Technology Changing Our Lives!
What are computers doing to us and has it changed our lives? As technology change . . . . we find our lives evolving into a world where it is almost impossible to live without a computer. We are now paying all our bills online, ordering movies online (netflix) and our primary way of communicating with friends is online (hello . . . I am a blogger). Ten years ago, I would have never thought “this” is what our world would be like that we lived in! This morning I saw a post from Tonia on insomnia and for some reason her post has been on my mind all day long (which has involved into this post). Before computers took over my life. . . I never had any problems sleeping and I was always awake before the birds started singing! I find it harder and harder each day trying to fall asleep, which has resulted in the desire to sleep longer! Do I have insomnia or is it my many hours of being on the computer just screwing with my brain??
That’s me checking flickr through my phone!
Bird Banding News!
Female Brown-headed Cowbird
My friend Jen from “A Passion for Nature” solved her banded bird mystery yesterday! If you are interested in learning about about her amazing “find” . . . . please visit her post!! Don’t you love science?
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Leap Day
Eastern Cottontail
This Eastern Cottontail can be found looking for grasses and clovers out in some pasture or shrubby habitat. This cute little guy has long ears, reddish/brown hair and a small white fluffy tail. So, when I think of something leaping . . . I think of the Eastern Cottontail!! Once every 4 years there are 29 days in February instead of 28 days and that extra day is called a leap day (which is this Friday). I would like to think this extra “LEAP” day is more about our hair friend than having spring arriving one day later than normal! (more…)
Redheads
Redhead
The Redhead is another locally common winter visitor along the Great Lakes but inland where I am located . . . . once again they are not as common. Whenever Redheads are located in my county they are typically during the peak waterfowl season (Mid-late March) with only one or two individuals being found. I was very delighted finding them swimming with the Canvasbacks and Scaup species last Wednesday which are reported as being frequently found diving together. I didn’t see that many Redheads but there were enough to capture a few photos for me to do another species profile. (more…)
Canvasback
Canvasback
The canvasback is a local migrant who breed mainly in western North American. They can be quite numerous in there wintering waters but inland where I am located . . . . they are not as common. As a result you can understand how pleased I was to see these guys on Lake Erie last Wednesday. They are typically very skittish but there were a few who let me get close before swimming away. (more…)
This Weeks Bird Updates
Scaup Pair (Greater-Lesser I have no clue)
This was such a wonderful bird week that I needed to catch everyone up with my first for 2008 finds! With spring being only a month away . . . it was very apparent that birds are starting to work there way through the area.
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Yes . . . A Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
This week Young Naturalist J was off from school (winter break) and once I learned the crew would be out trying to band Short-eared Owls . . . I just knew we had to go. Weather was a little iffy but the great banding team did a wonderful job getting everything set up! (more…)
Red Tailed Hawk [Poem]
Red tailed Hawk
Her shrill “kee-er-r-r” startles the air
The raptor soars above Allegany State Park
Her span of wings
floats on warm push of thermal column
Her fanned-out tail glows from the solar cauldron
The God-hawk radiates over the Cosmos
By: Maxwell Corydon Wheat, Jr ©
Movement of Northern Saw-whet Owls
Northern Saw-whet Owl and the moon!
I am soo excited; I don’t know where to start. . . . ! Have you ever wondered where the bird you are looking at has been or where they are going? Previously I have discussed some interesting banding recoveries where I recorded two different Black-capped Chickadees who moved 3350 feet from their breeding territory to where they had been wintering (these were my own recaptured birds). I have also discussed on numerous occasions some exciting banding nights where I recaptured some foreign recaptured Northern Saw-whet Owls that had been previously banded by another bander. I am proud to announce that “today” I received a report that another bird bander recaptured one of my Northern Saw-whet Owl last fall (the first time this has ever happened to me, yah!!)!!
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Sunbathing Phoebe
It has been a while since I have posted any Phoebe pictures! Yesterday with perfect lighting . . . I just wanted to photograph everything I saw (including my cats)! Lazy was a little camera shy and hid once I pulled my camera out! Phoebe just didn’t want me blocking the sun!! (more…)
Sunny Nature Hike
White-breasted Nuthatch
I enjoyed a wonderful sunny nature hike in Allegany State Park today. It was wonderful seeing people hiking, ice fishing, sledding, cross-country skiing and even those that were out on snowmobiles. Even more pleasant was seeing many of those enjoying nature with their children and pulling the kids away from the computer games for a few hours.
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Summer Insects [videos]
Birdclub meeting this evening and not sure when I will be posting again! (edit: decided not to go at the last second! It’s snowing and the roads are not that good. Looks like a Netflix and catch up with LOST that I missed last night) So, here are a few videos that I would like to share with everyone! So, put your feet up . . . its Friday! (more…)
Where Adult Butterflies Winter
Fallen into the snow!
When temperatures reach – 0°F you don’t expect to find any adult butterflies in your back yard. Ok, here is my story . . . Yesterday I planned on starting a fire in the fireplace to help defray the cost of my gas bill (because temperatures are soo cold). I brought my first load of wood into the house and then returned for my second load! I notice in the white snow something that looked exactly like a butterfly standing up! Naa, it had to be bark right? Nope, with a closer inspection it was an Eastern Comma that fallen out of the woodpile and into the snow! (more…)
The Banding [part 2]
Short-eared Owls amazing face pattern
Yesterday’s post was about the excitement of catching these two Short-eared Owls . . . Today I will be writing about the banding process, transmitter and releasing the owls (and a few cool photos). (more…)
Second Try! [Part 1]
Short-eared Owl in flight
I have learned that if you first don’t succeed . . . . try, try again!! Yesterday Jennifer from A Passion for Nature and I decided to head up to Buffalo for another attempt at Short-eared Owl banding with State Biologist Chuck Rosenburg from the Department of Environmental Conservation. You might remember my last trip a few weeks ago with many great views and two “almost” catches!!! Although seeing these amazing birds flying around is fun . . . our primary mission was watching them being banded. The question is: will we catch something?? (more…)
Red-winged Blackbird [video]
Female Red-winged Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbirds are typically found nesting near water or directly in the cat-tails marshes, large grasses or low trees but the nest can also be found in unexpected areas like upland fields or pastures. I found this perfect blackbird nest in the grasses while looking for butterflies in the “Bobolink field” a few summers ago. Just as I looked down at the nest (with camera in hand) both parents decided to give me a friendly greeting . . . . (more…)
Brown Creeper [Poem]
Brown Creeper
with long claws
stiff bracing tail
spirals up oak
curved slender bill
probes for beetles
Suddenly, the Sharp-shin
The small bird is no where
The accipiter has passed
A piece of bark is on the move again
By: Maxwell Corydon Wheat, Jr © (more…)
Opossum [video]
Daylight Opossum playing possum
Today I found an Opossum foraging for food along the roadside. Typically I find them during night time hours, so I used this opportunity to try and capture a little video of this ugly guy! I approached very slowly and because it was soo focused on gathering food . . . it did not notice me for about 5 or so minutes. I observed it feeding on something in the grass but couldn’t tell exactly what it was (assuming some kind of grub). I made a little noise to get its attention and then it suddenly played possum! I took a few photos and after backing off some, it came back to life. It showed me its teeth and then decided to run away! The Opossum was still observed foraging in the same field when I returned 15 minutes later to point him out to someone. (more…)
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 