tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55747576503872494132011-11-27T18:02:33.474-06:00Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.comBlogger311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-14043285283701126012010-04-01T22:13:00.000-05:002010-04-01T22:13:15.174-05:00

I've been planning on making Aaron a stained glass project for a couple years.  Finally I decided what I wanted to ake and just went ahead and started the project.  It took a few days, but I finished it before he came to visit.  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-48761817952543604922010-04-01T21:53:00.001-05:002010-04-01T21:55:35.994-05:00

For the last couple weeks it has been too nice outside to stay indoors.  Naturally that means I have not wanted to spend any time puttering around on the computer.  I've just spend enough time on the computer to look up stuff on bird posting forums & figure out where to go. We've been watching the nest of a Great Horned Owl in a park close to us.  We first spotted the nest at the beginning of

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-56833280549845319022010-03-07T21:22:00.000-06:002010-03-07T21:22:01.812-06:00

Since I've only been officially birding since early last summer I have yet to experience the full glory of SPRING.   Since the weather has started to warm up a bit I'm noticing new birds  appearing (or returning) daily.  I wish I could take a 2-3 month break from work so I can fully appreciate all the changes that are going to start happening. Although I am eagerly awaiting spring, I'm sad to

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-16238642378516245512010-03-02T22:34:00.000-06:002010-03-02T22:34:24.969-06:00

Beautiful weather = Birding.  Monday was sunny and the temperatures were over 40 F, so naturally I spend a good portion of the day outside looking for birds.  We went to one of our ol' standby local parks and walked the trail. In an effort to lighten my load, I only took my camera. For the past few months, birding from the car has spoiled me.  I've become used to taking my binoculars, scope,

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-83972591595820510312010-02-28T20:40:00.000-06:002010-02-28T20:40:22.402-06:00

Since I work Tuesday through Saturday, I view Sunday and Monday as my birding days.  Naturally I try to pack a weeks worth of birding into these two days.  Today was no different. Today we headed out hoping to see birds of prey.  Almost immediately we spotted a Cooper's Hawk along the highway.  Woo Hoo!  Off to a great start!  Although we didn't count the number of Red-Tailed Hawks, it seemed

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-91276261953980149532010-02-22T22:40:00.000-06:002010-02-22T22:40:47.149-06:00

I feel like they just peeked out to see me.  :)

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-77788675278609124312010-02-01T22:49:00.000-06:002010-02-01T22:49:59.018-06:00

I've always been fascinated by the Loggerhead Shrike. I remember reading about them while riding in the back of my parents car on our way to visit family.  I can honestly say I've been wanting to see one for over a decade.  They'd become one of those birds to me...you know, the bird you never think you'll ever actually see. So when I read that a local birder had seen one on his morning runs

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-43496814453750999272010-01-26T23:47:00.000-06:002010-01-26T23:47:43.785-06:00

I've always thought the pictures posted along side Finch feeders were crazy.  Really? Obviously Photoshop helps a lot, but Twenty-Four Goldfinches AT ONCE?!?! How silly. Apparently I was wrong. This morning we had the usual 4 or 5 Goldfinches hanging around when my mom noticed a fairly large group of birds twittering and zipping around the trees in the yard across the street.  A quick peep

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-16271644873222229152010-01-24T15:53:00.003-06:002010-01-24T16:53:25.192-06:00

Since I've been unable to devote much time to birding recently, I thought I'd at least post some bird related pictures.  Lately I've been playing a lot with my Canon EOS 50D (!!!).  I would love to be able to take beautiful frame filling pictures, but for now I'll settle with identifiable shapes and colors.  I was able to snap a pic of a friendly little Dark Eyed Junco.  He seemed oblivious to

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-48500409187734834212010-01-11T21:17:00.001-06:002010-01-11T21:19:24.720-06:00

This afternoon my mom and I made a quick trip around Smithville Lake.  I had heard the lake was 95% frozen and I wanted to see it for myself. Except for a few small areas around the Marina, the lake was indeed covered in ice.  Had I not known a lake lurked under the layer of snow, I would have thought it was a beautiful flat field.  We managed to find a group of waterfowl lurking near one of

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-35607455121394234392010-01-03T23:18:00.002-06:002010-01-03T23:27:34.178-06:00

Today was lovely!  I woke up this morning to a layer of snow and I didn't have to go to work.  Before heading out in the cold to shovel the sidewalk and driveway, I spent some time watching the activity at the feeders. The feeders were busy today!  After shoveling (and shoveling and shoveling.....) I sat outside on the porch with my camera watching the feeding frenzy.  Muff, our cat, was quite

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-43948465487664329492009-12-29T11:21:00.001-06:002009-12-29T11:23:44.682-06:00

On Sunday I was able to spend some quailty time watching the feeders in our front yard.  There is a band of normal birds that visit nearly daily--BC Chickadee, Downy WP, Red-bellied WP, and an occasional Titmouse.  However, with the recent snow our feeders have become a bit more popular.  The normal crew showed up and darted between the feeders and tree.  It was quite fun watching them and

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-8508660055626478252009-12-20T22:34:00.000-06:002009-12-20T22:34:09.642-06:00

Life has been pretty hectic for the past week.  I haven't been able to tromp around seeking out too many birds since I don't get off work until several hours after sunset.  However, I did make another trip to see the Short-Eared Owls today.  This time both my mom and dad came along for the show.  It was just as entertaining this time as it was the first time.

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-86965940822628824962009-12-14T22:45:00.000-06:002009-12-14T22:45:17.531-06:00

For the past two weeks I've been reading on surfbirds.com about Missouri birders seeing a group of Short-eared Owls in an area just east of Smithville Lake.  Unfortunately I don't get off of work until after dark.....way too late to observe the owl show (what I've been calling it for the past few days).  Today was different though!  Late this afternoon my mom and I headed to the area where the

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-23933163412461314712009-11-29T21:50:00.000-06:002009-11-29T21:50:21.578-06:00

For the past month I've been reading reports by birders in the area that there have been 6 Sandhill Cranes at Squaw Creek NWR.  I've looked for them at each visit in the past month, but I have been unsuccessful....until today!  We made a quick run through the route and happened to spot the small group lingering near the edge of a pool in the Mallard Marsh area of the refuge.  I was so excited (

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-59210582620240351252009-11-21T22:21:00.000-06:002009-11-21T22:21:53.397-06:00

Since I got my scope (!!) I've been trying to figure out a way to attach my digital camera to the eyepiece of the scope without spending money on an adapter.  I spent several hours online and finally decided to replicate this adapter.  I made it out of an old peanut butter jar & a lot of duct tape.  I actually had a lot of fun making it and plan on making a new & improved one soon.   To test

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-91991403722184140762009-11-16T18:12:00.000-06:002009-11-16T18:12:48.984-06:00

This morning I headed out to Smithville Lake to try out my new scope.  I've been to Smithville Lake many times before and have had variable success.  Either it's incredibly windy and I can't hold  my binoculars still enough to ID the tiny dots floating in the middle of the lake OR the tiny dots are just too far away!  Today it was drizzly and overcast, but overall it wasn't a bad day for

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-51228791623349139832009-11-15T18:39:00.000-06:002009-11-15T18:39:04.856-06:00

This past week I have started a new job.  I'm really enjoying the job so far.  However I don't have much time in the day left over for birding because it is already dark when I get home.  Boo!  I do get a good chance to see some hawks on my drive to work in the morning.  I hope I get better at identifying them! There has been some activity at our feeder lately.  At least I've been able to

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-33600376486302185282009-11-08T21:34:00.000-06:002009-11-08T21:34:11.338-06:00

Tonight I sorted through my past few birding trips and checked off recent life birds on my ABA list.  Although I do get incredibly excited when I see a new bird while out & about, my primary motivation on all my birding trips is to observe and watch the birds go about their activities. I was astonished to count up my bird list tally.  162!!!!  I couldn't (& still can't!) believe it....especially

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-23266390867687272302009-11-07T20:54:00.006-06:002009-11-07T21:34:36.621-06:00

Last Thursday I splurged and got myself a spotting scope! Friday morning (super early!) I headed out to Squaw Creek NWR and spent the entire day marveling at the beautiful views I was getting through my new scope. Ahh! It was glorious! To add to my elation, I saw four new life birds! The first was a Rusty Blackbird. There was a group working the marsh area at the entrance of the park. It was so

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-74577934722531061702009-10-26T22:18:00.000-05:002009-10-26T22:18:02.073-05:00

This past Saturday I attended my first group walk with my mom.  It was held at the Overland Park Arboretum. It was pretty chilly due to the frost of the previous night, but I had a great time.  I saw a new life bird---a Sharp-shinned Hawk.  Woo Hoo!  We even got to see it swoop aroud trying to catch it's breakfast.  Unfortunately I was so excited and distracted by the Hawk that I forgot entirely

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-13091748521903395782009-10-19T22:03:00.002-05:002009-10-19T22:06:58.581-05:00

Carolina Wren The weather for the past couple days has been absolutely beautiful. Naturally, I took this opportunity to head out and enjoy as many birds as possible. Yesterday we went to Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area. We didn't have a lot of time, but we did see two new birds for the year! Woo Hoo! We decided to walk one of the trails and had just stepped out of the car when we noticed a

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-6594155953340730612009-10-12T00:42:00.002-05:002009-10-12T00:50:33.685-05:00

I had a great weekend! I saw two new life birds (Ruby-Crowned Kinglet & Yellow Rumped Warbler) and had a lot of fun visiting family at a wedding.  On Saturday I went out and about with my binoculars in hand.  At the time I had no idea that the best birding experience wouldn't even require my binoculars! I was walking with my mom and we stopped to watch one of the foraging flocks of chickadee's,

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-15946223696698763582009-09-27T23:31:00.002-05:002009-09-27T23:34:48.610-05:00

Many other birders have talked about that one bird that was their "starter bird." You know, that bird they saw early on that peaked their interest in birding.  Although I am a new birder and have hundreds of birds to see in the future (hopefully!), my starter bird was the Red-bellied Woodpecker.  I remember the first time I really got a good look at one through a pair of binoculars. I was so awed

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-81659033764379841612009-09-21T21:12:00.005-05:002009-09-21T21:50:14.427-05:00

I've recently discovered my grandma's old recipe box. I acquired it when she passed away several years ago, but I never had the opportunity to really look through it and investigate the hundreds of recipe cards stuffed into the tiny metal box. Now that I've found it again, I can not wait to start trying out some of the recipes! Sadly, I did not find Granny's pumpkin pie recipe, which was my

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-46697502484074417882009-09-08T19:46:00.002-05:002009-09-08T19:52:55.030-05:00

Tonight after dinner I looked out the window and was pleased to see a large group of Nighthawks zooming around in the sky over the yard. I find it strange that it was less than a month ago that I first saw both a nighthawk and the chimney swifts. Lately I've been seeing them all over the place. I know that both birds are on the move right now, but I'm still suprised by how many I'm seeing. It

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-42718052226767125162009-08-31T21:29:00.002-05:002009-08-31T21:41:42.179-05:00

A trip to Mound City, Missouri would not be complete without a visit to Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge. My dad grew up in Mound City, which means I grew up visiting my grandparents there. Although I always enjoyed the trip to Squaw Creek, what stands out in my mind is waking up before dawn on Thanksgiving to drive to the refuge and greet the day with the migrating Snow Geese. The sight

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-9408770061817126202009-08-24T09:44:00.002-05:002009-08-24T09:51:20.596-05:00

Earlier this summer I received a wedding invitation for one of my good friends from optometry school. Naturally I was looking forward to seeing her again and was excited to attend the wedding, but the idea of finding the right wedding gift was daunting. Usually, it's no big deal to wade through the pages of items on the gift registry, but for some of my friends that just doesn't seem right. I

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-3885386598414480002009-08-18T22:38:00.006-05:002009-08-19T00:02:50.599-05:00

New Lifers!Whoo!! Hooo!!! Over the past couple days I've been able to add THREE new birds to my life list! Although I didn't get good pictures of any of them, I got really good views of all of them.So, what birds did I see?1. Carolina Chickadee: Last weekend we visited family in southern MO. While on a walk these sweet little Chickadees were chattering and darting around trees on either side of

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-15647558854321956992009-08-12T23:15:00.005-05:002009-08-18T23:39:20.330-05:00

My mother has always been interested in wildlife. I remember her pointing out various trees, birds, and plants while walking with her on the farm where she grew up. Had she grown up in a different decade I believe she would have pursued a career involving wildlife conservation. Instead she studied business, specifically book-keeping, accounting, and taxes. Since she has retired, her interest in

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5574757650387249413.post-91244850297903144482009-08-12T22:12:00.004-05:002009-08-16T21:30:24.322-05:00

Who: Susan aka "Squeeze." What: Birding, Baking, Cycling, Stained Glass...and any other activity that I enjoyWhy: My intention is to start chronicling these activities here for the world to see. In this case, the world will probably only include myself, my family, and friends.

Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11197031919153587124noreply@blogger.com1