CLAY COUNTY, Ga.  — 

Ten whooping cranes have made their annual stop in Georgia, with a little help. An ultralight air craft is leading the cranes along their migratory route from Wisconsin. Today they took a break in Clay County. They are on their way to Florida for the winter.

Only six to seven months old, the cranes have now traveled 979 miles and have another 306 to go. This is the 10th group of birds to take part in a landmark project led by the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP), an international coalition of public and private groups that is reintroducing this highly imperiled species in eastern North America.

There are now about 106 whooping cranes in the wild in eastern North America thanks to their efforts. Here are some guidelines for encountering a whooping crane in the wild:
1. Please give them the respect and distance they need.

2. Do not trespass on private property to view or photograph whooping cranes.

3. Please remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you.

4. Do not approach birds on foot within 200 yards.

5. Do not approach in a vehicle within 100 yards and remain in your vehicle.

GPB news

http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/bird-call-database-goes-online-101208-0825/

Bird sounds, photos and information have been collected for a growing library curated by the Avian Vocalizations Center at Michigan State University, in East Lansing. The database offers free downloads of bird sounds from around the world, plus sonograms that visually chart the sounds, photos of birds recorded, Google Earth maps of recording locations, and links to other sound collections.

Redtail call: http://avocet.zoology.msu.edu/recordings/11349

With the date & time on the side. 

Bingo.

OK...it used to just be in the banner up top...I'd need a magnifying glass when I was looking for something in the dailies.

Very subtle indeed.

Ei

Good eye Ei!   

I watched Meerkat all the time when it was on. Sean Astin was the  narrator. It was like watching a soap. Meerkats are very smart, real life drama, stealing one's mate, (or trying), the babysitter doing bad things and getting punished for it. I felt bad when one Meerkat got kicked out of the pack and for weeks it was all about that. He tried desperately to get back in and they wouldn't have it. Finally, they let him in but he had to kiss...well you know!

I know! I was like a soap! I felt so sorry for that little guy... actually, I think it was a girl who went and did "The Wild Thing" with a member of another pack. May be wrong, tho, as this series told so many stories.
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Yes it was her also but this was the babysitter who did wrong....he left the kids alone and got caught. He was just a juvenile himself. Amazing how they can't be fooled. Oh and the fights with other (gang) members....wow, they sure knew how to handle any crisis. Amazing!

  Very interesting Bobbie!  I love meerkats they are so cute! 

Did you ever see those films (BBC, of course!) about meerkats? I think the first was called "Meerkats United". And then there was the series called "Meerkat Manor". Since an entire series was made, I think it attests to the popularity of these little guys.

I watched Meerkat all the time when it was on. Sean Astin was the  narrator. It was like watching a soap. Meerkats are very smart, real life drama, stealing one's mate, (or trying), the babysitter doing bad things and getting punished for it. I felt bad when one Meerkat got kicked out of the pack and for weeks it was all about that. He tried desperately to get back in and they wouldn't have it. Finally, they let him in but he had to kiss...well you know!

["As I went out to feed the birds earlier a Robin flew down to settle on my little finger and watched me paste on the peanut butter."]

Those amazing people at the Loch of Lowes are still at it - such dedication. No doubt hoping that their Lady of the Loch osprey will return again in Spring. Have a look at the last few days.

http://blogs.swt.org.uk/osprey/

"As I went out to feed the birds earlier a Robin flew down to settle on my little finger and watched me paste on the peanut butter." How cool is that?  The poor nest, all full of snow. Thanks Bobbie, I have not been to the site in a while. Bad me.

[A Mariah greeting from Janet. I love this pic.]

A Mariah greeting from Janet. I love this pic.

Sometimes you have to wonder what else birds can do! Pretty cool Bobbie, thanks.

If I had that kind of money I'd give it to people who are out of work, in danger of losing their homes or have already lost them and are hungry.  That must be a horrible place to be in.  I would do what I could to help them.  Unfortunately all we can do is donate to suitable charities in smaller amounts and to local food banks and toy collections.   If only wishes were dollars we'd be able to do more than just the small stuff.

Jan in CT

Yes you are so right!  I like to think a lot of the small stuff adds up too!
I see the big pile of toys we have collected so far in our office and it makes me smile to think that because of these there will be smiles on the faces of these poor kids on Christmas! 

  to you both!

What an awesome picture of Bobbin!
Thanks Donna for posting!   

 

 

I sure wish Beauty would entertain us all Winter like this. Her presence at the cam would be rewarding. At least we have MAK's pics!

[Kaver sends his greeting from (undisclosed) part of the Country]

Kaver sends his greeting from (undisclosed) part of the Country

He is so darn cute!

 I know, I just adore his cute face. 

Bobbin on the perch for a couple of hours last night 7 -9pm. Took a walk around the tower top late yesterday afternoon, evidence of Bobbin eating partridge & pheasant along with a whole lapwing on the ledge. Dave

Identity theft is becoming a serious crisis! Be careful!

  Cute!

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/fly_girl_W4ojFRcyWfgAmtAS7sSbkM/0

Very cool jeanne and I voted for a name! She is a pretty girl.