Trumpeter Swans

I have heard about the swans on the news and read about their arrival in the paper.
The weather was perfect to take a short trip to see the much talked about swans.

Nobody can fully explain why these birds took a liking to this one small oxbow lake a few miles east of Heber Springs, Arkansas.

With just one look, I could see what all of the publicity was about....

The swans were so graceful as they glided across the lake. Each one had small variances of color. They get whiter with age. The sun shining on them was breathtaking.

The lake was covered with swans, ducks and a few geese. A couple standing beside me said they had counted up to 200 on the water.

Normally, these guys live in the Midwest, Alaska and even Wyoming, but never as far South as Arkansas. For some reason, this certain group has chosen Heber Springs and returns there every year.

The phenomenon started when 3 swans showed up on the lake in the winter of 1991. The following winter a Minnesota swan that had been banded visited the lake with her mate. In 1993, that same swan was spotted with her mate and three baby swans. It's believed the original 3 got knocked off course by a storm. They must have liked what they found, because they came again...and brought their friends and family. I think the word spread far and wide that an automatic feeder with shelled corn was waiting for their arrival.

I loved watching them turn upside down to feed off the bottom....little feet just paddling away.

The long neck was perfect to reach in the hollow tree, looking for corn that got away.



They are the largest waterfowl in North America, weighing 25 to 30 pounds. Wing span is about 8 feet.....

I stayed for over an hour watching them. They were fascinating. There were cameras snapping all around me. Some had tripods and lens to die for......

When I got home and loaded my many, many shots on the computer, one really stood out and brought back a wonderful memory....

This one looks just like a planter that my mother had. The top of the swans back was hollow and she always had a green plant in it. I wish I had that planter......

Enjoy

Before

After

Yes, it is a window up day!!!!

Even the jonquils think it is time to pop out of the ground.

I know this weather is just a teaser, there's winter yet to come....but for now, it's outdoors for me!

Since we are all dreaming of Spring and warmer weather I am going to share a link with you...I really want one of us to win this.....10-Day Hawaiian Getaway For Four.
The ad states, "Experience the trip of a lifetime on the beautiful islands of Oahu and Maui. Stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Grand Wailea, featured in the film(click on film title) Just Go With It. Plus a $10,000 Hilton Worldwide gift card to spend,......wow!

Wordless Wednesday

Shhhh

I was literally to this point yesterday.
While getting a haircut, I was serenaded from the stool for way too long. I talked, asked questions....read any good books, seen any movies, when is spring break, what apps do you have on your phone.....blah, blah, blah. But at soon as the question was answered the singing resumed (a bit too close to my ear). Don't get me wrong, it was good but gosh enough is enough. I guess I discovered one more pet peeve to add to my list!

I have wanted to photograph these beauties for some time but either haven't had my camera with me or they flew away. Last week Lila and I went for a walk and the timing was right. They were perched on the feeder enjoying a snack but flew away when we walked by. We crossed the street and in a matter of minutes they made there way back to the feeder after a short stop in the tree to see if it was safe to continue. There were four of them but I could only get two in a shot.

I think they are Macaw. What do you think? Aren't they beautiful?

The feeder is hanging in front of a window and must bring so much pleasure to the home owner. I imagine they are rare to this area as they have been featured in the newspaper.

Just under the feeder, dove, sparrow and cardinals. Under the leaves......green grass!! Dallas, you gotta love it!

Have a good Monday all!
Nanny

Weather Delay

I just can't bring myself to fly home when the radar looks like this.......

Texas is cold but no bad stuff like Arkansas, therefore, I'm staying!!! It could be a bad drive from the airport to my house. My husband's reply was, "I know it breaks your heart to stay longer" hehe

I hope you all are warm , safe and happy!

Barney and Friends

Lila enjoys sitting in her car and watching Barney. The singing fascinates her, as you can see. She was so absorbed by Barney singing "You Can Count On Me" while Nanny watched thinking.....If you only knew how much you can count on me!

I treasure my time with Lila and look forward to every minute. We spent the morning at Target playing with balls and baby dolls. She has the concept of NO perfectly, if I picked up the wrong one... she let me know, No, No complete with a shake of her little head. It was fun. Then we had lunch at a great little cafe with home cooking. Now she is napping and I am dreading the trip home tomorrow....time flies when I am with my girl!

Sandra & Ryan

They can deny it all they want......I still hope it is true! What a great couple.

And if they are not a couple, it is so good to see them both looking so happy.

Moon Boots

My husband asked me where I got the moon boots?

Let me tell you about these babies...

I bought them from a Lands End sale catalog 2 or 3 years ago. I have worn them in snow and ice ....they still look new.... and are like wearing house shoes in the snow and are as light as a feather! So warm you don't need to wear socks.....I wouldn't trade my moon boots for anything.

Maybe this year I'll get a red pair!!!

A Roll In The Snow

Sorry for so many pictures, but I got so tickled at Trixie working so for a dried up roll that I had to share them with you.
Yesterday as we were out walking, she stopped dead in her tracks and started the mission. She got a whiff of something in the snow.

Buried her nose in the snow for further investigation.

Decided to dig, right here!


Went a little deeper.

Aw, there it is.

Looked at me as if to say, "Hey look what I found".

And away she went. She wasn't actually walking on her front legs....ha. I caught this one as she jumped off a rock.

The last I saw of her, she was going into the woods.

You see, she doesn't eat her treasures as she finds them.....she buries them for later.

She worked harder finding and burying the roll than it was worth...ha....well maybe not to her!

Have a good day all!

Blanket of Snow

Yes, this is how Arkansas looks today!! The entire state was covered during the night. The southern part of the state got 8 - 10 inches....and for us that is one big snowfall. My area didn't get as much, only around 4 inches, which is plenty for me.

I took a walk in the woods this morning and enjoyed the beauty and the silence!

I am always amazed how the snowflakes arrange themselves so perfectly on every limb or leaf.

A perfect work of art fell from the sky for us to behold!

A flock of geese flew over, looking for a place to land.
Or maybe they were enjoying the view from above.

I am thankful to be home, warm, chili in the oven and to have power!

Skywatch Friday

This is not my sky, today.

But if I could choose......I choose YOU!



Have a wonderful Friday, Friends!
More Skywatchers here!





Nanny

Red-Winged Blackbirds

I am sure you have all heard about the blackbirds falling from the sky on new year's eve. This happened about 20 miles from where I live and that is all the talk this week.

The birds fell in an area of approximately one mile radius. There have been reports of as many as 5000 dead birds.

Our local paper reported today that preliminary test results by the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, showed red-winged blackbirds dies from massive trauma. (appears obvious) It's not apparent what caused the bird's unusual behavior, although loud noises were reported shortly before the birds began to fall from the sky. Blackbirds have poor night vision and do not typically fly at night.

Fireworks have been linked to the cause of death but residents of Beebe say they have fireworks at all football games which is within the affected area. "Every night for the last month we've had probably 40,000 to 50,000 birds fly over, but since New Year's Day we haven't had any fly over. Where did they all go?"

Which brings me to another theory: Conspiracy

Yep good ole Conspiracy Theory.....


from AOL News.com

Dead Birds in Arkansas And Other Bad Stuff HAARP Has Been Blamed For

The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program, known as HAARP, is a project investigating the upper atmosphere's ionosphere, in hopes that improved communications and surveillance tools can be developed. But HAARP has long ruffled the feathers of conspiracy theorists, who think that the program's research involves experiments with dire consequences for the world, including "death rays" and weather manipulation. It was even the topic of an episode of TruTV's "Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura."

Five hundred dead birds were recently found in Louisiana, just days after thousands of deceased red-winged blackbirds were discovered in Arkansas. Though biologists haven't yet been able to examine the Louisiana birds and determine what caused their deaths, speculation is running wild.

Whatever the cause: Lightning, hail, fireworks, etc. it is a sad situation. I can't imagine having that many dead birds in a populated area with children and pets. Some residents say there are still sick birds walking around but not flying!

Game Day!

It's finally here......the game is in 11 hours !

It's time to get serious!

I wondered why the stores were so empty yesterday, and then I saw the pep rally in New Orleans on the news.......everyone is there to cheer on the Hogs. I'll be doing my part from home! The excitement and tension is growing with every minute.

Put your game face on and join in

WOOOO PIG SOOOIE!!!!

Monday - 2011

How are you going to spend the first Monday of the new year?

My cabin fever is getting the best of me so tomorrow I'm breaking free.......

I feel

And

Calling my name!

And who knows....a mall is very close so a quick stroll through it is a possibility!

I hope you all have a great Monday. If you want to break free, join me for lunch!