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Outpost:  Eyes to the skies!  |
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lmillward
True Blue Farmgirl
111 Posts
Lorie
Riverton
UT
USA
111 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 08 2008 : 9:29:02 PM
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I have blessed to see or have cross my path many beautiful birds lately. I know they are always there but I sometimes get in such a hurry that I forget to look up! I was having an absolutley miserable day yesterday and threw the blinds open in my office and was suprised by a flock of cedar waxwings, a pair of red breasted nuthatches and a half dozen downy woodpeckers all searching for bugs under the bark and eating snow off of a huge horse chesnut.
I think it would be fun to hear what kind of sightings you have- as a naturalist I am very interested in what kinds of birds live in other parts. It might be interesting to know, also, if just recognizing birds will help us to be more open to other creatures and sights we often take for granted. ?
Let me know what you think!
Long live the weeds and the wildflowers! ~John Muir |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2008 : 9:58:25 PM
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I am a dedicated bird watcher--amateur of course. We happen to live near the Skagit Valley which is a wintering area for Eagles, Snow Geese and Trumpeter Swan. Also many different and unique raptors. Quite a few live here year-round too. I posted some pictures of the above birds on my day4plus blog. Last summer I saw a Northern Shrike and that was very exciting. during my husbands last illness we made daily trips into the valley and saw an amazing array of different birds. Since we have a not to cold winter climate we are fortunate to have lots of birds year-round. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2008 : 05:55:59 AM
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I'm not a bird watcher, but I do pay attention to wildlife in general. I live in a midsized city that has a deep river gorge running right through the middle of it. I sometimes visit a large Catholic cemetery that backs up to the river. I've seen wild turkeys coming up out of the river gorge, and when I visited there a few weeks ago I was amazed to see the number of turkey tracks in the snow. There's a turkey trail as well established as any deer trail. I haven't seen the turkeys themselves yet this winter, but when I saw them before they came walking straight up out of the gorge. I was amazed that they are so surefooted.
Our area gets a lot of migratory waterbirds and raptors. I have never gone to this, but there are a lot of hawk watching events in the early spring. When I was in junior high, our biology teacher took us on a field trip to look for migratory owls. |
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lmillward
True Blue Farmgirl
111 Posts
Lorie
Riverton
UT
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2008 : 8:27:05 PM
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Thank you for the news! The Skagit valley sounds amazing! I cant imagine seeing a trumpeter flying overhead! How wonderful! I am definitely looking at the pics. and I also love to see turkeys. There are a lot of wild turkeys that feed on the acorns in the foothills near my home. I know they are just turkeys but they are so cool! I'm excited to hear from you both!
Long live the weeds and the wildflowers! ~John Muir |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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lmillward
True Blue Farmgirl
111 Posts
Lorie
Riverton
UT
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 10:09:38 PM
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Magnificent! do the swans graze in the field there? I need to get a good camera- right now I'm taking "mental" pictures (not too easy to share)!
Long live the weeds and the wildflowers! ~John Muir |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 10:48:54 PM
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Lorie, yes the swan graze on the fields. They are not swimming on a lake but more of the field that is underwater from all the rain we have been having. I think that is an old corn field. It really is cool to see them. The Snow Geese come by the 100 thousands. That has been the count the past few years. Here are Snow Geese taking off. I just got a new camera with a nice zoom and it sure is nice. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com www.holyhouses-day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
Edited by - Marybeth on Jan 10 2008 10:50:21 PM |
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lmillward
True Blue Farmgirl
111 Posts
Lorie
Riverton
UT
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2008 : 4:26:16 PM
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we have a snow goose festival in east central utah in March each year when they come to our area by the 100 thousands too! It is absolutely amazing to see.
Long live the weeds and the wildflowers! ~John Muir |
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lmillward
True Blue Farmgirl
111 Posts
Lorie
Riverton
UT
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2008 : 10:42:28 AM
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Today there are a jillion little juncos in my backyard (I'm home sick from work). They are so cute! like fat little teacups hopping around. One of the few things I like about winter is the juncos! Unfortunately all the introduced species like house finches and starlings chase away all the cool, beautiful native birds- llike the western blue bird and king birds. the juncos can't be bullied though! bless 'em!
Long live the weeds and the wildflowers! |
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Outpost: Eyes to the skies! |
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Eyes to the skies!
