With wings of gold
A long, slender abdomen with bright RED tip
And a ridiculously long beak!
Isn't he beauty-FULL:)
Saturday, June 07, 2008
what on earth...
... is this insect?
With wings of gold
A long, slender abdomen with bright RED tip
And a ridiculously long beak!
Isn't he beauty-FULL:)
With wings of gold
A long, slender abdomen with bright RED tip
And a ridiculously long beak!
Isn't he beauty-FULL:)
more spring visitors
I found this poor swift on the road while biking home from my Dutch lesson late Thursday evening. Must've run into a window or car because it lost one of its eyes, which doesn't bode well. Visited the rehab center the following day - at least they'll see that he's well cared for, and if he's not releasable, they'll hopefully use him for education. So much to learn from these amazing creatures!
Week prior we tried caring for this runt blue tit. Parents weren't feeding it, either because they were so busy feeding the other 5 baby blue tits -- or maybe they sensed this little guy just didn't have what it takes to survive -- he looked pretty pathetic when i took him in. At any rate, I fed him from 10:00 -6:30 pm (every 15 mins!!!!!), until I went to my Dutch class. He was doing fine when i left, but when I returned that evening he'd passed on.
Several weeks ago, this alpine water salamander (Triturus alpestris) showed up in our pond! And what a great surprise it was!!!!!!
He has the most beautiful orange underbelly, with pretty spots along the side. So far he's continuing to hang out, most likely dining on insect larvae (hopefully lots of mosquito larvae!!!!) and whatever he can find, but I'm a little surprised he's staying so long, since it's not a BIG pond (2 m x 1 m x 40 cm)! But maybe the lack of predators sold him on this real estate .... or was it the romantic tikki torches and flaming red rhododendron?
Friday, May 16, 2008
Universe-ity
This is a lifetime motto of mine -- so nice to finally see it in print -- and so happy to share it with you.
17 February
"The entire universe is a university. EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY is a professor to us. We constantly learn from everybody and everything. We learn even more through pain than through pleasure. Whether we want it or not, the world will give us the experiences we need and make us grow."
by Sri Swami Satchidananda
The Golden Present: Daily Inspirational Readings
17 February
"The entire universe is a university. EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY is a professor to us. We constantly learn from everybody and everything. We learn even more through pain than through pleasure. Whether we want it or not, the world will give us the experiences we need and make us grow."
by Sri Swami Satchidananda
The Golden Present: Daily Inspirational Readings
2 more little friends
Ever since the kids have begun asking for pets, the critters have come knocking on our door, so to speak. This week we had 2 new visitors .... a frog and a bird. The frog (een bruine kikker?) spent a day exploring the fishpond in our backyard, and then went on its merry way. "Perfect", I thought, "the kids get to enjoy the little fellow without getting too attached." But then came our next guest ...
Three days ago a greenfinch took a non-lethal smack on our window, and luckily I was on hand for a rescue. It wasn't able to fly and would've been easy prey for a neighborhood cat, so I quick brought it inside and made it a happy home in no time. Still had a bird cage from when we tried (unsuccessfully) to save a juvenile house martin 2 years ago. And here you see the little fellow, which i thought was a female but am now wondering if it's a juvenile since the breast is quite streaked.
With no obvious signs of trauma, and no evidence of broken wings, I decided we'd try to rehabilitate it ourselves. Inserted 2 shallow dishes in the cage, one with seed I've seen them eating at the feeders and the other with water. Within a day we heard/saw the little fellow eating the seeds, which is great fun to watch as they skillfully manipulate the seed husk with their tongue and manage to spit it out without spitting out the seed. But this morning, his feathers were "puffed up" like he was cold, and by afternoon he was tucking his head under his wing like he was tired, both signs that he was suffering from illness. Sure enough, by nightfall he'd fallen into a sleep he'd never awaken from.
They'll be sad to lose their little friend (and me TOO!), who we watched and studied and got to know quite well in such a short time. In retrospect, I suppose I should've taken him to a rehab. center, where he would've received antibiotics and better care. But then again, the kids would've missed out on the whole experience -- and the joy of learning -- and the pain of failure that goes along with it.
Three days ago a greenfinch took a non-lethal smack on our window, and luckily I was on hand for a rescue. It wasn't able to fly and would've been easy prey for a neighborhood cat, so I quick brought it inside and made it a happy home in no time. Still had a bird cage from when we tried (unsuccessfully) to save a juvenile house martin 2 years ago. And here you see the little fellow, which i thought was a female but am now wondering if it's a juvenile since the breast is quite streaked.
With no obvious signs of trauma, and no evidence of broken wings, I decided we'd try to rehabilitate it ourselves. Inserted 2 shallow dishes in the cage, one with seed I've seen them eating at the feeders and the other with water. Within a day we heard/saw the little fellow eating the seeds, which is great fun to watch as they skillfully manipulate the seed husk with their tongue and manage to spit it out without spitting out the seed. But this morning, his feathers were "puffed up" like he was cold, and by afternoon he was tucking his head under his wing like he was tired, both signs that he was suffering from illness. Sure enough, by nightfall he'd fallen into a sleep he'd never awaken from.
They'll be sad to lose their little friend (and me TOO!), who we watched and studied and got to know quite well in such a short time. In retrospect, I suppose I should've taken him to a rehab. center, where he would've received antibiotics and better care. But then again, the kids would've missed out on the whole experience -- and the joy of learning -- and the pain of failure that goes along with it.
Friday, May 09, 2008
the meikever LIVES!
... watch as this decapitated june beetle wiggles its mandibles and legs hours after i found it lying on a sidewalk near my favorite tea shop. You never know what amazing things you'll see in the course of a day - enjoy!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
swallows falling from the sky
... the latest
... and most depressing news in the bird world
.... get ready to shed some tears
..... but get right back in your CAR!
Swallows dying by the thousands
09/04/2008 21:04 - (SA)
as posted on News24.com
Johannesburg - Tens of thousands of swallows have died in Limpopo province a week before they were due to migrate to Europe, said BirdLife SA on Wednesday.
Executive director Gerhard Verdoorn said the vast climate changes during March, from the extremely hot to the bitterly cold, played a major role in the death of the swallows.
About three weeks ago, cold air from Angola passed over Namibia and Botswana and entered the South African Lowveld. Temperatures plummeted from 21° to 9°.
"Because of this, the birds could not feed properly as it was too wet and too rainy for them to get the food. They became hypothermic (low body temperatures) and hypoglycaemic (low blood-sugar levels)," said Verdoorn.
Farmers and people in the area became alarmed as they thought the birds were being poisoned.
"The tens of thousands of birds were falling down everywhere and just dying," he said.
The birds were supposed to migrate on March 23, the day of the equinox, but disaster struck around March 17 when temperatures dropped rapidly.
"The bulk of birds that did manage to survive started their migration on March 28," said Verdoorn.
No short-term solutions
The mass death of birds started in about 2000 in the Bushveld and Free State.
"Over the past couple of years it has become a more-frequent occurrence and it is not only the swallows that are being affected but several other species of birds."
Verdoorn said there were no short-term solutions to the problem as no one could change the weather.
"The weather changes occurring are vast. February was regarded as being the wet month and March the drier one, but now the situation has changed.
"A long-term solution to the problem would be to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, by using less energy, burning less petrol thereby reducing carbon-dioxide emissions which can have changes on climate change," said Verdoorn.
... and most depressing news in the bird world
.... get ready to shed some tears
..... but get right back in your CAR!
Swallows dying by the thousands
09/04/2008 21:04 - (SA)
as posted on News24.com
Johannesburg - Tens of thousands of swallows have died in Limpopo province a week before they were due to migrate to Europe, said BirdLife SA on Wednesday.
Executive director Gerhard Verdoorn said the vast climate changes during March, from the extremely hot to the bitterly cold, played a major role in the death of the swallows.
About three weeks ago, cold air from Angola passed over Namibia and Botswana and entered the South African Lowveld. Temperatures plummeted from 21° to 9°.
"Because of this, the birds could not feed properly as it was too wet and too rainy for them to get the food. They became hypothermic (low body temperatures) and hypoglycaemic (low blood-sugar levels)," said Verdoorn.
Farmers and people in the area became alarmed as they thought the birds were being poisoned.
"The tens of thousands of birds were falling down everywhere and just dying," he said.
The birds were supposed to migrate on March 23, the day of the equinox, but disaster struck around March 17 when temperatures dropped rapidly.
"The bulk of birds that did manage to survive started their migration on March 28," said Verdoorn.
No short-term solutions
The mass death of birds started in about 2000 in the Bushveld and Free State.
"Over the past couple of years it has become a more-frequent occurrence and it is not only the swallows that are being affected but several other species of birds."
Verdoorn said there were no short-term solutions to the problem as no one could change the weather.
"The weather changes occurring are vast. February was regarded as being the wet month and March the drier one, but now the situation has changed.
"A long-term solution to the problem would be to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, by using less energy, burning less petrol thereby reducing carbon-dioxide emissions which can have changes on climate change," said Verdoorn.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
waking up on the marshes of El Rocio
What i loooooooooooooovvvvveeed about Spain was watching the sunrise and "waking up" with the marsh. Coto Donana is so birdy, and to feel the pulse of life here is an experience of a lifetime. Loads of cattle egrets, the lone squacco heron(LUV that name) looked on each am from the very same post, like an old man not ready to get out of bed ... the Cetti's warbler announcing the dawn with explosive singing - anything but timid - quite the opposite of the penduline tit - that avoided being seen or heard, which made a glimpse of it all the more precious. Amaiiiiiii, don't you LOVE that sunset? I DID die and go to heaven when i saw it .... and i've never come back to life since, thankfully.
The town of El Rocio, steeped in religious tradition, rests adjacent to the spectacular marshes of El Rocio, where we discovered the richness of bird life - with spotted crake, holy ibis, and so many other awesome finds - amidst an abundance of sweet songsters - every day was a symphony just waiting to be savored.
... and what have we here? Three macho Spaanse caballeros drinking a little champagne and enjoying being in the center of the universe. Makes you wonder how commonplace is this behavior ... and does it influence their success in life? Are men that are MORE bold .... MORE successful at spreading their genes?
During the weekends ... there were horse, horses, horses everywhere. The Spanish love their horses and use them as a means of getting to town and back. The sandy roads must feel better on their hoofs. But I can only imagine how hard the HOT, DRY summers are on these beautiful equines ... how many of them will perish from the stress?
Seville was beautiful, especially because we had spectacular views of LITTLE KESTRELS that nested in the monstrosity of the cathedral. Looked more like a city to me, with layers upon layers of construction that must've taken eons to design and build. Couldn't tell where it began and where it stopped -was breathtaking, but overbearing in my opinion.
First, we explored Coto Donana safari-style, which gave great views of the pristine coastline, expansive dunes and marsh complexes. Saw more birds than expected this way (due to patient driver that stopped for birds more often than expected), with Audouin's gull and glossy ibis being new lifers for me. Wild boar and deer were quite abundant, which was another happy surprise.
A pit stop during the safari tour to search for Spanish Imperial Eagle! No doubt an impressive sight, but most of us were not to behold it during this trip in spite of multiple attempts to find them. A few lucky ones did catch a glimpse at Acebuche! But we did see 150 species of birds during our 8 days of birding in southwestern Spain. And I got 16 new WP birds (West Palearctic) ... Audouin's gull, Goshawk, Glossy Ibis, Pallid Swift, Squacco Heron, Penduline Tit, Spotted Crake, Black-crowned Night Heron, Spanish Sparrow, Black-winged Kite, Red-knobbed Coot, Little Bittern, Holy Ibis, Dartford Warbler, Black-eared Wheatear, and Common Scoter.
Acebron gave great views of virgin cork forest, which reminded me so much of the gnarly live oak forests of the southeastern United States, and for good reason -- CORK trees are in the same genus - QUERCUS!!!!! Felt at home on the sinuous trails, and also watching the black-crowned night herons on the marshes, but without the ALLIGATORS that you'd see in Florida.
Experienced the most challenging roads between Villamanrique and the visitors center at Jose Antonio Valverde - there were humongous potholes! And happy to say we navigated them smoothly! Had splendid views of black-winged kites hovering in the air, plus kestrels mating (yee-ha!), Spanish sparrow, and an albino corn bunting:)
Gilbert exemplified our mantra for the week: Eat, Pray, BIRD! Gil IS the fanatical type of birder that literally lives, breathes, "eats" birds 24-7. With him around, there's little time for R&R, but then in a place like Coto Donana, who can "rest & relax" when there's so much to SEE!
... enjoying the sun after a visit to la Huelva to see replicas of the vessels that Christopher Columbus used to discover the New World - the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.
... enjoying a few drinks and live music in Seville
... Jos and Josette took the liberty to enjoy the music more than the rest of us, but maybe we enjoyed watching them even more.
... at Ribetehelos, we had excellent views of the Dartford warbler, a precious little bird. What a great trip this was, not just for the birds, but also for the comraderie and the relationships forged during this adventure ... may they last a lifetime.
The town of El Rocio, steeped in religious tradition, rests adjacent to the spectacular marshes of El Rocio, where we discovered the richness of bird life - with spotted crake, holy ibis, and so many other awesome finds - amidst an abundance of sweet songsters - every day was a symphony just waiting to be savored.
... and what have we here? Three macho Spaanse caballeros drinking a little champagne and enjoying being in the center of the universe. Makes you wonder how commonplace is this behavior ... and does it influence their success in life? Are men that are MORE bold .... MORE successful at spreading their genes?
During the weekends ... there were horse, horses, horses everywhere. The Spanish love their horses and use them as a means of getting to town and back. The sandy roads must feel better on their hoofs. But I can only imagine how hard the HOT, DRY summers are on these beautiful equines ... how many of them will perish from the stress?
Seville was beautiful, especially because we had spectacular views of LITTLE KESTRELS that nested in the monstrosity of the cathedral. Looked more like a city to me, with layers upon layers of construction that must've taken eons to design and build. Couldn't tell where it began and where it stopped -was breathtaking, but overbearing in my opinion.
First, we explored Coto Donana safari-style, which gave great views of the pristine coastline, expansive dunes and marsh complexes. Saw more birds than expected this way (due to patient driver that stopped for birds more often than expected), with Audouin's gull and glossy ibis being new lifers for me. Wild boar and deer were quite abundant, which was another happy surprise.
A pit stop during the safari tour to search for Spanish Imperial Eagle! No doubt an impressive sight, but most of us were not to behold it during this trip in spite of multiple attempts to find them. A few lucky ones did catch a glimpse at Acebuche! But we did see 150 species of birds during our 8 days of birding in southwestern Spain. And I got 16 new WP birds (West Palearctic) ... Audouin's gull, Goshawk, Glossy Ibis, Pallid Swift, Squacco Heron, Penduline Tit, Spotted Crake, Black-crowned Night Heron, Spanish Sparrow, Black-winged Kite, Red-knobbed Coot, Little Bittern, Holy Ibis, Dartford Warbler, Black-eared Wheatear, and Common Scoter.
Acebron gave great views of virgin cork forest, which reminded me so much of the gnarly live oak forests of the southeastern United States, and for good reason -- CORK trees are in the same genus - QUERCUS!!!!! Felt at home on the sinuous trails, and also watching the black-crowned night herons on the marshes, but without the ALLIGATORS that you'd see in Florida.
Experienced the most challenging roads between Villamanrique and the visitors center at Jose Antonio Valverde - there were humongous potholes! And happy to say we navigated them smoothly! Had splendid views of black-winged kites hovering in the air, plus kestrels mating (yee-ha!), Spanish sparrow, and an albino corn bunting:)
Gilbert exemplified our mantra for the week: Eat, Pray, BIRD! Gil IS the fanatical type of birder that literally lives, breathes, "eats" birds 24-7. With him around, there's little time for R&R, but then in a place like Coto Donana, who can "rest & relax" when there's so much to SEE!
... enjoying the sun after a visit to la Huelva to see replicas of the vessels that Christopher Columbus used to discover the New World - the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.
... enjoying a few drinks and live music in Seville
... Jos and Josette took the liberty to enjoy the music more than the rest of us, but maybe we enjoyed watching them even more.
... at Ribetehelos, we had excellent views of the Dartford warbler, a precious little bird. What a great trip this was, not just for the birds, but also for the comraderie and the relationships forged during this adventure ... may they last a lifetime.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The beautiful birds of Coto Donana
the majestic Blauwe ekster, or Iberian wagtail
Distelvink, or Goldfinch - the name doesn't do justice to its splendid colors
Purpurkoet, or Purple swamp-hen - check out those gorgeous red legs
Zwarte ibis, or Glossy Ibis - winner of the most spectacular plummage contest!
Not another Ooievaar!!!! Largest nesting colony of White storks in Europe found here.
photos courtesy of Rene Conings
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Friday, March 07, 2008
off again ... to Coto Donana
This time tomorrow I'll be sleeping a stone's throw away from one of Europe's premier birding destinations ... and the only way this is possible is because 15 years ago I made without a doubt the best decision in my life to marry this cute Dutchman named Stijn.
I don't write enough about him, and his more-than-positive attributes -- he deserves a dissertation! That he will let me walk out the door tomorrow, knowing that our washing machine is broken, and one of our kids is sick, and having to deal with it ALL ON HIS OWN! (no nannies, omas to help out) speaks volumes about his character and resolve ...
i LOVE you Stijn!
I'll bring you the yummiest Spanish cheese ...
see you in a week:)
I don't write enough about him, and his more-than-positive attributes -- he deserves a dissertation! That he will let me walk out the door tomorrow, knowing that our washing machine is broken, and one of our kids is sick, and having to deal with it ALL ON HIS OWN! (no nannies, omas to help out) speaks volumes about his character and resolve ...
i LOVE you Stijn!
I'll bring you the yummiest Spanish cheese ...
see you in a week:)
Thursday, March 06, 2008
TWO
Just the two of us - just Laura and myself - met for 2 full days (+3 part time) of fun and exploring in and around Decatur, GA (that's USA) - which has a small-town atmosphere and a dreaminess about it that suited us just fine.
Part of that explore involved a visit to the High Museum in Atlanta for an exhibit on the women of Alfred (or Albert, i'm so bad w names!) Stieglitz, with Georgia O'Keefe being highlighted. Was so interesting and loads of fun, but an arctic blast froze us to the bone!
Every night was a culinary adventure, and this night at TWO Urban Licks in Midtown brought the tastiest seared tuna and pistachio ice cream cookie dessert - yumm for the tumm
The bevies were worth exploring too -- and this Duck Rabbit brew at the Java Monkey was mind-expanding -- sipped as we leafed through a field guide, recounting tales of Laura's bird sightings in the jungles of Belize!
This wall-size painting (by artist Tom ???? so bad w names again) in TWO was so so so cool, and for me at least, screamed of the opportunities just waiting for the taking. All those birds just waiting to be seen ...
So much beauty in this life ... if only we make the time, and are fortunate enough to experience it.
where does the time go ...
It's been a whirlwind of activity in our little neck of the woods this past month ...
Stijn's had work trips to India, US, UK -- w upcoming trip to China just around the corner
Family travelled to Switzerland to visit Oma and Opa, which was SUPER fun!
Courtenay spent a week in Atlanta, GA w best-friend Laura and for yogakids training, which was SUPER DUPER fun:)
Laura journeyed to Belize for first-ever press trip and saw dancing manakins!
My Dad's been sailing for 8 weeks in the Caribbean, and my Mom will be meeting him in Grenada, but not without her binoculars:)
Saw exhibits on Okeefe (Atl) and daVinci (Brussels) - both superb - but how opposite can you get?
Courtenay's teaching yoga to kids!!!
Courtenay's teaching yoga to kids!!!
can you tell i'm just a little excited?
Courtenay's teaching yoga to kids!!!
Stijn's had work trips to India, US, UK -- w upcoming trip to China just around the corner
Family travelled to Switzerland to visit Oma and Opa, which was SUPER fun!
Courtenay spent a week in Atlanta, GA w best-friend Laura and for yogakids training, which was SUPER DUPER fun:)
Laura journeyed to Belize for first-ever press trip and saw dancing manakins!
My Dad's been sailing for 8 weeks in the Caribbean, and my Mom will be meeting him in Grenada, but not without her binoculars:)
Saw exhibits on Okeefe (Atl) and daVinci (Brussels) - both superb - but how opposite can you get?
Courtenay's teaching yoga to kids!!!
Courtenay's teaching yoga to kids!!!
can you tell i'm just a little excited?
Courtenay's teaching yoga to kids!!!
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