Birding around the Lean-to
Dark-eyed Junco
We could only found 17 species of birds around the lean-to during our three days of backpacking on the North County Trail. But, do note that they were great birds to watch as our entertainment while at camp. Dark-eyed Juncos and American Robins were the most visual of all the birds we saw. The Juncos appeared to have nest building near the water spring and was protecting a territory!
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Returned from Backpacking
This weekend Young Naturalist J, his father and I did some backpacking along the North Country Trail here in Allegany State Park. We stayed two nights at this lean-to on the western side of the park and you can tell from the pictures that we had an amazing time.
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Common Flicker
What is this looking out of my box?
While out backpacking . . . . I wanted to continue my post with this woodpecker who I found inspecting my Screech Owl box on Friday!! Of course every year the only thing that uses the box is European Starling (which I always need to evict)!! Maybe this will be the year for the Flicker??
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My Nature Update
Common Loon
There are many great birds moving through the Western New York area right now. Loons seem to be arriving on a daily basis and we had a very large flock of Buffleheads on Red House Lake today. Other new birds into the area today included 10 or so Bonapart’s Gulls and one Field Sparrow (CHECK).
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Happy Kids
Tom has the camera again!
Having some satellite internet problems this evening and been with tech support for the past hour! I thought instead of doing anything nature related (because I can’t upload the pictures I took today) that I would just post some cute pictures of my nephews that I took on Sunday. Did I mention how much Hughes Network sucks? They want me to pay my bill on time but when I am getting 24kbps download and 14kbps upload . . . . I have to do speed test for 3 to 4 days because they can do anything for me! Hello . . . I did those speed tests back in February . . . still having the same problems! Dial-up was slow but at least it was reliable! Ok, enough venting and will try my best to catch up on everyone’s sites (if I can get them to load).
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Feathery Friday
Mourning Doves in the grass!
I woke up with Common Flicker’s (CHECK) out in the yard this morning! Yesterday I had my first Pine Warbler (CHECK) and on Wednesday had my first Winter Wren (CHECK) for 2008!! I didn’t get any pictures of the Warbler and Wren since I was working . . . . but I was still ecstatic for their return into the area. I just love this time of the year because you just never know what you will see next!!
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Northern Visitors [Video]
Common Redpoll and Pine Siskin
For the past few weeks my northern guest have continued visiting my bird feeders! Three years ago the Pine Siskins actually stuck around all summer and nested in my back yard! Wouldn’t it be neat to have both Pine Siskins and Redpolls spending the summer with me this year??
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Click, click, click. . . !
Belted Kingfisher with the new Nikon D300
I got my new camera (Nikon D300) in the mail today and although it is the same . . . it is also very different from my older camera. The biggest difference is that I can’t edit my raw files with Photoshop CS2!! Grrrrr!!! I haven’t figured the raw editor that is offered from Nikon but from what I have seen online, it isn’t anything like Photoshop (big disappointment). I can’t update the editor plugin because Adobe doesn’t support CS2 anymore!! Uggg!! I am also having the same problems with my 400mm lens as I was having with the D70s!! I had hoped those problems would disappear with a new body (but it didn’t). Probably should have gotten a new lens before a new camera body!! O, well . . . with that said I absolutely LOVE the Nikon D300!!
Fox Sparrows Arrived
Fox Sparrow photo from November 2007
I had my first Fox Sparrow at my bird feeder this evening (CHECK, first for 2008). I just knew it was only a matter of time until these amazing red/gray birds made their arrival into the area. I didn’t get a photo of them since it was cloudy/snowing and its was getting close to sunset! I expect to see them more of these Fox Sparrow over the next few weeks.
Easter Sunday
My Easter Squirrel
I used my off day to spend a little time looking for birds before the family Easter dinner today. I woke up to some beautiful sun that was shining through my bedroom window and although temps were below freezing . . . I couldn’t have asked for a better day. Everything was wonderful except I just didn’t have what it took for any good pictures!
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Saturday Birding
Tundra Swan and Canada Goose
Mike and I went out to do some Saturday Birding over at Swamp Road in Randolph today. We were not disappointed with an outstanding array of waterfowl, which included: Tundra Swans, Canada Goose, Mallard, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Redhead Ducks, Bufflehead, Northern Pintails, Scaup species, Common Golden-eye, Ring-necked Duck and American Wigeon. Highlights of the day included a Red-bellied Woodpecker (CHECK), American Coot (CHECK) and Rough-legged Hawk (CHECK). All of which were first for 2008’s for me!
Muskrat [Video]
Muskrat smiling for the camera
Yesterday while looking for some Waterfowl . . . we came across this very cooperative Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) who put a show on for us. We watched it dive underwater, grab some vegetation from under the ice and come back up to chew all of the best parts of the plant. We could have watched this cute little guy all day long! These over-sized rodents get their name from some scent glands they have for marking its territory with a strong musky odor! Lucky we didn’t get to smell that odor today but did get some cool photos of the muskrat!
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Raccoon Hike
Prints walking towards the sunset!
After work, Grace (aka Ninehtotoo5) and myself headed out to the France Brook area of Allegany State Park to enjoy a hike along the Snowmobile Trail. We quickly saw the Raven’s doing their courtship display and then heard the Red-shouldered Hawks screaming (CHECK) as if they showed up on cue. The truth is that we were after capturing a photo of this Buteo . . . which never really happened!! But we did capture some adorable Raccoon pictures.
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Nature Haiku [Poem]
Photo by Marg (thanks Marg)
Nature Haiku
Mockingbird at night
would disturb the universe
and sing forever
Eastern Meadowlark
Eastern Meadowlark
After this weekend’s big snowstorm that hit us, there is nothing like finding a burst of yellow to brighten our day. Obviously you can tell from my photos that I located my first Eastern Meadowlarks for 2008 (CHECK). Because of the fresh snow on the ground, these two birds were found along the road in areas that had been dug up by the snowplow. They were very skittish and any time a vehicle would pass. . . . they would spook and fly away. I just parked my vehicle on the side of the road and let the meadowlarks come to me (which they did).
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More Snow
Black-capped Chickadee waiting for seeds
We are getting another 8-12 inches of snow this weekend!! Our local weatherman isn’t calling this a blizzard but I think it feels like a blizzard (with whiteout conditions)! Poor bird feeder birds were anxiously waiting for me to fill my feeders this morning (while I slept in)! Chickadee’s were saying to me “Chick-a-dee dee deee . . . those SEEDS NOW BUDDY!!”
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Woodducks Today
Common Merganser
I took the day off from work today for an eye appointment that was scheduled and it was such a beautiful day with temperatures reaching around 40°F. Along the Allegheny River, I located a few Mallards, Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Canada Goose, and Woodducks (CHECK – my first for 2008). I also found a very cooperative Pileated Woodpecker but I will save those pictures (and video) for tomorrow’s post.
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After Work Walk
American Crow
We had the most beautiful day today with temperatures reaching 60°F and melting most of the soft fluffy snow that I was hiking in yesterday. I couldn’t resist walking around Red House Lake after work and enjoying some fresh warm spring air. It’s too bad that they are predicting freezing rain tomorrow and more snow by dusk. These teasers are still needed weather breaks with spring only 17 days away.
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Enjoying my Day in the Snow
Stonefly (Plecoptera species)
I spent the afternoon hiking along the snowmobile trail here in Allegany State Park today. Birds were quite along the trail but I did come across a few Kinglets and Chickadees. The only insect that I could locate were multiple Stoneflies visible along the fresh snow that came down last night. Stoneflies are also known as Plecoptera and the nymphs live in streams, creeks and lakes. Some of the adults are known to emerge during the winter months and I was not surprised to find these Plecoptera wondering around.
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Mon@rch's Nature Blog 