Meet Me in St. Louis

Borrowed this movie from Seymour Library and viewed it last evening. The Christmas standard, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," is part of the score. Since the story's turning point takes place on Christmas Eve, this was a splendid flick to get us in the spirit of the season.

Vicente Minnelli is credited with launching the golden age of MGM musicals with this 1944 gem. This delightful tale is set in the momentous year in the life of a family of four girls and a boy in St. Louis in 1904, the time of the World's Fair. Judy Garland is most memorable as Ester Smith, one of the daughters, whose impetuous charm propels much of the narative, especially in her flirtatious relationship with the lad next door.

The gorgeous-looking Technicolor film is credited with conceiving that songs in a musical should drive the storytelling. The score includes the famous "Trolley Song" plus the title tune.

The great cast includes Margaret O'Brien and Mary Astor as well as one of my favorites, Majorie Main.

Joan and I attended a Merry-Go-Round production of this play.

Merry Christmas 2011

Birding - Montezuma 12/20/11

Seneca River

Cancross Road

Having received an email from Cayuga Birds noting that a Snowy Owl was seen near the Potato House on Route 31 in the Montezuma Mucklands decided to venture forth this morning. Arrived at the junction of Rt. 89S and Rt. 31 at 7:30 AM. Looking over the berms and the fields no Snowy Owl but hundreds of Canada Geese. Then a small blue vehicle with vanity license plate (Owl Man) pulled next to me. The driver got of the car and after a brief introduction gave me his calling card. Telling me that higher ground will provide me with a better observation point for Snowy he got back into his car and drove off.

I had just met Tom McDonald, Rochester’s noted Snowy Owl bander and researcher.

You have got to love birding and the interesting people you meet in the wild.

Continued on to Van Spoor Road. While driving through the woods two DEC workers in a green truck passed me. At the end of the road to the north were several Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls, and Swans.

Stopping at Martens Tract all was calm until 17 Canada Geese flew overhead.

At the end of Cancross Road the Seneca River had flooded the Howland Island access. Down stream 59 Canada Geese were floating in the river.

Visited the Montezuma Audubon Center. Dave Spier was there. Together were spent an hour observing the bird feeders. The bright sunshine illuminated the active birds.

Headed home. Drove over the Knox-Marcellus Road. Canada Geese (250+) were far off to the east. Observed a Bald Eagle at May's Point flying in the northeast corner towards the woods.  Flushed up a hawk at the entrance to Tschache Pool. Could not make a positive identification. Sent my observations to Dave for help. (Dave eliminated some possibilities. He senses that the bird may have been a female Cooper's Hawk. Since there is not enough information to make a positive ID -  I will go with hawk, sp.)

Final stop was the open water on River Road just south of the Cayuga-Seneca lock. There saw 50+ Canada Geese and 200+ Tundra Swans.

Believe that I will get that Snowy Owl in the near future.

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.