Tapwater Jackson Living Small

Please accept this brief moment about sparrows. Yes, I know, indigo bunting, scarlet tanager, snowy owl, ivory-billed woodpecker — but, how well can you identify sparrows? This was the question I asked myself this morning because, well, I live a very small life.

I identified the three white stripes on the head and then got the binoculars to see if a nondescript sparrow had any interesting marks. I challenge you to study a white-throated sparrow without being humbled. Brilliant yellow eye lores and starkly contrasting gradations of white, brown, and grey; none of which is apparent if you are not still and willing to look. Wait, that last part might be important.

Jan 19

Dove As Angel — 45 seconds of flight.

May 22

My World And Welcome To It

I bought a lawn chair, a case of beer, and a baseball bat to solve the problem of raccoons raiding my bird feeders, but the chickadees hatched a brood in the house I put up for them after I cut down their hollow tree. In the South, nestlings are just so much snake food, so instead of staying up all night waiting for raccoons, now I have to get up at 4, get my Louisville Slugger, and watch for snakes.

Being crazy is hard work.

Apr 28

Wolfgang S Birdhouse, Designed by Dennis Nino Clasen. Via World’s Best Ever

Apr 15

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Protect me - © Stuart Gibson - Full Resolution Here

Apr 06

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Brown-headed Nuthatch

Sitta pusilla | Order PASSERIFORMES – Family SITTIDAE

Drawing by T. Henneberg.

The Brown-headed Nuthatch is one of the few species of passerine birds known to make use of tools. This species occasionally uses loose flakes of bark to pry up attached flakes, exposing hidden insects.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

I saw my first one last weekend, having never lived in the southeast before. Sweet and clever birds, but their call sounds like a rubber ducky squeaking.

Image Birdman Jon

Feb 21

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Sleeping Beauty - © Wendy - Full Resolution Here

Feb 15

The Great Backyard Bird Count — What an Odd Day

Species Count
Turkey Vulture 8
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 5
Red-breasted Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 3
Eastern Bluebird 1
White-throated Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 5
Northern Cardinal 5

Feb 10

Live Allen's Hummingbird Nest Cam

Via Monkeyfrog and Tumblr Radar

Feb 08

The Great Backyard Bird Count - Feruary 12-15, 2010

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada and sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited.

Bohemian Waxwing Image