samm85

Photo essay: Gigi & I

July 1, 2013

My grandmother, Gigi, and I share a love of birds. So, a hummingbird banding workshop was the perfecting outing for us to spend some time together. Luckily, the Saturday workshop was from 1-4 p.m. at the Potlatch Conservation Education Center in Casscoe, which gave me plenty of time to pick her up in Jonesboro and stop at Jack Ryan’s Convenience store to pick up some of their oh-so-good sandwiches for lunch.

I’ve been going to the workshop for three years now and I don’t think I’ll ever get bored with it. There were no little kids this time so Gigi and I were both able to release a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird after they were banded. It was a pretty neat experience since the hummingbirds sat for a moment before flying off. Later, we drove down to the dock to see how high the White River was.

Here’s pictures:

Banding the first Ruby-Throated Hummingbird.

Gigi releasing the first hummingbird. — Gigi releasing the first hummingbird, a male.

I got to release the last. — I got to release the last, a female who was also the rowdiest.

Cooks Lake-hummingbird3 6-15 — Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Cooks Lake-hummingbird1 6-15 — Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Already banded. — Another look at the already-banded hummingbird.

Eastern Bluebird that posed as we headed down to the dock.

The White River water level is pretty high right now.

The dock at the White River. We were still able to access the floating ramp.

We found this lady bug on the floating ramp along with ... — We found this lady bug on the floating ramp along with …

This Broad-headed Skink (lizard) and ... — This Broad-headed Skink (lizard) and …

This frog who jumped off the ramp as I approached.

We spent our trip back to Jonesboro look for any wildlife. We saw very few.

It was a day well spent.

The Bandit (Aug. 17, 2012)
Revisiting the Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds (May 30, 2012)
The Smallest Around (Aug. 23, 2011)

Photo essay: Last meal

June 26, 2013

This Great Blue Heron looked tickled pink while feeding at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge in April — not surprising since it was having plenty of success at finding dinner. I found these pictures and more while clearing up my computer’s desktop. So FYI, I’m about to go on a posting frenzy of my pictures from April to June. 🙂

Photo: Its just a baby

June 25, 2013

I live just off of a busy highway so, when I walk, I typically head toward a nearby cemetery that neighbors a dirt road. The detour gets me away from the heavy traffic and is typically a peaceful route to walk. However, it has lately reminded me of a scene from The Birds with Killdeer replacing the blackbirds. I’ve noticed more Killdeer in this location this year than ever before and they definitely don’t like my presence.

I guess it’s a good thing I’ve been too lazy to walk lately. Last night, I ended up on the dirt road during my drive home and I passed the above baby Killdeer. His mother was just above the ditch and the baby just couldn’t find a way up. It was rejoined by a sibling just after I drove away.

Photo essay: An overflowing garden

June 10, 2013

To say my aunt is a gardener is putting it lightly. Her yard is her pride and joy as well as a year-round showcase. I love visiting her to discover what’s new in her garden (and plus because she’s simply amazing). It kills me that the gardening gene went to my sister and not me. I have a black thumb.

Anyway, here’s what was blooming at my last visit:

Bursts of color

June 6, 2013

Daylilies are finally blooming in my backyard. It’s the closest to gardening that I can get, although technically my only involvement is watching them bloom. The largest batch is centered just between my bird-watching window and my bird feeders. It’s where I snapped the above picture.

Splish, Splash … Takin’ a bath.

June 5, 2013

I had that song stuck in my head for the longest time after watching this American Robin play around in a puddle.

Drumroll … New bird visitor at my home

June 4, 2013

I’ve lived in Stuttgart for three years this August. During this time, my main feathered visitors have been house sparrows, cardinals, doves, American robins and blackbirds. And, of course, the occasional cedar waxwing.

Now, I love having these constant birds. Don’t get me wrong, but I decided late last summer I wanted for more variety. And I finally took action after months of just thinking about it. I actually kept my feeders full, switching to a more fruitier blend to attract another variety of birds (which my usual crowd still likes) and put up my first hummingbird feeder.

The results were slow. I received my first hummingbird late last summer. This spring, I woke up to a rose-breasted grosbeak singing at my feeder. And I recently discovered the below American goldfinch. Today, I finally had what I believe was a House finch.

I see most of the birds first thing in the morning, around 7 to 7:30. And honestly, the finds are a great energy boost for my day. So, hopefully the birds will keep on visiting.

Throwing a Green Heron into the mix

June 3, 2013

I’ve lived in Arkansas County for nearly three years now. However, its only been in the past two weeks that I’ve spotted Green Herons in the fields. I finally passed one that wasn’t too shy about getting his picture taken from afar. Lucky me! 🙂

Attending the Special Olympics

May 28, 2013

I attended my first Special Olympics Saturday. The Arkansas event was held at Harding University’s Athletic Center and my 13-year-old cousin competed in three swimming categories. Not bad for a girl who just decided to swim six months ago!

Brittany ended up with one gold, two silver and a bunch of very proud family members. It was a great way to spend the day; not only because of my cousin but also for the other inspiring swimmers.

One girl was paralyzed from the waist down. Her coach would lower her into the water with a float device helping keep her lower limbs afloat. She raced solely on her arm strength and still managed to receive first place.

You could also tell another little girl didn’t care about the medals — she just enjoyed swimming and being around others. She slowly “doggy paddled’ her way across while smiling broadly at the audience.

It was truly awe-inspiring and I’m proud to say I was an attendee.

New visitors

May 6, 2013

A strange chirping woke me up this morning. It was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak — a first at my house. However, he wasn’t alone. It was joined by another first, three White-crowned Sparrows, and eventually a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. The sparrows and hummingbird returned throughout the day. Not a bad start to the week.

First day of spring (memosforme.wordpress.com)
Bayou Meto springtime (memosforme.wordpress.com)

Memos for Me

Rediscovering Arkansas with a few detours.

Author: samm85