Just an "otter" day in Greensboro

Today while feeding our two resident geese and a flock of mallards, two otters popped their heads up out of the water right where I was standing! It was amazing and they are so adorable. I think they were as surprised as I was because of course, that big dog was with me. She even had her head extended up and over the top of the fence desperately trying to eat the duck food. Huge rings spread out across the water every where as they popped. Sierra and I continued walking around the boardwalk and then on across the dam trying to see them. They outsmarted us though and we never got to see them again. Last year, three little otters were on the lake for about three days. They made little chirping and clicking sounds and ran up and down the hill on the far side of the lake. Then there would be a splash and into the water they dove. I am hopeful these two will stay for a few days and I will get to see them again!
Happy birdwatching, ya'all!
June

The Eagle Has Landed

Actually, two eagles! Yes, the pair which mate for life is back and sitting high atop a nearby tree guarding the nest or aerie. It was a glorious sight and despite the cold, pouring rain I had to jump out of the car to gawk at them for a least a few minutes. This picture shows the Greensboro pair last year on a beautiful day, however, this is exactly how they looked yesterday! They are very territorial and will guard up to two square miles surrounding their nest. They dive, swoop and soar nearby. I hope to catch a glimpse of some of that guarding. It is spectacular. I drive through this territory on my way to work and on my way home so I keep a close eye. Last year, one of the pair swooped over my car with a huge fish between its talons! I can only hope to experience that again. Either way, I will be mesmerized by the pair for the next 6 - 8 weeks and anxiously awaiting the Birding Club to set up the scopes for everyone to view the eyrie, the brood in the nest!
Happy Birding, everyone,
June

Duck, Duck, Goose

The big meltdown is on but not before the black ice got me just as I stepped out of my car on Wednesday. Seriously, it's appearance was that of water not ice! Neither my slip nor the blustery wind stopped pup and I from heading out for our evening walk though. What would the ducks and geese do for food? I feed the mallards and Canada geese on our pond for several reasons. One - they are hungry and can't reach whatever grows at the bottom of the pond. Two - it is amusing because of the ice and social interactions. Establishing dominance among the flock is a funny thing. There is much splashing, nipping, feathers flying and squawking! Put it on your list of things to do -- find time to observe the interactions of the players on the pond and no doubt you'll understand where the term 'pecking order' originated. While you might debate who 'rules the roost' in your home, you can be sure that the politics on the pond are just as complex.

The backyard was busy again this morning due to the overnight low of 18 degrees! It was an Arctic tundra. The blue jays were the early risers and make quite a ruckus until their fav appears -- peanuts! I managed to capture one weighing and measuring! Only the largest will do! Either way, all the peanuts eventually disappear. Several more goldfinch arrived yesterday wearing their dingy olive winter green. I miss their summer glow! Still no eagle sightings but I am watching! Happy birding, everyone!

Treachery in Ice

January 11, 2011

While the ice is treacherous outside, I have the luxury of enjoying the view from inside. The bluebirds are the stars this morning. They have their feathers all puffed up so they look like penguins! I managed to capture this picture just before Na'vi, the wild cat, pounced at the window to "catch" the bird. She was sorely disappointed and is now catnapping. This is good for me since there are so many birds wanting to eat this morning. I have already filled the open feeders twice. The closed feeders are locked up in ice. The birds obviously don't mind because thirty or so are here - finches of all sorts including goldfinches, tufted titmouse, chickadees, juncos, wrens,bluebirds, blue jays, and cardinals.

I finally had to concede to walking the pup. There was freezing mist and drizzle but I "puffed"up just like I had seen my bluebirds do earlier and out Sierra, malamute, and I went. Again we headed toward the pond with duck food in tow and a dog cookie too! To my delight, we were serenaded by a beautiful red-bellied woodpecker. I am hopeful that it will find the suet I have in the backyard! The middle of the pond is ice free but the edges are not so the ducks had to "skate" for their food this morning. It was humorous to watch as they slipped and slid to get bites of corn and bread! As they tried to catch the corn, it would slide just beyond their reach. They never gave up though which is a great lesson to us all!
Happy birding, everyone!

Quiet day before the next BIG snow!

Jan. 9, 2011 My second entry!
Thank you to everyone who read and commented on my very first blog yesterday! I do love my birdwatching. This morning the feeders were quiet but our pond was the happening place! The great blue heron was there for his breakfast. As were a ton of Canada geese and one kingfisher. These are all year round residents here but beautiful all the same. The great blue is extraordinary especially if he is camoflagued near the dock and takes off suddenly as Sierra, trusted Malamute, and I arrive at the lake with duck food. When startled, the great blue squawks incessantly as he spreads his magnificent wings and takes off to the tree tops. As gorgeous as he is, his voice is not so! His "gaks" and "gawks" sound like they should be coming from a bird much less elegant than a great blue. Over the next several days, he will have a difficult time finding food - poor fellow! They are calling for snow in varying amounts of 2 - 4 inches and we will finish that with a layer of ice! That should make life interesting!

My backyard feeders have seen a great deal of activity this afternoon with cardinals, tufted titmice , Carolina wrens and even Eastern bluebirds! What a treat it is to see them at the feeders! There were four sitting along the top of the fence all puffed up trying to keep warm and taking turns in the feeder while I leashed Na'vi, the bird stalking cat outside. I spiked my trail mix blend of bird seed with freeze dried mealworms. I hope the bluebirds enjoy that extra protein. Water bowls for the birds had to be melted this morning as well as our low was 14 here in the sunny South land! The cardinals in particular seem love the fresh water.
P.S. Na'vi's leash allows her only to view the birds -- not eat them!
Happy Birdwatching, everyone!

Birds Before Snow

Jan. 8, 2011 My first entry

The hooded mergansers have returned to the pond. I look forward to their short winter visits. The shyness of the birds, which have a tendency to hide on the far side of the pond, has kept me from taking any superior pictures! Although, I keep trying. The picture included here is from www.audubon.com. just so you know how handsome these birds are.

This morning's short snow burst brought about a feeding frenzy at my four bird feeders. At one time, I counted at least 35 birds in the yard. The leafless crape myrtle makes a great spot for the bluebirds, purple and gold finches, wrens, snowbirds and cardinals to perch while awaiting their respective turns at the feeders. Those who just can not wait have descended to the yard and have been searching through the dead leaves and long grasses for dropped viable seed. Their antics are just so cute and loved by the inside cat, Na'vi. The largest of the visitors by far are the blue jays. They get their own food--peanuts. They are so funny to watch as they "weigh" and "measure" each peanut before deciding which one to take first! I have adopted the same technique when choosing my freshly baked mini-muffins -- I eat the largest one first! I am head out to scout the eagle's nesting area. It is soon time for them to arrive. It is a highlight of the winter season on the edge of Greensboro, NC.