Just so you all don't think I've fallen off the planet, I'll give you a quick update on what's been going on. I don't have time at the moment to go into detail, but I will later, I promise!
Yesterday I got back from a week long canoeing trip on the Magnetiwan river in Ontario, Canada. (An Anual Family Trip) One of my goals, for this trip, was to see some new birds, and really get a good look at canada nature. Besides the canada geese, it turned out I got far more than I expected in lifers! I saw at least five new birds, two of them being warblers! I cannot tell you all about it now, but I just wanted to get all excited to check out my blog soon!
Oh, and I found out for sure that that nest that I talked about a couple posts ago was a morning dove nest (thanks to Monica who is always reminding me of the obvious!)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The Complete Naturalist
A naturalist is not complete without:
a. Camera
b. at least one field guide
c. A Butterfly Net!
I just became a complete naturalist by purchasing my first proffesional butterfly net. But this is no ordinary butterfly net. It is long, and wide, and the bag is big, soft, and light weight. In fact, the whole thing is light weight. But the best part is the fact that it can fold up so small, that it is no problem fitting it into any backpack! I carry it arround with me, (in my bag, of course) and stand it up on the wall across from my bed, where I can see it. As mom says, "It's like an appendage to your body!" Perhaps the novelty will wear off, but for now, I don't feel complete without it nearby.
a. Camera
b. at least one field guide
c. A Butterfly Net!
I just became a complete naturalist by purchasing my first proffesional butterfly net. But this is no ordinary butterfly net. It is long, and wide, and the bag is big, soft, and light weight. In fact, the whole thing is light weight. But the best part is the fact that it can fold up so small, that it is no problem fitting it into any backpack! I carry it arround with me, (in my bag, of course) and stand it up on the wall across from my bed, where I can see it. As mom says, "It's like an appendage to your body!" Perhaps the novelty will wear off, but for now, I don't feel complete without it nearby.
To see a picture of the net, click here.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Results of a Beautiful Day
Yesterday was such a clear, cool day, staying in the low seventies all day! After working all morning and well after noon, I stepped outside with my camera because to take a break. I was starteled at how fall like the air seemed. It was the type of air that is so clear that you can see miles above, miles across, and hear so well from long distances. Instantly I noticed three hawks soaring high and low, catching the wind thermals. They rested on the top of a thermal, and then swooped down, as the thermal passed by, so low I though it would land in a tree. It was such a glorious day.I found a new nest! I have yet to identify it. It is big, and made with lots of sticks, mud and feathers, with peices of pine leaves on the bottom of the nest all mixed up with grey feathers. It is about 4 inches in diameter. It is quite empty, and rather low, in the nook of a pine tree in our back yard. After I ID it, I will take it down (in the fall, of course) and add it to my collection. So far I have a Chickadee nest, a House Sparrow Nest, and a Robin Nest.
If you all have any ideas regarding the identifcation of this new nest, please drop a comment.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Listen, Watch, Get Involved
This summer I was recommended by a person over at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, to begin using a website, called NestWatch, in order to record data from nests I've been monitoring for two years, now. Not only is NestWatch a good opportunity to help scientists with their research, it is also simple and fun. This is how it works:
You go out to a nest, observe the contents, and record your findings online. The organized and easy to use chart will ask you questions about your findings and give a space for notes. Your job is to diligently check the nest(s) twice a week, and record your findings, and, when a nest attempt is finished, to record why you think it stopped, weather it was successful or not etc. It's that simple! Next time you find a nest, consider using NestWatch. Plus, if you have a nature journal, you can print out all the data at the end of each nest attempt! If you are not fond of going strait from the nest to the Internet, you can also print out the chart, write your observations there, on sight, before typing them online later on.
That was Get involved part of today's post. Cornell has a whole host of nature/science related topics to offer, each just as complete and amazing as the other. Their ornithology section is truly a work of genius. With a collaboration of many enthusiastic ornithologists and volunteers, Cornell Lab of Ornithology has built several amazing sights for learning about the birds you see and never see, their behaviors and their life cycles. Including a blog with up to date Cornell activity, you can't miss a check at Cornell's master site, http://www.birds.cornell.edu/
BirdCam-Check out the nesting process of a variety of birds
On the Master site (link given above) you can click links to eBird, All About Birds, and many other activities and learning tools to expand your knowledge and spark a stronger interest in birds. Have fun with ornithology!
You go out to a nest, observe the contents, and record your findings online. The organized and easy to use chart will ask you questions about your findings and give a space for notes. Your job is to diligently check the nest(s) twice a week, and record your findings, and, when a nest attempt is finished, to record why you think it stopped, weather it was successful or not etc. It's that simple! Next time you find a nest, consider using NestWatch. Plus, if you have a nature journal, you can print out all the data at the end of each nest attempt! If you are not fond of going strait from the nest to the Internet, you can also print out the chart, write your observations there, on sight, before typing them online later on.
That was Get involved part of today's post. Cornell has a whole host of nature/science related topics to offer, each just as complete and amazing as the other. Their ornithology section is truly a work of genius. With a collaboration of many enthusiastic ornithologists and volunteers, Cornell Lab of Ornithology has built several amazing sights for learning about the birds you see and never see, their behaviors and their life cycles. Including a blog with up to date Cornell activity, you can't miss a check at Cornell's master site, http://www.birds.cornell.edu/
BirdCam-Check out the nesting process of a variety of birds
On the Master site (link given above) you can click links to eBird, All About Birds, and many other activities and learning tools to expand your knowledge and spark a stronger interest in birds. Have fun with ornithology!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
General Update
I picked my first two tomatoes off my monsterous tomatoe plants last week.
Rasberry bushes have together produced about 9 berries, picked and ate two today.
Yay! A new nest to moniter! Today, as I was walking near the basement door, a Robin flew right in front of me in a panic. I Already new there was a nest there, but the Robin had only laid infertal eggs, and seemed to give up for a while. Now there are two eggs, and I am going to regularly moniter the nest. One odd thing, is that one egg is elongated with "hard wrinkles" on the shell. This will be interesting to see how this effects the bird inside.
Today I watched as two titmice faught amounst the trees. They were furiouse! Nearby, a hord of house sparrows chattered, a few cat birds listened intently, flying hear and there to get a better view, and some ceder waxwings whistled excitedly. Even a Robin paused to listen the comotion. Meanwhile, a lovely little titmouse maid sat on a branch a little ways off and whistled its usual"Peter", which sounded more like "Friederick" to me. It was an amusing sight, and the two fighters soon chased eachother into a neighboring yard, so it was short one too.
Some Pictures:
Rasberry bushes have together produced about 9 berries, picked and ate two today.
Yay! A new nest to moniter! Today, as I was walking near the basement door, a Robin flew right in front of me in a panic. I Already new there was a nest there, but the Robin had only laid infertal eggs, and seemed to give up for a while. Now there are two eggs, and I am going to regularly moniter the nest. One odd thing, is that one egg is elongated with "hard wrinkles" on the shell. This will be interesting to see how this effects the bird inside.
Today I watched as two titmice faught amounst the trees. They were furiouse! Nearby, a hord of house sparrows chattered, a few cat birds listened intently, flying hear and there to get a better view, and some ceder waxwings whistled excitedly. Even a Robin paused to listen the comotion. Meanwhile, a lovely little titmouse maid sat on a branch a little ways off and whistled its usual"Peter", which sounded more like "Friederick" to me. It was an amusing sight, and the two fighters soon chased eachother into a neighboring yard, so it was short one too.
Some Pictures:
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