Painted

In the winter, I find myself paying more attention to birds, but so far have resisted the full fledged birding bug. In Florida a couple years ago, during my normal pre-trip internet search of outdoor possibilities, I became aware of a bird called Painted Bunting. I tried a time or two to see it at feeders in their state parks, but did not connect. So, when I was looking at the areas near Myrtle Beach State Park, I saw that Huntington Beach State Park has a nature center with feeders that are regularly visited by Painted Buntings. But, when I arrived at Myrtle Beach and checked their web site for opening time, I saw that the nature center had burned to the ground the prior week. I went anyways and arrived before 7 am. There was nothing  left of the nature center or its feeders. So, I roamed around checking the area but no luck. I have the Audubon app on my phone so I checked it and found a recording of its song. After listening several times and reading they like to sing from treetops, I started hearing a couple in the distance. I spent time traipsing through brush, briars and spiderwebs hearing them and finally perched myself in a spot where I had heard one several times and was rewarded by one in a treetop quite a distance away. My 200 mm lens captured it nicely and it did fly once to within 75 feet, but I could not get the long lens to focus that close more than one or two quick shots. Here are several pictures of him and other Grand Strand sights. A bird this nice could push me over the edge, Someone may spot me soon slathered in sunscreen and bugspray, wearing a funny hat and carrying binoculars that cost more than several of my first cars, Just like the guys I saw today at Huntington Beach State Park.

Just Caught A Shrimp

Looks Mad?

MAybe this is why? It says, "No Shellfish Harvesting"

First Orchids

Showy Orchis 

Two days ago (just before a nasty stomach virus knocked me down a couple of days) I went to a new favorite spot where I had seen emerging Showy Orchis and Yellow Lady Slippers  a couple weeks ago. This was a new site for these orchids which  I found just by being out and about.
 I saw Pink Lady Slipper leaves near here last fall and hoped for a trifecta of early orchids, but could not find them again

Yellow Lady Slippers

I had a couple of bird experiences this week. I am not a dedicated birder but do enjoy spotting new ones. I know its time for Warblers to show up here so I keep an eye out and spotted a pair of

Yellow Hooded Warblers.

Scarlet Tangier 

Then today sitting on the porch I saw this Scarlet Tangier fly in and had the chance to grab a camera and lens to get this shot of a beautifully colored bird

November- Is it Fall or Winter

How quickly the seasons change. It was a very pleasant fall, though hectic at times.

Now, Winter has made a sudden appearance.

So, I have filled the feeders, brushed up on the difference between House and Purple Finches, and am getting ready to settle in for cold weather. 

Not. 

I'll be out and about, hiking, 

fishing (just to show that I'm not too old to fish in Winter), 

and generally enjoying Wild Wonderful West Virginia

Witch Hazel Blooms Nov 1

Dandelion in frost

October 31, 2014

Everything has seasons, and we have to be able to recognize when something's time has passed and be able to move into the next season. Everything that is alive requires pruning as well, which is a great metaphor for endings.   

Henry Cloud

Snowy Owl-2

I was able to see the Snowy Owl again that has been staying in Beckley, WV since the 5th of January.

My previous pictures were hampered by darkness, a bright light and rain. This time he was in a very tall pine with no real  good vantage, and I just did not have enough lens. 

Snowy Owl 

         

Snowy Owl Dozing 

         

Snowy Owl

This Owl was first reported in Beckley West Virginia on Jan 5, 2014. I work in Beckley so I was able to spend at least a little time for five of the last seven days looking for the bird. On Sunday, I spent most of the afternoon cruising the mall area where it was hanging out glassing the light poles and rooftops, but all to no avail. I was watching a Twitter feed that had been reporting its location occasionally and as I was leaving a meeting at 5 pm it was reported near by, so I took off and was able to finally see it. It was on a light pole, with an intensely bright light, so the combination of dusk and rain prevented a really good picture. I never saw its face. I hope to see it again and get better pictures. The only thing I can compare this find to was when I finally found Showy Ladies Slippers after searching for three seasons.

Snowy Owl

Snowy Owls are an Arctic bird but often fly south in search of food sources in the winter. This year the unusual numbers of owls is referred to as an irruption. This is only the 2nd one I have heard of in WV this year but Ohio has 150 or more. I have heard of people from Virginia, Tennessee and Florida coming to Beckley to see this extremely rare owl for this far south.  I hope it stays around a little while longer to give as many people as possible the chance to see him.

I hope to post better pictures in the near future, but am satisfied to just see him.

Ross's Goose

A Snowy Owl was sighted in Beckley, WV and I spent part of the morning searching for it. Yesterday, it was 48 degrees Fahrenheit  and the owl was seen in a grassy area relaxing. Today it has snowed and was 18  degrees Fahrenheit and falling fast. I never saw it but I did meet three others searching for it, who sent me a message later on about a Ross's Goose in a nearby pond. I was unfamiliar with it but they indicated that I really needed to see it. So I was able to find and photograph it and now understand how rare it is in this area. Since I work near the area the Snowy Owl has been frequenting, I will be able to continue searching, but this bird was equally interesting. I really appreciate the tip on the Goose.

Ross's Goose

Winter for Real

After several fits and starts, winter seems to be here for real. Today, we are in midst of ice and sleet storm that has affected much of the East Coast. Church has been canceled all day, so I am watching out the window and reading up on birds, even though I vowed not to get hooked on them.  Probably won't spend a lot of time posting birds, just interesting items. ( but they all tend to get more interesting when you are stuck in the house)

Below are some wildlife from around the farm, roaming among the Christmas decor, and grandbabies toys.

Rusty Blackbirds (Apparently, not very common)

Joe Pye Weed in August

Joe Pye Weed in December 

J

"When your hobbies get in the way of your work - that's OK; but when your hobbies get in the way of themselves... well...”. Mark Twain