Trip to Roan Mountain--Part 3

Monday morning it was raining again. We took our laptops to the conference center across from Park Headquarters. They had free wi-fi, so we caught up on our e-mail, etc.

This was the only bear we saw while there--they did have signs posted warning of the possibility of seeing one.

We didn't see many birds on our trip due to the rain, but this Turkey was mounted inside the conference center.

Cold Weather Visitors

The cold weather has brought out the birds in greater numbers. This Yellow-bellied Sapsucker started out on the pedestal of the birdbath, pecking in the seam between it and the bowl. Then it moved to the ice on top--pecked on it for a while, then left.

These sparrows and finches didn't seem to mind that the water was partially frozen.

The Hermit Thrush also made an appearance. I got a couple poor quality pictures of it before it left.

Visit from a Hermit

This morning after T refilled the bird feeders and the bird bath, I was looking to see who (birds) were out there. Up in the pear tree was an unusual looking bird--not a goldfinch, junco, cardinal, house finch, etc. I called M to come and see. We saw a brown bird with a reddish tail, streaking on the throat and chest, an eye ring. It flew down to the bird bath and gave us a better look while we alternated between looking at it and the bird guide. It flew away before I could take a picture of it. But, our morning visitor was a Hermit Thrush! You can see a picture of it if you click its name in the previous sentence. We don't remember seeing one in the yard before.

Our Family Camping Trip

The first weekend in October, our family went camping at Bledsoe Creek State Park. We got there on Friday evening, set up camp and ate burgers for supper. Sabbath morning, M and I walked along the shore line and saw deer and lots of birds (Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Crow, Killdeer, Blue Jay, Great Egret, Mallard, Coot, Robin, Carolina Wren, Downy Woodpecker).

T relaxed at camp and read for a while. For lunch, we had haystacks--T cooked the beans over the fire and cut up the avocado.

After lunch, T washed up and then we all relaxed.

Supper was hot dogs (veggie, of course) cooked over the fire.

T also tried his hand at cooking "bread on a stick" over the fire.

Sunday morning, M and I took another walk along the lake. We saw a Bay Breasted Warbler and a Black-throated Green Warbler by a little stream plus ducks and egrets on the lake. Then, we packed up and came home (after having to get the car jumped to leave the campground).

Florida Trip--Bald Point

After we left Wakulla Springs, we stopped in Crawfordville for sandwiches and headed for Bald Point, hoping to see some birds at dusk.

There was a boardwalk that overlooked a marsh--we saw Red-winged Blackbirds and a Little Blue Heron. Also saw a bunch of little crabs. Then, we went over to the beach and watched the sun set over the water--no birds, but lots of irritating, biting bugs that ate us up.

A Walk in the Park

The walking trail


Flowers

A beautiful day

On the way home, M and I stopped at a park and took a walk on the trail. We were hoping to get some more warblers or other interesting birds, but just saw Robins, Chickadees, Cardinal, Woodpeckers, etc. It was a nice day for a walk though--warm with a breeze and sunny.

Other notable birds this week--bringing my May list up to 73

On Monday, I saw a Pine Siskin at our feeders--a new yard bird for the year.

L and I saw some Orchard Orioles (male and female) and a White-crowned Sparrow on the way home from getting new tires on Tuesday.

Today, I saw a Mallard and realized I didn't have one on this month's list yet.

That brings the May list up to 73 species--a really good month--and it's not over yet!

Sunday Birding

Sunday, we went to M's mom's for Mother's Day. On the way home we stopped at Laurel Hill Lake along the Natchez Trace for a little birding.

We saw a pair of Canada Geese with babies, several Eastern Kingbirds, a Great Blue Heron--and then, as we were leaving in flew a couple Spotted Sandpipers!

Later, on the way home we saw a Nighthawk.

Great Birding Weekend--5 Lifers!

Our pastor announced a birding trip to Radnor Lake (on the south side of Nashville) for Sabbath afternoon. M and I decided to go--got there a few minutes late (had to do medicine with Mr. M before leaving) but caught up with the pastor, his wife, and one of the academy staff shortly down the trail.



I wasn't able to get pictures of the birds we saw--most were either too far away or hiding in and out of leaves--but will link to pics for anyone without a field guide.



We'd only gone a short way down the trail when we saw a Swainson's Thrush. We continued down the trail and crossed the bridge over a small dam to a Ranger's house. Looking up into the trees around the house, we saw many warblers--5 of which were lifers for me.



We saw the following birds from the areas around the Ranger's house (which looked out over the lake):
Chestnut-sided Warbler* lifer

Blackburnian Warbler* lifer

Prothonotary Warbler

Chimney Swift

Blackpoll Warbler *lifer

Gray Catbird

Wood Duck

Rough-winged Swallow

Red-eyed Vireo

Magnolia Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler* lifer

Belted Kingfisher

American Redstart

Bald Eagle

Bay-breasted Warbler*lifer

Scarlet Tanager (actually on the trail back to the parking lot)

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Plus, there were more common birds such as the Canada Goose, Tufted Titmouse, and Downy Woodpecker.

A Walk to Daddy's

Our driveway.

Daddy's bird feeding station.

Part of the trail from Daddy's to the pond.

I walked over to Daddy's this morning to deliver some mail and visit. I walked up our driveway, across the front field to his house. I came home past his feeding station and down the hill past the pond.

If you imagine a piece of pie with the tip eaten off, that is the approximate shape of our property--15 acres. Our house sits near the back tip--Daddy's is near the top left corner. There is a pond down the hill behind his house and another one on the right side of our driveway (which winds to the right of center on the pie). The land is rolling and has trees along both sides and through the left of center. We have a couple acres of field that we let grow up as hay to put on our garden for mulch.

Great weather for ducks!

Duck takes the kids out for a picnic.

To the left of the left tree is the walking track--under water.

Goose walks on water.

No one was picnicking or playing on the playground.

But, the birds were enjoying the water!


We have had a lot of rain this week (over 4")--creeks, pond, and ditches are overflowing. I went to our favorite duck park this morning while T was taking his achievement tests. Water levels were way up. The water birds were swimming quite happily in areas that normally are dry.