Pun:  I used to be able to clap with just one hand. 
But that was Zen, this is Tao.

Herons all over the place at Moonstone today, some hiding in marshes, some flying overhead.  The trek through Trustom was wonderful.  The hawk soaring over then chasing the birds in my yard - not so wonderful -- but that's nature.

Pun:  The duck said to the bartender, 'put it on my bill.'

I took a walk at lunch through campus and found about 12 mallard ducks, male and female, on this small pond.  What beautiful looking birds.  Two males were definitely not getting along.  One kept chasing the other out of the water every time he'd go in.  It was fun watching them, especially as they would tip over and all you could see was there butt protruding from the water.

Getting close to the end of the year.  Wish it would rain a little less so I could get out more.

With all of the great things I saw this weekend, i.e., cardinals, chickadees, hawks, herons, this little sparrow on the left gave me such a chuckle as he perched spread eagle on the fence.  

A warm weekend helped melt a lot of the ice.  I've battened down the hatches because we're expecting up to 50mph wind gusts tonight.  Another sleepless night in Matunuck I'm afraid.  I took in all the feeders.  I've already lost three this month due to high winds.

Happy Yule everyone!

What an awesome morning.  After putting out seeds for the birds I went back into the house to grab my car keys in order to start the defrost in my car. When I opened the door to go back outside, I couldn't believe what I saw.  A red fox, about 60 lbs. I'd guess, was munching down the sunflowers seeds that I had just put out.  At first he was going to run when he saw me, but it appears that his hunger surpassed any fear.  I quickly grabbed my camera, but it was early with no sun, just clouds so the photos are pretty grainy.  I've seen fox in the area before, but this was the biggest I've ever seen.  I was glad that I had not taken the dog out with me - the fox would certainly have had him for breakfast.

Later, when I was finally leaving for work, I opened the door and suddenly about a dozen mourning doves flew by overhead.  At first I thought I had spooked them when I opened the door.  Then I saw the hawk swooping down trying to catch one of these birds.  Nature in action. At that point it took all I had to get in my car and go to work.  I just wanted to stick around and see what else might happen.

I found yesterday to be too brutally cold for me to do any hiking or bird watching (I know I'm already a wimp and the real winter hasn't even arrived yet)...so between chores I'd spend a little time in the yard.  Well, to my amazement, I really didn't need to go anywhere.  There were loons in the ocean, gulls on my rooftop, flocks of geese flying by throughout the day, a Cooper's hawk sat on my fence for several minutes before I got too close, there was a male and a female cardinal, tons of sparrows and finches, a dozen mourning doves (one with a big chunk taken from the top of his neck - probably got nabbed by a hawk), and what I think are juncos (I'm still trying to confirm that), and of course, my faithful pair of chickadees.  It really made me appreciate what I have right in my own yard. I'm sure glad I took the times yesterday to enjoy the outdoors because it's been sleeting since 3am -- although they say it's supposed to turn to rain later.

Pun: So you want me to go to the beach with you?  I'm not shore I can make it.

Considering the miserable weather we had in RI on Thursday, and the up to 8 hours that some folks had to endure in their cars in traffic jams, here in South County we had mostly sleet.  I did get to go to Trustom in the afternoon and on my way caught sight of a heron.

At Trustom I met a fabulous photographer and bird lover.  You can view some of her work here.  She was very helpful in pointing out birds and sharing some spots to visit around south county.  Both of the bird photographers that I've met at Trustom are the greatest.

Thu December 13, 2007

The cardinals, etal desperately seek seeds while it snows and before the seeds are enveloped in ice.  Monday we had ice, Thursday we had ice, and it looks like a nor'easter is on its way for the weekend.  Good thing we had a great fall, because it looks like winter is not going to be so nice to us.   

Mother Nature reminded us that winter is on our heels.  A slippery campus offered some beautiful, glistening sites of trees, bushes, and berries coated with ice.

I do have a beef that I need to mention.  My mom always told me, "Finders keepers, losers weepers."  Well, mom, just like our freedom of speech, civil rights, etc. we have lost the right to find something without being arrested.  Yes, apparently, NY cops don't have enough regular crime to deal with, so they set up sting operations.  They purposely leave wallets, handbags, packages on subways, etc.  Then, when someone picks up the item they are arrested.  Do I hear the word "entrapment"?   Is it me or is our government trying to make each and everyone of us a criminal.  Soon we'll need a prison in every city and town.  

After spending some time at Trustom I pulled into my  yard only to spot a heron making a momentary pit stop on the frozen salt pond.  Fortunately I had my camera ready and was able to capture the moment.  

Pun:  
When bungee jumping never ask anyone to cut you some slack.

Considering how cold and cloudy it was I did get a chance to go to Trustom and Moonstone, and I'm glad I braved the cold because it was an awesome outing.  Besides the chickadees, titmouse, nuthatch, it was the first time I'd seen a flicker, and the beautifully multi-colored pheasants.  There were downy woodpeckers, hawks, blue jays, and finally, one of my favorite looking birds, the kingfisher.  Unfortunately due to the cloudy conditions the photo didn't come out as well as I'd hoped. All in all it was a great day.

Wed December 5, 2007

I can't tell you how difficult it is to write something when you're out of the house at 7:30am, work stressfully all day, then when it's time to come home it's dark and you're tired.  So as hard as I'm trying to write something every day, I have to  say, that right now it's impossible.  But here's a pun as a filler.

Pun:  No one wanted to see the naked banana. I guess it just lacked appeal!

Sun December 2, 2007

Mighty cold weekend.  It was difficult spending any time outdoors - my fingers were frozen in no time.  Haven't seen any unusual birds the last two days.  The chickadee is still very faithful and from early in the morning till late at night he continuously and  quickly grabs his seeds and flies off.  

Pun:  Early stone tools had many problems that were eventually ironed out.