Author: Mike Dunn
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Frog Wars
The voice of the bullfrog, who calls, according to the boys, “jug-o’-rum, jug-o’-rum, pull the plug, pull the plug”… John Burroughs, 1905 On our birding trip to Ohio last week, I confirmed that I can still hear many of the warbler songs, but only if they are really close. But there is a “song” that Read more…
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Red River Gorge
The most beautiful gift of Nature is that it gives one pleasure to look around and try to comprehend what we see. ~Albert Einstein We just returned from a whirlwind trip that included stops to see my parents, two areas in Kentucky, and some birding in Ohio. We camped one night in Cumberland Gap National Read more…
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Persistent Pileated
He seldom gave more than three or four pecks at a time, and would then swing his head round to one side or the other, sometimes raising his scarlet crest. ~O. M. Bryens, on watching a pileated woodpecker feeding Spent a few days at my folk’s place in Damascus this week, enjoying the beautiful mountain Read more…
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Suet Sightings
I think the most important quality in a birdwatcher is a willingness to stand quietly and see what comes. ~Lynn Thomson This past week must have been the peak of spring migration in our woods. Every time I looked out, I saw something of interest, either just passing through among the branches, or stopping by Read more…
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Observing and Journaling in the Wilds of Eastern NC
One who reviews pleasant experiences and puts them on record increases the value of them to himself; he gathers up his own feelings and reflections, and is thereby better able to understand and to measure the fullness of what he has enjoyed. ~Sir Edward Grey I often get comments like this when I post a Read more…
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Pungo Spring
That is one good thing about this world…there are always sure to be more springs. ― L.M. Montgomery As luck would have it, I spent a few afternoons at the Pungo Unit of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge the last week or so of April. I wish I lived closer, so I could make more Read more…
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A Month for Songs
The air is like a butterfly With frail blue wings. The happy earth looks at the sky And sings. ~Joyce Kilmer, Spring Sipping my coffee with the cool air coming in the window before sunrise this morning, I can hear the first songs of the new day – a northern cardinal, a late spring peeper, Read more…
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Eggs in the Yard
Notice the small things. The rewards are inversely proportional. ~Liz Vassey While sitting out in the yard last week, we noticed a butterfly flitting around a few plants at the edge of the woods, a flight pattern that usually indicates it is a female looking for a place to lay an egg. The butterfly was Read more…
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Roses in the Yard
Seen upon the ground, the dark bird is scarcely attractive with his clumsy beak overbalancing a head that protrudes with stupid-looking awkwardness; but as he rises into the trees his lovely rose-colored breast and under-wing feathers are seen, and before he has had time to repeat his delicious, rich-voiced warble you are already in love Read more…
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Roads End Naturalist 