Feb
28
2011
A couple of years ago while treking through the brush at Lake Lowell I encountered this fascinating growth on the trunk of an aging willow tree. The primary reason for this venture was to check and repair wood duck nest boxes. However, when one encounters an object such as this, one’s attention is quickly diverted.
Is this a fungus or a mushroom? Or is it both? I’ve often been asked, “Is it good to eat?”, when berries, fruits and mushrooms are found. Personally, I’ve never been hungry enough out in the wilderness to find out except for maybe currants, huckleberries or cherries. In this case I would definately pass it up. It may be a recipe for a belly-ache or maybe even suicide.
Feb
13
2011
It looks like I may be rushing it a little bit, but hey, it’s 52 degrees outside. The ground hog was really fooled this year with his 6 weeks more winter prediction.
Feb
11
2011
This morning there were ten of these guys visiting the feeders. They are very active and seem to be aware of everything around them. On occasion one will fly up to the window feeder and see its refledtion on the glass, become alarmed and imediately fly away. Besides the seeds offered them they also enjoy suet.
Feb
02
2011
On this fine “Groundhog’s” day the sun arose in a clear blue sky. It wasn’t long until the bird activity prompted me to break out the camera again. Here we have a male Hairy Woodpecker. Although the angle fore-shortens the bird’s bill it is nearly as long as the width of the head. One identification mark that I had not noticed before is that the red on the back of the head is split by the black stripe. The red seems to be confined entirely in the lateral part of the white stripes. I’m wondering if this is true for all male hairy woodpeckers or just this individual. The red on a downy woodpecker male is solid across the back of the head.
This beautiful sun-shiny day seems like the first day of Spring. I’m almost tempted to sit out in the sun and enjoy the view. But, alas, the temperature started out at 0 degrees F. this morning. I don’t think I’ll bask in my shorts just yet!