (very short) maiden voyage! (Photo taken by the Doug The Marina Guy) </div>
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My first ride in a boat was agonizingly terrifyingly wonderful! Having grown up in the prairie on a farm and having lived in mid-state Illinois my entire life before recently moving here, the most I was around water was sloshing in puddles after a big rain and the little creek that ran through my parents' pasture. Talk about different! Admittedly I was worried about David handling the boat (yes, he does have boating experience) but after his second surgery, his ability to use his right arm at all was severely affected...and it isn't as if I could help out if he needed me to! <br />
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We were caught in a bit of a rain during our journey...but who cared!?! I went down below to test out riding there...erm, did feel a bit of nausea so I went back up top! I was fine there...is that normal? <br />
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The Captain, of course, stayed put throughout! He looks quite serious there...</div>
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It was fantastic, but we still have some cleaning, sorting out, and maintenance work to do...and (for me) ***lots*** of learning to do. Having NO experience in boating myself, that kitchen area looks daunting, and very small (as does everything else)! Needless to say, we will be eating light fare or bringing something from home/restaurant for a while until I can figure out what the heck I'm doing!<br />
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With not being used to the controls or handling it before, he did so great! And *just* as we stopped, there was a *real* downpour that would have seriously drenched us, as if he timed it all on purpose perfectly.<br />
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Friday night (July 19th) we took a venture out to the marina to spend some time on the boat to get more familiar with things and figure out what we have and what we need. List begun and growing! David also enjoys fishing right there at the marina. With the temps in the 90s lately, we thought we had better test the air conditioning (along with everything else!). Even just sitting below, in the nearly surreal coolness, gently floating, reading one of our Springhouse magazines, was an experience unto itself. I couldn't believe how quiet it was...the soundproofing on the boat is incredible. I couldn't hear a thing going on outside...well, I guess the sound of the AC, that glorious AC, drowned out some of it. <br />
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As it turns out, there are several people out there that enjoy going to the marina to just hang out and party and/or go to the nearby island and shore up to cook out and party. Key word there is: party. What a great time these folks have! Such friendly and enjoyable people to be around, it's a bonus (and totally unexpected) that this kind of life is there, available. With a guy like "Fridge" who is known for coming around with a delicious plate of food to share, what is there not to like!?! David mentioned to Fridge that we would bring him some venison if he would like and his reply, "If it dies, it fries" gave us one heck of a good laugh. <br />
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Boy, have we needed people like these around us after the couple of months we have had! Actually, people like these being around is needed regardless...if more were like them, what a happy world we would have! Music, boating slip decks decorated with strings of lights, laughter and chatter...it becomes its own little world out there on the water. <br />
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Even when we moved here in October 2011, I never really expected to own a boat. It isn't as if I didn't have interest in it...and it isn't as if I ever did. As I mentioned before, my life before moving here was so different, it just never occurred to me. It's exciting to me to learn about this whole new experience of boating. While it's frightening with all there seems to be to learn (and dangerous if you don't know what you're doing!), it's also important for me to delve into the unknown. This old girl has been out of school a while and the brain cells need some invigorating! Methinks this fits the bill. <br />
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We have yet to name her though! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-91560776118447542242013-07-20T09:21:00.001-05:002013-07-20T12:23:37.175-05:00Chug chug chug....I started an update earlier this month and it never went beyond Draft, and since I've had a couple of messages asking me about "why no updates?" I wanted to provide a quick one.<br />
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Unfortunately, June didn't treat us much kinder than May! After a major setback in David's shoulder, we are slowly but surely trying to regain momentum for a long fight ahead. He went back up north on July 11th to see a doctor who treated him successfully years ago, but after stabilizing David, running some blood tests and another MRI, David has now been referred to a specialist in St. Louis since his case is complicated. The doctor also wants David to see an infectious disease specialist since there could still be some infection, and affecting the bone. So, again we wait....which merely adds to the mental strain (and for David, physical agony) already suffered to date. Gradually moving forward helps somewhat, which thus far July has consisted of; it's the uncertainty and limbo that wears us down. With my own medical issues to deal with, it's been overwhelming to think much beyond functioning to get through the day.<br />
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We still maintain we are in the best place we can be to heal though! <br />
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I'll include below some tidbits of what I had in the original draft weeks ago:<br />
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It seems the bluebirds have more young already?!? We are seeing more in the nesting box, and were quite surprised to see more activity there so soon. Here is one doing while it's doing its daily run for insects!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDMYCHAp6moNnYl_sc-2BAGC-z7ya7I8d8jUO1R-JcorDi21GFeGbgQaXo8uV6daOPCYb3wVe8QbJVwMf2Yc6e1y3FmRitvXABjT9vjBLLGOSk20jGUB46dUZp-ygEiZVMw_WCBiwML0/s1600/IMG_0710closebluebird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDMYCHAp6moNnYl_sc-2BAGC-z7ya7I8d8jUO1R-JcorDi21GFeGbgQaXo8uV6daOPCYb3wVe8QbJVwMf2Yc6e1y3FmRitvXABjT9vjBLLGOSk20jGUB46dUZp-ygEiZVMw_WCBiwML0/s320/IMG_0710closebluebird.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nelson the raccoon and his family have been enjoying their daily feasts with us; his missus has provided him with three young ones. A couple joined mama on our deck and one of them thought that hiding his eyes made him invisible. <br />
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Wrong! haha </div>
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Oh, and that worry about not seeing hummingbirds? Ha! The charm is swarming our front deck and we are rapidly going through the sugar for their nectar! If anyone plays the stock market, buy shares in sugar! haha<br />
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Thank you to those that contacted me for their concern, I will hopefully be updating "very" soon! I have missed writing! David has found a way to take photos, so it's not been all doom and gloom and we've had an exciting addition to our life here. More on that later... :) <br />
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Until next time....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-21931668918390410272013-06-11T18:48:00.001-05:002016-05-27T16:46:10.610-05:00Brown Thrasher and other breeding visitors updateWhoa…in the 90s today and tomorrow, with low temperatures
only in the 70s. There’s a slight breeze so it isn’t too awful (in the shade),
but it’s a good opportunity to hole up in the house with the A/C going…it needs
to be tested anyway. Haha<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p>Yesterday I mentioned two breeding visitors to our area, the
Barn Swallow and Cliff Swallow, and today I will discuss yet another, the Brown
Thrasher. David was successful recently in snapping some photos so I want to
share them with you. He spotted a young thrasher on a branch...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzhvBp4RSCfnR0PaIuBvpn4AFXyL8jR2XFyMyT150gb6kAsiGr1WWgqnRA7a9UtPGy1RunH0eqibqQR-wWtNSTmWcT-oouRQpsFh8rFGdpSYX0hwjqWxwsVIsrYusn0BpE_d_qDgOsIU/s1600/P1010346thrasherclose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzhvBp4RSCfnR0PaIuBvpn4AFXyL8jR2XFyMyT150gb6kAsiGr1WWgqnRA7a9UtPGy1RunH0eqibqQR-wWtNSTmWcT-oouRQpsFh8rFGdpSYX0hwjqWxwsVIsrYusn0BpE_d_qDgOsIU/s320/P1010346thrasherclose.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...soon joined by a parent, who promptly plopped a mulberry into its mouth.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbr-7at5bTLZ5SDY_SBo06_7iL2pYrO-9Zjum3KHj982zMkS0WRn4qzZJzZHxnsEXmtvY5IY79Zxs2EluTab1Rh2DZhNLJcE-USRFUP0a88FhauYONeFlRWQ-T-ex5Ks9Gy8L-XkV1CzY/s1600/P1010347closethrasherfeedbaby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbr-7at5bTLZ5SDY_SBo06_7iL2pYrO-9Zjum3KHj982zMkS0WRn4qzZJzZHxnsEXmtvY5IY79Zxs2EluTab1Rh2DZhNLJcE-USRFUP0a88FhauYONeFlRWQ-T-ex5Ks9Gy8L-XkV1CzY/s320/P1010347closethrasherfeedbaby.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Never too young to start good hygiene...</div>
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I'm sure spreading those wings will feel more natural quickly!</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Brown Thrasher is 9 ½ - 11” in length and have a long
tail; bright reddish-brown above; two white wingbars; white below, streaked
with brown. Their habitat includes open brushy areas, forest edges, hedgerows,
thickets, suburbs, parks. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The thrasher, similar to the Mockingbird, is a member of the
family Mimidae, or mimic thrushes (the name thrasher derives from the word
thrush). A characteristic of this group is the imitation is sounds. The bird is
usually seen singing from a high perch out in the open. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Another breeding visitor is the Eastern Kingbird, also
pictured below; have seen no young or “parental” activity that I’m aware of. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p>A visitor to our area is also the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. We
are very near the border of being its migratory vs. breeding area, so I am unsure
which they are here. We still saw them around May 25<sup>th</sup>, when David
captured them in a few photos (shown below). As with most things, time will tell. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p>The female visits the feeders quite often:</o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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...but the male is shyer and stays by the hedgerows for the most part. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4ZRaCgCehx0m8mrV-9s-OvS4yAlyNkCML8Y192VHoq7QnIig_ntKasEav36PAHwVc9W2noUCsubGrTF4OAfdTwlIL5PPj1qrWj3tL-TMh2HuM60mQDTWr0-3rFmPOQwIT1ivjfFlyUQ/s1600/P1010256malerosebreastedgrosbeakclose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4ZRaCgCehx0m8mrV-9s-OvS4yAlyNkCML8Y192VHoq7QnIig_ntKasEav36PAHwVc9W2noUCsubGrTF4OAfdTwlIL5PPj1qrWj3tL-TMh2HuM60mQDTWr0-3rFmPOQwIT1ivjfFlyUQ/s320/P1010256malerosebreastedgrosbeakclose.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Indigo Bunting, another breeding visitor, is still
gracing us with his presence, but have again seen no young or parenting. The
females, with their unremarkable colors and markings of brown and white, can be
mistaken for other common birds so I am unsure if there is a pair lurking about
or not. </div>
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Oh, and that Summer Tanager is still elusive and could learn
some manners! Haha Yet another breeding visitor here, but we haven’t seen the
yellowish-green female counterpart around. They are mainly insect eaters
however, so it isn’t often it is seen near the house. </div>
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This time of year is so colorful; in addition to these I've highlighted we also have our year-round residents that add such beauty (woodpeckers, cardinals, blue jays, goldfinches, etc.). The trees appear to have jewels hanging from them as the lights capture their presence on the limbs.</div>
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A character we don't get to see very often here is a squirrel, but we recently saw one enjoying the mulberries nearby. I reckon this is a Gray Squirrel; their head and body are 8 - 11" in length, with their tail 8 - 10". They are usually gray on back and sides, whitish below; large, bushy tail. Gray Squirrels breed twice a year, an event accompanied by fights, chases, and other noisy activities. Late winter or spring litters are usually born in tree hollows; summer ones, sometimes in leafy nests out along the branches of a tree. Males play no role in raising the young, which average three per litter and nurse for several months. <br />
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Enjoying a tasty mulberry....</div>
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So good, is reaching for more!</div>
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One of our wonders in the world, a sunset must be among them. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Stop, lift your gaze, </div>
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and watch as the sun gently sets…</div>
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let it caress the eyes.</div>
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Let it lull the soul
into the night... </div>
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and prepare you for evening rest. </div>
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Think
not of tasks undone,</div>
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think not of tasks for the morrow…</div>
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ponder only that which
is before you.</div>
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The Earth slowly waves goodbye, </div>
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ready for its slumber. </div>
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(PJ Matthews)</div>
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Until next time...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-34483649447088083022013-06-10T18:10:00.000-05:002013-06-10T20:27:19.947-05:00Barn Swallows, Cliff Swallows, and the neighborhood raccoonThe other day I witnessed something I've certainly not seen before…a woodpecker being
chased off the feeder! Not only that....but by a Mourning Dove! Doves seem so
docile and unassuming when we watch them feeding (they even put up with the
cowbirds!) but Cyril the Red-bellied Woodpecker decided the dove was too close
on the feeder, and I saw him peck his long beak toward the dove aggressively. The dove would
have none of that and I saw it spread its wings and walk toward the woodpecker
with its head in full-pecking motion. Cyril flew off and the dove promptly went
back to eating, undoubtedly quite pleased with itself. I doubt Cyril will be put off for long though. <br />
The face-off was between the seemingly non-confrontational Mourning Dove....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLqDlapBh2B_u7RUCvdUx_-tNuPcWoh9-fkhgIFvmXyDq98Opu5RBtgaykT2psgcZIKoneIObmywsYKgZg5x_jjUYsPxXsflrrYurH299ycIpX5XeU1-p4S7I6xm8lcu0TWaf_dchg_g/s1600/P1010187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLqDlapBh2B_u7RUCvdUx_-tNuPcWoh9-fkhgIFvmXyDq98Opu5RBtgaykT2psgcZIKoneIObmywsYKgZg5x_jjUYsPxXsflrrYurH299ycIpX5XeU1-p4S7I6xm8lcu0TWaf_dchg_g/s320/P1010187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and Cyril, the Red-bellied Woodpecker, who we never thought would ever be pushed off of any feeder. Even the massive flocks of Cowbirds give way to the woodpeckers!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEGFTwazNgsWmjw_6626QIU6liehoU_SkjCYpl7gRa7naNsZMxCQq8_WZhnlRSMj-93kKGaxctUgKU0mtRVMmE8U7OqSj5iLkOxCO3c5d9FglF2ttP6SO8a26gkNz7nHwjLcoHakVreU/s1600/P1010165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEGFTwazNgsWmjw_6626QIU6liehoU_SkjCYpl7gRa7naNsZMxCQq8_WZhnlRSMj-93kKGaxctUgKU0mtRVMmE8U7OqSj5iLkOxCO3c5d9FglF2ttP6SO8a26gkNz7nHwjLcoHakVreU/s320/P1010165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Learn to live and let live, Cyril! There's plenty of food for all of you. :)</div>
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Another of our regular critters that I've yet to talk about is "our" raccoon that we have named Nelson. Nelson, while annoying since he not only eats up anything in and out of sight, but raccoons are destructive. They will pick up absolutely everything, if there's nothing of use to consume, it just gets tossed over their shoulder so that we even get to clean up after them, including broken bits and bobs. </div>
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They can also certainly be entertaining, as most animals are if you stop and watch. He has done some
amazing feats (i.e., pulled a 35-lb bag of seed off stacked tubs to the ground)
and some absolutely hilarious mishaps (i.e., missing a tree
while jumping to it from our roof to escape David and on another occasion, jumping from the roof
down to a window ledge, where we had put some birdseed…one night I looked over to see his nose and eyes peeking over the top of the ledge while
one of his paws tried to reach the seed, only to find himself plummeting to the
ground since he actually needed both hands…I mean paws…to hold on). We should
have known better to leave our new tube-feeder out…yes, he of course jumped on
it and it’s now on the ground with no seed in it. <o:p> </o:p></div>
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A few nights ago, David caught Nelson scouring our deck for
food (as usual), except this time he was after the dog’s food bowl that had
been left outside. Busted!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXqbcWEnyqicYix0G1ZGOpX_Rw9amTCLZEtfiICbshu7vA4R-JMjMRHNutPZ41R1BCthWrE4L57VbyNqtW5l1Wrgv_NLBKwF5FdkAdaZeTY4QbN_iYgBuLrhH4CORpg2OkKQg6oH8xOk/s1600/P1010141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXqbcWEnyqicYix0G1ZGOpX_Rw9amTCLZEtfiICbshu7vA4R-JMjMRHNutPZ41R1BCthWrE4L57VbyNqtW5l1Wrgv_NLBKwF5FdkAdaZeTY4QbN_iYgBuLrhH4CORpg2OkKQg6oH8xOk/s320/P1010141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
As Nelson grabbed one side to pull it off the table, David sneaked up to it and grabbed the other side…and a tug of war ensued. Nelson would pull the bowl toward him, David would pull it back...Nelson grabbed it again and pulled...well, you get the picture. Nelson, doing what raccoons do, then pulls if off the table so he could run off with the whole thing and get rid of the human interloper. <br />
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David then successfully retrieved the bowl, while Nelson ultimately scampered off and let David win this round…for now </div>
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"What can I destroy and eat here?"</div>
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Yeah...as I said, for now. Nelson certainly isn't going to let some seed go to waste, now is he?</div>
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It's also hazardous having Nelson on our front deck at night, because once I opened the door to let one of our cats, Rosie, inside when I thought I heard her...except it was Nelson who had just knocked over a bucket of seed and was just outside the front door when I opened it. Not having my glasses on, at first I nearly ushered Nelson in, thinking it was Rosie! Well, in my defense, it was also nighttime! She does resemble a raccoon....</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Barn Swallows have decided to nest in the workshop area
this year (last year it was near the back of the house). They are breeding visitors
here, and they wasted no time getting down to business! Not that we mind since
they feed almost entirely on insects, which they pick out of the air in their quick,
graceful flights. They are 5 ½ - 7” in length, with the tail deeply forked;
glossy dark blue above, light rufous below, with darker throat. They prefer
open woodlands, other open areas, farmlands, and suburbs. Similar to the Cliff
Swallow, the Barn Swallow also builds their mud nests in culverts, under
wharves and bridges, and inside sheds, garages and barns. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
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These photos were taken by David around May 25th, when the nest was being built. </div>
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You can hopefully see the bit of stuff in its beak, ready to put on the nest.</div>
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The nest...a work in progress...</div>
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The next set of photos were taken earlier this month. The swallow likes to perch on this wire since it is a prime spot for juicy insects.</div>
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Might as well have a nice preen while waiting. </div>
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Hmmm...I spy with my little eye....</div>
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Food!</div>
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The Barn Swallow nest now...</div>
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...and inconsiderately put where it's impossible to take photos! haha</div>
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Before the start of the fall migration, Barn Swallows join
with other swallow species to form huge flocks that rest and preen on telephone
wires. It seems the Barn Swallow has adjusted to man and man’s interference on
nature quite nicely! </div>
<br />
I was peeking through photos from one year ago, and what should I see but photos of Cliff Swallows, that I mentioned earlier in this post, taken when David was out and about in the canoe around Barren Creek on June 12, 2012. Quite the serendipitous find since I happened to mention them today! <br />
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Cliff Swallows are 5 - 6" in length with mostly dark above, light forehead, rusty rump and throat, square tail. They are found in open country cliffs, farmlands with bridges or buildings for nesting, usually near water. Their natural nest sites are cliffsides, but like the Barn Swallows have adapted and take advantage of man's "contributions" to their habitats. They are also breeding visitors here (obviously!).<br />
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Their nests are quite different from the Barn Swallow, and it appears they are inclined to have a community of nests. Quite the flurry of activity!<br />
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These are the swallows that return to the Mission of San Juan Capistrano, in California, on or about March 19th of each year. <br />
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David was able to get a great shot of a heron that day as well, as he was out on Barren Creek spying on Cliff Swallows.</div>
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The Barn Swallow was also photographed at that time, on June 10th 2012, when the nest was at the back of the house.</div>
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It was amazing to see the difference between June 10th 2012 and June 10th 2013. We had a much cooler Spring here this year, and have had rains occasionally whereas last year we were already into the 90s and under drought conditions (and it got worse!). </div>
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These Gladiolus flowers were already blooming by this time...and look at that grass! It was already "crunchy" under our feet. <br />
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This year these flowers haven't bloomed yet and are growing much taller. By the end of the drought later that summer, our area was considered "exceptional" for drought conditions. This year the grass is lush and green and the forest is amazing; you can feel the cool breezes come out of the forest and there is more wildlife around since the conditions are more bearable with an abundance of food, flora, and water.</div>
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I have definitely smiled to myself when it has rained (as it did earlier today!) and have been very thankful that thus far it's been a wonderful Spring. <br />
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Until next time....<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-70262460900334827942013-06-09T14:10:00.004-05:002013-06-09T14:10:56.188-05:00Eastern Bluebirds and their youngDear Diary, <br />
<br />
I have missed writing! Now that the month of May-hem is over, perhaps life can
resume to its normal trials and tribulations instead of piling more on one day
after the next! Now that the well is back in working order (for the second time,
due to the cable shorting out...unrelated to the work done the first time), and attempts to catch up are gradually
succeeding, I can get back to writing in our diary. <br />
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First, an apology to my husband…for being a jinx! On May 10<sup>th</sup>,
I mentioned in my last “normal post” about deer in our area and being careful
while driving; on May 28<sup>th</sup>, he hit a deer! Correction, a deer hit
him. He is always very cautious but this was an example that sometimes it
doesn’t matter. As he was driving home from just a few miles away, he was
driving past the guardrail by the river when he became conscious of something
in the side mirror; in that split second, a deer hit the left headlight/turn
signal and then David heard a second thud beside him (which was the driver's door being dented!). The deer was apparently
in the deep bank and lunged for the road; being impossible to see since David
had actually already driven past him until he saw him as it struck the
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David feared it may be hurt and suffering, so went back and saw the deer scramble to its feet and leap into the woods. Pfffft, not even any venison to reward us after that nonsense! As it turned out, after the deer hit the front, he must have been spun around and he hit the driver’s side door and David was unable to open the door. He had to crawl into the passenger side and crawl over….which is very tricky with his recovering shoulder. </div>
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So, actually, I owe my husband two apologies…the second
apology being that when he off-handedly mentioned driving down to the river as
the light of day was fading, I laughingly said, “after the May we’ve had, I
wouldn’t”. I should have known better! Jinx! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCFT7QOeou4PvihWpF7FFnWYpmEeuJgyZPFPlmu-F49ZwF2L7i7IJw_N40vSkRdA-ErSC9Y1AtwR7n29pN0aPs3wY59QW0yMaFpGqnuLtcjEAkw2pn9ogBs42I9Xw6pLCYtDFXFH85bg/s1600/P1010539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCFT7QOeou4PvihWpF7FFnWYpmEeuJgyZPFPlmu-F49ZwF2L7i7IJw_N40vSkRdA-ErSC9Y1AtwR7n29pN0aPs3wY59QW0yMaFpGqnuLtcjEAkw2pn9ogBs42I9Xw6pLCYtDFXFH85bg/s320/P1010539.JPG" width="320" /></a>But all was not doom and gloom during the merry month of May. One of our favorite things, bird-watching, was rewarded last
month with our Eastern Bluebirds. The bluebird parents were very busy as they
both perched in various areas throughout the yard to catch insects in order to feed
their young. One would perch on a nearby tree while another would perch on a
wire farther down the property, swoop down and fly to the nest to feed; once
done the other would fly to the nest and feed as well. A great example of teamwork! <br />
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They would then change positions, sometimes also on top of the flagpole and at times in other trees, ever watchful for insects to catch. This would go on for hours, every day, in the mornings and evenings. It was difficult to keep track of them and their seemingly endless hunting.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVPZg2txe3X6j1NP2KMQMdcQCSIYqhHZVkBLo-jvREdCedgfsFGd5hHJQGv5AaQi9-9eJLAghAOlGqI9FgDedvdK8LrfRG5xBx6g1EnLJ63O9rd7rsokFaR7dzbIlGrnuF8IwL3tdZgE/s1600/P1010612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVPZg2txe3X6j1NP2KMQMdcQCSIYqhHZVkBLo-jvREdCedgfsFGd5hHJQGv5AaQi9-9eJLAghAOlGqI9FgDedvdK8LrfRG5xBx6g1EnLJ63O9rd7rsokFaR7dzbIlGrnuF8IwL3tdZgE/s320/P1010612.JPG" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48RaxcH3T92Cg7qi1nVB36vrsDLyFMX-vatOQ2Gq797h89Nnsmor_VBuFnsuZCkxdaaG6sWZd2dkgcg3Isa9s-18g4ingDFB1_tRMahMBk5umIX3FbUPlhyphenhyphen-FMp0nibCit8wdPEm2vBg/s1600/P1010547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwsc1Wgr5Us3PM2_5Gh_YwpMmgS5YMhv179p8Lz8u2TwjgMbYdTdltIMt0TUQsd-hOcuDv4I6K7ohOOtQjIDhG5FWokPpYopR28Qp2q6YcpvlmbUaCzLSeTEKed_pPsg88MskDJVBLek/s1600/P1010596babybluebird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwsc1Wgr5Us3PM2_5Gh_YwpMmgS5YMhv179p8Lz8u2TwjgMbYdTdltIMt0TUQsd-hOcuDv4I6K7ohOOtQjIDhG5FWokPpYopR28Qp2q6YcpvlmbUaCzLSeTEKed_pPsg88MskDJVBLek/s320/P1010596babybluebird.JPG" width="320" /></a>Then we were able to see the young peeking out of the nest! What a shock it must be for the young ones to look out of their small wooden box to see the big wide world out there! </div>
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The parents would still do their cycle of watching, swooping, grabbing, and flying to the nest to feed their young. It was an amazing thing to see and I am so glad the bluebirds decided to nest in a tree we could see easily from our front deck.</div>
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Wait...don't go...I'm still hungry!</div>
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A week or so ago, the bluebird parents began flying around
together from tree to tree, chattering between themselves often. Fledglings remain dependent on their parents for about a month, so we hoped we would have time to see it/them. We kept watch
on the nest but could see no young looking out, so we are assuming the
fledglings were being taught by their parents on how to be an Eastern Bluebird.
As hard as we tried, we could not see it/them even though they were bound to be
nearby and still talking with each other often, discussing their young. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Until a few days ago that is! Around 8:30, David saw the
bluebirds flying about and I joined him on the deck. The two bluebirds were
showing the young’un the ropes and it was so adorable. One of them was on top
of the flagpole, when I saw the young’un fly from the tree and fly toward the
flagpole. It suddenly seemed unsure how to land with another bird there, so it
flew past and then became confused of where to go next! It floundered during
flight for a bit but then swooped up to the roof to get its bearings. The
parent flew off toward the cypress tree and the young followed. It was such a joy to see them out and about, ready to begin another cycle of life. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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We wish our lovely new family the very best! </div>
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We haven’t seen much of our hummingbird charm of late…since
there is an abundance of honeysuckle (our air is redolent of it!) and other tasty items we’re hoping they
are merely taking advantage of their availability. I did see one come to the
feeder last night for a brief sip. We didn’t want to use our tap water since it
still tasted of the chlorination treatment required when the well was repaired,
and used rain water. We then considered what if they don’t like rain water
either? David tested by changing one of them to bottled water and within
minutes, a hummingbird flew to it and drank. I've been seeing more visits to the feeder, so I guess that settles that! It’s
amazing that they can tell without actually tasting it, even if the water is
boiled. <br />
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Until next time....<br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
<img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVPZg2txe3X6j1NP2KMQMdcQCSIYqhHZVkBLo-jvREdCedgfsFGd5hHJQGv5AaQi9-9eJLAghAOlGqI9FgDedvdK8LrfRG5xBx6g1EnLJ63O9rd7rsokFaR7dzbIlGrnuF8IwL3tdZgE/s320/P1010612.JPG" style="left: 195px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1158px;" width="96" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-22655849437508423022013-05-26T12:47:00.000-05:002013-05-26T12:47:18.396-05:00Well woes, a deep subject!
We recently had some well problems and while "a well, that's a deep subject!" is an old corny joke, I wanted to mention it here since the subject is an important one, and common living in the country. We were into the 3<sup>rd</sup>
day without water before we got water back, and it’s vital that we have a
backup plan in the event something like this occurs. Life in the country is
idyllic, but the reality is when you live in a remote area you must be aware of
survival threats and prepare for problems big and small. <br />
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We had already taken action toward water storage, and
fortunately we had had a substantial enough rain to fill our containers. This
made it easy for us to at least use the “facilities” in the house by filling up the tanks
after flushing. David drove to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Golconda</st1:city></st1:place>
and purchased plenty of bottled water. Meals were either cold (and simple so
dirty dishes at a minimum) or timed with going into town and having a bite to
eat at one of our local eateries. Bathing was…rustic. Grab a sponge, soap and a
bucket of water and do your best. I discovered it can be rather refreshing
standing out on the deck in all my glory in the brisk night air. I gave silent
thanks that everyone seemed to be tucked in their beds at the time…or at least
on other roads. Not that anyone could have seen anything…but it’s funny
how vulnerable one can feel and how a heard-too-many-stories feeling of eyes
staring at you begins creeping upon your thoughts. Especially since those eyes,
were they there, would more than likely belong to a coyote, owl, raccoon, deer....you get the
idea. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p>We were aware of some water problems lurking shortly before…pressure
had seemed to drop in the taps. For quite some time since moving here and hooking up the
washing machine, there were some mysterious bits blocking the washer hose
occasionally, and that had occurred again. While trying to isolate the problem, we found ourselves without
water. Period. </div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Now, David fits in quite well in a remote environment. He’s
very logical and handy with mechanical whatnots and can normally repair whatever decides to
break down. I knew he would figure out what the source of the problem was. He
did reason it all out and found out that unfortunately this was a time to call
in the professionals! The well service came out the next morning, investigated
and discussed the situation with David and then said he could come out the next
day to fix the well (since he also needed his son to complete the project). David had thought he would need special equipment to
remove the failed pump, and when the well service came by the following
morning, we had to chuckle since it’s doubtful we would ever have this type of
equipment around, or ever be able to afford it! </div>
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We were both very impressed with the well service, and will mention
their names here since it’s a positive review! Horman Pump and Well Service
from the Metropolis area is a father and son business, and they were prompt and
professional. The contraption required to complete the job was quite a beast! The
mysterious “bits blocking the washer hose” was also solved; the cheap pump that
had been installed previously had a plastic propeller that was gradually being
chewed up and was grinding itself away, and of course going into the various
hoses and pipes. The unit wasn’t that old but unfortunately by trying to save a
few bucks an inferior product was used by a previous owner, so we were glad to
be rid of it! <br />
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much everything to put in a well except bore the hole and it was painstaking work; it was quite a job
that took around 4 – 5 hours. I’m glad the weather was great that day! </div>
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So we are glad that we have all new equipment inside and outside the well; the "big blue tank" was fine so it was left intact. Mr. Horman stated our water was great (which we already knew but were glad to hear!) but of course he did treat the water to avert any problems of contamination since the well was exposed.</div>
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Situations like this really get you thinking…what if it had
been worse, which it easily could have been. Had we not had that rain beforehand, there were other contingency plans but it would have made our situation that much more difficult, especially with David's shoulder still undergoing physical therapy from his surgery. <br />
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We take many things for granted
and that can be dangerous, especially in the country. How spoiled we are, how long ago was it that they had to walk and get water from nearby creeks? Turning on the faucet and hearing the air blow through followed by water gushing out couldn't have thrilled me more if it had been oil! I’m glad we had already
realized the need to “hoard” water, although we need to ensure we continue to
broaden our knowledge and take more steps for emergencies. </div>
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All is well (no pun intended) again, and it's a beautiful day! Much to get on with (catching up with laundry is one!) so will leave my diary entry as is. Tomorrow's subject will be much more fun...the bluebirds caring for their young!</div>
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Until next time...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-87775503172778687642013-05-24T15:16:00.001-05:002013-05-24T15:17:09.670-05:00Internet...ack!'Tis true, our internet went back down again on May 11th and just NOW am back up and running. What an experience that I won't bore you with, but just an fyi that will be back posting soon. <br />
<br />
The Eastern Bluebirds have been feeding their young so we can hopefully get some great photos!<br />
<br />
Back up to do some catching up!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-80556797684517730352013-05-10T14:52:00.000-05:002013-05-10T15:25:23.545-05:00The elusive Summer TanagerI *think* I saw a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at our feeder over the past few days. They are a migratory bird here so hopefully will be able to snag some photos of it before it's too late. It's so colorful around here!<br />
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Another elusive bird that likes to tease us is (possibly) a Summer Tanager, a breeding visitor to our area. David attempted to snap a photo the other day, but the little scamp was nearly out of the bottom frame, but he does resemble the photos from last year (see below):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8m-W21nUvbR-n4b4w-YcYTNwNJru3W-JqMemJojXBgjPuGoXMfvXw_Kys_FDozODpO0RagQXa9JJeekjDZyG07kX0THW9Y5dgnTQ1YI9v6sCbnwI4ANt2zpdCR8Y97BSZHiHk02OuXM/s1600/P1010231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8m-W21nUvbR-n4b4w-YcYTNwNJru3W-JqMemJojXBgjPuGoXMfvXw_Kys_FDozODpO0RagQXa9JJeekjDZyG07kX0THW9Y5dgnTQ1YI9v6sCbnwI4ANt2zpdCR8Y97BSZHiHk02OuXM/s320/P1010231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Last year around May 29th, David was able to get these photos in one of our nearby trees; it certainly fits the Summer Tanager's description. They are 6 - 7 1/2" in length with a yellowish bill; male red; female yellowish green above, yellow below. They enjoy woodlands; in uplands, drier forests of oak, hickory, or pine. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsM-j7KUPiR0hBBT6C1unpO_SHF55koauwTJUY2T_Retb71i7yCyDYBDA_YFpEYK4QfTuu95K5jW0VkTfCGUYRvhrBbTLm4jt1J-oOWbukbwF1Dj8ldCMxRJ6XMxr4CpdFzUHWe2wClIQ/s1600/20120529_148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsM-j7KUPiR0hBBT6C1unpO_SHF55koauwTJUY2T_Retb71i7yCyDYBDA_YFpEYK4QfTuu95K5jW0VkTfCGUYRvhrBbTLm4jt1J-oOWbukbwF1Dj8ldCMxRJ6XMxr4CpdFzUHWe2wClIQ/s320/20120529_148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC9MegWJt8koG9go7WM_3LmWp-RR30H84OKgN0oGptwYHJhnCM9V3BBSuOq64HSmU_KkPYtJbv1PiAtxNgf2Tjr5iRoVlb6QPpglEA2dNs1CQiOuoIZjEPhG1QU_yANNK4UDtd8VP_Z4/s1600/20120529_150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLC9MegWJt8koG9go7WM_3LmWp-RR30H84OKgN0oGptwYHJhnCM9V3BBSuOq64HSmU_KkPYtJbv1PiAtxNgf2Tjr5iRoVlb6QPpglEA2dNs1CQiOuoIZjEPhG1QU_yANNK4UDtd8VP_Z4/s320/20120529_150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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An American Goldfinch is finding its way to one of the new hanging feeders we put up:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLO5NKrBlxqK9IjWnC5gsw5wWQ3Jm7e0X3LuqjrTxUBIqgVheWW7Urm-FJi8DIqc3l6dgHzVy0lAWULHVsf8HmvDW2qJkjH-rW2jhBdoYc1oEcJG1W6hRaQ0PS3q4ONTDwXHqx8skc3qA/s1600/P1010202close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLO5NKrBlxqK9IjWnC5gsw5wWQ3Jm7e0X3LuqjrTxUBIqgVheWW7Urm-FJi8DIqc3l6dgHzVy0lAWULHVsf8HmvDW2qJkjH-rW2jhBdoYc1oEcJG1W6hRaQ0PS3q4ONTDwXHqx8skc3qA/s320/P1010202close.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-r1yrNxNjcyvQQ5TFkFehFdv2ImnE1x0ClUi8btV4UIsRwy8vdromu0kO90jqye6j0sVoIAdgFZKEEgRa6U9rBxs8FqJmgxJQ7vccdvGirDeV5-six5j6FJMJpGdeGA2fxK-hjI59Zz8/s1600/P1010202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-r1yrNxNjcyvQQ5TFkFehFdv2ImnE1x0ClUi8btV4UIsRwy8vdromu0kO90jqye6j0sVoIAdgFZKEEgRa6U9rBxs8FqJmgxJQ7vccdvGirDeV5-six5j6FJMJpGdeGA2fxK-hjI59Zz8/s320/P1010202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwPKH75KPTgQJI3obuhzaguiszQrz4Q5APNRJ3eTUcfdNUqCrxys_OiPXXG4TidEu13purhN7Pulj-xYhEE9lVJZe5PMsi5DRbRghSI_TjXKGD4LyVJnZJti0PZ4lr0lXGBpmyS1xOh0/s1600/P1010203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwPKH75KPTgQJI3obuhzaguiszQrz4Q5APNRJ3eTUcfdNUqCrxys_OiPXXG4TidEu13purhN7Pulj-xYhEE9lVJZe5PMsi5DRbRghSI_TjXKGD4LyVJnZJti0PZ4lr0lXGBpmyS1xOh0/s320/P1010203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
An Eastern Bluebird is resting in the nearby Bald Cypress; the bluebird pair have been building a nest in a box we have attached to the trunk. <em>(note:</em> <em>Sadly, we saw an egg that resembles that of a bluebird on the ground today. We admittedly considered attempting to incubate and hatch it, but after reading about the unlikelihood that it is still viable, and the even more unlikely result of providing the correct temperature and its other needs before and after hatching, we had to accept reality.)</em> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_spBtcufF9UxKrjPcOhHuWsPb_RiJWvLxXHWR66POP0Z56Q3snZWLHzhdYScpFKiQHJqVzzdlIXBNJc6h3EoOg6wKBbO5ATFdUhDEpZ2e3N3whMC054rB26FG0LgS4p2usw7DAfVKfOU/s1600/P1010211close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_spBtcufF9UxKrjPcOhHuWsPb_RiJWvLxXHWR66POP0Z56Q3snZWLHzhdYScpFKiQHJqVzzdlIXBNJc6h3EoOg6wKBbO5ATFdUhDEpZ2e3N3whMC054rB26FG0LgS4p2usw7DAfVKfOU/s320/P1010211close.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A male Cardinal relaxing:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19elhKGDQ7U51poIF2xft9qAFoAqOku4tf7YPEtJgcErdzmhVAJLIS2oh4L-9ATHrZFq0AuvYUMix_XuSHJGRYJKl0ehY19zPh7SPmdJQ3W6JRLqqN-6qIyY8UFVTT0nfBPqwGHImAls/s1600/P1010229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19elhKGDQ7U51poIF2xft9qAFoAqOku4tf7YPEtJgcErdzmhVAJLIS2oh4L-9ATHrZFq0AuvYUMix_XuSHJGRYJKl0ehY19zPh7SPmdJQ3W6JRLqqN-6qIyY8UFVTT0nfBPqwGHImAls/s320/P1010229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our Eastern Kingbird is still hanging around our property. Breeding visitors here (they spend their winters in South American forests), they are 7 - 9" in length and are blackish above, white below; dark tail with prominent white band at tip; flies with stiff, shallow wingbeats from a high perch. They enjoy forest edges; woodlands and open areas with some tall trees. </div>
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Certainly not faint of heart, they are fearless in defense of their territory. It will attack flying from above, pecking and pulling out feathers and may even land on the intruder. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKBAghWBuLQ4GS-Zo2hRg5V6wvwCJz92Wz1b0nRvibDv5ZNEIDsuyct8eAZO1KJxtbRMBvECH1NkwE2Bi-WQ_680xxavelQ0CV97x86MGjLgFVt5NVU3pOh0pO7SjZiJaypx8GXICDiY/s1600/P1010134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKBAghWBuLQ4GS-Zo2hRg5V6wvwCJz92Wz1b0nRvibDv5ZNEIDsuyct8eAZO1KJxtbRMBvECH1NkwE2Bi-WQ_680xxavelQ0CV97x86MGjLgFVt5NVU3pOh0pO7SjZiJaypx8GXICDiY/s320/P1010134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Reggie, the Red-headed Woodpecker (and new member of our family) chilling out:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVk5P_N_lz4WtCZHycS5ulvIlAZI4ay0RwG1OfrAq6wKsQeZnw2pVqdOAgMm6hFt-vbN4GzA5LvMKzwVGE6tPeub5cPhBjl9Eh1ADLGxYRwlWZch_0joiIGBw8WPLaA3XCJ-BPIwYDb3k/s1600/P1010143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Our Eastern Phoebe was having quite a preen! They can sure contort themselves:</div>
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It's difficult to believe I have written as many posts over the past couple of weeks and have yet to talk about....deer!!! Pope County being the Deer Capital of Illinois, they are definitely abundant around here. While they are seen more around dusk, one must always be alert for them. They are difficult to see at the best of times and can jump out into the road (and in front of you!) very quickly. They're also known to stop just after coming in to the road...the saying "like a deer caught in headlights" was started for a reason!</div>
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We've seen this young deer alone quite suddenly, however, when it was with about six others recently. It seems fine and healthy, but we haven't seen the others about for a little while. </div>
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Until next time....</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-12466181099870129252013-05-09T12:59:00.002-05:002013-05-10T11:10:46.787-05:00Woodpecker Storage WarsBefore I regale you with my story about the woodpeckers, look who is here! Our Indigo Bunting is back! I had just posted a couple of days before I lost our internet and whined about not seeing one yet. Awwww, what a beautiful bird and I am so glad to see it.<br />
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Here it is scouring the ground by the feeder with another of our favorites, a male Cardinal:<br />
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It looks as if it found some!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCLHRGCDlZ70C-dmDIX2YkP2gy7c0tYUZkVavoBE3jcRlXJRzBKDToB0_2G_3kK3fq2vtIGgLJ1boXThRipmGx0d0yzfa8xxmQbLi-8oCRmlROYgAUBhDNKMSofLVxSjjTePz0cnOb5c/s1600/P1010155close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCLHRGCDlZ70C-dmDIX2YkP2gy7c0tYUZkVavoBE3jcRlXJRzBKDToB0_2G_3kK3fq2vtIGgLJ1boXThRipmGx0d0yzfa8xxmQbLi-8oCRmlROYgAUBhDNKMSofLVxSjjTePz0cnOb5c/s320/P1010155close.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We lost our internet on Friday afternoon, May 3rd and just got it back yesterday, so need to catch up over a couple of the past rainy-ish days around here. </div>
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Oooh, the Orchard Oriole; I posted a (I think) non-breeding male recently...</div>
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David was able to get a few more photos of one of the neighborhood beavers, down by the creek. Fascinating creatures!</div>
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Around here, of course, a couple of our "pet" darlings made appearances, now that we have some natural patches of wild flowers and grasses (known to the untrained eye as "weeds") near the forest that we are "taming" for our little furry shy friends, so that they have some cover to hide in. I can't blame them for being shy, seeing the large birds of prey that are about!</div>
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Dylan, the rabbit, is enjoying David's nature-friendly landscaping so he can sneak out from the forest and grab some seeds from the ground and munch on some greens. </div>
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I absolutely love Dylan's mouth in this picture (below), as he's munching. </div>
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Another of our friends, Percy the Possum. </div>
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No, he doesn't use hair gel, it was rainy.</div>
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He also loves seeds, but needs a napkin:</div>
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Now about those woodpecker storage wars...</div>
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Reggie, the Red-headed Woodpecker, has been seen around here, but always at a distance...until recently! He has now given in to temptation and coming to our feeders for some scoff!</div>
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I'm thrilled to see it nearby now, and they are year-round residents here. The are 7 - 10" in length. They have a red head and neck; mostly black and white, with large white wing patches. Seeing it in flight is nothing short of stunning, especially watching it fly into the forest...you can't really see the black as it's soaring, but you see all this white floating in the sky from its body and wings. </div>
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Several species of woodpeckers have a habit of storing food for future consumption; our Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers both share this trait. It all got rather interesting when I noticed Reggie, the Red-headed Woodpecker, take to the other feeder and find what appears to be a favorite spot for storing some seeds, right here, under that part of the feeder that is separating from the base:</div>
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See him doing it for yourself, in this video:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PeqoYhvgCiA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Cyril, who has been living with us for some time with Sylvia, our Red-bellied Woodpeckers, enjoys this particular spot for his food storage (which happens to be holding the seed tray that Reggie above is pictured on).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4XjWnQkBZCprIJ1qQjClC6d9rKZJdnkA0B28FdginCqlgimGUzO19znTUogtEYrtxrtcOmHjmtROEGDOd0aZUS-ge4py7HsWdNVuXURFSbRJIZSskf-3d546g7EM_AHzdMA0zIw3fZo/s1600/P1010001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4XjWnQkBZCprIJ1qQjClC6d9rKZJdnkA0B28FdginCqlgimGUzO19znTUogtEYrtxrtcOmHjmtROEGDOd0aZUS-ge4py7HsWdNVuXURFSbRJIZSskf-3d546g7EM_AHzdMA0zIw3fZo/s320/P1010001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yesterday afternoon, what did I witness but Cyril scampering up the post after Reggie left the area, to Reggie's favorite storage spot and stealing his seeds! He ate some and also took them down to his own favorite spot and hammered them into the crevices. </div>
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Apparently, Reggie is no dummy however! This morning I saw him scurrying down to Cyril's favorite spot and doing the same to him! But...I guess it's not stealing if you're getting your own stuff back! Cyril caught him red-handed (or would that be red-headed?) though and gave him a telling off, sending him on his way...for now! </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-58806845424184892512013-05-08T13:53:00.003-05:002013-05-09T13:45:04.133-05:00Internet back up...I think!Whew! My MiFi router suddenly (and mysteriously) dropped its internet connection on late Friday afternoon. Since the weather was bad (windy and raining) at first I attributed it to that but by day's end, I was trying to regain my connection to no avail. Unfortunately (for us) our internet provider is closed on weekends, but when I touched base with him late on Friday afternoon, he seemed to think it was my computer somehow. <br />
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On Monday, David dropped the unit off at their shop for them to check it, since I still had gotten nowhere. They claimed they got a connection and sent it back home with him. *sigh* Of course, I had the same troubles as before (i.e., no internet) so ultimately called a nice young lad that came and took a look yesterday. <br />
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He couldn't get any sense out of the mysterious problem either, but did call the shop and spoke with them; who ultimately decided to swap out the unit (that I wish they had just done on Monday!). I guess they needed to hear an expert's opinion to know I wasn't being just dense! As a woman, I'm used to that attitude. *rolls eyes*<br />
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So, today, I went with David to his physio appointment and stopped on the way to get the new MiFi unit. I'm still none the wiser as to why the first one stopped working but I'm done wondering about it and moving forward. So, after a brief panic-ridden inability to get the new one going as I was instructed it *should* work, by jove I think I've done it.<br />
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With that, I am off to catch up with the not-being-online-for-5-days blues (but I had at least paid a bill by phone and did a couple of other urgent matters at the library in town already), but still have lots to do I didn't want to mess with until I got back online.<br />
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The birds have still been a joy to behold the past few days however, and will be catching up here as soon as I can.<br />
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Until next time...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-80466376409619740082013-05-03T13:48:00.001-05:002013-05-03T13:48:08.386-05:00Golden Eagle, Great Blue Heron, turtles and a gar pike!David is off to Metropolis again today for a third physio appointment. He's hanging in there! <br />
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It did rain last night, as forecast, and will probably have more today with a lesser chance for the next few days. It has cooled off to the 60s today, and is quite windy! <br />
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I am still going through the many archives and found that March 26th 2012 was a particularly exciting day since David was able to get some photos of a Golden Eagle at Barren Creek, near the Ohio River.<br />
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If you don't know about these magnificent birds, they are 30 - 41" in length with a wingspan up to 7 1/2 feet, with wings held out straight when soaring; dark brown, with golden-brown crown and nape. Great fliers and hunters, they are fast enough to take grouse and the like while in flight; they usually prey on ground squirrels, prairie dogs and rabbits. <br />
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They will attack animals up to the size of deer, especially in winter (but cannot carry off the heavier animals). In our area, they are winter visitors (non-breeding). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTTA_5p-SGVTltQYACvQrnt6yA27pObx45HHS4Bgroex_L5ZzjQQfZDytOuX5PxKPyDOuT9j1GNFFXwX4oBhm-bBUeQ0ytLyeOjobOujdpFkLYwxmedYWTy7DjVF4q6RK461195mZmi4/s1600/20120326_80.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTTA_5p-SGVTltQYACvQrnt6yA27pObx45HHS4Bgroex_L5ZzjQQfZDytOuX5PxKPyDOuT9j1GNFFXwX4oBhm-bBUeQ0ytLyeOjobOujdpFkLYwxmedYWTy7DjVF4q6RK461195mZmi4/s320/20120326_80.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaZMFDu3b68QZnRPIW6EQnvg16j33bBgwhtrf5IrXjwcpJOX-9-n9YBfNLbzolJFbzTX30VoG-nAeYDsHAuUhx6MSwuMS3PrBxKqY425zRhcPQHQ2eTRJgQycUofuMtRkCw-Wso3fSBQ/s1600/20120326_103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaZMFDu3b68QZnRPIW6EQnvg16j33bBgwhtrf5IrXjwcpJOX-9-n9YBfNLbzolJFbzTX30VoG-nAeYDsHAuUhx6MSwuMS3PrBxKqY425zRhcPQHQ2eTRJgQycUofuMtRkCw-Wso3fSBQ/s320/20120326_103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_M7pFL8Aihyphenhyphenr9kAc86N3_wI22iOeyB4PgDIfRgQZcF6JKIe4hI3a4vvJluT8vBDS-n6Um3s6gZiYgEhw-V8BWOc0RttU0sk6OVgrAXPiwEj2Ovm0hoHh5G8WoA61AeVCwVkd_irSUhE/s1600/20120326_84.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_M7pFL8Aihyphenhyphenr9kAc86N3_wI22iOeyB4PgDIfRgQZcF6JKIe4hI3a4vvJluT8vBDS-n6Um3s6gZiYgEhw-V8BWOc0RttU0sk6OVgrAXPiwEj2Ovm0hoHh5G8WoA61AeVCwVkd_irSUhE/s320/20120326_84.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCDE_HSfDeuKv9ZSns-AhtD89B29pEuaJWdVDZ61roxJKflgEHgAJsCBf2PwuWLUraow5BsOuh5HK3shpfFdgxDH3N8chAbkuTnWaFnYILBw_wY9RphG0HP5Mv6SUOvZSmqDX4b0tSVM/s1600/20120326_87.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCDE_HSfDeuKv9ZSns-AhtD89B29pEuaJWdVDZ61roxJKflgEHgAJsCBf2PwuWLUraow5BsOuh5HK3shpfFdgxDH3N8chAbkuTnWaFnYILBw_wY9RphG0HP5Mv6SUOvZSmqDX4b0tSVM/s320/20120326_87.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Apparently under a few years old (for their first several years of life, young birds have neatly defined white patches at the base of the tail and in the wings as seen in the photo below).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHFLvwHPQjEoyD9g8-lvESKwCKw8PFbNQePJ5d2-kuN_EJE-foq3bTJGkrXRp29Y2eEK_JR4FADa1cjJ_0usfu5lLFMKp_Ed32c8TGhTMpb2qMLMKAW7atydllVVWLHUWIx0yDkMu5ok/s1600/20120326_95.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHFLvwHPQjEoyD9g8-lvESKwCKw8PFbNQePJ5d2-kuN_EJE-foq3bTJGkrXRp29Y2eEK_JR4FADa1cjJ_0usfu5lLFMKp_Ed32c8TGhTMpb2qMLMKAW7atydllVVWLHUWIx0yDkMu5ok/s320/20120326_95.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVrK5ZGacLg7G_Pctoz2WVgt1O9Ny_nFsDBRr03YpPhIsgF2Nw_VOzVa8nawmdl__3m1GnpGV_PfUO7KK3GzkdUcjF7ljy5tMub3stxliCY3-P8E-siRzM9TlFWOtC1gLrPcLT-k3dng/s1600/20120326_96closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVrK5ZGacLg7G_Pctoz2WVgt1O9Ny_nFsDBRr03YpPhIsgF2Nw_VOzVa8nawmdl__3m1GnpGV_PfUO7KK3GzkdUcjF7ljy5tMub3stxliCY3-P8E-siRzM9TlFWOtC1gLrPcLT-k3dng/s320/20120326_96closeup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSle8wl6S9-Y40r9U4tXnQ39UlzwTyv4riTYQjtw24YtnHA_32-XjSsp1WwTrEGJElXtFgKVlIeNTTTjnCAaqU5H6vdItM4sUl0-i-FAw188MoHB08QGgqGDAElGbc7kjZbdjfa1Tc4BE/s1600/20120326_97.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSle8wl6S9-Y40r9U4tXnQ39UlzwTyv4riTYQjtw24YtnHA_32-XjSsp1WwTrEGJElXtFgKVlIeNTTTjnCAaqU5H6vdItM4sUl0-i-FAw188MoHB08QGgqGDAElGbc7kjZbdjfa1Tc4BE/s320/20120326_97.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course, the Great Blue Heron is a rather awesome sight to behold as well, even if it is a year-round resident! Taken on the same day, we had a sighting near Barren Creek.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVE5qV_tfn7ZMpH0dhzCSNKdP-xr5xASmszrEWRJkoprTv78GfTNmRdMMYPjblQamiILO375LZiwXOO-m7mEpxbB6S3qKZi8pi42yVh8hx0-ATefAz53LScfrC-UpXPcdBKtNVvGCQOd0/s1600/20120326_7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVE5qV_tfn7ZMpH0dhzCSNKdP-xr5xASmszrEWRJkoprTv78GfTNmRdMMYPjblQamiILO375LZiwXOO-m7mEpxbB6S3qKZi8pi42yVh8hx0-ATefAz53LScfrC-UpXPcdBKtNVvGCQOd0/s320/20120326_7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwSB-gk8SlOg6rR4_CJO3sZJwpezWb2s7McYgz4aHm8ILdNHbY0K36aFlEwCIjJ6RpRj1c6CxqcaF_bADkpeYpK_C-IhcFlt17i5N-juf5HsY_WkKJrDqG-tawm9xUx20oeZdKCs2G4c/s1600/Heron+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwSB-gk8SlOg6rR4_CJO3sZJwpezWb2s7McYgz4aHm8ILdNHbY0K36aFlEwCIjJ6RpRj1c6CxqcaF_bADkpeYpK_C-IhcFlt17i5N-juf5HsY_WkKJrDqG-tawm9xUx20oeZdKCs2G4c/s320/Heron+closeup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another common sight is one of turtles sunning themselves on logs, this day was no different. Sorry, I haven't identified the actual species yet!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHsCTStsxvYvMToAcUUhF6wRNyk2KJae7cg5XqmBWVQSeZrIJC7FDfuEXV3Ebg0ui4LmlhHfdYf5yVgVThzudYrmoyAG23JQAuLprtEkH0a_s6hmC5iZmjolNGGwOMcZigSPAeAWDP0E/s1600/20120326_10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHsCTStsxvYvMToAcUUhF6wRNyk2KJae7cg5XqmBWVQSeZrIJC7FDfuEXV3Ebg0ui4LmlhHfdYf5yVgVThzudYrmoyAG23JQAuLprtEkH0a_s6hmC5iZmjolNGGwOMcZigSPAeAWDP0E/s320/20120326_10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EAy1fp6voBxdYVNQ9pkGVTda1giQwuhw0QM-Enzucd9N3dTz0SAw18hvkKYtvlZzEd1Hbkcrdg-XRJHsKgpz3kXBtr61LVW1-tbS9pNH-LE_13oW_HEExtoudKGqHmBf-OjjuoMAkeM/s1600/20120326_11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EAy1fp6voBxdYVNQ9pkGVTda1giQwuhw0QM-Enzucd9N3dTz0SAw18hvkKYtvlZzEd1Hbkcrdg-XRJHsKgpz3kXBtr61LVW1-tbS9pNH-LE_13oW_HEExtoudKGqHmBf-OjjuoMAkeM/s320/20120326_11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNbo-ddokM6z4IlPxsSCf_abKOBhrTHiArfasJeAuUaERdENvaz4x1lrbgqJicbN_4lhpfcZT57eljbUwOrswzOhuzT_Gz9ULXe0mep1aaRLt2AoccYOiMAOxX948Q5TlKeCxXAu7vxU/s1600/20120326_18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNbo-ddokM6z4IlPxsSCf_abKOBhrTHiArfasJeAuUaERdENvaz4x1lrbgqJicbN_4lhpfcZT57eljbUwOrswzOhuzT_Gz9ULXe0mep1aaRLt2AoccYOiMAOxX948Q5TlKeCxXAu7vxU/s320/20120326_18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While going through this day's photos, I found one of the places we have stayed at before we moved here (found under the Lodging tab), the Barren Creek Cottages. Beautiful, quiet and peaceful. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSyHXnu_mJOs8NCATTg02axtOnlsSMoXGcFEH04V2CNNvv9FdjdXV9m5szwPCT63hO-brITyK-ulSC5Sad1vmjo5JFAdLPl-HGluChaCeG8pH9AKHpVnXw3_evVT-mTZ78oB2lnm7jts/s1600/20120326_46.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSyHXnu_mJOs8NCATTg02axtOnlsSMoXGcFEH04V2CNNvv9FdjdXV9m5szwPCT63hO-brITyK-ulSC5Sad1vmjo5JFAdLPl-HGluChaCeG8pH9AKHpVnXw3_evVT-mTZ78oB2lnm7jts/s320/20120326_46.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you followed yesterday's post, in one of the videos David mentioned a Gar Pike swimming toward the canoe. On this day's photos, it appears there was another sighting, and doubt my fisherman husband would forgive me if I left them out.</div>
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Prehistoric looking things aren't they?!? </div>
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Until next time...</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-88365260412853226402013-05-02T16:28:00.001-05:002016-05-02T16:25:00.351-05:00First canoe trip after shoulder surgery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A fine day today in the 70s, but it is getting cloudy and it's forecast there will be some rain late tonight and tomorrow more than likely in our neck of the woods. </div>
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David went to Metropolis yesterday for his second physio appointment. While there they discussed the motion of rowing so David asked if he could try a trip out on the canoe. The therapist told him he could try it so he did so later. But, first, our obligatory stroll around our yard.</div>
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A Blue Jay grabbing a snack:</div>
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A male Cardinal checking if there's anything left:</div>
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A Mourning Dove hanging out with the Cowbirds. I see them together quite a bit.</div>
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A male American Goldfinch posing in a tree:</div>
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Here, I think, is a non-breeding male American Goldfinch (???)</div>
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Male Cardinal hanging on:</div>
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Turkey Vulture, our neighborhood garbage cleanup:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYIl5sKtO6_K68AUDYlrS1nf5eCCipO2hudO28RrolrWxH8dbuwHPxLtOSI2A16Ca28nQt5dp51CMuU3_BY8xpTWqP9Y-jQopWY4CNJvMY9WF7vcc34BqsZT78H-OYQOopAH_qdi-sUw/s1600/P1010146turkeyvulture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYIl5sKtO6_K68AUDYlrS1nf5eCCipO2hudO28RrolrWxH8dbuwHPxLtOSI2A16Ca28nQt5dp51CMuU3_BY8xpTWqP9Y-jQopWY4CNJvMY9WF7vcc34BqsZT78H-OYQOopAH_qdi-sUw/s320/P1010146turkeyvulture.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird taking a probably much-needed rest in a shrub:</div>
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They like to perch on all types of things, especially when they are guarding their new territory!</div>
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A Chipping Sparrow bellies up to the trough:</div>
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Ah, here's Sylvia, our female Red-bellied Woodpecker; I mentioned the other day it wouldn't be long before you met her.</div>
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David put some seed in the hole for them to dig out:</div>
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A female Cardinal and male Cowbird having a chat.</div>
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An Eastern Kingbird in one of our trees: </div>
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Tufted Titmouse having a look around:</div>
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The Mourning Dove, without the pleasure of the Cowbirds' company this time:</div>
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The Eastern Bluebird enjoys perching in the pine tree:</div>
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A Cedar Waxwing!</div>
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Even further distant, a Red-headed Woodpecker perched in a tree. We hear him hammering away at those trees all the time.</div>
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And, now for David's adventure in the canoe. He went to nearby to the flooded field again (that was dry and is now flooded again).</div>
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He saw a Beaver near the boat launch; there are several hanging around there.</div>
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A closer look:</div>
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Now for some views along the way; it's great to get photos from such a different perspective:</div>
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At least David didn't hurt himself! He's not sure the motion is quite what he's after to help with his physio, but he's glad that he went out and tried it. </div>
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He also shot a few short videos while out in the canoe; below is one with swallows that are near the bridge by Barren Creek: </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/jfmHc3UTv1s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Gar Pike swimming toward canoe:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uSwyh8Rm6pw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Twirling a bit in the little whirlpool:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/glStqOOEYuk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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A lovely view from the canoe:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/u8mRmTdzKAo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Silver carp spotted:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hHv91TUH7i0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
With that, it's time to call it a day! Until next time...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-47913862796359955562013-04-30T12:46:00.000-05:002013-05-10T15:01:11.067-05:00A fine selection for your bird viewing pleasureToday is another perfect day, in the mid-80s, just a bit warmer than yesterday...barely a cloud in the sky and a slight breeze. Ahhhhhhh!<br />
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We sat out on the front deck for supper last night; joining us were the usual throngs of cowbirds swarming the feeder and the hummingbirds. It's very difficult to count how many hummingbirds are around now, we think four males and at least one female. The reason it's difficult is due to the "hummingbird wars", they're getting even more territorial. One waits and guards the nectar nearby and once it sees another, ZOOMS after it and promptly goes back to its perch after getting a sip of nectar with an "it's mine!" attitude. It must be exhausting!<br />
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The thought of moving about while on the deck is not a good one; it isn't that the hummingbirds are going for you, it's if you move in their path when they're trying to get somewhere! They are so very fast I'm afraid they won't have time to adjust their flight path if I move at all. <br />
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We have so many photos David has taken since we moved here in October 2011 and I have been going back through them, finally organizing them, and want to share some of those here today. I decided to have a peek at "a year ago today" to see what was going on at the time. Having been a cooler winter/spring than normal is apparent...we already had our pool set up by this time last year! <br />
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For instance, we had also already seen (on this day, last year) an Indigo Bunting, one of our breeding visitors, but haven't seen one around here this year. *sniffle*<br />
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A female Cardinal peeking in...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wIqvNZdcu5c7OXuAaUbwhYP3y5tQlnqjJB9Y81AhxFuUlmo4rFNYgF7G02IYs1Co4roJGqDlLeigUXQHzgfu6uKl46b5R3pax0WOlul91MUEtdwzSjuiwTov7GNcXRDLvNqdtEh-x20/s1600/20120430_48.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wIqvNZdcu5c7OXuAaUbwhYP3y5tQlnqjJB9Y81AhxFuUlmo4rFNYgF7G02IYs1Co4roJGqDlLeigUXQHzgfu6uKl46b5R3pax0WOlul91MUEtdwzSjuiwTov7GNcXRDLvNqdtEh-x20/s320/20120430_48.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Here it appears to be a young one...</div>
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What we reckon to be an Eastern Kingbird was also visiting us this day (at bottom of tree, ignore the cowbird at the top!), another breeding visitor. David thinks he has some photos of one nesting around here somewhere. Stay tuned, someday I may find them!</div>
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Do I spy with my little eye, an Orchard Oriole? From what I can tell, this appears to be a first year male perched in one of our trees (another breeding visitor).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekAf9lFAhoFVAW_uAGZr6JbW2-pmCDdVyDxiMNMKiWKXkPu1X-tPHX8BvsKq4rA_9FPs-EbQOJOculDM1cb_YOQQXETt1aFzL8HZSe-uTjgOPcoFUrD0n4WR14lZfUtRcfH02ZJzFwN8/s1600/20120430_392orchardoriole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekAf9lFAhoFVAW_uAGZr6JbW2-pmCDdVyDxiMNMKiWKXkPu1X-tPHX8BvsKq4rA_9FPs-EbQOJOculDM1cb_YOQQXETt1aFzL8HZSe-uTjgOPcoFUrD0n4WR14lZfUtRcfH02ZJzFwN8/s320/20120430_392orchardoriole.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And, wow, Miss Cardinal, talk about a bad hair day! Get to the beauty shop girl!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNFGvWPECVV7K2ZBCZb4-duKj1X3Hd5Atd29R2B8eivJKuiHnoMMMwXLdaIwVk6BNQf61CSOGFtYq_52u-pwhUFaoahy2p7TdngvNCZz6orv1GwPSqZjfNtHyinRXKRdtVMNgdDy9CuU/s1600/20120430_75badhairday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNFGvWPECVV7K2ZBCZb4-duKj1X3Hd5Atd29R2B8eivJKuiHnoMMMwXLdaIwVk6BNQf61CSOGFtYq_52u-pwhUFaoahy2p7TdngvNCZz6orv1GwPSqZjfNtHyinRXKRdtVMNgdDy9CuU/s320/20120430_75badhairday.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I guess that sounded like a good idea!</div>
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And, what's this...a Least Flycatcher? If so, they are migratory visitors here. You are so named unless I find out differently. Welcome!</div>
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One reason I think we have a Least Flycatcher is the whitish eye ring, seen better in the photo below: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHRPdZeulUSjDd873DOy3wrcrcMhZRvIJimB3TTDT13ZCwOCFuGfEx0c1ueN3OjsrLoSPu-WDai2PT6_vc8d8djuNGyRz2KWEceAT7-uwq7Ft5QaNUJsu7e1zsUhUKA6kdpUi_BnY5mE/s1600/20120430_429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHRPdZeulUSjDd873DOy3wrcrcMhZRvIJimB3TTDT13ZCwOCFuGfEx0c1ueN3OjsrLoSPu-WDai2PT6_vc8d8djuNGyRz2KWEceAT7-uwq7Ft5QaNUJsu7e1zsUhUKA6kdpUi_BnY5mE/s320/20120430_429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3xmoGAUA9rAE6lkRFf3eGSjcSEpJvLRyQj2rbe-4XRnubp_y4u3xBh9dkDTZNnBWO0gTz7v71z9LBtcPYNwlseKEqt2tnLuSP-bsU-VMA6qQPPAC1MtLxx0ki9zypky-ssU7pBZx7sg/s1600/20120430_415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3xmoGAUA9rAE6lkRFf3eGSjcSEpJvLRyQj2rbe-4XRnubp_y4u3xBh9dkDTZNnBWO0gTz7v71z9LBtcPYNwlseKEqt2tnLuSP-bsU-VMA6qQPPAC1MtLxx0ki9zypky-ssU7pBZx7sg/s320/20120430_415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nothing to see here, Turkey Vulture, move along...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmIOieEB7TWG6a_CnhXprbifQ-sVFZvOdRwrkYpblLFZfVcpB-OuapBfsysZ_4AP7GzjzNo278XWKB7SILPwvR1oRwvRQg37Q0KvJubM3wdZbDH8nODmwFlXRJG1ADogmvq4qKTZ6vzc/s1600/20120430_164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmIOieEB7TWG6a_CnhXprbifQ-sVFZvOdRwrkYpblLFZfVcpB-OuapBfsysZ_4AP7GzjzNo278XWKB7SILPwvR1oRwvRQg37Q0KvJubM3wdZbDH8nODmwFlXRJG1ADogmvq4qKTZ6vzc/s320/20120430_164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A female Cowbird...how unusual *rolls eyes* Actually, though...in looking at the huge flock, out of around 30 to 40 birds, I only saw 2 or 3 female, the rest were males. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHezrva595Dsh60hb99Lbt-Cz9sE3IzhyphenhyphenFPfnslhLc6kG3wd58eqjLoTPfiVhIJtbhgXzfB-hoKz6LIWi2tm4mZPOvgSj5IPZ7Sqlr8JhL_MiPUc6Rc_debqBWXuUV8dV-V0HZKmgP_Ws/s1600/20120430_313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHezrva595Dsh60hb99Lbt-Cz9sE3IzhyphenhyphenFPfnslhLc6kG3wd58eqjLoTPfiVhIJtbhgXzfB-hoKz6LIWi2tm4mZPOvgSj5IPZ7Sqlr8JhL_MiPUc6Rc_debqBWXuUV8dV-V0HZKmgP_Ws/s320/20120430_313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, back at the beauty salon the Cardinal must be heading to, there is a Chipping Sparrow already there.</div>
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I'm sure it will look great once it's dry... </div>
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A Blue Jay flies off with what must be a very special seed...unless it's running late for the beauty salon!</div>
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Oh, here's the Cardinal arriving at the beauty salon now...</div>
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Later, we find our Cardinal couple out for a nice meal. </div>
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Female: "Do you notice *chirp* anything different? *chirp*? </div>
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Male: "Um, no, what?" *chirp*</div>
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Female: "I went to the beauty shop, for all you care! *chirp* You never notice anything!!! *chirp chirp* </div>
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Male: <em>(thinking to self)</em> "Oh, no, what have I done...." *gulp* *chirp*</div>
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Male: "Well, you never appreciate anything I do! I take you out for a nice meal and this is the thanks I get!" *chirp chirp chirp* </div>
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Oh, dear, I hope it wasn't the end of their relationship, as it is for the end of today's post! </div>
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Until next time...</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-19998754262888973722013-04-29T12:52:00.000-05:002013-04-29T12:52:11.202-05:00Monday, Monday....Bad title. Now I have a song stuck in my head for the day! <br />
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I awoke (for a little awhile) around 6am this morning and (as always) looked outside. A thick fog permeated the area and the mourning doves' melancholy cooing was brightened by the white-throated sparrow's uplifting song. I love how time can seem to stand still and the dawn caresses you gently into another day. It was so gentle that I went back to sleep.<br />
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I awoke a couple of hours later to bright sunshine and the promise of a beautiful day! With the recent rains, everything is even greener but the trees' blossoms are not only still hanging on...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gzwG3lPFU1dc4b4vOggQaAMgqO89lUUhh_g3XGcPtD6aPSdy2x7vR37WH8d00GnKQ1eUkLrBC-fkNPG_JybuJ_QuuFuVkzU39JJCtGY9cVXYta_K_40DB8alGSTItnaKZvurltLwVkQ/s1600/P1010223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gzwG3lPFU1dc4b4vOggQaAMgqO89lUUhh_g3XGcPtD6aPSdy2x7vR37WH8d00GnKQ1eUkLrBC-fkNPG_JybuJ_QuuFuVkzU39JJCtGY9cVXYta_K_40DB8alGSTItnaKZvurltLwVkQ/s320/P1010223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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... but we're getting more and more...if this keeps up, Spring might become my favorite season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BVwlwQCstdNQYMWJqc4C3BMUd3nwUiS9RC4MKw2fWXjFacVtz6uNtSiBHXOv0Cd7cfDrqdRIe8HNYwofK5HOjET9NLdD8xbZZlfhW06HafdZKClwrMj-C9AohvZ0k4xzHoa1pYNcR70/s1600/P1010215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BVwlwQCstdNQYMWJqc4C3BMUd3nwUiS9RC4MKw2fWXjFacVtz6uNtSiBHXOv0Cd7cfDrqdRIe8HNYwofK5HOjET9NLdD8xbZZlfhW06HafdZKClwrMj-C9AohvZ0k4xzHoa1pYNcR70/s320/P1010215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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David has been getting our acreage mowed at long last with his new mower; and with a few attachments he's gotten, it's even easier to move rock and wood. </div>
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He's begun building his dry-fence by the workshop (also a work in progress), very popular in England (where he's from) and it's going to be quite lovely! He's going to incorporate stones to finish off the sides/front of the additions as well. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjS-I11aD73RkFRkAn0_iznrLKvyhR-BkOGsZPZ6ABpMmJSgs0x7-_gK6W-ZMvPl6CamKmZn0CngtNQIzG55CJoxaFPKAF5hJHkAGPD3o-ZifTqMB2R1YnEOgTTHKlZh8lkzUGR_PuVg/s1600/P1010409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjS-I11aD73RkFRkAn0_iznrLKvyhR-BkOGsZPZ6ABpMmJSgs0x7-_gK6W-ZMvPl6CamKmZn0CngtNQIzG55CJoxaFPKAF5hJHkAGPD3o-ZifTqMB2R1YnEOgTTHKlZh8lkzUGR_PuVg/s320/P1010409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvlHSPaCS2DKGr3GHbePKU8J0ui0v-xeh3aYCA4xz_HJC0E7W06Tns9w5Hp7CBo_rOsYWi84riA8BB_eOFMZOoPNqPnfbCpCs-zwYckOFQiJ9SPaLtjh2L7LvTfdS5_FLdv3kofCZTYI/s1600/P1010412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvlHSPaCS2DKGr3GHbePKU8J0ui0v-xeh3aYCA4xz_HJC0E7W06Tns9w5Hp7CBo_rOsYWi84riA8BB_eOFMZOoPNqPnfbCpCs-zwYckOFQiJ9SPaLtjh2L7LvTfdS5_FLdv3kofCZTYI/s320/P1010412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We love watching the birds around here every day; although with cats, it can be more difficult some days! As you can see below...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD74FEPddnDdYK5GfrRW88tMMeKBt-tAadCjAGfgxsbUgfAy5xnyyuOWOBH9S3m-OjcKK3-bAwVLOaL5cyPcYbyG7PwGh57YRe1fBsCR5k4OKcCU0IsfFV5qPuzQ69xQj7_eeZFfrjCUU/s1600/P1010322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD74FEPddnDdYK5GfrRW88tMMeKBt-tAadCjAGfgxsbUgfAy5xnyyuOWOBH9S3m-OjcKK3-bAwVLOaL5cyPcYbyG7PwGh57YRe1fBsCR5k4OKcCU0IsfFV5qPuzQ69xQj7_eeZFfrjCUU/s320/P1010322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...since Katy, one of our three furbabies, has planted herself on one of the most popular feeders, we didn't have much activity! </div>
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The Tufted Titmouse normally does a quick grab-and-go with the goodies it grabs (as you can see in the video)...</div>
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/t1wkhz_fzUg/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t1wkhz_fzUg?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t1wkhz_fzUg?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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...but yesterday as a rare treat, it stayed on the front porch, perched on some lights. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFooTljEp3bi9v_l8iq55qG_g-PEIpZ9pW4QusJXjvLSUR3MiuBJAcxPU0QVb_acM19D3Zn20-1wKunLlAa0P8ynf4KONuOu8AQBwy2otnePJSdd603G2s9brD0_mPyO4xquWItEcxuoA/s1600/P1010124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFooTljEp3bi9v_l8iq55qG_g-PEIpZ9pW4QusJXjvLSUR3MiuBJAcxPU0QVb_acM19D3Zn20-1wKunLlAa0P8ynf4KONuOu8AQBwy2otnePJSdd603G2s9brD0_mPyO4xquWItEcxuoA/s320/P1010124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you can see, it holds the snack between his feet and pounds on it until it cracks open... </div>
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And even played a bit of peek-a-boo...</div>
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They seemed quite content to hang around and munch here too. </div>
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He also visited the feeder on our front deck, but he didn't stick around long after the photo was taken!</div>
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A White-throated Sparrow was able to visit the feeder before Katy plopped her little behind on it.</div>
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And they do enjoy the holly bush as much as we do....</div>
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...and whatever shrub this is.</div>
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David did get a bit of video of some feeder activity (without a cat!)</div>
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Of course, the ever-present (it seems) cowbirds aren't bothered by much. There were what had to be around 75 of them on the ground yesterday. Oh well, they have to eat too, but boy they go through the food!</div>
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While David was mowing, he disturbed a snake; I think it's a Ringneck Snake. I can't see enough of the underside (which is fine with me) to know for sure. It doesn't quite look like the Common Kingsnake, but I'll do some checking and update when I can. I don't know too much about snakes yet, I just tried to learn the poisonous ones first! </div>
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To round out another perfect day in the Shawnee Forest, David took a stroll as it was nearing dark through a little path down to the creek. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-63592466971216529082013-04-27T13:55:00.001-05:002013-04-30T12:58:38.057-05:00Red-breasted Nuthatch and Barren Creek sightsIt has been rainy and a bit cooler yesterday and today (around 60F today, with a low of 54F tonight forecast). It occurred to me that the rains seem different in the forest than what I am accustomed to; for some reason you get more of a feeling of invigoration than it being dismal, you can almost see everything turn a bit greener before your eyes. <br />
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David was able to get out yesterday for a little while around Barren Creek and get a few photos in while having a bit of a fish in between rains. <br />
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We're actually not sure what this bird is yet, I have some checking to do!</div>
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Here it is, zoomed in a bit...if any readers out there can offer suggestions, we're all ears! (UPDATE: A friend from Southern Illinois Birding on Facebook reckons this is a female Red-winged Blackbird)</div>
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A tricky thing is to get a good photo of the Great Blue Heron, a year-round resident here. As soon as you stop your car, they normally fly off! With a length of 36 - 40", a height of 4' (including head and neck) and a wingspan of 6' they are an awesome sight, in flight or not. It spears fish or catches them by using its bill like scissors. It also feeds on frogs, snakes, mice and birds. <br />
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A Great Blue Heron may slowly stalk its prey or stand motionless waiting for something tasty to come within reach. Even though its bulky, it can float like a goose and take off from the surface of the water. </div>
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They nest in colonies, usually in tall trees. <br />
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Next, at some distance away, David captured (on film!) what we think is a female Ring-necked Duck; from what I can see they supposedly are just a winter visitor here, although looking at a map of their territories, we are close to the breeding range, and this one fits the female's description. Their length is 15 - 18", with bill bluish, with white ring, black tip, and white at base; male with purple gloss on head, black back and white bar on side; female brown, with white eye-ring and streak to nape. </div>
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Now, for turtles! Many times you must pick one up to truly identify it but I'm going to venture a guess and say this is Snapping Turtle! If we are right, you don't want to be picking one of these up (although many will still give you a nasty bite). Their shell length is 8 - 20"; they have a big head, with powerful jaws; carapace brown, often covered with algae or mud; long tail. They enjoy quiet mud-bottomed waters. </div>
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The head sure appears to be one:</div>
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Now, for a short blast from the recent past, another winter visitor to our area is the Red-breasted Nuthatch, one I had never seen before moving here. They are 3 1/2 - 4 1/2" in length.</div>
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This photo was taken on February 18th by David on our front deck while the little darling was getting a snack.<br />
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As you can see, they have a white line above the eye; black cap; blue-gray back; reddish underparts. They enjoy coniferous forests; mixed woodlands (mainly in winter). <br />
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On March 14th, David was able to photograph one a few more times, again on our front deck:<br />
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From what I can see, our last photos were taken on March 23rd on, you guessed it, our front deck:<br />
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It's such a joy being here every day, and we love discovering what's next! Until next time...</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-73743024743892806582013-04-25T10:50:00.003-05:002013-04-27T15:49:15.144-05:00A birding day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today is an exciting one for David, our new lawn mower has arrived! Although it's been entertaining watching the cats hopping over the tall bits of weeds and grass...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k65FNXQWYq3GbXpMNZTtx5NsvOCLzGrMr4Vj9F0-GsIz2eUNod8NvnbDIP8ime6XIHh3cdNvEOl7v7zffC8nIyX1O1B8K8VsufUcNz58Dq_3Lj9vK0-V4H61IjCV6cSLjSIwE_THU-k/s1600/P1010227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k65FNXQWYq3GbXpMNZTtx5NsvOCLzGrMr4Vj9F0-GsIz2eUNod8NvnbDIP8ime6XIHh3cdNvEOl7v7zffC8nIyX1O1B8K8VsufUcNz58Dq_3Lj9vK0-V4H61IjCV6cSLjSIwE_THU-k/s320/P1010227.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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...it will be good to give it a good trim! For today's post, I'm going to review yesterday's birder shots. David did usual rounds and gathered the following photos, but first he spotted a heron and otter near Bay Creek (they are actually in a water-covered field here!) while he was out later in the day. The water in said field is now gone today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXxgHVXmPYB965yLETUXuxFOKYZQu04U3-_Zle3uTdHDF-QdeaTvdpo5AHUNaG7GqDhvPW8KQLvmFkDDafX6jM1zvGL7a_D23eI2gYkTSdYWV5NsU6L08hyphenhyphenqxhbzzNhIoczJ98_EbnFk/s1600/P1010333heronotter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXxgHVXmPYB965yLETUXuxFOKYZQu04U3-_Zle3uTdHDF-QdeaTvdpo5AHUNaG7GqDhvPW8KQLvmFkDDafX6jM1zvGL7a_D23eI2gYkTSdYWV5NsU6L08hyphenhyphenqxhbzzNhIoczJ98_EbnFk/s320/P1010333heronotter.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Eastern Bluebird</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvF3Jbzmf15dtvp8qsq78KB6x8oTGUsaKNpbru-iWoV8-GAkXKHbRpmrC2a4VmMT2CqlGY8lucApOrQAJYd9UL_irpjU-qQJqusuWTr08Yw9Zfz3kV3CVPkTNoIiOUharAYDAKZFHZB8/s1600/P1010127bluebird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvF3Jbzmf15dtvp8qsq78KB6x8oTGUsaKNpbru-iWoV8-GAkXKHbRpmrC2a4VmMT2CqlGY8lucApOrQAJYd9UL_irpjU-qQJqusuWTr08Yw9Zfz3kV3CVPkTNoIiOUharAYDAKZFHZB8/s320/P1010127bluebird.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hey, that's not a bird, but is beautiful :)</div>
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Turkey Vulture flying overhead</div>
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Cowbirds trying to crowd out a male cardinal on the feeder </div>
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Blue Jays on feeder with one showing off! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0PYOWzZb0MP1sAkvvT5ib6z9AsvqwcR6eCVG6epCehpEuJ58ankAt3JZkCqcSnCgkqfmYEWZEYGAyuLgUaPn6YhPbxygMeGhPkE1m3L6TjvRBgfl-xDwjp5Kyq1BMdasS40-QZwMJm8/s1600/P1010146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0PYOWzZb0MP1sAkvvT5ib6z9AsvqwcR6eCVG6epCehpEuJ58ankAt3JZkCqcSnCgkqfmYEWZEYGAyuLgUaPn6YhPbxygMeGhPkE1m3L6TjvRBgfl-xDwjp5Kyq1BMdasS40-QZwMJm8/s320/P1010146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fYdScGxkU4ShfXjeL-ElRkAaC8wexSyf6LVNGL4jwWWbcdL6h2VaZXz2acW_wny-vga59Ybec9WyBHQPBE39_ZDKlLgelEBYB6V6vnem400CFSpjvr6VAp5BJKFZgqGqAKcNvYwpe0U/s1600/P1010142cardinalcowbirds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> Male cardinal with two white-throated sparrows</div>
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Female cardinal joins the white-throated sparrows for some food</div>
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Another view of the blue jays...they sure can swarm the food, seeing only two is surprising!</div>
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The female cardinal looks as if she is on alert, show off that crest girl!</div>
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A cowbird perches, waiting for the right moment to knock another bird off the feeder no doubt!</div>
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Awwww, a female hummingbird getting a sip...</div>
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...and one of the males</div>
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Our neighborhood killdeer</div>
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Ah. Common sight...cowbirds eating us out of house and home! The lighter-colored bird is the female cowbird. We were eating supper out on our front deck the other night, watching them on the feeder (again!) and saw one puff up his chest at one of the other cowbirds, give it one of their unusual "clucks" and chest-butted him off the feeder! For a few seconds anyway. </div>
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We love our red-bellied woodpeckers; this is the male, we call him Cyril. His wife is Sylvia (I'm sure you'll be seeing her soon)</div>
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White-throated sparrows have the sweetest happy song. If you haven't heard it, go to the Birds tab and click on the link to hear it.</div>
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In case you haven't noticed, we love cardinals. The male is chowing down on our deck. Well, not the deck itself, but the food on the deck. </div>
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The blue jay is finding this a tough nut to crack!</div>
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I guess this is a good place to say "the end" for the day, isn't it? :)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06075389711603169299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-488757753466502277.post-44811039946143503162013-04-24T14:09:00.002-05:002013-04-27T16:03:24.807-05:00Pelicans & Double-crested Cormorant on the Ohio River & Barren CreekLike everyone else around here, I am very excited to see our Spring arrivals, but I want to feature these two migratory birds. <br />
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The American White Pelicans arrive in the Autumn by the hundreds at the Ohio River during their annual migration to the south and Mexico. With the enormous amount of shad in the Ohio River this year, they had quite a feast! The pelicans are 4 - 5' in length (with a 9' wingspan) and when fishing, they form a line in the water and swim toward the beach, beating the water with their wings and herding the fish ahead of them. Unlike Brown Pelicans, they do not dive. <br />
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When a friend stayed nearby at the Yellow House at Bay City (on the Ohio River) recently, we were visiting and saw the strangest thing. A pelican flew up into the air, with the rest following one by one...but the first pelican did this short "plummet" toward the water (but didn't reach it) and flew back up into the air, twice, with each pelican behind doing the same thing. It was so graceful and synchronized. If you've ever been to a sporting event and saw the crowds do "the wave", it was like that, but pelican style! What an awesome sight that was (and yes, we wished we had had the camera!!!). <br />
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The last photos David snapped of them were on April 4th when he was at the Ohio River and nearby Barren Creek, with an extra bonus of what appears to be a Double-crested Cormorant. <br />
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Sorry, I can't add photos of the Ohio River without a barge!<br />
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Back to our pelicans, on Barren Creek:<br />
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He also got a bit of video:</div>
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Another migratory bird that visits here is the Double-crested Cormorant. They are 2 1/2 - 3' in length and are commonly mistaken for Canada Geese. Instead of flapping steadily and honking as they fly, cormorants flap for a while and then sail, and are silent in flight. They fish by diving from the surface. One is here at Barren Creek with a pelican:<br />
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In the photo below, the Double-crested Cormorant is flying away</div>
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Here is a bit of a better look:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMmFHOWyElGsLEeYOoWmvqcnbIrXZpeHkzWiOjC9iu2Z_5S0zAFvHIpU7q3NIv6ZseDFYND7bU4d71Dy2_dEKZg3Bo1dbkYpbfApUYofkvWq6E43nUX1j4Pr9-Hx2hLNZJqA-DBMNbE8/s1600/P1010257doublecrestedcormorant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMmFHOWyElGsLEeYOoWmvqcnbIrXZpeHkzWiOjC9iu2Z_5S0zAFvHIpU7q3NIv6ZseDFYND7bU4d71Dy2_dEKZg3Bo1dbkYpbfApUYofkvWq6E43nUX1j4Pr9-Hx2hLNZJqA-DBMNbE8/s320/P1010257doublecrestedcormorant.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While their visits here may be short, they are certainly delightful! </div>
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