Nebraska Birding

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T19:54:00.003-06:00

May you soar through 2011

And have
Excellent health
Adequate wealth
Nothing but National Geographic quality photos
Birds and critters that pose like professional models

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T16:17:00.002-06:00

May your Christmas be all that you hope it will be

Blogging

2010-12-20T18:23:00.001-06:00

For the duration, I'll be blogging here

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-24T16:30:00.002-06:00

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Veteran's Day

2010-11-10T23:09:00.002-06:00

Thank the veteran's that you know for their service...

And be thankful for those that continue to serve because they are willing to protect our freedoms.

Another Whooping Crane News Article

2010-10-27T23:18:00.003-05:00

Yet another article about how Whooping cranes had a good breeding summer

North America’s imperilled whooping crane population — which had experts in a panic just 18 months ago after nearly 10% of the giant birds died in their wintering grounds in Texas — has rebounded after a banner summer season in Northern Canada where a near-record number of chicks were born.

The unexpected resurgence of the last surviving natural flock of the continent’s tallest bird — one of Canada’s most endangered species — has wildlife officials on the Gulf Coast in Texas excitedly awaiting this fall’s arrival of the cranes after their epic, annual flight south from Wood Buffalo National Park along the Alberta-Northwest Territories border.

snip

“With 46 chicks fledging from a record 74 nests in August 2010, the flock size should reach record levels this fall, expected somewhere around 290,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologist Tom Stehn states in the latest status report on the species.

The 2010 baby boom has been attributed to ideal water conditions in Wood Buffalo, where the cranes are highly protected and carefully monitored during their annual summer stay.

This year, a number of birds was also captured and fitted with satellite tags to allow better tracking of the flock in the coming years. Individual birds can live longer than two decades.

Whooping cranes have been reported at Quivira NWR in Kansas. Hopefully, it will work out for me to go down there next week.

Record Number of Whooping Cranes

2010-10-26T00:28:00.002-05:00

Good news for those who care about the recovery of Whooping cranes

Things are looking up for the endangered whooping crane. The bird made news two years ago when a record number of crane deaths were reported during drought conditions on the Texas coast. But according to state and federal biologists, flock numbers have rebounded, and a new record high number of cranes should start arriving on the Texas coast later this month.

snip

According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist Tom Stehn, the Aransas-Wood Buffalo population of whooping cranes rebounded to 264 in the winter of 2009-10, back from 247 at the end of the 2008-09 winter. With 46 chicks fledging from a record 74 nests in August 2010 the flock size should reach record levels this fall — expected to be somewhere around 290. Once numbering only 21 birds on earth, the previous population high was 270 in the fall of 2009.

Sandhill Cranes

2010-10-21T02:25:00.006-05:00

If my memory serves me correctly, I arrived in Nebraska on Saturday November 3, 1990. I never intended to make Nebraska my permanent home, I viewed it as a step on a career ladder. Plans are what you make until you know what you have done. My career ladder ended here, and twenty years later, it doesn't look like any moves are in my future. That particular Saturday had been a home Nebraska football game. Colorado, if the sieve I call a memory is correct. Nebraska had lost and the mood in the long term motel I had checked into was grim. I hadn't been a follower of college football, and was perplexed by the gloom and doom. Twenty years later, I understand it fully. Failure to wear a Nebraska t-shirt or sweat shirt on game day won't get you lynched, but it certainly will draw some looks. Nebraskans are passionate about Nebraska football.

There is another passion in Nebraska. Sandhill cranes. It's not nearly so passionate, and in many ways not so nearly widespread. But it's a passion. Folks who wouldn't know a cardinal from a robin talk about "the cranes". Perhaps in part because it signals the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

In February and March following my arrival, people began to talk about "the cranes". I was told by more than one, everyone has to go see "the cranes" at least once.

One Sunday in early March a friend and I had an early brunch. We had nothing else pressing to do, and decided to head down to Grand Island to see "the cranes". We found some and were frustrated by our inability to see them well, so we went to the local Wally world and bought the absolute last two pairs of binoculars they had. Found out later that we had gotten what we paid for. They were really crappy binoculars. But they helped us see "the cranes" better. Took a few photos of them and of some white "ducks". The white "ducks", I was informed later were snow geese.

I didn't realize it at the time, but the calls of "the cranes" spoke to my soul. If you've ever heard their chatter, you will, most likely, understand what I mean. If you haven't had the privilege, get thyself somewhere where you can hear and see them. As soon as possible.

And so, after a couple more March trips to see "the cranes", (with my really crappy binoculars) I learned the difference between a cardinal and a robin, and oh so much more about birds and nature in general.

Why have I bothered to write all of this? Earlier this evening I read a posting on 10,000 Birds by Julie Zickefoose. Her posting is disturbing on many levels. I'm not going to excerpt any parts of her posting, partly because I would want to just repost all of it.

So just go read it. All of it. Read all of the comments too. Julie responds to the commenters and gives more information and data in the comments.

My last posting on viewing Sandhill cranes in Nebraska in March is here

Whooping Cranes Chicks Will Be Monitored

2010-08-20T23:08:00.006-05:00

photo from Lincoln Journal Star
An article in todays Lincoln Journal Star states

...nine whooper chicks now sport high-tech bling thanks to the work of two avian scientists from The Crane Trust, a conservation organization headquartered on the Platte River near Alda.

And the project marks the first time in 22 years whooping cranes have been banded on their breeding grounds in the Northwest Territories.

snip

The global positioning system transmitters will allow biologists to track the endangered birds as they migrate up and down the continent, revealing new information about where whoopers roost, rest and, more importantly, die.

Researchers know little about the causes of premature death for a species that can live 30 years in the wild. About 80 percent of annual crane mortality occurs during the 2,500-mile spring and fall migrations.

Much more in the article

Home, Again

2010-07-09T01:02:00.002-05:00

Plans are what you make until you know what you have done. I was supposed to be in Seattle now, and at a family wedding on Saturday. Miz Winnie had a kerfuffle with other dogs in Dickinson, and so I decided not to go to Seattle where she would be exposed to other dogs, and potential other kerfuffles. She was, at some point before I got her from the rescue group traumatized by other dogs. Thought we were at the point were we might be past that, but, well we aren't. Going to try to find some professional help in solving this problem...

Anyway, I was flipping through the photos that I took on our travels and realized that I had not posted this photo from Fort Niobrara NWR.

It's a just out of the nest Eastern phoebe. There was at least one nestling still in the nest that the mother was feeding.

Isn't he/she cute?

Fresh Out of the Camera-A Rainbow

2010-07-05T22:53:00.003-05:00

I was sitting at the computer going through todays photos, and I looked out the motel window and saw a rainbow. Quickly took a couple of photos through the window. Then decided that wasn't going to cut it, so I quickly leashed up Miz W, and headed outside.

Bowdoin NWR

2010-07-03T23:47:00.005-05:00

Don't have a lot to show for the last couple of days. Spent part of Thursday and Friday at Bowdoin NWR in Montana. Weather and lighting were not particularly cooperative.

Did get a few shots of this American avocet. Notice the blue legs. Don't they contrast nicely with his other colors?

Black-necked stilts always seem so ungainly

Enroute to Missoula I saw this Trumpeter swans at Blackfoot WPA. There were three foraging together. A lovely sight to behold.

Medicine Lake NWR

2010-07-01T14:36:00.003-05:00

Spent Tuesday at Medicine Lake NWR in northeastern Montana. There were lot's of Eared grebes

Here she is with her little one

Little one all by him/herself

Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge

2010-06-27T02:42:00.001-05:00

Stopped by Ilo NWR Saturday.

This Willet chattered at me as I photographed him.

This Upland sandpiper was posing nicely and I was firing away with the camera when I heard a big pickup approaching. I was mumbling under my breath to myself about it as he passed by. After he was gone and I was looking at the photos I had just taken, I mumbled, thanks pickup guy, you just got me a nice one.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

2010-06-26T03:19:00.002-05:00

Spent the day, well, I guess I should say yesterday, since it's after midnight, at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It is an absolutely awesome place. Most of my photos were of scenery and various mammals. Will be here a couple more days and then am heading to spots where the main focus will be birds.

A couple of posts down, I posted what I called a halfway decent photo of a Lark sparrow. Got a far better one yesterday.

Buffalo Gap National Grassland

2010-06-23T19:05:00.003-05:00

Have been in Wall, South Dakota since Monday. Have spent a portion of every day since in Badlands National Park. I have been to the Badlands twice before. Once when I was a teenager, and then the first or second year after I moved to Nebraska. I do not remember being as awestruck by the beauty then. My photos of the Badlands are here.

I have also spent some of my time in Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. The grasslands are south of the national park. The grasslands are where these photos were taken.

An immature Horned lark is proud of the grasshopper he caught

These Lark buntings are really pretty in flight because of the white on their wings

More Fort Niobrara NWR

2010-06-19T00:01:00.002-05:00

Two more photos from Fort Niobrara NWR

I finally got a halfway decent shot of Ring-necked pheasant

And the treat of the day was capturing this White-tailed jackrabbit

Ft. Niobrara NWR

2010-06-17T22:15:00.002-05:00

I spent part of my day today at Ft. Niobrara NWR. Early in the day it was extremely windy and the blowing sand was getting on everything...me and the camera gear. Birds were singing in areas, but they weren't showing themselves at all. Frustrated, I went back to the motel. Went back in the early evening and things were much pleasant.

The only halfway decent photo from the morning was of this Lark Sparrow

Afternoon photos included this Upland sandpiper

And this Common nighthawk

After tolerating me and the clicking camera, he voiced his displeasure

On The Road Again

2010-06-17T00:05:00.003-05:00

I'm on the road again...

So as to keep this blog mostly about birds, I decided to set up a blog with mostly just scenery pictures.

It can be found here

Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher

2010-06-14T12:47:00.003-05:00

Lady luck was with me this morning. Made a real quick trip up to Branched Oak Lake to see if I could find the Scissor-tailed flycatcher. It appears that she may be building a nest, as she was gathering nesting material. My photo isn't particularly good, but it does show her with nesting material. (Photo is cropped)

Here's a better picture of a scissor-tail taken in Oklahoma last year.

More Branched Oak Lake Birds

2010-06-12T23:39:00.006-05:00

Have been busy with the other stuff that fills one's life and haven't been getting out and about much of late. Did head out to Branched Oak Lake yesterday. There had been a couple of reports that a Scissor-tailed flycather had been seen there, so thought I might get lucky and find it too. Well, luck wasn't on my side yesterday. Maybe another day.

Did find this nesting Killdeer

And this Dickcissel

Viceroy

2010-06-03T23:44:00.005-05:00

A Viceroy butterfly taken today at Branched Oak Lake.

The Viceroy looks very much like a Monarch. There are several differences, but the two most immediately obvious are size and a a black postmedian band across the hindwing. The wingspan of a Viceroy is 2 5/8 to 3 inches, and a Monarch is 3 1/2 to 4 inches. To translate what a black postmedian band is, it's a black stripe on the lower wing. This black stripe can be faint or lacking.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

2010-05-29T17:45:00.004-05:00

Have a safe, pleasant, and bird-filled weekend.
Last but not least, remember the reason for the holiday.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

2010-05-19T18:36:00.003-05:00

More pictures from Squaw Creek.

A Rose-breasted grosbeak

Green Heron

2010-05-15T22:09:00.003-05:00

I went down to Squaw Creek NWR yesterday. There were lots of birds out and about in their breeding finery. I'll be posting more pictures in the next few days.

This guy, like all Green herons was really skittish, and he didn't hang around to pose for very long.

More Young'uns

2010-05-13T16:32:00.008-05:00

Have been having provider and computer issues. Think they are resolved now. Took these photos a couple of days ago. From the appearance of the "baby bird", I'm guessing it hadn't been hatched for very long. There were a couple of the little ones, and boy could they move, though one still had kind of wobbly legs.

Mamma Kildeer

He's so cute

Summer Residents and a Migrant

2010-05-06T22:33:00.003-05:00

Went up to Branched Oak Lake today and a couple of summer residents and one migrant chose to pose.

The summer residents:

Barn swallow

Western kingbird

The migrant:
Harris' sparrow

Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron

2010-05-03T20:51:00.003-05:00

I decided to drive down to Squaw Creek NWR today. I'm happy I did, because I got a lifer today. Behold a Yellow-crowned night-heron.

Osprey

2010-05-02T16:28:00.002-05:00

Finally, some decent bird photos taken in Nebraska!

When I first saw this guy, I thought, oh, a Red-tailed hawk. Then as I got closer, I realized nope, an Osprey. Just as I got my camera lined up, he decided he wasn't in the mood for posing.

They've Arrived....

2010-04-26T15:17:00.004-05:00

First goslings of the season...
Aren't they cute?
(all photos are cropped)

click on photos to embiggen

One Last Laguna Atascosa NWR Post

2010-04-16T20:28:00.004-05:00

Going to, finally, wind up the Texas posts.

One of the more fascinating birds I saw at Laguna Atascosa NWR was the Plain Chachalaca. They are large birds, 22 inches long. They seem equally at home on the ground and in tree tops. I saw them in fairly large numbers chattering away in the tree tops. Unfortunately, it was an overcast day when I attempted to take pictures of them there. These pictures were taken in the bird feeding area outside the Visitor Center. The nail you see in the pictures usually held an orange, but was empty when they checked out the area.

The chachalaca has a patch of bare skin on their throats which is gray to light pink. During breeding season that patch becomes bright pinkish red on the males. The red patch is evident on the bird in front.

Another neat bird was the Long-billed thrasher. They are very similar to the Brown thrashers that are common in this part of the world.

There are of course many pictures that were taken in New Mexico and Texas that I haven't posted here.

They can be found as follows:

The scenery of Bosque del Apache NWR
Sandhill Cranes at Bosque del Apache NWR
The other birds of Bosque del Apache
Scenery in Texas, January 2010
Scenery in Texas, February 2010
Birds of the Texas coast
Goose Island State Park
Aransas NWR
Padre Island National Seashore
San Bernard NWR
Laguna Atascosa NWR
Whooping Cranes

Sunken Gardens Flowers

2010-04-13T18:36:00.003-05:00

Stopped by Sunken Gardens this afternoon.

This pale yellow Magnolia is stunning in person.

The tulips are really starting to wow us.

Isn't spring grand?

More Laguna Atascosa NWR

2010-04-10T22:06:00.003-05:00

At Laguna Atascosa there is a stretch of beach where the Osprey gather with their "catch of the day". Sometimes there would be between twelve and twenty Osprey at a time. I don't think I have ever seen that many Osprey together, at one time, anywhere else. Most of the time they were out of the reach of my camera, but one day I got lucky and this guy was fairly close to the road.

When one has food, one has lots of friends! Getting help from a Ring-billed gull and a Ruddy turnstone

Further up the road this guy wasn't having to share.

One of the times I drove this section of the refuge tour, there was an Osprey flying with his catch. I thought if I sped up I might be able to get far enough ahead of him to catch a photo of him flying. I was doing 20mph and not keeping up. The speed limit on the refuge is 15mph so I gave up the chase. sigh

More Laguna Atascosa NWR

2010-04-09T22:06:00.004-05:00

Before I get to the birds of Laguna Atascosa....

Mosquitoes love me. If there's one within a mile, it will find me. I've never been a big fan of any mosquito repellent, but have used it out of necessity. Last fall a friend told me that she had read somewhere that putting a fabric softener dryer sheet in your pocket would repel mosquitoes. I was sceptical. When I was packing up stuff, getting ready to leave Rockport/Fulton I put the box of dryer sheets in the front of the car so I could try it, if the occasion presented itself. There were mosquitoes at Laguna Atascosa, so I put one in the pocket of my tee shirt and used no mosquito repellent. My scepticism was not warranted. Over a three day period, I got no bites. And there were mosquitoes in the area, and in the car. I will continue to use this method of repellant and see if it works elsewhere. If they love you too...well give it a try. Anything is better than that awful slimy stuff they sell as repellant!

This is a White-tipped dove. Like the Green jay in the post immediately below, the bird books show their range as barely getting into Texas from Mexico. So it's not a bird one can see just anywhere!

Laguna Atascosa NWR

2010-04-07T20:38:00.005-05:00

At the beginning of March I headed down to South Padre Island. While in the Rockport/Fulton area I was told by several people that Laguna Astascosa NWR was a place I would really enjoy. The folks that told me that, well, they were right.

Right outside the visitor area is a bird feeding area. Lots of trees, and a little stream runs through the area. They put out orange and grapefruit halves to attract the birds. If you should happen to go, the refuge staff/volunteers gladly accept donations of oranges.

The Green jay of one of the birds frequently seen there. They are really quite handsome.

Spring Flowers

2010-04-04T19:12:00.003-05:00

Stopped by Maxwell Arboretum earlier today. Last weeks blooming crocus are a memory, the daffodils are in full bloom, the white magnolias are blooming, the pink magnolias are budding, and the tulips are getting there.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-03T22:15:00.002-05:00

Whooping Cranes In Nebraska and Kansas

2010-04-02T22:19:00.004-05:00

(photo taken in Texas)

From today's Lincoln Journal-Star

Nebraskans planning a weekend crane trip will have a good chance of glimpsing one of the rarest birds in North America.

As of Thursday, at least 11 whooping cranes had stopped in Nebraska during the spring migration, said Karine Gil, crane population ecologist with the Crane Trust near Alda. The birds belong to a flock of 247 wild whoopers that migrate from wintering grounds in Texas to breeding territory in northwestern Canada.

A check of the website of Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in cental Kansas shows that as of yesterday, there were 76 whooping cranes on the refuge.

In my meandering around the internet I found another interesting article in the Washington Post.

This year for the first time, the movements of a few birds are being monitored in real time through miniaturized leg-band Global Positioning System devices.

This research project took six years of meeting, discussing and permit-getting in two countries. It is finally underway, at a propitious time.

Lots of information in that article, it's well worth a read.

I tried to find out more about the monitoring, and have been unable to find anything. When I find it, I'll post it...

Spring Flowers Have Sprung

2010-03-28T18:47:00.003-05:00

Stopped by Maxwell Arboretum earlier today. The crocus are in full bloom, the daffodils are beginning to bud out, and the tulips are coming along nicely. Aaaah spring! Finally!

The honey bees were busy also.

Sandhill Cranes

2010-03-28T18:31:00.004-05:00

The Lincoln Journal-Star had a front page article about Sandhill cranes this morning.

NEAR GIBBON - Doing the crane thing required a serious commitment from Jim and Edna Huggett.

The Marshall, Wis., retirees drove nearly 600 miles, woke a couple of hours before sunrise and endured a chilling walk to arrive at a blind along the Platte River in central Nebraska.

At first, they and 26 other crane tourists could just barely make out gray avian shapes in the twilight. But as darkness retreated, a gauzy light revealed clusters of sandhill cranes up, down and across the wide, shallow channel of the Platte.

They numbered in the thousands.

A chorus of calls grew in volume with the gathering dawn. Then, without warning, a clutch of cranes upstream from the blind lifted off, peeling downstream birds with them like gift wrap. The chorus turned into a roar not dissimilar to the sound that follows a touchdown at perpetually sold-out Memorial Stadium.

Much more, plus some photos at the link above.

For more information about Sandhill crane viewing, see my post from earlier in the year.

Great-Tailed Grackle

2010-03-23T19:37:00.004-05:00

Great-tailed grackles are very noisy birds! This guy was enjoying a little puddle.

Love how the water beads on his back and tail.

Aransas NWR

2010-03-22T19:56:00.004-05:00

Taking a break from birds....

Saw a few mammals at Aransas NWR. First up is this Raccoon eating some bread in a picnic area.

A Nine-banded armadillo was out and about foraging. They eat insects. Seems like it would take a lot of insects to fill up it's tummy.

Last, but not least, is the Wild boar or Feral hog. They are a cross between domestic hogs and imported wild boar. They were on the refuge when it was established in 1937. There have been efforts to remove them in the past, but they are common on the refuge. They are shy and I felt quite fortunate to photograph this guy as I was leaving the refuge the last time I visited.

A Different Kind of "Bird"

2010-03-20T17:20:00.002-05:00

Never could nail an id on this one...

Seen at Padre Island National Seashore.

Brown Pelican

2010-03-18T21:37:00.004-05:00

Of all the birds on the Texas coast, the Brown pelican has to be the easiest to photograph. They seem to not be afraid of humans, so it is easy to get close to them to photograph them, and because they are large, you really don't have to get very close.

In the early 1970's they were placed on the endangered species list. The shell of their eggs were being weakened by the effects of DDT. This was a particular problem for them because they do not incubate their eggs like most birds. Most birds sit on their nests, Brown pelicans incubate their eggs by standing on them. They were removed from the endangered species list late last year.

All creatures, including us humans, are opportunistic. Brown pelicans seem to take it to a completely different level. I have often observed them standing just a few feet away from a fisherman, waiting, hoping for a handout. This series of photos was taken just below a fish cleaning station. They were being amply rewarded for their opportunism.

Some Whooping Crane Information And Resources

2010-03-16T22:50:00.004-05:00

While I was on the Texas coast I had the privilege of seeing and photographing some Whooping cranes.

There are about 400 Whooping cranes in the wild and seeing four of them, well it was just simply awesome.

Refuge Watch is a website that I frequently check. Today they posted a link to an AP article about a young whooper that was bitten by a poisonous snake five years ago.

At the bottom of the article there is a link to another article that talks about the whoopers and the blue crabs that are their primary food source while wintering on the Texas coast.

birdRockport.com features the reports of Tom Stehn, the Whooping Crane Coordinator at Aransas NWR. His last post is dated March 15. So far this year, there has only been one whooper death in their wintering grounds. Compared to last year when 23 died, I would say this has been a very good year for the whoopers.

I hope to return to the Texas coast next year. Perhaps I will take one of the boat trips that promise that you can see and photograph whoopers. Plans are what you make until you know what you have done, so we shall see.

White Ibis

2010-03-16T20:19:00.002-05:00

This White ibis was doing pretty good! He caught crab after crab in a very short period of time.

Photos taken at Goose Island State Park.

The Last of the Winter Texas Coast Shorebirds

2010-03-14T19:32:00.004-05:00

Going to wrap up the shorebirds with this post.

First up is a Willet

Last year I saw Dunlins on the beach with the Ruddy turnstones and Sanderlings. This year I mostly saw them in groups, and taking a snooze.

Last year I did not see Black-bellied plovers. This year I saw them frequently. I probably should do a separate post about the differences from what I saw last year, as opposed to this year.

Sanderling and Ruddy Turnstone

2010-03-11T20:12:00.004-06:00

Two of the busiest shorebirds are the Sanderling and the Ruddy turnstone.

The Sanderlings seem to be almost continuous motion. There is usually a small group of them and they dart back and forth. They will forage in an area and then for no apparent reason they will fly off down the beach. There is actually a purpose to it. They are seeking stranded mollusks or crustaceans which have been left behind by receding waves.

The Ruddy turnstone also generally in small flocks. Their diet is more diverse, but they quite often also seek food left behind by receding waves.

Both photos were taken at Goose Island State Park.

Long-billed Curlew

2010-03-09T21:53:00.005-06:00

Nebraska weather is a shock to the system after a month and a half on the Texas coast. Hit dense fog about 80 or 90 miles from home. Because of the fog it was a bit difficult to see some things, but there is still some snow in shaded areas and areas where the snow has melted looks pretty sloppy. Couldn't see very far down country (gravel) roads, but they looked pretty muddy also. I would suspect most of the farmers are hoping for some dry, warm, and probably windy weather, so that their fields will be dry enough for planting, when that time comes around. Alternatively they might have to consider planting rice this year!

I spent a day at Padre Island National Seashore in mid-February. The National Seashore is at the north end of Padre Island. I captured this Long-billed curlew foraging.

He puts that long bill to good use

And gets his prey

One Very Ugly Duck

2010-03-08T19:33:00.005-06:00

I had spent the day at Goose Island State Park and as I left the park I decided to check out the surrounding area. The tide was out and I spotted this Muscovy duck at waters edge.

He is apparently rather tame, which is from what I have read, common. He started to come toward me (I was photographing from the car).

He stared at me as he came up the little incline to where I was parked and eventually went behind the car and into an adjacent yard.

Little Blue Heron

2010-03-07T20:05:00.001-06:00

The last of the Texas coast herons!

The fish he was catching were really tiny!

Reddish Egret

2010-03-05T19:16:00.002-06:00

Staying in the heron/egret family. This Reddish egret was busy when I came across him and he paid me absolutely no nevermind!

Tricolored heron

2010-03-02T23:34:00.003-06:00

Don't know why, but it always suprises me how small a Tricolored heron is. Found this guy one day when I was exploring back roads that weren't on any of the birding "hotspots' lists. Some days you do better finding your own "hotspots".

Great Egret

2010-03-01T21:48:00.002-06:00

Great egrets are also common on the Texas coast. Caught this guy "fishing" at Goose Island State Park.

More Whooping Crane Photos

2010-02-25T21:29:00.003-06:00

More Whooping crane photos here

Orphan Train Presentation At Homestead National Monument

2010-02-25T00:53:00.005-06:00

Last fall while passing through Concordia Kansas, I was looking for a spot to take a photo of this old granary.

I came across this building and ended up taking the above photo near this one.

The building was originally a Union Pacific train depot and is now the Orphan Train Museum. The museum wasn't open but the plaque on the grounds piqued my interest.

From the Orphan Train Museum site:

Between 1854 and 1929 an estimated 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children were placed out during, what is known today as, the Orphan Train Movement. The name is derived from the children's situations, though they were not all orphans, and the mode of transportation used to move them across forty-seven states and Canada.

Homestead National Monument

...will host Orphan Train historian Charlotte Endorf and one of the few remaining Orphan Train Riders, Lela Newcombe on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the Education Center. Charlotte Endorf is the author of Plains Bound: Fragile Cargo: Revealing Orphan Train Reality and By Train They Came. Abook signing will follow the program. The books are available for purchase at Homestead National Monument of America.

Beginning in 1854, charitable organizations in New York City began sending orphans on trains to the west to find new families. As the train made its stops the children were lined up on courthouse lawns to be examined by prospective families. Charlotte Endorf has extensively researched the phenomenon of clearing orphanages by sending children out west. She will tell the moving stories of the lives that changed forever by the Orphan Trains. Orphan Train Rider Lela Newcombe will tell her touching story as part of this program. Lela Newcombe discovered late in life that it was a paper mistake that landed her and her siblings on an orphan train. You’ll hear how her parents tried to find her, but were unable.

My present plans do not have me back in Nebraska in time to attend, and I am sorely disappointed that I won't be able to take advantage of the opportunity to attend this event.

Great Blue Heron

2010-02-23T15:15:00.003-06:00

Here on the Texas coast, Great blue herons are almost as ubiquitous as the gulls.

I chuckled when I saw this Great blue heron. Gatekeeper or trespasser? You decide.

Whooping Cranes

2010-02-20T19:28:00.002-06:00

I saw Whooping cranes today!

Cropped photo

Black Skimmers

2010-02-19T13:12:00.003-06:00

I think these guys are kinda neat.

The second picture clearly shows the longer lower mandible. The next photo shows how skimmers forage. They fly low over the water, with the lower mandible in the water. When the skimmer senses a fish he snaps the his bill shut.

The wing span of the skimmer is 42 to 50 inches.

Terns of the Texas Coast

2010-02-17T22:29:00.004-06:00

There are three terns commonly seen here during the winter months.

The first is the Royal tern. Photo taken at Port Aranasas

The second is the Forster's tern. Photo taken at Port Aransas

The Royal tern is twenty inches long and the Forster's is 14.5 inches long. The difference is size is apparent in this photo. Photo taken at Padre Island National Seashore

The third tern is the Caspian tern. Photo taken at Port Aransas

Gulls of the Texas Coast

2010-02-14T21:48:00.003-06:00

Gulls seem to be just about everywhere and since they are so common I thought I would do a post about them.

The largest of the gulls commonly seen is the Herring gull. I took this photo last year on Mustang Island.

Without a doubt the most common gull is the Laughing gull. Taken a couple of days ago on Mustang Island.

Then there's the Ring-billed gull. Also taken on Mustang Island a couple of days ago.

Not seen nearly so often, is the Bonaparte's gull. However, they do stand out in a group of gulls, because they are so much smaller. Taken on Mustang Island several days ago.

Homestead National Monument Request For Birders

2010-02-11T14:08:00.003-06:00

It's raining on the coast of Texas today...

Homestead National Monument is looking for volunteers:

Homestead National Monument of America is looking for birders to help us with a monitoring project and special events. Homestead NM of America is a National Park Service site located four miles west of Beatrice on Nebraska State Hwy 4. The monument is just over 200 acres in size, 100 acres is restored tallgrass prairie, 60 acres riparian woodland with the rest located along Cub Creek.

The breeding bird monitoring will consist of visiting 48 points within the park and counting all the birds heard and seen for five minutes. It is estimated that it will take approximately 4-5 mornings to complete the yearly monitoring. The sampling will begin no sooner than the first full week of May and extend no later than the second full week of June. During sampling conducted in 2009 within the tallgrass prairie, 48 species were observed, Dickcissels were observed the most (748), followed by the Red-winged Blackbird (482), and the Common Yellowthroat (286).

I am also interested in volunteers who may be able to assist or join us for "Birds and Bagel" events held on Saturday, May 8 and June 5 and 7 a.m.

If you are interested in helping with the projects please contact me, Jesse Bolli, at Jesse_Bolli@nps.gov or call me at 402-223-3514.

The monument's main page

I stopped by there earlier this year and took a few photos

Connie Hagar Wildlife Sancturary

2010-02-08T19:01:00.005-06:00

Connie Hagar was a self taught birder that documented the birds of Rockport. She became renown in birding circles during her time. Amongst those she counted amongst her fans was none other than Roger Tory Peterson. In 1943 the Texas legislature designated a portion of the Rockport shore as the Connie Hagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

These photos of an American white pelican were taken there last Friday.

U.S. Coast Guard Vessels

2010-02-03T13:41:00.003-06:00

I was sitting next to the channel that separates Quintana and Seaside one afternoon last week. I kept hearing what sounded like a police radio in the distance. But I couldn't make out what was being said or figure out where it was coming from.

Then this Coast Guard cutter appeared

Then two Coast Guard Defenders appeared.

Defenders are 25 feet, powered by two Honda outboard motors, and are capable of speeds of 45 knots, or 85 mpg.

They can be mounted with M60 or M240 machine guns

They can turn on a dime

They were conducting an excercise and soon captured their prey

And then headed back to the nearby Coast Guard Station

Port Lavaca

2010-02-01T23:32:00.007-06:00

I moved south on the Texas coast today. I was running way ahead of schedule and when I got to Port Lavaca I decided to take some time and see if I could see a bird or two. Last year I looked high and low for this bird. Never did find one. I drove onto a pier and looked at the Laughing gulls, the Herring gulls, and the grackles and then I saw them. There were two of them. Behold

American Oystercatcher

2010-01-29T20:08:00.002-06:00

Hey, Miz Winnie here!
Mom turned the blog over to me tonight. She's been frustrated because she hasn't gotten many bird photos.

I have to tell a story on Mom. In the last minute flurry of leaving, she forgot to bring along a toy for me. The whole time we were in New Mexico she kept promising that she would buy a new one.

When we got to Texas she did. Wanna see me and my new toy?

San Bernard NWR

2010-01-27T20:39:00.003-06:00

Saturday I went to San Bernard NWR. I saw a nice number of birds. Didn't get many photos, but did get some photos of a Sora that are keepers.

Sandhill Crane Migration In Nebraska

2010-01-25T18:54:00.010-06:00

An article in the online hometown newspaper about Sandhill crane viewing reminded me that it was time to do a post about crane viewing in Central Nebraska in March. I've pulled up last years post, checked all the links, deleted a couple that no longer work, deleted some things, added some things, and, in general, done some editing.

Rowe Sanctuary is operated by Audubon. Their center is located on the Platte River and is beautifully situated. They have blinds where the cranes can be observed. Check their site for information about blinds. If for no other reason, they deserve a visit because their building is the second largest straw bale building in the United States. They also provide other information regarding crane viewing. They also have a really nice gift shop. In the interests of full disclosure, I am a dues paying member in Audubon, but otherwise unaffiliated with Rowe Sanctuary.

In past years Rowe Sanctuary had a Cranecam. I don't see any information about that on their site for this year. When and if that information becomes available, I will update this post.

Update: Crane Cam is active at the Rowe Sanctuary site.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission provides information about Sandhill cranes.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission also has some general information about crane viewing. There’s also a section on crane viewing etiquette.

The three main places to hang out during your stay are Grand Island, Hastings, and Kearney.
The visitor’s bureau for Grand Island
The visitor’s bureau for Hastings
The visitor’s bureau for Kearney (has a crane video)

My personal preference is to stay in Kearney, but there are good reasons to stay in Grand Island or Hastings.

For a birding enthusiast there’s much more going on. Seven to ten million Snow geese, Canada geese, and ducks pass through the area. Other migrating birds are starting or are in the middle of their migration.

Nebraska Birding Trails has oodles of information of birding throughout the state. If you doubt that there are places to bird in the area, these two maps will dispel that notion. Maps are here and here. (pdf)

The Nebraska Flyway site was new last year, and when I pulled it up a little bit ago, I spent a fair bit of time there. I think it is probably the most comprehensive site of all the sites highlighted in this post. If you click on only one link, that's the one.

Nebraskaflyway.com has printable maps of the Platte River viewing sites, of a tour of the Western tour of the Rainwater Basin and of the Eastern tour of the Rainwater Basin. (all maps pdf) More information about the Rainwater Basin. Last year I followed the prescribed routes on both maps and I thought it was a very organized way to tour the area. As you go from county to county, roads names change, and these maps cover the road names very well. Conditions in these areas vary from year to year based on the amount of rain or snow we have had. Many of the roads are county roads (read gravel) and their conditions will also vary according to weather conditions.

Both Rowe Sancturary and Nebraska Nature & Visitor Center (formerly known as Crane Meadows) have blinds where you can watch the cranes come in at night, and leave in the morning. If you have never experienced one or the other, I heartily recommend doing both at least once. It is a sensory experience that, in my opinion, is unparalled.

Also, Fort Kearney State Receation Area has the Fort Kearney State Recreation Trail. There is a bridge over the Platte River that is excellent for watching the cranes come to their nighttime roost. It’s also an excellent place for sunset pictures over the Platte River. A daytime stroll on this path will usually offer the opportunity to see songbirds.

It can be wickedly cold in Nebraska at this time of year. Don’t forget your longjohns and bring clothes you can layer. Weather can be unpredictable. Sunshine and in the 50’s one day, snow the next day, and everywhere and anywhere in between.

For your viewing pleasure: A You Tube Video of Sandhill cranes near Fort Kearney State Recreation Area and of thousands of geese on lake behind Grandpa's Steakhouse located south of I-80 in Kearney. The video is from March 4, 2009.

Just to add a little spice to the viewing....The past couple of years a Common Crane has been spotted. The Common Crane is not considered to be a North American bird. It breeds in wetlands of northern parts of Europe and Asia.

Photos of 2009 Common Crane can be seen here

A photo of the 2008 Common Crane was on Birdchick's blog

I hope you find these resources helpful. If there is something else that you feel could or should be covered, feel free to leave a comment. I’ll keep an eye on the comments section and respond.

Last but not least, thanks for stopping by my corner of the world. If you come to see the awesome wonder of the crane migration, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

UPDATE: Thanks to the Nebraska Birding Partnership for the shout out.

First Day On Texas Coast

2010-01-23T23:39:00.003-06:00

My first day on the Texas coast didn't yield much photo wise. I was short on all sorts of supplies, so I decided that took first precedence. When you travel with a dog, meals consist of fast food and what you can fix in a microwave in the motel room. In an effort to eat in a somewhat healthy way, I am trying to buy stuff that I can fix in the microwave. Once I get to Rockport and have a kitchenette with a real stove it will be easier...in the meantime....

Went down to the beach at Quintana for starters. Wanted to sit by the ocean. Having grown up and lived a good portion of my life on the west coast, I miss the ocean. This is the only photo from there.

Herring gull

Went over to Brazoria NWR. By the time I got there it was early afternoon. Not exactly prime bird watching time. Saw a nice number of birds, but most were out of range of the camera.

Black vulture

One Last Post From Bosque del Apache

2010-01-22T19:13:00.004-06:00

Have arrived on the Texas coast and hopefully I'll soon be posting pictures from here. In the meantime, a couple more pictures from the Bosque.

Mule Deer

I've started using Smugmug as my photo hosting site. The remainder of my Bosque del Apache photos are as follows:

Sandhill Cranes

The other birds of the Bosque

The scenery of the Bosque

More Bosque del Apache NWR

2010-01-20T20:20:00.002-06:00

Red-tailed Hawk

Even More Bosque del Apache

2010-01-19T22:56:00.003-06:00

Will be on the Texas coast in a couple of days.

These guys are so much fun to watch.

More Bosque del Apache NWR

2010-01-18T00:32:00.003-06:00

Have spent the evening fighting a slow wifi connection from the motel, one photo site that went down, and a second photo site that was/always is slow. Frustration has abounded!

Northern pintails

More Bosque del Apache NWR

2010-01-16T11:44:00.006-06:00

White-crowned sparrow

Say's phoebe

Bosque del Apache NWR

2010-01-15T08:24:00.005-06:00

Spent yesterday at Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico.

More 2009 Favorites VII

2010-01-11T20:33:00.003-06:00

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Scissor-tailed flycatcher
Taken September 2009
Washista NWR

I had never seen a Tawny Emperor before. Both photos taken at Washita NWR in September 2009.

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More 2009 Favorites VII

2010-01-10T17:58:00.004-06:00

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Niobrara River at the entrance to Ft. Niobrara NWR
Taken September 2009

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Overlooking Ft. Niobrara NWR
Taken September 2009

More 2009 Favorites VI

2010-01-09T19:04:00.002-06:00

It was an overcast day at Quivira NWR and these pictures are a little dark as a result, but this little Pied-billed grebe was quite animated.

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More 2009 Favorites V

2010-01-08T17:43:00.002-06:00

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Great egret
Taken September 2009
Cheyenne Bottoms WMA, Kansas

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Great egrets
Taken September 2009
Cheyenne Bottoms WMA, Kansas

More 2009 Favorites IV

2010-01-07T20:13:00.003-06:00

More snow here yesterday and it's bitterly cold out there. Not a cold as it is to the north, but still cold!

Both of these were life birds for me

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Gray-headed junco
Taken May 2009
Oliver SRA
Southwestern Nebraska

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Rock wren
Taken May 2009
Taken near Chimney Rock National Monument

More 2009 Favorites III

2010-01-05T18:16:00.003-06:00

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White ibis
Taken February 2009
San Bernard NWR

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Laughing gull
Taken February 2009
Port Lavaca, Texas

More 2009 Favorites II

2010-01-04T19:57:00.003-06:00

A couple more favorites

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Long-billed curlew
Taken February 2009
Aransas Pass, Texas

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Willet
Taken February 2009
Surfside Beach, Texas

Some Favorites from 2009

2010-01-03T17:08:00.007-06:00

Thought I would, for the next few days, post a few of my favorites from last year.

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American white pelican
Taken February 2009
Fulton, TX

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Brown Pelican
Taken February 2009
Port Aransas, TX

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T10:55:00.009-06:00

<
Sunrise on the way to Quivira NWR
Taken in November 2009

May 2010 and the new decade bring you and yours
Excellent health
Adequate wealth
Nothing but National Geographic quality photos
Birds and critters that pose like professional models

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T03:11:00.006-06:00

Try to remember to take a moment amidst the hubub of family and friends, and cooking, and all the rest of the "stuff", to give thanks for all your blessings.

Have a Wonderful Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-24T00:45:00.002-05:00

Unlearned Lesson

Memorial Day
Of every year
The little valiant
Flags appear
On every fallen
Soldier's grave--
Symbol of what
Each died to save.
And we who see
And still have breath--
Are we no wiser
For their death?

Dorothy Brown Thompson

That's My World-Twin Lakes Wildlife Management Area

2009-05-18T15:13:00.005-05:00

When I got Miz Winnie(photo in sidebar) from Basset and Beagle Rescue of the Heartland in November last year she did not like to get in the car. She was okay once she was in the car, but getting her in was problematic. Since I don't abide dogs that don't like to go in the car, I immediately set out to change that. There is a McDonald's about a half mile from the house, so every morning I went through drive through for my breakfast. It was a quick in and out of the car and it soon accomplished it's purpose. She now thinks she has the dog given right to go with me every time I go.

This morning I went for breakfast and when we got home she didn't want to get out of the car, so I left the car door open and came in the house and she soon joined me. When I went back out to close the car door, she was back in the car. So I decided that her idea on how to spend the day was better than mine (vacuuming, etc.), so off we went. Decided to go to Twin Lakes.

I saw a fair number of birds including this first of year Grasshopper sparrow. (Photo cropped)

There were a fair number of butterflies around some flowering bushes. Saw my first of year Monarchs, Silver-spotted Skippers and much to my delight I saw a White-Lined Sphinx Hummingbird Moth. They are difficult to photograph because their wings go at about the same speed as a hummingbird. This one stayed well out of range of my macro lens, but I snapped a couple anyway and one turned out fairly well(photo cropped)

Another photo (this one was taken at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area in August last year)

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All in all, it's obvious that Miz Winnie had the best idea for how to spend the day, however, I suspect that I'm going to need to do some reverse training regarding "going for a ride in the car"!

Take a tour around the world via your computer by visiting That's My World!

Today's Flowers

2009-05-17T14:57:00.003-05:00

I was headed to Maxwell Arboretum hoping to find some Columbine blooming. As I passed the Nebraska Game and Parks Building I saw a lovely garden of blooming Columbine.

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Today's Flowers

2009-05-03T17:24:00.002-05:00

The lilacs are blooming

So are the crabapples

And so is the geranium tuberosum

All photos taken at Maxwell Arboretum

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Camera Critters-Northern Bobwhite

2009-05-02T10:12:00.003-05:00

Out at Branched Oak Lake this week I saw this pretty lady. Her gentleman friend was with her when I came upon them, but I had the lens cover on the lens and by the time I rectified that little problem he was gone. I don't believe I had ever noticed how stubby the tail of a bobwhite was before.

Head on over to Camera Critters to see more critters (by clicking on the icon)

That's My World--Naval Ammunition Depot

2009-04-27T13:51:00.004-05:00

A couple of months ago the AAA magazine had a short article about how Hastings, a small town (population about 25,000) west of Lincoln had created Greenscape Park. It was created where a building in downtown had burned down. There were supposed to be thousands of tulips, shrubs and trees. When I read the article, I thought perhaps it would make an interesting "That’s My World!" post. I went last week because the tulips were blooming in Lincoln, so I figured they would be blooming there also. One would think that a place large enough to incorporate thousands of tulips would be fairly easy to find. Well, so much for what one thinks. I never found it. Miz Winnie (picture in sidebar) accompanied me, and for some reason she was unusually restless. Perhaps she sensed my mounting frustration at not finding the Park.

Fortunately, I had a second destination for the day. It was the Naval Ammunition Depot.

Hastings was buzzing with excitement on June 10, 1942, six months after Pearl Harbor, when Senator George Norris and Congressman Carl Curtis announced that the Navy had authorized the establishment of a $45,000,000 Naval Ammunition Depot southeast of Hastings. The Hastings area was chosen because of its abundance of electrical power from the Tri-County project, its location equidistant from both coasts and the availability of railroads. The government immediately began the process of taking 48,753 acres of farmland, located mostly in Clay County, from 232 owners.

From the Adams County Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Naval Ammunition Depot known locally as "The NAD," was the largest of four munitions depots in the country and was known for supplying 40 percent of the Navy's ammunition supply at one point during WWII.

The facility produced bombs, rockets, torpedoes, mines, bagged powder and all calibers of smaller ammunition.

There were three other NAD plants located in Burns City, Indiana; McAlester, Oklahoma and Hawthorne, Nevada.

After the NAD served it’s military usefulness

…in December 1958 disestablishment was ordered, to be completed no later than June 30, 1966.
In September 1964, 10,236 acres near Clay Center were transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the Meat Animal Research Center. The administrative headquarters, comprising 640 acres and 28 buildings were transferred to Central Community College in 1966. During 1966 and 1967 surplus land at the NAD was sold to various business and industrial firms who comprise what is now known as Hastings Industrial Park East.

I went to the NAD with a wonderful map (pdf) provided by the Convention & Visitors Bureau.

This was the NAD Administration Building. In Naval terms it was referred to as “Mainsides”. It is now part of the Community College.

Buildings like this were used for “inert storage” or storage of materials to make the munitions.

And these are the bunkers where the munitions were stored. They go on for about five or six miles, and I must say they are kind of an eerie sight.

During WWII civilian employees were paid 75 cents an hour and the work week was 60 hours. Weekly pay was slightly less than $45.

More of my photos are here

The most comprehensive information about the NAD is here

The Historical Society has photos from WWII here

Take a tour around the world via your computer by visiting That's My World!

Today's Flowers & Mellow Yellow

2009-04-26T14:17:00.002-05:00

Last Wednesday and Thursday were beautiful spring days. In the 70’s, and nary a cloud to be seen. Friday was in the 80’s and a bit too warm for my liking for April. I had a couple of appointments in the morning, met a friend for lunch and did a bunch of errands. I thought about going to my favorite flower picture spots, but I wasn’t dressed for crawling around to get flower pictures, so I decided to pass. The weather forecast for Saturday was for 60’s and I figured that would be just fine. Well, so much for weather forecasts. It never got out of the 40’s, wind chill was in the upper 30’s, it was misting off and on, and this wuss decided not to sally forth. After all, the weather was supposed to be better today. Ha Today has been showers and occasional thunder and lightning.

All of that is a long story to say that these flower pictures were taken last week. These daffodils were at Sunken Gardens. Since they are yellow, I’m cross posting in the Mellow Yellow meme also.

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Camera Critters--First Butterfly of the Year

2009-04-25T10:16:00.003-05:00

I said the Muskrat photo was the last of the photos from Squaw Creek NWR. I had forgotten about the first butterfly of the year. There was also a Zebra Swallowtail flitting about in the area. They are stunningly beautiful, but they don't light very long and I only managed one very lousy photo of it.

So the first (and only, so far) butterfly photographed this spring is a Spring Azure.

Head on over to Camera Critters to see more critters (by clicking on the icon)

Watery Wednesday-Muskrat

2009-04-21T14:48:00.001-05:00

One last photo from my time at Squaw Creek NWR last week. This photo is of a Muskrat.

The presence of Muskrats in a marsh is immediately apparent because of their lodges. The lodges are usually constructed of reeds, rushes and cattails. I read somewhere, sometime that the healthiness of a marsh can be determined by the number of muskrat lodges the marsh has. The more lodges, the healthier the marsh. I was unable to find that in any of the reading that I did today.

Muskrats weigh from 1.7 lbs to 3 lbs. Muskrats are smaller that beaver. The hind feet of a muskrat are partially webbed and the long tail is used as a rudder as they swim. They can remain underwater up to about 17 minutes.

Muskrats will have several litters per year. Each litter will have six to eight young. The muskrats have many natural enemies, such as mink, otters, coyotes, raccoons, and birds of prey. Hence their life span is usually short, about three years.

The rest of the Squaw Creek photos are here.

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That's My World--Squaw Creek NWR

2009-04-20T15:56:00.002-05:00

I spent last Thursday and Friday at Squaw Creek NWR. The weather was pleasant and there were a fair amount of birds to be seen.

Have you ever wondered why Double-crested cormorants are called double-crested? During the breeding season they have crests. The crests are very evident in this photo. Kind of neat, huh?

There were lots of Blue-winged teals

And then I had quite a surprise. My first thought was that is sure a strange looking heron. Must be the light. Then I looked through the binoculars and realized the “heron” was in fact a Sandhill crane. Now one does not go to Squaw Creek in late April and expect to see a sandhill crane, but there he/she was.

I cropped the crane so it can be seen clearly. The original photo is here.

The rest of the Squaw Creek photos are here

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Mellow Yellow

2009-04-19T20:17:00.001-05:00

Today's Flowers are in the next post down

These photos were taken at Sunken Gardens yesterday afternoon.

Tulip Tree

Tulip

Same kind of Tulip opened

Today's Flowers

2009-04-19T14:56:00.001-05:00

Friday afternoon when I was coming home from Squaw Creek NWR I decided to take a detour from the interstate and visit Indian Cave State Park in southeast Nebraska. It’s been years since I was in the park and I wanted to see if it was worth a specific trip to spend a day there. My conclusion was a definite yes. My time was limited so I didn’t take many photos. One of the photos I did take was of these Dutchmen’s Breeches.

Saturday I did my weekly visit to Maxwell Arboretum. Love this pink Magnolia

And these Virginia Bluebells

Those of you who have visited previously may have noticed that I have done some “remodeling”. I have long felt constrained by the small photos that the old template allowed for. However, this morning I wondered if the larger photos make the blog load slowly for those on dial-up. Anyone that has an opinion can feel free to weigh in on the subject in the comments. If it makes it too slow, I'll see what I can do to adjust accordingly.

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Camera Critters-Raccoon

2009-04-18T11:07:00.003-05:00

On Thursday I went down to Squaw Creek NWR and look who was out and about!

Head on over to Camera Critters to see more critters (by clicking on the icon)

That's My World--Young Cabin

2009-04-13T13:57:00.002-05:00

The Young Cabin is at the Young Cemetery and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery was established in 1855. The cabin was built by the National Youth Administration, a New Deal work project and vocational training program established for the country's young adults. A dwelling originally constructed in 1856 on the William Young family homestead was disassembled in 1941 and its materials, including the hand-hewn logs, were used in the construction of the Young Cemetery Cabin by National Youth Administration workers .

About the National Youth Administration

The huge numbers of unemployed youth of the 1930s underscored several fears adults had for society. Conservatives saw disgruntled young people as a fertile ground for revolutionary politics while liberals mourned the disillusionment and apathy spreading among American youth. Educators feared that without some type of financial aid, colleges would suffer irreversible damage. ER [Eleanor Roosevelt] worried that long-term unemployment and borderline poverty would undermine young Americans' faith in democracy. She told the New York Times that "I live in real terror when I think we may be losing this generation. We have got to bring these young people into the active life of the community and make them feel that they are necessary."
ER, working closely with educators and relief officials, pushed FDR to address this problem. Although at first FDR did not want to develop programs for young people, this lobbying effort changed his mind. In June 1935, he signed an executive order establishing the National Youth Administration (NYA), a New Deal program designed specifically to address the problem of unemployment among Depression-era youth.
The NYA sought to cope with this problem in two ways. First, the administration provided grants to high school and college students in exchange for work. This allowed young people to continue studying while at the same time preventing the pool of unemployed youth from getting any larger. Second, for those young people who were both unemployed and not in school, the NYA aimed to combine economic relief with on-the-job training in federally funded work projects designed to provide youth with marketable skills for the future.

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Today's Flowers

2009-04-12T13:54:00.001-05:00

Photos were taken at Maxwell Arboretum on Friday.

American Pasqueflower

Lenten Rose

Tulip

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