Yep, I’m a scrappy scaup. Lesser Scaup that is. My brothers and cousins come in huge numbers and love to winter along the Chesapeake Bay. We’re little diving ducks that love the water. One of my favorite things to do with my cousins is to confuse little birders […]
How I go to the woods Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore unsuitable. I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way […]
This weekend you can participate in an international event from your own window. The Great Backyard Bird Count is hosted by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon and is an online citizen-science project where participants record their observations. Birds visiting gardens throughout the world are observed and appreciated […]
Over recent years the Bald Eagle population has increased, leading to the species being removed the endangered list. For American bird watchers like myself, the resurgence of our nation’s hallmark is exciting. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, Maryland is now hosting a growing population of majestic bald […]
I never knew that there could be a duck that purrs. Heading out on a duck expedition today, I confess I was desperate and headed to the infamous Wall of Shame in Cambridge, Maryland. I had been there last year and had a glorious time with the ducks. […]
There are some noisy birds out there that love to knock, knock, knock on wood. How these Woodpeckers managed not to have spitting headaches each day amazes me. Can you imagine banging on some hard tree with your little nose, all to get a bug? Knock, Knock, Knock. […]
“Look Ma ! One Hand!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains.” Dr. Suess: Oh the Places […]
Every birder has what is known as a nemesis bird. Mine was the wood duck. Try as I might, every time I would try to find a wood duck, I came up empty handed. I’d even get messages from a friend and be there 20 minutes later and […]
What looks like a duck, but isn’t a duck? The American Coot! A duck wannabe, they can be found floating along with mallards, and other winter migrating ducks. Found in the winter months along the Chesapeake Bay, these waterbirds fake me out. Their faces look a bit chicken […]
I now know where angels get their wings from. They get them from beautiful and elegant Tundra Swans. With a wingspan over five feet wide, these swans can throw their hefty 20+ pounds into a hit. Can you imagine being hit by a twenty three pound bird with […]
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 