Gone to the Birds

Recently, my husband and I made a trip to Lake Guntersville State Park in northern Alabama, along with my brother and sister-in-law.  It was my first trip to that specific location but bro and sis had camped there numerous times over the years. 


If you recall, in April 2011, numerous tornadoes tore through north Alabama, wreaking havoc on many cities and towns.  One of the locations hit was this park.  It was so sad to see the damage that still remains, even though cleanup and recovery work has been ongoing since the event. 

This is part of the campground that in its normal state would be covered with an assortment of tall hardwood and pine trees, providing welcome shade to summertime campers.  There are very few trees left standing in the campground.  Other areas of the park were hit also, and although a lot of the downed timber has been removed, there's still lots left.


In spite of the devastation around us, we enjoyed the weekend together.  Except for the drive up, the weather was beautiful, although very cold.  We went up as part of the Eagle Festival that takes place yearly.  The eagles were not nearly as plentiful this year as some, most likely due to the mild winter throughout the country.  But, we did see a few and did see a nest site which we learned had three eaglets in it.    I'm sorry I can't show you pictures of those eagles, but my camera lens is just too short to show anything but a speck. 


On Saturday night, we attended a program by S.O.A.R.  (Save Our Avian Resources), a non-profit entity dedicated to the protection, rehabilitation and conservation of all American raptors.  See their link here.  http://www.soarraptors.org/

While I have seen most of the birds in the wild, it was a treat to see them up close and personal during the flight demonstrations. 

Barn Owl 

Red-Tailed Hawk 

Black Vulture 

Bald Eagle 

Bald Eagle 

There were several other birds of prey in the program as well.  All of these birds came to the organization either through injury or through too strong human habituation and, thus, are unable to survive in the wild.  The eagle, for instance, has only one wing due to being shot.  The left wing was amputated but otherwise, he thrives.  All the birds were fascinating, including the black vulture which would follow the lady around like a puppy!


As they finished each segment, the bird was brought around the room so that everyone could get a good closeup look.  I sat there near to tears at seeing the beauty of these magnificent creatures no more than two feet from my face.


With the unusually mild weather all over the country, I'm afraid that the spring migration may be disrupted.  Ah, well. I will enjoy it whenever it occurs and I'd encourage all of you to step outside and take notice.    


Y'all take care.  

Bits and Pieces

Anybody want to see a funky chicken?    I'm participating in a block of the month sew along using Sindy Rodenmeyer patterns. 

He's not finished yet.  I still have to put the borders on the block.  I've decided that I will use all stash and scraps to make these blocks.  I did have to buy the background because I couldn't find anything I was satisfied with in the stash. 


Went on a birding trip to Baldwin County, Alabama on Saturday.  Way too many people along which impeded the purpose of the trip -- to see birds!   At any rate, the highlight of the day was seeing a Black Chinned Hummingbird that is wintering in Foley, Alabama.  This a western hummer that normally winters in western Mexico.  Others also saw a female rufous hummingbird, but although I saw it flying, I didn't get enough of a look at it to say that I saw it.   You can see a picture of the black chinned HERE.


On a message board I frequent, there has been a discussion about regrowing celery and other vegetables from the tops or bottoms.  In my case, I cut off the bottom portion of a celery stalk and put it in water for a few days.  It started growing within about three days.  After a few more days, I potted it up and it is sitting outside on the patio.   Growing like crazy!!!   Its going to be very interesting to see how this develops.  I had already used most of the stalk before I did this, so I wonder what the difference would be had I cut the bottom off the whole stalk?   


Off to a sit 'n sew with friends this afternoon.  


Y'all take care. 

He's BAAACK!!!!

The big boy is back!!  Birds were flitting about and eating and just having a good old time when this adult cooper's hawk swooped in and landed just about ten feet from the feeder.  Needless to say, the rest of the birdies scattered quickly. 

This time, though, he only hung around for about 20 minutes before leaving.  He didn't seem to be disturbed by me easing out onto the patio so I could get a better shot of him.  Normally, I get these shots through some less than clean (ahem!) windows.  


I seem to be in the doldrums these days.  No great ambition to do much of anything or to undertake a project.  I did, however, attend a tai chi class last Monday night and loved it.  I've never been exposed to any of the ancient arts or participated in any of them, so I was unsure of what to expect.  The instructor is a very down to earth woman and I'm going to give it a whirl for a bit and see how things go.  


For a number of months, I've been very sporadically working on a charity quilt from donated fabrics.  I've not been impressed with the fabric quality and was not enthused about making it.  However, I've got those squares together and I am surprised at how much I like it! Still have to figure out and attach borders, of course, but it'll get done.  I'd really like to get this little project out of the house because I'm tired of looking at it.


Until I can get myself out of the doldrums.....


Y'all take care

Bird Stuff

Winter has arrived in the sunny south.  We've had our chilly nights of below freezing temperatures, with hard freezes more inland, but commencing today things should be a bit more toward normal. 


Yesterday morning, after sleeping in as usual, I pulled open the blinds to notice a wandering kitty on our patio.  Then as I looked up into the trees, I commended to myself, oh that's a big bird.  OH!!!  that's a cooper's hawk!!!!   It was sitting on the limb behind one of the bird feeders preening.  I quickly ran for my camera. 

After five minutes or so there, he hopped a couple of times and finally came to rest on a limb of a pine tree about 25 feet off the ground, and right next to the trunk.  It was a sunny, cold day with considerable wind and I think he found the perfect place for a good rest in the sun.  Much to my amazement, he stayed in the pine tree for over four hours!!!!   My guess is that he had already had a meal when I first saw him, thus the preening, and then the long rest period.  Needless to say, I had no other birds in the yard while he was here.


Finally, he left the yard and the other birds started returning and feeding.  Today, they're back in full force.  I'm hoping that this cold front is bringing all the winter visitors that normally show up.  Thus far, there haven't been very many.


It is very apparent that there is plenty of natural food sources for birds and animals this year.  We had a bumper crop of acorns, all the holly trees have tons of berries, the yaupon are covered as well as all the other shrubs that contribute as food sources. 

I'm thinking that the abundance of natural foods is a primary factor in the lack of birds at the feeders. 


Last week, I also went back up to Blackwater on one of our survey trips.  We were joined by the biologist in charge of the red cockaded woodpecker project there.  One of our cohorts, Larry, volunteers with her every week on the project also.  At any rate, the six of us proceed to engage in a sparrow stomp, of sorts.  I had never done such a thing, but was game.  The idea is to form a circle around an area where a specific sparrow has been seen and then gradually close the circle.  Ideally, you would have enough folks to create a human "wall" around the bird and thus cause it to simply hop up on a bush and survey the surroundings but not have an opening to fly away.  Then everyone should have a chance to see the bird in question.  Well, six people do not make a human wall!!  


I had spotted a small bird near a hammock, and called everyone over.  We proceeded to try the stomp and were able to get the bird up where all could see.  It was a Sedge Wren which, although not unknown in the forest, is not common. 

Sedge Wren -- photo by Larry Goodman 

It was a treat to see this little guy.  Now, getting to him was another story.  Even though on the surface the forest looks level and all nice, don't you believe it!!!    These guys are found in very damp areas, and the wiregrass grows in huge clumps which makes for very uneven walking.  Also, the burned over areas also leave soft spots where roots or stumps have burned out.  If you step on one of those spots, you can sink down anywhere from a few inches to a couple of feet.  Caution was the order of the day.  However, we persevered and made several rounds.  At another location, we attempted the same and flushed the sparrow we were tracking, but never did get a sufficient look to identify him.  Finally, we admitted defeat and quit, to move on to other areas. 


Next day, I paid for all the stomping and tromping around.  My legs were so sore from all that unevenness!  Even Birdlady suffered the same effects.


When we arrived at Hurricane Lake to check on the ducks and other waterfowl, we were treated to a major surprise.  I spotted an eagle soaring overhead and shortly he was joined by two others.  Then in a few minutes, four more came soaring by!!   This is twice that Birdlady and I have seen seven eagles at Hurricane Lake.  Believe me, that is not ordinary.  


Adventures like these and the surprises are part of the reasons why birding is so enjoyable to me.  Besides the fact that the birds themselves are so fascinating and beautiful.  If you've never taken the time to look closely at the birds in your area, take a minute to really see them.  They are truly marvels. 


Y'all take care. 

A Wonderful Day

What a wonderful day.  I have the beauty of flowers to see, the sound of rain to hear, good food to taste, laughter of friends and the company of my wonderful husband.  And I'm thankful for all my blessings on this day. 

A late Merry Christmas to all and a wish for a New Year filled with happiness and good health.

Y'all take care.  

I Played Santa

Took a little road trip earlier this week to deliver the quilts I'd made for my siblings.  I think they were all suitably surprised and pleased.  It made me feel really good to be able to give them something so totally unexpected.  However, since I made a quilt for brother # 4 last year, he didn't get another one this year.  That's just the way it is -- I'm not that magnanimous!  

For my sister-in-law, widow of oldest brother

For Sister # 1

For brother # 3

For brother # 2

Brother # 4 (Last Year)

For Sister # 2

It was very nice for me to get to see all my brothers and sisters within a few days before Christmas.  I spent Monday night with one brother and then Tuesday night with a different brother.   


I haven't sewn a stitch since I finished the last binding!! 


Merry Christmas to all of you.  I wish you Peace. 


Y'all take care. 

Riding and Swimming

Oh, my!  How the time has flown.  There's been lots of activity around our house and we've been on the road, too.   Only one day after I returned from the quilting retreat, we took off to Iowa to visit the kids for Thanksgiving.  Although we were gone over two weeks, we were very busy the whole time.  That 1072 mile trip (one way) seems to get longer each time we make it.  Thankfully, we did not have any weather issues to contend with.  


After spending the holiday weekend with the kids, I took off to Minneapolis to visit an old friend.  I sure do miss that woman.  We've been through a lot together in the past 25 years or so.  Her new love is riding.  She took me to the stables with her for her lesson on English riding and dressage.  She's looking into buying her own horse and had one at the stables "on loan" while deciding whether to buy or not.  He is a gorgeous animal but is absolutely huge.  Not fat, but very tall at 16.3 hands.  

Here's my friend standing behind the horse.  She's about 5'9" and you can't even see her head over his withers.  Can see only the very top of her helmet.

Ollie is a beautiful thoroughbred.  Tall but very narrow, so don't know if he will work out for her in the long run or not.  May not be the right fit physically.

That is not the most technically beautiful photograph but it shows the horse's lines. 


On our way home, I spied a flock of wild swans and just had to stop for some pictures. 

Bottoms up!!!

The visit was way too short but you take what you can get. 


Y'all take care.