Archive for October 2009
October 28, 2009 | 
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Northern Flicker, Yellow-shafted (Colaptes auratus)
I recently visited family in Missouri, and was able to fit in a little time outdoors. This is a Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus). I can tell that she is a female because she lacks a black mustache, a trait that is more definitive in flickers than in people. 
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I’ve just finished processing pictures from my 3-day trip to Riverside, Missouri. I have a great lineup of images and information to share – probably over 2 posts. For starters, let me introduce you to part of the Missouri River:
This view of the Missouri River is from a new park in Riverside, specially designed to withstand being completely submerged in flood conditions. Read the rest of this entry »
What better time to write about the fruit of an Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) than during baseball’s American League Championship Series? This photo shows that the fruit of an Osage Orange tree is closer to the size of a softball than a baseball, but I don’t have a cool autographed softball to use for comparison. This baseball is autographed by former Yankee, Dave Winfield – and his old team had a great game tonight! Instead of an “inside look at baseball,” we’re going to have an inside look at a “horse apple.” Read the rest of this entry »
This young Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) might as well have winked at me as he flew right by! This is my last post about my trip to Port Aransas, TX, and it should come as no surprise that I saved the pelicans for last. 
Something about pelicans – no matter the species – makes me smile. Maybe it is the way they waddle on the ground, or gaze serenely at passers-by over their very long “noses.” Read the rest of this entry »
I invite you to take a look at my glorious day in Port Aransas, TX – rain and all! The area has been dry for so long that the residents have been on water restrictions. This rain was welcomed by wildlife and the locals…so I decided to have fun with it myself. I have lots of pictures to share, so sit back and enjoy! Read the rest of this entry »
It is time for another ID Challenge contest where participants play for their favorite nature/wildlife/conservation charity. This month features a bonus question worth another $5, making it possible for you to win a $15 donation in your name. This contest will run through midnight, October 30, and the winner will be posted a day or two later. The first person with the most number of correct answers will win, and multiple entries are welcome. Good Luck!
Picture 1 | Port Aransas, TX
What do you see?
I haven’t yet mentioned the weekend I spent with my sister in Austin, TX, where we visited a park along the San Gabriel River. That was the weekend of 9/19/09 – the big International Coastal Cleanup Day. I’ll have more about that later, after I attend a few more cleanups before the end of October. Meanwhile, I’ve traveled to several places in a short period of time and am brimming with images and thoughts to share. Now I’m in Riverside, Missouri, looking forward to tromping the trails at several parks and a nearby wildlife refuge. I’ll keep this short, and offer one of my favorite kinds of images to ponder.
In this image I first see a human hand, grasping something between thumb and index finger. Then my mind’s eye morphs the aged tree limb into a turtle head. What do you see? Enjoy.
Winner - AJ & WRR
The September ID Challenge contest has come to a close and we have a winner! AJ was the first person to get the most number of correct answers. She recently learned that Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation has expanded their excellent services to include domestic pets, in addition to wildlife. This bit of news is why AJ chose WRR as the recipient of this month’s $10 donation. Great job, AJ!
We had 2 contestants for the month of September, so if you think you can’t win $10 for your favorite charity, the odds are looking pretty good! The October ID Challenge will be posted by Oct. 6, and will run through the end of the month.
And now, the answers: Read the rest of this entry »
