Moths: My New Challenge

My new challenge is to begin to learn to identify moths. At the end of June, my niece and I did a little mothing. I hung a white sheet outside and set a black light in front of it from 10:30 pm-12:00 am. It was interesting to see what was attracted to the light. I intend to do more mothing so stay tuned.

One of the more interesting moths that would hold still long enough for a photo was a female Chickweed Geometer (pictured below). Hopefully my identification will be correct!

Chickweed Geometer Moth (female)             ©Joni L. James

Sand Garden for Deb

For a follower who desired images of my sand garden . . . you will be disappointed. It is exactly that-- sand bordered by river rocks with a few statues and interesting stones. It all looks sad with the lack of rain and the brutal heat.
BUT--I don't have to plant and replant. I do have to weed at times.

Who's Hiding in the Willows?

While walking slowly through the ponds one evening recently (before the 100 degree heat wave arrived), I glanced to my right and discovered a white-tailed deer foraging amond the willows and other plants. 


The doe was as surprised to see me as I was to see her. The next view I had was of the white flag on her rump.

White-tailed Deer Among Willows         ©Joni L. James

"Yuk!" said the Phoebe!

While sitting on my patio a couple of weeks ago, I observed an Eastern Phoebe fledgling hanging around the wall of my sand garden. I began photographing it as it came in close to eat the flying insects.

In a series of photos, I caught the young bird after it had eaten a bee. Whether it needed to expell the bee in order to eat more or that the bee had caused a problem . . . I don't know. After inspecting the remains, the bee was recognizable but not by much.




 "Yuk!" said the Phoebe!







Eastern Phoebe Fledgling  ©Joni L. James


Phoebe Coughing Up Bee  ©Joni L. James





Plenty of Activity!

There has certainly been plenty of activity in the last couple of months! None from me on my blog, but plenty from the flora & fauna around here.
Tree Swallows havebuilt nests, laid eggs, and are now raising nestlings in my plastic gourds. The Carolina Chickadees have nestlings in a box next to my house. 

I participate in the citizen science project from Cornell Lab of Ornithology called NestWatch. I place boxes and plastic gourds in my yard for cavity nesters and then monitor them. The data I collect is submitted online to the NestWatch website http://www.nestwatch.org/. I encourage you to visit the website, read about it, and then sign up.

I awaken every morning to dawn song by Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, Baltimore Orioles, American Robins, Northern Cardinals, Song Sparrows, White-eyed Vireos, and Yellow-breasted Chats. The Chat sings during the night to accompany the many frogs and toads calling from the ponds.

I am busy teaching a nature photography class during the month of May and am enjoying it. It is a good group of people.

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful spring we are having-- that began in March!

Tree Swallow taking pine needles to build nest 
©Joni L. James

Carolina Chickadee guarding nest box  ©Joni L. James

Yellow-breasted Chat   ©Joni L. James

Bald Eagles Incubate

For the 5th consective year, the Bald Eagles near my home are on the nest incubating. They began last Friday, February 17, 2012. Both adults have been busy renovating the nest for weeks. How many eggs are present?

Bald Eagles usually lay one egg  per day, but not always on successive days.  The clutch is usually completed in 3–6 days. The incubation period averages 35 days and hatching occurs over a period of days. So by March 23rd, the first egg could be pipping open. Both male and female incubate with the female serving the majority of the time.

If you are mesmerized by the behaviors and activities of nature, I recommend you tune into the fabulous Bald Eagle nestcam from Decorah, Iowa. This is a 24/7 camera with tremendous views of the eagle nest. They have 3 eggs present. http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

I wish a nestcam could be erected here in Morgan County to observe the activities of the Bald Eagle nest I watch from my home. Nestcams are a wonderful tool to involve the public in learning about wildlife and creating a connection. Although not the same as being outdoors and observing first hand . . . the nestcam does allow a  intimate and consistent connection.

Advances in technology allow us to peer into the daily lives of wildlife both night and day now. I have observed tree swallows nesting in my plastic gourds in the past. The behaviors and interactions were fascinating and revealing. This technology allows us to learn a great deal and dissolve some of the mystery about the breeding behaviors of birds. The key words here are "some of the mystery". There is still plenty of mystery. Without mystery . . . what is life?

Red-wing Blackbird Return!

Male Red-wing Blackbird singing     ©Joni L. James

Although a late post, January 30, was the date I heard my first Red-wing Blackbird at my home. This is a bird that I mark the winding down of winter. Their song fills the ponds where I live usually in mid- February, but the mild winter has them heralding it early. They are a benchmark wetland bird for me! Welcome back! And welcome back to me!