Friday, April 3, 2020

April Fool

I really hope you're all dealing with this new world order... I'm not fond of it to be certain!  Yesterday when I pulled into my nearby State Park there was this hand scribbled sign on cardboard sitting in front of a locked gate it said CLOSED TILL APRIL 30th
 REALLY?  I don't like it one bit..




So far the National Wildlife Refuge nearby is still open or it was on Friday  when I was there...they have been doing their prescribed burns as seen in this photo...Looks like it was about 3 weeks ago when they did it.


This refuge does not cater to the wading or waterfowl birds, they keep the water level too high...and I think all the burning causes run off that changes the PH of the water.  That is MY theory.   The do cater to the Red Cockaded Woodpecker tho...and they have been very successful in bringing back their habitat and increasing their numbers. I saw 4 on this day in three different locations of the refuge.  


The burning plays a large roll in this habitat restoration.  




These woodpeckers live in family groups much like Bluebirds look for the broad white cheek patch when trying to ID them and they sound a lot like White Breasted Nuthatch with a chattery sound.  The video came out better than the still since he would never be still so check out the video.  





Martin's Lake 




The yellow Jasmine has bloomed, it is our  State Flower.


This Pileated Woodpecker was at the edge of the yard this morning, My tulips  made it, and I cut my grass for the first time this week in 2020...



I took my coffee out on the screen porch this morning to sit with the dogs after they ate  so Casey could go about his morning routine while I watched him from my seat, he has been having some very big challenges lately....and I thought I saw something really fast go zooming by.  So later I hung my hummingbird feeder! NOW I've seen a male Ruby Throated feeding at it all afternoon. 

welcome home little friend, Im sure this bird was born right here in my yard 


The lettuce is almost big enough to eat.  Im trying to keep the squirrels away from it, I moved the spinach under my new safety box... but this pot is way too heavy to lift.


And the spring onions are getting ready to join that salad! I have them under a wire cage to try and keep critters out! I built this box outta some of Mom's Ramp wood.  That's why it's a little odd blueprint wise as it is re-purposed.  



Since all the State managed parks are currently closed I have to depend on my roadside nature spots...I checked on the beaver pond, and he has added a bit of fresh stuff...to the dam, kinda sloppy looking but hey it's also re-purposed!



A Belted Kingfisher was hunting close to the dam, 



I checked on the Eagle chick he is still hanging out at the nest and there was one adult in the area possibly a parent come to check on him...he leaves the nest and does his own thing I missed his flight as I was busy phishing some Black and White Warblers and Ruby Crowned Kinglets out of the trees.  They stayed back in the shadows but this Tufted Titmouse came out. 


Found more Savannah Sparrow roadside.  



And some Eastern Towhee showed an interest in me.  A female and a male.  





We had a rain day but the morning was okay so I went out early...to see if the Riverside County Park was open, it was!!  The Twenty Five Mile Creek was in flood stage again not as much as before but moving swift and muddy.  I'm checking for the Northern Waterthrush to return. I had some good interaction with a Ruby Crowned Kinglet.  He seems to have a weird toe. 



And this really "angry bird" looking Blue Grey Gnatcatcher was really mad at me for being too close to his patch!


I had to do chores...had some big pine limbs to cut up and take to the dump, then I washed my van it was so dirty!   While out there working I spotted this Brown Thrasher up high singing his heart out!  

A home video for your viewing pleasure.



I watch free movies on Tubi.  They stream fast there may be an ad or two but free is free!  The other night I saw a John Travolta flick I have never seen, it was a good thriller...Domestic Disturbance.  Also watched one with Demi Moore that was set in a beautiful seaside cottage...also a thriller/drama, called Half Light it had a twist for sure.  Both were entertaining.  Hope you got things to keep you busy while we are under these orders to stay clear of each other.  Now if they say we have to stay indoors....
HOUSTON we got a problem!!  

Now for some serious talk:  I'm down to 2 rolls of TP and one half of a roll in the van for those emergencies when one is miles from a bathroom.  So My backup plan is I have a few boxes of Kleenex and that should go about a month, after that must get creative!! I've read on various blogs and seen on You Tubes all sorts of advice.  My Granny had the Sears n Roebuck catalog in her outhouse...but Sears did away with that and put it online! There is this Harbor Freight catalog but it has a glossy finish--- ut-oh! What y'all gonna do? Those same people who bought up all the TP and are hording it, also bought rifles and shotguns to keep it.  I was clueless about the whole buy out that was happening as I am the last one to know anything!  Trump should of tossed us some TP. 



PEACE
Every day is a new Adventure.

14 comments:

  1. Your lucky to still find these great places to go and get photos of all these wonderful birds. But even your own yard brings so many wonderful birds and other wild life to enjoy. I threw some bird cakes and oranges for the yard. I see my little Verdin is still around so I know he will enjoy the orange if I can keep that pesty ladder back away from it. And looks like my little hummer or a new one is back too. I guess I will have to put a 2 feeders so the ladder back doesn't finish it off and scare away the hummer and the verdin. Keep enjoying the outdoors. I think as long as we stay on our own property and away from others we should be find.

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    1. HI Jo, I go places that most people never have heard of...so I rarely run into anyone, and if I do I can give a wide berth...Im going to try putting out some fruit too I dont normally due to ants but I think I will give it a try some oranges and maybe some pink grapefruit..Good luck with your feeders, put out some nuts for the woodpecker and he may leave the rest alone, they also like suet.

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  2. Yes its good to be able to get out and enjoy whats around, it helps so much. I think that once this settles there will be some mental health issues to be dealt with. Being on lockdown theoretical everyone here is allowed out for an hours exercise a day which for those with gardens is not really an issue but for those living in apartments in towns and cities its different. With the weather getting warmer and the Easter weekend coming up it will be harder to control people into staying in, and the only way to control the spread is to isolate, and shopping is the greatest hazard.
    Plant plenty of veggies you may need them in a few months.
    I had a go at making some videos, and its a work in progress shall we say, but hey there's plenty of time to learn. All the best.

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    1. Hi Dave, yes I've been concerned about people who have no place to get outside, as they are closing the parks, it's horrible. I could stay home and never get bored, Im trying to take advantage of the good weather as it only last a short while then its HOT...good luck with your video editing it can cause you to pull your hair out!

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  3. I suppose that when habitat modification is made, including controlled burns, it is rarely beneficial to every part of the affected area, but I am very pleased to hear that it has been beneficial for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.

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    1. Hi David, exactly the Refuge has done an excellent job of bringing this woodpecker back from the brink of extinction!

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  4. Hello, I am glad the wildlife refuge is still open. I would love to see that Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. You had a wonderful variety of bird sightings. I love the cute Kinglet. I am looking forward to seeing my hummer return, the feeder is outside and waiting. I still do not understand why people are hoarding the TP, or are they just not delivering enough? Take care, enjoy your weekend. Happy Birding!

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    1. Hi Eileen...so far I have seen only the one male hummer. Now the warblers are coming in droves I hear them but it's hard to see them! I did not understand the tp rush either...very odd. And one issue is like in Walmart, they normally have shelves full of big 24 pack..I never buy that I have no space for that so a regular 4 pack is my choice..so the shelf is not really holding enough since one individual can carry out a 24 pack and it takes up a lot of space. Now all empty space,

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  5. Beautiful - All Of It - And Healthy Salad For Sure

    Cheers

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    1. Im able ready to pull it...still too cold for tomato plants yet tho...

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  6. Hello, hello! How many wonderful sightings you share. A red cockaded, we've not yet seen, but know we will one day. I cannot wait for the catbirds to show back up here! Your veggies look delicious and all your outings! How fun it would be if we were neighbors. :) As for TP, I usually buy ours on Amazon and buy Seventh Generation recycled single ply in bulk. We needed our semi-annual stock up and I looked on Amazon and it said out. However, I added it to our cart and it went through and received it. Interesting! When we've not had toilet paper in the past, I like tree leaves and mullein leaves. Smooth rocks work well in certain situations too. We have a ton of old clothes rags so we might use those too. Hugs to you!

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    1. Hi Jennifer, so happy to see you! I didn't even know 7th Gen made TP I buy their dish soaps and detergent too. Im being very conservative with my supply and am still good up to now! Hopefully you will see a Red Cockaded on your next journey south. Take care!

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  7. Oh gosh the whole toilet paper thing was nuts here too, it's now a limited to one or two packs per person item all stores now!! I am quite jealous of the Woodpecker and Hummingbird in your yard, both quite beautiful birds! A lot of reserves and general parks here have closed or at least closed their car parks to discourage people from travelling for daily exercise!

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    1. HI Pam, every day its a new executive order Im really tired of it, why can[t people just STOP crowding up today they are limiting entry to grocery stores to 5 per 1,000 sq ft. And now they say it's either at home, at work, or going to exercise, I hope Birding is considered exercise.

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