enjoying a bit of late afternoon sunlight peeking through… soft and warm on a cold winters day.
More Dried Fruit
Cedar Waxwings picking over the same patch of dried berries that the Robins found appealing in yesterdays post. We only see the Waxwings for a week each year and only in the fall. This year they were right on schedule and arrived sometime during the last week of November and had departed by last weekends walk through the woods.
Dried Fruit
When the fresh fruit runs out it’s a good thing the pantry is stocked with dried.
An American Robin picking over a patch of dried berries on a December afternoon.
In the Winter Sagebrush
Walking the snow covered sagebrush on the Blacktail Plateau looking for the next opportunity. Yellowstone National Park.
Success Stories: National Geographic
More good news stories for 2019 this time from National Geographic in an article titled “Wildlife wins: 7 good-news stories from 2019“. The article begins with an all to often heard hours of
“Optimism can be in short supply when it comes to wildlife and conservation.
Going on describe several events that are disconcerting to those who consider conservation a worthy cause including the following events:
Masai giraffes were declared endangered, fires in the Amazon devastated jaguars, turtles, and other wildlife, and cheetah researchers accused of spying were sentenced to years in prison in Iran. Demand for wildlife and wildlife products—such as pet turtles, lion bone, and shatoosh, scarves made from the fleece of rare Tibetan antelopes—is thought to be on the rise”
Conversely and giving us a bit of hope the main focus of the article presents several key victories in the conservation of species and preservation of wildlife around the globe. Another article that both gives hope yet points that there is still no reason take pause in the fight for conservation of non-human life on the planet.
Curved Bill Thrasher
A Curved Bill Thrasher catching some winter sunlight casts a glance our way to let us know he is aware of our antics.
Holiday Cheer, Pinhole Style.
Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season. May santa leave a few rolls of film and a pinhole camera in your stocking…just for fun.
Success stories: Audubon Society
While this past year has felt like one negative story after another with respect to environmental and conservation news there are successes to be recognized and accomplishments lauded.
The national Audubon Society recently published a list of their success stories for this year that will bring a little cheer to a birders holiday season.
Successes occurred on numerous fronts including clean energy projects, local conservation measures, increasing awareness for endangered bird species, protection of habitats and several others all of which are detailed here.
For me the Audubon report entitled “Survival by Degrees” will stand out as a crowning accomplishment. It is bringing widespread awareness to how climate change will endanger up to 389 bird species in North America and was widely reported on in the media.
Yes, there is good news to be found and reading it felt like a much needed gift from Santa himself.
Wishing you all a very Happy Holidays.
Spring loaded
Spring loaded and tightly wound may be an understatement.
Back and forth and all around following the rabbit tracks this Ermine moved so fast it made us dizzy. As he hunted rabbits darted with lightening speed in every direction gravity would allow. Excitedly we watched yet feared for the rabbits lives. Yet when all was said and done we think the Winter Bunn made it out alive. How she escaped this mighty hunter is a testament to the difficulty of finding a meal even for a hunter as fierce as the Ermine.
Summers remains
Looking back at summer’s remains as winter tightens it’s grip on the landscape. Silent now, yet oh so temporal, the ice will melt and flowers bloom again.
But for now summer remains just a memory of what will be.
nature has no boss 
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