Puppeh Fix for the weekend

A few posts ago I alluded to a post featuring the dogs, so I have to come through for you.

Even though I still call them "puppies," they're gettin' up there (they'll be 13 this fall). They enjoy hanging out on the deck and under the deck, in the sun, and in the shade. They patrol our woods in search of rodents and funny smells, and keep an eye on the neighbor dogs as they go by on the road. They love the ritual treat I give them every morning before we go to work, and they are very excited to see us when we come home from work. They like to hang out with us while we do stuff outside. And they're pretty good nappers.

Jupiter napping under the deck

... almost asleep

This is one of my all-time favorite photos of Emmett, napping so peacefully.

Jupiter likes to pick on Emmett, and she can't stand it when he's getting attention and she's not, but they still love each other and hang out together a lot of the time.

Sorry Emmett, I didn't mean to short-change you here, I just happen to have more pictures to share of Jupiter right now... I guess I need to take some more pictures of you!

Have a nice weekend everyone!

Nature, sweet and lovely

Dare I write a post with no photos? How very unlike me, but I want to try.

This evening I strolled across the road to peek in on the Bluebird nest. I was happy to find 3 little mostly naked baby birds, small but strong, begging for food. There were originally 5 eggs, one of which did not hatch and had been moved up into an unused corner of the nest. I am unsure of the fate of the 5th egg. I checked on the other 2 nest boxes, finding them still empty. I wish our little Bluebird family well.

Then I went over to the garden to thin out the greens. I love to just sit in that garden plot. It is situated in a field that is surrounded by woods on 3 sides. From the edge of those woods come the songs of so many bird friends... White-eyed Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker, Blue-winged Warbler, American Goldfinch. A flock of Cedar Waxwings flies overhead several times, as well as a small grouping of Barn Swallows. Looking around, I notice Mama Bluebird perched in a tree right at garden's edge. Quiet as can be, watching me: that mean lady who flushed her from her nest. We watched each other intently, then, in a flash, she headed off to find some food for her nestlings. I see a Robin and a Cardinal, and I am aware of how happy I am that the song of the Robin, a bird that now seems so "common," still brings me joy.

On the way back to the house a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher gets me attention. She's buzzing quite loudly, and I see that she has a meal in her beak. As she flits around in the tree, another Gnatcatcher calls from across the road. She responds and takes her meal with her. To a nest, I wonder? Sure enough, I find their nest in a tree close to the road. A very tiny, beautiful nest. It is the first time I've tracked a bird's nest like that, and I surely never would have seen it otherwise. Hopefully I will visit it again to take photos. Most importantly though, I hope it will remain safe and that her brood will be successful.

A light mist begins to fall, and I know some bad storms are off to the west, heading our way. Our creek will run strong again tonight. I look forward to sleeping with the windows open, listening to the rain. Listening to nature speak to me.

Plea to Ohio birders!

Hello! I'm using this post to make a very blatant plug for the Birding by Ear weekend coming up at the Wilds at the end of this month.

I received a phone message today from the reservations specialist at the Wilds stating that the camp may be canceled due to lack of interest. What a bummer! As of now the camp is still on, but if by next Friday, May 22nd, they have not received enough registrations, they will cancel the camp.

So, to all you Ohio birders out there: If you don't already have plans for May 29-31 and you'd like a chance to increase your birding by ear skills, this is the place for you to be! Our own Jim McCormac (of Ohio Birds and Biodiversity) will be one of the leaders at the camp. Here's a brief idea of what you can expect of the weekend:

"Come one, come all! Classes & activities are available for beginner, intermediate, and expert birders.

• Learn from regional experts on birding research and sound ID
• Find new list birds for the un-birded Wilds
• Birding by canoe
• Bird banding demo
• Enjoy quiet nights around a campfire
• Attract hawks with broadcasts
• Search for owls and whippoorwills after dark
• Explore the lands of the Wilds and AEP
• Four catered meals provided by the Wilds' restaurant (Sat morning to Sun morning)
• Bunk in Mongolian yurts for 2 nights (modern showerhouse is available)"

For more details and registration, click on the logo below. I hope to see you there!

Flowers, flowers - everywhere!

When my camera's not pointed up at a bird, it's pointed down at a flower! Now that I've got these "macro" filters for my lens, I just can't stop! (Click any photo to enlarge.)

Jacob's Ladder growing in my garden, something I planted new this year. So far it is doing well.

Fire Pink

Red Clover (this is actually crowding out some Bee Balm I planted last fall, but I had to let it flower to see what it was!)

... more Mayapple flowers

How I celebrated International Migratory Bird Day

This past Saturday was International Migratory Bird Day, and Dave and I celebrated by participating in a Migratory Bird Walk at Lake Hope State Park. This is the third year we have gone on the walk. It's a usually a small affair, with about 20-30 folks in attendance. We meet at a specific point and spend 3 hours birding at different locations throughout the park.

The fella with the guide book sticking out of his pocket is park naturalist Dave Sapienza, our guide for the bird walk.

The grassy area shown in this photo was basically a big area of murk and mud (we've had a LOT of rain lately), and there was no avoiding getting your shoes soaked and your shoes and pants (at the least) covered in mud. The cool thing about birders: we either come prepared or expecting such things, so no one complained at all about the mess - we all just smiled, laughed and trogged on through.

Before we even got to the meeting point, we drove past a family of Canada Geese. Dave kindly offered to stop the car so I could get out and take pictures.

Mama Goose, Papa Goose, and 6 baby geese

"Okay kids, make sure you look both ways before you cross the lake..."

Once we got to the meeting place, I was surprised to see lots of Red-wing Blackbirds just walking around in the grass, pecking for bugs. Like this guy:

I'm not sure what Dave said to this guy when he got out of the truck, but I don't think it made the bird very happy because he got all tough and showed us his shoulder patches. I was really excited when I saw this photo on my computer screen, because I don't have very many photos of birds displaying like this, or calling like this.

I didn't actually take very many photos of the birds because they were just too far away to make it worthwhile. The only other bird close enough for a good photo op was a pair of nesting Tree Swallows that were working a nest box together.

Here's a list of all the birds seen/heard during our 3-hour walk:

1. Canada Goose
2. Red-winged Blackbird
3. Grey Catbird
4. Eastern Towhee
5. Eastern Kingbird (LIFER)
   
6. Tree Swallow
7. Brown-headed Cowbird
8. Baltimore Oriole
9. Great Blue Heron
10. Turkey Vulture
11. Yellow Warbler
12. Pileated Woodpecker (heard only)
13. Northern Cardinal
14. American Goldfinch
15. Ovenbird (heard only)
16. Great Crested Flycatcher
17. Hooded Warbler (heard only)
18. Carolina Wren (heard only)
19. White-eyed Vireo
20. American Crow
21. Brown Thrasher
22. Scarlet Tanager (heard only)
23. Song Sparrow (heard only)
24. Common Grackle
25. Northern Flicker
26. Ruby-throated Hummingbird
27. Common Yellowthroat
28. American Robin
29. Chipping Sparrow
30. Eastern Phoebe
31. Blue Jay
32. Barn Swallow
33. Yellow-rumped Warbler
34. Red-eyed Vireo (heard only)
35. American Redstart
36. Blue-grey Gnatcatcher (heard only)
37. Yellow-throated Warbler (heard only)
38. White-breasted Nuthatch
39. Hairy Woodpecker
40. Black Vulture
41. Blue-winged Warbler
42. Prairie Warbler (heard only)
43. Yellow-breasted Chat
44. Wood Duck
45. Osprey (LIFER)
    
46. Prothonotary Warbler (heard only)
47. Indigo Bunting (heard only)
    

Please note that many of the "heard only" species were brought to my/our attention by the naturalist. While I knew quite a few of them by ear, several of them (like just about all the warblers) are still not stored in my memory banks.

Items of note:

• We got very good looks at the Great Crested Flycatcher, who seemed to follow us everywhere. The Brown Thrasher also presented itself for some good looks. This is unusual compared to the previous 2 years.
• Presenting its song over and over and over was the Yellow Warbler ("sweet-sweet-sweeter than sweet"); it did not come out into plain view too much, though.
• Last year we got a great look at the Prothonotary Warbler, but we did not get to see it this year (only heard it).
• Missing completely from this year's count were the Northern Parula Warbler and the Cerulean Warbler, and any species of hawk (we usually at least see a Red-tailed).
• New with this year's list: Wood Duck, Osprey and Eastern Kingbird.

While the birds are the focal point of any bird walk, seeing the birders doing their thing and enjoying themselves is nice, too.

My #1 Birding Buddy

Serendipity

Serendipity noun -
"Happy finding of an unexpected object or solution while searching for something else."

My serendipity occurred the other day when I went down to check out our creek after a heavy rainstorm. Whilst tromping along the banks of the stream, observing the flow and level of the water, I noticed Jack-in-the-pulpit growing all along one bank. "What the.....?! We have Jack-in-the-pulpit growing on our property? How cool is that?!" I thought to myself.

All these years and I never knew. I've seen the leaves before, and I've seen the berries before, but I wouldn't have been able to identify the plant from those keys alone. It was seeing the unique flower that brought it home for me.

Every year I discover something "new" on our property that I've never noticed before. I love that sense of discovery.

False Solomon's Seal, also growing near the creek

Our creek and waterfall, running strong after a hard rain. The creek bed will be dry as a bone come summer.

I've been away from my computer, and away from blogging, for most of the week. It's been a nice little break, actually. I'll get caught up with you all soon!