Leaf color check, migrating geese, and general rambling.
Donna
we got out in the country that the leaves in north Alabama and
Mississippi are already beginning to turn. We're planning another trip
along the lower Blue Ridge Parkway and Smokies for early next month.
How is the color there and will we miss it by waiting that long?
Anybody know any good places to stay on the NC side.
Oh, btw, Seth. We saw one redtailed hawk on the way down...not
migrating. On the way back, we stopped in Olive Branch, MS, for
breakfast and as we were getting back into the car, a flock of geese
were migrating just north of us. Their loud "honks" drew my attention.
They were too far away to see clearly, (I usually don't take
binoculars to the casinos) but they were a dark color and there were
two large Vees with stragglers (the young or old maybe?) between the
two Vees which were probably about 20 to 30 yards apart. I didn't
attempt to count them as hubby was impatiently urging me into the car,
but there had to be at least 30 of them. We saw other birds and
butterflies, but none that were so obviously migrating.
Another thing you might be interested in. My brother works at a state
park, and occasionally finds wild duck eggs there. When it looks like
the nest has been deserted, he'll bring the eggs home, candle them,
and put them in an incubator if the eggs are good. I mentioned in an
earlier post that he has let my son have the small incubator he
started with to "experience" hatching chickens. Well, it was chickens,
but he found some more wild duck eggs and quail eggs. He didn't trust
the quail eggs to make the trip to our house, but we have a few wild
duck eggs in the incubator now...along with a (tame) turkey egg, and
several guinea and chicken eggs.
Libby, this ain't a bluegrass thread, but it is a new
thread...half-way on-topic even. ;)
Oh, oh, but I can throw in a little music. Did anybody out there know
that the Beach Boys did a version of "Old Cotton Fields Back Home"?
Rick ordered three volumes of their greatest hits and it was on one of
them. Neither of us knew about that song until we got the cd.
Donna
Donna
Seth Williamson
donna...@netscape.net says...
> Ok, folks. We went to Tunica again this weekend and discovered once
> we got out in the country that the leaves in north Alabama and
> Mississippi are already beginning to turn. We're planning another trip
> along the lower Blue Ridge Parkway and Smokies for early next month.
> How is the color there and will we miss it by waiting that long?
> Anybody know any good places to stay on the NC side.
Typically in my part of the Blue Ridge, high color is around
October 18. That varies from year to year. Also, I have to warn
you, we haven't had a really brilliant year in over a decade. I
think every single autumn in the Blue Ridge is gorgeous, but we
haven't had any lately that compare with the New England picture
postcard stuff.
There are all sorts of great places to stay in the Boone, NC area.
A couple of good B&B's there that my wife and I like, one of them
right on a river. If this interests you, get back with me and I'll
send details.
> Oh, btw, Seth. We saw one redtailed hawk on the way down...not
> migrating. On the way back, we stopped in Olive Branch, MS, for
> breakfast and as we were getting back into the car, a flock of geese
> were migrating just north of us. Their loud "honks" drew my attention.
> They were too far away to see clearly, (I usually don't take
> binoculars to the casinos) but they were a dark color and there were
> two large Vees with stragglers (the young or old maybe?) between the
> two Vees which were probably about 20 to 30 yards apart. I didn't
> attempt to count them as hubby was impatiently urging me into the car,
> but there had to be at least 30 of them. We saw other birds and
> butterflies, but none that were so obviously migrating.
That's cool. For some reason we haven't seen any guess at our hawk
watch site, even though we've been going for weeks now. Two bald
eagles this weekend, though.
> Another thing you might be interested in. My brother works at a state
> park, and occasionally finds wild duck eggs there. When it looks like
> the nest has been deserted, he'll bring the eggs home, candle them,
> and put them in an incubator if the eggs are good. I mentioned in an
> earlier post that he has let my son have the small incubator he
> started with to "experience" hatching chickens. Well, it was chickens,
> but he found some more wild duck eggs and quail eggs. He didn't trust
> the quail eggs to make the trip to our house, but we have a few wild
> duck eggs in the incubator now...along with a (tame) turkey egg, and
> several guinea and chicken eggs.
Neat. Hope you get 'em raised OK and released.
> Oh, oh, but I can throw in a little music. Did anybody out there know
> that the Beach Boys did a version of "Old Cotton Fields Back Home"?
> Rick ordered three volumes of their greatest hits and it was on one of
> them. Neither of us knew about that song until we got the cd.
I think that was originally on the "Smiley Smile" album (I am a
hardcore Beach Boys fan).
--
". . .I think it is safe to say that while the South is hardly
Christ-centered, it is most certainly Christ-haunted. The
Southerner who isn't convinced of it is very much afraid that he
may have been formed in the image and likeness of God."
--Flannery O'Connor, "The Grotesque in Southern Fiction."
Donna
>donna...@netscape.net says...
>
>> Ok, folks. We went to Tunica again this weekend and discovered once
>> we got out in the country that the leaves in north Alabama and
>> Mississippi are already beginning to turn. We're planning another trip
>> along the lower Blue Ridge Parkway and Smokies for early next month.
>> How is the color there and will we miss it by waiting that long?
>> Anybody know any good places to stay on the NC side.
>
>Typically in my part of the Blue Ridge, high color is around
>October 18. That varies from year to year. Also, I have to warn
>you, we haven't had a really brilliant year in over a decade. I
>think every single autumn in the Blue Ridge is gorgeous, but we
>haven't had any lately that compare with the New England picture
>postcard stuff.
Hmm. If that area is like Alabama, that means high color in the
Smokies will be around the fourth. The color around here hasn't been
that fantastic the last few years either...too dry and the leaves have
gone straight from green to brown.
>There are all sorts of great places to stay in the Boone, NC area.
>A couple of good B&B's there that my wife and I like, one of them
>right on a river. If this interests you, get back with me and I'll
>send details.
That sounds fantastic. If you want to email the info, the address
above is correct. Thanks, Seth.
>> Oh, btw, Seth. We saw one redtailed hawk on the way down...not
>> migrating. On the way back, we stopped in Olive Branch, MS, for
>> breakfast and as we were getting back into the car, a flock of geese
>> were migrating just north of us. Their loud "honks" drew my attention.
>> They were too far away to see clearly, (I usually don't take
>> binoculars to the casinos) but they were a dark color and there were
>> two large Vees with stragglers (the young or old maybe?) between the
>> two Vees which were probably about 20 to 30 yards apart. I didn't
>> attempt to count them as hubby was impatiently urging me into the car,
>> but there had to be at least 30 of them. We saw other birds and
>> butterflies, but none that were so obviously migrating.
>
>That's cool. For some reason we haven't seen any guess at our hawk
>watch site, even though we've been going for weeks now. Two bald
>eagles this weekend, though.
Every time anyone mentions bald eagles, I think back to the only one
I've ever seen in the wild. We were on the way the Chattanooga and one
circled the van, seemed to stop mid-air and stare straight at us, then
dove into the side window inches from my face, leaving a white foam
all over the window. I guess I've been hoping ever since that I won't
see another one for fear that it would do te same thing. I know there
was nothing I could have done to prevent the eagle's death, but it
doesn't make me feel any better about it.
>> Another thing you might be interested in. My brother works at a state
>> park, and occasionally finds wild duck eggs there. When it looks like
>> the nest has been deserted, he'll bring the eggs home, candle them,
>> and put them in an incubator if the eggs are good. I mentioned in an
>> earlier post that he has let my son have the small incubator he
>> started with to "experience" hatching chickens. Well, it was chickens,
>> but he found some more wild duck eggs and quail eggs. He didn't trust
>> the quail eggs to make the trip to our house, but we have a few wild
>> duck eggs in the incubator now...along with a (tame) turkey egg, and
>> several guinea and chicken eggs.
>
>Neat. Hope you get 'em raised OK and released.
Actually, if they hatch, we'll probably take them back to my brother.
He has coops set up that will protect them once it gets colder. He'll
wait until they're at least a year old to release them...and probably
will release them at his fishpond rather than at the park. We had a
guinea to hatch out today. I didn't realize they were that much
smaller than regular chickens...live and learn.
Donna
Wubba
We saw other birds and butterflies, but none that were so obviously
~~~~~~~~~~~
I am seeing the Monarch's beginning to migrate up here in SE Ohio.
Still seeing Nighthawks swooping about at evenfall- but not the "hundreds at
once" sightings as noted earlier. Still had Ruby Throated Hummingbirds as
of Friday, figure it's only days until they leave (anybody ever hear the
"tall-tale" of them migrating by piggybacking on the migrating geese...)
I can't travel and carry on much of a conversation without my usual "There's
a Redtail!" interruptions as my eyes inadvertantly scan the passing tree
tops...
Wubba Skywatcher
Donna
>Seth Williamson <sethwil...@THISswva.net> wrote:
>
>>donna...@netscape.net says...
>>
snipped
>>> Another thing you might be interested in. My brother works at a state
>>> park, and occasionally finds wild duck eggs there. When it looks like
>>> the nest has been deserted, he'll bring the eggs home, candle them,
>>> and put them in an incubator if the eggs are good. I mentioned in an
>>> earlier post that he has let my son have the small incubator he
>>> started with to "experience" hatching chickens. Well, it was chickens,
>>> but he found some more wild duck eggs and quail eggs. He didn't trust
>>> the quail eggs to make the trip to our house, but we have a few wild
>>> duck eggs in the incubator now...along with a (tame) turkey egg, and
>>> several guinea and chicken eggs.
>>
>>Neat. Hope you get 'em raised OK and released.
>
>Actually, if they hatch, we'll probably take them back to my brother.
>He has coops set up that will protect them once it gets colder. He'll
>wait until they're at least a year old to release them...and probably
>will release them at his fishpond rather than at the park. We had a
>guinea to hatch out today. I didn't realize they were that much
>smaller than regular chickens...live and learn.
Well, egg update. We've had one duck egg to hatch already. If all the
eggs came from one duck, we'll probably have another one late this
afternoon...and another one tomorrow...until they all hatch. The
guinea was still in the incubator since he was born early yesterday.
Everybody said to leave them in there for at least the first couple of
days...but he started pecking in the duck while it was still wet. We
moved him out into a box and left the duck to finish drying.
Donna
Arnold & Jennifer Pomerance
>
> Ok, folks. We went to Tunica again this weekend and discovered once
> we got out in the country that the leaves in north Alabama and
> Mississippi are already beginning to turn. We're planning another trip
> along the lower Blue Ridge Parkway and Smokies for early next month.
> How is the color there and will we miss it by waiting that long?
Can't say for sure. I know my dogwoods, redbuds, and tulip poplars are
starting to color up, but the maples and sweetgums are still very green.
> Oh, btw, Seth. We saw one redtailed hawk on the way down...not
> migrating. On the way back, we stopped in Olive Branch, MS, for
> breakfast and as we were getting back into the car, a flock of geese
> were migrating just north of us. Their loud "honks" drew my attention.
> They were too far away to see clearly, (I usually don't take
> binoculars to the casinos) but they were a dark color
The "honkies" were probably Canada Geese. They're fairly dark.
Jennypurr
*A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.*
Donna
>Donna wrote:
>>
>> Ok, folks. We went to Tunica again this weekend and discovered once
>> we got out in the country that the leaves in north Alabama and
>> Mississippi are already beginning to turn. We're planning another trip
>> along the lower Blue Ridge Parkway and Smokies for early next month.
>> How is the color there and will we miss it by waiting that long?
>
>Can't say for sure. I know my dogwoods, redbuds, and tulip poplars are
>starting to color up, but the maples and sweetgums are still very green.
Thanks, Jen. Sounds like the first or second week of October ought to
be a good time.
>> Oh, btw, Seth. We saw one redtailed hawk on the way down...not
>> migrating. On the way back, we stopped in Olive Branch, MS, for
>> breakfast and as we were getting back into the car, a flock of geese
>> were migrating just north of us. Their loud "honks" drew my attention.
>> They were too far away to see clearly, (I usually don't take
>> binoculars to the casinos) but they were a dark color
>
>The "honkies" were probably Canada Geese. They're fairly dark.
That was my first thought. Of course I couldn't see the top half of
the geese, but from the bottom, they looked darker than any Canada
Geese I've seen before.
Donna
Donna
>X-No-Archive: Yes
>Donna wrote:
>>
>> Arnold & Jennifer Pomerance <an...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>> >Can't say for sure. I know my dogwoods, redbuds, and tulip poplars are
>> >starting to color up, but the maples and sweetgums are still very green.
>>
>> Thanks, Jen. Sounds like the first or second week of October ought to
>> be a good time.
>
>Here on a Poconos ridge two weeks ago we had a coupla nights in the upper
>30s and some leaves started to drop. I noticed more on my bikeride in NJ
>yesterday but almost all trees are green save a few that may be stressed,
>is all. MidOctober is generally right around here. Norm
>
>--
>Remove socks before Replying.
Thanks, Norm.
Donna
LibbyKillebrew
Thanks much for the relaxing, informative thread. I don't see much
color change from here (my office window gives a grand view of the
mountains), but some of the trees in my yard are just getting tired of the
hot weather and dropping leaves, anyway. I'm afraid if we don't get some
cool weather soon, they'll dry up and fall off without changing. I'd sure
hate that, as I look forward to autumn leaves with such anticipation. Don't
you wish fall could last a little longer? Summer here is just not letting
go, and I'm getting hot and irritable about it.
To everybody: Where are your favorite spots to view autumn colors, and
what other things do you enjoy doing this time of year?
Libby K.
Just a little crispy around the edges.
Donna
You're welcome and thanks for the leaf info, Libby. The last few days
have been refreshing around here. The high was only 86. :)
Favorite spot to view autumn colors locally has to be sitting in the
swing on my mom's front patio. She has two maple trees that put on a
beautiful show each year...and I can watch my son climb in that huge
magnolia if I get tired of looking at the leaves. I've got to get
those pics of him in the album. When I do, I'll post the link so
everybody can see what I'm talking about when I say huge. It's hard to
believe the thing is only 32 years old. Guess it goes to show that if
you talk to your plants and show them a lot of love, they'll really
grow. It's sister, planted at the same time, isn't near as big. That
one's always been the favorite...of course, it was also the one that
if you fell out of it, you'd fall on grass instead of gravel.
Donna
Donna
>On Tue, 12 Sep 2000 16:10:59 -0400, "LibbyKillebrew"
><LibbyKi...@email.msn.com> wrote:
>
>
>> To everybody: Where are your favorite spots to view autumn colors, and
>>what other things do you enjoy doing this time of year?
>> Libby K.
>
>In the late afternoon, Parson Branch Road from Cades Cove in the
>Smokys out to Hwy. 129. Also just the drive out to Cades Cove from
>the Townsend "Y". About a mile before you drop into the cove, the
>road passes through a mixed hardwood forest, primarily yellow poplar.
>Back lighted by an afternoon sun, the leaves frame the winding road
>there as nice as any autumn picture I've seen. But the best big view
>was from the Appalachian Trail just below and on the summit of
>Standing Indian. Close second, the AT again between Clingman's Dome
>and Silers Bald. Both spots afford extraordinary views.
>
>Now that the summer tourist have gone and before the onslaught of the
>autumn madness, now is a great time to ride my bike (Harley FXSTC)
>through the national park along Little River. I live in Cades Cove
>just north of the Smokys.
>
>Ferlin Plenty
Oooooh! Thanks, Ferlin. I'm going to forward this post to the hubby.
Although we just went there a few weeks ago, I have a feeling we may
be headed back to the Cove. I love it there.
Donna
Donna
>On Mon, 11 Sep 2000 22:21:44 -0400, Arnold & Jennifer Pomerance
><an...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>>Donna wrote:
>>>
>>> Ok, folks. We went to Tunica again this weekend and discovered once
>>> we got out in the country that the leaves in north Alabama and
>>> Mississippi are already beginning to turn. We're planning another trip
>>> along the lower Blue Ridge Parkway and Smokies for early next month.
>>> How is the color there and will we miss it by waiting that long?
>>
>>Can't say for sure. I know my dogwoods, redbuds, and tulip poplars are
>>starting to color up, but the maples and sweetgums are still very green.
>>
>The publication from the Park says the leaves start to change in the
>higher elevation around the last part of the first and second week of
>October. In the middle and lower elevations it's usually the third
>week. Riding today in lower elevations, I noticed the Buckeyes just
>going brown and the Sycamores too. Some minor color on maples,
>dogwoods, sumac. Been dry, very dry since the beginning of September.
Thanks again. I can relate to the very dry. It's been that way here in
Alabama even longer. Extension's (county agents' office, for those who
have no idea what I'm talking about) web pages have started focusing
on agriculture drought survival tips. Our water company has started
turning the water off in the subdivisions for a few hours every day
while folks are at work and school. Can't help wondering where that
leaves the stay-at-home folks who had planned to wash clothes, dishes,
etc.
Donna