Time for another Challenge for Charity contest, where participants play for their favorite nature/wildlife/conservation charity. The first person with the most correct answers wins, and multiple entries are welcome. Good Luck!

Picture 1 | Plano, TX

Picture 1: What a cutie! (Not a hint, just an opinion ) Read the rest of this entry »

I kinda forgot to mention that I was asked to be one of the “featured blogs” at Nature Blog Network a few weeks ago. Many fine blogs have been interviewed at Nature Blog Network, and I felt honored to have been asked to participate. For any friends, blogging buddies, or family members who have not read my “feature,” please go on over to Nature Blog Network and have a look.

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by for one or for many visits. I hope you’ve enjoyed the thoughts and photos as much as I have enjoyed sharing them.

The January, 2010 Challenge for Charity contest has come to a close, and we have a winner! Amy Gates was the first to correctly identify each photo, and gave a good guess to the bonus question. Amy has selected the National Wildlife Federation to receive a $10 donation in her name. Congratulations, Amy! This month’s contest was lively, with 5 participants!

Winner-Challenge for Charity-Jan, 2010

And now, for the answers… Read the rest of this entry »

It has been awhile since I’ve penned a post here at Birder’s Lounge, and it is nice to be writing again. Like this Great Blue Heron, I have been waiting patiently – the heron, for a chance at an evening meal, and me, for a chance to share some photos and some thoughts. This heron, BTW, was standing in what had to be frigid water, since it was about 40 degrees that day! I actually thought I saw him shivering…but maybe it was my imagination. Or my empathy. Read the rest of this entry »

I am introducing a new recurring feature because I almost always have more pictures from my nature walks than I have time to write a thoughtful post. So many of my friends and family enjoy my pictures, and the virtual tours through the woods, that I thought I would share the pics regularly. I photograph everything that looks interesting, beautiful, or mysterious, and I thought it would be fun to describe what qualities I saw which prompted me to make these images. These posts will be a quick read and good source for your nature fix if you haven’t been able to get outside lately. Enjoy!

I love the way this sycamore branch is so white and so smooth – unlike any other tree that I have noticed in my part of Texas. It is hard to imagine a squirrel scampering up and down such a smooth surface! Read the rest of this entry »

Woohoo! I saw a Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)! I knew there was something different about this hawk. I saw her swooping down low over the winter fields, but I have to admit that I was unable to ID her until I got home. What a treat to watch her glide over the meadow at eye level!

Read the rest of this entry »

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)

This little Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) perched sweetly for me on a beautiful, sunny, New Year’s Day. I spent the entire day exploring new trails at a nearby nature preserve, and it could not have been a more invigorating experience.  I’ve been wanting to compare notes and illustrations amongst my small collection of antique and old bird guides, and this little Phoebe is the perfect subject. Read the rest of this entry »

Time for the first Challenge for Charity (ID Challenge) contest for 2010, where participants play for their favorite wildlife/nature/conservation organization. This year, I’m going to make it a little more interesting and a little less intimidating. I will give a hint for each picture, and toss in a bonus question each month, worth another $5. The rules are the same – have fun and good luck!

Picture 1 | Plano, TX

Hint for Picture 1: This colorful couple may very well have a nest box they call “home.”

Resource suggestion: Cornell Lab of Ornithology – All About Birds

Read the rest of this entry »

Thanks to Ted MacRae of Beetles in the Bush, The Do Something! (Good) “pot” has gone up another $8.  Not only did Ted choose to DO the Actions listed below, he also chose to tell us about it. Ted, thank you for leading by example! Ted says of his Do-Gooding,

Enviromentalism is simply a way of life – a series of small choices that, when added up, makes a much bigger impact than a single, large act.

Ted did these things:

1. HELPED RAISE AWARENESS that everything we do affects the well-being of other creatures
2. GAVE SOME OF MY OWN HABITAT back to nature
3. ENGAGED CHILDREN in outdoor activities that helped instill a sense of wonder and excitement about flora and fauna
4. PLANTED A NATIVE TREE on my property
5. REDUCED OR ELIMINATED my use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers
6. VISITED a state park, national park, or wildlife refuge
7. IDENTIFIED & LEARNED about one bird that I was unfamiliar with
8. DONATED TIME OR MONEY to an organization that is dedicated to protecting and preserving habitats and wildlife

…anyone else?