The second official Birder’s Lounge ID Challenge is here!

In short, the first person to submit the correct identification of the three images in this post is the winner. If no-one gets them all correct, then the first person who gets the most number correct wins. Multiple entries are welcome. The complete rules are on the ID Challenge! page.

One hint for Photo 2 regarding size/scale - the subject of the photo is about the size of quarter.

The PRIZE for this month’s contest is your choice of a bird-themed coffee mug from the Birder’s Lounge Online Store. Perfect for sipping your coffee from Grounds for Change roastery! If you didn’t see my post about the importance of choosing shade-grown, organic, and fair-trade coffees, you can find it here.

Please use this post to submit your entry/entries. When you submit, a private email is sent to Birder’s Lounge along with your name and email address. If you win, your name will be posted as the winner, and you will be notified via the email address that you submit. (email will not be shared/posted). This ID Challenge! is open until midnight, November 21, 2008. Good Luck!

On The Fence

I traveled to Mo-Ranch near Hunt, TX to attend the annual meeting of the Texas Master Naturalists. The Texas Master Naturalist program is a volunteer organization jointly coordinated by Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension and Texas Parks & Wildlife. In exchange for training and the opportunity to share the love of nature with others, Texas Master Naturalists give back to their communities through a variety of volunteer services. Read the rest of this entry »

I did not post a notice that I would be away for several days before I took off for my trip to Hunt, Texas. Well, I’m back now.

I am looking forward to sharing a few images and experiences from my trip. Look for a new post tomorrow!

The Birder’s Lounge ID Challenge! contest for September, 2008 has ended, and we have a winner!

First, I will reveal the correct answers and tell you a little bit about each of them.

1. Plano, TX

Picture 1 is better known as a Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor). This feisty little bird is a welcome sight at many feeders. I often see them in my walks through nearby riparian forest areas as well, sweeping through the trees in mixed flocks with chickadees. I remember my first “scolding” by one of  these cuties. He/she was perched in a tree, but close enough that we were looking each other right in the eye. I was smiling and he/she was very definitely telling me to move on! If you live in the eastern half of the US, then you’ve probably been scolded too! Read the rest of this entry »

Just a quick reminder that today is the last day to submit your answers for the September, 2008 ID Challenge! contest. To give it a go, click here. For full contest rules, visit the ID Challenge! page, or click here. Good Luck and have fun!

This time of year, it is hard NOT to see Monarch butterflies. If you were to ask someone to name a butterfly - any butterfly - many people would have no problem responding, “Monarch!”

I recently treated myself to a walk along a field of Goldenrod, glittering with hundreds of Monarchs (Danaus plexippus). What a neat experience! Read the rest of this entry »

This is the closest look I have ever had at a Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus). It got my attention first by its call - loud, piercing, and totally awesome. Read the rest of this entry »

I recently took over an Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) nest box route. The man who had tended to them for years took a job in another state, and heard about me from a mutual acquaintance. As luck would have it, I live about 5 minutes from the area. Since I ultimately determined that banding wasn’t for me, I was glad to have an opportunity to help birds in a less intrusive way. This was my first time to make the rounds. Read the rest of this entry »

I got the biggest kick out of this little guy and his “catch.” The squirrel is holding a Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) twig, with two ginormous acorns. He’s got built-in camouflage with the leaves - he froze when our paths met on a nature trail. He stared at me while I threw down my tripod and camera (I had been carrying them over my shoulder) to take his picture. As soon as I started clicking, he started running! Read the rest of this entry »