Swift Girl

Swan City

2010-03-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

Okay, sorry...someone fell off the proverbial employment wagon. Well, that didn't sound right. I am still employed, but my job mostly entails staring at a computer screen. So, I don't feel like staring at one when I get home (I get bug eyes!) I'll try catch up over the next week!

The next stop on my winter wonderland birding day was the Ellis Island Bay. I was excited about stopping by the ponds because hundreds of Trumpeter Swans had been seen there over the weeks, and now it was my turn!

Sure enough, hundreds were present. They were positioned across the pond, so my photos are not the best, but I think you get the idea of their immense size and beauty.

Until this past winter, I had no idea how common wild swans are around Missouri. I had NOOOO idea. Pretty cool, though. The trumpeter swan was VERY new species for me. Yee-haw!

Dam Birds!

2010-02-02T16:59:00.000-08:00

Tee-hee...that's fun to say...dam birds!

Actually, I did see some dam birds. At a real lock and dam.

After running around the open fields of Confluence State Park, I ran over to the Melvin Price Lock and Dam outside of Alton, IL. I was so surprised to see dozens of people watching the birds fishing from the turbulent waters of the spillway. People! It's freezing out here! What are doing? (The same thing I'm doing! :)

A trio of Herring Gulls

What at show! Dozens of gulls flying every where! How exciting! Most of them were Ring-bills, but there was one species that was out of the ordinary for me, sporting pink legs and an orange dot on its lower bill. HERRING GULL! NEW SPECIES, WHOO-HOO! That was a nice surprise.

And....

....he got it!

The best part of the show, of course, is seeing the American Bald Eagles fishing. Wow! I think there were about six of them swooping around. That is what draws the crowds. They are right there in front of you, with no fear. It is ALWAYS a privilege to see Bald Eagles. I don't care how common they are becoming here in Missouri.

I also saw a large flock of Goldeneye's floating around, but they were too far away for me to determine if they were Common or Barrow's. Surely, they were Common, but who knows (only those with scopes!)

Ice Birding

2010-01-30T14:13:00.000-08:00

I am a fair weather birder. I'll admit it. I don't like birding when it's too cold. Or too windy. Or too hot. Or too rainy. I do have my limits in the love of my hobby.

But sometimes, after I've been holed up inside for too long and the sun hasn't shown for two weeks, I do get rather antsy to bird. I recently decided I couldn't take one more day of cabin fever, and headed up north to Confluence State Park in north St. Louis County.

It was the first time in my short birding career that I birded in 23 degree weather. Brrrr. But, thankfully, the sun was nice and shiny which made the birding great! I had two main target birds that day, the Snow Bunting and the Lapland Larkspur.

Horned Lark

Only one Snow Bunting had been seen around the open field of the Park, but it had been seen pretty regularly. I went for a try. Sadly, I never did see the Snow Bunting, but did see hundreds of Lapland Larkspurs, and probably thousands of Horned Larks. I think most people blow off large flocks of LBJ's thinking they are just sparrows, but if you actually stop and look, they'd see Larks. Everywhere! I was so surprised to see so many!

It was so cold out! I could only keep my glove covered fingers out in the cold wind for a minute or two, and then they got too stiff to adjust my binoculars! I did a lot birding from the warm car, and ended up a happy girl!

Mississippi to the left, Missouri to the right...rivers, I mean

The best part of the day, though, was getting to see the iced over confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. It was interesting to me at the time that the Missouri was heavily iced, but the Mississippi was nearly free of ice floats. Hmmm, I'll tell you why later!

The river was filled with these really cool ice floats

Anyway, great day driving around in the sunshine! And a new species, too!

Salton Sea, Part Deux

2010-01-24T08:21:00.000-08:00

What started as a very cool morning, turned into a gorgeously warm afternoon. I couldn't have asked for a better day to bird in California.

Most of our group left at lunch, with five of us remaining to count the vast number of birds along the northern shore of the Salton Sea. It was about this time that my camera ran out of battery. Pooper! All of the photos you are seeing were taken by Richard Filley, one of the other birders I met that day. Thanks for sharing, Richard!

I joked this afternoon that if the Salton Sea wasn't filled with amazing birds, I would have thought I was in Hell. Doesn't get any more barren than the coast of the Salton Sea.

The five of us marched across the beach of thick-caked salt to count the thousands of birds lining the edge of the sea. THOUSANDS I SAY! The experts among us (aka Darrell and Dan) counted over 3000 Gulls (various species,) 1200 White Pelicans, and nearly 600 Great Blue Herons. I literally got tears in my eyes seeing so many Pelicans.

At one point the White Pelicans, who were nestled down, took notice of our presence. All at once they raised up and turned their heads toward us, ready to move at any moment. Do you know what it feels like to have 1200 White Pelicans turn their heads at you and give you the stare down?

Though I felt inadequate to count the thousands of gulls and pelicans, I could do something. I volunteered to count all the Great Egrets lining the shore. I counted 63, and I was proud to have contributed to the count that afternoon.

One of the best things I witnessed (I was the only one who saw the whole thing,) was seeing a Peregrine Falcon try to take down a Shoveler Duck. All of sudden I see this bird of prey swoop down and pin a duck down to the ground. I couldn't believe my eyes! But just as quickly as the Falcon took down the duck, it was scared off by some parachuters nearby. The poor duck limped to edge of the water, seemingly dazed by his near death experience. I still can't believe I saw what I saw!

What a great afternoon! I ended up with only 26 species that afternoon, BUT of the 26, FIVE were new species for me! My new species were the Glaucous-winged Gull, the Black-bellied Plover, Common Goldeneye, Clark's Grebe and the Snowy Plover.

Snowy Plover

I was exhausted when we finished counting at 5pm that evening, but I was one happy girl! My legs hurt, my face and neck were sunburned but I was happy! We joined the larger N. Salton Sea counters at Denny's to add to the greater CBC compilation. The entire group ended up with like 141 species total, with 90 of them being from our specific group. I'm very satisfied with our efforts (especially since we found 2 rarities.)

I can't wait for next year's count!

Swift Girl Tired

2010-01-23T07:58:00.000-08:00

Swift Girl worked a 60 hour week.

Swift Girl tired.

Swift Girl will be back soon.

:)

CBC, At Last!

2010-01-16T16:01:00.000-08:00

I am saying with an immense joy (I'm actually jumping up and down!) "I GOT TO BE A PART OF A CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT THIS YEAR!!!!! Yee-haw!

On my last full day in California, I got to be a participant in the North Salton Sea CBC. I've visited the Salton Sea before, so I knew what great birds I'd get to see (and count.) But what I didn't expect was the great number of birds I would be seeing. OMG....thousands. I mean it, thousands of birds. Took my breath away.

Our morning started out with 40 degree temps in the early hours (7am.) That was cold to be birding. I was looking forward to the sunrise and the heat that it would produce. I'm glad I had brought my winter coat with me to CA.

We broke up in teams, mine being a team of about 9 participants. Our leader had prior experience counting Salton Sea birds (he already does it voluntarily several days a month) so I felt we had a Salton Sea expert on hand. This was my first CBC and I was nervous about my counting abilities. I got a great lesson on quick counting large flocks and just went with what I could do. I was looking forward learning a lot that day.

During the morning hours, our team did the ponds within the Torrez-Martinez Desert Chuihilla Indian Reservation, which I considered a privilege, because you can't bird there without permission from the Reservation. It was here that I became part of CBC history!

While everyone was watching and counting hundreds of Double-Crested Cormorants flying over, my eye caught something else flying lower and in the opposite direction of the Cormorants. It was big and white and honestly, I thought I was looking at a White Pelican as first. But with closer examination (I'm talking within a second,) I figured out that it was a Swan.

I yelled Swan and everyone found it quickly. I mean it is a very large bird. I was able to grab my camera and got some fuzzy photos of it (it was quite a bit away.)

Tundra Swan

What I had found was a Tundra Swan. It was one of only a couple dozen seen at the Salton Sea in the last hundred years, and not sure, if ever, during a CBC. In other words, I found a rarity. A report was filed on my sighting, which included witnesses, what type of binoculars I used and a full narrative on how I (we) found it. I am so humbled by my teams experience in helping to identify what type of species the Swan was (the photos helped.)

Maybe I should change my nickname to Swan Girl. :)

The Eurasian Green-winged Teal Pond

The rest of the day wasn't without more excitement. Fellow BMCP birder Dan Baumann found a Eurasian Green-Winged Teal, which is a MAJOR rarity. He got reported, too. :)

Our Team Leader, Darrell

My morning count came to 55 species, with 5 lifers for me. The additions to my life list are Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Tundra Swan, Eurasian Green-Winged Teal, Spotted Sandpiper, and Least Sandpiper. There were more species seen by my team members (they went bushwacking,) but I only count the birds I actually see with my own eyes.

The day had just begun...more about my incredible afternoon in the next post.

Whitewater Canyon Preserve

2010-01-13T17:03:00.000-08:00

One of the many beautiful spots of the lower desert is the Whitewater Canyon Preserve. Absolutely, breathtaking....

There was a Female Hooded Merganser seen on one of the trout ponds, and she wasn't to be missed. Sure enough, there she sat...all by herself. What she was doing up there is a mystery, but it seems she made the place her home.

I love female Hooded Mergansers because they seemingly have bad hair days. Their head feather are all wonky, sticking straight on end, like she just woke up. Love it!

Butter Butt!

Other special species I saw this afternoon were the Rock Wren, the Canyon Wren and a female Common Yellowthroat. There were also A LOT of Yellow-Rumped Warblers, referred to in the birding world as Butter Butts. Isn't that fun to say? Butter Butts...tee-hee!

Rock Wren

I also saw a Red-tailed Hawk totally whacking on a Cooper's Hawk that must have encroached on a territory. The RTH was screeching and diving on the CH. Awesome!

Bird Search

2010-01-11T17:15:00.000-08:00

While I was in the desert, I got to take some photos of some interesting birds. Now I realize that some of these photos are not all that great (because most of them were pretty far away,) but I had fun searching for the birds and getting shots of them, especially the Burrowing Owl. Check it out!

Here's the Burrowing Owl, as far as my 200mm camera could get him.

Here he is when I digiscoped him. Digiscoping is when you point your camera though the lens of a scope. Amazing difference, eh?

Prairie Falcon

American Wigeon (New species for me!) By the end of the week, I got an other new species; his cousin, the Eurasian Wigeon. Whoo-hoo!

I assisted in searching for a Guinea Fowl, that was seen wandering beside Hwy. 111. We never found him. Bummer! He's obviously been around....

Leucistic Finch

2010-01-09T18:26:00.000-08:00

One the greatest avian treats of my week in California was getting to see a leucistic House Finch at Mike and Betty's home in Joshua Tree. I have never seen a leucistic bird before, so this was special.

Leucism is a condition characterized by reduced pigmentation in animals and humans. Unlike albinism, it is caused by a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin. You can tell a leucistic animal from an albino by its eye color. A leucistic bird will have a normal eye color.

The sweet little bird made its way around the feeders at Mike's house, just doing what normal House Finches do....eating. Mike and I noticed, though, that it didn't really seem part of the normal group. It stayed on its own. Of course, that could just be our interpretation, but it was interesting to observe, nonetheless.

Birding Back Home

2010-01-08T15:10:00.000-08:00

Shew, I'm feeling better. Finally was able to catch up on my sleep!

One of my favorite things to do in California is birding with the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve group. It's like a family reunion every time I visit.

This Wednesday morning nothing of the extraordinary species showed up in my binoculars, but it was a sweet relief to see my favorite desert birds like the White-crowned Sparrow, California Thrasher and Roadrunner. Oh, and, of course, the Gambel's Quail. I've missed its soft chi-ca-go-go, chi-ca-go-go.

White-crowned Sparrow

One thing I enjoyed on this bird walk was introducing the desert species to a visiting birder from Guatemala. Every bird was new to him. That is always fun (that was me just over a year ago.)

Juan adding new lifers to his worldwide list.

Gorgeous San Bernadino Mountains to the North

I'm Not Dead

2010-01-06T19:24:00.000-08:00

I'm just tired.

Had a great time in CA, but my flight back to StL was four hours late, getting me in after 2am on Monday. I have not been able to catch up on my life since then.

Until I get back into the swing of things, here is a beautiful sunrise in Joshua Tree, CA. I was staying with my good friends Mike and Betty in Joshua Tree, and Mike always invites me to watch the sunrise over the mountains every time I stay with them. GORGEOUS!

Life is Good Today

2009-12-28T07:27:00.001-08:00

Morongo Valley, CA

Sorry for the hiatus...no internet, no posts. :(

But, I'm back! Merry Christmas, everyone! Had a hoot of a time in Indiana with the folks. I'll post more on that soon.

Today, I am headed back to the desert for some sunshine and birding. Can't wait to see everyone again!

CBC Hooky

2009-12-19T12:05:00.000-08:00

I'm missing the annual nationwide Christmas Bird Count ...again.

Every year thousands of audubon societies and bird groups around the nation get together a couple weeks before or after Christmas Day to count the birds they see within an established area. The information collected is published as important national research. This is a VERY big deal.

Last year, I missed the BMCP CBC because I was traveling to Missouri (and really didn't know what I was missing.) This year I had great plans on participating in a local StL CBC, but for some reason all of the dates are on days I am, again, traveling. Mix that with the fact that I am working full-time now, makes the chances of catching a CBC pretty slim on my schedule. Pooper....

Today, I did consider driving 2.5 hours west to Columbia, MO for their count, but with the weather being snowy/rainy with temps around 30 degrees and winds 20mph+, I just couldn't pull myself together enough to do it. I guess I am a bit of a fair-weather birder. Woose, I know.

So, again, I'm missing this great event.

Maybe next year.

Tree Walking GBH

2009-12-18T20:11:00.001-08:00

Beach

2009-12-13T12:45:00.000-08:00

I'm ba-a-a-ck!

I don't think I have to say too much about the beach...well, I'll say one thing, "Ah-h-h!" Wasn't even two seconds before those shoes came off and I went a'runnin! And the best part was I had the whole beach to myself! I love solitary beaches!

Looking for shells

I was so thankful to be on the beach on this particular day. It was 73 degrees and sunny. Back home in StL, it was -5 degrees. Tee-hee!

Birds

2009-12-12T13:59:00.000-08:00

Wow! I had no idea. Not until a friend visited the island this past fall did I have any idea that one of my favorite beach spots had a real Audubon Sanctuary! The Audubon Sanctuary has ponds, swamps and beach access to find shore birds. Freaking fantastic!

A Ring-billed Gull

When I arrived at the Sanctuary at 10am, I found the island completely covered with low clouds. It literally felt like I was walking into a jungle in the clouds. Quiet, quiet, quiet...like I was the only one on the whole island. I was a bit disappointed at first, because it was so quiet bird-wise. But as soon as the morning fog lifted, the fun began!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

My target bird for the day was a Brown-headed Nuthatch (yeah, Smiley!) Nothing like finding your target bird and new lifer 5 minutes into your search! Check! I also added the American Oystercatcher, which I found near Fort Gaines.

A pair of American Oystercatchers. As Baumann has said, "God worked a little bit too much overtime" on this one. Crazy colors! (It even has orange eyes.)

Dauphin Island Getaway

2009-12-12T13:34:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite places in the Deep South is Dauphin Island, Alabama. Dauphin Island is a barrier island located south of Mobile, AL, and became my favorite beach spot during the time Charlie Ray was being repaired in Mobile. Not the fanciest of beaches because of the oil platforms located off shore, but it does have nautical charm and a sweet laid backness.

What I didn't appreciate a couple years ago was the fantastic bird sanctuary and historic Fort Gaines located on the eastern side of the island. Just this past week while I was in Alabama, I took a day and enjoyed all the island had to offer; the birds, the beaches and the buildings (historic ones, that is.)

So, the next three posts will be labeled as so. What a great day!

Selma on a Rainy Day

2009-12-09T19:53:00.000-08:00

After showing the boat, I went out on a mission to find a southern-only bird, the Brown-headed Nutchatch (thanks, Smiley!) I tried and tried but constant rain kept me from wandering around the woods of Demopolis Lake. I even tried birding from the car, but it was a bust.

So, with 6 hours of daylight left, I decided to drive 45 minutes east to the town of Selma. I have been wanting to visit Selma every time I've been down here, and this rainy day would be my perfect opportunity. What an amazing city!

The sweet lady at the Chamber of Commerce said "Selma is civil. We had the Civil War and the Civil Rights." And that is exactly why I wanted to visit Selma.

Read this! (click on it to for a closer look.)

My first stop was the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute, which has documented the events surrounding the Selma to Montgomery March of 1965 and it's subsequent "Bloody Sunday." Short, short history lesson (according to the NVRM website)

On Sunday, March 7, 1965 the first march set out from Brown Chapel AME Church toward Montgomery, but was turned back just past the Edmund Pettus Bridge when marchers were brutally attacked by law enforcement officers. Two days later, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a second march from Brown Chapel toward Montgomery, but peacefully turned around at the “point” of confrontation” over the Pettus Bridge. On March 21, 1965 a third march under the protection of the National Guard, left Brown Chapel for Montgomery and five days later reached the State Capital.

Brown Chapel AME Church where the March began

I had studied the Civil Rights Movement at SEMO, and was profoundly effected the events of Bloody Sunday. I wanted to see the places with my own eyes. Crossing over the Pettus Bridge and driving down the same street where people were beaten down for peacefully walking was surreal.

Here's the photos I saw on the wall...

This is what I saw when I turned around and looked out the window...same place along the bridge. That brings it home!

What a place of history! I continued to drive around Selma in the pouring rain, being completely blown away by the enormous amount of historic houses. Honestly, I have never seen such a variety of architectural styles within one small town (and I've studied historic architecture!) I stopped and toured Sturdivant Hall, a pre-Civil War Neo-Classical house museum. Wow!

If you'd like to see the interior of the house and learn about it's ghostly history, here is a link to a short video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05SVV2fwZmc

Christmas on the River

2009-12-06T16:41:00.001-08:00

I'm down in Demopolis, Alabama this week, working on and hoping to sell our trawler Charlie Ray. My arrival came just at the right time as this weekend was the locally famous Christmas on the River celebration.

The Christmas on the River celebration is a town sponsored festival that ends with a parade of lighted boats on the Tenn-Tom and a fireworks display. It is a great little celebration in a sweet little town. The floats were so beautiful reflecting off the water.

Everyone from the marina comes out and socialized together. We all met outside along the fuel dock, but we got kick out because a barge came in and was fueling. I guess we were too much of a liability for em'. So we moved to the nearby campground, where we had great views of the floats. BUT it was freezing...literally. It got down in the 20's last night, so standing outside for 2 hours was excruciatingly cold.

Thank goodness for campfires! The owner of the campground lit up little bonfires for us and we stayed mostly toasty. Mostly...still freaking cold! One of the campfire tenders was a gentleman who plays drums for various country bands and artists. I got a great scoop on John Michael Montgomery, whom I adore and learned lots about other country singers. COOL!

Ah-h, fire!

Nothing like fireworks over the water!

California Dreaming

2009-12-04T10:23:00.000-08:00

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT in California right now. This is year long rewind back to Dec. 2008. I'm just reminiscing and wishing. :)

With that said, my BMCP friends are enjoying a day long birding trip to the Salton Sea in SoCal today. My heart aches to be there. Last year's trip was a memorable one for me, so I am a bit sad that I won't be there to make new memories.

So here are some of my photos from a year ago. Just go with me on this one....

Margaret, Jane and Phyllis

White Pelli's

One of my most favorite birding group photos of the BMCP group. Jean Halford, Dan Baumann and their famous scopes.

Great Egrets

Mike Smiley getting into trouble....

Thousands of snow geese.

Me and my Harris Sparrow Cookie

My best memory for the day (other than getting to know my new friends) was getting the Harris Sparrow Cookie Prize. While we were at the Sonny Bono Wildlife Refuge, we were told a rare Harris Sparrow had recently been seen, and to be on the lookout. Everyone had their eyes peeped on the nearby trees looking for the booger while we ate our lunch.

Dan put out the fun challenge to the group that the first person to find the sparrow would get one of his oatmeal cookies. It wasn't even two seconds later, that I looked up and found a LBJ that I didn't recognized. I looked at Mike and said, "What's that?" He said, "Harris Sparrow!"

So, new girl got the cookie for no real work at all. :) Oh, and yes, I do look different now. Let's not talk about it.

Pilly Fight

2009-12-02T14:05:00.000-08:00

Okay, there was no fighting involved....

These photos are my new "Magic Deck" bird, the Pileated Woodpecker. If you are not familiar with the Pileated Woodpecker, they are immense in size and, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful of all woodpeckers.

They are very common here at Innsbrook, but I've just recently seen them at the suet feeder. He's holding on for dear life on that little feeder! Cracks me up!

For You Know Who

2009-11-27T14:26:00.000-08:00

Found this is in Columbia....did you know this existed, Smiley?

Still looking for Mootz Memorial Drive
or
Turk Turnpike
or
Baumann Boardwalk
or
Zeller...Zeller...ummm, what goes with Zeller?

:)

Thomas Hill Reservoir

2009-11-25T10:27:00.000-08:00

In my continued efforts to meet new birders and see new parts of this beloved state, I attended a field trip to the Thomas Hill Reservoir with the Columbia Audubon Society. The trip was focused on finding gull and duck species amongst the ponds of the Reservoir.

What a FUN group! Laughing, laughing, laughing! I really liked them!

But the best part of mostly driving tour was the use of walkie-talkies. While our six cars traversed the back roads of Macon Co., the trip leader, Edge Wade, spoke to us about the area and about the different species found there. It literally was like sitting in a class, but with a better view. I learned SO much.

Bonaparte's Gull

I added SIX new species to my life list that day! Banner day! My new species for the day were:

Bonaparte's Gull
Krider's Form of the Red-tailed Hawk
Lesser Scaup
Redneck
Ring-necked Duck
Red-breasted Merganser

Me and one hoot of a woman, Edge

The best part, or actually the most embarrassing, of the day was successfully completing the "Prairie Chicken Lifer Dance." It is a CAS tradition that anytime you get a new life bird, you have to do a little dance like a Prairie Chicken. I won't go into the details, but it sure was fun and embarrassing all at the same time. Thank goodness they did NOT make me do it six times! Once was enough! :)

If you want to know how a prairie chicken dances and how I looked for a whole 20 seconds, check out this video. Yes, I had to stomp my feet, too. Try not to fall out of your chair laughing so hard.... :)

Newbies at the Chalet

2009-11-24T09:38:00.001-08:00

Most birders keep a "yard list" of the birds that show up on their property. My yard list generally consists of birds that I have seen from the chalet, deck or our dock. I've seen some pretty cool and crazy things over the past 6 months, including a Worm-eating and Golden-winged Warblers.

This past week I've added some newbies to my yard list. Here are a few of the newbies....
-Golden-crowned Kinglet
-Brown Creeper
-Purple Finch (which is a new lifer for me!)

The photo to the above is of a Purple Finch, taken through a dirty chalet window. Sorry!

Fun on the Lake

2009-11-23T14:19:00.000-08:00

During the weekend with my parents, we celebrated my uncle's 80th birthday at a party in Michigan City, IN. Happy Birthday, Uncle Jim! But before the party, my parents and I stopped by the beach, pier and lighthouse on Lake Michigan. The weather was amazingly perfect, with temps in the mid-60's. Great for a walk on the beach!

As we were pulling up to the beach, I saw a group of people getting out of their cars with scopes. BIRDERS!!! I am not kidding when I say I just about jumped out of our moving car. I grabbed my binoculars and bird book and ran, I mean walked, to meet up with them. With a big smile I asked them questions about their group and asked what their target bird was. I joined right in. I was so needy.... :) I miss you, BMCP!

Me and Dad referencing the Horned Grebe in my bird book

While they didn't have a target bird, they were looking for a variety of gull species. They didn't find any other species other than the Ring-bill, they did find a Horned Grebe. A Horned Grebe THAT IS A NEW SPECIES TO ME! Yeah!!

Ring-billed Gull

We continued to follow the group on and off as they went looking for more birds along the pier and breakwall, but generally we just enjoyed the atypically warm sunshine and beautiful blue water.

Look at these good lookin' people I found along the beach!

OMG, I love this photo of my dad looking through a scope and holding onto my bird book! I'm telling you...I'm turning them into birders!

Lighthouses are COOL!

Parental Birding

2009-11-20T15:42:00.000-08:00

How deep the love of a parent!

Since I've become a birder, my parents have become more than supportive of my new hobby (or obsession.) I've taken my Mom on a bird walk at BMCP. They've sent me photos of unidentified birds they've found. They've put up a bird feeder and kept me updated on its visitors. They've always shown interest in birds FOR ME, and for that I am more than grateful.

This is how awesome my Mom is....she drops me off, parks the van, walks a quarter mile from the van to the platform, walks back to the van to retrieves our coffee, and then walks back to the platform...all the while freezing her bootie off, just so I can bird! This is Mom walking with our coffee.

This past weekend, I pushed the limits of the normal sidewalk birding with my parents, and made my Mom do a little off-roading to find birds. IT WAS SO FUN!

We found cranes all over the place. We'd see some in a field, and she'd dart the van over so I could jump out. Reminded me of good times with friends in CA.

Our best find for the morning was a Bald Eagle! Not normally found in this part of Indiana, finding this treasure amongst the trees was easy. Giant black bird with a white head in a bare tree oak tree was easy to see. Mom took that van down a vacant house lot and across a grassy field so I could get a closer look at the sucker. What a Mom!

Beautiful! Of course, I spooked him, but I was able to get a decent photo of him as proof.

What a fun morning! I'll turn her into a birder whether she want to or not! :)

Sandhill Crane Redux

2009-11-19T15:25:00.000-08:00

Last October, I spent a late afternoon visiting the Sandhill Crane Observatory at the Jasper-Pulaski Game Preserve outside Wheatfield, IN. While there were many cranes there at the time, it was not the peak season. November is peak season. So, I returned back to my hometown this past weekend and got to enjoy the full force of Sandhill Crane migration.

Instead of an afternoon visit, my mom and I decided to get our booties up and out pre-dawn to catch the morning influx flights of the cranes. Plus, we were told the lighting is better for photos, since we wouldn't be shooting into the westward setting sun.

My mom, Connie, was so gracious, and dropped me off at the observatory platform so I wouldn't miss a minute of the show. Mom, you rock! When I topped the platform, I found dozens of other birdwatchers already in place. Wow!

As for the cranes, I was a bit shocked to find an empty field. Whah? But within one minute I see one pair flying in and landing on the field. Then another, then another. Next thing I know the entire sky is filled with Sandhill Cranes, squawking away with most of them plopping down on the field. AWESOME! It was a fantastic sight to see!

Thanks again, Mom, for the fun (but freaking cold) morning!

Check out this video I took of the immense sqawking of the Sandhill Cranes. It was legitimately loud, even across a field!

For Blue

2009-11-14T09:19:00.001-08:00

Altoids in Hoosierland

Fun with my Peeps

2009-11-11T09:44:00.000-08:00

Of course, a visit to the desert wouldn't be complete (or tolerable, for that matter) without a morning birding session with my friends at BMCP. I miss them SO much!

The best part of the morning (in addition to the whole family reunion atmosphere, since the snowbirds were back) was getting to see a new species. With a careful eye, one birder noticed that the Yellow-shafted Northern Flicker that we had been watching was missing the normal red markings on it's neck. Using some photos that were taken, it was determined that the Yellow-shafted was actually a Gilded Flicker! Yahoo! New species! It had been years since one had been seen within the Preserve, so it was special for everyone.

Found the Barn Owl!

As always, our morning was topped off with breakfast at the Morongo Cafe. Can't get enough of Betty's Special Scramble and it is always great to see my favorite waitress, Jean. She's the BEST ever.

We filled up half the restaurant!

Betty's Special Veggie Scramble....GONE!

I'd eat here every day if I could....

San Jacinto Wildlife Area

2009-11-08T16:17:00.000-08:00

I have been absent in posting much this week because I took a quickie trip back to the desert of Southern California. What a fantastic four days! Lots of friends, great birding and good food. Can't ask for more.

On my last day in CA, I had the great opportunity to go on a birding field trip with the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve bird group to San Jacinto Wildlife Area. I had been there before with the group last winter, but I was still looking forward to it. I am always looking forward to new species, and anyway, the Area is just beautiful.

Loved the early morning haze.

I ended up with one official new species, a Vesper Sparrow and one unofficial new species, the Scaup. I'm calling it unofficial because we could not identify whether it was a Lesser or Greater from afar. So I guess it doesn't really count.

Anyhoo, the best part of the day was seeing at least a dozen or so Wilson's Snipes. I've only ever seen one in my whole life (cause, well, they are rarely seen, hence the whole Snipe hunting thing,) so getting to see a dozen all hanging out together was a real treat. I'm so thankful for my friends' scopes. They make my birding much better! :)

This is the AWESOMEST woman on the planet, Patty. Patty is BC survivor like myself, so I consider her a sister at heart. Love you Patty!

I only stayed for the morning session because I had to catch a flight back to StL, but I ended up with about 57 species. Pretty darn good day, I think! It felt really great to be back with the old CA group again. I miss you guys!

This is the only bird photo from the day. The pond is filled with Black-neck Stilts and few Yellowlegs. I did not bring my "biggy" camera because American Airlines sucks for charging for checked bags. Didn't have the room. Sorry....

Yes...I'm posting another one

2009-11-01T17:25:00.000-08:00

Just Cause I'm the Auntie...

2009-10-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

...and I think she is darn cute!

Sunshine

2009-10-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

Introducing Sarah Marie, my new niece.
9lbs, 9oz and 22 in. long

Love and congratulations to Charity, Erik, Anthony and new big sister Elizabeth.

The Car Ride

2009-10-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

As I was driving my niece and nephew to school this morning, my 8 year old niece said, "Wow, look at all those birds!"

I assumed that it was going to be a flock of starlings or something of the annoying sort.

I was delighted to see that Elizabeth had found a flock of White Pelicans streaming across the sky!

I'm so proud!

Sadness

2009-10-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

Sadness for the loss of a friend's husband to cancer.

We love you, Jean.

Butt Birding on the Magic Deck

2009-10-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my friend Laura Shelton refers to the deck around my Innsbrook home as the "Magic Deck" because some really fun, amazing things show up there (feathered and non-feathered things.) Our chalet at Innsbrook actually sits on the side of a very large hill. A lot of great things show up on the deck because it is parallel to many tree tops. You could almost call it a treehouse of sorts.

Yesterday I stayed in the entire day at Innsbrook and tried enjoying the quiet rainy day (it was a long day!) I decided to make something of my time and do some "butt birding." My friend Jane Mootz came up with that funny phrase to describe birding from a single stationary place. You just plop down on a bench, and wait to see what shows up.

Well, instead of a bench, I chose the rocking chair in the living room that overlooks the deck, which overlooks the lake. I spent at least an hour just sitting there, and then spent much time on-and-off through out the day carefully watching the action just outside the window.

Sorry, none of these photos are too clear. They are all shot through a dirty window!
Here is a Red-bellied Woodpecker and an American Goldfinch at the feeders.

I cannot believe the number of species I saw within one day from that one spot. There were a lot of the regulars, like Tufted Titmice and Nuthatches, but I couldn't believe the number of oddies, like White-throated Sparrows and warblers.

Cedar Waxwing, before I realized there was whole flock!

I think the best part of the day was seeing a flock of Cedar Waxwings enjoying a drink from a pan of water. I read that birds often need fresh water from a shallow source, so I put one out there several months ago. It usually goes unused for the most part, except for an occasional American Goldfinch, and I literally was going to remove it last week. I am so glad I didn't! I was such a joy to see the Waxwings drinking away. I have NEVER seen them on, or from the deck for that matter, before yesterday. What a great surprise! That pan is staying!

Here is my "Magic Deck Butt Birding" list for October 22, 2009.

Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Black-capped Chickadee
Carolina Chickadee (90 percent sure)
Northern Cardinal
Eastern Phoebe (swirling its tail around)
American Robins
White-throated Sparrow
Black-throated Green Warbler
Yellow-Rumped Warbler
Wild Turkey (I saw them actually fly!)
Cedar Waxwings
American Goldfinches
Ruby Crowned Kinglet (they are becoming my favorite bird. So darn cute!)
Blue Jays

Cedar Waxwings drinking away!

Falling into Autumn

2009-10-20T05:20:00.000-07:00

The weather this past week in St. Louis stunk. 40 degrees, overcast, and rainy. The sun did not show its face for over 5 days. Those of you in the desert have no idea what 5 days of no sunshine is like. Ugh!

But Sunday, Sunday was glorious! All the fall colors came to life in the bright sunshine. It was almost like you could swim in the light, it was so enriching!

I skipped church and had my own "worship" service down by the Aspen Dam Waterfall here at Innsbrook. I knew I could walk a trail along side the stream, but I didn't realize, until Sunday, that you could actually traverse the cascade itself.

I cannot resist rock scrambling. Or waterfalls for that matter. Mix in the warm sunshine and the beautiful colors of autumn, and, boy, I tell ya, ain't nothin' better.

Here are just a few photos from my morning. Happy Fall, Ya'll!

Life is good today....

A Good Laugh

2009-10-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

Today as I was checking on the local news of Yucca Valley, CA through the High-Desert Star website (the local newspaper,) I ran across a startling photo....

of ME!!!

On the home page of the website, if you scroll down a bit, there is a Featured Photos section. I am one of those photos.

HA!

The photo was from the Morongo Valley Spring Festival back in March. I was working the bird table for BMCP. I'm holding the wings of, I think, a Great Horned Owl. But I don't really remember. I just remember it was a fun day of sharing my love of birds with others.

What a great surprise and a good laugh.

Appreciating the Common

2009-10-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

With Fall Migration in motion, many of the summer regulars (like warblers) have already headed south for the sunny Caribbean (smarties!) In their place, I am getting to enjoy so many new fly-through species.

Just this past week, I added four new species to my life list: Blue-headed Vireo, Brown Creeper, Golden-crown Kinglet and the Winter Wren. I found all four of these species within one half hour at Gaddy Gardens! That was a good day!

A White-throated Sparrow, that recently returned to Innsbrook

But what I have come to appreciate the most, of late, are the Sparrows. What a wonderful creation sparrow are! Sadly, though, not many of us take notice of them. Up until last year, I would have estimated that there were only a few types of sparrows. I mean, they are often referred to in the birding community as "LBJ's" (little brown jobs.)

This amazing photo of Nelson's Sparrow was taken by the gifted Al Smith

on our trip to BK Leach Conservation Area earlier this month

But did you know there are dozens species of sparrows in the US?! And each and every one is uniquely beautiful. And they are not just drab brown. I've seen colors abound in sparrows, from yellows to oranges to reds. They really are fabulous.

This is an elusive Grasshopper Sparrow peaking its head out of the tall grass of the Santa Rosa Ecological Preserve in Marietta, CA (Thanks, Baumann!)

So next time you see that sparrow, pull out you binoculars and appreciate the common.

Stalker Dove

2009-10-15T15:04:00.000-07:00

Out my window this morning, I found this Mourning Dove just hanging out. He did not leave that branch for over 3 hours! While Mourning Doves are common in these parts, it is a rarity to see them just hanging out in the woods, on a single branch. I had to take his picture. He eventually came down and checked out the left over food from my feeders on my "Magic Deck."

I'm calling him "Stalker Dove." New species. :)

Oh, and the Magic Deck designation come from Laura Shelton. (Hey, girl!)

Yellow Rail Bushwacking

2009-10-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I am delighting in sharing this story! Last weekend I had the TREMENDOUS pleasure of joining the St. Louis Audubon Society in a hunt for the Yellow Rail. This was the first time I have ever really bushwacked. I mean, I've walked off trail before looking for birds, but this was the first time I ever walked straight through a field, with a "devil may care" attitude. I don't think there is any other way to find Yellow Rails.

A group of about 25 of us, set out at the BK Leach Conservation Area to find the Rails. Several of had been seen the day before, so we were sure we'd be successful in our hunt. The weather was not very encouraging, though. 50 degrees, windy, and overcast. Ugh...pack on the layers!

Getting the line together to scare up the Rails

I was told that I attended on a fortunate day. Many of Missouri's birding "big wigs" were a part of the group, and it was on rare occasion that they were all together for an event. How lucky was I?! I made sure I listened close, and enjoyed my company.

We set out over an open field that was covered with shallow water. Ummm...so we thought. As we progressed in a long, single file line, the water became deeper. And deeper. The next thing I feel is water pouring into my wellies. FREEZING cold water. I had this moment of "Can I do this? This is crazy." It was so cold, but I shook it off and had a good laugh about the situation.

This photo of me pouring water out of my wellies is courtesy of photographer Al Smith.

The water never really got any more shallow, so we just trudged through with heavy boots, hoping to scare up those rails. Several people "bit it" and ended up wet, head to toe. Not good to be wet in 50 degree weather. I felt really bad for them. But we kept going for over two hours.

New friend Linda and I taking a break

Well, am very sorry to report that we never did find those Yellow Rails. BUM! But we did see many Soras and American Bitterns, which was a new species for me. They attributed the lack of Rails to the depth of water. It was almost a foot deep, which is a bit too deep for Rails. Oh well, had a hoot of a time trying!

I ended up with five new species this morning.

American Bittern
Tree Swallow
Sedge Wren
Nelson's Sparrow (recently the Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow)
Eastern Meadowlark

Hatching of a Heart

2009-10-06T03:17:00.000-07:00

By Rich Mullins

"Well the night was cold and my heart was
Hidden very safely in a shell
But I knew somehow I'd have to run that risk
Have to open up myself
Look at the stars on the face of the sky
They're the same ones Abraham saw
Come under my wings I will make you shine
Give you strength enough to love

Oh now I'm getting strong enough
You helped me chip my way out and open myself up
And for the snow that comes with winter
For the growth that comes from pain
For the joke I can't remember
Although the laughter long remains
For the faith that brought to finish
All I doubted at the start
Lord I give you praise for all that makes
For the hatching of a heart

Well my face was smooth and featureless
Just like an egg
And if I was moved you would never guess it
By the look upon my face
But You said man looks without but I look within
I can see the love you hide
It's a matter of doubt it's a symptom of sin
It's a problem of too much pride

And I now I'm opening up wide
Wet feathers pulled out from beneath me
And You're teaching me to fly
For the strength that comes with friendship
For the warmth that comes with hope
And for the love time can't diminish
And for the time love takes to grow
And for the moonlight on the water
And for the bright and morning star
Lord I give you praise for all that makes
For the hatching of a heart

And for the moonlight on the water
And for the bright and morning star
Lord I give you praise for all that makes
For the hatching of a heart"

Happy Birthday, Smiley!

2009-10-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

You couldn't leave geese well enough alone, could you? :)
Salton Sea, Dec. 2008

Just 'Cause I Feel Like Reminscing

2009-10-01T15:51:00.000-07:00

This is a Costa's Hummingbird flashing its iridescent violet gorget.

Taken at the BMCP feeders back in July.

Happy Birthday to Me

2009-09-29T14:24:00.000-07:00

Now I just need a set of mini-speakers, and I'll be set for some serious fun!

GOOOOAAALLLL!

2009-09-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

If you don't get it, you are suppose to read the above title like one of those football announcers (as in soccer.) Loud and long!

I once again visited Gaddy Garden in Tower Grove Park (aka Warbler Central) in hopes of spying some new warbler species. Totally psyched!

There are so many warbler species migrating through right now that I actually set for myself a tiny goal. I wanted to see TEN species of warblers. Why, ten? I don't know...just random! :)

With a little help from some of my new St Louis Audubon friends, I was able to achieve my goal! Here are the ten warblers I saw between 9 am and 12 noon.

Black and White Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Ovenbird
Tennessee Warbler- NEW
Wilson's Warbler
American Redstart (many, many Redstarts)
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Golden-winged Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Nashville Warbler

And just for the record I also saw the new species Gray-cheeked Thrush. That was awesome!

Okay, yes, this is a picture of a bird butt. But(t), it is a beautiful bird butt. It is the butt of a female American Redstart, which are famous for the way they splayl their tails out (and yes, I made up that word.)

Another great thing about my day was meeting Steve Shunk, owner and important bird guide with Paradise Birding out of Sisters, OR. Steve was in town to be the key note speaker at the Audubon Society of Missouri conference (that I unfortunately didn't attend.) Steve is about to publish a guidebook on Woodpeckers. The book hasn't been released yet, so I was not able to get a signed copy, BUT was still nice to talk with the guy.

Come to find out that he had just visited Big Morongo Canyon Preserve this past April. We had a fun conversation about the Nutall's and Ladderback Woodpecker species blending that is occurring at the Preserve. That was a real treat to hear his ideas, since he is a woodpecker expert.

Great day all around. Can't wait to go back!

Take Me to Your Leader

2009-09-28T16:53:00.001-07:00

Today as I was loading up clean laundry into my car, I took notice of a brown leaf stuck to the side of the car. That's weird....

On further inspection, I discovered that the brown leaf was MOVING! OMG! What the heck is that?

It looked like a freaking alien! I was waiting for it to reach out and suck my face off or something!

After some poking with a short stick, I let the little guy alone and drove 45 minutes home, assuming he would disappear in the 75mph trip.

Nope, still holding on.

Look at it! Is it not the scariest bug you have ever seen? I swear it has teeth?!

With a little research, I discovered that the strange alien caterpillar that has adhered itself to my car is a Hag Moth.

Cool! Other than the fact that IT STINGS! Here's what I found out about my new friend.

The Hag Moth caterpillar resembles a dried leaf. The caterpillar is brown with nine pairs of fleshy lobes, all with stinging hairs. It is found on lower branches of assorted trees and shrubs, including oak, chestnut, dogwood, sassafras and ash. The caterpillars are usually seen feeding on the lower surfaces of leaves.

No really effective home first aid treatments for caterpillar stings are available. Adhesive tape or transparent tape may be used to pull out some of the broken spines in the sting area. Washing the area thoroughly with soap and water may help remove some of the irritating venom. Prompt application of an ice pack or baking soda may help to reduce pain and prevent swelling. Antihistaminic drugs, often administered for bee and wasp stings, are reportedly ineffective. See a physician if severe reactions occur. Very young, aged or persons in poor health are more likely to suffer severe reaction symptoms.

Good thing I used a stick!

Golden Wings for Breakfast

2009-09-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning I had great plans to make a trip down to Gaddy Gardens to find the million-and-a-half warblers hiding amongst the trees. I woke up at 5am excited to go, only to hear rain drops hitting the roof. Major, slow rain. I can't drive an hour-and-a-half and then bird in the rain. Trip, cancelled

I was so sad. I don't think I've ever been so bummed about not birding (other than my possible N1H1 sickness back in April after a trip to Mexico and not getting to bird at BMCP.) There were so many species of warblers down there that I have never seen, and I was missing out. Sigh....

So I plunked down on my couch, all grouchy and sad, and stared out at the feeders all soaked with rain.

And then he appeared next to the feeders....a Golden-winged Warbler! Wahoo!

New species...and I didn't even have to get out of my pajamas! That was a gift.

Equinox Bird Walk

2009-09-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

I've become a bit of a fan of Birdstack.com. The website allows me to record and share my bird lists. And it is also a great place to chat with other birders around the world.

This past Tuesday, Birdstack put out a challenge called Birds of the Equinox. Birds of the Equinox is a project to document birdlife during the September 22 equinox. They asked members to go out, record and report back what birds we find on a bird walk within 12 hours of our local time of equinox. Kind of a cool, international project!

So I did it!

Here is what I found on a two-hour bird walk at Innsbrook. Glad I did it...got a new warbler species! I ended up with 32 species. Not bad for birding alone and for only two hours!

Redstart (M&F)
Red-eyed Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Chestnut-sided Warbler- NEW
Yellow-throated Warbler
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Blackburnian Warbler
Northern Parula
White-eyed Vireo
Red-headed Woodpecker
Tufted Titmouse
Northern Cardinal
Downy Woodpecker
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Summer Tanager (M&F)
Blue Jay
American Crow
Eastern Wood Pewee
American Goldfinch
Hairy Woodpecker
Easter Towhee
Empid. Flycatcher
Black-capped Chickadee
House Wren
Yellow Warbler
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
American Robins
Field Sparrow
Eastern Bluebirds
White-breasted Nuthatch
Turkey Vultures
Starlings

Sandhill Crane Observatory

2009-09-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, my goodness! Have you ever returned to a place from your early life, and been completely surprised by what you didn't appreciate?

I knew that Northern Indiana had a great migration of Sandhill Cranes flying through every spring and summer. My dad would often return from his gas route, and tell me he had seen Sandhill Cranes out in some field along his route. Cool! What I didn't know was Northern Indiana actually has a Sandhill Crane Observatory in, of all places, one of the towns I grew up in! Wheatfield, IN! (sorry, no wheat there, though!)

Are you kidding me? The place is, like, 5 minutes from a home I lived in! I had no clue!

My dear mother took me to the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area, where we were lucky enough to see several dozen Sandhill Cranes feeding in a mowed field. I was just amazed!

A pair flying in.

My mom said that my visit was a bit early for the migration season. I guess come October, the entire field is filled with Sandhill Cranes. Thousands of people from all over the world flock to watch these beauties. Wow! I really had no idea.

I've seen Sandhill Cranes before as an official birder around the Salton Sea, CA, but to get to enjoy them this way in my hometown was special. The most interesting things I learned on this day was how they live in pairs. Mating pairs were always within a few feet of each other.

A trail leading to the observation deck, had interesting Sandhill Crane trivia. Do you know the answer to this one? Answer is at the bottom.

The Sandhill Cranes are currently migrating from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan to Georgia and Florida, where they will raise their young. What a privilege it was see them!

Thanks for sharing this with me, Mom!

It is estimated that anywhere from 12,000 to 16,000 Sandhill Cranes stopover in Indiana. Wow!

We also saw 18 White-tailed Deer sprinting across the field. The cranes didn't care a bit.

The answer the trivia question above is C) 7 ft. Can you believe it? The are only 3 1/2 ft. tall, but have a wingspan of 7ft. Crazy cool!

Grand Kankakee Marsh

2009-09-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

While visiting my parents in Northern Indiana this past weekend, I spent a couple hours birding a popular county park near their home. The Grand Kankakee Marsh is a densely wooded marsh area around the historic Kankakee River, known for its great fishing and hunting grounds.

Growing up, this place was known as extremely spooky. There were rumors of ghosts, murder, and the KKK. Who knows about the reality of these urban legends, but we bought into them anyway and spent several Friday nights slowly driving over the old one lane bridge waiting for something freaky to pop out.

If you were a warbler, wouldn't you want to hang out in these beautiful trees? Nooooo, of course not!

Returning to this area as an adult did bring on some creepy feelings, but overall, I was just overwhelmed at the beauty of the marshlands. So green!

My best photo of a Swainson's Thrush (it's hard taking good photos in low light!)

I had hoped to hit a warbler windfall, but instead enjoyed some great marsh species like a Belted Kingfisher, Virginia Rail (just heard it,) and Swainson's Thrush. Oh, my goodness! There were SO many Swainson's Thrushes! It was great to study the sweet things, since they were everywhere!

90 percent sure this is a female Yellow Warbler, but of course, I have been seriously wrong before! :)

Here is my list for the Grand Kankakee Marsh:

Turkey Vulture
Blue Jay
Empid. Flycatcher
Swainson's Thrush
Red-eyed Vireo
American Robins
White-breasted Nuthatch
Black-capped Chickadee
Yellow-shafted Flicker
Great Blue Heron
Red-Headed Woodpecker
Eastern Wood Pewee
Downy Woodpecker
Belted Kingfisher
Fox Sparrow- New
Marsh Sparrow
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Virginia Rail (heard call)
Yellow Warbler

Warbler Central

2009-09-19T18:31:00.000-07:00

Fall migration! Yeah!

I am so looking forward to this. I nearly missed all of the fall migration of 2008, as I was at sea on m/v Ursa Major all of October, and the same goes for the Spring 2009. I was running around Mexico on a cruise in April. So this is my first real migration as a birder. Yeah!

I have recently joined MOBIRD, which allows me a listserv of all the birding action around Missouri. I have loved learning about where and when birds show up around the state and immediate area.

I have learned that one of the migration hotspots in the St. Louis region is the Robert and Martha Gaddy Wild Bird Garden in Tower Grove Park. It is considered warbler central in St. Louis. People sit there for HOURS waiting for new warbler species to show up.

I had to visit. It was killing me that I hadn't visited sooner, but it is nearly 1 1/2 hours to St. Louis City. If I went, I wanted to be there all morning, and I had to have other things going on around the county in order to make the trip worth the gas money. Tuesday...tuesday would be the day.

As a birder, I have learned that warblers gather at dusk, fly during the night and rest during the day. I have also learned to carefully consider weather patterns and how they effect fallout. Late Monday evening a rainy front moved into the St. Louis region.

So, one of two things was going to happen, a) the warblers would take the hint and take off before front moved in and there would be NO warblers at Gaddy Gardens, or b) they would stay put because of the front and I'd see LOTS of warblers. I could have a really great day or a really bad one. Risk, risk, risk!

And the prize for the CUTEST warbler I have ever seen, goes to the Ovenbird. The sweet little ground forager walks like a chicken, bobbing its head back and forth. Too cute!

Well, lucky me. It was a great day! I saw lots of warblers! Yeah!! Here is my bird list for Gaddy Gardens in Tower Grove Park:

Female Redstart
Ovenbird- NEW
Swainson's Thrush
Nashville Warbler
Black and white Warbler
Blue-winged Warbler
Cardinal
Female Summer Tanager
Starlings-duh!
Robins
Cooper's Hawk
Catbird

Another funny moment of the morning was...well, actually it wasn't so funny, because I seriously missed out...was me missing a Golden-winged Warbler because I was in the bathroom. Too much coffee and birding does not mix! Let that be a lesson to ya!

Lights Out

2009-09-18T12:56:00.001-07:00

This past week, in cooperation with the St. Louis Audubon Society, the National Park Service turned off the lights that illuminate the Gateway Arch at night. I guess, the extremely intense lights were a distraction for the migrating birds flying through town.

What a cool city I live in!

The lights will be off until September 30. The NPS also shuts the lights off for two weeks in the spring for Spring Migration.

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary

2009-09-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

I am finally getting connected with other birders here in St. Louis! Yeah! I got to take in the Riverlands Migratory Bird Santuary with the St. Louis Audubon Society on their first field trip of the autumn season.

The Riverlands covers the wetland areas around the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and is located just outside of Alton, IL. I can't say enough about how important this area is to migratory birds. It was a bit humbling. One best parts of the day was learning that one of the ponds we birded called "Heron Pond" was to be increased in size to allow more birds, and I got to meet and bird with the private donor who headed the entire project! Sweet!

I met lots of new people, and enjoyed their enthusiasm. I did have to laugh at the fact that EVERYONE had scopes. Okay, that's not entirely true. Not everyone, but nearly. The pond banks were lined up with scopes, which to me was funny. Thankfully, they were willing to share, and I got to see FOUR new species!

I actually felt that I contributed to the day by finding a Black and white Warbler. Shew, hopefully they like me! :) The best bird moment for the day was seeing the largest flock of White Pelicans I have ever seen. I estimate that in the photo below there is 200-300 white pelicans. This flock was the second of three large flocks flying in succession. So, maybe, in all I saw nearly 700 pelicans flying south. OMG! Breathtaking!

Like I said before, I enjoyed my time with the group and look forward to future trips with them. I do have to say, though, that my heart was a little sad not birding with my BMCP friends. Actually, my heart was a lot of sad. Again, I miss you guys!

Here is my bird list for the entire day:

Juv. Little Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
Snowy Egret
Caspian Tern
Starlings
Great Egret
Mallard Duck
Canada Geese
Dowitcher (un-id'd)
American Avocet
Red-winged Blackbird
Greater Yellowlegs
Semi-Palmated Plover
White Pelican
Baird's Sandpiper-NEW
Stilt Sandpiper- NEW
Blue-winged Teal
Kildeer
Shoveler Duck
Double-crested Cormorant
Buff-breasted Sandpiper- NEW
American Goldfinches
Osprey
Red-tailed Hawk
Black and White Warbler
Yellow-throated Vireo
Magnolia Warbler- NEW
Chimney Swifts

Shaw Nature Reserve

2009-09-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

After our nice walk around Innsbrook, Laura and I took a drive south to the Shaw Nature Reserve to look for those warblers. What a gorgeous place! The wildflower gardens of the Reserve are popular with local artists, and now I know why...wow!

Again, Laura and I struck out on the warblers, but we did have a nice time strolling the fields. We got a great look at a couple Indigo Buntings popping up and down in the field, and completely lost count of the million and a half American Goldfinches we saw chirping around. I think our best bird moment of the afternoon was seeing two Summer Tanagers getting it on amongst the branches. Should we be watching this? Ya, totally! Bird porn!

Here's our small afternoon bird list....

American Goldfinch
Cedar Waxwing (lots of them)
Summer Tanager
Empid. Flycatcher
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Indigo Bunting
Unidentified Sparrows
Eastern Bluebird
Nighthawks

I was sad to see my new friend go, but she had so much adventure ahead of her. Thank you, Laura, for two days of true fun. I'm sending warbling thoughts your way! You go, girl!

Now, all my California friends, IT'S YOUR TURN! :)

Cross-Country Visitor

2009-09-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

This past week, I had the immense pleasure of meeting and birding with California native and frequent BMCP visitor, Laura Shelton. Laura is driving and birding her way across the United States on her way to the Cape May Bird Observatory in New Jersey, where she will be volunteering her time there during the fall migration. What an adventure!

Laura was so sweet to contact me to arrange some birding time with me in the St. Louis area on her trip eastward. I am so humbled that she did. We had such a great time! Her enthusiasm and love for birds was such an encouragement.

After a nice get-to-know-you time near her B&B Tuesday night, we got together for some major birding Wednesday morning here at Innsbrook. She is a warbler fanatic, and I wanted to impress her with some of the warbling cuties I've been seeing around here recently. Sadly, the warblers decided that they needed the day off and were mostly no-shows. We still had a great morning and ended up with 27 species, several of which were new species for Laura (the Blue Jay!)

Here's our morning list

Wild Turkey
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Tufted Titmouse
Black-capped Chickadee
Chimney Swift
Mississippi Kite
Nighthawk
American Goldfinch
Blue Jay
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Piliated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood Pewee
Indigo Bunting
Easter Towhee (M&F)
Summer Tanager (M&F)
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher
House Wren
Cardinals
Field Sparrows
White-breasted Nuthatch
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Blue-winged Warbler
Canada Geese
Downy Woodpecker
Empid Flycatcher
Cedar Waxwing
Ruby-throated Hummingbird

I've been Barred

2009-09-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing them around Innsbrook, but have never seen them. Owls, I mean. Lots and lots of owls calling out into the night. The one owl that has been, I guess, my "goal" owl since returning has been the Barred Owl.

Do you know what a Barred Owls sounds like? Screaming monkeys! Okay, not really screaming monkeys, but screaming something. They are very loud and squawky-like, not the nice soft whoo-whooing we are typically used to. Here is a sound bite of a Barred Owl. There at least two out in the woods near my home, and boy can they put up a ruckous! I love it!

Finally, a couple evenings ago, just back from birding with Laura Shelton (HI LAURA!) my headlights shined on an unusual figure in the woods. BINGO, I found an owl staring at me! And it was none other than a Barred Owl! Literally, whoo-hoo! Awesome!

New species...check!

Have Binoculars, Will Act Like Bird Nerd

2009-09-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

I had a moment this week.

A moment I'm still reminiscing about, and trying not to feel like a total dork about.

I was visiting the Powder Valley Conservation Area, where they have a fantastic Nature Center. The back wall of the nature center is a window that overlooks a huge bird feeding area. Great place for avian education!

Well, when I entered the building, I stopped and chatted with the volunteer behind the desk. In the corner of my eye I could see birds flying around the feeders, and, of course, I had to see them.

So without thinking, I raised the binoculars that were hanging from my neck to check out the birds...while still standing at the desk...inside...from across the room. Then I heard giggling from behind the desk.

He said, "You must really like birds."

What can I say?

In Good Report

2009-09-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

In keeping with my goal of seeing two new species a week, I enjoyed discovering a Yellow-throated Vireo amongst some lakeside trees here at Innsbrook, and I found three Common Nighthawks flying around (I assume, flycatching.) Whoo-hoo!

This is the best photo I could get of the Nighthawks. I'm hoping they will return, so I can get more shots.

Common Nighthawks are so fabulous! I love that bright white stripe under their wings. They almost fly like they are being strung along like a marionette. Kind of floaty-like. Love em, love em, love em!

Hummingbird Moth, another great find

Also, another really neat bird thing I have seen this week was an albino American Crow. It was amongst a flock that was flying away from me over a hay field, so I lost it within seconds. But, HOW COOL WAS THAT! As the flock flew over, I was like, "What the...?" I just about ran off the road!

I swear one of these days, I'm gonna totally bite it, and end up in a ditch or run into a pole.

Really, officer, I was just looking at a bird! :)

Grace for the Weary

2009-09-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

I've come to understand in the past few weeks that birding is good for the body and soul.

Many of you know that I have been working through some pretty tough personal issues recently, and I feel like I have been wrung through the washer, mentally and physically. I have found, though, that bird walks have helped alleviate some of that pain.

There is some sort of psychosomatic process going on when you bird. Think about it... the general stance of a birder is to be looking up. Chin up, eyes up, neck elongated. The whole body in balance, steadying those binoculars, waiting for that bird to peek its little body out. Just the act of bird watching changes how you feel.

As I go on hikes through the Missouri woodlands, I have seen myself change. Even for those couple hours. I start my hike with feet dragging, head down and a drifted stare into the ground. As more birds appear, my eyes lift and, suddenly, I've forgotten my worries. There are new species to be found! My body starts feeling better and then my spirit follows suit.

Now, when I find myself low, I step outside, take a deep breath and say, "Just look up, Alicia. Just look up."

The photo above is my most favorite of the BMCP group. I miss you guys....

Good Day at Feeder

2009-09-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

That's Red-bellied Woodpecker pigging out at the feeder and an immature Rose-breasted Grosbeak patiently waiting his turn.

These aren't the clearest of photos, I know, as they were taken through a window.

Hel-lo, Mr. Sibley

2009-08-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my life!

See What I've Become?

2009-08-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Birding in the Cracker Barrel parking lot

(I was looking at Sparrows, thank you very much!)

The Ponds

2009-08-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

I returned to the Busch Wildlife Area to bird a few of the 40+ ponds. What a beautifully sunny morning! I had great hopes of finding a few new species (such as a bittern or a duck) but the day was without. :( It's not quite migration season yet, so I guess my expectations were a bit high.

But I did have a sweet time watching the dozen or so Green Herons around the Adhen Knight Hampton Memorial Lake. Green Herons crack me up because the can stand SO still when they are hunting. It's like they are little statues. They so such funny little creatures!

"I'm not here. You don't see me."

Beautiful lily pads (or whatever they are really called!)

This Easter Phoebe was picking out little seeds from the cone it's sitting upon. I'm pretty sure its a phoebe. Please tell me, if I'm wrong. I stink at Flycatchers from afar!

Turtle saying "Wassup?" or just begging for food.

These cool tree markings are holes drilled by Sapsuckers looking for, well, sap!

Not Birdy, But Purdy

2009-08-25T06:03:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago during the Pereids Meteor Shower, I went out at 1 am to photograph the shower. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to catch the shooting stars (it was a technical problem, more than actually capturing the white streeks.)

So instead, I spent the next three hours driving around Innsbrook in the dark, shooting photos of the lakes and the surrounding night sky. I want to point out that the glow that you see in each photo is NOT the early morning sun rising. It is the lights from the city of St. Louis! Enjoy!

Things I Never Thought I'd See

2009-08-22T09:38:00.000-07:00

Went on a great little hike last evening, and came upon a beautiful female White-tailed Deer. I was surprised how close she let me get to her.

As I was taking some shots of the deer, a Flycatcher came swooping down and SAT on the back of the deer! It sat there for about two seconds and flew off again. What an amazing moment! I'm still laughing about it!

When Birding Gets Tough...

2009-08-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

...the Tough Look at Flowers?

The last several days have been very rainy/stormy here in the St. Louis area. (Oh, how I miss the blue skies of the desert!) I haven't yet figured out how the birds respond to the local weather patterns and the birding has been a little off (or maybe, I'm a little off!) So, when the birds were slacking a bit the other evening, I went about photographing wildflowers. Just wanted to share my finds...

Partridge Pea

Purple Aster

Jewelweed
(this is, like, the best looking weed I've ever seen!)

Pale Touch-Me-Not

Every American Goldfinch's dream flower, the Purple Coneflower

And just cause I appreciate the life cycle of every living creature, here is a dead Coneflower. Kind of goth, don't you think?

FYI, did you know that Missouri has more native species of orchids than Hawaii? Hawaii has only three species of wild orchids, while Missouri has 35! Wow!

Learning to Warble in Missouri

2009-08-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning, I decided to stay within the Resort and do some birding along one of the great nature trail Innsbrook provides. It was a very nice morning, weather-wise and the trail was to follow a flowing stream. I was totally looking forward to this. I had some good mojo that today was going to be a good bird day.

Within 20 feet of the trailhead, I found my first Kentucky Warbler. It flew down right in front of me! Nice...that was easy.

I then spent the next three hours completely wrenching out my neck, trying to identify little cute Warblers 100 ft above my head! Oh, the challenges of birding in a tall, dense forest!

I can't tell you how much time I spent trying to identify a female Northern Parula. She was SO high up, so squirrel-y that I couldn't get a good look at her. I could only see her undersides. I was like, "Please come down here! Please, just dip your head just so I can see the top of your head. Please just sit still!" I almost wanted to throw my hiking boot at her! :) (You're all laughing at me right now, aren't you?) lol

I am slowly learning how to bird in Missouri. S-L-O-W-L-Y....

Question is: Do they make neck braces for birders?

I don't know if you can tell, but this Indigo Bunting is totally giving me the stink eye. He and his mate were going completely BAH-ZERK. I was obviously around their nest, which I never could find.

Things That Remind Me of Home

2009-08-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

Found this old car along a middle-of-nowhere trail I took yesterday. Memories of the Mesquite!

Well, it's happened already....

2009-08-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

It hasn't even been one hour since I sent out a notice about this blog, and already I've misidentified a bird! (That is why I NEED you!)

In the post It's Rough Being a Bird, I was dork and assumed the bird I held in my hand was a juvenile White-breasted Nuthatch (cause they are everywhere, and it has SOME similar traits.)

Thanks to dear ol' Dee Zeller, I am told that I am actually holding a Black-and-white Warbler! I'M HOLDING A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER?! OMG!! That would be a new species for me, thank you very much. I'm freaking out a little, now!

Lesson learned....NEVER ASSUME! (Thanks, Dee! Love you!)

What would you say?

2009-08-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

Went for a great bird walk this morning here at Innsbrook, and I came across this little fella. At the time of the sighting I couldn't get a good ID on him, but now examining the photo, I'm thinking it's a juvenile White-eyed Vireo. I know, the photos are not the best.

The basis of my ID its yellow spectacles, white neck and yellowish breast.

What do you think?

Doo-tee-doo...

2009-08-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

...a new species for you-know-who!

Worm-eating Warbler

Found him right outside my dining area window. That wasn't hard! (P.S. This one is not my photo.)

It's Rough Being a Bird

2009-08-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

One of the nicer things about my home at Innsbrook is that one whole side of the home is windows (it's an A-frame.) Great for us humans watching birds, but not so great for the birds.

This morning while vacuuming, I heard a loud thunck. D-oh!.. I know that sound. It's a bird diving into the window. I shut off the vacuum and carefully peaked outside to see what bird death scene I might find. I mean, I did hear it over the vacuum.

Laying on the decking was an immature ***White-breasted Nuthatch*** (now correctly identified as a Black-and-white Warbler!) I am laughing to myself right now, because, thankfully, the little guy wasn't dead, but it was laying on its back with its legs straight up in the air. Totally funny position for a bird to be in.

I carefully picked it up and allowed it to recover from its brain bash., which took about 10 minutes. It was a great opportunity to study it up close. The little booger had a death grip on my hand!

Places You Don't Want to Leave

2009-08-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

In my effort to get out and find great birding spots around the St. Louis Metro area, I spent a relaxing morning at the August A. Busch Wildlife Conservation Area.

Wow! This place has got it all. Riparian areas, lakes, meadows, mowed fields, and dense woods. Typical wild Missouri, I guess. What amazing beauty!

My prize bird for the day was a female American Redstart, which is a new species for me. I found her hanging around a little fishless pond, along with about 15 American Robins. No kidding. 15 Robins!

See, I told you it was fishless!

Another great find was an Eastern Towhee, singing at the top of its lungs.I'm beginning to think that the Eastern Towhee is not as "rarely seen" as some of the literature says, 'cause I'm seeing them everywhere. That, or I'm just really lucky.

Eastern Towhee

Monarch Butterfly

A Monarch Caterpillar

Party on the fountain!

Beautiful Red-tailed Hawk, with a Mole catch

Sharing the Love

2009-08-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

One of the great joys I had over the weekend in Indiana was sharing bird watching with my nephew. I had no idea he was so interested in birds!

Together we searched for a mysterious bird that my folks have seen around their farm the last couple months, and have been unable to identify. We found the little booger (actually, big booger!)

It had me a little perplexed because it mostly looked like Brown Thrasher, but according to my bird guide it should have had a curved bill, which this bird definitely did not have. Anthony was fantastic in remembering it’s persistent warning call (we were obviously around a nest) and we checked out Cornell’s website for more photos and a sound bite.

Sure enough! It was a Brown Thrasher.

It was precious time with Anthony, and I promised to take him on a real bird walk once we return to Missouri. I already taught him how to pish, which was great fun. I can’t wait to spend more time with him. Looks like I have a new birding partner!

The new birding duo!

Oh, and I really do need to get a new bird guide. I got burned this time. Question is Peterson's or Sibley's? :)

Time with the Fam

2009-08-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

Got to spend a fun weekend with my sister and her family at my parent's home in Northern Indiana. The highlight of the weekend was seeing my niece and nephew help my dad throw candy from his gas truck in the DeMotte Town & Country Parade. Who doesn't like being in a parade?

CANDY!!

My reason for the roadtrip...my cousin Lisa (whose been stationed in HI for the last 4 years!)

Go- carting at Grandma and Grandpa's! Lizzy getting go-cart instructions from her daddy

Go-cart rescue mission! We forgot to tell Anthony how to turn the go-cart around. He got stuck out in the corn field!

All is well! Anthony keeps zooming around the yard.

Getting Used to My Avian Digs

2009-08-07T18:14:00.000-07:00

One thing that I’m having to get used to since moving back to Missouri is all the new “common” species. Ya, I know, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow is now my new best friend, but what I can’t get used to seeing are the Buntings. Deep blue streaks flying all over the place.

On every bird walk I take around Innsbrook, I find several pairs of Indigo Buntings. Indigo Buntings for goodness sake! I do a little “happy bird dance” every time I see one (’cause I got no one to high -five) and walk away satisfied that if I see no other bird today that at least I saw an Indigo Bunting.

I’m wondering how long it will take before it becomes one of my “junk birds?” I hope never.

Sweet Girl

2009-08-06T18:18:00.000-07:00

One of the common, but definitely more interesting, bird sounds I hear around Innsbrook is the call of the Eastern Towhee. I finally found one! After a persistant chase, I found this sweet little lady lurking in a low tree.

I think she’s blushing that I found her!

The After Six Crowd

2009-08-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

When I’m at Innsbrook, I normally take bird walks in the morning, when the birds are peeking out in the warm sun. Last night, I needed to get out of the house and I decided to take my binoculars with just in case something interesting pops up. I AM SO GLAD I DID!

In a grove of mixed conifers and deciduous trees, I found a small tree ripe with these tiny little red berries. Well, the birds were all over that! It was crazy! Within five minutes I spotted the following birds in the tiny tree:

Eastern Bluebirds (male, female, and immature)
Blue-winged Warblers (two, chasing each other around)
Hairy Woodpecker
White-breasted Nuthatch
Black-capped Chickadee
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Great Crested Flycatcher
Catbird (new species for me)
Cedar Waxwing
Tufted Titmouse
Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Cardinal pair

Totally fun for five minutes! Complete surprise to me since it was after 6pm. I don’t know what type of tree that was, but, boy was it good eats (for the birds!)

I also saw these birds along the mile-long walk.

Wild Turkey (3 adults, and 5 babies)
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
Carolina Wrens
Many Crows
Red-Winged Blackbirds
Field Sparrows (New species for me)

2009-08-02T18:27:00.000-07:00

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Look who said “Good Morning” while I was enjoying my morning coffee. What a treat!

Rio Grande Nature Center State Park

2009-07-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

As I traveled down I-40 on my journey back to St. Louis, it did occur to me that I was passing through several Western States known for their fantastic birding. Especially New Mexico. It was killing me that I was within a couple hours of Bosque del Apache National Wilflife Refuge and not able to enjoy the opportunity. I had my cat, Verbal, with me and driving him across country made the trip interesting, to say the least. In addition to Verbal I had a fully loaded (actully, overloaded) Dodge Neon, that could poop out on me at any moment. The extra miles would not have been wise in an overloaded car. I'd have to save Bosque del Apache for another day.

So instead, I chose to make the best of my time in Albequerque by visiting the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. While it wasn't THE season to be there, it was still a nice place to visit. If you ever visit (and please, do) take the time to walk all the way over to the Rio Grande River. I found the most birds there.

The hummingbirds were cool, but check out all the turtles in the background!

My best bird for the day was, what I believe to be, my first Allen's Hummingbird. Okay, I know, those Selasphorus are a stinker to ID, but it was really green. I mean, really, really green. That would be one really green Rufous, if it were a Rufous. So I'm saying it was an Allen's. Ppppllll. :)

It was a hoot to watch the hummingbirds flycatch over the water.

I'm in Albequerque

2009-07-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

How can you tell?

Too Cute

2009-07-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

Figuring it out

Umm...not quite

Ah-ha...

There she goes....a birder in training!

Last Night in California

2009-07-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

Gumbo in the BMCP Education Center...thank you, Gina!

Me and Miss Cool Sunglasses

I found it a blessing (and rather ironic) there several Swifts floating around this night.

Saying goodbye to my favorite view at BMCP

My two favorite people in whole world, the BMCP Hosts, Dee and Betty Zeller. TEARS!

Goodnight and Farewell, Yucca Valley