FLIGHTY TIMES – BIRDS NOTES 2013
This year the delayed spring has had unintended consequences. The confusing spring warbler migration is being appreciated by an inordinate amount of folks because the leaves are not hiding their northerly progression. South Western Minnesota has been witness to the House Finch influx over the past decade. Many people confuse this bird with the Purple …
A Reverence for Trees
Grandfather Mac was in the wholesale lumber business, he traveled the midwest selling lumber to lumberyards. He spent his life, earning his living, by the board foot. In his mid life they lived in a small mansion that they could not afford. My grandmother confided in me one day and told me that Grampa bought …
Thirty-Five Feet of Twitchers
Our party is comprised of six people: Five-foot seven, five-foot eight, six-foot, six-foot two, six-foot four and six-foot six; all of that equals = 35 feet and then some. In Great Britain people who are bird watchers are often times called “Twitchers.” I suspect it sounds a bit derogatory? I find myself surrounded by my …
Three Rivers Petroglyphs
The sun rise over the Sierra Blanca Mountains was interrupted by a SONIC BOOM!….as was our peaceful slumber. We peer out of our StarShip (the name for our R.V.) and thirty miles distant we can see the reflecting sands of White Sands Missile Range north of Alamogordo, NM. Rumor has it that German fighter pilots …
SR 71 Blackbird
We meet all manner of people on the road and seldom find anyone that doesn’t have some curious background, hobby or interest. We see thousands of RV’s with detailed graphics painted on their vehicles lions, hawks, eagles, Harley Davidson logos and all manner of symbols of flags & patriotism. I confess that I think it’s …
Birding The Deep South of Minnesota
At an early age I was introduced to birding, it was a family adventure. On the prairies in the deep south of Minnesota I remember the excitement of seeing and identifying my first and only Marbled Godwit with my cousin. We were the only ones in Rock County to identify this amazing and elusive …