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February
14, 15, and 16, 2009 - We participated in the 12th
Annual Great Backyard Bird Count (Needed to shop for
bird seed and participate in a few million other chores
and didn't count on February 13th). At least 15 minutes
of observing in one location is necessary. Record
the highest number of each type of bird observed in the
time span chosen. Reports should be e-mailed or snail
mailed to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
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We settled in and watched for
most of the three days from our favorite observation and
picture taking window. Setting up our new birdcam
(motion activated, weatherproof digital camera) on
ground level helped verify our counts. More on
this great camera later. Great fun- can't wait for
the next chance to participate. The count was hosted by
the National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of
Ornithology and was sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited
(my favorite bird store for the latest stuff and the
information and help to use it- Saratoga Springs,
NY---Thanks for being there!)
...more
blue jay and
cardinal info and photos
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| February
4, 2009 - When my older son and his wife had one son and
then the two little girls who were only 19 months apart,
they started referring to the last two as the Girlies
(fondly referred to by me as my adorable Grandgirls). |
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Food
Guy is our major cat person, who is owned by one very
cranky male, who must be kept separately from the three
sweet females. I noticed one day that when Food Guy
talks to the calm threesome he calls them his Girlies
(individually known as Goofy, Hattie and Maggie). The
three share our love of bird watching.
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I
recently received pictures sent by my younger son and
his wife of their grown-up chickens. The baby pictures
were taken when the chicks first came to live with them
in South Carolina. They have really changed and are now
excellent egg producers. Unbeknownst to me, he had taken
to calling them the Girlies, much easier to say than
Alice, Vivian, Pauline, Conchetta, Nin, and Marguerite
(in-law family names).
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Not to be out-done, I decided to post photos of some of
my own backyard Girlies (known to bird lovers as
Goldfinch, Downy Woodpecker, Red Winged Blackbird and
Cardinal). Too often the females birds are forgotten or
mis-identified in favor of their male counterparts. Go
girlies of all types!
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February
2, 2009 - On Groundhog Day this year, Punxsutawney Phil
saw his shadow. An old German legend says that if a
hibernating animal does see its shadow on this day, then
winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen
on this mid-winter day, spring will arrive early. This
is a picture of one our personal groundhogs, who would
never voluntarily make an appearance on February 2nd in
our area.
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...more info and photos
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February
1, 2009 - February in the Northeast means cold weather,
landscapes and roadways filled with snow and ice, and
holidays of love and historical remembrances. The
usual nod to nature occurs with that famous groundhog
and his shadow, as he is dragged from his den to do his
yearly weather man act. But rightly, the whole month
is also dedicated to honor those enthusiastic bird
feeders and the birds who love them.
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..more info and photos
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