Birds, Squirrels and Gardens

Birds, Squirrels and Gardens

Balmy Breezes and Swaying Palm Trees At Harbortown

We began our southern vacation today with lunch at Harbortown in the Sea Pines Plantation, Hilton Head Island, SC. We met with our friend Danny, and his lovely girlfriend Sarah. Our destination was the Crazy Crab at Harbortown, for an afternoon lunch of seafood and pleasant conversation. A cold seafood salad was the perfect choice on a sunny breezy day at the harbor. Delicious food, cheerful conversation and a relaxing atmosphere was the perfect antidote to the winter blues still embracing our thoughts.

Danny showed us the two yachts that he works on as a tour guide. A great job for a college intern with free sailing, and an idyllic atmosphere. Danny works on a racing yacht, that was once in the America's Cup race, and is now serving as a tourist sailing vessel.

We enjoyed a lazy walk on the boardwalk, watched a parasailor lifting in the breezes out in the ocean, the sounds of flags flapping in the breeze and dozens of Brown Pelicans sunning themselves on the docks. With temps in the 70s, and light breezes it made for a perfect day admiring the yachts moored in the harbor. A few minutes with the sand in our toes at the beach brought smiles to our faces.

My daughter Sarah and I popped into beach shops for the required tourist souvenirs. My husband spent his time sunning on the beach, enjoying the breezes and forgetting about the office for a while. He deserves this vacation and much, much more, from the stress he endures for our creaure comforts.

With it getting late in the day, we stopped for a quick refreshment under the spanish moss draped live oak trees and carefree swaying palm trees.

We are planning a dolphin cruise on Wednesday, with a tour of local islands and low country. Thursday is set aside for a day in Charleston, SC. A city rich with history, lovely architecture and picturesque scenery.

With rain and severe thunderstorms in store for tomorrow, maybe we will grab a movie or just kick back with a juicy beach novel to lollygag the day away.

Enjoying the island life of palm trees and ocean breezes,

Janet

2008, The Year of the Common Redpoll

The new year is starting off with loads of backyard activity. Heavy snowfall, aerial hunting by a Red Tail Hawk and the appearance of a rather uncommon visitor - the Common Redpoll.

On New Year's Day, a winter storm enveloped the Detroit area with 9-12 inches of wet snow. The house windows had to be scraped (that is a first) because of the blowing wet snow, the winds caused deep drifts in the backyard, and the pine trees hung low with the heavy snow deposits. A pristine beautiful winterscape.

New Year's Day brought an array of usual birds and 13 fox squirrels to the backyard looking for food in the deep snow. Being the good birder that I am, I shoveled the area underneath the feeders so the birds and squirrels could find food. The birdfeeders had to be cleaned off so the birds could access them, and new seed refilled.

Today, also brought the appearance of the Common Redpoll to the backyard feeders. There have been numerous reports of these northern visitors to the greater Detroit area, however, I have not been able to see them in my backyard, up until today. This is a new life list bird for me. I am so thrilled to see these rare birds for the first time in my life.

That's what is happening today in the backyard, hopefully, photos of the redpoll will follow.

Gary and Kathleen at Bryce Canyon

Kathleen sent me a few pics of their venture into the Bryce Canyon. The trek to the bottom of the canyon is one mile. The terrain is very steep, icy and they fell a few times, but they are OK. The weather was cold in the 30s, but a beautiful descent and climb of the canyon. I hear the beer is pretty lousy, 3.2.

Starry Starry Night on Cooley Lake

As nightfall concluded Gary & Kathleen's day of departure, the Christmas lights from across the lake illuminated the pristine snowy landscape. Gary & Kathleen were able to get out of Dodge before the roads became treacherous for RV driving.

Gary & Kathleen's Discovery Tour

We bid a fond farewell to our dear friends Gary & Kathleen, as they depart on their tour of America and Mexico. Best Friends in Utah, will be the recipients of their kind hearts and skill with rehabilitating animals. We will miss their friendship, but they are needed out West, and we wish them our very best on their journey.

We will leave the light on for them at the campground, and the free 20 amp hook-up is ready and waiting. Like we said, camping available with magnificent view of Cooley Lake, space for one very large RV, and free electricity and water. One bonus, there is always food, beer and wine in the camp store free for the asking.

See You In The Spring!

Two More Birds to Add to My Life List

On Sunday afternoon, with temps in the 40s, I decided to brave the cold winds of November, and visit Robert Long Park in Commerce Twp., MI.

I have been hearing of great birds to be seen at this gem of a nature park right in my town. I took the short drive, and was not disappointed in my mission to add birds to my life list.

Using my Nikon binoculars, I was able to identify a Northern Shoveler and an American Wigeon.

What a personal thrill to see birds that one has never encountered before in the area lakes. Also present were Hooded Mergansers, Buffleheads, Mute Swans, Mallards, Ring Neck Ducks, a Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfishers, Killdeer, Downy Woodpeckers and hundreds of Herring Gulls.

A great day to walk in the woods, add birds to your life list and spent the day with nature's creatures.