OK, so I can be clueless about some things

For instance, I was not aware that "Wordless Wednesday" is some big carnival blogging thing. I ran across it on another blog I check out occassionally, and thought it was a neat idea. Turns out that there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of blogs that do it, and they link to a main site somewhere.

I'll probably keep up the concept, but not join the carnival... the tilt-a-whirl always makes me sick to my stomach anyway.

Wordless Wednesday 7/16/08

Concept courtesy of Birding Bev from the Behind the Bins blog.

Gives me a reason to post something, anything at least once a week...

Photo Friday - at the Feeders

Just some snapshots of who is visiting the feeders these days. Nothing terribly exciting, just your average everyday feeder birds in an office park. (There are also the ubiquitous House Sparrows, and I do have a few pics, but haven't bothered to upload them.)


Mourning Dove are always on the ground below the feeders.
Black-capped chickadees stop in pretty regularly.
The goldfinches know that the thistle sock is there for them.
The Red-winged Blackbirds were a bit of a surprise. There are three that stop in every day.
The nuthatches are also regular at the peanut feeder.

Of course, the Downy Woodpeckers are the main reason I have feeders up at all. I've only once seen a Hairy here in the years that I've had the suet and peanut feeders out there, but I keep hoping that someday they'll come. (Or maybe even a Red-bellied...)
I know most of my Downies by their head pattern, but I've also been able to distinguish patterns of behavior for most that allows me know recognize them even if I can't see the head pattern. This particular fellow likes to hang out and eat from the bottom of the peanut feeder. I think I've noticed him at the suet only once or twice.

I wasn't planning on getting too political here but...

Tell Congress to Support Legislation to Conserve

Our Rapidly Disappearing Migratory Birds!

The American Bird Conservancy does a lot of great work in getting involved with our government, speaking on behalf of the birds and birders at congressional hearings, etc.

They also make it very easy for you to get involved, creating letters that you can send to your representatives to make sure that your voice is heard.

I have been a member of the ABC in the past (and must admit that my membeship has lapsed and I need to renew which I will do now that I have put it in print!) but have continued to get their on-line newsletter and supported them with letters to local politicians. I just received the following in my e-mail:

Dear Christopher,

On July 10 at 10am EST, I will testify on behalf of American Bird Conservancy at a Congressional hearing on the state of America's birds.

My testimony will outline the many threats to migratory and resident birds, and ways these threats can be mitigated. I will call special attention to the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act and its proven track record in funding conservation efforts that have benefited hundreds of migratory species throughout the hemisphere. ABC and a coalition of members of the Bird Conservation Alliance are asking for an increase in funding for this key program to better serve the needs of declining bird populations.

My testimony will resonate better with members of the Committee because you and many other ABC supporters sent letters to their Representatives asking that they cosponsor a bill put forward by Representatives Kind and Gilchrest (HR 5756) that will reauthorize the Act at significantly higher funding levels.I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking part in this campaign through our on-line action center. To date, more than 31,000 emails have been sent to Congress requesting that the Act be reauthorized and fully funded. This will make a significant difference in our ongoing efforts to better protect our declining migratory birds.

If you would like to listen to the hearing online, please visit http://resourcescommittee.house.gov.

And please don't forget to tell your friends that it is not too late for them to take action on this campaign too. They can visit our online action site at www.abcbirds.org/action and send a letter to their Representative asking them to cosponsor HR 5756.

Thank you once more for your efforts to help protect our declining migratory birds,

Dr. George Wallace
American Bird Conservancy

No birding this weekend & random thoughts...

Pamela's birthday was this (holiday) weekend, and we spent time visiting my parents in NY. No real effort at birding was done, other than the constant awareness of the birds around me. I notice that I still pepper my conversations with IDs as I make them in my head...

ME: "So, the wedding plans are coming along well.(cardinal) We're meeting with the (chipping sparrow)DJ again next weekend to talk about the processional (killdeer) music, and we need to decide this week about (crow) which flavor we are going to make the cake. Hey, I just heard a Chimney Swift - there it goes!"

Whoever I am speaking to (assuming they are not a birder): "Wait... what? You being married by a cardinal, DJ Sparrow is providing the music, you plan on sacrificing a deer, and eating crow-flavored cake?!??"

I expect that many birders do this, which probably helps to spread the perception that we are just a little bit 'off'. And, let's face it, some of us, really are. I can't speak for all birders, but I have to admit to being a bit more than fanatical about it. That's one nice thing about birding as a hobby -you can enjoy it at any level you please, from watching the birds in your backyard and never really knowing much about them other than the joy the bring you , to the big-listers who try to see as many species as possible in their life, the year, the month, a certain location, etc.

I do like the fact that my excitement and enjoyment of birds seems to be contagious - family, friends, and co-workers are always telling me about something they saw in their yard, or on the golf course, or on vacation, or a program on TV, or an article in the newspaper. People that I know that don't have any great interest in nature are stopping me to share some experience that they've had. "Hey, I thought of you this weekend - I saw this big bird, I mean it was huge!"
So hey, I have no problem being the "Bird nut", "Birdman", or whatever else you can come up with - if it continues to spark an interest in others, it can only be for good.

I'm going to go and have a slice of that crow cake. Mmm-mmm!