tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-187844452024-03-07T22:21:57.541-05:00Somewhere in NJJust me rambling about birds, books, bunnies, or whatever!LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.comBlogger1556125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-25784142289173467912016-08-03T19:31:00.000-05:002017-08-08T19:44:48.586-05:00Just checking in<a href="http://www.somewhereinnj.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/meathigh.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-5129"><img alt="meathigh" class="alignnone wp-image-5129" src="http://www.somewhereinnj.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/meathigh-300x200.jpg" height="392" width="588" /></a><br />
<br />
So I'm feeling pretty guilty about not having appeared here for months (!) after being so gung-ho about blogging regularly again. After a bit of reflection, I realize that I was mostly enthusiastic about <i>others</i> blogging regularly again.
;-)
I've been busy with the new job, of course, and busy sitting on my butt in the air-conditioning. This knee thing has really thrown me for a loop and I'm just now getting to feel better after a month of physical therapy. Why that dopey doctor I went to didn't recommend it for me, I don't know. I'm just glad I decided to be proactive after suffering for 3 months with barely any progress and so grateful to have good health insurance to pay for it. It's really made all the difference in my ability to function like a regular person again.<br />
<br />
We've planned a camping trip this weekend and I'm looking forward to hopefully being able to hike without pain.
Other than work and physical therapy, I haven't done much so far this summer other than try to avoid the heat. I still don't know how people stand it here - I've got major cabin-fever! We're sharing season tickets for the Braves and have been going to a couple of evening games each month. We're discovering new favorite places to have breakfast on the weekends. We're eating ice cream more often than is probably healthy. My brother and his family came to visit for a couple days at the beginning of July - it was super great to see them and to show off some of the fun things we do here in the A. I've been reunited with my dog Luka from that other life and just last week said goodbye to the senior shelter dog, Sadie, that we adopted only four years ago.
I bought myself a new camera lens - a super wide angle - and look forward to playing with that in the future. J and I went out the weekend that I bought it to take some photos of the tall buildings in midtown Atlanta, but ended up at the High Museum of Art as a way to escape the heat and enjoy some free air conditioning. I'm not much of an art museum type, but I enjoy the High and it's folk and modern art.<br />
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The photo that accompanies this post was taken there.
I plan to be back here in a couple days to share some memories of Sadie - once we're back from camping in the mountains where hopefully it'll be cool!LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-9951781775200332242016-04-25T19:42:00.000-05:002017-08-08T19:43:56.765-05:00Wildflowerin' gone bad<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "bookman old style" , "palatino linotype" , "book antiqua" , "palatino" , "trebuchet ms" , "helvetica" , "garamond" , sans-serif , "arial" , "verdana" , "avante garde" , "century gothic" , "comic sans ms" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He who limps is still walking. ~Stanislaw J. Lec</span></div>
</blockquote>
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I love wandering in the woods to find the first sleeping plants that awaken from the forest floor. It’s something of a rite of spring for me, despite the fact that I no longer have to suffer through a cold northern winter. Many of these spring ephemerals, as well as being beautiful, are important food sources for the first foraging butterflies and bees that emerge. Many are even downward-facing to better serve the insects that cruise the forest floor.</div>
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A couple weeks back we took an impromptu Friday evening walk to the nature trail at Stone Mountain Park; a friend had mentioned that it's one of the best local places to see a few of my favorites. It's an easy 3/4 mile trail that meanders beside a stream. It was lovely; the azaleas were blooming and as a bonus we saw our first Louisiana waterthrush of the season! </div>
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<a href="http://www.somewhereinnj.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/image2.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-5069"><img alt="image2" class="alignleft wp-image-5069 " src="http://www.somewhereinnj.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/image2-225x300.jpg" height="351" width="263" /></a><br />
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There were many blooming mayapples - so hard to photograph nicely - and some pink lady slippers that I want to go back to check on. I found foamflower, I think, though it's much taller than what I'm used to seeing in NJ. The common name comes from the delicate white flowers that look like foam. I love the extra long pistils on the flowers that rise above the white petals like little golden crowns. Books say that these flowers were often presented by Greeks as tokens of their love.</div>
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We also found green-and-gold which is another favorite. It blooms in shady woodland places. So pretty! I believe it's in the aster family, so you know pollinators love it. We finished off our easy evening hike by deciding to head off the nature trail and into the forest proper.<br />
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<a href="http://www.somewhereinnj.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/image1.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-5078"><img alt="image1" class="size-medium wp-image-5078 alignright" src="http://www.somewhereinnj.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/image1-300x225.jpg" height="225" width="300" /></a><br />
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We didn't get very far before we had to cross a wet area where the stream ran across a bunch of flat rocks. Despite being extra-super careful when crossing those slippery, moss-covered rocks, I managed to fall and twist up my leg. Bummer! Two weeks later and I finally worked up the courage to see a doctor today... the pain wasn't going away and walking/sleeping/sitting haven't gotten any easier. I have to go back for an MRI, but the chance is that I've torn a meniscus.</div>
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<br />
:-(<br />
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<a href="http://www.somewhereinnj.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_6814.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-5086"><img alt="IMG_6814" class="size-medium wp-image-5086 alignleft" src="http://www.somewhereinnj.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_6814-225x300.jpg" height="300" width="225" /></a><br />
I'm studying up on knee anatomy (in between wildflower guides!) and hoping that rest and time and the brace the doctor gave me will fix it up. I welcome any suggestions for how to include/disguise this hideous-looking brace in my professional attire. I hope next time I'll be more careful; wildflowers are a risky habit to have!</div>
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LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-76503817864408784882016-04-15T20:21:00.000-05:002016-04-15T20:21:22.627-05:00Calling all zombies!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGAvEujz519Gk_qXxhF1ZcW56f8Y36jgwnpFUGwieux30TsNVfpx9kEj7dkU3fRORJQQqxSifLKV-n2riDqdaSeKBDv3qZBOxuupe7qKxqsuKv5dDwNPCI-U7Tr_bDDhaOTeOAQ/s1600/IMG_6145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGAvEujz519Gk_qXxhF1ZcW56f8Y36jgwnpFUGwieux30TsNVfpx9kEj7dkU3fRORJQQqxSifLKV-n2riDqdaSeKBDv3qZBOxuupe7qKxqsuKv5dDwNPCI-U7Tr_bDDhaOTeOAQ/s400/IMG_6145.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo has nothing to do with the subject of my post, but.... cute kitty!</td></tr>
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<br />
So!<br />
<br />
A couple of friends on FB have been lamenting the demise of our blogs. We all seem to mostly agree that, coupled with life changes or varying degrees of laziness/lack of interest, the popularity and ease of Facebook put the final nail in the coffin of what was a very happy time in our lives. All the writing. All the sharing. All the feels.<br />
<br />
;-)<br />
<br />
We miss blogging and we miss our blogging community. Some still blog regularly, some occasionally, some never do - but a couple of us have decided to give it a go again and see if we can't get back some of the magic that we used to share here, in this way. Isn't that exciting?!?<br />
<br />
Wonderful sweet Jayne suggested that prompts might be helpful to get our writing juices flowing again, if need be. I like the idea of prompts, so long as they're not too restrictive, or too predictable. So in thinking about it and considering how much we all seem ready to write / talk / make excuses (?) for why we STOPPED blogging, it occurred to me that an interesting prompt might be to think and write about why we STARTED blogging. Others of you may have already addressed this at some point in your blogging career, but I don't think I ever have...<br />
<br />
So what do y'all say? Can this prompt lead you somewhere interesting? Will you join us as we try to resurrect our dead or dying blogs? Zombie Bloggers Unite!<br />
<br />
:-)<br />
<br />
Comment here if you're in! We'll promise to read and give feedback; that has to be part of the bargain if we're to feel like a community again.<br />
<br />
Many, many thanks... I've missed you!LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-43933418294187558202016-04-11T20:36:00.000-05:002016-04-15T20:38:19.439-05:00Ahem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsshn9GV4p_v1jL2_bjMhN97XKCnZWytnjfPGkWEe0SsMsLg7gaR5qR1bqr76ikUkX-s6lSvYPB1NS_V8r9jiR-t59aJxayKb5KLHP0koMmD-RART9a_wOozdGkA7CcNQA9N-tug/s1600/IMG_6684-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsshn9GV4p_v1jL2_bjMhN97XKCnZWytnjfPGkWEe0SsMsLg7gaR5qR1bqr76ikUkX-s6lSvYPB1NS_V8r9jiR-t59aJxayKb5KLHP0koMmD-RART9a_wOozdGkA7CcNQA9N-tug/s400/IMG_6684-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I feel so rusty at this, so awkward. It’s not so much because
actually doing it feels funny, but more because of the contrast between
how unfamiliar it feels to be here, and how entirely natural it used to
feel.<br />
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<img alt=":(" class="wp-smiley" src="http://www.somewhereinnj.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/frownie.png" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><br />
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It’s like returning to anything, I suppose. The yoga mat, or healthy
eating… we don’t slip right back in where we we left off – or at least I
don’t. It’s more like returning from a trip, maybe a long one. Abroad. I
bring back treasures and memories, something tucked in my pocket,
photographs, experiences that I hadn’t had before. I’d like to think I’m
richer for this time away from regular blogging, but I doubt it.<br />
<br />
At any rate, Atlanta really knows how to do Spring! Everything just
comes into bloom at once. I wish I could bottle the crazy combination of
daffodils-azaleas-dogwoods-cherry trees-forsythia-viburnums that is
Spring here and send it to my friends who are still threatened with snow
in the north. I wonder if we don’t appreciate the change in seasons
more when it comes slowly? I used to think March was the worst… but here
there were even a couple days when it was in the mid 80’s and I was
left looking for shade beneath trees that hadn’t leafed out yet!<br />
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What’s blooming in your part of the world?</div>
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LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-65056932509600824472016-02-10T20:44:00.000-05:002016-04-15T20:46:08.927-05:00Snowy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2kWGRjpzt4mkgUT1hpuImC2UzTvTh8Bl2mkviAp4GlY95qI8TPtLDw0vb-RFb9LUnUrIbKXQaMqqkI2ztwLGEmrTPWqiQfh8_X1Ak5wP-eQnwFG96fAYr_fxVNbmodaloyRkTQ/s1600/IMG_5961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2kWGRjpzt4mkgUT1hpuImC2UzTvTh8Bl2mkviAp4GlY95qI8TPtLDw0vb-RFb9LUnUrIbKXQaMqqkI2ztwLGEmrTPWqiQfh8_X1Ak5wP-eQnwFG96fAYr_fxVNbmodaloyRkTQ/s320/IMG_5961.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Considering all the time I've spent in Florida the last couple years,
you'd think I'd have seen a snowy plover by now, right? Well, I FINALLY
got my life snowy at the end of last year when we spent Christmastime
at Cape San Blas on the Gulf Coast of Florida.<br />
<br />
Cape San Blas is
one of my favorite places on the "forgotten coast" - not too many
people, no condos or hotels, and a 30 minute drive to a decent
restaurant or grocery store. My kind of place!<br />
<br />
I very nearly
stumbled over this bird! It was so totally camouflaged in its winter
plumage (and so tame!) that, were it not for its movement, I never would
have seen it. I wonder how many others I've stumbled past without ever
seeing...<br />
<br />
You might notice in my photo that the bird is banded -
only one leg is visible - I found out that this bird is a regular winter
resident at St. Joseph's State Park on Cape San Blas, but that it
breeds elsewhere.<br />
<br />
Snowies are sweet birds - small and plain
compared to the piping plovers I know so well - but pretty similar in
their habits. And like other Florida birds, exceptionally tame. I wonder
why that is?LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-55206024605594123292014-10-03T11:15:00.000-05:002014-10-03T11:15:54.772-05:00Packing up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2HO2JvK70Rr83AdEDbJCvTfN9TiDGDhSdF0cvpaD7tKxYNIqxigokZ0qhulG4wxoagxwqLk05Pg5EU9pKJeTl03w0zkkrRAQ0MQIEu17HuwRbk1pMRZpSFOFxn7hfc8_cWz63g/s1600/88TXOxt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2HO2JvK70Rr83AdEDbJCvTfN9TiDGDhSdF0cvpaD7tKxYNIqxigokZ0qhulG4wxoagxwqLk05Pg5EU9pKJeTl03w0zkkrRAQ0MQIEu17HuwRbk1pMRZpSFOFxn7hfc8_cWz63g/s1600/88TXOxt.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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I finally took the plunge and moved my blog to Wordpress!</div>
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Please follow me there at:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://somewhereinnj.com/" target="_blank">Somewhere in NJ </a></div>
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<br />LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-64201507705349457662014-09-21T20:28:00.000-05:002014-09-21T20:28:05.474-05:00Parasoled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivddeXuL8AFhAVJ2fHKrA4HxVVZDkHvYBMapzX_YiKkqxU1qCV60ceQVdBymm9aVUTb7F42DoxMpbEYzb51N39zCaYH1nW2pSlifADQZ1Ue6GaCs2xVkLjXunZuky6_2Mi_eiE1g/s1600/artonthebeltline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivddeXuL8AFhAVJ2fHKrA4HxVVZDkHvYBMapzX_YiKkqxU1qCV60ceQVdBymm9aVUTb7F42DoxMpbEYzb51N39zCaYH1nW2pSlifADQZ1Ue6GaCs2xVkLjXunZuky6_2Mi_eiE1g/s1600/artonthebeltline.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
It didn't feel much like the end of summer today; Atlanta is as hot as ever in the middle of the afternoon. We strolled along the Belt Line looking at the art on display and found these two sweet little girls...LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-8071163316647396342014-09-09T17:29:00.000-05:002014-09-09T17:29:56.792-05:00Shine on<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRIDUmagSunHwXa4kwX8PeRH-q4y-oQpHHN1kp_sJwCwgPPm1lnAEdGpQBt162uh70001t8j4TsagYW3tpZdpjFeCfU5vfmk8MT2LcIZy4AM8-VtQkudZbxIBZlmXcHa_1vKPfg/s1600/15003023557_3a752a7853_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRIDUmagSunHwXa4kwX8PeRH-q4y-oQpHHN1kp_sJwCwgPPm1lnAEdGpQBt162uh70001t8j4TsagYW3tpZdpjFeCfU5vfmk8MT2LcIZy4AM8-VtQkudZbxIBZlmXcHa_1vKPfg/s320/15003023557_3a752a7853_z.jpg" height="264" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I was the-lady-behind-the-snowy-owl in a thousand photos taken that night!</i></td></tr>
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Given the opportunity, I'll complain to most anyone who'll listen about how much I hate living in the city, but I have to admit (however grudgingly!) that it does have its perks, one of which is the Lantern Parade. It's such a fun event and is unique to ATL...<br />
<br />
It feels like everyone in the city comes out and it's a crazy riot of colorful people (and their mostly homemade lanterns) and music. A group of us from the <a href="http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Audubon Society</a> walked the two mile route together with our lanterns decorated with birds - mine had monarch butterflies - along with an estimated 15K others. It's a wonderful event for the community; participants come up with a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=atlanta+beltline+lantern+parade&client=firefox-a&hs=WFq&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=IX0PVLjPM4KQgwTLroCQBQ&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAw&biw=1233&bih=675#rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&q=atlanta+beltline+lantern+parade+2014" target="_blank">crazy, creative variety of ways to add color and light</a> to the parade and people line the pathway and rooftops to watch. It's held each year to celebrate the opening of Art on the Beltline, an exhibition that I hope to post about later in the week.<br />
<br />
I found the video below to give you a peak at the view from above... I especially like the dusk shots at the beginning with the skyline in the background and at the end from the after parade party in Piedmont Park!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/105567124?byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/105567124">Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade 2014 - Filmed By American Drone Industries</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/inorbit">E.T. Phoned Home</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-76252700105102095112014-08-26T18:17:00.000-05:002014-08-26T18:17:17.694-05:00Season's end<i>There is something deep within us that sobs at endings. Why, God, does everything have to end? Why does all nature grow old? Why do spring and summer have to go?</i><br />
~ Joe Wheeler<br />
<br />
My summer of sun and fun at the Jersey Shore has come to an end and I'm back in ATL to wait out the off season... <br />
<br />
We packed up the cars, the dog, the bunny and at least 5 gallons of beach sand in every nook and cranny of my belongings and took the long way home along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I've seen <a href="http://somewhereinnj.blogspot.com/2009/05/skywatch-friday-devils-courthouse.html" target="_blank">these mountains in Spring</a>, but in late Summer they show their true glory framed by blooming Joe Pye and Black-Eyed Susan. It was already feeling like Fall last week at 6,000 feet above sea level, even if there were still a couple Least Tern chicks waiting for the sky back on my NJ beaches. <br />
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I'd thought I'd be despondent at leaving the beach and its birds, but it was time; the work I was there to do was done. My last week on the beach had been filled with gray days and a cool northeast wind. I felt the season beginning to shift gears, felt the summer fading into the wind. The birds, for the most part, had already moved on. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42C0AQ0Cz_MrI2wqqcQlq_WmdmBnj_IAQUDuP-AcCRBUPXWukR5i38KzarBW5mbUk2ty3tn-aF7H8aSXu6yIDZlx3QPLXVrG99VM2ACldfgo6JK3EB-ai30V8uNNfSGJhr-eMiw/s1600/lookingglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42C0AQ0Cz_MrI2wqqcQlq_WmdmBnj_IAQUDuP-AcCRBUPXWukR5i38KzarBW5mbUk2ty3tn-aF7H8aSXu6yIDZlx3QPLXVrG99VM2ACldfgo6JK3EB-ai30V8uNNfSGJhr-eMiw/s1600/lookingglass.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
The idea that I'd have time to blog about any of the work that I was doing was ridiculous! I hope to revisit some of the highlights (and the failures) here in the weeks to come, and to process all that I saw and learned. I miss the beach already, of course; I miss staring out at the sea for hours, miss the little dramas that played themselves out among the beach-nesting birds that I was privileged to know, miss being a part of something important.<br />
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Anyway so... stay tuned! And in the meantime, tell me about what you've been up to...LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-87679570488871810112014-07-09T12:28:00.000-05:002014-07-09T12:28:16.170-05:00Fast forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurnmvU_1Kp9_ikqbRfFr2h0VQPOq3aQayGMjnU5-rjiARLtpmCGqrXKSl_2M7t0QoZ7sIol44u1iWl2I-70P_32EyeYzdthZorNjxfEYq8itNSeHF_PLsDTvQrDhUL0tQ4ywBGA/s1600/MBPIPLFD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurnmvU_1Kp9_ikqbRfFr2h0VQPOq3aQayGMjnU5-rjiARLtpmCGqrXKSl_2M7t0QoZ7sIol44u1iWl2I-70P_32EyeYzdthZorNjxfEYq8itNSeHF_PLsDTvQrDhUL0tQ4ywBGA/s1600/MBPIPLFD.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></div>
Piping Plover chick 1 of 2. Day 25. Fledge Day!<br />
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We lost two chicks from this brood, but it's still a win.<br />
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<i>If I repeat that often enough, I might begin to believe it... </i>LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-31786367319690148962014-06-14T21:25:00.000-05:002014-06-14T21:25:25.295-05:00Fresh from the nest!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHQqR4mYyu5DfDUJ2FsZ5u3BYwgRafngmo0GfT1LMwrfHmkHViU1EhnNcK3rM1mOmBKy-5-k0xDWCDXj2vbkDBzpk472aVa7rXd9R6Ob7RssqFSaA3AWIxVEeXqG4SEzxO659Jw/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHQqR4mYyu5DfDUJ2FsZ5u3BYwgRafngmo0GfT1LMwrfHmkHViU1EhnNcK3rM1mOmBKy-5-k0xDWCDXj2vbkDBzpk472aVa7rXd9R6Ob7RssqFSaA3AWIxVEeXqG4SEzxO659Jw/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Piping Plover chick 1 of 4. Day 7. 19 days until fledge day.<br />
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Today was our first sunny day with people on the beach.<br />
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We all survived without too many ruffled feathers.<br />
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:-)LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-44186786811989387592014-05-31T20:38:00.000-05:002014-05-31T20:49:25.167-05:00How to: have hope<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbabXR1JaZGBp0k76yI4k8qOIRxTgCjlIpSHvStfx7xLoWxJrrWCTAGL0zEsPBbHLp3PQeRyXflXUuQaosghOtZahwh6MT7mclhxq2RfiuhpvGAOmO3mi_2-vkCepzS2HLwMcQQ/s1600/LETEegg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbabXR1JaZGBp0k76yI4k8qOIRxTgCjlIpSHvStfx7xLoWxJrrWCTAGL0zEsPBbHLp3PQeRyXflXUuQaosghOtZahwh6MT7mclhxq2RfiuhpvGAOmO3mi_2-vkCepzS2HLwMcQQ/s1600/LETEegg.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Least Tern scrape</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyILpVHsCsH_aPiK8EO0i5jv_gjGUBKgFs2e_ea8l6Cw4NTYwN6HgAVue8brxwqfKxrAZ3viwxpZI6CF0Ni-uWBhOtEI53sMjlQDdZQ9FFvlkJHaCr3OJ5h7cV7HEj9UCCzG_Xg/s1600/IMG_6526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyILpVHsCsH_aPiK8EO0i5jv_gjGUBKgFs2e_ea8l6Cw4NTYwN6HgAVue8brxwqfKxrAZ3viwxpZI6CF0Ni-uWBhOtEI53sMjlQDdZQ9FFvlkJHaCr3OJ5h7cV7HEj9UCCzG_Xg/s1600/IMG_6526.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>American Oystercatcher caginess</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaerUfv0ksRmOBN4-dGLdnxJYEqCXR1s-8ItYPUR8UfF51PNNkNOBqfvH-UjnRSnYYsW1-c3Gc4mk_jv-j1uFVpvZGTr7B6s-9Kufi-cokU-Hx9A77WULLpFmWF8yURheLPDbNQQ/s1600/cumbershell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaerUfv0ksRmOBN4-dGLdnxJYEqCXR1s-8ItYPUR8UfF51PNNkNOBqfvH-UjnRSnYYsW1-c3Gc4mk_jv-j1uFVpvZGTr7B6s-9Kufi-cokU-Hx9A77WULLpFmWF8yURheLPDbNQQ/s1600/cumbershell.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to be found</td></tr>
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Just as the sun steps over the horizon, head east. Drive with the sun in your eyes until you hit water. Do not think about yesterday's losses. Do not linger too long over what might've been. Do not wonder what you should have done differently.<br />
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Climb over the seawall and greet the Oystercatchers on their way to the river. Tip-toe through the wrack and nod towards the grumpy fishermen. Get down on your hands and knees to see what gifts the tide has left you. Do not mind the tears; the sand and the wind in your eyes are a good excuse. <br />
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See the Least Terns overhead: the brazen, bustling air-defense system of this beach. Let your eyes map their petite features: the quick wings, the black cap, the downward-pointing yellow bill. Count them by the dozens. Admire the simplicity of their nest: in a pebbly depression of dry sand, eggs 1 to 4, from pale greenish to dull drab, spotted with clear brown and some lavender.LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-4225018991796709272014-05-24T22:36:00.000-05:002014-05-24T22:36:00.925-05:00A field guide to PIPLsMuch of the general beach-going public seems determined to believe that Piping Plovers don't really exist. Many act as if they're just an imaginary endangered bird the rest of us have made up to inconvenience dog-walkers or otherwise prevent folks from fully enjoying a day at the beach.<br />
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But, I have photographic proof of their existence!<br />
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;-) <br />
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The past couple weeks have been Piping Plover boot camp here. Like the mailman, neither fog nor rain nor blazing sun nor gust of wind stays this courier from the swift completion of her appointed rounds! (The weather has been pretty crappy.) I'm out there on the beach daily trying to piece together tracks and sightings of individual birds to predict where they might nest. There's been a fair amount of false starts and leads, and a steep learning curve for me, but we've got 3 pairs with nests! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Postal_Service_creed#cite_note-museum_faqs-1"></a><br />
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I can empathize with the public's general cluelessness about these birds. They're really hard to see... even for those of us who are looking for them. They're designed to be invisible. Just imagine trying to find a tiny bird the color of wet sand on a beach strewn with shell shards. It's not easy! If nothing else, it gives you a real respect for the power of camouflage. But as a result, the public is left looking at yards and yards of "empty" roped-off beach that they're not allowed to use and wondering what all the fuss is about.<br />
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I spent my afternoon "off" the other day visiting with the plovers out at Sandy Hook. The National Park Service monitors the birds there; I just plopped myself down on the beach with my camera, well outside of the roped-off areas, in order to get a general beach-going public sort of view of them. Just to try and see them the way the rest of the world does (or doesn't!) PIPLs are very agreeable little birds... if you just sit quietly and still enough, they'll happily share the beach with you. Every little drama of their lives is playing itself out around us on the beaches...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mqHdehNBeGHX7VHWADEB1w_s53-ht16bFYGgYtm8ed5mZ5CdC7Z89OKWvowY4ueXiiGCYlesoEOfg6TWU94fPmHEK9O3jJVz1wKGmLffEFVdiwYRJrUeDZWr8mEa-XGzvZm_pg/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mqHdehNBeGHX7VHWADEB1w_s53-ht16bFYGgYtm8ed5mZ5CdC7Z89OKWvowY4ueXiiGCYlesoEOfg6TWU94fPmHEK9O3jJVz1wKGmLffEFVdiwYRJrUeDZWr8mEa-XGzvZm_pg/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I am not a figment of your imagination!</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4gebtfxBQkL5MtwFVdoFwExMl9OI4iHZtW6l-XwjZSWdR_IZ1w789bklBuFPPMgAIZ0LrDRV_NblDdTz1jLpuU5h_azZxL7TpYW9SeSPEd0OmSS1p1S6Lifx2GtA8A1P88hmTw/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4gebtfxBQkL5MtwFVdoFwExMl9OI4iHZtW6l-XwjZSWdR_IZ1w789bklBuFPPMgAIZ0LrDRV_NblDdTz1jLpuU5h_azZxL7TpYW9SeSPEd0OmSS1p1S6Lifx2GtA8A1P88hmTw/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I like to feed on the sparkly parts of the beach.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoQpfBxeg_2n5vwyMWnrYZuifJFuMehvCQZwpc9kaPiJvCEaQ3xaTgaL9Z4ProYD1AHnaVsD3XIHwb-QEJaTlgOZRxDSm0Lok3EuCVBjIbc-_BhhHBTz6dN_XmiFE5Vu8vmlsgQ/s1600/IMG_0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoQpfBxeg_2n5vwyMWnrYZuifJFuMehvCQZwpc9kaPiJvCEaQ3xaTgaL9Z4ProYD1AHnaVsD3XIHwb-QEJaTlgOZRxDSm0Lok3EuCVBjIbc-_BhhHBTz6dN_XmiFE5Vu8vmlsgQ/s1600/IMG_0472.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The dunes hide me well; they're a good place to rest.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKH51zziIML2SrJnsWGN1aEh31EYhhyphenhyphenWSYRod-k2B82hqnBaBEkW_HYP8KfpqaJ8X97zxAR0HJj47Bywwcpl9yInx62DfRsp1OQwxmA_r2Pp_4x6SVYeq9RNUy6Zs-ZFmkGMrzQ/s1600/IMG_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKH51zziIML2SrJnsWGN1aEh31EYhhyphenhyphenWSYRod-k2B82hqnBaBEkW_HYP8KfpqaJ8X97zxAR0HJj47Bywwcpl9yInx62DfRsp1OQwxmA_r2Pp_4x6SVYeq9RNUy6Zs-ZFmkGMrzQ/s1600/IMG_0549.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Pebbly and shelly places make me disappear even more.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9EZB8ayjy9AfCiBdMeyqEmykCIamJT5XXzxWR0ezatQAA6NuomXbYCm8mPLeX4Twcu1sEzbnUVO4W1sn0GS_f9PR1M-tnQBvBOBk3BJITOwnu-iTy7qvDw6WsrU7vbGFQASQwQ/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9EZB8ayjy9AfCiBdMeyqEmykCIamJT5XXzxWR0ezatQAA6NuomXbYCm8mPLeX4Twcu1sEzbnUVO4W1sn0GS_f9PR1M-tnQBvBOBk3BJITOwnu-iTy7qvDw6WsrU7vbGFQASQwQ/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>If I position myself just so, I can have a private bath right at your feet!</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sHTirHTQAggBIFqdGhy5Oo505IlBLIKD20x16AeKB4oa5PqR8bzWRlUHJ602f-0BFEeTrrBMd6RyQkJWDW6gWxOXuVMhdhPnKMkJIszK21jN9keb-8qh_JQlfR3o3HI8FfVL8g/s1600/IMG_3884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sHTirHTQAggBIFqdGhy5Oo505IlBLIKD20x16AeKB4oa5PqR8bzWRlUHJ602f-0BFEeTrrBMd6RyQkJWDW6gWxOXuVMhdhPnKMkJIszK21jN9keb-8qh_JQlfR3o3HI8FfVL8g/s1600/IMG_3884.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">My eggs: a masterwork of disguise.</span></i></td></tr>
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Please share the beach.<br />
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Please encourage others to do so.<br />
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Please help others to see and respect even the hard-to-see wonders of this world.<br />
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These birds live here, too. They're our neighbors. They need our help. LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-43338962051441954272014-05-07T22:58:00.000-05:002014-05-07T23:01:14.046-05:00Reading the morning papersEvery day I make "rounds" to the 7 or so sites that I'm responsible for; ideally I get to the beach first thing in the morning while the news is still current. Oftentimes, like any busy person, I just scan the newspaper's sections for stories I want to read further...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-zh_jvxaErDXS2VL5lG-EmptDFsTtC9CZNnnglrbm2LFbice2P_PPxW8vte6Yjn5f1PHlQl2x_Zs1hSmoveedcTXAq-_NRUglEyQv-MAmy8faWSoPvlUQBaf9nEFyKxKDcsRUQ/s1600/IMG_3816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-zh_jvxaErDXS2VL5lG-EmptDFsTtC9CZNnnglrbm2LFbice2P_PPxW8vte6Yjn5f1PHlQl2x_Zs1hSmoveedcTXAq-_NRUglEyQv-MAmy8faWSoPvlUQBaf9nEFyKxKDcsRUQ/s1600/IMG_3816.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>TRAVEL SECTION</b></td></tr>
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This story was about a person and a dog breaking the rules. Dogs, even leashed and well-behaved ones, aren't allowed on most ocean beaches during nesting season. I read this story just about every day on every beach I visit. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-alVNpE1o6OBmsGducyJdy1Ishrmf-iEyTmWy7uVewvTdeQGsFjXnttzaPK2B3JawrnmHUMoBsZhZ_HKugMKH_n0SdQqkI2Ofn1YkV7vuB3rjcJjlN3iX2ezPcOgk-yLeRGbgA/s1600/IMG_3837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-alVNpE1o6OBmsGducyJdy1Ishrmf-iEyTmWy7uVewvTdeQGsFjXnttzaPK2B3JawrnmHUMoBsZhZ_HKugMKH_n0SdQqkI2Ofn1YkV7vuB3rjcJjlN3iX2ezPcOgk-yLeRGbgA/s1600/IMG_3837.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>CRIME BLOTTER</b></td></tr>
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The same old suspects here... crows, of course (I think!)<br />
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I've been watching a pair of Fish Crows at one site collecting nesting material for the past couple days... I was happy to connect the tracks I was seeing in the Rugosa Roses in the protected habitat to the Fish Crows flying past with sticks. The nearby nesting American Oystercatchers are not happy with this news, tho and chase them out of the neighborhood at every opportunity! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomorVC1XCGZFc10VfinuNEuTqYMBn0ezM8_YHLbVbsGj0uv1-ooPpRlQKIP7Vrn_-5HyfQi5HGJTSUW_seXwa5RzinNb58Sj6b29GlMmcaow5uX_QUQzwH42kFKOkpZ2gwqVdDg/s1600/IMG_3828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomorVC1XCGZFc10VfinuNEuTqYMBn0ezM8_YHLbVbsGj0uv1-ooPpRlQKIP7Vrn_-5HyfQi5HGJTSUW_seXwa5RzinNb58Sj6b29GlMmcaow5uX_QUQzwH42kFKOkpZ2gwqVdDg/s1600/IMG_3828.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>CLASSIFIEDS - SINGLES ADS</b></td></tr>
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Headline news in Spring is all about who's available and where, right? I'm hoping to see this scrape filled up with Piping Plover eggs before very long.<br />
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Click to enlarge and see plover tracks! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbJuK0SrR_a437tig8qnu8_erYVyK8aKuT8S19l18l1SrKAcHpevR-3sTtNTjK_4AAVAHPpXWwI0RLxWxxLu5_m8pON4tqGerKcbeEXIN0eZ2wMUwZDjHVkgQ_drvf8icRH8WDg/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbJuK0SrR_a437tig8qnu8_erYVyK8aKuT8S19l18l1SrKAcHpevR-3sTtNTjK_4AAVAHPpXWwI0RLxWxxLu5_m8pON4tqGerKcbeEXIN0eZ2wMUwZDjHVkgQ_drvf8icRH8WDg/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>SOCIAL SCENE - WEDDINGS AND CELEBRATIONS</b></td></tr>
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Weddings (and their associated baby announcements!) are the highlight of the daily social calendar published locally. All we beach-nesting bird people can talk about is who's expecting and when.<br />
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: )<br />
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This killdeer couple will be happy parents in 22 - 28 days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlwgpLBi_c54IlhtrQE7GARezvxsUuwm0gt4L8Mx6-FiHfA5r1FYRBFs-binPP-7sQk2Hr07iJjMT2rXIXim3VnlbCnirGRXZN5STKKosCLkr0VXYv-L8sHzVr1dZkPkn8w4ioQ/s1600/IMG_3835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlwgpLBi_c54IlhtrQE7GARezvxsUuwm0gt4L8Mx6-FiHfA5r1FYRBFs-binPP-7sQk2Hr07iJjMT2rXIXim3VnlbCnirGRXZN5STKKosCLkr0VXYv-L8sHzVr1dZkPkn8w4ioQ/s1600/IMG_3835.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>OBITUARIES</b></td></tr>
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Death notices are published daily and should attempt to give significance and honor to the life lived. Many things that wash up dead each day are surrounded by mystery: a dead loon on the beach isn't necessarily strange, but how it ended up more than 300 ft. from the ocean wasn't mentioned in this headline.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEt5MgkdaK1IuboVwD9oxR1vE1HHYLBY43kihwU0PnJ-EsaRFtWamtRd3DCSAKkrRIEAV6ijNIgZz71RC5DBnM-q44sQ1XmPztFiSpFNjzhtKIMoVuZ5Es0i_pa1EUb5JLS2bqA/s1600/dexter+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEt5MgkdaK1IuboVwD9oxR1vE1HHYLBY43kihwU0PnJ-EsaRFtWamtRd3DCSAKkrRIEAV6ijNIgZz71RC5DBnM-q44sQ1XmPztFiSpFNjzhtKIMoVuZ5Es0i_pa1EUb5JLS2bqA/s1600/dexter+copy.jpg" height="198" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>FASHION AND STYLE</b></td></tr>
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Celebrity Piping Plover "Dexter" is sporting the latest in endangered beach-nesting bird bling... color-coordinated bands!<br />
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:-)<br />
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(I think I made my boss' day with this story plucked from the headline news!) <br />
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Stayed tuned...<br />
<br />
*<i>ALL PHOTOS IN THIS POST WERE TAKEN DURING THE OFFICIAL CONDUCT OF MY JOB TO MONITOR AND PROTECT BEACH-NESTING BIRDS, or, like a local fisherman has taken to calling it "as the official birdwatcher here".</i>LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-37975600993859124072014-05-02T20:18:00.000-05:002014-05-02T20:19:57.429-05:00It's a tough job, but...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sTnXTAIZ7CpNDruEp3NQ75_DElpK76lHfc52zxJfhlDVmcC0lJThob4PnupEOdO4WZ3ri7Kw4DHwsqMC2FPonAiOC45lcpLRvvSDb16nvQMp55SJjwmAWj-X_3aDKQE9zMl-Jw/s1600/photo-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sTnXTAIZ7CpNDruEp3NQ75_DElpK76lHfc52zxJfhlDVmcC0lJThob4PnupEOdO4WZ3ri7Kw4DHwsqMC2FPonAiOC45lcpLRvvSDb16nvQMp55SJjwmAWj-X_3aDKQE9zMl-Jw/s1600/photo-6.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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My "office" for the day!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
: )</div>
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It's been a busy first couple of days here in NJ, but I'm loving it! I started off on Tuesday with a boss-led tour of the sites I'll be responsible for and had some fun looking for American Oystercatcher nests.<br />
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My shoes, scalp and ears were full of sand at the end of the day! <br />
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I was rained out on Wednesday, but Thursday found me helping out (carrying and holding stuff) on a beach-nesting bird habitat survey and fixing fencing damaged in Wednesday's stormy weather.<br />
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Today I was on my own for a couple of site visits and had the chance to spend a few hours at Sandy Hook counting Piping Plovers for a migration survey. It was a beautiful afternoon and I learned my first important lesson for field work - always have an extra pencil!<br />
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I was carrying so much stuff on the death march out the Fisherman's Trail to the survey site and don't yet have my scope sherpas (student interns) to help me. I lost track of my pencil three-quarters of the way through the census and had to use <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=moon+shells&client=firefox-a&hs=Dsk&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=WUJkU-DtIoiSyASF6YK4DQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1185&bih=631&dpr=1" target="_blank">moon shells</a> in various pockets to keep a tally of the birds I was seeing!<br />
<br />
:-)LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-43235486431460886052014-04-27T22:41:00.001-05:002014-04-27T22:41:48.061-05:00622 miles closer to the perfect summer job<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EN79LOTL-fygQUMUUMXgQAMDPfxh6BVNCd4CtciJfHwvuhcdjGegkRqbXbjhMtIMjJgD5xlG6Rn50aPgvjRfUgdEtWTyuQATozOsr9-smy_5G-hi8rTHo5a_ltTIPgsCN-4ELg/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EN79LOTL-fygQUMUUMXgQAMDPfxh6BVNCd4CtciJfHwvuhcdjGegkRqbXbjhMtIMjJgD5xlG6Rn50aPgvjRfUgdEtWTyuQATozOsr9-smy_5G-hi8rTHo5a_ltTIPgsCN-4ELg/s1600/photo-5.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Today's sunset at the north end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel</i></td></tr>
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So I guess I finally have enough of my ducks in a row to tell you all about my plans for this summer...<br />
<br />
I'm going home to NJ! <br />
<br />
The perfect summer job landed in my lap... I'll be working for NJ Fish and Wildlife to monitor and protect beach-nesting birds.<br />
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Piping Plovers!<br />
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Least Terns!<br />
<br />
American Oystercatchers!<br />
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<i>Please don't anyone pinch me... I don't want to wake up if this is a dream!</i><br />
<br />
: )<br />
<br />
I set out early this morning with my bunny and my <a href="http://somewhereinnj.blogspot.com/search?q=african+violet" target="_blank">African violets</a> and after 12+ hours in the car, we're all feeling pretty bedraggled. I took the shortcut across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to spend the
night on the Delmarva Peninsula and will meet the ferry to Cape May in
the morning. It's beautiful here (and there's still "sweet tea"
available!) and I was treated to Brown Pelicans and frolicking dolphins
this evening when I stopped at the scenic overlook on the bridge to
stretch my legs. Plus, I can smell the sea again... But it's cold! I started the day with the AC running in the car and ended it with the heat blasting.<br />
<br />
Some Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers are already on eggs... I'm hoping to arrive on the beach with the Least Terns. I'm so excited! I can't wait to get started and share this adventure with you...LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-77416455782044515102014-04-08T19:35:00.000-05:002014-04-08T19:35:15.206-05:00Heggie's Rock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LUgbcrGg6H2aXZQyutwkCDJWuxczAzovFH7yVZ-u2NaXxaCSwYwWb0UCPmylR680isou2wv-5M_n7oC1Q9f7h6I0PrSSNaBF9hyphenhyphenrRrXHEP1w06HGjeRfnHCJM8wuH7jo0o55wg/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LUgbcrGg6H2aXZQyutwkCDJWuxczAzovFH7yVZ-u2NaXxaCSwYwWb0UCPmylR680isou2wv-5M_n7oC1Q9f7h6I0PrSSNaBF9hyphenhyphenrRrXHEP1w06HGjeRfnHCJM8wuH7jo0o55wg/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Heggie's Rock Preserve is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy and is yet another example of a granite outcrop community, much like <a href="http://somewhereinnj.blogspot.com/search?q=arabia+mountain" target="_blank">Arabia Mountain</a>. I was curious to see it because it's said to be the most pristine of Georgia's flat rock outcrops.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEQg7P-5cvsEDq0slgdijNo85tw63C-NFgtnaRNB3tLGhavFZU8-Sn9WYWHtSD3U9hEYQXCB3Dk99KA7-gsrOJUL7xcX6zzpoBvbVeJZVV-NvaUjPqz32BNa_G4a5bS0DwdidLQ/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEQg7P-5cvsEDq0slgdijNo85tw63C-NFgtnaRNB3tLGhavFZU8-Sn9WYWHtSD3U9hEYQXCB3Dk99KA7-gsrOJUL7xcX6zzpoBvbVeJZVV-NvaUjPqz32BNa_G4a5bS0DwdidLQ/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
So last Saturday, I went along on a special guided tour meant for "serious" photographers. I was concerned with not being "serious" enough, of course, but no one checked my credentials.<br />
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: )<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI88SvDpzFRpU1WZlUm-hTOdf1kFiJFiv_nCgB9LMGmJRmMsSr2ci-lGMP12v66ZlnH13qzRA4gifUZFyUVlAEGXvI_JOZRUpH0-aU2E8Yi0Vh4cagGepSOry8GB4eeP_L3tzpzw/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI88SvDpzFRpU1WZlUm-hTOdf1kFiJFiv_nCgB9LMGmJRmMsSr2ci-lGMP12v66ZlnH13qzRA4gifUZFyUVlAEGXvI_JOZRUpH0-aU2E8Yi0Vh4cagGepSOry8GB4eeP_L3tzpzw/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Granite outcrops are difficult places for the plants that try to make a life there. The temperatures are extreme and there's not much soil. In fact, the plants arrange themselves into zones according to soil depth. The hot, dry conditions foster plant life that dramatically differs from that of the surrounding forest... many are perennials that grow very slowly; others are winter annuals that survive the desert-like summer months as seeds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0EmsagvwQvTriHntAi2Muv0CBELtvB5-PlrTfeuWuKotwMPhINs9xYQbOgDhdOIOnhGJZdZEmwUbY8EY5herPUIK0qzlOSaBFCCk-n18LwQA5ACahkquQ6ZBYRQXGlotVHuATg/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0EmsagvwQvTriHntAi2Muv0CBELtvB5-PlrTfeuWuKotwMPhINs9xYQbOgDhdOIOnhGJZdZEmwUbY8EY5herPUIK0qzlOSaBFCCk-n18LwQA5ACahkquQ6ZBYRQXGlotVHuATg/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Many of the winter annuals have adaptations like whitish hairs to reflect sunlight and smallish leaves that reduce surface-area water loss; others, like the Elf's Orpine (pictured here and above) are succulents that store water in swollen leaves and stems.<br />
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This environment was a first for many in our small group of "serious" photographers; this lady earned innumerable points in my book for forgoing the tripod and getting down on her belly in the dirt to make her photos!<br />
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<i>(Instant friend.) </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6OzJP2Ry42JUsrju_gg3AxTh9uCeMAqWIjo8Tc19H2b-kFP7NVEdhJDxBobDK3M-PCUjsLyYvn-3OzuIB8Bv7U0Hy2W-yGrFjYqEcHoU9ArhvDUyE6NkTp4rRVTrTfG2WhT5HQ/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6OzJP2Ry42JUsrju_gg3AxTh9uCeMAqWIjo8Tc19H2b-kFP7NVEdhJDxBobDK3M-PCUjsLyYvn-3OzuIB8Bv7U0Hy2W-yGrFjYqEcHoU9ArhvDUyE6NkTp4rRVTrTfG2WhT5HQ/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Mosses and lichen dry out and darken (or turn silver like this one!) but immediately turn green with moisture. We tested this out with our water bottles; the response was almost immediate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHael7QA-d4r96PjGKqQLXuIId8VpYUhsZugUk9d3P0uwX2QfmeLdQLTDPDVGU5sTbIDwb5UsIQ-zIs3iO7WWYOFIWELr-0XSV3a1aBK41ij_q83a2MsxwQqrtjMdNautCcdOTw/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHael7QA-d4r96PjGKqQLXuIId8VpYUhsZugUk9d3P0uwX2QfmeLdQLTDPDVGU5sTbIDwb5UsIQ-zIs3iO7WWYOFIWELr-0XSV3a1aBK41ij_q83a2MsxwQqrtjMdNautCcdOTw/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Unfortunately, there was no "serious" plant person in our group to tell me the name of this one.<br />
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There's something in the experience of an outcrop that's very difficult to convey in a photograph; a wide-angle view mutes the beauty somehow, but the color contrasts feel lost without the context of the whole expanse. I dunno... I love the contrasts of texture and color in this pic. That's enough, I guess!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeE-8RGRveJ9Jg2oLy0rz55GIVcDK6clu88LicI_ZgrggwhLY8xnC2lC4m9V7GFNVlzpYOXrgoTSH-04D_oN-tNQM2malrpdZF_evDrXu0W3u4HY1MS-yoiAFcLasS-3KrRu2fGg/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeE-8RGRveJ9Jg2oLy0rz55GIVcDK6clu88LicI_ZgrggwhLY8xnC2lC4m9V7GFNVlzpYOXrgoTSH-04D_oN-tNQM2malrpdZF_evDrXu0W3u4HY1MS-yoiAFcLasS-3KrRu2fGg/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Occasionally, there's a brighter view where the soil is deep enough to support it. Just ahead of the woody shrubs, the yellow blooms are Rabbit's Ear, I think.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCrCSmua54AOFCGq11dXwxFBrgkyZogXfWOREtlymJUl1IdcvAaEVNmTo0U08_XWNApnke6Bt9DkIB7aWZZ2-FW_oBC6hphyRwzcELw1G6VTeBOX9ZGFUED12iWHOUlCOUSTtow/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCrCSmua54AOFCGq11dXwxFBrgkyZogXfWOREtlymJUl1IdcvAaEVNmTo0U08_XWNApnke6Bt9DkIB7aWZZ2-FW_oBC6hphyRwzcELw1G6VTeBOX9ZGFUED12iWHOUlCOUSTtow/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
The Elf's Orpine is the star of the show, of course. The environment here is very, very dry but the blooming things still manage to arrange themselves artfully among the lichen-covered rocks.<br />
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Pretty, no?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1stDzupwyTwSxtxogq9rFoI2V38c95O9Kifz_HAcJQ5M_sCh-_RiV46YI9rX2JVRSzO4xHL7TUTYAPPDTfZ-9rX6g8q5uUp1zwE0GrqAap8DE31IksyiURStVoTdcHkG2bmrYg/s1600/IMG_3645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1stDzupwyTwSxtxogq9rFoI2V38c95O9Kifz_HAcJQ5M_sCh-_RiV46YI9rX2JVRSzO4xHL7TUTYAPPDTfZ-9rX6g8q5uUp1zwE0GrqAap8DE31IksyiURStVoTdcHkG2bmrYg/s1600/IMG_3645.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I'd really like to know what this stuff is... any guesses?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQyhjZh2syGJ0hYC8hRROn1ZAqwHaSEzFcCC6dxM3Z4-iR27Avee8UMk543vmpx7pzV66bTxQj6tGKhoB4uANj7LoRi02At8cG1UGVqhWm1yPuaTyNYs6FaNf4SKAr0XMzmiKwQ/s1600/IMG_3661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQyhjZh2syGJ0hYC8hRROn1ZAqwHaSEzFcCC6dxM3Z4-iR27Avee8UMk543vmpx7pzV66bTxQj6tGKhoB4uANj7LoRi02At8cG1UGVqhWm1yPuaTyNYs6FaNf4SKAr0XMzmiKwQ/s1600/IMG_3661.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Another artful arrangement... especially interesting because you can "see" the soil depth based on the plants that are growing... the unnamed plant in the deepest part of the solution pool, leading to the Elf's Orpine blooming in the dry sand on the right, and the lichen covering the bare granite.<br />
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Pretty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwmO4VcWu1J49W6rQ33l8GNid99Q-xk3GBD_r2-kdcrtOsGqnUpXG0ddXulJe5-JwluNKpSmwezrX9jG-8MEI7_8svcDxZv9EKf3wnLbGTDhHdGTEYu5WILpHwP2Gf8m1qssVgQ/s1600/IMG_3672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwmO4VcWu1J49W6rQ33l8GNid99Q-xk3GBD_r2-kdcrtOsGqnUpXG0ddXulJe5-JwluNKpSmwezrX9jG-8MEI7_8svcDxZv9EKf3wnLbGTDhHdGTEYu5WILpHwP2Gf8m1qssVgQ/s1600/IMG_3672.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
Pretty with pinecones.<br />
<br />
: )<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkH6vI-pEZ-5Kld8JJKuDgEneu8xGHHvWihrAInkvbegOoPC9g8XbvI5dEkzeqYWOEzh_nUaswZlBHUd44wUWPLFfxcxzEQSpGgC9gNqdTfkmGgCP-sgQG93m9ArxmtjP-SNrnA/s1600/IMG_3677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkH6vI-pEZ-5Kld8JJKuDgEneu8xGHHvWihrAInkvbegOoPC9g8XbvI5dEkzeqYWOEzh_nUaswZlBHUd44wUWPLFfxcxzEQSpGgC9gNqdTfkmGgCP-sgQG93m9ArxmtjP-SNrnA/s1600/IMG_3677.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I love the weird moonscape of granite outcrops here in GA; I love how stark they are and I especially love how surprising the color and beauty can be when you get down on your belly to find it. I love The Nature Conservancy for putting this place behind a fence to protect it for all of us "serious" folks to enjoy.<br />
<br />
Heggie's Rock is open to the public on a limited basis... <a href="http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/georgia/placesweprotect/heggies-rock.xml" target="_blank">check here</a>.<br />
<br />
Please go; it's beautiful! LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-10309516849772986412014-04-01T16:57:00.000-05:002014-04-01T16:57:17.021-05:00The camera's virtue<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"The virtue of the camera is not the power it has to transform the photographer into an artist, but the impulse it gives him to keep on looking."</i> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Brooks Atkinson</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sqrI0dqgg1uZWA6fYd8KOXvuo_l9K-oREkBWcH7Fzep29JwTjxlYyoSV1JFbuapOBFvCuOJu-ln00eXJ-urcsGh-3Wf7hKOWyP3-Q5Gm0Cd-V0KDsaJ1IavcRGj3sYkxje6G7A/s1600/IMG_9136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sqrI0dqgg1uZWA6fYd8KOXvuo_l9K-oREkBWcH7Fzep29JwTjxlYyoSV1JFbuapOBFvCuOJu-ln00eXJ-urcsGh-3Wf7hKOWyP3-Q5Gm0Cd-V0KDsaJ1IavcRGj3sYkxje6G7A/s1600/IMG_9136.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Elf's Orpine, a granite outcrop specialist</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrhC3TCoKYoDGI3vyr82_m33adGYLfEsSB3syUyEkeqSNJRtayiWSmzG31SiqGD6FFuMC9yp63e7sWMs9_k5VFHkynhb5SqW9t7IMlProldUlXCydmR1siU2YkgHw9VsTxnhT1w/s1600/IMG_9153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrhC3TCoKYoDGI3vyr82_m33adGYLfEsSB3syUyEkeqSNJRtayiWSmzG31SiqGD6FFuMC9yp63e7sWMs9_k5VFHkynhb5SqW9t7IMlProldUlXCydmR1siU2YkgHw9VsTxnhT1w/s1600/IMG_9153.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rock moss and lichen</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzkBQCRsfkDgpH2xqPAKNQTMbmYa04zBTw9FFxTvnU2m0IMU9Uyb0waBLr6NBoETjjkGQrYWpWUXuArYWKoD7s1viaPC65R0XQNWrkfrziBAUXTfipSehzVlQhgiujhNIquhiLg/s1600/photo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzkBQCRsfkDgpH2xqPAKNQTMbmYa04zBTw9FFxTvnU2m0IMU9Uyb0waBLr6NBoETjjkGQrYWpWUXuArYWKoD7s1viaPC65R0XQNWrkfrziBAUXTfipSehzVlQhgiujhNIquhiLg/s1600/photo-3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fern unfurling into Spring</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dBTha6qgpxjrKSGOltOC7zHPwzMO8e8VXspWYmHZHe5yOfStT_8tG2amc5azRLy2Im1CZ9HIuVAW76g1U7yOvpvHQgZue_v65RsyQvXotVrZTx9rg8quQGV7F2xMOoSzEE-1xA/s1600/IMG_9160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dBTha6qgpxjrKSGOltOC7zHPwzMO8e8VXspWYmHZHe5yOfStT_8tG2amc5azRLy2Im1CZ9HIuVAW76g1U7yOvpvHQgZue_v65RsyQvXotVrZTx9rg8quQGV7F2xMOoSzEE-1xA/s1600/IMG_9160.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rock moss and lichen, in a battle for dominance</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAJwvOLuH5q_qfu8ROvsRv2l102PE4IXAk60f5-hl0QqrdFMTdNX1qkVFs_cZz7Eh7JOsB7u81ZaretcDWUcSC0IaFtbPPam6BwGPC899KML13BvMLT-fuuAxKiVmsKfM9hAcTQ/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAJwvOLuH5q_qfu8ROvsRv2l102PE4IXAk60f5-hl0QqrdFMTdNX1qkVFs_cZz7Eh7JOsB7u81ZaretcDWUcSC0IaFtbPPam6BwGPC899KML13BvMLT-fuuAxKiVmsKfM9hAcTQ/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trailing Arbutus, a new find this year</i></td></tr>
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Was has your camera helped you find lately?<br />
<br />
: )LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-14488992689893654472014-03-15T20:33:00.000-05:002014-03-15T20:33:51.415-05:00More signs of Spring!<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Out with the cold, in with the woo. </i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~E. Marshall, "Spring Thought"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhtAfpXbj47pNm59n0hIf9Z3ofGShnrBccNpgAIajQjjwRH_k6Zrn0nHbtEi2WJJAsxeW0cgwquUrIUT7roiDjK1p54ypIWWUXHZUfMkM31jIyK-sHeGHtpVM1GR8qd32uAq15w/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhtAfpXbj47pNm59n0hIf9Z3ofGShnrBccNpgAIajQjjwRH_k6Zrn0nHbtEi2WJJAsxeW0cgwquUrIUT7roiDjK1p54ypIWWUXHZUfMkM31jIyK-sHeGHtpVM1GR8qd32uAq15w/s400/photo-2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
A hike this afternoon at <a href="http://arabiaalliance.org/" target="_blank">Arabia Mountain</a> (my favorite local place!) led to a couple good finds. A very brave Jay scooped up this gelatinous mass of salamander eggs(?) from a vernal pool for me to poke and squirm at. There were lots of these (that I'm guessing might be Spotted Salamanders) and a couple of others that maybe are Blue Spotted Salamander eggs.<br />
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Very cool, kinda gross and entirely too squishy for my taste.<br />
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: )
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The opposite end of the same vernal pool held lots of teeny-weeny frog tadpoles... could these be chorus frogs in my reflection? </div>
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I'm hoping Spring is making progress towards wherever you are...</div>
LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-46404601493309599122014-02-24T19:55:00.002-05:002014-02-24T19:59:02.675-05:00Trout lilies, by the millions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jecX09EjdjlQ0xfUsbXnNTDGqE73p6QXd9srx8J4vAfwfDuxtiAeSS52d5j9c0y5fUP3rkogsbxVgV03dwmDy62aHSq8WOEmCwOkhsJfsjK23CMFikM2BId9d0ilwm92X_SFWg/s1600/trout+lily1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jecX09EjdjlQ0xfUsbXnNTDGqE73p6QXd9srx8J4vAfwfDuxtiAeSS52d5j9c0y5fUP3rkogsbxVgV03dwmDy62aHSq8WOEmCwOkhsJfsjK23CMFikM2BId9d0ilwm92X_SFWg/s1600/trout+lily1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
We very purposefully stumbled upon the <a href="http://www.wolfcreektroutlilypreserve.org/" target="_blank">Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve</a> near Cairo GA this past weekend. Cairo (pronounced like the famous syrup) is not a place that you can easily stumble upon... it's really in the middle of nowhere. There's no hint from the roadside to the casual passer-by of the miracle contained beneath its trees.<br />
<br />
Probably, I expected that the people who wrote the brochure were
exaggerating.<br />
<br />
: )<br />
<br />
Nope... millions of Trout Lilies bloom in this very
special place beside a stretch of highway that looks like every other
stretch of highway in GA. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidD9kGwaqvgLuIcHRn640FVwFPk1oi2SkIvegt0ulhZ19qvTfCE6OMFSRjkjcphromIg5yjiHDEkZi6jD14VVkOLfzKpsIag0PUdDKv_XYnSRBdne5T33h8l7wyvCT7NeQkDjtdg/s1600/troutlily2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidD9kGwaqvgLuIcHRn640FVwFPk1oi2SkIvegt0ulhZ19qvTfCE6OMFSRjkjcphromIg5yjiHDEkZi6jD14VVkOLfzKpsIag0PUdDKv_XYnSRBdne5T33h8l7wyvCT7NeQkDjtdg/s1600/troutlily2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Trout lilies as ground cover, can you imagine?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG8FV9731yUXLuojgM4fJzWK28TPm8TBRjH1_VlTgJwsMm8zaljEl61EjSuQwPfr4LuvfMZcPZOVt9n6jTJLyM9npTPEWBRw_EkwenwbCnpSahm42V4VMOn-4HkJK18VqqVijdA/s1600/troutlily3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG8FV9731yUXLuojgM4fJzWK28TPm8TBRjH1_VlTgJwsMm8zaljEl61EjSuQwPfr4LuvfMZcPZOVt9n6jTJLyM9npTPEWBRw_EkwenwbCnpSahm42V4VMOn-4HkJK18VqqVijdA/s1600/troutlily3.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
I suspect that this was, for many years, a closely guarded "secret spot" of the local wildflower enthusiasts. I also suspect that it was only made available for public enjoyment when it became threatened by a road crew or a developer and the locals needed money to preserve it. Not that it matters any; it's now owned by county government and protected as the treasure it is... <br />
<br />
Trout Lilies are a common harbinger of Spring in the Northeast; I don't believe they're very common in this part of the country and certainly not in this number. It's said that this is <i><b>t</b><b>he largest concentration</b></i> <i><b>anywhere</b></i>. The day we visited was overcast and it was almost dark by the time we found the spot... that's evidenced by the nearly closed flowers. We also found many, many Spotted Trillium and a couple (impossible to photograph) Twayblade Orchids. I'd think with more time there, I might've found all sorts of interesting things.<br />
<br />
If you want to go out looking for Trout Lilies in your part of the world, pick a sunny afternoon (when the flowers will be fully open!) and look for them blooming on wet hillsides near streams. They're a spring ephemeral, so do all their work of blooming and setting seed before the forest canopy puts them into shade for the season. Go early while it's still freezing cold out. It makes finding them sweeter, trust me. Happy hunting and let me know what you find!LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-44296721773249764702014-02-13T20:30:00.000-05:002014-02-13T20:30:50.478-05:00Rice, milk, sugar, eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3S2Jwge8EonYqMinWvzLnBcWNhUq4ha9_bKJyvPedLR6PL5X0MMWTKl4gDdClqukcltQ6WTXxt07Jur8pBV_0hBD-ajYQGU4OOQUp8W3YZ4CA8kaX8asnCi-GDno-8i9801dTUw/s1600/IMG_9664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3S2Jwge8EonYqMinWvzLnBcWNhUq4ha9_bKJyvPedLR6PL5X0MMWTKl4gDdClqukcltQ6WTXxt07Jur8pBV_0hBD-ajYQGU4OOQUp8W3YZ4CA8kaX8asnCi-GDno-8i9801dTUw/s1600/IMG_9664.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
I would love to be able to share the recipe for this most wonderful rice pudding, but I've been forbidden to do so. According to my sister-in-law, it's a "family" recipe and not meant to be shared with the world. She insists that only her dad could make it really right and that the recipe would self destruct if made to perfection by anyone but him.<br />
<br />
: )<br />
<br />
His recipe is unique in the quantity of rice used, I think, and leads to a thick milk custard with an understated presence of rice. Because I can't leave well-enough-alone, the second time I made it, I dressed up the rice/milk mixture with a bay leaf, as well as the expected vanilla. It adds a little something nice.<br />
<br />
I also tried my hand at flan this afternoon, another dessert made with the same basic ingredients - milk, sugar, eggs - but the jury is still out on that science experiment. It was easy to make, but for the caramel...<br />
<br />
What's your favorite dessert?LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-65382332968981486372014-01-28T20:52:00.000-05:002014-01-28T20:52:56.567-05:00Snow birds<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky, unbidden, and seems like a thing of wonder. </i></div>
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<i> -</i>Susan Orlean</div>
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We had snow today in Atlanta... real snow that caused my school to shut down early. I just saw on the TV that school's closed tomorrow too... a snow day!<br />
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I spent the afternoon watching the birds in their snow-induced feeding frenzy. I sat on the warm couch and photographed them through the window as they scavenged bits of dropped seeds and suet or quenched their thirst at the flowerpot saucer I kept unfrozen with warm water.<br />
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I'm happiest to see the bluebirds so close; we have four or five at time at the suet feeder when the weather is especially cold. They bring other nice birds with them. A couple of yellow-rumped warblers are often around and occasionally a ruby-crowned kinglet even visits!<br />
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Pine warblers... we have what seems like a lot of pine warblers. It's hard to know for sure how many there are because the males chase everyone else away from the feeder. <br />
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And they chase everyone else off their perch on the fence.<br />
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And they don't like to share the flowerpot saucer, either. Such pretty birds, like a ray of bright sunshine. It's still odd to me to see them in wintertime, but what a treat!LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-44514712896616668162014-01-20T22:13:00.000-05:002014-01-20T22:14:50.814-05:00A counting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There's 92 species of birds on the list for the year already; some favorites are American Pipit, Loggerhead Shrike and Wilson's Plover. I've never kept a year list before. I don't generally "do" lists, but thought it might be entertaining for a while. I'm wondering what a reasonable expectation for the year might be... 200? 250? Any additional birds will accumulate slowly until Spring, unless of course there's travel involved.<br />
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2013 was a good year for new birds for me and I took a couple nice trips that added to my (only in my head) life list.<br />
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In February, we went to Sanibel Island, Ding Darling NWR, Cape Coral and Ft. DeSoto. The weather was crappy and the drive was interminable, but I hope to get back to that area sometime. Lots of neat birds...<br />
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<i>Common Ground Dove</i> - easily overlooked, but striking when they show their rusty wings.<br />
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<i>Monk Parakeets</i> feeding in the same field we found this <i><a href="http://somewhereinnj.blogspot.com/2013/03/owl-steal-your-heart.html">Burrowing Owl</a></i>; hard to say which felt more unlikely to this Jersey Girl.<br />
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: )<br />
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We also saw <i>Nanday Parakeets</i> and a <i>Long-billed Curlew</i> on that trip. Talk about impossible to imagine birds!<br />
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This <i>Vermillion Flycatcher </i>was probably the least expected bird I added to my nonexistent life list last year - just gorgeous! A friend of a friend on FB gave me directions to a town just west of Tallahassee and I found it in the exact tree where he said it would be - imagine!<br />
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I've no idea what new birds 2014 holds for me...LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-309741949458631092014-01-01T21:50:00.001-05:002014-01-01T21:50:20.241-05:00Surprise yourself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>May your coming year be </i></div>
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<i>filled with magic and</i></div>
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<i>dreams and good</i></div>
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<i>madness. I hope you read</i></div>
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<i>some fine books and kiss</i></div>
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<i>someone who thinks</i></div>
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<i>you're wonderful, and</i></div>
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<i>don't forget to make some</i></div>
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<i>art - write or draw or build</i></div>
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<i>or sing or live as only you</i></div>
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<i>can. And I hope,</i></div>
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<i>somewhere in the next</i></div>
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<i>year, you surprise</i></div>
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<i>yourself. </i></div>
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-Neil Gaiman</div>
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Happy New Year! </div>
LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-91759041009390364932013-12-31T18:11:00.000-05:002013-12-31T18:11:54.517-05:0010/100<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We went wandering over to Apalachicola this afternoon to look at the shrimp boats there and found this gentleman first. He came over to tell us about the bald eagle he sees around the marina. I thought maybe he was the watchman, but no, he said he's camping out there beneath the maritime museum building until they give him a job. He told us he's worked on fishing boats in Alaska too, so I figure he can handle the Florida cold.<br /><br />This photo is #10 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at Flickr 100 Strangers or <a href="http://www.100strangers.com/" rel="nofollow">www.100Strangers.com</a><br />LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.com1