Northern Flickers are in the Woodpecker Family, and I count us as quite fortunate to have a pair of them living in our yard. And sometimes there are four! It always surprises me how big these birds actually are. As I explain in the free download available on this website (click here: American Robin download), […]
This is a great place for watching Sandhill Cranes – up close and personal! And take a good look because there will probably be a few Whooping Cranes mixed right in. Wheeler NWR is one of my favorite places for birds. Cleon and I have been here before and have always seen quite a few […]
I wondered if she was even alive, The little bird perched inches from my face. I almost missed her as I walked past the towering, tangled rose bush That separates our yard from the farm next door. But my eyes caught her, nestled in the briars, A fresh young robin, short and plump. Speckles on […]
I flee my house so I can breathe in the night and listen to the leaves rattle. Walking thru the whispering streets I find myself atop a hill overlooking the lights of the city. I stand there, a solitary pillar, gazing out and letting my mind go numb. Intruding lights threaten me as I […]
Cleon and I spent an afternoon on this refuge. Our bird list is not long, but what sightings! Birds we rarely see. And one I not only never saw, but never thought I would see. This is a newer refuge than Sabine. Cameron Prairie was created in 1988. Its mission: “Manage, protect, and perpetuate coastal […]
Late in August a frequent customer came in to the Native Plant Center. I was all set to commiserate with her about what a rough summer it had been for gardeners and gardens alike – too hot and humid, no rain – when she exclaimed, “My garden was so alive this summer!” I was confused […]
Journaling is something I have thought about doing for quite a while. My first journaling workshop was out at our conservation area, in the fall and we took our little watercolor paint trays and pads out to the woods to paint. I have yet to use that watercolor tray again. So, maybe watercolors weren’t my […]
Cleon and I spent an exhilarating morning at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. It was a beautiful, brisk day. When we were there, the temperature ranged from 41°-50°F, the morning went from cloudy to partly cloudy, and the wind ranged from 5-10mph. We took a wonderful cement sidewalk/boardwalk through the marsh which included an elevated viewing […]
Cleon and I left early this morning from our home in central Illinois and drove to Little Rock, Arkansas, to spend our first night. It was an overcast day, generally no wind, and temperatures ranged from 36 when we started, to 52 when we got here. A cold, damp day. But a good day for […]
If you have been watching the livestream, you know it has been cold – really cold. We have already had several nights in single digits. Several of the past days have been completely overcast. But this morning, it was simply gorgeous. Beautiful blue sky, no clouds, only a light breeze. Three more of our winter […]