Mon@rch's Nature Blog

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Bewick’s Wren Misidentification

Bewick’s Wren

Thanks to Nick from Biological Ramblings in helping me add another bird to my life list!! I was a little careful in my identifications and should have more closely investigated my “Carolina Wren” that was actually a Bewick’s Wren. I missed the obvious rust-brown underparts in the Carolina Wren and the white-edged tail with dark bars on the Bewick’s Wren. I was anticipating the Bewick’s to be more Gray than brown and just didn’t spend the time at home identifying it like I should have done. Anyways . . . . . Bewick’s Wren (CHECK)!! Thanks Nick!
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Posted by mon@rch | 25 January 2010 | Categories: Birds | Tags: bewick's wren | 7 Comments

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?? Read the rest of this page »

Posted by mon@rch | 15 January 2010 | Categories: Birds, Flickr, Nature, photography | Tags: Crested Caracara, Lark Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, texas | 17 Comments

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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Posted by mon@rch | 14 January 2010 | Categories: Birds, Flickr, Nature, photography | Tags: Carolina Wren, texas | 13 Comments

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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Posted by mon@rch | 13 January 2010 | Categories: Flickr, Nature, photography | Tags: Sunrise, texas, Wordless Wednesday | 5 Comments

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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Posted by mon@rch | 11 January 2010 | Categories: Birds, Flickr, Mammals, Nature, photography | Tags: hunting, Southern Outdoor Experience, texas | 8 Comments

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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Posted by mon@rch | 8 January 2010 | Categories: Birds, Flickr, Nature, photography | Tags: Common Raven, Great-tailed Grackle, texas | 7 Comments

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!

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Posted by mon@rch | 6 January 2010 | Categories: Birds, Flickr, iPhone, Nature, photography | Tags: texas | 7 Comments

Nature Haikus – Seasonal Fun

By Young Naturalist C

Seasonal Fun

Winter has arrived

Skiers and snowboarders slide

Down snow covered trails

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Posted by mon@rch | 5 January 2010 | Categories: Nature | Tags: haiku, haikus, Nature Haiku, Nature Haikus, seasonal fun, skiing, snowboarding, sports | 6 Comments

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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Posted by mon@rch | 25 December 2009 | Categories: Nature | Tags: Happy Holiday | 7 Comments

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

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Posted by mon@rch | 24 December 2009 | Categories: Nature, Wildflowers | Tags: Christmas, Holiday, Lycopodium, Maxwell Corydon Wheat Jr, poem | 2 Comments