tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-291738042024-03-15T21:09:53.109-04:00Life, Birding, Photos and EverythingI subscribe to the 4 F's of bird <br> photography; Find 'em and Focus<br> Fast before they Fly away!denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.comBlogger635125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-42399458555873197962021-04-24T17:02:00.001-04:002021-04-24T17:06:05.419-04:00Mammoth Cave National Park for All<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1nYoaZ2i6GCpDu2rOrKLvJff2ZIsiQ7LoEcuJVFTtccLM1IQp_DjYWEVQudGQCzjp-2IdyKr8bXfWvJQ94nFjFUKiKn86vtuJxMmq42qxHJS8IcZDB7o17_ONo36PgNfCpGR/s465/Cave+Formations.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="465" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1nYoaZ2i6GCpDu2rOrKLvJff2ZIsiQ7LoEcuJVFTtccLM1IQp_DjYWEVQudGQCzjp-2IdyKr8bXfWvJQ94nFjFUKiKn86vtuJxMmq42qxHJS8IcZDB7o17_ONo36PgNfCpGR/w400-h225/Cave+Formations.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mammoth Cave Formations</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>When I think of National Parks, I normally imagine driving to another state, such as Wyoming or Montana. That's where you find National Parks - far, far, away. But Mammoth Cave is right here in Kentucky, less than a 2 hour drive from Louisville, and we tend to overlook it. And caves, right? You go in the hot weather to enjoy the cool cave tours.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodxs0XE83g2oBWjwZD3Xvqp2W328383YXqEYJz3muyAp9WfrYJ6ZNha2eCGGfjib7QIgd21tAtbD78yMsMbVfxGSQRjxhZo9ahwoAEMJ6fGObdPzwuAxgOxx8NpVy14lYpWHl/s900/Collection+-+foamflower%252C+delphinium+phlox.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodxs0XE83g2oBWjwZD3Xvqp2W328383YXqEYJz3muyAp9WfrYJ6ZNha2eCGGfjib7QIgd21tAtbD78yMsMbVfxGSQRjxhZo9ahwoAEMJ6fGObdPzwuAxgOxx8NpVy14lYpWHl/w400-h225/Collection+-+foamflower%252C+delphinium+phlox.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Foamflower, Delphinium and Phlox</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Even without the world's longest cave system, the above-ground land encompassing
Mammoth Cave National Park would merit its National Park status due
simply to its extraordinary density – and <b><i>diversity</i> </b>– of plant life.
While the acknowledged "showcase of vegetation" within the Park Service,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has approximately 1,500 flowering
species in its more than 500,000 acres, Mammoth Cave National Park
supports more than 1,300 species in only <i>one-tenth</i> of that acreage.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABphDTLa1vi-7T6o1CdGE3Qrx9jqT4IdSuTFSOTo12EUQ3ZL9XaaLe6BCMNfZbtWq_IYUXb1TXu6feCGU7pGyRhyphenhyphenr3D30glLQm9E-ihw99vER1oExi8ok32hcCQBIZRGmY2VF/s900/MCNP+Echo+Spring+Trail+overlook+glass+plates.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABphDTLa1vi-7T6o1CdGE3Qrx9jqT4IdSuTFSOTo12EUQ3ZL9XaaLe6BCMNfZbtWq_IYUXb1TXu6feCGU7pGyRhyphenhyphenr3D30glLQm9E-ihw99vER1oExi8ok32hcCQBIZRGmY2VF/s320/MCNP+Echo+Spring+Trail+overlook+glass+plates.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Accessible overlook ramp- Echo Spring</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Caves and sinkholes are really only accessible to healthy people, able to climb. Folks in wheelchairs, crutches, or just with balance issues, don't dare go to many places at Mammoth Cave. Now, however, the parks people have been working to improve the Handicapped Accessible trails. Echo Spring Trail, for example, has been paved and large size porta-potties installed. Overlooks on the trail have been re-constructed to add clear panels, so people in wheelchairs can take pictures without trying to peer between parts of the fence. The trail has been completed to make a full loop, but the signs are a bit in arrears, so don't pay much attention to them. If you visit at the right times, you can find wild flowers and migrating birds in this valley as well. Since I have lost my balance somewhere, we walked the Heritrage Trail, near the Visitor Center, and down the steep hill to the Green River Ferry and Echo Spring Trail. So far so good for a couple of older folks.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_56lf4GZiwFjwwUBlanaDKi7tpGR4kOa_V8hUnwVThkM91uQZNIWMImRgpjomVNVQTJg_WZbd-pa8JBmh_nD590YDOzY25jlJrpT2IJbtUvDLqLRa9aAJmVslIWJ7N7Q2J8b/s900/Goldenseal+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="900" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_56lf4GZiwFjwwUBlanaDKi7tpGR4kOa_V8hUnwVThkM91uQZNIWMImRgpjomVNVQTJg_WZbd-pa8JBmh_nD590YDOzY25jlJrpT2IJbtUvDLqLRa9aAJmVslIWJ7N7Q2J8b/w400-h278/Goldenseal+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Golden Seal</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Then we got ambitious and drove to the Cedar Sink Trail, where we heard the wild flowers were terrific. Well, they were right, and the flowers were terrific, but so were the stairs. We managed to hike down the gravel and wood steps, but when we arrived at the metal stars going to the actual sink hole, I said NO, quite firmly. If we walked down there without falling (doubtful) we <i>still </i>have to make it back to the car again. Since it was late April instead of earlier in the season, we saw a variety of different flowers along the trail. With no construction along the trail, Garlic Mustard was not found!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPFNobwyO2yWUPcS7wFnnH9y5qkw-WobBhyEBJUx92bSMa9HCavmdUqJ1Gx429nC0ai-ylNR1FaeAyEP2PDE4VDCbybFHDBA-VsmdNi3AhShpLCAat1_LcAzNTc-OZvceI_z_/s900/Bellwort+clump.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="900" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPFNobwyO2yWUPcS7wFnnH9y5qkw-WobBhyEBJUx92bSMa9HCavmdUqJ1Gx429nC0ai-ylNR1FaeAyEP2PDE4VDCbybFHDBA-VsmdNi3AhShpLCAat1_LcAzNTc-OZvceI_z_/w400-h350/Bellwort+clump.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bellewort</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTal7g4zKarbfzPLt9U5dZfDm0Lt-x-hHTUMVqlCWzxMFAmN48QmggWIyilR1TO4-I0Z9cxAtxhn7kaCf5GJm5fN0Nit7a7FwfBIvSCyCLnZkhH4KdD1YNyQsXUSjIQljAjoCR/s900/Collection+-+foamflower%252C+delphinium%252C+May+aple.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="900" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTal7g4zKarbfzPLt9U5dZfDm0Lt-x-hHTUMVqlCWzxMFAmN48QmggWIyilR1TO4-I0Z9cxAtxhn7kaCf5GJm5fN0Nit7a7FwfBIvSCyCLnZkhH4KdD1YNyQsXUSjIQljAjoCR/w400-h265/Collection+-+foamflower%252C+delphinium%252C+May+aple.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Foam Flower, May Apple, Delphinium</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsQZD7gzX5ceuYhEYBn5BKd5GNw-B5g1LymVTrwUQYdV1BT4NZ3Tx557QcAT6bLLZo28oBYYgZ4N3AjrVBro1QfVvqXDpb88bi4yL4jwGdx3tm7t1-wg-Y_rdAmqgOWR6tKDR/s900/Collection-Fire+Pink+-+Ragwort.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="900" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsQZD7gzX5ceuYhEYBn5BKd5GNw-B5g1LymVTrwUQYdV1BT4NZ3Tx557QcAT6bLLZo28oBYYgZ4N3AjrVBro1QfVvqXDpb88bi4yL4jwGdx3tm7t1-wg-Y_rdAmqgOWR6tKDR/w400-h203/Collection-Fire+Pink+-+Ragwort.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fire Pink, Stonecrop and Ragwort</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTe04wfX5i8sO8Mtzx2LNB_vfvG7c70j_J0BmEfmzAhSkn2msOzyskbdQqNaRShTPN705NQ4PdXntMBiulB3zjL9as4oarm0qmZZnLC2gdQh0zQmAcDRR9cv3qzRuJKZSdzLn/s900/Foamflower.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTe04wfX5i8sO8Mtzx2LNB_vfvG7c70j_J0BmEfmzAhSkn2msOzyskbdQqNaRShTPN705NQ4PdXntMBiulB3zjL9as4oarm0qmZZnLC2gdQh0zQmAcDRR9cv3qzRuJKZSdzLn/w400-h240/Foamflower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Foam Flower</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu-CSbw5hBC9faSoMGmgsPOU81Ywl2r7Omzr7-k4YZIEm-id1ThSaJlg9DSaESpuSY_M_msI0S4Yr3MOeSdrIk52fyXVN_346DEsYqlpVy6JyDIEJ8mt05tvtzr2r2Dycb-GQ/s900/Jacobs+Ladder+and+Phlox.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="900" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu-CSbw5hBC9faSoMGmgsPOU81Ywl2r7Omzr7-k4YZIEm-id1ThSaJlg9DSaESpuSY_M_msI0S4Yr3MOeSdrIk52fyXVN_346DEsYqlpVy6JyDIEJ8mt05tvtzr2r2Dycb-GQ/w400-h203/Jacobs+Ladder+and+Phlox.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Phlox and Jacob's Ladder</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA4pSp7dDBNyTWLiF9xFCfYw5T1-2-b8M0F4MYDDyMQQTKRRS8FEXgUTDJsONSouKa4b825ffRSvZLtLtCDyrvcT800LU5QpQ3Ox8YGvthvZshOzgzRseGJlZ3-_2gUucJbJw/s900/Blue+Gray+Gnatcatcher.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="900" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGA4pSp7dDBNyTWLiF9xFCfYw5T1-2-b8M0F4MYDDyMQQTKRRS8FEXgUTDJsONSouKa4b825ffRSvZLtLtCDyrvcT800LU5QpQ3Ox8YGvthvZshOzgzRseGJlZ3-_2gUucJbJw/w400-h198/Blue+Gray+Gnatcatcher.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bluegray Gnatcatcher</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The day was gray, cloudy and windy. Another birder reported large numbers of birds found earlier, so we were hopeful. Although we heard lots of birds, we actually sighted very few of them. In a later email, this birder also reported finding few birds on the same day, which made us feel better. Thanks to Steve Kistler who knows all the birds and flowers in the park! <a href="http://hartcountyflora.org/index.html">http://hartcountyflora.org/index.html</a><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fOGE-zI32vD3joBZBeDXxhWQjwhh1R9b9gtbMrkfCf5JM_040bS7ArCwqOS7sBPzmAziVQCLC0Os3cCvNflS_xHugImgfyj-_1QYwc6K-XJZB5VNhiHLCsreTwYDsrRKIzwT/s900/Northern+Parula.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="900" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fOGE-zI32vD3joBZBeDXxhWQjwhh1R9b9gtbMrkfCf5JM_040bS7ArCwqOS7sBPzmAziVQCLC0Os3cCvNflS_xHugImgfyj-_1QYwc6K-XJZB5VNhiHLCsreTwYDsrRKIzwT/w400-h263/Northern+Parula.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Northern Parula</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>When you are out on the trail, you soon find that there is no internet signal to be had. All the birders who rely on their electronic equipment as usually out of luck. Dick got his phone going though, and managed, after several attempts, to lure this Parula close enough for photos. Thanks Dick!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBL5PbrmAf1d6tm44twISmgqfgNxOTJKc4Ktj1rmw4kEqFPW4EFaa0sHv8F9fxZ_fwOnpa1oGjq_qu1rcv6VSXfjSH0nhmnVdM5Z2nN-i9J81nu7lvnZaawqkUGfsgtLZWZLk/s850/Hooded+Warbler+Profile.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="850" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBL5PbrmAf1d6tm44twISmgqfgNxOTJKc4Ktj1rmw4kEqFPW4EFaa0sHv8F9fxZ_fwOnpa1oGjq_qu1rcv6VSXfjSH0nhmnVdM5Z2nN-i9J81nu7lvnZaawqkUGfsgtLZWZLk/w400-h301/Hooded+Warbler+Profile.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hooded Warbler</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>A Hooded Warbler guarded his territory while we caught our breath on Cave Sink Trail. "I think I'll rent a video!" he called loudly from the lot of the trees. Unfortunately, this guy did NOT come down for a photo no matter how much we we called, or pished or pleaded. Since we know he was up there, I borrowed a photo of his cousin from another trip. Hey, it's acceptable!<br />denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-3329921124870461982021-04-19T20:26:00.002-04:002021-04-19T20:26:23.383-04:00The New Cherokee Park<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdmdh_Fgkw6RtEHSMi1VS0k5SlJ2zmQNXLiXOG8CrezN1w-EqMlf_uqEPKd83ihz5t2MN8iE5hy4DUDIMsnjtZuHV53BkMqMRhjQSPqq3ybvjQqNRMynKtSlOH71v2PXsAm7l/s900/Beargrass+Creek+Bridge+stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="900" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdmdh_Fgkw6RtEHSMi1VS0k5SlJ2zmQNXLiXOG8CrezN1w-EqMlf_uqEPKd83ihz5t2MN8iE5hy4DUDIMsnjtZuHV53BkMqMRhjQSPqq3ybvjQqNRMynKtSlOH71v2PXsAm7l/w400-h234/Beargrass+Creek+Bridge+stone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone Bridge on Beargrass Creek<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Of course, Cherokee Park in Louisville, KY, is not new by any means. In 1887, a city park system was proposed (and designed by Frank Law Olmstead) with three large suburban parks: east, west and south. The initial name of the eastern park was to be Beargrass Park, but in 1891, as was fashionable in the late 19th century, a name that evoked the romantic imagery of Native Americans was chosen, thus Cherokee, Iroquois and Senecas Parks. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxf9YZdOuoPpRMlyhea94hExNfDlvEi-k0BV5ud2o1vyZsq5qnoEpHjF3daO4LCPHNMbHGMLvOIHnt9Jre7mibq3ICIGYRxe2EF2Uwjjx0LDMYUruKzSlrW1T3JFNO56r_H02/s900/Phaecelia+closeupp+Maple+Rd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="900" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxf9YZdOuoPpRMlyhea94hExNfDlvEi-k0BV5ud2o1vyZsq5qnoEpHjF3daO4LCPHNMbHGMLvOIHnt9Jre7mibq3ICIGYRxe2EF2Uwjjx0LDMYUruKzSlrW1T3JFNO56r_H02/w400-h279/Phaecelia+closeupp+Maple+Rd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phaecilia</td></tr></tbody></table>When Dick and I were younger (define that as you wish), his folks had a house at the top of Maple Road which leads down into the park. At the time, all the roads were two-way, and Dad used the park as a short-cut to everywhere else in Louisville. As he drove his big Cadillac down Maple Rd., I closed my eyes, praying that no one would try to drive UP the narrow street while we went down into the Park. Mom had a few bird feeders, but Dad was mostly concerned about keeping the deer out of his roses. We seldom walked down Maple Rd. to see the flowers bloom. Now I see that those limestone cliffs are home to many species of Kentucky native wildflowers. If we went to the park at all, is was on the roads. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgMnfkisC5goX0Gw-nr5hAQNTMWI56QGbNbgycCYnbey65ag5PghJI0KNb2bed3GhWNLwLaX-Nb02bzlOv-BRMdRIK-4653mjqFhNxuVHTONDtqqUcxcnimtkr8dIj1r7wEXm/s900/Beargrass+Creek+Brodge+wooden+sides.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="900" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgMnfkisC5goX0Gw-nr5hAQNTMWI56QGbNbgycCYnbey65ag5PghJI0KNb2bed3GhWNLwLaX-Nb02bzlOv-BRMdRIK-4653mjqFhNxuVHTONDtqqUcxcnimtkr8dIj1r7wEXm/w400-h203/Beargrass+Creek+Brodge+wooden+sides.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRzNY0tApVWlTHCuDOfMd_NLJTWh3aOcaIV9bCFX650Q6b-UUAxYX-GKjhOSy8rl0Up8zcqM_hXmiq_XlTuHhhx-Ng6rpXAjrJRPIxLcoVudVckajGTFtyNQXgLKTP7dLJMwB/s900/Beargrass+Creek+riffles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="900" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRzNY0tApVWlTHCuDOfMd_NLJTWh3aOcaIV9bCFX650Q6b-UUAxYX-GKjhOSy8rl0Up8zcqM_hXmiq_XlTuHhhx-Ng6rpXAjrJRPIxLcoVudVckajGTFtyNQXgLKTP7dLJMwB/w400-h203/Beargrass+Creek+riffles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxQxHpHm1ADptStjRIrWZLX5v6UoH44oslJM8UmFGJrpZmcnAzHZLzI-N3EApwfgBfH2hhn-a3cOHIfWxSTubrffMQilyU3NCP5EigCTgoTObfMrABvIE2LWzU6CTm3rOfbzL/s900/Cherokee+Park+Ttail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="900" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxQxHpHm1ADptStjRIrWZLX5v6UoH44oslJM8UmFGJrpZmcnAzHZLzI-N3EApwfgBfH2hhn-a3cOHIfWxSTubrffMQilyU3NCP5EigCTgoTObfMrABvIE2LWzU6CTm3rOfbzL/w400-h268/Cherokee+Park+Ttail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Last year, in 2020 after my cancer recovery, we saw lots of emails from birders listing the wonderful birds they saw in Cherokee Park and Nettleroth Bird Sanctuary (which is part of the park). This spring, however, I have lost both my balance and some of my vision somewhere, and I'm limiting myself to flat locations, such as Cherokee Park, and searching more for wildflowers than birds (who make me dizzy flying over my head). The city is blocking off some of the trail bikes, making it safer for pedestrians. We still stay on one side of the park, and get lost quickly if we try to explore those trails leading to the other neighborhoods in town. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjd3z5983ZzMdgWzLicPd2aBFLLd7vAzDj2b3YdF5uEq-jYDb9VwLDF7SP40I_pDqarctE9S0UjUK928GvDkalg7Fmc3z5mka6h7qEbPYtnZjVW2yqTADYr6I7rAWJ99lYOXrG/s900/Invasive+Buttercup+vista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjd3z5983ZzMdgWzLicPd2aBFLLd7vAzDj2b3YdF5uEq-jYDb9VwLDF7SP40I_pDqarctE9S0UjUK928GvDkalg7Fmc3z5mka6h7qEbPYtnZjVW2yqTADYr6I7rAWJ99lYOXrG/w400-h225/Invasive+Buttercup+vista.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvkyrdn4JX5aZxYEIm7LnPP1HMGgUNOm25DL8egryXNyciRL-YBzKHBO3qtMLdFvyjMOs9b3_0krxES9T0-BHp_BrsuuyjgY8jZ9Te54u8Uve2C3W4rRvfSO1C4mFsKze0d6O/s900/Maple+Leaves+in+spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="900" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvkyrdn4JX5aZxYEIm7LnPP1HMGgUNOm25DL8egryXNyciRL-YBzKHBO3qtMLdFvyjMOs9b3_0krxES9T0-BHp_BrsuuyjgY8jZ9Te54u8Uve2C3W4rRvfSO1C4mFsKze0d6O/w400-h203/Maple+Leaves+in+spring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Much of the park was heavily damaged in the April 3, 1974, tornado Super Outbreak. The tornado was an F4 on the Fujita scale. A city forester surveying the aftermath said, "I don't believe that anyone alive today will see Cherokee Park as it was before the storm." Since then, many of the re-planted trees have grown back, but invasive plants have really taken hold. Because of the loss of thousands of mature trees, a massive re-planting effort was undertaken, financed in large part by a grant from the United States government under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974. However, to qualify for these funds, the park had to be restored to its pre-tornado design as faithfully as possible. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiulAW55U2On_33GgGydxOdSzITeBbNk5kiihYv9M_juHmEACqTKPNLoNR8xwHMZpX8nzmN1gBapW0saBawUXMwTF0GPrGX1Sd2NzPK-H4_xbF-ZTVVKedETTJchpj-gu9DSYO/s900/Dogwood+Tree+blssoms+past+peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiulAW55U2On_33GgGydxOdSzITeBbNk5kiihYv9M_juHmEACqTKPNLoNR8xwHMZpX8nzmN1gBapW0saBawUXMwTF0GPrGX1Sd2NzPK-H4_xbF-ZTVVKedETTJchpj-gu9DSYO/w400-h225/Dogwood+Tree+blssoms+past+peak.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dogwood Tree in bloom</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImMwMUb3WJNZ_yc01vnVAXEEy0kV6VtHz5QXbMDNWH2FAKfIerPnS77ZfABATU0hU8552J0hVNmD8rnxDno6JSR3fVCCdNevN0CAa8zpuImp27lQP6Yvq1BicArFQBmQGuF23/s900/Jack+in++Pulpit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="900" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImMwMUb3WJNZ_yc01vnVAXEEy0kV6VtHz5QXbMDNWH2FAKfIerPnS77ZfABATU0hU8552J0hVNmD8rnxDno6JSR3fVCCdNevN0CAa8zpuImp27lQP6Yvq1BicArFQBmQGuF23/w400-h286/Jack+in++Pulpit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jack-in-the-Pulpit</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEwQIyW116jf0EJGbs_1wdLk63x89RNEj9jbZS8iHT5RhEl_HnO9sDc0DBVXzUop8n3tYVW2bBkZgejCn6hsGSxiJ_R8ybNbu7weAZlUzByY6Pnca7TpRdoWWKIDQWWIQ-6MC/s900/Sessile+Trillium+etal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="900" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEwQIyW116jf0EJGbs_1wdLk63x89RNEj9jbZS8iHT5RhEl_HnO9sDc0DBVXzUop8n3tYVW2bBkZgejCn6hsGSxiJ_R8ybNbu7weAZlUzByY6Pnca7TpRdoWWKIDQWWIQ-6MC/w400-h203/Sessile+Trillium+etal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sessile Trilliums and others</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Since the pandemic, the city closed all the roads in the parks to vehicular traffic, which I appreciate. It seems that most of the park users I see are running, pushing baby strollers and walking dogs (mostly on leases). Sometimes you find a birder with binoculars. I an amazed at the native wildflowers growing in the park, and have focused on the flowers this spring.</p>denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-7912755228994942302021-04-01T16:56:00.000-04:002021-04-01T16:56:55.877-04:00Bernheim Early Spring<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cT7NbQV2UOYBTh_cloKfHoWtD4OgVgGmVy1apigtotAGBYha22hf41HFQFkHZeXqvGsIS7AbO62JYzYB321UNPd_X6o9X9JY0cjiRuD048QtSy2ntR2XyHKdXSSW62IzK786/s900/Rue++Anemone+along+Macs+Lake+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cT7NbQV2UOYBTh_cloKfHoWtD4OgVgGmVy1apigtotAGBYha22hf41HFQFkHZeXqvGsIS7AbO62JYzYB321UNPd_X6o9X9JY0cjiRuD048QtSy2ntR2XyHKdXSSW62IzK786/w400-h225/Rue++Anemone+along+Macs+Lake+road.jpg" title="Rue Anemone" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rue Anemone</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>It's always a challenge to find the white Trout Lillies in bloom at Bernheim. They bloom early in the spring, and we looked for them earlier in March, without success. On March 31(Wednesday), Dick heard that another volunteer had seen them blooming the Saturday before. The sun was shining, so we said "Let's go!"</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2Hm8N9sHb2dLL7x_jB7BRiFySwiqWpqE8SarcwC3MaRMajKHyh18o_IzhlvZOlKOvRl5Qgxl3CBbfX9U-YewaJhywsYD5mPP_paRYxevnY5FHeHetjLFT1gxVhA7PPsY9rcd/s900/Spring+Beauty+in+Leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="900" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2Hm8N9sHb2dLL7x_jB7BRiFySwiqWpqE8SarcwC3MaRMajKHyh18o_IzhlvZOlKOvRl5Qgxl3CBbfX9U-YewaJhywsYD5mPP_paRYxevnY5FHeHetjLFT1gxVhA7PPsY9rcd/w400-h314/Spring+Beauty+in+Leaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring Beauty<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-AdKVsZYJxl8Wii47Clwy7pqAOfzjQ8YRpt37eWyFIh25HpdYxZ8onD4TmyB80gf-iJAHac8Jbz6ljI95L93dGJwXjpYoGprGV0Jpx-CsG_9rFAr2Xucy2peXXPffybSmBcC/s900/Bloodroot+going+to+seed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="900" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-AdKVsZYJxl8Wii47Clwy7pqAOfzjQ8YRpt37eWyFIh25HpdYxZ8onD4TmyB80gf-iJAHac8Jbz6ljI95L93dGJwXjpYoGprGV0Jpx-CsG_9rFAr2Xucy2peXXPffybSmBcC/w400-h380/Bloodroot+going+to+seed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloodroot going to seed<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> As we strolled down the walk along Mac's Lake towards the Troutlilly patch, we saw lots of Rue Anemone, and it was the True Rue. False Rue has five petals and True Rue has more than five. (It took me several years to remember that one.) Spring Beauty and Toothwort were popping up too. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3rAtEuZdCuS_rl596iO1CriHVIWHeQfLxF5yxICR0Z0Pim-tB5oteAB97E1Xa0xxVFxqB320gHaGncFZUwjn6pgYl-Ddnptsq9EkBJRmzwuN4HZq5J0-38nFEQ1t1NLX_lIK/s900/White+Troout+Lily+final+bloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="900" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3rAtEuZdCuS_rl596iO1CriHVIWHeQfLxF5yxICR0Z0Pim-tB5oteAB97E1Xa0xxVFxqB320gHaGncFZUwjn6pgYl-Ddnptsq9EkBJRmzwuN4HZq5J0-38nFEQ1t1NLX_lIK/w400-h221/White+Troout+Lily+final+bloom.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Troutlilly<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As we reached the right spot, we walked between the trees. Plenty of speckled troutlilly leaves were around, but only one was actually blooming. The ones we saw were beginning to go to seed pods. Well, we said, it's cloudy and windy today and they like bright sunshine to show off. Also, by the end of March, we may simply be too late. Better luck next year!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y7wCL3d26pZfWoHlFkT1BIKnaOwYwqKZ-c08JJfgFAgMo1Ap98x1aRnML4ZuoiQ_ALtQ3xzM0MYn4vm2O1yZQOYSf_6EJjZTdVTDbfafCZfQ8Y4BKGVdSUaA39aWn_kmbU-i/s900/Va+Bluebells+by+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y7wCL3d26pZfWoHlFkT1BIKnaOwYwqKZ-c08JJfgFAgMo1Ap98x1aRnML4ZuoiQ_ALtQ3xzM0MYn4vm2O1yZQOYSf_6EJjZTdVTDbfafCZfQ8Y4BKGVdSUaA39aWn_kmbU-i/w400-h225/Va+Bluebells+by+bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia Bluebells<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As we turned behind the edible gardens, we remarked that early wild flowers are much like migrating birds, except they don't fly away when you try to take their pictures. Both are exceptional at camouflage. The forest floor is covered with brown leaves, and that's basically all your eye sees. The wildflower plants are short and hard to see until you are right next to them. They don't grow well in disturbed areas. In fact, I expect to see more at Bernheim since it has not been farmed for so long. We think we heard a Pine Warbler in the pines, but couldn't spot him among all the pine cones that look like birds from a distance.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOd7RSUGGSTR0iXQpYm5sDVqGvqo1k8nkOZKIrY2VlQ5fuQJLrKQMH8bSVxDAoenfMDP0QmN1O3sdkKr0qxOU6E15CGwWKbsN5NxfjOjerwd-XIDzy_zSInbvqtg2G1Gc53Um/s900/Cascading+Creek+across+from+Rock+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOd7RSUGGSTR0iXQpYm5sDVqGvqo1k8nkOZKIrY2VlQ5fuQJLrKQMH8bSVxDAoenfMDP0QmN1O3sdkKr0qxOU6E15CGwWKbsN5NxfjOjerwd-XIDzy_zSInbvqtg2G1Gc53Um/w400-h225/Cascading+Creek+across+from+Rock+Run.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascading Creek<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Rock Run is the best trail to find wild flowers in my opinion. The creek in front of the parking lot was full of water, when normally it is quite dry. We must have had more rain last night then I thought. We carefully walked the trail to avoid mud, leaves and killer roots and rocks.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcXBK1DmV5XhzoAzcpY-xl-PY-6b2yDPhhyo2q4liBPXFnU9zoRj1TOJV1CP_NRK4C4-J0nCM2YMMep4NMiKTmycv-hzIxwZJ3vH6xbHuLTLg2Eiy02EF1PRhxmO42f7IajWJ/s900/Rue+Anemone+Rock+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="900" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcXBK1DmV5XhzoAzcpY-xl-PY-6b2yDPhhyo2q4liBPXFnU9zoRj1TOJV1CP_NRK4C4-J0nCM2YMMep4NMiKTmycv-hzIxwZJ3vH6xbHuLTLg2Eiy02EF1PRhxmO42f7IajWJ/w400-h308/Rue+Anemone+Rock+Run.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rue Anemone<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Once again, Rue bloomed more than anything else. One side of the valley is sunnier than the other and things bloom there first.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_GyIQN1Ovwoan9Huc-w5QwCUhB6PqYZpihgt-OI4zxEDhxpReKdAS5scnlfJDF2WNuDU66lM91LH0jbbumhliag4Y6Kt2fe6A_DvBfWmy4b9TC2iNLivIA1eoyLnM3lv_SIG/s900/Sedge+and+Moss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="900" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_GyIQN1Ovwoan9Huc-w5QwCUhB6PqYZpihgt-OI4zxEDhxpReKdAS5scnlfJDF2WNuDU66lM91LH0jbbumhliag4Y6Kt2fe6A_DvBfWmy4b9TC2iNLivIA1eoyLnM3lv_SIG/w400-h223/Sedge+and+Moss.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedge and Moss<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMwacAaxLpdtHcSLDoy6k6TcbaSQij-bDbfLwnIJOddoYu98eKqXrgjyogTsQ-f2aEWPDZwqb9rRF6hyAUHaMJtIQTmjowD-uROXniEFQmucqF3iO3sKUXv7Nu9MSd7xTOS1l/s900/Star+Chickweed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMwacAaxLpdtHcSLDoy6k6TcbaSQij-bDbfLwnIJOddoYu98eKqXrgjyogTsQ-f2aEWPDZwqb9rRF6hyAUHaMJtIQTmjowD-uROXniEFQmucqF3iO3sKUXv7Nu9MSd7xTOS1l/w400-h300/Star+Chickweed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Chickweed<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Normally we think of chickweed as a weed, but the native Star Chickweed is quite lovely.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KHJdDoqAjpZCoswMn5BXyhfWZFWTyG6HrkA5_GS3LImYbXDCdcCfPoA7UaQeor4MEhgU5Kux3JRZz9MbsEHOxrdv5CwZ1NYwwBQ1rKPeAAOyedPCkkJt8LV76fRRc5uS5NYP/s900/Toothwort+etal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="900" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KHJdDoqAjpZCoswMn5BXyhfWZFWTyG6HrkA5_GS3LImYbXDCdcCfPoA7UaQeor4MEhgU5Kux3JRZz9MbsEHOxrdv5CwZ1NYwwBQ1rKPeAAOyedPCkkJt8LV76fRRc5uS5NYP/w400-h203/Toothwort+etal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toothwort</td></tr></tbody></table>Toothwort also closes its blossoms if the sun isn't shining. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-07B8WED7NXAmqoZbHxFeFVU4lsb6DMeALrYZP0WWJWX8R8xruKlrnjOE3aY_L13mS5LCoircHJqpZ7rf3lVjpSkXAibjcvXAZgSudc08xrpI2hhjB7W3kVCZ8BAuMaVeCwk/s900/Wood+Betony+Leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="900" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-07B8WED7NXAmqoZbHxFeFVU4lsb6DMeALrYZP0WWJWX8R8xruKlrnjOE3aY_L13mS5LCoircHJqpZ7rf3lVjpSkXAibjcvXAZgSudc08xrpI2hhjB7W3kVCZ8BAuMaVeCwk/w400-h217/Wood+Betony+Leaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Betony<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKWGs0G5lr23ptq_j7RdW7mrJ_qYCgOnUni_B55s9fBm-9hRT18DGg8OyY71Z177jen9oEEZekuvsjFJQiqksLC9d9jEhE_ImTKxzvGeoV1NamfaV12Qlu0yW85Ma7VMUNF5y/s900/Water+Leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKWGs0G5lr23ptq_j7RdW7mrJ_qYCgOnUni_B55s9fBm-9hRT18DGg8OyY71Z177jen9oEEZekuvsjFJQiqksLC9d9jEhE_ImTKxzvGeoV1NamfaV12Qlu0yW85Ma7VMUNF5y/w400-h225/Water+Leaf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Leaf<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Some plants are starting their leaves while the blossoms will come later in the season. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW-3GtTpzgwjoj7_lIHP1TpUgVQ8yrmhALMpJrf4IXZAPlI_qOzu4zqZXnyQww9f4_InZoKYCBaIzHZtw06U5GMTko-br9q08nU-9TUF1d1UDxyJ_gkVp43a5lJ_n_0-nzEa-/s900/Walking+Fern+Rock+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW-3GtTpzgwjoj7_lIHP1TpUgVQ8yrmhALMpJrf4IXZAPlI_qOzu4zqZXnyQww9f4_InZoKYCBaIzHZtw06U5GMTko-br9q08nU-9TUF1d1UDxyJ_gkVp43a5lJ_n_0-nzEa-/w400-h225/Walking+Fern+Rock+Run.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking Fern<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Christmas ferns and Walking ferns don't bloom at all of course.</p><p>\<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_m6b_INe6EIm_70KPmOGJUsztA9RIMcdMC9c-TmqzYiXwJzgF0jyuGzAMnle-zGSRk9U3cZK2eiguXYjESHeelgRzfayrJulmZCUFGG2pdS62cK2JxRR3zIuji4WJSxEkzOx/s900/Yellow+Troutlily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="900" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_m6b_INe6EIm_70KPmOGJUsztA9RIMcdMC9c-TmqzYiXwJzgF0jyuGzAMnle-zGSRk9U3cZK2eiguXYjESHeelgRzfayrJulmZCUFGG2pdS62cK2JxRR3zIuji4WJSxEkzOx/w400-h303/Yellow+Troutlily.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Troutlily<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>In another week or so, on a nice sunny day we can try the Rock Run Loop again and find lots of Yellow Troutlillies blooming, but today there was only one brave enough to give it a try. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ocIrtKZ0SRnQnQ7fThPx7qjiOT1Q6bAzdDIaqEtRwNecCpvLydUCkmtgzH68evw8czRWShufxT6jBqgTjsiEOE_rI7qp_wAvNK_AwRIwW2jJ4JJ4bCB9fFQ6mj-0jblFiOle/s990/Protects+Water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ocIrtKZ0SRnQnQ7fThPx7qjiOT1Q6bAzdDIaqEtRwNecCpvLydUCkmtgzH68evw8czRWShufxT6jBqgTjsiEOE_rI7qp_wAvNK_AwRIwW2jJ4JJ4bCB9fFQ6mj-0jblFiOle/w364-h400/Protects+Water.jpg" width="364" /></a></div>Actually, we don't mind a little rain. It's run to listen to the creek chuckle with joy at being filled with life-giving water!denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-24354206733548276632021-03-29T16:54:00.004-04:002021-03-29T16:54:44.250-04:00March Miscellany<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mFtqSPhhBSF7oOYX_90JbugPWt9PIMIwHqbz_bdKvTVft1_D4U8N65ai5DmCSRUM-HE8xDdEUtg7mWq8r45Ak-gdwXIbUk3vhVn1vCFwMwGNi_J371MJ1ryTnOH3nAmnwu1z/s900/Owlet+Pair+3-26-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="900" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mFtqSPhhBSF7oOYX_90JbugPWt9PIMIwHqbz_bdKvTVft1_D4U8N65ai5DmCSRUM-HE8xDdEUtg7mWq8r45Ak-gdwXIbUk3vhVn1vCFwMwGNi_J371MJ1ryTnOH3nAmnwu1z/w400-h290/Owlet+Pair+3-26-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyJqxKLPJLDuw_hCk9L9QhfP8N9y8xE0LyI9-wcyhTcxFBsNx2McNZtrIQQY3LAN9XJ4aEfFf20y8nWg8p-1beTJM5GhK95iShHa00sSG6bKmp1mqP1ISygFsupLhfoE-t_Ou/s900/Owlet+One+3-26-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="900" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyJqxKLPJLDuw_hCk9L9QhfP8N9y8xE0LyI9-wcyhTcxFBsNx2McNZtrIQQY3LAN9XJ4aEfFf20y8nWg8p-1beTJM5GhK95iShHa00sSG6bKmp1mqP1ISygFsupLhfoE-t_Ou/w400-h285/Owlet+One+3-26-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>How often do you get to use the word "miscellany" in a birding blog? This is just to bring things up to date before the migration season shifts into high gear. The owlets at Cave Hill are growing fast. They are eating whole mice now from their parents, and should start climbing around on the branches soon. I plan to return to Cave Hill frequently to keep up with their progress. Assuming, of course, they are active during the daytime.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfCRXUBWJSGDSXG_37z8z3f31ctqFgH47YH4GRtUAAkNKvUdE-ViNp3JzpI_P3OAOVTD0OkIIYwWyo7L2vyRmlUtzg3x6pJMyiZWr5oKq-htXLPXVTpviUQ4njRuZjzy436-c/s900/Eagle+Couple+at+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="900" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfCRXUBWJSGDSXG_37z8z3f31ctqFgH47YH4GRtUAAkNKvUdE-ViNp3JzpI_P3OAOVTD0OkIIYwWyo7L2vyRmlUtzg3x6pJMyiZWr5oKq-htXLPXVTpviUQ4njRuZjzy436-c/w400-h299/Eagle+Couple+at+home.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRU4_qcf9PgWm9tMRsb4QhQjQhP0eMxASomj1PNRi0CEbCjfFha0W9jEfd8STLc80-dy8w1gJpeW7OctD7DGO5KGTcj_w4xFG7SMRhjphFnm0K8xL_N1YQsIl0PRLQH9knTdqe/s900/Female+Eagle+on+Nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="900" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRU4_qcf9PgWm9tMRsb4QhQjQhP0eMxASomj1PNRi0CEbCjfFha0W9jEfd8STLc80-dy8w1gJpeW7OctD7DGO5KGTcj_w4xFG7SMRhjphFnm0K8xL_N1YQsIl0PRLQH9knTdqe/w400-h243/Female+Eagle+on+Nest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhCELCzhIOPN6FYrX7W5XczJsb9qgx7zzEFnm8iKsTz72cw-kXIYvgyMWytZyZCVtkxriBas-8BEi9H8_GQEJAzINe7j_vTH3jASfIcdiltfn2bA3CZYf3dygn3ehF_NW-Iye/s900/Male+Eagle+Keeping+Guard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="900" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhCELCzhIOPN6FYrX7W5XczJsb9qgx7zzEFnm8iKsTz72cw-kXIYvgyMWytZyZCVtkxriBas-8BEi9H8_GQEJAzINe7j_vTH3jASfIcdiltfn2bA3CZYf3dygn3ehF_NW-Iye/w400-h297/Male+Eagle+Keeping+Guard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>When they started building the East End Bridge several years ago, they found an active eagle nest in the construction area. Debate went back and forth for a while - should they change the plans for the bridge? It was finally decided to proceed, and the eagles didn't seem to mind. A few years later, however, they lost a chick, then the nest tree came down altogether in a storm, and they decided to move. The new nest was built nearby, so I decided to look for it. Found mom on the nest and dad keeping a watch nearby. Good news! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pveguNKUFXXlaPycZ0GFhmPaCMPh_30_J_r-CBLjwRAi6S60c0WrtBlhFvpMT0Z7paSSuMkVzhDsHxR8k29T4_ISy6BDYOcjtsXEhSIj-x-Jjq7wi5GRR9_5qQYHT5WyRGu5/s900/Lee+Payne+bird+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="900" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pveguNKUFXXlaPycZ0GFhmPaCMPh_30_J_r-CBLjwRAi6S60c0WrtBlhFvpMT0Z7paSSuMkVzhDsHxR8k29T4_ISy6BDYOcjtsXEhSIj-x-Jjq7wi5GRR9_5qQYHT5WyRGu5/w400-h254/Lee+Payne+bird+walk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkmcotQbhszP1hVgvuz4AMleFmtQQ1MT3sQMcKzbtY56AHcBpP1yKJMZrGHndmjFrNNYfTDpKQhTtbQDyi_OFJ1_RbKY85ulBEZQ_4hJQN2UFT2cAOnpA_i9L-3FVVnxu1aSl/s900/Kathy+Dennis+-+binoculard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="900" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkmcotQbhszP1hVgvuz4AMleFmtQQ1MT3sQMcKzbtY56AHcBpP1yKJMZrGHndmjFrNNYfTDpKQhTtbQDyi_OFJ1_RbKY85ulBEZQ_4hJQN2UFT2cAOnpA_i9L-3FVVnxu1aSl/w400-h209/Kathy+Dennis+-+binoculard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Arctic weather made Creasey Mahan and the Louisville Audubon Society cancel the event for Great Backyard Bird Count. This Saturday started cloudy and windy but improved as the day moved on. Tavia limited the number of attendees, because of the COVID, but everything worked out well. Tavia took people into the Woodland gardens to look at the wildflowers. I hope folks will come back to see how the blossoms change during the rest of the season. Lee Payne and I, as LAS Board members, led two groups around the Nature Preserve looking for birds. Our visitors were mostly inexperienced birders, so we talked about how to get started birding and how to use binoculars initially.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZ_mPuEfgOCzPK8NchtPIjNEPytfIKnJqIerM6C7zlUemtb4GKyGgYshMBsurlvRLbiMiAKzK0-eh8ga1f7DIn0wKPLtmwzDh117gOBNUAVt51bxml3NpN18w27dS57XVx53w/s900/Bluebird+LAS+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZ_mPuEfgOCzPK8NchtPIjNEPytfIKnJqIerM6C7zlUemtb4GKyGgYshMBsurlvRLbiMiAKzK0-eh8ga1f7DIn0wKPLtmwzDh117gOBNUAVt51bxml3NpN18w27dS57XVx53w/w400-h213/Bluebird+LAS+walk.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I guess being the leader made me nervous. I forgot to start an eBird list, and I didn't take many photos. Too busy talking to the group. When we got to the meadow, the day became a success as we saw Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows and Bluebirds!! Many of the common birds I saw earlier in the week didn't make an appearance for us. The long week of cold weather and storms was rough on many Bluebirds, so I was delighted to find these. We even saw the Kestrels who have moved into the nest box out by the totem pole.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBSTFSTNz-fi_UrOqWEOjgEQXXBxjOrPLmaXoWJiLyTYTNq8qHU1oJ_99RzWLwOC9SFHh5PYl6bT2qeoKwLUu65voZQfO-9cO8b0cVY2bzpY5dTlAxTizuDA-66va2Hvmgd7q/s900/RSH+on+nest+LAS+bird+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="900" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBSTFSTNz-fi_UrOqWEOjgEQXXBxjOrPLmaXoWJiLyTYTNq8qHU1oJ_99RzWLwOC9SFHh5PYl6bT2qeoKwLUu65voZQfO-9cO8b0cVY2bzpY5dTlAxTizuDA-66va2Hvmgd7q/w400-h339/RSH+on+nest+LAS+bird+walk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I explained to the group how to tell the difference between mistletoe, squirrel nests and bird nests in a tree without leaves. We found a nest of sticks behind Mahan Manor, and closer examination found Adell, our resident Red Shouldered Hawk sitting on eggs!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie21N2dTOCuT4CHkBazDfgGNOcusSq632wSH8GGc9zynKR-_5vWr9teD61KrnQUA01sYxkqnSSeGMbY2fbUgD6jnj87IDejbaZxAgmg_hqQXh3nQ-GrO_yqQrB1iBOnQPneR1K/s900/Pine+Warbler+by+Lee+Payne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="900" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie21N2dTOCuT4CHkBazDfgGNOcusSq632wSH8GGc9zynKR-_5vWr9teD61KrnQUA01sYxkqnSSeGMbY2fbUgD6jnj87IDejbaZxAgmg_hqQXh3nQ-GrO_yqQrB1iBOnQPneR1K/w400-h246/Pine+Warbler+by+Lee+Payne.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine Warbler by Lee Payne<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Lee is the "Owl Whisperer" who knows where all the owl nests are, so after the official walks, we headed into the woods looking for owls. I started losing my balance, so we didn't stay long enough to find an owl, but we did track down a FOS Pine Warbler. It's yellow, it's trilling and it's in a pine tree -- got to be a Pine Warbler! April is coming soon - what wonders wait to be found!<br /></p>denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-37848927509684132902021-03-23T14:01:00.003-04:002021-03-23T14:01:59.486-04:00Cave Hill Owl Nest<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cJQ9_Yqb9B5KwvbuyStx4FOie19udDiJEdhcmZq-IWjmUXlSb5PjpcMq3wd_gFdJcuJ0H7neC5pFzBMp512dIAJ2Tw1ia4P0bmNn5dkdYfVJ_3w5pH1bvaLKTA2oJ5SCAchL/s900/In+the+Nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="900" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cJQ9_Yqb9B5KwvbuyStx4FOie19udDiJEdhcmZq-IWjmUXlSb5PjpcMq3wd_gFdJcuJ0H7neC5pFzBMp512dIAJ2Tw1ia4P0bmNn5dkdYfVJ_3w5pH1bvaLKTA2oJ5SCAchL/w400-h286/In+the+Nest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Owls are nocturnal, right? They are active at night, and I am more likely to hear them than see them at any time. (Except for Short-eared owls and maybe Burrowing Owls, of course). I spent 10 years working at Raptor Rehabilitation Of KY, and most of my owl photos are of our education birds, rather than birds living in the wild. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumt1PYI3DgTp8_hVCKukIbRP2gL-NoBNI_XURDoSrG4HZKsrenwUOwAk1Uakh1_Uimhs4m7Np2qC8wXn0k4t2AgL6WHd51oU_DLznHlLGNbR56QxBTtrghXEVgLZjsFi_eiJJ/s900/Lookin+at+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="900" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumt1PYI3DgTp8_hVCKukIbRP2gL-NoBNI_XURDoSrG4HZKsrenwUOwAk1Uakh1_Uimhs4m7Np2qC8wXn0k4t2AgL6WHd51oU_DLznHlLGNbR56QxBTtrghXEVgLZjsFi_eiJJ/w400-h295/Lookin+at+you.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Now I have a new birder friend that we call the "Owl Whisperer." I swear, I think this man knows where every owl nest in Jefferson County is! Well, that may be a slight <i>exaggeration</i>, but not much. And he is a fantastic bird photographer. Birding ethics makes me reluctant to ask him where these owl nests are. After all, they have a right to privacy. He works at Cave Hill Cemetery, which seems much more than a graveyard in this community, and he is familiar with all the birds and other animals (such as foxes) who live there. He shared the location of this Great Horned Owl nest at the cemetery, and I hoped I would be able to find it. Until all the other birders showed up too!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfkr25FXbDlXWT7Mx0BxFMh0P_ZXTCrclAXffXKrO2KvDfRBPT469zBw4Y3C8deNik_btTAu_Sd6u7PoX_DxpCwZ1KSGpVYqNRsxgg4X8jDbxzNHNuM4eYNVAg0YN_iQKvHcu/s900/Mama+sees+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="900" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfkr25FXbDlXWT7Mx0BxFMh0P_ZXTCrclAXffXKrO2KvDfRBPT469zBw4Y3C8deNik_btTAu_Sd6u7PoX_DxpCwZ1KSGpVYqNRsxgg4X8jDbxzNHNuM4eYNVAg0YN_iQKvHcu/w400-h229/Mama+sees+you.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It looks like she has taken over an old hawk's nest. With no leaves on the tree yet, the lighting is great for photos. She has 2 chicks, although I only think I saw one, and the male was off sleeping somewhere. We will have to go back in a few weeks to look for "branching" owlets, who are walking on the branches of the tree, and flapping their wings.denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-76717088419542718502021-03-21T19:28:00.001-04:002021-03-21T19:28:30.914-04:00Heron Rookery<p></p><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEEhsBwvE8Eaiucat7YGjZAcMPVmuoWpnVRp6Eg8UkbXo8zf_nGM65hBIh1ush62QRAxBHDruheY6CEge_qouUr0IngmUqabfF3A3pooErV2X5ABVc-z3vtreQT1S76e83L_h/s900/Heron+Rookery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="900" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEEhsBwvE8Eaiucat7YGjZAcMPVmuoWpnVRp6Eg8UkbXo8zf_nGM65hBIh1ush62QRAxBHDruheY6CEge_qouUr0IngmUqabfF3A3pooErV2X5ABVc-z3vtreQT1S76e83L_h/w400-h234/Heron+Rookery.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> What is a rookery? These are Great Blue Herons nesting in a colony, yet it always called a "rookry." Once again the Internet comes up with a answer. <span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc">The term <b>rookery originated</b>
because of the perceived similarities between a city slum and the
nesting habits of the rook, a bird in the crow family. Rooks nest in
large, noisy colonies consisting of multiple nests, often untidily
crammed into a close group of treetops called a <b>rookery</b>.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMOapR8cmIsORaux2VICSEINcrRxBMgjbjbBGHpLyNMq5GpwDerLioY852NMou_LVWYpMwMyFvvBUVkMj3gr92Ke8UdurlGHb32pv0utyo12HxcKKSU1ckiXtqiscTsl0RtXM/s900/GBH++on+lookout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="900" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMOapR8cmIsORaux2VICSEINcrRxBMgjbjbBGHpLyNMq5GpwDerLioY852NMou_LVWYpMwMyFvvBUVkMj3gr92Ke8UdurlGHb32pv0utyo12HxcKKSU1ckiXtqiscTsl0RtXM/w400-h244/GBH++on+lookout.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On March 7, we arranged to meet a friend who is an experienced canoeist, and agreed to take us upstream on Harrad's Creek (the backyard creek of his house). We wanted to see the heron rookery, which we had missed last spring. With trepidation I managed to climb into the canoe without tipping either it or myself into the cold water and we set off. I should be OK until it's time to climb out again.We avoided getting smacked in the face by any branches and finally reached the main course of Harrod's Creek, swollen high by the flooding Ohio River.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZJvpnqianmM0Yng8tsKJD_77cbzr6_ZrNeNDNz0Adsm7kIlQ4hMoAmy2cvD2A8nFTM_eRvgEC1sKbp4l94Hfn51I3NGG0bixRQOSDAJ6PbqrPuCZlwG_AqkJZUsUx5CWT0vU/s900/GBH+at+nestsite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="900" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZJvpnqianmM0Yng8tsKJD_77cbzr6_ZrNeNDNz0Adsm7kIlQ4hMoAmy2cvD2A8nFTM_eRvgEC1sKbp4l94Hfn51I3NGG0bixRQOSDAJ6PbqrPuCZlwG_AqkJZUsUx5CWT0vU/w400-h268/GBH+at+nestsite.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>At first I saw one or two nests made of branches...<p></p><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58yDg3PIaLtDFVtVkrTb9c7xbOLj-mBKQ8QVZN5rlu91lGhhGfzik_vqO2s10F3kie4h0w_SgLcdu_ADVh_8S2F32-de-IkkvFlkE_QmeUABxfblv6l0ieAayfxoXttmXHd64/s900/Heron+Rookery+from+creek.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="900" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58yDg3PIaLtDFVtVkrTb9c7xbOLj-mBKQ8QVZN5rlu91lGhhGfzik_vqO2s10F3kie4h0w_SgLcdu_ADVh_8S2F32-de-IkkvFlkE_QmeUABxfblv6l0ieAayfxoXttmXHd64/w400-h203/Heron+Rookery+from+creek.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...then I glanced to the left and saw many more nests in bare trees over the water. Actually, I didn't really expect the nests to have birds on them this early in the year. Not sure if they were sitting on eggs yet, or just getting things ready. David said there were over 80 nests several years ago, but the numbers keep dropping. Perhaps they regret their loss of privacy.<br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheC15hTSVjKWWC1ywjSCfmcpda797rfNzpVS_ax_OvC2ysNWM0_WqJ9XYS0zYNeeqRbJDVCnJQSbbH7iVTafBFWpVNlpxdSR1nQwI_Pouu2shdebeL48c5fapcFoIoUW0jz_TI/s900/GBH+in+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="900" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheC15hTSVjKWWC1ywjSCfmcpda797rfNzpVS_ax_OvC2ysNWM0_WqJ9XYS0zYNeeqRbJDVCnJQSbbH7iVTafBFWpVNlpxdSR1nQwI_Pouu2shdebeL48c5fapcFoIoUW0jz_TI/w400-h348/GBH+in+flight.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxVUX0QVRVF-zAFtQDj8ALvZYhQgPpB8WXhio7wwB1vAahHBrJGafHtITCv5Em_FE2lztK2JIO_da71Raz_M9URPYABs7BXMHqMk6-MCO1dNUjXx0Wfup6IHGMx4U2_8hPIES/s900/GBH+nest+building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="900" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxVUX0QVRVF-zAFtQDj8ALvZYhQgPpB8WXhio7wwB1vAahHBrJGafHtITCv5Em_FE2lztK2JIO_da71Raz_M9URPYABs7BXMHqMk6-MCO1dNUjXx0Wfup6IHGMx4U2_8hPIES/w400-h245/GBH+nest+building.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjgAl2wU6Z3KKHI2XQMIKfqI77TITmfHhrWJKl9FVMTfOXnqwm71EcosGc_PvnDj7Q9MIGCRcMEH4YODcis1WH6wLEpC320WWqfFLSNAuksEE2OyvkGPr9rxdyT5XMP68B-O3/s1000/RSH+with+mouse+soaring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="1000" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjgAl2wU6Z3KKHI2XQMIKfqI77TITmfHhrWJKl9FVMTfOXnqwm71EcosGc_PvnDj7Q9MIGCRcMEH4YODcis1WH6wLEpC320WWqfFLSNAuksEE2OyvkGPr9rxdyT5XMP68B-O3/w400-h203/RSH+with+mouse+soaring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The places where we hiked to bird last spring were all under water, and we didn't see too many species. But we got a fine view of this Red-shouldered Hawk flying off with a mouse for his afternoon snack.<br /><p></p>denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-59915453788837029682021-03-08T12:23:00.002-05:002021-03-08T12:23:55.975-05:00Sandhill Cranes on the Move<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxOD3ccPOyIqxTgskyb_zNnxp2WwFvJchGpO2uTXrMao809NU8dK2QelSpmaNza9QwfOD9XaLuZHb0' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>"Ka-roooo!" In Central Kentucky, including Louisville, the cry goes out, "I hear
Sandhills!" and all the birders rush outside, binoculars in hand. In
November, these large birds migrate south, and in February, they are
ready to head back north again. We wonder why they bother to migrate at
all sometimes. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gYkfgKoDjkOrOPMf5ANBBAchJytPD4cteBL_T86QcfwY99EvfHFwa9I1QEWwKKxaITOgyU5efxbvctK2HhmDWZyAB07Xob7Ixzbft2kdANMJC6Kcz0mzBFD_OF72DlGc3Z-B/s900/SHC+size+difference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="900" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gYkfgKoDjkOrOPMf5ANBBAchJytPD4cteBL_T86QcfwY99EvfHFwa9I1QEWwKKxaITOgyU5efxbvctK2HhmDWZyAB07Xob7Ixzbft2kdANMJC6Kcz0mzBFD_OF72DlGc3Z-B/w400-h308/SHC+size+difference.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandhill Cranes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>On Feb 11, as the snow started to melt, we decided it was safe to leave home, and went to look for cranes at the Cecilia fire station, situated in the middle of Hardin County farmlands. We found absolutely THOUSANDS of them foraging. These cranes are omnivorous, although in our area they tend to feed in corn stubble, avoiding the soy bean fields. Snow doesn't seem to bother them. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwLndCiix4LAXaN97Wo_amiSciXcoPztU6cUtU08y89ndBPv0cUvfRb6HDTVT4xZVDC2fXSvM60xoTKsr_ir-QkZnD3bN6V8tMMLSSjxDWFeoXCCEI_cacyc4Qn9YKwqC28Yc/s564/Sandhill+Crane+range+map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwLndCiix4LAXaN97Wo_amiSciXcoPztU6cUtU08y89ndBPv0cUvfRb6HDTVT4xZVDC2fXSvM60xoTKsr_ir-QkZnD3bN6V8tMMLSSjxDWFeoXCCEI_cacyc4Qn9YKwqC28Yc/w340-h400/Sandhill+Crane+range+map.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><p>The range map shows them as mostly a western/central bird, the Greater Sandhill subspecies. But the Lesser Sandhills migrate right across our area in Kentucky. Unfortunately, they have a reputation as the "rib-eye of the sky," and hunting is permitted in Kentucky and Tennessee during a limited time. Every year we hear reports that Whooping Cranes have also been shot.<br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdpmcNvuKzEVG0jmpTL7L9_jMR5SGg_AhnQzFWuBUwPL_AI4sHzOnU6Zs104vT1mRDSPi6xAEvBlWxIhf5A_GcO-IiJQmGRDDDj7eLUcsFhlL2ZykwyZK2pijFlz5BVhsJE99/s900/SHC+large+brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="900" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdpmcNvuKzEVG0jmpTL7L9_jMR5SGg_AhnQzFWuBUwPL_AI4sHzOnU6Zs104vT1mRDSPi6xAEvBlWxIhf5A_GcO-IiJQmGRDDDj7eLUcsFhlL2ZykwyZK2pijFlz5BVhsJE99/w400-h324/SHC+large+brown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="ILfuVd"><span class="hgKElc">Adult cranes have grey feathers. They paint them with iron-laden mud and vegetation to turn them <b>rust</b>-color for camouflage during breeding season. They have a bright red skin patch on their forehead. We always look for a large white crane with the flocks, since Whooping Cranes sometimes travel with the Sandhills. Look closely though, because the sun can make them look white when they aren't. The red forehead will give a positive ID.<br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5mv-dSeiyTYsXBetz6Dch35gkW4JIiSrXHkAqzWPXYkprr74GJ_Gz2lLDTFFefwo4NmkpMhXRvUT6rl4sfyK3-DyRW-JJXr7P08HIJX0gairw8vChHmOSDJFabEaCshOAdNQ/s900/SHC+dance+whoopee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="900" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5mv-dSeiyTYsXBetz6Dch35gkW4JIiSrXHkAqzWPXYkprr74GJ_Gz2lLDTFFefwo4NmkpMhXRvUT6rl4sfyK3-DyRW-JJXr7P08HIJX0gairw8vChHmOSDJFabEaCshOAdNQ/w400-h246/SHC+dance+whoopee.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ94U9bCA_qprQkeuIGatgafh3SPaBl9x4wR2rEJnGJ4Mwp2BtBNQ1GmXo_BEZXi3pSbICuXSnfQMVZDP8vi5gU3BBjU4daSQ63dhlYHt1Q34zYfjpiJ-2eLIvpxYZOJxlDEbx/s900/SHC+dance+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="900" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ94U9bCA_qprQkeuIGatgafh3SPaBl9x4wR2rEJnGJ4Mwp2BtBNQ1GmXo_BEZXi3pSbICuXSnfQMVZDP8vi5gU3BBjU4daSQ63dhlYHt1Q34zYfjpiJ-2eLIvpxYZOJxlDEbx/w400-h246/SHC+dance+party.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sandhill Cranes mate for life, choosing their partners based on dancing
displays. Displaying birds stretch their wings, pump their heads, bow,
and leap into the air. Although each female usually lays two eggs, only
one nestling typically survives to fledge. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgyifD-5JGTtuAJV71ZsDgQc-_BNQSzsN_kB65vJzQ6-sraRyQdWZ4ORC7k0qgIr4A989gFIHlNQ_UnTQAG6dlrxjJiFOZNeQCGJ6CtCeXdcIVX2HNuTHlpyKtUK5Wq0hOv3J/s900/SHC+coming+in+for+landing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="900" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgyifD-5JGTtuAJV71ZsDgQc-_BNQSzsN_kB65vJzQ6-sraRyQdWZ4ORC7k0qgIr4A989gFIHlNQ_UnTQAG6dlrxjJiFOZNeQCGJ6CtCeXdcIVX2HNuTHlpyKtUK5Wq0hOv3J/w400-h293/SHC+coming+in+for+landing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> During migration and winter the family units group together with other
families and nonbreeders, forming loose roosting and feeding flocks—in
some places numbering in the tens of thousands.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKDZwJZ5n6MUZ0BspkdFg8DLws_5mKusl_v1CjFfpz4EOcyu_UT6Zw5Rz7lfBs3rcjR3FySV8VK7Dl44-K4u92hGdlE6QAdUDB35GmOTWXXQnC7Y01w-CXKpd3X0rNaDB97qc/s900/SHC+7+saoring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKDZwJZ5n6MUZ0BspkdFg8DLws_5mKusl_v1CjFfpz4EOcyu_UT6Zw5Rz7lfBs3rcjR3FySV8VK7Dl44-K4u92hGdlE6QAdUDB35GmOTWXXQnC7Y01w-CXKpd3X0rNaDB97qc/w400-h225/SHC+7+saoring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxC0XFcftZZjfrDbmwnzrQi_vUE2R5ep-Ot6pfyH2hlMrqd48Rvgs9loXGEpOHnu7vNJCzf39b_uOKj5nhrH-x3Cngb3Gn-a7pva8K3w3Tc1QjKjABr2dotAny8T3EdHJZ8N3/s900/SH+Crane+soaring+blue+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="900" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxC0XFcftZZjfrDbmwnzrQi_vUE2R5ep-Ot6pfyH2hlMrqd48Rvgs9loXGEpOHnu7vNJCzf39b_uOKj5nhrH-x3Cngb3Gn-a7pva8K3w3Tc1QjKjABr2dotAny8T3EdHJZ8N3/w400-h255/SH+Crane+soaring+blue+sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://wsf-inc.org/sites/wsf-inc.org/files/sandhill_cranes_aldo_leopold.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 60px; top: 207.96px;">“</span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 67.7083px; top: 207.96px; transform: scaleX(1.23634);">Marshland Elegy</span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 221.417px; top: 207.96px; transform: scaleX(1.33061);">” </span></a><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 234.75px; top: 207.96px; transform: scaleX(1.172);">is </span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 254.417px; top: 207.96px; transform: scaleX(1.15319);">a chapter in </span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 360.45px; top: 207.96px;">“</span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 368.133px; top: 207.96px; transform: scaleX(1.12518);">A Sand County Almanac and sketches here and there</span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 815.917px; top: 207.96px;">,</span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 821.917px; top: 207.96px;">”</span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 835.25px; top: 207.96px; transform: scaleX(1.1289);">where </span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 892.3px; top: 207.96px; transform: scaleX(1.11057);">Aldo </span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 60px; top: 229.96px; transform: scaleX(1.14141);">Leopold tells the story of the noble Crane and of how the crane marsh has been displaced by the short</span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 922.967px; top: 229.96px;">-</span><span style="font-size: 16.6667px; left: 60px; top: 251.994px; transform: scaleX(1.14531);">sighted and wasteful ‘progress’ of human beings.</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFViywsTZnAe7JmDP7BYfxyRc2dbLRW9HsAsa7614DQiDCsR6tJ4V78cpdpdg1PFcnr6F-7rvL_bQxxCH7Bcfgld3t0hh5B5D1ZuRw8r1p0GXBKSnJEnp5t0f_QnhvWYncYNW/s900/SH+Crane+large+group+feeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="900" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFViywsTZnAe7JmDP7BYfxyRc2dbLRW9HsAsa7614DQiDCsR6tJ4V78cpdpdg1PFcnr6F-7rvL_bQxxCH7Bcfgld3t0hh5B5D1ZuRw8r1p0GXBKSnJEnp5t0f_QnhvWYncYNW/w400-h193/SH+Crane+large+group+feeding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In the 1930s, Sandhill cranes were generally <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extirpated" title="Extirpated">extirpated</a> east of the Mississippi River
but their populations have recovered with there being an estimated
98,000 in the region in 2018, a substantial increase over the previous
year. The greater sandhill crane proper initially suffered most; by 1940,
probably fewer than 1,000 birds remained. Populations have since
increased greatly again. At nearly 100,000, they are still fewer than
the lesser sandhill crane, which, at about 400,000 individuals
continent-wide, is the most plentiful crane alive today.denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-52263180686694350122021-02-26T13:56:00.000-05:002021-02-26T13:56:50.813-05:00Winter Ducks<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnDRHRYwDvqhZegvhG0c4KDd1idyWmiMV6Ur-95Cd1OkGrHQoZ6eAQr9NKjD-lET2lN5lEiw4iewXi3tpfrypR4GpEHEvstRNHzWYs1eCfmxYoXFdg1gPS4OubN0CCfmri9IO/s900/Reformatory+Lake+open+water.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="900" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnDRHRYwDvqhZegvhG0c4KDd1idyWmiMV6Ur-95Cd1OkGrHQoZ6eAQr9NKjD-lET2lN5lEiw4iewXi3tpfrypR4GpEHEvstRNHzWYs1eCfmxYoXFdg1gPS4OubN0CCfmri9IO/w400-h281/Reformatory+Lake+open+water.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Generally, we don't get big freezes in Kentucky. But when we do, you can always count on seeing a lot of ducks. If the lakes and rivers they normally inhabit farther north are frozen, they can still find open water in Kentucky.<br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="900" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKLzhr7JDwrPhd5D9aVRnylpTLR0Q2izPrEhuzmB7Tn75dzpyqOgD_jsjcmeU4FOgmZuNPgEjPh0a72ja7aLBh7vYZiFySn7su3isL2J2i0Z2M8esaV8lRXK1kleFcZXbYDf5/w400-h253/Canada+Geese+one-legged.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Geese<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although Canada Geese still migrate, many geese have decided to stay in Kentucky year-round. If it gets cold, they can tough it out. And the cold spell doesn't last too long. Just tuck your beak and one foot in your feathers and you can stay warm. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OpIG67F-HfeuZP5y9VYUUDHfM6EKspbM3uXbqHB_eDrGotOJwj-VjoqvIsKb1Pvo3N3_fR7pdNUY3NRVd9plJhzaodV8-sgToaM0E0x8v8Oaqa3BT3IXD04kheNd_RANO-ry/s900/Canvasback+male+female+heads+tucked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="900" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OpIG67F-HfeuZP5y9VYUUDHfM6EKspbM3uXbqHB_eDrGotOJwj-VjoqvIsKb1Pvo3N3_fR7pdNUY3NRVd9plJhzaodV8-sgToaM0E0x8v8Oaqa3BT3IXD04kheNd_RANO-ry/w400-h259/Canvasback+male+female+heads+tucked.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redhead Ducks<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/Diving" target="_blank">Diving ducks</a>, also called sea ducks, are typically birds of large, deep lakes
and rivers, coastal bays and inlets. Their speculums (on the wings) lack the brilliance
of those on most dabblers. Most patter
along the water in taking wing. They all dive for food, whereas dabblers
rarely dive. They also have a more rapid wingbeat than most dabblers. So what are these diving ducks doing on a small open patch of an otherwise frozen lake?<br />
<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6Kr7CXDET_8iPK7MExkq8Hbt1veBT5IoTlkPMnRsYA6lI_dsqUQ4ZBUPtPX4IJDLCxUSzpRxj38hohEUQGAcxuZsIDIuW7rZa0_3pD5SsZnn73yudJ1g9nZ8OZfiCveb_q18/s900/Shovelers+huddle+headless.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="900" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6Kr7CXDET_8iPK7MExkq8Hbt1veBT5IoTlkPMnRsYA6lI_dsqUQ4ZBUPtPX4IJDLCxUSzpRxj38hohEUQGAcxuZsIDIuW7rZa0_3pD5SsZnn73yudJ1g9nZ8OZfiCveb_q18/w400-h288/Shovelers+huddle+headless.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Shovelers<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="categoryDesc"><a href="https://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/Dabbling" target="_blank">Dabbling ducks</a>, or puddle ducks, frequent shallow waters such as flooded fields and marshes. They feed by tipping up rather than diving. When taking flight, they spring into the air instead of pattering across the water. Most
swim with their tail held clear of the water and have colorful,
iridescent speculum (a rectangular patch at the hind edge of the wing). Since everyone is cold with heads tucked under their wings, you can't rely on the head color for identification. Check the body colors instead. The rusty stomach on this group indicates Northern Shovelers.<br />
</div><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwJ5yjidhlK2ZDy-bfU7zPPpVw3r-VJl3nhbPh75C8__Hi1-kSXWHyR7Z5s4afTt64WBkDCkBG66lYBu54YOIwXaQjuTYbnxdL6tocrczdBBJw8q7qUm4tkNaWZngXNaZNZg0/s900/Mute+Swans+and+Mallards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="900" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwJ5yjidhlK2ZDy-bfU7zPPpVw3r-VJl3nhbPh75C8__Hi1-kSXWHyR7Z5s4afTt64WBkDCkBG66lYBu54YOIwXaQjuTYbnxdL6tocrczdBBJw8q7qUm4tkNaWZngXNaZNZg0/w400-h278/Mute+Swans+and+Mallards.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute Swans and Mallards<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The brown stuff on the ice? Bird poop I think.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjwwWZrnQ1wneCOXJvdUAbdTuc3mWakDcyIeu3st7n2sMW9m4geOd5KZGun9cgrtPoQFTYs-cTwBb9S9C2ShREo7Gkw8_GGxwWuo9yJ9F4qw7wAK-zlx8q63_G-tjDuSX8lzt/s900/Mute+Swans+in+flight+with+cattails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="900" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjwwWZrnQ1wneCOXJvdUAbdTuc3mWakDcyIeu3st7n2sMW9m4geOd5KZGun9cgrtPoQFTYs-cTwBb9S9C2ShREo7Gkw8_GGxwWuo9yJ9F4qw7wAK-zlx8q63_G-tjDuSX8lzt/w400-h246/Mute+Swans+in+flight+with+cattails.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute Swans in flight<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Mute Swans have a a bright orange beak, making them easier to identify than the native swans. Mute swans were imported into America, and many have escaped into the wild.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPLxS31f4sYFYgW8_Hx1CfbsPZgucUYGg0d-SEUR0t6SOxZKOKPGCT5exEMwWgDYRBpU3pReg5MQpv_vwnOaQJEWzf1kPtTR5gx0zzCGqhed1NU5eVnsDNj9YvKHzCMuT_JRt/s900/Raft+of+Ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPLxS31f4sYFYgW8_Hx1CfbsPZgucUYGg0d-SEUR0t6SOxZKOKPGCT5exEMwWgDYRBpU3pReg5MQpv_vwnOaQJEWzf1kPtTR5gx0zzCGqhed1NU5eVnsDNj9YvKHzCMuT_JRt/w400-h266/Raft+of+Ducks.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Ohio River is always a good place to look for ducks in the winter. Jeffersonville, IN, has a Fisherman's Wharf along the water which is the place to start. No driftwood to try to peer over or around! This huge raft of ducks is on the upstream end, and you would need a spotting scope to tell the birds apart.<br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="900" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXxS21xYON_jc2cOYsRxMr9ZC9WnItGDv1iqqgRx25NEcEBuC4RiEOqYQ8AfUrRQ6_J88aNTNxiwn6GKFhY7COj5p3f4BH3XI1xpG1HDkD6lh4tuzK-JgPxcbzoQkfY0qGyWW/w400-h263/Lesser+Scaup.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Scaup<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Either bring a field guide along, or take photos of these ducks. Since we don't see them all year, it's a challenge to differentiate them. You will find white or gray in different locations of the body. Many have red heads, so you can't rely on that alone. Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks are similar at a distance.<br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-7Kq78Kb5qYTh93h_T8XBWdHkAppsu-AYp0O4Xbry5CoY68W-UDiTNccHJDG-fqns9evx1nPtaWZHRQj4PuDjvawZOzjFtNY3MCOY5iuDK7ynjTnh_Hi3LONe_T51i5Z5H9R/s900/Lesser+Scaup+female.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="900" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-7Kq78Kb5qYTh93h_T8XBWdHkAppsu-AYp0O4Xbry5CoY68W-UDiTNccHJDG-fqns9evx1nPtaWZHRQj4PuDjvawZOzjFtNY3MCOY5iuDK7ynjTnh_Hi3LONe_T51i5Z5H9R/w400-h310/Lesser+Scaup+female.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Scaup female<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The Lesser Scaup female is also similar to the female Ring-necked Duck. Of course, you can't see a ring around the neck at all, so I don't know why they are called this!<br /></div><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHfBQIiq6V3mUnPUfFDn5zy2j_e-3eQJByVEZdb0evh5kP-TuYtzo-XGMRxSRc02JqGrDN4hqWOoicVGfyB4F771eh-VFhXO50nX-2KCjeNCHXiglV9uon2KDUKF3QgNjy1oS/s900/Ring-billed+Gull+on+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHfBQIiq6V3mUnPUfFDn5zy2j_e-3eQJByVEZdb0evh5kP-TuYtzo-XGMRxSRc02JqGrDN4hqWOoicVGfyB4F771eh-VFhXO50nX-2KCjeNCHXiglV9uon2KDUKF3QgNjy1oS/w400-h266/Ring-billed+Gull+on+post.jpg" title="Ring-billed Gull" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring-billes Gull<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Some of my really good birder buddies can tell the difference between species of gulls who come to the Ohio from Northern frozen waters. I usually guess they are Ring-billed Gulls, but you can't see the bill unless they are perched or floating on the water. In flight, you only see the wings.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFm3tfV29yqAYPDY2wIaaM8zKO9fya5H9AJ3SxsGMRCEFSAyhOMr75Y6HtpNFPArn_KRasiMHQGMbQsAxXLudQFo-_8-GeklSkT9OE9RraCVyvdOmY2MdyQSj4qkeRUBVOvS7/s900/Ring-neck+ducks+heads+tucked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="900" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFm3tfV29yqAYPDY2wIaaM8zKO9fya5H9AJ3SxsGMRCEFSAyhOMr75Y6HtpNFPArn_KRasiMHQGMbQsAxXLudQFo-_8-GeklSkT9OE9RraCVyvdOmY2MdyQSj4qkeRUBVOvS7/w400-h230/Ring-neck+ducks+heads+tucked.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring-necked Ducks<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Rings around the necks? No way. But the male Ring-necked Ducks do have a white crescent just below their shoulders and a ring around the bill. I tend to call them Ring-billed Ducks.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAb4HbBef5mH9D4Q7NOZpZvcbbuAMTERtBWH3w8i2QSiKu5uFmDgj-9KQdQ7vsk8IFPFvnsaGzL2FQNGOwNrQLvlGCTxm7KvCKv4GjjPBjUYvHsgkU8SPnBdWLlq3-DyeO2jL/s900/Ruddy+Ducks+winter+plummage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="900" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAb4HbBef5mH9D4Q7NOZpZvcbbuAMTERtBWH3w8i2QSiKu5uFmDgj-9KQdQ7vsk8IFPFvnsaGzL2FQNGOwNrQLvlGCTxm7KvCKv4GjjPBjUYvHsgkU8SPnBdWLlq3-DyeO2jL/w400-h170/Ruddy+Ducks+winter+plummage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruddy Duck males winter feathers<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>And remember, the males of a bird you think you know can change colors in the winter. All these are male Ruddy Ducks, without the stiff tail that stands up straight. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3ndh6FqUKm7nIaIyOzlUYWl6m8fXdkkehe9HIf2xq8IfSVwDaXeUvqaBv8XlijFqBTDHuH0s9Wy2_LIh20ks6-JJB7AL0J7sOla_-Bw4Ri_AWQmKvU6EIvPxo2TGSOUIcUsd/s2048/Eared+Grebe+winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="2048" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3ndh6FqUKm7nIaIyOzlUYWl6m8fXdkkehe9HIf2xq8IfSVwDaXeUvqaBv8XlijFqBTDHuH0s9Wy2_LIh20ks6-JJB7AL0J7sOla_-Bw4Ri_AWQmKvU6EIvPxo2TGSOUIcUsd/w400-h210/Eared+Grebe+winter.jpg" title="Eared Grebe male winter feathers" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eared Grebe in winter feathers<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I hard there were some Loons on the river, and thought this was one of them. Closer examination of the photo showed a very short bill, unlike the Loons. Aha, it's not a duck or loon at all, but some kind of Grebe! It has a bright red eye, and a thin white bill. An Eared Grebe, and the first I've seen in winter feathers! <br />denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-45060360578597426752021-02-25T14:29:00.000-05:002021-02-25T14:29:05.834-05:00Wine and Short-eared Owls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy4zmkDG8dx8x2DJff1-JBgsUP2aMlxu_QTYnh14cvfo40HvdJYJvxlx4YJhiOilDnRTVr3e7JTbZSAJOO9RNIQ8n9UrlM6gdLTzGFArtZB4fKy6PgJl5_oTvkSNhDs96A2EG/s800/Shorteared+Owl+Dorsal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="800" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy4zmkDG8dx8x2DJff1-JBgsUP2aMlxu_QTYnh14cvfo40HvdJYJvxlx4YJhiOilDnRTVr3e7JTbZSAJOO9RNIQ8n9UrlM6gdLTzGFArtZB4fKy6PgJl5_oTvkSNhDs96A2EG/w400-h290/Shorteared+Owl+Dorsal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>On January 21, it hadn't started to sleet or snow yet. We saw postings from Ky Birders about a Short-eared Owl at <a href="https://www.talonwine.com/" target="_blank">Talon Winery</a> on the south side of Lexington. Thinking that the winery should be fairly empty on a Thursday afternoon, we headed down I-64 to Lexington, planning to have a little wine, then watch for the owl. As it turned out, there was a good sized crowd in the tasting room, but
everyone kept their distance. The largest group took themselves outside
to drink and talk. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPGhUFT2ql37Sp57dDl5O8nnH09IviWKw6H-Y7Rf2ol0eHwvMqhyphenhyphentGJLudtEBsOiKsKl_3Vf2bNkE7pWT0xRTjijlR7K-PkbuXPlV_2Y_rjHrvwyZua-ef_Z9XZA2SqoXvv9w/s900/Short-eared+Owl+underside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="900" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPGhUFT2ql37Sp57dDl5O8nnH09IviWKw6H-Y7Rf2ol0eHwvMqhyphenhyphentGJLudtEBsOiKsKl_3Vf2bNkE7pWT0xRTjijlR7K-PkbuXPlV_2Y_rjHrvwyZua-ef_Z9XZA2SqoXvv9w/w400-h294/Short-eared+Owl+underside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Short-eared Owls breed in the far north, but come to Kentucky in the winter, favoring open grasslands. In other years, I have found them at the old Paradise coal mine site, and at a farm somewhere between E-town and Leitchfield. Other notices this year found them near Paris as well as Lexington. The best thing is that they come out to hunt about half-an-hour before sunset, and there us usually enough light for good photos. You can often find Northern Harrier Hawks in the same location.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3fvUdxtVFEWsoZLGcDbNm4YOpzruOLR4DvWe6JXBr-lCzImJrGpi8pZ8hGFlOq6e-UeB9QuIEMFcnBZsuIDuyamqEFE9p0WG65424CdYH31H5I3xyYsxh653JSmBBcrr-ApV/s900/Short-eared+Owl+long+wings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="900" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3fvUdxtVFEWsoZLGcDbNm4YOpzruOLR4DvWe6JXBr-lCzImJrGpi8pZ8hGFlOq6e-UeB9QuIEMFcnBZsuIDuyamqEFE9p0WG65424CdYH31H5I3xyYsxh653JSmBBcrr-ApV/w400-h333/Short-eared+Owl+long+wings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>As sunset approached, we walked around many of the open fields, but the wind made it pretty cold, so we decided to sit in the car instead. We couldn't tell which field to look in, but another car was sitting in the parking lot, and it looked like the lady had a camera. "She's here for the owl too," I thought, and sure enough the owl swooped out of the fence row. There was no place for it to land, so it just flew low over the grass. Look how long its wings are! This one made no noise while we were there, but a recording has them making a barking kind of sound rather than a hoot. It didn't take long for the sun to dip below the horizon and we started home. After cataract surgery and lens implants, I find it difficult to drive at night any more. My pupils open bigger than the lens, so the lens edge captures any available light, making huge halos around car lights, stop lights, etc. I'll have to think about going out at sunset again.<br /><p></p>denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-9490620522288749702021-02-23T15:35:00.003-05:002021-02-23T15:35:58.317-05:00Oh the Pandemic!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6FasxQceKk2Z7gTGoG6lWBxC4pGe3B3-Rn9C2oXuOQWWLdd7e8sqgO1azesAKahh1fn8lSLaF-Ry2AMpzqw9wvgPtHWfUSlk42KqnLV7OBJAGBJEuiZN2-KMXFgohYS58fEY/s900/Cardinals+on+icy+branches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="900" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6FasxQceKk2Z7gTGoG6lWBxC4pGe3B3-Rn9C2oXuOQWWLdd7e8sqgO1azesAKahh1fn8lSLaF-Ry2AMpzqw9wvgPtHWfUSlk42KqnLV7OBJAGBJEuiZN2-KMXFgohYS58fEY/w400-h344/Cardinals+on+icy+branches.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Oh, the Pandemic! In reviewing this blog, I find that I posted a lot during the spring migration of 2020. There were good birds, and I figured I didn't need to wear a mask outside birding, right? The rest of 2020 was a big flop as far as birding and blogging went. We had a big debate about having the whole family (all ten of them) for Christmas. Mostly I just sat in the chair vegetating for months. It's hard to keep track of time when you go nowhere and do nothing. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOu9XOCMyQdwtIzjsUJYP-dX8gve5dKm0JV3yLiBCWM1VD5jSsXuC7gvnapAmfFCkk4YlduT__qLsxIh7-lZzhOVNkRxzUuM89aAvjp7Kp1L6yREe8i4eF3mrzQGc57WwJGlu/s900/Starling+mob+at+peanut+feeder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="900" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOu9XOCMyQdwtIzjsUJYP-dX8gve5dKm0JV3yLiBCWM1VD5jSsXuC7gvnapAmfFCkk4YlduT__qLsxIh7-lZzhOVNkRxzUuM89aAvjp7Kp1L6yREe8i4eF3mrzQGc57WwJGlu/w400-h278/Starling+mob+at+peanut+feeder.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The annual Great Backyard Bird Count was scheduled for Saturday, February 13. Louisville Audubon Society partners with Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve for this event, and we decided (in a Zoom board meeting) that we could still do it, by eliminating the part inside and asking everyone to wear masks on the bird walk. However, as the date approached, the weather forecast was terrible, predicting low temperatures in the single digits or teens, so we decided to cancel it for that date. Instead, we used our Facebook page to encourage everyone to participate on their own, posting photos of common winter birds. I was amazed at the reception - more people than normally view that page on FB. Guess they likd my photos.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWV4JF3gai89ZzSF6RpMG91iPswduZTS481h_pHM44zNhIIFCc_1Yvdf3CpxxueI-khT22xBMIG-5rCoWNqApZkGj63oIeIYMnN_GhgekTh6J208ZDyBz-waV8W_TWIHZWuZR/s900/Cardinal+female+on+snowy+ground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="900" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWV4JF3gai89ZzSF6RpMG91iPswduZTS481h_pHM44zNhIIFCc_1Yvdf3CpxxueI-khT22xBMIG-5rCoWNqApZkGj63oIeIYMnN_GhgekTh6J208ZDyBz-waV8W_TWIHZWuZR/w400-h254/Cardinal+female+on+snowy+ground.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaZ3Z-NrFSOtIG4r5LcMx8OFUzuCknNNrs4FgPPHc3pTGvEtfkxxTVVnnPwf-vnIaO3sTL6v1IkCSNPwEf5NTmRRdyz-j5I84MthpejKhvJWZJRTmwqcMwGpb33TBOI9TBsEd/s900/Robin+on+water+dish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaZ3Z-NrFSOtIG4r5LcMx8OFUzuCknNNrs4FgPPHc3pTGvEtfkxxTVVnnPwf-vnIaO3sTL6v1IkCSNPwEf5NTmRRdyz-j5I84MthpejKhvJWZJRTmwqcMwGpb33TBOI9TBsEd/w400-h266/Robin+on+water+dish.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>However, that Saturday, the 13th, was the beginning of our big winter storms. Kentucky wasn't hit as much as Texas, and we didn't lose power at our house (thank heavens!) I would wake up in the night worrying about what to do if the power went out. You can put lighted candles under terracotta pots to help heat a room, but do we have any pots? Looking back at a calendar, the storms and cold only lasted a little over a week. If you asked me how long it was, I would have said <b>about three weeks</b>! We started with a layer of ice, then about 2 inches of snow. Once the roads were cleared it dropped another 2 inches of snow. Dick was brave and went to the YMCA for yoga when he could, and tried to get me to the Mall to walk whenever he could persuade me (not much that is). By the 21st, temperatures started rising above freezing, and life resumed it's regular patterns. Some friends continued to bird throughout this cold-snap, posting beautiful photos. I don't see how they did it. Oh, we finally got reservations for our COVID vaccines on March 2. That was a source of anxiety too. We'll start making some travel plans for later this year. Sigh!<br />denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-20347886971509910302021-02-23T10:40:00.000-05:002021-02-23T10:40:01.951-05:00Rare Bird Sightings<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkKLTnd1cnKgKMA04nRRZPo6oex_yjAdw0Db0igXiGWzQ0Hd8HHRAdYrHdDSAyvfU26TKCWHWCEQVAZBzTXqs0yBUvhRN2xdMJa-WzSqsK4B5BrEDvHUKC49_gPZh-CaDVOLL/s900/Western+Grebe+on+Ohio+River+1-21-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="900" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkKLTnd1cnKgKMA04nRRZPo6oex_yjAdw0Db0igXiGWzQ0Hd8HHRAdYrHdDSAyvfU26TKCWHWCEQVAZBzTXqs0yBUvhRN2xdMJa-WzSqsK4B5BrEDvHUKC49_gPZh-CaDVOLL/w400-h279/Western+Grebe+on+Ohio+River+1-21-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Grebe on Ohio River</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>News of a rare bird is the joy and downfall of any birder. Email lists will advise subscribers of something unusual, and hopefully, where it was last sighted. Then the rush begins, depending how rare the bird is. On January 21, 2021, we saw a notice that a Western Grebe had been spotted on the Ohio, and could be found from the benches at Garvin Brown Preserve. We drove out with the spotting scope to scan the river, a challenging task, since it involved looking at each piece of driftwood floating in the water! Finally, we located the bird waaay upstream from our location, and impossible to photograph. A day or two later, it was spotted downstream a bit, to we tried again, and finally found it about 2/3 across the river, but I got a somewhat fuzzy photo. <span class="ILfuVd c3biWd"><span class="hgKElc">The Western Grebe is commonly found from Canada through California, and sometimes in Mexico. It usually occurs in the great plains and <b>western</b> states, but only occasionally can be found in the eastern half of the United States. So how did it get this far east? And what birder was looking in the river to notice it?</span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd c3biWd"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrUpd5sGYDY1jodcGZ4szwKbov0TpzpbZ6vYlPpkYshQdGF6EPXULbb00gch1R8uMd2rD_YGFj6WTL11jiMzg5F5YXJzJVBkjrn11lDoQuYqfr0POmRPg5ONT4yj1SuzRdAYw/s800/Peregrine+Falcon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="800" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrUpd5sGYDY1jodcGZ4szwKbov0TpzpbZ6vYlPpkYshQdGF6EPXULbb00gch1R8uMd2rD_YGFj6WTL11jiMzg5F5YXJzJVBkjrn11lDoQuYqfr0POmRPg5ONT4yj1SuzRdAYw/w400-h334/Peregrine+Falcon.jpg" title="Peregrine falcon" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peregrine Falcon<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="hgKElc">On the same trip, we passed a Peregrine Falcon digesting her breakfast. Notice the big lump on her breast? That's her crop. Peregrines are not rare birds, neither are they considered as common birds.<br /></span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd c3biWd"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoX6il3Zj_By2CdJzef_-v1jkmfJBGb3vrcz7IcyXYkKbAhH8IU_2VEJMiOGASChTYmCvFw3RutI7kUQB-OLrxm3lSDl8aS9Z6LS3JGtyV3fs9l2_Hh56u6eQa0cFDhtv0bIK/s1100/White-faced+Ibis+RARE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1100" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoX6il3Zj_By2CdJzef_-v1jkmfJBGb3vrcz7IcyXYkKbAhH8IU_2VEJMiOGASChTYmCvFw3RutI7kUQB-OLrxm3lSDl8aS9Z6LS3JGtyV3fs9l2_Hh56u6eQa0cFDhtv0bIK/w400-h243/White-faced+Ibis+RARE.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-faced Ibis<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="hgKElc">Last spring, the word went out for the sighting of a White-faced Ibis at Hays Kennedy Park, which you must walk through to reach Garvin Brown. This is also a bird of the far West and down into Mexico. Why would it come to the Ohio River in Kentucky, and who in town was there to find it? A friend of mine explained it quite simply. They have wings and can fly wherever they want!<br /></span></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabGhzR5nzBgyhff0UeAKR2hCitCm8u9e5tKkzkGMzUtx7OCmM0PFrRR_Em0ywDrodpSEo0NudUScl0dfjUTn3NprveA-INfscyO4JSZlUw3NgyFdaQBSc3cywGwyBt_K3AZ51/s850/Western+Tanager+Back+of+Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="850" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiabGhzR5nzBgyhff0UeAKR2hCitCm8u9e5tKkzkGMzUtx7OCmM0PFrRR_Em0ywDrodpSEo0NudUScl0dfjUTn3NprveA-INfscyO4JSZlUw3NgyFdaQBSc3cywGwyBt_K3AZ51/w400-h378/Western+Tanager+Back+of+Head.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Tanager<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="ILfuVd c3biWd"><span class="hgKElc"></span><span class="hgKElc">I found an article at <a href="https://morebirds.com/blogs/news/why-weird-birds-show-up-in-unexpected-places">https://morebirds.com/blogs/news/why-weird-birds-show-up-in-unexpected-places </a></span></span><br /><span class="ILfuVd c3biWd"><span class="hgKElc">which explains this phenomenon pretty well. </span></span>A<span> </span><b>vagrant<a><span> </span></a></b>is
a wild bird found well outside its expected range. These are usually
solitary sightings, with just one bird wowing birders who are lucky
enough to find it. Vagrants may arrive at their unusual destinations
because of storms, faulty navigation during migration, or simply
wandering much further afield than expected. When more spectacular
vagrants appear, birders travel significant distances to see them.
High-profile vagrant sightings can even make the news. Someone in Kentucky had a Western Tanager in her yard last year.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRk3cafZhGx7Yh2TISFN-ZSdosn3EsIK2LT66L6hIRXrFZBiLEytncvQmU-IGldumm9IJhv-zcAN1_prT6eUT-ILIeao-XzNoP_r5P04LGRqpYDiXeYnU6i1SOetc_Mvd0sAj/s1000/snowy+owl+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRk3cafZhGx7Yh2TISFN-ZSdosn3EsIK2LT66L6hIRXrFZBiLEytncvQmU-IGldumm9IJhv-zcAN1_prT6eUT-ILIeao-XzNoP_r5P04LGRqpYDiXeYnU6i1SOetc_Mvd0sAj/w400-h300/snowy+owl+closeup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A bird <b>irruption </b>is a massive movement of birds outside their usual
range. This is typically a winter phenomenon, when northern birds such
as<span> </span>Evening Grosbeaks,<span> </span>Bohemian Waxwings<a>,</a>
or Common Redpolls suddenly appear much further south than typical.
These birds have been sighted in Kebtucky this winter, but I haven't found them. This movement is often tied to food supplies or population increases,
forcing more birds south to find enough resources for survival. When an
irruption happens, birders may not need to travel to see these
unexpected birds because the birds come to them.<p></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JddX3DAOtHU0us3ZCpCXvAAKiy8evia8_MAbM7O8TlnsUOd-lCmmPB9_ndruR0Ck2EVu8TF_oHDQw_TMSoZNFT3kop06R20IdQa8xUVKAQvKpQbXlRANLzKl3qTMY1evO1Ci/s1050/Bob+White+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1050" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JddX3DAOtHU0us3ZCpCXvAAKiy8evia8_MAbM7O8TlnsUOd-lCmmPB9_ndruR0Ck2EVu8TF_oHDQw_TMSoZNFT3kop06R20IdQa8xUVKAQvKpQbXlRANLzKl3qTMY1evO1Ci/w400-h353/Bob+White+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob White<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Sometimes a bird that used to be considered as common becomes so rarely sighted, that we have the same excitement at finding it as if it had flown in from Siberia, such as the little Bob White. </p>denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-1757926985287825942020-06-12T21:17:00.002-04:002021-02-23T15:36:42.113-05:00Return to Bernheim?<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyv5LoGDcCD84gBnc9xtBrWzaW5yt4FcfAz4atOutC9DbsLtOwpcbalxQR_Q2GQnJCQ9Ci-qdqH7suGA1js3OKOz9RitVDXQ26kj1graHXFVjjOGXIl9O6h8DoyZzsNGuYohsD/s1600/Light+in+the+Forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyv5LoGDcCD84gBnc9xtBrWzaW5yt4FcfAz4atOutC9DbsLtOwpcbalxQR_Q2GQnJCQ9Ci-qdqH7suGA1js3OKOz9RitVDXQ26kj1graHXFVjjOGXIl9O6h8DoyZzsNGuYohsD/s400/Light+in+the+Forest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning light in the forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dick has volunteered at <a href="https://bernheim.org/" target="_blank">Bernheim Forest and Arboretum</a> since 2005, working sometimes with the horticulture group, planting and weeding (like he doesn't do enough of that at home?) but mostly interacting with visitors, talking to them about the wonders of nature. Last year this time, he would be at Bernheim 3-4 days a week. But last March, as the coronavirus pandemic grew, Bernheim decided to close altogether during the crisis. The crowds of people coming to see the <a href="https://bernheim.org/giant-activities/" target="_blank">Forest Giants</a> just couldn't be controlled. It would be safer for all, they decided, to just lock the gates until things changed, a disappointing but understandable decision. Many of the employees have been working from home most of the time as well. Volunteer training has continued via Zoom meetings online. Dick and I helped at one just last week.The volunteers have been recording short videos of why they love nature and Bernheim. They are trying to keep their name out there, but no one can come in.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbUFV0E6w-6j9NbyIajW842lUfM_L_T4kRsb0S8wStC9paPK9WXjXVPOb8rQAl3tuhuUEDrmbMT6fORirIeL979DoMn9-wpg-UT-X0vwcJxzBYwb9PbpT6zqhSujnRUDTnE2X/s1600/Daisy+with+bugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1000" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbUFV0E6w-6j9NbyIajW842lUfM_L_T4kRsb0S8wStC9paPK9WXjXVPOb8rQAl3tuhuUEDrmbMT6fORirIeL979DoMn9-wpg-UT-X0vwcJxzBYwb9PbpT6zqhSujnRUDTnE2X/s400/Daisy+with+bugs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daisy with bugs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This morning, however, Dick went out to film a video on site, and they invited me to come along and we could go birding afterwards. Dick said it felt like making a pilgrimage to return there even for just one day. After all, the whole migration season was missed by every birder! No reports to eBird from Bernheim!<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjJk-7gX90r9cRPfTWpKM0CcutyD0mflsyhQmu57RGNZh34RsEmY7qEtWP3GQr5zhfYtM9Mf2_O67ziBRXMcbzXY4NABbCTvLjYXCBzdCUY4nByS_mXuo6c3tiMtnv0bC7Pr5/s1600/Bluebird+and+lichens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1000" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjJk-7gX90r9cRPfTWpKM0CcutyD0mflsyhQmu57RGNZh34RsEmY7qEtWP3GQr5zhfYtM9Mf2_O67ziBRXMcbzXY4NABbCTvLjYXCBzdCUY4nByS_mXuo6c3tiMtnv0bC7Pr5/s400/Bluebird+and+lichens.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluebird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we parked the car in the shade on a cloudless blue-sky morning, we were greeted by a Bluebird who probably lives out in the big meadow.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwJrS5l7kshxybZ0lEr6WZ7M9upczKKaUFFWnmCBZtrMYL7-rDK_Lg3PJHyK6Gq9H4xLX0CjmNS7mXC0I27bLJ9YbqLTfkzgP9aUSybP77YByOHVKJoZnMw3qOApSSsxD7iOW/s1600/Catbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1000" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwJrS5l7kshxybZ0lEr6WZ7M9upczKKaUFFWnmCBZtrMYL7-rDK_Lg3PJHyK6Gq9H4xLX0CjmNS7mXC0I27bLJ9YbqLTfkzgP9aUSybP77YByOHVKJoZnMw3qOApSSsxD7iOW/s400/Catbird.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Catbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Instead of hiding in the bushes, this Catbird called and followed us around the area near the silos for over an hour, just to see what we were up to, I think. Maybe he missed having an audience.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwt2W6JApRVxUIdc2vJT3BE7o3UjjGonapKN9Dh2wpmd1D2ZTZIB9udJNPKwZZkpSTBI7ZSK29NrkOC9w4ZXhVW8NJ8lIJy0f5xDzqKdHUoFH5hRQwVAJNT0rlqosJ4paDr4vO/s1600/Barn+Owl+nuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwt2W6JApRVxUIdc2vJT3BE7o3UjjGonapKN9Dh2wpmd1D2ZTZIB9udJNPKwZZkpSTBI7ZSK29NrkOC9w4ZXhVW8NJ8lIJy0f5xDzqKdHUoFH5hRQwVAJNT0rlqosJ4paDr4vO/s400/Barn+Owl+nuts.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Barn Owls"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I used to see Flicker woodpeckers nesting in the sycamore trees every spring, but none were there today. In fact, I have seen NO Flickers at all this spring, wherever we went birding. We did find this pair of "Barn Owl" nuts on a 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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMugja1nSeXL1V2SDl-vLV7obQm58m_mzzopxYX4FgSuo2QpLcwYK6q9qaLys-38WfHWtOtACKAlFLGOZYApzmWER0nKFpL8SuLsvt5D1NHnh_vShtLqb6CAT1romdV4CfKIY/s1600/Red-eared+Slider+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMugja1nSeXL1V2SDl-vLV7obQm58m_mzzopxYX4FgSuo2QpLcwYK6q9qaLys-38WfHWtOtACKAlFLGOZYApzmWER0nKFpL8SuLsvt5D1NHnh_vShtLqb6CAT1romdV4CfKIY/s400/Red-eared+Slider+face.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-eared Slider at Kingfisher Pond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kingfisher Pond is too small to attract any real Kingfishers, but this 9-10 inch long slider was quite comfortable, despite all the duck weed on his back.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAcNs9Nd2us4sMnNDq8gAicwnaG3q6g8_-8vvv_vh5YMlwcxc2iOBmEp28QkeTFnkFQTUyKdl1_LYfyJy0ytznCmT8hVRcOL_PldboE0AvWPs9kBu7fXfri6RZhZbviNr3X2d/s1600/Barn+Swallow+hatchlings+eyes+closed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1000" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAcNs9Nd2us4sMnNDq8gAicwnaG3q6g8_-8vvv_vh5YMlwcxc2iOBmEp28QkeTFnkFQTUyKdl1_LYfyJy0ytznCmT8hVRcOL_PldboE0AvWPs9kBu7fXfri6RZhZbviNr3X2d/s400/Barn+Swallow+hatchlings+eyes+closed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Swallow hatchlings</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8XDFTdEWhRoORshAV7D92UztXSMcZII5HlvZKYWmP2Exld1Jpi7IoL2xkII4sdqWNOJSIWkUpMig7G1o823UktRLZvmD2GCMXxQqT3-xQcFb9mnG6dqf8tdfa9tNheJfCZc2/s1600/Barn+Swallow+chicks+in+nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1000" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8XDFTdEWhRoORshAV7D92UztXSMcZII5HlvZKYWmP2Exld1Jpi7IoL2xkII4sdqWNOJSIWkUpMig7G1o823UktRLZvmD2GCMXxQqT3-xQcFb9mnG6dqf8tdfa9tNheJfCZc2/s400/Barn+Swallow+chicks+in+nest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Swallow chicks</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ohOPokQBycyN7UzyabqloeZNjqPwrip2rtp5SeNzdw-dxICTUW8Dc82yDhHdM9-bs2QKiJVDkzDTUi7QpR3OYf7hSgwa5tKPDbgGXuroDgtUnUKSBWJFmJZDkMFvVSFSoYpr/s1600/Barn+Swallow+chicks+ready+to+fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1000" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ohOPokQBycyN7UzyabqloeZNjqPwrip2rtp5SeNzdw-dxICTUW8Dc82yDhHdM9-bs2QKiJVDkzDTUi7QpR3OYf7hSgwa5tKPDbgGXuroDgtUnUKSBWJFmJZDkMFvVSFSoYpr/s400/Barn+Swallow+chicks+ready+to+fly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost ready to fledge</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIFnr_XC3GO46S9jVBtEhPJjg2eE-aeQ_Le7ZP9Sm1TzYixlj26kzQHP7jzCGEXzg0Qy4y6dibJCOPPYkxShLvhyphenhyphenbfqhBBV-BnXcRK9JeSPATCG6zsg7ForbZDfkqvjGfAN1A/s1600/Barn+Swallow+adult+with+chicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIFnr_XC3GO46S9jVBtEhPJjg2eE-aeQ_Le7ZP9Sm1TzYixlj26kzQHP7jzCGEXzg0Qy4y6dibJCOPPYkxShLvhyphenhyphenbfqhBBV-BnXcRK9JeSPATCG6zsg7ForbZDfkqvjGfAN1A/s400/Barn+Swallow+adult+with+chicks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Swallow adult at nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Every year, Barn Swallows build their nests of mud under the porch roof of a building near Lake Nevin. The adults were busy flying around catching bugs, but we counted at least 22 nests with chicks of various ages. One of my favorite times and places.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9TxtlEvMXFG_6E99hDhk2PuaQDMau81MWPL_73fXQQIHkRpbW8qfmDIjh00QDEDRG_Iwx16KTQi_R5F1IfJfHQr6rt0vJkDZ6_bnofj5P_aDnueGTfUNUzKGUWuY-jk59vhW/s1600/Purple+Martin+apartments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1000" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9TxtlEvMXFG_6E99hDhk2PuaQDMau81MWPL_73fXQQIHkRpbW8qfmDIjh00QDEDRG_Iwx16KTQi_R5F1IfJfHQr6rt0vJkDZ6_bnofj5P_aDnueGTfUNUzKGUWuY-jk59vhW/s400/Purple+Martin+apartments.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Martin Apartments</td></tr>
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Bernheim has hosted Purple Martins for many years. A volunteer keeps up with keeping them clean and ready when they arrive from the south.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAYhHg3hYn-RNQ1DUvQGlzP4KGKFNxh93XtKAS8iOs288zZOt6iq3WyRQAfMWk4NcB_UBY2Z9V9FP-LxeaLCFl1ct2FKqDx9YrdZgUdxuyFSKRmf0C7Ue_v2IHu9yoLKYb4Lf/s1600/Purple+Martins+at+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAYhHg3hYn-RNQ1DUvQGlzP4KGKFNxh93XtKAS8iOs288zZOt6iq3WyRQAfMWk4NcB_UBY2Z9V9FP-LxeaLCFl1ct2FKqDx9YrdZgUdxuyFSKRmf0C7Ue_v2IHu9yoLKYb4Lf/s400/Purple+Martins+at+home.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging around the apartment building</td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphd2VxAgUAaWoYxUh096QeIxiqAZl2IbGs1E1Njvzv720K1gVn4ib_3kQe_3Gu0blMKxtTfZqsEPH9vvZbYZ7AJefLD6pZEG2pVaWXG_0M1P4_Xq02Nta9d4keC4ZV28uz4ws/s1600/Purple+Martins+Irridescent+backs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphd2VxAgUAaWoYxUh096QeIxiqAZl2IbGs1E1Njvzv720K1gVn4ib_3kQe_3Gu0blMKxtTfZqsEPH9vvZbYZ7AJefLD6pZEG2pVaWXG_0M1P4_Xq02Nta9d4keC4ZV28uz4ws/s400/Purple+Martins+Irridescent+backs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iridescent Purple Martins</td></tr>
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Martins chatter incessantly as they catch air-borne bugs, when when they land, you can see how long their wings are and how they shine in the sunshine.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYzc7LZCzMCT-zXcQsBojBFlOhSKaX5zO_llppG1rWAg8C8P-lY63KHOu88IOBY0k9um5vPXKmWnfJ-eNsOPOjS0mqvPt49g65zhcGJi06eRvfu25FpSQaf2ofNvjP4Y7jgto/s1600/Tree+Swallow+Apt+A3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1000" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYzc7LZCzMCT-zXcQsBojBFlOhSKaX5zO_llppG1rWAg8C8P-lY63KHOu88IOBY0k9um5vPXKmWnfJ-eNsOPOjS0mqvPt49g65zhcGJi06eRvfu25FpSQaf2ofNvjP4Y7jgto/s400/Tree+Swallow+Apt+A3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Swallow</td></tr>
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One of those shiny birds, however, was not a Martin but a Tree Swallow, who also nests in cavities. The Martin volunteer said that they were here before the Martins arrived, and wouldn't leave. Unusual, isn't it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEroTqHCOcXXQY0nL4GwxhTi_ZON2g8Pl1bXz87NLHrJgdLCsWbR_yS1g1Imn4sXhWRjbpa5G6maI6ZYS-KPMrY0ubmf9USWyJ3GhX3J7UTOagwN5Lnrpwm1hSeoormsYdbq1/s1600/Green+Darner+Dragonfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEroTqHCOcXXQY0nL4GwxhTi_ZON2g8Pl1bXz87NLHrJgdLCsWbR_yS1g1Imn4sXhWRjbpa5G6maI6ZYS-KPMrY0ubmf9USWyJ3GhX3J7UTOagwN5Lnrpwm1hSeoormsYdbq1/s400/Green+Darner+Dragonfly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Darner</td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnNLYX8H1qHc6SJgSVJwE5z1uZyL5UQOnUMKmJrkUyP3-H0cr7ALqyHUuBPTtwXOauD1yipwcZbN2OEAVxI32CHkIyVlpFN6nRzdBQLV1JlwcNJeNkjvzQzGCluv6jOaKurk-/s1600/Lambsear+with+bee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1000" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnNLYX8H1qHc6SJgSVJwE5z1uZyL5UQOnUMKmJrkUyP3-H0cr7ALqyHUuBPTtwXOauD1yipwcZbN2OEAVxI32CHkIyVlpFN6nRzdBQLV1JlwcNJeNkjvzQzGCluv6jOaKurk-/s400/Lambsear+with+bee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lambs Ear and bee</td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJhieBUaPuky9Cg5tfA0NndDUWoqmvlPmC2lO13JtUSprNDL1AHke1ooSKvcw8xooNHwwaueM-KMyJj_y92htmkXYAzMh0wASgo9SOEEaTTaNML8xyjnvpEi334Lzr5eKdyDj/s1600/Purple+Coneflower+with+bee+and+small+butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJhieBUaPuky9Cg5tfA0NndDUWoqmvlPmC2lO13JtUSprNDL1AHke1ooSKvcw8xooNHwwaueM-KMyJj_y92htmkXYAzMh0wASgo9SOEEaTTaNML8xyjnvpEi334Lzr5eKdyDj/s400/Purple+Coneflower+with+bee+and+small+butterfly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Coneflower and pollinators</td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7kqjf3N9dFLf061z_8Uhn09JZB3tVA0AVLfaLBSbu-HuyBSAS8Sb3vRFbzpF-cH0Fo22i_cHxLApgAipOHq6wJGVwFboMvkqdztiF8izxNqnM1l9L1qpoLhBPiJzJ-HVzc_S/s1600/Widow+Skimmer+Dragonfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1000" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7kqjf3N9dFLf061z_8Uhn09JZB3tVA0AVLfaLBSbu-HuyBSAS8Sb3vRFbzpF-cH0Fo22i_cHxLApgAipOHq6wJGVwFboMvkqdztiF8izxNqnM1l9L1qpoLhBPiJzJ-HVzc_S/s400/Widow+Skimmer+Dragonfly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Widow Skimmer dragonfly</td></tr>
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On of the things I enjoy about Bernheim is the variety of habitats, from dense forests, to streams and lakes, and the Big Meadow grasslands. Each is home to a variety of plants and animals.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsiX-3F2BoKgwzWaGOVpp1RXBXmlc8139UyKLx6lPEvk1af8XUA12RGAynmhB8r1TB44D01HXxOHlItBAg5V4EVjOipf6Bvb1crLZuVDk_jI0RfjGKy-eTgnrF8VL1rmuQQ4-/s1600/Field+Sparrow+singing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1000" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsiX-3F2BoKgwzWaGOVpp1RXBXmlc8139UyKLx6lPEvk1af8XUA12RGAynmhB8r1TB44D01HXxOHlItBAg5V4EVjOipf6Bvb1crLZuVDk_jI0RfjGKy-eTgnrF8VL1rmuQQ4-/s400/Field+Sparrow+singing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although the Field Sparrow normally stays hidden in the grass, this guy came bravely up to the top of a flower to serenade us with his bouncing ping-pong ball song. It's always a challenge to get a photo of one.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkpNGgINDnsde6n1cM3ma0FF7VqhH_Y7SUdbmbhoj5VhAKhBpmMTtDfwvGRYYw4jKPVR75K51Mk6qZhzy-EDJA1rXihhi67Dahd-r9NoJpoPXzTmocvu8JCXl4_Z7SNmPqiv8/s1600/Green+Heron+at+Edible+Garden+Pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkpNGgINDnsde6n1cM3ma0FF7VqhH_Y7SUdbmbhoj5VhAKhBpmMTtDfwvGRYYw4jKPVR75K51Mk6qZhzy-EDJA1rXihhi67Dahd-r9NoJpoPXzTmocvu8JCXl4_Z7SNmPqiv8/s400/Green+Heron+at+Edible+Garden+Pond.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Heron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Edible Garden is a big vegetable garden, operated in a completely sustainable manner. It uses solar power where power is needed, and recycles all water. The garden beds are elevated so they can be reached by everyone, including handicapped visitors. They have bee hives to pollinate all the plants. When Isaacs' Cafe is open, all the fruits and vegetables served there are raised in the garden right across the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7MwzEAmRO1ckfUQ00TcRM3DjeXjUFP8WVjlz6LR51mqxS4G-N1gs7oB01g28u9zS9Q2Mrgh6QnTVK_gJ3ZweQusP2jVoUltn8lemfKjzzxXeXOGEdU6FQdevhlOV_vjicf9v/s1600/Green+Heron+in+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1000" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7MwzEAmRO1ckfUQ00TcRM3DjeXjUFP8WVjlz6LR51mqxS4G-N1gs7oB01g28u9zS9Q2Mrgh6QnTVK_gJ3ZweQusP2jVoUltn8lemfKjzzxXeXOGEdU6FQdevhlOV_vjicf9v/s400/Green+Heron+in+tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Heron in tree</td></tr>
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Although I was trying to photograph nonstop dragonflies, a large bird flying across the pond caught my eye. It was a Green Heron, moving from his place of concealment along the pond's edge to an open space on a big tree!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-M4x8beSPPA8qHxtOPwadeDHO-CPdHky0ZGQUamZURmbwtBx6DGrJXfcXCrY40PZBT844pkwzmnNmNZyh07R3FEX12KZHspr4DUukODLQAgar_muUn7NOi7kKZiRMiSM1EG0/s1600/Redd-tailed+Hawk+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1000" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-M4x8beSPPA8qHxtOPwadeDHO-CPdHky0ZGQUamZURmbwtBx6DGrJXfcXCrY40PZBT844pkwzmnNmNZyh07R3FEX12KZHspr4DUukODLQAgar_muUn7NOi7kKZiRMiSM1EG0/s400/Redd-tailed+Hawk+face.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-tailed Hawk</td></tr>
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I am always excited to find raptors, no mater where we are birding. This big Red-tail was perched in a pine tree, and we ended up walking all the way around it before getting a good view of her face. She was keeping an eye on the meadow for something yummy for lunch.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ds7y9fFMVMDnbeQ_zlNkEi-gc_jT0OGWIm4JAxy3GVduwmDlTPbjQaloPye7Hw2I0omKzNaYHdZhh3cn5OgjOSybyB5KLhl9Av08RovXSkuwPCpOEwn5u7L_lVqCoI8p9yBQ/s1600/Indigo+Bunting+on+treetop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ds7y9fFMVMDnbeQ_zlNkEi-gc_jT0OGWIm4JAxy3GVduwmDlTPbjQaloPye7Hw2I0omKzNaYHdZhh3cn5OgjOSybyB5KLhl9Av08RovXSkuwPCpOEwn5u7L_lVqCoI8p9yBQ/s400/Indigo+Bunting+on+treetop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo Bunting</td></tr>
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We hope that Bernheim will be able to re-open soon. Many other nature preserves have remained open for hikers, although all buildings and playgrounds are closed. Perhaps if they could find a way to close off the Giants... </div>
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<br />denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-26379605608238826102020-06-01T18:04:00.000-04:002020-06-01T18:04:11.560-04:00How many Birds?<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8-FoE0Q9kTcCWW7LisUA4fDOyoguqIYy6m5vOVeG2hmU2i2ZTMRRBGGOuuWd62WvK81HdFJQmdedmh-QpbJZYhE4D33aJmT3-nn5IDmicUW_9nK1TvbUpXNV0RH64kwLfcBn/s1600/Black+Vulture+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8-FoE0Q9kTcCWW7LisUA4fDOyoguqIYy6m5vOVeG2hmU2i2ZTMRRBGGOuuWd62WvK81HdFJQmdedmh-QpbJZYhE4D33aJmT3-nn5IDmicUW_9nK1TvbUpXNV0RH64kwLfcBn/s400/Black+Vulture+closeup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The sun was shining this morning and we decided to take a road trip to Lexington, KY. McDonald's had about 8 cars in line, so we passed it by. Wendy's only had 2 cars, but only one person was working inside and he said it would take a while before he could get to us. We finally went into Thornton's for breakfast, which ruined my WeightWatcher's count for the day. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HxWqbajAQoEUM0cMqE51VCW9QAInfXf24XXrGHlBey2OER8MqyNH3g3XxllLJdgMXrtsTVYpmZD3zTiht1ltBt9vzVlAdFW6Bfg96wMaxdxAlQccg8_erlk6yeb3IXgRe_AK/s1600/Black+Vultures+basking+in+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1000" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HxWqbajAQoEUM0cMqE51VCW9QAInfXf24XXrGHlBey2OER8MqyNH3g3XxllLJdgMXrtsTVYpmZD3zTiht1ltBt9vzVlAdFW6Bfg96wMaxdxAlQccg8_erlk6yeb3IXgRe_AK/s400/Black+Vultures+basking+in+sun.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Vultures basking in the sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It was about 8:45 when we arrived at Jacobson's Park and all the Black Vultures were still on the ground. Are they juveniles who can't fly yet? If it's too early, why aren't they perched in a roosting tree? None of this seemed to bother them at all. They barely looked at us as we walked by.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFXS3qzaDYIf4j8M-xiFqkQ3KPnBicS8KcIS41jyFHVJ7zaLuj09VTbaKGM3qd_3Ko6XIoM3XEZPNhaIZptTvlN7IxK74XxRZS578yyPWPcWNNqLGvxBcA7_EmHi5qOAOlf9R/s1600/Black+Vulture+white+wing+tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1000" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFXS3qzaDYIf4j8M-xiFqkQ3KPnBicS8KcIS41jyFHVJ7zaLuj09VTbaKGM3qd_3Ko6XIoM3XEZPNhaIZptTvlN7IxK74XxRZS578yyPWPcWNNqLGvxBcA7_EmHi5qOAOlf9R/s400/Black+Vulture+white+wing+tips.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Vulture - white wing tips</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was almost 11 am before we saw many vultures in the air. We submitted 34 Black Vultures to eBird, but it certainly felt like we saw more than that. When they all lifted up, I tried to take a photo but they were too far away to get the impact. Of course, we saw Turkey Vultures too, but not as many, and none on the ground. One of those soaring Turkey Vultures ended up being an Osprey!<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWROGLu1SlNLAO5F5lcHYI4y7RVFTzZnlBZxdSkCtf8ow98sixU16jFM_VXYe_jO-qk498RBc7S1j6dFgEZEQyQVaatlKTG59PnYa_S7NTk3r2pR6g3iugKxIoVk5_H4Jsvg8o/s1600/Goose+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="1000" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWROGLu1SlNLAO5F5lcHYI4y7RVFTzZnlBZxdSkCtf8ow98sixU16jFM_VXYe_jO-qk498RBc7S1j6dFgEZEQyQVaatlKTG59PnYa_S7NTk3r2pR6g3iugKxIoVk5_H4Jsvg8o/s400/Goose+family.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goose Family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we arrived we saw this nice little goose family, walking down to the lake for their morning swim. As we began to walk down the lake edge ourselves, there were more geese. 4 + 13 + 27 + 30...You get the idea. I usually just estimate the numbers of birds we see, but I actually counted this time and submitted 173 Canada Geese to eBird!! They were everywhere on the bank. An hour or so later, they all moved into the lake for a swim too. I may need to check my new boots this evening to see if there is goose poop on them.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhut1tKAeCrK_zq-64NhntuEuGs0d2JjgfiNqJavi311QkvOhovfObl2UBecsMEGkpPecDw6wWbThK__6VYX_LRB7wpgUqRdnjZDUNwIRSaG6JfVdk-k_0BYixbigqTlitA0CjU/s1600/Grackle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1000" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhut1tKAeCrK_zq-64NhntuEuGs0d2JjgfiNqJavi311QkvOhovfObl2UBecsMEGkpPecDw6wWbThK__6VYX_LRB7wpgUqRdnjZDUNwIRSaG6JfVdk-k_0BYixbigqTlitA0CjU/s400/Grackle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Grackle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn't count the Common Grackles after this guy gave me the evil eye, but I submitted 150, which may have been a little low.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hfKxqigWp51G1J1UfXciShImOmbRg84jwB6xS1CqpfYKtTgV68cR15-P8WLi6hNHRQU8k1riAaU1yu4uEsx8OTU9D5Obfp9VODOngmDjerM1D1XlodDwFV3mSYgoAz-CQW1b/s1600/Killdeer+broken+wing+act.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1000" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hfKxqigWp51G1J1UfXciShImOmbRg84jwB6xS1CqpfYKtTgV68cR15-P8WLi6hNHRQU8k1riAaU1yu4uEsx8OTU9D5Obfp9VODOngmDjerM1D1XlodDwFV3mSYgoAz-CQW1b/s400/Killdeer+broken+wing+act.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killdeer - broken wing act</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Killdeers nest right out there on the ground. Their eggs can be hard to see even though they are completely exposed. If something (like people) get too close, the adult will run squawking in the other direction, pretending to have a broken wing to distract any potential predators. The playground at the park was closed, but as we walked by, someone said, "want to see the Killdeer?" We approached cautiously, and this bird flopped around like she was injured, just like the book says! We did not approach any closer, not wanting to disturb her. Under"normal" circumstances, they would never have laid eggs on the playground, but since there have been no people for months, I guess they thought it would be a nice place for children.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwOhiXNIVn07GbRygHtvOOnkl0tMDH4SjMPX5ghAOer1dTCvzcWZ3ODqzWuoiIYv_3IfOvx-25_w6xiPCaxikO2C-sxWEh8zVVGqwbfE2w-ayolDHBi8dXrt1AXUZrcntlytR/s1600/Killdeer+in+flight+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="1000" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwOhiXNIVn07GbRygHtvOOnkl0tMDH4SjMPX5ghAOer1dTCvzcWZ3ODqzWuoiIYv_3IfOvx-25_w6xiPCaxikO2C-sxWEh8zVVGqwbfE2w-ayolDHBi8dXrt1AXUZrcntlytR/s400/Killdeer+in+flight+closeup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killdeer in flight</td></tr>
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On the other side of the lake, we must have see 5-6 of them flying overhead, calling <i>ki-dee, ki-dee!</i><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyrKCtCABdwX0A3H6KIrkPInV_z2c_df3JxoGM7EQ3ZPXEeGG-i-HHTn791gKjr4JJRH4MrqaPtTAJMVPPA6CYhUcno18tIR4JHCYVpgQvxAgOngH_DxOQtMuGwAJSctiLHSO/s1600/Killdeer+red+eyering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyrKCtCABdwX0A3H6KIrkPInV_z2c_df3JxoGM7EQ3ZPXEeGG-i-HHTn791gKjr4JJRH4MrqaPtTAJMVPPA6CYhUcno18tIR4JHCYVpgQvxAgOngH_DxOQtMuGwAJSctiLHSO/s400/Killdeer+red+eyering.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killdeer - red eyering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And this one landed close enough to see his red-eyering. Many birds get red eyes when they are old enough to breed, but most eye-rings are white or buff colored.<br />
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4nC-jfIDeM3Ajr-hJ-XHH6pyKrNoo8pHECsW9cxOsTwdFmbYykSJ1kquoNYe3CafdVPhC1seecjNfq9G10ihGikndVTIYT_a2heY0zbTq8uHIrgnZBH4INIEg8OtynfFPlm5/s1600/Mallard+mama+and+ducklings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1000" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4nC-jfIDeM3Ajr-hJ-XHH6pyKrNoo8pHECsW9cxOsTwdFmbYykSJ1kquoNYe3CafdVPhC1seecjNfq9G10ihGikndVTIYT_a2heY0zbTq8uHIrgnZBH4INIEg8OtynfFPlm5/s400/Mallard+mama+and+ducklings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mallard Mama and ducklings</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
There weren't large numbers of Mallards, but these babies were so cute I couldn't resist. I was disappointed (the polite word for it) by the amount of trash left on the sides of this otherwise lovely lake. OK, 'nuff said.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9fcHhlghlu0rtvIEMfuXSmc4SUvENnhGo-nv2erHMajAm_VDkvcFN2VtxfhtB9WP_KAygEGvprLi3zxpLAsgqMSqefKN6FOYvnXYC6oYSDgLbBZZfVwi-gHLHntiw4VP424m/s1600/Miss+Kite+closer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="1000" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9fcHhlghlu0rtvIEMfuXSmc4SUvENnhGo-nv2erHMajAm_VDkvcFN2VtxfhtB9WP_KAygEGvprLi3zxpLAsgqMSqefKN6FOYvnXYC6oYSDgLbBZZfVwi-gHLHntiw4VP424m/s400/Miss+Kite+closer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mississippi Kite</td></tr>
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I've seen reports of a pair of Mississippi Kites at Veteran's Park in Lexington, so we headed there next. I've never been there before and didn't know exactly where to look. The open areas were all mowed short, and the wooded areas were full of dirt-bikers. Surprisingly, 3-4 different walkers saw our binoculars and asked if we were looking for that "Mississippi" bird. We looked where they indicated, but didn't see anything. One guy said, "Look for Earl, with a camera and tripod," and right then Earl walked up. He had wonderful photos of the pair already. After we watched one of them soaring for a long time without flapping, he took us where they have been seen working on a nest. No luck again. But it was great to see one flying at least. We used to have a pair in St. Matthews, nearby, but they haven't come back in the last couple of years. Believe it or not, when I got home, I saw an email from a person I know in St. Matthews, and they are seeing kites with nesting materials again!!denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-35462772483576621042020-05-30T08:20:00.000-04:002020-05-30T08:27:44.396-04:00Morning at the Falls of the Ohio<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCQuO2xo6cNIQdVUL88kWCfu1NMuLtCN2ixWPLlaPZrP4bEMHbAczyxVuMSJ7KED2r95kPEh86Yif5hUB-KGDdrTn6jo5zS8IDQGVi_Jc6zufPNTDJEWLE7YyA-Pztkwh1JsI/s1600/Clark+Cabin+fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCQuO2xo6cNIQdVUL88kWCfu1NMuLtCN2ixWPLlaPZrP4bEMHbAczyxVuMSJ7KED2r95kPEh86Yif5hUB-KGDdrTn6jo5zS8IDQGVi_Jc6zufPNTDJEWLE7YyA-Pztkwh1JsI/s400/Clark+Cabin+fence.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Rogers Clark site</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWgz_BtSIVVASHf_AObf3BTNv1n8SKpj2O3oI8N_EvV7D7OrugoAp0mI7ULdOGYsr1p3IXwRKXo2Bo_V7gG244V4_YxjHe_5N3u8ULEV9BZDvJOYbXLIYGQ-pslXNPJpLuZK_/s1600/Clark+Cabin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWgz_BtSIVVASHf_AObf3BTNv1n8SKpj2O3oI8N_EvV7D7OrugoAp0mI7ULdOGYsr1p3IXwRKXo2Bo_V7gG244V4_YxjHe_5N3u8ULEV9BZDvJOYbXLIYGQ-pslXNPJpLuZK_/s400/Clark+Cabin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Rogers Clark Cabin</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I understand that it's a sign of old age when you start conversations with "I remember when..." although I suppose that's better than "I don't exactly remember..." I volunteered at the Falls of the Ohio State Park from 2003-2009, and enjoyed every minute. I learned the history of this area, the geology, the river, the birds and flowers, and much more. It's always a pleasure to go back down there and see what's going on. Some of the trees on the river bank have washed away, no surprise there.</div>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8jMPdrKmQ8P3QiaWs7vgSuTKMrIsou5DYjsNFGwK_erBrIglEc5bljU5DxTA3Hp-_w6YJl9_onyC0S6VFK97rCgDW57mfJT3jyqYSzaFI_Wbzv5bbBI8Svo_Xs0IaS79bT7Y/s1600/Great+Blue+Heron+on+boat+ramp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1000" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8jMPdrKmQ8P3QiaWs7vgSuTKMrIsou5DYjsNFGwK_erBrIglEc5bljU5DxTA3Hp-_w6YJl9_onyC0S6VFK97rCgDW57mfJT3jyqYSzaFI_Wbzv5bbBI8Svo_Xs0IaS79bT7Y/s400/Great+Blue+Heron+on+boat+ramp.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Blue Heron at boat ramp</td></tr>
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The river has been high for many months, and it shoots out from the McAlpin Dam with great strength. Thus, none of the wading birds can fish there on the fossil beds. We found herons and egrets circling around looking for a safe place to land.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-aYUFelWZkBghkZ2gYtYMPHvq9pFI80pffH1fiPCIv0IGa0MBNnZxK52ELgRTXUG86H60m67hiDgmyqjqWjEEWFxEMZlLFAXFr8SWcLp43U0F3lrvC-gMtQzVxFPLs7xGnWP/s1600/Black+Vultures+on+roose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-aYUFelWZkBghkZ2gYtYMPHvq9pFI80pffH1fiPCIv0IGa0MBNnZxK52ELgRTXUG86H60m67hiDgmyqjqWjEEWFxEMZlLFAXFr8SWcLp43U0F3lrvC-gMtQzVxFPLs7xGnWP/s400/Black+Vultures+on+roose.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Vultures on power tower</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIxSbdihJuacZusw33wumdACE5_3Z_hmJzmmxM_7_A0TC0nFe5d_CaU8nGF8sRNkiZDRWHK1blnIGgXAYNJBlOHNPvlAGbaTcs6kJ8YU5K3NZMCNraTxGbfxzTEcW7U3_ntth/s1600/Black+Vulture+in+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1000" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIxSbdihJuacZusw33wumdACE5_3Z_hmJzmmxM_7_A0TC0nFe5d_CaU8nGF8sRNkiZDRWHK1blnIGgXAYNJBlOHNPvlAGbaTcs6kJ8YU5K3NZMCNraTxGbfxzTEcW7U3_ntth/s400/Black+Vulture+in+flight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Vulture</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvuII0lQORep1ULYSk7JCNtN8D6XqZjUaqG0LiHI3NM2hpTNJw7IosFN9xTTnoB6xqc_SVko0NcFS5gsVL95JBL2LDMLr6h_wAzXmKd3C7WAcfmx3-DBKU-9Nw7S-VOhMsPhyphenhyphen/s1600/Turkey+Vulture+soaring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1000" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvuII0lQORep1ULYSk7JCNtN8D6XqZjUaqG0LiHI3NM2hpTNJw7IosFN9xTTnoB6xqc_SVko0NcFS5gsVL95JBL2LDMLr6h_wAzXmKd3C7WAcfmx3-DBKU-9Nw7S-VOhMsPhyphenhyphen/s400/Turkey+Vulture+soaring.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I learned to appreciate vultures while standing on the deck at the Falls of the Ohio. Dead fish would wash ashore, and the vultures took care of the mess. The Blacks found a beach ball one day and played soccer with it. They always waited until the sun was up long enough to create thermals before leaving their roosts in the morning. Smart birds.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxSJA8CWQGFWFyu1o1-H6CRo9YckLI6kaqNXwUwCEsj9nI4GQpR8M11FmY1fQTG_rlh70Spe_rdyyCu_oZErC_cZcC8dqz9fifEIMFAOGbm5W2x03yBOuMufBpuZ0mNEOUYZO/s1600/UPS+Bird+tail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxSJA8CWQGFWFyu1o1-H6CRo9YckLI6kaqNXwUwCEsj9nI4GQpR8M11FmY1fQTG_rlh70Spe_rdyyCu_oZErC_cZcC8dqz9fifEIMFAOGbm5W2x03yBOuMufBpuZ0mNEOUYZO/s400/UPS+Bird+tail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown -tailed UPS bird</td></tr>
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Of course, the biggest bird there is the UPS bird. They were on a strange landing path coming upstream from the west before turning to land in Kentucky. Very noisy birds. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDagTJDu6V60CLvWyhDlJhRn7u7euZX2HUQeJvrTEDJBBMXEaGYWgOftejXVukjmJ2wgDa_-XxX73givWnxhoOrwTKFTLybDmRa8MlZ29YFnSzJyi99Wn_ZBFYpNpYD8jNqOJ/s1600/Goose+Family+9+goslings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1000" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDagTJDu6V60CLvWyhDlJhRn7u7euZX2HUQeJvrTEDJBBMXEaGYWgOftejXVukjmJ2wgDa_-XxX73givWnxhoOrwTKFTLybDmRa8MlZ29YFnSzJyi99Wn_ZBFYpNpYD8jNqOJ/s400/Goose+Family+9+goslings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goose Family</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Apparently Canada Geese will adopt other goslings. This family had about 9, but they were two different ages and sizes. Didn't seem to matter as they paraded around at the cabin.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHn5BpGAyu6WBs7FZhM9cVf34B_6sLOgFa47uYwl0-KU-BXb5k8p_zPa4JPiKJzYYkr9vZzSieyukvnp3g0DxHQhnQHskT0NuQ5hXG6PWXFJOq7KWU8mgQFRZJaAOTDC6XNSR/s1600/Osprey+nest+in+cell+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1000" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHn5BpGAyu6WBs7FZhM9cVf34B_6sLOgFa47uYwl0-KU-BXb5k8p_zPa4JPiKJzYYkr9vZzSieyukvnp3g0DxHQhnQHskT0NuQ5hXG6PWXFJOq7KWU8mgQFRZJaAOTDC6XNSR/s400/Osprey+nest+in+cell+tower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ever since 2003, or before maybe, there have been Ospreys nesting on the river. One of the power towers on Shippingport Island hosts cell phone transmission antennas, and the Ospreys always build their nest on it. Since the birds are protected, they stay there, but each fall the phone company tears it down. Doesn't discourage the birds though. I don't know if this is the same pair from so long ago. And I've always wondered why we don't see more of them on the river, since they are supposed to return to the area where they grew up when it's time to breed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3aolF4EdfzxPd1-T1u7qp4oBUGCCyVIN-vDeGjeFELnshXS3k8PBU4fxjgyrD4pJduApkdqxGdxoxCzpDuc1VJa2nAObyA1FnmtM_doOnah7e4UOjkRHIQGv_EmBVCGdms-M/s1600/Groundhog+in+yard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3aolF4EdfzxPd1-T1u7qp4oBUGCCyVIN-vDeGjeFELnshXS3k8PBU4fxjgyrD4pJduApkdqxGdxoxCzpDuc1VJa2nAObyA1FnmtM_doOnah7e4UOjkRHIQGv_EmBVCGdms-M/s400/Groundhog+in+yard.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groundhog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We noticed one groundhog in someone's yard as we walked down the levy (risking our lives from the bikers speeding along). One the way back the whole family was enjoying the sun and clover, with four of them visible!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9li5mBwUZOdV1siIBSi3JIvl1zMJNUb_Gkzxq2HBskXS46w9HLk9t-XG5jrsw2eAE0G1tAvLntDZgZOS1oimAgCU6tJNQiVaMFoIYlqyLGA4nPFV-2o-a36rzWlONvsI13CdI/s1600/Yellow-billed+Cuckoo+full+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1000" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9li5mBwUZOdV1siIBSi3JIvl1zMJNUb_Gkzxq2HBskXS46w9HLk9t-XG5jrsw2eAE0G1tAvLntDZgZOS1oimAgCU6tJNQiVaMFoIYlqyLGA4nPFV-2o-a36rzWlONvsI13CdI/s400/Yellow-billed+Cuckoo+full+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-billed Cuckoo</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I went for years and years without seeing a cuckoo, and now I've found them three times in about two weeks!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWfbklHL3Vkgdo9tH1o6FnKCGEH3EfvLYU5JnO5qgbNyESCcw43mUXlofDzpr2MKQzHUNwLvCI5uVnJjBsYWXBYe7lQ7gQF1AN0h3Ds_thboZCVpk0RsdcXZNNBNF0qzYhYtT/s1600/Cedar+Waxwing+full+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWfbklHL3Vkgdo9tH1o6FnKCGEH3EfvLYU5JnO5qgbNyESCcw43mUXlofDzpr2MKQzHUNwLvCI5uVnJjBsYWXBYe7lQ7gQF1AN0h3Ds_thboZCVpk0RsdcXZNNBNF0qzYhYtT/s400/Cedar+Waxwing+full+view.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Waxwing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEied76dLkr7KzBOlJ7RsCveGcfOYQShoiKsfHPEUcUYEeUKIHbd06G8C62XiWAH440CHwAKtAHUEuVaL_etoz6ZWN5S6lIyNK3OlNDg9bve2LwMoE3FT1tswqk68tVopcks1pS2/s1600/Cedar+Waxwing+face+mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1000" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEied76dLkr7KzBOlJ7RsCveGcfOYQShoiKsfHPEUcUYEeUKIHbd06G8C62XiWAH440CHwAKtAHUEuVaL_etoz6ZWN5S6lIyNK3OlNDg9bve2LwMoE3FT1tswqk68tVopcks1pS2/s400/Cedar+Waxwing+face+mask.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKb1LEBaArnq2DSxbf2QxtXq6RRDbtQVngx1IdE_FiWNeZe3m_FfPzRHZhNI7dXa_psm2owfirLKgA5XniW_FoNcjWmUmyknuGDZzWnCDerqIeZ8vPPHW1PxLVvWlI9IiHSi8/s1600/Cedar+Waxwing+reaching+for+mulberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1000" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKb1LEBaArnq2DSxbf2QxtXq6RRDbtQVngx1IdE_FiWNeZe3m_FfPzRHZhNI7dXa_psm2owfirLKgA5XniW_FoNcjWmUmyknuGDZzWnCDerqIeZ8vPPHW1PxLVvWlI9IiHSi8/s400/Cedar+Waxwing+reaching+for+mulberries.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We heard that the serviceberry bushes at the Falls were full of berries, and drove over to look for Cedar Waxwings, which are berry eaters. They must have eaten all the ripe serviceberries yesterday, and we only saw red (unripe) berries and no birds. However, as we neared the cabin, there is a great big mulberry tree and it was full of both berries and birds, making our day! Somehow, Cedar Waxwings always look they they have been painted with water colors, their different colors blend so smoothly into each other. Then they must dip the end of their tails into a bucket of bright yellow paint.</div>
<br />denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-59742503786120025822020-05-28T10:27:00.001-04:002020-05-28T10:27:18.888-04:00Back to Beckley Creek<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5sbwsf_rU3mbWHIVuxwB3kq8iIRoVgqZBVUNRnPrLxI5IUhNOpvE5p4w6ByUUh37z_-2lN6VlCG2nMeaKFpr4W684YiIjau0nDlCAOS5Ps1aRI8EhF9-MfGuagS0H_Uc7UdD/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1000" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5sbwsf_rU3mbWHIVuxwB3kq8iIRoVgqZBVUNRnPrLxI5IUhNOpvE5p4w6ByUUh37z_-2lN6VlCG2nMeaKFpr4W684YiIjau0nDlCAOS5Ps1aRI8EhF9-MfGuagS0H_Uc7UdD/s400/Baltimore+Oriole+zipping+tail+feathers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore Oriole preening</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Migration season appears to be winding down, if not over. Our birder friends are not posting about finding unusual birds anymore. We haven't been to Beckley Creek Park for a few weeks, and decided to head back that way. "Should we bird or walk?" my husband asked. If we see birds, we'll bird. If not we'll walk, I replied. A month ago, we saw lots of Baltimore Orioles, but this time only one called to us, and he was busy preening, squeezing out a drop of oil and spreading it on his feathers, and zipping them back together if needed. "No time for you birders to take nice pictures. You already have those," he said.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6jzBZhRXd5E1cVZHgel5ldzE9Vqk4PQAbg1qVWWo4F-GklrBlDmTdU-AsP2VomtY2W2vOB4mUAP1dAstFrK8ahvveSxKalH4iTg6-Wryzb7YRTVtKD9zP0V8z61ONutU-ZEf/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1000" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6jzBZhRXd5E1cVZHgel5ldzE9Vqk4PQAbg1qVWWo4F-GklrBlDmTdU-AsP2VomtY2W2vOB4mUAP1dAstFrK8ahvveSxKalH4iTg6-Wryzb7YRTVtKD9zP0V8z61ONutU-ZEf/s400/Blue+Grosbeak+back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Grosbeak</td></tr>
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It's funny how I associate certain birds with certain locations. For example, the only place I recall ever seeing a Blue Grosbeak is here at Beckley Creek. But none this year, so far...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uXjGHar3ekZwKQoYED6kDSyKoWukMp7bURaymog3596M7t5cQVUMZirGoagvGFeHgoOeT4IvWTxqMnFVQZNoCIOKLwm0BOW5JGJ43sPw8a-K-jeu4kd5xZ4R99-jvvgcBb23/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1000" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uXjGHar3ekZwKQoYED6kDSyKoWukMp7bURaymog3596M7t5cQVUMZirGoagvGFeHgoOeT4IvWTxqMnFVQZNoCIOKLwm0BOW5JGJ43sPw8a-K-jeu4kd5xZ4R99-jvvgcBb23/s400/Blue+Grosbeak+non-breeding.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Grosbeak - immature</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At first, we thought it was an Indigo Bunting. You can see how similar they can look. But look at the extra large beak on this one-thus the name "Gros" or large beak. An adult bird would be blue all over, except for the rust on the wings. This one isn't blue on his breast yet, and seems to be an immature bird. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7gSYj94aNLqHzBTo59xcvuJD35_aJguE_o51weUxJPPMYpltMYTq3czY1-yxTrpF9XB9rvkvss8nr_IoD2xTRqdWgRU1goV2qNh_24La8rC8on1MBbwj1Bk_aXw_qdOpY3lc/s1600/Indigo+Bunting+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1000" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7gSYj94aNLqHzBTo59xcvuJD35_aJguE_o51weUxJPPMYpltMYTq3czY1-yxTrpF9XB9rvkvss8nr_IoD2xTRqdWgRU1goV2qNh_24La8rC8on1MBbwj1Bk_aXw_qdOpY3lc/s400/Indigo+Bunting+closeup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo Bunting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The Indigo Bunting is one of my favorite blue birds...<br />
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdChheyW61YC9yDdCUqRTLoUqUhaoGbi5qN17I78jLj8dLVvquY0hR9GjB2-rX7zpZAsVE9_hPB2tfBwsio7NTUf5TIfeO40MKXEnIQ_jU0wATdHOLbDvcuoCRuoKiLucH7pl/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1000" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdChheyW61YC9yDdCUqRTLoUqUhaoGbi5qN17I78jLj8dLVvquY0hR9GjB2-rX7zpZAsVE9_hPB2tfBwsio7NTUf5TIfeO40MKXEnIQ_jU0wATdHOLbDvcuoCRuoKiLucH7pl/s400/Bluebird+male+on+signpost+back+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Bluebird</td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6q9iZFo30deGCLKq7bqK-QnkneZJDXXZQ2QF0W6Y_O9QG-zcBDXl9SyOXERp6h8_Jw-t4ItJ4TvQxVHYWgE9dcmzLWbm1l4KO6JEbbPAFaDzhabTBHRO5KTBkeh4rcW8bQBa/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1000" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6q9iZFo30deGCLKq7bqK-QnkneZJDXXZQ2QF0W6Y_O9QG-zcBDXl9SyOXERp6h8_Jw-t4ItJ4TvQxVHYWgE9dcmzLWbm1l4KO6JEbbPAFaDzhabTBHRO5KTBkeh4rcW8bQBa/s400/Bluebird+male+on+signpost.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this a good pose?</td></tr>
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But the Eastern Bluebird is the best at posing. He never tries to hide in the leaves and is glad to turn around so the sun shines on his brilliant blue back!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUyGJI6ClAoLHH5lZJLocfLYPdMkII7EE3RPk7GR1yQF2L8y1-LnvPkUeVQ0tmDm4xRF1nmJziGi107aY_lZMfhbmwPqUzpFWjM21kM7HtutJ96kKl6QbhiLL2grWce2344Sx/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1000" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUyGJI6ClAoLHH5lZJLocfLYPdMkII7EE3RPk7GR1yQF2L8y1-LnvPkUeVQ0tmDm4xRF1nmJziGi107aY_lZMfhbmwPqUzpFWjM21kM7HtutJ96kKl6QbhiLL2grWce2344Sx/s400/Chat+ready+to+sing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-breasted Chat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTYKfC0tvejzfcNc7ICxo3zkSQ96o1fBABVsZ-NVS_nC-jepoyrpC1voYN8NSoLnq_Dke4g9gmlFYXa3wqICFnGyK1rovgLAfrO3WudJDI1fRSKLwpF8oJcBjelhq737SCgTL/s1600/Yellow-breasted+Chat+in+sycamore+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTYKfC0tvejzfcNc7ICxo3zkSQ96o1fBABVsZ-NVS_nC-jepoyrpC1voYN8NSoLnq_Dke4g9gmlFYXa3wqICFnGyK1rovgLAfrO3WudJDI1fRSKLwpF8oJcBjelhq737SCgTL/s400/Yellow-breasted+Chat+in+sycamore+tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-breasted Chat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Chat is a warbler, although you would hardly believe it to look at him. Much larger than most of them, and Chat must be short for "chatter." The sun had been ducking in and out of the clouds all morning, but this Chat must have ordered the sun just for me to take photos of him. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78KwnfQkVivP1Kl5P1Kmbs-nlGOvjgzEnvJJmuRQ6ThgBQ896c_rZKDjnm7wA8zO0cfURNaMc3DRssgSuLNW0DmcuUbmGdrQMFo2I2VDNOHNU97s3u9X5PqMwv0H60yxno5ZW/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1000" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78KwnfQkVivP1Kl5P1Kmbs-nlGOvjgzEnvJJmuRQ6ThgBQ896c_rZKDjnm7wA8zO0cfURNaMc3DRssgSuLNW0DmcuUbmGdrQMFo2I2VDNOHNU97s3u9X5PqMwv0H60yxno5ZW/s400/Lichens+on+tree+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lichens on tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW2rIM38cAhODzxJhx-Bs4fJfq4sTFfqSqNwm0SN9X3q3qn6GFCjKw7my8TOPwG8siNmdFm_5AztykbjGeU4vMNKAU0YlkElfmZmgHk3FY5VAIcf7R9Xi01GBqjq0_EbuBQeM/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW2rIM38cAhODzxJhx-Bs4fJfq4sTFfqSqNwm0SN9X3q3qn6GFCjKw7my8TOPwG8siNmdFm_5AztykbjGeU4vMNKAU0YlkElfmZmgHk3FY5VAIcf7R9Xi01GBqjq0_EbuBQeM/s400/Lichens+on+tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lichens on tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You might this this is the tropical jungles by all the different varieties of lichens growing on the trees. It looks like tree lettuce! I joked that a lichenologist (not knowing the scientific name) would have a great time studying just this one tree. Just looked it up, and they <i>are </i>called lichenologists! Ha!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAiyjns4VlN9j5JBFwmv7YxifkVWJnc9pQ15a7YGj5SJUgEVREn51ZQ3GeUwB5kPvMt0yWsCJYdNdM3TWfwk0FWGsvBzGANviMVldcQEtKcoSbkPMWzKf-P87pxyZiL5XyVrd/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAiyjns4VlN9j5JBFwmv7YxifkVWJnc9pQ15a7YGj5SJUgEVREn51ZQ3GeUwB5kPvMt0yWsCJYdNdM3TWfwk0FWGsvBzGANviMVldcQEtKcoSbkPMWzKf-P87pxyZiL5XyVrd/s400/Red-shouldered+Hawk+pair+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-shouldered Hawk couple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ7igdEBklf5Gsrm86tD9aIBBcjoz9_A6NcQL5z5FoS_mWOjXJkVJ3XWr82A1sk2PuXKc7IiQkn6mCHrpqybRBAhME9XaFKWqXlVIFnFrwcCpVijiwZUYIPNyGV2lhdoB_y_6/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1000" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ7igdEBklf5Gsrm86tD9aIBBcjoz9_A6NcQL5z5FoS_mWOjXJkVJ3XWr82A1sk2PuXKc7IiQkn6mCHrpqybRBAhME9XaFKWqXlVIFnFrwcCpVijiwZUYIPNyGV2lhdoB_y_6/s400/Red-shouldered+Hawk+perched.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-shouldered Hawk</td></tr>
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Red-shouldered Hawks are always recognizable by their call - a loud <i>keer, keeer, keeeer</i>, that just goes on and on. The larger bird is the female, as with all raptors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrqux8rfaADOJ6c9WNsv_52kQdAuDuR22YYfOG30C7xMaIBzSyrIILBfhyvTXvDdcFEnq_YyyrW5BChEuIeHVplVUSuxTDNjj7wPdHbeTwpAj_1rgxr-Aj_GuPwYyweuXzRs8/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1000" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrqux8rfaADOJ6c9WNsv_52kQdAuDuR22YYfOG30C7xMaIBzSyrIILBfhyvTXvDdcFEnq_YyyrW5BChEuIeHVplVUSuxTDNjj7wPdHbeTwpAj_1rgxr-Aj_GuPwYyweuXzRs8/s400/Turtles+on+mudbank+different+shells.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtles basking in the sun</td></tr>
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There are other animals besides birds at the park, of course, and we spotted 10-12 turtles basking in the sun on the banks of Floyds Fork, which winds through the park. Can't tell which species these are, but the one on the right has a different smooth shell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQurNBx0US9YZ9HKajcNlDBEWttx00fzzHw7bM-wfLzmaO5ltruHM_S8nfihMoCMFPxd3Qat41Ee6AhxhujJUzLJTNIGvN-4arwHxrcMhbaWQNIPxTwN_Ue0l6nweQ2Mg3b5w/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1000" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQurNBx0US9YZ9HKajcNlDBEWttx00fzzHw7bM-wfLzmaO5ltruHM_S8nfihMoCMFPxd3Qat41Ee6AhxhujJUzLJTNIGvN-4arwHxrcMhbaWQNIPxTwN_Ue0l6nweQ2Mg3b5w/s400/Willow+Flycatcher+looking+right.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow Flycatcher</td></tr>
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Flycatchers are some of the toughest birds to identify, because most of them look just alike. Even eBird has a category for generic flycatcher, and the field guide says you can't tell them apart unless you hear them. This little guy was perched out in the open in the wetlands, singing away "fitz-brew" instead of the burry "fee-bee-o" of the Alder Flycatcher. We played the "fitz-brew" song back and he answered us. Confirmation! Even if he's not in a willow tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDEleFjghbF_JnDLV6lbnps94SnocWn36dn9xW5GIKwErn3C1ig_szq5wCdrxryMDvewkjfb8QInN12Jokj1rOzdTAg-Xb0EzOc-KynBIw1dloy4mAPBf8IWHLJMVYAciOEWI/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1000" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDEleFjghbF_JnDLV6lbnps94SnocWn36dn9xW5GIKwErn3C1ig_szq5wCdrxryMDvewkjfb8QInN12Jokj1rOzdTAg-Xb0EzOc-KynBIw1dloy4mAPBf8IWHLJMVYAciOEWI/s400/Yellow-billed+Cuckoo+female.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-billed Cuckoo</td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylfSeR59xC2_4awyJbPYa46-rtzkS133qgoY4uJ3twaRHM1tETowYyxWTzlqYx6J3m0bxu9wJEY3-zZyGLYDE4C08RhxyBhLhmKiD3WPkjyeIGN9_J2gsX68YBnb3STpdDP3H/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1000" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylfSeR59xC2_4awyJbPYa46-rtzkS133qgoY4uJ3twaRHM1tETowYyxWTzlqYx6J3m0bxu9wJEY3-zZyGLYDE4C08RhxyBhLhmKiD3WPkjyeIGN9_J2gsX68YBnb3STpdDP3H/s400/Yellow-billed+Cuckoo+tail+flip.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-billed Cuckoo</td></tr>
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Across the river, a large brown bird flew into a tree- a Yellow-billed Cuckoo! I go for years without seeing one, and now I found them twice in about a week. This one, however, started flipping its tail up and down. Was it giving me the bird? Was it trying to entice a mate to come in? Yep, it was the mate. Before I could get aimed and focused, another Cuckoo landed on top of her for a short while then flew off. Love on the river bank!<br />
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Now, Blogger says that the "legacy" version of the software will be going away in June, why don't I take a look at the new version. I did, and it will take a while to find the things I am looking for. Others have posted the same questions. Why do they think they have to change things, just to make them look different? Sigh. I'll try to keep calm.<br />
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denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-34022446632794933632020-05-24T09:05:00.000-04:002020-05-24T09:05:07.311-04:00Lake Trashmore<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vsoU9t_lXxg0MAn2B2E52hm1mQ_ZvSqUui7wgeuzIm-gg0iMGCDhAOOYkCa9JgS8b6KWUiSz8DjgoIiQrWkGBxdVvs5Jz-wlT-WwxRNFt9Vm_D9GyBlb7w5uxvrJkxrGsPzh/s1600/Black-crowned+Night+Heron+stalking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1000" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vsoU9t_lXxg0MAn2B2E52hm1mQ_ZvSqUui7wgeuzIm-gg0iMGCDhAOOYkCa9JgS8b6KWUiSz8DjgoIiQrWkGBxdVvs5Jz-wlT-WwxRNFt9Vm_D9GyBlb7w5uxvrJkxrGsPzh/s400/Black-crowned+Night+Heron+stalking.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-crowned Night Heron</td></tr>
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Our friend Pam from the Beckham Birding Club, is a professional photographer and a great birder. Last year she made a presentation to the club about a place behind a shopping center that I'd never heard of, and had wonderful photos to go with it. So yesterday, we decided to check it out. The South Beargrass Creek Retention Basin is purportedly run by MSD, and is bordered by rows of apartment buildings on one side and big shopping centers on the other side. Not an enticing place for birds, yo think. The South Branch has been completely channelized, and runs in straight lines, often through open concrete viaducts. This basin has a surprising amount of water, but I could never find a place where water flowed into it. Anyway, for a trashy lake, it had some pretty nice birds, including 3 Black-crowned Night Herons. I used to see them all the time at the Falls of the Ohio, and they nested in a residential area near U of L for a while, but eBird lists them as infrequent. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFqEZ9V6gCCoU40TAUIEmRi4u2vRw62NgsJGL30WlyiDUp17ovfCcAZl1fjL-GDvAZWO7cjw7zCO1K5SfQDjbzsa-TF0LQodzw7hFcRzC5cYFSnmMoZoNOg9uEv1qOOip6qEG/s1600/Great+Blue+Heron+and+trash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFqEZ9V6gCCoU40TAUIEmRi4u2vRw62NgsJGL30WlyiDUp17ovfCcAZl1fjL-GDvAZWO7cjw7zCO1K5SfQDjbzsa-TF0LQodzw7hFcRzC5cYFSnmMoZoNOg9uEv1qOOip6qEG/s400/Great+Blue+Heron+and+trash.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Blue Heron</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrHjHa5N5UgjFAYXZpctzbeOCoI8TiMqtZswyEFpVaRiBO7txTx5asQX0Fy8WksG_cChyphenhyphenOTPf1dWW7b8Aefd9kHM36KtrU3PDAYX6u5l1cWErcx-E1KsV-A0349H6RMZdE49K/s1600/Great+Egret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1000" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrHjHa5N5UgjFAYXZpctzbeOCoI8TiMqtZswyEFpVaRiBO7txTx5asQX0Fy8WksG_cChyphenhyphenOTPf1dWW7b8Aefd9kHM36KtrU3PDAYX6u5l1cWErcx-E1KsV-A0349H6RMZdE49K/s400/Great+Egret.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Egret</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Two Great Blue Herons and a Great Egret were the largest birds, flying from one end of the lake to the other as we walked along. You can see why I call it Lake Trashmore. I don't understand why people would dump stolen grocery carts and garbage cans in the lake, or how they ever got to it with their loot. The birds just ignored it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzZP_rAGiMH5H34dGNLs5b0AR-3SVxzNtvU9V-ONI-ieQCwEXNBiF9_SQsClGHvAczSFAqYK6XTftd8u4tCmIwoiLHlkaTJzMxU_Oczoyi3FVXfGj-19aI6P95fm5lLFac7ew/s1600/Canada+Goose+family+all+here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzZP_rAGiMH5H34dGNLs5b0AR-3SVxzNtvU9V-ONI-ieQCwEXNBiF9_SQsClGHvAczSFAqYK6XTftd8u4tCmIwoiLHlkaTJzMxU_Oczoyi3FVXfGj-19aI6P95fm5lLFac7ew/s400/Canada+Goose+family+all+here.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Goose Family</td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRrzvcSorju2cQHj5pO_qr3jLUKKcPQv7g_AcAXb9GHNHFEn3kxINlFFTc1rV2UXtW0uh4sHdwtNhyphenhyphenA_PN_hAOZg-Q8sL9G34r4HI22vM5bwYYRN5YbX0OYyZMwqzdfsS-rjB/s1600/Canada+Goose+teenagers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRrzvcSorju2cQHj5pO_qr3jLUKKcPQv7g_AcAXb9GHNHFEn3kxINlFFTc1rV2UXtW0uh4sHdwtNhyphenhyphenA_PN_hAOZg-Q8sL9G34r4HI22vM5bwYYRN5YbX0OYyZMwqzdfsS-rjB/s400/Canada+Goose+teenagers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goose teenagers with chinstrap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP6IjFIotYOsoJ58tqn2rh2SxdRvdU9iVPCe6ksLMyuh51P2qcegis2z1ClPoHcZtwadpfA-V9qwrRGfQb2IfZtfc8ScBixvgyjeLB5QUXaNgCXab1z6rfh94pQYxrAaiPu9P/s1600/Canada+Goose+Gander+mouth+open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP6IjFIotYOsoJ58tqn2rh2SxdRvdU9iVPCe6ksLMyuh51P2qcegis2z1ClPoHcZtwadpfA-V9qwrRGfQb2IfZtfc8ScBixvgyjeLB5QUXaNgCXab1z6rfh94pQYxrAaiPu9P/s400/Canada+Goose+Gander+mouth+open.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gander showing his displeasure at our presence</td></tr>
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There was a large population of Canada Geese, taking walks with their families or just chatting with the neighbors in the lake. This gander was definitely defending his family, so we gladly stayed 6 feet away from him, wondering if that would be enough. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx0G5HfP0r5K2Jldlrxb4cHFMQoWFNQiRpPEfY-UGjVWlYjqnR8J4hxwsdB9OmuhKTQzjsVYepeaUU' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
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For some reason, about 30 geese on the lake when we arrived decided it was time to leave, so they did. I hope it wasn't something we said.</div>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sTT78RMTrYE6IP4iiDH22f5jjJupPip7IfzN3IK1NPDoTFuMkf6bItwiLNFQc1hMDj0v1BbpHx52YPVnsM82NCOkIA7XMq_U6xKijsh_IVAIpIxcEuZSgAWbP-fJYaf2kwmg/s1600/Canada+Goose+with+crooked+neck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1000" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sTT78RMTrYE6IP4iiDH22f5jjJupPip7IfzN3IK1NPDoTFuMkf6bItwiLNFQc1hMDj0v1BbpHx52YPVnsM82NCOkIA7XMq_U6xKijsh_IVAIpIxcEuZSgAWbP-fJYaf2kwmg/s400/Canada+Goose+with+crooked+neck.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crooked Necked Goose</td></tr>
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We thought this one was just being threatening, but as he walked away, we saw that his neck was crooked all the time. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE11fJrv7a3OJl01hWvZCGX8bH8CUUK3cIY-RWE7a7NehyioqS20-MWnc0oYRUpIL7ppMdDqKTponUk_nVjDPUe-R-3oU5BVaVdHD0DKQY2wxIZ5ClUhtBJlhYeznomOIIpfI/s1600/Red-winged+Blackbird+-+go+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1000" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE11fJrv7a3OJl01hWvZCGX8bH8CUUK3cIY-RWE7a7NehyioqS20-MWnc0oYRUpIL7ppMdDqKTponUk_nVjDPUe-R-3oU5BVaVdHD0DKQY2wxIZ5ClUhtBJlhYeznomOIIpfI/s400/Red-winged+Blackbird+-+go+away.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-winged Blackbird - "go away!"</td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_IuDU98i3mVBqMMQ6MVqN3j4vN2TxuAtxRR7tQlMaWkpmnE_UVpUwSk4OpXHyWvbZWykC0_J50P4OmxWVUK0IMb2ABOMfhpaQdS9BtGBxoRsxsWiVG8s2js8_v0DAd2zRBUR/s1600/Red-winged+Blackbird+-+red+wings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1000" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_IuDU98i3mVBqMMQ6MVqN3j4vN2TxuAtxRR7tQlMaWkpmnE_UVpUwSk4OpXHyWvbZWykC0_J50P4OmxWVUK0IMb2ABOMfhpaQdS9BtGBxoRsxsWiVG8s2js8_v0DAd2zRBUR/s400/Red-winged+Blackbird+-+red+wings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red shoulders</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DrLytN7n3B-R_bMzy3fxj8lRJ9WF2XYhwAGU2nONcwlI38CeR8F2QTCAtknDyciqNJUkOPYqZdWjRNfslQpmy5nJriUsowHp0iZJZ812D1ZxEwm7aj913QJCh4rTzQcIq7hN/s1600/Red-winged+Blackbird+divebombing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1000" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DrLytN7n3B-R_bMzy3fxj8lRJ9WF2XYhwAGU2nONcwlI38CeR8F2QTCAtknDyciqNJUkOPYqZdWjRNfslQpmy5nJriUsowHp0iZJZ812D1ZxEwm7aj913QJCh4rTzQcIq7hN/s400/Red-winged+Blackbird+divebombing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dive bomber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lots of Red-winged Blackbirds were on the nest, and the males chased each other everywhere. It is pretty impressive to see these big red headlights coming at you. I guess we were a little to close to the nest of one bird, who actually flew circles around us until we walked away. Poor guy, maybe next time they will nest farther away from the road.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij579d0vc8kmX0GT72h_8Uj3vLfkoG-bWLzYYkT07faYVZE0tED-9r3rM8Cz6V25IZsr6ZRU-fiZ9wTCTnPrBTTfJZtfIfUgu5azlLWTL1SUH0dNCWFbvCsnWmTbx7YfPdaj5N/s1600/Killdeer+and+grocery+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij579d0vc8kmX0GT72h_8Uj3vLfkoG-bWLzYYkT07faYVZE0tED-9r3rM8Cz6V25IZsr6ZRU-fiZ9wTCTnPrBTTfJZtfIfUgu5azlLWTL1SUH0dNCWFbvCsnWmTbx7YfPdaj5N/s400/Killdeer+and+grocery+cart.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killdeer and grocery cart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At one end of the lake, there were rocks and shallow pools of water. This would be perfect for Killdeers, I thought, and sure enough, we found one and heard another. Again, they didn't seem to mind the trash.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7_uelMJvZf7lfwHsvXVazidPb80YZe8-bp9ocfqOHkzH9hAe7iO9MND-BUlVHHipCacrNLkXvxdH3jxr909gQQD3m9FSRe4bX0UCS6num_e5MoLx9v8XhV5oNAOFAGTVW4Sx/s1600/Mystery+Flycatcher+singing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1000" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7_uelMJvZf7lfwHsvXVazidPb80YZe8-bp9ocfqOHkzH9hAe7iO9MND-BUlVHHipCacrNLkXvxdH3jxr909gQQD3m9FSRe4bX0UCS6num_e5MoLx9v8XhV5oNAOFAGTVW4Sx/s400/Mystery+Flycatcher+singing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mystery Flycatcher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Flycatchers placed themselves around the lake, belting out "which beer?" as loud as they could. I asked the birders group and they thought it might be an Olive-sided Flycatcher. They all look the same to me. Wow, this is my 15th blog post in the month of May. I've <i>never </i>done that before! With the COVID quarantine, going outside to walk (or bird) is about all you can do when cabin fever hits. And Spring has lasted longer than usual. Today summer moves in though, with temps in the high 80's and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Well, we knew it wouldn't last.</div>
denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-22378843673885779052020-05-23T13:45:00.000-04:002020-05-23T13:45:16.624-04:00Cuckoo! Cuckoo! Along the Salt River<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7GGMs1xd0Zx3uJ_lfsJ-ifoRMK1XMXB_JIDBaEtUN_sbz4PpO6T9v9RAdYrWgO_fYKQsKoLh0qUnmvgQeaNrZC2CH4bmCqF_PEaVL9v82WSBMlkthv2e_VfE44ZcivOIC9DC/s1600/Yellow-billed+Cuckoo+looking+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1000" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7GGMs1xd0Zx3uJ_lfsJ-ifoRMK1XMXB_JIDBaEtUN_sbz4PpO6T9v9RAdYrWgO_fYKQsKoLh0qUnmvgQeaNrZC2CH4bmCqF_PEaVL9v82WSBMlkthv2e_VfE44ZcivOIC9DC/s400/Yellow-billed+Cuckoo+looking+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-billed Cuckoo</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0frlCtzpR8sJwNb-YCxrAah_FQQoha08gx0eEuagqhEAPqUk0eLRSGYpHKOLYffoo0frXWdXA9zQoBzAhP8T898JBvF7SR8-VhQKGdVPiTuAc-2F6Df6WIPHU_GjlcN4UR2sH/s1600/Yellow-billed+Cuckoo+spots+on+bottom+of+tail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1000" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0frlCtzpR8sJwNb-YCxrAah_FQQoha08gx0eEuagqhEAPqUk0eLRSGYpHKOLYffoo0frXWdXA9zQoBzAhP8T898JBvF7SR8-VhQKGdVPiTuAc-2F6Df6WIPHU_GjlcN4UR2sH/s400/Yellow-billed+Cuckoo+spots+on+bottom+of+tail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White spots on bottom of tail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dick has a friend from Bernheim who suggested we try a little town park in Shepherdsville, KY, right along the Salt River. He says his sister found some Yellow-billed Cuckoos there. I found the little park to be very pleasant. The Salt River, like all rivers around here, was running high, but the park was well maintained. As I walked along the trees growing by the river, I called for the cuckoo, but got no response. A few minutes later, however, a large brown bird circled around and landed above me, give me the eye -"You lookin' for me?" AllAboutBirds reports that they breed all over the eastern United States, and I think this was a breeding pair, since I heard another of them in the background. If you can't get a full view, look for the underside of the tail for big white spots. Much more instructive than the undertail you get from a warbler!<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO05CnjOAoILfQNgZNsqkyuE1LnL1OBBIbQXzrUZrBBw9IUpU94puRjG0h3p4Brmf-VPAxIPztZBdnSIBrMYyXbMVbZhMRDaSKQIFxtf3pJig3bcNNIap6moyalH47dY0_LmF9/s1600/Barn+Swallow+facing+left+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1000" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO05CnjOAoILfQNgZNsqkyuE1LnL1OBBIbQXzrUZrBBw9IUpU94puRjG0h3p4Brmf-VPAxIPztZBdnSIBrMYyXbMVbZhMRDaSKQIFxtf3pJig3bcNNIap6moyalH47dY0_LmF9/s400/Barn+Swallow+facing+left+back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Martin</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXSaElpug4HwbkG9guXJJznPHt5e9b1sWpc34nL2gyFzIv5ZQtmgzfwpQCHR-_90NtF_1dD7eYy30kuBNwbHPjXo2RWJsJiSG9Y5ZqHO_RCktroqGxsA-a1BB_OXzwleYp2JC/s1600/Barn+Swallow+profile+left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1000" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXSaElpug4HwbkG9guXJJznPHt5e9b1sWpc34nL2gyFzIv5ZQtmgzfwpQCHR-_90NtF_1dD7eYy30kuBNwbHPjXo2RWJsJiSG9Y5ZqHO_RCktroqGxsA-a1BB_OXzwleYp2JC/s400/Barn+Swallow+profile+left.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Martin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's funny how we get into ruts when identifying birds. If it's dark blue and swooping around, I automatically say "Barn Swallow" and most of the time that would be correct. However, when I started to add this bird just now, I dawned on me that this bird has a face that is entirely dark, no rust on its face at all. In fact, it is a Purple Martin taking a rest from chasing bugs over the river, although there were plenty of Barn swallows around. Yeah, I'll change my eBird report! Native Americans hung up empty gourds for the Purple Martin before
Europeans arrived in North America. Purple Martins in eastern North
America now nest almost exclusively in birdhouses, but those in the West
use mostly natural cavities.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGqYDyQLeRsh2jDqwfwi-JLePBbzPLWedfa2w9faVUrynBgqGwnB7xTZeDZHwrUOhojceKgFhveqGJsAgn2LQmYel9M5z6U4Hp5NPHBna6G_KuvweNKAUxFoQZBmtKIXsy-Ql/s1600/Blackpoll+Warbler+full+body+blurry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1000" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGqYDyQLeRsh2jDqwfwi-JLePBbzPLWedfa2w9faVUrynBgqGwnB7xTZeDZHwrUOhojceKgFhveqGJsAgn2LQmYel9M5z6U4Hp5NPHBna6G_KuvweNKAUxFoQZBmtKIXsy-Ql/s400/Blackpoll+Warbler+full+body+blurry.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackpoll Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What else can I find that is exciting in this little park? Oh, there's a bird with a black cap. At first, it looks like a Chickadee, then I see the black and white stripes down the sides.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xt9N9fYVmCc63R60vE818IQn9ufT5I7a_11qJbcOW775J27osXndmM6AVgkdlx3ItSRvrU0bbCQRB_yCYjd7Ny36_R_p1d7wyHucD6yOTjEnl3-cRjfxYUiJoufUNoDsey3h/s1600/Blackpoll+Warbler+tree+trunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="1000" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xt9N9fYVmCc63R60vE818IQn9ufT5I7a_11qJbcOW775J27osXndmM6AVgkdlx3ItSRvrU0bbCQRB_yCYjd7Ny36_R_p1d7wyHucD6yOTjEnl3-cRjfxYUiJoufUNoDsey3h/s400/Blackpoll+Warbler+tree+trunk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackpoll Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Is it? Could it be a Blackpoll Warbler? Yes! It favors conifers in northern forests, especially stunted spruce at higher elevations for
breeding, and is known for its exceptional migration over the Atlantic Ocean. They can travel from the East Coast of U.S. to South America in one nonstop
flight of about 3 days! I wonder if the Blackpolls nesting in central Canada travel to the east coast before migrating over the ocean, or if they take the land route.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhbNJEPWZL-6h_gt4UPqBtAtjRtEzaE3vQ0P5cNDTJ8u_f1RpPTGUHDroSv7XQrAFDw9ZsUjcEBetogI7OkIhv6QbdVVkOZrmZombaNgv2zon0XYnx-QyTiSDjf_gPD1j0JL9/s1600/Chickadee+in+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1000" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhbNJEPWZL-6h_gt4UPqBtAtjRtEzaE3vQ0P5cNDTJ8u_f1RpPTGUHDroSv7XQrAFDw9ZsUjcEBetogI7OkIhv6QbdVVkOZrmZombaNgv2zon0XYnx-QyTiSDjf_gPD1j0JL9/s400/Chickadee+in+flight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina Chickadee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, this is a productive trip. Some little Chickadees are chasing each other, but one perches and ruffles its feathers and begs for food, apparently a fledgling following mama around. <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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49Ffwgp6fmAHrTJRMYKbQCneZC8Xsu7861zpnhnS7lQ0V22VCRuF2mxVRmyMKtUTg8FD9sUqlwYGdSJp3upGoF4wm4FoQeMyfQe3u1SG7zeoaLRANTofryQY7zXpldhtw3Dxh/s1600/Eastern+Woods+Pewee+singing+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1000" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49Ffwgp6fmAHrTJRMYKbQCneZC8Xsu7861zpnhnS7lQ0V22VCRuF2mxVRmyMKtUTg8FD9sUqlwYGdSJp3upGoF4wm4FoQeMyfQe3u1SG7zeoaLRANTofryQY7zXpldhtw3Dxh/s400/Eastern+Woods+Pewee+singing+closeup.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Woods Pewee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you walk along the forest edge, you will constantly hear a little bird calling "Pee-a-wee!" But rarely do they come down for a look. This little guy got really brave and came to let me have what for, shouting at the top of its lungs! Note that it is a pretty non-descript, plain gray bird. If it weren't calling, I wouldn't have known what it was. In fact, until I looked it up, I didn't realize it is a flycatcher, and most of them look alike.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGL4QWqLShFnllXNMHu60FyhYuCY9NlriqgSKtgS4exLJ50RXoJqqvq8LoZH-xOhfQ94UR4ychd1ts7azIjdYPltkYRDjLX34_6H8b2w8i9GXgWSYn8Cp9imnZuMYmLo4tFRU/s1600/Phoebe+on+tree+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1000" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGL4QWqLShFnllXNMHu60FyhYuCY9NlriqgSKtgS4exLJ50RXoJqqvq8LoZH-xOhfQ94UR4ychd1ts7azIjdYPltkYRDjLX34_6H8b2w8i9GXgWSYn8Cp9imnZuMYmLo4tFRU/s400/Phoebe+on+tree+top.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Phoebe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another flycatcher is the Eastern Phoebe, who calls out a raspy "Fee-Beee." It likes to nest near human habitation, so if you have to make a choice in the field, that can help. But watch for that constant tail bobbing characteristic of the Phoebe.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHqLYbLXAF-8znhvxYt4gRQcoVY8XW17f8EFRBXGXlulRck_kqg3bsaM18OGGyA02njDKIvzUB4WzZrL02YiXnQBHrdSk_MiW233l3u-ZYl-XiEJEXp4CpZkhT7TT0t_FlQVd/s1600/Red-shouldered+Hawk+wings+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1000" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHqLYbLXAF-8znhvxYt4gRQcoVY8XW17f8EFRBXGXlulRck_kqg3bsaM18OGGyA02njDKIvzUB4WzZrL02YiXnQBHrdSk_MiW233l3u-ZYl-XiEJEXp4CpZkhT7TT0t_FlQVd/s400/Red-shouldered+Hawk+wings+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-shouldered Hawk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Earlier in the morning, I noticed a couple of smaller birds chasing a Red-Shouldered Hawk. As I walked back to the car, I found both hawks in the air, showing off their beautiful soaring ability. 34 species on this trip to a small town park! A good day! And I got gas for cheaper at Kroger's there.denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-56454935443122211372020-05-21T17:44:00.000-04:002020-05-21T17:44:34.710-04:00Surprise Birds<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBahyHk3rC4r3XiCl9YWZmsVkYj6O-1yzGE-6VcMcWlgN2y_JiOCPT0gdx3BwgAnV8MMYYL-PIXvNZByyUWcevtBefQPtZAQS0yZyv3LaO5xez7ZVd1B70NgMkdbacNIqpSEz/s1600/Black+Vulture+downstroke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBahyHk3rC4r3XiCl9YWZmsVkYj6O-1yzGE-6VcMcWlgN2y_JiOCPT0gdx3BwgAnV8MMYYL-PIXvNZByyUWcevtBefQPtZAQS0yZyv3LaO5xez7ZVd1B70NgMkdbacNIqpSEz/s400/Black+Vulture+downstroke.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is the second time we have gone birding at Harrods Creek Park. Some friends said they saw Black-billed Cuckoos, so we thought, "Why not? Let's go!" There has been a lot of rain this week, and the creek itself is high, not so much from runoff as from back-up of the nearby Ohio River, so the trails were muddy. The vultures were not in their roost when we arrived, but had already taken off for the morning. You can see the white wing-tips of this Black Vulture and his stubby little tail, keys to identification for this species.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc25Fo7Or4_XPGwi17_39jRdqLAJlN34YdGt2jIMkKr8G12OlS7pHNuBNOdRbEhKMpZYgdhHhHnwbjK3lD7aw44p8S4f6egb9fXgBGwV6jqcy7T1Qq2ktyg1aQ8mTfyrFAOrY/s1600/Canada+Warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1000" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDc25Fo7Or4_XPGwi17_39jRdqLAJlN34YdGt2jIMkKr8G12OlS7pHNuBNOdRbEhKMpZYgdhHhHnwbjK3lD7aw44p8S4f6egb9fXgBGwV6jqcy7T1Qq2ktyg1aQ8mTfyrFAOrY/s400/Canada+Warbler.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Warbler</td></tr>
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Even the warbler Queens are shaking their head and saying the migration season is coming to an end. We have found more warblers than usual (because we've been out looking more than usual, I would guess) and today we added the Canada Warbler to our life list. At first we thought it was a Magnolia, but the black stripes don't go all the way down his side, and he has a huge white eye ring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMoc2m8-vAvfI89469mWvzOeEZfo2TzdXWlOI9IbKUBqHS-T6H2vEg8yAVYvsNvOMbn73Gt2_xq64nZEiek0aVXLNYjD9TsahHrzbsGPnwh82_vDPnC1nLtmcvapwLPp1mtk3/s1600/Cedar+Waxwing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="1000" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMoc2m8-vAvfI89469mWvzOeEZfo2TzdXWlOI9IbKUBqHS-T6H2vEg8yAVYvsNvOMbn73Gt2_xq64nZEiek0aVXLNYjD9TsahHrzbsGPnwh82_vDPnC1nLtmcvapwLPp1mtk3/s400/Cedar+Waxwing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Waxwing</td></tr>
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A flock of Cedar Waxwings perched in a big sycamore tree. The poor sycamores have been hit by frost three times in the last couple of weeks, and are very late in sprouting their leaves. That's lucky for us birders!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcowkOWFu5_Fa81aIqt4CuyI9l6O1W-P5zMCZF-B9I2fjO0LTHAteqTBGcE0HnDdx4CDLsfzS8kl-2C0lZyTnmn3fBEFqX9woB6q7URkXz7YccL15uBXeVZAqz1cmQ4xBuaZNt/s1600/Orchard+Oriole+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1000" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcowkOWFu5_Fa81aIqt4CuyI9l6O1W-P5zMCZF-B9I2fjO0LTHAteqTBGcE0HnDdx4CDLsfzS8kl-2C0lZyTnmn3fBEFqX9woB6q7URkXz7YccL15uBXeVZAqz1cmQ4xBuaZNt/s400/Orchard+Oriole+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchard Oriole</td></tr>
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Every time I see a dark orange breast with a dark head, I have to look carefully. It may be an Orchard Oriole, or it may be another robin. Sigh.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSkDE4ghT9Wf4f-mU5OOaDcwuOKkK61yIDjp4ds5DQZR2x-VuJ2PqVq3bzp0HJT1AGrpX3UiI1V6vStu9pueEf7o9OklbIvNrx8WGgNtMo_So8VbEiiX17FileSh1O1FSEz59/s1600/Prothonotary+Warbler+female+with+fecal+sac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1000" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSkDE4ghT9Wf4f-mU5OOaDcwuOKkK61yIDjp4ds5DQZR2x-VuJ2PqVq3bzp0HJT1AGrpX3UiI1V6vStu9pueEf7o9OklbIvNrx8WGgNtMo_So8VbEiiX17FileSh1O1FSEz59/s400/Prothonotary+Warbler+female+with+fecal+sac.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prothonotary Warbler female</td></tr>
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As always, anytime we see birders with cameras looking intently into a tree, we go over and ask, "What you got there?" Today the response was Prothonotary Warblers! They must have a cavity nest nearby (Goodness knows there are plenty of cavities). This one must be the female, since she is disposing of the fecal sac from one of her youngsters!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8m_4E4oLeAImKhgEPTznO0d1AsLDbnX5f2YcXA5KWwH_knWJUOpyqei0Sa1LT-wNQRBXyqntPjI2CunfXRBQP8-NNcMDmN-jd8-pjRgPmtSZqxD2xviKFoZUm7ye_rbCn1Kui/s1600/Prothonotary+Warbler+from+back+facing+right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1100" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8m_4E4oLeAImKhgEPTznO0d1AsLDbnX5f2YcXA5KWwH_knWJUOpyqei0Sa1LT-wNQRBXyqntPjI2CunfXRBQP8-NNcMDmN-jd8-pjRgPmtSZqxD2xviKFoZUm7ye_rbCn1Kui/s400/Prothonotary+Warbler+from+back+facing+right.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prothonotary Warbler</td></tr>
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Looking at the front of this bird, you would never guess he's such a beautiful blue-gray on the back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1CsTBT4jNplrQySJSf8t8GPknshdWXLTr0p89dALVLwWLtdJrEA4YkrCOtuHusEdQCQn8GWQHr-VmVBPxcY25NJMDrVkYPSf4CvdaLcGkmdlaY16TVbR1wwRyf0OtvOwkrc1/s1600/Prothonotary+Warbler+singing+dead+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1100" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1CsTBT4jNplrQySJSf8t8GPknshdWXLTr0p89dALVLwWLtdJrEA4YkrCOtuHusEdQCQn8GWQHr-VmVBPxcY25NJMDrVkYPSf4CvdaLcGkmdlaY16TVbR1wwRyf0OtvOwkrc1/s400/Prothonotary+Warbler+singing+dead+leaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prothonotary Warbler singing</td></tr>
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The male flitted around his territory making sure no one invaded. Just wait and he'll come close again.Then he sang with all his heart and you can see his little tongue vibrating!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpEIR_7rqFrLpvX12qZpHtn24qSonamtPzQeBqoRcbjle9N76HZ1SNAWuKIa9j2wnQva7gCGYlFRgs_Q0oMcAU_wGNk1mKOUUR_SP5NdP5BAa4XsdK5am8R4CeWzYilf_l9a6/s1600/Red-eyed+Vireo+eating+bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="1000" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpEIR_7rqFrLpvX12qZpHtn24qSonamtPzQeBqoRcbjle9N76HZ1SNAWuKIa9j2wnQva7gCGYlFRgs_Q0oMcAU_wGNk1mKOUUR_SP5NdP5BAa4XsdK5am8R4CeWzYilf_l9a6/s400/Red-eyed+Vireo+eating+bug.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-eyed Vireo</td></tr>
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I remember when I first learned about the Red-eyed Vireo, and although you hear it all the time, you rarely see it. I've gotten lucky or more skilled this spring, since it seems that I find one almost every time we go out. This one has a big yummy bug he was beating against the branch before eating it. Just to get it tenderized, I guess.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIjjFMB1XPBeqGd7ltMxVxJkmXCKfOwwebXOENCLhA3LIERFeV0wewcc0NP4Q2AeooecgrBB22vcE6_RBTJYaRXw9hixe9fg9-vtEalelQ2ekp5ulVMKYiCJX30olRsg_KP0m/s1600/Wood+Thrush+looking+at+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1100" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIjjFMB1XPBeqGd7ltMxVxJkmXCKfOwwebXOENCLhA3LIERFeV0wewcc0NP4Q2AeooecgrBB22vcE6_RBTJYaRXw9hixe9fg9-vtEalelQ2ekp5ulVMKYiCJX30olRsg_KP0m/s400/Wood+Thrush+looking+at+you.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Thrush</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxFxtVC2r5x_jDhvfq-ANNpwOu_bS81Q-wxR5Mr4lRFyqYxDx2rsAHKCIqNgX3b3AvcKpkOwh3JzwllPL8ejYT5yHwDcjrcB5NtMGZlqDsdq_8Z_eJlD3-NK1nnW87o5m8e1d/s1600/Wood+Thrush+singing+in+box+elder+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1100" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxFxtVC2r5x_jDhvfq-ANNpwOu_bS81Q-wxR5Mr4lRFyqYxDx2rsAHKCIqNgX3b3AvcKpkOwh3JzwllPL8ejYT5yHwDcjrcB5NtMGZlqDsdq_8Z_eJlD3-NK1nnW87o5m8e1d/s400/Wood+Thrush+singing+in+box+elder+tree.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Thrush</td></tr>
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The Wood Thrush is another of those heard but rarely seen birds. Always singing in the woods where you can't see them. I found a nest today, then this Wood Thrush was singing right over our heads. Looking around, I think this was his nest and he was defending it vigorously.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtjphjC8-BVF3c_8KcFl2iW3__l1FR_ags83YDmuou1Ko2kaeRbVMA67RmQZiEt74PuQAnPNvAW9O3nWuXI53BssMFq06fSNZxB2YH_19F5_ztNYsdrhirQCSb1-xBhmTYBSr/s1600/GBH+chicks+in+nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="850" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtjphjC8-BVF3c_8KcFl2iW3__l1FR_ags83YDmuou1Ko2kaeRbVMA67RmQZiEt74PuQAnPNvAW9O3nWuXI53BssMFq06fSNZxB2YH_19F5_ztNYsdrhirQCSb1-xBhmTYBSr/s400/GBH+chicks+in+nest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Blue Heron nest</td></tr>
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We know there is a Great Blue Heron rookery somewhere on Harrods Creek. We asked hikers along the trail if they knew where the rookery was, and each one of them responded "huh?" not knowing anything about birds. At one point, we heard something that sounded like ducks quacking softly, and thought it might be the rookery. We have a friend who does know where the rookery is, and might be persuaded to take us up there in kayaks. If so, we need to go before they all grow up and fly away.denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-12644525799673203962020-05-19T20:06:00.000-04:002020-05-19T20:06:30.470-04:00How to Choose a Birding Spot<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCldvkvECoXsGXXAbaANl8xuLEAQZX4AEH1aiCT5XvtEJ_TPyy5vFKq1Y2qDwnOo6ksWIMcPq2_yDCMCB_FC42eJNd4w95t1SihSMkkKQF2KwksAZCFcd403jU1YS04FU_7_H/s1600/Blue-gray+Gnatcatcher+peering+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="900" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCldvkvECoXsGXXAbaANl8xuLEAQZX4AEH1aiCT5XvtEJ_TPyy5vFKq1Y2qDwnOo6ksWIMcPq2_yDCMCB_FC42eJNd4w95t1SihSMkkKQF2KwksAZCFcd403jU1YS04FU_7_H/s400/Blue-gray+Gnatcatcher+peering+down.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-gray Gnatcatcher</td></tr>
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It has rained for the last two days, so we stayed home for the most part. And each day, other birders post on FaceBook or the email list about the rare birds they have seen that day. When we try to plan what to do the next morning, we have to consider where to go and what we might see there, along with the weather forecast. A Connecticut Warbler is still hanging around at Cherokee Park, but we missed it the last time we went there. Good reports are coming in from Jacobsen Lake in Lexington, and I'm tempted to give it a try.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbZMhUYXx4r5zFKkZpd8bD6JcFfL2IAfwRb4wcUdkBNA-qmrtcK_zvbr7MlgNw12qaLlAXBZ9oUj7XNBUKk9WDoNQY5_CZZYtdwBAbreoRsAHIE6_e2UiNeGbbMyazn3j-fzK/s1600/Blue-gray+Gnatcatcher+on+willow+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1000" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbZMhUYXx4r5zFKkZpd8bD6JcFfL2IAfwRb4wcUdkBNA-qmrtcK_zvbr7MlgNw12qaLlAXBZ9oUj7XNBUKk9WDoNQY5_CZZYtdwBAbreoRsAHIE6_e2UiNeGbbMyazn3j-fzK/s400/Blue-gray+Gnatcatcher+on+willow+leaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-gray Gnatcatcher</td></tr>
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This morning we decided to head a short distance to Anchorage Park. We are familiar with it, and both wore our mud boots, knowing that wet spots would be abundant after the recent rain. After chatting with two of our bird club friends, we tactfully walked on our own, forging into the low marshy area by a creek. Yes, it was full of water, but we were prepared. We got a good look at several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a small active bird with a white eyering. As it hops from branch to branch, this steely blue-gray bird flicks its
white-edged tail from side to side, scaring up insects and chasing after
them. I've heard folks guess that it's a baby Mockingbird.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOg6qfvqCF3y93X1uduBFjgN-YbUOHOr-Yh39OCkMtjNQ4jlYDYSHiwKfvzp7eXZAwT-p-ZJRytUrYCs4nKlCYSicv1z7Cl39Pb186d8xCfwCb1kRbNfLUBVUtP_aHEa15WCc/s1600/Blackberry+bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="900" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOg6qfvqCF3y93X1uduBFjgN-YbUOHOr-Yh39OCkMtjNQ4jlYDYSHiwKfvzp7eXZAwT-p-ZJRytUrYCs4nKlCYSicv1z7Cl39Pb186d8xCfwCb1kRbNfLUBVUtP_aHEa15WCc/s400/Blackberry+bush.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberry bushes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVE5Jl7qmCy__d1pl1raWThr8fbKbk1SYIH77AxMDYbAg__-e4DSssmR71hu6gkzgO3jnS5ub46wZcWKeliFhpA1jbg729PVkWAWBZafdjrk8MlgEGZFisyD5K0hU1RSUiw4OJ/s1600/Multiflora+rose+invasive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="900" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVE5Jl7qmCy__d1pl1raWThr8fbKbk1SYIH77AxMDYbAg__-e4DSssmR71hu6gkzgO3jnS5ub46wZcWKeliFhpA1jbg729PVkWAWBZafdjrk8MlgEGZFisyD5K0hU1RSUiw4OJ/s400/Multiflora+rose+invasive.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandiflora Rose - invasive</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhR3tZcHHfs1drKZR7RoopSR1OreYdu15vvTVH3f6ky9hEohfYdx6vO9pztu-YYAT0Fc4m8Gl-EfUkTRZKSYblXrv3TI4MRwhLEc255bH3EL9gZnzvCQxzpkF5yz-SnvPVHyR/s1600/Yellow+flag+in+marsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="900" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhR3tZcHHfs1drKZR7RoopSR1OreYdu15vvTVH3f6ky9hEohfYdx6vO9pztu-YYAT0Fc4m8Gl-EfUkTRZKSYblXrv3TI4MRwhLEc255bH3EL9gZnzvCQxzpkF5yz-SnvPVHyR/s400/Yellow+flag+in+marsh.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Flag - invasive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQjuN5aUJuQASxVqk3yHRd9oe9Po-26k_BDfev6DcgF9iWxM2aD_ZTaVPw722nVtcHRaMfsT34XTg3nhjXauHw5tzujK48eW9_fkf2XYvvSZewD9OqF6vBOsedC7sHHuBNsEc/s1600/Doe+in+blackberry+bushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQjuN5aUJuQASxVqk3yHRd9oe9Po-26k_BDfev6DcgF9iWxM2aD_ZTaVPw722nVtcHRaMfsT34XTg3nhjXauHw5tzujK48eW9_fkf2XYvvSZewD9OqF6vBOsedC7sHHuBNsEc/s400/Doe+in+blackberry+bushes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-tailed Deer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Anchorage Trail is used by dog-walkers, exercisers, kids with bikes and birders. It was established, oh, I don't remember, maybe 10 years ago, by a generous donation from the U of L basketball coach who lived nearby at the time. It has a nice paved walkway, fancy stone bridges and goes along Willow Lake. In the beginning, it was planted with Kentucky native plants in grasslands next to the woods. However, over the years, invasives have taken over. Bradford pears, grandiflora rose, and even yellow flag (an iris) have spread all over. I grumble about it, but we walk there anyway. This morning, the mower made it hard to hear the birds. I know, he needs to mow, and doesn't know that we will be there. It's nothing personal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRttdtyJy77Ape3e7Nn2egnYK9v66loNAMJYk-62Z36vmwGXD5oJl6C2j1l9ZAM3lj_9GdivQWE2z4g0ZceIGVAi3Q8awwWyZLPhyphenhyphenXsIKNkeys7O-p_C7UHRHIQPAQBYEpDQj/s1600/Pileated+Woodpecker+facing+left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1000" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRttdtyJy77Ape3e7Nn2egnYK9v66loNAMJYk-62Z36vmwGXD5oJl6C2j1l9ZAM3lj_9GdivQWE2z4g0ZceIGVAi3Q8awwWyZLPhyphenhyphenXsIKNkeys7O-p_C7UHRHIQPAQBYEpDQj/s400/Pileated+Woodpecker+facing+left.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pileated Woodpecker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWlv3Cx2_3bjOEwxUc7f4ZHsksWJro85_Fv1TNNuJ8nFxTDtl1XzDLbxE3XttM4O2yNt6NtpIRDN_sf2jmFz0_io7QtVEvEKuxsTqut5Cm4kUDGAkFlCBHeEcsmACOqZ7kcnF/s1600/Pileated+Woodpecker+searching+for+bugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1000" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWlv3Cx2_3bjOEwxUc7f4ZHsksWJro85_Fv1TNNuJ8nFxTDtl1XzDLbxE3XttM4O2yNt6NtpIRDN_sf2jmFz0_io7QtVEvEKuxsTqut5Cm4kUDGAkFlCBHeEcsmACOqZ7kcnF/s400/Pileated+Woodpecker+searching+for+bugs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pileated Woodpecker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We mentioned to our friends that we hadn't seen a Pileated Woodpecker yet this year, and a few minutes later they found one up in a sycamore tree. They are the largest woodpecker in Kentucky, and peck out rectangular shaped holes. Remember Woody Woodpecker? It was modeled on this bird. The biggest thing about it is how to pronounce the name. Some birders say "Pie-lee-ated" while others pronounce it "Pill-e-ated." I used the second pronunciation since that's how my mother-in-law always said it! We walked on down the trail humming "You say to-ma-to and I'll say to-mah-to." But we sang softly and listened to the Barred Owl hooting in the woods.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykzpsBjhBmhkNXLePVXGV7quymoSIQHFoFoBGOpAujXiwu7KD8soHqGMRyEmF4F78Off7knR6BLPopKjr6YNv1Gn1DX8NKt9XDRjAuOKqEyKZ7S9npQmgywf-89ckz1UxuD9s/s1600/Great+Blue+Heron+in+for+landing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1000" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykzpsBjhBmhkNXLePVXGV7quymoSIQHFoFoBGOpAujXiwu7KD8soHqGMRyEmF4F78Off7knR6BLPopKjr6YNv1Gn1DX8NKt9XDRjAuOKqEyKZ7S9npQmgywf-89ckz1UxuD9s/s400/Great+Blue+Heron+in+for+landing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Blue Heron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The lake can have half a dozen different kinds of ducks, but not today. We saw a family of Mallards with six teenagers, almost as big as their mother. Two Great Egrets flew overhead, along with lots of swallows snatching bugs out of the air. Finally, a Great Blue Heron coasted in for a landing on the other side.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gYs7rvH2zeaVwauqb6ez5jvsBdges2bukf4BD1iPxf7PE94LXzrynFmfer7x9nr_1E4oAJr-nsLCn9mjigjKRswa4DOP8TNHIfzpK87ZxhKn-fJg0BHlSc7RPqQLxIzLcQ8U/s1600/Baltimore+Oriole+in+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1000" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gYs7rvH2zeaVwauqb6ez5jvsBdges2bukf4BD1iPxf7PE94LXzrynFmfer7x9nr_1E4oAJr-nsLCn9mjigjKRswa4DOP8TNHIfzpK87ZxhKn-fJg0BHlSc7RPqQLxIzLcQ8U/s400/Baltimore+Oriole+in+sun.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore Oriole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Baltimore Orioles are beautiful birds, especially when the sun hits their bright orange breast. They all sing different songs, and you just have to remember the tone of their whistle. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2HuEFzJ-U-q62OO9FzaqBMFsFaZAvX-g1TnBewXYsUygQbkeIfJ5z1AxYqUeyCNuboZForfblVLdiqhb0IW_9LTopfjkUpvx81n3wSdgkFqNLhFBGpTpZvjmhzR0mS757Jo7/s1600/Cedar+Waxwing+pair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1000" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2HuEFzJ-U-q62OO9FzaqBMFsFaZAvX-g1TnBewXYsUygQbkeIfJ5z1AxYqUeyCNuboZForfblVLdiqhb0IW_9LTopfjkUpvx81n3wSdgkFqNLhFBGpTpZvjmhzR0mS757Jo7/s400/Cedar+Waxwing+pair.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Waxwings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cedar Waxwings are on the move. We saw 6 or 8 of them perched in a tree top. Through the binoculars they looked yellow, but were too big to be Gold Finches. Then we noticed the crest on their heads. They are unusual looking birds, who like to hang around together eating berries. If ever in doubt, remember to look for the tip of their tails that look like they have been dipped in yellow paint! </div>
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Total bird count on eBird today: <b>42</b>! I don't think we've had that many on one walk in one location before. Total species count for the month of May: <b>102</b>!</div>
denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-85373607364393481442020-05-17T20:16:00.000-04:002020-05-17T20:16:25.439-04:00Cherokee Park After the Rain<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06b7u0SQxk8-3mR9_4C89BCe98pPm2jX5s9pZ2J_llx2nEIfQmWY2OZbOtQ_EFbWNHFF_m76A98OZ7pGVx9bLLgEjfml-ZVCkGWCy-AOesHPHC5MfdL18Hc02OI42JiAxziYh/s1600/Red-eyed+Vireo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1000" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06b7u0SQxk8-3mR9_4C89BCe98pPm2jX5s9pZ2J_llx2nEIfQmWY2OZbOtQ_EFbWNHFF_m76A98OZ7pGVx9bLLgEjfml-ZVCkGWCy-AOesHPHC5MfdL18Hc02OI42JiAxziYh/s400/Red-eyed+Vireo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-eyed Vireo</td></tr>
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<br />
It rained a lot Friday night, but people saw wonderful warblers at Cherokee Park that day, so Saturday morning I resolved to get up and go find them myself. I've now decided that weather forecasts cannot be relied on. If they predict a low chance of rain, you will get wet. If they issue storm warnings, it may not rain at all. Sure, it was raining Saturday as I left the house, but I counted on it being a gentle, light, 35% kind of rain. I was wrong. Although I saw runners, bikers and golfers in the rain, I sat in the deserted parking area for a while before deciding to go on home. Primarily because I didn't want to use my binoculars and camera in the downpour. I was being prudent. By afternoon, the predicted rain had disappeared, and we headed back to the park to look for warblers after finding three amazing warblers in our own back yard. (see previous post)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX4pUS57N-FVCMYMeuxCDyZSc7rH5lc8r-0lhIdIM3KnR0U9C5gzGSLpgui3ezyCrTjFROYPZv0xGyicj5G70U9YRCvhUxm-gzJf0S-tr9Ts30LK-I3MSo7nRMDAdy6qSkzb7/s1600/Black-throated+Blue+Warbler+with+bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1000" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX4pUS57N-FVCMYMeuxCDyZSc7rH5lc8r-0lhIdIM3KnR0U9C5gzGSLpgui3ezyCrTjFROYPZv0xGyicj5G70U9YRCvhUxm-gzJf0S-tr9Ts30LK-I3MSo7nRMDAdy6qSkzb7/s400/Black-throated+Blue+Warbler+with+bug.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Blue Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Beargrass Creek was running high and fast. In fact, it seemed to have overflowed its banks during the night, and everything was really muddy. Good thing I had my mud boots on as we slogged along the banks of the water. One of our target birds, sighted the day before, was the Black-throated Blue Warbler. This is a bird we had seen at Magee Marsh several years ago, so I was familiar with its appearance. The Connecticut Warbler was another target, and I had to ask other birders what it looked like. The described it and said, "It's right in those bushes" but we never did find it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmLZItESVwapive7Bb9UagnjPkgyZx8klgBN8aleTri2RDCVdM9vORkLH9U_wMvyXDkqhLFRKqxjYjrPsbMjiE95En9vfFtN0qiVuiu6MrEiJRCAckEh15-RHYNJuLPKLzRAz/s1600/Black-throated+Blue+Warbler+leave+before+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1000" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmLZItESVwapive7Bb9UagnjPkgyZx8klgBN8aleTri2RDCVdM9vORkLH9U_wMvyXDkqhLFRKqxjYjrPsbMjiE95En9vfFtN0qiVuiu6MrEiJRCAckEh15-RHYNJuLPKLzRAz/s400/Black-throated+Blue+Warbler+leave+before+face.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Blue Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway, this little guy jumped around under the leaves, hiding from view as much as possible. If the light isn't just right, the blue looks black on him. If he faces you, you don't see the blue back feathers at all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiM7Pfr9E0P_S4NPksvk0FFhOlGKJAN41PH6I2a_-rKPheYZF6pGuJ0LyOSck9msmpbh0roF-T-ZoLJBwDN58yDEBRgCnBx_l_uyh2a-3de4xW_0xzqY19W6LhBTMSPAftd8R/s1600/Black-throated+Blue+Warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1000" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiM7Pfr9E0P_S4NPksvk0FFhOlGKJAN41PH6I2a_-rKPheYZF6pGuJ0LyOSck9msmpbh0roF-T-ZoLJBwDN58yDEBRgCnBx_l_uyh2a-3de4xW_0xzqY19W6LhBTMSPAftd8R/s400/Black-throated+Blue+Warbler.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated Blue Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But, if he turns <i>just right</i>, you get a marvelous profile view of the black throat and blue back feathers. The definitive field mark is the little white "handkerchief" on his wings. Yes, triumph - we found it on our own! It's great to identify a bird with <i>confidence </i>while still in the field. I logged the sighting in eBird, and was surprised to see an R for rare sighting next to the name. When I tried to submit my list for the afternoon, eBird demanded that I tell it more about why I thought my sighting was, in fact, this rare bird. When I got home, I was able to submit photos, the best evidence of all! Of course, the same bird was probably reported 20 times that day by various birders.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzjZ7BpwxXLXck-lGx-rXA47ReUfoEmUOVBuhRn6V12m04YVCzdelEUSwG_fX2UdcbjjtDX9LaxPgMtjskkAWFHdLVjSrk7_QkLNTUg59bQshQy8iT440jrnAG73NVv0QmZ29/s1600/Swainsons+Thrush+on+ground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1000" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzjZ7BpwxXLXck-lGx-rXA47ReUfoEmUOVBuhRn6V12m04YVCzdelEUSwG_fX2UdcbjjtDX9LaxPgMtjskkAWFHdLVjSrk7_QkLNTUg59bQshQy8iT440jrnAG73NVv0QmZ29/s400/Swainsons+Thrush+on+ground.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swainson's Thrush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some families of birds all look the same without intent study. I've been working on sandpipers this spring, but still get a little confused. Today, there was some kind of thrush every time we turned around. They are all a brown-ish color, with some degree of spots on their breast. But you might have a Wood Thrush, Veery, Hermit Thrush, or Grey-cheeked Thrush, so I kept taking photos of every thrush I could focus on for further research.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WyAV1vKh5oT-sqBHGrJ2_-L7UNlLnfkKQxE6bfotJvArm8L1dZUlzpzQdYWoRiYV06XG3z8SAzIck5sIjffrbq_B4x7nYPVbCcvKK2LAE8yfAsNm9eJK273czUEZ6XPHvUgM/s1600/Swainsons+Thrush+on+boardwalk+head+stretched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WyAV1vKh5oT-sqBHGrJ2_-L7UNlLnfkKQxE6bfotJvArm8L1dZUlzpzQdYWoRiYV06XG3z8SAzIck5sIjffrbq_B4x7nYPVbCcvKK2LAE8yfAsNm9eJK273czUEZ6XPHvUgM/s400/Swainsons+Thrush+on+boardwalk+head+stretched.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swainson's Thrush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Their color can change depending on how much sunlight or shade they are in. If they face away from you, you can't get a good look at the spots on the breast. So when we got home, I made comparisons in <a href="http://allaboutbirds.org/">AllAboutBirds.org</a> to go for the details. The best clue I could find was the buffy eyering for the Swainson's Thrush. Every thrush picture had a buffy eyering.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij74JtIyvS6DqXAAQ_c2ZyYydknOqQGRX6b2gW9fz1gY4auOFvwiy-DOjTzMYct8ZLdKf6LrtNwcCLKL1oZsvaBq6uF65jjF4TLCfTC5qGRC0rYZ0Y7lcl4RjOmYgbffu0ppc2/s1600/syrinx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="348" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij74JtIyvS6DqXAAQ_c2ZyYydknOqQGRX6b2gW9fz1gY4auOFvwiy-DOjTzMYct8ZLdKf6LrtNwcCLKL1oZsvaBq6uF65jjF4TLCfTC5qGRC0rYZ0Y7lcl4RjOmYgbffu0ppc2/s400/syrinx.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<br />
Thrushes sing duets with themselves due to the unique characteristics of their syrinx. The larynx of a human, is higher up the throat, and only one air flow goes through it to make sound. A bird's syrinx, is at the spot where the two bronchial tubes join above the lungs. The bird can control the air flow from each lung to sing an echo or duet with itself, and <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swainsons_Thrush/sounds" target="_blank">thrushes excel at this.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRYX4rht_OwyHsBc_TUaPu8EOErI4QEn06ruAgB1J4XWXWc85mcWRtl4WRzzoxQRyLuToaDPtSgFql3Y0jMnGDnAjnTgLhMxMBCiV9X_GK8yIcOefjRpfQe4xLZRr0Ig73VhL/s1600/Acadian+Flycatcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1000" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRYX4rht_OwyHsBc_TUaPu8EOErI4QEn06ruAgB1J4XWXWc85mcWRtl4WRzzoxQRyLuToaDPtSgFql3Y0jMnGDnAjnTgLhMxMBCiV9X_GK8yIcOefjRpfQe4xLZRr0Ig73VhL/s400/Acadian+Flycatcher.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acadian Flycatcher</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qtk11Y2iG_6EXST5HEHXgqjjICT65ctBRM1FCUru3aB6rK9NQurdeQi5rQw2BgIunSifUq524lofkv8YHDWouWm02tdKEVuaW7PeQ-BJ4THm7_MueBMdV7f7loGYJcaqHHnq/s1600/Willow+Flycatcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1000" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qtk11Y2iG_6EXST5HEHXgqjjICT65ctBRM1FCUru3aB6rK9NQurdeQi5rQw2BgIunSifUq524lofkv8YHDWouWm02tdKEVuaW7PeQ-BJ4THm7_MueBMdV7f7loGYJcaqHHnq/s400/Willow+Flycatcher.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow Flycatcher ?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Nettleroth Bird Sanctuary isn't really a separate park of Cherokee Park, but somehow cool birds tend to find their way in. And the city constructed a boardwalk over the areas that fill with water every time it rains. It really helps, as long as you remember not to step off the boardwalk when trying to see that warbler straight over your head! This is where I missed the Canada Warbler. I saw a large bird with a long tail fly into a tree, then disappear, and thought it might be a cuckoo. Several people reported Yellow-billed Cuckoos, so I may have been right.</div>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhif1T5kT6S6rW7Y-717a3K3QD6bZk8a_KQmHZsKSi4439prKLs3-KSPHU0CmAS6DfrR7ujlY0zWF9M45A7dM_PzUYvJMrnjtmjOApDaZg7iD4EyKSXsZyz4AU8E4yofYs31D9n/s1600/American+Redstart+with+bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1100" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhif1T5kT6S6rW7Y-717a3K3QD6bZk8a_KQmHZsKSi4439prKLs3-KSPHU0CmAS6DfrR7ujlY0zWF9M45A7dM_PzUYvJMrnjtmjOApDaZg7iD4EyKSXsZyz4AU8E4yofYs31D9n/s400/American+Redstart+with+bug.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Restart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Walking up Maple Road, the two birders in front of us found all sorts of birds. Some have found a family of owls in this part of the park. This American Redstart (a warbler, although you wouldn't think so from his size) finally caught that bug and perched in the open to eat it. Yum! By now, I can hardly walk, my arthritic feet hurt so bad, so we decided to head on home. Where's the ibuprofen?</div>
denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-65040320089991951392020-05-16T18:45:00.000-04:002020-05-16T18:51:10.942-04:00OMG! Warblers in our Backyard!<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUoJfYaQBPrcVO_zTGuiVzhKPsPVgA-Tj4un5emOny0yxUPpbpx-FnoeE9vvsqaSmtJP3HekjKpzDjo1iWnp1Tp_srclpzWUOtnBX2Ui9gltkl6wHMuOYgbCWu5tPC3zU6eZ4/s1600/Chestnut-sided+Warbler+first+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="1000" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUoJfYaQBPrcVO_zTGuiVzhKPsPVgA-Tj4un5emOny0yxUPpbpx-FnoeE9vvsqaSmtJP3HekjKpzDjo1iWnp1Tp_srclpzWUOtnBX2Ui9gltkl6wHMuOYgbCWu5tPC3zU6eZ4/s400/Chestnut-sided+Warbler+first+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During Warbler season, lots of birders go out with their big lenses on cameras, and post all sorts of beautiful, sharply focused photos of these brightly colored little birds. Must be easy, right? NO WAY, as my grandchildren say. Let me tell you what it's <i>really </i>like. It rained often during the night, and for several more hours in the morning, so when the sun came out, we decided to go birding at Cherokee Park, lured by reports of unusual warblers to be found there. Dick forgot his phone, and while he went back in the house, I looked around for a bird whose call I didn't recognize. And I saw the bird above. Now this is the usual view you get of a warbler--far above your head, and all you see is the underside of the tail or its back. But I take the photo anyway, since something is better than nothing.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ETmC3Nyz51JouKqctimU5EbDMh2fvFTwgeW3OaBrIz7wOrs-7OlyNsj2zlKSFn8eA75uJTzc4nKc6PNmI33gW7pCiBbvDXI57p9DOYumguaYAo4DjbU_8izRKDOfSv4WHVvV/s1600/Chestnut-sided+Warbler+second+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1000" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ETmC3Nyz51JouKqctimU5EbDMh2fvFTwgeW3OaBrIz7wOrs-7OlyNsj2zlKSFn8eA75uJTzc4nKc6PNmI33gW7pCiBbvDXI57p9DOYumguaYAo4DjbU_8izRKDOfSv4WHVvV/s400/Chestnut-sided+Warbler+second+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OK, here is the second view. It's on the same branch, and I could zoom in a bit without losing it. Focus isn't the best, but again, something is better than nothing. I think I see something chestnut in color by the wings. Looks interesting.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmAItFKVQT8X-NVhpOlxDrEHnua9ca5f_v4WTUUNGUyefLq7A9OQQNa6aJJjaMdvcEgPx6Nre1_mn-1E9kT489X1hT6dheNagRCHjHiXoK33oeaNljC_ZnZKUM8K01sMXT-fh/s1600/Chestnut-sided+Warbler+third+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmAItFKVQT8X-NVhpOlxDrEHnua9ca5f_v4WTUUNGUyefLq7A9OQQNa6aJJjaMdvcEgPx6Nre1_mn-1E9kT489X1hT6dheNagRCHjHiXoK33oeaNljC_ZnZKUM8K01sMXT-fh/s400/Chestnut-sided+Warbler+third+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Come on bird, turn around so I can see your front! He turns a bit more---please, please, let it be...<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnHXOf4KCBbyw0V1fczQE61QmTnjWeQCxNTewFbF0iaGzZrjnqb-QHLxwsg2XiLm6x6XBf0EPunhmsVufdQHzt38zfPKtmuRSjx_kHJdOBUPDB3BEtMLWUCjYDP5CpAkCb2rj/s1600/Chestnut-sided+Warbler+full+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1100" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnHXOf4KCBbyw0V1fczQE61QmTnjWeQCxNTewFbF0iaGzZrjnqb-QHLxwsg2XiLm6x6XBf0EPunhmsVufdQHzt38zfPKtmuRSjx_kHJdOBUPDB3BEtMLWUCjYDP5CpAkCb2rj/s400/Chestnut-sided+Warbler+full+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut-sided Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
YES! Triumph! It's a Chestnut-sided Warbler in MY YARD! Last time I saw one of these was on the boardwalk at Magee Marsh in Ohio. This is a life bird for my backyard.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGIRInV2eSOpIIT1VIDdOgRYTl48ppsTjDWsFtCkG39gp2IQv9_yFnOqnz84u1ljEXY1s89wMnmcUHgD4Y525UOy1rh2y1afZJoGQhG8AW-ZsEWnyXRwyHPqhKWmgK-HKFnXQ/s1600/Blackburnian+Warbler+first+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1000" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGIRInV2eSOpIIT1VIDdOgRYTl48ppsTjDWsFtCkG39gp2IQv9_yFnOqnz84u1ljEXY1s89wMnmcUHgD4Y525UOy1rh2y1afZJoGQhG8AW-ZsEWnyXRwyHPqhKWmgK-HKFnXQ/s400/Blackburnian+Warbler+first+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They must be happy that it stopped raining. All kinds of birds are hopping around in the big oak tree. Here's another one, and I see his throat first. Dick, Holy Cow! I think we have a...<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gasQx-60Mb3N9-dusfAdQIbfX7S3qphXzSIN1NPgsGL6oP3Hu87J5wKKnqaHeTEe8BhAUOys2d2pEWBW_vOxqkPN55BG_o_H9dd1xUp6An55uowV4gVg_-_2QNYy-qNQY2zc/s1600/Blackburnian+Warbler+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1000" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gasQx-60Mb3N9-dusfAdQIbfX7S3qphXzSIN1NPgsGL6oP3Hu87J5wKKnqaHeTEe8BhAUOys2d2pEWBW_vOxqkPN55BG_o_H9dd1xUp6An55uowV4gVg_-_2QNYy-qNQY2zc/s400/Blackburnian+Warbler+face.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackburnian Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Blackburnian is probably my favorite warbler. At a bird festival in West Virginia one year, it rained the whole blessed time we were there. But ONE morning, the sun peeped through the clouds to light up the orange throat of this little bird and make it look like it was on fire.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYu9cvDaJLcv27enF236ADon5HrjBRF3wCuY3X69Sex7SP0HwVSpWkNGcCCrRyMwwZ_u1B2D_6tiGaWTF4HCoARBIJEONaKdpH0wST1t_4tMAY7NYEyccoMq0XFHR_2Oav3o1/s1600/Blackburnian+Warbler+peek-a-boo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="900" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYu9cvDaJLcv27enF236ADon5HrjBRF3wCuY3X69Sex7SP0HwVSpWkNGcCCrRyMwwZ_u1B2D_6tiGaWTF4HCoARBIJEONaKdpH0wST1t_4tMAY7NYEyccoMq0XFHR_2Oav3o1/s400/Blackburnian+Warbler+peek-a-boo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackburnian Warbler peek-a-boo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Don't ask me where they get these strange names for these birds. Lots of times, they were named for another ornithologist, or the place they were first seen back in the early 1800's. You just have to learn the names, what they look like and how they sound. Most of them are just passing through to their northern breeding grounds. WooHoo! Another life bird for our backyard!<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxAC42dbfo0fZCZR5h2Ua5H_NNvct5hrEGH2nYMK0OgluZHNzzlO-F5glqLIot507xQfVefDUHZ1-idT1rcBssuF3VYrsuxm3qjc55D2n8HNNK4X7ireAS7wCcglyaFDOWt9U/s1600/Magnolia+Warbler+in+lots+of+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1000" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxAC42dbfo0fZCZR5h2Ua5H_NNvct5hrEGH2nYMK0OgluZHNzzlO-F5glqLIot507xQfVefDUHZ1-idT1rcBssuF3VYrsuxm3qjc55D2n8HNNK4X7ireAS7wCcglyaFDOWt9U/s400/Magnolia+Warbler+in+lots+of+leaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warbler in LOTS of leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is also a common warbler view. Your eyes find the bird when it moves, and you try to mark the branch structure where it appeared, or the clump of leaves, but branches and leaves look so much alike. Then you try to focus on it with binoculars. Not an easy task, believe me! OK, this one has black and yellow and white, common colors for warblers.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGzEE_tUsIgM2EmvYWfHDpV8A13wfrDcn_7xPcBPLzIBTHQUjBBMv2O_sfkk883O5_KFYao-8V-eC6715F-YXJxMIL4iCSZReC18Y6yZ2gMNHuUrauNTpFJi_r38XeKikBhPV/s1600/Magnolia+Warbler+in+leaves+front+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGzEE_tUsIgM2EmvYWfHDpV8A13wfrDcn_7xPcBPLzIBTHQUjBBMv2O_sfkk883O5_KFYao-8V-eC6715F-YXJxMIL4iCSZReC18Y6yZ2gMNHuUrauNTpFJi_r38XeKikBhPV/s400/Magnolia+Warbler+in+leaves+front+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warbler in lots of leaves, front view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OK, now he's turned around so we can see his belly. This is progress. I see a yellow belly, and black stripes down the sides of it. I need to look at a field guide, but can't put the camera/binoculars down to check on it. Just keep looking and taking pictures...<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkM-rUXHGTwqhIbJt0gKAFAPKGSv_iUT5u8cUngdAR06unRrCXYbuUtV12QKVceCWkgM2pFGf_FJDuBF0Vl9YvTgXRgamEsIAoxZOuL7ZHq_AfP8Zb-OuuAYQ4GfxPpFoeWMBV/s1600/Magnolia+Warbler+hiding+in+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="881" data-original-width="1000" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkM-rUXHGTwqhIbJt0gKAFAPKGSv_iUT5u8cUngdAR06unRrCXYbuUtV12QKVceCWkgM2pFGf_FJDuBF0Vl9YvTgXRgamEsIAoxZOuL7ZHq_AfP8Zb-OuuAYQ4GfxPpFoeWMBV/s400/Magnolia+Warbler+hiding+in+leaves.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnolia Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even though he's partially hidden in the leaves, I can now see a white eyebrow, and the black stripes go all the way down his belly to his tail. And I can see a glimpse of white wing bars. We can't see the black necklace under his throat, but it's the Magnolia Warbler - another life bird for the back yard. Three in one day! I have never seen warblers in the yard before. Are the migration conditions changing? Remember, I saw the Rose Breasted Grosbeak and Ovenbird (also a warbler) a few weeks ago. Or am I simply paying more attention in my retirement/COVID stay home condition? I'll keep watching. No Orioles at the feeder I bought for them yet. But there is always hope!denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-66128810945912670542020-05-14T18:39:00.000-04:002020-05-14T18:39:52.363-04:00Birds of the Meadow<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x713R07ujciAvWBYrTh9MllJmJRkMKyrptOlkt89kousay5YFXcNhYj0gNxYQjabaXYAdi83Y7LiGLsLeOGYSIlD1nIwmSitKjRwpTF0fivxeC2TffAQf5j5PUv6UfGQI33y/s1600/Bobolink+head+angles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1100" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x713R07ujciAvWBYrTh9MllJmJRkMKyrptOlkt89kousay5YFXcNhYj0gNxYQjabaXYAdi83Y7LiGLsLeOGYSIlD1nIwmSitKjRwpTF0fivxeC2TffAQf5j5PUv6UfGQI33y/s400/Bobolink+head+angles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bobolink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Birders across the state can belong to the Kentucky Birders Facebook group. We can share the birds we've seen at different locations, post photos if we have good ones or ask for help in ID'ing a bird. Lately several people have posted about the Bobolinks they have seen at Camp Nelson near Nicholasville in central Kentucky. I've only seen Bobolinks in two other places (in West Virginia and Maine) and was thrilled with the chance to find them closer to home, so this morning we hit the road for Jessamine County.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaGJHytjEzr3vKnATwI2KSp3UKlxtyf5wv0mL2thIoqopn3aOvUEPgKbdGI7JA7EhkGRL5qHU98PZjm-3_z1KFkAPcCS3grLw11DbWQ2VnjGyv0Z8-Y4k_EO5HXphjvPwRfDo/s1600/Camp+Nelson+grasslands+and+buildings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaGJHytjEzr3vKnATwI2KSp3UKlxtyf5wv0mL2thIoqopn3aOvUEPgKbdGI7JA7EhkGRL5qHU98PZjm-3_z1KFkAPcCS3grLw11DbWQ2VnjGyv0Z8-Y4k_EO5HXphjvPwRfDo/s400/Camp+Nelson+grasslands+and+buildings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp Nelson grasslands and buildings (from rear)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'd never heard of Camp Nelson before and had to look it up. It is a National Monument about the Civil War. Established as a Union supply depot and hospital during the Civil War,
<a href="https://www.nps.gov/cane/index.htm" target="_blank">Camp Nelson</a> became a recruitment and training center for African
American soldiers, and a refugee camp for their wives and children.
Thousands of slaves risked their lives escaping to this site with the
hope of securing their freedom and, ultimately, controlling their
futures by aiding in the destruction of slavery. (I did not know that Kentucky did not ratify the 13th Amendment until 1976. And this surprises me?) At the height of its use in 1865, Camp Nelson encompassed roughly 4,000
acres. The camp, which was organized around an 800-acre core, included
more than 300 buildings and tents that housed a quartermaster commissary
depot, ordnance depot, recruitment center, prison, and a hospital.
Eight earthen forts or batteries, primarily constructed by enslaved
labor, helped to protect the camp. The camp was also home to stables and
corrals, a bakery, and a steam-driven waterworks that could pump water
up 470 feet from the Kentucky River to a 50,000 gallon reservoir. The buildings are all closed of course, but we came to see the birds, so headed across the meadows. My question is, how do they maintain these meadows to prevent invasive plants from taking over? <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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNNXA9CLFr_zA36lsX-hHqiahGSC7F1QZ8qoHnjdJEiy7k3Bwgz0hya-5veOAb3BFmq7c45qIux5FJIjiPfglP0hwTczwjN-l98Fh-6V6DBljH9Xmc0KXSJbudzA20Cebt0iI/s1600/Bobolink+facing+left+yellow+on+neck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1000" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNNXA9CLFr_zA36lsX-hHqiahGSC7F1QZ8qoHnjdJEiy7k3Bwgz0hya-5veOAb3BFmq7c45qIux5FJIjiPfglP0hwTczwjN-l98Fh-6V6DBljH9Xmc0KXSJbudzA20Cebt0iI/s400/Bobolink+facing+left+yellow+on+neck.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buff/yellow on neck</td></tr>
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I always thought that the yellow was on their heads, but was surprised to notice that it is actually on the back of their necks. They are related to blackbirds, as you can notice from the shape of their beaks. Males will have several females in their territory, but the females will mate with several males. Guess that's the best way to spread the gene pool around. The name is from "Bob o' Lincoln" (which is appropriate at this location) but they are also known as the "Rice Bird."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif78c2obTzDZUUuUF1nu2f8eGNAz7l86Rhxngxt6FX_wpxNcwNZGHMaRc0D4z2p-zO_DBJ24BcwoAS9sR3fT8wtoHvrvwGfp9v2dXUxc_zgwFwXyqOK0HViAFEI8DUZ04lMjHe/s1600/Bobolink+back+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif78c2obTzDZUUuUF1nu2f8eGNAz7l86Rhxngxt6FX_wpxNcwNZGHMaRc0D4z2p-zO_DBJ24BcwoAS9sR3fT8wtoHvrvwGfp9v2dXUxc_zgwFwXyqOK0HViAFEI8DUZ04lMjHe/s400/Bobolink+back+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White on back</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtD72Fp415LjZ7H65Kgf8SiOYRPq8hAEc1JFfvlw_Qk6JZ3rE6nOBhDflFjGDyq2pXZzoKqhaEzGPDYmUL3V1aN71CSNDlQnxcZw7lE6zLl7veSj7XESMVvqjJBKx_K-5AiqI/s1600/Bobolink+flying+blurred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="900" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtD72Fp415LjZ7H65Kgf8SiOYRPq8hAEc1JFfvlw_Qk6JZ3rE6nOBhDflFjGDyq2pXZzoKqhaEzGPDYmUL3V1aN71CSNDlQnxcZw7lE6zLl7veSj7XESMVvqjJBKx_K-5AiqI/s400/Bobolink+flying+blurred.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In flight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When in flight, you can see the white on his back and large white bars on his wings. But mostly, you hear his bubbling song as he soars across the meadow, quickly dropping down into the grass.</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8TXIrXiyW6o/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8TXIrXiyW6o?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Lang Elliot goes around collecting first class video and audio of bird songs, and here is a little of what we heard today.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TxgucyVL553-hCr1yeEekQdQGvLcfty2xzRXaxnHvjsNezt3Va1cCHlhUIgF4IAZPr1yb25GOsfp_XrNL3_cBo-ETFoQOsGPfH3ja2APNjj-0v4cx7pcPsE2UHYeRpt0Cwlh/s1600/Meadowlark+singing+in+grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1000" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TxgucyVL553-hCr1yeEekQdQGvLcfty2xzRXaxnHvjsNezt3Va1cCHlhUIgF4IAZPr1yb25GOsfp_XrNL3_cBo-ETFoQOsGPfH3ja2APNjj-0v4cx7pcPsE2UHYeRpt0Cwlh/s400/Meadowlark+singing+in+grass.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Meadowlark singing</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3Lh8nu8nWgR1pmsejsTsiOWoDnLXedWzlY46AIKIuFMk8tbk7GmaTxmKYX2PRqYzO7i3udD6mcuGUPo0tTgJznohHKssXqOjkqPG0tPq3WjZcZHmP003qPyqjvIXMVWS1Nhy/s1600/Meadowlark+brown+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1000" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3Lh8nu8nWgR1pmsejsTsiOWoDnLXedWzlY46AIKIuFMk8tbk7GmaTxmKYX2PRqYzO7i3udD6mcuGUPo0tTgJznohHKssXqOjkqPG0tPq3WjZcZHmP003qPyqjvIXMVWS1Nhy/s400/Meadowlark+brown+back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Meadowlark brown back</td></tr>
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Who else lives in the meadow? The Eastern Meadowlark of course. It was amazing how all these birds would land in the fairly short grass of the field and immediately disappear. If we had dared the chigger bites and walked into the grass, the highest stalks would not have come up to our knees quite. The grass stalks weren't strong enough to hold a bird's weight, but sometimes they would find a sturdier weed stalk to perch on.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vDpydv6VbtU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vDpydv6VbtU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Lang also has some beautiful Meadowlark songs for you to enjoy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LnrmwCz09C9b3CxSm6C7plBLdj4DYtMkS6lCrQNxbiu17J-ZaES4SwFDR6WcpJLji4D_8eZ6uf0PjJp0w9Zw-ndxsIyR8g63SxNTcTIRwfjoGbdgqKoEU5CQlvWWszXHbC3A/s1600/Red-winged+Blackbird+in+flight+banking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="1000" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LnrmwCz09C9b3CxSm6C7plBLdj4DYtMkS6lCrQNxbiu17J-ZaES4SwFDR6WcpJLji4D_8eZ6uf0PjJp0w9Zw-ndxsIyR8g63SxNTcTIRwfjoGbdgqKoEU5CQlvWWszXHbC3A/s400/Red-winged+Blackbird+in+flight+banking.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-winged Blackbird</td></tr>
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Are we done yet? No, the Red-winged Blackbird gives the other two a good run for their money, singing and dropping into the grass to disappear.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kwxwu1y67LpxNMmAkjqpGO41Yhy2Bek9s3sekgprp2QzHHsItklpzj3-av9kXaTALThEq1h1omkSofiPGSW0hrHWDkiO2QVG3-XlhCw_kkKHTW-ncGFo6dapCZfw4Yfex9be/s1600/Bluebird+couple+sharing+branch+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1100" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kwxwu1y67LpxNMmAkjqpGO41Yhy2Bek9s3sekgprp2QzHHsItklpzj3-av9kXaTALThEq1h1omkSofiPGSW0hrHWDkiO2QVG3-XlhCw_kkKHTW-ncGFo6dapCZfw4Yfex9be/s400/Bluebird+couple+sharing+branch+best.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Bluebird couple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHpmMP8JKaukNYwvKSp1uO9XMfz5C8C_dxwWnGQzz4J6zyEhNSJtKNetGxpEQWpBvG3Xre6ptH7g0OI3Bg2eVXWLeRQkc0ZQqyq1KnWZ4z54V6tABn2nUTMMwpdzABXeRSYQB/s1600/Bluebird+male+face+on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1100" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHpmMP8JKaukNYwvKSp1uO9XMfz5C8C_dxwWnGQzz4J6zyEhNSJtKNetGxpEQWpBvG3Xre6ptH7g0OI3Bg2eVXWLeRQkc0ZQqyq1KnWZ4z54V6tABn2nUTMMwpdzABXeRSYQB/s400/Bluebird+male+face+on.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Bluebird male</td></tr>
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The Bluebirds hang around the meadow, but don't nest in the grass, being cavity nesters. This beautiful couple is getting ready to furnish the nest box right below them. In fact, Bluebirds can have up to 3 or 4 broods every summer if the conditions are right and there is plenty of food.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzryGgs3s9aQjza5uJ5p8jsn5QQB4DJOB0MmK48BaEF5xiQxmGIr5HqXYcuDBMPqe5eX4gO_AOFtmY26UidTnE9BkbA_gO3MCHbROPmpq7dOtye1HRsMG_oLBX266Kixkx1BH/s1600/Summer+Tanager+frontal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzryGgs3s9aQjza5uJ5p8jsn5QQB4DJOB0MmK48BaEF5xiQxmGIr5HqXYcuDBMPqe5eX4gO_AOFtmY26UidTnE9BkbA_gO3MCHbROPmpq7dOtye1HRsMG_oLBX266Kixkx1BH/s400/Summer+Tanager+frontal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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At the back of the meadow, a trail led into the woods for an entirely different set of birds. The Summer Tanager circled our heads a few times before settling into a branch above us to take a good look. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DyYx1nUM0f2uOoD_-hR8WaWMzYKi77az-5oTj7zYtzdX5CyQxJC9pHPt5Re5zWFK4KauSHEH85KYdVWk04q6D_6QeVfO7skynPic1aIUlxueB0idyRdVIAqxQwNO1bR2YP6x/s1600/Wood+Thrush+Looking+Right+950px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="950" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DyYx1nUM0f2uOoD_-hR8WaWMzYKi77az-5oTj7zYtzdX5CyQxJC9pHPt5Re5zWFK4KauSHEH85KYdVWk04q6D_6QeVfO7skynPic1aIUlxueB0idyRdVIAqxQwNO1bR2YP6x/s400/Wood+Thrush+Looking+Right+950px.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Thrush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If we hear one or two Wood Thrushes on a hike, we count ourselves lucky. But today we must have hear 6 or 8 of them, each staking out a bit of the woods for his own. We called one, and he circled quickly around our heads. And when he landed, I pulled up the camera to focus on him, but he took off just as I clicked the shutter. Dick said to pull out a picture of another bird to use as a stand-in. There used to be a website I used for short, free sound files of bird calls, but I can't find any now. My feet hurt so much, I can hardly stand. Maybe we need to be a little less ambitious about birding for a while. <i>Sigh</i>.</div>
denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-67876796231072185242020-05-13T11:01:00.000-04:002020-05-13T11:12:50.432-04:00Mystery Birds<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNpB3shyphenhyphenA9DHzsV_P5R-LLcTIH10GUaLfLopxeB0V4Dj6rrP24k7QlbjwKVpybZtfpcLoTA-7szNinyaW7VJHn2WCWFb_OM710Vz0F4MIaZu1hAQCRIx5PVWV-3fsH5-tHi7c/s1600/Black+Vulture+in+sycamore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1000" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNpB3shyphenhyphenA9DHzsV_P5R-LLcTIH10GUaLfLopxeB0V4Dj6rrP24k7QlbjwKVpybZtfpcLoTA-7szNinyaW7VJHn2WCWFb_OM710Vz0F4MIaZu1hAQCRIx5PVWV-3fsH5-tHi7c/s400/Black+Vulture+in+sycamore.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Vulture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Turkey Run Park is the third of four parks along Floyd's Fork, part of the <a href="https://www.theparklands.org/" target="_blank">Parklands of Floyd's Fork</a>. We started on a trail by the entrance which goes between a big meadow and the river, so there was lots of habitat for different birds. In the early morning, we often find roosts of 10-12 vultures, waiting for the sun to warm things up. Today, however, we only found one Black Vulture sunning himself in a big sycamore tree.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenLYHQ86txY8B1mIhIJTJqTlkyIRQgNtj-1RbzndaXe2fZDP5mCV3ohnVPwePjuIHv48tmFI1FJ3ixx4D4v68207yrgIhIoyahGUGgwZEI-MZ73AXTXnVnwsvNW2nYO6KnSZV/s1600/Common+Yellowthroat+singing+sharp+focus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenLYHQ86txY8B1mIhIJTJqTlkyIRQgNtj-1RbzndaXe2fZDP5mCV3ohnVPwePjuIHv48tmFI1FJ3ixx4D4v68207yrgIhIoyahGUGgwZEI-MZ73AXTXnVnwsvNW2nYO6KnSZV/s400/Common+Yellowthroat+singing+sharp+focus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Yellowthroat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Common Yellowthroats were <i>everywhere </i>though! We heard them calling in the grass, we heard them calling in the trees, we heard them calling on the other side of the river. This stud had no fear, and sang from out in the open from a tree right above our heads. It's surprising how many different ways they can sing "<i>witchity, witchity</i>."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB97_o_BZMHSw5julQVKjmy0eqWs1v0gZeEkmXeEpedSDY_rF__KCL3jIvj01lsqJR9zrQXZLBUkAmCA-czYwcGdSsS6fMqDPzT8On67LcmyCDsZVachZ3aIfdxrQ67zUVIAAf/s1600/Common+Yellowthroat+throat+focused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1000" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB97_o_BZMHSw5julQVKjmy0eqWs1v0gZeEkmXeEpedSDY_rF__KCL3jIvj01lsqJR9zrQXZLBUkAmCA-czYwcGdSsS6fMqDPzT8On67LcmyCDsZVachZ3aIfdxrQ67zUVIAAf/s400/Common+Yellowthroat+throat+focused.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Many warblers are bright yellow, so that color always catches my eye, since I hope to add to the list of warblers I can recognize. If you only saw his throat, you might think he was any one of several other kinds of warblers, such as Yellow, Prothonotary, Blue-winged, Kentucky, Wilsons's, or Chat. Yellow is the color of anticipation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmkb-488aMpWcORvI9F9crBak2-KrELuWFHyJ2t3elqoMv0aE1gLmGpMEPvRbRxvv3_-tK-tARvgSRkjCtdQ2Km6rYD35Qa1T72hy9Q3wszxAYJFepqi-osUnhreKjff8KWsX/s1600/Common+Yellowthroat+white+stripe+behind+mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1000" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmkb-488aMpWcORvI9F9crBak2-KrELuWFHyJ2t3elqoMv0aE1gLmGpMEPvRbRxvv3_-tK-tARvgSRkjCtdQ2Km6rYD35Qa1T72hy9Q3wszxAYJFepqi-osUnhreKjff8KWsX/s400/Common+Yellowthroat+white+stripe+behind+mask.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
When he lowers his head, though, you see his dark mask with a white brow above it. They breed all over the lower 48 states, so I guess "common" is appropriate for them. They usually like to stay down in the grass, popping up for a mere instant if something needs to be checked out.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC0V-EbyXXcZKKhSgtSKQV87YrHFT13GrI23-Y-S-o0OtLuAmotYvAtSWTrObMiwQoQISub459_AumdIy9-2_s_nj9JOdKJviqW9vi_XcVSW7Gahc5O_QezCWIISZkqvunBrI/s1600/Mystery+bird+female+Common+yellowthroat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="1000" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC0V-EbyXXcZKKhSgtSKQV87YrHFT13GrI23-Y-S-o0OtLuAmotYvAtSWTrObMiwQoQISub459_AumdIy9-2_s_nj9JOdKJviqW9vi_XcVSW7Gahc5O_QezCWIISZkqvunBrI/s400/Mystery+bird+female+Common+yellowthroat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Yellowthroat female</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This little bird popped up in the old dead stems, and we tried to identify it with no luck. This is one of the reasons I take photos, so we can try to identify them later. It's got yellow- some kind of warbler? Some of them have gray heads. Dick has started reading the Bob White Murder Mystery series by Jan Dunlap. Bob White is a high school guidance counselor who is one of the top birders in Minnesota. The problem is, he keeps finding dead bodies while out looking for birds. He suspects everyone before finally deciding who the killer really is. Fun reading, with a bird list at the end.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JK_CELRnGjylR24O_DDH-U-2DKOqWb3IjlUNpxDqO2DY92k-_Q6RfoMdRG3IKQ4eUaG_Bk0lwkgkCvKLhASwGByp2OPy7V6I1M9DtkX0etSSv6_xcjkTZyfaLjGf7rTN6HsH/s1600/Mystery+bird+with+male+Common+Yellowthroat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1000" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JK_CELRnGjylR24O_DDH-U-2DKOqWb3IjlUNpxDqO2DY92k-_Q6RfoMdRG3IKQ4eUaG_Bk0lwkgkCvKLhASwGByp2OPy7V6I1M9DtkX0etSSv6_xcjkTZyfaLjGf7rTN6HsH/s400/Mystery+bird+with+male+Common+Yellowthroat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Yellowthroat female and male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ah, but in a few minutes, we found her hopping around with a MALE Common Yellowthroat. Sure enough, when we got home and looked it up, we had found a female Common Yellowthroat. Sometimes finding the female of a species is like finding a whole new species.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUNXt-sFrrDbAhkPQflsrYGjW1CzadQs9eVmWQC3v9jZkO_Th9VFYPPUxijBQ9-_gqV-4JghYhiu6t8pSRXEPkU82H-ilMEm196YcU7Mv9Y69AtI8R6kL_vv2EKBv8655UF0P/s1600/Great+Crested+FLycatcher+in+flight+fuzzy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1000" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUNXt-sFrrDbAhkPQflsrYGjW1CzadQs9eVmWQC3v9jZkO_Th9VFYPPUxijBQ9-_gqV-4JghYhiu6t8pSRXEPkU82H-ilMEm196YcU7Mv9Y69AtI8R6kL_vv2EKBv8655UF0P/s400/Great+Crested+FLycatcher+in+flight+fuzzy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Crested Flycatcher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Great Crested Flycatcher shouted WHEEP and flew off his perch, displaying beautiful yellow underwings.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJZ12nobqZ16OBXqxbb5r-qOeMOb1X1JjZSEuuQMISiIgK_zsCjk3Sq0SSP6fXyedTImvpdDSZZt2OvPv8U4dHJSAfDsjiLDxLCjPKom5g7N6TgetJneFu0rjm9OE9UCUrcGV/s1600/Mystery+bird+slight+profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="900" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJZ12nobqZ16OBXqxbb5r-qOeMOb1X1JjZSEuuQMISiIgK_zsCjk3Sq0SSP6fXyedTImvpdDSZZt2OvPv8U4dHJSAfDsjiLDxLCjPKom5g7N6TgetJneFu0rjm9OE9UCUrcGV/s400/Mystery+bird+slight+profile.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mystery Bird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not sure what this one is. I've sent the photo to a friend for help. Sometimes a mystery bird turns out to be one I'm familiar with, just facing another angle.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOQGyxUq6Bvslhwc8_AcPlbjF7z55UHP7IGDdSKIwezNjT0FVXvlXUNQGKv5hE0Tf4t5tPue-pj9saMvj5RGmgtogEMYu04FdQq0UwCA2KPI7ABTHXwqMDyWqGFNPutyc0tBG/s1600/Mystery+Flycatcher+profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1000" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOQGyxUq6Bvslhwc8_AcPlbjF7z55UHP7IGDdSKIwezNjT0FVXvlXUNQGKv5hE0Tf4t5tPue-pj9saMvj5RGmgtogEMYu04FdQq0UwCA2KPI7ABTHXwqMDyWqGFNPutyc0tBG/s400/Mystery+Flycatcher+profile.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mystery Bird - flycatcher??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
No white on the tip of the tail. Maybe one of those look-alike flycatchers? But I didn't see it doing any flycatching behavior - out and back to the same branch.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BHVhe2ORvuZ-TQjHeyk3DtqiH4TfLROUpqpZ5er2WMNUrP6vaIDH2EndDJ3csQduvmD6340NUeWvUIlalW6v-4wWCTsSCL3z_M7y-j239AUYK1FZt3VkTFiQvjWBx0salNib/s1600/Mystery+bird+yellow+beak+downturned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1000" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BHVhe2ORvuZ-TQjHeyk3DtqiH4TfLROUpqpZ5er2WMNUrP6vaIDH2EndDJ3csQduvmD6340NUeWvUIlalW6v-4wWCTsSCL3z_M7y-j239AUYK1FZt3VkTFiQvjWBx0salNib/s400/Mystery+bird+yellow+beak+downturned.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mystery Bird - down turned beak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Well, this one posed nicely. Could it be a female warbler I'll be excited about? Or could it just be a female Goldfinch - I see some wing bars. But the beak is too thin for a Goldfinch I think. Hope my friend gets back to me soon.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBhW7V_p2_0e3HBuHXQ3OlfL5XJrZfgv0k_PkHI91kK196C1a3uzfKAUGUlLIUqPbsST3SRA4H8KkhKmgqnfodXj0eKuYSbhEGZNciHZprkI7xMWFsqrRtWT_H3JjtcBAh782/s1600/Prairie+Warbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1000" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBhW7V_p2_0e3HBuHXQ3OlfL5XJrZfgv0k_PkHI91kK196C1a3uzfKAUGUlLIUqPbsST3SRA4H8KkhKmgqnfodXj0eKuYSbhEGZNciHZprkI7xMWFsqrRtWT_H3JjtcBAh782/s400/Prairie+Warbler.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prairie Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All right. This one is definitely a warbler with black stripes, yellow and a small pointy beak. It sat still just long enough for a clear photo, and when we got home we searched all the field guides to determine that it is a Prairie Warbler. We played its song and both said, "We heard that!" Triumph at last on at least one bird!!denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-73093605435145766682020-05-12T14:43:00.000-04:002020-05-12T14:43:50.077-04:00Yellowlegs Revisited<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hw7x9nGazDU93pSXZglm-UODKimCmnscqgyA0qZ1swGKAQu7lfDS3hdnQ0wWmJTotj9GJ0fPVcL4DNPQMC-ELh3TaQSN16VMsu0entDa0KZ7THHfiLf4IVrZpbbJks_2rgmi/s1600/Lesser+Yellowlegs+1+in+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="1000" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hw7x9nGazDU93pSXZglm-UODKimCmnscqgyA0qZ1swGKAQu7lfDS3hdnQ0wWmJTotj9GJ0fPVcL4DNPQMC-ELh3TaQSN16VMsu0entDa0KZ7THHfiLf4IVrZpbbJks_2rgmi/s400/Lesser+Yellowlegs+1+in+flight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Yellowlegs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A few days ago, I was excited to see and identify Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs at Hays Kennedy Park. Yet the more I looked at my photos, the less confident I was in my evaluation. This is an ongoing process, remember.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcU9CV1nbgB0EDa-Ibvlfc3IA298FQhLQLYdknGzzwTWgXMLFeAVz1Sl8IUbCBUTdcsA0uxp5ZK5Nsp27jXqVthj_fT2pRU1RadTrRCotZvnMG0rcU-vcnBKlfNaoK3vuB5Vd/s1600/Lesser+Yellowlegs+peering+into+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1000" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcU9CV1nbgB0EDa-Ibvlfc3IA298FQhLQLYdknGzzwTWgXMLFeAVz1Sl8IUbCBUTdcsA0uxp5ZK5Nsp27jXqVthj_fT2pRU1RadTrRCotZvnMG0rcU-vcnBKlfNaoK3vuB5Vd/s400/Lesser+Yellowlegs+peering+into+water.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Yellowlegs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
MSD (the sewer people) have a flood control basin in the industrial south end of the county. It is locked up, but a few of our birders have permission, and a key, to go in there, and yesterday he sent out an email that he would be there from 4 - 6, having seen pretty good shorebirds. At the last minute, our schedule cleared up, and we rushed down around 5:30, having called another friend for directions. </div>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnxYo5ta9cOaoqcvZD4WEwCE1bQtzVgAglh6QBdctURAPOcuwUpv7Y30SMU09FnBbuer-wYNOr6tUZ6k79bFJN4AvHOxN35ZbZnasZRTVn0lqOjwQu2FPplkzbuFJYvaVMSIp/s1600/Cliff+Swallow+Face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="850" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnxYo5ta9cOaoqcvZD4WEwCE1bQtzVgAglh6QBdctURAPOcuwUpv7Y30SMU09FnBbuer-wYNOr6tUZ6k79bFJN4AvHOxN35ZbZnasZRTVn0lqOjwQu2FPplkzbuFJYvaVMSIp/s400/Cliff+Swallow+Face.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliff Swallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The first thing we noticed were <i>hundreds </i>of swallows flying and dipping down to the water <i>so fast </i>you couldn't really tell what they were. Our leader Brainard, said that all 5 kinds of swallows in Kentucky were there - Barn, Cliff, Tree, Rough-wing and Bank Swallows. I'm familiar with the Barn and Tree Swallows, but now know that the Cliff Swallow, while superficially resembling the Barn Swallow, has a light colored rump, rusty feathers that go around on his neck and a white spot on his forehead. So now I can even identify him in flight! They usually nest under a bridge at Beckley Creek.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLuarVBeezILEjwMER5JCbcIr0zHrb2XWRsjoyhBPaSobM_up0PHg5sU6_8P44OPMpdtesX4O6CRUAjScWJRVne8hmbtkL-ckB8XPIbHK8BwBt8VAqLmwCfwKEFjlJeQtVjOZ/s1600/Solitary+Sandpiper+dark+back+spots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1000" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLuarVBeezILEjwMER5JCbcIr0zHrb2XWRsjoyhBPaSobM_up0PHg5sU6_8P44OPMpdtesX4O6CRUAjScWJRVne8hmbtkL-ckB8XPIbHK8BwBt8VAqLmwCfwKEFjlJeQtVjOZ/s400/Solitary+Sandpiper+dark+back+spots.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solitary Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was cloudy and windy at Melco, not the best conditions for photography. And many birds were way, way off in the distance. But I was able to focus in on this Solitary Sandpiper, to start with. He is a darker brown with white spots on his back and a nice white eye-ring. However, he's only passing through Kentucky on his way to breed in the northlands of Canada and probably won't be here long.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cHXA_ic_xUXQo_g3sCklPXMrQC_8dISHJ-AqKwpHODk8hgkBT6Nq4TDUsCl9we7sUpKjRGc3-0Rhbr5wASX-TORdC9WMX6-Kbc-ttAVbX-V5Z5hNn_3RLbQSpGHZzMUT15nl/s1600/Greater+Yellowlegs+beak+slightly+upturned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1000" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cHXA_ic_xUXQo_g3sCklPXMrQC_8dISHJ-AqKwpHODk8hgkBT6Nq4TDUsCl9we7sUpKjRGc3-0Rhbr5wASX-TORdC9WMX6-Kbc-ttAVbX-V5Z5hNn_3RLbQSpGHZzMUT15nl/s400/Greater+Yellowlegs+beak+slightly+upturned.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Yellowlegs</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0np3heWjez3YaM8x3mIpn8DA7zdsdKBtk8xvOCJqdG9sjI-tcSosFYVDRla0S7UTJbtct8pPZ6cGXfxMFulefZSHMGiB-gcRUKHSoqe6GiFfZb7ni9AVuOaZaTUvyo90wFTYq/s1600/Greater+Yellowlegs+with+tadpole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1000" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0np3heWjez3YaM8x3mIpn8DA7zdsdKBtk8xvOCJqdG9sjI-tcSosFYVDRla0S7UTJbtct8pPZ6cGXfxMFulefZSHMGiB-gcRUKHSoqe6GiFfZb7ni9AVuOaZaTUvyo90wFTYq/s400/Greater+Yellowlegs+with+tadpole.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Yellowlegs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So while we were standing there being zoomed at by swallows, I asked Brainard about distinguishing the Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs. First, he said, we don't get as many of the Greater Yellowlegs. Good point. I saw probably 5 or 6 birds at Hays Kennedy that looked alike in photos. They have smaller, straight beaks. It's hard to tell if the bird you are looking at is really bigger, all by himself. As we walked back to the cars, he pointed out another bird, saying it was the Greater Yellowlegs. The beak is longer, and look for a slight upturn. Look at the first bird above and you can see the upturn. The second photo just shows him with a wiggling tadpole for dinner. Good. I feel better about identifying them now. All I need is a little more practice.</div>
<br />
denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29173804.post-30253009559198135582020-05-10T15:41:00.000-04:002020-05-10T15:50:29.866-04:00Leucism<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe5SASacAJugX7aUYaAkG07KU3KHYiVHAf0-lBI1rSv2FUTPElzK41YnCudC14-7zNVyBpPisvOdU4F8oIPW9UHu8MC_6MUCMFw-wT5weumJdPUmADya5y7s2yQQdkyOhikhd/s1600/Leucistic+Nuthatch+facing+left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe5SASacAJugX7aUYaAkG07KU3KHYiVHAf0-lBI1rSv2FUTPElzK41YnCudC14-7zNVyBpPisvOdU4F8oIPW9UHu8MC_6MUCMFw-wT5weumJdPUmADya5y7s2yQQdkyOhikhd/s400/Leucistic+Nuthatch+facing+left.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leucistic White-breasted Nuthatch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Nuthatch is a common bird around our backyard feeders, chowing down on sunflower seeds and peanuts in my yard, beating the seeds on a tree branch to break them open. It lives in North America all year. Its familiar call of "<i>ank-ank"</i> alerts you to its presence. The other day this unusual looking Nuthatch arrived in my yard.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW_-WSc6IXLDiftptwt8QEg5x7EXxV-bdn-GggEz3RFF7vHiVv8naqciMXPxW_YvAip-Yhcxrn_tKkgM7M_rkSSnc0K_mmJ5wrl7drY0PBR-gWzYCl8ygVGtNifUNezku2QKx/s1600/Leucistic+Nuthatch+facing+right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1000" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW_-WSc6IXLDiftptwt8QEg5x7EXxV-bdn-GggEz3RFF7vHiVv8naqciMXPxW_YvAip-Yhcxrn_tKkgM7M_rkSSnc0K_mmJ5wrl7drY0PBR-gWzYCl8ygVGtNifUNezku2QKx/s400/Leucistic+Nuthatch+facing+right.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Leucism </i>is <span class="sb-0"><span class="dt "><span class="dtText">an abnormal
condition of reduced pigmentation affecting various animals (such as
birds, mammals, and reptiles) that is marked by overall pale color or
patches of reduced coloring and is caused by a genetic mutation which
inhibits <a class="mw_t_d_link" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melanin">melanin</a> and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin. The first known use of this word was in 1878. I once saw a Canada Goose with a beige neck at the Falls of the Ohio. </span></span></span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC21J_IWHeOB1sVcbStWYy0W-WZ7Qx1y-79qnvmWVFQTTBS3HdoAfePiORWOJFlaCm3Be7YaMKTUfor7HTwSh9_e47laBAU8H_NhptKVPc2jhk-fCKrDc8Q5FDq0iDcZliWiu1/s1600/Leucistic+Nuthatch+top+of+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1000" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC21J_IWHeOB1sVcbStWYy0W-WZ7Qx1y-79qnvmWVFQTTBS3HdoAfePiORWOJFlaCm3Be7YaMKTUfor7HTwSh9_e47laBAU8H_NhptKVPc2jhk-fCKrDc8Q5FDq0iDcZliWiu1/s400/Leucistic+Nuthatch+top+of+head.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The condition doesn't seem to affect their life in any other way. They have mates and raise babies just like any other bird, as far as I know.I wonder if it is caused/related to some chemical thing humans have done to the earth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMom8ZAzmbjkUy9bL6ZQ1FiSW3aFgWJL3t0eDaKCV5V4sglqZqazVRxwukPrKnLGDOKlQ2oQ2L_K_4kKi7IawBT6-qdunAXa1f0CctuGMij644D5tDxYJL3z66SxEws1DQkky7/s1600/Leucistic+Nuthatch+with+seed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1000" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMom8ZAzmbjkUy9bL6ZQ1FiSW3aFgWJL3t0eDaKCV5V4sglqZqazVRxwukPrKnLGDOKlQ2oQ2L_K_4kKi7IawBT6-qdunAXa1f0CctuGMij644D5tDxYJL3z66SxEws1DQkky7/s400/Leucistic+Nuthatch+with+seed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9-VUw_ThpqsjBkLG-p0xg5WQjKXVAJI_XnIS28GhAXkEsJTMD-MzqvWqrMtZxyWTbbjRg3rwuwIUEBhuP2g_MiHQbNUDZLneDcU0uUZaTSGVSuoyb4Bg2ZPnkowmfAVKfneU/s1600/Cardinal+female+leucistic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="900" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9-VUw_ThpqsjBkLG-p0xg5WQjKXVAJI_XnIS28GhAXkEsJTMD-MzqvWqrMtZxyWTbbjRg3rwuwIUEBhuP2g_MiHQbNUDZLneDcU0uUZaTSGVSuoyb4Bg2ZPnkowmfAVKfneU/s400/Cardinal+female+leucistic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leucistic female Cardinal</td></tr>
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However, I wonder if this is a new condition, or if I am only more aware of it since I am a birder now. Many people have submitted photos of leucistic birds to the Kentucky Birders group.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk33toK3QRBswHe3imS0m2TEP22SX3LQjgijbnz95XNu2A203FPf620-EgF0nWim4bM_rQv_oswC9Ju_lqAomIrc6v7zhLAJA4gNBAvaBSsswXgPG0B1aNah-79pcTqYuqkX1G/s1600/Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="850" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk33toK3QRBswHe3imS0m2TEP22SX3LQjgijbnz95XNu2A203FPf620-EgF0nWim4bM_rQv_oswC9Ju_lqAomIrc6v7zhLAJA4gNBAvaBSsswXgPG0B1aNah-79pcTqYuqkX1G/s400/Grace.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grace- Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk</td></tr>
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Grace at Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky, is a leucistic Red-tailed Hawk who came for rehabilitation after a severe case of lead poisoning. She lived out by Jefferson Memorial Forest in southern Jefferson County for at least 15 years we believed, since some friends of our director had been watching her. She had a mate and raised chicks every year. Her eyes and beak are dark, and she has four little brown feathers on the back of her head. All other feathers and her feet are white. If she were albino, everything would be white and she'd have pink eyes. After her lead poisoning treatment, she could have been released, but due to her age and arthritic condition, we decided to keep her as an education bird. She seemed quite content with not having to find her own food anymore.denapplehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08430678769172400129noreply@blogger.com0