Jasper Pulaski Under Threat!

One of Indiana's treasures is under the threat of being damaged or destroyed. Jasper Pulaski Fish and Wildlife area, known world-wide as a stopover point for migrating sandhill cranes, is targeted for a new neighbor - a hog farm! I can't read this story without getting ridiculously angry. Of all the area in the northwestern part of the state that is already agricultural, they select a site right next to a wildlife sanctuary. I am flabbergasted by the comments from the article saying "Within a matter of days, it's very difficult to find much of the remnants of manure in the soil." Let me get this straight...you want to inject manure into the soil - manure from 2500 hogs - and I am supposed to believe that this poses no environmental impact to the adjacent migrating stopover of tens of thousands of sandhill cranes? Only the current repulican administration can put a spin on it like this! Give us a break! We are not stupid! We sure could use some help from national organizations on this one. Local efforts to combat it seem to not be well connected.

Over the weekend, I took some photos of the birds at the feeders and got a couple of good ones. I'll post them when I get the downloaded.

Gosh...I am just so amazed by the lunacy of the whole hog farm proposal.

Ice skating Cardinals

We had an ice storm hit Saturday night. It started about 5PM and went through the night. In the morning, the world was crystal-like with ice everywhere. (Including the sidewalks! No, I didn't fall on my butt) Once the birds woke up, the came to the ice covered feeders. Under the feeders along the edge of a flower bed are some landscaping blocks that were covered in ice. What a trip it was to watch the 8 or so cardinals land on the blocks and slide down the slope of them. They couldn't quite figure it out. The were trying to get some traction to no avail! Yet instead of jumping off the blocks and onto the ground, they kept slipping and sliding. I decided they must have liked it and were ice skating simply for the enjoyment of it. They sure were fun to watch!

It has been unseasonably cold here so far for December. (Todays forecast; cloudy with a high of 26) I haven't felt the urge to get out in this yucky weather and bird. But, the Christmas bird count is coming up, so I'll definitely be out for those. By the way, if anyone wants to join a count in Indiana, here is some info.

First bird of December

I always am curious at the start of a new month what bird will be the first one I see for the month. (Am I obsessed or what? - LOL) So, on my way to work just as the dawn was breaking, I was pleased to see one of my favorite birds, the American Kestrel. No matter how many times I see this bird hunting, I am always fascinated. It's hovering in the air as it scopes out little rodents for a snack is always worth watching. This one appeared to be a female and she was hunting an open field just south of an electrical transformer station near Starbucks. I think I need to attract these guys to my yard as the moles and mice are pretty abundant right now. With that thought, I know that setting up Kestrel nest boxes is becoming more and more common. Here's a site to learn about building and placing those nest boxes.

More snow here today - supposed to get about 2 inches. It looks so pretty falling to the ground. It was funny to see a Great Blue Heron sitting by the lake at work in the snow. Even though I know these birds are year round residents here, they sure seem like they belong down along the gulf coast. When I see one sitting in the snow, I swear they look pissed off!