http://www.welovebirds.org/photo/photo/listFeatured

Not only is she playing so beautifully, she's playing with Andre Rieu! I love him,  his music makes me cry. I never heard of Andre until one night I woke up and flipped channels, there he was with his Orchestra, playing the most beautiful Christmas music. I was mesmerized by him and now well, I just love him.


Thanks Anne.

Glad I didn't eat breakfast yet! Guess I should have skipped the video!   

Thanks Bobbie.

Yum, Yum! Talon-lickin' good!

Oh you would!!! 

The 3 of us are following you Shaky! 

Would be neat to buy the house and island! 

I would live in there!

Glad I didn't eat breakfast yet! Guess I should have skipped the video!   

Thanks Bobbie.

Maybe Shaky can do this at the nest box, it will give us something to look at! 

http://www.flixxy.com/best-christmas-lights-display.htm?ref=fb here, this'll put ya's in the mood!! Insane! 

[The wildlife charity said the impending second big freeze, expected this weekend and going into next week, will make the situation worse.]

Barn owls are starving to death because of the cold weather, a wildlife charity has said.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said the numerous death reports it has received could have 'serious conservation implications'.
Freezing conditions make finding food almost impossible so the birds were dying of starvation in their roosts.
  The wildlife charity said the impending second big freeze, expected this weekend and going into next week, will make the situation worse.
It appealed for members of the public to watch out for birds they know are roosting. Mark Thomas, RSPB investigations officer, said: 'We have been receiving a growing number of calls from people who have discovered dead barn owls in recent days and we believe it's because they are starving in the cold weather as the icy, snowy conditions make their main food sources like voles and mice much harder to find.

'Although practically there is little that can be done to supplement the diets of barn owls, farmers and members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any sick or injured looking owls to a wildlife rescue centre immediately.

'It's very distressing for both the birds and the people who discover them, as they are beautiful and charismatic species of the British countryside.

'Prompt action could save the life of a starving bird and once they've been fed up they should soon be fit for release back in the original location.'

Barn owls feed on small mammals like voles and mice which in the ice and snow are hidden.

The RSPB said the problem would be worse for barn owls born this year which are not used to hunting in bad weather.

All owl death reports received so far are about barn owls.

The charity believes this is because they typically live close to humans and are easier to spot.

Owls are most commonly seen at dusk, in open country along field edges, riverbanks and roadside verges. They nest and roost in buildings found near these habitats, such as farm outbuildings and barns.
 
MailOnline

[What a great funny man! Thanks!]

What a great funny man! Thanks! 

2007 - From Baerbel

Very nice card Baerbel.

[Nice Bling Bling MAK, I didn't know you could upload animated gifs here!]

Jemison and Callidora say HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Nice Bling Bling MAK, I didn't know you could upload animated gifs here!

[!!! End of Season Wrap(tor) Up For Rosetta McClain Gardens Raptor WatchDecember 13, 2010 - International, National and Local News]

!!! End of Season Wrap(tor) Up For Rosetta McClain Gardens Raptor Watch
December 13, 2010 - International, National and Local News

http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2010/12/sightings/end-of-season-wraptor-up-for-rosetta-mcclain-gardens-raptor-watch/ By Big Frank

Gyrfalcon Photos - from Western Canada
February 09, 2010 - International, National and Local News
CPF Postmaster Reports:

With a thank you to Peter Zadorozny from Delta B.C. Canada for sending us some of his shots of a gyrfalcon that he photographed between Dec. 2009 - Feb., 2010

http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2010/12/sightings/gyrfalcon-photos-from-western-canada/

Christmas Goose For A Peregrine?
December 15, 2010 - International, National and Local News
Frank Butson Reports:

Thanks for the use of your photos Meghan and sending us your exciting sighting!

Meghan Wetmore Reports:

http://www.peregrine-foundation.ca/w/2010/12/sightings/christmas-goose-for-a-peregrine/

Lots of pics to look at on all links.

Little Maynard was brought to the Wisconsin Humane Society by a kind man who found him in the freezing cold, just outside of Maynard Steel (hence, the kitty's new name). The cat was suffering from severe hypothermia when he was brought in, and barely survived. (He is still being treated at the WHS, and will be looking for a new home around Christmas time.)

Bitter cold temperatures threaten pets, Check out these tips from the WHS to keep your animals safe this winter:

*Keep your animals inside. Even Northern Breed dogs like Malamutes and Chow Chows need heated, comfortable shelter away from bitter cold temperatures and high winds to stay safe. Only take your dogs outside long enough to relieve him/herself and keep cats indoors at all times.
*If you see spilled antifreeze, clean it up. The sweet taste of this lethal poison actually attracts animals. Use more animal-friendly formulations of products if possible, such as propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.
*Always keep your dog leashed on snow and ice. Despite their powerful noses dogs often lose their scent in the snow and ice, and can easily become lost.
* Never leave your companion animal alone in the car, especially in cold weather. The car can quickly become a refrigerator and your beloved animal can freeze to death.
*When your dog comes in out of the rain, snow or ice, thoroughly wipe off his or her legs, feet and stomach. Salt and antifreeze can kill dogs, so it is very important that these harmful substances are wiped off before your dog has a chance to lick them off his or her own paws. The Wisconsin Humane Society sells booties that can be worn by dogs to help prevent salt and antifreeze from sticking to paw pads. Also, pay special attention to your canine's paw pads. Snow and ice caught between the pads can make them bleed.
*Before you start your car, beep your horn several times. Cats often look for warm places to rest, and the hood of your car or even underneath the vehicle might be options for them. By honking your horn, cats will be alerted to run away.
*The cold weather typically means the furnace is cranked up. It's dangerous for animals to rest under or near a radiator or other heating system. Consider placing an appropriate cover that is especially made for heating systems so animals can be safe from these areas. Also, find a warm place for your furry friend to sleep – away from heaters, but not near a cold draft.

So cute!

Humans have been involved with Jesse the Falcon's life in ways both bad and good.

On Nov. 20 a large trash receptacle arrived at the Wildlife In Need Center in Oconomowoc; inside the receptacle was a Peregrine Falcon that had been rescued from the side of the road. The injury probably was a gunshot wound.

That healed well through care at the center, but her initial release had to be postponed due to some damaged feathers. She is now on her way to the Raptor Center of Minnesota, a world-renowned care facility specializing in birds of prey, for follow-up care.

According to the Wildlife in Need Center, Peregrine populations plummeted in the mid-20th century especially from the East Coast into the Midwest. Although their numbers have risen recently, so much so that they were recently removed from the Federal Endangered Species List, they are still considered Endangered and of Critical Concern in Wisconsin. Although reports come in annually, Peregrines are still not a common sight in most counties across the state.

This particular bird was also banded giving  a rare look into where she’d come from.. According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service this bird was hatched in Genoa, Wis. in 2008. There she was banded and nicknamed “Jesse.â€� This year she hatched and raised four young birds in the WE Energies nest box in Milwaukee.

The Raptor Center has not only agreed to take Jesse into their care to perform a procedure called “imping� which will replace the missing feathers, but they have also offered to pay the costs involved with the transfer of the bird. If the surgery goes well Jesse may yet finish her journey with a release back to the wild.



JSonline