Patching in the Neighborhood - Hooray!

Bald Eagles at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

There are at least 4 nesting bald eagle pairs in and around Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. One of the "pairs" is actually three adults who have been sharing child rearing for several seasons.

This particular nest is at the foot of Seneca Lake where it forms the Seneca River, just south of Routes 5 and 20. The nests are enormous. Bald eagles are about 3 feet tall.

Syracuse.com reporters captured some fabulous footage of this very nest with one of the eagles feeding an eaglet who is clearly visible. Watch it here: http://videos.syracuse.com/post-standard/2011/04/new_eaglets_at_montezuma.html

Also, you might like to take a look at the Eagle Cam at Decorah, Iowa. http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles . Mounted on a nest-supporting branch, it has captured the hatching of three chicks. Right this minute one of the adults is feeding a chick fresh fish. This pair built its nest near a fish hatchery along Trout Run. Clever birds. The streaming audio is a treat even if you aren't looking at the cam every moment.

Paperwhites

Rose Breasted Grosbeak - New to Our Feeders!

Queen Anne Quintuplets on Park Ave.

Cherries Blossomed Over the Weekend at Franklin Square

Female Lion at Rosamund Gifford Zoo, series

A moment at the zoo...

These pictures were all taken within a minute. In the first the female is at ease. In the second she has spotted a 10 year old child behind the viewing window. In the third, she is ready to pounce.

At that moment, the father of the child reflexively pulled the girl to him and held her close.

Male Lion at Rosamund Gifford Zoo

Box Garden at Our House

The previous owner of our house built a long box along one side of the deck. We found that it is hard to keep annuals going. Sooner or later the box would drown or dry out, and that would be that.

We finally found the solution. We planted a dozen different hens and chicks, euphorbia and other low-growing succulents, all of which have spread out and covered every inch. Miniature daffodils add a lot of color in the spring.

Northern Shovelers - Anas clypeata - at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Seneca Lake

Very Tough Question

Seventh and eights grade students in the Say Yes to Education project at Roberts School came up with this and 3 other questions.  Then SU's School of Architecture, which designed the project, created and mounted this and 3 other boards downtown and on Westcott St.

An article on Syracuse.com explains all. You can find it here: http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/publics_answers_to_students_qu.html 

I find it an interesting use of public space. A video, using the texted and email-messaged answers, will be shown at the Everson Museum on May 4. 

Lone Mute Swan - Cygnus olor - at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Yesterday

Sitting Goose in Adverse Conditions, Undaunted

View West from the Top of Thornden Park

Carrier Dome, the dome of Hendricks Chapel and the tower of Lyman Hall, and Woodland Reservoir in the distance.

Joli Has a Large Water Bowl

Field of Daffodils at the Center for Excellence

I recommend dropping by the Center for Excellence at least once a week for the rest of the year. Late last year the Center installed massive plantings of bulbs, perennials and shrubs. It is a bold and dramatic look that can only work on a large scale, and that is what has been done. I expect the results will be worth a frequent look.

Star Magnolia's First Blossoms at Hamilton White House with Stylized Canal Boat

Iris Reticulata Blooms Early and Showy

Cannonsville Reservoir in Delaware County

The Cannonsville Reservoir still has ice near the upper bridge today. The reservoir is part of the water supply for the city of New York. 

This entire watershed has been declared frack-free, as has the Skaneateles Lake watershed. One has to ask, if NY and Syracuse will not allow their watersheds to be developed by gas companies drilling horizontal frack holes, then why wouldn't it follow that no watershed anywhere should be developed?

Gull Executes Perfect Landing

They spread their tail feathers to stall and drop out for a soft landing on Hiawatha Lake at Upper Onondaga Park.

Skunk Cabbage at Whiskey Hollow in Baldwinsville

Dawn Strikes the North Side of the Hughes State Office Building

Major Construction at the Performing End of the Landmark Theater

Industrial Solvay from Liverpool

New Freedom of Espresso in Liverpool and Rain Turning to Snow Today

High Line NYC Part 2

The High Line NYC

Bees Out Today

One kind of bee was out today, gathering nector from two or three types of crocus (but not all). 

Yesterday on NPR's Science Friday, Ira Flatow posted a video and hosted the curator of the bee collection at the Museum of Natural History in NYC. He has been in that position for 51 years. It's worth tracing down the program.

I am trying out close-up rings on my camera. I apologize that the depth of field isn't broader. Amateur.

You Know It's A Good Day When Pokey and Gumby Come By