April 2017 on the Farm
We are having a lovely spring with a long period of cool weather. We still have lots of butterflies around, the dewberries are already ripening, and a few bumble bees are showing up.… Continue reading
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Smith Oaks Rookery
Six years ago I went on a birding bus trip and got to see the Smith Oaks Rookery in High Island, Texas. It was amazing to see of hundreds of giant nests stacked… Continue reading
Basking with the Butterflies
Only recently have I noticed that different species of butterflies have different travel patterns and favorite locations. Goatweed Butterflies fly like birds – quick, direct, like they have somewhere to get in a… Continue reading
What Butterfly Has Its Name Printed on Its Wing?
Spring is here and the woods are full of butterflies. The butterfly that has its name printed right on its wing is a Question Mark. (A Comma is also a correct answer, and… Continue reading
Way Better Than Half-Priced Candy
Our family tradition is to celebrate holidays a day or two after their real date, so that we can wait and buy the candy for half price. This year for Valentine’s Day, we… Continue reading
The Beauty of Little Brown Birds
This winter I have been very inspired by the work of nature writer Florence A. Merriam. She was the first to write about observing birds alive in the field, rather than relying on… Continue reading
The Thousand-Footed First-Footer
You may have heard of the Scottish tradition of First Footing — that to start the New Year off right, the first person to cross your threshold should be a dark-headed male, carrying… Continue reading
Waterside Supper with Riparian Entertainments
(With thanks to Hyacinth Bucket and her memorable announcements.) (Strictly speaking, some of these are “Marine Entertainments” rather than “Riparian.” ) On Christmas Day, my husband and I went birding on the Texas… Continue reading
Twelve Days of Christmas, National Elk Refuge Style
In March of 2013, my husband and I took a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and we took a tour of the National Elk Refuge. I finally got around to editing those photos,… Continue reading
Bird Species 92
There is a bird up there somewhere. Let me zoom in for you. This is very exciting — this is the 92nd species I have documented on our farm over the last 7… Continue reading