Nature Notes ~ Summer 2021

Our Amazing Feathered Friends

If they didn't spend all winter here, many of our feathered friends have returned to their nesting grounds to lay eggs and raise their young. In my painting, Home for Warblers, I bring attention to the great distances many birds travel from their wintering grounds to their summer homes. Worm-eating warblers live half the year in lush tropical forests like those found in Belize and they summer in places such as southern Ohio's dense deciduous forests. (Click on image to view the full painting.)  

Spring and summer seem to be such happy times for birds! Their joyful songs in the morning bring a big smile to start our day. I remember years ago when I worked for The Nature Conservancy, we hosted a team of ornithologists from Cornell who visited a preserve in the Adirondacks to record birdsong. I asked one of the scientists if he thought another reason birds sing is simply because they're happy and enjoying life! He replied yes, it's a definite possibility! 

A friend from my days in the Adirondacks has written a book about his birding adventures in Maine where he now lives with his family. Rich MacDonald is a talented birder, naturalist, and writer. He blends science, keen observation, and fun into his "work". And wonderful work it is! The book, Little Big Year: Chasing Acadia's Birds, is a recount of Rich's year-long study of the amazing birds found along the coast and in the forests of Maine. Here's a link to this engaging, inspiring read!

Rich and his wife, Natalie founded The Natural History Center to help visitors explore nature in the Acadia region through personalized, guided experiences. They create unique programs and tours to share their knowledge and connect people with the natural world. Are you ready for an awesome summer adventure? Click on the link above and give Rich and Natalie a call! 

So in the spirit of happy birdsong, sharing our passion for nature, and getting out to explore our wondrous natural world, happy summer to you!

"The earth has music for those who listen."
~ George Santayana, American philosopher & poet

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New Home for Spring Magic

I'm delighted to announce the winner of this year's Annual Earth Day Drawing! Erin from Saranac Lake loves to spend time outside with her family, and she has a gorgeous place to do just that! The Adirondack Mountains in northern New York are home to more than 2,800 lakes and ponds, and 30,000 miles of rivers, brooks, and streams. With over 6 million acres of boreal forest, it's the largest protected natural area in the lower 48 states!

Home for Spring Magic

As the winner of this year's drawing, Erin choose the giclee print, Home for Spring Magic. She loves spring wildflowers, especially Jack in the Pulpit, the flower in the lower left of the painting. There's nothing quite like the inspiring sight of wildflowers in the spring! And summer!

Congratulations, Erin! I'm so happy you're enjoying your new print!

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Conservation Corner

Do you know what's best to feed hummingbirds? According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the All About Birds website, it's okay to buy hummer food at a reputable garden or wild bird store as long as it's a high-quality commercial mix and there's NO artificial coloring added.

You can also make your own hummer food from cane sugar preferably. Beet sugar is acceptable, too. It's very important not to use any other type of sugar or honey or artificial sweeteners. Also as noted above for commercial mixes, do NOT add any food coloring to your home-made hummer food. The bright red on hummingbird feeders is enough color to attract these little jewels. For more info and sage advice, click on these links for The Hummingbird Society and All About Birds. And enjoy your magical little hummer friends!

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Beauty Day at Beaver Brook

​A lovely place for summer wandering is Beaver Brook Trail in Clear Creek County, Colorado. A few days ago, I was able to spend some quality time with two dear friends whom I hadn't seen in well over a year...which seemed like forever ago. We laced up our hiking shoes and met up for a nice morning walk, and enjoyed a beautiful time together! Because of all the spring rain, everything was still so green! It reminded me of the lush, verdant landscapes in places like Ohio or the Northeast where they have lots more rain than here in Colorado. Still bright green, the aspen groves were alive with joy for summer!

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​Beaver Brook runs alongside the trail, first in the shaded spruce and pine forest. Then the brook crosses the trail and runs through a mountain meadow, eventually feeding into a reservoir that supplies drinking water for county residents. The trail was fairly busy with hikers, but my friends and I didn't mind. We were too busy catching up on all that's happened over the past year! There's nothing like being out in nature and enjoying the sunshine with friends and family!

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Wishing you a beautiful summer, dear nature lovers!