-
A Raven
A Common Raven (Corvus corax), looking rather disheveled. A flock of Ravens is called an unkindness. Oh dear, that would be hard to take. The length of the Common Raven is between 22 and 27 inches inches and a wing span of 4 feet. They have a distinctive low gutturall croak call, quite different from…
-
A BIG Bird Day
Yesterday was a big day for birds, with a list of birds I saw, much longer than usual. There was one though that was a BIG bird. Considerably larger than I usually see. A Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). The second largest hawk found here in Virginia. A species of bird with so many subspecies, that…
-
Meteorological Winter!
Mighty cold out there today. But of course it is. It’s the first day of meteorological winter. The temperature here today reached a high of 42º. Some of Skyline Drive, in Shenandoah National Park, has been closed due to icy conditions. Winter, I’m mighty pleased to see you. This picture, ice on Blue Spruce (Picea…
-
One Handsome Creature
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), a handsome creature that arrives in autumn to spend the winter in central Virginia, and in much of southern North America. They enjoy berries during their stay here and during the summer they eat insects. As I look at the maps of their range I see that my location is marked…
-
Hands Can Say So Much
One of many favorite photographs. This, from a visit to see my parents in Florida long ago. It was their first meeting of their great-granddaughter. My Dad’s hand reaching out to her hand, as my Mom is holding her. Ah, the memories. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email,…
-
A Christmas Card Perhaps?
A Christmas card, maybe? Or maybe not. Some Jalepeño Peppers (Capsicum annuum ‘Jalapeño’) from the garden placed upon a stack of greens from my huge stash of fabrics. We’ll see what I come up with. Going through oodles and bunches of photos. Wondering which one will speak to me. In the meantime I’m enjoying looking…
-
Taking Advantage Of The Warm Weather
A Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) enjoying a relatively warm day, with temperatures dropping considerably in the following many days. With water available, and not frozen, birds will continue to use the birdbaths for their bathing which is needed for their health. Bathing helps in preening their feathers. That in turn aids in aligning feathers for…
-
Another Of The LBJs
Another of the LBJs, Little Brown Jobbies. This one a White Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), at low tide this morning. Before I had an opportunity to refill the bird baths. It’s making itself at home in its winter home here, but its winter range also includes central and eastern US. It spends the breeding season…