Growing up in the Shenandoah Valley, livestock pastures peppered the landscape. Black and red Angus, and Holstein to supply the dairies, were commonplace. Spring and early summer sprouted lush green fescue and stands of various weeds unbeknownst to me at the time, save for the patches of flowering thistle and milkweed, head-high to a 5 year old.
Back when youths were allowed to roam free, I would stroll across the county road and explore the neighborâs pasture toting an empty Mason jar. I was fascinated with all things wild, to include the brilliant variety of butterflies and moths that frequented the fuchsia thistle blooms.
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On a recent morning, local naturalist Rebecca Weiss led a small group of amatuer birders through the frozen cattails near the John Denver Sanctuary in Aspen. Dawning binoculars and masks, they stood at the edge of the Roaring Fork River to get a closer look at an American Dipper bobbing in and out of the frigid water as it foraged.
“We heard this gorgeous singing and we were all looking and listening as hard as we could to try to pinpoint the sound and who was making it,” Weiss said. “And finally, we got a line of sight on the dipper.”
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Opportunities are available to take part in the annual Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (Shutterstock)
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH With so many holiday traditions canceled or altered due to the coronavirus pandemic, one that s still taking place might also offer a perfect way to socially distance.
The annual Audubon Society s Christmas Bird Count returns for its 121st year, and there is one active circle in the works near Cleveland Heights. The count, a census of birds in the Western Hemisphere, will be conducted from Monday, Dec. 14 through Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021.
The Cleveland circle is organized by Andy Jones at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The circle has a presence online with more information.
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Opportunities are available to take part in the annual Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (Shutterstock)
AVON, OH With so many holiday traditions canceled or altered due to the coronavirus pandemic, one that s still taking place might also offer a perfect way to socially distance.
The annual Audubon Society s Christmas Bird Count returns for its 121st year, and there is one active circle in the works near Avon and Avon Lake. The count, a census of birds in the Western Hemisphere, will be conducted from Monday, Dec. 14 through Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021.
The Ohio Elyria-Lorain circle will be handing out assignments, but asks participants to register a week in advance.