Had a very good trek through Trustom on Saturday. Bumped into Linda again and 
we ended up chasing this juvenile bald eagle.  Unfortunately, this beautiful bird did not allow us to get close enough to get good photos, but it was and exciting adventure nonetheless.  It was cold though, and another new experience we had was the sound of the pond freezing.  It took us a while to figure out what this loud, frightening noise was.  We were sure hoping it wasn't some sort of creature.

When I went back to Trustom on Sunday I did get to see the normal birds that hang there, and new visitor was a purple finch.  I'm still seeking the owl and sand hill crane which apparently everyone on Matunuck has seen except me.

Yesterday while walking through campus I found a tree covered with berries as well as tons of  robins feasting on them.  Here's a picture of one of them.

Wed January 23, 2008

Unfortunately, between weather and working I haven't had much to report.  So here's a photo of some of my backyard friends.

Pun:
The doctor couldn't transfer the organs because he didn't have the guts to do it.

It was way too cold to go to Trustom today, especially since I'm still trying to get over this cold; although I did spend some time in the backyard watching the sparrows, cardinals, mourning doves and chickadees.

I did manage to hike the trails at Trustom yesterday when it was still tolerable to be outdoors.  Although I still haven't seen the elusive owl I did see a red squirrel, a hawk annoying some ducks, the cutest tiniest juvenile downy woodpecker I've ever seen, and a flock of coots.  These guys are so fun to watch.  They huddle together and swim in this flock back and forth and as most birds are very skittish and will quickly swim away  if they spot you.  I noticed that two coots left the flock to feed on something in the water, so I snuck down and got a picture of one of them.  

Fri January 18, 2008

After walking all the trails at Trustom and not seeing or hearing much of anything, I decided to make a quick stop at Moonstone.  It ended up not being such a quick stop.  The blue heron was in constant motion.  He walked along the other end of the salt pond, then flew closer to the street side of the pond, then flew to a marshy area in the middle.  Took photos in each of these locations and I think this one really shows the true beauty of the big bird.  Of course, I'm fighting this cold and felt miserable and achy all day.... but I just had to get out to see what I could see.  Meanwhile, back at home, the hawk sat in the bushes for hours.  Every now and then he soars by scaring the little creatures that are feeding.  

Wed January 16, 2008

Went back to the tree in the campus garden area to watch the goldfinch again today.  They are such cute birds - and hungry.  My presence didn't stop them for one second, nor did the other passersby stop them from devouring those berries.  Meanwhile, the snow from the tree I was standing under was melting and dripping on my head as I tried to photograph the birds.

Tue January 15, 2008

Not much to report.  Yesterday we had another wintry day with the threat of  more of the same on the way by the end of the week.  So here are a couple of puns that I hope will bring a smile.

When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.
Trust your calculator. It's something to count on.
If you have to pay to go to the river, we'd better stop at the bank.

What an absolutely beautiful weekend weather-wise.  I guess that was supposed to help us face this nasty day of sleet and snow - as well as the rest of the week which isn't looking so good right now.

Saturday at Trustom was rather slow.  Didn't see much.  However, Sunday morning at 8am things were much more active.  Didn't see anything new, but I enjoy seeing those same little chickadees day after day anyway.  I've heard talk of an owl at Trustom and so far no luck.  I've seen pictures and heard sightings of a sand hill crane, right in my neighborhood, but so far I've seen nothing.  Of course, maybe if I went to other areas instead of my same old haunts of Moonstone and Trustom I might see some new stuff.

Gotta spread MY wings.

Tue January 8, 2008

While taking a walk through campus on this absolutely unseasonably beautiful sunny 61 degree day I spotted three goldfinch enjoying the berries off a tree. 

Mon January 7, 2008

Why did the wild turkey cross the street on the URI campus today?  Who knows.  You never know what you're going to see on campus these days.  Anyway, it was an eventful morning as a hawk perched itself on a limb outside our building, and this lost and lonely turkey trotted around campus until it finally flew away.

On another note, even though I've never been an admirer of Bill Gates there's a very funny video on YouTube that should bring a grin to your face.

It was quiet at Trustom today - didn't spot anything exotic - didn't see any deer.  It was cool and cloudy.  In the distance I could see gulls, geese and swans as they gracefully (or sometimes not so gracefully)  skated on top of the frozen salt pond. A spot where they normally swim and dive for food. One bright spot was the sighting of a downy woodpecker that finally perched close enough for me to not only take a still photo of him, but to get a video as well.

Sat January 5, 2008

If 40 degrees and partly sunny is a nice day, then today is a nice day.  I have to admit that my fingers did start to freeze after being at Trustom for an hour.  But I suppose I shouldn't complain - after all it is the middle of winter. Also, the experts are saying that the temps will be rising over the next few days (global warming?) - and that the best day will be when I'm at work, indoors, missing the opportunity to enjoy the warm weather.  Oh well.

Thu January 3, 2008

Baby, it's cold outside.  We're experiencing a cold-snap and I'm might glad it's just for a couple of days.  By Saturday, it should feel like a normal winter again.  Meanwhile I'll just leave you with a cool video on a lyre bird, and a silly little pun.

If you're alone and get too cold you might become ice-olated.

Wed January 2, 2008

Once upon a time I thought that having a hawk haunting my backyard was cool. It soared and hovered beautifully in the sky and I watched it in awe.   Now I realize that this creature, this bird of prey dissuades my fine feathered friends from frequenting the feeders.  Be Gone! you pain. I want the small, the tiny, the little creatures to return and feel safe to enjoy the seeds I put out for them.  Again this morning he perched himself atop the telephone pole waiting for an opportunity...until I came along and just by trying to photograph him he flew away.  Good riddance. Although I know he'll be back tomorrow.

Tue January 1, 2008

Happy New Year.
I wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.

I took a quick trip through Trustom before the weather got wet and wild.  Met up with Linda, the birdstalker.  It was good seeing her again.  I love and appreciate her tremendous passion of  birds. Visit her website to see her great photos. 

Caught this blue jay on my way to Trustom.