Grosbeak Heaven

This afternoon while I was working at my computer, I glanced up at my bird feeder occasionally. I thought it neat that a female Downy Woodpecker and a male Grackle came to the feeder, but then..... Several male and female, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, including a male in his first spring colors. Then Evening Grosbeaks, and then to my great surprise, this Blue Grosbeak! I had never seen one before. I always keep the camera at hand, so I snapped this picture. Before I posted it, I had to run it past my birding teacher from Antioch, just to make sure I was right. Meade Cadot confirmed that this bird was an adult male Blue Grosbeak. He also said that Blue Grosbeak will stop at feeders when they first arrive after their migration. I was thrilled.

Ovenbird Nest

This picture is my interpretation of the Ovenbird nest I saw last week with my friend, Robin. It looks like the bird finds a spot in the leaf litter, then begins pushing the litter up with its bill. He keeps pushing the material up until he can fit inside. Amazingly the litter with pine needles remains standing straight up, as long as nothing, and no one steps on it. So if you're out in the woods, and hear the telltale "teacher, teacher, teacher..." look around on the ground for a small mound like structure of pine needles and sticks. The nest we found had an oak leaf over the opening, kind of like a "screen door".

Birding 101

This morning I went birding with my friend Robin. It's purely coincidental that her namesake is a bird. Robin is a very accomplished birder, so I was sure to see every kind of warbler possible. We saw 27 species of birds! We made a good team, as she recognized the bird songs, I located the birds. I was delighted to see a Parula Warbler, a Scarlet Tanager, and an Indigo Bunting. We also so saw Yellow-Rumped, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, and Black and White Warblers, Common Yellow-throat too. Robin showed me an Ovenbird nest which was on the ground in tree litter. She just happened upon it herself while out birding. I will have to draw a picture of it, because the photo I took really doesn't do it justice. We found an Oriole pair, busily creating their nest in a Maple sapling of all things. Usually they prefer Willows. This pair chose to make their nest relatively low, compared to the typically high placed nests in Willow trees. The photo is of the nest in progress.

Pinheads and Bearded Hen Turkeys

Another glorious spring day, and perfect for mountain biking. After I mowed my dust bowl, I hopped on my mountain bike and headed for Mine Ledge Rd.(north), then to London Rd. in Westermoreland. I located a rarely used trail that I know of. The trail travels westerly, toward a place locally known as "Windgate". In 2004, a conservation area was established there in memory of Phillip Faulkner, Jr. The trail is dotted with several cellar holes, and the ever present stone walls. I know of at least two "pinheads" out there. Pinheads are mounds of stone piles. The one in the background, was painstakingly piled to perfection. Whoever put the granite squares there knew just how to pile them, so they wouldn't topple. I found another, not pictured that was more deteriorated, and constructed of round stones like you would find in a stream bed. If you "double-click" on the photos, you can get a closer look.

The turkey photo comes to me compliments of a friend in Westmoreland. He is lucky enough to have not one, but two hens frequenting his yard. The interesting thing about these turkey hens is, that they have beards. Although not unheard of, a little rare, and unfortunately for these girls, makes them fair game for hunters. Tom turkeys are easily recognized by their longer beards, and colorful combs. Additionally, they have a beautiful display of tail feathers while courting. Bruce tells me this hen's beard was at least two inches long. Perhaps an androgenous turkey hen? :-) I would be curious to see her offspring, and how they develop.

Endless Falls

After having enough of house chores, I decided to explore a falls I noticed the other day. I was walking my bike up Joslin Rd. in Surry. I saw a beautiful falls to the west, but I had to press on because of time constraints. I returned there today. WOW! I went to the first falls, only to find yet another upslope. I walked up to that falls, and then another, and another. Each falls more impressive than the first. The ravine grew deeper and deeper. Lush with mosses and ferns. If you didn't know better, you might think you were in a rainforest. Just spectacular really.

I came upon a winter deer kill. All that was left was a huge spread of deer fur and shattered bone.
It was easy to find bone shards because they were so white against the brown leaves. The deer path was nearby. The path was well worn, and traversed the steepest parts of the ravine. These deer certainly have no fear of heights.

I found an old engine in the bed of the brook. I could only imagine how long it had been there. It was not of this era, very large, with huge pistons. I continued along hoping to find the headwaters of this beautiful place. I emerged in a pasture at the foot of a huge hill. At the top of the hill, Merriam Rd. intersects with Joslin Rd. in Surry. I found a deer stand, one of those that you can climb the tree with. I noticed a strange plastic bag hanging from a branch next to the stand. The liquid was a translucent red color, and I could only imagine what it might be. GROSS! Guys have some strange routines when it comes to using the ole deer stand.

Just a bit further and I found a snowmobile trail. This trail is accessible from the Old Walpole Rd. or from the Pond Rd. in Surry. Perhaps I'll return with my mountain bike and ride that trail. All in all a nice short hike, with beautiful waterfalls all the way. Some tricky bouldering. But if you wear rubber soled shoes, and aren't afraid of heights, it's worth the climb. Heavy hiking boots are too stiff I learned. I'll post more pictures of the falls later. I took many!

Turkey Dance

Just a while ago, I was witness to something really neat! I was pushing my vacuum around, when I noticed something up on the hill across the road. I grabbed my binoculars, and the show began.
First, I noticed a hen Turkey moving quickly across the slope. I looked around for whatever might be frightening her. I didn't see anything for several moments. Then in all his glory, Tom Turkey sauntering, if a Turkey can saunter up over the crest of the hill. Every now and then, he would spread is beautiful tail feathers out in huge fan. His comb was brilliant red. The tom seemed to be in no particular hurry really. But then, there was a second tom! A brief battle of turkey claws ensued. One jumping up feet first at the other. The hen taking this opportunity to escape, stage left. The confrontation moved over the hill, where I could no longer see. So I grabbed my binoculars, and my camera and made my way up the hill.

I hoped I could count on the toms being too caught up in their tussle to move quickly away. It took me several moments to climb up the hill. When I got to the top, of course the three turkeys were no where in sight. But.....I know how much they enjoy scratching in the leaves on the wooded side of the hill. I made my way over there, and began calling. It wasn't long before I heard movement in the leaves. The hen, and one tom came to within about one hundred yards before they realized I wasn't another Turkey. Unfortunately with the brush, and limited focusing capability, I couldn't get a good picture of them. Perhaps I will draw what I had seen earlier. These wild encounters are rare and cherished in these Walpole hills. AAAYYYYYAAA!

PS. the photos I took while looking for the Turkeys - Smooth Shad A. bartramiana, and Bluets H. caerulea , respectively

Blooms of spring

Rather than my usually three mile "jog", I went for a hike up back yonder, over Sheep Hill(SE) to the Rapids Rd. Rapids Rd. is a class 6 road used by hunters, snowmobiles, and wilderness wanderers like myself. I always find things to look at when I'm wandering. Today was no different. I love the spring blooms, which include the Flowering Dogwood(Viburnum acerifolium) top, and the Trillium(Trillium sessile). The dogwoods are oriental-like with their flat clusters of white flowers, and sparse green mapleleaf shaped leaves. One of these days I'll paint them in water color. I noticed the Star Flowers were aching to open up too. Star Flowers are yellow and grow in moist forest soil. The Stiff Moss was brilliant green, and many ferns were unfurling.

I didn't spy any creatures on this trip, then again I was moving right along. I have noticed more Porcupines lately, and I'm told it's because there is a shortage of Fishers! Fishers love to eat Porcupines, so now the Porkies are flourishing. Watch your outhouses! Porcupines love to munch on plywood walls!