tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75894489649723124512024-03-04T21:51:53.505-08:00HandprintsKevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-12795041330727533802018-03-29T09:01:00.001-07:002018-03-29T09:01:10.122-07:00A Visitor From the North<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQRU6tj8EoZqSIg3-xiohOFjDDMf-QTLP89YWjIgYgy0yKHWxl3KQCOZMzXWKs8J-ifC3fVwnV8-AM2I3O6C3sW5L7Bn_Bxws7HNPbjyMOoAOtb9II6B0HIblGs-v5kyJmiRMyl36E7Q/s1600/DSCN4174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQRU6tj8EoZqSIg3-xiohOFjDDMf-QTLP89YWjIgYgy0yKHWxl3KQCOZMzXWKs8J-ifC3fVwnV8-AM2I3O6C3sW5L7Bn_Bxws7HNPbjyMOoAOtb9II6B0HIblGs-v5kyJmiRMyl36E7Q/s400/DSCN4174.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Snowy Owls are indeed one of His most beautiful creatures!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />We have been blessed the past several late winters here in Western NY to be graced with the presence, even if only briefly, with Snowy Owls as part of their somewhat sporadic "irruption" from the Northern climes of Canada. Having
been infatuated with big owls since my teen years, I was more than a
bit surprised and elated during a recent encounter with this Snowy
Owl.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QMbPp7JxWDcKAdug9ecyrYlEWfFxfL-19cutwn6J8reshV_WcNrN_a5Dwz4NH9P4_SLgjidE7JZ9HMs_YBcPAAoeQEwPetjBvUO2fk0Y5CbjYRQprF9jNXHO6rZwPDkvWtx43EtVUjw/s1600/DSCN4188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QMbPp7JxWDcKAdug9ecyrYlEWfFxfL-19cutwn6J8reshV_WcNrN_a5Dwz4NH9P4_SLgjidE7JZ9HMs_YBcPAAoeQEwPetjBvUO2fk0Y5CbjYRQprF9jNXHO6rZwPDkvWtx43EtVUjw/s400/DSCN4188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Is he watching me or scanning the horizon for lunch?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hunters of wide open country, Snowy Owls are seen in various settings
and locations but not that often is one spotted in a tree. When I think
about, any photos I’ve seen depicted Snowies on the ground, in
flight, perched on roof tops, fence posts, road signs, etc. That
being said, I found it something of a treat to not only see one of
these visitors from the North Country, but to find it roosted in a
spruce tree as well. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPLrQs6wuSA4kteoTPelDgAeYCDEHK0cfAbAB1UIGTc-gJUM-xMS1Orx5oaD7RRpLLRJftPkQPj0_NHESGd9tkTk4mJ-gsHNXpqpRvEQ9dGGAeCmE6LrZOnl4NqTF9QDILJqUaM2Ifw4/s1600/DSCN4182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPLrQs6wuSA4kteoTPelDgAeYCDEHK0cfAbAB1UIGTc-gJUM-xMS1Orx5oaD7RRpLLRJftPkQPj0_NHESGd9tkTk4mJ-gsHNXpqpRvEQ9dGGAeCmE6LrZOnl4NqTF9QDILJqUaM2Ifw4/s400/DSCN4182.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another Christmas Card in the making - huzaah!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not
only was I quite pleased to get photos of a Snowy Owl, what really
tickled me was the contrast of the white Arctic raptor framed by
evergreen boughs. Call it a nature photographer’s bonus!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until Next Time,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim
& Claudia</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-81411925810355071972018-03-04T12:48:00.000-08:002018-03-04T12:48:02.543-08:00A Memorable Cardinal Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC4g6fuZhKjpKXGHMjoyTGn-_OU3Wbfz0tCqtE0H2OdiLnh8EoTPibLVJf7VObMxrFBE2kBo0GSI5Kf3hRVBbgbSoDCexrWuRk5d9facRrKQgxuOUoXO1LR9dBh8iTFXC3-bORMV09OI/s1600/DSCN4142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC4g6fuZhKjpKXGHMjoyTGn-_OU3Wbfz0tCqtE0H2OdiLnh8EoTPibLVJf7VObMxrFBE2kBo0GSI5Kf3hRVBbgbSoDCexrWuRk5d9facRrKQgxuOUoXO1LR9dBh8iTFXC3-bORMV09OI/s400/DSCN4142.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A
Northern Cardinal lends some much needed color to</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> a Rose of Sharon
branch.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As
mentioned in our last post, the past two months have seen an
abundance of Cardinal activity out our way, both in and around the
yard and in the neighboring woodlots. During a time of year that is typically devoid of bright colors it has been a joy to see such an abundance of these lovely avian creatures.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Y8ph-_n5sShmBdLKYLJZG1kQC97mrgdW3SupdYXrOWlc9OkmFTpZadhxySZcSuKVzkrJ-kDIRjPFTzoIN6hQLHuPvWyR6qK0c1nRvcfRQ36Ljpuz3qAS7a5_ftQs7MqaL3NHQilfuRg/s1600/DSCN4119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Y8ph-_n5sShmBdLKYLJZG1kQC97mrgdW3SupdYXrOWlc9OkmFTpZadhxySZcSuKVzkrJ-kDIRjPFTzoIN6hQLHuPvWyR6qK0c1nRvcfRQ36Ljpuz3qAS7a5_ftQs7MqaL3NHQilfuRg/s400/DSCN4119.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mrs.
Cardinal savors a sunflower seed.</span></div>
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<div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Can’t
say we’ve ever before witnessed a winter like this one where
Cardinals are concerned. They began showing up just before Christmas
and their numbers increased as winter kicked into high gear. In the
time since we have taken more Cardinal photos than the previous two
years combined.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X8LJZ0KejXAQzL-z3b5IVMQnXDEZKfnbfKfkVsVrgdmZlYRwr3wU47WbBcshCH4cjKSBjZTtP8BWrFqt39k_XbWTo-PlfI9tPOH4wnhd1oXbIpNa0Uk60KDa_xe_4dUZLJ14ZjRvdQM/s1600/DSCN4164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X8LJZ0KejXAQzL-z3b5IVMQnXDEZKfnbfKfkVsVrgdmZlYRwr3wU47WbBcshCH4cjKSBjZTtP8BWrFqt39k_XbWTo-PlfI9tPOH4wnhd1oXbIpNa0Uk60KDa_xe_4dUZLJ14ZjRvdQM/s400/DSCN4164.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He sure bears a striking resemblance to one of the "Angry Birds, doesn't he? </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFvTQ3RL0rL2qaReZkQ0rXLVSIKT-S4WfG2LMzJU1jjMW2d-FXZJXWMXtrvwS4DUymtBmXypcsR1zPTXMqwDfBcauJYmhUJrAtwtNzSt45dL_OOvnDbDqeZRJ52tkY1gPw3Q6QN3IvyI/s1600/DSCN4118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFvTQ3RL0rL2qaReZkQ0rXLVSIKT-S4WfG2LMzJU1jjMW2d-FXZJXWMXtrvwS4DUymtBmXypcsR1zPTXMqwDfBcauJYmhUJrAtwtNzSt45dL_OOvnDbDqeZRJ52tkY1gPw3Q6QN3IvyI/s400/DSCN4118.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Goldfinch looks on as a female Cardinal plucks a sunflower seed
from the snow.</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
<div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Switching
over to black oil sunflower seeds rather than a seed mix – and a
generous application thereof - may have had something to do with our
experiencing an influx of Cardinals this winter. And it was well
worth it as the “redbirds” sure do help make the winter pass
quickly.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until
next time,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim
& Claudia
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br />
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Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-25518929219355536672018-02-26T07:00:00.000-08:002018-02-26T07:00:21.524-08:00Cardinals in the Norway Spruce<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88xuZYgNfgIRc3AeoBOdYSQQyb7cfi9mAmdCnUANFFNHqFmXD63Yhgy2RVFU7kHZrYJZ0HGiGvqm5GluGeMCHeGmwXnhv9OlkCYNLpw1wor9gvDWTeg8HqWTdysfHhOg5cTW0JFe7BBk/s1600/DSCN4125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88xuZYgNfgIRc3AeoBOdYSQQyb7cfi9mAmdCnUANFFNHqFmXD63Yhgy2RVFU7kHZrYJZ0HGiGvqm5GluGeMCHeGmwXnhv9OlkCYNLpw1wor9gvDWTeg8HqWTdysfHhOg5cTW0JFe7BBk/s400/DSCN4125.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A
female Northern Cardinal nestled amid the boughs of our Norway Spruce.</span></div>
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</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi092cCnkEPI6Y-0Bru1wC15OyzxslIRX0zr79NSuXIeIjqp13tAepl1zLUSD3lUfzjlUTI3zO237aBwAFZCW74dFjxDZWb__Rjp9vYD3bauGL39G8wU6nKcrTpBrs1V8vjzlN4ao24M5c/s1600/DSCN4149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi092cCnkEPI6Y-0Bru1wC15OyzxslIRX0zr79NSuXIeIjqp13tAepl1zLUSD3lUfzjlUTI3zO237aBwAFZCW74dFjxDZWb__Rjp9vYD3bauGL39G8wU6nKcrTpBrs1V8vjzlN4ao24M5c/s400/DSCN4149.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Her male counterpart sits nearby.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have been waiting a long time to capture the right photo of a
Northern Cardinal in our Norway Spruce. Jim planted the spruce when
it was a seedling barely eight inches in height and as a result its
first few winters were spent buried beneath the snow. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ymPXFQGB0_5yalCn3mqYSlJRRzK6Tm7IE_33qDhH_TnqZSvq6AeS9DujnNDyc6ezU_BftIOD9Ygt1muga-EKXFYeXpMN7qfj7-FSltxxyXCOr5RBMuKRBIde07RpQB-A0CHZRoY0uRU/s1600/DSCN4111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ymPXFQGB0_5yalCn3mqYSlJRRzK6Tm7IE_33qDhH_TnqZSvq6AeS9DujnNDyc6ezU_BftIOD9Ygt1muga-EKXFYeXpMN7qfj7-FSltxxyXCOr5RBMuKRBIde07RpQB-A0CHZRoY0uRU/s400/DSCN4111.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our vision has been realized!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today the spruce stands upwards of 23 ft in its boughs have no
trouble bearing the weight of a heavy snowfall. Add a Northern
Cardinal to that scenario and we had the desired Christmas card
effect we have long been hoping for.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PE-MzPW5LhrLhE4VTJWhaYr4CAJVILn-qEECCTWut9gr6SfpWdOZWf77DTF0bsBZ5TlG4W2-w7FmBB2yYIWq6rhxpdEgZgjUPrpI0mqadfBKND6lg3TS-hcFidypzQkgroACAS2Fyaw/s1600/DSCN4123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PE-MzPW5LhrLhE4VTJWhaYr4CAJVILn-qEECCTWut9gr6SfpWdOZWf77DTF0bsBZ5TlG4W2-w7FmBB2yYIWq6rhxpdEgZgjUPrpI0mqadfBKND6lg3TS-hcFidypzQkgroACAS2Fyaw/s400/DSCN4123.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Is this my good side?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to the photos seen here of Cardinals in our spruce tree,
we have several others taken in and around our property and we’d
like to share them with you in our next post.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until
next time,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim
& Claudia </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-36711875665085137732018-01-25T16:35:00.000-08:002018-01-25T16:35:31.093-08:00Watching You, Watching Me<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvIvvWpeOyF1XAl_5cMr1KPP1gYe-myHdD_lzLPtR62rV1Xcyc24TqNQsrZ4DDd_Czy_tm7Ifh1YQ4Sv1w5HGYOy2v9K79GU77W0CIWbO8TGjvouwqm78k5pyXGcSJoP4Lw-t02-lNIk/s1600/DSCN2990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvIvvWpeOyF1XAl_5cMr1KPP1gYe-myHdD_lzLPtR62rV1Xcyc24TqNQsrZ4DDd_Czy_tm7Ifh1YQ4Sv1w5HGYOy2v9K79GU77W0CIWbO8TGjvouwqm78k5pyXGcSJoP4Lw-t02-lNIk/s400/DSCN2990.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Feeling
safe & secure in tangle of wild grape vine, a male</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> cardina</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">l</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> stares into the camera lens.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When
photographing wildlife we move slowly and deliberately, trying our
best to remain undetected. This is especially true with our avian
friends as they tend to be skittish and become spooked rather easily.
However, there were times when our “quarry” was not only aware of
our presence, but much to our delight, they appeared to be curious
rather than alarmed much like the cardinal pictured above. Here are a
few more of those instances captured during the spring and early
summer of 2017. </span> </div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHKdSwyDsOI1SNVV9lgLCpmZiSr75xog8n-NjAyrmz0_14YkJ3qXkOWsvSB_aFrj2Pi7t8caymjq4q-OOlRFik_XDbL2O-xMYtWoAQmIV_T4B_qYqj8w1CdBqo5nkRzmQkVX2OKL13n4/s1600/DSCN3340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHKdSwyDsOI1SNVV9lgLCpmZiSr75xog8n-NjAyrmz0_14YkJ3qXkOWsvSB_aFrj2Pi7t8caymjq4q-OOlRFik_XDbL2O-xMYtWoAQmIV_T4B_qYqj8w1CdBqo5nkRzmQkVX2OKL13n4/s400/DSCN3340.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Why are you looking at me?.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
Yellow Warbler was busy probing apple blossoms for insects when it
spotted me. We find Yellow Warblers difficult to photograph as they
tend to rapidly flit about, whether in the wild or here in our apple
tree probing the tiny white flowers for insects. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzrW6Ui-Emfsz8ftbImYAkZDnmLPCpm4lNHwLLuS73gQHix5rkbf0XfZPXgeAAmlBBQfcz-CZ0hDunFQgNr81DSWjvhktgTa7JNwRBxyqhWsDZFheUBK4a8hdnCr2FztkmlenSSjG_Mw/s1600/DSCN3443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzrW6Ui-Emfsz8ftbImYAkZDnmLPCpm4lNHwLLuS73gQHix5rkbf0XfZPXgeAAmlBBQfcz-CZ0hDunFQgNr81DSWjvhktgTa7JNwRBxyqhWsDZFheUBK4a8hdnCr2FztkmlenSSjG_Mw/s400/DSCN3443.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm pretty sure he's giving me the evil eye.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
Tree Swallow paused long enough for a series of pics, including this
eye-to-eye confrontation. They are a territorial sort and normally an
exercise in perpetual motion. Whether protecting their nest or
picking off insects on the fly, their daylight hours are spent
performing airborne acrobatics in the form of swoops, dives and high-
speed passes meant to intimidate intruders – including invasive
photographers! </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD6ONxI1YOYwTuuWEeku-A9cs07EYC44vCExdmCzrm7hwvMggByc657WX-bXJdQNSoUwA7MCDoRbEmwnZBQHIj_MzIrlrlwNN0_UrancQMzK-r6_EtHY02HrJyv2JxAw_OwxRHwuL8Vk/s1600/DSCN3279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD6ONxI1YOYwTuuWEeku-A9cs07EYC44vCExdmCzrm7hwvMggByc657WX-bXJdQNSoUwA7MCDoRbEmwnZBQHIj_MzIrlrlwNN0_UrancQMzK-r6_EtHY02HrJyv2JxAw_OwxRHwuL8Vk/s400/DSCN3279.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Looking
like a toddler sampling his first birthday cake, this </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rose-breasted
Grosbeak </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">stares into the camera while feasting on soggy suet.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Until Next Time,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jim & Claudia</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-13527149003903480732018-01-04T08:50:00.001-08:002018-01-04T08:50:34.994-08:00The Delightful Pileated Woodpecker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13WvXUS2e99X_my4h2ZVXvsu-Rz_zGgM0IzEFCVxbG857iGJpXroTW_c10QnH2j0aXasNcBrdkD16JkHK75EC5g2r7x2s_KE8WdJ8vn450i2TExtadPRjxAmWK7akHBvwuk0YBVQ0TKU/s1600/DSCN4012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13WvXUS2e99X_my4h2ZVXvsu-Rz_zGgM0IzEFCVxbG857iGJpXroTW_c10QnH2j0aXasNcBrdkD16JkHK75EC5g2r7x2s_KE8WdJ8vn450i2TExtadPRjxAmWK7akHBvwuk0YBVQ0TKU/s400/DSCN4012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Pileated Woodpecker scans his surroundings.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t believe I’ve ever, in my entire life, caught sight
of a Pileated Woodpecker and not stopped whatever I was doing simply
to observe the largest of North America’s woodpeckers at work. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And if their presence was made known audibly by a loud, ringing </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">cuck
cuck cuck, </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that too was cause to scan the immediate area in
search of a dark, crow-sized bird with white neck stripes and a
prominent red crest atop its head. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even on the fly there is no mistaking the Pileated Woodpecker’s
undulating flight pattern, or those easy to spot white markings on
the underside of their wings.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdepmvIES_TeRJ27rY6El66BZZyjho298ZHmFF2-gPHnDCHGW-3ugl1Tcxl1EhIld5tyQGRl0SC8iz1fHFu_orTIDUe7ARDJGkHN_brT_oo2C9hYp7SvhwbhhHidqwuihu9BGBjw8ALFo/s1600/DSCN4025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdepmvIES_TeRJ27rY6El66BZZyjho298ZHmFF2-gPHnDCHGW-3ugl1Tcxl1EhIld5tyQGRl0SC8iz1fHFu_orTIDUe7ARDJGkHN_brT_oo2C9hYp7SvhwbhhHidqwuihu9BGBjw8ALFo/s400/DSCN4025.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What's for lunch today?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although we’ve not yet heard their tell-tale call in the
winter months spotting them has not been difficult. With zero
foliage they are easier to espy, whether on the wing while passing
through the open woodlands or alternately probing and hammering away
at tree bark. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzJ0rwihSf6u5IVpiSt3hTAXwKRc96wcUJNIxEZbrDLoVb8yUUoiCoeFasvmX0b1yLamdKk2lrmiJT438CMSJ9DqOlclBkEjkYHmmyvE5eUs325gxYJ3XFoySC4P7FLmpl_LlXBwWEPA/s1600/DSCN4026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzJ0rwihSf6u5IVpiSt3hTAXwKRc96wcUJNIxEZbrDLoVb8yUUoiCoeFasvmX0b1yLamdKk2lrmiJT438CMSJ9DqOlclBkEjkYHmmyvE5eUs325gxYJ3XFoySC4P7FLmpl_LlXBwWEPA/s400/DSCN4026.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This male is taking a brief break from drilling for his next meal.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In recent days, with arctic air invading the area, the Pileated
Woodpecker was a sight to behold for sure as evidenced by this male
in a large Cottonwood tree. He seemed oblivious to the cold,
undeterred by single digit and even below zero temps. Personally, we
found him to be a natural delight, both entertaining, amusing and a
joy to watch.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until
next time,<span style="color: black;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="background: #000000;">
</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim
& Claudia</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-40831747818045355072017-12-19T12:38:00.000-08:002017-12-19T12:38:47.495-08:00 The “Fish Hawk” Makes a Dramatic Comeback<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUglAdSWlMvsTtbOUXxyOBJPwFG7JMnU9-pNFDhQhd7OR8qka4k3OGtTIWzmip_5AAcToXcdDQ_Pm3G9j9pD2xE53b-xESseRLO3O6rBDYUmfYXxw4opsoL7EINt0dL6UxhRcW2r13OYU/s1600/DSCN3428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUglAdSWlMvsTtbOUXxyOBJPwFG7JMnU9-pNFDhQhd7OR8qka4k3OGtTIWzmip_5AAcToXcdDQ_Pm3G9j9pD2xE53b-xESseRLO3O6rBDYUmfYXxw4opsoL7EINt0dL6UxhRcW2r13OYU/s400/DSCN3428.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A female Osprey sits in her nest.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
High above Windmill Marsh the male osprey soared, alternately
circling and hovering as it scanned the water below. Then, in an
instant, it plummeted toward the surface of the marsh. The final
second of its rapid descent was shielded from our view by towering
pines, yet there was no mistaking the loud splash. Moments later the
Osprey was airborne once again. Though his talons were empty there
would be no returning without food. He continued his search, flying
eastward over the marsh.
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A
quarter mile to the west in Hazard Campbell Marsh, the female of the
pair stood guard, her fledglings hidden from sight in the deep
confines of a large stick nest. </div>
</div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtJLIIc8PNDvdZyNI02WzCBuj0V0u4wJZjMzSWuzXz1Azr1N3nG3c08vQmSc05HcwVeC3I22qR81O1K57GNQ9arnhnn6W7kalOpJpoaFABxw6LP-1qV992V9AtL9gZ5OpRpeW07aQrIY/s1600/DSCN3427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtJLIIc8PNDvdZyNI02WzCBuj0V0u4wJZjMzSWuzXz1Azr1N3nG3c08vQmSc05HcwVeC3I22qR81O1K57GNQ9arnhnn6W7kalOpJpoaFABxw6LP-1qV992V9AtL9gZ5OpRpeW07aQrIY/s400/DSCN3427.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was early May and Claudia and I were hiking the network of trails
on Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area. This was not our first
sighting of this pair of ospreys. Three other outings had yielded
similar results, with the female standing guard over the nest while
the male perched in a nearby dead tree. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAgN0QHJ49qSdx06L0ouTyOCo0VbVzWP6W-dmfSQjNvYCcOsFpvNqY6IqPg62N_TeU4VN9x7kkItwqdBdQXXVAx7PKibmLVenqxBkvadX9zXcfB5kRXXW5gRhvAjDuj5WrVT_FPFn7vM/s1600/DSCN3200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAgN0QHJ49qSdx06L0ouTyOCo0VbVzWP6W-dmfSQjNvYCcOsFpvNqY6IqPg62N_TeU4VN9x7kkItwqdBdQXXVAx7PKibmLVenqxBkvadX9zXcfB5kRXXW5gRhvAjDuj5WrVT_FPFn7vM/s400/DSCN3200.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AKA the “Fish Hawk”, Ospreys attain a wing span of five feet or
better and commonly nest along lakes, rivers and coastal areas, the
species’ preferred hunting grounds. Like the Bald Eagle, Ospreys
have made a dramatic comeback in recent years. Pesticide use in the
50’s and 60’s led to a drastic decline in their numbers but
thankfully, they are once again nesting in areas from which they once
disappeared. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until Next Time,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-49039883532000360592017-11-30T11:31:00.000-08:002017-11-30T11:31:15.424-08:00Green Heron Pics at Long Last<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF28ywjUH3mHXdUdpP01msejHfyrnzn3BoZ9eEq0_yRt4ELSNdtFQYaSR-Ju76dGFUak1QfU3v6JtBUnlo2I4RiFx5X6-nYtGIM1Mi5EmxkMkHW1rnmUR8o5K6Fwj49eIKQRkg11jxRw/s1600/DSCN3884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF28ywjUH3mHXdUdpP01msejHfyrnzn3BoZ9eEq0_yRt4ELSNdtFQYaSR-Ju76dGFUak1QfU3v6JtBUnlo2I4RiFx5X6-nYtGIM1Mi5EmxkMkHW1rnmUR8o5K6Fwj49eIKQRkg11jxRw/s400/DSCN3884.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Finally!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In Recent years our attempts at getting photos of the smallest of
North America’s herons resulted in fair to middling results at
best. But this past summer that all changed.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Outings
this year to the Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area proved to be quite
fruitful. As we became familiar with the various marshes and the
interconnecting network of trails, we came across an ever-growing
variety of wildlife found therein. And to our delight, none proved
more accommodating at having their picture taken than the little
Green Heron.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9flt5qerfpGdAZzbSFS_h4jqRe9i4zIIqs991tcWSDQKgC9caxNy8LE5JkFh9vpnnmk4dm-Wv6hYgOEQ_wKGw6TAG_PRLXSqCjsH_Bh4EPgj8MnA-etJtOSlREC2ZBMzJN72zxCjI38/s1600/DSCN3861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9flt5qerfpGdAZzbSFS_h4jqRe9i4zIIqs991tcWSDQKgC9caxNy8LE5JkFh9vpnnmk4dm-Wv6hYgOEQ_wKGw6TAG_PRLXSqCjsH_Bh4EPgj8MnA-etJtOSlREC2ZBMzJN72zxCjI38/s400/DSCN3861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
A Green Heron scans it's surrounding from on high.</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
While
they do perch in trees like the specimen seen here craning its neck,
the Green Heron is a stalker of stream and marsh edges, where it
hunts small fish and frogs. And yet it is most difficult to spot them
in such cover where they tend to be nearly invisible, blending in
perfectly among cattails, phragmites and other wetland growth that
affords them cover.</div>
</div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNYAEQzswPIbHia9hncAmnj5NjG4jfdF1VZuMxCCFx0RDbbLxBDbWr-jLDCRNxcMxbHTQKsJAHA9bN6hub4McdKcx9gYIhlQzWu85h5WfWx4u7Z6_QbzBxsvZXFEoADciM1YnyYiA95I/s1600/DSCN3837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNYAEQzswPIbHia9hncAmnj5NjG4jfdF1VZuMxCCFx0RDbbLxBDbWr-jLDCRNxcMxbHTQKsJAHA9bN6hub4McdKcx9gYIhlQzWu85h5WfWx4u7Z6_QbzBxsvZXFEoADciM1YnyYiA95I/s400/DSCN3837.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One can't help but envy his fishing skills.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At times crafty in its attempt to lure prey, the Green Heron has been
known to take a small twig or feather in their sizeable bill and drop
it gently on the surface, hoping the slight disturbance will attract
a potential meal. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OTR_EUoxkW-uHvu1WW4-e8XwUC-0xg00Z6UtebKdhAwaBePLU7qB88IRUMlErrxA0heG-FchcQpqFeMCRcMqQdVQ_NnZpK3bAOxw9j12LS-iFL47k8XbzdRmxi-oFaSmgO4S_O39on0/s1600/DSCN3792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OTR_EUoxkW-uHvu1WW4-e8XwUC-0xg00Z6UtebKdhAwaBePLU7qB88IRUMlErrxA0heG-FchcQpqFeMCRcMqQdVQ_NnZpK3bAOxw9j12LS-iFL47k8XbzdRmxi-oFaSmgO4S_O39on0/s320/DSCN3792.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A waning moon photobombs a Green Heron at dusk.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until Next Time,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-58170710292610972222017-09-08T10:02:00.002-07:002017-09-08T10:06:18.904-07:00Late Summer on Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfM3sLiHYMalpmkaMUcj06BjgTciZTyqZFOUnGaG9-TBJF0-XcPQOPVRgilMvEUIRufv3UzFEU7vr6svkTJZyBkIydKIcXvftCwfNhjuKCmgdUgsfAYV2-fkttTRj0yLD9Sk99bGTXPE/s1600/DSCN3915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfM3sLiHYMalpmkaMUcj06BjgTciZTyqZFOUnGaG9-TBJF0-XcPQOPVRgilMvEUIRufv3UzFEU7vr6svkTJZyBkIydKIcXvftCwfNhjuKCmgdUgsfAYV2-fkttTRj0yLD9Sk99bGTXPE/s400/DSCN3915.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wildflowers, Cattails, and flooded timber on Guthrie Paddy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Late summer and its subtle shift into early autumn provides
easy-on-the-eyes scenery. One of our favorite places to take in the
sights this time of year is on the wetlands in northwest Genesee
County. And that is where we’ve spent a great deal of our time
since our last post as our focus this year has mainly been along the
trails and marshes of Oak Orchard WMA for our hiking and picture
taking. </span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtT2368lP4a4sYbV-XCAW0NXwxH5sR5fBoeiyP3JKIP_cO_0z5AWAnlkU_RZxYrtvxl8B6sauPdaAgyOxPwnIG1ARc64nkY1LiI8dVqdT7A3WROnFgjh515erenNtVgdF-I9rG5Ru774/s1600/DSCN3847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtT2368lP4a4sYbV-XCAW0NXwxH5sR5fBoeiyP3JKIP_cO_0z5AWAnlkU_RZxYrtvxl8B6sauPdaAgyOxPwnIG1ARc64nkY1LiI8dVqdT7A3WROnFgjh515erenNtVgdF-I9rG5Ru774/s400/DSCN3847.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Monarch Butterfly sits atop a colorful cluster of Joe Pye Weed.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SBnpm3uUim6VvhV5-dnfKXeagSzWZcKbBZ6zxRga0kQN-LeQGtth0U1O5N1amm4F_0S3qrFfJeksKZ8X33P5N8RkyEac4kjYC6789Gegza4W1FO0t98h2i4yameMIdXw-xpX_4LYWKE/s1600/DSCN3804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SBnpm3uUim6VvhV5-dnfKXeagSzWZcKbBZ6zxRga0kQN-LeQGtth0U1O5N1amm4F_0S3qrFfJeksKZ8X33P5N8RkyEac4kjYC6789Gegza4W1FO0t98h2i4yameMIdXw-xpX_4LYWKE/s400/DSCN3804.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A meadow of Purple Loosestrife along the Hazard Campbell Marsh is but one of the many colorful reasons why this time of year is a favorite not only for us, but many others as well. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJHoztcOd5VzeryzcBEeEY71q3spjhddPOIMdaw4rFkktwmMLLUBGgtduGV7iq3TIWmgbpLUmS34qgeOZK-hU7w7do2ZVrc-hCAbZhaqW-6Wu-lhZ8aG2bpYApeUtFXiIaM-guEa7I1E/s1600/DSCN3821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJHoztcOd5VzeryzcBEeEY71q3spjhddPOIMdaw4rFkktwmMLLUBGgtduGV7iq3TIWmgbpLUmS34qgeOZK-hU7w7do2ZVrc-hCAbZhaqW-6Wu-lhZ8aG2bpYApeUtFXiIaM-guEa7I1E/s400/DSCN3821.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Early morning finds a doe and her fawn in a secluded meadow.</span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our nature photography has been interesting this year, with adventures
that evoked smiles, gasps and an overall good deal of satisfaction.
Today’s post is just a small sample of what we look forward to
sharing with you in the coming weeks and months.
</span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until Next Time, </span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia</span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-91272878472021529552017-04-25T15:56:00.001-07:002017-04-25T15:56:17.521-07:00The Not So Popular Common Grackle <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dzlaZD943we6AAIbXMLr_Bst5tWGwvNpaWuce-YGtdC1bclQdUimsspvbXqK1JWb8lUlWXfcC4LkjtVdiAOTnuwKRYk9e5a8CuT7ii21ZvS_xElscbtx55d2YwskLcv1dkfQYxa43P8/s1600/IMG_7616+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dzlaZD943we6AAIbXMLr_Bst5tWGwvNpaWuce-YGtdC1bclQdUimsspvbXqK1JWb8lUlWXfcC4LkjtVdiAOTnuwKRYk9e5a8CuT7ii21ZvS_xElscbtx55d2YwskLcv1dkfQYxa43P8/s400/IMG_7616+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With the afternoon sun greatly enhancing
the Grackle’s iridescent feathers and looking much like a songbird, here the
species almost looks appealing. Looks can be deceiving........</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We
get a good variety of songbirds here, wrens, finches, warblers, etc. Whether it
be at the feeders or in our apple tree when it’s covered with blossoms, we often
have a plethora of feathered songsters on hand. Then, one day in spring, like
clockwork, a flock of Grackles comes flying in and setting up shop in the
surrounding trees. As you might guess, they waste no time taking over our bird
feeders. Just like that our songbird fest is over – at least until the feeders
have been depleted of seed and the marauding Grackles have moved on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxejRTjCu7NVtIM5A4a90wiOCGsV1205QkFpWPhEDe1I6Pcpzq0vzF9wCmRdMZiqd4UzKrhJ1ksfVNsu3CmpJR-QQ63Nr8y8TzM2sBWY3hqzWx-VG2SMhxX4gKwt6Hnw4NyPvQDeMR0o/s1600/IMG_7646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxejRTjCu7NVtIM5A4a90wiOCGsV1205QkFpWPhEDe1I6Pcpzq0vzF9wCmRdMZiqd4UzKrhJ1ksfVNsu3CmpJR-QQ63Nr8y8TzM2sBWY3hqzWx-VG2SMhxX4gKwt6Hnw4NyPvQDeMR0o/s400/IMG_7646.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Common Grackle’s trademark look of sinister
defiance.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Whenever I see Grackles, three distinct images come to mind, two of which bring about feelings of disdain. The first instance occurred while doing a landscape job and seeing what I thought was a piece of paper being blow along by the wind. Following close behind was a Grackle, pecking away at the moving object which turned out to be a fledgling Robin, helpless and trying its best to flee its tormentor.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The second occurrence was reported by a friend who told me of watching a horde of Common Grackles strutting through a meadow in search of ground-nesting songbirds. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5yZOZ2eyRITmv_uNHj4Xyqc_5bI9UTC-bFehiM8l_-05gC0lxymB8Cx-RUgL_VLKdqd0Ydr4tyO5oO6NhHn2cRRbdXkJ-LT1sm0Jj9M_PTWxWZgWDCOOvUm2QX2FN8EIipb_SIXP7L4/s1600/IMG_7604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5yZOZ2eyRITmv_uNHj4Xyqc_5bI9UTC-bFehiM8l_-05gC0lxymB8Cx-RUgL_VLKdqd0Ydr4tyO5oO6NhHn2cRRbdXkJ-LT1sm0Jj9M_PTWxWZgWDCOOvUm2QX2FN8EIipb_SIXP7L4/s400/IMG_7604.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Imagine what a fledgling bird must feel when confronted by this menacing presence.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lastly,
I was hiking along Tonawanda Creek one spring afternoon when I heard a
commotion in cluster of phragmites. The rustling sound roused my curiosity and
as tried to get a closer look a grackle sprang forth from those dead reeds,
taking flight with a snake dangling from its beak. That little wildlife drama
left me with mixed emotions toward the grackle. On one hand there was just the
slightest trace of admiration, after all, here was bird not much bigger than a
Blue Jay about to make a meal of a snake. On the other hand I felt no remorse
for the snake and no hurrah for the grackle.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Until
next time,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Jim
& Claudia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-48358220564906859162017-04-12T11:23:00.000-07:002017-04-12T11:23:20.879-07:00A Return to Normalcy at Our Local Wildlife Refuges<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8968156816995778498" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578px;">
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92qJcli-22FV1wUDvKHNNHG6LnQ6F6n2_gUK5ANoJk29GSUthG896739drwXi_c-tpDRj8rro0OGzmPFdxmRc3QLdB5D_moDWo0uw07fcRCXMQxlzVdL73-4bY4BHN5Kh7JeyzJ1GA7A/s1600/DSCN3073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #002a77; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92qJcli-22FV1wUDvKHNNHG6LnQ6F6n2_gUK5ANoJk29GSUthG896739drwXi_c-tpDRj8rro0OGzmPFdxmRc3QLdB5D_moDWo0uw07fcRCXMQxlzVdL73-4bY4BHN5Kh7JeyzJ1GA7A/s400/DSCN3073.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A trio of Tundra Swans gain altitude as they depart from the<br />Cayuga Pool at the Iroquois Wildlife Refuge in late February.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
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By late summer last year, the drought of 2016 had taken a toll on a good number of the marshes at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge as well as the state run Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas. Waterfowl and other migratory species were forced to look elsewhere for sustainable water. </div>
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Thankfully, the water levels are back up at all three locales and by late winter this year the usual cast of characters began showing up once again. A series of trail hikes in late Feb. and again last weekend resulted in these pics we’d like to share with you.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1pbhyphenhyphenh-ouNtFbjbYWZPn8OtOvv0BfxlvcBstVny-BkGE6Jp6yFMbPYGVHY84Z91UNZWlcYt9OZq-dHgKDPgTjgSYTMCo0DQXsbx3-wPYfsxDazBeDptkiurWwTP25vIOoP5718AW-Bc/s1600/DSCN3043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #002a77; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1pbhyphenhyphenh-ouNtFbjbYWZPn8OtOvv0BfxlvcBstVny-BkGE6Jp6yFMbPYGVHY84Z91UNZWlcYt9OZq-dHgKDPgTjgSYTMCo0DQXsbx3-wPYfsxDazBeDptkiurWwTP25vIOoP5718AW-Bc/s400/DSCN3043.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mating season is underway and the gander on the right is sending a clear<br /> message to his would-be rival; "Three's a crowd and you're outta here, fella!"</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyW10kwS6POo67qD4Sr64T9BuFsZkMAXP7Kw2tGkAVpNxivFr9-hIZKWf7aD8Cy5x9eiZu-qOAskWHewsLF9sHiQxfO8Yb_VAuQrMf_3PetiRxaz658DUHEFbM5hAe5Il7xIT6SukAH0/s1600/DSCN3047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #002a77; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyW10kwS6POo67qD4Sr64T9BuFsZkMAXP7Kw2tGkAVpNxivFr9-hIZKWf7aD8Cy5x9eiZu-qOAskWHewsLF9sHiQxfO8Yb_VAuQrMf_3PetiRxaz658DUHEFbM5hAe5Il7xIT6SukAH0/s400/DSCN3047.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A drake Mallard at home in the cattail marsh makes for a classic waterfowl photo.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOJ_apbufCDieYOWxCQwulWmuCrAOQvSWgVCeiewuTXl9yloas1PZIKVhILK29J2-vS0Q5FlzmnJPteIqqp2SfKB3YScwp1Hfk9MXao7KBEIKBepZj8JJX8iuQ4Y53zZFJtTgKzpef-0/s1600/DSCN3052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #002a77; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOJ_apbufCDieYOWxCQwulWmuCrAOQvSWgVCeiewuTXl9yloas1PZIKVhILK29J2-vS0Q5FlzmnJPteIqqp2SfKB3YScwp1Hfk9MXao7KBEIKBepZj8JJX8iuQ4Y53zZFJtTgKzpef-0/s400/DSCN3052.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hey, what do you know? There's a coot!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A member of the Rail family, the American Coot is a marsh-dwelling bird with a short, rounded body and long toes. Unlike other members of the Rail family, the coot likes open water, often feeding alongside ducks. Excellent swimmers and divers that feed on a variety of aquatic plants, Coots are the most aquatic members of the Rail family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We shall return for more visits to the refuges as spring turns to summer and then on to fall. We look forward to sharing those journeys with you as the cycle of life continues here in the marshes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until Next Time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia </span></div>
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<span class="post-author vcard" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 1em;">Posted by <span class="fn" itemprop="author" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name">Kevin</span> </span></span><span class="post-timestamp" style="margin-left: -1em; margin-right: 1em;">at <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://adventure-calls.blogspot.com/2017/04/a-return-to-normalcy-at-our-local.html" rel="bookmark" style="color: #002a77; text-decoration: none;" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" itemprop="datePublished" style="border: none;" title="2017-04-07T12:05:00-07:00">12:05 PM</abbr></a> </span><span class="reaction-buttons" style="margin-right: 1em;"></span><span class="post-comment-link" style="margin-right: 1em;"><a class="comment-link" href="https://draft.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=6130149664179266092&postID=8968156816995778498" style="color: #002a77; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">No comments: </a></span></div>
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Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-12874473743932566102017-03-14T10:25:00.001-07:002017-03-14T10:25:35.030-07:00Woodpeckers - Percussionists of the Avian Kingdom<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyzukph1aKtQ9P7i1H9-5KuXct8X5bxfE1anHJzljGoVm0xUPRpShCFLL8InKrTA_gTu_N0X1i9lVI09quKDp5E0-z5ctw7Euj9XA992dHSSzvBhyFqrOd0cHqjYUd0VBupOx7Ob0_zM/s1600/DSCN2974+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyzukph1aKtQ9P7i1H9-5KuXct8X5bxfE1anHJzljGoVm0xUPRpShCFLL8InKrTA_gTu_N0X1i9lVI09quKDp5E0-z5ctw7Euj9XA992dHSSzvBhyFqrOd0cHqjYUd0VBupOx7Ob0_zM/s400/DSCN2974+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Taking a break from the rigors of its normal routine, a Red-bellied Woodpecker<br />opts for an easy meal at our suet feeder.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Estimates show that, between
foraging for insects, mating displays or for purposes of territoriality, the
average woodpecker will strike trees – and sometimes man-made structures, in
excess of 12,000 times daily. If you’re even a casual birdwatcher, chances are
that at one time or another you wondered how woodpeckers can rapidly and
repeatedly hammer away on trees and not appear to suffer any ill effects.
Studies have shown that the woodpecker’s brain is encased in a rather spongy
bone casing that absorbs the shock of repeated pounding while extra muscle
along the back of the woodpecker’s neck provide much needed support for their
daily task.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YkAxcRPrzft3epiI1Lu_WyeUXB3r3-4fnc-QpeKCtXzXHSAm0zS0Sp4Wg7EW_qQzx4I2PgPM5HgNhwkHFFduVPzct4UHaiw9ZNqBDAG6ZJ71ohEv5J6brmOrCZPLWl1BdxoeQaD6VUU/s1600/DSCN2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YkAxcRPrzft3epiI1Lu_WyeUXB3r3-4fnc-QpeKCtXzXHSAm0zS0Sp4Wg7EW_qQzx4I2PgPM5HgNhwkHFFduVPzct4UHaiw9ZNqBDAG6ZJ71ohEv5J6brmOrCZPLWl1BdxoeQaD6VUU/s400/DSCN2979.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This Red-bellied Woodpecker has a firm grip on the trunk of an aged Cottonwood.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the photo above shows, Woodpeckers belong to the avian group classified as tree-clingers. It is on trees such as this
where the Red-bellied Woodpecker’s tongue serves it well. It’s barb-covered
tongue is nearly two and a half times the length of its bill, enabling it to
better apprehend prey hiding in the cracks and crevices of thick bark.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lBRqTlPWhTCR5FSa0ZNXxWpvAN8XjlxOXn3MAW7K1tMxmiVbcns0DVJIc0GOETX46HwlH69rPdLonHtTgEc4iAcfK1pHEgJM7igoGjrAf4FJYBNdaxNerpRzY_pGKUY2s5IyK0eD2PQ/s1600/DSCN2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lBRqTlPWhTCR5FSa0ZNXxWpvAN8XjlxOXn3MAW7K1tMxmiVbcns0DVJIc0GOETX46HwlH69rPdLonHtTgEc4iAcfK1pHEgJM7igoGjrAf4FJYBNdaxNerpRzY_pGKUY2s5IyK0eD2PQ/s400/DSCN2969.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Don't let his diminutive stature fool you.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers are quite similar in appearance. Both readily dine on berries, nuts & seeds but, most importantly they will aggressively
seek out insects, including beetle larvae, adult beetles, ants, caterpillars,
etc.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFNE7pdb7ZaG2234WOFrn2JeP35pIJy9Vb_TG00azqeR01BWoCwMrxQ6OF2sG7gyYIiMLpFvkUUZAP7lS1RzPDBpBFItYYaeOoCLFSWdVwGF25oEygcyFrWGZGk_OElCOxtsZ-emdBzM/s1600/IMG_7202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFNE7pdb7ZaG2234WOFrn2JeP35pIJy9Vb_TG00azqeR01BWoCwMrxQ6OF2sG7gyYIiMLpFvkUUZAP7lS1RzPDBpBFItYYaeOoCLFSWdVwGF25oEygcyFrWGZGk_OElCOxtsZ-emdBzM/s400/IMG_7202.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It won't take long for him to find his next meal.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pileated Woodpecker is
the heavy duty excavator of the tree-clingers, capable of busting out a large rectangular
cavity in dead or decaying trees in search of their favorite food, carpenter
ants. Whereas the Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers are quiet, the
Pileated is often heard prior to being spotted, its presence given away by a
raucous CUK-CUK-CUK-CUK.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been a long while since we’ve
wondered whether woodpeckers get headaches from their daily workload. Along the
way we’ve not only come to appreciate their role in nature, we also came to realize
that every species comes into this world equipped to do the job for which it
was intended. Nothing was overlooked because ...........................<i>God saw that is was good.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia</span></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-86753104094585984402017-02-22T09:46:00.001-08:002017-02-22T09:46:05.689-08:00A Closer Look at the Northern Flicker<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4HUwJKZ1g-_6xPkXqnUhY1OpZ1YMModdRcUa85CUyYgS17F4s27z_Uvr0rSy8hsDOb1ndjWfs8Lx0TgI908N6QafhNqT253oIYCzGihLRJj4Ul6c9TiNesEPZGU__8Qe4hrpMNyQVLY/s1600/DSCN2294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4HUwJKZ1g-_6xPkXqnUhY1OpZ1YMModdRcUa85CUyYgS17F4s27z_Uvr0rSy8hsDOb1ndjWfs8Lx0TgI908N6QafhNqT253oIYCzGihLRJj4Ul6c9TiNesEPZGU__8Qe4hrpMNyQVLY/s400/DSCN2294.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Northern Flicker enjoying our backyard.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In late January we posted this picture of a Northern Flicker
on our Facebook page. The picture was taken last may. The only members of the
woodpecker family that commonly feed on the ground, we also went on to say
that, due to their diet, which consists mainly of ants and beetle larvae, we
weren’t expecting to see them until late spring. Then, two days later, and much
to our surprise, Mother Nature threw us a curve ball.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0acIy4xetTHl9cvNPAHRL3GSSvfiN9vuXBzvehSbkhwLLPqYvXg44shgDgY08nQIjaHJObzREdyXSPq2JegsTvzahIQSPVXFvWSi44qccCoNG92J5ijEeQDfUtyI355PO-Eg-ey1rWAA/s1600/DSCN2984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0acIy4xetTHl9cvNPAHRL3GSSvfiN9vuXBzvehSbkhwLLPqYvXg44shgDgY08nQIjaHJObzREdyXSPq2JegsTvzahIQSPVXFvWSi44qccCoNG92J5ijEeQDfUtyI355PO-Eg-ey1rWAA/s400/DSCN2984.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A male Northern Flicker in Western NY in February?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February 1<sup>st</sup> we noticed a winged visitor in the
sumac trees on the edge of our property. Nothing unusual there, as we’ve seen
variety of birds attracted to the sumac drupes. But this time something seemed
a bit different. Amid the flutter of wings, we saw a splash of yellow. And that
splash of yellow is what made me go for the camera. Imagine my surprise when I
zoomed in on the object of our curiosity and watched as a male Northern Flicker
feasted on the sumac drupes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You might say February 1<sup>st</sup> was a day of firsts and
a bit of avian education for Claudia and myself where the Northern Flicker was
concerned. Prior to that day we had never before seen a Flicker so early, at
least not that we noticed. It also was the first time we had noticed them
feeding anywhere other than the ground. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGtqT7KY8JyK0yqtxze055iaWDV-8V6pFHV8v5rN1OXnxqBRpOKpwHSZ8WoOFLSXFJ55BxyDZrssDN5f2D7UfZHlKbDksxwmQW4gh2wVtQNpr2Zmzx9p5iUzc2DUsIE816Z5d9Pop-IM/s1600/DSCN2301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGtqT7KY8JyK0yqtxze055iaWDV-8V6pFHV8v5rN1OXnxqBRpOKpwHSZ8WoOFLSXFJ55BxyDZrssDN5f2D7UfZHlKbDksxwmQW4gh2wVtQNpr2Zmzx9p5iUzc2DUsIE816Z5d9Pop-IM/s400/DSCN2301.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This Northern Flicker is listening for an answer to his mating call.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While we learned a thing or two this month regarding the
Northern Flicker, we aren’t total strangers to its habits. A few years ago we
were rousted from sound slumber bright and early each morning for several days.
Come to find out, it is part of the Flicker’s courting ritual and also to
proclaim its territory to hammer away on dead limbs and also tin roofs. We
didn’t have a tin roof but at least one male Flicker found the aluminum
flashing above our sun porch suitable for his early hour courtship
reverie. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until Next Time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-36182587210061971962017-02-02T11:16:00.001-08:002017-02-02T11:16:15.675-08:00Rethinking the Ways of the Blue Jay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFXmhuCTtW1Oy-AW2OfgGLD1To3bwt1YwiG4cmEMzdnFkpfLQ1o1nHClkZqOHdo5gXZTIVZgCvKEY0KjljoK4R6HZeBE96CLH3qK4vJFHjnJUmR1eRXOEmr1trD4sMEPjzBZATccH-_8/s1600/IMG_9309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFXmhuCTtW1Oy-AW2OfgGLD1To3bwt1YwiG4cmEMzdnFkpfLQ1o1nHClkZqOHdo5gXZTIVZgCvKEY0KjljoK4R6HZeBE96CLH3qK4vJFHjnJUmR1eRXOEmr1trD4sMEPjzBZATccH-_8/s400/IMG_9309.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Blue Jay attempting to "rule the roost".</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Claudia always chooses to see the good in something, just one of her many fine traits. Suffice
it to say, she has never shared my disdain
for the Blue Jay. There was a time in the not so distant past when I regarded
Blue Jays as nothing more than plunderers and pillagers. Unlike Claudia, rather
than seeing their beauty, I chose to see them as pirates of the bird feeder,
bullies who chased smaller songbirds away.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOgJOzY7UA82owPj16Ksb8HZlfajmvb0UfkJfTfI6PV00Vz1VNaS2tV40Fg8XlC5wTaGd2u6eTzKw736z8VGzZr5xFjJIHQpPuvas5mAXsGSM8l5H25vXNp-lb6Jh3r5Al6HiozeAXwE/s1600/IMG_9310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOgJOzY7UA82owPj16Ksb8HZlfajmvb0UfkJfTfI6PV00Vz1VNaS2tV40Fg8XlC5wTaGd2u6eTzKw736z8VGzZr5xFjJIHQpPuvas5mAXsGSM8l5H25vXNp-lb6Jh3r5Al6HiozeAXwE/s400/IMG_9310.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A pretender to the throne, perhaps?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moreover, I considered the Blue Jay a noise maker of raucous
shrieks and harsh cries. While the non-stop squawking of a single Blue Jay was
bothersome enough, it was those occasions when several banded together in a
single tree producing a relentless non-stop cacophony that was particularly annoying. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then a strange thing happened. I learned to appreciate and
admire Blue Jays. First and foremost, they photographed quite nicely. However, that
was hardly the sole reason for my attitude adjustment toward the Blue Jay.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHMoIISKKJpGsXfns3m2vIyH4GQO43077H3bfnYVG82QYDdF-x7TaZQl__eNF8c7MlnRnCdZNIFM3pNd8tgXygr08OH2IxzntI2uITSUs8Sla3PxBzalaVIZf-KZSNQMvDOiqFMAqfXA/s1600/IMG_9333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHMoIISKKJpGsXfns3m2vIyH4GQO43077H3bfnYVG82QYDdF-x7TaZQl__eNF8c7MlnRnCdZNIFM3pNd8tgXygr08OH2IxzntI2uITSUs8Sla3PxBzalaVIZf-KZSNQMvDOiqFMAqfXA/s400/IMG_9333.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Equal in size, a Red-bellied Woodpecker is<br />unfazed by the Blue Jay's presence.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometime after we got involved with nature photography we
began taking the time to observe and study Blue Jays. Though I had long known
them to be aggressive and pesky rascals, I also discovered them to be curious and
intelligent and, at times, quite beneficial. In fact, they are even known to serve
as nature’s tree planters, albeit unwittingly. One can only guess how many oak
trees exist east of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mississippi</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">River</st1:placetype></st1:place> as a result of
forgotten acorns stashed underground by hoarding Blue Jays. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JW4HKB-aDYtcYGMBRbUkpf-U11aeNLISuGxrc_kVhu4Z6kEtCJfzdcocABYHZ3rd7RkYUooFupKMoAem0r0xlQfahVUbXRmdIAuwWxWdYpzr0PTQ8w-dlZE_hJHTfFGvfW9YkD83S5g/s1600/IMG_9314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JW4HKB-aDYtcYGMBRbUkpf-U11aeNLISuGxrc_kVhu4Z6kEtCJfzdcocABYHZ3rd7RkYUooFupKMoAem0r0xlQfahVUbXRmdIAuwWxWdYpzr0PTQ8w-dlZE_hJHTfFGvfW9YkD83S5g/s400/IMG_9314.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Singing it's own song of Joy to the Lord, and all who care to listen.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They can make a variety of sounds, including the rather
gentle and musical sounding <i>queedle-queedle.
</i>As a songbird it may not produce the rich sound of warblers and wrens, yet
for sheer looks the Blue Jay can hold its own against anything the avian world
has to offer. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdX1bh3v9MfYfzXAkiiNeFh_rR1GuONFocGu9JUO1QoxKKoKsO0K3XQvITMHO5mLOORBNxGCzg4objWk3zgDnmI0Iwh28o25ZW_qYkD3Hug9VjWRD-V68zTNoUKimTUayEsitQwo9n3O8/s1600/IMG_9350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdX1bh3v9MfYfzXAkiiNeFh_rR1GuONFocGu9JUO1QoxKKoKsO0K3XQvITMHO5mLOORBNxGCzg4objWk3zgDnmI0Iwh28o25ZW_qYkD3Hug9VjWRD-V68zTNoUKimTUayEsitQwo9n3O8/s400/IMG_9350.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A striking bird, against a similarly striking sky.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am no longer a detractor of the stately-looking Blue Jay.
After all, who am I to argue with their Creator? In the first chapter of
Genesis we find these words: </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“He created every winged bird according to its kind….And saw
that it was good.” </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until Next Time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia</span></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-79029587891863050982017-01-17T06:39:00.002-08:002017-01-17T06:39:11.402-08:00An Avian Melody: the Cardinal’s Song of Joyful Praise<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzgx6caRWebW-wfwRDxID6yR7Ccbkp2AIyWarv5KIONRzD-q80ofuR_qpNBqTfNdj04k_jYEPJLNiE_bX2u0IhV6bLgxJiCbPEGwfQX2irJu8ftWAg0EzvWKsR5OBLggwzccRYfrF2-k/s1600/IMG_9297+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzgx6caRWebW-wfwRDxID6yR7Ccbkp2AIyWarv5KIONRzD-q80ofuR_qpNBqTfNdj04k_jYEPJLNiE_bX2u0IhV6bLgxJiCbPEGwfQX2irJu8ftWAg0EzvWKsR5OBLggwzccRYfrF2-k/s400/IMG_9297+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This male Cardinal is taking a respite in our apple
tree between trips to the feeder.</span><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We enjoy feeding the birds year
round, but in winter, when the surroundings can be rather drab, the Northern
Cardinal certainly brightens the landscape. But these days it’s much more than
simply watching the birds at the feeder. Watching the songbirds, particularly
the wintering Cardinal, has raised questions. Is the Northern Cardinal,
like others of the avian world, something more than simply a vividly-colored
songbird? They forage, they procreate & raise their young. They do their
utmost to survive, oftentimes in cruel and unforgiving elements. And still,
they see fit to fill the air with a sweet melody.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2M3OompjjGYyTZWgGodUsDotr7bAzW335DSSKtFerdUrXXzqL88f1mU7WoBnpHqyRpD9-hj6PGP6Bav5hk4fuyHkiSZ1_sfH6uFSHXBDTz-GgDka0vlQpoZCVGvHn2Td45Tn1VHlGAo/s1600/IMG_7341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2M3OompjjGYyTZWgGodUsDotr7bAzW335DSSKtFerdUrXXzqL88f1mU7WoBnpHqyRpD9-hj6PGP6Bav5hk4fuyHkiSZ1_sfH6uFSHXBDTz-GgDka0vlQpoZCVGvHn2Td45Tn1VHlGAo/s400/IMG_7341.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">A female Cardinal belts out a tune, much to our great delight.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Cardinal’s cheery song is easily
recognizable and while most songbirds are heard only during the mating season,
Cardinals can be heard any time of year. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Cardinal’s delightful song is often heard
while the songster itself remains hidden out of sight.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedVqq09hZ8tDSbgKy775uU6Y-gDsSMq0Fxqo8FiMvg4LEvxndgayuPGVwe7uRYA0GqsSEo5eQMzql9VC0wAwx3u4VKp678q2VTJSXIl8vjBKaWuGpJm5YCui9Y5J4aV0ih_tegwoUcG0/s1600/IMG_7541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedVqq09hZ8tDSbgKy775uU6Y-gDsSMq0Fxqo8FiMvg4LEvxndgayuPGVwe7uRYA0GqsSEo5eQMzql9VC0wAwx3u4VKp678q2VTJSXIl8vjBKaWuGpJm5YCui9Y5J4aV0ih_tegwoUcG0/s400/IMG_7541.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Such vivid imagery!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other times they are spotted quickly thanks to a
backdrop of blue sky. In the case of the Cardinal, such a contrasting
background only serves to enhance nature’s palette. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjOFPR3mngRDrlBa45vOr2g-qCwY7sNgWO6DOSIOsGqPEO4n-mxd2i8IiAVp-pcubwNDEv4g5vfpNbCAjpm9Q7AGmOVQsSdWRW-OSNk4bfZ8jlR6Bdxsu5nVMgl2JB5raEGMFZxOWvdU/s1600/9272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjOFPR3mngRDrlBa45vOr2g-qCwY7sNgWO6DOSIOsGqPEO4n-mxd2i8IiAVp-pcubwNDEv4g5vfpNbCAjpm9Q7AGmOVQsSdWRW-OSNk4bfZ8jlR6Bdxsu5nVMgl2JB5raEGMFZxOWvdU/s400/9272.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Winter serenity.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">There once was a time when we
didn’t give a whole lot of thought to their existence. Eventually, there came a
day when we were perhaps more than a bit in awe of their ability to cope with
and survive the harsh conditions of winter. Pondering this, it occurred to us
that Cardinals, like all songbirds, are something special – a Godly handprint
if you will, a gifted species of creation that sing of the majesty and wonders
of their Creator and send their lavish praises skyward. One can't help but believe that perhaps they have ample
reason for doing so.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“Look at the birds of the air, for they
neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds
them”….. Matt. 6:26 </i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until next time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-66887422048434829912016-12-26T12:11:00.000-08:002016-12-26T12:11:37.917-08:00J.D. BARRETT: AVID PADDLER FOR ALL SEASONS<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-ceXuWmrbPZjPv-eJoICAO-7LCLTX1cgIuO0gOtv2qt86_FCuQ7Xl6GdX9DlKKqk5r9Ok_jwe9rFzA6tLNZKeDsVeLA9XJstX3ixoipfe20mwHhub-AoN23mAR3w7gDLLgDeBJztmJY/s1600/jd+224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-ceXuWmrbPZjPv-eJoICAO-7LCLTX1cgIuO0gOtv2qt86_FCuQ7Xl6GdX9DlKKqk5r9Ok_jwe9rFzA6tLNZKeDsVeLA9XJstX3ixoipfe20mwHhub-AoN23mAR3w7gDLLgDeBJztmJY/s400/jd+224.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">J. D. Barrett - has canoe, will paddle</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">J.D. Barrett sets out
each year to match his age with the number of times he goes canoeing during the
calendar year. Four years ago, at the age of 87 his 87</span><sup style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;"> trip entailed paddling Black Creek as it flows through Genesee and Monroe Counties. It was December at the time. </span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Canoeing in December? Was there ice on the
water? You bet, but not enough to deter J.D. and some well-wishing fellow paddlers
who were on hand to help commemorate the occasion. On that day the group of
seven launched their solo canoes in Churchville Park and paddled upstream a few miles before stopping for a celebratory hot lunch on shore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMRQBcqnJ8dcPcnckveIXk4kJ_kFe9vgVOE7naNXLv1S80cO1i9pF6Jws4NIZGHeC1ygo7TKULrNfI53jDw7cRV3B6SClyxt3yGyxyeGk5lisjljrVfsY4HoZonzJzYfzs1j-2AZ7mcU/s1600/IMG_4142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMRQBcqnJ8dcPcnckveIXk4kJ_kFe9vgVOE7naNXLv1S80cO1i9pF6Jws4NIZGHeC1ygo7TKULrNfI53jDw7cRV3B6SClyxt3yGyxyeGk5lisjljrVfsY4HoZonzJzYfzs1j-2AZ7mcU/s400/IMG_4142.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The man in his element.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">One might figure that given J.D. Barrett’s
yearly quest, last year, at age 90, he would make ninety paddling trips on the
waterways he so enjoys. Not quite. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“God was willing” as J.D. might say, to see
him complete 105 canoe outings on the lakes, creeks and rivers he favors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Some years J.D. meets his “quota” and other
years, well, let’s just say age throws unforeseen snags in his path. This year
shoulder problems prevented him from pursuing his outdoor endeavors as much as
he would have liked. Still, he put in ample time both canoeing and fly-fishing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmX_TOgKTrCDnadkdYwV-5xgZ5roivOpMsV-KUyXjC4GcpBZ3Sf54UOp9eD2amns2Zxbym3MsU8IKc_QoJvchsLbZnqCiD9aApDRjNvVxs9XaMPzTz6I0OqIRUSwGLR5SW0xNQleWL1M/s1600/jd+269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmX_TOgKTrCDnadkdYwV-5xgZ5roivOpMsV-KUyXjC4GcpBZ3Sf54UOp9eD2amns2Zxbym3MsU8IKc_QoJvchsLbZnqCiD9aApDRjNvVxs9XaMPzTz6I0OqIRUSwGLR5SW0xNQleWL1M/s400/jd+269.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Regardless of the weather, there's nothing better than being on the water.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">In addition to paddling, J.D. has
fashioned many a canoe and kayak from scratch and is well known for his custom
paddles which he often presents as gifts to friends. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">A skilled and meticulous craftsman, the time
J.D. has spent making canoes and kayaks or helping friends do so is
considerable, yet it is surpassed by the time he spends on the water in pursuit
of one of his favorite pastimes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">J.D. doesn’t spend all his
time on the local lakes and streams or in his woodworking shop. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">A Stafford resident who is highly regarded in
both the canoeing and fly-fishing communities, he has also been a member of Grace Baptist Church in Batavia for the better part of six decades. In addition to serving as a deacon
and on various committees, J.D. has used his musical talents as an accomplished pianist as part of the worship service for many years at Grace. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnaprO8NhMX-fQGHXOrdKwIHpYzPi19AUY_MzZpkOeU3kNnfPEaV7HVJ4XjdXE6RTMPGe2KhaVolFvRFD8MlgSFqtp5oeKXDFbyjLnPByVBgyNa15DZOHX0EsKYDm9u-qRe6sciIA6hE/s1600/IMG_4085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnaprO8NhMX-fQGHXOrdKwIHpYzPi19AUY_MzZpkOeU3kNnfPEaV7HVJ4XjdXE6RTMPGe2KhaVolFvRFD8MlgSFqtp5oeKXDFbyjLnPByVBgyNa15DZOHX0EsKYDm9u-qRe6sciIA6hE/s320/IMG_4085.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">The look of genuine contentment. </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">A devoted family man, J.D. and his wife, Dorothy celebrated their sixty-ninth wedding anniversary earlier this year. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">To those who know him best, his attributes are many</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">; good
husband & father, adept canoeist, skilled fly-fisherman, talented musician, and a faithful
servant of the Lord. A diverse and laudable repertoire indeed, one befitting a great
American and a Godly man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Until Next Time,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Jim & Claudia</span></span></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-52263471500448169432016-12-09T06:33:00.000-08:002016-12-09T06:33:21.771-08:00The Voice of The Lord<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 29:14 “The voice of
the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty."</i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVLqQ3DdVwJsc-7z5gSd1vOuCV893nR7BY6n9JtBuTkFbUuKx5qu5C9uJfcll5gY0qx8FPsYDt0Mk3J2PD9U4hyRx0eoz7X1LCTFx5_V_SYgTjeywJQQEyw0gVO2pZHI8HIfht3W2qRE/s1600/IMG_6053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVLqQ3DdVwJsc-7z5gSd1vOuCV893nR7BY6n9JtBuTkFbUuKx5qu5C9uJfcll5gY0qx8FPsYDt0Mk3J2PD9U4hyRx0eoz7X1LCTFx5_V_SYgTjeywJQQEyw0gVO2pZHI8HIfht3W2qRE/s400/IMG_6053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you heard
the voice of the Lord?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From His throne
on high He directs the world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a powerful
voice full of majesty</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He brings
seasons of blessings for you and me.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaBbrOgYMZAihOnkutOmZcQIemTmg_E6g_bJtjBpGy5hhye5AKDp5PobtUPnPE_fAWO3JXd-_e40s4cF3L7NDhXl1qi0-Z3WwvfXYmwEIlTCz-dC8F7Gnss0AOIkjhi6kSSXDoD3QF2s/s1600/IMG_8006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaBbrOgYMZAihOnkutOmZcQIemTmg_E6g_bJtjBpGy5hhye5AKDp5PobtUPnPE_fAWO3JXd-_e40s4cF3L7NDhXl1qi0-Z3WwvfXYmwEIlTCz-dC8F7Gnss0AOIkjhi6kSSXDoD3QF2s/s400/IMG_8006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In spring comes
the rain to water the ground.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In fields and
gardens new plants abound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cute baby
animals are born every day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God calls forth
new life in so many ways.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhXyElWRBKUkE-KQq19M4pBCNoWzmycMpLGkD0lDfAJwkNngZy4Q41LuF5kWhI-fluP_em6ZR4rNk1IWUe6hNkg51nSUJYMEbYDB5L8_JtPEAOPZu0SLLg2OcUJfUC_RK4B6U-ZvLl_M/s1600/IMG_6066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhXyElWRBKUkE-KQq19M4pBCNoWzmycMpLGkD0lDfAJwkNngZy4Q41LuF5kWhI-fluP_em6ZR4rNk1IWUe6hNkg51nSUJYMEbYDB5L8_JtPEAOPZu0SLLg2OcUJfUC_RK4B6U-ZvLl_M/s400/IMG_6066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In summer He
brings forth the radiant sun</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To warm the
ground and everyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer flowers
and beautiful skies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rejoice the
heart and delight </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIEryQkCDb5kpI84E2Lv1iAtsx6biAW_uPXTBDFj85s6122kq7u0w51bEkAUHmL40snLwfDhmiNmTv4gZaTFiJXhBHyiq12QqeyjxtJnyi7dlu7ZZ_iZbmS1ChaBCpsrruF1mz8jinM8/s1600/IMG_8717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIEryQkCDb5kpI84E2Lv1iAtsx6biAW_uPXTBDFj85s6122kq7u0w51bEkAUHmL40snLwfDhmiNmTv4gZaTFiJXhBHyiq12QqeyjxtJnyi7dlu7ZZ_iZbmS1ChaBCpsrruF1mz8jinM8/s400/IMG_8717.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In autumn God
paints the leaves as the air turns cold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red, orange and
yellow – beauty untold.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The harvest
begins and His blessings we reap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Animals tore
food or get ready to sleep.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVmw_ZtlLWPEyZLnZ4H20B5JvySaWjStj0YfMVMaA4GSdk87RVXMOJfip1ZbOhV73pbA78XOlB4NzezfeE9O9-JYbPCst8WLWlvET6F3LTff4-fLgRUh570YHS0NHDXkVOZHR3M02O9s/s1600/IMG_4979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVmw_ZtlLWPEyZLnZ4H20B5JvySaWjStj0YfMVMaA4GSdk87RVXMOJfip1ZbOhV73pbA78XOlB4NzezfeE9O9-JYbPCst8WLWlvET6F3LTff4-fLgRUh570YHS0NHDXkVOZHR3M02O9s/s400/IMG_4979.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In winter God
calls forth the ice and the snow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We light
warming fires; our faces aglow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Children sled
on hillsides of white,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snow sparkles
like diamonds in the bright sunlight.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31Mei1lGG4LtoCfnr3nQhMAjtt4cf5tVLHaMHLK-SBbKJ-MmwrPhU9h_oxG-Oe6jwX1pv6bc-Y_ziBlSRUvwBuOL2k_kEFvHSOeyBABFJ9NIGk7VgzNQyYMx3MnU7PXXz4vpjQ-Lq1D4/s1600/new+camera+367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31Mei1lGG4LtoCfnr3nQhMAjtt4cf5tVLHaMHLK-SBbKJ-MmwrPhU9h_oxG-Oe6jwX1pv6bc-Y_ziBlSRUvwBuOL2k_kEFvHSOeyBABFJ9NIGk7VgzNQyYMx3MnU7PXXz4vpjQ-Lq1D4/s400/new+camera+367.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reflect on the
ways you’ve heard God’s voice;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sounds that
bring peace and help you rejoice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A world full of
wonderful sights on display</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To call forth
our praise and worship each day</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Poem courtesy Sally Barrett Fry)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until Next Time,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-48946878061305015912016-11-22T09:25:00.000-08:002016-11-22T09:25:10.783-08:00An Evening Paddle on the Tonawanda<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
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<!--[endif]--><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0kvm4vK0V8lJPq6m7zGSayEdmahwtgMIgGEdxWsooKQNSi3N_sG6mZ1aENvwxSTOMicWwMQ2Tpzcf7Jzxoz2tyswFcjWULtd7_02Fn4OrkazNPEnGZMlNlb_-LBnlDJVB6Rs_K09JiE/s1600/DSCF2982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0kvm4vK0V8lJPq6m7zGSayEdmahwtgMIgGEdxWsooKQNSi3N_sG6mZ1aENvwxSTOMicWwMQ2Tpzcf7Jzxoz2tyswFcjWULtd7_02Fn4OrkazNPEnGZMlNlb_-LBnlDJVB6Rs_K09JiE/s400/DSCF2982.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Serenity can be found just steps from our back door.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Because it borders our property,
we’ve paddled Tonawanda Creek more than any other local stream during the past three
decades. While anytime we get the opportunity to paddle together is a good
time, it’s during the fall months that we most enjoy being on the water. During the last half hour of daylight is an especially magical time, as day fades into night. It is then, as darkness slowly permeates our surroundings that the sounds of the nocturnal denizens penetrate the still of the evening –
perhaps the trill of a Screech owl or the loud splash of a beaver sounding the
alarm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's at about this time – on ultra
clear nights - stars will start appearing overhead. There'll be one or two at first while
there is yet a faint orange flow on the horizon, then, as the heavenly recesses
become inky black, the night sky suddenly resembles a celestial display of
diamonds scattered on black velvet. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At such times I'm reminded of a
passage from the Book of Psalms….<i>”The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVVzIe2vDtyOqkW6R4G5satkGGrBnNjEUM8Jw27go6L2Bbo8ZcUfK6hOqG6DUIkbfXp5-3L_bYpaTm4GW_miQITf9QMZgsFw_GFMMAvhXvWmkLilxArCHYi_ds10K8v3sf9DZUY25JhM/s1600/IMG_4416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVVzIe2vDtyOqkW6R4G5satkGGrBnNjEUM8Jw27go6L2Bbo8ZcUfK6hOqG6DUIkbfXp5-3L_bYpaTm4GW_miQITf9QMZgsFw_GFMMAvhXvWmkLilxArCHYi_ds10K8v3sf9DZUY25JhM/s400/IMG_4416.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"He leadeth me beside still waters....."</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether paddling night or day on a
slow-moving stream, this autumn has been nothing short of spectacular, and a
great season for seeing first hand an awesome display of God’s Handiwork.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until Next Time, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia</span></div>
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Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-60510920161870250832016-09-29T11:40:00.001-07:002016-09-29T11:40:40.492-07:00The Dragonfly - A Stealthful Hunter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnkq-i03fySwyFQjyueOC8xiDMX_hyCfnIbszStNlFEI2qAu0CdmeN3_XgqquYp_Uy-lmOAB5apt7vbhWY92szypjE3q6p-GiHO3hqLpDENQkx2jbzwdGoHg5SWVDPldkkODxxGEh9Og/s1600/IMG_8494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnkq-i03fySwyFQjyueOC8xiDMX_hyCfnIbszStNlFEI2qAu0CdmeN3_XgqquYp_Uy-lmOAB5apt7vbhWY92szypjE3q6p-GiHO3hqLpDENQkx2jbzwdGoHg5SWVDPldkkODxxGEh9Og/s400/IMG_8494.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Twelve Spotted Skimmer alights on a Spiraea twig.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Fascinated with nature at an early age, I spent a great deal of time in my
formative years inspecting insects. Those most
readily available and easy to catch were crickets, grasshoppers and sow bugs.
Among those not so easy to catch were dragonflies and back in those days, nobody
I knew wanted to catch one anyway. There was a reason for that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">None of the other kids from my neighborhood
called them dragonflies. They called them “darning needles” or “sewing needles”
because it was rumored that they had the ability to sew your eyes, ears or
mouth shut. While I may not have fully believed that story as a lad there
was probably a time or two when, if I did happen to see a dragonfly while outdoors,
I kept a wary eye on it until it flew out of sight. Over the years, as my
outdoor horizons expanded, my interest in dragonflies also grew and I
discovered that, like all creatures of the wild, the Good Lord saw to it they
came equipped to take care of themselves. For example, t</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">hey do have incredibly sharp mandibles, but use them only for capturing prey, not to sew little boys eyes and ears shut.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GzfuN1FoKU78jLkwMaTms3EXSopSoVRakNdSqAr7x2mNGJ0DosYjmv8ki269BE2RzYdkUHvtc2iIpXLznQpY4psYrhM4gKMAa3Daup6HgbrhrzH0I860jMkHYgf6PlGyc50GR4Lq3jw/s1600/DSCN0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GzfuN1FoKU78jLkwMaTms3EXSopSoVRakNdSqAr7x2mNGJ0DosYjmv8ki269BE2RzYdkUHvtc2iIpXLznQpY4psYrhM4gKMAa3Daup6HgbrhrzH0I860jMkHYgf6PlGyc50GR4Lq3jw/s400/DSCN0704.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Truth be told, all dragonflies, like the Whitetail seen here, are no threat to humans.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qsfjSJKQ_XaFwZK0xCrKa7fJJNcfsME0k35KDyfkauo-AaOQugwJzS5DjLnKbaMbJn-2BB4_ryghJT-sq_KYA33UkstIvSIahHZ42eta9Vi6q5ktjNrCPboLR4vn1_SLh9gLfzgg-A4/s1600/IMG_5998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qsfjSJKQ_XaFwZK0xCrKa7fJJNcfsME0k35KDyfkauo-AaOQugwJzS5DjLnKbaMbJn-2BB4_ryghJT-sq_KYA33UkstIvSIahHZ42eta9Vi6q5ktjNrCPboLR4vn1_SLh9gLfzgg-A4/s400/IMG_5998.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A sighting of the Bluet Damselfly often harkens one back to summer days gone by.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">The Bluet as seen above, was a frequent “visitor” in my early years, especially if I was fishing. It seems like whenever I was wetting a line, they would land on the tip of my fishing pole and be content to stay a while if left undisturbed. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYJ9jSd4zT7FHiwCU2S6Uov7Y8OLa3gqt3gngIW57waX01J5S4xk1scwUqbG_eXavHAOP04caq4jbOzFgOzjLSv_0m5S67LUY-zla6Rqg59vydwA4h3lDB8Weq20yfcfNqBDIdlp36Qw/s1600/IMG_6447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYJ9jSd4zT7FHiwCU2S6Uov7Y8OLa3gqt3gngIW57waX01J5S4xk1scwUqbG_eXavHAOP04caq4jbOzFgOzjLSv_0m5S67LUY-zla6Rqg59vydwA4h3lDB8Weq20yfcfNqBDIdlp36Qw/s400/IMG_6447.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Jagged-Edge Saddlebag is so named due to the <br />tell-tell markings along its thorax.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Despite the delicate look of a dragonfly's gossamer-like wings, they provide it with maneuverability unequaled
in the insect world. They possess two pairs of wings, and can operate each wing
independently of the others. They can fly forward, backward and even sideways
and hover in one spot for an indeterminate amount of time. This unique trait in the flying insect kingdom is one of the primary reasons they are such skillful and stealthy aerial hunters. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrW3tEP0rQtLMCu7PLjz28a0VD5FDXbxr55LQcz6bJwJ95P-Q1bclW349XvV8J8ZvUrdsbONP1MeSBAZv8GKsPpRUWBlkNbutyoJk_JaADc6mY4jdSo83dU2t_T4v9ENA8vuj349VoYE/s1600/IMG_6458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrW3tEP0rQtLMCu7PLjz28a0VD5FDXbxr55LQcz6bJwJ95P-Q1bclW349XvV8J8ZvUrdsbONP1MeSBAZv8GKsPpRUWBlkNbutyoJk_JaADc6mY4jdSo83dU2t_T4v9ENA8vuj349VoYE/s400/IMG_6458.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The dragonfly's bulbous eyes give it outstanding vision.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A dragonfly's field of vision is nearly 360 degrees, with its only blind spot directly behind them. Their compound
eyes consist of 30,000 facets – or “smaller eyes” each of which provides
information regarding the dragonfly’s surroundings. Combine their extraordinary
vision with their flight skills, and you have a predator that can either
intercept or ambush its intended prey in mid-air without slowing down and,
thanks to those sharp mandibles, consume it while still on the fly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZU1Vh3-ts9n3_6woxeLYFLfti5aDTds_PejJT8mZLeB_AoK4C8vPev8ma2DHcyKpu__9AsePXCkTyzJrFDfPi6AgNVw2WKNzFBSMn4LMcho6Iwi9SEDJ8-bQwj7tJZNKyXDxBcmx5fM/s1600/IMG_1124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZU1Vh3-ts9n3_6woxeLYFLfti5aDTds_PejJT8mZLeB_AoK4C8vPev8ma2DHcyKpu__9AsePXCkTyzJrFDfPi6AgNVw2WKNzFBSMn4LMcho6Iwi9SEDJ8-bQwj7tJZNKyXDxBcmx5fM/s400/IMG_1124.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In this instance, the hunter became the prey.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Despite their being skilled predators,
likewise the dragonfly is preyed upon by a number creatures including but not
limited to fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and spiders. Pictured above is a
Black-and-yellow Argiope spider wrapping a Red Skimmer in a silk cocoon for a
later meal. Bon Appetit!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Until Next Time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jim & Claudia </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-50321072588051624072016-09-21T12:13:00.001-07:002016-09-21T12:13:55.614-07:00Fluttering Gems of Late Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EJrkY2RjSwFK-byQ34orChglro4Xjb9yq4hLiB4JVxzyYm7FscHltX9oKMnkU4TelMB7TO3Hy3vqf0W9hKjLn7Zy9TKQtM5sQXksGb2GJ6si_03ZaOgmHEm8fZc_9zJbsu3giEm2ovc/s1600/DSCN0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EJrkY2RjSwFK-byQ34orChglro4Xjb9yq4hLiB4JVxzyYm7FscHltX9oKMnkU4TelMB7TO3Hy3vqf0W9hKjLn7Zy9TKQtM5sQXksGb2GJ6si_03ZaOgmHEm8fZc_9zJbsu3giEm2ovc/s400/DSCN0631.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Often mistaken for a Monarch, this is the Viceroy. <br />It is distinguishable by the arched black line that crosses the hind wing.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">It's late summer and
fallow fields and meadows are awash with the color of wildflowers. Likewise,
roadsides and hedgerows are speckled with the brilliant hues of goldenrod,
purple asters, and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">chicory</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> to name a few. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">While this landscape is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and enjoyed by many,
perhaps nothing appreciates those colorful wild blooms more than butterflies.
The weather has been nothing short of spectacular and it stands to reason that
this is perhaps the greatest time of year for watching a wide variety of butterflies
as they flit and flutter from flower to flower, drawing nectar from bloom after
colorful bloom. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">With that in mind, we
thought it a great time to share with you some of our favorite butterfly
photos.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lXQetgSlssVUIuTDLZfJ3nVjlYXs3Qahl5DGpSuixnbpDwC-r2uhS0tktqIqDER6VaA6w-BiIoqwKkileYryHcLrxA8mZV8_-L8Ylk0-WtCJSiYLt8gE6wAXh1NRgphKBK45-RXRlBk/s1600/IMG_1067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lXQetgSlssVUIuTDLZfJ3nVjlYXs3Qahl5DGpSuixnbpDwC-r2uhS0tktqIqDER6VaA6w-BiIoqwKkileYryHcLrxA8mZV8_-L8Ylk0-WtCJSiYLt8gE6wAXh1NRgphKBK45-RXRlBk/s400/IMG_1067.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is a <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Pear Crescent</st1:address></st1:street>, one of the more common smaller<br /> butterflies, seen here alighting on some goldenrod.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRNYYzHl978mr-4r_hatfx5mBgCyMHoYfbjxt_6v1xaP0QdajtZebQVU9ZH_BJ0nt0kPgwo54YiFmCxhf6YVqT59SQYprDPG_i1AAZ4Fe740pbLGsW8h7uIIh2iXeTMHbTdBs_SdMMoM/s1600/DSCN0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRNYYzHl978mr-4r_hatfx5mBgCyMHoYfbjxt_6v1xaP0QdajtZebQVU9ZH_BJ0nt0kPgwo54YiFmCxhf6YVqT59SQYprDPG_i1AAZ4Fe740pbLGsW8h7uIIh2iXeTMHbTdBs_SdMMoM/s400/DSCN0711.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Question Mark touches down by the side of the
road at <st1:placename w:st="on">Genesee</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype> and <st1:place w:st="on">Forest</st1:place>.
This species is so named for the silver marking along the base of its rear
wings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Y7jlwGYMD0_yhyphenhyphenX_0SmtAAq4Ra91mOxMb_iF8-sjsuus_oZmcWFNSrMVE5Wv2c29mLzTbjkixzyI-m9eFufJOe92Rj5jS_Lu5Rbr-wSmMy7cUuC69V8i67IfaI1ienbqNNCIxw1PlMM/s1600/DSCN2201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Y7jlwGYMD0_yhyphenhyphenX_0SmtAAq4Ra91mOxMb_iF8-sjsuus_oZmcWFNSrMVE5Wv2c29mLzTbjkixzyI-m9eFufJOe92Rj5jS_Lu5Rbr-wSmMy7cUuC69V8i67IfaI1ienbqNNCIxw1PlMM/s400/DSCN2201.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Mourning Cloak absorbs some
mid-morning sunshine. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Some believe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> its named for its somber color, much like
a funeral shawl worn by widows.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Flower gardens are equally attractive to butterflies this time of year. We especially enjoy gazing upon our butterfly bush while it's in bloom to see the variety of visitors it attracts. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTiPi5vnvNhVG6EF0USlUH8vOrAkP8YDDmCnlFcnxF0wyXvAjfEwU1HPADTqLQjsXitBRVaAwHjt7gkP2ugjVzOaJOVzJ_X-CQh3h0t6UEcgBJ1MsMrzgbnKCWZbzejKeT8fw3IqZOr8/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTiPi5vnvNhVG6EF0USlUH8vOrAkP8YDDmCnlFcnxF0wyXvAjfEwU1HPADTqLQjsXitBRVaAwHjt7gkP2ugjVzOaJOVzJ_X-CQh3h0t6UEcgBJ1MsMrzgbnKCWZbzejKeT8fw3IqZOr8/s400/IMG_0117.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is busy at work pollinating the tiny<br />individual blossoms of our butterfly bush.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBKe3JzkhEXXsQDUxG20L51RfsUTK-ld9-RYvTdiPXLJjwFgt3tGW4DfJzS0pyoEv8w92NcuYE_NvSGUBoXBA0gcgyUaeuawmL5o_q1lanz6XlOmaRZ0qizWhAPQ0BKsdtT8gskXvXnA/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBKe3JzkhEXXsQDUxG20L51RfsUTK-ld9-RYvTdiPXLJjwFgt3tGW4DfJzS0pyoEv8w92NcuYE_NvSGUBoXBA0gcgyUaeuawmL5o_q1lanz6XlOmaRZ0qizWhAPQ0BKsdtT8gskXvXnA/s400/IMG_0129.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A White Admiral also enjoys visiting our yard.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">While butterflies
might not be as fast or efficient as</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">bees when it comes to pollinating, they certainly
are a pleasing sight to behold. Plus, when was the last time anyone got stung by one?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Until Next Time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Jim & Claudia</span></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-22333573929577275852016-08-21T13:08:00.000-07:002016-08-21T13:08:11.035-07:00Nonmetaphorical Snakes in the Grass <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwJ3Rbok_TG-DX0AyA58tlbCUuDPES1nmoEgwPSSUVTx6ekKxIb3imk0D43dQwlI4loNxhIwqiSI2aHw6d3RleewEBElALkyptnQNtE-BowIyKjpRlLTeXU5WLP4cBmYusuO6vfjET7M/s1600/IMG_8442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwJ3Rbok_TG-DX0AyA58tlbCUuDPES1nmoEgwPSSUVTx6ekKxIb3imk0D43dQwlI4loNxhIwqiSI2aHw6d3RleewEBElALkyptnQNtE-BowIyKjpRlLTeXU5WLP4cBmYusuO6vfjET7M/s400/IMG_8442.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A close-up of the 2nd largest Northern Water Snake I've ever seen. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had my first snake encounter as a youngster in the early fifties, before I ever entered kindergarten. Not knowing what a snake was at the time, I received my intro to reptiles courtesy of a Northern Water Snake along the</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><st1:place style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">shore</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Little Tonawanda Creek</st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. As a result I became fascinated with snakes for a number of years, and while that fascination has waned a great deal, a water snake never fails to arouse my curiosity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week I was able to relive that very same first experience. What began as a nature outing
with my grandsons in pursuit of frogs, dragonflies, grasshoppers, etc. turned
into something else entirely when my youngest grandson yelled, “Snake!”. We watched them intently for a time and then set off for more exploring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following morning I decided to return to the same spot alone that we had been the day before, this time with camera in hand in the hopes that some picture taking opportunities would arise, and did they ever! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHogO-8Yz0SLYPrZ6ZZt4iKuLnjBaL8umeBNAnif4cfd-tu5s25jNmXIfrwsT4GNcuwezouiGrh_y36oUJ_fGgh22BPl1uact9UhVoIdVcpC6FF1XounMTgk7FULK2NhnySn-93v7pi0/s1600/IMG_8441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHogO-8Yz0SLYPrZ6ZZt4iKuLnjBaL8umeBNAnif4cfd-tu5s25jNmXIfrwsT4GNcuwezouiGrh_y36oUJ_fGgh22BPl1uact9UhVoIdVcpC6FF1XounMTgk7FULK2NhnySn-93v7pi0/s400/IMG_8441.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">This is the same snake, its crossband markings quite vivid, with<br /> alternating dark blotches stretching from its neck all along its back and sides. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had taken several photos when I happened to look down and received quite a surprise. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hardly more than a foot way was a second snake and although its head and tail are hidden, it was easily the largest Northern Water Snake I’ve ever seen. It is looped rather than coiled and as is the case with older water snakes, this one’s pattern has all but faded, giving it an all black or dark brown appearance.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99Y1Mk9_kCrlJQm-AHQNetYDlr1uzjFgUXIa1b129XVI1Gse_Bc-6L5apaGt_o9JnNYUzeGtlK6ayvs6zXHmUZkwfMX6_X4EbpdCWsSOJK8_pdpqUX1-Vxg6Q4nZXQVJgXMTX2JzrjCI/s1600/IMG_8403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99Y1Mk9_kCrlJQm-AHQNetYDlr1uzjFgUXIa1b129XVI1Gse_Bc-6L5apaGt_o9JnNYUzeGtlK6ayvs6zXHmUZkwfMX6_X4EbpdCWsSOJK8_pdpqUX1-Vxg6Q4nZXQVJgXMTX2JzrjCI/s320/IMG_8403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is the sight that greeted me when I happened to glance down to my right. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By now I’m both surprised and curious, and I
was intent on locating the head of this jumbo water snake. While trying my
utmost to keep my feet stationary and perfectly still, and in the process doing
a good impersonation of a contortionist, I twisted and turned my torso trying
to locate the head of the second snake in the tall grass. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I managed to locate the head of the larger snake and, as you can see, there are no vivid markings, its blotched pattern has definitely faded with age. It is massive for its species.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEYP6vgC-_ndoFMiCOHSD5-X79V723o-NNYFPFev7oORIlBSte9OspHR1V7nQ9DLKMKfqw7K2Hpr99rMOiTPNWUyA3ZysFZWvmXSUVOEDhFSBc7SDSrLkpI3i8A-Dxg18C5h4rW_D7Ns/s1600/IMG_8405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEYP6vgC-_ndoFMiCOHSD5-X79V723o-NNYFPFev7oORIlBSte9OspHR1V7nQ9DLKMKfqw7K2Hpr99rMOiTPNWUyA3ZysFZWvmXSUVOEDhFSBc7SDSrLkpI3i8A-Dxg18C5h4rW_D7Ns/s400/IMG_8405.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The milky, opaque coating over the eye indicates the snake is getting ready to shed. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was puzzled. Three mornings in a row
both snakes were located in the same location well away from their preferred
habitat. There was a pond to the north, maybe twenty yards away, and a small,
sluggish stream, forty yards to the south. Judging by the size of these water
snakes, their habitat provides a readily available menu, one that is vast and
varied. Both locations have frogs, fish, crustaceans and other critters that
water snakes readily feed on. But instead, both snakes had stayed away from
obvious food sources and stayed put in the grassy meadow and always in very
close proximity to one another. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAaWnvFKmmWIdp7Jt41diJTx3GkuKdM5S8vzoCHp3y_ubvjePPt2lxyU284_wtEvcCtY_zezXqwzIPaKDxXWZDTUgi_nC7w00yFhJrRxxqQL0egpZRGFpQLcwmIiJsZt4IlFrbAw8G6g/s1600/IMG_8087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAaWnvFKmmWIdp7Jt41diJTx3GkuKdM5S8vzoCHp3y_ubvjePPt2lxyU284_wtEvcCtY_zezXqwzIPaKDxXWZDTUgi_nC7w00yFhJrRxxqQL0egpZRGFpQLcwmIiJsZt4IlFrbAw8G6g/s400/IMG_8087.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Could this be the reason for the "snakes in the grass"?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There
is one possible explanation I can think of. Each year the meadow and its tall
grasses serve as a nesting site for dozens of Bob ‘o Links (pictured above) and
a few other songbirds that nest on the ground. I can’t help wondering if, come
nesting season, this pair of large and aged Northern Water Snakes take up
residence in the meadow – at least on a part time basis – in a quest for bird
eggs – a reptilian delicacy.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-77946533544163426902016-08-07T05:21:00.004-07:002016-08-07T05:21:38.212-07:00Spearfishing with Pastor Jeff Bartz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYefx-Kk6roxRvV6CryBg8SH-RNXCqlOGTKlKK-LYKzzVw0MPDQillEkTwVDyhHbCOqau_DsuP6gX1jFpoqNQdBinrT2asimNNE-xKwPccQJG075iq-n6WbCAUkVs1Wn2zbtxKtCZnes/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYefx-Kk6roxRvV6CryBg8SH-RNXCqlOGTKlKK-LYKzzVw0MPDQillEkTwVDyhHbCOqau_DsuP6gX1jFpoqNQdBinrT2asimNNE-xKwPccQJG075iq-n6WbCAUkVs1Wn2zbtxKtCZnes/s400/IMG_0843.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This Mutton Snapper made for excellent table fare. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">(Our camera is on the fritz at the moment so today’s blog post comes from the archives of my mind, reminiscing about a wonderful family outdoor adventure from not so long ago…………….)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">It was late March of 2008 and my son-in-law,
Jeff Bartz and I were treading water while catching our breath between dives. An
Associate Pastor at <st1:placename w:st="on">Grace</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Baptist</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Church</st1:placetype>
in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Batavia</st1:place></st1:city>,
Jeff and I had earlier been discussing the numerous barracudas we’d been seeing
while spearfishing and we agreed that it was probably not a good idea to target
one of the toothy critters – there’s no telling how they might react. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We were on a week-long family vacation on the
Bahamian Island of Abaco and Jeff and I intended to spend as much time as
possible hunting for our dinner. By Bahamian law, spearfishing may only be done
with a Hawaiian sling and wearing mask, fins & snorkel – no mechanized
devices and no scuba gear. Spearfishing
with a Hawaiian Sling is tricky business. Attempting to spear a barracuda with
a sling can be a risky proposition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf58tbKXRisTxZCC6vdMb9mOyipI-sc4iu3p2K3oHEI2HDjSvjF6Yq-drQZ729Y-Hyu0IKQtUa0Fk4KzTLHGSer_7zLQARFBhUIoPVIW6oyKfz9jvUiNcb2SGAxi46TBSUp-xHZXnCiSY/s1600/IMG_0839+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf58tbKXRisTxZCC6vdMb9mOyipI-sc4iu3p2K3oHEI2HDjSvjF6Yq-drQZ729Y-Hyu0IKQtUa0Fk4KzTLHGSer_7zLQARFBhUIoPVIW6oyKfz9jvUiNcb2SGAxi46TBSUp-xHZXnCiSY/s400/IMG_0839+%25281%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With disposable camera in
tow, Sammy Bartz displays a sea biscuit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Everyone in the family donned mask,
fins & snorkel for this adventure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Our routine was to rent a boat and motor through
the Sea of Abaco and then beyond the barrier island of Man ‘O War Cay. A half
to three quarters of a mile out, the sea floor is a vast maze of
coral reefs, each of them an adventure in itself. This was the home of colorful
fish, sting rays, sea turtles, sharks and much more. But each day we hunted for
dinner and our intended quarry was grouper, snapper and lobsters. Here, within
the confines of the deepest and largest reefs, those farthest away from shore,
the sea is the color of several shades of turquoise. Beyond the outer reefs the
water becomes cobalt blue and drops off into abysmal depths.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Anyway, back to Jeff and the barracuda. I had
just surfaced after a dive and was catching my breath when I saw this big,
toothy critter just below the surface facing the open water to my left. He
didn’t appear to be watching me, but with a barracuda’s eye placement being
what it is, one never can tell. One moment it was perfectly still, only its
pectoral and ventral fins moving ever so slightly, then, in the next instant a
silver flash passed by my head – it was the 5 ft. long shaft of Jeff’s sling
and I watched as it hit its intended mark. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItDyXTCm2Y1jLhI8WeQrOFpKDQEZJ_pVD_txqkF2xg7nncPHT1aGxJDigtiPIk78g1z7MQG4prvIJg4boiuu1Sv6n-aM-ImwG0RrLoobNM_VKStVaV0_cptZ8zIwYjozrwjRlYtN3lZU/s1600/pastor+jeff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItDyXTCm2Y1jLhI8WeQrOFpKDQEZJ_pVD_txqkF2xg7nncPHT1aGxJDigtiPIk78g1z7MQG4prvIJg4boiuu1Sv6n-aM-ImwG0RrLoobNM_VKStVaV0_cptZ8zIwYjozrwjRlYtN3lZU/s400/pastor+jeff.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pastor Jeff, displaying his Hawaiian Sling prowess!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Was I surprised? Yes sir! Was the adrenaline flowing?
You could say that! The Barracuda immediately went ballistic, heading to the
surface, then downward, bouncing off coral heads. This went on for perhaps a
full minute and all the while I tried to keep the wounded fish in sight. It
finally expired on the bottom in 40 ft. of water, the spear still intact. Filleted
and grilled with lemon pepper and almonds, it was delicious and enjoyed by the
entire family.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGYSe7go5diwRrYyuzQuxJ6stykKQ2JYiXikmk-ShFYkAmbapodfp4SdvzzNMrgDARzhI3QqJyih8RwgIQirkhpCEWec2l4xeifP5PuqQCvGa_Xq4BhPP46-_qWj6RccSRRcWwgu-Ax0/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGYSe7go5diwRrYyuzQuxJ6stykKQ2JYiXikmk-ShFYkAmbapodfp4SdvzzNMrgDARzhI3QqJyih8RwgIQirkhpCEWec2l4xeifP5PuqQCvGa_Xq4BhPP46-_qWj6RccSRRcWwgu-Ax0/s400/IMG_0889.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Bartz family in front of the cemetery at Man 'O War Cay.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, Jeff is the Associate Pastor at Grace Baptist Church in my hometown of Batavia, NY. He and Senior Pastor, Donald Shirk are two amazing men of God, following Christ's beckoning from Matthew 4.19; </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">And He said unto then, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." </i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">Worship Service is every Sunday at 9:45 am and they would love to have you come hear the Good News.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">Until Next Time,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">Jim & Claudia</span><br />
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-10005513081959063422016-07-16T10:27:00.001-07:002016-07-16T10:27:09.349-07:00A Red-tailed Hawk's "Long" Lunch<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrDX2YU5p9sbZEGgGa9I7u4WlBMLy9F405P0wkxpgt5tl6r_lKGP2UqUsblII8zloI5m4h3hIR5LWii9nPOOIieK1b63UxISy0rT_V96oJ7Ong5tRFosfF7rfZEwzLn7MkkWaNCWN1Gw/s1600/IMG_9650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrDX2YU5p9sbZEGgGa9I7u4WlBMLy9F405P0wkxpgt5tl6r_lKGP2UqUsblII8zloI5m4h3hIR5LWii9nPOOIieK1b63UxISy0rT_V96oJ7Ong5tRFosfF7rfZEwzLn7MkkWaNCWN1Gw/s400/IMG_9650.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Red-tailed Hawk is a familiar site throughout Western NY.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Not far from our home
in the town of Batavia is a tract of land consisting of some large fields,
hedgerows, a couple of ponds, a small creek and small woodlots. In one of the
fields is a pair of aged oak trees which serve as both a perch and look-out
post for the resident Red-tail hawk who calls this place home. More often than
not, whenever I drive down the road that leads into the area, the Red-tail hawk
takes flight as soon the tires of my pickup make contact with the gravel
surface.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">But this day was
different. For starters the hawk wasn’t perched in either of the towering oaks.
Instead, it was situated in a much smaller tree alongside the roadway, and literally
within a stone’s throw from my vehicle. I stopped the truck, readied the camera
and, much to my delight, the hawk stayed put. What’s more, I could see that it
wasn’t paying me any mind whatsoever. It was intently staring at something on
the ground, almost directly below.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom9b0MIrcjaY-6WpAp7ZmoY3CyMb_kvWtuxYTf5prmZRDNIw1adCup0VeuJLlTUzMTHLvOKv8cuuHEGwjMYTIX9KIkg73k5vkggjwB2DVLmgYWN_-MVf5SrF4QM-MaxSAK58OY4HJEq0/s1600/IMG_9648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom9b0MIrcjaY-6WpAp7ZmoY3CyMb_kvWtuxYTf5prmZRDNIw1adCup0VeuJLlTUzMTHLvOKv8cuuHEGwjMYTIX9KIkg73k5vkggjwB2DVLmgYWN_-MVf5SrF4QM-MaxSAK58OY4HJEq0/s400/IMG_9648.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The bird clearly had something pinned beneath it.</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In an instant, the bird "dropped" to the ground and pounced on it's prey. I was about 40 yards away and couldn’t make out what it was so I continued taking
photos, focusing solely on the hawk.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1cR-pdZNPPy6Y30ei9wuBrIB_d1AqH0yza-mZHAcMFgtmLjkOSU17ouVLS5pyUwIAhJAliWLSgfn67BxfZMZpPFQfx2Nmv7z7_DgmobQ-upu8EfSEYYsGUeLOoc7qYcWkMPy-KEUiTk/s1600/IMG_9637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1cR-pdZNPPy6Y30ei9wuBrIB_d1AqH0yza-mZHAcMFgtmLjkOSU17ouVLS5pyUwIAhJAliWLSgfn67BxfZMZpPFQfx2Nmv7z7_DgmobQ-upu8EfSEYYsGUeLOoc7qYcWkMPy-KEUiTk/s400/IMG_9637.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The raptor takes a quick look to see if the coast is clear.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyfOm9m3vlHEwzFBXy4usGdUdcTZSJmnbQjSM0y46zfvwFy_T4E7nqZiyWJS515wIbJ2UhRSlyj5OebCNkC5qm0A3cTE1DYQAGjnKdmf8pZRCfwvMUhi5-5AFZwlGJQBmBsf1Ashi8J4/s1600/IMG_9638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyfOm9m3vlHEwzFBXy4usGdUdcTZSJmnbQjSM0y46zfvwFy_T4E7nqZiyWJS515wIbJ2UhRSlyj5OebCNkC5qm0A3cTE1DYQAGjnKdmf8pZRCfwvMUhi5-5AFZwlGJQBmBsf1Ashi8J4/s400/IMG_9638.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Getting back to the task at hand, the hawk uses its talons to hold<br /> the quarry in place and, as I would soon discover......decapitate it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisR0YNEr8Ko0OS8XkSwmmCLgA8zmJmbgD62rBVbFsW3X3AEJ1hxHTKuAzlXNzD1fjVyKvore5UezPmFA1AcmlT0O47mz61LZc8Efg37mBKPEJ2Zns1PRm94JMYeisNGjbtAayDx74HW6o/s1600/IMG_9640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisR0YNEr8Ko0OS8XkSwmmCLgA8zmJmbgD62rBVbFsW3X3AEJ1hxHTKuAzlXNzD1fjVyKvore5UezPmFA1AcmlT0O47mz61LZc8Efg37mBKPEJ2Zns1PRm94JMYeisNGjbtAayDx74HW6o/s400/IMG_9640.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The meal in question turned out to be a snake, sans head.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK5Wi6MRwP6mnBRLIbCNqkMMJfn-HkZCCgWkPWroHZ1O2GqZ0tyIS1HEAbr0SfCVbAkUI65eBvfowhbru5qsAhZiwo5L_lyVMtssYRiUBifvzsqkjXRObT3CGQ3lnk6sKgZpS3kc_Bks/s1600/IMG_9641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK5Wi6MRwP6mnBRLIbCNqkMMJfn-HkZCCgWkPWroHZ1O2GqZ0tyIS1HEAbr0SfCVbAkUI65eBvfowhbru5qsAhZiwo5L_lyVMtssYRiUBifvzsqkjXRObT3CGQ3lnk6sKgZpS3kc_Bks/s400/IMG_9641.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My best guess of this shot is the hawk was having a harder time than<br />expected swallowing the snake. Even without a head it was probably <br />still writhing around on it's way down the hatch. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">While I say kudos to
the Red-tail, this was not the first time I’ve seen winged predators of various
species and sizes make a meal of a snake. I’ve seen birds like Great Blue
herons fly off with a snake dangling from its bill and the much smaller Grackle
do likewise.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Has ever a creature of the
wild been frowned upon with more disdain than the lowly snake?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><i>Genesis 3:14 “And the Lord God
said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all
cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And
dust shall you eat all the days of your life.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Until next time,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Jim &
Claudia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-43446019829369725002016-06-23T11:21:00.000-07:002016-06-23T11:21:25.362-07:00The Much Maligned Snapping Turtle<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc4I5PZjZJPyxa3aFPpcd_baVeCg6YqbDpk098AIXPilZfdnYG9PgUAemiXjdUzsJjRxIz5-MWY1CrsR_2YPXtb7btqM0pidnieKtRiOROvVlPro_iTUSxHoqGKu7J9hwoVrEQXF72JM/s1600/DSCN2595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc4I5PZjZJPyxa3aFPpcd_baVeCg6YqbDpk098AIXPilZfdnYG9PgUAemiXjdUzsJjRxIz5-MWY1CrsR_2YPXtb7btqM0pidnieKtRiOROvVlPro_iTUSxHoqGKu7J9hwoVrEQXF72JM/s400/DSCN2595.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cute & cuddly, he's not.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">While a good many of nature’s creatures have their
share of admirers, there are those which the general public, for the most part,
hold in low esteem. But like all of God’s creatures, those same critters held
in disdain by many, all have a role to play in the natural order. The Snapping Turtle </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">is one such
creature.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5X9OKzjeSXNF12O_QiR1fdwsa543EAhs6xiNfoDrSCkvWI4OzFUz2-Y5DeHU_ILWlt-zD8OZjyBsCsJjD9ZyQPNNF6PDdJRR0v6gjCDIek3iNavFXsjJ0PH_9RA7UU0X29kCMA8xe9E/s1600/DSCN2593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5X9OKzjeSXNF12O_QiR1fdwsa543EAhs6xiNfoDrSCkvWI4OzFUz2-Y5DeHU_ILWlt-zD8OZjyBsCsJjD9ZyQPNNF6PDdJRR0v6gjCDIek3iNavFXsjJ0PH_9RA7UU0X29kCMA8xe9E/s400/DSCN2593.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The dark green moss covering this turtle's back<br /> is proof positive he's a sloooooooow moving fella.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His head is larger than a grown man’s fist,
characteristics which speak to his longevity. And no, he isn’t much to look at,
but he is important to the environment. In addition to dining on plant and
animal matter, he is an aquatic scavenger, cleaning up decaying and rotting
flesh from its watery environment.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33S6dHtA2aaja2o18xzDxL8QVu0ucq00ayFoBIBPz33aT_cysPfsxSziuu9wYJarO2tLMTHOp0joKMCH_E36TG7f8-fjScL3hUmyJeCtbUNAKyKtxpvocaABbQwHxpaYhSckJlD2DKHs/s1600/DSCN2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33S6dHtA2aaja2o18xzDxL8QVu0ucq00ayFoBIBPz33aT_cysPfsxSziuu9wYJarO2tLMTHOp0joKMCH_E36TG7f8-fjScL3hUmyJeCtbUNAKyKtxpvocaABbQwHxpaYhSckJlD2DKHs/s400/DSCN2596.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: justify;">The claws of the Snapping Turtles come in handy when excavating a nest<br /> in gravel and hard ground where they like to deposit their eggs</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Snapping Turtle also has earned a bad rap
for eating ducklings. While they do on occasion take unwary birds, to be fair,
their own young offspring suffer a high mortality rate. Whereas the
adults have few predators to contend with, mink, raccoons, opossum, fox, skunks
and crows will readily unearth a Snapping Turtle nest and feast on the eggs.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last weekend, while hiking atop one of the
berms on Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, we counted no less than a dozen or
more nests that had been unearthed, all within a half-mile stretch. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The threat doesn’t end there for the young. Hatchlings
are subject to the same predators in addition to herons, bitterns, hawks, owls
and fishers just to name a few.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivq8WhYubrQcYjEXrCu7S2KwHpR7gvqti5hhmf_xHlL6DPmC9yHwU-pkDNgVkkTJk7_FXfQyeqc-Gx6kU6TsuOkilZLG82AxjOcymRH5tj3H55s0pjBuUIdXfL2i8I4A9XNLupVrIB_4/s1600/DSCN2592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivq8WhYubrQcYjEXrCu7S2KwHpR7gvqti5hhmf_xHlL6DPmC9yHwU-pkDNgVkkTJk7_FXfQyeqc-Gx6kU6TsuOkilZLG82AxjOcymRH5tj3H55s0pjBuUIdXfL2i8I4A9XNLupVrIB_4/s400/DSCN2592.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This turtle uses every inch of his long neck while scanning his surroundings. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Longer
than most people realize, the turtle's neck is also heavily muscled and quick as lightning, able to strike in the
blink of an eye. He’s an excellent swimmer and while he may move slowly along
the ground. many a would-be Good Samaritan attempting to “help” one across the
road has learned the hard way just how fast and how far back they can extend
their neck. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, the Snapping Turtle has
no choice but to tough out our long northern winter. It was once believed that
all Snapping turtles go into a semi-hibernation called torpor, buried in a
layer of mud and silt. While some indeed do spend the winter beneath a layer of
muck, telemetric studies have shown some specimens fitted with transmitters to
be active beneath the ice – nowhere near as active as in the warmer months, but
barely moving about and using minimal oxygen. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For sure the Snapping Turtle is
frowned upon by many, yet he has been on the scene since time immemorial and he
has endured. He is a touch customer a verse from the Good Book comes to mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Job: 41:1 </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Can you draw out Leviathan with
a hook or snare his tongue with a line which you lower?”</span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until next time,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim & Claudia </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-81166924823719588272016-06-10T09:23:00.000-07:002016-06-10T09:23:14.261-07:00Killdeer Memories<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QJaqW_bW0tdihSHbhMS6K4Muo0WMNrG84_gkDljDm5h7IcaJhhoO0hHOaSVxaWpA4LiJkhEpDRho30bUKmFDYbGE1dSy20xRxDO67w6orhdoCEJTbgateZHG7UMRbIqBpUQPkZwbZOs/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QJaqW_bW0tdihSHbhMS6K4Muo0WMNrG84_gkDljDm5h7IcaJhhoO0hHOaSVxaWpA4LiJkhEpDRho30bUKmFDYbGE1dSy20xRxDO67w6orhdoCEJTbgateZHG7UMRbIqBpUQPkZwbZOs/s320/IMG_0079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Killdeer can often be heard calling out it's name<br /> as it flies across the countryside.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It was May of 1962
when my family moved from the South side of Batavia to a newly constructed home
on North Spruce St. in the Northeast corner of the city. Prior to moving there I
had experienced feelings of trepidation, the angst of leaving old friends
behind. However, any misgivings I might have had dissipated while we were still
unloading our belongings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">A young lad
the same age as me; his name was Pete Tierney, my neighbor as it turned out to be, stopped to say hello. What’s more, just beyond our new home was a large
stubble field and beyond that a swamp, both of which were bordered by a vast
woodlot. Pete and I became fast friends from the start,
exploring the woods, swamp, and fields as any curious and nature-loving
twelve-year old boys would. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s been fifty
four years since my first spring on Batavia’s Northside, to a time when my
attention was drawn to a number of strange-looking birds with a shrill call.
Pete told me they were Killdeer, and together we discovered how they would feign
a broken wing if you happen to get too close to their nest and/or young. One or
both parents would run quickly in the opposite direction of the nest while
holding one wing askew, as if to say, “come get me, I’m easier pickings.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylxaGqb1Wz5ZrK3HeRGGuRFloMJ-feEAxzEDtmujC8dq5De-psM7sofT8-5ZSeVDvue9eFZS-VxEkmLu0JqcEfYvl9NYNzCnGWNq1RTZdKZZMtD-rM4XMPArB6MWYmUADyMIvWUj8K50/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylxaGqb1Wz5ZrK3HeRGGuRFloMJ-feEAxzEDtmujC8dq5De-psM7sofT8-5ZSeVDvue9eFZS-VxEkmLu0JqcEfYvl9NYNzCnGWNq1RTZdKZZMtD-rM4XMPArB6MWYmUADyMIvWUj8K50/s320/IMG_0080.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These eggs are easy to miss, a natural defense mechanism.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Here lies one of
the more remarkable examples of camouflage in nature. The female Killdeer
deposits her eggs in nothing more than a slight depression out in the open,
usually in a gravel and/or stubble field. Though easy to spot in this photo, chances
are, if you were within a mere five feet you would never know it was there. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">These photos were
taken last week while hiking one of the trails at Iroquois National Wildlife
Refuge. On this day, while watching the Killdeers run along the ground and then
hearing their shrill, airborne cry, they brought back recollections of Pete
Tierney and our days of nature discovery. In those years the shrill cry of the
Killdeer was heard on a daily basis from May thru August. But that’s no longer the case.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The stubble field,
the swamp and the wood lots are gone now, long since replaced by apartment
complexes, condominiums and housing developments. Gone too is the cry of the
Killdeer. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Still, I’m grateful
for those early years and sun-filled days of discovery and a companion like
Pete to share it with. I’m thankful too, that the Lord saw fit to allow us to
enjoy it long before the developers laid their eyes on it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<i><span class="textps-84-3"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Psalm 84:3 - Yea,
the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she
may lay her young, even thine altars, O </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-84-3"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">
of hosts, my King, and my God.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Until Next Time,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Jim & Claudia</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589448964972312451.post-7270888152535989832016-06-01T04:46:00.000-07:002016-06-01T04:46:16.021-07:00Nature's Babies Are Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Spring of the year is a time to welcome nature’s babies into the world, and while some youngsters of the wild tend to look both adorable and helpless, for the most part wilderness parents are excellent protectors and providers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRZzvLaz6LcYd97RR1jgti-LCMJePYET_cKGkGjS1clQy9HYQr_1emturevtLYk6adnVzY4eFDApIy88hzIPdDQCQ20e5OCmuhJ66zBHrQscYBquaNCWG5PxyT05modchPEx1Y8wQdj0/s1600/IMG_8007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRZzvLaz6LcYd97RR1jgti-LCMJePYET_cKGkGjS1clQy9HYQr_1emturevtLYk6adnVzY4eFDApIy88hzIPdDQCQ20e5OCmuhJ66zBHrQscYBquaNCWG5PxyT05modchPEx1Y8wQdj0/s400/IMG_8007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A newborn fawn will spend most of its first few weeks lying very still, trying not to be seen.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We were doing yard work when we came across this fawn lying in a flower bed.
Probably born the previous evening, it already knew enough to remain motionless
and it never so much as twitched while we finished our task. We were also aware
that its mother was close by, watching our every move.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFYJujmRxsqiSpQfwn5opWuUvrLpRL-zuz5uPoCVAfWiedDCkee8Jv4hEp2idvs3o89xkDTRWb7u9HW1jW77WgQt_qXHYdYjum01nBz12lR_26pGeLceVp74EVWxH0mAzIvsd44JvM8E/s1600/DSCN2261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFYJujmRxsqiSpQfwn5opWuUvrLpRL-zuz5uPoCVAfWiedDCkee8Jv4hEp2idvs3o89xkDTRWb7u9HW1jW77WgQt_qXHYdYjum01nBz12lR_26pGeLceVp74EVWxH0mAzIvsd44JvM8E/s400/DSCN2261.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With dad in the lead, these goslings swim right alongside mamma's side.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pSGFr2Hzr1tmnvLFOvzi4HlFOGKE3rRumL0RzlvPztPb-rhnUVflBVAF7kC4KKW3sSCswlWM9fzBsAF2cmEBDoBLgkEPu9C0Uhp3FTKGVmtZUJHzMtfYZ8cOUGHjnXnNSGEnNRoFpnc/s1600/IMG_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pSGFr2Hzr1tmnvLFOvzi4HlFOGKE3rRumL0RzlvPztPb-rhnUVflBVAF7kC4KKW3sSCswlWM9fzBsAF2cmEBDoBLgkEPu9C0Uhp3FTKGVmtZUJHzMtfYZ8cOUGHjnXnNSGEnNRoFpnc/s400/IMG_0087.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">"I wonder what's over here?"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A tad bit older than the goslings pictured above, and perhaps feeling a wee bit more independent, this youngster puts a little bit of distance between himself and his mom – but not too much. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpSeAxiHS2t5-XhoZm7XAMl3raW0ouVFkqpCZVivdJNrTea98sP0JU4zDPYzuLcq85KCVWAiuOQIAF1dmZLXUUutZxE4e6fz3XEtIf-nQnA6nGIcqGs1x8IuOW55ukFOc7K6h3kqFdQE/s1600/DSCN2476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpSeAxiHS2t5-XhoZm7XAMl3raW0ouVFkqpCZVivdJNrTea98sP0JU4zDPYzuLcq85KCVWAiuOQIAF1dmZLXUUutZxE4e6fz3XEtIf-nQnA6nGIcqGs1x8IuOW55ukFOc7K6h3kqFdQE/s400/DSCN2476.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Stay away from my babies, or you'll be sorry!"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Momma Goose is never too far way and always on the alert, ready to repel threats if necessary.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If by chance a person gets too close to her young, she’ll rear her head up, open her bill and hiss loudly. If, while in this mode, she starts to spread her wings and move toward you, it’s a good time to be someplace else!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIQWzU8mt9dHmPVaX_t45uHAsAuOfbvSZJR1HvBrkvkMfdERasrjOFnKueMGbezuuh-L_NOX07XVPumwDETohV1b-RjqaSJfpyEiRX5tSBRET7mfuJKKj1vLwhRufhuXXavuHTtNGb7s/s1600/IMG_7857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIQWzU8mt9dHmPVaX_t45uHAsAuOfbvSZJR1HvBrkvkMfdERasrjOFnKueMGbezuuh-L_NOX07XVPumwDETohV1b-RjqaSJfpyEiRX5tSBRET7mfuJKKj1vLwhRufhuXXavuHTtNGb7s/s400/IMG_7857.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This young squirrel was orphaned when a utility company<br />downed the tree its family called home.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Squirrels have two litters a year, the first taking place
approximately sometime between February and April while the second occurs in
August and September.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Interesting tidbit; they are one of the few mammals that can climb down a tree head first. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i>Gen. 1:24 - Then
God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures…….and it was so.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Until
next time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jim
& Claudia</span></div>
Kevin Kretschmerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241239762768573237noreply@blogger.com0