Week Fifty-One - 1 to Go

An old-fashioned Christmas story based on the true story of the Flying Santa Service, which still continues today to serve the isolated islands in Maine's Penobscot Bay. Illustrations provide for an early 20th century feel.

Read 52 Books in 52 Week in 2011 

Week Fifty - 2 to Go

Entertaining and amusing. Laugh out loud moments. Reading Grisham is fun again. In this novel Grisham allows the characters to be the driving force in the story.

Read 52 Books in 52 Week in 2011

Great Blue Heron

Pond in front of 12493 Coleman Road

For Joan's birthday Kim and Brad invited us to a pancake breakfast at the Red Creek Conservation Club.  The Dolls, Frank & Kevin, were the chefs. The food was hot and delicious. Joan's favorite was the sausage and biscuit.

After leaving the club we stopped at Ol' Factory Soaps and Scents on Upton Road. The shop was not open but Scott, the owner’s husband, graciously allowed us to browse around. We then made our way to Jack’s Christmas Tree Farm at 1006 Maroney Road. Colleen, Jack's daughter, was clerking in their small store. Joan purchased two Christmas signs and two tin candle holders. Upon leaving Joan asked Jack if he sold greens. Jack pointed her towards three piles of free cut greens and told her to take as many as she would like. We placed seven boughs in the car.

Heading home we spotted a Great Blue Heron in a pond along Coleman Road. Doing a U-turn we photographed the bird. As we were driving off the shoulder the home owner came out of his driveway in his large pick-up and confronted us by blocking our forward progress. He asked if we were taking photos for the bank. I responded, “Do I look like I from the bank?” He said something to the effect that he used to do things for a bank. After a moment he pulled round us.

Birding is never dull.

Week Forty-Nine - 3 to Go

This beautiful tribute to nature is a picture book for all ages.

Read 52 Books in 52 Week in 2011

Birding - Fair Haven 12/1/11

Sterling Pond

Fair Haven State Park

Since the Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC) had no scheduled birding tour for this week, decided to drive up to Fair Haven. Drove past the entrance booth and approached Sterling Pond. Pulling over by the boat rental shack observed 16 Buffleheads and 78 American Coots.

American Coot

Drove around the pond and into the Pond Shore Cabin Area. From there I was able to get good view of the 11 Mute Swans and 43 Canada Geese.

Leaving the pond area came upon 2 Mallards.

Made my way into the village. There were 30+ Canada Geese floating near Little Sodus Bay village dock. When I turned off Main Street/Rt. 104A onto West Bay Road I immediately saw 16 Mute Swans in the bay in front of the first camp.  Unless these fellows fly faster than I drove I do not believe these were the same ones who were at the park.

Drove on to West Barrier Bar. A young woman was walking the Fair Haven Channel Federal Pier.

In the inlet there were 7 ducks floating around. Did not recognize them. Sent an email photo to photographer-naturalist Dave Spier. Dave identified these ducks for me. They are Long-tailed Ducks. This is a life bird for me.

Long-tailed Duck

Heading home took a quick photo at the Lake Effect Vineyard at West Bay Estate.

As I crossed Rt. 104 intersection in North Victory there on telephone line on the west side of Rt. 38 was perched an American Kestrel. He only gave a quick window of opportunity to take his picture.

The weather surely will soon become unpleasant. Glad I took advantage of this day.

Week Forty-Eight - 4 to Go

Using the format of a nature journal McDonnell uses a mixed media to create a picture book biography. The inclusion of the iconic photograph of a young primatologist Jane Goodall and a very young primate reaching across to take each other's hand lets the reader know that Jane Goodall is a real person.

Read 52 Books in 52 Week in 2011

Week Forty-Seven - 5 to Go

Starts slow. But when the hook kicks in you will find yourself guessing right up to the capture.

Read 52 Books in 52 Week in 2011