Fri November 29, 2007

I took a well-needed vacation day today.  I left the house early to do errands and within a half mile I spotted a hawk sitting atop a pole.  I pulled over and fortunately for me he stayed put long enough for me to get a couple of good shots.  The picture at the top of the page is from today. I also had time to make a stop at Trustom refuge in the afternoon.  Saw a  woodpecker, titmouse, chickadees, ducks, swans, blue jays, and a deer and I had a staring match for several minutes.  He came upon the path and when he noticed me he stopped for the longest time just staring.  I was a bit concerned for a while and as I snapped photos I raised my elbow out to make me look bigger in hopes that I would scare him away.  When I took a step forward he ran back into the woods which offered me relief.

Thu November 28, 2007

Most TV commercials can be a pain to sit through.  On the other hand it's an opportunity to run to the refrigerator, make a cup of tea, go to the bathroom, through a load of laundry in the dryer, etc.  Some commercials are very creative and you actually don't mind catching them again and again.  Well, now there's a website where you can watch these "entertaining" commercials.  It's called Firebrand.  And, depending on how much you're into this commercial thing, you can register and save your favorites.  Next time you log in you can watch your selection favorites again.

Tue November 27, 2007

After a long night of howling wind and a hard rain and a very rough surf, the sun broke through the clouds just before I left for work this  morning  allowing me to spend a few minutes chasing sparrows.  

This cute little guy has rose hip seeds on his beak.

Mon November 26, 2007

Pun:  What do they call all that lumber on the Star Trek's Enterprise?      Captain's log.

Sun November 25, 2007

Another cold but sunny Sunday. Enjoyed a trek through Trustom with Linda, a great bird photographer I met there several months ago.  To view some of her great bird photos go to her website (best viewed with Internet Explorer) at http://birdstalker.com/index.html

Captured a trio of swans as they flew overhead this morning.  Not as good a picture as my husband took last year but I'll keep trying.

On a not so happy note, there's a skunk outside my window right now eating what I think are the remains of the seeds that the birds didn't get to today.  Gotta think of a plan to fix that problem.  

Sat November 24, 2007

Recently, this hawk has been hanging around the yard.  He sneaks into the brush looking for prey.  There are plenty of sparrows in there as well as rabbits.  I've also noticed a sharp decline in the number of rabbits in the yard.  Just a coincidence - I believe not.

The usual suspects were at the bird feeders today, so I took a quick trip to Trustom.  I didn't walk through the refuge, nor very far at all because just the short walk at the onset of the refuge was teeming with birds.  Woodpeckers, titmouse, chickadees, bluebirds, cardinals, and I heard Blue Jays but never saw them. 

Had to work the day after Thanksgiving.  Got a lot accomplished since there was a minimal amount of interruptions.  Apparently most folks were shopping.  Even with the full moon things were not as loony as they were on Wednesday.

Caught this cute pair Thursday morning before leaving to visit family and friends.  

Well, I knew at some point I would miss a day.  Tuesday and Wednesday were apparently uneventful.  That brings us to today, Thursday, Thanksgiving.  I very sincere Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.  

Early this morning I went outside with my telescope.  The weather was just the way I like it and the fog had lifted so there was enough twinkling in the sky for me to step outside for a view.  The first thing I saw through the telescope was a meteor shooting by - very cool!  I never use my telescope during a meteor shower so seeing one this way was great, albeit quick.  Then I spotted Venus, Jupiter and Mars.  Unfortunately, it's been so long since I've done any night sky watching that I'm really forgetting everything that my friend, Brian, taught me.  Hope he won't be too disappointed in me - I would probably flunk any test given to me about the stars and planets.  The day is starting off great - hope it remains that way.  Later I'll be seeing family and friends - you can't beat that.

Mon November 19, 2007

Back to work - yuk!  Wanted to share a pic of the chickadee in flight after grabbing a seed.  Chickadees take one seed at a time and fly away.  They really don't stay for more than a few seconds at the feeder.  I made several attempts (seems like several hundred attempts) to shoot at the precise moment to get it in flight.  Most shots ended up being a picture of a lonely empty feeder.  A couple of other pics were too blurry - this one is the best of the bunch.  Still need to work on this - I guess a tripod might help. 

Another cool day but sunny on this Sunday before Thanksgiving.  Spent more time bird watching so not much exciting to report.  So here's a video to watch if you've got a few minutes, and a pun to groan at.

Pun:  The artist was great. He could always draw a crowd.

Cool and sunny Saturday.  Spent some time enjoying the birds that were visiting the backyard.  In addition to the sparrows and finches, chickadees and cardinals, we had a couple of American goldfinches visit for a while.  There was also an osprey occasionally flying overhead looking for a snack.  

Among other chores, Dave was busy making yogurt, hummus, and rice for different meals.  It's great having a chef.

Totally exhausted.  Another busy week at work.  As I was leaving for work this morning there was some kind of hawk or osprey in our backyard.  I was wondering if the increase in birds of prey and the decrease in rabbits have a connection.  
On a more favorable note our new neighbors dropped by.  My son David and his new bride Paige are moving this weekend and they'll be living just three miles away.  Can't express how excited I am. 

The weather outside was frightful - but the camaraderie inside was delightful.  My best friend was visiting was Florida and we got to spend the afternoon and early evening together.  It was just awesome seeing her again.  Even if we haven't seen each other in months there is no gap in the friendship and ease of being together and sharing our intimate thoughts.  If I wasn't such a chicken I'd get on a plane now and then and visit her - but I haven't found a drug yet that would keep me awake yet allow me to disconnect myself from the horrors and inconveniences of flying.

Before I even start ranting about anything I need to share this absolutely hysterical audio tape.  Really, if you've got a few minutes this is too good not to listen.  

Did anyone watch Nova about Intelligent Design on Trail.  I felt like I was living through the Scope Trials.  I suppose every several decades we need to debate science v intelligent design/god/supreme being.  My vote is for science. 

Tomorrow the governor will be handing out about 400 pink slips.  Hope I'm not one of the recipients.

Back to work - therefore not too much exciting news to report.  I did want to mention that Sunday night I heard the howling of the coyotes again.  I wonder what makes them howl - have they just killed their prey? are they calling for a mate?  I've actually never heard them howl when there was a full moon - so I don't think there's a connection there.  Guess I'll have to do some research on that.  I finally updated my photos page  featuring the newest chickadee picture.  The page was so messy and out of control (similar to my life - but I'm working on this defect.)

Pun:  What did the grape say when it got stepped on? Nothing - but it let out a little whine.

Today has been a very gray day weather-wise - - yet 
today I am blue.  But I'm sure How I Met Your Mom will cheer me up tonight.  Well, I hope so anyway - these sitcoms are getting worse each week - it's almost like the writers' brains went on strike before their bodies did.

Anyway, I've given myself a new goal (in addition to trying to get birds to eat out of my hand, that is).  I'm going to work on getting pictures of birds in flight, like the one here on the right, to show a different perspective of  birds from just perching to showing off it's magnificent flying ability.  Wish me luck.

Pun:  A bird watcher was recently convicted of storking.

What an awesome moment I had today.  I spent some time watching the birds in the yard - mostly sparrows and finches.  I tried to stay as still as possible while allowing myself to move enough to photograph.  I had my black gloves on since it was so cold, and my left hand was supporting the camera and my thumb was protruding a bit.  Suddenly, this little guy on the left, perched on my thumb.  He stayed there about 20 seconds.  I guess I had stayed still enough where they accepted my presence and just thought I was part of the scenery.  It was a very exciting few seconds.  I have read recently that there are ways to get birds comfortable enough with you where they feed out of your hand.  That may be my next goal.

Haiku:
The tiny sparrow,
confusion for both of us,
perches on my left thumb

Although the weather was chilly and my hands were frozen I got a couple of photos of the chickadee who is returning on a regular basis to my back yard.  A great way to start the weekend.  Click here to see a couple of the photos.

Pun:  Birds are grouchy in the morning because their bills are over dew.

While checking out the Moonstone area I looked down into the water and a blue crab was staring back - or maybe just walking by - a little hard to see because I was shooting through dark water, but you get the idea.

Anyway, the work week is over and a long weekend to look forward to - HOORAY!

The day started off great.  Birds everywhere.  Cardinals, sparrows, finch, and this beautiful mockingbird.  Made my day.   But, as usual, I had to go to work and face another stressful day.  Just tried to stop momentarily and think about the birds to help keep me grounded. Hmmmm?

Pun:  Birds don't mind fowl weather, in fact they usually find it just ducky.

Pun:  Do the people who climb the world's highest mountain ever rest?

Pun:  If they ever have a contest for the best looking mannequin, there will be stiff competition.

Pun:  I paid $100 for eight legs of venison. Do you think this was two deer?

Don't forget to turn your clock back one hour!

Pun:  I asked my husband if he'd like to join me in an owl watch.  He replied, "Sure, that sounds like a hoot!"

Pun:  When the cannibal showed up late to the luncheon, they gave him the cold shoulder.

Pun:  Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat says to the other, 'You stay here, I'll go on a head."