Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Great Backyard Bird Count


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Dear Friends,

Did you participate in Cornell University's Bird Count this year? This was our third year of counting, and it's always fun to keep tabs of just how many different birds visit our yard. We thought we'd do something different on Monday, so instead of just counting the birds around the place, we decided to go to Swope Park and count there. We didn't see many more birds than at home, but it was a lovely outing, crunching through the oak leaves and resting by the lime stone outcrops that are so common around here. Winter time is especially nice to be out in the woods, since there are no ticks, chiggers, or poison ivy to watch out for!

Let's see what we found~ Audrey took the following pictures, which she hopes you enjoy~

Common Teasel (which is known for destroying the organism behind Lyme Disease)

Mile Marker 11 looked like a smiley face to us!

Beavers cut down this tree, but it stuck on another tree, so they didn't get to use it (I bet they were disappointed!)
 

Treasures from the Woods; we discovered Kentucky Coffee Trees and Bladder Nuts from our finds~


One of many geese who hoped we had some treats for them~




This ring-billed gull flew over and over until he found the perfect fish~

Lake of the Woods


We didn't know there were snails this large here; we're still not sure what kind it is~




The Blue River's Warning Sign~



Dreaming of canoeing the Blue (and hoping to see a Kingfisher)~


The ground near this log was carpeted with chickweed; we could've harvested a bushelful~


Turkey Tail mushrooms (which have been shown to heal breast and other cancers)~ A true gift of the woods!

Thank you for coming along with us; there's always something new to explore and learn!

Love,

Marqueta

7 comments:

  1. Such lovely pictures! We have canadian geese here I love seeing them they should be nesting and hatching babes soon I love seeing them grazing in the fields.

    I sent off a note today for you nothing much happening here so not much to tell.

    I hope you have a lovely day!
    Love
    Erika

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  2. I did participate in Cornell University's Backyard Bird Count.
    This was the third year for us. I look forward to it and so do my grandbabies. We live along the Texas Gulf Coast .
    Smiles, Dottie

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  3. Marqueta,

    I feel like I went on the nature walk with you! Thank you for sharing your pictures with us. Those beavers certainly did a number on that tree!

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  4. GREAT photos! Love the teasel, and the Canada goose (drinking)
    especially. I love Canadad geese, I think they look sweet and kindly.
    Did you ever see the film "Fly Away Home"..? One of my very favourites : )

    Love to every one xx

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  5. Lovely post! love the turkey mushroom- I have to keep an eye out for something like that here.
    And, Marqueta! I enjoyed your last edile plant/weed/tree video!!! I learn so much- and simply just enjoy to watch them.
    God bless you and your children:)
    Deanna xoxo

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  6. I like seeing your woodland nature. The water looks so peaceful through your lens.
    Canadian geese are such handsome birds. We have them here on the farm ponds. I leave my Christmas Goose cross stitch up until February because I like to look at it longer.
    We have large flocks of blackbirds here now. They move about in black clouds.
    Karen A.

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  7. Dear Marqueta,

    Lovely, lovely! What finds. I wish we could go on a nature walk together. Perhaps someday... We have not ever participate in that, but I have enjoyed lots of info on Cornell's website. Perhaps this would be a good year to start! Lots of firsts these days.

    Love,
    Lynn

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