Tendrils

One Of Many

The birds here have not gotten a lot of attention during the past month. The feeder looked mighty lonely this morning. I set off to change the situation, very carefully going out to the feeder with my new knee. Hulled black oil sunflower seeds, dried mealworms, and raisins. The birds heard me call as I was filling the feeder and by the time I carefully got back inside they were busy getting their fill.

Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Cardinals, White-breasted Nuthatches, Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, Song Sparrows. Maybe others? All delighted with a new supply of yummies.

Just one that I know of, that as always, ignores the feeder but did come to the bird bath. A place they love to visit. Just one this morning, a Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus).

A bird that gives me pleasure to have come visit during the winter months.

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Erratic Migrants

Purple Finches (Haemorhous purpureus). Male, the colorful one in front, female, the brown and white one to the left, not in focus.

I don’t see them often at all. They’re said to be erratic migrants, following the ups and downs of cone crops. A friend and I have discovered that when I see a few of these birds, she will also be seeing a few at her bird feeders about 5 miles away.

At those bird feeders they’re attracted to black oil sunflower seeds and will check out the coniferous trees in your yard.

I guess I need to encourage more coniferous trees. I’d love to see these guys more often.

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Hearts To You

Valentine’s Day, perhaps a good day to share with you another of my quilts. A quilt filled with many hearts. A quilt stitched with love.

A quilt I made a number of years ago as a gift for my Mom and Dad. It hung over their sofa in the den for many years.

My quilts have messages for the recipient and future generations. Messages of love.

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A Dusting

What a delight, to wake up this morning and realize that it is snowing. Already a dusting of snow over everything. Pure delight!

This picture, snow gets caught in any spot it can, on the bark of a Persimmon tree (Diospyros virginiana).

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Rain

Rain yesterday and today. Just a bit. In that rain, the marcescent leaves of an American Chestnut (Castanea dentata). Edges like ocean waves. Pure American Chestnut. Surely these trees will get chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica). Until then I will totally enjoy having these trees close to me.

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Winter Frog Fun

Last night it rained. Apparently just the perfect moment for Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). As the rain came down I could hear the happy, “Clack, clack, clack!” They were gathering in my little pond for their breeding parties.

The little Wood Frogs growing from tadpoles to reach full development leave my pond as a miniature version of a Wood Frog. Can you believe that tiny size?! This picture was taken July 5, 2018, as many were leaving the pond. At this point in their life they leave their temporary aquatic home for land where they will spend their time looking for insects and a variety of other invertebrates for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, only coming back to the pond for breeding.

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In The Morning Sun

Posing for me as she basks in the warmth of the morning sun. A Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

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Brown Pelican

Nancy, another one for you. This one in Key West.

A Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). I have been extremely impressed with the recovery of the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The Brown Pelican is another success story.

The use of DDT was banned by the EPA in 1972. In part because of that action Brown Pelicans were taken off the endangered species list in 2009.

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Gathering For MAVEN Launch

Brown Pelican (*Pelecanus occidentalis*)

They stay on top of the news. They live right there, where the rockets are launched after all. Early that morning they began gathering. Jetty Park. Port Canaveral, Florida.