Eagle Watching Inside the Nest

To date, the video diaries of these Midwest birds of prey have been viewed over 29 million times making it the number one live streaming video in internet history!  If you love wildlife but haven’t watched before, get ready for some excitement over the next few weeks as the nesting pair return to the aerie to raise this year’s brood.

Live video from your Android device on Ustream

Inspirational Photo of the Day

Day Dreamin' 'bout Hummingbirds

Winter wimps out with yet another unseasonably warm day.  Here in the scenic St. Croix River Valley, the temperate temps turn our attention to spring and the arrival of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Red-winged Blackbirds, Baltimore Orioles and other summer sojourners.  Perhaps no transient  avian is as joyously welcomed home as the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.  In anticipation of their early May arrival, here’s an excerpt from an outstanding PBS documentary  called  Hummingbirds:  Magic in the Air.

 

In Memorium

                                                                                                      

This blog was inspired by a tiny ball of golden fluff.  In the autumn of 2009, a puffy, obviously ill female American Goldfinch appeared one morning, perched on the rim of the front yard fountain.  After she had remained there, immobile, for several minutes, I slowly approached, and was amazed when she did not stir. Close observation soon revealed she was alone and shunned from her flock. Yet she did not seem in pain or any sort of distress.  Instead, I knew I was witnessing a bird at the end of her natural life.  Any fear of humans had left.  In fact, she seemed comforted by my presence and content to sit reflectively and gaze into the water, at peace with her predicament.

For three days this sweet  “Little One” kept me company while I worked outside.  Mostly she flew low, or hopped, and ate off the ground, but she never went far from the fountain.  

It’s all too easy to anthropomorphize animals, but I remain convinced that my Little One was aware of her circumstances and was preparing for the end.  I will never know what thoughts crossed her mind but I hope it was contentment with a life well-lived.

On the fourth morning I found her tiny body beneath the fountain. A few days later, another finch arrived at the fountain and the process played out, again. 

The pilgrimage continues each autumn as aging birds, unable to make it through another winter, come to the fountain to peacefully pass their final days.  

Since beginning my adventures in birding, I have learned so much from my feathered friends.  I will never forget Little One, and the others who have come after her, and hope that one day, when my time comes, I can face the end with the same sort of strength, grace and quiet dignity.

Animal Totems

There is knowledge in nature . . . just glance around you . . . and learn to listen.  For instance, consider wildlife weather forecasting and look no further than the Yankee Drolls in your backyard.  Is there a frenzy ‘round your feeders?  Better prepare for a storm.   Are  insect-eating avians flying low to the ground? Expect rain.

 

But wildlife can impart wisdom in other more individual ways. Native American culture, among many others, believes that animals can assist us with self-discovery and aid the journey through our spiritual and physical life. A totem can be of fin, feather or fur:  any creature that connects to us in personal and profound ways.  Your special totem animal—through its own adaptation to nature—serves as both an instructor and a guide and can be determined by a close examination of your history.  Is there a certain creature that comes to you in dreams or at significant moments in your life?  This is your totem animal and personal protector.  Watch, read, and learn everything you can about this teacher and inspiration will be yours.

At Bon Bon Pond, the Red-breasted Nuthatch is our animal totem. 

There are many wonderful websites that offer instruction for identifying and understanding animal totems.  Spirit Walk Ministry and StarStuffs are two of my favorites.

http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems/ 

http://www.spiritwalkministry.com/spirit_guides 

The Baffling Behavior of Blue Jays

On Wednesday afternoon, while walking to the mailbox, I encountered a most unusual spectacle.  The weather was warm and the day sunny so I decided to saunter down the road and check out the southern section of the pond.  Soon my attention was drawn to a huge flock of chattering avians roosting in the trees on the Pine Point Park side of the water. While I was too far away to positively identify the species I would guess they were Pine Siskins, based on their calls, size, shape and recognizable quick darting movements, plus the pond’s history of attracting large flocks during the winter.

Studying  their behavior, I soon noticed that smaller batches of the birds were attempting to cross over to  Bon Bon Pond only to be turned back by four screaming, agitated Blue Jays. This event left me puzzled as I’ve rarely witnessed territorial and/or aggressive behavior among my birds, based, I believe, on a plentiful and easy-to-access food supply.

Apparently, some line had been crossed in the bird world but it doesn’t make much sense as the smaller birds eat nyjer thistle and sunflower hearts while the Jays enjoy peanuts, corn and black oil sunflower seeds.  In fact, my Jays rarely eat from the feeders, preferring instead to eat from the ground.  ???

The Legend of Groundhog Day

 

On the church calendar,  is known as “Candlemas Day."  Since it falls at the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, Europeans considered it a harbinger for the second half of the cold weather season.  Clear weather on this Festival of Lights day was seen to signal snowy weeks ahead while cloudy conditions brought the promise of temperate temps. 

English Rhyme:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

Scottish Rhyme:

If Candlemas Day is bright and clear,
There'll be two winters in the year.

German Rhyme:

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,
So far will the snow swirl until May.

In actuality, meteorological science supports this folktale.  Clear skies in early February could be associated with persistent masses of cold, dry air that would prolong low temperatures, while overcast skies could indicate wetter, more moderate days ahead.

The Germans added animal lore to their Candlemas story, saying that if the weather was sunny enough to scare a badger back into its hole, there were more wintry days ahead. When German immigrants came to America the groundhog took the place of the badger.

All eyes will be on Punxsutawney, PA at 7:25 a.m. but here at Bon Bon Pond we will be watching for Buddy, our sweet little woodchuck who hibernates under the gazebo.  Stay tuned for updates to see if she sees her shadow . . . 

***UPDATE***
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2012/02/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-phil-more-winter.html