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Tag Archives: birds
Nature’s most extravagant lovers
Few lovers woo as extravagantly as birds-of-paradise. Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s birds-of-paradise project delves deeper into the lives of these birds. Here is the introductory video: The project website provides an exploration of these strange traits and how they evolved. … Continue reading
Photovember 12
Ring-billed gulls at Royal City Park
What would Rachel Carson do?
A world-altering book, Silent Spring, hit the shelves 50 years ago this week. The gospel according to Rachel raised awareness of the widespread, dangerous use of pesticides and their impact on birds, wildlife and human health. Her teachings essentially launched … Continue reading
Posted in profiles
Tagged bald eagles, birds, endangered species, environmentalism, insects, pesticides, rachel carson, silent spring
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New bird feeder visitor: red-breasted nuthatch
We have a new visitor at our bird feeder: a red-breasted nuthatch. Danny first noticed the unfamiliar bird on Sunday, but I did not get to see it. Monday morning when I refilled the seeds, the newcomer landed on the … Continue reading
Posted in backyard habitat
Tagged backyard habitat, bird feeder, birds, red-breasted nuthatch, sitta canadensis
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Illuminating turkey intelligence
Naturalist Joe Hutto spent a year as the adoptive parent of a brood of wild turkeys. His journal of the experience not only portrays a moving human-animal bond, but dispels the notion that turkeys are stupid. In fact, Illumination in … Continue reading
Posted in books
Tagged birds, books, consciousness, illumination in the flatwoods, joe jutto, nature writing, wild turkey
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Cities provide essential habitat
Last summer I spent most Thursday evenings sitting in the construction wasteland outside city hall watching a chimney across the street. The weather was always fair and people would look at me strangely but seldom asked what I was doing. … Continue reading
Posted in conservation
Tagged birds, chimney swift, conservation, peregrine falcon, swiftwatch, urban wildlife
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Our Backyard Neighbours
The Occupy Backyard movement has begun. Our yard is full of creatures availing themselves of food and shelter. It is encouraging to see how some small effort on our part draws such an enthusiastic response from nature. A garter snake … Continue reading
My Letter to Guelph Councillors About OPA 48
I am concerned that OPA 48 does not provide adequate protection for Guelph’s rivers and greenways. I have been a Guelph resident since 1982 when I came here for university. I stayed because I love Guelph’s strong sense of community, … Continue reading
Ode to an Office Window
The world outside my office window unfolds like a movie from first glow of dawn to evening frog song. Below it, the birdfeeder hangs by the porch. Throughout the day birds land in the honey-locust tree to check for safety … Continue reading
Posted in nature
Tagged annie dillard, birds, cedar waxwings, creativity, pilgrim at tinker creek, windows
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Help Me Raise Funds for Bird Conservation
On May 23 I will set out to identify as many bird species as possible within a 24-hour period to raise funds for bird conservation. I have watched birds for as long as I can remember. I grew up on … Continue reading
