Where is my Red-breasted Nuthatch?
I find myself accustom to certain species of birds being at my feeders and take pride in finding them each day. Many of these birds are my neighbors that live here year-round and I know that because they have bands placed on their legs. One of these regulars was a family of Red-breasted Nuthatches that I could always rely on squeaking its way to the sunflower seeds.
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Nothing new along the Allegheny

Hooded Merganser photo from 2008
I made a quick stop for ducks along the Allegheny River today. Still waiting for many of the migrants to arrive but I did get some Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Buffleheads, Mallards, and Black Ducks.
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What is your favorite Micro-blog [poll]

Micro-blogging has taken over the world and of course I am just starting to explore Facebook and Twitter to help promote this blog! You might ask what is Micro-blogging? It is another obsessive way of communicating with people that you grew up with and/or with great blogging friends like yourself! Unlike my traditional blog (Mon@rch Nature Blog) you will find yourself sending short messages to all of your contacts (or friends) about this or that! “Tom is sick of the snow”, “Tom has a Chickadee’s scolding him right now”, “Tom loves people subscribing to his micro-blogs” etc. . . My blackberry has never been so busy as it is now with the enjoyment of hearing the new things happening from all my Micro-blogging friends!
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Niagara Park Butterfly Conservatory
I visited the Niagara Park Butterfly Conservancy back in 2002 and enjoyed seeing these great butterflies up close. What I remember most was that the building was soo humid that I had a hard time capturing these pictures with my point and shoot camera (the lens kept fogging up). But there were turtles in the ponds and butterflies landing all over people. If you are ever in Niagara Falls Canada . . . . you must visit this amazing place.
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Nature Haikus – Fish
By Young Naturalist C
Fish
Swimming in the sea
Fish of different colors
Shiny and slimy
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Following Mammal Tracks in the Snow

Mouse tracks and Queen Ann’s Lace!
This time of the year I find my blogging opportunities are a bit more limited than during the summer months and I am looking down more than up into the tree tops! This weekend with the fresh snow on the ground, I never anticipate the many opportunities to find some exciting animal prints!
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Photo Stories [Wordless Wednesday]
Sometimes a photo can tell a story without using any words. Here is a series of Butterfly photos that I took and doesn’t need a description.
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Raccoon enjoying rose hips
I took advantage of the Presidents Day holiday to walk around Allegany State Park in search of something to photograph. Chickadees and Juncos were the most commonly found birdies flittering around Red House Lake (but I could not find any Crossbills). Along ASP Rt2, I located this blackish-gray thing up in a shrub and instantly squealed my breaks for a better look!
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Deer Watching
I was delighted to find some White-tailed Deer lounging around in Allegany State Park today. When I first approached they were feeding in a wet spot in the woods. Anticipating them running away . . . they did the absolute opposite and one at a time laid down in the snow. I happen to be in the right position to capture a few pictures before thanking them and waving good bye. I love sunny days like this!
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Happy Valentines Day
Happy Valentines Day everyone . . . . This is a day for spending time with your love ones!
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Friday the 13th
Yesterday we had some mixed rain/ice/snow that blanked the area which might have resulted in the crash of Flight 3407! What a tragic event and my heart go out to the families of the victims.
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Charles Darwin’s 200th Birthday
Thursday (Feb 12, 2009) is Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday! Happy Birthday Chuck! I had to pull my dust covered copy out today and do a little celebrating! NPR has also been celebrating his birthday with many great discussions and stories!
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Grebe and Crossbill weekend!
This warm weekend had me attempting to do a little birding! Was able to find my first of the year Horned Grebe (CHECK) on the Allegheny River while in town yesterday! Many Black Ducks, Mallards and Common Mergansers were also found in the area! (more…)
Nature Haikus – Ducks
By Young Naturalist C
Ducks
Take-off formation
Flap, flapping in the daytime
Quaking all day long
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Don’t Move Firewood [Videos]
You might ask “why is this nature blogger nagging everyone about firewood”? Back in December the state passed a new regulation on the movement of firewood and I am afraid that this new rule will be ignored or forgotten by the next person who enjoys their campfire! I am now doing my part in helping everyone understand why it is dangerous to move firewood long distances!! (more…)
Singing Junco
What does spring mean to you??? . . . . when do you consider it the first day of spring??? Allegany Tom says “six more weeks of winter” . . . . threecollie brings up a good point “You know we will always have six more weeks up here”! Very true my friend! Another good friend of mine believes that Groundhogs Day should be the first day of spring . . . . why?? . . . it is when you start to notice the birds behaving differently!
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Groundhogs Day
To all my blogging friends; I Allegany Tom on the 2nd of February 2009 saw my shadow when I woke up this morning. I predict that we will have 6 more weeks of winter!!
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Blue Jays at my feeders!

Blue Jay Smiling for the Camera
This year the Blue Jays appear to be a little too abundant at my feeders and it never seemed to be that way previously. I think my kitties don’t mind the stunning blue colors flashing past the window since I always find them chattering among themselves. Hmm maybe they are cussing the Blue Jays out saying “stop being so greedy”?? Greedy . . . that is an understatement and not only do they grab all the seeds but on occasion you find them stashing the seeds in different hiding places!
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