Wild at Heart

Dreams of Summer Still to Come

2012-02-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

In lieu of getting some extra sleep, I have instead been reflecting upon the beautiful voices I have been listening to over Youtube and my birdsong CDs. The vocal abilities of birds are so astounding and below are a collection of thoughts and words inspired by their amazing songs and my daily encounters.

Staring at me unusually with his brown bespectacled gaze, the Wood thrush fills the forest noon and sings for warmer days.

Sharply bleats the bunting, blazing blue and bright; assertive are his sweet refrains as he spreads his wings in flight.

Pops of noise explode from the tanager's red throat; he twitters kindly to the woods, pleasant are his notes.

Rising fast like morning mist, a Prairie warbler sings; his seeping notes cascading low to cause an echoed ring.

Ethereal and bright, the veery trills at dawn, her flowing notes slip easily in a saintly song.

‎"Drink your tea" says the towhee as he strolls amid the trees; never did I come across a more classy bird than he.

I would one day like to feast my gaze upon the grassy tones of a Henslow's Sparrow; their textured breasts and backs streaked with auburn like a marvelous clump of summer straw.

Today I sat upon the ground by the pond and observed the geese at length. Common, of course, they placidly grazed and stretched in the cool evening glow, eyeing me with caution. I inspected a large individual and made a quiet discovery: instead of an uninterrupted white plane where the snowy band wraps cheek-to-cheek and under the chin, he instead possessed a thin black stripe that divided the left half of such band from the right. A simple and unassuming marking yet unique to this gander; one that only meets the eyes if we are willing to look.

Some of my fondest memories of the summer are of sitting by the pond, watching and listening as the Chimney Swifts sweep past on their needle wings, bubbly notes dripping about like raindrops.

Guest Blogging for the ABA!

2012-01-29T09:05:00.000-08:00

That's right, I have some exciting news: I am blogging for the American Birding Association's Eyrie blog this coming week! If you would be so kind as to head to their website and check it out, please do so! A wonderful organization that is doing their absolute best to conserve our nation's birds and educate the public about them. My post about the Ohio Young Birder's Club trip to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History will be up next Monday, so keep an eye out!

Peace Always,
Kristina

Wings Upon the Evergreens

2011-10-30T17:32:00.001-07:00

The winds are getting colder and the snow is beginning to fall. Winter is fast approaching.

Written October 24 2011

Wings upon the evergreens, sheltered fromthe wind

Sparrows, robins, nuthatches to the treeare pinned.

Gales whip their feathers round, bittercold and strong

Winter comes and winter goes; it alwaysstays too long.

Between the icicles cardinals flock, redand warm like fire

Though the coldness never dims, the birdswill never tire.

Chickadees and woodpeckers chatter in thesnow

Perhaps they speak of seasons past or theway to go.

The birds, they fluff their plumage outwhile the wind blows it astray

They dream of spring and sunny flights athousand weeks away.

~Peace always,

Kristina~

Perfection Found

2011-10-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

Glidingwith something beyond grace, the swifts sweep through the amber sky on needlewings. Their bubbling voices scatter notes like raindrops on all ears in rangeas they effortlessly twist midair in their sunset frenzy. Their feathers fanand fold with the changing winds, hairpin turns making for spectaculardisplays. Quickly, quickly, they zip over and under one another in a chaotic yetelegant whirl. Carefully reckless and abandoning any concept of impossibility,the birds hungrily fly into the wind. The bristles on their bills ruffle erratically.Nothing is between the swifts and the horizon; they have their sights set onthe end of time. Barley distinguishable wingbeats carry them closer with each passingsecond. Their simple task of nourishing themselves on airborne insects hasevolved into a dance of freedom, a passion for the sky and an unimaginable vigorradiating from their feathers. Minuscule in comparison to the atmosphere arethe swifts, yet they decline to acknowledge their apparent insignificance. Thebirds are simply overflowing with energy and ability and life. Their tiny shadows ripple over the surface of the earth, theonly reminder of their reality. Divinity is found not in distant starry fantasies,but in the feathered beings in the skies above our heads. We need not scour theuniverse for perfection, for it is present in birds.

The White Bird's Shadow

2011-10-15T22:08:00.000-07:00

Everyone has passion, obsession, and admiration. Some of us feel this towards practical things, such as cooking or crafting. Some of us feel this towards birds. I like to think birds are the better option, opening eyes and hearts and minds to so much more than what's expected.

When one has a passion for birds, there's something about said passion that goes beyond normality. Birds awaken something within us, inspiring us to do things for birds we'd never do for anything else. For example, would I stand for seven hours fully exposed to the frigid lakefront gales for anything but birds? Highly unlikely.

This morning I did exactly that-- stand for seven hours on the shore of Lake Erie, with the Ohio Young Birders Club for our Big Sit. It should have been called a Big Stand In The Cold, really. Oh, the things we do for birds. But we had a blast, and we saw birds, and we raised money for conservation: time well spent, in my opinion! 30 species were tallied, including

Ruddy Duck
Black-bellied Plover
Caspian Tern
Bald Eagle
American Coot
Bonaparte's Gull
Great Black-Backed Gull
Greater Yellowlegs

and more! It was quite an experience and definitely great bonding time for all. I enjoyed talking with Ken Keffer as always, and Kayla, Nathan, and the other teen birders! Kenn Kaufman paid us a visit, sharing his knowledge in his friendly, easy-going way. ( I know am better able to distinguish immature Black Backed and Herring Gulls! Thanks, Kenn!) And then we have Mrs Kim Kaufman, who is ~awesome~ (hi Kim!). She also let me wear her BSBO jacket because I was freezing even with 6 layers on...oh and of course when I was changing into my new BSBO shirt, the wind was crazy. She attempted to block it with a blanket but the wind hated us. Thank you, Kim, for the valiant attempt. ;-)

Let's not forget the "Exotic" species we spotted today. Some were pretty rare, so, prepare yourself:

Crazy Blue Coat Lady (go go go around the corner! flush that Green heron!)
Yellow-shorted Man (call the human hotline!)
Tumbleweed #1
Tumbleweed #2
Tumbleweed #3... and so on

Yeah, we were so desperate for new bird species to add to our list, we started watching the tumbleweeds. They kept making for the large groups of gulls and geese, only to swerve at the last second. We discovered they're quite strong sails against the wind...don't stand holding a tumbleweed in the direct wind!

In all seriousness, though, we had tons of great bird sightings. We witnessed a pair of Bald Eagles bring in a duck as prey, and munch on it before bathing. Bonaparte's Gulls flew all about, flashing their white wing edges. American Crows flapped around the beach. Turkey Vultures flew low over the masses of mallards and geese. A young Greater Yellowlegs let us get some great looks at it, along with some Great Blue Herons. Ruddy Ducks proved a challenge to identify as they bobbed far out on the lake, but perhaps the hardest identification was the single American Coot in between the Ruddies. The wind made it impossible to keep the scopes steady, and those waves were crazy! The Great Black-backed Gull was a nice sighting, and we also saw two banded Canada Geese.

I was amazed at the resilience of the birds; they were standing in frigid water with bare feet and a single coat of feathers for protection against the wind while us humans were bundled in multiple layers and still shivering... there were even a few butterflies flitting around in that crazy breeze!! Nature is AWESOME. To think of the migration all these animals must make...it's just insane.

The day closed with my viewing of The Big Year, which is an outstanding film. It's actually quite inspiring, and had me laughing and smiling the entire time. I highly recommend it.

Truly, birds are amazing ; so amazing that sometimes I have a hard time believing such wonderful and astounding creatures exist. I know I profess my love of birds in almost every blog post, but they deserve it. Every day my passion for them is renewed as soon as I see the first Goldfinch out my window, or hear the first Killdeer calling as it flies over my house. I look at a bird and ponder its existence: how can something so small and light fly so far each spring and autumn? How do such delicate objects as feathers withstand beating winds and rain and snow to carry birds through the sky?

Do you ever look at a bird and have only its shadow to confirm its reality?

I call this the 'white bird's shadow' effect: think of an egret. They are so light on their feet, always ready to take off. Their presence is buoyant and ethereal, and their pure white feathers glow in the sunlight. They are magical...angelic...almost too good to be true. Sometimes only their shadows remind me that they are, in fact, real...

~Peace always,

Kristina~

Migration

2011-10-08T14:32:00.000-07:00

dedicated to our neotropical migrants. wishing you all a safe journey.

There was no turning back.It had to be done.

The urge to fly coursedthrough her, greater than anything she had ever known. The desire to springforward and spread her wings was immense, but still fear held her back. Nomatter that she had done it once before, when she was even younger—she wasstill afraid. Afraid with good reason, of course…death was omnipresent, unitedwith the very breeze ruffling her feathers. She cocked her head to one side andclosed her eyes, mentally conversing with the internal forces that would guideher home. They were loyal; born with her and prepared to die with her. They were whispering, fly. South. Fly…

She obliged. There was barely a sound as she took thefirst wing strokes of her journey. The sun, the waves, and the wind were allreaching for her, but she did not respond. She simply flapped her wings and leftthe cold behind her without a backwards glance.

It had begun.

Choice

2011-10-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

a quiet poem about a loud subject

A deer has many options when arriving at the entrance to herwoods.

She may choose to take the path rendered soft and silent byher comrades,

Following blindly those who have gone before her without asecond thought.

She could tread through the fallen leaves,

Both alerting herself to predators and proudly announcingher presence.

She may move amongst the newly sprouted undergrowth,

Leaving her scent for others to follow though not quitemaking a noticeable track.

She could skirt the borders of the forest,

Avoiding conflict and confrontation but removing herselffrom discussion.

Yet the deer has another option:

To stand frozen at the entrance too afraid to proceedindividually,

Waiting for a friend to come along and guide her.

Yes, this is a choice the deer and her kin must make daily.

It is also the most important resolution they will make;

their lives and peaceful existence depending on theirdecisions upon entering the woods.

The Art of Listening in the Woods

2011-10-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

yet another essay

For many of us, value is lost in theconstantly changing world around us. Out of touch with ourselves and ourenvironments, we go about our daily lives concerned with what’s next and neverwith what’s now. We thrive on thepractice of planning ahead and giving only partial attention to the present.Future-oriented and often frightfully oblivious to problems other than our own,our society is endlessly moving forward but rarely does it ever slow enough to appreciatethe lessons of today. By taking a moment to slow life’s pace and step outside,we will find ourselves happily awakening to beauty and wisdom we would haveotherwise passed by.

One afternoon, I wasaccompanying my brother and dad on a golfing outing—I don’t play but I tagalong for the chance to view and photograph wildlife.

At one of thetee-off points I noticed a slight doe grazing across a hill. I had brought mycamera and started to make my way slowly to the doe. She eventually bolted backinto the woods nearby and I returned to my family. As they finished playingthat golf hole, I decided to check once more for the doe. I was very surprisedto see her peeking out from the hedgeline right at me. I gently sat down andwatched intently. To my great shock and delight, the doe deliberately steppedover the hedge line and walked towards me, her gaze never once wandering frommy face. Gingerly, but without fear, she walked straight at me. I was shakingfrom the sheer wonder of the event, and in awe of the creature coming towardsme on her own accord. I took some great photographs, in many of which she waslooking right into the lens.

Any move I made was noticed andnoted by the doe. Although the encounter had begun with a mutual curiosity, herinstincts were, at certain instances, stronger than her personal desires. Imade a point to stay as still as possible in a nonthreatening position.

Minutespassed and she began to graze not ten feet from me, alert yet comfortable withmy presence. I sat, soaking in her grace and perfection. Her giant brown eyesgave new meaning to the term ‘doe eyed’. The looks she gave me were not at allthose of a lesser beast; in fact they were those of one wiser than I in manyaspects. Her youthful face belied the life experience I knew she had. This was not a creature deserving of humanvictimization; this was an intelligent being who possessed infinite abilitiesand pieces of knowledge beyond our comprehension.

Ultimately the forest called to herwild heart and sent her stepping away, but when she reached the treeline, shestopped to look over her shoulder at me before dipping into the mottled lightof the woods.

Thisdoe taught me to be patient and let life come to you, for when you allow lifeto take its course and decline to interfere, it will appreciate your respectand grant you small put powerful windows into its mysterious ways. Since the encounter with the doe, I havereminded myself countless times of her selfless gift of companionship. Herlesson hangs in my consciousness, prompting me to take my time and savor thesmall things in life. In this way I have learned respect as well as patience.Life has much to teach us, if we only listen.

~Peace always,

Kristina~

Nothing Special, Something Special

2011-10-08T14:16:00.001-07:00

an essay

The wind was strong and the skies were grey, past overcastbut not yet ready to classify as stormy. Two female Belted Kingfishers rattled theirdisapproval while they rocketed after each other. Turkey Vultures soared in thedistant gloomy skies. A duo of Sandhill Cranes honked and trumpeted as they flappedlarge wings in tandem. A Mute Swan and her mate placidly sunk their headsunderwater to dabble in vegetation. Abald eagle was perched atop a dead tree, allowing a chance to marvel in hispresence until he took wing—and it was incredible. He was close and rushed paston powerful wings across the marsh. He was going very fast, and made roundsaround the entire lake complex. As he passed over furiously, the flocks ofwaterfowl burst into the air in a domino effect. He reached the opposite sideof the marsh and swept onto another tree to sit guard. As he finished hisflight, the waterfowl already flying and those still swimming began to flockmidair and, to my absolute wonder, formed a massive group and flew over my headlike a plane: sweeping and quick, with an impossible scale. Widgeon and ruddyducks and shovelers and mallards and teal and others… it was a one of a kindevent, and it’s why I love birds. Even in a moment of panic these beingsmanaged to emit a collective beauty and synchronism unparalleled. Theysputtered to a stop around a wise looking Great Blue Heron, his feathers puffedin the cold. His dark colouration and calm demeanor gave the impression of awise sentinel looking out for the waterfowl. It was in this state I retreatedinto the forest full of winter Yellow-rumped warblers, leaving the birds totheir wonderfully mysterious ways.

~Peace always,

Kristina~

What Birding Has Taught Me

2011-05-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

When: May 14 2011

Where: Magee Marsh, Oak Harbor, Ohio

International Migratory Bird Day was perhaps one of the best days I've ever had. Why? Well, here's a short list:

I met and talked with Kenn and Kimberley Kaufman; both such wonderful and passionate people. What a pleasure to meet them! (along with Greg Miller and Ken Keffer. More awesome bird people!)
Saw my first Swainson's Thrush, my second Veery, my first spring-plumaged Blackpoll and Magniolia Warblers, my first Blue-headed Vireo, and my first Canada Warbler
Got some great close-up looks of a Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Black Throated Green Warbler, American Redstart, and Baltimore Oriole
Saw a banding demonstration, in which a Blackburnian Warbler was banded along with three NOPAs
Held and released a Grey Catbird after it was banded
Saw bird fat!

Ok, the last one isn't that great, but it was still interesting! As I show you photos from the day, I'll elaborate on each point.

Here's that Swainson's Thrush!

First, the banding demonstration. Ken Keffer was the speaker and he did an excellent job. The presentation was fun and informative. Many different species of passerines were banded; including...

There were LOTS of Warbling Vireos banded that day!

Bird fat! (of a Red-eyed Vireo)

This Baltimore Oriole isn't being too nice to Kim...

Kim shows me how to hold the Catbird...

Me with the Catbird! When I released this beautiful little bird, it was incredible to feel the energy as it launched into the air. What power, grace, and determination is packed into their tiny bodies! And such detailed topography and mysterious eyes. Birds are AMAZING CREATURES and really DESERVE to be loved, conserved, and WATCHED with passion!! I'm so very glad to be a birder, to be part of an everyday effort to conserve and learn about these complex animals.

A stunning male Maggie!

The first NOPA of three...can you believe that this tiny bird flew across the GULF OF MEXICO withOUT stopping? Minimal food, no drinking, and NO rest. And, because she has adult plumage, it means she's done it at least three times! So have any other birds in definitive basic plumage. Isn't that the most incredible thing? Just imagine! Being four inches long and skimming along the waves of the Gulf, knowing it's fly or die?? THIS is why I love birds!

A close-up of another Catbird banded that day. Look at the orbital feathers around its eye, and those tiny little whiskers on its chin! And notice how the black cap feathers are a bit longer. And who knew their eyes were a deep maroon-BROWN? What amazing detail these birds have.

This guy brought "oohs" and "aaahs" as he was pulled from the net. A male Blackburnian! A "poster bird" if I've ever seen one.

The Vireos were fiesty! This is a blurry photo, I know, but it was too neat not to share.

Male Wilson's Warbler. Look at the pattern on his face...as "plain" as he may seem, the feather groups are still apparent. It's amazing! Remember, even the drabbest of birds have flown further on their own two wings than you've probably walked on your two feet your entire life. Think about THAT the next time you dismiss an American Robin as "just" a robin! Take time to appreciate birds and what they are capable of!

Checking a Tree Swallow's wing...they're perfectly designed for their lifestyle. Evolution is astounding.

Female Blackpoll warbler! This one stumped the crowed until Ken showed us the orange legs! She didn't want to be held...

Common Grackle...he looks uncomfortable.

Male Chestnut-sided Warbly. TONS of these guys too!

A male Canada warbler...unfortunately I've got a sad story to tell about a Canada Warbler. After banding, the warbler wasn't ready to fly away, and it had been released it over the crowd, so the bird fluttered down and onto the ground. A guy stepped RIGHT ONTO IT and kept his foot there (he didn't realize, of course); but he couldn't have been more accurate if he'd tried. It was quite sickening and scary. I gasped; we all did. I was one of the few who saw it; those who didn't were happy they didn't. Ken hurried to pick it up and rush it away to try and save it...it was dead, though. Poor, poor thing. An accident, but still horrible. We all were silent for a bit after that. R.I.P. little guy, and may your relatives continue to inspire and teach us all.

Two Wilson's Warblers getting ready to be weighed.

Kim bands a Grey Catbird...

And now for the "wild" bird shots. Here we have a stunning male Black-throated Green Warbly...he was super cooperative! I was standing just feet from this branch as I took these shots.

In the field, I didn't even realize I was looking at a Blue-headed Vireo...when I check the ID at home, I got a little shock. What an awesome bird! (By the way, this same bird is in the banner for my blog! Look up!)

Female American Robin on her nest!

FINALLY got a decent shot of a BTBW!

A particularly vibrant male Baltimore Oriole. I've seen them in my neighborhood start to build nests...flying around with streamers of hay, hair, and grass. To think just weeks ago they were in SOUTH AMERICA and by the time autumn comes, they've got to raise a family and fly BACK across the Gulf until NEXT spring, when (if they survive) they get to do it all over again. Being a bird is hard, but I am sure they have so much joy with it. To be able to fly, to sing such beautiful songs, and to inspire so many people...what an incredible life.

and a Yellow Warbler...did you know one Yellow Warbly, "Wally", returned nine years in a row to a certain banding station in Canada every spring? Wow!! How birds find their way back over thousands and thousands of miles is simply unfathomable...

In conclusion, I'd like to relate to you how important it is to conserve and protect birds and their habitats. We must realize that the actions we take here in America will affect countries like Venezuela and Ecuador; and what they do will affect us. Why? Birds!

Birds, quite literally, connect us all-- they spend winters in South American countries and breed in North America in the spring. If American habitat isn't saved, then the birds in South America will have no home to come home to! And if South American habitat is destroyed, our spring migrants will have no winter vacation home! If habitat worldwide isn't protected, birds will cease to exist. Rachel Carson warned us of a "silent spring", and it is a very real possibility. Without everyone's help, passion, and dedication, our feathered friends will have no homes. With no homes, they have no where to raise their young. Without a new generation, once the current generation passes, there will be no more birds. It's a very scary and sobering thought, but it's necessary to keep it in mind as we go about our daily lives. Birds are an important part of our world and without them, life would never be the same.

So, help the birds. Help the world. Support efforts to conserve birds and their habitat! Get outside and appreciate the birds! Take photos and paint pictures of these wonderful creatures, and share their beauty with others. WE have harmed their habitats, but WE are the solution!

BE THE CHANGE!

If birding has taught me one thing, it is to appreciate and learn from our avian neighbors, and to share that passion with others. They are DESERVING of our efforts, time, and love, and we must do ALL WE CAN to preserve these AMAZING, ASTOUNDING,BEAUTIFUL, INSPIRING, INCREDIBLE, STUNNING, and POWERFUL beings.

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."

~John Muir

**Peace Always,

Kristina Polk**

Sand, Sun, and Screams

2011-05-13T19:56:00.000-07:00

When: May 8 2011

Where: Sandy Ridge Reservation, Ohio

Took another visit out to my fave neighborhood birding spot, Sandy Ridge Reservation. It was a great day at SRR; I saw a Bay-breasted and a Black throated Blue warbler...along with a Sandhill Crane! Tons of Tree Swallows were foraging in the air, and Canada geese were sitting pretty on their nests. (Well, most of them.)

The Tree Swallows were windswept and feisty that day!

The Sandhill was getting attacked by some Red-winged Blackbirds! Now THAT was an interesting sight...

The lighting on this flying Great Egret was to amazing not to share:

And the Bald Eagle made an appearance!

**Peace always,

Kristina**

It's Big!

2011-05-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

(Male Yellow Warbler)

When: Saturday May 7 2011

Where: Magee Marsh, Oak Harbor Ohio

IT'S THE BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING

...and when I say big, I mean it!!

The Biggest Week in American Birding is here, and so are the biggest names in birding, and the biggest birds in birding...this week is BIG! Warblers, warblers, warblers, warblers are back!! Fifty (50) species and thirteen (11) Life birds in one day (May 7)...those are some big numbers. Would you like the list? Bold birds are Life birds.

Chestnut sided Warbler
Warbling vireo
Bay Breasted Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black Throated Green Warbler
Ovenbird
Linncoln's sparrow
Nothern Parula
American WoodCock
Cape May Warbler
Pine Siskin
Green Heron
Common Grackle
Redwinged Blackbird
American Redstart
Yellow Warbler
White Crowned Sparrow
Rose breasted Grosbeak
Northern Cardinal
Sandhill Crane
American Coot
Mallard
Great Crested flycatcher
Canada Goose
Baltimore Oriole
American Robin
Herring Gull
DC Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Redtailed Hawk
Rng Billed gull
Turkey Vulture
Blue Jay
Downy Woodpecker
American Goldfinch
Brown Headed Cowbird
Killdeer
Red Breasted Nuthatch
GBH
Great Egret
Palm Warbly
1 unID'd empid flycatcher
1 unID'd tern
Pine warbler
White throated Sparrow

(and for some reason, I've lost the last two...the Word document I typed up was deleted. Sorry!)

Also, I had written a whole blog post and it, too, got deleted. I can't remember what I had written, so I'll just share my photos! I'm sure that's all you'd like to see, anyways! *winks* Enjoy!

Female American Robin

Reeeeeach for that food, Mr. NOPA!

The same male NOPA.

My first NOPA! Look at those legs! Can you believe that's only half of his legs? You only see the tarsus...wouldn't it be funny if warblers had all of their legs visible? They'd look like mini Boat-tailed Grackles!

OVENBIRD. I spotted this one for a whole group of birders. :) Pretty proud of this sighting.

Nashville warblers were EVERYWHERE.

Eating...

Watching us...

And turning away...

Near the end of the day I saw and heard this Green Heron in a tree. They've got the most interesting voice!

Male Chestnut Sided Warbly. What lovely colours you have, sir!

My FIRST Cape May Warbler. Beautiful!

I never did manage to get a good shot of a BTBW...oh well. These at least show their telltale wing patches.

Male Bay-breasted Warbler. What a handsome species...

I'm afraid that's all the decent photos I got from that day. Magee/BSBO is certainly a WONDERFUL place to be, though...the birds are incredible and the people as well!! Go visit!

**Peace Always,

Kristina**

Buggy for Spring Birds

2011-05-05T17:20:00.001-07:00

Birds, bugs, and babies-- the 3 B's of spring! Warblers being those birds, pesky gnats being those bugs, and ducklings being those babies. Let's hear it for spring! Two out of three things about it are good, at least...

Let's get to the birds. Palm Warblers seemto have forgotten howcolourful and popular they were; they spend their days foraging among the leaflitter like modest celebrities...(they also love to pump their tails. At least they acknowledge their right to dance like no one's watchin'!)

Yellow-rumped Warblys are cool, too! Common, but cool. And they know it.

Feeling blue? Look to the Yellow Warbly to cheer you up! Like a feathered piece of sunshine...

BLUE-GREY GNATCATCHERS are adorable, and also a Life bird for me! Check out this beautiful little guy(girl?)!

You don't realize how much you miss something until its gone...for example, Chimney Swifts.There's something I love about these agile, perfectlyadapted birds. They've got a certain personality under those drab feathers... their antics are always amusing (no alliteration intended...) and they keep that aforementioned bug population under control (sorta).

Great Egrets: you gotta love them! Always striking.

This Barn Swallow is special: no right eye! He let me come very close before finally noticing me and flying off...

First Grey Catbird and Rose-breasted Grosbeak of the year! Woo hoo!

And here come the babies! Mallard babies to be exact. They grow up fast!

Well, that's all from today and yesterday. Florida reports are in the making; coming soon...keep watch! Until then check out my best photos at saphirethefortunate.deviantart.com !

**Peace always,

Kristina**

Warbler Season has Begun

2011-04-21T19:34:00.001-07:00

Black-throated green, gettin' grub. Say THAT 5 times fast.

That's right! The warblys are here on their spring migration! Excuse me while I scream for joy!

In my own development, I've already counted four warbly species:

Black-throated Green Warbler

Yellow Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

PINE WARBLER (Life Bird!)

Black-throated Green says 'peekaboo birder!'

Yellow-rumped warbly. "Walk this way!"

Yellow Warbler hagin' in there!

Pine warbler living up to his name.

Seeya! Pine warbly.

The proverbial Song Sparrow.

My neighborhood female Red-tailed Hawk and totem.

Gotta love those geese!

LOOK- the first ducklings of spring!!

** Peace Always,

Kristina**

Note: I will be in Florida for the next week, but without my computer. Look for updates starting May first! Thank you!

Warblys and Wilson's Snipe!

2011-04-02T17:09:00.000-07:00

(Above: White-throated Sparrow in the brush; sorry for the leaf by his head!)

Part 2 of my adventures in Virginia this past weekend!

When: March 26 2011

Where: Huntley Meadows Park, VA

Huntley Meadows Park is a great place full of an array of bird species; I'll let the photos tell

the story this time!

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

My FIRST warblys of the year: Yellow-rumped Warblers!

Red-shouldered Hawk (there has been better photos taken, but hey, they're better than nothing!)

Swamp Sparrow: the first time I've been positive about one's identification, so I'm not sure if it's a Lifer or not. I'm sure it's not, but let's say it is!

Osprey, diving for dinner

Great Blue Heron at sunset... there's nothing more wonderful! I love their wings; the feather groups (coverts, primaries, secondaries, alula, etc.) are so apparent and the wings themselves are just so HUGE!

And last but not least, the incredible Wilson's Snipe. LIFE BIRD ALERT! I was super surprised to see a small flock of these guys... they're so interesting-looking birds and they can hide really well...

**Peace Always,

**Kristina

Spring is Blooming!

2011-04-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

Part 1 of my adventures in Virginia this past weekend!

When: March 26 2011

Where: Alexandria, VA / Washington, D.C.

Last weekend I went to my dad's in Virginia for the weekend... and I'm SO glad I did! The reason for going was the fact that he finally bought a house and I wanted to say goodbye to our ol' apartment. To make the weekend even more fun, it was the beginning of the annual Cherry Blossom blooming! These world-famous trees were a gift to America by the Japanese, therefore making this year's blooming a bittersweet sight. The flowers only are open for about a week, and I have been lucky enough to see them two years in a row, now! Check out these beautiful flowers...

Mallards are always a common sight alongside the Cherry Blossoms, as the trees line the Patomac river. I settled down near a pair of sleeping ducks and took advantage of the incredible mid-day lighting:

On the way back from viewing the blossoms, I got a surprise: Pied-Billed Grebe! Not a Life bird, but certainly a year bird and a really neat one at that! Grebes are wonderful little birds. Unfortunately I was on a busy bridge when I sighted these guys, so I couldn't switch to a bigger lens. I had my Tamron 18-270 out, however, and used that to get this photo:

Next, it was time to see my dad's new house for the first time. It's beautiful and very cute, in a great neighborhood. My favourite Virginia birding spot, Huntley-Meadows Park, is only 15 minutes away (more on that park in my next post). The previous owners of the house kept a great backyard, with beautiful flowers like these:

Also, I've neglected to write a post here about my new puppy Shelli! She is a Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, 4 months old now. I'll be sure to post some more photographs, but until now you can enjoy this one I took at sundown, at a dog park:

That evening we went down to the Old Town harbour, by the Torpedo Factory Art Center... the harbour is always a fun time with lots of birds! I saw my first Black-Crowned Night heron there last April. This time, I saw some year birds (Wood Duck and American Black Duck), and an interestingly coloured Mallard drake...

Presenting, the "Jumpin' Coot"!

Plus, I spent a while observing these striking immature Ring-billed Gulls (GULL FREAK = ME!)

And a Coot butt, inspired by my wonderful supporter and bird-buddy Dave!

Keep watch for Part 2 of the Virginia fun,

** Peace Always,

Kristina **

Messenger

2011-03-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

A Tribute to the Red-tailed Hawk

The Hawk is one of my Life totems; she has inspired me to be creative and to inspire others to change the world for the better. I would like to showcase the power and beauty of this sacred bird. Hawk's message is to inspire creativity and action in others, to awaken one's life purpose, to initiate and lead for a better world, and to protect our natural world from future harm. It is the ethical and personal level we should all strive to reach. So now, enjoy these photos I have taken of Red-tailed Hawk in all her glory and remember, however common and abundant she may be, Hawk always brings new light.

* * Peace always,

Kristina * *

Could it Be?

2011-03-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

...Could it be that spring is really here? It's hard to believe but...I think it's official! Over the past week, I've seen everything from American Wigeons to Ring-necked Ducks in my neighborhood ponds! I've been for quite a few walks around my development (which includes farmer's fields, three large ponds, and a few patches of woods.) and they've been quite exciting. So far, the early migrant list for my neighborhood includes:

American Wigeon (1)

Ring-Necked Duck (4)

Greater Scaup (1)

Hooded Merganser (3)

Gadwall (4) LIFE BIRD

White-throated Sparrow (7+)

Turkey Vulture (3+)

Song Sparrow (5+)

and a questionable Lesser Scaup...

And...the first antlered buck of the season! That's really exciting; for those who didn't know, I love watching deer as much as I love observing birds, and I have even began to catalog my neighborhood deer.

Combine that all with rain, and you've got SPRING!

Ring-necks, some of my most favourite waterfowl

Mrs. Gadwall puts on a show

"C'mon, honey, I don't like the look of that girl over there..."

Song sparrow say whaaat?

Landing gear in place!

Sorry for such a short post, but I was so happy about spring that I couldn't wait to share! Happy trails everyone, and don't forget to leave a comment if you liked what you read!

~ Peace always

Kristina ~

PS-- THE SPRING LAYOUT is now live on my blog! Look around...green is here!

Mallard Fight Club

2011-02-21T12:05:00.000-08:00

Where: North Chagrin Nature Center / Cascade Park, Elyria, Ohio

When: January 27th 2011

In the morning, we took a visit to the snowy, cold, and blustery North Chagrin nature center. My fingers came close to falling off from frostbite. . . but I did manage a few shots.

Red-bellied Woodpecker:

Jump! goes the Nuthatch:

Annd. . . isn't ironic where these spots are, considering the chickadee belongs to the Tit family of birds? (wink wink, nudge nudge)

********

Goin' clubbin' with the Mallards. . . .sounds fun, right? Haha, this was one of my most favourite shoots in a while. . . it was cold but I got some wonderful shots! This visit was interesting... I witnessed many fights and matings. The half-frozen pond at Cascade Park is a great place to sit and observe the Mallards up close.

I have a big thing for water splashes in photos. This bathing Mallard supplied lots of them:

And I found this while editing photos: the water splash on the left looks like an icicle!

Then came the fights concerning drakes and females...

This pair might want to check into couples counseling...

"Are you suggesting I have problems?"

. . . .Um, apparently not?

Though she still looks uncomfortable. . .

. . .AND NOW, THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR. . .

Exciting, no? :-)

Until next time,

** Peace always,

Kristina **

**Remember to comment if you liked this post!

Thank you so much.**

Gulls are #1!

2011-02-21T08:58:00.000-08:00

Where: Washington DC/Alexandria, VA

When: January 1st 2011

Imagine this: your 1st life bird of the year 2011 on the 1st day of the 1st month! It was pretty exciting, especially when I saw this Lifer , a Lesser Scaup as soon as I got out of the car.

We were back at the spot from the previous day (see my post, "Ring"-ing in the New Year ) and of course, so were the Ring-billed Gulls.

When the gulls started getting antsy, I looked all around to find the predator. (Which, I knew there was. I'm just that smart.) Turns out there was an Accipiter (Please don't ask me which species. I just don't know. Dave knows my troubles, and so does any other birder out there!) and it let me get quite close! Didn't have the most desired lighting, but I did get this mediocre photo:

After the Accipiter flew away, the gulls calmed once more and I was able to get a few more shots. I enjoy the subadult Gulls with just a few juvenile feathers left:

And of course, the crazy antics of the gulls. You've got to love them! Even in the dull, cold afternoon conditions, they've got as much spunk as ever.

Incominnnng!

YYAAWWNN! Everyone's tired on a lazy saturday afternoon.

After a while of not much action, in swoops a Bald Eagle! My dad was ecstatic; he couldn't believe we had just saw an eagle. I was like, "Yep. Eagle. " and went back to my Gulls. *Crazy Gull Freak at 12 o'clock!*

The gulls got pretty nervous after that. . . but it wasn't long until I saw something interesting.

Introducing Oscar the One-legged Gull!!! (Another number 1 for you!)

Oh, and I saw the Accipiter again. . . preening. .. but of course it didn't spread the wing to help in its ID! Typical. . .

Until next time,

** Peace always,

Kristina **

**Remember to comment if you liked this post!

Thank you so much.**

"Ring"-ing in the New Year

2011-02-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

When: December 30 and 31st 2010

Where: Washington DC/ Alexandria, VA

Well, here's a tale to be told! We were nearing the last days of 2010...a year that went by as fast as a frightened Mourning Dove!

On the 30th, we went out to a state park (I'm sorry to say I do not remember the name...) where I saw my first Winter Wren. It was a really neat find; I was so excited! I had waited on the boardwalk (going through a small marsh) for a while, knowing that usually if you wait long enough in one spot, you're bound to find something. Suddenly, I heard a loud song and that tiny wren jumped onto the boardwalk, within feet of me! Didn't get a picture of that, but a few minutes later I got this parting shot:

Nothing much after that (the usual Great Blue Heron, Canada Geese, American Black Ducks, Chickadees...) but I did spot a few Bald Eagles waaay out on the ice. Overall it was a nice day, a beautiful sunset and great to get outside!

* * * * * * * *

Suddenly, it was the last day of the year. How time flew! (No pun intended, folks.) Anyways, by chance we found this great spot on the Potomac to watch the gulls... and when I say 'Great spot', I mean it. These guys were everywhere and really cooperative subjects! The lighting was beautiful and they were really active. Gulls are my favourite birds to photograph, hands down. They're charismatic, energetic, and "plain but beautiful". (Why yes, I am one of those crazy 'gull people'. Woo hoo! ) There were a few species: Ring-billed Gulls, Mallards, and Greater-black Backed Gulls. I think I also saw a Herring Gull or two. Now, enough talk...let's see some photos!

This immature Black-backed Gull looks needy...

An example of a beautiful Ring-billed Gull in this sunset lighting...

Look at the detail in this guy's eye!

Time to fly...

Is it Dracula, or a "Bat"-backed Gull? (Haha....)

Oh no! Where have your feet gone, good sir?

Pinecones are rather tasty! Or so this Ring-billed Gull thinks...

I absolutely love this photo...

Boys will be boys...

This is MY bread! Do you hear me??

Uh-oh, this adult Black-backed wants the bread...

MY BREAD!

Geez! The Black-backed's are angry tonight!

And it turns out, in the commotion, a little Ring-Billed Gull gets the bread...

Well, if that's not a great way to "ring" in the new year...than I don't know what is! :)

Peace always, **

** Kristina

**Remember to comment if you liked this post!

Thank you so much.**

Prepare Yourself

2011-02-19T19:30:00.001-08:00

...for something amazing.

I'm talking about the relaunch of Wild at Heart! Finally, I know!

Look at the spiffy new layout, background, and main banner! I've been busy with my photography, as you can see. I hope the new layout looks nice, and you all enjoy it. Please be patient as I begin to upload new photographs and posts!

Looking forward to sharing all my newest adventures with y'all,

-Kristina

Shorebirds Make Me Sore...a!

2010-09-12T18:15:00.000-07:00

Another visit to Sandy Ridge

September 12 2010

(Sorry in advance for poor photo quality; it was early in the morning and the lighting was not the best)

So, less than 24 hours and I'm back at SRR! Why? My grandparents were going to call me up and invite me to come with them to SRR this morning. Which is exactly why I called them! What are the chances? So, at around 8am we arrived. Ironically, while I was explaining about the little Red-tail from yesterday, he flew by our car! (No photos this time, though.)

After encountering a trio of beautiful deer (my Totem animal, if you didn't already know), the Bald Eagle flew by. In the exact same spot as yesterday! Again, what are the chances? The Cormorant, too, was sitting where I left him...hmm...what's with the birds and their coincidences?

Although the light was still clouded over this early in the morning, I was able to get a few shots of the Lesser Yellowlegs (I'm really beginning to love these birds) foraging:

Also, a small peep... I think it's a Semipalmated...? Any help? Shorebirds really aren't my strong point. I need some practice... the more I get to Sandy Ridge, the better I'll become at identifying sandpipers, I believe. For now, however, any advice will be appreciated!

When my grandma pointed out a "salt and pepper bird", I was looking at a nearby Yellowlegs. I told her as much and took a few photos.Moving up along the trail to a patch of marsh grass, another trail-goer suddenly pointed out a Sora!! Of course, everyone but I saw it disappear into the grass. It was then that my grandma told me, "That's the salt and pepper bird!" I could have had a full view of it earlier! Aaargh! I ended up going back 3 times to look fruitlessly for the uncommon bird. Darn! Another one slipping through my fingers! (This has happened before with other species...)

Oh well...we birders have to learn the hard way about letting things go.

On to the next birds... We reached the overlook, where the usual Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Egrets, Mallards, and Teals were foraging. I noticed a flit of brown and yellow next to me and looked away from my binos. A little warbler was perched right next to my grandpa, who was looking through his binos and didn't hear me in time! "Warbler, warbler!" but he looked away after the little girl had flown off. I tracked her with my camera as she flitted around in the flowers and before I knew it, she came close. I got one heck of a shot, one I'm planning to enter in a photo contest (North Chagrin Nature Photography Contest/Show). Since I don't want to publish the entry photo here, I'll show you a shot taken a few seconds later.

I'm thinking this is an immature fall Palm Warbler. Something sure to ID this bird is its bright yellow undertail coverts. It also sports some dusky brown streaking on its breast and sides, a faint darker eyestripe, off-white eye rings broken on each side... Here's a few more shots in case anyone wants to help confirm this ID:

(Scratch that itch!)

(Back off!)

I then sighted (rather, glimpsed) what I thought to be a Hooded or Wilson's female. Plus, some singing sparrows! We travelled along the trail to the other side of the marsh, were a Greater Yellowlegs was to be found:

A trio of noisy Belted Kingfishers were busy flapping from branch to branch, and I even saw one dive for a fish. I hadn't seen a Kingfisher since 2009 so this was a pretty fun sighting. I never realized Kingfishers were as small as they are, though!

A beautiful sleeping GBH was pointed out to me by my grandparents, and it made for a serene photo.

Of course a marsh wouldn't be complete without swallows, and a large colony of the lovable Northern-Rough-Winged variety preened silently in the dead trees. Next, while looking at a rather peculiar coloured duck (a Mallard, but pale on the body with light brown/tan accents. Maybe leucistic?) I scanned to the right with my binos and sighted a very still Green Heron. Love those guys!

Finally, on my last try on sighting that sora (Which of course never showed) , I saw some more Yellowlegs...invasion of the Yellowlegs...plus some more sandpipers. I know I'll be better at identifying them in the future, but for right now they make my eyes sore! (Just like my legs were at the end of this long walk!) As we went back into the woods, we sighted the trio of deer, and that cormorant again...sunning his wings...

(Pectoral Sandpipers? Please help...thank you!)

(Aaah catching those rays!)

Signing off this time with a tribute to my friend Dave whose advice and compliments are much appreciated! Visit his blog and you'll understand why I'm leaving you with this...:

~Until next time,

Kristina

Rain and Red-tails

2010-09-11T16:27:00.000-07:00

A trip to Sandy Ridge Reservation!

Let me say, first off, where has this place been all my life? It's only 10 minutes from my house and yet houses so many great birds. I don't know where to begin! Within 30 seconds of entering the trail, I sighted an immature Red-tailed Hawk attempting to catch a squirrel. He was flapping noisily along the ground as the squirrel scuffled around him. It was amazing and amusing at the same time. The squirrel eventually chased him away! We also saw a snake in the woods...oooh...

Then, we emerged from the woods about 5 minutes later to find a Great Egret, followed by a soaring pair of Red-tails. Then...the Bald Eagle! Sandy Ridge is famous for its nesting pair of Baldies, and I'm glad to have seen one.

Then, the most ADORABLE Wood Duck swam out from the vegetation and started spurting across the water and vocalizing. It was pretty fun to watch.

(She is so cute...)

Next, the 'flats', or sand bars, with sandpipers galore! Killdeer, Yellowlegs, and some other sandpiper species that I've yet to identify. The Killdeer were surprisingly tolerant of us photographers coming close and snapping a few pics.

(EDIT: Pectoral Sandpiper. Thanks Dave!)

(It's so cute!)

Looking up from the close Killdeer, I saw a very close GBH... as the people started coming towards her with cameras and binos, I knew she'd fly away. I had time to get this one photo before she flew:

Then came the SECOND close encounter with a raptor! An accipiter (Sharpie or Coops, who knows?) burst from the bushes wheeled around in front of me and another woman taking photos (our cameras weren't ready, of course!) and landed for a few seconds on a dead tree before swooping off again. It took us all by surprise and left us (and the blackbirds) breathless!

At the overlook, we saw a fishing Great Egret with no luck dinnerwise. Green-winged Teals (life bird) foraged alongside Yellowlegs and Killdeer:

(Did somebody say aquatic invertebrates? Yum!)

As we headed back, I saw a striking woodpecker and raised my binos. A juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker! Life bird! I snapped a few shots during the brief seconds she was on the visible side of the tree before it started to drizzle. But-- don't rain yet!! I need to get a photo of this awesome sandpiper that I just found! I ended up getting a few shots of the close-up sandpiper before it really started raining.

As everyone ran for the trees, I heard a strange sound and looked to my right. Wahoo! A DC-Cormorant! I watched it for a few minutes before stubbornly following everyone into the woods.

Here comes the BEST part! When we were heading to the car, I saw the immature Red-tail perch on a handicapped parking sign! Woah! I've never seen a wild raptor that close; this was incredible. He just looked around, seeming to not notice as I (and another young birder) got closer and closer with our cameras. Finally, after a few minutes, he moved to the next sign (a Stop sign). Shaking with excitement, I reluctantly climbed into the car. Then, he flew onto a post right above our car! I rolled my window down and got a few more shots, while hearing some other regular visitors talk about this 'resident Red-tail who is learning to hunt'. So that's why he was so inexperienced with that squirrel.

(Look at those talons!)

(You know what's coming...watch out below!)

I'm visiting SR Reservation tomorrow morning with my grandparents and, with any luck, I'll see my new fine-feathered raptor friend again.

Happy trails!

~Kristina

The Little Warbly Things in Life

2010-09-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

On my mini-vacation to Hocking Hills this Labour Day weekend, I was certainly expecting to see some life birds, but not the amount I ended up counting! Plus, I sighted an uncommon Connecticut Warbler (see my last post) and what's more, got some photos of him! All the hiking we did produced nothing more than a few Cedar Waxwings, but it did burn some calories. We stayed at a cute bed and breakfast near Athens, OH, and boy did it have birds! Nestled in by a forest and a marshy pond, I was out there with camera and bino's every chance I got. If the 10 Wood Ducks foraging in the pond and the (still unidentified) flycatchers weren't enough, there were life birds of the warbly kind to be seen!

The first morning, I was randomly hoping to see vireos out my window. What do you know, I open the blinds to see vireos in the trees! I scrambled to get dressed, grabbed my gear, and headed out into the cool morning air. (When I say cool, I do mean cool). The wet grass froze my feet clad in flip-flops, but I didn't care. A flurry of colourful feathers was all around me; I barely had time to watch one bird before another stole my attention.

I saw my first American Redstart; what an awesome sighting! They really do love their tails...

Then there was the female fall-plumage Blackpoll Warbler, Philadelphia Vireo, and fall plumage immature Black-throated Green Warbler. I'd only ever seen Yellow Warbler and Common Yellowthroat; before that morning I never appreciated warblers much. Now...I am officially hooked on warblers!! ID'ing them is fun but challenging in the fall and I believe is a great exercise. I'm still not comfortable ID'ing them in the field, but taking photos then using a field guide at home is a good start. (Remember, I only started seriously birding in late May this year.) I also observed (but did not photograph) a Hooded Warbler...it looked more like a Wilson's Warbler until it flashed its white tail feathers. Bingo, it was a Hooded!

That morning also brought familiar birds such as Ruby-throated hummingbirds, Northern Cardinals, Red-bellied, Downy, and Hairy woodpeckers, Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Turkey Vultures, Red-eyed vireos and more...

The next morning was slower and less active, but I still sighted some great birds. First off being the male Connecticut Warbler... wahoo! A great find for Ohio and in general. See my last post for more information on this one.

Also, some wood-peewees and Redstarts.

That day I also found (but did not keep) a beautiful primary feather of a hawk. Looked like a Red-tailed or Cooper's...

Well, I hope to visit Hocking/Athens again because it was beautiful and birdy!

~Peace always,

KRISTINA

PLUS...

My Bird List for the Hocking Trip

-Red-eyed Vireo

-Philadelphia Vireo

-American Redstart

-Magnolia Warbler

-Hooded Warbler

-Connecticut Warbler

-Blackpoll Warbler

-Black-throated Green Warbler

-American Crow

-Ruby-throated Hummingbird

-Eastern Wood-peewee

-American Goldfinch

-American Robin

-Downy/Hairy Woodpecker

-Red-bellied Woodpecker

-Chimney Swift

-Cedar Waxwing

-White-breasted Nuthatch

-Rock Pigeon

-Wood Duck

-Northern Cardinal

-Red-tailed Hawk

-Black-capped Chickadee

-Turkey Vulture

Rare Sighting?

2010-09-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

On September 6, 2010, near Athens, Ohio, I was out birding at around 8:30 in the morning when a small movement in the vines caught my attention. I had already seen some good warblers that morning (American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler; both life birds) and a few other good birds (Wood-peewees, vireos). Considering I had been up only since 8AM, this was a pretty good list for the day so far! This small wall of vines cascading and intertwining through branches of a large tree was not lit by the rising sun, so I stepped closer and lowered my camera's exposure, ready to track down this silent little bird. As soon as I saw that yellow breast and slate-blue head, I knew I had something unusual, and no doubt a Lifer. Unexperienced in all things warbly, I decided to skip the binos and just focus on getting a photo or two to bring back inside, in hopes of ID'ing him with a guide.

He seemed a bit shy but nevertheless let me get a quick but good look/ photo op. His complete white eye ring stood out in the shady vegetation. He 'walked' from branch to branch, never hopping nervously or flitting up and down the vines like other birds would. Then, as quick as he appeared, he vanished. Not a peep (no pun intended) out of this little guy. Oh, well, at least I had a substantial amount of (grainy) photos to reference to as I pulled my field guide out. Flipping through the warblers pages, I spied a couple of look-alikes: Mourning, Connecticut, and MacGillivray's warblers. I looked at their differences, and immediately realized that the only one with a complete white eye ring was the Connecticut. The range was a bit off, but otherwise my bird fit the description perfectly! Long undertail coverts giving the appearance of a short tail, blue-grey hood, eye ring sometimes broken on one side only, a bit stocky, walks rather than hops, found in spruce bogs or near wetlands (near the vines and branches was a large pond, complete with Wood Ducks and frogs) or moist woods... YES, this was my bird! But how could it be, all the websites and books I'd read said that Connecticut warbler (in the east, particularly in Ohio) was an uncommon find! After Googling some images of the Connecticut warbler and comparing them to my bird, I was sure...this was a Connecticut warbler!

I'm still working on reporting this sighting, but in the meantime, here are the (grainy!) photos I snapped of the handsome fellow:

If anyone knows WHERE TO REPORT THIS SIGHTING, please give me the link or e-mail; it would be much appreciated. Thank you!

-Kristina

Painting Whales + A Short Orca History Lesson

2010-08-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

I am going to re-do my room, and make it themed with Orca. As you may know, I am passionate about the Southern Resident Orca whales in the Salish Sea off of Washington's coast. They are very dear to me and I know about their genealogy, markings, families, histories, and so on. To study them is my desired career. I am 15 now and I have purple walls and a butterfly themed bed spread...not very mature, is it? I'm going to miss my purple walls (they're purple! what more could a girl want?) however it's time for a change. I have decided to paint some of the Southern Resident Orca on my walls, and some related bird species (if you don't know I'm also an avid birder). It will be a Pacific Northwest themed room, complete with a light blue bed spread! I am choosing the colours and bird species right now, but something I just can NOT decide on are which whales to paint!! I have narrowed it down to a few of my favourite whales, and I would like you all to help me choose who to paint on my walls!

We have...

The J22's

~Oreo J22

~DoubleStuf 234

~Cookie J38

~Rhapsody J32

ABOUT THIS GROUP:

Oreo is the mother of two sons, DoubleStuf J34 and Cookie J38. In 1998, Oreo lost her sister Ewok J20. Born in 1998 was Oreo's firstborn son J34, and also Ewok's daughter J32. Oreo, struggling with her own first born calf, took her niece in and raised two calves! (All while dealing with the loss of her sister). One year later in 1999, Oreo's brother Everett J18 was found washed up on a beach. The next year Oreo suffered yet another loss with the death of her mother J10 Tahoma. In the span of three years, Oreo had lost all her immediate family, given birth to her first son, become an aunt, and adopted a daughter. What a strong young whale! In 2003, Oreo's youngest son Cookie J38 was born, completing the little family. This group is very tight knit.

WHY I WANT TO PAINT THESE WHALES:

Oreo's story struck me when I first read it. How could any young mother be so strong, and in between giving birth and losing a sister, still have the heart to take in a newborn calf? J22 is an inspiring Orca that has a wonderful family. I would honour her greatly by painting her and her family on my walls.

Below is a photo of the J22's. From left to right: J34 DoubleStuf, J32 Rhapsody, J38 Cookie, J22 Oreo

Ruffles and Granny

~Ruffles J1

~Granny J2

ABOUT THIS GROUP:

To anyone who knows Orca, the names Ruffles and Granny will instantly ring a bell. They are the elder members of the SRKW community, with a large following of fans and admirers. Granny, who is now in her estimated 100th year, (:party:)is a strong senior citizen and is believed to be the matriarch of the Community (J, K, and L pods). She often leads the way, her companion Ruffles always by her side. Thought to be mother and son, the pair are inseparable. Ruffles J2 is also nicknamed "the Stud" as he is a prominent factor in the gene pool for this group of Orca. During a superpod, in the midst of all those black and white beauties, Ruffles gets his game on and does what any male has to do to keep the population going.

(A fun fact about Ruffles: During the captures of the late 1960's, Ruffles and fellow males Ahab and Ishmael were captured! Ruffles was deemed too large at the time for captivity, but Ahab and Ishmael were sent away to serve the Navy in diving duty, searching for explosives and the like. To think, the great Ruffles might have been a captive whale! Please think of him and his wild cousins before you visit a marine park like Sea World, where there are captured whales living in the small tanks. )

WHY I WANT TO PAINT THESE WHALES:

Ruffles and Granny are the icons of the Southern Residents, and a symbol to many as the "classic" whales. No tribute to the SRKWs would be complete without J1 and J2!

Granny J2

Ruffles J1

Faith, Lummi, Luna, Taku

~Faith L57

~Lummi K7

~Luna L98

~Taku K1

ABOUT THIS GROUP:

Though from different pods, these four whales are some of the most inspiring, iconic, and beloved whales ever to pass through the Salish Sea. They are all deceased (Faith and Lummi in 2008, Luna in 2006, Taku in 1998) although we still remember them dearly. Most will know of Luna L98, the young male born to L67 Splash. He is famous for separating from his pod and living amongst humans, interacting with them (and a few dogs!). He was loved by many and was certainly a very special individual. His story is being re-made (from the previous documentary 'Saving Luna') into a silver screen film, titled, The Whale. Check it Out! Taku K1 was the first photo-ID'd souther resident, and at the time of his capture two notches were cut into his dorsal. He was released and years later, the notches remained. This showed that Orca could be studied by their individual markings and shapes-- founding the basis for the photoidentification Orca Survey! Serving as an icon to the scientific community researching the SRKWs, he became much loved. When the whale watching industry began, Taku was there! His mother K7 Lummi was the oldest Southern Resident, although she died in 2008 at the ripe age of 98! Lummi, being so old, was also admired by lovers of the whales. A wonderful ceremony was held in her honour at Lime Kiln state park. Faith L57, who died the same year, was a 37 year old male from L Pod who was often seen travelling with Canuck L7 and Lulu L53. They became a close group, always together. With his distinct tall, leaning dorsal fin, Faith was easily recognized. We continue to Keep the Faith even though he disappeared late 2008.

You can see my tribute to Faith L57 HERE.

WHY I WANT TO PAINT THESE WHALES:

Just like Ruffles and Granny, these four whales are true ICONS of the Southern Resident Orca community, and they are all locally revered. Faith was one of my favourites, and I miss him very much. I would very much like to include him somehow in my painting. Lummi and Taku are reminders of the beginnings of the Orca Survey and historical members of the community. Luna, oh, well, it's LUNA for the spirits' sake! Luna is famous around the world for being 'the orca who loved people'. If you would like to learn more about Luna, go to: Reunite Luna and Luna's Story.

Cappuccino K21

ABOUT CAPPUCCINO:

Cappuccino K21 is a 24 year old male in K pod. He has a sister Raggedy K40 who he is always side by side with. Their mother Kiska K18 died in 2003, and their siblings Pachena K17 and K46 are also deceased, making them the last in their family group.

WHY I WANT TO PAINT THIS WHALE:

Cappuccino was my first adopted whale! He is special to me in that he was the one I chose to adopt when I first learned about the Southern Residents. On my whale watching trip of 2009, I saw him and it was very exciting. I just have to include dear "Cappy" in my art somewhere!

So, there you have it. The 11 whales I wish to immortalize on my walls. I know this is a huge undertaking, especially because I have no experience painting, but I have been wanting to do this for a while. Why not, since my mom is willing to fund a room makeover?

This is my plan so far:

I would have the J22's on my main wall, and they would be the largest in the room. I could have the recognizable fins of K1 Taku and L57 Faith on the horizon, with the smaller fins of Lummi and Luna in the background of a dock/pier scene on the smaller wall by my door. (In the foreground on the pier would be a few Gulls) Ruffles and Granny could be on my window's wall, along with a soaring Bald Eagle. the wall with my bulletin board would feature a Raven and other various birds, also Cappuccino in the distance.

Do you like this plan? Please voice all comments or suggestions here! And did you enjoy my little lesson on the Orca? :) Tell me so in a comment, please!

LINKS OF INTEREST

The Whale Museum

~Adopt an Orca, learn more about the whales, or donate!~

Center for Whale Research

~Learn the official alphanumerical designations of the Orcas, their family lines, general Orca facts, and more.~

Orca Network

~Connecting Whales and People in the Pacific Northwest. An organization well worth checking out!~

Orca Network's Orca Births and Deaths Page

~Learn about all the Orcas who have lived or died since 1998!~

Missing Whales...

2010-08-09T09:19:00.001-07:00

I AM SORRY FOR NOT POSTING FOR A WHILE.

I will catch you all up on my adventures soon! Until then please read some news I have learned about the Orcas...

...I just found out from the Whale Museum's and CWR's website that Georgia (K11), Flash (L73), and Saanich (L74) are listed as MISSING ...Georgia was estimated to be born in 1933, making her 77 this year (mid-aged, Females live to be

in their late 90's) ...Flash and Saanich were born in 1986, making them 26 this year (a young whale; Males live into their late 50's). Georgia lost her mother (Lummi K7) two years ago in 2008, at at the time her mother was the oldest living Southern Residents...so to have another loss of such a well aged female in the same matriline would be a very sad thing...and Flash and Saanich are both lively young males, just about breeding age, so they are valuable members of the community. I do hope they are not gone...this seems reminiscent of the disappearance of Faith L57 in late 2008/early 2009; he was a br

eeding age male in his mid-30's, a very healthy age for a male. If we lost Flash and Saanich it would be very sad and a hard loss for the community. Plus, Georgia is the second oldest female in the community, to loose her would be terrible. Her pod and matriline need her! Orcas stay with their mothers and families their whole lives, and Georgia has 1 daughter (Skagit K13). Georgia is a grandma AND a great-grandma! (Her grandchildren are -Spock (K-20), Scoter (K-25), Deadhead (K-27), and Cali (K-34), and her gr

eat-grandchild is Comet K38) Of course Flash travels with his mom L5 Tanya, but Saanich's mom L3 is gone. Here is a twist: Flash and Saanich are cousins! So for them both to be of the same family group and to disappear together, it is quite mysterious. Saanich has lost all his siblings and his mom, I do hope he is still alive to carry on his family bloodline. Flash has a great group he travels with (including Saanich and Tanya), and he is growing well. PLEASE BE OK, WHALES!! WE ARE HOPING FOR YOUR RETURN.

~ Find Out More about the Individual Whales HERE

~ See the Official ID Photographs and Information of the Whales HERE

~Peace Always,

KRISTINA

Horses with a Heritage!

2010-07-20T22:59:00.001-07:00

Lakota and his mares (and foal!).
[From left to right: War Bonnet, Blanca's foal, Blanca, Lakota]

July 15

Wild horses are really something you only read about, hear about, dream about as a kid. You see photographs of scarred stallions battling with sharp teeth and hooves, you watch films of large harems galloping across the plains. It looks so far away from civilization, like only a few people have ever been amongst these untamed Equines. You envision huge, never-ending herds reminiscent of those of the great buffalo in early America. In reality, these herds are small, approchable, accessable, and true mustangs are an even scarcer breed. Many, many years ago, the Spanish Conquistadors brought their compact and hardy horses to the New World in the conquest of the uncharted Western continents. These horses were bred to be strong, versatile, able to fit (in large numbers) on the small ships carrying Spaniards to the mysterious distant lands. The horses came in beautiful colours like dun, grulla and grullo, roan, and jet black. Short, thick legs, hard hooves, distinct sloping croups, low-set tails, and muscular necks defined this Spanish stock. Escapees and releases from this minute original band formed the beginnings of the modern-day Pryor Mustang herds. Blood testings and study of the conformation of the Pryors have confirmed this story. Genetically unique and running rich through the veins of American heritage, the Pyror wild horses are a breed like no other.

While larger herds of escaped domestic horses of all breeds roam Nevada and other states of the like, the Pryors are no random bunch. While all horses are special in their own ways and rights, the tough little Pryors hold a distinct place in our nation's history and environment. Dwelling in the first ever government-designated wild horse range, they are protected by the Beureau of Land Management (BLM). Under threat from lawsuits, radical animal rights activists (ironically), their [the horses] own decision to stay in areas of low food availability, inadequate public education, and of course predators, these mustangs have a lot to worry about (but they have great people working for their well being!).

The BLM and related mustang protection representatives use PZP's, a contraceptive drug, on select-aged mares to help control the population. Because the range is only so large, it can only support a certain number of horses. The PZP's don't work 100% of the time, however. Small roundups are necessary to assist in the goal of subdueing the effects of overbreeding, thus keeping the herd at a healthy and sustainable level.

If you've ever watched the documentary 'Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies', you would know of the Pyrors. Although, the facts and names displayed and shared in these films are not all correct. I don't take sides, and don't wish to represent either side, but please, if you'd like to know more about the horses visit Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Website. Lawsuits have previously prevented water catchments, roundups, and contraception drugs for the herd and have maimed the Pryor conservation efforts. Since the horses stay by the only available water in the range, they consequently are in the area of the lowest food quality. By placing water catchments strategically throughout the lower hills of the Pryor mountains, it is hoped that the horses will stay there with the better food supply. This will allow there to be fewer roundups. It's a nice thought to want the horses free from any human contact, but unfortunately it's necessary for their health. The Pryor horses are currently in good hands and things are going well!

The list of what needs to be done is a long one, but first and foremost is to educate the public. They need know the critical situation that these horses are in and how to help.

So how can you help America's last wild horses? GET EDUCATED!

*Donate to or visit the Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center in Lovell, WY*

*Tell others of the mustangs and how they can help*

*Do purchase literature with proper information (like America's Last Wild horses by Hope Ryden or Among Wild Horses by Lynne Pomeranz)*

For Further Information:

http://www.pryormustangs.org/

http://pryorwild.wordpress.com/

EMAIL info@pryormustangs.org

And now for a small tour of the herd! These photos were taken with a 500mm lens and cropped.

Mescelero and Fortunatas after a tense 'discussion'.

Two Boots leads his family away from Doc (another stallion).

Dove is chased by Mescelero.

Flint's yearling prances around.

Blanca leads her new (female) foal!

Cloud, looking weary with age, grazes.

Two stallions fight in the distance.

~Peace Always,

KRISTINA

Treats, Travel, Towers, Ticks, and Tines

2010-07-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

July 14

"The travel day" was just that. The morning was full of saying goodbyes (to family and horses alike!), and the rest of the day was pretty much just driving. Little events in between made the day unique, however.

The day started at the ranch, where we were al over the place trying to pack up. We still had time for the horses, and gave them their treats and said goodbye. Herman, Devil, Rojo, and Chap are all great horses and it was sad to say 'bye. They didn't seem to catch the underlying sad note in the air, though, and were lively as ever.

Ahhh Rojo and Herman, don't squish me!

The best moment of that morning was having Devil walk up to me and take a treat from my hand. He has certainly come a long way!

After a final view of the ranch, we were on our way! On the way out, we passed a group of Turkey Vultures. I got out of the car to take some photos, and they launched into the air. As they landed, I got a photo of their "landing gear" (talons and legs). It's a pose you don't usually see in large birds.

What was the neat part of this encounter was one of the Vultures flew super-low within 10 feet of our car!! The high winds were pushing them all off course and causing flight difficulties. This was the closest I'd ever been to a wild flying bird of prey!

Next, a while down the highway, came Devil's Tower. I saw Prarie dogs, Rock Pigeons, and a Spotted Towhee, and plus seeing the giant formation that is Devil's Tower was spectacular. We also listened to a nice talk by a young Native American woman as she explained her language and culture.The bad thing about that was I got 3 ticks in my hair from walking through the trail. UGH!! It was terrible, and I was very paraniod about bugs afterwards...I haven't gotten any since (knock on wood)...

Finally, as we pulled into our lodge for the night, we passed 2 incredible Mule Deer bucks in velvet. This was a great sighting-- look at those antlers! A nice end to the evening.

~Peace Always,

KRISTINA

Hard Work Hardly Pays Off

2010-07-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

July 13

Another horsey day at the ranch! A great breakfast of home made waffles was followed by 2 full hours of working with Herman. We did the normal routine of roundpen work before putting him through his paces bareback. This time, we tied the halter differently so the pressure would be on his cheeks rather than lower on his head. This would give the rider more control and it would confuse Herman less. He did very well, better than before...in the roundpen, that is. We brought Chap in the pen for some work and I rode Herman around the corral (which contains the barn and the other horses). Or, tried to ride him. He would not listen and kept trying to go back to the barn or the roundpen. Basically, he didn't think he had to listen because he was in the place where he, usually, is free. Others got on him and he did the same thing. After Chap proved just as difficult, we turned Chap out and took Herman out of the corral to be saddled. This time we didn't attempt applying the bit or bridle, just the saddle. By then it was the heat of the day and the South Dakota sun is unforgiving. Herman was already breaking a sweat, but he still had about 45 more minutes of hard work left!! I got on him, and took him to the pasture. It's riddled with hay bales and this is where the horses spend their nights, free and without close-range fencing. He didn't seem to want to listen here either, being stubborn and fighting any command. He pretty much just wanted to go back and relax! But oh, no, not one bit! He was just earning himself more time under a rider. For a horse that did so well in the roundpen, it was hard to believe that this was the same gelding. He was just so stubborn and I could tell he only wanted to take off towards the barn.

The men got on him, thinking maybe they'd have better luck-- how wrong they were! Of course it may have been the flies plus the heat, but Herman started kicking out even more than he had with me. After trying and trying, we decided he needed a break! (So did we!) The big guy was sweating buckets, but it was good for him to be worked so hard. He isn't worked often so he needs the excersise.

After giving him a drink, we turned him out to the corral. It took a few minutes but he finally rolled as we had expected. For such a large animal who is always on their feet, it was funny and strange to watch Herman roll and stretch upon the ground!

LATER, when it came time, we let the horses loose for the night. Of course we don't send them off without a goodnight snack! Apple treats and carrots are their favourite. Devil, Rojo, and Chap come all around and between us gently, but Herman just pushes through like it's nobody's business. Little Devil has been increasingly tolerant of us, and we even were able to feed him treats! This, you must understand, is a big step for him. He's skittish and very shy, but we think that it's because of the added horses that he has warmed up to us.

[from near to far: Prince Herman, Little Devil, Chap]

~Peace Always,

KRISTINA

Horsin' Around is For the Birds!

2010-07-15T21:36:00.000-07:00

July 12

(Warning: Long Post Ahead!)

[Wi-fi is hard to come by in these parts of the country, so I haven't been able to post in a while. This was pre-written on one of the long car rides! I'm sorry for the inconvenience!]

The first full day on the ranch was a geat one. I woke fairly early and went downstairs to wait for the others to rise. Breakfast was good; cereal, orange juice, and fruit. We then gave the horses (Chap, Rojo, Devil, and Herman) their 'breakfast' of apple treats and carrots. We led them into the corral but put Herman into the roundpen to be worked. We stood in the center of the ring with a rope, and had Herman trot and canter around, in different directions. After a while, he decided to come into the center and "submit" in the Equine way of lowering his head and licking the air. The halter was put on his head (a rope halter, not the typical nylon w/buckles type) and I rode him bareback.

He did fine, not much trouble. I had to get used to having only a halter without a bit to control him with, since my usual Huntseat/saddleseat lessons use snaffle bridles. It was fun, and a different experience. Next, my brother then got on him, and some other family members. Herman did well for all of them! After seeing the good results in the roundpen, we led Herman out in front of the house, where we tacked him with a saddle and a bridle with a bit. He did not like that bit one bit! (No pun intended.) I mounted him and took the reins, but he didn't calm down. We finally decided to take the bridle off and replace it with his normal halter. Thinking this would make him do better, I asked him to "Walk!". He did...however didn't go beyond the opening to the field. No matter how hard we tried, he just wouldn't listen-- he even tried to brush me off under the trees! After a few minutes of this nonsense, we just put him back into the corral with the other horses. He hadn't been ridden in a while and isn't worked every day so he just wasn't ready.

After lunch and a break from the heat (full of riddles from an old book, ex. would be "What two letters contain nothing?" answer at the bottom of this post) I took my 500mm lens outside for a workout of its own-- birding!! I finally had a chance to bird the ranch, and boy, was it successful! I saw FIVE Life (new) birds in the span of 2 hours. That's got to be a record. The first of the day was a Yellow-billed Cukoo (Life bird)- very unexpected. It was preening as I captured these photos:

Next came another unexpected visitor: a Spotted Towhee (Life bird)! It was foraging. These birds are very stout, entertaining, and colourful! They have a very unique and funny style of foraging...

I walked a little further, only to come across an Eastern Kingbird with a grasshopper in its beak. It was thrashing the grasshopper against the branch, to stun it, presumably.

(The grasshoppers were everywhere so this was a welcome sight!)

Then in the same tree I spotted a female Yellow Warbler, who (like all other Yellow Warblers) wouldn't let me get a good photo of her! Next was another Eastern Kingbird and then...

a female Orchard Oriole (Life bird)! At the time (since I got such a fleeting glance) I thought she was another Yellow Warbler. Upon looking through my photos, however, I ID'd her correctly.

A while later I saw a 1st year male Orchard Oriole as well...this time I knew it was an oriole...

Then came sightings of a Red-tailed Hawk, Western Kingbird, Lark Sparrows. But the next prize view was of a Great-crested Flycatcher (Life bird). He was gorgeous and demonstrated a few calls for me!

Then...the next Life bird was the chatterbox House Wren. I had been hearing them all day, but hadn't sighted them until...

Finally, a young American Robin strutted past, displaying the heavy spotting that characterizes juveniles of the species.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Late afternoon brought a trip to the Cheyenne River, where we hiked down a steep hill (dodging pointy yucca) to get to the banks but didn't find anything. Another surprise came when, as we were gazing down at the faraway Cheyenne (from atop the hill) an American White Pelican(Life bird) flew by and landed in the river!! I recognized the color pattern immediately, however I didn't believe that I had actually seen a pelican in South Dakota! Of course I consulted my bird field guide and saw that they, in fact, live in parts of SD. Certainly a cool sighting!

LATER, I tagged along as the boys went out to the field to shoot cans and bottles. Nearby was a prairie dog town, where Burrowing Owls were living! I was so excited; this was a species I wanted to see before leaving South Dakota. They were beautiful, and it was neat to see them fly. One even hovered for a while over the truck. They stayed low to the ground, and went into the prairie dog's burrows. Burrowing Owls have such character.

PHEW, WHAT A DAY!

~Peace Always,

KRISTINA

(Answer to riddle: N and G)

Wild at Heart

Dreams of Summer Still to Come

‎"Drink your tea" says the towhee as he strolls amid the trees; never did I come across a more classy bird than he.I would one day like to feast my gaze upon the grassy tones of a Henslow's Sparrow; their textured breasts and backs streaked with auburn like a marvelous clump of summer straw.

Some of my fondest memories of the summer are of sitting by the pond, watching and listening as the Chimney Swifts sweep past on their needle wings, bubbly notes dripping about like raindrops.

Guest Blogging for the ABA!

Wings Upon the Evergreens

Perfection Found

The White Bird's Shadow

Migration

Choice

The Art of Listening in the Woods

Nothing Special, Something Special

What Birding Has Taught Me

Sand, Sun, and Screams

It's Big!

Buggy for Spring Birds

Warbler Season has Begun

Warblys and Wilson's Snipe!

Spring is Blooming!

Messenger

Could it Be?

Mallard Fight Club

Gulls are #1!

"Ring"-ing in the New Year

Prepare Yourself

Shorebirds Make Me Sore...a!

Rain and Red-tails

The Little Warbly Things in Life

Rare Sighting?

Painting Whales + A Short Orca History Lesson

Missing Whales...

Horses with a Heritage!

Treats, Travel, Towers, Ticks, and Tines

Hard Work Hardly Pays Off

Horsin' Around is For the Birds!

‎"Drink your tea" says the towhee as he strolls amid the trees; never did I come across a more classy bird than he.

I would one day like to feast my gaze upon the grassy tones of a Henslow's Sparrow; their textured breasts and backs streaked with auburn like a marvelous clump of summer straw.