tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2835517172217850482024-03-13T14:23:10.209-05:00Birds, Etc.The adventures/ramblings of a bird-loving, book-reading, camera-wielding homeschooler.Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-48943531594494606532017-05-19T14:19:00.000-05:002017-05-19T14:19:01.189-05:00I Moved (Finally)!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello anyone who happens to be reading this! I haven't posted on this blog in f o r e v e r, but I really want to start writing again. So, I started another blog over at <a href="https://birchesandbrambles.blogspot.com/">Among The Birches</a>. Go check it out!</div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-89588878603317272562015-11-23T12:22:00.002-06:002015-11-23T12:25:22.573-06:00Florida Trip 2015!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was in the beautiful state of Florida for much of last week, officially to visit a college, but of course it turned into more of a birding trip. The college I was visiting is in Collier county, which is not wanting in the birds department by any means. The trip started on a definite positive note, with about 50 Roseate Spoonbills (lifer!) seen from the plane just before touching down in Fort Myers. After driving down to Naples, my dad and I decided to take a late afternoon walk at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, which I'd heard many good things about. I was really hoping for a Painted Bunting or a Limpkin, but no such luck. But--I did get my lifer Wood Stork, a bird I'd wanted to see for a long time. Sadly, though, it was a flyover and I didn't get any photos.<br />
I did, however, get quite a bit of photos of other random things in the swamp:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MnAwrUyoH0o/VlJr8XjWMdI/AAAAAAAAA5M/RxxI-SPZMEg/s1600/IMG_7321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MnAwrUyoH0o/VlJr8XjWMdI/AAAAAAAAA5M/RxxI-SPZMEg/s400/IMG_7321.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_5Y0AG9-AQ/VlJsDyGWuKI/AAAAAAAAA5U/Bht-0Ot2RYg/s1600/IMG_7325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_5Y0AG9-AQ/VlJsDyGWuKI/AAAAAAAAA5U/Bht-0Ot2RYg/s400/IMG_7325.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3TKXSLwRSs/VlJsIR0jksI/AAAAAAAAA5c/ZpXQk6l2vms/s1600/IMG_7312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3TKXSLwRSs/VlJsIR0jksI/AAAAAAAAA5c/ZpXQk6l2vms/s400/IMG_7312.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The greatest of egrets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8VHwVu6jT4/VlJsROBGKcI/AAAAAAAAA5k/bdBpt1buIBE/s1600/IMG_7343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8VHwVu6jT4/VlJsROBGKcI/AAAAAAAAA5k/bdBpt1buIBE/s400/IMG_7343.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A strangler fig on a bald cypress</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Close to the end of our walk, I got one of the most welcome lifers I've had in a while: Palm Warbler (in a palm tree, appropriately). There are no words to describe the frustration these warblers have given me in the past, as they were my long-time nemesis. <b>Finally, </b>I emerged victorious. And proceeded to see about 54782397318 more of them in the following days. Ah, well. 'Tis the nature of nemeses.<br />
<br />
The next day I took a tour of the college and found that its campus was not too shabby as far as nature goes. I saw two Loggerhead Shrikes just hanging out, an alligator in the canal next door, a Tricolored Heron in one pond, and many, many Anhingas. I could take four years of that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sflvY4ssYs4/VlNYZ8qcYWI/AAAAAAAAA64/wptNdiKbt-k/s1600/IMG_7389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sflvY4ssYs4/VlNYZ8qcYWI/AAAAAAAAA64/wptNdiKbt-k/s400/IMG_7389.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After completing my college visit, my dad and I headed down to the beach at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. I was happily photographing the Willets, Sanderlings, Black-bellied Plovers, and Ruddy Turnstones when I happened to glance up at the sky and saw nothing other than a Magnificent Frigatebird! I almost squealed out loud. I remember reading about MAFRs when I was about ten years old and dreaming of some point in the far future when I would actually see one. Six years later, I was looking right at a beautiful male.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aU06dWpyoVo/VlJtOjf3KYI/AAAAAAAAA5o/15129voMVAU/s1600/IMG_7396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aU06dWpyoVo/VlJtOjf3KYI/AAAAAAAAA5o/15129voMVAU/s400/IMG_7396.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ryu8NTuWDzk/VlJtiPfTofI/AAAAAAAAA5w/D9lV6BeLcwg/s1600/IMG_7403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ryu8NTuWDzk/VlJtiPfTofI/AAAAAAAAA5w/D9lV6BeLcwg/s400/IMG_7403.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-bellied Plover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-duvE0NpLSH0/VlJtzuD0ECI/AAAAAAAAA54/bdVsbRnkV4M/s1600/IMG_7411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-duvE0NpLSH0/VlJtzuD0ECI/AAAAAAAAA54/bdVsbRnkV4M/s400/IMG_7411.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruddy Turnstone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDEu5uVjzBc/VlJuEq0I5XI/AAAAAAAAA6A/0g0P0Y-cULY/s1600/IMG_7424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDEu5uVjzBc/VlJuEq0I5XI/AAAAAAAAA6A/0g0P0Y-cULY/s400/IMG_7424.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnificent Frigatebird!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next day, Thursday, my dad and I drove over to the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area because my dad had a meeting there on Friday. We were surprised to find our hotel was right on the beach, whereas we had thought it was a block or two away. We weren't complaining.<br />
Walking along the beach yielded large numbers of Laughing Gulls, Willets, Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, and Ruddy Turnstones. (And let's not forget the pigeons. Pigeons everywhere.) Also present were Royal Terns, Western Sandpipers, and a lone Herring Gull. To close out our walk, who should make an appearance but another Magnificent Frigatebird!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7i05M3OmDs8/VlNYqgLI22I/AAAAAAAAA7A/SXVcHyFRinM/s1600/IMG_7430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7i05M3OmDs8/VlNYqgLI22I/AAAAAAAAA7A/SXVcHyFRinM/s400/IMG_7430.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Pelicans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aRYNMpxOAg/VlNY2DJd9GI/AAAAAAAAA7I/sZG6zyxBp3k/s1600/IMG_7442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_aRYNMpxOAg/VlNY2DJd9GI/AAAAAAAAA7I/sZG6zyxBp3k/s400/IMG_7442.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruddy Turnstones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Friday morning meant sitting on the balcony in my pajamas while my dad was at his meeting, scanning the beach with my binoculars. As well as the usual suspects I had counted the day before, I saw Eurasian Collared-Doves, Boat-tailed Grackles, and two flyover Monk Parakeets (lifer!). There was also an American Kestrel perched on the hotel next door, and I probably creeped out the people staying there because I was staring at it through binoculars. It wouldn't be the first time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlC0bUDRQzw/VlJunpRU0oI/AAAAAAAAA6I/NDbh_trURFg/s1600/IMG_7466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlC0bUDRQzw/VlJunpRU0oI/AAAAAAAAA6I/NDbh_trURFg/s400/IMG_7466.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all those shorebirds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JKNBp6Q3gac/VlJu6_YmbQI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/cEbtz6Ta5BE/s1600/IMG_7457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JKNBp6Q3gac/VlJu6_YmbQI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/cEbtz6Ta5BE/s400/IMG_7457.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That afternoon, before our flight home, we decided (or I decided, and my dad complied because he's nice) to check out a local park called Tall Cypress Natural area, which had a lot of good data on eBird. Sadly, however, we went in the middle of the day when not much was out except a multitude of Gray Catbirds and grackles of both the Common and Boat-tailed varieties. While I didn't see the birds I wanted, I was impressed by the rich habitat and biodiversity it had to offer.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6SJSWrsqE4/VlJve3mUjtI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/zne3d9pBLH0/s1600/IMG_7468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V6SJSWrsqE4/VlJve3mUjtI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/zne3d9pBLH0/s400/IMG_7468.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-Orb Weaver</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjv8z-60x6k/VlJv1NHiEwI/AAAAAAAAA6g/j2MeMaVvhaQ/s1600/IMG_7476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjv8z-60x6k/VlJv1NHiEwI/AAAAAAAAA6g/j2MeMaVvhaQ/s400/IMG_7476.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuban Brown Anole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Florida was cool. I want to go back now. <br />
<br /></div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-44530763794654103832015-11-07T11:59:00.003-06:002015-11-07T11:59:32.993-06:00Looking Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Four years. That's how long ago I started this blog. I was twelve years old, with a lifelist of 143 species. I had a point-and-shoot camera (*gasp* the horror!). I didn't know the difference between a Savannah Sparrow and a Swamp Sparrow.<br />
It's so weird to compare that to now--I have a lifelist of 255 species, a DSLR camera that is my best friend, and if I ever called a Savannah Sparrow a Swamp Sparrow I would wonder if I was going insane. I've discovered that birding's not about the lists or the numbers; it's about the birds, the thrill of the chase, and the people you meet.<br />
Birds have always been a part of my life, ever since I could point and yell "Blue Jay!" (which, as it turns out, was when I was about 18 months old). But in these past 4 years I feel like I've grown more as a birder than ever. Trips to Wyoming and Utah, the Delaware Bay (*cough*Camp Avocet was awesome*cough*), and even just out in my local area have really opened my eyes to just how much there is to see and learn.<br />
So yeah, I'm not exactly sure what the point of this post is. I just thought it was cool to think about then vs. now.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3u1OyXFFIk0/Vj47r4Nbx0I/AAAAAAAAA40/qH_Z6AWtkQc/s1600/ESOWavocet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3u1OyXFFIk0/Vj47r4Nbx0I/AAAAAAAAA40/qH_Z6AWtkQc/s400/ESOWavocet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Complimentary bird photo: an Eastern Screech-Owl from Camp Avocet this August. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-64699176067035761722015-05-05T18:31:00.000-05:002015-05-05T18:35:33.337-05:00Encounters with Black Blobs and Other Adventures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello again, my lovely readers. I recently returned from a long weekend with my family in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and I thought I'd write a bit about it. I'd never actually been to the Smokies before, despite having visited Tennessee yearly for almost my whole life and driving through Knoxville several times. Now, however, we live about 8 or 9 hours away and we thought we'd give it a shot.<br />
<br />
Driving into Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg on Thursday was a neat experience. Pigeon Forge, as it turns out, is pretty much the most redneck tourist attraction in the country, advertising everything from 'Hillbilly Golf' to 'souvenirs, sunglasses, and live sharks' (true story). In other words, it was awesome. <br />
We had almost reached our cabin in Gatlinburg when what should run out in front of our car and scare us to death but a <b>black bear</b>! It was the first one any of us had seen in our lives, and it was enough to boost our excitement for the weekend to come.<br />
<br />
On Friday, I woke up early and took advantage of the balcony attached to my bedroom. Upon opening the door, I was greeted by the songs of Eastern Phoebes, Song Sparrows, and Northern Cardinals. The air was chilly, but I stood outside and happily counted birds and admired the view for almost an hour.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DUy31ZdlVa4/VUlOKkRnBJI/AAAAAAAAA1E/9qKw2LgCRR0/s1600/IMG_5764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DUy31ZdlVa4/VUlOKkRnBJI/AAAAAAAAA1E/9qKw2LgCRR0/s1600/IMG_5764.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A flock of Pine Siskins swooped into the thicket of trees just in front of the balcony, and though the morning light mostly masked their trademark yellow wingbars from view, their buzzy songs gave away their identities. It felt strange to me to see Pine Siskins in trees with leaves on them, and actually, it was strange. According to all the range maps I could find, Pine Siskins do not breed anywhere near the Smoky Mountains. But when I researched the matter further, I found that for a long time scientists suspected that siskins nested in the Smokies, and recently <a href="http://www.knoxnews.com/knoxville/life/marcia-davis-proof-confirmed-of-pine-siskins-in">proof was found</a>. However, the nest described in the article I linked to is in Clingman's Dome, which is at a much higher altitude than our cabin. Seeing a flock of around 15 siskins was unusual in that area, and I felt lucky to have that experience.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAjM3OuYU5A/VUlPArfX--I/AAAAAAAAA1M/Z7kfrM58PwA/s1600/IMG_5772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAjM3OuYU5A/VUlPArfX--I/AAAAAAAAA1M/Z7kfrM58PwA/s1600/IMG_5772.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my pathetic attempt at a photo of a Pine Siskin so you can look at it and feel better if you ever feel like a bad photographer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
After breakfast, we headed to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Since half of my family is under the age of ten, we had to find a trail that wasn't too strenuous. We settled on Laurel Falls Trail.<br />
The trail wound for 1.3 miles through hardwood forest up the side of a mountain to a beautiful waterfall at the top. Warblers songs floated from the edges of the trail, and I identified Northern Parula, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Hooded Warbler, and Louisiana Waterthrush. I was pretty excited about the waterthrush, as that species had been a nemesis bird of mine for quite some time and it felt so good to check it off my life list.<br />
<br />
When we reached the falls, the rushing water drowned out all birdsong except for one loud, sweet warbling call--the song of the...I had no idea. Some kind of warbler. I stood on the edge of the trail with my toes practically hanging over the side of the mountain straining my eyes for a glimpse of the bird, but no luck. Not knowing was killing me, but we had to go back to the parking lot as my little brothers were getting tired of walking. After we got home, I took advantage of the Cornell Lab's All About Birds website and discovered that the mystery bird was a Swainson's Warbler (lifer #2 for the trip). No wonder it wouldn't show itself!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I4TCDHvM7eg/VUlP2ADq1iI/AAAAAAAAA1U/Lk6aaRVDOCQ/s1600/IMG_5860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I4TCDHvM7eg/VUlP2ADq1iI/AAAAAAAAA1U/Lk6aaRVDOCQ/s1600/IMG_5860.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laurel Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My twelve-year-old brother was quite insistent that we visit Cades Cove to look for deer and the possible bear, so that's where we went next. The road that we drove on was surprisingly rife with cars, and the occasional traffic jam occurred. We quickly found out that where there was a traffic jam and/or a crowd of people with cameras, there was some kind of animal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Twice it was a bear--or maybe just a blob of black fur half-hidden by branches and the cameras of eager tourists. It was hard to tell.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-racISnGWZtU/VUlQTL6IJ8I/AAAAAAAAA1k/hjXmEVRsgZY/s1600/IMG_5946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-racISnGWZtU/VUlQTL6IJ8I/AAAAAAAAA1k/hjXmEVRsgZY/s1600/IMG_5946.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another sample from my repertoire of photographic fails.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Apparently, American black bears are much more common in GSM National Park than they used to be. My parents would visit the park often during college, and they never once saw a bear. But 20 years later, we saw 3 bears in 2 days. The Park staff estimates that there are now about 2 bears per square mile. <br />
Much more often than bears, deer were the ones causing the traffic jams. They were all your typical white-tailed deer, but they were considerably less afraid of humans than usual and there were mountains in the background. These factors, of course, made taking a picture a necessity. Thus, traffic jams ensued.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2hKoOD81Ng/VUlQDT_eJoI/AAAAAAAAA1c/NcWTGLQwSMU/s1600/IMG_5918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2hKoOD81Ng/VUlQDT_eJoI/AAAAAAAAA1c/NcWTGLQwSMU/s1600/IMG_5918.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A White-tailed Deer buck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Sadly, much of the fun ended there. Most of my family members woke up sick on Saturday morning and so we weren't able to do any more hiking. But that didn't stop us from driving up to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee.<br />
Clingman's Dome, because it's so high, has an ecosystem very similar to that of the northern boreal forest. The drive from the foot of the mountain to Clingman's Dome has been compared to 'a drive from Georgia to Maine'. The altitude is the reason that the Smokies are the southernmost breeding grounds for many northern species of birds like Black-capped Chickadee, Common Raven, Northern Saw-whet Owl, and Pine Siskin.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to see any of these birds. But I did get to admire the ecological anomaly that is Clingman's Dome. And I took pictures!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d31s71Ib12Y/VUlRhOHmyzI/AAAAAAAAA1w/6ATee4pfXug/s1600/IMG_6067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d31s71Ib12Y/VUlRhOHmyzI/AAAAAAAAA1w/6ATee4pfXug/s1600/IMG_6067.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9KVTYY5-dAE/VUlSHdTehKI/AAAAAAAAA14/-Rgmk2sfwYc/s1600/IMG_6053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9KVTYY5-dAE/VUlSHdTehKI/AAAAAAAAA14/-Rgmk2sfwYc/s1600/IMG_6053.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fd3oT6nZsOM/VUlSYjtAjSI/AAAAAAAAA2A/2ABzzZie_Ns/s1600/IMG_6048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fd3oT6nZsOM/VUlSYjtAjSI/AAAAAAAAA2A/2ABzzZie_Ns/s1600/IMG_6048.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On Sunday none of my family felt like doing more than sitting around and blowing their noses. So we stayed at our cabin and watched Marvel movies.<br />
Monday was our drive home. We made pretty good time for a bunch of half-awake sick people. <br />
And now we're at home trying to get better and waiting for summer. I hope to 'see' you guys again soon! Thanks for reading.<br />
<br />
--Katie<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-34980922249888733472015-02-17T18:07:00.002-06:002015-02-17T18:07:54.852-06:00Great Backyard Bird Count 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is something I look forward to every year in mid-February, when the weather is bleak and my year list is still in its infant stages. This last weekend, 2/13--2/16, was the GBBC this year, and I have to admit it was one of my favorites so far. I was limited to my yard and neighborhood, but with the oncoming ice storm the birds were more willing than usual to show themselves as they worked up all that fat and energy.<br />
<br />
Day 1 (2/13):<br />
<br />
I got up relatively early this morning, to be greeted with this friendly face:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKVMnfdYuGw/VOPU2J-EPzI/AAAAAAAAAyE/iGekKHFGbrE/s1600/IMG_5254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKVMnfdYuGw/VOPU2J-EPzI/AAAAAAAAAyE/iGekKHFGbrE/s1600/IMG_5254.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new dog--Xena, Warrior Princess. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I set out for the patch of woods down the street from my house at around 7:20 AM. Common Grackles were abundant, and I strained my ears to hear the unmistakable call of Red-winged Blackbirds among the grackles' rusty creaks and squawks, but no such luck. The expected Red-wings are a bit late this year. Despite the cold temperature (around 20 degrees, which is pretty cold for Mississippi), the woods yielded 11 species, but surprisingly no White-throated Sparrows or Dark-eyed Juncos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Up5Epgi0fj4/VOPXhrzpSrI/AAAAAAAAAy4/D1h-fvJm7yo/s1600/IMG_5257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Up5Epgi0fj4/VOPXhrzpSrI/AAAAAAAAAy4/D1h-fvJm7yo/s1600/IMG_5257.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After birding the woods for about 45 minutes, I walked down our street and around the corner, which was lined with brushy weeds and bushes and pine trees. I got an additional 8 species in that half hour, including a Great Blue Heron that flew from a pond straight in front of me and scared me to death.<br />
<br />
Day 2 (2/14):<br />
<br />
Besides being Valentine's Day, today was the day we decided to stock up on supplies before the imminent winter storm. So the majority of the second day of the GBBC was spent braving the crowds of people at Kroger and Target. But---I did manage to snare 10 species (including a year bird!) while following my little brother around the yard and trying to keep him from splattering muddy water all over himself and the dog. I'll take it.<br />
<br />
Day 3 (2/15):<br />
<br />
Today was the most successful day of the GBBC this year. I set out at 2:30 in the afternoon for the same woods I birded on Day 1. The birds were more active today than the first day, probably because of the ice storm that would hit that night. The highlight species was a Golden-crowned Kinglet--one of my favorite birds ever. (Along with Eastern Bluebird, Great Blue Heron, Veery, Baltimore Oriole, Scarlet Tanager...Okay fine, it's really not that hard to get on the list).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1mBCN_M7i0/VOPVYWfp_kI/AAAAAAAAAyM/1NwFvLlaUvQ/s1600/IMG_5305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1mBCN_M7i0/VOPVYWfp_kI/AAAAAAAAAyM/1NwFvLlaUvQ/s1600/IMG_5305.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-crowned Kinglet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The White-throated Sparrows made up for their absence on Day 1 by appearing in droves on Day 3--I estimated there were at least 100 of them today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryZ25_UA0rM/VOPWfx611NI/AAAAAAAAAyk/DTKYvdSigHo/s1600/IMG_5314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryZ25_UA0rM/VOPWfx611NI/AAAAAAAAAyk/DTKYvdSigHo/s1600/IMG_5314.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Afterwards I decided to go up to the undeveloped land on the other side of my neighborhood, which proved to be a good idea. There I found several Song Sparrows (year bird!) and a couple of Swamp Sparrows, which was a surprise as I'd never seen them at this location before.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5b3QIERBH3o/VOPWv4QEO3I/AAAAAAAAAys/0fIJmwZ1Vz4/s1600/IMG_5323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5b3QIERBH3o/VOPWv4QEO3I/AAAAAAAAAys/0fIJmwZ1Vz4/s1600/IMG_5323.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swamp Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Before I left, I managed to be startled by a Great Blue Heron again, and flush a very loud Killdeer (another year bird!). I ended the day with 28 species, seen and heard in 2 hours.<br />
<br />
Day 4 (2/16):<br />
<br />
As I sit here writing on the last day of the GBBC, freezing rain and sleet coats everything in ice outside. White-throated Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Chipping Sparrows, and a few other species are raiding the feeders, but sadly, I'm not hardcore enough to venture out into the winter weather. Nevertheless, I'm pretty satisfied with this year's GBBC, and I'm looking forward to next year!</div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-80017593914506080292014-03-12T12:49:00.000-05:002014-03-12T12:49:16.432-05:00Birding in My Neighborhood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You know how I said there would be new posts soon? Back in December? Yeah, obviously that didn't really go as planned. This poor blog has been neglected and pushed aside lately, and I will admit that procrastination is one of my best friends. But now I'm back, at least for now, to write a little about the place where I spend most of my time: my house and neighborhood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAJIiRoh_n8/UyCXNM8DoDI/AAAAAAAAAuc/anL4We-LL3k/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAJIiRoh_n8/UyCXNM8DoDI/AAAAAAAAAuc/anL4We-LL3k/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of our house.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We've lived in north Mississippi for around 3 and a half years, and I have to say that I love it here. When we moved down here from our tiny town in Upstate New York, I knew I'd miss our fifteen acres of woods and meadow, but I was excited to not have to struggle through hip-deep snow for more than half the year.<br />
Our neighborhood in Mississippi is suburban, but with our five acres and large barn we like to imagine we're still out in the country. We used to have chickens (until they all disappeared one night) and soon will again. <br />
<br />
And of course, the birds don't often disappoint either. The first bird I saw at our house was a Mississippi Kite, a lifer back in 2010 and now one of my favorite birds. Since then, I've recorded almost a hundred species in our yard and I'm hoping it won't stop there.<br />
Since upgrading to a DSLR camera, I've been exploring my neighborhood even more. I've found a few places to bird and take pictures, and my little brother (let's call him George) has been pretty enthusiastic too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yxmal_UUtU/UyCVhEWjEBI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/thqFtU1t-cE/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yxmal_UUtU/UyCVhEWjEBI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/thqFtU1t-cE/s1600/IMG_0535.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stream next to several houses under construction.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8aD_VJoCT8Y/UyCYm2CNorI/AAAAAAAAAuo/0r_GLsAv2Ko/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8aD_VJoCT8Y/UyCYm2CNorI/AAAAAAAAAuo/0r_GLsAv2Ko/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A goldfinch at our new feeder. (That isn't snow; our window was just a little dirtier than to be desired)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-DM6rW449E/UyCZ96BBstI/AAAAAAAAAu0/TQcvKpuoGvI/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-DM6rW449E/UyCZ96BBstI/AAAAAAAAAu0/TQcvKpuoGvI/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Geese we spotted flying over our house during the GBBC.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JkCNuDqAx0/UyCb9HwRldI/AAAAAAAAAvA/_3aiCUouvsU/s1600/IMG_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JkCNuDqAx0/UyCb9HwRldI/AAAAAAAAAvA/_3aiCUouvsU/s1600/IMG_0531.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George learning that dedicated birders sometimes have to endure being mauled by thorn bushes.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Every day, I'm learning that suburban neighborhoods can have more habitats and species than I previously thought. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-79972923443958746572013-12-30T14:14:00.000-06:002013-12-30T14:14:27.614-06:00New Camera!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As you all know, Christmas Day was a few days ago. And guess what was under the tree for me and my mom?<br />
A Canon EOS Rebel T3i camera!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSkbZE7Xzu8/Ur20E_R1GhI/AAAAAAAAAto/XolWaZH9j-E/s1600/DSC04400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xSkbZE7Xzu8/Ur20E_R1GhI/AAAAAAAAAto/XolWaZH9j-E/s400/DSC04400.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's so beautiful...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It came with 18-55mm, 50mm, and 75-300mm lenses. I wasted no time in getting it set up and proceeded to take as many photos as possible between spending time at grandma's, stuffing myself with delicious food, and giving and receiving gifts. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AwRctOtk6gw/Ur23JEktBII/AAAAAAAAAuA/HyaMLVxlcCs/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AwRctOtk6gw/Ur23JEktBII/AAAAAAAAAuA/HyaMLVxlcCs/s400/IMG_0233.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even dead weeds can be pretty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zYBleE70hY/Ur22GfrTjRI/AAAAAAAAAt4/thySM6TTpWo/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zYBleE70hY/Ur22GfrTjRI/AAAAAAAAAt4/thySM6TTpWo/s400/IMG_0111.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A White-throated Sparrow. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope to take many more photos with it and do some experimenting, so hopefully there will be some new posts on this blog soon.<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-24343426025049504552013-07-22T11:51:00.002-05:002013-07-22T11:51:32.856-05:00Book Review #2: Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams and Mark Cawardine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5145nkTiNvL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="main-image" rel="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5145nkTiNvL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" style="display: inline;" /></a> Douglas Adams is most commonly known as the author of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, a science-fiction/humor novel that is probably one of the funniest books I've ever read. But not only did Mr. Adams write science-fiction, he wrote about some science fact as well.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0345371984">Last Chance to See </a>is the compilation of several expeditions Douglas Adams went on to look for the world's most endangered animals, led by zoologist Mark Cawardine. The book is written in a hilarious, witty style, but still manages to teach you important facts about the lives and situations of all of the animals. <br />
Each chapter recounts an expedition, to anywhere from Madagascar to the Yangtze River in China. I enjoyed every one of them, but I especially liked the chapters titled "Heartbeats in the Night", about kakapos in New Zealand, and "Rare, or Medium Rare?", about fruit bats on Mauritius Island.<br />
I particularly liked the way Mr. Adams described the animals--on kakapos: "It has a look of serenely innocent incomprehension that makes you want to hug it and tell it that everything will be all right, though you know that it probably won't be." On Komodo dragons: "One is over twelve feet long and stands about a yard high, which you can't help but feel is entirely the wrong size for a lizard to be, particularly if it's a man-eater and you're about to go and share an island with it."<br />
Just as entertaining is the way he described the scientists he met on his travels; for example, an ornithologist on Mauritius: "One of the things you need to know about him, indeed<i> the</i> thing you need to know about him, is that he's an ornithologist. Once you know that, everything else more or less falls into place." <br />
<br />
I would give <i>Last Chance to See</i> 5 out of 5 stars!</div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-46215102946219845712013-07-02T14:53:00.001-05:002013-07-02T14:53:43.028-05:00Summer Photography<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This blog has been sadly void of new posts lately, and for that I apologize. Again. (I am working on a new book review post, though, so be on the lookout!)<br />
Though I haven't been posting much, I have been taking lots of photos. I thought I'd share some with you guys.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sd5UeR4GoqQ/UdMp8NyqxhI/AAAAAAAAAro/LeWY8vnpjIk/s1600/DSC02237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sd5UeR4GoqQ/UdMp8NyqxhI/AAAAAAAAAro/LeWY8vnpjIk/s400/DSC02237.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Buckeye butterfly.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZU27Fn1t1I/UdMqXijZPHI/AAAAAAAAArw/3FjhRZAVaSQ/s1600/DSC02110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZU27Fn1t1I/UdMqXijZPHI/AAAAAAAAArw/3FjhRZAVaSQ/s400/DSC02110.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluebird babies!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We had two pairs of Eastern Bluebirds nesting in our new nestboxes this spring! They should return soon for the next brood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pfExTa0rMrg/UdMrR_Wyw2I/AAAAAAAAAsA/mITG9AVsIGU/s1600/DSC02310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pfExTa0rMrg/UdMrR_Wyw2I/AAAAAAAAAsA/mITG9AVsIGU/s400/DSC02310.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A female Common Whitetail Skimmer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I received <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dragonflies-Damselflies-Princeton-Field-Guides/dp/0691122830">The Princeton Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East</a> for my birthday about two months ago. It is awesome, and I had no idea that there were this many species of Odonata until I got that book. 576 pages of them, and that's only for the eastern United States!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RobIddq73Q4/UdMtVmkuLyI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/CrsZLjd6KMw/s1600/DSC02333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RobIddq73Q4/UdMtVmkuLyI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/CrsZLjd6KMw/s400/DSC02333.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Red-headed Woodpecker preparing to steal our blackberries.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CCNvyZL4xeY/UdMuKw1-CGI/AAAAAAAAAsc/YDbpJ5zjTNE/s1600/DSC01964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CCNvyZL4xeY/UdMuKw1-CGI/AAAAAAAAAsc/YDbpJ5zjTNE/s400/DSC01964.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field notes on a Cerulean Warbler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also got my lifer Cerulean Warbler a couple of months ago on a walk at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center, which I was super excited about. I didn't get any photos, but I did take field notes.<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, that's all for now. Again, I am working on a book review post that should (hopefully) be up soon. But I'm really busy, because my dad and older brother are in New Mexico (jealous...so many awesome birds there) at Philmont Scout Ranch with my brother's Boy Scout troop, so I'm helping my mom take care of my little brothers.<br />
But anyway, I hope all of you have an awesome 4th of July (if you're American) and a great summer!</div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-955855569293194952013-04-22T14:15:00.000-05:002013-04-22T14:15:59.809-05:00A Random Contemplation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It seems whenever I come back from birding somewhere; be it my backyard, a park, or anywhere; someone always asks me "See anything good?". My reply is usually "Well, I saw *insert list of species here*." I never actually answer the question. <br />
But what makes a bird a 'good bird'?<br />
<br />
The Pink-footed Goose is considered a good bird in America. Whenever one gets blown over here, people come from all over the country to see it. But in Europe, the Pink-footed Goose is considered a pest.<br />
It's the same the other way around. If, say, an American Robin got blown over to England, the poor thing would be mobbed by birders lugging hundreds of pounds of optics just to get a look at a bird we Americans dismiss as 'just a robin'. So I guess location is one of the ingredients in the 'good bird formula'.<br />
<br />
Another ingredient, I think, has to do with the personal experience of a birder. When I had just started birding, any bird was good. I would spend hours watching chickadees at the feeder, and I distinctly remember running out in my pajamas in the freezing cold to see Piliated Woodpeckers chase each other around a tree trunk. Of course, I was six years old, but I'm sure every beginning birder has moments similar to that. And of course, if the bird is a lifer, it is most definitely a good bird.<br />
<br />
If a good bird is defined by its location and its observer's experience, then isn't every bird a good bird somewhere, and to someone?<br />
There are, of course, some birds that are always good, regardless of where they are or the number of times you've seen them. The Spoon-billed Sandpiper, for example. There are so few left that whenever one is seen it's an amazing find.<br />
The definition of a good bird is more complicated than I thought.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-81137857934645397922013-04-19T17:11:00.000-05:002013-04-19T17:11:32.205-05:00The Case of the Missing Chickens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On Monday, April 8, something strange happened. I went out to open the door of the chicken coop to let the chickens out, just like I do every morning. But when I got there, I found the door already open. Maybe I had forgotten to shut it the previous evening. That would be bad, as leaving the door wide open leaves the chickens vulnerable to foxes, raccoons, possums, etc. Upon looking inside, I saw that something had apparently taken advantage of that.<br />
All 32 chickens were gone, and there were black feathers everywhere. But only a few of our chickens were black, so this doesn't make sense. Plus, how could one animal eat 32 chickens? We don't have coyotes in our neighborhood, so none of the animals here hunt in packs. We searched the whole yard, but didn't find any other evidence.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XT8PiQgyk6c/UXG9OHnhL1I/AAAAAAAAAqw/IG2QCApjd_g/s1600/DSC01651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XT8PiQgyk6c/UXG9OHnhL1I/AAAAAAAAAqw/IG2QCApjd_g/s400/DSC01651.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chicken coop.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A few days later, my dad was working in the garden and found a hole with feathers in it. These feathers were barred black and white; presumably from a Domonique chicken, which we had several of. It looked as if something, maybe a fox, had buried a chicken there and come back for it later. Not long after, we found more evidence that seemed to point to a fox. <br />
The fence in the back corner of the chickens' yard was bent, and a hole was dug under it. It certainly looked like a fox had done it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emhpfrnSaB8/UXG_DNnnbvI/AAAAAAAAAq4/rm1rBlNyA_Q/s1600/DSC01655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-emhpfrnSaB8/UXG_DNnnbvI/AAAAAAAAAq4/rm1rBlNyA_Q/s400/DSC01655.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
We've come up with a theory that at least explains why there are only black feathers in the chicken coop: The three full-grown Black Australorp hens were harder for the predator to grab hold of and struggled, explaining all the feathers. But the little chickens, who were only about 8 weeks old, were much easier to kill and carry out of the coop.<br />
<br />
That's all we could come up with. Our friend suggested that the Chicken Hawk took them, but I'm pretty sure that's not what happened. If you have an idea, share it, please!</div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-70564761210283040962013-03-21T15:32:00.002-05:002013-03-21T15:32:39.189-05:00Spring Has Sprung!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes! Finally! The cherries, pears, and redbuds are turning their appropriate colors, the Pine Siskins and Dark-eyed Juncos are packing for their journey north, and the ground is blanketed with bluets and violets and the like. But it's been cold for spring here. The temperature is usually up into the seventies in March, but today the high was 58.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzscjlioc2A/UUttn61nCMI/AAAAAAAAAqY/cmz_n9oa7-8/s1600/DSC01580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzscjlioc2A/UUttn61nCMI/AAAAAAAAAqY/cmz_n9oa7-8/s400/DSC01580.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry blossoms--one of my favorite things to photograph.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4qdgzArRaA/UUtuN0looQI/AAAAAAAAAqg/kxQsn2VhGpM/s1600/DSC01552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4qdgzArRaA/UUtuN0looQI/AAAAAAAAAqg/kxQsn2VhGpM/s400/DSC01552.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardinalis cardinalis--a bird so nice, they named it twice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So...you're probably wondering where I've been all this time. Well, I'm still alive; I haven't disappeared off the face of the earth or anything like that. I've merely been busy. That and inspiration has been somewhat lacking. I haven't been out birding in awhile, and I lost the battery charger for the camera. I found it when making Irish soda bread on St. Patrick's Day--it was in one of the loaf pans in the cabinet. We find all sorts of things in the cabinets, since my 2-year-old brother is rather fond of playing in them. <br />
<br />
Also, we got 31 chicks a few weeks ago. Well, we were supposed to get 35, but 4 died on the way here from the hatchery in Ohio. The survivors are currently happy and healthy and living in a brooder in our garage.<br />
<br />
And...(this is my favorite part) just this past Sunday the <a href="http://www.aba.org/yby/win.html">winners</a> of the ABA's Young Birder of the Year Contest were announced! Congrats to the two grand-prize winners!! I was pleasantly surprised to discover I get third place in the writing module. <br />
<br />
Once again, I promise I'll try to post more. Except my mom's going to have a baby in about a week and a half...But I'll do my best! Thanks for reading, and I hope your spring is full of birds and flowers and all those great things spring brings. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-14823710917385641032013-01-21T08:59:00.003-06:002013-01-21T08:59:34.152-06:00Book Review #1: The Animal Dialogues--Uncommon Encounters in the Wild by Craig Childs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Note</b>: <i>I have <a href="http://thereadingsofme.blogspot.com/">another blog</a> for book reviews, but those books are mostly fiction. On this blog, I've decided to review some of my favorite nature books and field guides. Should be fun!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1537440.The_Animal_Dialogues"><i>The Animal Dialogues</i></a> is an incredible book. Craig Childs has a rare talent to combine adventure and scientific fact into thoroughly enjoyable and interesting stories. The Animal Dialogues is a collection of these stories, divided into sections named after different classes of animals (e.g. 'Birds, Aves'). Each of these stories is one of Mr. Childs' experiences. He's a naturalist and adventurer, and he has quite a few impressive stories to tell. Each one is written in an absorbing, descriptive style that had me glued to the page, anticipating what would happen next. Some of my favorites are 'Grizzly Bear', 'Mountain Lion', and 'Great Horned Owl'.<br />
<br />
Craig Childs strikes me as someone who genuinely appreciates the true wonder and beauty of nature, and it really shines through in this book. The way he describes his encounter with a mountain lion in Arizona, a grizzly bear in Wyoming, and even just looking at a great blue heron on a pole gives me a rush of adrenaline and makes me feel like I'm there too. A couple of times the stories gave me vivid dreams.<br />
<br />
<i>The Animal Dialogues</i> is definitely one of the best nature books I've ever read. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-76428788151829434802012-12-31T09:41:00.000-06:002012-12-31T09:41:21.267-06:00Goodbye 2012...Hello 2013!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today is the last day of 2012. It's been amazing, and I'm almost sorry to see it go. But 2013 will be, too--I can feel it. :)<br />
<br />
Something I like to do on New Year's Eve is to think about all the good things that happened in the past year, and also the bad things. Why were the good things so good? And what could have been done to make the bad things not so bad?<br />
Then, on New Year's Day, I think about everything I want to achieve in the new year. For example, this year I resolved to finish the ABA's Young Birder of the Year contest. Did I do it? Just barely; I submitted my last entry just hours before the deadline. :)<br />
<br />
Whatever your resolutions may be, I wish you good luck on achieving them, and wish you all a happy New Year. :) <br />
<br />
</div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-90035556781633494732012-12-19T15:56:00.002-06:002012-12-19T15:56:52.349-06:00It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, it's that time of year again. The weather is colder, the lights are up, and everyone is rushing around trying to get everything done. Can you believe it? Christmas is less than a week away!<br />
Whether you are wrapping presents, decorating the Christmas tree (if you are then you're late :P), or compiling the results of a recent Christmas Bird Count, I hope this post finds you in good health and high spirits. Merry Christmas!!<br />
<br />
Oh! Recently I've been looking through photos from previous years, and I've found some good ones.<br />
<br />
Photos from Christmases past:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VMy316P_4nU/UNI0j-QQvmI/AAAAAAAAAoo/MsFDgCIXLPM/s1600/cHRISTMAS+LIGHTS+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VMy316P_4nU/UNI0j-QQvmI/AAAAAAAAAoo/MsFDgCIXLPM/s400/cHRISTMAS+LIGHTS+047.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0vdQ74019o/UNI21ljzR2I/AAAAAAAAApE/171sBb5QIlQ/s1600/DSC02444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0vdQ74019o/UNI21ljzR2I/AAAAAAAAApE/171sBb5QIlQ/s400/DSC02444.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It snowed last year, which was weird for down here.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsr87-RWxOQ/UNI3YqYTwYI/AAAAAAAAApM/4vZbA_cgRGM/s1600/DSC02630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lsr87-RWxOQ/UNI3YqYTwYI/AAAAAAAAApM/4vZbA_cgRGM/s400/DSC02630.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hoRt3xu71I/UNI4B0ajD3I/AAAAAAAAApU/MHWJOEJ63oU/s400/DSC02631.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-46636043663115006092012-11-17T14:41:00.001-06:002012-11-17T14:41:26.438-06:00Shelby Farms Park--11/17/12The morning of Saturday, November 17th dawned cold and clear. It was 6 in the morning, and my dad and I were up and eating breakfast, even though the east was just beginning to glow with the rising sun. I was anticipating a morning of birding Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, TN with the Memphis Chapter of the <a href="http://tnbirds.org/">Tennessee Ornithological Society</a>. I hadn't been out birding in a month and a half, and I was ready to get started.<br />
<br />
It was not the best time for birds, though. November is on the border between fall and winter. The trees have (mostly) lost their leaves, but it's not quite cold enough to be winter. The birds notice this, too. The summer residents have gone, the migrants have passed through, but not all the winter residents have arrived yet. November is not known for its "birdiness", but birding is birding, all the same. <br />
<br />
We met with the other participants in the amphitheater parking lot at about 7:30. I was surprised at the amount of people there. I was not used to large birding groups, and 24 people seemed like a lot. We broke up into smaller groups, however, with 8 people in each. My group birded the space around the pistol range, as well as the riding stables and Chickasaw Lake.<br />
<br />
We had to drive to our destination, and as we followed the group leader, he kept stopping at every bird he saw. He was rather skilled in the art of keeping one hand on the wheel and the other on his binoculars without causing an accident. When we arrived, he lost no time in calling out birds.<br />
"White-throat, White-crowned, Field! Lots of sparrows over here, guys."<br />
<br />
Turns out the day was great for sparrows. We saw Savannah, Swamp, White-throated, White-crowned, Song, Field, and Fox. No Vesper Sparrows, though. They're usually seen at that location at this time of year, but we didn't see any. A notable sighting was Gray Catbird. November is pretty late for them, so it was rather unusual.<br />
<br />
The brush piles and cotton fields around the pistol range produced many species, including my lifer <b>Winter Wren</b>! I'm pretty excited about that one. One species that failed to show, however, was Lapland Longspur. It's somewhat of a nemesis bird for me, and I was hoping to see one, but we didn't.<br />
After we left the pistol range we headed to the riding stables and Chickasaw Lake. The lake was full of ducks, including Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwall. As well as another lifer: <b>Northern Pintail</b>! We got other new species for our day list as well: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Great Blue Heron.<br />
Around this time my dad checked the time, saw that it was 9:15, and decided that it was time to leave. So we did, and left feeling satisfied with another day of birds, birding, and two lifers. It was pretty fun! Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-343984986145448152012-11-07T08:41:00.004-06:002012-11-07T08:41:32.327-06:00Guess Whose Birthday it is....Not mine; my blog's! Yep, on November 7, 2011, this blog was created. Has it really been a year? I haven't posted in a while (sorry!), so I thought I'd post some special never-before-seen photos from recently, and any time in the last year. Here are some:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47ZOj1hEFXQ/UJpvQXOfbgI/AAAAAAAAAnA/ud8TqVOArW0/s1600/DSC07922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-47ZOj1hEFXQ/UJpvQXOfbgI/AAAAAAAAAnA/ud8TqVOArW0/s400/DSC07922.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enX2T3ycjnk/UJpxEZ9nH3I/AAAAAAAAAnU/ZSX-s1Nl6qw/s1600/DSC02279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enX2T3ycjnk/UJpxEZ9nH3I/AAAAAAAAAnU/ZSX-s1Nl6qw/s400/DSC02279.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMwqMD7gwic/UJpwj1hwQjI/AAAAAAAAAnI/YcPVFtBZiUE/s1600/DSC04400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMwqMD7gwic/UJpwj1hwQjI/AAAAAAAAAnI/YcPVFtBZiUE/s400/DSC04400.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OgRwRXrAFY/UJpxbGYPlDI/AAAAAAAAAnc/7gBHKUDximo/s1600/DSC02609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OgRwRXrAFY/UJpxbGYPlDI/AAAAAAAAAnc/7gBHKUDximo/s400/DSC02609.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytK6rzXh0EU/UJpyE3EtgFI/AAAAAAAAAnk/TqzYK1tXL88/s1600/DSC03178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ytK6rzXh0EU/UJpyE3EtgFI/AAAAAAAAAnk/TqzYK1tXL88/s400/DSC03178.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2umOnPu4mEM/UJpyzDCdH3I/AAAAAAAAAns/XcrZsGoINXI/s1600/DSC07847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2umOnPu4mEM/UJpyzDCdH3I/AAAAAAAAAns/XcrZsGoINXI/s400/DSC07847.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That's all for now, folks! I hope to be around more in the future. Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-14275890491895378202012-10-09T10:20:00.001-05:002012-10-09T10:20:27.030-05:00Hummingbird Migration Celebration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This post is kind of late, so I apologize.<br />
<br />
September 7--9 were the dates of the National Audubon Society's annual Hummingbird Migration Celebration at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs, Mississippi. If you've read an earlier <a href="http://katydidsandbluebirds.blogspot.com/2012/08/strawberry-plains-audubon-center-8412.html">post</a> I wrote, you'll know how great Strawberry Plains is. It's even greater in early September, when the hummingbirds are getting ready for their long migration to Central America. The Center's feeders are literally buzzing with hummers. It's like a hummingbird fallout!<br />
The Hummingbird Migration Celebration is the biggest Audubon event in the country, partly because it's so close to Memphis, TN, but mostly because it's so much fun. Strawberry Plains almost feels like a different place, with all the people and tents all around. My favorite was the hummingbird banding tent, where you could see hummingbirds being banded while the banders explained how it was done.<br />
<br />
The hummingbirds are caught in traps set up around the feeders. They are basically wire cages with doors that can be pulled shut by an attached fishing line. Once the hummingbirds are caught, they are put in little drawstring mesh bags to wait their turn for banding.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3JJWhZCPHJA/UGtqXEnv1eI/AAAAAAAAAlg/32_Fwb_lyOw/s1600/DSC00106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3JJWhZCPHJA/UGtqXEnv1eI/AAAAAAAAAlg/32_Fwb_lyOw/s400/DSC00106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The band is very, very small, which is why I didn't get a photo; the camera wouldn't focus. It is pried open and placed in the banding pliers, which are just pliers with tongs on the end in the exact shape and size of the band. The band is then squeezed shut around the hummingbird's leg. Then the hummingbird is weighed, its fat content measured, and then placed in some lucky little kid's hands to be released. It was really cool.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--R7ch20dyUE/UGtq49PaRvI/AAAAAAAAAlo/Om-azxC6OYs/s1600/DSC00111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--R7ch20dyUE/UGtq49PaRvI/AAAAAAAAAlo/Om-azxC6OYs/s400/DSC00111.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There were plenty of other tents, including one for the Organization for Bat Conservation. There was a program given by the director, about all kinds of bats. He brought some live bats to show the audience, including the largest bat in the world, the flying fox, which is about the size of a large hare. I had only read about them before, so I was excited by this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZD2Ba_SzOQ/UGttBcXzDII/AAAAAAAAAlw/-vdPbfUDmmA/s1600/DSC00132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZD2Ba_SzOQ/UGttBcXzDII/AAAAAAAAAlw/-vdPbfUDmmA/s400/DSC00132.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying Fox, the largest bat in the world.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
He had also brought a Malaysian fruit bat and a big brown bat, and gave everyone close-up looks of both. It was pretty awesome.<br />
<br />
There were also kids' tents, artwork on display, and, to the excitement of my amateur geologist brother, a rock tent. All of them were very interesting, and the festival itself was fun for all. </div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-89059401064216083082012-10-06T11:20:00.002-05:002012-10-06T11:22:13.724-05:00Fall Changes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was officially fall weeks ago, but I've only just started to believe it. Today the high temperature is 59 degrees Fahrenheit. That's pretty cool for October in the South.<br />
The trees have just started changing colors; their leaves portraying just a hint of yellow, orange, or red. It's actually quite pretty. I went with my youth group to Natchez Trace State Park near Jackson, Tennessee last Saturday, and the trees were especially noticeable. I was going to bring my camera, but unfortunately the memory card is used up and I have to wait a while for the new one. But before the memory card complained that it was full to bursting, I was able to take a few photos of some fall changes in our yard:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjdBcV4tNFE/UHBZGxnDTWI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/7Twm9uNY24I/s1600/DSC00297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjdBcV4tNFE/UHBZGxnDTWI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/7Twm9uNY24I/s400/DSC00297.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The leaves are turning (finally)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-go1m-lTeDzg/UHBZj9FQHwI/AAAAAAAAAmY/HVhEL2fi8rU/s1600/DSC00309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-go1m-lTeDzg/UHBZj9FQHwI/AAAAAAAAAmY/HVhEL2fi8rU/s400/DSC00309.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The persimmons are ripe!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vD43eIs1KA/UHBaE9rPkoI/AAAAAAAAAmg/xAGPgQtKPkE/s1600/DSC00251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vD43eIs1KA/UHBaE9rPkoI/AAAAAAAAAmg/xAGPgQtKPkE/s400/DSC00251.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The grass is going to seed...<br />
<br />
And finally, I can wear jeans without melting! :D<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-1430779024360748822012-09-12T12:07:00.005-05:002012-09-12T12:07:42.785-05:00Just a Quick Post...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
...to let you guys know that I have written another post for the ABA's Young Birder Blog, The Eyrie! I'm really excited about it. Here's the link:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://birding.typepad.com/youngbirders/2012/09/great-views-of-great-blues-.html">http://birding.typepad.com/youngbirders/2012/09/great-views-of-great-blues-.html</a></div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-59648900962841885012012-09-09T17:14:00.001-05:002012-09-09T17:14:41.469-05:00New Place, New Experiences, New Birds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We just got back from vacation in coastal Alabama! We went with our grandparents, uncle, aunt, and two cousins. The reason we went was to celebrate our grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. We stayed at Fort Morgan Island, a barrier island off of Mobile Bay. We'd never been there before, and all of us but my dad and older brother hadn't been to the beach for about five years. That meant lots of fun, new experiences, and, of course, new birds.<br />
I've always loved Alabama, but I had only been to the northern part of the state before. Southern Alabama is completely different. Firstly, it's way flatter. No mountains there. Not even hills. Secondly, the people talk different. It's still a southern accent, but different somehow. And thirdly, some of the birds are way different as well. It has most of the birds of north Alabama, but also the special birds of the Gulf Coast. So yeah, southern Alabama is awesome.<br />
But just how awesome? Our first peek at that was as we were driving over Mobile Bay. From the bridge you could see the battleship U.S.S. <i>Alabama</i>, which was retired and turned into a museum. My brothers thought it was great, and so did I, but my attention was slightly diverted by pelicans, gulls, egrets everywhere! I was not ready for the Gulf's birdiness (which is a real word, I assure you).<br />
<br />
We arrived on Friday, August 31st, but it was too late to do anything but unpack and go to bed at our rental house. On Saturday, we went to the beach bright and early. The sun was shining, the water was just right, and there were shells just waiting to be collected and birds just waiting to be found. I wasted no time kicking off my flip-flops, grabbing my binoculars and camera, and setting off down the beach. I had forgotten to change into my swimsuit, so I couldn't go in the water, but that was all right. I immediately spotted some Sanderlings, which to some are considered too common to be interesting. But you forget, I hadn't been to the beach in five years, so to me, they were a real treat. So were the Laughing Gulls, which believe it or not, was a lifer for me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eMXdVDF_dYg/UEeyPQe5mMI/AAAAAAAAAkk/FBTehcVljd4/s1600/DSC09896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eMXdVDF_dYg/UEeyPQe5mMI/AAAAAAAAAkk/FBTehcVljd4/s400/DSC09896.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanderling among seaweed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Out to sea a little ways, I saw brown pelicans and some terns I identified as both Royal and Common (both of which were lifers!).<br />
I decided to take some notes on the Sanderlings, and followed them a little ways to where I was rewarded with yet another lifer--a Willet! It was very cooperative and did not seem to mind the ecstatic clicking of my camera. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-udd07XviXdE/UEezPHPg_OI/AAAAAAAAAks/Qv6Ur69bFyE/s1600/DSC09867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-udd07XviXdE/UEezPHPg_OI/AAAAAAAAAks/Qv6Ur69bFyE/s400/DSC09867.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lifer Willet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While I'm on the subject of Willet, I will say this. Isn't it funny how sometimes the AOU code for some species are actual names? Like Willet is WILL. Dickcissel is DICK. And Hudsonian Godwit is HUGO. Yeah, I know, that was completely random.<br />
<br />
So anyway, we came back to the beach on Sunday and I did something I've always wanted to do--I birded in my swimsuit! No lifers then, though.<br />
Also on Sunday, we went to the famed Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Gulf Shores, AL. We went around midday, so that combined with all the sound we were making meant we didn't see that many birds. We saw Prothonotary Warbler(!), Great Blue Heron, and Royal Tern, among others. We also saw two dead snakes, one of which may have been a copperhead (we couldn't tell--it didn't have a head).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ0eJDkayMU/UEe1PyanVxI/AAAAAAAAAk0/6tfcpjg6NdE/s1600/DSC00003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ0eJDkayMU/UEe1PyanVxI/AAAAAAAAAk0/6tfcpjg6NdE/s320/DSC00003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boardwalk at Bon Secour NWR.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Bon Secour NWR is part of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, and covers over 4,000 acres of maritime forest, beaches, swamps, and dunes. It is home to the endangered Alabama Beach Mouse, and is a nesting site for loggerhead and Kemp's ridley sea turtles. The Kemp's ridley is critically endangered, and is only known to nest on the Gulf Coast.<br />
<br />
Speaking of endangered animals, I found evidence while at the beach that the BP oil spill is not completely gone. I noticed some black stuff in the tide and asked what it was. My uncle, who had been there before, told me it was the remnants of oil.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1D7N9RKj4Xo/UEe3rWYqS1I/AAAAAAAAAk8/dDLzs3WJdDk/s1600/DSC09911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1D7N9RKj4Xo/UEe3rWYqS1I/AAAAAAAAAk8/dDLzs3WJdDk/s400/DSC09911.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil in the tide.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sunday night we took a walk on the beach at night. Wow, it was beautiful. We arrived at sunset, and only when I saw the amazing photo opportunity did I realize I had forgotten the camera. But fortunately, when there's good light, it doesn't matter what camera you use. I used my dad's iPhone. I don't have the photo uploaded yet, but I'll try to get it up here soon.<br />
<br />
We looked for ghost crabs and found a whole bucketload of them. The art of ghost crab catching is surprisingly difficult. The crabs are so fast you must be stealthy, quick, and have good eyesight.<br />
Once we had caught about twenty, the scene inside the bucket began to look a little too much like a crab version of the Hunger Games, so we let them go.<br />
<br />
Monday morning dawned bright, warm, and, as is so typical of southern Alabama, humid. We went to the fort for which Fort Morgan Island is named, which was used in the War of 1812, the Civil War, and World Wars 1 and 2. It was huge, interesting, and altogether very cool.<br />
<br />
On Tuesday we went home. I had only one regret: I had not seen an Anhinga, a bird I had always wanted to see. I was just thinking about this when out the car window, in a wooded swamp, I saw a large, majestic, heronlike bird with a long, thin neck; its black and white wings stretched out to dry. An Anhinga. It wasn't a great look, and only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough to put a smile on my badly sunburned face and give me one last lifer before leaving the state I now love even more. Alabama. :-)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-42366104435711532742012-08-24T18:57:00.002-05:002012-08-24T18:57:41.126-05:00Photo Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wow, it's been a while, hasn't it? I'm sorry I haven't been around much; it's been pretty busy around here. I thought that you, my patient readers, would like to see what I've been photographing lately, and so here are some photos:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpQ45OuoSLU/UDgS7zM204I/AAAAAAAAAjE/OsnkldAZ2xA/s1600/DSC09584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HpQ45OuoSLU/UDgS7zM204I/AAAAAAAAAjE/OsnkldAZ2xA/s400/DSC09584.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
A crape myrtle blossom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVjGBjvO1W0/UDgTOv7h9OI/AAAAAAAAAjM/tPpJzAZAmhI/s1600/DSC09651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVjGBjvO1W0/UDgTOv7h9OI/AAAAAAAAAjM/tPpJzAZAmhI/s400/DSC09651.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />A baby Eastern Kingbird I found in our Rose of Sharon bush.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYvpzWsnU0U/UDgTvag3EJI/AAAAAAAAAjU/WPTFhGQTW2k/s1600/DSC09624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYvpzWsnU0U/UDgTvag3EJI/AAAAAAAAAjU/WPTFhGQTW2k/s400/DSC09624.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
A really pretty Luna Moth I found.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-78bHZ6RNi3Y/UDgUVulgdGI/AAAAAAAAAjc/AljuzAYUva8/s1600/DSC09522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-78bHZ6RNi3Y/UDgUVulgdGI/AAAAAAAAAjc/AljuzAYUva8/s400/DSC09522.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
We saw these black bear claw marks on a beech tree at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center. They're probably about 3 to 5 years old. Black bears usually don't live in Mississippi, so this one was probably passing through.<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, I hope everyone's having a great rest-of-summer and a great new school year!</div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-23971377626885722772012-08-04T15:58:00.001-05:002013-04-25T14:23:32.410-05:00Strawberry Plains Audubon Center-- 8/4/12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The school year has started. That simple phrase can fill some with dread, others with happiness, and still others with a mix of the two. I enjoyed my summer vacation, but I'm excited about the new school year all the same. There are several good things about it. It means I'm in 8th grade (scary thought), it makes the weekend all the more sweet, and........it marks the start of fall migration!<br />
<br />
My dad, my little brother and I celebrated by taking a trip to Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in Holly Springs, MS on Saturday. We set out at about 8:15 AM and arrived at about 9. It was supposed to be a group walk, but the leader never showed up. So another very nice person, a mammalogist, drove us to a nearby pond to see some shorebirds. Upon getting out of the golfcart, we spotted a number of small indistinct shorebirds. Determinedly, we raised our binoculars and squinted at them. Our mammalogist guide was at about the same place I am with shorebird identification, so we discussed their field marks until we had to resort to a field guide. We ended up identifying them as Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, as well as a lone Least Sandpiper.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_nyRz_ZB0U/UB2HAZAcOII/AAAAAAAAAg0/hilO_w48AgQ/s1600/DSC09373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_nyRz_ZB0U/UB2HAZAcOII/AAAAAAAAAg0/hilO_w48AgQ/s400/DSC09373.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo shows all three species.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The pond was full of many more natural wonders, including turtles, fish, insects, and footprints. We found raccoon, coyote, deer and even bobcat tracks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecm7PViwYZ4/UB2ICWRlyMI/AAAAAAAAAg8/Ij_nMXk9mDE/s1600/DSC09400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ecm7PViwYZ4/UB2ICWRlyMI/AAAAAAAAAg8/Ij_nMXk9mDE/s400/DSC09400.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bobcat track.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There were also scores of bird tracks.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HmiPdHhfsAI/UB2Im8MXOaI/AAAAAAAAAhE/IOQ7tYNVn4o/s1600/DSC09396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HmiPdHhfsAI/UB2Im8MXOaI/AAAAAAAAAhE/IOQ7tYNVn4o/s400/DSC09396.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A heron track among sandpiper prints.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We looked up from the footprints just in time to see a yellowlegs being chased by.....was that a <i>hummingbird</i>? Those little guys are fierce!<br />
<br />
We also noticed about ten turtles sunning themselves on some dead branches sticking out of the water.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fknuNCMhf4/UB2J6-gW0uI/AAAAAAAAAhM/mQcMzo431fs/s1600/DSC09390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fknuNCMhf4/UB2J6-gW0uI/AAAAAAAAAhM/mQcMzo431fs/s400/DSC09390.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As far as we could tell, they were all Red-eared Sliders.<br />
<br />
We then decided to move on to the wildflower meadow. The wildflower meadow is an old farm pasture that is controlled with fire and planted with wildflowers. It is a great place to see all kinds of grassland species. It was getting kind of late in the morning, so we didn't expect to see too many birds, but we got a pretty good amount all the same. We heard Field Sparrow, saw White-eyed Vireo and Indigo Bunting, as well as a female Common Yellowthroat; all nice additions to our list. We ended up with 14 species in an hour and a half.<br />
<br />
<br />
Some of you may have heard of Strawberry Plains Audubon Center's Hummingbird Migration Celebration in September. It is the biggest Audubon event in the country, and it is awesome. It happens this year on the weekend of September 7--9, and I am definitely looking forward to it. The hummingbirds were there in force on Saturday, as we found out when we saw the large collection of hummer feeders at the Center. They were cooperative, friendly, and altogether fun to photograph!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aUa_bBkTDGs/UB2Ma5nGguI/AAAAAAAAAhs/kuZArm31cNU/s1600/DSC09349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aUa_bBkTDGs/UB2Ma5nGguI/AAAAAAAAAhs/kuZArm31cNU/s400/DSC09349.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-6_OcSNSIk/UB2MvQwOARI/AAAAAAAAAh0/6qg5E4K19OM/s400/DSC09351.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<br /></div>
Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-12541934120329260332012-07-21T14:04:00.000-05:002012-07-21T14:04:10.897-05:00National Moth Week!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCNdbtNl51c/TyGUgV0JXTI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/cODLJKQ5YCw/s1600/1stweekofJune+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCNdbtNl51c/TyGUgV0JXTI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/cODLJKQ5YCw/s400/1stweekofJune+005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This coming week (July 22--29) is National Moth Week! I actually just found that out yesterday and thought it would be fun to spend the whole week looking for, studying, and reading about moths. If you want to learn more about National Moth Week, here's a link to the website: <a href="http://nationalmothweek.org/">http://nationalmothweek.org/</a></div>Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-283551717221785048.post-51720500543304606692012-07-07T14:57:00.000-05:002012-07-07T14:57:34.394-05:00High SummerWell, it's definitely summer now. The temperature has been in the hundreds all week, and we're down 13 inches in rain. We're all looking forward to next week, where we have a 50% chance of rain and the temps are down into the 80s, even. It's been too hot to properly enjoy the outdoors lately, so mostly I've been reading inside. But I have managed to take a few photos lately, even if I did forget the camera when we went to watch fireworks on the 4th. Here are some:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eck81i1TMDg/T_iTHOibkuI/AAAAAAAAAgM/wP1dNEARn8M/s1600/DSC08973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eck81i1TMDg/T_iTHOibkuI/AAAAAAAAAgM/wP1dNEARn8M/s400/DSC08973.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Even the parched grass is pretty at sunset :).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vD8eJ58e8nQ/T_iTh9zTNcI/AAAAAAAAAgU/a68bhQysW1o/s1600/DSC08817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vD8eJ58e8nQ/T_iTh9zTNcI/AAAAAAAAAgU/a68bhQysW1o/s400/DSC08817.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_rE_2jp6AU/T_iT08II_wI/AAAAAAAAAgg/8vYOXosYAdo/s1600/DSC08784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_rE_2jp6AU/T_iT08II_wI/AAAAAAAAAgg/8vYOXosYAdo/s400/DSC08784.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5drDGr7XJZU/T_iUTLzKtTI/AAAAAAAAAgo/gE-OWN30WiE/s1600/DSC08820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5drDGr7XJZU/T_iUTLzKtTI/AAAAAAAAAgo/gE-OWN30WiE/s400/DSC08820.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That's all for now, folks! Have a great summer and stay cool!Katie Boordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09614072371382246283noreply@blogger.com2