Red sky at morning, sailors take warning...

Will this Weather lore prove true I thought as I drove to work this morning.  What a beautiful red morning sky.  San and I have tentative plans to 'Bird' this weekend.  Will the snow blanket not only my yard but our plans as well?

As I think about our 'Birding and Bonding' Blog, I can't help but think that for me it's purpose has already been realized.  It's not that we have spent a lot more time in each others company, but I have spent more time with her in my 'Mind's eye'.  I am happy knowing that during the day San is thinking about me as I think of her.  We see birds while apart, with the mental note of the other one not being there to see it with them, so we are constantly in one another thoughts.  We've inspired others to take a closer look at their feathery friends, and they in turn are thinking of us as well.

I also thought of the movie 'Pay it Forward', perhaps this is how San and I can help other friends realize how important it is to stay in touch.

City Bird's

I thought my day in NYC yesterday would afford me the opportunity to see some of our 'City Bird's' however things did not turn out as I anticipated.  I was looking forward to my commute on the LIRR reading a book and glancing out the window for a stray bird here and there.  Alas...that is not how things turned out.  I met up with two colleagues, so the trip in was a mini-meeting.    Not to worry, I still had some Pigeons in my future or so I thought.  Going to my first appointment I used the #1 subway uptown, no Pigeons or animals of any sort (which is a relief when you are underground, those 'animals' aren't on our list of things to see.)  Since I got stuck at my first appointment longer than I anticipated, I had to cab it downtown.  As the cab driver asked if it would be okay to take the West Side Hwy downtown, I thought a ride along the river would be perfect for spotting a few birds.  However I am beginning to believe that the birds in Manhattan, even Pigeons must  have gone south for the day, is it too cold for them???  Not one single bird, is that even remotely possible?  I must say I was quite disappointed.  The trip home afforded no opportunities for it was quite dark when I finally made my way back on the LIRR.  Hopefully San had a better birding day.

We appreciate your feedback!

Thank you all so much for your suggestions.  We will certainly try to implement them into this blog.  One request has been for pictures of the birds we have added to the Long Island Native Species List.  We want all who are interested to become birders too, so we are happy to obilge.  Here are pictures of the first eight birds we added to our list.  In order they are:  White Breasted Nuthatch; American Robin; Black Capped Chickadee; Mourning Dove; Red Bellied Woodpecker; Downy Woodpecker; Song Sparrow; European Starling.

In addition, we would love to include the audio of these birds but do not have that capability yet.  In the meantime, we encourage you to try out a site such as www.birdjam.com/learn.php or www.enature.com/birding/audio.asp. There are many common bird calls that you can listen to right on the website.  Please keep posted for more updates.

Just for the Record

Any posts written in bold type are posts of our joint birding adventures. (The whole purpose of this blog.) Posts in italics are the personal musings of San, whereas the plain type are the personal musings of Ar.

Highs and Lows

Another cold morning, dragging myself out of bed. Then I thought I heard a familiar sound. Could it be? A Song Sparrow; "Maids, maids, maids, put on your tea kettle, ettle, ettle." For me, hearing that song is a harbinger of spring, so despite the cold, I know spring is in the offing.

I was content for about two minutes, until I looked out the bathroom window. There, in my neighbor's yard, stands a Maple tree, with a Blue Spruce on either side. To my horror, it looked as if they were preparing to take one of the Blue Spruce trees down. I am very attached to that old tree. It has afforded me many bird watching opportunities. The most memorable was the morning I saw two Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers for the first time. In addition to that, my dad is the one who helped my neighbor plant that tree about 50 years ago! The thought of coming home later today to find the tree gone was very upsetting. At least I don't have to listen to the chainsaw. That pains me as much as the dentist drilling into my teeth!

Arrived home at about 4:30. To my delight, the tree was still standing! It looks like they were only securing one of the branches. It seems that I worried all day for nothing. How happy I am that my tree got a stay of execution!

Night Watch

Last night was another very cold crisp quiet night sky. Dressed in my husband's hooded Parka, as I grill quesadilla's on the BBQ, I listen for owl's in my backyard. All the while hoping my neighbors don't see me standing out there in the cold wondering what on earth is wrong with me. Alas...no owls last night, perhaps it was too cold for them as well.

It's Monday morning and as I leave for work, the sun is only a distant glow, the moon is still bright and brilliant. I hear birds singing and flitting from one branch to another in the bushes, only dark shadows taunting me to spot them without my BFF. (They know our only rule is that we must spot them together.) I see a tree filled with European Starlings, Common Grackles flying toward the south shore, alas I can't add them to our blog... Now I must work with the knowledge that San is out and about today seeing all kinds of wonderful birds. The sun is now a bright red-orange promise of a beautiful day to come. Enjoy the day fellow birders.