Tracks in the snow

We went for a snowshoe on our property. Lots of animal tracks. So happy to see a bears tracks! At least one that lives near us survived the hunt. Seeing those tracks is a New Years gift for me. There were also coyote and Bobcat tracks. Every time I set foot on that property I fall in love all over again. I'm so looking forward to starting my class and using the land for my projects. Happy New Year!

Christmas Count 2010

I had a wonderful time out birding with two of the most outstanding birders I know. Both have been birding more years then I have been alive. We spent about 8 hours out in the field and tallied more then 40 species, which is excellent for our area in the Winter. Most of the area we were assigned is in the black dirt region of Orange County NY. We are blessed to have Tundra species visit us every Winter. Notables were a Lapland Longspur, Rough-legged hawks, both light and dark phase. Personally I find the Dark phase Rough-legged Hawk to be the most beautiful of all Raptors that inhabit our area. The gorgeous sunset picture was taken while observing 7 Short-ear owls hunting over the fields. What a special end to a fantastic day of birding.

Tomorrow marks a New Year! 1/1/11 what a awesome number to start the year with! For the first time in a long time, I will be putting myself as number ONE, I will be spending the next couple of years educating myself further. I'm excited to finally make some steps forward for my future, with out worrying about taking time from my family. It's time for me to step up my pace, my sons are almost all grown, and my life is ticking away. It's NOW OR NEVER.

Christmas Count 2010

Because my hubby is such a complete doll and arranged it so I could do the payroll today, tomorrow I will be participating in the 111th annual Xmas bird count! It was postponed from Monday because of the snowstorm. I am excited to join my friends for a full day of birding. I haven't done much birding since the Hawk Watch ended 6 weeks ago. Beautiful weather is expected, 35 degrees and 4mph winds, sunny skys! We are going to have a good day with record species....I can feel it! Let the birding begin!

http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count

Bird List Today

We had a Blizzard Sunday night into Monday, we got around 2 feet of snow. Lots of birds visiting the feeders. I can no longer do the Audubon Xmas count as it was postponed to Thursday, and I have to work. I will conduct my own Warwick species count.

At my feeders:
Mourning Doves
Junco
Cardinals
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
WB Nuthatch
Chickadee
AM Tree Sparrow
WT Sparrow
Red Bellied Woodpecker
Blue Jay
T Titmouse
RW BLACKBIRD! (Hi Daddy)
Grackel
Purple Finch
House Finch
Gold Finch
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Carolina Wren

Bucket List for 2011

With the New Year quickly approaching, it is time to work on my bucket list again. I plan on spending the year working on my Nature Education. This coming year I want to go to Cornell for their Master Naturalist Course. I am waiting for the dates. I am starting after the first of the year another Naturalist program online. I am also taking the Rabies Vector Species Class with the NYS Wildlife Rehabilitation Council at their annual conference 11/4-11/6. It is going to be a busy year. I need to stop wasting so much time online doing NOTHING! I see my life slipping away moment by moment...so many interesting things to do with it, the time is NOW!

1. Master Naturalist Course
2. Online Naturalist Course (4 units)
3. Rabies Vector Course

12/29 Tonight while doing some reading on simplifying my life....I do need to clean out and organize myself before I add anything else to my life....so first goal for 2011....SIMPLIFY MY LIFE! Get rid of more clutter, organize my possessions, get rid of things I no longer need or use, make more time and space for my new life of studying and begin to move forward to my lifelong goal of becoming a working Naturalist.

My Winter Solstice Candles

Pantheism

A few years ago I was feeling disconnected from traditional religions, and missing some way to explain and express my own spiriturality I began searching online for a *Nature Religion* I came across this website when it was in it's infancy: http://www.pantheism.net/index.htm And since then...I have personally call myself a Pantheist. I discovered through facebook that the site now has a busy online forum! That pantheists are finding ways to celebrate holidays in simple meaningful ways. I am very excited about the forum. Finding a group of people that I can communicate with who view the world of Nature as I do is going to make the coming year much more meaningful for me. I am so excited to have the forum to learn more about Pantheism.

Yesterday I ordered two sets of 12 candles, for the festival of lights. Hopefully it comes ASAP, as I'd like to still light the candles each day. I also ordered one for next year...so I'm prepared. I ordered 4 sets of candles for the two Solstices and two Equinoxes for 2011.

Twelve consecutive days of the Festival of Lights: these are the Beatitudes.

RELIGION "We vow to uphold the truth of our religion.". Blessed are those who worship for they will be elated.

NATURE "We vow to live in harmony with Nature." Blessed are the lovers of Nature for they have seen the face of God.

ENVIRONMENT "We vow to protect the environment" Blessed are the friends of the earth for they are the hope of the world.

HUMANITY "We vow to realize the human potential for good in our lives, our work and in our relations with all sentient beings." Blessed are we humans, for the abundance of life is ours.

LOVE "We vow to fill our hearts with love, friendship and compassion." Blessed are those who love for they will obtain love.

UNITY "We vow to help diffuse Pantheist beliefs, values and practices throughout the world, and to support our fellow Pantheists in the difficulties they may encounter.” Blessed are the Pantheists for they will inherit the Earth.

FREEDOM "We vow to promote freedom throughout the world." Blessed are the free, for they will lead the way.

VIRTUE "We vow to cultivate virtue in our lives, and to set a good example for others." Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after virtue, for they will receive their reward.

PEACE "We vow to promote a culture of peace." Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are resplendent.

BEAUTY "We vow to celebrate and protect the beauty of Nature and to carry on the Pantheist tradition in the arts." Blessed are the creators of beauty, for they illumine the world.

KNOWLEDGE "We vow to support scientific research and to ensure that our beliefs are compatible with its findings." Blessed are those who seek for they will find.

JOY “We vow to let our joy shine forth in the world.” Blessed are the joyful for they will be called the light of the world.

Pantheist tradition for solstices & equinoxes

SEASONAL PANTHEIST TRADITIONS: For solstices and equinoxes try the seasonal mandala idea illustrated here. The central candle represents the sun, five candles around represent the earth's lithosphere (air, brown), hydrosphere (water, light blue), atmosphere (air, dark blue), biosphere (life, green)and noosphere (humans, light brown). Collected objects represent each one of these.

The twelve days’ period spanning the Winter Solstice and New Year’s Day is celebrated by some Pantheists as the Festival of Light. Pantheists may choose to meditate in turn on each of the key Pantheist values assigned to each month of the year, and pledge to uphold these values in the New Year.

20 December - Cosmos
21 December - Nature
22 December - Environment
23 December - Humanity
24 December - Love
25 December - Unity
26 December - Freedom
27 December - Virtue
28 December - Peace
29 December - Beauty
30 December - Knowledge
31 December - Joy

As the Sun sets, a new candle is lit, so that progressively by 31 December a total of twelve candles will be burning. A Beatitude has been prepared for each of the twelve values, and may be recited at the lighting of each new candle.

Solstice, Eclipse & Full Moon!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010, when we not only experience a powerful Full Moon & Lunar Eclipse, but also the annual Winter Solstice, the official first day of Winter.

A Lunar Eclipse happens only during Full Moons, usually twice/yearly, when Earth is directly in-between the solar sphere & the lunar sphere; therefore Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon. Tonight the Eclipse begins at 1:33am EST. At that time, Earth's shadow will appear as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It takes about an hour for the "bite" to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 02:41 am EST and lasts for 72 minutes. At 3:17am EST the Moon will be in deepest shadow, displaying the most fantastic shades of coppery red. Why red? A quick trip to the Moon provides the answer: Imagine yourself standing on a dusty lunar plain looking up at the sky. Overhead hangs Earth, nightside down, completely hiding the sun behind it. The eclipse is underway.You might expect Earth seen in this way to be utterly dark, but it's not. The rim of the planet is on fire! As you scan your eye around Earth's circumference, you're seeing every sunrise and every sunset in the world, all of them, all at once. This incredible light beams into the heart of Earth's shadow, filling it with a coppery glow and transforming the Moon into a great red orb. This lunar eclipse falls on the date of the northern winter solstice. How rare is that? Total lunar eclipses in northern winter are fairly common. There have been three of them in the past ten years alone. A lunar eclipse smack-dab on the date of the solstice, however, is unusual. Since Year 1, only one previous instance of an eclipse matching the same calendar date as the solstice, and that is December 21, 1638.You won't have to wait 372 years for the next one...that will be on December 21, 2094. (Dr.Tony Phillips)


The Solstice (6:38pm EST) is the darkest time of the year (Northern Hemisphere), the longest night & yet it is also the turning point when we begin to experience a bit more light every day. The Ancients in many cultures celebrated this magical occasion & so do I!

NJ kicked off its first bear hunt in five years yesterday. 140 Successful hunters (murderers) arrived at the Pequest weigh-in station telling stories of shooting bears that seemed far from skittish, some even used bait to lure their quary in. At least 150 bears were killed statewide on day one, the biggest one-day take in the hunt's seven-year history. This is just unreal....I wonder how many years I will go with out seeing a bear in the wild again. So sick to my stomach right now.

To update...568 bears were murdered during the hunt...I have to wonder just how many sows were killed, and now their cubs left to fend for themselves and how many others were wounded and will eventually die a horrible slow death. SICK.

Black Bears

Today say a prayer and/or send good vibes to all the Black Bears in New Jersey that will lose their lives under the name of *Sport*. These are the very bears that I see on my daily ramblings. I love them so. The thought of them being dragged out of their cozy dens to be shot for no reason, makes me really dislike the people who claim to be doing this to control the population and keep down man/bear problems. The only way to do that is to practice careful waste/food management at your home or business. NJ never gives anyone tickets for breaking their laws about this. It really is simple to keep bears away....don't feed your pets outside,keep your grill clean, feed the birds after the bears are hibernating, clean up fruit around trees and keep your trash locked up until garbage day, in a bear proof container. Bears are opportunistic feeders, they will go for what ever is easy. If there is no food in the suburbs they will stay in the woods where they belong. If cubs don't get conditioned to think of houses/people as a place to feed, then they will stay far away from man. I'm sick to my stomach thinking about the blood shed going on right now and for the next several days. The last hunt was in 2004 and 52% of the bears taken....were less then 1.5 years old, baby bears...how truly SICK is that?

Frost

The last couple of days and nights the temperatures have been hovering around the 30s. The hard frost is now in the ground. Gloves, long johns, ear warmers, wool socks and fleece sweaters are now required gear to hike in. Winter is here. I don't dread it like other people seem to. If you dress properly, you are never cold. I enjoy seeing the earth sleep for the next few months. I can see the trees more clearly. Their shapes and bark now exposed, each more beautiful then the next. Because there is less to see, hikes are now spent deep in thought, a wonderful time to meditate.

Monsey

Driving home from work last Thursday instead of mindlessly driving, I decided to get in the moment and enjoy the ride. With in minutes of driving I came upon this scene while I waited at a stop light. Although the traffic light is on a street that I really dislike because of the traffic, there is always the beauty of nature no matter where you travel. I snapped this photo with my cell phone, and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset that lasted most of my drive. Beauty is everywhere....you just need to open your eyes.

Rainy Day

Having two very big, physical dogs that need exercise every day no matter what the weather is doing, does have it's pluses. It gets me up and outside every day with few exceptions. Today it was cold and rainy and I dreaded lacing up the hiking boots and going out into the cold. Was I sorry when it was all over and I was soaked to the bone, not a chance. I had a wonderful time as always. So much nature to explore and so little time in this life to do it, can't waste a minute. It was gorgeous out.

Bird of the week here at home, Fox Sparrow. Always a pleasure to see one of them.

We are down sizing our Xmas celebration. No more wasting money on gifts that our kids, friends and family...really won't use or want. Unless we know someone really wants/needs something specific, we will be giving gift certificates. I am making my own cards too. I'm already enjoying the holiday much more then ever before. I am also going to be celebrating the Solstice instead of true Christmas. It has more meaning for me.

A Quality Life

I've had dogs in my life since birth. They have always been treated well,lived as members of our family. All of my own personal dogs have been what others consider spoiled, I've never considered any of them spoiled, its the least I could do for their wonderful companionship. It wasn't until my Petey's diagnosis with Dialated Cardiomyopathy that I began to question what constitutes a true quality life for my canine companions. It is a question that everyone who has a dog should be asking themselves. It is up to you to give them the best life possible. Unless there is a miracle Petey will not grow old. It is up to me to fill his days with great experiences that make what ever time he has left, wonderful. I also need to make sure he has a great life for my own good too. I don't want to lose him and have any regrets that I should have, could have. In all honesty, each of us only has today. We have no guarantees that there will be a tomorrow. Knowing that Petey is sick has made me look at his days and ask myself...what else does he need? What would make this day more special? We miss very few opportunities to get outside and hike, because that is what Petey seems to love best. Most days we change the trails we go on, so that there is more variety, more to see and smell. I feed raw, and love to give him new meats, bones, and raw treats. Every time I have an errand to run, I bring him with me. When I book a vacation, we get houses that dogs are allowed, and while there, find hiking trails to explore each day. He has comfortable beds and baskets full of all kinds of toys. The best change that I've made in Petey's life is taking him to work with me. He loves it. On work days he immediately knows we are going. He sees me ready his bag and water and his excitement builds. Once in work, he immediately wants to go out of the office building and into our garage to get one of his Pig Ear treats. I unlock the garage, Petey runs in, goes up the stairs, rummages through the box, pulls out an ear, runs back down the stairs and heads back to the office. He settles on his bed and eats his treat. After finishing, he spends most of his day sleeping, only getting up to greet different people who come in the office just to say hello to him. I love looking down and seeing him laying next to me. I saves me from worrying about him. It is amazing how much more relaxed Petey is all the time now that I rarely leave him. Being a Doberman, his life work is to be the constant companion to a human, to protect them. He takes his job seriously and wants to be with me 24/7 no matter where I go or what I am doing. Although knowing about his disease has been heartbreaking for me, I am happy that I have a chance to make his life incredible and at the same time....enjoy my own life so much more. My puppy Monty has really benefited, every day is a new adventure for him. New smells, tastes, experiences and lots of fun!

A DOG'S TEN COMMANDMENTS:

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Train me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Believe in me, I will do what you want.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10 On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

~Take a moment today to be thankful for your dog(s). Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without them by your side.

Early Hike

Got my butt out of bed, chores done, and headed out for a early morning hike with the boys. We went to the top of the Park. It was truly gorgeous out, and the boys enjoyed every moment of our 2 hour hike. We had the park entirely to ourselves, which is always a bonus of hiking early or in weather.

Last night we got out at dusk and there was a lone bat out at the lake. Lots of Winter birds at my feeders, Juncos, Chickadees, Nuthatches and T.Titmouses. Love their cheery calls, nice to have them here for the next few months.

Hawk Watch

Another Hawk Watch season has come and gone. It was an amazing year for all of us volunteers, several records were broken and we had ten weeks of good weather and lots of great company. My final day was cloudless and windless, not real conducive for seeing and counting migrating raptors. I did make the best of the quiet day and lack of company by spending it reflecting on how I spent the last year and what I want change in my life for the coming year. There was little distraction and I was able to go deep into thought, something that rarely happens in my busy life. Being out in Nature is a healing balm for my soul. It helps me to balance my life and get my priorities straight. I am proclaiming Monday 11/15 as my personal New Years. It is a month before my next Birthday and for me the end of the Fall with the Hawk Watch's final day. I'm turning over a new leaf before the holidays this year, out with the old ways and in with the new. The need to simplify my life and get my health and fitness back on track is making me short tempered and unhappy. I'm sick of feeling sick and tired, something has got to change, and that change has to come from me. I have no one to blame but myself. Time to get off the computer put down my wine glass, get my hands out of the junk food and GET OUT THERE AND LIVE! Time to eat better, MOVE, Learn new things, and enjoy the real world more. I've wasted too much time sitting on my fat rear in cyberspace. Happy New Year to me!

Sunset

After work driving to pick my son up from school, the color of the sky blew me away, had to stop and take a picture. Amazing how beautiful the world is.

Day Light Savings

Today is Daylight savings, We gained an extra hour. I decided to take my Petey up to Turtle Point Road for a leisurely walk around our property. No crazy puppy to bother us. For once,thankfully I remembered my good binoculars. This is the very first time that I really took in the lay of the land and took my time exploring the edge of the river and listening to hear what birds were around. There were lots of birds to see. Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Bluebirds and Robins were very busy gorging on the Winterberry berries. At one point a small flock of Cedar Waxwings were very close to me, the best looks I've ever had on that beautiful bird. There are at least two pairs of Bluebirds, and seeing them reminded me that we need to move the Bluebird houses to the other side of the river. I'm pretty sure if we do, we will have successful nestings next year. I also saw Hairy woodpecker, Juncos, Titmouse, WT Sparrows, a lone Song Sparrow singing his little heart out, Sharpshinned Hawk,Blue Jays, Crows, heard Pilated Woodpecker.

I have only one more shift at the Hawk Watch. I can't believe how the months have flown by. I will miss it. I will also miss the people who come up and help with the counts. They make it so much fun. We are having an amazing year. Today we may have broken 12,000 birds, that will make 2010 one of our top years of the last 50! I had a Golden Eagle on Friday, and we are now almost 2x the record of Bald Eagles, which is 45, today we are up to 86. What a great group of volunteers we have.

Backyard birds have been excellent. I purchased two new thistle feeders and haven't been disappointed for even a day. First I got in dozens of Gold Finch, next came Purple Finches and the last few days Pine Siskins. Most of them are all gone already, a few lingering. I also have a Red Breasted Nuthatch hanging around. I'm hopeful that we get the promised Irruptive year with lots of Redpoles.

Purple Finches

My backyard bird feeders are starting to become more interesting as the birds of Winter all return. For about a week now I've had close to a dozen Purple Finches, only two males and about eight females. Sunday we also had a Red Breasted Nuthatch stop for a snack. About two dozen Goldfinches have been hanging around for weeks now and we are hopefully expecting some Red-pole in a few weeks and maybe a small irruption of Pine Siskins. I purchased two new eighteen perch thistle feeders and fifty pounds of nigar seed. I'm really hopeful to host lots of rarer birds for the Winter. They sure make a dreary Winter so much fun. If they show up here at my house I will keep them well fed.

The hawk watch has been fantastic this year. As of this week we have more Bald Eagles then any other year before. 70! I'm hopeful for a couple more tomorrow as I'm expecting NW winds, and some good cloud cover. At the Watch last Friday I had two Eagles migrate over, very close above my head, what a thrill. The weekend before we hiked up to the top of the AT overlooking Greenwood Lake and also had two migrate over. Our good friends were visiting and were blown away by the sighting. Every time I see a Bald Eagle it brings my memory back to seeing my very first eagle with my Grandpa Scott. Shortly after my grandparents retired to Punta Gorda Florida I went down for a visit. Knowing how much I loved nature, my grandpa couldn't wait to show me to his discovery across the street from his trailer complex, a Bald Eagle nest! He and I took a walk and there was the nest, complete with a eaglet. Later one of the adults came back to the nest. The year was 1979, one year after the majestic bird was listed as an endangered species. If I remember correctly there were only around 900 breeding pairs in the entire United States. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/eagle/population/chtofprs.html

I had the best ride to work this morning. Not one other car in front of me, or behind me while traveling over both mountains. The trees are at their peak of glory. The colors of the leaves are so brilliant that you can't help but feel blessed to see their beauty. I had a delicious cup of Hot Tea in hand, a Pearl Jam boot leg playing and my favorite Doberman sitting next to me, it felt more like a planned trip to see beautiful sites then a commute to work. Nature is free for the taking...everyday can be special if you just open your eyes and look around. Be in the moment and take it all in. I am a blessed human being.

Spotted Turtle Rehab

Blessings

The three biggest blessings in my life have been, my hubby, my sons and my deep abiding love of nature. Each time I head out for my daily hike, it's like being given a beautifully wrapped present just begging to be opened. I never know what surprises awaits me inside the gift of a forest. Nature changes by the moment, each day so different and so much to see then the moment before. It's been raining hard for two days and I know one thing for sure that few people head out into the woods, because I can count on not seeing anyone while I'm out there. Today was just as glorious as any fair weather day, but so much more special to know you are the only human out there. The dogs and I had a wonderful time and came home wet, but happier then when we went. I can't wait for tomorrows gift! Get out there and enjoy!

Monarchs

As of Sunday September 26 we still have Hummingbirds passing through and feeding on the flowers. I cleaned and refilled one feeder, the rest are cleaned and stored for the Winter. This is the latest I've ever seen one in my yard.

This morning I have several Monarch's on the Butterfly bush. It is rainy, but humid and fairly warm, they are still migrating. I take great joy as I see each one passing by. The last few years there haven't been many during the migration season. This year has been the best in over a decade for the Monarch population. A massive die off in 2002 in Mexico their Wintering grounds took it's toll on the population. Tens of millions died due to a snow storm and then temperatures in the 20s for several nights in a row. This past warm Summer helped massive numbers of them survive and now make their long way down to Mexico. I've seen them every where I've been over the last month, in great numbers too. Not just the occasional sighting. Seeing something as fragile as a butterfly survive a long journey to Mexico, makes me realize that lots of things in life can be overcome with a bit of hard work and tenacity.

Turning over a new leaf

As the Summer of 2010 comes to a close....I spent my hike today reflecting on my past and planning my future. The close of a season and the start of a new one is always a good time to get rid of thoughts that are holding you down or back. During the past month I started to simplify my life. It is so liberating to get rid of possessions you no longer need or want. I find it makes me feel so much freer and very happy. My plan for this new season coming is to continue what I've started and each week have a goal to clean out and purge even more *stuff*. I hope to be fairly well cleaned out by the time Winter begins. It is so much easier to do everything when your home is neat and organized. Simplifying gives you more time to do what you love, it is also easier on your wallet, I haven't bought one thing since I've started.

This is going to be a very special Equinox, because the full moon is also on the same day. I'm sad that I have to work....I would love to mark it at our Tipi doing something meaningful.

Lifes a Beach

I spent the weekend on a friends boat out in Great South Bay. Gorgeous weather, good friends, eats and drinks....awesome time. Lot's of Osprey, a few Great Herons, some Sanderlings and tons of gulls. Monarchs everywhere in the dunes.

Garter Snake

I always miss them and feel like I didn't see them enough. They are such amazing little creatures.



Final Hummingbirds at the feeder were on September 13th.


I spent quite a bit time last week at the hawk watch. The Broad Wings began moving on Tuesday. Wednesday I skipped work and we had close to a thousand. That day we broke our Bald Eagle record, we had ten! I was there for nine of them. Thursday it was pretty good, but rain halted the count at 3pm. Friday was my scheduled day....I hit the jackpot! A total of 2299 birds! I had fantastic cloud cover, perfect winds and lots of great birders helping with the count. I ended up staying an extra hour and picking up another 340 birds. It was an awesome day. Love my hawk watching friends.

This was not the Summer of snake sightings for me, and it was bumming me out. Well that ended this morning when I almost stepped on the biggest Garter snake I've ever seen. He was was in perfect health, shiny and beautiful. What a joy to see him and get such a great picture with my phone.

Hawk Watch

Had a fantastic day at the watch yesterday....835 Birds, and we broke the Bald eagle record....10! Today they had another good day, I missed it due to work.

Our little slice of heaven has a name.....

We have had this sign for 27 years, found it in Maine when we lived there...why we kept it?....I have no idea...it has moved with us, and just been here all this time....but now it totally makes sense, this is what we have named the road on our property...what a fitting name for a turtle lover and rehabbers road to their home! My wonderful hubby hug the sign the other day. It makes me smile every time I go to our property.

Coffee Time

Took my two pooches up to Turtle Point Road with my coffee this morning. So peaceful and what a wonderful way to start the day.

Hawk Watch

Started the Hawk Watch September 10, 2010. I had a total of 34 birds. 6 were Ospreys. It was very windy, but 24 Monarch Butterflies managed to brave the wind and continue their migration down to Mexico.

Sunset

When you have to be out and about when you least feel like it, pay attention to what is going on around you....there is always something amazing and beautiful to look at in nature. Last night I had Monty's first OB2 class and didn't want to go, because I had too much to do at home with our big party coming up. As I set out....the Sun filled the sky,huge on the horizon due to a 95 degree day. I realized I'd be up on top of a mountain by a beautiful farm to see the sunset! I was running a little late, but pulled over anyway and treated myself to all it's spender. One small moment in a full day.....but the most amazing. Take time to be out in nature...it's free and it fills your heart.

Night Hawks

Happy 1st day of September! The splendor of Fall has begun to unfold. Bird migrations are already in full swing. Shorebirds, Warblers, song birds and some Raptors have already started their long journeys south to their Winter homes. Last night towards dusk I was blessed to see dozens of Night Hawks migrating. Being attuned to nature makes everyday special. To me every nature experience is a gift.

The right path....

I've been very busy the last couple of weeks getting ready for my sons college Graduation Party. This morning I decided to get the dogs and myself out for a hike nice and early. Once we were out there....I knew it was the right decision, it's always the best part of my day. Being in nature seems to take away all of my stress and fills me back up like nothing else I can do with only a little time available. I followed my heart and decided to add another trail loop to our little hike and I was handsomely rewarded with not one...but TWO bears....and best of all...a perfect recall from my bear chasing Petey! I've seen these bears before, I think they are about 2.5 years old now. We came around a bend and there they were. I don't think the bears were able to hear us coming because after two days of rain, it is quite windy out this morning It made my day to see the bears, to share their woods with them is an honor, one that I never take for granted. I feel that seeing them is a gift, to have intact ecosystems to hike in so close to home makes me feel like I've won the lottery every day of my life.

Wrens

I think the Wrens are finally done nesting! The last two nests fledged last week. One was a House Wren with five chicks who nested on our front porch in a bird box and the other was a Carolina Wren who nested in our window box, also with five babie. In our little yard we had at least 6 successful nestings of wrens. I will miss their daily calling. It was a privilege to be their hosts and help them be successful. I will miss the male singing all day long.

Happiness

I haven't been writing too often. I've been VERY busy raising my new puppy and spending time with my boy Petey. I've also had lots of kids around with my sons home from college. They leave in a week, and I am starting to feel sad. I will miss them. Last week it was nice to spend quality time with them up at Lake George. I rented a beautiful cottage right on the water. The dogs were able to come too.

It has been a brutally hot Summer, not one that I've enjoyed. I like the temperature up to about 80 degrees, any higher and I'm not comfortable. Today it is glorious out! I went for a nice little hike, and felt so good and happy. Amazing how the weather effects your moods. It is Breezy and cool, smells a little like an early Fall. Lots of the trees have already changed. It's been so dry and hot I think they are trying to conserve energy.

We were up at our property last night and for the first time it really sunk in that it is ours. That we will live there someday. I went back today and sat at the Tipi and saw it all with new eyes. Such an amazing piece of land. I am so thankful that it fell into our laps. It was meant to be. If you want something bad enough it does come to you. We are going forward with doing a Conservation easement to forever protect it. The Orange County Land Trust and Warwick Conservancy are going to partner in the easement. They both are very excited to have it become one of their parcels of protected lands, it is very different then anything else they have.

I had my beautiful boy Petey into the Cardiologist this past week and unfortunately his heart disease has progressed. I'm back to looking at him and crying. Trying so hard to imprint him on my mind so I will have him with me forever after he passes. He is simply the best dog to have ever gotten into my heart. I love him so much it hurts. He is now on the best drug for prolonging his life, I hope and pray it slows the disease down, I need more time with him. Gods biggest mistake....not giving Dogs longer lives.