tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40455193205843579582024-02-06T19:49:47.015-08:00The View From Gildersleeve MountainAn observational journal by: Haans PetruschkeHaans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-42978763372981790132010-07-13T05:18:00.000-07:002010-07-13T05:25:30.381-07:00July 10, 2010 - Solitude<address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">I have always enjoyed being alone in the woods. I grew up on </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Gildersleeve</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Mountain</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">. Back then it was 800 acres of forest and orchard, with a quarry plopped smack dab in the middle of it all. The quarry shut down in 1968 because it encroached on state land. I cannot forget how the ground shook and the house rattled every time they would blast. At some point the blasting caused state land to crumble, and that was the end of that. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></o:p></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Much of the forest on </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Gildersleeve</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Mountain</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">, was, and still is old growth. Meaning it has good numbers of trees over 200 years old. In the 1960’s it was a state forest. At 370 acres the state forest was the smallest in </span></span><st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Ohio</span></span></st1:place></st1:state><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">, but significant because it was old growth. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></o:p></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">By the time I was 5 or 6 the rule was: just be home by dinner time. Not hard, as my stomach lead me home. So I roamed the woods, sometimes with my neighbor and friend Keith, but often alone. I am embarrassed, yet proud, to now see the big beech along the side of what was a trail and is now a road with HAANS crudely scrawled 3 feet from the base of the trunk. I got my first pocket knife on a trip to to </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">New Haven</span></span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span><st1:state st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Connecticut</span></span></st1:state></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> to visit my sister and the first thing I did when I got home was carve up a tree! I was just a young boy, so that sin is long forgiven.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></o:p></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">As I grew up my time by myself in the woods diminished. In part because we become more social as we get older and because Chapin State Forest became </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Chapin</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Forest</span></span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Lake</span></span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">County</span></span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Metropolitan</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Park</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">. Fire lanes became paved roads, paths became trails and eventually it seems like the Park district is determined to pave over the whole 370 acres to make it more accessible.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></o:p></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">So while once, the encounters with people on </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Gildersleeve</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Mountain</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> were rare, they are now hard to avoid from dawn to dusk. While there are places off the trails where you will not see anyone, the signs of human presence. The noise, the litter, have become very hard to avoid in that once small but still wild place.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></o:p></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">More than one circumstance conspired to deprive me of my solitude, to a point where I could not remember being by myself in the woods anymore. I was always with someone else, or guiding a a hike, or encountering other people. I was never truly alone.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></o:p></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Saturday, I found myself in an odd situation. My friend Frank was on vacation and my friend Tom had to work. They have helped me with survey work for the past 3 years. So every walk through the remote woods has been with either Tom or Frank or both. This day provided an opportunity. I could either succumb to the fear of solitude I have not had for so long, or find the joy of it. I chose the latter.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></o:p></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">My walk was a wonder. I chose a part of the Holden Arboretum that is 1200 acres of unbroken woods. Although I got a bit of a late start, the birds welcome me with an extended chorus. It is hard to believe they are singing this late in the morning in numbers I cannot fathom. It is as if I have arrived at dawn. The Wood Thrush, the Juncos, the Winter Wren, Hooded, Black-throated Green and Black-throated Blue Warblers.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><span style="mso-fareast-language:JA;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></o:p></span></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I realized it is impossible to be truly alone in the woods. There are few places on Earth so teaming with life as a healthy the forest. There is life everywhere, and it is concentrated and diverse. From the bacteria in the soil to the insects, plants, trees, and birds, there is not a square centimeter in the forest that is lifeless. You will find life wherever you look. It is astonishing. So in the forest you never lack for company. If your intent and attitude are right you merge with the forest, become a part of it. It is not a foreign, or hostile place. It is home. In this state of mind you find both solitude and companionship.</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></address>Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-35329304573896782822010-07-02T03:56:00.000-07:002010-07-02T04:05:03.936-07:00June 30, 2010 A Special Guest<address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">As it says on the side bar, I am fortunate to live in a beautiful place. However, I am often concerned my fellow Clevelanders have no clue about the beauty that surrounds them. So it is gratifying to have someone who is unfamiliar with our area recognize the unique beauty we have in our own backyard.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">We have been attempting to confirm that Black-throated Blue Warblers are nesting in a remote part of the Holden Arboretum. For 3 years we have been finding multiple individuals of this species on the same site. This is the final year of the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas 2 project and it would be great if we could confirm nesting before the project ends. So during June we have spent hours in this area watching these birds and monitoring their behavior. In early June it was males singing on territory. By mid June we spotted females moving in tandem with males. This is consistent with the male guarding the female during nest building. Then in the past week, the males singing intermittently and then diving back into the possible nesting areas. This behavior is consistent with incubation of eggs.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Everything we observe has been reported to Paul Rodewald, Director of the OBBA2 project. He has a few graduate students who work on the project and there was a hope one of them could come to the site and have a look. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Coordination and logistics are difficult. This is not like going to a metropark or even the </span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cuyahoga</span></span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Valley</span></span></span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">National Park</span></span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">. You can’t just drive in, park, walk a bit down a trail and be there. As I have described earlier, this is more of and expedition requiring planning and a knowledge of the area.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">On Monday and Tuesday a flurry of emails and phone tag. Dave Slager of the OBBA2 project is going to be in the area and he has experience finding Black-Throated Blue Warbler nests on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He knows this species, its’ habitat, and behavior. We work out meeting late Wednesday afternoon. </span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">My friend Frank Buck and I, meet Dave at the Holden Visitor Center and then we drive the 15 minutes down into the valley of the East Branch of the Chagrin and then along the river to the parking area where we will begin our hike to the deep woods site. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Dave is amazed to be in “</span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cleveland</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">” and in such a pristine forest. He wonders how these large tracts of land were preserved. We explain some of the history of land conservancy in the region which lead to the Emerald Necklace, </span></span></span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cuyahoga</span></span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Valley</span></span></span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">National Park</span></span></span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">, Holden Arboretum natural areas, and </span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">county</span></span></span></st1:placetype><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span><st1:placename st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">metroparks</span></span></span></st1:placename></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> systems. There is nothing like this in his home state of </span></span></span><st1:state st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Michigan</span></span></span></st1:state><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">, nor in other parts of </span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Ohio</span></span></span></st1:state></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">We spend roughly 3 hours on the Black-throated Blue site. We observe males foraging and singing intermittently. Again behavior consistent with incubation. The site is physically challenging. A hogback with steep slopes and 260 feet of elevation change. Dave feels there is a lot of appropriate habitat and that we just need to spend more time on site and get lucky.. He tells us the Black-throated Blues are a year bird for him. Serious birders keep a year list , a list of all the birds they see in a calendar year. This is the first time in 2010 Dave has seen this species.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">We decide to take a loop along the south rim of Stebbins Gulch so Dave can see that spectacular feature. He is impressed by the Black-throated Green Warblers, Winter Wrens, and Dark-eyed Juncos. When we look the 200 feet down into the narrow gulch he is astonished. He had seen the feature on the maps, but maps do not convey the grandeur of a place.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Our walk is slower than usual. Dave is constantly falling behind listening to the birds. Species Frank and I take for granted. Dave wonders if he heard a Broad-winged Hawk? We explain the most common raptors in these woods are Sharp-shinned Hawks and Barred Owls. .We also describe the decline of Red-Shouldered Hawks.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">As the evening wanes and we walk back along the seldom used trails, we hear a strange call high in the trees. Frank and I sometimes hear calls we don’t recognize. Sometimes you just don’t know. But Dave has an advantage. He has the complete Stokes’ Bird Songs, of </span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">North America</span></span></span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">, all 3 CDs, on his iPod. He plays Sharp-shinned Hawk. Yes! Sharp-shinned Hawk is what we just heard. Dave is thrilled, and so are we.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Farther along and near the end of our hike, we look over the valley of the East Branch at the southern end of Little Mountain. There is beauty here and the young graduate student sees it. He tries to take a picture. Digital photography allows us to see the picture does not come out. There is too much contrast for the camera to capture both the bright sky and the darkness of the forest. The picture is less important than the memory he will have of this beautiful place.</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></address>Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-4877143914197478722010-06-28T03:56:00.000-07:002010-07-02T03:56:32.214-07:00June 27, 2010 Oh Dark Thirty<address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">People interested in birds are generally early risers with good reason. The birds are more active in the morning. Or at least this is the conventional wisdom. In the forests around Kirtland, I can attest this is absolutely the case. 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise the birds begin to sing. A few individuals at first, but this choirs builds and rises as the day breaks, peaking just before sunrise, then slowly fades in the next hour or so.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Saturday, we decided to be on the Black-throated Blue territory before sunrise. This meant getting up extra early and traveling the deserted roads in the dark. The newspaper delivery people are startled to see another car and must swerve back to the right side of the road.</span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It is so dark we need flashlights for some of our preparations to head back into the remote woods. The thick canopy of leaves makes it darker. We do not use flashlights as we hike. Our night vision is fine and we can see the trail, although the muddy parts are less obvious.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What is astounding is the choir of birds. During daylight we are lucky to hear 1 or 2 Wood Thrush singing in the same area. Now we have 5 to 7 in constant ear shot. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tweedle dee... Twedle zeeeeeee. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Cardinal is especially emphatic.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Thoo-tut thoo-tut thoo-tut tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The erratic Redstart, and the soft:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> sooo oh oh laaa zee </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">of the Black-throated Green Warbler. The tinker bell of the Dark-eyed Junco, and the symphony of the Winter Wren. The Red-eyed and Yellow throated Vireos, the Tanagers, Hooded Warblers and Ovenbird All going at once. It is still very dark. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To me it is as if the birds sing to greet the new day. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It is glorious!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We arrive at the Black-throated Blue site, and the males are joining in too. Staying in one place and alternating songs. Adding as much variety as they can manage. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By 9 it is eerily quiet. Once in a while a bird will sing, but we hear more of the wind than birds songs. The day seems half over. Having gotten up at 4 am, for us, it is.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The schedules of our lives make it difficult to be up and in the deep woods at dawn every day. I live in the woods and hear lesser version of this every mid summers morning. I don’t know if I would want to put up with the swarming mosquitoes either. Still, when you can muster oh dark thirty, it really is glorious.</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></address>Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-87854323715634503802010-06-28T03:47:00.000-07:002010-07-02T03:56:02.920-07:00June 24, 2010 What is Different about Titmice?<address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This time of year, in my yard, there are lots of fledgling birds. They are easy to recognize, slightly smaller, less vibrant in plumage, tentative in their actions, They visit my feeders for an easy meal. Juncos, Chickadees, </span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Carolina</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Wrens, and Downy Woodpeckers. Bluebirds come too, but it is usually momma or papa coming in for a something they don’t have to give to the brood. The House Finches are very orderly. The male leads the young to the feeders. As time progresses he stops short and directs them. Pointing the way and egging on with chirp notes. Once at the feeders the battles over pecking order begin. More time is spent sorting out the order than actually eating.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But Tufted Titmice are different. First they are noisy. When they come into the area they are so noisy, you cannot help but notice. You hear the choirs of buzzy “</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">sweet sweet sweet...sweet</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">”. You soon realize it is only about half the individuals who are making this noise. The other Titmice are silent. The fledglings are the noisy ones. The babies look different too. More like the western Plain Titmouse. They have no chestnut patch on their flanks, and lack the darker feathers at the base of their crest or tuft.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They begin staging at feeders. in pairs. One bird feeds, eating sunflower seed after sunflower seed while the other hangs back. “</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">bee bipp, bee ip, bi bip bip</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">” Fluttering its wings in the universal bird signal to beg to be feed. Eventually the bird feeding relents and takes a seed to the begging bird. After eating, it immediately resumes begging but the feeding bird is gone. The begging birds are opportunistic, Sometimes they will leave and pursue a more enticing prospect at another feeder,or if they are not given a seed, will chase the object bird through the trees as they leave the feeders. But the key thing is the pairs. The one to one. Is this parent fledgling? Perhaps older younger sibling? Do the fledglings take turns following the parent around, or is there a community of Titmice that collectively feed the fledgling young? So many questions.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After about 2 weeks things quiet down and this behavior for the most part stops. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The thing I wonder about is why are Tufted Titmice the only species I see doing this? What about their cousins the chickadees. Most passerines fledglings beg food for a while, but none for so long or as dramatically nor vociferously as these Tufted Titmice. Why are they different?</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></address>Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-7395640811805007362010-06-14T03:47:00.000-07:002010-06-14T04:11:15.881-07:00June 12,2010, Black-throated Blues<address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our ongoing quest to confirm breeding of Black-throated Blue Warbler, in </span></span></span><st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ohio</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:state><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, continued Saturday. After witnessing the astounding changes in Stebbin’s Gulch we hiked to the location where we have been finding these birds for the past 3 years. We needed something more than male birds singing on territory. The history of this species in </span></span></span><st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ohio</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:state><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> has been of bachelors in June. Never a female</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We arrived in the target area and prepared to spend several hours on site. It was not long before we heard it:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">zurr zurr zreeee</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></address><address><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></i></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By now, after 3 years, exciting, but not unusual. Then we heard Winter Wrens in duet. There is nothing like it in the natural world. To hear a Winter Wren singing is special by itself. A song that is a concert in 15 seconds. So rich in notes and tempo. But when one picks up where the other leaves off, there is an extended song which is more beautiful than any human composition. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Black-throated Blues were not going out of their way to be obvious. Sometimes it was 15 to 20 minutes between times we would hear or see one. My friend Frank managed to get a few pictures of a male.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But he has forgotten to put in a fresh battery, and his camera is giving him trouble with auto focus. The images are diagnostic but not all that great. My friend Tom has found another male in a location about 80 meters away.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He informs us via mobile phone. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We are spread out. Waiting, watching, listening. Frank and I are in the middle of a grape vine/raspberry tangle. Typical nesting habitat for Black-throated Blues. Tom is down the slope looking over a similar tangle.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have the dangerous habit of calling birds naked eye. People who spend a lot of time in the field with me, are often amazed at my abiltiy. Not to be flip, but I even amaze myself sometimes. I don’t know what I see that leads me to the call, but I somehow get it right. But I have spent thousands of hours in the field and a lifetime in the woods. So I guess I have learned things I don’t know. A paradox but there is no other way to describe it.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">So when I saw a bird moving through the tangle and determined it was a female Black-throated Blue, I was pretty skeptical of myself. I don’t know what I saw about that fast moving bird. I have a near photographic short term memory. In my mind’s eye I can still see it. Was it shape and movement and nothing else? But I knew. Then it was gone.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I just saw a female” I whisper shouted to Frank about 20 meters away. “Where?” “Here, moving through the tangle.”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Frank came over and we stood together watching as only intent observers can. Talking in the barest whispers. Frank has his camera ready. Waiting..</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Then suddenly, an almost invisible flash of movement down into the vegetation, 5 meters to our left. Popping just off the ground. We move in silent unison to get closer. “Frank!” I whisper, “ A male is on the ground right here!” I am pointing less than a meter away, looking at a male as he moves along the ground. “I’m looking at a female!” Frank replies. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I look over. He has his camera up and I see movement just in front of him.</span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Then they are gone, as only birds can disappear.</span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Frank did not get a picture. The dying battery on his camera caused his auto focus to malfunction, or his 600 mm lens was incapable of focusing at 2 meters. Still for the first time in </span></span></span><st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ohio</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:state><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> history, we have female Black-throated Blue Warblers, during nesting season, in appropriate habitat. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One step closer...</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></address>Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-30973152475249773002010-06-14T03:41:00.000-07:002010-06-14T04:10:56.241-07:00June 12, 2010: When 2 Inches of Rain Becomes more than 6 feet of Water<address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stebbin’s Gulch is, in spite of its’ funny name, one of my favorite places. It is northeast </span></span></span><st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ohio</span></span></span></st1:place></st1:state><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">’s slot canyon. Almost untouched by humans for over 100 years it is also as pristine a place as one can find. Here the water has cut through the 4 major formations of rock. As you move up stream you pass from Chagrin Shale, to Cleveland Shale, to Bedford Shale, to Berea Sandstone. The Berea Sandstone, is the most spectacular with vertical walls more than 100 feet high in places. But what makes Stebbin’s a gulch, is the narrow width. At times it is less than 30 feet from wall to wall. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have been visiting Stebbin’s most of my life. I think the first time was when I was about 11. In my teens I volunteered to carry the first aid kit on the monthly guided hikes. After that my visits were infrequent until I started doing bird surveys for the Holden Arboretum, which owns the property. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This institutional ownership of Stebbin’s and the fact that access is restricted has kept it in pristine condition. If you want proof go to some of the similar features (although none is an actual gulch) in the </span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Lake</span></span></span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and Cleveland Metroparks. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For the past 6 years I have been privileged to have unrestricted access to all of Holden’s thousands of acres of natural areas, including Stebbin’s Gulch. I am currently conducting a stream water quality monitoring project which uses Louisiana Waterthrush as the indicator species. About every 3 weeks we make a run up Stebbin’s and mark the location of every Louisiana Waterthrush we find using GPS.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My last trip up the gulch was May 22. We had had a lot of rain in the previous week, and it was evident some logs had been pushed around by the water. There was some erosion on the banks too, where the water had come out of the rocky stream bed. But none of this is unusual. Stebbin's changes a little every time you visit. It is a dynamic place,where you can actually see geologic forces in action.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On June 12 we visited Stebbin’s again. The previous Sunday, thunderstorms had dumped more than 2 inches of rain in 6 hours on Holden. Not a huge amount by any standard, but in Stebbin’s Gulch this created a cataclysm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">From moment we entered the gulch is was evident things had changed dramatically. The fallen trees we had been going under or climbing over for years were gone. No where to be found. The gulch had been scoured by the torrent of rushing water and rock. These log jams were not trivial either. Sometimes consisting of several trees 3 feet in diameter and accumulated debris. It would have taken high explosives for us to clear these jams, but the water seemed to have just swept them away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The stream bed itself was drastically changed as well. The course of the water, new shallows, and pools where there were once shallows. A place where the stream now runs under the rock for about 10 meters. Rocks which had been covered with Liverwort, and moss scoured clean. Tumbles of rocks along the banks and massive slides. Vegetation washed away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></address><address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></address> <address><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></o:p></address> <address><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In places we could see how high the water had been. At least 6 feet. But these are the wide spots with banks along the run. In the places where the gulch narrows and the sides are solid rock there was no evidence of the high water mark. We could only imagine. </span></span></span><o:p></o:p></address></b></span></span></address>Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-61858152051207650622010-06-10T08:36:00.000-07:002010-06-14T04:10:26.234-07:00Breeding Black-throated Blue Warblers in Ohio?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Left turn on an obscure road in Kirtland. Past the horse farm nestled against the river. Across the bridge and along the river. The East branch of the Chagrin river is more a mountain stream than a river. Except during heavy rain or snow met it runs clear. Possibly the reason this river system was named "Sha-ga-rin" or clear water by first Americans. Here it is wild and scenic, nearly 2000 acres of forest surround us when we reach the end of the road.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Up an obscure track and a mile deep in pristine, old growth forest where the world is 1000 shades of green. Always climbing, up, up, almost 400 feet above the river. Past wild geraniums and blue cohosh. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Wood Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, and Dark-eyed Juncos call from the trees and forest floor. Hooded-warblers, pop through the under-story flashing their tail spots. The last 150 feet of climb is along a hogback that slopes away steeply on either side. Once on top. Stop, listen, wait...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">zurr-zurr-zree!</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Then again, from a different direction:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">zurr-zurr-zree!</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">They're here! For the 3rd year running we have found Black-throated Blue Warblers in this location during the breeding season.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">While finding Black-throated Blues in June is not unprecedented in the state of Ohio. Singing males have been found before, this is extraordinary. The fidelity to this location, and multiple individuals. Last year we established them as probable nesters based upon finding multiple birds singing on territory for 4 weeks in a row. We photographed males, but that was it. We never saw a female, let alone a nest. Given the thick foliage and steep terrain it is not the easiest place to track down tiny, fast moving bird among the leaves.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This year the birds are back again, and so are we. We will spend more time listening and looking. If we are successful Ohio will have a new breeding species.</span></span></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-43461207785737731262008-04-17T04:19:00.001-07:002008-04-17T04:21:25.210-07:00New Yard Bird!I had a very nice, late afternoon hike on Gildersleeve Mountain. Such a beautiful early spring day. The sky a beautiful azure blue. In the woods just across the creek I spotted a little bird working the small trees and lower trunks of the big trees. The yellow green color made it easy to identify. A Pine Warbler. Very cute, and a new bird for me here in my backyard.<br /><br />Because I have lived much of my life I occasionally run into people I know on my hikes. Al and Connie also live here on Gildersleeve mountain but over on Chardon road. They do not cut through the woods to take a hike as I do, but instead drive to the parking area on Hobart Rd. I ran into them twice. The second time was over on the other side when we stopped to listen to the Barred Owl calling. The Owls have a nest over there and the owlets have hatched by now. The calling was probably either a signal that it was time to switch brooding duties, or that the babies were getting hungry.<br /><br />The view out over the lake was beauty. The lake looked almost white. The calm waters reflecting the light blue of the sky. As I was enjoying the view I took a moment to listen. A pair of mallards came in, the hen quacking. Still it was quiet enough that I could hear them land in the pond about 200 yards away and 150 feet below me. I could hear the cars on the highways. but it did not drown out the Blue Jay or the Piliated Woodpecker.<br /><br />The beauty of the woods is not yet apparent. The colors are gray, brown and dark red. A few dog tooth violet leaves a poking up through the leaves. The daffodils in my yard are in full glory.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-38644137253480969422008-04-14T04:24:00.000-07:002008-04-14T04:32:36.758-07:00Hi To Weekend America ListenersHello to everyone who heard me on Weekend America. <br /><br />My posts have been rather sparse lately. As spring <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">progresses</span> I will have more words and pictures, so please check back. Also feel free to browse previous posts. They are timeless in nature.<br /><br />Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have been moving this past week. I had 2 on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Gildersleeve</span> Mountain Wednesday and 3 on my walk at the Arboretum Sunday. Wildflowers have just begun coming out. Daffodils and crocuses The maples are red with buds and flowers. <br /><br />Last year the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Phoebes</span> above 900 ft <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MSL</span> were all killed by the April 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> snow. I was worried we would not see them on the higher elevations for some time. But last week there was a pair in my back yard. What a joy.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-81445386867422241902008-01-28T03:58:00.000-08:002008-01-29T05:34:09.823-08:00More Hoary RedpollsOn Saturday the 25th I noticed the Hoary Redpolls were again visiting my feeders. As if on cue the birding friends I called last week called me to see if I had again seen them.<br /><br />A little later in the day they had their lifer Hoaries.<br /><br />Since the birds now seem to be repeatable I said it was OK to let the word out and a little later I got a call from another birding friend. They came over early Sunday with the same result. 2 more people can tick Hoary Redpoll on their life list.<br /><br />While I can make no guarantees, anyone interested can contact me at: ( haans42 AT gmail dot com ) if they would like to try for these birds on Groundhog Day, next Saturday. Unfortunately I will have no clue about the fidelity of these birds during the week because I am at work all day, and will not know if the birds are still coming to my feeders.<br /><br />I have managed to get pictures of some additional individuals and these are posted below. The birds we identify as Hoary Redpoll are done so using the conservative criteria of lighter upper parts, less streaking and at most one small streak near the vent on the under tail coverts. (Sibley drawing “d”) No one has been able to see the upper tail coverts because the birds are covering those with their wings.<br /><br />As I write this the Titmice are in a freeze. Interesting because the other species all went to ground but the Titmice are frozen not moving. I wonder if the Sharpie has developed a taste for the slightly larger Titmice.<br /><br />As far as Hoary Redpolls go I think there are still at least 5 individuals. They seem to be most reliable before 10:30 in the morning and around 2 in the afternoon, but given the limited amount of time I have been watching that may just be when I notice them from the windows that look over the back yard<br /><br />Next Saturday, they may be gone.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-13883091170042176222008-01-28T03:52:00.000-08:002008-01-29T05:32:25.504-08:00More Hoary Redpoll Pics<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsttutyXFg5zxtxto0TlGyj39rabg0vI3yOvnLJ19bNdflap1bWL4qrthYs5jWtjhyphenhyphen1bZHr3IXeY1EY6va4xOCBRuin3aZ5AIdsI4nTaX2LoLxTGmnGlq7RZk4buYNlu1Hg47GjUJnU6j/s1600-h/H.+Redpoll+5b+web"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160494941219107810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsttutyXFg5zxtxto0TlGyj39rabg0vI3yOvnLJ19bNdflap1bWL4qrthYs5jWtjhyphenhyphen1bZHr3IXeY1EY6va4xOCBRuin3aZ5AIdsI4nTaX2LoLxTGmnGlq7RZk4buYNlu1Hg47GjUJnU6j/s320/H.+Redpoll+5b+web" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7GnChqab2-VJR2pNkPGPyAS7o1qxqvSHD438h6qc-ImQGE6i9NzITfekzm1d4-nrTU17n23yTMNNfKsGKa20883xgqxzjfysILW6tFfMc0G7puC_QLbkd2tee9qotp5GSvpyM-HXC507/s1600-h/H.+Redpoll+4a+web"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160494825254990802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7GnChqab2-VJR2pNkPGPyAS7o1qxqvSHD438h6qc-ImQGE6i9NzITfekzm1d4-nrTU17n23yTMNNfKsGKa20883xgqxzjfysILW6tFfMc0G7puC_QLbkd2tee9qotp5GSvpyM-HXC507/s320/H.+Redpoll+4a+web" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>These 2 individuals are different than those previously photographed. Both images cleary show the under tail coverts. The pictures were taken on Saturday January 26.</div>In the case of the male only single streak at the vent was observed. The female appeared to be completely unstreaked.</div>Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-57027793210066135262008-01-21T04:26:00.000-08:002008-01-21T04:30:30.566-08:00Hoary RedpollsSaturday January 19,<br /><br />It was kind of an odd really. I was up before it was completely light, but noticed Redpolls on the front feeder. Cool! I thought, but immediately realized one was not a Common Redpoll It was too pale and not streaky enough. No way, I thought . It has been so long since I have looked at winter finches in a field guide, I had to look up Redpoll in the index.<br /><br />For someone like me, finding a rare bird is is not a pleasant experience. Sure it is initially exciting, but then the self doubt follows. In the case of Common versus Hoary Redpoll the differences are not all that obvious. Hoary is lighter, having a “frosted” appearance and fewer streaks and a shorter bill. According to the Sibley guide under tail covert streaking is something that can be used to separate the 2 species when other features overlap. Well it was dark and I did not see the under tail coverts. Just a whitish Redpoll with almost no streaks on its flanks.<br /><br />The day was overcast and pretty dark but I was very lucky. The Redpolls kept returning to the feeders and over the course of the day I got great looks and even managed to get some photos. Careful study revealed that the unstreaked pale birds did indeed have little or no streaking on their under tail coverts.<br /><br />Because of the lousy light photography was difficult. I could not get the camera to focus on the feeder just 3 feet away because it would focus on the intervening window instead. Out in the branches 15 to 20 feet away I had more luck, although the lousy light resulted in less than perfect but adequate pictures of 3 individuals.<br /><br />Even with fairly good diagnostic photos the doubt still lingered. The thing about rare birds is they are well... rare. This is now the 2nd ultra rare Ohio bird I have had in my yard this decade, and that is pretty unusual for a place like my little yard. At least I got pictures which is a relief.<br /><br />Lest I be accused of sitting on these birds I did call my birding friend Anders and left a message. I was not in the mood to deal with the skepticism of some other people and left it at that. Anders finally called back but it was getting dark and I promised to call if the Hoary Redpolls showed up again the next day.<br /><br />Sunday was frustrating because while there were plenty of Common Redpolls the Hoary Redpolls did not return. I got a headache scrutinizing every lighter Common Redpoll that showed up. I was surprised actually, because after studying the Hoary Redpolls for several hours the previous day, the Commons were obviously Commons and even the pale birds had more streaking on their under tail coverts. I now wonder if I didn’t have more than the 5 individual Hoary Redpolls I counted yesterday.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-60066652798353043412008-01-21T03:55:00.000-08:002008-01-29T05:41:42.065-08:00Hoary Redpolls<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoovcjdlAAJ_3ZJSS34tgFbU96d5t1QtKNfdS9Q0U4zxifiu8ub-p1n5VetodF9kK59uOYZyHMEtdR9xYF8Hz2veNh_FWr7xLRQvhv4MDhyrO_2vCu-fXroE3aMZ4FF_iJaZ6izYmO_ulg/s1600-h/Redpoll+1.BMP"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157903130855402994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoovcjdlAAJ_3ZJSS34tgFbU96d5t1QtKNfdS9Q0U4zxifiu8ub-p1n5VetodF9kK59uOYZyHMEtdR9xYF8Hz2veNh_FWr7xLRQvhv4MDhyrO_2vCu-fXroE3aMZ4FF_iJaZ6izYmO_ulg/s320/Redpoll+1.BMP" border="0" /></a> The male to the left and female below had no streakiing on their under tail coverts.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTUTJuA91VWMTKt-hfCw47EEFHDmZieOSjS0ffVVvJ8L0Kab_bk_jux_EVrYtcCB5M20Ii1pxbwCSb4E5XKNhoqZ49aSL51GIR4nLb8OdmqGNKFoNdQNVRsJAzrjaLPhuIblHfo0uxtR4/s1600-h/Redpoll+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157903019186253282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTUTJuA91VWMTKt-hfCw47EEFHDmZieOSjS0ffVVvJ8L0Kab_bk_jux_EVrYtcCB5M20Ii1pxbwCSb4E5XKNhoqZ49aSL51GIR4nLb8OdmqGNKFoNdQNVRsJAzrjaLPhuIblHfo0uxtR4/s320/Redpoll+2.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The male individual shown below the female was more problematic. Not only does it have more streaking on its' flanks, it also has a little on the under tail coverts. Given the short bill it still seems consistent with Hoary Redpoll.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91Aukd61QX2IQb1nRpBgrt5zeBw540AHY771M0UuddiqqHnAeUBrkpnJmqv6Hw2Bl5iVCttrLgnPfh-Jt8Ft8O5ndjQIgFQanFzlgiOyv_y88Gz0F15o_YGqjKkBBZAxacL9A17cuCYFK/s1600-h/Redpoll+3b.BMP"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157902928991940050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91Aukd61QX2IQb1nRpBgrt5zeBw540AHY771M0UuddiqqHnAeUBrkpnJmqv6Hw2Bl5iVCttrLgnPfh-Jt8Ft8O5ndjQIgFQanFzlgiOyv_y88Gz0F15o_YGqjKkBBZAxacL9A17cuCYFK/s320/Redpoll+3b.BMP" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHblVz2ezmJZvC_ctr5VYj7VjdLAKLoVL_XLzPNZ7545lU3m1SxUtlK4jMWzpxIyMkqvMx68ALgm0fjjNn-BySGkPrCAsEScnOLvS4YTZ9MY-yLDlizqeh9tq1-54r5tJVhf954tlYP9J/s1600-h/Redpoll+1.BMP"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9C4hD6F8a4rJJRoBYVdz0879PR8dKK0Pd2Zut73DY9-tmiOpnYYPninav-q1e9NWJibGh8_KHES9O66YXVzeVbB0SySpuHa31lQTSad_KXO3aPaOm64PD9VoyaVLnutF9Y2o180SBxIg/s1600-h/Redpoll+2.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwWFR68s9u2e1IFmTvfofBtRzMPqyIPJEsut9DfVpEw_f1MD5nHLeRsEyOR10gqnKD6khv92nSw579eFJA_O3mYfgiIj58yBJ9Hl_kR9FMOT3_vnxDZ4_IBepq97ZDOwPsdA5Zgaa48s_/s1600-h/Redpoll+1a.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-70737240765421418782007-07-02T04:49:00.001-07:002007-07-02T06:33:05.605-07:00July 1, 2007 Update on the Past WeekI cannot express the beauty of the summer. The lush green, the color of the flowers, the music of the birds singing as they go about their day. A few minor stories have played out in the last week or so.<br /><br />A fledgling Nuthatch came to me for help. It landed on the sill by the window where I was reading. It was in trouble. Barely able to fly, completely exhausted. I gave it some sunflower seed. It quickly grabbed a seed but did not quite know how to break it up into manageable bits. It managed to eat. I don’t know what happened to the bird. I know the family of fledgling Nuthatches is no longer chasing around the yard. I don’t worry. I just do what I can at the time but do not dwell on the fate of individuals. That would be too trying<br /><br />The Bluebirds have started a second brood. This time in one of the boxes in the front yard. They have moved out of the hole in the siding. I think 4 babies <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fledged from</span> the earlier brood. They still hang around the yard, Watching their parents go about go about building a second nest.<br /><br />The woodpeckers have been successful as well. As I write a fledgling <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Downey</span> follows its Dad to the feeder by the window, It is awkward. Not a good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">flier</span> yet. I am not paying attention, concentrating on writing. It squeaks and hits the window. Sure enough the feeder is empty. I wonder if that was the lesson being taught, because the parent did not do this. No it was the fledgling. The Red-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">bellieds</span> have three babies. The Chickadees and Titmice have countless fledglings. It is good they have so much energy to keep up with all those hungry little birds.<br /><br />A fledgling Rose-breasted Grosbeak visits. More skittish than the adults. It is uncertain about the feeder<br /><br />Yesterday I had a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Stebbin</span>’s gulch walk. It was a lovely hike. The gulch was very dry, but cool lush and beautiful. We found several Black-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">throated</span> Green Warblers, but no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Canadas</span>, or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Blackburnians</span>. The group was a bit too noisy to find Louisiana <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Waterthush</span>. We were serenaded by a Winter Wren. Blue-headed Vireos were numerous. We found several Gray <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Petaltail</span> Dragonflies. In May the gulch was dangerously and comically slippery. Yesterday it was not. In the field on the east end of the property we found an Orange Sulfur Butterfly. Yellow, orange green and aqua blue. Just beautiful. A nice walk.<br /><br />In the afternoon I had the front door open. It was interesting because several birds gathered on the front porch. They were just hanging around there by the open door as I sat in the room and read.<br /><br />Today I worked around the yard. Saw my first fledgling Junco of the season. A brilliant male Scarlet Tanager outside the window. Additional lilies are starting to bloom. Several colors. During the coming week they will be in full bloom.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-60702140429653877302007-07-02T04:44:00.001-07:002007-07-02T04:49:12.669-07:00June 30, 2007 Gray Petaltail<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnZaYAAGrLND5Z9UTS3C6NI-lxxFQVBBglNrNx2uQivswue2ga5TqIaYAYK_MHDSaSiSgavCDA1Hna3LyxDhVYjSS8SRwTlJ1JENWwWoFmkyjnPE8c4VooFGyLPIrpNFd6rzlF-gdHEYJ/s1600-h/Gray+Petraltail.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082564344171316802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnZaYAAGrLND5Z9UTS3C6NI-lxxFQVBBglNrNx2uQivswue2ga5TqIaYAYK_MHDSaSiSgavCDA1Hna3LyxDhVYjSS8SRwTlJ1JENWwWoFmkyjnPE8c4VooFGyLPIrpNFd6rzlF-gdHEYJ/s320/Gray+Petraltail.JPG" border="0" /></a> Not the best specimen or image. This Gray Petaltail in Stebbins Gulch was posed in a typical hanging posture. Gray Petatail is found in shaded ravines and is very tame. This one readily landed on several people.<br /><br />Dunking bugs in cool water slows them down so they can be photographed and does them no harm.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-17800881332987659202007-06-22T04:13:00.000-07:002007-06-22T04:15:29.369-07:00June 21, 2007 SolsticeThe longest day of the year. For me, someone who loves the light it is bittersweet. I know that from now until December 21 the days will get shorter. This is why the first day of summer is mid-summers night. The weather today was highly variable. Rain, thunder, bands of clouds, now sun. The evening and night promise to be cool. I spent time in the yard but did not have time for a hike. While it is beautiful there is not a lot going on. The summer rhythm has settled in. The passerines are no longer moving. If there is a time of year when there is no bird migration it is this week. Soon fledglings will begin disbursing and shorebirds will begin moving . But right now, this week across the neoarctic, everything is staying put.<br /><br />Lilies are starting to bloom. They are perhaps a week later in my cooler yard and without fertilizer. The large Iris are coming into full glory. I found a beautiful purple flower I need to identify. It looks like a small lily, but I have to key it out. That will have to wait for tomorrow or Saturday.<br /><br />There are no obvious stories right now. Every beautiful day is like the next and things are routine. I wonder how much I will be able to write? What new observations I will be able to put into words. How many times can one describe astounding beauty with making it mundane?Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-7895517559611857552007-06-22T04:11:00.000-07:002007-06-22T04:12:51.774-07:00June 20, 2007 PerfectionHow could a day be any more perfect? Not having to work! Still the day before the solstice is as perfect as a day can be. Clear, 80° high absolutely beautiful. I have my first hike since Saturday. No extra weight, not too far. Perhaps I have gained some wisdom. The view over the lake is gorgeous. Visibility more than 40 miles. The mottled light through the trees plays with my eyes as I walk the summit. No people today, a few birds.<br /><br />Back home I cook and eat on the patio. Watch a family of Nuthatches chase each other from tree to tree. 5 birds all on one trunk. It is so very lovely. The Grosbeak sings, the Chipmunk scurries through the hostas. The shades of green and the sun to the west. As I eat my dinner of grilled fish and vegetables it cools noticeably. I must either build a fire or go inside to stay warm. This writing drives me to the latter.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-82034758407626520352007-06-20T04:01:00.000-07:002007-06-20T04:06:25.119-07:00June 19, 2007 “Much Needed” RainThunderstorms have me stuck inside. I am glad I got the lawn cut yesterday. I am surprised at how quickly my foot is improving. A day of rest, plus traction to stretch the toe really helped. Coming home it was cool to see the thunderstorms coming over. The scud rolling over Gildersleeve mountain in the distance<br /><br />Even in the rain the birds visit the feeders. I would like to get out and look around the yard, but the thunderstorms are going to last a while. While it has been dry, nothing is withering. Whenever rainfall goes below the average people say the rain is needed. They have little understanding of what normal weather is. They also have a misconception about how often soil needs to have the water replenished. Our soil was completely saturated in April into May and was still several weeks from drying out. <br /><br />Once the rain lets up and am able to get outside, I realize how many fledglings are around. Chickadees, Bluebirds, Titmice, Nuthatches. No baby Juncos yet. <br /><br />A section in the back yard is full of foam flowers. White, pink and deep red. It gets cool as the evening falls. Fireflies are out for the first time this year. A lovely mid summers night.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-37846795612360418332007-06-20T03:57:00.000-07:002007-06-20T04:01:22.364-07:00June 18, 2007 Notably CoolerPeople were complaining about the heat today. I like it hot and today felt great when I got out of work. It was 89° near the lake, 91° a few miles south. I watched the temperature on the thermometer in my car. In the past I have noted how it gets cooler as soon as I get into my neighborhood. I believe the abundance of trees and the higher elevation are the reasons. Today was no exception. On U.S. 6 it was 91° according to the car thermometer. As soon as I turned off the main road I felt it cool, by the time I got to my driveway the thermometer read 86°. I find that amazing.<br /><br />Given the condition of my toe I do not want to push it. My toe is remarkably better today but still hurts. I cut my lawn and leave my activity at that.<br /><br />New flower activity this week. More Iris coming in. Numerous foam flowers. All beautyHaans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-13661420892363984212007-06-18T08:28:00.000-07:002007-06-18T08:32:18.416-07:00June 17, 2007 HobbledEarly on the hike yesterday I tripped and hyper extended my big and second toe. It hurt a bit yesterday but overnight it swelled and became obvious that I had sprained my big toe. What a silly injury! It has me hobbled today. I am at least smart enough to realize I need to rest today and not aggo the injury.<br /><br />It is so beautiful. Hard to just sit around. Just watch the feeders and the yard . Nothing exceptional. I have noticed the hummingbird has some favorite roosts. I can hear the buzzing of the hummingbird’s wings at an amazing distance. 30 yards or so. We watch the Chipmunks. They are so cute. Fun to watch as the scurry to and fro. I know from bitter experience tree squirrels cannot be trusted. I wonder about ground squirrels like a Chipmunk? Are they more trustworthy?<br /><br />Oh well, a few days without hiking. I would rather take a few days off than spend weeks nursing an injury like this.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-53011700809975648342007-06-18T08:25:00.000-07:002007-06-18T08:28:11.189-07:00June 16, 2007 Hidden PathsThis morning I did one of the great walks in northeastern Ohio. The Carver pond, East Branch, Baldwin hike. I last did this hike on April 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> in the snow. It was so much different today In carver pond the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Spatterdock</span> and Water Lilies are in bloom. We were hoping for dragonflies around Carver Pond but only saw two, Eastern <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pondhawk</span> and Twelve-spotted skimmer. Eastern <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Forktail</span> and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Spreadwing</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sp</span>. were the only damselflies. The walk along the East Branch of the Chagrin, through the Hemlock Hardwood forest was beautiful as always. We took time in several places to stop and just enjoy the place. We were far enough from roads and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">everything</span> else that we could not hear any sounds of human activity. That is so rare today. To be able to get that far from our machines.<br /><br />We looked at rocks along the river. The strata that make up our local bedrocks. We could see two layers. Chagrin shale and Cleveland shale where the river cuts 100 foot bluffs on one side. Along the river we can see examples of all the local rocks and many glacial erratics.<br /><br />In the last third of this hike we cross two ox bows in the river. I find it fascinating how in 50 yards, crossing a small river, there is a complete change of habitat and ecology. In that short distance you go from a forest, with broken ground cover, ferns and Hemlocks and hardwood trees, to a lush herbaceous forest floor with Walnuts and Elms being the predominant trees. That fast. To someone like me, attuned to transitions, it is amazing. Technically we are going from an Oak-Sugar Maple Forest, to a mixed flood plain forest. There is no change in elevation, what probably changes is the soil.<br /><br />The birds and dragonflies were sparse. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Newcomb</span>’s wildflower guide failed us at every turn. Either I need to learn more about how leaves are defined, or I need to be more patient.<br /><br />My walk had 5 participants. None younger than 40. Some commented that there is something wrong, when a walk through such a beautiful place can only attract 5 Arboretum members. But at the end of the walk, one participant quipped about our stamina. This is not a walk for people used to sidewalks and gravel paved trails.<br /><br />In the words of Apollo 15 commander Dave Scott: There is something to be said for exploring beautiful places.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-91220786803289007632007-06-18T08:22:00.000-07:002007-06-18T08:25:08.968-07:00June 15, 2007 Impossible GreenWalking though the woods today, another perfect day, I took some time to appreciate the beauty of the green. It is impossible to describe, being enveloped in green, the sun streaming through the leaves. I am tall enough to look over the low trees. The understory is sparse enough so that the canopy is an obvious ceiling 70 feet above.<br /><br />Visibilty today was hazy out to the horizon. About 25 miles or so. Nothing in the distance was crisply in view. In the ponds below the old quarry Mrs. Mallard quacked loudy. I answered. We went back and fourth a couple of times. Ducks do not stick around in those ponds. Fed by seeps and rain water they do not turn over much. The Wood Thrush, Junco, Pewee, Scalet Tanager and Blue-headed Vireo were all singing. The Hooded Warbler was noteable in its absence. I wonder why some days they are singing everywhere, and other days silent. What changes? I don’t know. There are so many mysteries in the bird world. Particularly when it comes to behavior.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-32149171068677781022007-06-15T05:46:00.000-07:002007-06-15T05:47:31.496-07:00June 14, 2007 Another Beauty DayNothing exceptional today except the day itself. It has been beautiful all day. It is another “cloudy” day in Cleveland, but I would trad a day like today for another anywhere else. We complain about our weather but forget about days like today. Sunny warm and beautiful. <br /><br />The light this morning was deep green. The air is fresh with oxygen. The temperature is in the high 70’s. Perfect. What else can you say?Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-47003859779035602842007-06-15T05:44:00.000-07:002007-06-15T05:46:30.820-07:00June 13, 2007 Crows Harass a Young OwlWe have had a string of beauty days. Today adds another. To me, the temperature in the low 80’s is just perfect. In the woods Hooded Warblers, and Scarlet Tanagers are singing loudly. <br /><br />On my side of the summit the crows have found a young Barred Owl in a tree in the ledges. It is close to the trunk and among branches with leaves so it is safe, but the Crows are vociferous. They caw loudly to their clan attempting to increase the number of individuals <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">involved</span> in the boisterous mobbing. I move on and the noise subsides with both distance and activity.<br /><br />Visibility is hazy and barely 18 miles. The horizon is lost in a light gray haze.<br /><br />Lots of people again today. I wonder what has changed? It makes no sense to me why for several weeks with nice weather there has been little human activity, but now in the past few days there has been a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">noticeable</span> increase? Of course I don’t know if the change is really significant. I may be seeing a trend that does not really exist. If I really wanted to track this I would have to consistently take my hike at the same time and count the people. After a while I could determine the true limits of the system. I suspect what I am observin<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">g</span> is within the normal distribution.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4045519320584357958.post-63988256535221180892007-06-13T04:22:00.000-07:002007-06-13T04:25:38.137-07:00June 12, 2007, Close to HomeLast night I started to get a cramp in an inner thigh muscle. I must have hurt it a little because it hurts today too. That happens. I need to do a little work around the yard. Because my yard is anti neat and tidy I don’t do a lot of trimming. But in order to keep the walk clear and the fence exposed I occasionally have to get out the weed whacker. I am judicious in using it. Careful not to take out may wildflowers. Trying to just use it on grass.<br /><br />Next I move to the back yard. The patio actually, needs <strong>to be</strong> swept clean. I should do this every week but I often go 4 times that long. Nearby one of the neighbors has a service that is using a blower. I have one of those, but I use a rake and a broom. It may take a little longer, but it is a lot less noisy and does not burn gasoline.<br /><br />Once I am finished I eat dinner outside. Typical of a day like today I should have left my phone inside. Instead I end up talking rather than doing much looking around.<br /><br />I do notice is the Canada Anemones are still beautiful. Yellow and purple Iris are still blooming, as are the Cranesbills. Wild Geranium predominate in one section and Newcomb’s 542, with yellow flowers, Moneywort, creeps along the edges of the grass. The Juncos sing as I eat and the Wood Thrush calls from across the creek. It is a beautiful day and I am so thankful to be able to enjoy this place.Haans Petruschkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03660918456091710422noreply@blogger.com0