April 14, 2009 at 5:54 am (Backyard Birding, Photography, Show & Tell, Wildlife)
Tags: American Goldfinch, Birds, Bits & Pieces, Dawdler Doodles, Hummingbirds, Monarch Butterfly
Guess what? I just by chance walked to a window a few days ago in the back of the house to peer out and see if there was any action in the backyard and what a stroke of luck…..a Monarch Butterfly was flying by the window just as I peered out. Could not believe I had seen one. In their yearly migration they are in the middle of giving birth to the new generation who will then continue the Monarch yearly migration north towards Canada. Being so caught up as I am in following their migration, it was quite the thrill. I immediately went to the Monarch Migration Tracking Site and reported my sighting. My previous post addressing their mind-boggling migration is here.
As for the seeing my first hummingbird of the season, I still have not seen one. Both of my sisters who live in the area have seen at least one. Surely it won’t be long. I did have around twelve or so Goldfinches hanging out around my patio last week. Most were males so there was bright yellow all over the place.
(Male American Goldfinch courtesy of Wikipedia)
Finally got all my “dying papers” pretty much completed and in order. Also got a good going over by my doctor last Wednesday along with chest x-rays and EKG’s. Being an ex-smoker, I always am apprehensive as to the outcome of the old chest x-ray so when you hear that the old “lungs look fine”, it is always a welcome relief. Looks like I will be around a little longer. However, he did say I needed to exercise more. Damn the exercise….and bring on the “salt” and “red meat”!
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April 10, 2009 at 7:29 am (Humor, Photography, Show & Tell, Wildlife)
Tags: Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, Meerkat, Squirrels, Tree Rat, White-Tailed Squirrel, Wildlife
If you are someone who is interested in ’wildlife’ then you are probably aware of all the hoop-la surrounding the supposed sighting of the thought-to-be extinct Ivory-Billed Woodpecker which occurred here in Arkansas in 2004 in the White River bottoms. Well, yesterday my recent discovery may eventually trump all that media coverage over some silly bird.
(Ivory-Billed Woodpecker courtesy of Wikipedia)
Yesterday as I was walking past my patio door something quite strange caught my eye. There was a “what-the-hell-is-that” scavenging for seeds underneath one of my bird feeders. It took a moment for my brain to compute what I was seeing. But there it was….a White-Tailed Tree Rat. Now in some zoologist circles they are referred to by their more commonly known name as ‘squirrel’ but those of us with more expertise in these matters know they are just your common run-of-the-mill “tree rat”! So let’s not try to over glorify them with some fancy, sophisticated name.
Fortunately I keep one of my little cameras right by the door for occasions such as this. And within moments I was trying to capture this little critter on film pixels. Apparently these critters have been sighted elsewhere around the United States but it is a rare occurrence. Below I have submitted the photographic evidence of my discovery.
(Click on image to enlarge)
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Now….in all confidence I have to say that I have not a clue as to why Mother Nature has chosen me to be the bearer of the news of this most recent discovery. These little varments have to be the least favorite of mine. I would have personally much more preferred Meerkats running around my backyard digging holes than these tree rats. On the other hand – perhaps the “white tail” is there way of letting me know they have surrendered and are ready for a peace deal!
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February 26, 2009 at 6:57 am (Backyard Birding, Photography, Wildlife)
Tags: Baby Birds, Birds, Dawdler, Photography, Robins, Wildlife
I always seem to have a good number of Robins around the old homestead. And when I start raking leaves or cutting grass one or two brave ones are always following my steps looking for an easy morsel of food turned up by my yard activities.
Two springs ago a Robin couple set up their nursery right next to my carport and side entrance. Gave me an opportunity to try and get a few photos surrounding the blessed event.
As is typical with Robins, Mama Robin built the nest and of course incubated the eggs. Plus she had to keep her strength up by going out and fending for herself for brief periods of time. Papa showed up as soon as the eggs hatched to help feed the little ones and protect the nest. Mama Robin didn’t seem to mind me carrying out any activities which would take me near the nest from time to time but Papa Robin had no tolerance for me whatsoever. He never dove at me but would get reasonably close and give me a good verbal going-over. My verbal reassurances were never acknowledged!
I am happy to say the brood made it to adolescence and safely graduated from the nest. One day they were there…..next day gone!
This past year another Robin family moved in and built a new nest not 12 inches from the one abandoned the year before. Unfortunately only a couple of days after the babies hatched the adults disappeared, as did the brood. I fear the worst. I’m guessing perhaps a stray cat found the nest or even a Cooper’s hawk. We have several in the area that are always on the prowl.
By the way, this is a “rerun” post that I had published on a previous blog but with spring just around the corner, I was reminded of it and it makes me hopeful that I will be able to enjoy another feathered family or two setting up a homestead soon.
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