In Search of an American Pipet

Monday was homeschool meeting day. I had agreed to turn in some pictures to the yearbook leader for our Pathfinder director who couldn't be there. T was very tired from being out late for the Super Bowl Party the night before and didn't want to stay for the meeting. L came with us. So, we decided to go to a park in Springfield where Snow Geese, Ross's Geese and American Pipets had been reported.

We saw the Snow Geese right away (above--white with black tail feathers). Looked for the Ross's Geese, but decided that there weren't any. There were Ring-billed Gulls, Canadian Geese, and the usual assortment of park ducks.

Park ducks

We scanned (from the warmth of the car--didn't get out on the walking trail) this cornfield for the American Pipets, but even after several passes only saw a couple Crows and Bluebirds.

We drove back into the park hoping to see some in the mown fields--no luck. We did see a Brown Thrasher and some Cedar Waxwings, though.

Passed by this small pond which was empty. The search for the Pipets had ended and we headed for home.

Another Nice Day--A walk in the Yard

Sunday was another beautiful day with highs near 60 degrees. L came home (stayed until Tuesday--had to work on Wednesday). She and I and the dogs went for a walk to check the ponds for ice.

Our pond in the woods still had ice on it.

The pond below Daddy's house was just water, but the levels were up from all the rain we got in January.
Doobie, Snoopy, and Metu checked out the ponds with us.

In a tree along the property line by the melted pond, we saw this pair of Pileated Woodpecker holes.

Later Sunday evening, I went to Sonic to get Mr. M a burger. A funeral procession was headed out toward our road (there's a cemetery about half way down the road), so I decided to take a detour to Lake Westmoreland (a large water department pond with many geese and ducks). A flock of Canada Geese flew up as I approached. I saw mostly the Canada Geese and Muscovy ducks. I took Mr. M his burger and went home. The kids had gone to a Super Bowl Party and M and I had pizza without them.

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.

The Rains came Down and the Ponds Filled Up!

Wednesday, April 2--note a black pipe near the center of the left side of the picture--and the water level.

Sunday, April 6--notice the black pipe is more in the center of the picture--notice the water level, also.

I walked over to Daddy's this morning--couldn't believe the difference in the water levels in the ponds! Just a few days ago the water level was way down from the overflow pipe--this morning, water was running through the overflow pipe. This is the pond behind his house.

A Walk in the Yard

The Redbuds are budding.
The plum trees are blooming. (The peach trees are too, but the pictures didn't turn out).

The anenome are in bloom.
We have violets on the trails to the ponds.
A large tree has fallen across our pond.