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Sunday, February 21, 2016

Winter on the prairie


To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover, and a bee.
And revery.
The revery alone will do,
If bees are few. 
































Not a prairie, but this is a popular hangout for people - animals at the Armand Bayou Nature Center






This quiet spot is a favorite of mine.Sadly it has been a year since my last visit to Armand Bayou Nature Center....During the mild days of winter I like the feeling of being in the middle of this prairie! Especially on a sunny and breezy morning, when this park is deserted..A  pretty place to walk, birdwatch, take pictures and paint plein aire  :-)




Sunday, February 14, 2016

Counting and identifying birds

This past weekend I participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count...

I got prepared by uploading the Merlin e-bird app for my phone, an easy way to record and submit what I identified....

I would start my day with planned birdwatching sessions while drinking my coffee on the backyard patio..Later in the day I would go for drives to parks or walks on the beach..

Last year I used pencil and paper and submitted my results online at the end of the day, before bedtime..

This year I submitted and reported my findings in real time via the e-bird app on my smart phone...

A fun way to learn about the birds that live in or pass thru our area :-)




My Backyard


A foggy Friday February 12 , 0800- 0900..All of these birds came to visit me in my backyard.

A young Red Bellied Woodpecker

Cardinal


Mourning Dove




A fellow birdwatcher






Yellow Rump Warbler



Yellow Rump Warbler







Pictured below are my sightings for Saturday February 13, 2016..


 I went to a state park and then to a beach to walk and bird watch..


A quiet place to be alone with my thoughts-Battleground State Park








Sylvan Beach, in La Porte Texas


Sandpiper




Egret






Red Breasted Merganser









Sunday February 14, 2016, My backyard




This is a U-tube video I made..A backyard mockingbird gave us a Happy Valentine's Morning Serenade.
My Simon was busy stalking squirrels, Oscar was by my side while I made this video..
The windy weather and Oscar's snorts can be heard throughout the audio, lol :-)
This concludes my observations for today, because I am feeling under the weather.. I have high hopes that I will be bird watching tomorrow morning, weather permitting..









Monday February 15th....

The weather was beautiful but I didn't venture out until late..The birds were camera shy, lol..This place is another favorite setting of mine, to hang out, birdwatch, walk, think, and take photos :-)



Bay Area Park, Clear Lake Texas






















Such a fine weekend to be part of the Great Backyard Bird Count!

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Romeo and the Great Backyard Bird Count

Great Backyard Bird Count 2016

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Audubon Society


Romeo




I always thought Robins were more common place in colder climates, away from the coast..I began to notice their presence in my area late this summer! With this week's visits to my backyard, the robins hung around long enough for me to run, grab my camera, and return to the backyard in time to get some decent shots.. Pictured is the male robin who came and went all week, I'll call him Romeo..


I am planning to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count 2016.

Friday Feb 12, thru Monday Feb 15 th..

It is not necessary to carry out the entire weekend of bird counting from one place..One does not have to count and record birds every day..Links to websites with instructions at the top of my post :-) I think this will be fun and easy to do :-)

 Free apps are available to identify and record what, when and where birds are seen..These apps are provided by The Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, for I-phones and Androids.