On the bull kelp

On January 22, 2022January 1, 2022 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

A tiny Yellow Rumped Warbler found the bull kelp a perfect perch for hunting sand flies and other small insects on the beach. This girl would quickly dart down form the kelp to snag a small meal and quickly return to her perch. Seeing her sitting on the head of the bull kelp made us realize just how small she was. We watched a documentary about songbirds the other night called The Messenger. Here is a link to the website http://songbirdsos.com
It is a very timely reminder about what a world without song birds would be like.

More Winter Light

On January 2, 2022January 1, 2022 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Winter light shining into the ancient forests. Somehow we seem to always find the beam of light that is focused upon a beautiful old stump or perhaps the stump finds us.

Not really sure which way it works but we really feel at home when taking that walk in the woods.

Out walking

On December 26, 2021December 23, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

Put on the jacket and head outside. Nothing like a little walk in the rain to keep the weekend rolling.

Seasons Greetings

On December 25, 2021December 23, 2021 By Mike and Christy8 Comments

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy holiday, even if it’s not a holiday for you, wherever you are on this wonderful planet.

Christy and Mike

Scruffy

On December 18, 2021December 3, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

On Saturday at mid-morning we spotted this Coopers hawk tidying up a bit on a broken old Cottonwood branch. He looked like he has had a bit of a rough time lately with his feathers looking downright scruffy. After a half hour or so of preening his feathers were back in fine order and he was off again hunting in nearby woods.

North American Badger: Taxidea taxus

On November 21, 2021November 19, 2021 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

Out on a hike amongst the fully blooming rabbit and sage brush we noticed numerous holes along the trail. Were they Marmot or perhaps Badger. Finally near the end of the hike the question was answered when we spotted this Badger off in the distance.

It was nice to see this Badger out foraging.

Badgers dig after and feed on ground squirrels and pocket gophers, and also eat toads, frogs, birds, snakes, insects and insect grubs, wasps, bees, and worms. They sleep through most of the winter in a den, spending about 29 hours at a time in a state of torpor, rousing briefly, and then sleeping again. In torpor, which is not true hibernation, the Badger’s heartbeat slows to about half the normal rate and its temperature drops.

Even with this great camouflage the Badger is at risk mostly from human activities such as habitat loss as well as hunting and trapping.

Enjoy your winter Mr. badger and we will see you after your Torpor.

Pine Martin: Martes americana

On November 20, 2021November 19, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

The squirrels in the forest we sure making a racket this day and for good reason as this Pine Marten was on the prowl.

Not So Long Ago

On November 14, 2021November 13, 2021 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

A beautiful early November sunset on a local pond. Not so long ago but far away. The the leaves are all down and now the colors in the sky have changed into their winter shades.