Landscape of Words

a journey through landscapes real and imagined

Category: Nature (Page 4 of 7)

Hawks and Dragons and Bees…

June 17, 2020 / / 2 Comments

Sorry for the little break in posting. I was tired… and I just didn’t have the energy to post. Wren recorded Feeling the Pulse (2014) by Juwon Ogungbe (b1961). He was born in London and that is where he started learning music. When he was 9 he moved to Nigeria and became interested in much more diverse musical styles. He lives in London now and writes music for orchestras as well as pop music! The tune Wren recorded makes me feel like I feel when I’m out on a hike – so I thought I would put it together with some photos I took while hiking over the weekend.

Things are changing fast out in my favorite places. Migration is done, so I’m not seeing so many birds, but it is really nice to see the same ones every time I visit a place. There are 2 hawks that always start calling (they sound like screams) every time I walk out into a particular field. Last weekend, one of them kept calling for quite a while after I passed. When I finally turned around to head back to the car, they were at it again! I’m not sure if they are “yelling” at me, or for another reason, but these hawks are the most vocal I’ve ever experienced. I also love that they have been acting this way since April! I was able to get a good picture of the “screaming” bird!

Red Tailed Hawk

Now that we are moving into summer, so many more plants are flowering and the pollinators are out in full force! I really love macro photography, and I am planning on working on this skill over the summer. Right now my favorite walk is through a field just covered in red clover and Ohio spiderwort. The gray dogwood is also blooming, and quite a few asters are blooming. I saw Rudbekia (brown-eyed Susan) and some fleabane as well as some beautiful members of the rose family including wild strawberry!

Ohio Spiderwort
Red Clover
Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

I also saw so many bees and dragonflies! It was so much fun to try to “catch” them with my camera. I saw a few Yellow-legged Meadowhawks, lots and lots of twelve-spotted skimmers.

Yellow-legged Meadowhawks

Twelve-spotted skimmer
Virginia Ctenucha (that’s it’s common name!). It’s a type of wasp moth (not as scary as it sounds!)

Historical information and arrangements from Music by Black Composers (MBC) Violin Volume 1. Published by Ludwig Masters Publications 2018. Rachel Barton Pine Foundation.

New Morning

June 3, 2020 / / 1 Comment

That’s what I’m hoping for! I’m hoping for peace and reconciliation – of all people and all of creation. Here is Wren’s hymn of comfort…

Speaking of new mornings! The cicadas are starting to wake up! We are experiencing a cicada emergence here! I know most people don’t like these, but I think they are very cool! I can’t believe that these insects are older than my child! They have been developing underground for 17 years. The nymphs have been feeding on tree roots for the past 17 years, and have emerged since our ground temperature is now over 64F. I had fun exploring today and seeing every above-ground stage! My family thinks I’m kidding when I say we are having these for dinner! Insect protein is a very important food source in a lot of the world. Cicadas are actually pretty good! I think they taste like almonds… Cyclical insect emergences provide big nutrition boosts to people and wildlife alike! Be on the lookout for healthy bird, squirrel and chipmunk populations – they will all take advantage of all of the cicadas!! Want to read more? Check out this page!

Nymph – arriving above-ground
Adult emerging
Emerged adult – wings unfurled – waiting to dry
exoskeleton of nymph
so many cicadas have emerged!!
Adult – able to fly

P.S. I guess there is some risk in eating cicadas…thanks to pollution. Because they are underground for 17 years, they would have time to absorb and retain any toxins in the soil. So, eat at your own risk… I’m still tempted!

Eagles

May 29, 2020 / / 1 Comment

Wren has been a Lowell Eagle for 6 years, and today was her last day. I can’t believe she will be starting middle school next year! Here she is on her first day as a Lowell Eagle:

Kindergarten

And here is she is on her last day… So strange that it’s at home…

Last day of school

We did go take some photos with the sign, but it was bittersweet not being able to finish as we expected. I do realize that this is not a unique experience, and we lament with our friends (and my students) who missed graduations and other bigger moments in their lives!

Middle School, here she comes!
Had to include the “mask” portrait

Yesterday was “virtual Discovery Day” so we decided to go out and check on the baby Eagle. It’s really growing (just like my Eagle). Here are some more pictures so you can see how it’s growing!

Eaglet spreading wings

Since we were thinking a lot about Eagles, we thought this Hymn of Comfort would be appropriate: And He Will Lift You Up on Eagle’s Wings.

I’m super proud of this amazingly kind, creative and clever kid!!! She’s going to be an awesome middle-schooler!!!

First Day at Lowell
Wren’s Quarantine Self-portrait

Abide with Me

May 23, 2020 / / 1 Comment

It has become my new habit to go birding on Saturday mornings. I’m the early “bird” in our house, so it’s usually just me. I’ve also decided to keep visiting the same place. I love how I’ve come to know this place. I know where I will see bluebirds…

Eastern Bluebird

…and I know that the pair of red-tail hawks will be screaming and I’ll see the Eastern kingbirds when I hit the back meadow.

Eastern Kingbird

It’s becoming familiar, but there are is also something new each time I visit! Today I was surprised by a resting hummingbird.

Ruby-throated hummingbird

I also added a new warbler to my lifelist (black and white warbler), and I was serenaded by a Common yellowthroat!

Black and White Warbler
Common Yellowthroat

I’m enjoying seeing new plants pop up, and new flowers each time.

Wild Strawberry
Zizia
Wild Onion
Geranium
Fleabane

Wren picked Abide with Me for her hymn of comfort. It is such a comforting tune. We hope you enjoy.

Take a Breath

May 22, 2020 / / 1 Comment

I finally had 2 days in a row without a zoom call! I was the only one in the family with this luxury, however. Tonight we went for one of our sunset walks so that we could just take a breath! It was really nice, and it was fun to be the only people in a place where Wren could explore.

The Phlox is blooming
Shooting Stars
Indigo Bunting
Scarlet Tanager

Wren picked the hymn “Breathe On Me” tonight for the hymn of comfort. Funny story… my childhood best friend, Sally, and I would love to sing this and breathe on each other during the chorus. This is probably not a good hymn to use during a pandemic… even when it’s safe to worship together again…

Breathe On Me
Kristen (9) and Sally (10)

The Lord is My Shepherd

May 21, 2020 / / 1 Comment
Indiana

Shepherding is hard! I’m glad I have such a compassionate Shepherd. One who provides me with grassy places to rest…

South Dakota

Still waters…

Wyoming

…and leads me along the right paths.

Utah
Uganda

When She Plays the Cello

May 18, 2020 / / 3 Comments

It’s the most amazing thing! When she plays the cello, the birds fly in. I know I’ve written about this before, but I’m really starting to see more of a pattern. In fact, I might have to do a study! Tonight we were recording the hymn of comfort, and this little flycatcher flew in and landed right outside the window of our sunroom.

This flycatcher was listening!
Praise Him, Praise Him

After we recorded the short hymn of comfort, Wren kept playing and improvising. While she played, so many birds came in! First it was a female oriole:

Baltimore Oriole

Then a chipping sparrow, robins, hummingbirds, and our resident cardinal (look at how he was listening – totally tilting his head towards the window).

Then this happened!

American Redstart

I have never seen a redstart in my yard (this might be a life-bird for me, I don’t keep lists, so I’m not 100% sure). I watched this little bird for 30 minutes! He was really showing off and fanning his tail! I hope he sticks around!! Here are some more pictures!

Wings of Faith

May 14, 2020 / / 1 Comment
Rough-legged Hawk

Wren is finding some lovely hymns! This is a new one to me too. Give Me the Wings of Faith to Rise. It’s also fortuitous that it has wings in the title…which means I can show you more bird pictures!!

Give Me the Wings of Faith to Rise

Well, maybe you’d at least like to see how much the baby owl has grown!!

The Swan

May 13, 2020 / / 1 Comment
Trumpeter Swans

Can you believe that Trumpeter Swans were hunted to near extinction in the early 20th century? Their population was as low as 69 individuals in the 1930s. Thankfully this beautiful species has recovered and we occasionally have them visit us in Illinois! The photo was taken near our home in December. The one in the background is young (see the pinkish bill?) Swans are so graceful and peaceful just like the gorgeous cello solo, The Swan by Saint-Saens. This piece is very comforting, so it is Wren’s “hymn” of comfort for today. This was requested by a good friend in Arkansas!!! We hope you love it!!

The Swan from Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens
Trumpeter Swan
Not swans, but just as beautiful!
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