I have a passion for the outdoors and I am most happy enjoying what nature has to offer. Hobbies include photography, birding, Pickleball, astronomy, biking, and hiking. I have been happily married, for 50 years, to an amazing person.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (female). Photo taken at Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, Florida.
I have been looking for the book The Sibley Guide to Birds Second Edition for awhile now. Today, I finally found and purchased this lovely birding guide. I was specifically searching for the re-printed second edition.
I am very happy to add this book to my birding library. Howard kiddingly asks me, “How many bird books do you need?” I reply, “One can’t have too many!”
Blue-headed Vireo
On February 27, 2015 I saw and photographed the little song bird in these photos. It was flitting around hunting for bugs and didn’t stay still long. At first I just assumed it was a Solitary Vireo, which I first saw in Colorado in 1986.
Tonight, while looking through my new bird book, I discovered that the Solitary Vireo as been divided into three separate species:
(1) Plumbeous
(2) Cassin’s
(3) Blue-headed
This Blue-headed Vireo has been added to my Birding Life List at number 385.
Large head, short bill, dark gray head, white spectacles, belly and throat, yellowish flanks.
Until next time…
Sing your heart out!
Beautiful little song bird; averages one phase every 2.5 seconds.
Eloquent songsters of open marshes and woodlands, the thrushes include many familiar species. With narrow notched bills they feed on insects and fruit.
Eastern Blue Bird (male)Throat, sides of neck and breast are a chestnut color. Belly white. Males are deep blue above, females grayer.Nest in holes in trees and posts, and in nesting boxes.
Bluebird Conservation:
Eastern Bluebird populations increased by almost 2 percent per year between 1966 and 2010, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 22 million, with 86 percent spending part of the year in the U.S., 22 percent in Mexico, and 1 percent breeding in Canada.
They rate a 7 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score and they are not on the 2012 Watch List. Eastern Bluebird populations fell in the early twentieth century as aggressive introduced species such as European Starlings and House Sparrows made available nest holes increasingly difficult for bluebirds to hold on to.
In the 1960s and 1970s establishment of bluebird trails and other nest box campaigns alleviated much of this competition, especially after people began using nest boxes designed to keep out the larger European Starling. Eastern Bluebird numbers have been recovering since.
For more information on this beautiful thrush, please visit this web-site – http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Bluebird/id
~Sharing with Charlotte at Prairie Birder for Feathers on Friday
We have been traveling in Eastern Time Zone for the last 5 months. My body and mind doesn’t fully enjoy being in this Time Zone. I try, really I do!
Everything is late:
`Get up late
`Go to bed late
`Eat late
`Even Happy Hour is late
Howard feels the same. When we wake up in the morning first thing he says is, “We’re late!” And, so the day goes. {grins}
Let me say, before I have people upset with me, this feeling of befuddlement has absolutely nothing to do with anyone, nor the towns, cities and states we visit. Instead it has everything to do with how my mind and body functions outside of its tranquil Time Zone.
As we head west, toward one of the magical, dotted, Time Zone, lines, I can feel slight tingles. My body is tingling with anticipation at being closer to my perfect Time Zone.
Entering the Central Time Zone gets me a little closer. After spending the first 33 years of my life in the Central Time Zone you would think I would be fine. Its better than Eastern, but doesn’t put my mind and body in a total blissful state.
Having lived almost 29 years in the Perfect Time Zone, I look forward to being back there and having my mind and body once again in harmony. One would wonder, if living in the Perfect Time Zone, why would I want to ever leave?
I guess the answer is, to see the people whom I love dearly, and to experience the beauty of the towns, cities and states that just happen to be outside the perfect Time Zone boundaries.
As I get closer to crossing the final, magical, dotted, Time Zone line, I will let you know. Deep within my heart and soul there will be joy, and calm will replace the befuddlement.
Gosh, can’t wait until this weekend, oh the joy of daylight saving time. Just when I thought I had a handle on this Time Zone stuff.
I bet this Snowy Egret wishes he was in another Time Zone.
Until next time, I hope you are in your “comfort” Time Zone!
A focused Snowy Egret; looking better. Perhaps he slipped over into his Perfect Zone.
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