![\"\"](\"http:\/\/oldnaturalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/GoldfinchHolly-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a>American Goldfinch
Photo by Holly Einess<\/p><\/div>\n
I took this photo of a goldfinch in September as he was feasting on coneflower seeds. I love how fluffy and bedraggled he looks as he\u2019s transitioning from his bright breeding plumage to his more drab winter colors. What is it about birds that I find so charming? That makes me want to know them? I took up birding several years ago with a local Audubon chapter, and while I now can identify more than the usual suspects (robins, cardinals, crows, and chickadees), I feel as though my appetite for avian knowledge will never be sated. What a challenging endeavor it is, to become an expert birder! Not only do the males often differ in appearance from the females, the juveniles can have their own look distinct from the adults. And then there\u2019s breeding vs. non-breeding plumage, migratory vs. non-migratory\u2026 A naturalist I know once said, it\u2019s not so important that I\u00a0 hang a name on every bird I see. It\u2019s about being out in nature, or even my own backyard, noticing the life around me and getting curious about it. Expert or no, sharing habitat with these feathered miracles brings me untold joy, and for that I\u2019m very grateful. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Back to the Garden Clouds above my house. There are many more people out walking, biking and paddling these days. When I was recently hiking in a state park midweek, I saw many families hiking the trails through the forest. The Earth offers ever changing opportunities to notice what’s going on around us.<\/em><\/p>\n Bur Oak in Kelly Park, Minnetonka Observation of the world we\u2019re part of can provide an endless commercial free show of wonder. Entertainment by nature. It is a hidden Blessing in these changing times.<\/em><\/p>\n An egret in Purgatory Creek Across the street from my house. <\/p>\n This work was inspired by a late afternoon walk this summer at Staring Lake in Eden Prairie, MN. It was rainy all day, the clouds were finally breaking up and the sun came streaming in through the vegetation. The sun caused an ethereal, misty effect shining through the wet trees. It was a magical moment. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n My third graders and I went on a noticing walk and happened upon a rabbit \u201cmurder\u201d scene. It was incredibly interesting and I literally had to pull some of them away. There were bones sticking out and all of the organs and intestines had been removed and placed next to it. We made our predictions regarding what happened and then, real close to the scene we found this feather.<\/em><\/p>\n Photo by Jen Heyer<\/p><\/div>\n With the feather in hand, we made some guesses regarding which bird of prey could have done this to the rabbit. While looking through feather guides, the children debated between the feather belonging to a red-tailed hawk or a great horned owl, but could it possibly be a Cooper’s hawk? Barred owl and bald eagle came into the discussion as well, but were quickly removed from the list.<\/em><\/p>\n Our class reached out to the Minnesota Tracking Club with our two main predictions and heard back from them: “Sherlock and Watson were investigating a murder when Watson called out to Sherlock, ‘I found a knife! It must be the murder weapon.’ Sherlock in a calm voice replied, ‘My dear Watson, just because you found a knife in the kitchen, do not assume it is the murder weapon.” Are you sure the feather is associated with the crime scene?” I read the response to the students and one student jumped up, “We don’t know that the rabbit died from a bird of prey!” The search was on; what bird could have left a feather this large, and not be a bird of prey? After much discussion and a little bit of research, we solved the mystery. Have you?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo by Christina Gregory<\/p><\/div>\n Christina Gregory Sculpted frozen trees <\/em><\/p>\n their artwork formed in time and wind <\/em><\/p>\n stretch their arms in praise.<\/em><\/p>\n And so we also stand as naked fragile souls <\/em><\/p>\n before our Maker , seeking His embrace.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Their art-formed trunks in shapes grotesque or elegant broken lines<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0groan with only a rusty, frozen leaf to blow<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0in brittle memory of a past life.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Winter\u2019s butterfly.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0These spirited statues in motionless frost<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0embrace the silence<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0caressed by stillness.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0And so I view in quiet awe their majesty<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0a tapestried reckless mass of threaded branches <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0a lesson in frozen time.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Like pen and inked objects before me <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0they quietly teach the lessons of the universe.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Stripped of life, save a fragile leaf or two,<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0in bitter cold each branch moans and snaps<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0some failing winter\u2019s test.<\/em><\/p>\n Helpless and trusting they stand waiting for nature\u2019s next event <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0when bubbling life inside decorates with new spring greens<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0and clothes the forest once again.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0And so I stand, as do we all, as God\u2019s little works of art<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Shaped by tragedy and time yet filled with life waiting to be reborn:<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cclothed in the newness of life\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Most of these photos were taken within a couple of blocks from our house.<\/em><\/p>\n Photo by Paul Gagner<\/p><\/div>\n Being outdoors is one\u00a0 of the only places I would rather be during this period of confinement.<\/em><\/p>\n Twelve Spotted Skimmer Nature is really all that counts after\u00a0 waking up (not including family and friends).<\/em><\/p>\n Photo by Paul Gagner<\/p><\/div>\n Rather a tree than a human?<\/em> Photo by Paul Gagner<\/p><\/div>\n Photo by Paul Gagner<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n These are Grizzly bear cubs, mother was killed in Montana, the cubs were donated to a sanctuary for wildlife, near flagstaff, AZ. Where they are being raised to date.<\/em><\/p>\n photo by Alex Munoz<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Animals Photo by Alex Munoz<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Photo by Alex Munoz<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I am thrilled to share this posting that includes the voices of so many people who love nature. I hope you have time to enjoy the creative energy that they have expressed through their photography, stories, poetry and art. … Continue reading Dale Antonson<\/strong> is a frequent contributor to Old Naturalist.
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\n<\/strong>A global pandemic and climate change. Difficult headlines to avoid. To relieve \u2018cabin-fever\u2019, people are returning to the outdoors.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>
Photo by Dale Antonson<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a>
Photo by Dale Antonson<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a>
Photo by Dale Antonson<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a>
Photo by Dale Antonson<\/p><\/div>\n<\/h2>\n
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Sandra Cowing has contributed previously to Old Naturalist.
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\n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nJen Heyer is a 3rd grade teacher at Highlands Elementary, Edina, MN.
\n<\/strong>To learn more about Jen’s Program go to :\u00a0 heyerlearning.net<\/h2>\n<\/a>Christina Gregory is an artist and poet and has contributed previously to\u00a0 Old Naturalist<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>The Sculpture Garden<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Paul Gagner has contributed previously to Old Naturalist
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Photo by Paul Gagner<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a>
\nNot in all cases, but I think you know what I am saying.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>Alex Munoz is a frequent contributor to Old Naturalist.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n<\/em>Carnivore, herbivore, omnivore <\/em>
\nSome of them squeak – some of them roar!\u00a0<\/em>
\nWhen they get older they start to walk<\/em>
\nStart to grunt and start to hunt.<\/em>
\nSome animals are endangered species,<\/em>
\nThese kind of animals need more space.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>