tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66382629295785140242024-03-19T16:52:37.717-06:00Birding Karval ColoradoI love birding around my home area of Karval, Colorado. These posts describe the birds, wildlife, and wonders of the shortgrass prairie.Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-76909349879095535552017-01-05T07:25:00.002-07:002017-01-05T07:25:23.784-07:00Remembering KarvalI have never forgotten my time with the wonderful people from Karval. A piece of my heart remains in the community. We had a cold front move through the desert where I live now that reminded me of Karval. So I wrote a poem to add to this wonderful site.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>West Desert Silence</b></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The moon laid in winters' white blanket</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">drifting silently off to sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Still cold air crept in and hushed my very breath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Invisible droplets chilled to the bone - frozen in place -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">protested as they thrust crystalline daggers into the air.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">A miniature army standing erect on limb and wire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Each stood as sentinel grouped ever closer in frigid clumps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Reflected light glistened from every surface -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">now shrouded in frost -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">sparkling diamonds glinted and jumped to life across the ground</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">perfectly beautiful, dressed in intricate lace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">All quiet, I moved across the desert filled with wonder.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Nothing to interrupt my thoughts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The peaceful cold, calm and penetrating,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">yet, powerful and moving -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">drew me forward, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">grateful, I pause to feel its magic.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">M.P.C. January 3, 2017 </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
Thanks you to all who inspired me to write. For all my friends in Karval I miss you. </div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiec_ayZ1bKefxsQLm7dtOiqjdI7_7tkF6MNhEQb3VELjbrPOKaVOejHTJ0IHARYsZuuDjh0yOW6LqibTmxEO6ghwuA0UfFzwGOxZeP0aHPMgREa98OGiGMfKDNZMXqngF_DEfemT4UKhyR/s1600/DSC00224.JPG" style="height: 810px; width: 608px;" /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel1rthi_jG4Ws6bVaTkUzruiNR75AaeuOkuzLHEx4IAuDzT1n-9ITZTOzVzsoFqP80o24vX16S_svSXnFPyW7ByKFD32vjbPuYi4ZRVBdHC2ZjcP4idfBlWaNQXuQw7Fb94MVw6FEzKcD/s1600/DSC00144.JPG" style="height: 810px; width: 1080px;" /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgst1KvXAluBfJHyFuuGI35P0vh7kd1kLMvji8o1MnI5MW6Zu1-a70wqjfWZZ_mm-R_3pqLNVnPHITaKVuorriTbLm2pzjyAkp4a4LluK2X0islPudYkNELZvBfEPUlqN5x_-gC9PkdoWRY/s1600/DSC00153.JPG" style="height: 810px; width: 1080px;" /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTc1mzm1E54j_SWoHykw8Exd3lxK_ktDCGYTT0QZw2jABeGBf8HAhyO6oaWY84lJt2Zi6DTGIQWoi2F_D5DAd1OLLPpMRe-MPPOn4SQx8CX-MxW09AicAGIv_h02tbd7fqmtcz4QgBF97O/s1600/DSC00140.JPG" style="height: 810px; width: 1080px;" /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><img class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6tqhqh56aovg0Zk54CMeVnQlCQheu2TwGYtroJ-mQWstBf6nRpxsP9jTIadu2H3kB3ukBN7oeulHbqFrK4R15USEBOvWRktm9CQjoFWG5VuDtE_B7O7M8dkcGNZ41I-33t7HLZv61-JF/s1600/DSC00259.JPG" style="height: 810px; width: 1080px;" /> </span></div>
Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-44494333916972316162010-07-28T13:14:00.000-06:002010-07-28T13:14:46.394-06:00Farwell to karvalI wanted to express a sincere thanks to all who have helped me and my family. We have made some wonderful friends and grown so much. I have experienced the wonders of the short grass prairie. I photographed birds and scenic beauty. All I can say is the prairie is a vast open space filled with life and tremendous opportunities. So as I leave the community I have loved my time here and will take a small part of Karval with me. Some of it may have blown to New Mexico ahead of me.<br />
<br />
<br />
So as I prepare to disconnect my computer for now. I say thank-you. Until we meet again.Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-37574149564869316612010-07-27T21:17:00.002-06:002010-07-27T21:20:23.716-06:00A Peach of a Tree<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The wonders of Karval are still amazing me - as I sat early in the morning enjoying the cool breezes coming in the window. My attention was constantly drawn to the peach tree. It seemed to be alive with movement. Patiently, I waited for some clue as to the identity of the bird in there. After a short time, other visitors came to add to the tree. At one point, there were five unusual ornaments and a couple of flashing lights to boot.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Have you ever seen a Logger-head Shrike<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">as it shoots across the yard?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A black, gray, and white comet<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">flashed before me- what a sight!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A pinwheel of alternating shades<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in stark contrast to each other<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">perched the little masked bandit, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ready to take breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Constantly, positions changed. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Racers burst forth in a flash of stripes<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">from fence to tree to bush then grass.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The peach tree made a nice pit stop<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">while cruising in and out of the yard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Astonished, I watched <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">as four others joined the first- <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">a family in formal attire<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Blood-orange heads moved among the branches-<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">black wings with bold white patches.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another morning friend greeted my weary eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Yellow, orange bolted from the leaves.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On the fence he stopped - then the fiery meteor halted, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">safely back in the tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Orioles moved about as mobile fruit on the tree. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One never knows what gift awaits just outside the door,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">but I know the Giver of it.</span></div>Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-24161967488671283682010-05-04T19:24:00.003-06:002010-05-04T19:27:27.315-06:00Karval Moutain Plover Festival Sightings<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This is the final tally of the birds sighted at the Plover Festival. It was a great weekend and a fun time with fellow birders. The weather was warm and sunny. What an amazing way to see the area. Thanks to all the local ranchers for the visit to their land and sharing the wonders of the short grass prairie. None of this would have been possible without the many helping hands in our community. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">One of the highlights of the festival was the trio of Broad-winged Hawks. It doesn't get much better than this.<br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBPdBi2xBVFaugGvMkrC1gsYh364PTjWVj-QQRFu1XtHHWzba7hDyhtcP4F-5zAc9pNA9qTvGUEvzbzuRSv42STcSgwJkDAAO5fZHDYLoLSnZd6OVohERockDkjFkLTGR8Fy6oY9LgbY/s1600/DSC01728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBPdBi2xBVFaugGvMkrC1gsYh364PTjWVj-QQRFu1XtHHWzba7hDyhtcP4F-5zAc9pNA9qTvGUEvzbzuRSv42STcSgwJkDAAO5fZHDYLoLSnZd6OVohERockDkjFkLTGR8Fy6oY9LgbY/s320/DSC01728.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This weekend was the 4th Annual Karval Mountain Plover Festival. We <br />
were graced with good weather, great company and some pretty decent <br />
birding. The Karval Community Alliance thanks all the participants and <br />
invites all to attend next years event scheduled for April 29, 30 and <br />
May 1, 2011</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">65 species were detected: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Wood Duck <br />
American Wigeon <br />
Mallard <br />
Blue winged-Teal <br />
Northern Shoveler <br />
Northern Pintail <br />
Redhead <br />
Bufflehead <br />
Scaled Quail <br />
Eared Grebe <br />
Great Blue Heron <br />
White-face Ibis <br />
Turkey Vulture <br />
Broad Winged Hawk (3 spotted by K. Corwin on fri evening, 2 were re- <br />
located sat. am, straight south of Karval in the wood lot south of the <br />
fertilizer plant) <br />
Swainson's Hawk <br />
Red-tailed Hawk <br />
Golden Eagle <br />
American Kestral <br />
American Coot <br />
Killdeer <br />
Mountain Plover <br />
Spotted Sandpiper <br />
Lesser Yellowlegs <br />
Wilson's Phalarope <br />
Eurasian Collared-Dove <br />
Mourning Dove <br />
Great Horned Owl <br />
Burrowing Owl <br />
Northern Flicker (Red and Yellow shafted) <br />
Say's Phoebe <br />
Western Kingbird <br />
Loggerhead Shrike <br />
Horned Lark <br />
Northern Rough-winged Swallow <br />
Barn Swallow <br />
Black-capped Chickadee <br />
Rock Wren <br />
House Wren <br />
Eastern Bluebird <br />
Hermit Thrush <br />
American Robin <br />
Northern Mockingbird <br />
European Starling <br />
Orange-crowned Warbler <br />
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle's and Audubon's) <br />
Nashville Warbler (same wood lot as Broad wings) <br />
Spotted Towhee <br />
Green-tailed Towhee <br />
Chipping Sparrow <br />
Vesper Sparrow <br />
Lark Sparrow <br />
Lark Bunting <br />
Grasshopper Sparrow <br />
Song Sparrow <br />
White-crowned Sparrow <br />
Red-winged Blackbird <br />
Western Meadowlark <br />
Yellow-headed Blackbird <br />
Brewer's Blackbird <br />
Common Grackle <br />
Brown-headed Cowbird <br />
House Finch <br />
Pine Siskin <br />
House Sparrow </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Please consider adding the 5th Annual Plover Festival to your birding <br />
adventures in 2011 </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Seth Gallagher <br />
Stewardship Director <br />
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory <br />
Fort Collins </span>Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-82707494096011378382010-03-30T20:40:00.000-06:002010-03-30T20:40:27.911-06:00Mountain Plovers Returned TodayA beautiful morning walk was made more grand by the songs of dozens of Western Meadowlarks and the ever present Horned Larks chattering away. As I listened to the morning chorus, a familiar and welcomed song rose from the field.- Mountain Plover? I stopped in my tracks and waited. There again it came...and another. I have been waiting for this day. I have seen in the last week the return of Red-Winged Blackbirds, Say's Phoebes, and Killdeer. Spring is really here, and it is exciting.<br />
<br />
As I continued my walk to school. I heard plovers again. This time I found three and watched them for ten minutes or more. The male would call to the female as he stood on the ground near her. He would tuck his body low to the ground and spread his wings out like a fan. He would dip and call and then wait. This repeated action was exciting to see on my first sighting for the year. As I waited and watched, I heard the call of a Burrowing Owl somewhere in the same field. I had a fabulous morning and can't wait for tomorrow's chorus.If no birds had been seen, then the moon setting was worth getting out early for and enjoying the spectacle. <br />
<br />
What will be the new bird for tomorrow?Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-34183978206438099152010-03-08T13:21:00.000-07:002010-03-08T13:21:34.846-07:00New ArrivalsIt has been fun to see the change in bird life. Migration is on. The changing weather has been all over the charts - snow and ice, sunny and warm. In the middle of all of this, the birds have started to come in. I have seen the arrival of hundreds of Mountain Bluebirds and American Robins. The brilliant blues are in stark contrast with the foggy days. Many Western Meadowlarks have come into the area. Some have been here during the winter, but now are seen in mass singing throughout the day. My first sighting of Brewer's Blackbirds was yesterday.<br />
<br />
Notable exits are the majority of the Rough-Legged Hawks and many of the Ferruginous Hawks. The last of the Snow Geese are moving north, leaving the Arkansas River area. I hope to soon be hearing the calls of other birds as they make their entrance - Sandhill Cranes, Mountain Plovers, Burrowing Owls. Then, the songs of birds will fill my early mornings. I can't wait for them. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mountain Bluebirds in a Spring Christmas Tree </b></span><br />
<br />
The dull overcast day, plain and uninspiring.<br />
The sameness spread across fields of gray<br />
with fog that hadn’t lifted. <br />
Heavy frost coated everything.<br />
<br />
Yet even in a dark closet, <br />
one can find a treasure – <br />
something unexpected <br />
and wonderful.<br />
<br />
The pine tree flocked with ice<br />
delicately decorating each needle,<br />
stood near the abandoned house,<br />
alone and apart.<br />
<br />
Twinkling in its branches,<br />
hundreds of blue lights<br />
moved in and out,<br />
tinkling like bells.<br />
<br />
Standing out against the <br />
obscured backdrop,<br />
they came and went.<br />
A Victorian tree, simple and refined,<br />
adorned with birds of vivid blue.Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-74974050244908804442010-02-21T13:37:00.019-07:002010-02-21T15:43:22.835-07:00A Walk on an Icy Morn<BR><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrMTRfCRwIfHvUwTNXwx5gx6BCYshwYtp5vSaIKq_9D2jq0OOBrrqqesnBUJFbYQ_Mr2QDPKoC9b68lzF8Rstew1tq100OKKggmz8fpBahxkQ6G_hkQ1OcX-I4taQIVvbdA0SG8rjKfs/s1600-h/DSC00848+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 105px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrMTRfCRwIfHvUwTNXwx5gx6BCYshwYtp5vSaIKq_9D2jq0OOBrrqqesnBUJFbYQ_Mr2QDPKoC9b68lzF8Rstew1tq100OKKggmz8fpBahxkQ6G_hkQ1OcX-I4taQIVvbdA0SG8rjKfs/s400/DSC00848+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440812453180554274" border="0" /></a><br /><BR clear="all"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI7YHmlnJHR52flTBsk6hMYhjr2nXdZjtZLH6pDxzAmv_GNXDpKIiDqqRzYq2qb0J0aRCBSkhv2B5-ynJCj9ty3CLmGxbrknE4ap-coq1hOKiionzyeLmSAUjxHM2MoqtcSdk_lptgsg/s1600-h/DSC00837.JPG"><img style="float: left; 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margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqP1ugyFjVQPbYPvGRvHiGfqaJyVigi428WAOskXkk3OS8Sbx_5epmDHidafjLH6Pvnj6cRbsyRElqVGOFNdk7U_i2uvtr_VI749IgOob681hPLeYzIMG3BWQl4W8mOPPp4ZZafQdoec/s400/DSC00824+-+Copy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440811785169748658" border="0" /></a><br /><BR clear="all"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kBb-_sdMzH9nFqHOLxsuJxbURlgHlhiqaL1ZbtcGGroiZtIqhR4TZ5dOYuBevh89POCfPPGgAHpGTZMENPjGc3iXFxVtZ3SzMKiMXsjvftuJgh3pYQpdhBejXtSELDAQG-1S-EeNhKE/s1600-h/DSC00787.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kBb-_sdMzH9nFqHOLxsuJxbURlgHlhiqaL1ZbtcGGroiZtIqhR4TZ5dOYuBevh89POCfPPGgAHpGTZMENPjGc3iXFxVtZ3SzMKiMXsjvftuJgh3pYQpdhBejXtSELDAQG-1S-EeNhKE/s400/DSC00787.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440811641919761794" border="0" /></a><br /><BR clear="all"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToQ6oGr82Yt8JkMbkmITvQFuU_7HStvEU3e0UqNeXAYvVk7BD4HGxpwE8Sn5sKyv8y8S36XUgP4pDewMOJtCZ9TdrAl-54S5w_JHM5iAry9iA7QkTl7oj0tNl22JKSaugiM4s7ew-yhA/s1600-h/DSC00771.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToQ6oGr82Yt8JkMbkmITvQFuU_7HStvEU3e0UqNeXAYvVk7BD4HGxpwE8Sn5sKyv8y8S36XUgP4pDewMOJtCZ9TdrAl-54S5w_JHM5iAry9iA7QkTl7oj0tNl22JKSaugiM4s7ew-yhA/s400/DSC00771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440811465721314658" border="0" /></a><br /><BR clear="all"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9g3YrDCAMOmHRv8LixGSvgKqxxUmP0GDKy03lrMhgrchwqxB5MycMrDAcwTZFla9ylVYb33oQ0QMEbmuQYVFG-7-Rqs_htoBUbqKwBVa3J1rRBfWIqUbJgGMj5eJiHMtRs75BsL8iWs/s1600-h/DSC00783.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9g3YrDCAMOmHRv8LixGSvgKqxxUmP0GDKy03lrMhgrchwqxB5MycMrDAcwTZFla9ylVYb33oQ0QMEbmuQYVFG-7-Rqs_htoBUbqKwBVa3J1rRBfWIqUbJgGMj5eJiHMtRs75BsL8iWs/s400/DSC00783.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440811249421642690" border="0" /></a><br /><BR clear="all"><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxDSWqBpU9xzD__n7nriinAlYHBqElkZz8Nu-2N5i0rQkLEKTEdzDK4Ks41Jd6Hjiw6Kj8zpWPHVbnm_Jf4hw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyK5lL0dA7EN5ONgAix3pP1Q6EmC8-HSEJ_dy2ZrHi6uKvfemwrxwzef4C6SWuVHAhrxN8v98gt4ZsSqquchQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-82985508539463727982010-02-21T13:08:00.005-07:002010-02-21T13:37:32.467-07:00Bird News<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtj2eVR6o_XIAa2M-cSIHr7jPNUbUtJRULplUcqF-LfcDZmoUwukx2W7nmVrq0D8L3xSfOuDoialSmGCGlIehg2ppPRw-T4oKLRzaeotIPKfsuVGDyGjaokXzJ9mAXKeT0ZqeitP6G3c/s1600-h/DSC00865.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtj2eVR6o_XIAa2M-cSIHr7jPNUbUtJRULplUcqF-LfcDZmoUwukx2W7nmVrq0D8L3xSfOuDoialSmGCGlIehg2ppPRw-T4oKLRzaeotIPKfsuVGDyGjaokXzJ9mAXKeT0ZqeitP6G3c/s400/DSC00865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440794230203513602" border="0" /></a>Over the past week some birds are newly arrived. A flock of Mountain Bluebirds were a pleasant surprise, the brilliant blue in stark contrast with the bland browns of winter fields. They seemed to sneak into the area between storms. We have also had American Robins come back into town.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aPQZjmYm_tpOLabIEOhEHTTsRfLtvvLvXLl10hCgvubhzYHG4UqsT08m5OEkY1zHwdApiTD2tl7yW4rlDqC_INtGtDXClK_N1yMLSH6dxjmlkZRvBq7z_irugxuXsw72Lhx-5-MEcGg/s1600-h/DSC00688.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aPQZjmYm_tpOLabIEOhEHTTsRfLtvvLvXLl10hCgvubhzYHG4UqsT08m5OEkY1zHwdApiTD2tl7yW4rlDqC_INtGtDXClK_N1yMLSH6dxjmlkZRvBq7z_irugxuXsw72Lhx-5-MEcGg/s400/DSC00688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440795968448436610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />It seems that the first signs of spring are here, but no real sign of spring in the air. It has also been the start of the birth of some of our most notable locals, calves and kids. We hope they hold up against the snow and the blow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DLwqcIuPbJB-ytNOK6XtKjf-a3pFPN7HAcB9kESmjLz64eQNzn9Dwh67MX9cnUbstbkd-JayNBVfjGk3uMy10wWM52IC4EOwiqUhBItHxbFlxNZ8mDx5jkyjrH3lSvW9DW4WTMCjs-U/s1600-h/DSC00682.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DLwqcIuPbJB-ytNOK6XtKjf-a3pFPN7HAcB9kESmjLz64eQNzn9Dwh67MX9cnUbstbkd-JayNBVfjGk3uMy10wWM52IC4EOwiqUhBItHxbFlxNZ8mDx5jkyjrH3lSvW9DW4WTMCjs-U/s400/DSC00682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440795424190794738" border="0" /></a>Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-69046832507319268992010-02-13T11:42:00.006-07:002010-02-13T12:46:51.776-07:00Winter on the PlainsIt has been a long time since I have posted anything. I am now feeling the need to breathe some life back into the winter through writing about it with hopes that spring will be back sooner. I guess I have as much control over the length of the winter as a ground hog in Pennsylvania who gets prodded into making an early appearance every year, his underground burrow being much preferred I'm sure. At least I can see the changes day to day. I have been working on several posts at the same time. So I will start reporting them as the wonders of a new season fast approach.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcceA3kFd97wfzJkuNsdXlo135nDVoP1WoTU3KJC3gVEOGnqOH3My1opBQeGZCn2HWAPDdC-UJuTFGPEFoXMtnbtj-KshwcrlMz7xPBhnNsODxHr2bhUZNGNW9VyrzD08UqX61BBOjrts/s1600-h/DSC09849.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcceA3kFd97wfzJkuNsdXlo135nDVoP1WoTU3KJC3gVEOGnqOH3My1opBQeGZCn2HWAPDdC-UJuTFGPEFoXMtnbtj-KshwcrlMz7xPBhnNsODxHr2bhUZNGNW9VyrzD08UqX61BBOjrts/s400/DSC09849.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437814601855996354" /></a><BR clear="all"><br /><br /><strong><BIg>Wintertime on the Plains</BIG><br /><br /></strong>A time of watching…<br />watching the storms roll in…<br />watching the temperature drop…<br />watching the wind blow the snow around…<br />watching the hawks, coyotes, and rabbits…<br />watching…<br /><br />The cold stiffens everything … <br />the frozen silhouettes of cattle in the fading light…<br />the wooden hawks perched on power poles…<br />the rabbits in utter stillness.<br />No shelter is quite enough to warm their blood<br />and set them all in motion.<br />Only the warm rays after a cold night can free them.<br /><br />A time of frosty wonder…<br />window art in its many crystal forms decorate every pane…<br />plants laced with a shroud of powdery confection.<br />I hear the snow speak in high-pitched scritches,<br />compacting underfoot, a frigid complaint.<br />My breath rises - as a cloud around my face it clings.<br /><br />The sulking cold seems to linger,<br />then crawl slowly off to explore somewhere else.<br />The sun shines.<br />The snow melts.<br />Activity resumes.<br />Cold forgotten.<br />Hawks fly.<br />Rabbits run.<br />Cattle mill about.<br /><br />Icy fingers no longer stroke cheeks<br />and send shivers down spines.<br />Winter’s changing moods keep us all hopeful that tomorrow<br />there will be sun on our faces and warmth in our hearts.<br /><br />Wintertime on the plains –<br />A time of watching…<br />watching storms move out…<br />watching the temperature rise…<br />watching the snow melt…<br />watching the hawks fly…<br />watching the coyotes hunt…<br />watching the rabbits hop, nibble, and explore…<br />watching…Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-83248441722964565692009-10-29T19:17:00.003-06:002009-10-29T19:21:00.591-06:00Coyote ChorusI love to lie back and close my eyes<br />when listening to beautiful music.<br />The subtle harmonies and<br />running lines intertwined,<br />soothe my mind and transport me<br />with each wafted note.<br /><br />The sounds of nature feel, smell, and taste<br />like a distant symphony-<br />the reeling song of coyotes<br />circling around some unseen campfire,<br />joined in tribal pow wow.<br />Quiet at first, a woman’s throaty cry<br />rises in joyful expression<br />followed by men and children<br />not to be outdone.<br /><br />One, then another voice adds<br />counterpoint, harmony, dissonance - each gives<br />vitality and sincerity to what I hear.<br />Their fur-covered heads, thrown skyward,<br />releases a heart full of sound.<br />Ears like feathers erect in the moonlight.<br />“Come join me - Gather in my circle,”<br />as family around a piano.<br />“Sing this song.” “Do you know… ?”<br />Sing until every familiar tune is exhausted.<br />Make your own harmony, descant,<br />and aria. Sing out of sheer pleasure!<br /><br />This is the coyote chorus.<br />Any may listen… or none,<br />for they sing for themselves.<br /><em>I lean back, close my eyes, and listen.</em><br /><br />Plover Lover – October 2009Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-79882593775050220172009-10-26T20:16:00.007-06:002009-10-26T21:34:40.266-06:00Success! Thanks to Community EffortWho you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">goin</span>' to call?<br /><br />Well, not ghost busters. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Karval</span> community hosted an impressive half-day for Partners for Conservation. Visitors from several states converged on the town. Ranchers, government agency representatives, and local students let the world know where <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Karval</span> was.<br /><br />Russell Davis' Ranch hosted these folks throughout the afternoon. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Karval</span> High School students presented the RAW (Ranching and Wildlife) youth program for these dignitaries and impressed the crowd with their abilities. Ranching skills were demonstrated by Cole on horse back; Abby and Max showed branding and ear tagging; Mr. Jones led a roping demonstration; pond ecology of the prairie was described by Taylor and David with fish, frogs, and turtles; shelters and nest building took place under the watchful eyes of Joni, Courtney, and Taylor; and a visit to the tree pasture added a bird of a different color. Fish and Wildlife and Division of Wildlife helped to catch critters and provided excellent help in putting it all together. Additional expert presentations from the conference members were given, and much was learned and experienced.<br /><br />Later in the evening, a wonderful meal was prepared for these conference attendees. Local talent from the high school and community engaged the group with energy as they presented songs of many different genres. Fun and laughter were enjoyed by all, and a patriotic tribute to our unsung <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">heroes</span> in the military capped the evening's numbers. Those who shared were pleased to have been so warmly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">received</span>.<br /><br />Local art was taken home by participants, and money was earned for the school with photography auctioned to the eager audience. An event like this was only possible through the effort of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Karval</span> Alliance members and community members who willingly put every part of this wonderful event together. To name one is too few. To name all impossible, for someone would surely be left out.<br /><br />So a great big thanks for a day well worth the effort. This is why living in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Karval</span> is so much fun.Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-29167611072320072192009-10-26T19:48:00.007-06:002009-10-26T20:15:51.267-06:00CranesThe weeks pass so quickly as fall blends into winter. The wind howls some days. The sun warm on other days. As seen in the last post the ice and storms of winter have come early. They don't last but serve as a reminder that this summer will end. As I watch the changes the serendipitous always occurs. This time it is large flocks of Sandhill Cranes. I wrote this after such a fortunate day.<br /><br /><strong>The Day the Cranes Came</strong><br /><br />The golden glow of the afternoon sun<br />fell warm on my skin.<br />The frost of morning long since gone.<br />High overhead the ragged “V”<br />of cranes drifted.<br />Small groups sailed together <br />like grey flags connected by a string.<br />So many scattered across the sky <br />north, south, east, and west.<br />Where did they come from?<br /><br />I watched them spiral ever onward<br />like the change of season <br />marked by calendar,frost,and wing.<br />Now nearer, just overhead- <br />each long neck stretched out as an arrow, <br />wings fletched these shafts, <br />feet nocked and launched.<br />What message did they carry?<br /><br />A melancholy cry rose on the air.<br />Trumpeting their arrival- <br />one voice followed another chanting some ancient song,<br />all joined in intricate intervals.<br />The woven sound, loud,then soft, warbled,<br />and rang through the air.<br />"Winter is on the way"<br />as sure as the song of cranes. <br /><br /><br />Plover Lover – October 2009Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-67812688238327080632009-10-13T19:00:00.019-06:002009-10-13T19:42:37.213-06:00Crystal Wonderland<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggupoUZps4MJkfmdGhBWwvWdVHr9OF78hpcWcCCHa4e1rqJM1LPHHwbYbEn1sV0NgCKbBOHe_M5juxFvz3HQ4t_KHLlC0rOPVzjRloqQelVoBxeL4cNZ3KCR_AjLC1Zi0TKNEgq5GHTM/s1600-h/DSC09908.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392260509507142770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggupoUZps4MJkfmdGhBWwvWdVHr9OF78hpcWcCCHa4e1rqJM1LPHHwbYbEn1sV0NgCKbBOHe_M5juxFvz3HQ4t_KHLlC0rOPVzjRloqQelVoBxeL4cNZ3KCR_AjLC1Zi0TKNEgq5GHTM/s400/DSC09908.JPG" border="0" /></a>Chicken wire never looked so good.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3FUD_B-iqCKB1fV29CWwjUloy8MzjQzfn8GbkcIOT_hhupA4CdckuLiYWKeHJq4vOfPjA07lUf8F5igsqoHjxVECWtIPrspznFS4oTdxHkZJracyDK1FDLIKDTxIWR6DDRFpttz3fog/s1600-h/DSC09922.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392260281184060226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3FUD_B-iqCKB1fV29CWwjUloy8MzjQzfn8GbkcIOT_hhupA4CdckuLiYWKeHJq4vOfPjA07lUf8F5igsqoHjxVECWtIPrspznFS4oTdxHkZJracyDK1FDLIKDTxIWR6DDRFpttz3fog/s400/DSC09922.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ice glazed apple tree<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItukPPAlikiWZRW3yyOw0YHAQyG6sW93ZrQHJ0FAszVMimUe-9t_McaThVWmJ3NpGpmxPTUxp5rgjrHcqp4NCNNn5SfnKB59sUyPGFVZDY8OVKIf4BMbBewUcvZhEiKkl11Qd0P58wd8/s1600-h/DSC09910.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392259947449292578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItukPPAlikiWZRW3yyOw0YHAQyG6sW93ZrQHJ0FAszVMimUe-9t_McaThVWmJ3NpGpmxPTUxp5rgjrHcqp4NCNNn5SfnKB59sUyPGFVZDY8OVKIf4BMbBewUcvZhEiKkl11Qd0P58wd8/s400/DSC09910.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sunflowers on ice<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOTEAMWhXvPEw_lk34X2yjsAF04_23Vrvnrjz6oBP5CEuMxuxaPwRyvZDQSj-GsD5SjHjdjuNEHg6Qj8PY_xT202VFWGYjPR6Jzx6liIEQ02BqNveEaQPvnw5_p3hNuroRgFw-TIl2WM/s1600-h/DSC09904.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392259611572676306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOTEAMWhXvPEw_lk34X2yjsAF04_23Vrvnrjz6oBP5CEuMxuxaPwRyvZDQSj-GsD5SjHjdjuNEHg6Qj8PY_xT202VFWGYjPR6Jzx6liIEQ02BqNveEaQPvnw5_p3hNuroRgFw-TIl2WM/s400/DSC09904.JPG" border="0" /></a> Nine feet of crystal<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NLj23ypMXw32caZNjy5c2f481xutQd-STvg3Hc7zY6yJTbooE3ARnxv-6InX0ska37zHwLG-lKw1-WVqz5k-mxRzvzVE9GVCH03WMuR_WajRtwj79w0XW9oRvEsXs4Qou5jzVS9nfZs/s1600-h/DSC09828.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392259149657231602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NLj23ypMXw32caZNjy5c2f481xutQd-STvg3Hc7zY6yJTbooE3ARnxv-6InX0ska37zHwLG-lKw1-WVqz5k-mxRzvzVE9GVCH03WMuR_WajRtwj79w0XW9oRvEsXs4Qou5jzVS9nfZs/s400/DSC09828.JPG" border="0" /></a> Barbed wire never felt so cold and cruel<BR clear="all"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMo9zcHhqUaVmooEtT7sLbUE2oNjTcAG99ThD2CTSl6ttxFnDkcCYfaO3qjHHMwBL1JsqO5QrPqJntZ44V-4qC7YHPYZeiHtYY1QMTvm1aN9GZZPfoMZ3Oiof8uPZ_bCnDEeHYzP7RKw/s1600-h/DSC09822.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392258863919578226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMo9zcHhqUaVmooEtT7sLbUE2oNjTcAG99ThD2CTSl6ttxFnDkcCYfaO3qjHHMwBL1JsqO5QrPqJntZ44V-4qC7YHPYZeiHtYY1QMTvm1aN9GZZPfoMZ3Oiof8uPZ_bCnDEeHYzP7RKw/s400/DSC09822.JPG" border="0" /></a>Flowers in an icy blanket<BR clear="all"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJWn1e8h4I-YSSXVpwYWgFhce3DiplscKm0P6_x9YByhDPphV_8V2fUEbGLpCGxfcPr4Z-IozAluyh-RByLRaBI74u0ylUeX6ZjMJHqF0lGf4rlevqRn853t22BbNvY5_A-Dp7SLNGgc/s1600-h/DSC09816.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392258596773660306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJWn1e8h4I-YSSXVpwYWgFhce3DiplscKm0P6_x9YByhDPphV_8V2fUEbGLpCGxfcPr4Z-IozAluyh-RByLRaBI74u0ylUeX6ZjMJHqF0lGf4rlevqRn853t22BbNvY5_A-Dp7SLNGgc/s400/DSC09816.JPG" border="0" /></a> Timothy under glass<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_d4AhTNsijJrU-vfhHZgy6xznyrlRlirHteP_uATRR-f80PK_dLhMNYZ0U3aCz16hywnHQmIQaUfh5ofkZXiSke_U7ZZ-Xj-Xd3n6vCgSyaez5KF4-fZaexrwcaEyvtJlhAtE0heoGg/s1600-h/DSC09808.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392258249238359106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_d4AhTNsijJrU-vfhHZgy6xznyrlRlirHteP_uATRR-f80PK_dLhMNYZ0U3aCz16hywnHQmIQaUfh5ofkZXiSke_U7ZZ-Xj-Xd3n6vCgSyaez5KF4-fZaexrwcaEyvtJlhAtE0heoGg/s400/DSC09808.JPG" border="0" /></a> Frozen pine tree art<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI26Z9eEHOMwZP6CAdchBWylTtw2eKETf7l9Nh1sR9sOmBOII1pE68ayV3G7K7GndNNPrtYQocYerXI2ZNeyTiUcuQKF-VsElV_-wmvtn1ucB4m_x_MQHIaWfKSJfeaxobsc_BNzdYLM/s1600-h/DSC09784.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392257558158067314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzI26Z9eEHOMwZP6CAdchBWylTtw2eKETf7l9Nh1sR9sOmBOII1pE68ayV3G7K7GndNNPrtYQocYerXI2ZNeyTiUcuQKF-VsElV_-wmvtn1ucB4m_x_MQHIaWfKSJfeaxobsc_BNzdYLM/s400/DSC09784.JPG" border="0" /></a> Delicately frosted<BR clear="all"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizejHFx2nx6gB-hp_zZqnaVf6nQhanyAgwc_atW1qIvt5pXKfyTVVMd216zSsYU644PMCW0FnZKqjyHLlApNJcoKh9EefwTef2IpvJBQ9_UWrprh1TIL8OPFf1ioFEsOZeMdlmbvAbM98/s1600-h/DSC09782.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392257310379873250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizejHFx2nx6gB-hp_zZqnaVf6nQhanyAgwc_atW1qIvt5pXKfyTVVMd216zSsYU644PMCW0FnZKqjyHLlApNJcoKh9EefwTef2IpvJBQ9_UWrprh1TIL8OPFf1ioFEsOZeMdlmbvAbM98/s400/DSC09782.JPG" border="0" /></a> A perfect ice flower<BR clear="all"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD83JUSntCOVauPm_qXn-OzvLatE_UnfDU2BgTJLrqtBZZkmGVT8LzF1NH1wiWi9-wesdG0j8NCGbNkRpCxa8d39l20fydL22a2Oq_QqxjJWEv4REXSm2COs8TBM8MFdHfh8g7MvUHRY/s1600-h/DSC09776.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392256768372795122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD83JUSntCOVauPm_qXn-OzvLatE_UnfDU2BgTJLrqtBZZkmGVT8LzF1NH1wiWi9-wesdG0j8NCGbNkRpCxa8d39l20fydL22a2Oq_QqxjJWEv4REXSm2COs8TBM8MFdHfh8g7MvUHRY/s400/DSC09776.JPG" border="0" /></a> Crystal Corn<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjbEfRVtje_oh3qk1cUdtz3Y5SXxe_wxDZnnHbfx8dHDrMqQyDE-if9ygMIGlp-BzdKOYQyiR9pFPBeU-D8G1W_sASmecSjt_LISRg03pCLPydR5hJ27zkagRf2FkVJOjrk8FRZfz6xs/s1600-h/DSC09759.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392256025693608946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjbEfRVtje_oh3qk1cUdtz3Y5SXxe_wxDZnnHbfx8dHDrMqQyDE-if9ygMIGlp-BzdKOYQyiR9pFPBeU-D8G1W_sASmecSjt_LISRg03pCLPydR5hJ27zkagRf2FkVJOjrk8FRZfz6xs/s400/DSC09759.JPG" border="0" /></a> Frozen where she blows<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUyC902DPmi0nZZYFRr0ReyFpFOND-N0UaEiJQL1tE3SncFEAx42Fbi6C5Jq3Bwx33L_JwMDzDsjWa7Doa8FQe8AQ_L-1WN4SgjW029mQOq8KAu9Rj65yw23Y1elzOt7KXP2tpeqUEmg/s1600-h/DSC09741.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392255577710203586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUyC902DPmi0nZZYFRr0ReyFpFOND-N0UaEiJQL1tE3SncFEAx42Fbi6C5Jq3Bwx33L_JwMDzDsjWa7Doa8FQe8AQ_L-1WN4SgjW029mQOq8KAu9Rj65yw23Y1elzOt7KXP2tpeqUEmg/s400/DSC09741.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />WOW! What a weekend of beauty. Nature's Ice Sculptures.Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-28446901413916432002009-10-04T13:48:00.001-06:002009-10-04T13:50:19.622-06:00I Heard the Corn TalkingMy morning walk to school - so dark -<br />no moon to cast shadows in the dim predawn.<br />Only stars lit my path - so dark - little could be seen, <br />so quiet, no bird song, no hum of insect, no breeze felt on my bare hands, only the crunch of my feet on the dirt road gave life to the eerie expanse.<br /><br />I rounded the corner-<br />I heard something unusual- <br />the corn field talking- <br />no I swear I heard them rattling on.<br /><br />As I looked I saw only row upon row of khaki jackets and outstretched sleeves on tall slender frames. I turned away the sound intensified - did I catch motion out of the corner of my eye? I looked away, there. I looked back, it felt like a game of “Red Light, Green Light” with stalks of corn. I didn’t seem to be winning.<br /><br />I heard dry parched throats hoarse, that crackled, and scratched faint soothing sounds. Calm voices whispered from row to row. They begged me to listen - to join them. The chorus continued as I paused now and then - until at last the sun made its grand appearance.<br /><br />Then all fell silent - only a brown corn field remained, no games, no songs, and no whispers, only warm light bathed the tawny field and complemented the glowing red dawn spread as a blanket over them.<br /><br />Every day I hope to catch the corn talking, bright stars shine above. My feet crunch a quiet warning. The corn, in hushed voices, tries to pretend they can fool me. Is it the song of the breeze on leaves or timid voices heard by sensitive ears? Come and listen.<br /><br />Plover Lover<br />October 1, 2009Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-75231007100944020202009-09-20T17:01:00.007-06:002009-09-21T21:00:51.435-06:00I Sometimes Think of CloudsAs I drove home from church in Limon, I saw the very kind of clouds that bring me back to times in childhood where I would lie on my back and pretend I saw mythical creatures and even some common barnyard friends. I longed for the past, or at least a present with warm sun on my face, cool grass on my back, and a gentle breeze to carry my thoughts as high as the clouds. A couple of years ago, I wrote this poem after watching the clouds. You may need to use your imagination and float into my magical world. <br /><br /><strong>Clouds</strong><br /><br />Opalescent ice sculptures stood massive,<br />a power greater than themselves, concealed,<br />beautified and intensified by white hot edges.<br />I entered <br /><br />I drifted through random figures<br />each soft frosted surface evolved,<br />intricate crystallized subtleties, <br />hanging from the blue tiles<br /><br />milk flowed like fog spilled on the floor<br />ever changed, <br />works of art shattered by a thought,<br />melted by inattention<br /><br />I touched hard lines of castles,<br />soft folds of fleece,<br />plump cheeks, round noses,<br />and angular sails,<br /><br />a tree, a bird, a rabbit, a lion<br />carved deeply in ice<br />I floated by them,<br />undisturbed<br /><br />the cotton candy scent drew me <br />nearer the boiling cold collection<br />amid the shifting menagerie<br />I saw a litter of kittens<br />tumble in the indigo paint<br /><br /><br />shades deepened, gray, mauve, azure, cobalt<br />the colors of the stormy sea<br />white capped edges, <br />foam and spume erupted over each piece<br /><br />lying on my back warm in the sun<br />time ceased<br />one artist after another displayed their wares<br />towering toward the grassy jade sky<br /><br />I looked down on them all and smiled<br />the sky prickled my back<br />I jumped down, content to know<br />I can visit again tomorrow<br /><br />Plover Lover<br />July 21, 2007Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-63622688094158800422009-09-12T16:34:00.041-06:002009-09-20T16:59:40.646-06:00Summer Photos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZgt4eM6mAaZwlvsc7uxa8VfQ5JfOMpcRI2dako5sPc4u3B4s8loesGLUIPvJQMoV9eijU1mwg4zM5YRXb6Ad8y5pSisR-zpfeb-wUoq8Yj6WIZBcKeF2a6qBjHkIaLb53L8eyAj6nXw/s1600-h/DSC08244.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZgt4eM6mAaZwlvsc7uxa8VfQ5JfOMpcRI2dako5sPc4u3B4s8loesGLUIPvJQMoV9eijU1mwg4zM5YRXb6Ad8y5pSisR-zpfeb-wUoq8Yj6WIZBcKeF2a6qBjHkIaLb53L8eyAj6nXw/s400/DSC08244.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383679571022301138" /></a> Color Me Blue<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9tFwaJtZ7MBR8pe0pJXrI2b4xHAigBobcTvmXdgAE6LJqX93ZmWuyNoiksdbqNnxqOkeRZBFfQhVykaqcATvDTJbp6NVSlTMCWiJX2Wigeusl09nXEkkgxgD9C-_9QtGyhBHB2a0AZ4/s1600-h/DSC08469.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9tFwaJtZ7MBR8pe0pJXrI2b4xHAigBobcTvmXdgAE6LJqX93ZmWuyNoiksdbqNnxqOkeRZBFfQhVykaqcATvDTJbp6NVSlTMCWiJX2Wigeusl09nXEkkgxgD9C-_9QtGyhBHB2a0AZ4/s400/DSC08469.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383679004955384946" /></a> Coneflowers<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04vt82kA7A4qG7C2Pl7cUitzy-S6osy0WaIwq_1gMs1vUOfUGMjDdh94Ceu_mgokVu_iHGphKkmgR88ShdAQpKVVTe-sjJm_dEZyrqm2KaB8M41wrI4Oxc2-N702U3zguonyuefkS0Zg/s1600-h/DSC08506.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04vt82kA7A4qG7C2Pl7cUitzy-S6osy0WaIwq_1gMs1vUOfUGMjDdh94Ceu_mgokVu_iHGphKkmgR88ShdAQpKVVTe-sjJm_dEZyrqm2KaB8M41wrI4Oxc2-N702U3zguonyuefkS0Zg/s400/DSC08506.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383678717740699762" /></a> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01GhzTIODHoJcrWNCktcVLf5isWCoXCGwboTfbNfzER59r0AMpQAJ6XhwFKfQaThz08UjSdK-SsSpfrQIUgs0qT-X1hkNp-gSDgy9dl6nhxJ3BeGRQi7b3LdX2W0-ft1Hy7LznQZmzyw/s1600-h/DSC08525.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01GhzTIODHoJcrWNCktcVLf5isWCoXCGwboTfbNfzER59r0AMpQAJ6XhwFKfQaThz08UjSdK-SsSpfrQIUgs0qT-X1hkNp-gSDgy9dl6nhxJ3BeGRQi7b3LdX2W0-ft1Hy7LznQZmzyw/s400/DSC08525.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383678328587566258" /></a> Sometimes You Just Have To Stand Alone<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqU1eDjIJNt8NMfRkN0hpbW5Xzzm6Y267Lwlkk4oJYozj-i9HxmGwiOhPgpevtwQ4G-6l7gTByTSIJayWkJgqqUXSmb-F6lHmBULa03tVin8_k-MDRFPrS_TR7FTWA5iztoHAq18BdJA/s1600-h/DSC08599.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqU1eDjIJNt8NMfRkN0hpbW5Xzzm6Y267Lwlkk4oJYozj-i9HxmGwiOhPgpevtwQ4G-6l7gTByTSIJayWkJgqqUXSmb-F6lHmBULa03tVin8_k-MDRFPrS_TR7FTWA5iztoHAq18BdJA/s400/DSC08599.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383677931301178770" /></a> Cactus Blossom - Wow<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcnD8PXIl4D1KF9RTvYwB0rjmzy64Mb2ppDZaH63MkazTZL0-h3iLhPp1zv3DmckKxIgVoqPXwUNH9B0OG2eRYj3TH_84QPwkMFYOuhWECWmCMMmnW__neuBAi_RehMy5fgTzqowCNZk/s1600-h/DSC08490.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcnD8PXIl4D1KF9RTvYwB0rjmzy64Mb2ppDZaH63MkazTZL0-h3iLhPp1zv3DmckKxIgVoqPXwUNH9B0OG2eRYj3TH_84QPwkMFYOuhWECWmCMMmnW__neuBAi_RehMy5fgTzqowCNZk/s400/DSC08490.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383686352329246098" /></a>Butter, Eggs,or Summer Sun - I love the color <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><br /><br /><br />I would like to share some of the summer's favorite photos. Many are the wonders of this particularly wet summer. The green held throughout and brought on billions of bugs and bushels of blooms. Some might call them weeds, but they are nevertheless beautiful. Yes, they make me sneeze, too. Hope you enjoy some of my summer fun. By the way, did you see the clouds today? Well, that is a tale for later in the week. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCw5YI_VKJUxsDZSj8PC7l-6TEJsv98MRdGtzlu7FVNcHEkyRnc2iaMLtdwIwewZyWr6Z3sk9gdjkwe9SuwJm_6BZHB5tdy6Fa9WeRd5bb08PCcvDu3enIhgddOCkCy_LGfttN60AF3M/s1600-h/DSC08323+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCw5YI_VKJUxsDZSj8PC7l-6TEJsv98MRdGtzlu7FVNcHEkyRnc2iaMLtdwIwewZyWr6Z3sk9gdjkwe9SuwJm_6BZHB5tdy6Fa9WeRd5bb08PCcvDu3enIhgddOCkCy_LGfttN60AF3M/s400/DSC08323+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383674056307128642" /></a> Burrowing Owl <BR clear="all"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fOFfdr2axPGpoXRfvyMiHg8Un50nAEzH-YwThA-eA-MQrLLTJRONzLytBxoElf9PyO2VBLcfsXfyJSQ6XGi145X6-VWfl4rWePxYlzoDjYLrVEj6_uM6jepKP9aUEK1n0rfRV9wNcM0/s1600-h/Rough-legged+Hawk+3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fOFfdr2axPGpoXRfvyMiHg8Un50nAEzH-YwThA-eA-MQrLLTJRONzLytBxoElf9PyO2VBLcfsXfyJSQ6XGi145X6-VWfl4rWePxYlzoDjYLrVEj6_uM6jepKP9aUEK1n0rfRV9wNcM0/s400/Rough-legged+Hawk+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383673834680272706" /></a> Rough-Legged Hawk<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvs6qAGiz1lCJqD3ZF2ayPBWuCagzDFnzDw3aBepX-hRMTtV64zwz3jPqB5zsXlficP80HH15aQ1iAl0RwF5DHmhZJ6q9H8vvKszXn425zXH1XmSDbHb9jOQjSm-f8aXAbbF_bGtqW4G8/s1600-h/DSC08441.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvs6qAGiz1lCJqD3ZF2ayPBWuCagzDFnzDw3aBepX-hRMTtV64zwz3jPqB5zsXlficP80HH15aQ1iAl0RwF5DHmhZJ6q9H8vvKszXn425zXH1XmSDbHb9jOQjSm-f8aXAbbF_bGtqW4G8/s400/DSC08441.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383673560461826690" /></a> Lizard<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQjW4ufkCtfc4jpvPf5fKEcr3OpY5S1Wbe1dPMu-jt7bKydxeaNvQs8hFMrKmub_mahS0zI0it-NvDXo5C4rBmTPUkwfLTe8WxGeQHIFjrcyrMs7Lu-ACPFQkQLUaFqOrvZOLMlFFL7I/s1600-h/DSC09126.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQjW4ufkCtfc4jpvPf5fKEcr3OpY5S1Wbe1dPMu-jt7bKydxeaNvQs8hFMrKmub_mahS0zI0it-NvDXo5C4rBmTPUkwfLTe8WxGeQHIFjrcyrMs7Lu-ACPFQkQLUaFqOrvZOLMlFFL7I/s400/DSC09126.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380720008816967106" /></a> Mail Run Before the Storm<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldVZyhaEb9zMyTH66e8Li02Pacaea5CpC8ulj4pCU3w9XS7S90RDGDAP5aDEd7UYwXcPFxYpcn3IQWmStZUfd5dZOhwgzdumh2NntK7HOQkWjy5gG4FFckVBCt_ElA9Hyk_hTv78Q7Dw/s1600-h/DSC09121.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldVZyhaEb9zMyTH66e8Li02Pacaea5CpC8ulj4pCU3w9XS7S90RDGDAP5aDEd7UYwXcPFxYpcn3IQWmStZUfd5dZOhwgzdumh2NntK7HOQkWjy5gG4FFckVBCt_ElA9Hyk_hTv78Q7Dw/s400/DSC09121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380719782763230082" /></a> Artistic Welding at the Bucklen Ranch<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwKw3GD0FUSMC3NcFAvjQqHfJfWUAv_kL-C3ltwUq6Uw36ArcyooRQWc5MsLZJ9UZklIcbU92BeNlSKKf-9RyZbTKsyw5BD4youR7RqzseqUGzhmUQL4stGkAstok8OJtxUcP463d7mk/s1600-h/DSC09120.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwKw3GD0FUSMC3NcFAvjQqHfJfWUAv_kL-C3ltwUq6Uw36ArcyooRQWc5MsLZJ9UZklIcbU92BeNlSKKf-9RyZbTKsyw5BD4youR7RqzseqUGzhmUQL4stGkAstok8OJtxUcP463d7mk/s400/DSC09120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380719128884195762" /></a> Silhouettes Against the Storm<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsWDlDNacok5BIZ9k6A6SDVLxhYwgl-5Ktqi_hyphenhyphenqcq11khqWWkwoPkDRkNHgy41MmZHX-977PuwpgPf798Q5IfNltzohBbr7DZMSmGGtKdBPHGHRDPG7fbCQi6t-g0pjLs1ORaPyJjVk/s1600-h/DSC09011.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsWDlDNacok5BIZ9k6A6SDVLxhYwgl-5Ktqi_hyphenhyphenqcq11khqWWkwoPkDRkNHgy41MmZHX-977PuwpgPf798Q5IfNltzohBbr7DZMSmGGtKdBPHGHRDPG7fbCQi6t-g0pjLs1ORaPyJjVk/s400/DSC09011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380718746204128850" /></a> Bull Snake, Blow Snake, Gopher Snake<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_uYWj7g43gTSL_OcPppa67yTFA10cXYYxtFPn2bE8Lppwb9ZSEutOhOSzqTMZV98IOW0dBDe3khr9cJATCmbPnjRC3pek-33NINnzsx6VGOlkAPHgUbM40OY5SDS7wSw4X_sqweo7NU/s1600-h/DSC08337.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_uYWj7g43gTSL_OcPppa67yTFA10cXYYxtFPn2bE8Lppwb9ZSEutOhOSzqTMZV98IOW0dBDe3khr9cJATCmbPnjRC3pek-33NINnzsx6VGOlkAPHgUbM40OY5SDS7wSw4X_sqweo7NU/s400/DSC08337.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380718313628495298" /></a> Lord of the Pasture<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidf8lEzEpDBVmMfs3slyKvVTB7b_O_i1qtx1OUnfGy_k8_4WxZIuG0yHPC_koBSEeUKp_Gr756tShLPVR-6GDLIF8VvI0RRN6hY2ojnUW8ynLQRzjTILBWsLc0nHy8NGVFt1ruoWDtNmM/s1600-h/DSC08374+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidf8lEzEpDBVmMfs3slyKvVTB7b_O_i1qtx1OUnfGy_k8_4WxZIuG0yHPC_koBSEeUKp_Gr756tShLPVR-6GDLIF8VvI0RRN6hY2ojnUW8ynLQRzjTILBWsLc0nHy8NGVFt1ruoWDtNmM/s400/DSC08374+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380717766538760818" /></a><br />A Thrasher by any other name would still be Brown.Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-46118057549114938762009-09-05T13:46:00.017-06:002009-09-05T14:34:45.072-06:00Fox News<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgaWnDExBF99CRgBeWtNkGimTUERjDkwHczJ02GYRNeiEaSyHL1BEZew7b2HAVT5O2Pb9-Ty95CvTqoATz0myFEULLMg47BcvA3klJxKQJ4aAuGNJ7X-B6F1z4j3O7vo3qX996TW83TQ/s1600-h/DSC08659+-+Copy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378079123869574242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 187px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgaWnDExBF99CRgBeWtNkGimTUERjDkwHczJ02GYRNeiEaSyHL1BEZew7b2HAVT5O2Pb9-Ty95CvTqoATz0myFEULLMg47BcvA3klJxKQJ4aAuGNJ7X-B6F1z4j3O7vo3qX996TW83TQ/s400/DSC08659+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0psWHp-M95FTPeee0czPFTFse2GStHkTBZL4Qo5E_XYIgIuPDrODqN3b83kwgYkqSUphNX9N2y643LVhdVZJda0OuXLYbmMwtlPHfoVN1a6ioCiaa5nwp458tLp_4rxfd-tyL8WA-QM/s1600-h/DSC08658.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378078959280663090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0psWHp-M95FTPeee0czPFTFse2GStHkTBZL4Qo5E_XYIgIuPDrODqN3b83kwgYkqSUphNX9N2y643LVhdVZJda0OuXLYbmMwtlPHfoVN1a6ioCiaa5nwp458tLp_4rxfd-tyL8WA-QM/s400/DSC08658.JPG" border="0" /></a>In order to prepare for a youth trek this summer, my wife and I took time each morning to walk and get in shape. We went south of our place and followed the dirt road for 3-5 miles. It was wonderful to see the birds and flowers emerge along the side of the road. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbNYYPSLb9Q8a4_hXAmeU1MQ7foJAuzIXvwty5f0NJtv1IUj3wScrRohPMzap5mKXDT_E1mcsgAbRPesBeW3Rds9yzxVKp3ykjr3189W5eB-d-C9-WmbB6mZMgwbaPnKC425Sny5OWyo/s1600-h/DSC08657.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378078647242602818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbNYYPSLb9Q8a4_hXAmeU1MQ7foJAuzIXvwty5f0NJtv1IUj3wScrRohPMzap5mKXDT_E1mcsgAbRPesBeW3Rds9yzxVKp3ykjr3189W5eB-d-C9-WmbB6mZMgwbaPnKC425Sny5OWyo/s400/DSC08657.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We took our baby along in the stroller and really enjoyed the time to talk and see what we could see. Some days, we saw the local birds in their favorite hang-outs. Sometimes, the horses would come across the field to greet us. On one special occasion, we saw a swift fox.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0n9KpNVwCKIKPLQyxBDZHsm0Y1_-aX0rmQjQ_4HtMoKuRVfEJuC2dxEsTD3-fk_1AuMfOwLuY3JaOIqyX4At256JylVoNGMjX8l1KL9ugEfXAb5pVGzmhqBke6PayRIuB34v0c3jnoU/s1600-h/DSC08656.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378078228676359234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0n9KpNVwCKIKPLQyxBDZHsm0Y1_-aX0rmQjQ_4HtMoKuRVfEJuC2dxEsTD3-fk_1AuMfOwLuY3JaOIqyX4At256JylVoNGMjX8l1KL9ugEfXAb5pVGzmhqBke6PayRIuB34v0c3jnoU/s400/DSC08656.JPG" border="0" /></a>No, when we got closer it was more than one. We had lucked into a whole family. They were out there sunning themselves. We sat and watched them for a time - so much for getting in shape. I finally climbed over the fence and slowly approached.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-Dtk3ClD6vuXW1aMLZiHuHyotuupgufYJo6YUMDDuGVLwu72EXFKDbxOfEATAF-orRzw38g8d7U34VRac7Y9K4V2z68ip5hjXkgc8Pz4RsXOTBHqC2t_WfkI9d5xYLX4iOHEQiAg7h0/s1600-h/DSC09006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378080148367650482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-Dtk3ClD6vuXW1aMLZiHuHyotuupgufYJo6YUMDDuGVLwu72EXFKDbxOfEATAF-orRzw38g8d7U34VRac7Y9K4V2z68ip5hjXkgc8Pz4RsXOTBHqC2t_WfkI9d5xYLX4iOHEQiAg7h0/s400/DSC09006.JPG" border="0" /></a>Every few steps, I stopped and took a couple of pictures. The foxes didn’t seem to mind me, so they let me approach. The adults disappeared into the burrow, but the kits stayed to eye me curiously - until I got about 30 feet away. I was so caught up in this that I failed to get the really great shots. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEmXJ_Zqli1V2zGhXayTiiorRY6HCBhmimiF4n076AXlq7vUq7VlW1lgsdckRX0bXLLerwR0z6rEYrxIl381Y99jk3TeVlbsbFJnmC9-1yzbBWtQtZxO-wHBq-TNC8Cr1i_QJaPj0tJU/s1600-h/DSC09005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378080759035944866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEmXJ_Zqli1V2zGhXayTiiorRY6HCBhmimiF4n076AXlq7vUq7VlW1lgsdckRX0bXLLerwR0z6rEYrxIl381Y99jk3TeVlbsbFJnmC9-1yzbBWtQtZxO-wHBq-TNC8Cr1i_QJaPj0tJU/s400/DSC09005.JPG" border="0" /></a>It was more fun to watch them crouched low, or sprawled out, or occasionally leap into the air after a grasshopper. Their huge golden eyes were captivating to watch. Being the smallest of the fox family, they appeared more cat-like than anything. They have no flowing red coat, but are still amazing creatures to interact with.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNl9SFf84cI-v6IbsaFbbS0ugwXgFMNynCnWmz0IoRYqhvb0P3mbSMmFPLjc8TMnryxW-hGhzzYxFQ-u3lTaU24S2Kz1gqVgG90OVxEOxnzwRiRvJX7Cvf6s62TA-zS5twIMiPLQJPzM/s1600-h/DSC09003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378079530515981522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNl9SFf84cI-v6IbsaFbbS0ugwXgFMNynCnWmz0IoRYqhvb0P3mbSMmFPLjc8TMnryxW-hGhzzYxFQ-u3lTaU24S2Kz1gqVgG90OVxEOxnzwRiRvJX7Cvf6s62TA-zS5twIMiPLQJPzM/s400/DSC09003.JPG" border="0" /></a>We saw them grow up over the next few weeks and then finally came the day when none of them were seen at the den. We missed seeing them on our walks. Maybe next year.<br /><br />I wrote this posting in July and forgot to get it published on line. It was such an unusual experience to get so close and see the innocence of youth. No fear existed and the behavior seen was so personal. Our families met and shared a brief moment.Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-19928824148662274162009-08-31T20:21:00.008-06:002009-08-31T21:06:31.684-06:00Who Stretched Forth the Heavens?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_dpu8G2fKoS3seXOtQ1RFscZwTn7SLnzBGr-fryOpdN4z2MhhlbXh7URHdIDAveqceXXeBEVOq3eNGTzimv6v8AuSvV8EO9hIplsM-8Okc_iP7Jpa8Oj57Qj6s3dnv8f4E3cquc7T7k/s1600-h/DSC05179.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_dpu8G2fKoS3seXOtQ1RFscZwTn7SLnzBGr-fryOpdN4z2MhhlbXh7URHdIDAveqceXXeBEVOq3eNGTzimv6v8AuSvV8EO9hIplsM-8Okc_iP7Jpa8Oj57Qj6s3dnv8f4E3cquc7T7k/s400/DSC05179.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376326293976220130" /></a>How black was the night. I had looked forward to the evening planned and anticipated learning about the stars. Experts came with telescopes and enthusiasm. We had a wonderful time with the visit of members of the Astronomical Society of Colorado. They came to the Karval area for fun and some of the darkest nights anywhere. They shared with the community more than we could have dreamed. <br /><br />Our eyes finally adjusted to the nighttime sky; we began our individual tours, with a sky so big we didn’t have to share our own personal view. The Milky Way stretched out before us, more like a cloud obscuring our view of stars than billions of stars blurred together. <br /><br />Lines of interested people waited for a chance to see a close up view of Jupiter, or a nebula, or even Neptune. Just as amazing were the constellations pointed out by knowledgeable guides with powerful laser pointers. There are no lines in the sky to help you see Sagittarius as a teapot; or Scorpius a twin-tailed scorpion; the Big Dipper directing us to Polaris in the Little Dipper; Cassiopeia the queen, a distorted W; Draco the Dragon snaking along; Cepheus the king, a tilted house. Who can follow the Dipper’s handle and arch over to Arcturus in the constellation Bootes and spike downward to Spica in Virgo? We all got the chance to try our hands at identifying constellations. <br /><br />Millennia of stars, stories, and celestial events spread before us. The longer we looked, the more stars seemed to appear. We saw several satellites slowly trace a line across the sky. No evening could be complete without a few falling stars, flaming bits of interplanetary dust flashing brilliantly toward earth. Chatter with friends made the time spent even more spectacular.Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-24828614043392424222009-08-31T20:20:00.005-06:002009-08-31T21:05:24.553-06:00Distant Thunder<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jPUUmpIKYmd0J6Tr_nOYyL23V5kyvqdHEij4W2_QF59YrBW9NtOyz9hcdj8VE9FnBMSTqRBhi0x7g9pIRFnIPdYigtyNSaE_eAkhRgJ69LbkY2Uxv8yz_o5sJGJEokOHg8VgkH73T8c/s1600-h/DSC07976.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jPUUmpIKYmd0J6Tr_nOYyL23V5kyvqdHEij4W2_QF59YrBW9NtOyz9hcdj8VE9FnBMSTqRBhi0x7g9pIRFnIPdYigtyNSaE_eAkhRgJ69LbkY2Uxv8yz_o5sJGJEokOHg8VgkH73T8c/s400/DSC07976.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376329522380596882" /></a>We have had quite a summer of rains. Out here on the prairie when it rains, it pours, and usually it doesn’t rain. Over the past few weeks the weather radio sounded the alarm - Severe weather warning in Southern Lincoln County - Thunder storm alert with possible tornado sightings. The bands of storms tore through the area and carried with them some impressive hail. Damage by the large hail stones marked the storms’ paths. On one such evening, we watched the storms, with nearly constant lightning, passed to the south. At the same time, another storm crashed through to the north. We wondered, “Will we have a garden in the morning?” To our delight we were spared damage all summer. Corn fields destroyed to the north are evidence of the fury. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFrcX0xursY-Fw5Y7Z9yPvs9qeUy-CSiclyPweRR719jz_I_kYSRVAj9r8ZDqVR5iAUe7DS4KNzDlJxNRd0ZzNBw0bVSrGcTENpoD7FciLIrxICOt7D4ROXQhYRB2RsPj53la19zL7Zw/s1600-h/DSC09035.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFrcX0xursY-Fw5Y7Z9yPvs9qeUy-CSiclyPweRR719jz_I_kYSRVAj9r8ZDqVR5iAUe7DS4KNzDlJxNRd0ZzNBw0bVSrGcTENpoD7FciLIrxICOt7D4ROXQhYRB2RsPj53la19zL7Zw/s400/DSC09035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376323840324081282" /></a>An artist’s brush could never have captured the lightning displayed so many times this summer. The variety of colors reflected in the clouds…the intensity of light blinded us for a time..the lightning bolts like claws tearing the fabric of the sky…the distant rumble of thunder almost soothing, followed by the thunder so close it shook the earth like a passing freight train. Power this great reminded me that I am not in control. There was fear in the storm, but also beauty, wonder, and awe.Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-54318181251918587952009-08-31T20:19:00.001-06:002009-08-31T20:55:33.190-06:00Five Mile FalconsIt has been a rare treat to see a pair of Peregrine Falcons on county road S. Over the past two weeks, one then the other has positioned itself on the power pole five miles west of Karval. I never expected to see one - let alone two. I first saw the female with her dark head and brownish back. I thought it was a Prairie Falcon, more common in the area. I stopped to see her as she looked around and slowly lifted her wings in flight. <br /><br />Then last week, I saw on the same pole what I thought was the same bird. When I got the car near and stopped, I could tell it was a male Peregrine Falcon - the black medieval mask dark against the white of the breast. I watched for several minutes before he took flight over the fields. The long, pointed wings - powerful like a jet fighter. I made a return to take a photo yesterday, and as would be expected, they were not there. However, I can still see them imprinted in my mind. Another amazing bird has been added to my Karval list.Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-66168264199852870422009-08-31T18:29:00.005-06:002009-08-31T21:02:05.173-06:00Back to School Marks the Gathering of Birds<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwl_iUKD_HNm4fk2uR08XkOJX7pUY86xGQQZ3pBiGFDsDV981aCsSDOZ0IQDCeMtx2eMwVw-iQxMHI9MlfXPYUpxUppwCSOG_RNHd4qeqi41einsxLjaPegRVoLYAmgS-RWe7nmCDo1E/s1600-h/DSC09454.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwl_iUKD_HNm4fk2uR08XkOJX7pUY86xGQQZ3pBiGFDsDV981aCsSDOZ0IQDCeMtx2eMwVw-iQxMHI9MlfXPYUpxUppwCSOG_RNHd4qeqi41einsxLjaPegRVoLYAmgS-RWe7nmCDo1E/s400/DSC09454.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376328198467064418" /></a>Well, everyone it has been too long since I have posted anything. It has been an event-filled summer. I must say I spent a lot of time recapturing my garden from the weeds. I left on several short trips and no one told the weeds to wait for me to get back. <br /><br />We are now back in school- and busy is the operative word. So now the weeds are trying to gain ground again. We love the fresh produce and have enjoyed the corn finally ready to be slathered with butter and devoured. The beans and beets are now taking a back seat. <br /><br />Every time we enter the garden the birds leave in small flocks. As the evenings cool and the days shorten, the birds begin to gather for the migration south. Congregating Lark Buntings are crowding the fence wires. Many large groups of Robins are in the neighborhood trees. In some of the rain-filled lowlands, small groups of shore birds are arriving. Some of the early immature birds getting a head start. Families of Swainson’s Hawks have taken rows of power poles. Burrowing Owls are still overseeing their favorite haunts.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhza3ih-slB8BVKa1tdW17ivEr2QC8HyWvozdONxDTPasyHyWlnblDI9G49o1r89xyIHQROGgwALka_e6J9eWzIX_IOM8QNQq8mRgHst_ujH6BHBjn3JHzkyvrdIjwQMYn47s9_nmZhepQ/s1600-h/DSC09447.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhza3ih-slB8BVKa1tdW17ivEr2QC8HyWvozdONxDTPasyHyWlnblDI9G49o1r89xyIHQROGgwALka_e6J9eWzIX_IOM8QNQq8mRgHst_ujH6BHBjn3JHzkyvrdIjwQMYn47s9_nmZhepQ/s400/DSC09447.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376322664776387058" /></a>All of the rains have greened up the prairie and have given Prairie Dogs a new place to establish homes. Fields of ripening corn and sunflowers are thick with birds hiding out. The ever changing farmlands are still drawing my attention. A photo in the morning light can’t capture the mood of sunrise on a field of sunflowers or the sun creeping up greeting a new day.Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-34543473786760549742009-07-10T19:58:00.005-06:002009-07-10T21:00:38.518-06:00Of Weeds and ThingsA garden seems like a simple thing - turn the soil, plant the seed, let the sun shine, and wait. Then the sun shines and warms the earth. The early risers spring into action, but where are the corn and beans? A healthy crop of weeds tangle each row. Pull the thistle, kochia, grass and armfulls of unknown citizens. Finally, in the clean spaces, the corn and beans lift their heads. Squash, carrots, beets, and chard stretch upward and touch the sun.<br /><br />Now the competition has begun. In each row, like painted lanes for a race, they jump into action. Weeds take the early lead in one row, while vegetables inch forward in another. So the summer proceeds. The hares-pace weeds always outdistance the tortoise stride of the produce. So I sit and watch the race...and weed. The removal of some doesn't seem to change the race much. There always comes a replacement hopping into action. The crops now strong and tall, dwarf the speedy weeds, putting every ounce of energy into growth. It just takes time, patience, and faith that the race will go to those who wait and weed.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Watering the Garden</strong><br /><br />The cool, clean stream of water<br />began its course down the row.<br />In the early morning light<br />the sun painted it silver-gold.<br />Like molten metal it flowed.<br /><br />The thirsty soil clutched<br />and pulled at it.<br />So slowly the ribbon unrolled;<br />edges tripped and crawled<br />forward over piled grains.<br /><br />The gentle curl of glass<br />wound around clumps of rock-hard clay<br />and lifted a leaf and carried an ant<br />on its back.<br /><br />The saturated earth, now black,<br />pushed the stream on -<br />reaching, stretching, soaking<br />it inched.<br /><br />Finally, at row's end, <br />the burnished trail shone brightly<br />from splashing entry to placid pool.<br />Its march now complete.<br /><br />Plover Lover<br />July 10, 2009Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-24980840421166788742009-06-15T16:00:00.010-06:002009-06-30T19:25:48.830-06:00Getting to Know You<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqH6tCqLlNyI_2Mu_Qd4kTQPZnv1dhOLeSpgD1eLaTpDLtETp-St8Wa-TptTLy8sV0qA-CO7np2wzN-kV3nPcoHtwHKPYW56M-5lsxLTePVWIcQh0hBe6FonRh1ryOKtasCGkfeUYGmQ/s1600-h/DSC08470.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqH6tCqLlNyI_2Mu_Qd4kTQPZnv1dhOLeSpgD1eLaTpDLtETp-St8Wa-TptTLy8sV0qA-CO7np2wzN-kV3nPcoHtwHKPYW56M-5lsxLTePVWIcQh0hBe6FonRh1ryOKtasCGkfeUYGmQ/s400/DSC08470.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347714020801631202" /></a>Have you ever had one of those extra special personal interactions with wildlife that you never dreamed could happen? Well I have, and they keep me out looking, waiting for the next time that nature reaches out a feathered wing, a leafy branch, or a furry tail. The more time I spend outdoors, the more I love the small and simple things - so common and yet not.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZV30DlIJ6uRiw31mGX4adWZjJCQHRVWFvs2wX9gz7GiN50TXPZO0MSjaQQUAv-mY_El-TtH6AFmm-VGrkcqiqFucBws7m9bh44G4V9Ds0mYpW2HVR53mML_17_ZA8ZVuBxj2Y9Z70CI/s1600-h/DSC08456.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZV30DlIJ6uRiw31mGX4adWZjJCQHRVWFvs2wX9gz7GiN50TXPZO0MSjaQQUAv-mY_El-TtH6AFmm-VGrkcqiqFucBws7m9bh44G4V9Ds0mYpW2HVR53mML_17_ZA8ZVuBxj2Y9Z70CI/s400/DSC08456.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347713630105516098" /></a>As I went out this morning for a walk with my wife and new 7 month old daughter, I found the lighting perfect to capture some great images. I have been taking plant photos for another project that I am working on. There are so many new plants (weeds) that I don't know, having never lived on the plains, that I want to identify, so I take close-up pictures of plants to research later. I compose my shots carefully to show the common in unusual ways, so now I have quite a collection of Beautiful weeds. What a calendar it will make some day. <br /><br />Well, that is not really the story that I wanted to tell. When climbing fences and taking my time to find something to add to my plant collection, I found myself face-to-face with one of my very vocal neighbors (Cassin's Sparrow). So why not photograph him too? He must have known he was my subject for a special photo shoot today. At close range, he permitted some great poses. Although not brightly colored, nor unusual in appearance, his flight and song make him a real treat to see so closely. I always consider this a gift and always appreciate it. After taking many pictures and having front row seats to his flight display, I wanted to get a picture. I am finding it almost impossible to do with my digital camera. The shutter and autofocus seem never to be in sync. I sometimes get a blur of wings or a blank shot of the sky. Maybe that is why I take pictures of plants. They don't seem to leap out of way.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TqBCgsQPVCnZsmKufPYj_Sig1ENa74Y5sTJXKuR5aSPD63yswA6wXHyrWeEb3ZOZZHzQm0CpaXQsqj_zuWcZAkdtDLXYYrz9FF9M6j12TdgOWofHcmwtHlsGPWH9Qe4F06C9DP-yTXA/s1600-h/DSC08523+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TqBCgsQPVCnZsmKufPYj_Sig1ENa74Y5sTJXKuR5aSPD63yswA6wXHyrWeEb3ZOZZHzQm0CpaXQsqj_zuWcZAkdtDLXYYrz9FF9M6j12TdgOWofHcmwtHlsGPWH9Qe4F06C9DP-yTXA/s400/DSC08523+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347712789267984610" /></a>There he sat on the barbed-wire and begged me to come closer. I failed miserably in getting a flight photo, but was then given a much better gift. As I leaned up against a power pole to steady myself and get a little cover, he popped up from the brush onto the fence wire about 15 feet away. As I was directly in line with the fence, my camera focused on the post in front of him. So I leaned out for a better view, and the bird seemed to feel my desire for a better shot. He started to hop and walk, foot-over-foot, down the wire toward me. I just stood there gawking and never even thought about getting it on film. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9O8SaM3SHY9_Z8QiTf7GC9phMisq_56sQPwOFvCBN6SizS68shV_09kbCVFrtEFA9f0Vdv1Mw9OEMUz3UsV-TMdid5l-GnetWcqFfsQfemGDOmUuh_jn5DPSVqRSbPqjVbX4u8kJ0Dg8/s1600-h/DSC08521+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9O8SaM3SHY9_Z8QiTf7GC9phMisq_56sQPwOFvCBN6SizS68shV_09kbCVFrtEFA9f0Vdv1Mw9OEMUz3UsV-TMdid5l-GnetWcqFfsQfemGDOmUuh_jn5DPSVqRSbPqjVbX4u8kJ0Dg8/s400/DSC08521+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347712649576816418" /></a>Before I knew it, he was only 6 feet away behind the fence post. Then, as if to play peek-a-boo, he leaned out and looked around the post at me and then leaned back. He did this several times before jumping into the air and landing on the wire agian. I could nearly reach out and touch him. He displayed several times as I tried to take some arial photos. It seems such a small thing, but the interaction was so real. I am better for having experienced it and to have taken the time to slow down and see and hear.<br /><br />Is this sparrow only common like a weed, or is a weed a flower fit for framing? I only know that I will continue to collect beautiful things: weeds, flowers, sparrows, rocks, and images. My world is like a buffet with so many things to taste. I love to take some of everything, for I may find my new favorite, but will always come back to the common everyday things so familiar to me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQmigiU49DJ10V4r8tTFpPT2SJJRKdFpZCgoSj3UxX_NQQX0WcNq8QJnkOEQdndHuHCMr8UDMUVhgrdULO12Gb4_iGVXAd9l97DILpTngFDpsgE-exAJhYIPzeo3YPbSZYKGfqnwDWNA/s1600-h/DSC08513+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQmigiU49DJ10V4r8tTFpPT2SJJRKdFpZCgoSj3UxX_NQQX0WcNq8QJnkOEQdndHuHCMr8UDMUVhgrdULO12Gb4_iGVXAd9l97DILpTngFDpsgE-exAJhYIPzeo3YPbSZYKGfqnwDWNA/s400/DSC08513+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347712444758660098" /></a>Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-31460499221371258132009-06-05T19:27:00.022-06:002009-06-30T19:28:08.140-06:00My Personal Air ShowI have spent more time in the yard this past couple of weeks since school let out. The garden is doing well and so are the weeds. We had some good heavy rain that saved me watering the yard, however it just about washed my garden out. I have hoped the plants know how to push through the mud that covers them. It has taken a few extra days but now they seem to be growing fine in sunny weather.<br /><br />While in the yard a new song captured my attention. I finally got a look at the bird singing it. It is a sparrow that I was not familiar with. It has a long tail and nearly constant song. I had to take some time to identify it- so I took my camera out and did my best to get a picture of it. Its song identified it to be a Cassin's Sparrow. It is one of my new favorite birds. I love birds that sing with heart and soul. A song filled with joy and energy, not for any particular purpose, but just for fun. Their favorite stage is on top of a yucca, or a conveinent wire. I have only seen Cassin's Sparrows one other time, but now they are my constant companions singing, making my time in the yard more pleasant. Their early morning songs accompany my dreams, punctuate my work, and sing me to sleep at night. <br /><br />They have no striking colors or patterns but have captured my admiration for two reasons. The first is their song which varies little and yet is a tune that gets stuck in your head. The second is their amazing flight display. I have to say it reminds me of a jet fighter landing on an aircraft Carrier. They launch themselves straight into the air and then with head reaching to the sky, feet stretched forward to the ground, tail cocked back as if a parachute land ever so gracefully in the weeds. They repeat this many times throughout the day. I appreciate the break from my yard work, which will assuredly be there after a bird break, and listen and watch. <br /><br />One of the commonest visitors to the yard is the Horned Lark. They are not particularly concerned with my presence. They will land in the garden with me and sing their chime-like song, or find some fast food to nibble on.<br /><br />Over the last few months I have learned to love the great maneuverability in flight they have. They are constantly on the road and seldom have a problem waiting till the last moment and darting off just in the nick of time. When with a partner they seem to delight in complicated synchronized flying- as if performing in a military air show. They carve their way across the fields. Flying low they veer suddenly upward and just as suddenly weave an intricate pattern with wing man tucked neatly in position, never missing a beat. Bursts of speed are followed by separation of the team, only to again resume the show. Was this show meant just for me, or simply a time to feel the wind beneath powerful wings and try something new, just because they can?<br /><br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-9c23c59cef87a94f height=266 width=320 contentId="9c23c59cef87a94f"></OBJECT>Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638262929578514024.post-76542948989106046032009-05-28T13:36:00.010-06:002009-05-28T14:37:36.645-06:00The Smell of RainAs I walked home from school one day. I was followed by a darkening sky and strengthening breeze-an approaching storm. The thick, black, velvet curtain was suddenly drawn across the sky behind me. "Can I make it home?" I made it only half way before I was caught in the rain. I love the rain and took a mental image-amazed by its many faces. Sometimes you can feel the rain coming and sometimes you can smell it. This is one of those times when the native smell of dessicated air is gradually replaced just before the storm. As I mulled over how to describe this image. These words gave life to what I saw and smelled.<br /><strong><br />The Smell of Rain</strong><br /><br />This land where water is scarce and the <br />pungent odor of dust rises up your nostrils <br />like the smell of empty grain sacks. <br />Stiff dry plants crackled under foot -<br />the browns of life wanting - filled the vast expanse.<br /><br />Always a hint of grit in your teeth,<br />ever-drifting sands prowl looking for respite,<br />anchored only when slowed by some tenacious plant<br />somehow clinging to this land like a weathered homestead.<br /><br />The hope of rain is eternal -<br />clouds carried by need and fervent prayer often build <br />and sail on without a single tear.<br />In this land rain is more precious than gold,<br />distant clouds black with rain drifted in with the promise of life.<br /><br />Before she arrived, a cool assurance piqued my interest<br />as I stood and faced the wind and willed it forward.<br />The breeze delivered the welcome message -<br />the smell of rain approached - slow on turtle's feet.<br />This sun-baked land now drank deeply and grasped at her passing skirt. <br />As I walked, I now could smell the wet earth<br />alive with energy released by soaking rain.<br /><br />The smell of life, of wet rain-filled soil <br />are better medicine than rest.<br />Each passing storm with hope and longing, taunts my memory,<br />and conjures up the image of the prairie alive with oceans of green, <br />sprinkled with constellations of blazing color.<br /><br />The smell of rain proves this is no mirage - <br />but an awakening of the senses, and the earth. <br />Growth and hope are as secure in this land <br />as the unyielding plants that breathed deeply of the smell of rain.<br /><br />Plover Lover<br />May 7, 2009Taichidonuthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747473716022261964noreply@blogger.com1