GBBC 2013 Bird Lovers

Red Tailed Hawk

THE Great Back Yard Bird Count (GBBC) Is Back and bigger than ever. It has gone global. For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about the Audbone Socity has teemed up with the Corneal Lab of Ornotholgy to do a bird study that is now world wide.

Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird

We did our first bird count in 2003 when Alex was 5, sitting on the kitchen counter (my birdfeeder was right outside that window then) eating cheese sandwiches.  I thought it was going to be hard counting and entering in the data on-line.  But it was easy and so much fun. 





                                                                     Male Eastern Bluebirds



In all the years we have been doing the count I have yet to purchase a field guide.  I found I could get far more information than I could afford, by just going to my library and taking home 4 or 5 different field guides, and spend my money on more bird feed.

 

My Christmas gift to the birds

 This wound up being a great way to have fun, do some nature science and enjoy the lovely winged creatures we share our home with. I know this sounds and looks like an infomertian but there is no way I can earn off something that is free.  We just enjoy it so much I have to share this every year. 

Click on Owl to go to the GBBC



Hiking With Trinity

Of course Since Alex and I had our Hike Trinity and I needed one too.

She is such a cutie...we hug her allot, she gets mad at Alex for it but really can you blame him.
Little bit of belly showing, trying to stretch the summer clothes.

Trinity's keen eye spotted two dear...can you see them?

She did 3.5 Miles...way to go Trin!

Fairy House

Trinity and I walked through our woods and gardens and found some fun stuff for a Fairy House.

The house is in our club house in the middle of Azalia bushes. We come out here to do our handwork or have a secret picnic sometimes.

This is what we call the giving bench. We are going to leave gifts for the Fairy's on our bench.

A few gifts for the Fairys

My little Fairy

I have decided that I do not want to be a princess and diffinatly not a diva. But a Fairy Godmother.

A princess is usuall too bratty and diva's dont belive in fairys.

Granting wishes that's what a Fairy Godmother does...how cool is that?!

The Great Back Yard Bird Count is soon

Two Male Blue Birds

I wanted to share once again a special moment in our lives...the kids and I do the Great Back Yard Bird Count (GBBC) Every Year this time of year.

Male Cardinal

I am taken back to sitting on the counter eating cheese sandwiches and drinking lemon-aid with my son who is 11 now but 3 at the time.

Female Downy Woodpecker

We have since moved the feeders to a precise location...when I say precises I mean it is situated so that I may view it from my chair in the living room and my chair at the dinner table. The curtain is usually down so I can see our visitors.

Flock of Junco's

We have made our usual preparations; the table is move up against the window by the feeders. Extra special feeders are made...pine cone, log and suit. Sugar water is prepared in case the humming birds want to join in. Books on Identifying birds are placed on the table along with pencils, crayons, note pads, binoculars, cameras and drawing paper just in case someone gets an inkling to draw a picture.

Male American Goldfinch and Male Downy Woodpecker

We always say "We are Having Lunch with the birds" and we eat nuts and berries in homage to our feathered friends. But enjoy our cheese sandwiches and lemon-aid after.

Male Red tail Hawk

Alex can identify all the birds on this page as well as several more and can even tell the sex on some. Trinity is getting along well with it too. If you would like to join in on the fun click on the link above below or on my side bar. It is quite simple...they give very good instructions and its a super Home School project on many levels of learning.

GBBC

We have some new neighbors that just moved in....

We are so fortunate, the kids and I really enjoy birds...and we are ecstatic over having some hawks as neighbors. I woke one morning to their calls along with the crows, what a ruckus.
Evidently there were two couples wanting the same property. I ran outside with only my slippers and robe on, but I was armed with my camera.

One thing I found very amazing...the other birds didn't leave and continued to visit the feeder. Then I realized that its just us humans who run around in fear, getting all bent out of shape on what might happen. But the birds have gone on with life as usual...so many lessons I learn from nature.

Birds In The Class Room

You can just make out the fuzzy little heads.

We are fortunate to be surrounded by Birds. Actually quite closely! We thought we were lucky when Cardinals made there home right outside the front window but to have one in our class room was amazing.

This nest held three little Carolina Wrens and was built in a basket that held our homemade ropes.

The Mom and Dad took such great care of them and didn't seem to get too upset when we came to visit once a week.

Not long after this picture was taken we got to experience the Babbie's taking there first flight.

We also have there nest sitting on our mantle in the living room to remind us of the special happenings.

Noccalula Falls - Trailer Trash Tuesday

Can you say SPECTACULAR!



Third grade homeschooling brought allot of fun. Native American was a focal point of study this year. And being Cherokee made it even more special for me. So I searched for places to camp that could capture the history and essence of the Native American culture,  just to add a bit of fun to our Native studies.  Noccalula Falls in Alabama really made this come to life. Alex and I heard several different stories about why Noccalula jumped but in the end...alas...she jumped.

Some cute friends were made at the river...

 

...and at the farm

 

Worlds Longest Chicken

Alex couldn't pass this photo moment up.

This is actually two birds.

We laughed about this one for awhile.

It rained the whole trip. But we were able to set up camp, see the waterfall, ride the train, visit the farm, walk the gardens and play miniature golf all in between storms.
P.S. Do not stand too close to Trinity when playing golf. Her follow through is a knock out...just ask Alex.