Listing Podcast

You can ignore this message pretty much, I think I need to do this to get my Tell Me Again Podcast listed in a directory called Podcast Alley.

My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-a0f61db39790bb4af6df62af299f45ad}

New Toys

So, I got a new phone, and I had to try out the camera and posting directly from the phone to the blog. All is working so far. Now have to test out the audio downloads to the blog next.

Bird Quest 2007

How did you spend your Memorial Day weekend? I spent mine birding....a lot. I participated in the Finger Lakes Land Trust's (FLLT) Spring Bird Quest. The Bird Quest is a new program to help raise funds for the Land Trust, an organization that buys and preserves sensitive habitat, much like the Nature Conservancy. Bird Questers help by getting sponsors, and counting as many bird species as they can during the three days of the weekend on FLLT preserves. Currently the FLLT has over 20 preserves.

I am very proud to say that with the help of my kind sponsors, I was able to raise over $350, and succeeded in seeing 56 different bird species.

Though I had truly hoped to find more birds, since I spent at least 20 hours actively birding, I fell short of my optimistic goals. On Sunday I encountered thunderstorms, and muggy weather followed, so this slowed my progress. Also, with full leaf cover, my visibility is greatly decreased. I was pleased however that the top birders saw (heard actually) over 100 species of birds. Since all of my birds, except one, was actually SEEN with my own two eyes, I was pleased with this result knowing that one day when I become an auditory birder, I too may be able to reach these numbers.

I visited 8 of the preserves. They varied in habitat from forest, field, and wetland. Some had very well established trails, others not. All of these lands were very special though, and their preservation is and will continued to be appreciated. Not only did I see birds, but frogs, turtles, snakes, butterflies, salamanders, deer, rabbit, damselflies, etc. And I heard one coyote.

Yes, I didn't think I would be scared of a coyote, but I was. Once when I was in high school I heard coyotes when camping in the wilderness of the Adirondacks. I was quite concerned then about them on that night, and I think my gut instincts still keep me afraid of these ghostly calls even today. My close encounter this past weekend was in broad daylight however, and in Wesley Hill preserve, a very remote and under visited preserve. It is very close to lands that I have seen bear tracks on, so this is quite a wild place. I was perhaps on the farthest point I could be on the trail from the car when I heard it. At first, the call was a bit distant, and I didn't freak out right away. I had been "pishing" for birds, which is when you make a pssssh, psssh, pssssh call with your lips. This attracts birds. It is also know to attract other things. Today, it attracted coyote. The second time I heard it, it was VERY close, and in the direction I was headed. I was on one side of a deep gully, and I prayed it was on the other side that I had just come from. I grabbed a stick in one hand, and a rock in the other. I began up the trail banging the still on trees as I walked, and tried to make as many scary sounds that I could. I also quickened my pace. When I finally slowed down a few minutes later, I heard it again, but much further away, and thankfully behind me. I didn't see many birds after this, and was really more concerned with getting to the car.

My next close encounter was much more to my liking. That night, I decided to go to the Martin Preserve, as it was reported as a spot where Screech or Great Horned Owls live. I went around dusk with hopes of hearing one of these birds to add to my list. I know the calls well, though I am lousy at trying to make the calls myself. However, to my surprise, I heard a different owl altogether. I heard, "who cooks for you, who cooks for you all!" The call of the Barred Owl. I had heard this owl before back home in Colton, but I had never seen one in the wild. I headed up the road in the direction I thought it was coming from. I stopped at different places along the road, and broke out my Owl Whistle, a wooden cylinder that makes a perfect owl sound when you blow into it in the right way. I hooted, and listened. Nothing. Next spot. Hooted and listened. Nothing. One more try, last spot. Hooted. Then across from me flew a Barred Owl and perched in a tree in clear sight. It worked! I was overjoyed. I slowly got out of the car, to get a better look. Then behind me I heard "whoooo-awlllllll". A second one!!! I stood slack jawed that I had called in two. The second one I think thought the first one was making the call, because it chased it after a few minutes out of its tree and they both retreated back into the woods! This is why I bird.

I had many highs and lows of joys and disappointments over the weekend, but I got a lot of outdoor time in, and my legs are tired, and I lost lots of sleep. And I feel pretty good about it.

Here are all the birds I saw if you are into that:
Mourning Dove
American Robin
American Crow
Black-capped Chicadee
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-winged Blackbird
Red Tailed Hawk
Eastern Phoebe
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Indigo Bunting
American Goldfinch
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Tufted Titmouse
Grey Catbird
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Northern Flicker
Dark-eyed Junco
Eastern Bluebird
Baltimore Oriole
Northern Cardinal
Scarlet Tanager
Ovenbird
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Redstart
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Common Grackle
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Wild Turkey
Common Yellowthroat
Ruffed Grouse (heard)
Barred Owl (two!)
Killdeer
Hairy Woodpecker
Canada Goose
Barn Swallow
Eastern Kingbird
Savannah Sparrow
Veery
Prairie Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Belted Kingfisher
Field Sparrow
Black and White Warbler
Wood Duck
European Starling
Great Blue Heron
Mallard
Green Heron
Tree Swallow
Common Moorhen
Brown Thrasher
Grey Cheeked Thrush

Where has the time gone?

Sorry I haven't posted much lately. Since San Antonio hasn't been much to report.

That changed a bit this week. I learned earlier this week that my father would be needing triple or quadruple bypass surgery on his heart. Keep in mind, Dad is 78 years old, and is in real good shape for his age. I am told the doctor said Dad's heart is as strong as a horse, but the arteries are of course the issue here. One is completely blocked, and three others are 80% blocked. Dad was having some tightness in the chest that clued him in to the problem.

Of course, heart disease isn't uncommon. This type of surgery is done everyday. Both my Uncles on my mother's side have had heart surgery. High cholestrerol is common in my family. However, the family eats very healthy diets, and remains active, so Dad has made it 78 years without a problem, beating the family trend. I hope I'm in as good as shape as he is when I make it to 78.

He goes in for surgery on Friday, keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

60 Years Young!

Posted by Laura

My mom is turning 60 this week! While she might not like that I just told the world this, I do not think she has any reason to worry. At least from my perspective, she has been the best mom I could ever wish for and her turning 60 won’t change that!

I am sure that I have caused her many grey hairs over the years, but my memory is filled with wonderful times – from making peanut butter popcorn on the camp stove when the power went out, to spending my Christmas holidays at Disney World in the campground, to throwing me a surprise sweet sixteen party, to helping me decide which college to attend, to being there when John proposed to me at Cape Point, to helping me celebrate my 30th birthday on vacation in Maine. And the list could keep going, but the bottom line is that my mom is one of my favorite people to be around. She is a true friend and I want to wish her the very best on this very special birthday!

Last Stop...Brackettville.

If you get on Route 90 and drive west out of San Antonio, you will see a lot of farms. After you drive through Uvalde, you will see only ranches, that are surrounded in high fences, to keep the wild game inside. If you keep doing this for two hours, you will come to the town of Brackettville. As my Dad used to say, "Don't blink or you'll miss it." But on the south side of Route 90 here in Brackettville you will find Fort Clark Springs. Inside it's gates you will find a strange and wonderfull world. You will find my Aunt Addie and Unlce Jim too!

Laura and I were so delighted that we had a chance to go and visit my only aunt and uncle on my father's side of the family. Of course we had seen them before, but as we visited we realized it was six years ago since we had seen Aunt Addie. They told us we were the first Ballou's to come and visit them in Texas, so I realized our visit meant a lot to them as well. We really wished we could have stayed longer, but we really enjoyed our short visit.


Addie and Jim took us to the restaurant in the Fort that they like to go to, which is right on the creek that runs through the community. This creek is fed by a natural spring that surfaces here from the Hill Country to the north. This spring is literally like an oasis in the desert. It attracts all the life around. Aunt Addie showed me her wonderul bird feeders, and I was treated to Lesser Goldfinches and a Nashville Warbler to add to my life list. Then at lunch along the creek, she pointed out the Vermillon Flycatcher, a bird that is even brighter then the Cardinal. After lunch Jim showed me how to drive his golf cart, and how to take the trails along the creek to get back to his house.


Laura and I enjoyed the drive, and saw a two red shouldered hawks along the way, and a pair of Golden Fronted Woodpeckers as well (another life lister!). Then Addie and Jim gave us a driving tour of the Fort community and of Brackettville proper. The Fort has an amazing history, and a variety of residents, from families to snowbirds, from RVers to upscale homes, from historic barracks to modern car ports, it has it all.

We really enjoyed our short stay, and would really encourage anyone else in the family to go to this truly unique place! Can't wait until I can get back and explore more.

Botanical Expedition

Why do we love Botanical Gardens? Why wouldn't we! Besides having beautiful flowers, we learn so much about native and nonative species. We look for birds. We get ideas for our own yard. We get great excercise! The San Antonio Botanical Gardens was very nicely done. Their conservatories of ferns, cactus, and palms were really attactive. The topography of the site was dynamic, and we had great places to see photograph the city and local birds and plants.

We saw many butterflies, and a few birds. We really enjoyed the section on landscapes for your lawn. They had build five little houses, and had modeled the front yards after different styles of yard. There was the typical american yard, the wildscape, the spanish garden, the xeroscape (little water), and cottage yards. Really can see them side by side and see which ones you like.

The central spot in the gardens had this lookout tower, where we could see the city and surrounding community. We tried our best to capture some images of the Black Swallowtail butterfly as he danced around us, with no luck.

Water is a precious commodity in Southern Texas. Though drought conditions are common, there are oasis of water for the life here. Of course this particular waterfall is inside the Fern Grotto conservatory, but we liked it anyway.

Going Downtown...SATX Style.

I don't really like cities that much. I get a bit "urban-phobic", and don't really relax much. I didn't feel the same way in San Antonio. The River Walk run through the middle of the city and is well landscaped and is really a major assest to this city. The city also has lots of history and public works of art. And most importantly to me, there are trees, which always make me feel more comfortable.

Katie took us downtown one of our nights to eat a very nice bistro on the River Walk. We had gaucamole made for us fresh at our table, and we sat right on the river. She had a plan though, and that was to put our name in at the restaurant, then do a walking tour of the city, including a stop at the Alamo. I said I could take or leave the Alamo on this trip because I didn't really want to deal with a mob scene. Honestly, going at night is pretty cool though, there were more people on the River Walk then at the Alamo. And lit up, it reminds you of a national monument in Washington, DC. No, I didn't see the basement.

Easting in San Antonio was a real delight too. Like any great city, we had lots of variety. Of course the Tex Mex cuisine is the most common, and we got our fill. We ate outdoors whenever we could to enjoy the warm temperatures.

Katie pointed us to great works of architecture and art on our visit. The library is really a site with its stark color and modern angles. The glass sculpture inside was a real treat to see also.

I don't know why I lauged so much at this, but I'll tell you this story anyway. We are sitting at dinner on the River Walk. The sun had gone down, and we were all getting cold. Katie and Laura both asked for blankets, and the restaurant obliged by giving them wool ponchos. So the water taxi boats and tour boats are going by us just a few feet away. We are enjoying our deserts, when from a passing tourboat we hear, "PONCHOOOO!" I thought I say the guy who yelled it from the front of the passing boat with a smile on his face. It cracked me up, and was glad I suffered the cold, and had not donned the Ponchooooo!

Mission San Jose

We ran out of time to see all the Missions in the San Antonio area, but we did get to the San Jose Mission. Katie highly recommended the movie at the visitor 's center here, and we wer not disappointed. The movie told the history of South Texas, and carefully explained the native people who lived here, and why they build this. Considering the age of these missions, it is really amazing architecture.

After the movie we wandered the grounds. The sun was low in the sky and we had amazing light and shadow effects on everything. I thought it gave a real eerie effect to the place.

I assume these are fireplace/ovens. I want one of these in my backyard. Also on this site is the oldest operating mill in Texas. The mill is water driven and we watched as it ground wheat. It was impressive that they continue to keep this working. The Mission still has an active congregation and we saw the end of a wedding party as they were leaving the chapel area.

Katie wanted our picture here outside the chapel. The artwork on this window is pretty stunning. The funny part is that in downtown San Antonio there is a storye that made many of its display windows look just like this one. Katie wanted our picture there also, but I kept walking.

Don't Mess with Texas

For part of our "Spring Break" we decided to make a trip to San Antonio, Texas to visit our friend Katie. Katie could not have been a better hostess! She let us sleep in her bed while she slept on the couch. She made us breakfast each day. She gave us rides to and from the airport. She let us take her car when she had to work. She took us to some really great restaurants. She showed us all the attractions downtown. She even served at driver for our bird drive. How can you beat that! Thank you Katie!

Not only did we have a great hostess, but we had a great host to, Katie's cat, Fred. Fred is not like our cat Daisy. Fred is nice. Fred is quiet. Fred is friendly. Fred is the kind of cat you can really get to know.
Some of the things we did... ate on the River Walk...saw the Alamo...went to several parks birding and letterboxing...toured the Botanical Gardens...ate great Tex Mex...had sushi...saw old an new artwork...supported local businesses...shopped at the market...day trip to see Aunt Addie and Uncle Jim...had a BBQ...watched movies...met Katie's boyfriend Chris and his dog Shawnee...and had a lot of laughs!