~ Bird Nerd ~

That's me!

I love birds. From sparrows to eagles and woodpeckers to cranes, each bird is unique. Different diets, habitats, nests and eggs - they're like thumbprints.



2010 has probably been my busiest year of all. A lot of things happened and I did quite a bit of work with area GOP candidates. Unfortunately, I did not do as much birding as I wanted to. I did see over 30 Whooping Cranes, and I did see a Barn Owl fly in front of the living room window yesterday . . . But I love serious birding. Walking through the woods with a field guide, a checklist and a camera - without a sound.

For those who would like to know what bird books to get, I suggest the work of David Allen Sibley. The bird guide that I have is not the most informative book, but it does tell the basics and shows the different views and coloration of many, many birds. I love it.


~ Mara

~ My Friends - The Cranes ~

Today I saw and photographed the same group of 9 Whooping Cranes from the other day. Due to some dump trucks that use the road constantly, the cranes tend to "dance" their way further into the corn field so that most of my photographs turn out fuzzy. Well, this time I not only got pictures of Whooping Cranes in flight, I got one that is amazing to call my own. The Lord was so good to me today, letting me have the opportunity to photograph my friends again. I thank Him for the gift of photography He gave to me.

~ Mara

~ Whooping Cranes ~

Today we were heading to town and spotted 9 Whooping Cranes in a plowed corn field near the highway. I took quite a few pictures of them feeding, then stopped to watch them. They are the most beautiful birds I have ever photographed. After about 15 minutes, they all started flapping their wings, ran across the field as if it were an airstrip, then took to the sky. Seeing them always takes my breath away and reminds me of how wonderful God's Creation really is.

I have now seen 39 Whooping Cranes in the wild. Last year I spotted 2 in a flowage, this year 37 in fields across the county where I live. Living so close to the Necedah Wildlife Refuge has it's advantages!

~ Mara