Birding - Montezuma

Eastern Pond Hawk Dragonfly

South Spring Pool

Arrived at the Cayuga-Seneca lock at 7:20 AM to see one of the fledglings fly in from over Cayuga Lake and land in the nest.

GoScope photo

The other fledgling was outside the nest.

 GoScope photo

With the exception of Canada Geese, Red-wing Blackbirds and a lone Yellowlegs and a lone Green-winged Teal the auto-drive was quiet. Benning Marsh (according to afternoon cayuga-birds emails) would be active later in the morning. 

 Yellowlegs

 Green-winged Teal

At Tschache Pool introduced myself to Jackie and Larue. They were out doing their weekly bird count.

Mays Point observation deck provided some good views of three Great Egrets and three Bald Eagles. The eagles were feeding on carp. Chuck Gibson joined me on the deck. He scoped several Dunlin and Semipalmated Sandpipers. When I was leaving a Wild Turkey crossed in front of me in the Mays Point parking lot.

 Crow & Eagle

Pulled into Towpath Road around 9:24 AM. Greeted by three Trumpeter Swans and three Common Moorhen (aka Common Gallinule). From the entrance gate to the turnaround at Puddler's Pond I viewed a variety of birds - tree swallows, Great Blue Heron, Cowbirds, Robin, Song Sparrows, an Osprey (fishing), Mallards, Green-winged Teal, Gadwalls, Black-bellied Plovers, Caspian Terns, a Catbird and a Goldfinch. On the way out a small deer leaped out in front of me.

 Black-bellied Plover (on the left)

While traveling home stopped at South Spring Pool. Photographed several dragonflies.

Returned to the Cayuga-Seneca lock. Glad I did. Caught the fledgling eagle out of the nest perching on the nesting tree out by the lake.

Got home in time for lunch. About an hour later a fierce storm ripped through Auburn.

Week Twenty-Two - 30 to Go

After finishing Book One had to wonder where Patterson and Ellis were taking me. Image Women’s Murder Club topsy-turvy. But glad that I kept going. In this work the Patterson novel mill (with the able assistance of David Ellis) has returned to the gripping suspense that was once its hallmark. Plus Abbie Elliot - Jack Bauer would be proud.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2012 

Joe & Sarah's Wedding

At one-twenty this afternoon Greg, Joan and I were ushered to our seats in St. Alphonsus Church. Joining us were Aunt Dorothea, Uncle John and Aunt Zoe, and Jackie and Patty.

Sarah was escorted down the aisle by her adoptive grandfather, Robert Coleman.

Father Lou Vasile presided over the marriage ceremony that wed Joseph Portipilo to Sarah E. Cameron.

The newly weds led the recessional to the refrains of Etta James' At Last sung by organist, Ann Adessa.

The wedding reception was held in Seneca Falls at the Auburn Road Party House.

Joe amongst the bridal party.

Mother- daughter dance.

The Twins - Seth & Sophie

Others in attendance.

McLean Cameron & Aunt Dorothea

 

The Bride, Joan, Maura Vasile, Aunt Dorothea

Entertainment was provided by Humphrey DJ Services.

Skies were clear, a breeze kept the temperature in check, and food and beverages were plentiful. All enjoyed the opportunity to share in Joe and Sarah's day.

Week Twenty-One - 31 to Go

Looking for Myron. You may be disappointed.

Looking for the seedy side of Atlantic City. You will find it.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2012 

Nature Photography Hike

 Yellow Flag Iris

Armitage Road

Stopped at 6:45 AM while making my way to the Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC) at the Cayuga-Seneca Lock. Glenn Gaston was there photographing two eaglets in the nest. The adult eagle was perched on a tree at the lake point. Glenn mentioned that he was doing a presentation on eagles this coming Sunday at the Mentz Church. Also Glenn expects the eaglets to leave the nest in the next two weeks.

Pulling into Tschache Pool to the Good Morning sounds of the Song Sparrow from his regular perch in the tree in front of the observation tower. The pool has a few feeders present - Canada Geese, Northern Shovelers, Green-wing Teal. Plus there was a Downy Woodpecker in the woods behind the restroom.

At the Noga Blind there was a White-crowned Sparrow.

In the Crusoe Creek cul-de-sac a Yellow Warbler greeted my arrival. Also observed a Gray Catbird and a Baltimore Oriole  during my brief stay.

Arrived at the MAC at 9 AM. Hike leader, Naturalist Dave Spier, was in the main room conversing with Dawn. After brief introductions the three of us headed out.

The Purple Martins were buzzing around the Martin houses. From the parking lot we heard a Sandhill Crane. Using cattails as the subject Dave gave us some pointers in photography then a green frog appeared to help us practice with a live subject.

Walking down the path to the ponds we flushed up a American Woodcock. While unsuccessful in capturing it on the camera, we did see it again. This was a life bird for me. Dave wrote an article describing this bird.

In the large lone tree among the grasses Dawn spotted an Eastern Kingbird.

Upon entering the woods near the fire pit Dawn drew our attention to a Gray Catbird.

After pausing to look at the Tulip Tree came the highlight of the day - a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Dave has recently wrote an article featuring this bird.

On the way home I observed two Trumpeter Swans on what appears to be a nest in Colvin Marsh and two green-tagged Trumpeter Swans at Muckrace.

A most enjoyable hike with two pleasant companions.

Week Twenty - 32 to Go

 

The Adirondack setting plus the cloak of the death penalty make for a thrilling mystery.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2012

Samite Concert

Irene A. Bisgrove Community Theatre

This evening attended the Samite Mulondo Concert on the Auburn Campus of Cayuga Community College. The program began promptly at 7:30 PM. The crowd was diverse ranging from pre-school children to those in their 80s.

The first performers were the CCC Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Michael Cortese. The first two selections (Partido Alto & The Girl from Ipanema) featured vocals by Mario Paiva, a student from Rio de Janeiro. Samite joined the group for the one of his pieces titled Mutoto. The ensemble with vocalist, Rebecca Keeler, covered the Ruby & the Romantics hit, Our Day Will Come.

 

Next was Vocal Jazz Ensemble directed by Amy Bellamy and accompanied by Will Tobin. Their covers of Ain't Misbehavin' and Beyond the Sea were well received by the audience.

The College Chorus directed by Amy Bellamy and accompanied by Sally Bailey then took over center stage. The set got off to a rousing start with an arrangement by Roger Emerson titled Forever Doo-wop. The Chorus then progressed through The Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody to The Jamies' Summertime, Summertime on to Eddie Holman's Hey There, Lonely Girl and concluded with the Foundations' Build Me Up Buttercup which featured Soprano Erika Green and Baritone Michael Rickerson. Samite joined the group for his composition Webake.

 

The concert was turned over to Samite. Samite brought out his special guests, percussionist Jeff Haynes and bassist and guitarist, Charlie Shew, on stage.

Samite used the call and response to arouse the crowd. The auditorium took on the atmosphere of a tent revival with the participants dancing in the aisles as well as forming a conga line.

An entertaining evening by a music veteran and veterans to be. 

Week Nineteen - 33 to Go

Set on Martha's Vineyard, this psychological novel will be preferred beach reading for the summer of 2012.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2012