Calm before the storm

 Only 11 birds yesterday at the watch.  We have 3 storms all converging on our area in the next few days.  Hurricane Sandy, a Northeaster and another rain storm.  Figures it's all happening on Bobby's birthday again! 

Pine Siskins

Hundreds of Pine Siskins are eating me out of house and home.  This morning I had a Red-Tail in the front yard and also....White Crowned Sparrows. The bird life at home has been amazing. 

Last night we have a great night at our Tipi.  It was a warm beautiful star filled night, blessed to have that gorgeous piece of land.

Changes

Struggling with so many thoughts as the life changes are taking place....spending so much time thinking and looking into options.  I decided that is not necessary.....my new life path WILL be presented to me when the time is right.  I need not worry about it.  My life so far has been a great one,  and everything has always worked out, and this time will be no different.  One day at a time...and take to the woods every day for soul time.  The answers will come when I'm ready for them. 

Guess what showed up at my feeders at 2:30 this afternoon....PINE SISKINS!  So happy to host them, hope they hand around.  Going to have to bite the bullet and grab a bag of thistle.  I think mine is old and spoiled. 

Amazing day at the Hawk Watch!!! Cold with storms all around and a strong NW wind produced an incredible once in a lifetime count.  I had a total of 258 birds.  5 Bald Eagles, 1 Golden Eagle, 2 Peregrine Falcons, 4 Northern Harriers, 205 Sharpshinned Hawks, 8 Coopers, 2 Redshoulder, 1 Broadwing, 6 Redtails, 14 Kestrals, 4 Merlin. 

Bunny & Squirrels free

On my hike today I saw my first Juncos of the season!  Also a Song Sparrow. There was a Kingfisher at the stream and a Red Shouldered Hawk.  At home on the feeders a nice size flock of Purple Finches continues.  I had a special guest a beautiful female Rose Breasted Grosbeak. There are also a few Grackles still hanging around.  The final 4 baby squirrels were released as was my Cotton Tail Rabbit.  I am hopeful that I'm done for the year. And later on before bed.....sow and 4 cubs pay us a visit....BEST PART OF MY DAY! 

Program

A simple “program” for getting rid of a lifetime of collected and gathered belongings.

If it has a sentimental value of some sort:

Then gift it to a friend or family member.

If it has a monetary value (someone will give you money):

Then sell it.

If nobody will give you money, but it is useful someone:

Then donate it.

If it can be recycled:

Then recycle it.

If none of the above criteria are met:

Then trash it.

 

Winter Finches

Cold front came in last night.  Our yard is full of birds.  Robins, Purple Finches, Gold Finches,  Chickadees, Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Yellow Rumpted Warbler,  Golden & Ruby Crowned Kinglets. Yesterday up at the park there was a flock of W.T. Sparrows.

Friday at the watch I had a couple of flocks of Pine Siskins.  I didn't have a whole lot of birds, but the ones I did have were nice and close.  Beautiful views of Osprey, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcons, Harrier, Shapies, Coopers, Boadwings and Kestral. 

Rain

It's been raining a lot the last couple of weeks.  I don't remember a fall with quite so many migrants stopping over.  Today I had a late hummingbird and a monarch butterfly.  There have been warblers everywhere, including my backyard.  From what I've heard Pine Siskins are down in our area now, I better set up my thistle feeder again to prepare for them.  The bear pulled the pole down.  On Monday Derek was up in his tree stand and had a sow and 4 cubs hanging around under him!  How luck is that?  That would be a dream come true for me.

I am enjoying the simplifying process!  I've been feeling better physically then I have in a very long time, and it sure has given me lots more energy.  I am also loving being on a personal spending freeze.  I shop online and put my items in a cart, then I think about the item for a while before I purchase it.  It is amazing how well that works to completely stop me from frivolous buying.  By the time I think about it for a few days, I've changed my mind and realized, I don't need the item.  I will only buy things that I need.  Body care products and food.  I got hubby a couple of birthday gifts, inexpensive simple things that he will enjoy.  I've also decided that when I have to buy someone a gift it will be food.  No more giving material things. Trying to re-use items in the house instead of buying anymore....it really feels good. 

Today I wanted to head to the Health Food Store to pick up a couple of Items, Paleo Bread and Mimic Cream.  I called the store to see if they had either item in stock before I headed out and wasted precious gas to buy a couple of luxury items.  They had the bread in stock,  but not the cream.  The women who answered the phone was a bit nasty to me about drinking coffee!!! She said that 1-2 cups was a lot of coffee.  I decided that I was not going to shop there for the bread, I could make my own today.  I badly wanted a BLT, so I made up a Paleo style spinach egg flat bread that would hold the BLT fixings.  It was delicious and I found out that I didn't need a $8 loaf of Almond bread, that honestly isn't all that healthy for me.   I also made a delicious coconut cream for my coffee, and enjoyed my first cup since I quit dairy mid August!  Recipe is 1 can Coconut Milk, 1 egg & 1 TBS of Coconut Oil, whip it up and enjoy.  It will keep about a week in the fridge.  The health food stores and Isles at the supermarket are full of overpriced unhealthy foods that people think are good for them because they are organic or gluten free.  They still have tons of calories from other grains, sugars, etc.  Not one wants to have to just eat the things they should, Vegetables, Fruits, Lean Proteins, eggs and nuts.  It really is that simple.