Category: Attracting Wildlife
-
Pretty in Pink
In nature, light creates the color. In the picture, color creates the light. ~Hans Hofmann This past weekend was beautiful…cold, but beautiful. I had planned a trip south for some bird photography, but came down with a lousy cold, so I decided to stay home. At least I could gaze out the windows at the Read more…
Written by
-
Caught in the Act
If they aren’t the cutest critters and the perfect poster-child for vernal pool protection, I just don’t know what is! ~David Markowitz describing Spotted Salamanders A friend and fellow naturalist came by this weekend and we went out Saturday night to have a look at the small pool out in the front yard. It is Read more…
Written by
-
Finch Findings, Part 2
Here are the long overdue results of the winter finch quiz from my last post, Finch Findings. On a less pleasing visual note…while photographing the finches last month, I noticed something I see every few years in the House Finches I encounter. One finch landed and looked over his shoulder. After I snapped a quick Read more…
Written by
-
Finch Findings
This winter’s theme is a “mixed bag” of finch movements. ~Ron Pittaway, Ontario Field Ornithologists After seeing the first Purple Finches at my feeder a few weeks ago, I started searching online for some information. I ran across one of those interesting combinations of technology and old-fashioned field observations that seems so common in the Read more…
Written by
-
A Well-named Bird
…he wears a coat of the purest, richest, and most gorgeous blue on back, wings, and tail; he carries on his back the blue of heaven and the rich brown of the freshly turned earth on his breast… ~Arthur Cleveland Bent, in Life Histories of Familiar North American Birds, 1949. I finally had a chance Read more…
Written by
-
Monday Moths
The more you know, the more beautiful everything is. ~George Santayana I awoke early this morning, too early. What to do? I looked out and saw a moth at the lighted kitchen window. My brain drifts to my recent sightings of moths and their seemingly endless variety. Perhaps I will learn a new one today. Read more…
Written by
-
Garden Glimpses
Each day has its own beauty, and a mindful attitude enables us to discover the awe and wonder of each moment. ~Stephen Hatch I’ve been back from Yellowstone about a month now. It took me a couple of weeks to go through my images and post blogs on the trip. I just finished that process Read more…
Written by
-
Garden Birds – Summer Tanager
The summer red bird arrives sometimes in the latter part of April, and all through the summer his scarlet form enlivens and presents a beautiful contrast to the green foliage. ~J.W.P. Smithwick, The Birds of Bertie County, NC, In The Wisconsin Naturalist (a monthly magazine), 1890 The tanagers are back! I wonder if Northern Cardinals Read more…
Written by
-
Garden Birds – Rose-breasted Grosbeak
One attraction in coming to the woods to live was that I should have leisure and opportunity to see the spring come in. ~Henry David Thoreau Perhaps he meant to say… one attraction in retiring was that I should have leisure and opportunity to see the spring come in. I have lived in the woods Read more…
Written by
-
In the Belly of a Bluebird
The Bluebird Carries the Sky on His Back. ~Henry David Thoreau I probably have used that famous HDT quote before in a post, but it is so apt. Although the color of a male is so intense this time of year that it exceeds even a perfect Carolina blue sky. Bluebirds are among the most Read more…
Written by
Roads End Naturalist 