marcussharpe.org

Gray Catbird

Marcus — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:48:40 +0000

Here is a photo of my favorite Winter Visitor. I first saw
him in the backyard on November 29, 2007. The neighbors Cat
almost got him Sunday Morning. Luckily I saw the Cat sneaking up on
the Catbird and Banged on the window. The Cat has
not been back but the Catbird has been here every day.
I hope it stays.

This Gray Catbird was last seen in the yard on April 23, 2008. I hope he returns in the Fall.

The Gray Catbird returned on October 02, 2008.

The Gray Catbirds were last seen in the yard on May 01, 2009.
I really miss them. There were two this year

The photo was taken with a motion-activated
Wingscapes Birdcam

Wonderful World Shadow Puppets by Raymond Crowe

Marcus — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:24:06 +0000

More on the Australian performer….

The Crow and Kitten

Marcus — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:39:52 +0000

An amazing video of a Crow that befriended and raised a Kitten.

Birds of Iraq Photo Gallery

Marcus — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:56:25 +0000

I found a very interesting website by writer, public speaker, and ‘lover of birds,’ Laura Erickson.
Check out her “Birds of Irag Photo Gallery.”

Mead Garden Bird Survey

Marcus — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:45:34 +0000

Orange Audubon Society, a Florida Chapter of the National Audubon Society, conducted their monthly
‘bird survey’ in Mead Garden this morning. Over 50 different species were counted by 11:00 A.M.
Some of the most notable were a Summer Tanager, a Red-tailed Hawk and over seven different kinds of Warblers.
The count continued after my departure at 11:00 A.M.

A morning walk in Mead Garden

Marcus — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 20:18:07 +0000

We are having a beautiful, sunny day in Central Florida. I decided to take a short drive over to
Mead Gardens in Winter Park. Upon arrival there were only a few cars in the parking lot.
Always a good sign. Quiet, peaceful, good for bird watching. I grabbed my binoculars and headed toward the
“butterfly garden”, which is starting to show new life. Then on to the ‘boardwalk.’

I rarely see anyone out there. The ‘boardwalk’ meanders over
and through the ‘wetlands’. Interesting that I rarely see any birds out there either.
Eventually I exit near Howell Creek
which runs through Mead Garden, connecting Lake Sue and Lake Virginia.
Not far up the path I saw a Pileated Woodpecker,
some Northern Cardinals and a few other birds that were too quick for me to get a good look. I took the Western Path
around the Pond, spotting a Male and two Female Mallard Ducks. As I walked around the Southern edge of the pond
an artist was setting up her easel to work on a painting of the pond.
Once again approaching the creek I spotted one Female and three Male
Wood Ducks. They are so beautiful and very shy. I had to stay at a distance
viewing them through my binoculars and even then, they paddled upstream
to a more secure location. I continued my walk and suddenly a shadow
swept the ground in front of me. Looking up a Short Tailed Hawk landed
in the top of a Cypress Tree beside Howell Creek. I was only able to view his
back and a slight view from the side. It is a bit larger than a Crow.
I stayed for a few minutes then headed up the hill on the paved bike path.

Tomorrow the Central Florida Chapter of the Audubon Society will be conducting their monthly bird survey.
Until then………… Peace and Good Health

I found this from the Winter Park Lakes Division….

“Most of the City of Winter Park is in what is known as
the Howell Branch Drainage Basin. Howell Branch
(also known as Howell Creek) is a tributary of the St.
Johns River. The headwaters of the Howell Branch
system are near the T.D. Waterhouse Center in
downtown Orlando. The creek flows through
numerous Orlando lakes, connected by open channels
or culverts, as it makes its way to Lake Sue. Lake Sue
flows into a natural section of the creek that meanders
through Mead Gardens on its way to Lake Virginia.
Lake Virginia and the rest of the Winter Park Chain of
Lakes are essentially wide spots in the Howell Branch
Basin. After leaving Winter Park, via Lake Maitland,
the creek flows under Howell Branch Road, through
Lake Howell and eventually to Lake Jessup. Lake
Jessup, which is fed by several other tributaries
empties into the St. Johns River east of Osteen.”

The Chernobyl Disaster

Marcus — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:58:17 +0000

I have heard some of our Presidential Candidates discuss Nuclear Energy
in the same sentence with Clean, Green, and Renewable Energy.
A contrasting view can be seen at the amazing photo and video
gallery by Elena Filatova. She presents some incredible images as she
rides her motorcycle into and around the Chernobyl Disaster Area.
An area which has been mostly deserted since the Nuclear Disaster
on April 25th -26th, 1986.
Click HERE to visit her website.

Farm Sanctuary

Marcus — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:04:54 +0000

A very worthwhile organization. Farm Sanctuary.

Bird Count

Marcus — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:45:08 +0000

The “Great American Bird Count” is February 15-18 2008.
Click HERE for more info.

Gaiam

Marcus — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:26:57 +0000

If you are interested in Living Green and Renewable Energy check out
Gaiam.