Addicted to Spring
Waterfowl and Gulls at Chautauqua Lake
I am addicted to this spring time sunshine and ended up with 7 first of the years birds to report this weekend! CHEERS! Patty has been showing me all of the hot spots around Chautauqua Lake and although we were not successful in relocating the Tundra Swan she had earlier in the day . . . . . we still had a great time together on the outlet!
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Hungry White-tailed Deer
White-tailed Deer
Over the winter the White-tailed Deer have been feeding on seeds, pine needles and other leafy buds that they have encountered. Now that the snow is slowly melting, we are finding the deer more visible and spending a great deal to time feeding on the grasses that are being exposed again. I have noticed over the past few days they have allowed me the opportunity approach closer than I can normally get without spooking them. I figured these pictures of these deer eating would be perfect for a night that I am out enjoying the most perfect Friday Night Dinner! (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!
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Blog Achievement [300,000 views]
It is hard to believe that with all my babbling I do on this blog . . . you guys keep returning to hear about my adventures! I am honored that you have helped me make the 300,000 view achievement in about 2 1/2 years!
THANK YOU FRIENDS!
Where is my Red-breasted Nuthatch?
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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My Moo’s
I just love my moo cards!
Yesterday I got my new moo cards in the mail.
So . . . . . do you moo?
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]
White Admiral
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
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!
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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!
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Happy Valentines Day
Tree Swallows
Happy Valentines Day everyone . . . . This is a day for spending time with your love ones!
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Friday the 13th
Snow covered woods!
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
Charles Darwin
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!
Horned Grebe photo from 2007
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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Mon@rch's Nature Blog 