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”!!
Lark Buntings in Texas
Lark Bunting
Found this Lark Bunting in its basic plumage which has a “sparrow-like” appearance to it. This wasn’t an easy bird to identify and I spent more time studying the pictures of these birds than any other birds on my Texas trip. Lark Bunting – LIFER (CHECK)!!
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Woodpeckers on the Ranch
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
The first morning on the Texas Ranch was exciting and after lunch everyone was chatting about the animals that were found around the hunting blinds. A few of us were sitting under this large tree in the back yard when Patty asked about woodpeckers . . . . . most specifically the Ladder-backed Woodpecker. We were using our BirdsEye application (on our iPhone) and noticed it had been seen recently within the area. Then within 15 minutes I said “Patty come look at this bird . . . . I think this is your woodpecker”!! Sure enough the Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Lifer –CHECK) made an appearance as if to say “here I am”!!
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My Blunch Lifers
Prickly Pear
After breakfast I was walking around with Patty and her brother who were telling me about the deers they encountered that morning. I noticed this large bird in the distance and quickly pulled the binoculars up . . . could it have been?? (more…)
Friendly Wren
Carolina Bewick’s Wren
The first morning on the ranch brought us an amazing sunrise and an outstanding day to be out looking for lifers! I didn’t know what to expect and found myself trying to carefully analyze each bird encounter. Are those House Finch really House Finch?? . . . . . then using my field guide and iPhone app . . . what other options could this bird be??
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Texas Sunrise [Wordless Wednesday]
Sunrise started with a purple sky!
I have never seen such an amazing Sunrise as I did the first morning on the Ranch!!
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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.
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First findings in Texas
Northern Mockingbird
We arrived in Waco Texas around 2am in the morning and we had not seen our first Texas bird until we woke up that morning. Patty said “can you hear the birdies outside??” . . . . scratching my head and not knowing the bird dialect that I was hearing. I walked outside and found this Northern Mockingbird outside mimicking Texas birdies that I did not know!! We also found Starlings, House Finch, House Sparrows, Rock Pigeion. . . etc. . . we added these to our trip checklist!!
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Road trip to Texas via my iPhone
Dinosaur World
Everything started with Patty winning the Southern Outdoor Experience hunting trip at the 2009 Deerassic Classic Outdoor Expo this summer. Being a birdwatcher . . . my mind was spinning with the thoughts of finding “Texas LIFERS”!! We had 5 months to plan this trip to the Canyon Ranch in Sonora Texas with the Southern Outdoor Experience film crew. The time finally came to make the adventure!
Nature Haikus – Seasonal Fun
By Young Naturalist C
Seasonal Fun
Winter has arrived
Skiers and snowboarders slide
Down snow covered trails
Happy Holidays 2009
Patty and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We will do our best to update everyone on our trip that we are taking to Texas this week! Until then . . . have a safe holiday season!
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Lycopodium
Lycopodium
by Maxwell C. Wheat, Jr.
They are the elves’ Christmas trees
Grandfather would say
of Ground Pine and Cedar
Once in the sun I laid on snow
eye level to see colored lights and bulbs
the size of frozen dew drops
They are lycopodiums, he’d say
teaching me again to pronounce the name
because scientific words have the sounds of poetry
Lie-ko-po-dee-um
You’ve got it, he’d laugh
his hearty red face broadening behind his white beard
his abundant frame rollicking
When I return home for the holidays
I always walk back to our woods
think of Grandfather assuring a small boy
Yes,I’ll see that the elves have a happy Christmas
I am glad lie-ko-po-dee-um is evergreen
Never-Ending Birds [Poetry Review]
The book “Never-Ending Birds”, a book of poems by David Baker, is definitely not a children’s bedtime story. These poems make you think about all the things that are around you. I really enjoyed the poem called “Little Orchard” because of the beautiful imagery and the creative hyperboles. This is a great book for those people who love to be outside and see the wonders of the Earth.
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Reminders of Summer
Found this warbler nest in the snow today!! This snow covered nest reminds me . . . that I make it through the winter knowing the Warblers will return in the spring!!
Uploaded Via my iPhone!
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Winter at Red House Lake
Winter at Red House Lake, originally uploaded by Mon@rch.
Winter has moved through Allegany State Park with blizzard
conditions!! The Ring-necked Ducks moved on and now we have 9
Mallards, 175 Canada Goose and 100 Ring-billed Gulls who appear to be
holding out the storm!!
Report via my iPhone!!
Ring-necked Ducks hiding from the storm
Ring-necked Ducks
The first winter storm of the season moved through Allegany State Park today. We had all kinds of weather from snow, down poring rain, sunny skies, thunderstorm, small hail and even high winds for most of the day making any bird wishing they were not migrating south. Today we had 13 Ring-necked Ducks on Red House Lake who appeared to be ducking out from this storm.
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New Birding iPhone App [BirdsEye]
BirdsEye on the iPhone
This summer I purchased the iPhone after seeing the numerous applications available for birdwatchers (and I was jealous of Pattys iPhone)! I was holding out on purchasing iBird due to its expensive price and rumors that Cornell was coming out with a new application in August (which never came out until this December)! I currently purchased BirdsEye this week and for sure it is a good application . . . . but!!
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Buffleheads on Red House Lake
Buffleheads
The Buffleheads have been showing up on Red House Lake this week!
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Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone
I am thankful for many things this year and I am especially thankful for your views taking this website over 400,000 views!
Fall in Allegany State Park
From Stone Tower
I wanted to post these fall views of Allegany State Park before the snow starts falling! Hope everyone had a great fall!
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Number 12 on Nature Blog Network
Thanks to everyone who has been visiting the Mon@rch Nature Blog over the past week! All your views have jumped my ranking to number 12 on the Nature Blog Network . . . YES Twelve!!
Thanks everyone and the photo below is what helped everyone stumbleupon me . . . . etc. . . to get all these views to my site!
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Happy Halloween
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Happy Halloween Everyone! It has been a decent owl banding season this year!
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