Author Archives: makielb

Today we spent time at the Wiregrass Prairie Preserve south-west of New Smyrna Beach. The main trail (at least for the orange trail) winds through a prairie and into pines. This is a grassland habitat that is dependent on fire to keep it this way. As you look to the sides of the trail throughContinue reading “Wiregrass Prairie Preserve”

We had a full day at Merritt Island on Kennedy Parkway, Palm Hammock Trail and Eddy Creek. Some of the highlights included excellent looks at a group of four Florida scrub Jays. There was a pair of Red-shouldered hawks about 100 yards down the road, which didn’t seem to bother the jays. We found aContinue reading “A full day at Merritt Island and Daytona Beach”

We are not missing the storms rolling across the lower Great Lakes. Today the high temperature was just shy of 70F. This cartoon appeared on my FaceBook stream last night and again this morning. I figured that it was a sign. This branch would have easily fit into a 12″ circle. It was filled withContinue reading “A day searching for things other than birds”

Our day started out at the shore where Fish Crows are the dominant crow. The crows were above the gulls, terns and even this Brown Pelican. Searching through the abundant Sanderlings we were lucky to find three Western Sandpipers. Savannah Sparrows were tucked into the seaside shrubs. As the day warmed we started being distractedContinue reading “Looking for a western vagrant”

I’m not sure which I like better – the Loggerhead Shrike looking at me, or in profile. It took a while to find one, but we finally had a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. The Great Egrets today all seemed to be in breeding plumage. Spotted Sandpipers haven’t been all that common. This one was very cooperative. ThereContinue reading “A day full of birds”

We care “a whole awful lot,” which is why we visit so many wild areas. Today the search for plant and animal diversity took us to the Savannah Wildlife Refuge. The main driving trail was closed for work. So, we found another spot with extensive hiking trails. And this is what we ended up withContinue reading “Visiting the Savannah Wildlife Refuge”

This is the embossed cover of the journal that I am currently writing in. I have kept personal journals for too many years to remember, although I could go downstairs and look for the ones that date back to the early 1970s. For me it’s fun to be able to look back and read aboutContinue reading “Writing and planning”

I made lamb kofta for dinner last night. I’ve been making this for years. it requires some planning. The day before I made the kofta spice mix. Then I prepared the kofta mix. Susan pan fried the kofta. It was served with a mint-lemon yogurt sauce, steamed carrots, brown rice and kale (still getting itContinue reading “The color of the day and dinner last night”

It’s hard to believe that my little girl is all grown up and half a continent away. The photo was her first day home from the hospital. Regardless, it’s her birthday. Her she is on the day that Susan and I got married. She was five years old. The first day of kindergarten, walking toContinue reading “A wonderful journey”

By the end of next week we will be visiting friends in Florida and seeing a lot of interesting birds, plants and more. All of the drawing today were done in the 1990s and were beirds seen in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Whenever a Cattle Egret shows up in the county or nearby there is alwaysContinue reading “Thinking about traveling, seeing and drawing birds”