From That to This

 

On July 23rd, I noticed this curious little critter

 

 

outside my back sliding glass door,

feasting on a wild caraway plant.

 

You can see it's not very big.

 

I kept a watchful eye on it

and in time, it changed from that,

to this:

 

 

 

Yesterday morning, it was gone.

(Poor thing was probably sick and tired of me

sticking a camera lens in it's face!)

 

It will reappear one day as this!



Eastern Black Swallowtail

 

A few weeks years ago,
(seems like only yesterday)
Loft Creations launched a new pattern,
Hailee Bag.

I remember how smitten I was with it,
and how, as soon as she announced it was for sale,
I was at her Etsy store, purchasing the pattern.

Ah, hem. 
Well,
life gets in the way sometimes,
and I just finished making my first one.
You notice, I said 'first'!!  It was such a fun and easy pattern,
I can't wait to make more.

(Now, THAT's a flying goose!)

 

I only have brightly colored jumbo ric rac,

but then I found a couple of quarter yard lengths

of this coordinating fabric in my stash.

(Don't remember where it came from,

probably something my daughter picked out for something special,

and I forgot.)

 

I don't think it came out too badly.

As a matter of fact, I think love it!

 

*8-18-10:  My daughter, on the other hand,

said it's ugly.  I guess the fabric didn't come from her afterall!!

 



Just a Little Paddle

 

Sometimes,

I don't ask.

I just get ready and go.

 

 

I like being surprised.

 

The Warbler Guide

I have received my copy of The Warbler Guide from Princeton University Press, and quite frankly, I'm speechless. This new resouce really raises the bar. 

As I familiarize myself with each new feature, I become more and more excited. I can't imagine how long it took to put this book together from the moment of conception to the final copy, or how excited the authors, Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle, became as they brainstormed how they could include everything. Clearly ,they both thought long and hard about what would make this field guide the best.

For starters, the birds featured in this book are listed in alphabetical order, as opposed to taxonomical organization, which is the norm.  Whew!  Quick and easy.  That's the way I like it!!

Pretty much everything about this guide is 'quick and easy'.  That's what you need when you are out in the field.  Knowledge at a glance. 

For instance, I'm most impressed with the icons and key terms.  At the very top of each species account page they have an icon for Silhouettes, showing the shape of the species,  an icon for Color Impression (Charley Harper move over!!),  an icon for Tail Pattern, a Quick Range Icon, a Preferred Habitat Icon, and a Behavorial Icon when appropriate.  All of this information at a glance to help narrow down identification when you're in a hurry,

 

and it only takes up a space measuring 5-1/2 x 1/2 inches. 

That's sheer genius. 

GENIUS!! 

 

The dozens and dozens of photographs used throughout the book are absolutely beautiful - clear, crisp, and all inclusive - Distinctive Views, Additional Photos, Comparison Species, Aging and Sexing.

 

Key identification features are clear, bulleted, and easy to read at a glance.

 

There's that phrase again.  At a glance.  Perhaps they should have named this book Warblers At A Glance.  Sometimes that's just about all you get to see of the warbler you're trying to identify!  They can be busy little birds, flitting around eating insects (for my non-birding friends:  they catch them in the air!!  Sometimes they are just a blur!!).

 

Not only is this an unparalleled field guide and resource book, but there are some very special additional features.  The authors go into vocalization information with quite some detail (I'm still figuring this section out), and have made available an audio companion - The Warbler Guide Song and Call Companion, not to mention their QuickFinder Guides...I FORGOT to mention their QuickFinder Guides?!!

 

Talk about AT A GLANCE!! 

    Revolutionary!!

  

All this from one who initially said she was speechless.  Well, I could go on and on and on about this incomparable book.  And it's just in time for fall migration.  It will take your birding experience to a whole new level.

 

Tom and Scott - My hat is off to you. 

You should stand up

and take a bow!!

 

 

 

 

The Warbler Guide by Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle is the first identification guide for warblers to focus on both the physical characteristics AND the songs, calls, and chips. As promised, the authors have assembled a downloadable audio companion for the book that contains every audio example (over 1,000) found in the book.

The Audio Companion ($5.99, via Macaulay Library) will make the sonograms and song and call analysis “come to life” for readers. These audio files are organized and labeled to ensure seamless cross referencing from the text to your favorite mp3 player. The authors have also helpfully used sonograms for album art for individual sound files, so readers can more easily match the vocalization to the text.

The audio companion booklet [PDF] explains the features and how to use the audio files: http://blog.press.princeton.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/AudioCompanion_Booklet.pdf

***

Would you like to win a copy of this book?

I happen to have an extra!!

Just let me know in your comment.

 

***

Have a great day!

 



Out of the Mouths of Babes

 

I was visiting some friends yesterday,

and when it was time to give me a ride home,

the mom was trying to coax their 6 year old whirling dirvish

to go along for a ride so she could have a little break.

 

"Does she have a dog?"  "No", said the mom.

"Does she have a cat?"

Again, the response was "no".

"Well, does she have a bird?"

 

The dad piped up and told the little girl

that Karen has lots of birds.

So, in anticipation, she climbed into the van

and off we went.

 

When we arrived at my house only minutes later,

their were 5 or 6 tree swallows

putting on the most amazing aerial show

above the meadow where their houses stand.
 

The American Goldfinches were lined up on the thistle feeder

their little bright yellow bodies

just popping out against the verdant backdrop

of firs and spruce that form a half circle around my feeding station.

 

Robins were hopping from tree top to tree top,

and although we couldn't see them through the foliage

that lines the sides of my property,

the Yellow Warblers filled the air with their song.

 

Without saying a word,

she climbed out of the van to take it all in.

Right on cue, a little Song Sparrow hopped right up to her

for a more thorough inspection.

Little people are not a common sight in my yard.

 

Hands on her hips,

she looked up at me and asked,

"What happens to all your birds when you are gone?"

I explained that my housemate stays all winter

and feeds them for me.

 

"How does he know which ones are yours?"

 

 

 



Is it ADD?

 

 

Finally, another finish.

It's difficult to juggle sewing time

with outdoor time!

I know I'm not the only one with this dilemma.

 

Before pressing - just too excited to take a picture!
So wanted to get a little of my view into the photograph
before the morning sun became to bright!

This small quilt is a "Grandparents' Quilt"

to be gifted to the first time grandparents

of a new little baby girl.





Pressed and on the wall.  Not quite as pretty!
 

This is my first QAL

and I was quite enamoured with the process,

altho' a walking foot is a must

.

 

The fabrics, a fat quarter bundle I picked up at JoAnn's

(with a coupon, of course,)

were fun to work with.



 

I wanted to make them a quilt that could be used

for a long time, so I made this

48" x 56"

Quilt As You Go Crazy Quilt

by Quilter's Dream

in Colleyville, TX.

 

 

Jill DeQuilt (no blog) gifted me with the pattern

for last year's birthday!

Then, tutored me on the process

during our Quilt and Gab Week this past winter.

Thanks, Jill.

 

This is why it takes me so long

to finish things:

 

 

 







 



 

I'm slightly distractible!

 

Have a great day!

 

 

 

Mow a Little, Sew a Little

It's been difficult trying to keep up with the lawn.

Now that the rains have slowed, it's a little easier.

I bought a self-propelled mower

and can mow twice as much in half the time.

But the mower is very heavy.

 

In order to accomplish everything on my list for the day,

I mow a little,

then come in for a break

and sew a little.

 

A few quick pics

of projects in the works.

 

 

A Grandparents' Quilt

 

 

Soon to be a lavender sachet.

 

Almost a bag.

 

And a finish.

 

The quilt I made

for my friend's husband with leukemia.

Sadly, he took a sudden turn for the worse,

and passed away (more or less) unexpectedly

only 3 days after recieving this warm embrace.

 

Rest in Peace, dear man.

 

***

 

Got mint?

Here's a tried and true recipe for you!

 

 

 

                                 Fresh Mint Butter Cookies

 

1-1/2 flour                                              1 egg
1/8 tsp salt                                              2 Tbs milk
1/2 tsp baking powder                           4 Tbs chopped fresh mint
1 stick butter                                          1/4 tsp vanilla

2/3 C sugar

 

Cream butter. Gradually add sugar. Add egg, milk, vanilla, and beat thoroughly.

Mix dry ingredients and chopped mint together. Add to dough. Let chill overnight.

Drop by tsp. 2" apart on greased cookies sheet at 350 for 10-12 min.

Makes 3 doz.   Rolls out great for use with simple cookie cutters.

One last thought. 

The mosquitos are out!

They don't like lavender.

 

I keep a bottle of lavender lotion at the back door,

and a tin of solid lavender lotion in my backpack.

 

Have a great day!

 

***

Join Me For a Paddle

 

Summer has finally arrived in Cape Breton!

It's even almost a little too toasty,

especially for being right on the ocean.
 

 

But the calm, albeit very cold, water

was perfect for the first paddle of the year.

 

 

Here we go!

 

~

 

A Belted Kingfisher protects its territory

from human invasion with his screaming rattle

and imposing presence.

 

 

Let's zoom in on him a little.

 

 

The Kingfisher "nest in burrows that they dig into soft earthen banks,

usually adjacent to or directly over water."

 

 

His nest was tucked in here, about a foot below

the treeline in the center of the picture.

Sorry you can't actually see the little hole.

 

 

The same spot from further away. 

Isn't it beautiful?

 

~

 

 

Common Terns were our next encounter.

You can see this rock is well used!

 



They let me glide quite closely

 

 

before they felt a little threatened by my presence

 

 

and flew off to a nearby rock.

 

 

~

 

My paddling companion brought along his fishing pole

 

 

and wasn't disappointed!

 

Meanwhile, this little butterfly, perhaps the size of a nickel,

pauses for a rest before continuing on his journey.

He was a surprise!

 

~

 

 

Through the mist that developed over the water

from the heat of the day,

 

 

this sailboat has a rather spectral appearance.

In the immediate foreground are a couple of

cormorants drying their wings,

 

 

while nearby, and proabably

 the highlight of the day, were these massive gray seals.

Although a distance away, their moans and groans,

snorts and chortles,

could be heard all along the shoreline.

They appear to be laying on top of the water,

but the tide was receding

and they were on the tippity tops of the rocks.

They do not let you get very close,

so it isn't even worth the effort.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed your paddle.

I could go on and on,

but after almost 4 miles of paddling in the hot sun,

I'm a little weary.

 

Calgon, take me away!!