Groundhogs Day 2014 in Allegany State Park
To all my blogging friends; I Allegany Tom on the 2nd of February 2014, did not see my shadow when I woke up this morning (actually had snow falling and was a whiteout). I predict that spring will come early this year.
(more…)
Eastern Mole
Found an Eastern Mole dead in the road today. I forgot how big these guys are. It has been a few years since I can remember seeing one.
    Subscribe to Mon@rch |
All Rights Reserved ©2006-2013 |
Nature Haikus – Whales
By Young Naturalist C
Whales
Giant sea vessels
Traveling through large oceans
Singing as they swim
Southern Outdoor Experience
Patty Self Portrait in the Blind
Our Texas trip originated after Patty won a hunting trip for two at the 2009 Deerassic Classics Outdoor Expos last summer. I remember walking by the booth and seeing the Southern Outdoor Experience logo saying “Out of all the hunting shows on TV, this is the one show that I actually remembered watching ”!! We decided to stop at the booth to chat with the producers and I decided to purchased one of their hats. Southern Outdoor Experience had an amazing raffle for a 3 days trophy hunt for two in Texas, to get completely outfitted (clothing), a new riffle and scope. I noticed Patty and her mother were quickly filling their names on a few raffle tickets.
(more…)
My Texas Deer
White-tailed Deer
The White-tailed Deer and Axis Deer were the primary deer species found on the Canyon Ranch in Sonora, Texas. During our visit the White-tailed Deer were in rut (mating season) and we had many opportunities to find bucks sparring (fighting) each other over different female territories. Watching these bucks were absolutely amazing and you could easily observe which deer were higher up in the pecking order. When a dominant buck walked into a feeding station, you would find all other deer backing away from the feeders.
(more…)
Jack Rabbit [Wordless Wednesday]
Jack Rabbit
I would sneak up on this rabbit in Texas on the ranch and take a few pictures before it would run away. Sneak up on it again . . . . it happened multiple times!! Happy Wordless Wednesday!!
(more…)
Groundhogs Day 2010
Marshmallow the Albino Woodchuck
To all my Blogging friends; I Allegany Tom on the 2nd of February 2010 did not see my shadow when I woke up this morning. I predict that spring will come early this year!! I just love this holidays and on a side note . . . . Punxstawney Phil did see his shadow this morning! He is predicting that there will be “six more weeks of winter”!!
We make it to the Ranch
Windmill
After a quick Dairy Queen visit we finally arrived at Rocksprings to meet our 3 guides who would be taking everyone around for the next few days. The vehicles got filled up with gas and Patty headed over to the local grocery store for her hunting license. We then drove northwest . . . . drove some more. . . and drove a little longer than expected . . . . everyone showed great calmness as soon as we turned into the Canyon Ranch gate. We couldn’t believe our eyes and this ranch was more beautiful than we had ever imagined it being.
(more…)
Baby Skunk
Baby Eastern Skunk running away!
This is a few photos of a baby skunk that was wondering around this summer!
(more…)
Meadow Vole
Sniff Sniff
Many times people bring me the strangest things for a number of reasons . . . 1) to help identify . . . 2) they are injured and needs to be rehabilitated or 3) they have no clue what to do with it! Late last spring/early summer someone had brought me this cute Meadow Vole because they found it stuck in the dog food container. I held onto it for a short time (to capture a few pictures and observe) before releasing it in the back yard!! These are just a few of the photos that I captured!
(more…)
New Trail Camera
Deer eating an apple!
I have been playing with my new trail camera that I purchased a few weeks ago! These are only a few pictures that I captured from the weekend!
(more…)
Baby Fox Cuteness
Baby Red Fox
Had the opportunity to photograph some baby Red Foxes this evening from my vehicle! It was cloudy from a storm moving into the area and all of the pictures needed some cropping . . . reason the photos were not perfect! But they were a blast to watch!
(more…)
Happy Earth Day
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker by Pat Coate
I hope everyone has a great Happy Earth Day . . . . Year . . . . Life! Remember Earth Day isn’t just one day of the year. . . . . it is how you should live every day! (more…)
Non-birds at Chincoteague
Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is known for its ponies and its migratory birds but having such outstanding habitat on the island, you would expect to find some other hidden treasures!! The first hidden treasure can be easily locate on Chincoteague and called the Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel. This squirrel has been recognized as a subspecies of the fox squirrel and is listed on the endangered species list. I found it interesting that the Delmarva name come from where these squirrels had first originated: Delaware, Maryland and Virginia! I think they are adorable little squirrels to me!
(more…)
Ponies at Chincoteague [Video]
Chincoteague Ponies
Who doesn’t visit Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and not want to see the Chincoteague Ponies? I assume this is every little girls dream to see these horses Ponies!! I have never read any of the Misty books but they sure have impacted many people’s lives when they were kids. I feel that I must have missed something after visiting this amazing place!
(more…)
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge [Day 2]
Foggy Lighthouse Showing the Way
Saturday morning started with Marg and I showing up to the 6:30am bird walk and the walk being obviously canceled due to the down pouring rain. Quickly the heavy fog rolled in for most of the day and I struggled with spending my available birding time capturing photos in the fog. It was still a great bird day with many first of the years birds and another lifer to add to my list!
(more…)
Balls of Fuzz
Muskrat
It was such a beautiful day out today with warmer sun-rays striking my face! I enjoyed a spectacular walk around Red House Lake and it seemed like the Chipmunks were dancing around their holes saying hello!! This was my first of the year Eastern Chipmunk for me (CHECK) . . . . about time they wake up!
(more…)
First Bat of the Year
Big Brown Bat
Temperatures have been in the 40’s°F over the past few days and I am sure that all critters have been enjoying the melting snow. Today I had a report from a friend that they saw their first Chipmunk and many others reported skunks being seen (or smelled) around their homes! I noticed that many of us humans have also been celebrating these wonderful signs of spring and that is exactly what happened with Adele, Young Naturalist C, Young Naturalist E and myself this evening! While dodging perfectly packed snowballs flying through the air . . . . . . . we looked up into the sky and Adele yelled “BAT”!! OMG . . . we only saw it for two passes but that was a Big Brown Bat flying around the lights! (CHECK) my first Big Brown Bat for 2009!
(more…)
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!
(more…)
Raccoon enjoying rose hips
Raccoon
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!
(more…)
Deer Watching
White-tailed Deer
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!
(more…)
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 