Al Larson Photography

Last Friday I made a trip to my Owyhee Bluebird Trail to check boxes and band nestlings. Predators have taken their toll. Several nests were empty that had eggs or nestlings the previous week. I did band a few nestlings and checked many boxes for eggs and nestlings for future banding. Above is a nest of an Ash-throated Flycatcher that contained five eggs. The female flew from the nest when I approached the box.

I’ll be making the trip again this week. If anyone wants to tag along let me know. larson83703@msn.com

Monitoring nestboxes is like opening presents Christmas morning. You wonder what will be inside. On this occasion I opened a nestbox and out fell a baby flying squirrel. Bewildered, it snuggled down onto an outstretched palm. Mother squirrel and sibblings remained hidden in their warm grass nest. One seldom sees these nocternal animals for they seldom appear during daylight. After several photos this little guy was returned to the nest.

Every Spring while attending my bluebird trail I come across this beautiful white flower. I just can’t resist stopping to take a picture. It’s name is Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva). This photo was taken June 10, 2011.

This is the time of year when I get requests for nest box plans. So here it is. The size and shape is ideal for attracting bluebirds. It is my opinion that the box should be simple and easy to build

I would advise the size of the locking nail holes be large enough that the nails slide in and out easily. Moisture from dew and rain has a tendancy to swell the holes so that the nails are difficult to remove

About a half inch of the corners on the bottom may be may be cut off to allow drainage and ventilation.

When setting up new boxes permission must obtained from the land owner.

On Saturday May 28, 2011 members and relatives of the Gardner family met at their cemetery located near Clear Creek, Boise county. The primary reason for the gathering was a memorial service and inter the ashes of Floyd Warren Yonker. The cemetery is located on a hill and the road leading up to it is nearly impassable during winter and inclement spring weather, so the delayed memorial. It is also customary to clean up the ground around the graves near memorial day at the end of May.

The weather was cold and threatened rain. A bonfire helped warm things up. Refreshments were served potluck. This seemed more like a family reunion than a funeral.

Warm your toes, anybody?