Article archive

A $500 field guide

   I was recently searching for a good field guide to add to my library (I wrote about my plight in searching for a field guide here), when I stumbled upon an interesting fact about on of my current field guides. Little did I know that he 1966 field guide that has been in my possession...
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The battle of the birds

   Im my previous article I wrote about nest construction taking place in my nest boxes. But my greatest nightmare has come true. The nests were the work of house sparrows. The nests were (I say 'were' because I removed the nests upon discovery of their origins) in such an early...
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An impromptu birding excursion, nest construction, and more.

   Today I decided at last minute to go for a stroll behind my house around 7:15 pm. Gathering up my camera (I neglected to bring my binoculars, but this was supposed to be an impromptu biridng trip, after all), I headed out the door. Once I was out of the fence, the first thing I did was...
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Birding the prairie

   The day dawned sunny and cold. But fortunately by 3:15 it was quite warm. By 3:30 I was headed for a day of bird watching at the prairie behind a local college. The prairie is quite large, and has all kinds of grasses anywhere from 1-5 feet tall groing in it. The prairie...
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Two hawks, one photo

      Last Friday afternoon I headed out to search for deer antler sheds behind my house. There had been multiple nice bucks- 8 points or more- hanging around all fall and winter, and I was hoping to find some of their sheds. I previously wrote about my attempt to bag an...
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The predictability of birds

   Just like virtually all other creatures on earth, birds can learn from from experiences and react accordingly. Remember learning about Pavlov's dogs in school? Just in case you don't, here's a little background. Ivan Pavlov trained his dogs to salivate at the ring of a bell by simply...
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Spring has sprung

   Yes, dear readers, it is that time of year again. When even the most resilient of us see the change of seasons as a breath of fresh air. It is once again springtime. In fact, spring sprang (unofficially) sevral weeks ago here in southern Ohio. There are now telltale signs of spring all...
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Wildlife rehabber raises orphaned sparrow for 36 days

   A vetrenarian's brother was out jogging when he found a newly hatched bird laying on the ground. A diligent search for the nest proved fruitless, so he took the bird home to his brother- who also happened to be a wildlife rehabilitator- and took 36 days to raise the little...
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Of good field guides

   Of late I have been on a quest for a good field guide. Unfortunately, I am more picky than others when it comes to finding a field guide that satisifes me. I somehow manage to find problems with all of them. There are many, many field guides out there today that are extremely popular....
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Product review: Ameristep tent chair blind

Price: $80Value for price: GoodOverview: The Ameristep tent chair blind is a single-person pop-up multi-use blind. Originally intended for use while hunting, but also works as a photography blind. Has multiple large-opening and small-opening flaps on the front and sides for exceptional view...
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