Impressed with a Red-bellied Woodpecker's Tongue!
on Nov 9, 2009 in dogwood red-bellied woodpecker autumn On the day that the crowd of robins visited, a parade of other birds joined them in the dogwood tree. Among them, this Red-bellied Woodpecker male. (Click images to enlarge.)It's always a treat when he visits the dogwood tree, and this time was no ex...

Whooping Crane Activity Book--A Fun Peek Inside!
on Nov 6, 2009 in Operation Migration Whooping cranes Craniac Kids Whooping Crane Activity Book While the ultralight-led Whooping Crane Class of 2009 is making its way south, children can read all about how imagination and innovation have helped us help our endangered Whooping cranes.As the author and illustrator, the complimentary distribution...

A Crowd of Robins and A Dogwood Tree
on Nov 2, 2009 in American robin Northern Mockingbird dogwood autumn A cold front welcomed in our first day of November, so I set feeders out for the birds. Titmice, chickadees and cardinals gathered but it soon became apparent there were many more birds in the yard than usual.When I walked over to the Dogwood to inve...

Lively October
on Oct 21, 2009 in bird sketches Magnolia warbler fall warblers fall plumage sketchbook October is so lively, so full of change and energy. Weather is changing. Leaves are changing. And almost daily, new migrants are visiting the trees in my yard. I can't keep up with them all. I want to paint each and every one of them.I love the chanc...

Don't Miss Those Beautiful Faces
on Oct 19, 2009 in backyard birds Carolina wren Today it happens to be the Carolina Wren family I'm speaking of though, I've said that about other birds recently, too. Birds do have such compelling faces. Sometimes they catch my attention because I happen to be at the banding station, seeing the b...

Our Whooping Crane Activity Book Is Happening!
on Oct 12, 2009 in Operation Migration Craniac Kids Whooping Crane Activity Book The distribution of Operation Migration's Craniac Kids Whooping Crane Activity Book is happening! As the volunteer author and illustrator, I couldn't have received a more wonderful gift for my birthday (tomorrow) as I read the announcement this morni...

Time Out for Woodpeckers
on Oct 11, 2009 in woodpeckers dogwood red-bellied woodpecker It isn't unusual for me to do that--drop everything, grab my camera, and run out the door to see if I can find the woodpecker that just announced his presence. My camera is my trusty companion on these ventures, like a third eye, allowing me to see m...

Bird Lifestyles Through An Artist's Lens
on Oct 6, 2009 in TN Ornithological Society birds in art If you are within driving distance of Knoxville, TN come join me Wednesday night (Oct 7th) at the Knoxville Chapter, TN Ornithological Society (KTOS) monthly meeting for my presentation: Bird Lifestyles Through An Artist's Lens. I'll be talking about...

The Confusing Beauty of Fall Plumage
on Oct 3, 2009 in Summer Tanager fall plumage There is something magical about standing near a tree and having a beautiful bird pop out on a limb, asking to be photographed. The tree is an American Dogwood easing into fall with a colorful mix of leaves and ripened red berries. And on its branch...

Necedah NWR Boghaunter Trail--A Meadow and the Meadow Hawk
on Sep 30, 2009 in Necedah Cranefest Norther Harrier Necedah National Wildlife Refuge Wisconsin wildflowers sketchbook Meadows and wetlands make a wonderful combination. There is something to see and enjoy everywhere you look. We were actually getting good views of Bald eagles, five of them (as if that's not special enough!), when I spotted this Northern Harrier glid...