2021-07-24 12:34
Found out what is going on around here. Somebody triggered the Yakushima Rain Ducks.I found a little family of them where my garden flooded last night and you can just bet there are th… Read More
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2021-07-24 10:41
What home feels like*Update...99% chance of rain tonightI expect that any day now a troupe of monkeys will swing by on the local grapevines oohing and scratching, as they admire T… Read More
2021-07-23 14:18
Stumbled on a wonderful state-marked trail the other day, right next to one of my very favorite in-county birding spots. There is a pair of closed gates at the entrance and I always thought… Read More
2021-07-22 14:25
Blue Jay kids are brats The Sitting Porch. Each year birds of one species or another, and even sometimes more than one at a time, nest on the porch where I grow my houseplants in summer… Read More
2021-07-18 21:35
2021-07-18 17:02
This challenge could be interpreted a lot of ways I guess. There are a lot of bags in our lives, some of them useful and others preceded with the word "old". I haven't carried a t… Read More
2021-07-13 10:21
Yesterday it rained most of the day, so we puttered around the house. Then late in the afternoon the rain let up to an intermittent drizzle, so we took a peek at the parks.I stay well b… Read More
2021-07-12 22:42
Sorry I keep doing these on Monday. Sundays are very busy days for us, and this week was no exception.For more Sunday Stills Read More
2021-07-09 11:58
Yesterday the boss had occasion to visit a shopping center near here. As is normal I stayed in the car and counted parking lot birds and watched the tourist season sideshow unfold.Ther… Read More
2021-07-06 16:35
??? (If not here's a link to his story)Kids who grew up here in the Mohawk Valley or the nearby Catskill Mountains certainly remember him from field trips to the Farmer's Museum back in… Read More
2021-07-04 11:37
Friends and family know I have always wanted a cannon...For more Sunday Stills Read More
2021-07-01 15:19
Virginia Rails I have a lot of bird apps on my phone...In fact I just counted and there are eight. I use three of them pretty much daily, eBird, iBirdPro, and the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Clu… Read More
2021-06-28 17:06
On Monday because we were birding hard on Sunday.This Ruffed Grouse is a master of camo in this subtle, yet elegant, outfit of feathers.Meanwhile, Sir Baltimore Oriole is clad in his c… Read More
2021-06-25 12:18
And next younger brother. Love you! Hope your special day is very special Read More
2021-06-23 10:05
I was astonished to discover that, given sufficient incentive, I still could.See, we have been too busy to bird as much as we used to, plus....you know...gas prices....So we took a sho… Read More
2021-06-20 09:00
For more Sunday Stills Read More
2021-06-20 09:00
For my brothers and me this will be our first Father's Day without Dad. It is hard.It is the same for several of my cousins. We have always been a close family and those dads who were… Read More
2021-06-19 10:45
Paradise to a city kidI remember being a little scared when my aunt started dating him. She was a rock in my quicksand world and I was worried that she might shift away from me.Instead… Read More
2021-06-13 09:00
For more Sunday Stills Read More
2021-06-11 20:15
Savannah SparrowI woke up this morning....very early...with the idea of walking way back in the fields.Feeding a chickIt was still too dark, but as soon as it was light enough to see the bir… Read More
2021-06-08 12:21
The smell of fresh mowed hay and Riverbank Grapes in bloom, Cottonwood seeds drifting on the wind. Baby robins everywhere, and the relentless singing of the House Wren on the sitting p… Read More
2021-06-03 14:23
You know of course that we lost both our parents four days apart over New Years. They were 87 and 89 and had a good life together, raised us, loved us and all the grandbabies and great… Read More
2021-06-01 21:03
After several rainy days that didn't lure us out birding, the sun came out so we dropped the girls off at work and headed for our favorite state parks.Orchard Grass in bloomAt Schohari… Read More
2021-05-30 20:36
I forgot this entirely this week and was only reminded when I saw that some of my good blog friends had put their entries up. As we didn't make it to the railroad tracks or any of the… Read More
2021-05-26 09:57
That I forgot her birthday and got myself in B-I-G trouble.....But I didn't...So Happy Birthday, Liz! Hope you have a wonderful day and a joyful and productive year to come. Hang in th… Read More
2021-05-23 20:11
For more Sunday Stills Read More
2021-05-23 19:59
This deer and the one below arenot the same deer, or even the same dayThis one was here on the farm a while backand the one above was today out on the roadAnd these are bunnies.Eastern Cotto… Read More
2021-05-18 17:04
Common Gallinules...on Sunday?Many miles were driven that day in hopes of seeing birds we didn't see. Common Gallinule, Grasshopper Sparrow, Double-crested Cormorant and Black Vul… Read More
2021-05-17 13:42
Optimistic Osprey Birds in one day.I was invited yesterday by a local (and much better than I) birder to attempt to find and record one-hundred species of birds in one day in the two co… Read More
2021-05-16 09:00
I like blue real well too Read More
2021-05-11 10:14
It all started a few weeks ago when a Mourning Dove refurbished an old robin's nest on the side of the house. It has always been ill-placed but for some reason both doves and robins like it… Read More
2021-05-09 10:37
Peggy's first ever soccer gameGreat fun! Thanks to Home on the Range for reviving this favorite...we always loved Sunday Stills.For more, go here Read More
2021-05-09 10:22
And all those who stepped up in place of mothers, (you know who you are) or helped young mothers...to all the soon-to-be mothers...soccer moms, farm moms, moms all over the world...and… Read More
2021-05-05 15:54
I recently began to reread the book by Kenneth Roberts with the same name as this post. I have read the whole series several times over the years with each rereading bringing a new per… Read More
2021-05-02 19:39
Bald EagleChipping SparrowDouble-crested CormorantsTurkey VultureEastern PhoebeOspreyNorthern Parula WarblerAmerican RedstartBest find of the day!A Clay-colored Sparrow Spotted Sandpipe… Read More
2021-04-30 12:15
That's what I'm calling this new season we're having.Wednesday it was nice enough that the boss and I took a five-mile hike up into Lost Valley State Forest.It was beautiful, cool and… Read More
2021-04-28 11:19
Early morning, sun just boiling its way through dirty cotton clouds of grey.Walking the Mackster, clad in reindeer robe and knock-off crocs, chatting with my brother far… Read More
2021-04-25 23:56
At first she didn't see meThen she didI see youI do tooLikewiseMyself as wellHey you! Mind your own bee's waxNo peeking! Read More
2021-04-22 21:11
Each morning Mack and I spend some quality time in the kitchen before the rest of the house is astir. In weather as cold as this he can't go out to his run, and it is risky to leave hi… Read More
2021-04-21 20:39
I don't necessarily enjoy sharing the roads with unlit vehicles that meander along in the dark unseen until close calls ensue.However, one bright side of living near hundreds of Amish… Read More
2021-04-21 18:47
Snow!?!!! Think I'll stay Read More
2021-04-20 21:25
Appears to be sprouting.....and it's not until Saturday!!! Read More
2021-04-14 13:35
Yesterday was filled with lotsa drama, don't cha know. First was the starvation and coffee deprivation of an early morning blood test. The place where we go was fenced off and shrouded… Read More
2021-04-09 11:34
OMG, Dad, Tremors!Walking at the Hale Creek Field Station, accompanied by my baby brother, Matthew, and his Blue Heeler, Lucy.This is not good!Tapping in first-of-the-year..... at… Read More
2021-04-08 17:25
2021-04-01 10:51
It is not terribly well-known, but Yakushima Island is one of the rainiest places in the world. It is said that it rains there "35 days a month."Even less well-known is the reason for all th… Read More
2021-03-29 15:18
A mink crossing the canal at Yankee Hill Lockbefore the ice went outAlthough really, even as ferocious as lions are, this wind seems more like the breath of an ice dragon. An angry one… Read More
2021-03-22 11:24
Yesterday, with Matt and Lisa. Saw nice birds, but photos not so hot. Too much heat shimmer, believe it or not. A nice gentleman put me onto a pair of Sandhill Cranes with his sco… Read More
2021-03-18 11:56
"We've never been on this road before, have we?"Scoffing..."You've been on this road before. Wait til you see where it comes out. You're gonna laugh..."The nicely paved but winding roa… Read More
2021-03-17 12:05
Seriously, I really am. There were McGiverns and McIntoshes and who knows who all mixed in with folks of other nationalities that made up our family clan. Of course with the plague in f… Read More
2021-03-14 12:03
There was nothing shaking when I took the dog out at Daylight Savings o'clock. It was still dark and, as much as the Interstate would allow, silent.We went in and had some ball playing… Read More
2021-03-08 14:20
We've been seeing Eastern Bluebirds lately.... everywhere. Every single one reminds me of Dad. He loved them and made many bluebird houses over the years.There is a flock of at le… Read More
2021-03-06 12:55
2021-03-05 14:29
The wind fluffed his fingers through the silver on her head.At his icy winter touch she rolled over in bedAnd stumbling toward the morning lightShe turned away from night.Raised her fa… Read More
2021-03-02 12:48
Over the weekend, not only did my brother and his wife put four sets of brake pads and one caliper assembly on our car, (thanks, Matt and Lisa) but Matt gave me a big bucket of drill cores f… Read More
2021-02-28 11:48
Don't let the door hit ya...At least nine cardinals this morning, most of them singing gloriously. Surround sound in the early grey of dawn.I never noticed when the first real chorus occurre… Read More
2021-02-26 16:23
No, not us. We're in it for the long haul.But the river is another story. It was frozen a long time this winter compared to other recent, warmer, years. It rarely freezes solid in fron… Read More
2021-02-25 19:18
It appeared that these Amish horses were free and unfetteredTheir owner was not terribly far away, but didn't seem concernedAnd the snow was very deep so I don't suppose they went far Read More
2021-02-23 11:38
Go BAD......Becky bought Liz and me each a lovely bouquet of roses for the holiday. She also cooked steak dinner with berry shortcake for dessert. Nicest Valentine's Day in decades.I h… Read More
2021-02-22 23:27
What happened here?We've been birding Lock 12 in Tribes Hill lately as that seems to be the only place besides the feeder where we have been actually seeing any birds. Lemme outta hereT… Read More
2021-02-16 14:07
Ralph and Walebe JewelmakerLV for shortIt was sometime during the 80s. The boss wanted to make a trip to a Holstein auction in Pennsylvania and I rode along for the experience.And it was qui… Read More
2021-02-13 14:25
That could well be the theme song for Lyker's Pond, a swampy entity dissected by Goldman Road, just off Corbin Hill Road near here. It is a rare occasion that we don't see somethi… Read More
2021-02-13 13:20
Well, really a series of drives and walks. If you don't mind the ice crystals circulating in your blood stream Upstate NY is beautiful in winter.I am not too chuffed about the two big… Read More
2021-02-08 13:07
From December 2018.FARM SIDE: WHAT’S THAT BIRD?Posted by Recorder News | Dec 27, 2018 | Local Commentary, Local News, OpinionBy Marianne FriersOver the sound of the car idling a… Read More
2021-02-07 16:24
2021-02-07 15:45
American Black DuckBut amazingly kind.Yesterday I was on the verge of running out of sunflower seeds. No nyger seed in the house either, as we haven't been able to find any in weeks.We… Read More
2021-02-02 13:31
Nope Read More
2021-02-01 13:07
This has been the year for missing birds. We keep seeing huge raptors spiraling over the mountains, and they vanish just as I get the bins on them.Over and over again. Then yester… Read More
2021-01-31 13:49
Another old Farm Side. We are looking at another incoming snow storm right now....photos are from yesterday.Two days before the storm. At least one college had already canceled classes.Out i… Read More
2021-01-27 17:56
I just discovered that many issues of my old newspaper column, the Farm Side, are now available online for free. You can find a whole bunch of them here.Meanwhile, here's the text of o… Read More
2021-01-27 15:06
No not me, I am in my usual lousy wintertime shape.But this guy, a Common Redpoll, is sporting a lovely pink winter vest, raspberry-red cap, and pinstripe suit from Birds Brothers.Isn'… Read More
2021-01-25 17:12
Oh, the boss got an owl the other morning. He was up filling the wood stove just before first light and there was one calling from over by the cow barn. Alas, it was gone by the time he came… Read More
2021-01-18 11:47
As is the case with every other aspect of life, the plague has influenced our ability to go owling. Some days we have responsibilities. Some days we have no heart for it.Thus we have y… Read More
2021-01-16 13:16
Snow BuntingsOne step forward and ten steps back. I played the messages on the answering machine to retrieve one the boss needed. And there was Mom's voice asking us to pick up somethi… Read More
2021-01-07 10:00
11 life birds last year. First was a set of Tundra Swans resting near the boat launch at Schoharie Crossing. Exciting for sure. Then we found a Cackling Goose, also at Schoharie C… Read More
2021-01-06 16:49
If you are on Facebook you already know, but some of you aren't so...we lost both Dad and Mom over the last few days, four days apart in fact.There is not much I can say that wouldn't… Read More
2021-01-01 14:25
I made Italian sausage soup yesterday.... a family favorite, easy and comforting. All day, as I added ingredients, I was beset by nagging wrongness. For the past several year… Read More
2020-12-28 02:46
I like this one...think I'll just stay hereFirst an update on Mom and Dad. Mom is still in the nursing home, struggling a bit more than we would like. Dad is in hospital still and has… Read More
2020-12-25 11:40
I truly hope that each and every one of you is able to salvage some joy in this season of renewal of faith and hope.For us, things are pretty dark. Dad is in the hospital with pneumoni… Read More
2020-12-20 13:02
Peregrine Falcon, found yesterdayon the exact same pole where we found one last year.For the first time since pretty much the beginning of the count circle there will be no representat… Read More
2020-12-18 23:00
Female Northern Harrier Circus Hudsonius that is. A Northern Harrier. We found some time to do a little birding today, having mostly caught up on errands and shopping. We traveled… Read More
2020-12-07 13:29
This ugly virus can be blamed for much more than the mayhem it causes directly. We have the joined the ranks of who knows how many thousands or millions who have loved ones in medical… Read More
2020-12-05 12:10
It's one of the best parts of my day. A bright spot in the gloom soup that is life these days. Our elf is a non-judgmental little soul, and not only spends no time seeking out naughtine… Read More
2020-11-30 12:12
2020-11-18 13:28
Research is fun.And even though I no longer work for the paper, I still love finding out things that I didn't know before. I just found some cool stuff, thanks to a group I joined on M… Read More
2020-11-17 11:40
Hang in there...better days are coming, it says here in fine print......Love you! Read More
2020-11-17 00:07
Black-capped Chickadee at the gym.A photo of a Snowy Owl on top of a truck at the Target/Beechnut complex made its way to me the other day. We had a short window of time open to go birding t… Read More
2020-11-14 11:46
Been perusing the large flocks of Canada Geese that stop at the confluence of the Schoharie Creek to rest on the gravel bar there. (Sometimes that activity is rendered somewhat challenging b… Read More
2020-11-12 14:17
Already abnormally closeWhat with the changes COVID and the resulting economy have made in our lives, the boss and I have to fit birding expeditions in among a number of sometimes conflictin… Read More
2020-11-11 14:50
2020-11-10 11:23
Not bad for 72Yesterday Ralph, Becky, and I rebuilt the stalls in the pony barn. It took the three of us all day and there are still a few bits that need attention.The stalls were buil… Read More
2020-11-08 13:57
I'm reading this for about the fourth time I think. Maybe fifth. Other books by the same author used to be available in our local library and I read them too. Looks like a romance, doe… Read More
2020-11-05 18:34
Because, yeah, it was as big as one.I like to shower early in the morning...start the day all nice and spiffy and no competition for the hot water. When you heat your water with a woodstove… Read More
2020-11-04 11:57
For all my friends of every stripe and denomination.We were privileged to learn about this Snowy Owl via Facebook a few days ago. I kept quiet about it because the finder was kind enou… Read More
2020-10-31 19:40
I have been watching for Evening Grosbeaks. They used to be almost pesky BITD, with hordes descending on the feeders and emptying them in an instant.Then they vanished. Years would go… Read More
2020-10-31 10:31
2020-10-31 10:27
And Harry is attempting to turn Lupin back into a professor. Hope you have a great day and a safe evening! Read More
2020-10-21 10:36
You know the one I mean, where everyone socializes and reads the news and plays the games...Yeah, as you are naturally aware they changed the look of the site not long ago. In a word i… Read More
2020-10-17 11:08
A Maine Great EgretSo today is the fall version of Big Day for birders. The idea is to go out and see how many birds you can count in a day. I don't usually do too well on these sort o… Read More
2020-10-15 11:20
Amish colt on the side of the roadOn the lawn chair scale....That storm last week I mean. We have this heavy metal lawn chair that some neighbors gave us. You can't really sit in it bu… Read More
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