tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81476316970892734672024-03-14T01:16:35.363-05:00The Brownstone Birding BlogA Connecticut native with an interest in birding shares his outdoor adventuresLarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.comBlogger901125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-16163369561569047002024-03-03T10:02:00.004-05:002024-03-03T10:04:02.529-05:00Breaking The Birding Addiction<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK0RXk3vXo_GN95H_WZdmLOZUbHQI5v3LgjYiiSSvFSnu3vqLe6tShXIfA-NXlfvHs1XbhAuIwRFk1vSJkeuICXGTcQK0bSP-uI9PqNUSOv64ARjayuG1-cgLFunr49gOR9uCLEM52TiRiq7k8D5MIrI7rs1_nBMmHKCn5aqjCGiE55UxyGSqqIToExYL/s979/ResizerImage979X626ringding.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="979" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK0RXk3vXo_GN95H_WZdmLOZUbHQI5v3LgjYiiSSvFSnu3vqLe6tShXIfA-NXlfvHs1XbhAuIwRFk1vSJkeuICXGTcQK0bSP-uI9PqNUSOv64ARjayuG1-cgLFunr49gOR9uCLEM52TiRiq7k8D5MIrI7rs1_nBMmHKCn5aqjCGiE55UxyGSqqIToExYL/w640-h410/ResizerImage979X626ringding.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Life is full off potential addictions. There are obvious ones like food, drugs, and alcohol but when you break one addiction another less obvious one can easily take its place</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Birding seems like a healthy and wholesome activity. I think that in most ways it is, but birding can become an addiction too! Usually this applies to listing or having an appetite to constantly see new species. It's happened to me before but at I'm usually able to recognize it when it starts to creep back in. I spent the month of January and February anxious to see new species and adding numbers to my list. That was a fine way to help avoid the winter doldrums but now it's time to move on.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> As March begins, I plan to find balance. I will take the emphasis off of chasing new birds around and instead just take things at a relaxed pace. If I want to go see a rare bird that's close by, it' not a problem. If I just want to sit around taking pictures, that's fine too. I want to enjoy each experience and not worry about any specific goal. There! that wasn't so hard! I'm pretty sure I've convinced myself to buy into my own bs! </span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: medium;">-The photo is of Ring-necked Ducks taken at the Helen Carlson Wildlife Sanctuary. The ring around the neck isn't usually visible unless sunlight reflects off of it. In this case, there was no sunshine. only clouds.</span></i><br /> </p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-57962833183224159332024-02-26T09:30:00.001-05:002024-02-26T09:30:19.267-05:00Turkeys And Vultures In All The Wrong Places<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV0nmrcMR85oSnbj9BHub7XJ4Y6SB7Ob4lvZFha0n00BWBN58M9AJ-lrxGkqtcY6RjCQZlc1Kf05r2HiOE3FCH6728xjrSvjBDltxE1ZpswM7n8j53HcVjZ_sqPDYHqUiAP1ZVI4fgAGQvwC2hwYs7z69CmRJNnr3rpmueDGo-t4gRe5M3Z040E-2wn2j/s920/ResizerImage920X612turkee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV0nmrcMR85oSnbj9BHub7XJ4Y6SB7Ob4lvZFha0n00BWBN58M9AJ-lrxGkqtcY6RjCQZlc1Kf05r2HiOE3FCH6728xjrSvjBDltxE1ZpswM7n8j53HcVjZ_sqPDYHqUiAP1ZVI4fgAGQvwC2hwYs7z69CmRJNnr3rpmueDGo-t4gRe5M3Z040E-2wn2j/w640-h426/ResizerImage920X612turkee.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, I can't get withing a 1000 feet of a bird but this turkey was right in the middle of the road! I know you might be thinking that the road is full of turkeys but I'm looking for the feathered kind that let's me take pictures. This tom was busy strutting his stuff for a couple of hens.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ap0HTE57Hb0TB-DQZa6cNiaj5ZHleAQwiu0gxuKVDJX9NDV4LpdBqHcGu0fPTAh5eAtkO6IiZm_ZaMCaYW5Jv5rxHUKJ4HZdeEy1kxvGlKLl5GgE0SkYViHJcxDd4DDNZmdUXT7njV2I49chPfIlPaExvQ_FLvrzIJAXz-GpI1L_36lNa5KrbmXpWhIf/s1048/ResizerImage1048X698bufflee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ap0HTE57Hb0TB-DQZa6cNiaj5ZHleAQwiu0gxuKVDJX9NDV4LpdBqHcGu0fPTAh5eAtkO6IiZm_ZaMCaYW5Jv5rxHUKJ4HZdeEy1kxvGlKLl5GgE0SkYViHJcxDd4DDNZmdUXT7njV2I49chPfIlPaExvQ_FLvrzIJAXz-GpI1L_36lNa5KrbmXpWhIf/w640-h426/ResizerImage1048X698bufflee.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I was just busy deleting pictures from my camera when this female Bufflehead popped up in front of me. Usually, they fly off or swim off by the time I raise my camera. It's nice to get a better look at the more subtly marked female for a change as opposed to the male who are all white on the back of their head.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZdh2dcf6l3vdstMyDCogw6Rd33IMBfiKOyNiEjdIxEwQjSRl_qfsClvmYyPMq3uNywsG12NjQnLHgUWJJhvtYHMJSrYwXhFksO3p9UodFr3N7v5zAaiHzeSn54P_f7jy_OpxBixvp1NzC80-C_-6ix9gFsJOvSijlXOtwK9nsmlhirTH7l71pbJdLVVd/s848/ResizerImage848X608vutureee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="848" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZdh2dcf6l3vdstMyDCogw6Rd33IMBfiKOyNiEjdIxEwQjSRl_qfsClvmYyPMq3uNywsG12NjQnLHgUWJJhvtYHMJSrYwXhFksO3p9UodFr3N7v5zAaiHzeSn54P_f7jy_OpxBixvp1NzC80-C_-6ix9gFsJOvSijlXOtwK9nsmlhirTH7l71pbJdLVVd/w640-h460/ResizerImage848X608vutureee.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">This final picture is of Black Vultures perched on top of a convalescent home roof. There was a dozen of them all together. If I was in a convalescent home I don't know if I would want them hanging out up there! kind of creepy.</span></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-42902468746218773172024-02-19T14:54:00.005-05:002024-02-19T16:16:17.449-05:00Most Birders Are Kind And Helpful But..<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3YSLgOuGX43dxjHjFmpujedtPRv1HPM7gGuwhiARGHqqaZa22N_0XiiVFv0DETE2aEZNccawbpMAPwQKa5c8rXL7KQqeJxVBF8roeasLBqeA4hUaWgdx2mNr4H7BNrUYFLHQjvlnhnwNM9oyUzGmIGiRyHsvetMT5Mphr0nGB1z8UhFU30NliKpXhRme/s940/ResizerImage940X625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="940" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3YSLgOuGX43dxjHjFmpujedtPRv1HPM7gGuwhiARGHqqaZa22N_0XiiVFv0DETE2aEZNccawbpMAPwQKa5c8rXL7KQqeJxVBF8roeasLBqeA4hUaWgdx2mNr4H7BNrUYFLHQjvlnhnwNM9oyUzGmIGiRyHsvetMT5Mphr0nGB1z8UhFU30NliKpXhRme/w640-h426/ResizerImage940X625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;">Birders learn about birding at their own pace. Some learn quickly and are experts in no time. Others take years to graduate from identifying birds at the feeders to identifying a few warblers and never reach the level of expert. I fell somewhere in between. I learned a lot quickly but never ascended to that expert level. I still make mistakes and second-guess identifications. There are still certain categories of birds I have difficulty with. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>The top photo is a female and male Gadwall. That was one of those duck species I wasn't confident with early on. The markings are subtle compared to some other ducks. The male is showing a silvery-gray color with a black patch near the tail here. The female which looks kind of like a Mallard is showing that patch of white but this is in good lighting. Sometimes they might be far away with poor viewing conditions and then they wouldn't be easy to identify.</div></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1owwd2Ed4xlqXtAXgb7jJG2bh0Qi4jOG7A4uVbQoT3zzpmy1IXTrrhiFBuwEajmVWRnoAim6NSkWgrKqehtdTv2s34mYW0LIsYXxzSWLvA8UBGp_vZrRO6CCM8LaB7keAjRObQwmsnOcWeDB6mw5-ZQwPDiKtRy9-9wb5IG96mmjeK3qYl-u00AMaAN8B/s920/ResizerImage920X612robin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1owwd2Ed4xlqXtAXgb7jJG2bh0Qi4jOG7A4uVbQoT3zzpmy1IXTrrhiFBuwEajmVWRnoAim6NSkWgrKqehtdTv2s34mYW0LIsYXxzSWLvA8UBGp_vZrRO6CCM8LaB7keAjRObQwmsnOcWeDB6mw5-ZQwPDiKtRy9-9wb5IG96mmjeK3qYl-u00AMaAN8B/w640-h426/ResizerImage920X612robin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <span>Birding is fun but some birders take it very seriously. There is something called a birder's code of ethics. It's basic things like don't destroy bird habitat, don't overuse bird song playback to attract birds (especially during nesting season), and don't give false reports about seeing rare birds etc. There are many variations of the birding code of ethics. Here is one of the more well known ones: </span><a href="https://www.aba.org/aba-code-of-birding-ethics/" target="_blank">ABA Code Of Birding Ethics</a><span>.</span></span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Some birders might shame someone for breaking one of the rules in the code of ethics, or be hypercritical when someone misidentifies a bird. They forget that one of the most important rules in the code of ethics is to always be kind and helpful to other people who share an interest in birds. This is especially true when it comes to new birders. The last thing you want to do is to say something that will discourage or embarrass them! Give them a break! Fortunately, the majority of birders go out of their way to be kind and helpful when it comes to sharing their knowledge with others.</span></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-43307823636757957842024-02-15T09:31:00.001-05:002024-02-18T09:52:22.683-05:00Brant Were getting On My Nerves!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zg10-6MtENqDo2G3QcpFQgKlx5T3IT05lhyphenhyphen7HiVBo3AU80NA5JGwvm1vSobmwebjH4gecO4TU6EMiwZzr3Ogx8Dnv_6_TqJNn8aXgHJXjvNDJbi6fnvuyOzzZEOK1rwJruEF3GK1eJjTgjXAwjRcTfVSAmAVHIZc0YWifmn4cX7GIU8XQOmQv2f6kYQA/s800/ResizerImage800X532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zg10-6MtENqDo2G3QcpFQgKlx5T3IT05lhyphenhyphen7HiVBo3AU80NA5JGwvm1vSobmwebjH4gecO4TU6EMiwZzr3Ogx8Dnv_6_TqJNn8aXgHJXjvNDJbi6fnvuyOzzZEOK1rwJruEF3GK1eJjTgjXAwjRcTfVSAmAVHIZc0YWifmn4cX7GIU8XQOmQv2f6kYQA/w640-h426/ResizerImage800X532.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I took several trips down to the shore in January and not once did I see a Brant. Other people were reporting them and I even went to a location 10 minutes after they were reported there. No dice. Finally, I came across some in Clinton. There were about 3 dozen in total. I was relieved to put that behind me!</span><br /><p></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-68977099496535913262024-02-10T12:45:00.002-05:002024-02-10T12:50:40.834-05:00No Repeat February Breaks The Monotony<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNuIjzIfUVlyuTHSHEyekN9_yd4brUz3O1uyubkN9CE6xPI2D7obhfWuNv5squeiFZF8iutel0d4uiiocHjTTDpOlSOLv3xMTHLHKvMcJFgnJpTtbDQAE8x6s_9t8HSzpasbvGJy9ZAJmpJNUaiph9AtA0TZOplRqgH2cqUddlvC8Utoho7IdSHO0p3o5/s920/ResizerImage920X690fielddd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNuIjzIfUVlyuTHSHEyekN9_yd4brUz3O1uyubkN9CE6xPI2D7obhfWuNv5squeiFZF8iutel0d4uiiocHjTTDpOlSOLv3xMTHLHKvMcJFgnJpTtbDQAE8x6s_9t8HSzpasbvGJy9ZAJmpJNUaiph9AtA0TZOplRqgH2cqUddlvC8Utoho7IdSHO0p3o5/w640-h480/ResizerImage920X690fielddd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Last month I was able to spice up January birding by trying to see as many species in my county as possible within the month. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>This month I decided on a different approach to keep things fresh.</span><span> I'm doing a no repeat February. Meaning that I will go to a different location every time I go out birding. Many of us get into a routine of only going to places that consistently have a great variety of bird species. Meanwhile, there are tons of nature preserves, wildlife management areas and land trusts that people rarely visit. They might try it once but if nothing out of the ordinary pops up they might not go back to that location again.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBszK56U6NB76xugkDBhn16s4y5batEi7qDrFBvfwbqWPlInSMd9LtbG9zUHWUCqy3fLtKX4qaYlyUKL9IBfcjtMTGvxpu2FRLr9b4-NlS0fitw5vaFKXHBIch6B-Fkaq9ta_I9QZkN6lpDMSoMy-NKPBS94M39b8ixwgxOiLc5lH9bdyl1ouOTSYbRLea/s800/ResizerImage800X600HT3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBszK56U6NB76xugkDBhn16s4y5batEi7qDrFBvfwbqWPlInSMd9LtbG9zUHWUCqy3fLtKX4qaYlyUKL9IBfcjtMTGvxpu2FRLr9b4-NlS0fitw5vaFKXHBIch6B-Fkaq9ta_I9QZkN6lpDMSoMy-NKPBS94M39b8ixwgxOiLc5lH9bdyl1ouOTSYbRLea/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600HT3.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">One such place I visited this month was the Bamforth Wildlife Preserve. A name like that kind of builds up expectations. People might expect to see wild animals roaming everywhere. I did see a few deer and I'd bet there is a bobcat or fox hiding around that might come out at dusk. I noticed that the field is being managed to have certain types of beneficial native grasses. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I was committed to giving this place my time and patience and was rewarded with a nice view of a hermit Thrush warming itself in the sun. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDgL8b5XYElpvtdklyxvNvfP_Yb5rviRhDNKlNhAVrOqPff8ykHIK6F1BftjYB7OBeSTH5Kcctdmi96ONEzwrO4qsNuY5uobdTrOwm9B8J1Esx83YNHR7XlRUjQQlPjYDEfHLOoxye_hUXnrqMhp8pduidcPvcvHrX6nuHLq8EBFdTP8skKSPEs7JV8DL/s720/ResizerImage720X540field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDgL8b5XYElpvtdklyxvNvfP_Yb5rviRhDNKlNhAVrOqPff8ykHIK6F1BftjYB7OBeSTH5Kcctdmi96ONEzwrO4qsNuY5uobdTrOwm9B8J1Esx83YNHR7XlRUjQQlPjYDEfHLOoxye_hUXnrqMhp8pduidcPvcvHrX6nuHLq8EBFdTP8skKSPEs7JV8DL/w640-h480/ResizerImage720X540field.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Someone thought to build a couple of brush piles out in the field that attracted what Ebird says is a high number of Field Sparrows for one location (5)</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T3WBFpszdUBr2nvSEAKlcxs5Iy4d6M3W9qYQBX10tOJ9-l7lw00_1wa8EoRGqXZwzFjOAOIa4NOiVdqkcdstuR0jOvPkRNPdN8t-Iy3fHW45-2JdZxFmiGhrLZfprAiSitfUN-76_cGoRxDZnVeuUqwKZo2isz0P_MEdkr9JGZFb6vcu9UdjHF1EfkWh/s800/ResizerImage800X600gotred.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T3WBFpszdUBr2nvSEAKlcxs5Iy4d6M3W9qYQBX10tOJ9-l7lw00_1wa8EoRGqXZwzFjOAOIa4NOiVdqkcdstuR0jOvPkRNPdN8t-Iy3fHW45-2JdZxFmiGhrLZfprAiSitfUN-76_cGoRxDZnVeuUqwKZo2isz0P_MEdkr9JGZFb6vcu9UdjHF1EfkWh/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600gotred.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I see Red-bellied Woodpeckers everywhere I go but it's always nice when you see them hard at work.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYAgm2gYX0bEiEKTiFkN6Ctn6CC6qS_Vc9on7CJGmtM7gJgRgrcJg2kzqtH2BouaxlvwC4pLqFeR60hgsXQfbD2Eg8AatD1ppjTHypkUgKjxZFX_obtY4vDr8p_QvfwiBmOq3FB3aSSCLjHbE-82yI7Lym9DJK05MOrJxcdJmxGuAvzICl-vmi_gw35V4/s680/ResizerImage680X510shike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYAgm2gYX0bEiEKTiFkN6Ctn6CC6qS_Vc9on7CJGmtM7gJgRgrcJg2kzqtH2BouaxlvwC4pLqFeR60hgsXQfbD2Eg8AatD1ppjTHypkUgKjxZFX_obtY4vDr8p_QvfwiBmOq3FB3aSSCLjHbE-82yI7Lym9DJK05MOrJxcdJmxGuAvzICl-vmi_gw35V4/w640-h480/ResizerImage680X510shike.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Visiting different areas that aren't the usual hotspots doesn't guarantee you'll see anything new or exciting but h</span><span>ow will you ever know what species of birds are at those forgotten nature preserves if no one</span><span> ever gives them a try?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>There's a place nearby called Miller road. It's just a country road with a little bit of marshy woods and a stream running through it. Birders stop by the area </span><span>occasionally but it's certainly not a top location. That is, until recently when someone had a rare sighting of a Northern Shrike! Now there are dozens of people going there to see it every week!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">At one point I was watching the shrike perched in a tree with bluebirds and goldfinches. They are both right at the top of the menu for a shrike! Maybe they didn't know what a shrike is capable of? These birds have the nickname butcherbird because they have been known to impale victims on a branch to create their own version of a shish kebab.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, trying to focus on seeing as many different species as possible is one way of going about things but after a while you've seen just about everything there is to see. By focusing on appreciating places you are visiting then the birds you see are just icing on the cake. Using this approach is a good way of breaking the monotony and bringing you that much closer to spring.</span></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-41244122835614805992024-01-19T09:19:00.003-05:002024-01-19T09:19:52.083-05:00There's Lots Of Birds Even In January!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4E4HXCRu_x7MA7_dwSV85NXECxrI-MPxI-C7GuajFTDB10Wt1Snku5eFF_clu6Tec5eakmBEI4hOxhDT55gzsurmSRPuqJw0Bd39Syi4Zv-lQx9SlAcDI57RccvFSLePv163HrYrHdHr_-MTKVGIemFrIfzOgTX22NMeC6i1Swe5NBevu3Q3xb0UZs7Vu/s840/ResizerImage840X630heron1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4E4HXCRu_x7MA7_dwSV85NXECxrI-MPxI-C7GuajFTDB10Wt1Snku5eFF_clu6Tec5eakmBEI4hOxhDT55gzsurmSRPuqJw0Bd39Syi4Zv-lQx9SlAcDI57RccvFSLePv163HrYrHdHr_-MTKVGIemFrIfzOgTX22NMeC6i1Swe5NBevu3Q3xb0UZs7Vu/w640-h480/ResizerImage840X630heron1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">One of the ways I've tried to make the winter pass by more quickly is by keeping track of how many bird species in can find in the month of January. There are more species in Connecticut during the winter than you might think. I've found 100 species in the Connecticut during the month of January and there are others who have found many more than that. Driving around Connecticut gets to be tiring so now I only pay attention to what I find in my own county. A lot less time consuming and a lot more fuel efficient. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It was 20 degrees and windy on the morning I saw this great Blue Heron. It was standing completely still. It's hard to believe it was out there day and night while I could only tolerate a couple of hours in that kind of weather before packing it in and calling it a day.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RVRPLpx-wlOvND6US_eekLjd_MjgAFBmFanY1aIrhVEFV-lMwsHUqffolaqx4EPkgDe6R0xkWBKs4agKmFmrVF-_TCDLHiKW6v9TPOrgTb8fxYjGv8mE-Og0OiW1f93j8QeXOrlnbLBjXfu_ROYHgQbTuiiVEJ4Toj-ZxvtoOVTee5Cz_I2FtiN2NjYD/s680/ResizerImage680X510hoody1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RVRPLpx-wlOvND6US_eekLjd_MjgAFBmFanY1aIrhVEFV-lMwsHUqffolaqx4EPkgDe6R0xkWBKs4agKmFmrVF-_TCDLHiKW6v9TPOrgTb8fxYjGv8mE-Og0OiW1f93j8QeXOrlnbLBjXfu_ROYHgQbTuiiVEJ4Toj-ZxvtoOVTee5Cz_I2FtiN2NjYD/w640-h480/ResizerImage680X510hoody1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Colorful ducks like this male Hooded Merganser are one of the premier attractions during the winter. I'm not going to get anywhere near to seeing 100 species in Middlesex County before the end of January. I am at 82 right now. My next goal is to try to hit 85. I'll worry about the next goal if I can accomplish that. The best part about it though is that January seems to be going by so fast!</span><br /> <p></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-81004855651912664442024-01-17T08:53:00.000-05:002024-01-19T09:20:07.239-05:00What Is The Rarest Breeding Bird In Connecticut?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yM7vO0TsplN45qQBrCfmToUMTWDIzWK5oGqZSiSYMfLPmVi9KwO5fMBp8qQkAIavkimQYW-eHBqFzKPijwMIxS7_qRzuZgZPUieTt-eLcElWgLqlTUQoyq4LJZnb8p0QJlTTeYnHIdmSctZ4kRVpe3EktHV7DDPN53_UM1H67ZvnqWg4a8PgI0M8hmP4/s600/ResizerImage600X450rhwp1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yM7vO0TsplN45qQBrCfmToUMTWDIzWK5oGqZSiSYMfLPmVi9KwO5fMBp8qQkAIavkimQYW-eHBqFzKPijwMIxS7_qRzuZgZPUieTt-eLcElWgLqlTUQoyq4LJZnb8p0QJlTTeYnHIdmSctZ4kRVpe3EktHV7DDPN53_UM1H67ZvnqWg4a8PgI0M8hmP4/w640-h482/ResizerImage600X450rhwp1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The rarest breeding bird in Connecticut is the Red-headed Woodpecker. The birder who saw the most species in Middlesex County last year (Danny) started this year by finding this rare species near his home turf. That allowed many other birders like myself to go see one for myself. I've seen a few over the years. The adult Red-headed Woodpecker is the only species of woodpecker </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">with all red head and neck. I saw it on a cloudy afternoon high in the tree so not such a great photo but better than nothing. As it turns out, there are now 2 of them at the same location!</span><div><p></p></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-13331685572340361362024-01-16T08:36:00.000-05:002024-01-19T09:20:22.738-05:00Where The Treetops Glisten<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2ijqIFPz92fg-82pn6bk_J0zFq_qdHDAMFN6594rnHSdH23oOAxiiWoe4IbqgydAVjqkvvT85XWGtEN4nUvsrlwRAgtj2pywgPbEFfBCzZHLgLt8MWkzvznn_l7L36hricDqSlxIq2pgWdFGKsFS4Td6kOlWGzYwLC7FHb1zS6-ylQhkKgutIKksW6wX/s800/ResizerImage800X600ice5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2ijqIFPz92fg-82pn6bk_J0zFq_qdHDAMFN6594rnHSdH23oOAxiiWoe4IbqgydAVjqkvvT85XWGtEN4nUvsrlwRAgtj2pywgPbEFfBCzZHLgLt8MWkzvznn_l7L36hricDqSlxIq2pgWdFGKsFS4Td6kOlWGzYwLC7FHb1zS6-ylQhkKgutIKksW6wX/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600ice5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4l4Ccirhy8SBh2GtnYf-Y14mcpjTKuJT5a2o6nnpmY2iVzcuVm1e-qCnIrfe35ZxgIw8c2Tx7yyrsA6SRRED8DPqrN9Zgh7xQ-l2yjThI6_pRScpiZcprTN0DtPVbh_km7abS4SUYUc6RKcSNsbiSD2HTv7fkEQUOTQ8C0WQkIHbOKEU8qVk77H70Egk/s800/ResizerImage800X600ice3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4l4Ccirhy8SBh2GtnYf-Y14mcpjTKuJT5a2o6nnpmY2iVzcuVm1e-qCnIrfe35ZxgIw8c2Tx7yyrsA6SRRED8DPqrN9Zgh7xQ-l2yjThI6_pRScpiZcprTN0DtPVbh_km7abS4SUYUc6RKcSNsbiSD2HTv7fkEQUOTQ8C0WQkIHbOKEU8qVk77H70Egk/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600ice3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I looked out the back door this morning and admired the view of ice glistening from the tallest treetops.</span><p></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-55466053709819861382024-01-11T09:49:00.001-05:002024-01-13T09:51:39.565-05:00The Importance of Flexibility<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMxQ1sHC9iLMm6nsBgUN7fnhijI6PgkTqS7vwuasWvPp8tDJghl9bUC5nwJp9z_CBkelv91eM4sdyp4Hp2ZL3JUJ2ycBtQpxPuO-cOhCLME5JOegca6LU89Rlwt9-RcFxLpbJlSTf-w9ytxCZixtfZh0dNTQ9CdaYe5ZRgZdCbVhSuXuK5SRfV-3f4R5V/s560/ResizerImage560X420turkey.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMxQ1sHC9iLMm6nsBgUN7fnhijI6PgkTqS7vwuasWvPp8tDJghl9bUC5nwJp9z_CBkelv91eM4sdyp4Hp2ZL3JUJ2ycBtQpxPuO-cOhCLME5JOegca6LU89Rlwt9-RcFxLpbJlSTf-w9ytxCZixtfZh0dNTQ9CdaYe5ZRgZdCbVhSuXuK5SRfV-3f4R5V/w640-h480/ResizerImage560X420turkey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I would have to admit that being flexible does not come naturally to me. I like to analyze, strategize, and follow a plan. For example, when I'm in the gym I like to do exercises in a particular order and want the weights and equipment to match each other.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> I've come to realize over the years that life is much easier to deal with if you can be flexible. It gives you a lot more options and it is a lot less stressful and efficient if you can quickly analyze and pivot when things don't go according to plan. It can lead to new opportunities and experiences that you may have been missing out on for years. When I think of the opportunities I've missed out on over the years due to stubbornness I feel like a (see above photo). </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7n8i06cCZ-LJuR9ZY4ZzVsxJTnTj_r_mfGKgrhTz4mNiNyW0WOMJpCHHldROscKBgZiZiXl3f_8I_BsOPa1onesrYZ0EqPlJmOy6PRMyFUY6NbQUzjeavqdc9krLfyA7QqRmZ1ZgYV3ElDhnZukZwLcavlqkdpCRIMmxbGEYBinG4gJMOcsLgm8_sBilL/s560/ResizerImage560X420falcon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7n8i06cCZ-LJuR9ZY4ZzVsxJTnTj_r_mfGKgrhTz4mNiNyW0WOMJpCHHldROscKBgZiZiXl3f_8I_BsOPa1onesrYZ0EqPlJmOy6PRMyFUY6NbQUzjeavqdc9krLfyA7QqRmZ1ZgYV3ElDhnZukZwLcavlqkdpCRIMmxbGEYBinG4gJMOcsLgm8_sBilL/w640-h480/ResizerImage560X420falcon.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">This photo of a Peregrine falcon is an example of two ways that I've added some flexibility to my birding habits.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> One of my rigid birding habits has been that I only go birdwatching in the morning feeling that it is the best time of the day to go birding. This may be true, but I saw this Peregrine Falcon in the afternoon. I made use of 30 minutes of free time and was able to add a great bird to my January list! The other rule I broke was posting a crappy picture. Going forward, I am going to make use of bad photos when necessary. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_8Ju5L-ErrQxoYhKERCI4LClAVmFK1nAFSzQtXhxrLO0rqeYa5YVq03Skmq4BvfDrgBXNfGVCCiwv3CQwMlBgkMH4sgxmTI2YH4tujUN9xW27LMVurLczpweaIWt_e-Yj6ankAmrLEPT2ahiZjr5LVF85RRbAJZG4iUyyLAYS6JKeLUrpLZ9Q99JOv4e/s520/ResizerImage520X390bluey.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="520" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_8Ju5L-ErrQxoYhKERCI4LClAVmFK1nAFSzQtXhxrLO0rqeYa5YVq03Skmq4BvfDrgBXNfGVCCiwv3CQwMlBgkMH4sgxmTI2YH4tujUN9xW27LMVurLczpweaIWt_e-Yj6ankAmrLEPT2ahiZjr5LVF85RRbAJZG4iUyyLAYS6JKeLUrpLZ9Q99JOv4e/w640-h480/ResizerImage520X390bluey.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a grainy one. I might as well get 2 off the books before I delete them. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>In other news, I'm off to a good start for January as I've seen 76 species in Middlesex county so far which is ahead of my usual pace. I like</span><span> to start off strong for the year. Focusing on birds in January makes the month more enjoyable and seems to shorten the winter. </span></span></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-82355463936593116432023-12-24T08:59:00.001-05:002023-12-24T09:03:24.556-05:00Ponds Minus Ice=Ducks<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2a96ivuO3Yp3DWoR9HMpg0_KYNiJpmQl2Q5WOh4wQVWMRDDE4_1OvVvWdyNcHxk4CaSzHfYYyNUfPwnC_r2JgzR7ELpprhwspQaLxCiS9F54LLmw1ABi2BGKuGBXcf-37BudkYHv0j5-l8UBaDx7Js2HoRfhhFBI8oZhy7HGOYk3lqdgg_SQTxGxSiBI/s760/ResizerImage760X570blueby.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="760" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2a96ivuO3Yp3DWoR9HMpg0_KYNiJpmQl2Q5WOh4wQVWMRDDE4_1OvVvWdyNcHxk4CaSzHfYYyNUfPwnC_r2JgzR7ELpprhwspQaLxCiS9F54LLmw1ABi2BGKuGBXcf-37BudkYHv0j5-l8UBaDx7Js2HoRfhhFBI8oZhy7HGOYk3lqdgg_SQTxGxSiBI/w640-h480/ResizerImage760X570blueby.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">So far, the temperatures have been moderate during the day with temperatures reaching the 40's. I've been taking advantage of this weather to search the local ponds for ducks. This is a secret little bog hidden in the woods.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPxrbw-qYU4NtXRkrkOcE2fCLwAeJXPo9IscMKarswquRHme9sJLrWZyCiCJuX6bn3D1iFIcYjnLNz56FFdhg9wSIMVeTSA4GaaUxf6_4FIokfiLqkb051NK10SsQGhVFklBbbowgP91cTiq0xY1cKrsSqA3lrhmz54a2O9Eq2wIJQscophpihW9wkWQ0/s706/ResizerImage706X529villagepond.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="706" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPxrbw-qYU4NtXRkrkOcE2fCLwAeJXPo9IscMKarswquRHme9sJLrWZyCiCJuX6bn3D1iFIcYjnLNz56FFdhg9wSIMVeTSA4GaaUxf6_4FIokfiLqkb051NK10SsQGhVFklBbbowgP91cTiq0xY1cKrsSqA3lrhmz54a2O9Eq2wIJQscophpihW9wkWQ0/w640-h480/ResizerImage706X529villagepond.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">This is a little pond right next to a busy road right in the middle of town. There was a scare a couple of years ago when a Snakefish <a href="https://nyis.info/invasive_species/northern-snakehead/">Snakefish</a> was found here. That is an invasive species and not one you want in your local pond!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PhfgW7gWNGXifoeUkck1UXf8kWs9xOO986RYlBN0D1LbhWBcfbSqpmHaDKtVfC1B4v7gdTyMGndD7tr9h88jzx6Fn7SUqYsITgAOfDPsVvY8Db79nW3Utc-0qQmUsT3aSNDviVGEuWbPKdGYh_-VbcHtQe2_KRZyDSStSHUYMhaUGSMgeXhZNhBix5QQ/s760/ResizerImage760X570hodhood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="760" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PhfgW7gWNGXifoeUkck1UXf8kWs9xOO986RYlBN0D1LbhWBcfbSqpmHaDKtVfC1B4v7gdTyMGndD7tr9h88jzx6Fn7SUqYsITgAOfDPsVvY8Db79nW3Utc-0qQmUsT3aSNDviVGEuWbPKdGYh_-VbcHtQe2_KRZyDSStSHUYMhaUGSMgeXhZNhBix5QQ/w640-h480/ResizerImage760X570hodhood.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Even a mucky little pond like this can have mergansers during the winter when there is open water. I especially like the markings on the Male Hooded Merganser. The female is seen trailing behind.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u371cqH_OnWZ1zQ-Mu3Fp4IBV5-FjZOUMdDeT_HoZE1R_Q5mlqFY4KALvIjs4HNjXad9OtGI1oMZ_z_B6Tpufie6nIiqVm2vAW_H7a56auxW-fNhdsyB5w8m6T2iqQvTjIyhrQLKXKj4VSCB6UzR9dKp5LGqXQKU6CepxCKWq3xKsZouz1kAoFLorYrd/s840/ResizerImage840X630marge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8u371cqH_OnWZ1zQ-Mu3Fp4IBV5-FjZOUMdDeT_HoZE1R_Q5mlqFY4KALvIjs4HNjXad9OtGI1oMZ_z_B6Tpufie6nIiqVm2vAW_H7a56auxW-fNhdsyB5w8m6T2iqQvTjIyhrQLKXKj4VSCB6UzR9dKp5LGqXQKU6CepxCKWq3xKsZouz1kAoFLorYrd/w640-h480/ResizerImage840X630marge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The Common Merganser is actually common during the winter here also. I believe they call them Goosanders in Europe.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I am hopeful that the ice will stay away beyond past the new year. That is when the new list of species starts all over again. It will be nice to find some of the winter birds locally which means less driving around to find what you're looking for.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Merry Christmas And Happy Holidays!</span><br /></span> </p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-73253232788090495822023-12-14T09:07:00.001-05:002023-12-14T09:08:02.306-05:00When The Birds Get Quiet And Disappear<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_qzh71kuEx4OBBP6pXMWj3XMIr99sUeTxXHvrcqreeEa7D43PCgYvr6XFZGIO677P-ewhiZEXH7jYABtWpxeK5O28ZDVONOwOikOV6ePyHPJMXD-UVRutS2Zo-77mIG0eUpvhyphenhyphenJ13_3f_JAtrTbEdvEnXIY8ZVg5hZHLLuJx53n5I2ScyjHUVmxoAj_x/s680/ResizerImage680X510stumped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_qzh71kuEx4OBBP6pXMWj3XMIr99sUeTxXHvrcqreeEa7D43PCgYvr6XFZGIO677P-ewhiZEXH7jYABtWpxeK5O28ZDVONOwOikOV6ePyHPJMXD-UVRutS2Zo-77mIG0eUpvhyphenhyphenJ13_3f_JAtrTbEdvEnXIY8ZVg5hZHLLuJx53n5I2ScyjHUVmxoAj_x/w640-h480/ResizerImage680X510stumped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">It's strange how you can go to a place that is loaded with songbirds one morning and then it's completely silent the next day. I looked everywhere, even turning over trees looking for signs of life.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFLg-maIhDPy-nD6ctV3TH8fPINDn21QTEGsKgf-8rcT1BzlKaXWza1p3SAx8WX8dWHlFy4x6h8oVZfhoIeN8xvl5d49nP5Ugv_R88kgD5UJ8JV1S1iIdEkw1Z_aOu0WYaeysGW-wjznR4KXLt6mT69P3qIkhTvcfTqSLjiaCxODRxpMQpgVhH_NcIV84/s840/ResizerImage840X630hawk.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFLg-maIhDPy-nD6ctV3TH8fPINDn21QTEGsKgf-8rcT1BzlKaXWza1p3SAx8WX8dWHlFy4x6h8oVZfhoIeN8xvl5d49nP5Ugv_R88kgD5UJ8JV1S1iIdEkw1Z_aOu0WYaeysGW-wjznR4KXLt6mT69P3qIkhTvcfTqSLjiaCxODRxpMQpgVhH_NcIV84/w640-h480/ResizerImage840X630hawk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Then after much searching, I finally found one. Now I know why all the other birds went into hiding. Once you get a sharpie or a Cooper's Hawk around all the other little birdies tend to get mighty quiet!</span><br /><p></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-17586578817453924812023-12-03T07:11:00.004-05:002023-12-03T07:14:39.094-05:00The kind Of Snow You Don't Have to Shovel!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGUVOW_1rY7_8bHCghfCvAuSvj4pXZEv7nZP0YNW6dcSGd0rk8-iewM5lQk98Y0XiiU1xXs-f21MTe-zeMl-uhHCoyzmPOLvUVmRwNKRRvUZG6SUqhplaPYLq2LG3KkYmfeXbaDfT_69rqArfPbDvpwyisu3WRbQGjoEr5dyRE_IVWl_vXReufi5S5i5S/s840/ResizerImage840X630dock.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGUVOW_1rY7_8bHCghfCvAuSvj4pXZEv7nZP0YNW6dcSGd0rk8-iewM5lQk98Y0XiiU1xXs-f21MTe-zeMl-uhHCoyzmPOLvUVmRwNKRRvUZG6SUqhplaPYLq2LG3KkYmfeXbaDfT_69rqArfPbDvpwyisu3WRbQGjoEr5dyRE_IVWl_vXReufi5S5i5S/w640-h480/ResizerImage840X630dock.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I was sitting near the dock of the bay after the clouds had already rolled away and to my surprise, some <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snow_Bunting/id">Snow Buntings</a> came my way!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn742JPaUZyCfiblte27N5-AlQRCeTUaRZ85kLqEt-g8LSj1KjVgWAaGY-JWJEKYxOXzm9dZM2Pd951V1H1p2sL62n7Uj1MV9-u3noZDDtY_Ix-Ft85VDysIAS4HgzGFbso9rGJ6BG7XQYdXD09-AWk1o5MLQOW_qDXvAaQZ7PFYsZtS08E_ndNC4KDOBE/s720/ResizerImage720X540bunty%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn742JPaUZyCfiblte27N5-AlQRCeTUaRZ85kLqEt-g8LSj1KjVgWAaGY-JWJEKYxOXzm9dZM2Pd951V1H1p2sL62n7Uj1MV9-u3noZDDtY_Ix-Ft85VDysIAS4HgzGFbso9rGJ6BG7XQYdXD09-AWk1o5MLQOW_qDXvAaQZ7PFYsZtS08E_ndNC4KDOBE/w640-h480/ResizerImage720X540bunty%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I've seen Snow Buntings many times during the winter but usually at Hammonasset State Park. These were at Saybrook Point which is in the county I live in.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiOGHzjko9cFqTwNt_CrjRoQVbKvLB0L3r4c_MvWHU8Fc2yqmJpu4_9dFHYWh3tnjRY63-4abJGtIQB8-X_kCWX-mbA0-G_J6l1IFpBL38lYRSCd1IKzB3mtdFWYZ2WGjGFkPaiLwmKrVv-s6tG85Apqt9FDkPh-GNl1KOlnFQ8z2c_94nfAIFBYgjEbI/s864/ResizerImage864X648bunty1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="864" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiOGHzjko9cFqTwNt_CrjRoQVbKvLB0L3r4c_MvWHU8Fc2yqmJpu4_9dFHYWh3tnjRY63-4abJGtIQB8-X_kCWX-mbA0-G_J6l1IFpBL38lYRSCd1IKzB3mtdFWYZ2WGjGFkPaiLwmKrVv-s6tG85Apqt9FDkPh-GNl1KOlnFQ8z2c_94nfAIFBYgjEbI/w640-h480/ResizerImage864X648bunty1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Another thing I was pleased with was that the buntings were kind enough to sit up on a rail. Usually I see them on the ground mixed in with grass and gravel where it's harder to appreciate the subtle colors and patterns of their feathers.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3b-DqIBbiGSgkiz78HiF3M7fdHZnZYsKPG6G8oP8I4haQpqnuMvIwY_kxxNbOPRpfLeghBsp9Xj9EUMg45U5BSXLQwMHgNJA98xLqN2mMbsrOLz3F2DA7_T68Pg0QyyGzfad-X4j6G2038yoftLbrBVWTcrCxEnwTSxuj_YLAHj0GVLxSIMP5XY9xxZ8t/s600/ResizerImage600X450bunty%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3b-DqIBbiGSgkiz78HiF3M7fdHZnZYsKPG6G8oP8I4haQpqnuMvIwY_kxxNbOPRpfLeghBsp9Xj9EUMg45U5BSXLQwMHgNJA98xLqN2mMbsrOLz3F2DA7_T68Pg0QyyGzfad-X4j6G2038yoftLbrBVWTcrCxEnwTSxuj_YLAHj0GVLxSIMP5XY9xxZ8t/w640-h482/ResizerImage600X450bunty%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">It was nice while it lasted but then they were flying off to an abandoned parking lot. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I appreciate the beauty of a snow storm or 2 during the winter but Snow Bunting have their own kind of beauty and the great thing is you don't need a shovel. Binoculars and a camera will do just fine!</span><br /></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-90556781099496508702023-11-14T09:38:00.004-05:002023-11-14T09:38:00.141-05:00Birding Before Apple-Picking At Lyman's<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExPrwnhe369M91wthfpVGidzQ6_b822yqjADnIVSCaYaNbZkMskSVRog2iSKZqgbCoCaUWDlMwDsdHlM2W1m7X183VW-jzgT0lZfod50cKjYiTudytxmlF48jAz9vneF0913sVseBRws9o7liZIyvNG0qDj0ZZOJkO_KxeAgfYL6mE3vpti79KIyL6l3g/s800/ResizerImage800X600pond.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExPrwnhe369M91wthfpVGidzQ6_b822yqjADnIVSCaYaNbZkMskSVRog2iSKZqgbCoCaUWDlMwDsdHlM2W1m7X183VW-jzgT0lZfod50cKjYiTudytxmlF48jAz9vneF0913sVseBRws9o7liZIyvNG0qDj0ZZOJkO_KxeAgfYL6mE3vpti79KIyL6l3g/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600pond.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Lyman's Orchard is known for their fruit orchards, golf course, restaurant/market, corn maze, and other activities but one of their unadvertised specials is bird-watching. They have a lot of land and sometimes interesting birds show up there. For example, I found some <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Pipit/overview" target="_blank">American Pipits</a> sneaking around in one of their tilled up pumpkin fields the other day. I wasn't able to get any decent pictures of the pipits because they blended in so well with the clumpy dirt. </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2ZSYYuDX150dTkZYKWcTm9d8jGcSYlCmuAGTcb0MewBZnwdX3jXHB6Zj4aFMG4E408MAky5mcV6B6XqHmxJLAlDkiq66hMqRsBBJOgKKULYexmgTqG_dT21se7-E0-zZhq-ffOUQsRYCZHu3SBrqsH7vHtBgFSJBPkpTEWYcmf8GIKoemTdnK2KHdAPz/s800/ResizerImage800X600bbird.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2ZSYYuDX150dTkZYKWcTm9d8jGcSYlCmuAGTcb0MewBZnwdX3jXHB6Zj4aFMG4E408MAky5mcV6B6XqHmxJLAlDkiq66hMqRsBBJOgKKULYexmgTqG_dT21se7-E0-zZhq-ffOUQsRYCZHu3SBrqsH7vHtBgFSJBPkpTEWYcmf8GIKoemTdnK2KHdAPz/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600bbird.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Instead I decided to point my camera at this female Red-winged Blackbird. They may not have the colorful wing patches that the males do but overall, they have an interesting textured look to their feather pattern. I think they are somewhat underappreciated.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSLIT9PbDcQ4ANkmjsufmU8W50KdjauHGeQF-1fT8o9iYBnB3AsQLMbgBhPN5cPyjNoaSGs9zoS-MAimi236-bEFLwIInLgbHPtHm8rUISsZ-3sPh9TlwW5MgOJWOtzutv0gaDzXlEYgB-R83p7obfZr2e82biFB89jE-WpxbQ8XG6LdFjtuc7sbLiVYo/s600/ResizerImage600X450savy2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSLIT9PbDcQ4ANkmjsufmU8W50KdjauHGeQF-1fT8o9iYBnB3AsQLMbgBhPN5cPyjNoaSGs9zoS-MAimi236-bEFLwIInLgbHPtHm8rUISsZ-3sPh9TlwW5MgOJWOtzutv0gaDzXlEYgB-R83p7obfZr2e82biFB89jE-WpxbQ8XG6LdFjtuc7sbLiVYo/w640-h482/ResizerImage600X450savy2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">I still haven't been able to find some sparrows that I have been searching for this year such as the <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Fox_Sparrow/overview" target="_blank">Fox Sparrow</a> or <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-crowned_Sparrow/id" target="_blank">White-crowned Sparrow</a> but Savannah Sparrows like this one have been around it good numbers.</span></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-88963198453503132672023-11-05T13:51:00.001-05:002023-11-09T09:55:32.385-05:00Stare-down Between The 2 Noisiest Hawks<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xq5MXfZXXbOaPjVIjvFTsrSaEzVpw9fh6ThbU8qnOI7fTml6a6wPAjNVYN0F9KOX6L0g0ElSfsNTljSZiz24hxWa0mG6JpiKzOlLzy5Gfxl3hoMuqUv7GkR2nbxtv4pnnYnMrgZU56HKbyAzPZOpHXhRn18_QLgQ2K3Vv2rH5sfZmyFl8LsHIbH4RUGV/s800/ResizerImage800X600rsh2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xq5MXfZXXbOaPjVIjvFTsrSaEzVpw9fh6ThbU8qnOI7fTml6a6wPAjNVYN0F9KOX6L0g0ElSfsNTljSZiz24hxWa0mG6JpiKzOlLzy5Gfxl3hoMuqUv7GkR2nbxtv4pnnYnMrgZU56HKbyAzPZOpHXhRn18_QLgQ2K3Vv2rH5sfZmyFl8LsHIbH4RUGV/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600rsh2.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Red-shouldered Hawks are the noisiest hawks I have ever heard. Their calls might shatter glass if they were on a loudspeaker! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kee-yer! Kee-yer! Kee-yer! </b>over and over again along with other screechy calls. Despite their shrill voices I like that we have plenty of them around to help keep the rodent population under control. They're also a very distinct looking with their football-shaped figure and rusty red chest. I caught this pair in a stare-down the other day. Maybe an argument over whose responsibility it is to make the nest? </span></div></div><p></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-27823538642744451022023-11-01T08:35:00.002-05:002023-11-09T09:55:49.586-05:00Farewell To Foliage <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhZLS_k9TlKYeu86GOeMwhHL2iktvwdD20SugXM0PXcLt5whmUqNgbri8pqPBZJZYVqIVCrPRO5vxdjvfn5-LIVzTRj7PKOX2AqK5TJTFrZNRoxYHFMW5ZlJTE70Tdo1mC9cPF_Bwnt4IK2uLycurS4AQqQ5qIkp-mhlSj9OMl2bHivvsqYCMpsMjCoED/s840/ResizerImage840X630foliagey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhZLS_k9TlKYeu86GOeMwhHL2iktvwdD20SugXM0PXcLt5whmUqNgbri8pqPBZJZYVqIVCrPRO5vxdjvfn5-LIVzTRj7PKOX2AqK5TJTFrZNRoxYHFMW5ZlJTE70Tdo1mC9cPF_Bwnt4IK2uLycurS4AQqQ5qIkp-mhlSj9OMl2bHivvsqYCMpsMjCoED/w640-h480/ResizerImage840X630foliagey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">It wasn't the greatest fall for viewing foliage in Connecticut this year but I stopped my car as I was driving through the hills of Lyman's Orchard to have one last look.</span><br /><p></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-73703570628782773902023-10-27T10:50:00.005-05:002023-11-09T09:56:59.843-05:00Mockingbird, Starling & Merlin App<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuadoj3hSnYCH2kTwaL015q7hc0oX1XBRkhkaHUP05r-PEZqOLWsqLBwEbZV-1m2bX7TVvoJ_1T3JddUdMzmKHIfPQVrXpI2fMEg2SxQp_LQz3XGAydwKEV415Gogm5hj33_EcNe9zdubhFG0ZvCXgqdULmnYOtd8LkANXf-_mLgfV-b73pKty3uSwDE9r/s841/ResizerImage841X630solar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="841" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuadoj3hSnYCH2kTwaL015q7hc0oX1XBRkhkaHUP05r-PEZqOLWsqLBwEbZV-1m2bX7TVvoJ_1T3JddUdMzmKHIfPQVrXpI2fMEg2SxQp_LQz3XGAydwKEV415Gogm5hj33_EcNe9zdubhFG0ZvCXgqdULmnYOtd8LkANXf-_mLgfV-b73pKty3uSwDE9r/w640-h480/ResizerImage841X630solar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm always looking for new places around town to check out. You just never know if a spot is going to be any good for birding unless you try it. There was quite a bit of sparrow habitat in the land near these solar panels, so I gave it a try. if you look closely, there is a bird set on top of the solar panel. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAnOadEnenrjl3RYzgikuPjEI7-IOqFbm4K4SqMbldBLZf89LUPBJO7nC2c2WESyEGwozdusMZFt4U3PakpPPIDR12WIuRYlR9u3RpICk_FdyoC_PXgwfkM93TL5jb0Lnnbf1f4CzmPmHF-OsuPmEq636x0nM5nSx9bmUZSNhrE9j3AWpStGIjcGfrSQC/s845/ResizerImage845X633starling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="845" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAnOadEnenrjl3RYzgikuPjEI7-IOqFbm4K4SqMbldBLZf89LUPBJO7nC2c2WESyEGwozdusMZFt4U3PakpPPIDR12WIuRYlR9u3RpICk_FdyoC_PXgwfkM93TL5jb0Lnnbf1f4CzmPmHF-OsuPmEq636x0nM5nSx9bmUZSNhrE9j3AWpStGIjcGfrSQC/w640-h480/ResizerImage845X633starling.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">A lot of birders dislike European Starling because they're not native. I actually think they are visually appealing when the sun is shining on them. They can imitate certain birds and make a whole slew of sounds that are interesting and hard to figure out. Some have been known to imitate the human voice as well.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7c6cXxgDOsnvUCEZk3jrIBH8QBuRd7mYdAFhW6p2bG467LSs_wLkCiGTkF9lFCRNWc5PJGUP1fsX6bqpJrio3Ku2xdHNL3g3_BwlojlgDedIRe-b-wGRPOySr89qLgHsMdCbUbdj1gpff0q3rYeLA617kH_XsT5TtFmRu0oUwKogQIlR8ly5GTuqe7TC/s840/ResizerImage840X630m3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7c6cXxgDOsnvUCEZk3jrIBH8QBuRd7mYdAFhW6p2bG467LSs_wLkCiGTkF9lFCRNWc5PJGUP1fsX6bqpJrio3Ku2xdHNL3g3_BwlojlgDedIRe-b-wGRPOySr89qLgHsMdCbUbdj1gpff0q3rYeLA617kH_XsT5TtFmRu0oUwKogQIlR8ly5GTuqe7TC/w640-h480/ResizerImage840X630m3.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The Northern Mockingbird has to be when it comes to imitating other birds though. When they are on a roll, they can imitate multitudes of birds in rapid-fire fashion! </span><span style="font-size: large;">Although starlings and mockingbirds are in different families of bird species, they both imitate birds. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A lot of people have been using the <a href="https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/sound-id/">Merlin identification app</a>. It picks up sounds of birds and shows you what birds are around. It works pretty well, if you stand still quietly but sometimes it displays a rare bird that you have to wonder about. I believe it can make mistakes, so it shouldn't be used as the sole source of bird identification. It can be a nice tool, however, in helping to let you know what potential species might be in the area. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When I was out on this particular day, the Merlin App showed that there was a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=gray-cheeked+thrush&oq=gray-cheeked+thrush&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyBwgBEC4YgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyCAgDEAAYFhgeMggIBBAAGBYYHjIICAUQABgWGB4yCAgGEAAYFhgeMggIBxAAGBYYHjIICAgQABgWGB4yCAgJEAAYFhge0gEINTk0MGowajSoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">Gray-cheeked Thrush</a> nearby which would be a rare bird sighting in this area. Unlikely, but it's always worth looking. Anyway, I didn't find one. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This led me to a question. Did the mockingbird or starling imitate the Gray-cheeked Thrush and set off the merlin Alert? I guess I'll never know but it is an interesting possibility.</span></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-70810494781553450162023-10-20T14:08:00.005-05:002023-11-09T09:59:05.733-05:00Putting The Chore List Before The Birding List<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuY817aBDe30PK6-O3C6c5dLp78-GBnEnGqobbfNdLqbohNM19bI6Hc6j6f5Amp1-DgdjvPsbKwVjWMJOoBMafZrM6bGSKXOuW7gYyML1z8jMXvzdpVep-XHbqeJ0z1mbrUukuPmnHiDU_38iml_vLQAzQlbRUmUegL1iyKlG7gG_cz4lvRLooDT_CKOw/s678/ResizerImage678X420rail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="678" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuY817aBDe30PK6-O3C6c5dLp78-GBnEnGqobbfNdLqbohNM19bI6Hc6j6f5Amp1-DgdjvPsbKwVjWMJOoBMafZrM6bGSKXOuW7gYyML1z8jMXvzdpVep-XHbqeJ0z1mbrUukuPmnHiDU_38iml_vLQAzQlbRUmUegL1iyKlG7gG_cz4lvRLooDT_CKOw/w640-h396/ResizerImage678X420rail.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There are a lot of house chores I put off in the spring so I could enjoy chasing warblers but when fall arrives you start to realize you are running out of time. I needed to paint these wood rails that border a flat roof but it requires the right conditions. It seems like it was raining every other day and I couldn't make up my mind if I should use a ladder or take a chance that the roof would hold my weight. I finally deduced that if it can hold snow then it can hold me. I finally finished that project along with a couple of others on my list so I can get back to some birding again.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnaW3RYdZ0mtsjo5ZBETAeSEx8Ft7ZpWXx20RRYRC71_fdbKl0aqI7lsNq_b3NtYAKQrlKCqbqvdRvKfGwJYoATlrHWahqnxDFRBP53ic3C-pf_G8vNR56tPIlI-dNyFN2ISi9JGQJWTfCTcjawGW3GB2kkyl6JU5igcFJpGRlR-7VvnKF-X54fg7airj/s680/river1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnaW3RYdZ0mtsjo5ZBETAeSEx8Ft7ZpWXx20RRYRC71_fdbKl0aqI7lsNq_b3NtYAKQrlKCqbqvdRvKfGwJYoATlrHWahqnxDFRBP53ic3C-pf_G8vNR56tPIlI-dNyFN2ISi9JGQJWTfCTcjawGW3GB2kkyl6JU5igcFJpGRlR-7VvnKF-X54fg7airj/w640-h480/river1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Besides the rain, morning fog has been another challenge in the mornings. It was so foggy that it was blurring the lenses on my camera and binoculars.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmdQtBnoPM39Tq8awBowuhx4KY0UjllMyzjfvaPbkUQ_eBtA2ZIRU-BwSegwL6nmISx2DQkTA-fnIVmKcCcCs5ETqLI-yCJgawKKHDqJWy1F8Ky7OBWpeExjcPb8TDagSHG3lTAtNrXsurSLPTcwpd-xqDUz4Ve-Mh9RBKjfqPJaoelBskQNVkjzbKAJB/s720/ResizerImage720X540kittycat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmdQtBnoPM39Tq8awBowuhx4KY0UjllMyzjfvaPbkUQ_eBtA2ZIRU-BwSegwL6nmISx2DQkTA-fnIVmKcCcCs5ETqLI-yCJgawKKHDqJWy1F8Ky7OBWpeExjcPb8TDagSHG3lTAtNrXsurSLPTcwpd-xqDUz4Ve-Mh9RBKjfqPJaoelBskQNVkjzbKAJB/w640-h480/ResizerImage720X540kittycat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There won't be many catbirds around for much longer so it was nice to get an eye to eye look at this one.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcblyD-6dys-XEADiT7Z97JLKt2wZ7d25PPcRdWVGRzXHUNbEaxH76AxsvR-cASFX1qJnfnwOU4kpgdnjrQTsUQeGledmhR4OCdBSs0zm9sHsoT0OsC3me7py-T6aIk0lAkMULqO-LbbAdgz7OAe4C6V58HuAiU-WDQa2i8eDtWuqd-YqDudY6N1KjPXez/s755/ResizerImage755X579palm2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="755" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcblyD-6dys-XEADiT7Z97JLKt2wZ7d25PPcRdWVGRzXHUNbEaxH76AxsvR-cASFX1qJnfnwOU4kpgdnjrQTsUQeGledmhR4OCdBSs0zm9sHsoT0OsC3me7py-T6aIk0lAkMULqO-LbbAdgz7OAe4C6V58HuAiU-WDQa2i8eDtWuqd-YqDudY6N1KjPXez/w640-h490/ResizerImage755X579palm2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There have been a good number of Palm Warblers bouncing around the bushes and on the ground.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes you have to put your chore list before you work on your birding list. If you're like me, you can enjoy your time in nature more if you don't have visions of unfinished work haunting you!</span><br /></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-14853833722290276912023-10-15T13:20:00.002-05:002023-11-09T09:59:33.531-05:00Searching For Foliage, Ducks, And Sparrows<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vCVXvbIsBmZT6zw2cwszc6hlKpMVkf_P8N10Ce_ZHBBqaqpZpgZ1PSP1Zc31t6oR6BTF6YwZWIO9dKXqLl-ialI8URdaxqbDRcZvGZY9Zh5so16ep3rDUMffGfOT1acMWay2DPRCDgHpO9l3mQjNarh5A9uRo56CB73fBpKPEEw8oHuzo5PJJMteOP98/s800/ResizerImage800X6002p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vCVXvbIsBmZT6zw2cwszc6hlKpMVkf_P8N10Ce_ZHBBqaqpZpgZ1PSP1Zc31t6oR6BTF6YwZWIO9dKXqLl-ialI8URdaxqbDRcZvGZY9Zh5so16ep3rDUMffGfOT1acMWay2DPRCDgHpO9l3mQjNarh5A9uRo56CB73fBpKPEEw8oHuzo5PJJMteOP98/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X6002p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I went for a morning walk at Highland Pond in Middletown. The foliage season has been lagging this year, probably due to the excessive amount of rain we've had this season. I was able to enjoy a glimpse of fall color as I walked around the pond.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWzfOqCt_pM6wukNQyQcSORkgCx45LR_bNrIpALm9cxGN_m6o690iGVT7ZPgB0vXHXb9s9CH-nX_XCsgrLMcjaaqwcgr5c7uICbefqROsXPEztO6TWGw9obKb9BWPs1JW48eRJ7NZHJEHz-Pg4ZqxRVFqb5rS-Erbl4O9Kg3ry73eNxau7edeLg-sVqjo/s800/ResizerImage800X600wood%20duck1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWzfOqCt_pM6wukNQyQcSORkgCx45LR_bNrIpALm9cxGN_m6o690iGVT7ZPgB0vXHXb9s9CH-nX_XCsgrLMcjaaqwcgr5c7uICbefqROsXPEztO6TWGw9obKb9BWPs1JW48eRJ7NZHJEHz-Pg4ZqxRVFqb5rS-Erbl4O9Kg3ry73eNxau7edeLg-sVqjo/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600wood%20duck1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Sparrow migration seems to be running behind schedule too this year for whatever reason. There's been a few new ducks showing up in the area although that usually doesn't get going until November. Wood Ducks can be found in Connecticut most of the year if you know where to look. They may be common but they're not common looking!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ctJjhxigC3yhsCsP9kLJHrWFG7mNlmuhLko51uy9kpYCk3h3Kbo5nB07_HUfoEh893Gc0Px_o22SZ7uu37V3HheNtqhtji1K6sozcovuJXMSEZEeyC4n5MNZ6Xu2KSrrNKWyBQQCZsCh-tlb1WykomyUSLAgrIxeHKG0QJqsfemQZewd-h7Q1JuPTCO0/s738/ResizerImage738X556wood%20ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="738" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ctJjhxigC3yhsCsP9kLJHrWFG7mNlmuhLko51uy9kpYCk3h3Kbo5nB07_HUfoEh893Gc0Px_o22SZ7uu37V3HheNtqhtji1K6sozcovuJXMSEZEeyC4n5MNZ6Xu2KSrrNKWyBQQCZsCh-tlb1WykomyUSLAgrIxeHKG0QJqsfemQZewd-h7Q1JuPTCO0/w640-h484/ResizerImage738X556wood%20ducks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There was a dozen or so making their way around the pond. The pictures were zoomed in from quite a distance.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, not many sparrows seen other than a few White-throated but a little foliage and some handsome Wood Ducks. As <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meat_Loaf" target="_blank">Meatloaf</a> used to say- "2 out of 3 ain't bad"!<br /></span> </p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-44534359544276558012023-09-23T06:58:00.008-05:002023-11-09T10:00:24.995-05:00At the Shore And In The Yard<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxl8U77uLhBOY9uejMW5VDvH2nz_oahk4Fp9wUFRfewnoSNlL4ZIK2QQsewiPUczovKW1TSk5BRoLOxlK61Moo_DIQ16LeAZ990VxhX75SK0zNoqeobiBH7ZLkm-AbFxbtP7wtKizZWlKVAsC6YNFeWSVp1tHFsZfgYxsSOF_tXYFY1ArrGc0qFfeRf79/s800/ResizerImage800X600shore1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxl8U77uLhBOY9uejMW5VDvH2nz_oahk4Fp9wUFRfewnoSNlL4ZIK2QQsewiPUczovKW1TSk5BRoLOxlK61Moo_DIQ16LeAZ990VxhX75SK0zNoqeobiBH7ZLkm-AbFxbtP7wtKizZWlKVAsC6YNFeWSVp1tHFsZfgYxsSOF_tXYFY1ArrGc0qFfeRf79/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600shore1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There's been a mix of things going on this time of year. I stopped by the shoreline the other day and the weather felt like perfect fall weather. A cool, dry morning in the 60's.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix18L7bufQBgowJkRIc_cFJyaJHwnSmbxbtjj7QYr50Dqci6TBSZgMz3xVLx705g2clE5U-zIOLeiGV5X2Y8Ml96RZ5nT6L2pShuYtQBNLs_rmao2Dx4NVMivhPcR3fdOQYHWsJcQAFL6LHtkpwpIbrZuO0fKNwrBJ2J0dNNCNxoPvFlIWF7OMpxQ6k0KA/s674/ResizerImage674X446turnstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="674" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix18L7bufQBgowJkRIc_cFJyaJHwnSmbxbtjj7QYr50Dqci6TBSZgMz3xVLx705g2clE5U-zIOLeiGV5X2Y8Ml96RZ5nT6L2pShuYtQBNLs_rmao2Dx4NVMivhPcR3fdOQYHWsJcQAFL6LHtkpwpIbrZuO0fKNwrBJ2J0dNNCNxoPvFlIWF7OMpxQ6k0KA/w640-h424/ResizerImage674X446turnstone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I was able to find a few new county birds including Ruddy Turnstone down in Westbrook. After Labor Day it's easier to get to more shoreline birding spots as rules seem to be a little less strict once the beachgoer season is over.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqmB2DzpBV_oZ1Z3abvLmBa4JRLsgY7rRLyuhrKdiAc2BnYm8ebvqN_3aX3KFbrqQ2xz8xTaOh4GllsorbC5-jC_L9Xi4VyrLTYaAbKRIpBxR0HfWcjpkYY4iyvg9yqfRddnQePAK2Y2w9K1jfoyOE8zRYRmV12Z1ld8qlav-Gwoxx98-0VJeQfoK2nZ6/s680/ResizerImage680X510fly1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqmB2DzpBV_oZ1Z3abvLmBa4JRLsgY7rRLyuhrKdiAc2BnYm8ebvqN_3aX3KFbrqQ2xz8xTaOh4GllsorbC5-jC_L9Xi4VyrLTYaAbKRIpBxR0HfWcjpkYY4iyvg9yqfRddnQePAK2Y2w9K1jfoyOE8zRYRmV12Z1ld8qlav-Gwoxx98-0VJeQfoK2nZ6/w640-h480/ResizerImage680X510fly1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't had a chance to look this one up in a book yet but if anyone knows their dragonflies and damselflies feel free to jump in with the answer!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4ucEiacjrtraGedZSHYDu5h-JAAs8YRiIl2-MR3N3PcOOfaqSNHpPIoCul6CT4DWe2iChnKVGiI7p6Fz8wwa1enhQJJ3FogiluNYezGsvx-FHbJTnv20qk4wtKyGyH5xndGQXCGywktWVoSNCAW9XMyU555k10sxW2waf9o4BllN6VERW5VaLNmKpwMs/s680/ResizerImage680X510bb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4ucEiacjrtraGedZSHYDu5h-JAAs8YRiIl2-MR3N3PcOOfaqSNHpPIoCul6CT4DWe2iChnKVGiI7p6Fz8wwa1enhQJJ3FogiluNYezGsvx-FHbJTnv20qk4wtKyGyH5xndGQXCGywktWVoSNCAW9XMyU555k10sxW2waf9o4BllN6VERW5VaLNmKpwMs/w640-h480/ResizerImage680X510bb1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">When I was growing up I never saw bluebirds. Now they nest in my yard. One of life's small pleasures!</span><br /><p></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-45696864445971002432023-09-07T11:43:00.011-05:002023-11-09T10:02:13.044-05:00The Roseate Spoonbill Was Worth Chasing!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQFYDuU1B3G0CCLtyZ8Q1k4Lzi3Ja1Oy-VbJgB5E1sTQzMwsihTs-DwbTekwpJH-C_roV69MBD4abspyDLdBK_Zq2m4nVZupdkxYU6wshiUzX67LcBRcVQ0LnSw_COCuCIx4mnKHv6TBrm7IP3Xf7DgZIfAobueIHjdmdE3DhoFYxoi7h-DhJV6soJD3T/s720/ResizerImage720X540pink1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQFYDuU1B3G0CCLtyZ8Q1k4Lzi3Ja1Oy-VbJgB5E1sTQzMwsihTs-DwbTekwpJH-C_roV69MBD4abspyDLdBK_Zq2m4nVZupdkxYU6wshiUzX67LcBRcVQ0LnSw_COCuCIx4mnKHv6TBrm7IP3Xf7DgZIfAobueIHjdmdE3DhoFYxoi7h-DhJV6soJD3T/w640-h480/ResizerImage720X540pink1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I avoid chasing rare birds unless they show up near where I live. I even shut off the rare birds alert outside of my county so I wouldn't be tempted to drive all over the state burning gas. I am not one of the top birders that is in competition with others to build the biggest list so that is not a motivating factor. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There are some exceptions to this rule. If: 1) The bird has been hanging around for a couple of days </span><span><span style="font-size: large;">2) It's a species I've never seen before and 3) It's rare for this area 4) It's a bird that interests me. </span><i><span style="font-size: medium;">(I wouldn't burn up gas to see a sparrow that looks just like another sparrow except it has a tail feather that's a centimeter longer than his cousin). </span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>It just so happened that someone told me that there was a <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Spoonbill/id">Roseate Spoonbill</a> hanging out in Milford Connecticut for several days. </span><span>This a species that has only been reported in Connecticut a handful of times.</span><span> </span><span>I decided that this would be a bird worth chasing because it passed all 4 of my qualifiers. </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfeQYM709-fuDvI-VLdTDkrKZav-putxEz3vCI1_ScAvwmHEJhE3DLfWIuqg1RnmDbpAQtJy6ShwX0DhsEukrPaOaYXBXobOKMxrYj78irejOfqpklctvlwy_5USklnWDASSXBzhPySbTe7zHlaJYoigLL5PO4DPZmnlgKSsJZZ64Fp2yL7AbEJ7dfjYw/s600/ResizerImage600X450spoon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfeQYM709-fuDvI-VLdTDkrKZav-putxEz3vCI1_ScAvwmHEJhE3DLfWIuqg1RnmDbpAQtJy6ShwX0DhsEukrPaOaYXBXobOKMxrYj78irejOfqpklctvlwy_5USklnWDASSXBzhPySbTe7zHlaJYoigLL5PO4DPZmnlgKSsJZZ64Fp2yL7AbEJ7dfjYw/w640-h482/ResizerImage600X450spoon.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The Roseate Spoonbill has a pinkish color due to its diet and as you can see, has a spoon-shaped</span><span> bill. What you don't see in the picture is that it makes a sweeping motion side to side when it has its bill underwater searching for food. This was one interesting bird that was worth the chase!</span></span></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-10597700329296211662023-08-30T09:36:00.005-05:002023-11-09T10:04:41.778-05:004 Bird Sightings to Close Out August<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDBHPW-ZKzkVfzqvxmD-e-DJ1k_0LJBmqkNN3YVFv-bJgdl0x6KPLV7RUs-hPwhxnvxlXhWhBcCYjPOCnbIN74hhwP2hv5QHnMXnXsxy--t03PWrGPT35Hig3-dUucowF-o49jb1DkavKlW99oyg77UCKe8KoBvBoPjNZKiIN7TEqZJNuH_gPLmmtxhOO/s640/ResizerImage640X480train.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDBHPW-ZKzkVfzqvxmD-e-DJ1k_0LJBmqkNN3YVFv-bJgdl0x6KPLV7RUs-hPwhxnvxlXhWhBcCYjPOCnbIN74hhwP2hv5QHnMXnXsxy--t03PWrGPT35Hig3-dUucowF-o49jb1DkavKlW99oyg77UCKe8KoBvBoPjNZKiIN7TEqZJNuH_gPLmmtxhOO/w640-h480/ResizerImage640X480train.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't do a whole of of birding in August. I read so much about killer worms, mosquitoes, ticks and amoebas that I was torn between just staying home or giving up reading. I decided on one last outing before the end of August. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I chose to take a walk along some tracks towards a big marsh. The sign says that trains are active again on these old tracks but the overhead speed bumps would probably slow them down a little.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-drI04nBLuKsI9br0XrGqWxYD_vUr559640ijZ8x_p0RoWL1u2eBOHLDQ1Q9B7EfDps1K2PF8GCZ8HOoaspL_idwgRu4ESBqi5IidjmNdjiHJjoRS4tRk3TmRsKzNV-fz83XMBVfGhfnoNNUCemhSxMF84FLafvKldQLuchd_ZTxMGlBQ4eVcj_BqBCF/s619/ResizerImage619X539soli.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="619" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-drI04nBLuKsI9br0XrGqWxYD_vUr559640ijZ8x_p0RoWL1u2eBOHLDQ1Q9B7EfDps1K2PF8GCZ8HOoaspL_idwgRu4ESBqi5IidjmNdjiHJjoRS4tRk3TmRsKzNV-fz83XMBVfGhfnoNNUCemhSxMF84FLafvKldQLuchd_ZTxMGlBQ4eVcj_BqBCF/w640-h558/ResizerImage619X539soli.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There have been many inland shorebirds this month including the Solitary Sandpiper which has a distinct eye ring and sort of greenish-yellow legs.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeI9V6HhpxAOqoaoNni4VFewEeGOWjSYF5QLEruRlqQg4iwZXmULWkWEK3r71eyRVD9iD_VlIKed7jgmVDGapd47IV17b-PIIs7mC0VcgNKoOPoezibe5JFPN1utj9j2WQcieSyN-0-1zStEVeWJkqvAEAbI5Buu_jC0g43XSJBRDQo4Mc9Hzn5E8f3MI/s632/ResizerImage632X610ghkite.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="632" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeI9V6HhpxAOqoaoNni4VFewEeGOWjSYF5QLEruRlqQg4iwZXmULWkWEK3r71eyRVD9iD_VlIKed7jgmVDGapd47IV17b-PIIs7mC0VcgNKoOPoezibe5JFPN1utj9j2WQcieSyN-0-1zStEVeWJkqvAEAbI5Buu_jC0g43XSJBRDQo4Mc9Hzn5E8f3MI/w640-h618/ResizerImage632X610ghkite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Some poor kid must have got his egret kite caught in the bushes.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgSKJOaM5iVgz0jfhzoR-2PqdUO3hYKWQm2Z6nM7Q-v1xmdTfmLCB9u-jwhXiYZnuRR1yhtmdcqbc9Cv8inod1oOkitKLeaGCtsHD2DV6owXQwz3kbqSgSDo9tD2aGnAjjUPbbOwlydXyBKoC-va3mANMd3EXPn_xQ8t70MGhFsL9wusQGRNRN65YHafb/s600/ResizerImage600X450ghe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgSKJOaM5iVgz0jfhzoR-2PqdUO3hYKWQm2Z6nM7Q-v1xmdTfmLCB9u-jwhXiYZnuRR1yhtmdcqbc9Cv8inod1oOkitKLeaGCtsHD2DV6owXQwz3kbqSgSDo9tD2aGnAjjUPbbOwlydXyBKoC-va3mANMd3EXPn_xQ8t70MGhFsL9wusQGRNRN65YHafb/w640-h482/ResizerImage600X450ghe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">There was a healthy population of Green Herons in the area. This is one of four that I saw but most of them blended in too well with the surrounding for me to get a picture.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFwFZZI63sQSrbfx3DiSDlS4ujUqikeYyMJ9r9IRCdBbekyYmIeWpCCaqq6i1lTia1huxLRGGlHeDm9NOzvzFhk8rSf3FhUW3XPbk_Vz4RXpALAEFDPorsuGalPahJ0LYcZfh6nMiY3hXlIvxD1BSsbrmOu2q6XgEsHVDX5xX6S3pJfIBVZgWyr5Tc4y8/s600/ResizerImage600X450young0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFwFZZI63sQSrbfx3DiSDlS4ujUqikeYyMJ9r9IRCdBbekyYmIeWpCCaqq6i1lTia1huxLRGGlHeDm9NOzvzFhk8rSf3FhUW3XPbk_Vz4RXpALAEFDPorsuGalPahJ0LYcZfh6nMiY3hXlIvxD1BSsbrmOu2q6XgEsHVDX5xX6S3pJfIBVZgWyr5Tc4y8/w640-h482/ResizerImage600X450young0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">This looks like a young oriole to me. I don't have time to look it up so I'll just go with that unless someone corrects me.</span><br /> <div><span style="font-size: large;">There are some things that I enjoy about August but being out in the woods watching birds is not at the top of my list. I'm looking forward to September with lower temperatures and a welcome invasion of migrating hawks!</span></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-40643084820939830082023-08-13T08:29:00.006-05:002023-11-09T10:05:27.226-05:00Tree Egrets And Sandpiper At Fairgrounds<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUHKZEpVRjHys2p7fUjt3VEa7FbLzmWYBriX_ktkvCzlWN-1njC1oQ2rNHp80tC65GiY-7CLpKqqhHvmUf9oPYP0-FbsM0lEuxDGV7ZcYC0GCYdT-SIKh37nB5Zz_EiFPh3uBmc0c6SDxWNvcowWMEd57Zh0tBJHfiVeiYFY7LrdvmUJfgKmWJd96Slr_/s600/ResizerImage600X450treegrets.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUHKZEpVRjHys2p7fUjt3VEa7FbLzmWYBriX_ktkvCzlWN-1njC1oQ2rNHp80tC65GiY-7CLpKqqhHvmUf9oPYP0-FbsM0lEuxDGV7ZcYC0GCYdT-SIKh37nB5Zz_EiFPh3uBmc0c6SDxWNvcowWMEd57Zh0tBJHfiVeiYFY7LrdvmUJfgKmWJd96Slr_/w640-h482/ResizerImage600X450treegrets.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">By August I am a little burned out on birding and just looking forward to fall weather. I struggle to come up with places I would like to check out factoring in heat, bugs, and an overabundance of foliage. I settled on visiting one of my old go-to spots at the Portland fairgrounds. This is a place that rarely disappoints me and you never know for sure what you might run into. This time is was great Egrets in a tree.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JGkYiaDYFo7w51CsLr9x9xQ1FB4exAq0twO5ghVlyeCe9N3El1kK2GPlri84BhjUtJuSlN6U-L_ZeJdDiGdSnq9xNQFvocEctGDQFzc-1WurdTL5uohEJ_a1L5kOO-E-RDmYP-W1jkMFn6HAY5E7pKBESKaN2WjxT18dq-H1OAR2HvZ79N8HYzjj6pOy/s680/ResizerImage680X510noegrets.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JGkYiaDYFo7w51CsLr9x9xQ1FB4exAq0twO5ghVlyeCe9N3El1kK2GPlri84BhjUtJuSlN6U-L_ZeJdDiGdSnq9xNQFvocEctGDQFzc-1WurdTL5uohEJ_a1L5kOO-E-RDmYP-W1jkMFn6HAY5E7pKBESKaN2WjxT18dq-H1OAR2HvZ79N8HYzjj6pOy/w640-h480/ResizerImage680X510noegrets.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">That was the little spark I needed to make me feel as though it was worth getting out instead of sticking around at the house doing yardwork. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When I think about it, I enjoy fish out of water type of movies. That is probably the reason seeing Great Egrets in a tree at the fairgrounds instead of the shore makes this particular sighting more appealing to me.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWpgjZTeTwbjfZzAaz9jGHxGnCteIB8XZQoyaKBfz72mSSgwaUsODev13kMlwvf2j5uJA2x6X5_uuTuLCqCfL17WkH-RGiXjrBHi73_ZaQqPuYqCnktLAUm40ErJ6Jp9uhtVrkGMYXkZbZq2oOIdfb_KmYdBXohqgRnAHcEcQNJ63_gDigXnIEY7fQ7s9/s800/ResizerImage800X600solitaro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWpgjZTeTwbjfZzAaz9jGHxGnCteIB8XZQoyaKBfz72mSSgwaUsODev13kMlwvf2j5uJA2x6X5_uuTuLCqCfL17WkH-RGiXjrBHi73_ZaQqPuYqCnktLAUm40ErJ6Jp9uhtVrkGMYXkZbZq2oOIdfb_KmYdBXohqgRnAHcEcQNJ63_gDigXnIEY7fQ7s9/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600solitaro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Then I turned my gaze from high up in the trees to down at ground level. A Solitary Sandpiper was practically stepping on my shoes. I think it was getting ready to untie my shoelaces!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There's always something good to see at the fairgrounds when there is water left over from the rainstorms.</span><br /> </p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-63902554048300549422023-08-07T11:50:00.002-05:002023-11-09T10:06:14.834-05:00Hibiscus Therapy And the End Of Pumpkinzini<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzIvRNNLx4GtsREe-_9yj74ICZl3F804VP7eqHEtY6DdP-uGoUHdmbiFnT9iI-cWV21SRIJgweTZVt6c8nmZGxafpVoDF8A0HEEXE2KOU0m9wCRf_3opXjxuXoanMaqqlItddndh6gHH1-UkBW0etClPriZiwr4n_6-am6zCFCu4jKHRRYOjiWH5lmExk/s800/ResizerImage800X600hibiscus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzIvRNNLx4GtsREe-_9yj74ICZl3F804VP7eqHEtY6DdP-uGoUHdmbiFnT9iI-cWV21SRIJgweTZVt6c8nmZGxafpVoDF8A0HEEXE2KOU0m9wCRf_3opXjxuXoanMaqqlItddndh6gHH1-UkBW0etClPriZiwr4n_6-am6zCFCu4jKHRRYOjiWH5lmExk/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600hibiscus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, I learned first hand about the Woolly Adelgid this year. It is a tiny aphid-like insect that clings to the underside of pine needles and suck out all of the sap. It killed 5 of my Eastern Hemlock trees which were probably 60 years old. So I cut them all down and started to create a new outdoor space. I ground the stumps, planted some new shrubs and put down some mulch.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It needed a little color so I tried a perennial hibiscus. I decided to try to do this blog post from a backyard gazebo and was pleased to find out that I'm able to pick up my internet signal from here. Bluebirds are singing and I'm able to get a little hibiscus therapy while I'm typing away. It has come to my attention that you can also make tea from the dried flowers so that's an added bonus!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIDX4QyGqhCj9KZlKBwLROPmdtm2GXNE3gVvYTciG08uqFT2W6Q1XprslwSh7kwgUXRxBbQyimy66Ws2mwNULGwHDoHinUO0YV217M9FafeFkXIog7Dn2sreJ5OK3vHA8LBqU7VMvjj3Mkms51G2wQVDZwQVNByFBr0XzFM7bmoIpFqKWJfLAFyNLs8bg/s800/ResizerImage800X600pumpkin3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIDX4QyGqhCj9KZlKBwLROPmdtm2GXNE3gVvYTciG08uqFT2W6Q1XprslwSh7kwgUXRxBbQyimy66Ws2mwNULGwHDoHinUO0YV217M9FafeFkXIog7Dn2sreJ5OK3vHA8LBqU7VMvjj3Mkms51G2wQVDZwQVNByFBr0XzFM7bmoIpFqKWJfLAFyNLs8bg/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600pumpkin3.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><span style="font-size: large;">An update on my pumpkin? Zucchini? patch. These have to be just plain old pumpkins. They must have just mislabeled the plant. I've never grown pumpkins before. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Hopefully, they will turn orange at some point.</span><span> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5Z5T_MVFmcYt-Am8zqcCS-b2Qlp_xlQdlIDbPABmbPO1wTPZkTB1B-Bm4XSs2-Rm8LxXXyl1ub17wqi1BhFnIDjrYEsNx4wualeX2kfWYodtbGxAIyajTFMMNVoRqM9nehPex_U96kX4nD24aoBplF8Z3hN8Umc3SVlAPs6iryw9g30IbZ8yvhkNIgNy/s800/ResizerImage800X600pumpkin2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5Z5T_MVFmcYt-Am8zqcCS-b2Qlp_xlQdlIDbPABmbPO1wTPZkTB1B-Bm4XSs2-Rm8LxXXyl1ub17wqi1BhFnIDjrYEsNx4wualeX2kfWYodtbGxAIyajTFMMNVoRqM9nehPex_U96kX4nD24aoBplF8Z3hN8Umc3SVlAPs6iryw9g30IbZ8yvhkNIgNy/w640-h480/ResizerImage800X600pumpkin2.jpg" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-size: large;">I noticed some are dark green now while others are light green like this one. I'll be curious as to how they turn out in the end!</span><p></p><div><span style="font-size: large;">I can already feel fall just around the corner. I'll soon be chasing sparrows and searching the skies for migrating hawks.</span></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-55151808370273881562023-07-31T09:10:00.001-05:002023-08-02T09:30:59.491-05:00Quick Shore Trip During Heatwave<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2R0D_MyKjqeSd7y9HDtlMVz121c-i-PJcXhKFbRUdHmsNa_6QXs3gxIzf2PrHx9d3bIoeCxMmPR-u-5ouiOuV0Fj1kR-lRucnithrowMMYah0oh3iIUrCw4bVgy2P7NwAvnYf2OjtVfIri4AKupm6VSXdkYKevDTd8aNihK_7t3er0DbQj2ucfsA4m-bh/s680/ResizerImage680X510Osprey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2R0D_MyKjqeSd7y9HDtlMVz121c-i-PJcXhKFbRUdHmsNa_6QXs3gxIzf2PrHx9d3bIoeCxMmPR-u-5ouiOuV0Fj1kR-lRucnithrowMMYah0oh3iIUrCw4bVgy2P7NwAvnYf2OjtVfIri4AKupm6VSXdkYKevDTd8aNihK_7t3er0DbQj2ucfsA4m-bh/w640-h480/ResizerImage680X510Osprey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">We had quite a heatwave going towards the end of July. temperatures in the 90's and oppressive humidity for many days on end. I know some parts of the country were in excess of 100 degrees during the same period. They </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(<i>who are they?</i></span><span style="font-size: large;">) said it was the worst ever but I found a period in the 1930's that was more severe. Nevertheless it was hot enough for me! </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I managed to pry myself away from air conditioning one morning to make my way down to the shore which at least had a breeze to cool things off. There's always things to see at the shore. I quickly came upon a coupe of young Osprey hanging out at the nest.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQKu10GZRoR_FECfuVUpiCDq7_3_ORk87CoQNdxg_aglqgxXPw2gGEXhBqItQVCn_SgGLxxCsRF5YX1scTDZxc1dS0bwN8k7raTj5SufOJX_w4rNZfSyua2Y4pZTtqFuzgpJdAzimFyC3qIPPWBnlFO0OKIkY_XaH0HwaT6irAp_kZE_QVSlwUAJNkbx1/s720/ResizerImage720X540egreto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQKu10GZRoR_FECfuVUpiCDq7_3_ORk87CoQNdxg_aglqgxXPw2gGEXhBqItQVCn_SgGLxxCsRF5YX1scTDZxc1dS0bwN8k7raTj5SufOJX_w4rNZfSyua2Y4pZTtqFuzgpJdAzimFyC3qIPPWBnlFO0OKIkY_XaH0HwaT6irAp_kZE_QVSlwUAJNkbx1/w640-h480/ResizerImage720X540egreto.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I also watched a couple of Snowy Egrets wading around the edge of a saltwater river down in Clinton. I'll never forget one of my first lessons from an older birder telling me that Snowy Egrets have black bills and yellow feet. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, summer is a time when I am selective about when and where I go birding. Two other things I have on my summer list is early morning birding by a cool brook and maybe joining in on a group sponsored bird trip which I haven't done in a long time.</span><br /> </p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147631697089273467.post-46793922153956925562023-07-23T09:07:00.002-05:002023-07-23T09:09:16.446-05:00The Ghost Of Pumpkinzini<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPMSOnUai_o6klBZUKewm6NmlsNL89z9on5Q4Tt97uhIplRYFN499g06qLz06m_ZGqHe8NsWbOM7psoa_CyESXFMSNBiMo7FyWB7QoLrmwh8NDIQ19uABSq0cLhKQmOcF4ZqkAoL_Mp0vlYeP2eVFBhO_biY3Ibk9T46kQYkbzylehFWS_bYCI9skwONj/s720/ResizerImage720X540green%20pumpkin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPMSOnUai_o6klBZUKewm6NmlsNL89z9on5Q4Tt97uhIplRYFN499g06qLz06m_ZGqHe8NsWbOM7psoa_CyESXFMSNBiMo7FyWB7QoLrmwh8NDIQ19uABSq0cLhKQmOcF4ZqkAoL_Mp0vlYeP2eVFBhO_biY3Ibk9T46kQYkbzylehFWS_bYCI9skwONj/w640-h480/ResizerImage720X540green%20pumpkin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">When I was planting my garden this spring I had an extra zucchini plant that there wasn't enough room. I decided to just stick it in my mulch/dirt pile to see what would happen. The plant grew like crazy without me even watering it. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuHfGF-divFgAuuuzewVQD2ClVivbkvlsJQ6DnUbsmnvqDaQZuJm9pAC-V7z3yzSVUt9H6lvw-Bu75ZCNmqBGzM-xU1iwvHZos3-YXTlCEuW_lPuM_ir65Jvg08-cnCJIkjf-Gsxmx0yThYUpQxx_XQTot6oM02PJ8TwX3JV5qnTQ2DJSfM1HBwmWFynY/s720/ResizerImage720X540pumpkinzini.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuHfGF-divFgAuuuzewVQD2ClVivbkvlsJQ6DnUbsmnvqDaQZuJm9pAC-V7z3yzSVUt9H6lvw-Bu75ZCNmqBGzM-xU1iwvHZos3-YXTlCEuW_lPuM_ir65Jvg08-cnCJIkjf-Gsxmx0yThYUpQxx_XQTot6oM02PJ8TwX3JV5qnTQ2DJSfM1HBwmWFynY/w640-h480/ResizerImage720X540pumpkinzini.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">It had lots of flowers but not much production until it finally grew this one. I showed a picture to someone at a garden center because this did not look like a zucchini to me. It looked more like a pumpkin but they said it was indeed a zucchini. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then the light bulb went off. I had dumped my old rotting pumpkins in the much pile last year. I read online that pumpkins and zucchini can hybridize. I believe what we have here might be the ghost of last year's pumpkin finding its way back through the zucchini patch?!</span><br /></p>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17955054342034509500noreply@blogger.com0