How I spent my morning: helping out with our Scout troop's Scouting for Food drive. We collected thousands of pounds of food and gave them to local food pantries. This is one of my favorite Scouting events each year.

Got a lifer 🦉 at Franklin Parker Preserve last weekend - a palm warbler! Always excited when I see a new bird.

Here's a picture from a similar location from this weekend. Paths were completely dry (never seen that before). Saw no ducks or geese and very few water birds.
Got up to 1/2 an inch of rain this weekend - sure that didn't even make a dent. Here's hoping we get more rain soon.

Jumping back in after a long hiatus. Visited Franklin Parker Preserve (in the Pinelands) this weekend. Here are a few photos that show what the drought has done here in NJ.
This 1st is from Feb. Paths were flooded, and Bald Eagle Reservoir was full, as shown.

Finally got to do some birding for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Here's my favorite pic - of a common grackle. I imagine it saying, "What you looking at?" 🦉

My winter wonderland this morning. Except I had to drive my son to a music audition, so not really appreciating the snow too much today.

Current view. Been spending lots of time in hallways recently while my youngest auditions for music schools. Wondering if I can find any inspiration here.

My husband was commenting that the red-bellied woodpecker was misnamed. I dug out an old picture that shows where the name comes from. Figured I'd share for anyone else who has never seen it. Photo taken (by me) in Burlington Co. NJ a few years ago. 🦉

Saw a new-to-me bird yesterday. Believe this is a hermit thrush. So cute! Spotted in Burlington Co., NJ. 🦉

Another gray day, another nature ramble. No superb owls spotted.

Took a nature walk on this gray day. Heard lots of birds - & saw some - in spite of the human noises all around (boats, cars, etc.). Meandered along the Delaware River for a spell. Loved the serenity of this scene.

Apparently, today is Squirrel Appreciation Day. So here's to the squirrels in my yard who have SKILLS! Maybe someone needs to create a Cirque du Ecureuil.

Loving the Bluesky butterfly logo. Was looking at my favorite butterfly sightings of 2023 recently. Here's #1: a summer azure on wingstem in my back yard - a lifer for me. What's your fave 2023 (or all time) butterfly sighting?

Today's backyard visitor - a red fox. It sat for a spell, scratching and stretching. Love having these kinds of guests.

Here's where they get their name. Was able to get this pic when one visited my birdfeeder.

Newbie here, so figured I'd post about the most exciting thing that happened in the last month. I found a native Carolina mantis (or 2) in the yard. This one was hanging out on our screen door and let me take a pic. I saw another (or same?) one on a plant in the yard.