Male House Sparrow

All posts tagged Male House Sparrow

Street Fighters Flipping the Bird

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 8, 2013
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I was heading to a favorite hiking trail when a fight broke out on the street. The combatants where clawing at each other in a fierce battle. I was really surprised and it took me a moment to raise my camera to document the conflict. Who knew Male House Sparrows could be extreme combatants.  Based on the grip of one of the fighters I can see where the term “flipping the bird” comes into play.

Love to ALL!
Lee

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The Global Warming: The Canary in the Coal Mine has Purple Petals

Posted by Lee Hiller on May 15, 2012
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It is the hottest year on record in the United States (USAToday). In Arkansas our winter lasted about 10 days then we began a cycle of above normal record breaking temperatures.  The Cherry and Magnolia Trees  began to bud and bloom in February and March.  In DC they had to moved the Cherry Blossom Festival ahead several weeks.   It is currently mid May and I discovered Asters blooming, usually they appear in Hot Springs National Park in late summer or after the first frost of autumn.

The light in the park feels different, the color of the leaves are not the deep rich green of years past.  It is as if the new foliage was unable to fully open and complete the upper canopy.  The overly bright heated Forest floor has created the perfect landscape for the park reptiles.  I have seen more snakes, box turtles and lizards in the first 4 months of this year than in the past two years combined.

Although this is only one small eco-system it is obvious the Forest is undergoing a dramatic climate change.  What have you noticed in your part of our precious planet?

Love to ALL!
Lee

Before the Storm Under a Dogwood Sky

Posted by Lee Hiller on March 20, 2012
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Hot Springs National Park will be changed by a huge storm today. Heavy rains, wind and lightning will create both destruction and feed new life.  Whenever we have an impending storm I Love to head  into the park and see the delicate blossoms one more time.  So breath in the beautiful dogwood sky and enjoy the Spring Beauty… more change is coming.

Love to ALL!
Lee

PS Special Thanks to Denise Turon Casey for identifying  Forsythia as the Yellow Blossoming Bush!

Hiking with a Tufted Titmouse, Box Turtle, Squirrel and Chipmunk

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 24, 2011
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Due to the extreme temperatures I have been hiking much earlier in the morning. The limited light often makes it difficult to photograph the many beautiful sights.  I have begun to see another world as the rays of the rising sun crests the surrounding Mountains.

Colorful Flowers glow in the half light along fences  as I hike toward North Mountain. Small shadows take shape as I move closer, a Chipmunk climbing on the rocks and a Squirrel foraging in the grass.  A faint song draws me closer and I can see a lovely little Tufted Titmouse chick grooming on the branch above me.  A lump on the trail ahead of me comes into focus and it is beautiful Box Turtle stretching it’s neck.

So much is revealed in the light of a new morning, Nature lifts my Spirit…
Love to ALL!
Lee

Early Morning Wildlife in the Park

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 21, 2011
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The past few days I have been taking morning walks along the Promenade in Hot Springs National Park with my Beloved Husband Rick. He has been waiting to begin therapy sessions for his ankle. Today he learned it is tendon damage so the trails will have to wait for about a month. Thank You all for your kind messages for his recovery.

Our early morning strolls have allowed us to witness many wonderful sights on the edge of the Forest.  I never imagined we would see a Sharp-Shinned Hawk flying and landing on the lowest part of the Mountain or witness the grace of sunlight illuminating the radiant pink of Mimosa blossoms. There have been mother Squirrels out with their children teaching them to forage.  Young Mockingbirds learning to sing and to defend territory from Robins.  A Male House Sparrow trying to convince his offspring to forage and feed themselves, he ended up hiding from them in a hedge.

Pause, breathe and see Nature with your Heart.

Love to You ALL!
Lee