I admit that I am somewhat partial to radio. Not just any radio but select non commercial stations and then only certain programs .
One program I find particularly satisfying is The Road Home on CKUA. The station is supported by the public and has a very different program mix and format .
The Road Home is heard on Mon. to Thur. evenings at 9:30 PM. What's so great about this program ? It's very quiet and relaxing . Bob Chelmick bobchelmick@ckua.com the host reads some poetry , plays music which we don't hear every day and tells about his life in a cabin in the woods . So he begins a program with a current report on birds or other critters around his cabin and will often comment at great length on some project or happening that has recently occurred . The music is of a very wide range . Many times he plays new artists who we've never heard before and also plays big names such as Bob Dylan . His music usually fits in with the theme of the program .
CKUA is heard through out Alberta on AM and FM .It's also available on and internet feed . Let me know if you find this station and what you think of it .Check out their website at http://www.ckua.ca/
Friday, June 12, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Early Morning Bird Walk May 31
Well, last walk, best birding and least birders.
This week we went to Heritage Ranch and concentrated on a strip beside the river which is buck brush stunted shrubbery and aspen . So, we saw boreal species and water species. To get to the area we had to walk through a kilometer of spruce forest .
The skies were partly overcast and half way through a high wind picked up. We started at 7 AM and finished by 8;30AM.
Altogether we spotted or heard 25 species . We saw Tennessee warblers, yellow rumped warblers and yellow warblers . They are hard to spot but easy to listen to. On the river there were Canada geese , mallards , mergansers, red winged black birds,and bank swallows. Tree Swallows were in full flight in the treed area . Chipping sparrows , clay colored sparrows and white throated sparrows were in abundance . Of course , crows , ravens and magpies put in their appearance . We also spotted golden crowned kinglets and pine siskins.Ring billed and Franklin gulls floated by. A couple of brown cow birds left their cover of brush.
This area is very productive habitat and is well worth the effort to get to it . In winter many little nests are found attached to little pieces of brush .
So the season for Saturday morning bird walks is over . We made many interesting sightings . of course birders find every sighting interesting . We all learned much from each other about birds and how to identify birds.Possibly more sessions could be run as the breeding season is now well underway . Next year? Of course , it will be bigger and better . How about coming out and joining us ?http://www.RDRN.fanweb.ca/
This week we went to Heritage Ranch and concentrated on a strip beside the river which is buck brush stunted shrubbery and aspen . So, we saw boreal species and water species. To get to the area we had to walk through a kilometer of spruce forest .
The skies were partly overcast and half way through a high wind picked up. We started at 7 AM and finished by 8;30AM.
Altogether we spotted or heard 25 species . We saw Tennessee warblers, yellow rumped warblers and yellow warblers . They are hard to spot but easy to listen to. On the river there were Canada geese , mallards , mergansers, red winged black birds,and bank swallows. Tree Swallows were in full flight in the treed area . Chipping sparrows , clay colored sparrows and white throated sparrows were in abundance . Of course , crows , ravens and magpies put in their appearance . We also spotted golden crowned kinglets and pine siskins.Ring billed and Franklin gulls floated by. A couple of brown cow birds left their cover of brush.
This area is very productive habitat and is well worth the effort to get to it . In winter many little nests are found attached to little pieces of brush .
So the season for Saturday morning bird walks is over . We made many interesting sightings . of course birders find every sighting interesting . We all learned much from each other about birds and how to identify birds.Possibly more sessions could be run as the breeding season is now well underway . Next year? Of course , it will be bigger and better . How about coming out and joining us ?http://www.RDRN.fanweb.ca/
Friday, May 29, 2009
My Jack Rabbit Start
I was running the other morning at 7AM. Now don't get ahead of me on this story .
I run through part of a neighborhood which has mature cottoneaster hedges which come down to the side walk. As I came up to one of the hedges, two Jack rabbits popped out from behind the hedge less than two meters from me. They caught my attention! I was startled and stopped . They took a couple of little bunny hops and sat on the road looking at me as if to say, "Sir, just what do you think you're doing ?" I stared back and admired their beauty at this close range.
They became bored or maybe wanted to continue with their breakfast and they took several big bunny hops and crossed the street where one of them hopped up into a brick planter with new bedding plants and resumed eating breakfast . I said to them, "I don't think you guys are supposed to be eating that stuff." They totally ignored me .
At that point I continued my run none the worse for my start(ling ) experience which made me jump.So a jack rabbit start at 7AM perks you up for the rest of the day.
I run through part of a neighborhood which has mature cottoneaster hedges which come down to the side walk. As I came up to one of the hedges, two Jack rabbits popped out from behind the hedge less than two meters from me. They caught my attention! I was startled and stopped . They took a couple of little bunny hops and sat on the road looking at me as if to say, "Sir, just what do you think you're doing ?" I stared back and admired their beauty at this close range.
They became bored or maybe wanted to continue with their breakfast and they took several big bunny hops and crossed the street where one of them hopped up into a brick planter with new bedding plants and resumed eating breakfast . I said to them, "I don't think you guys are supposed to be eating that stuff." They totally ignored me .
At that point I continued my run none the worse for my start(ling ) experience which made me jump.So a jack rabbit start at 7AM perks you up for the rest of the day.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Bird Walk May 23
Another great morning for a bird walk! Too bad you weren't with us! It was warm, plus 4, clear and calm . Just a great morning to be outdoors .
Today we walked through an area in the River Bend Recreation area . This area is part river escarpment and part upland grass. Of course , there's the river bank itself . The major tree is old spruce with a few poplar and the odd birch . The grass is old pasture so at this time of year it is heavy old last year's grass. The area has cross country ski trails so at this time of year they are grass covered and very easy and pleasant to walk on.
At the river we saw mallards and lesser yellow legs. There were yellow rumped warblers, robins and a Lincoln's sparrow . Of course, we can't forget the ever present crows and magpies.After that we saw pine siskins, golden crowned kinglets, white throated sparrows, chipping sparrows, white and red breasted nuthatches ,clay colored sparrows, chickadees, yellow rumped warblers , house wren, and phoebes.
We had eight birders this morning . It's always interesting to see a rookie birder being excited to see a bird they had never seen before . Now look at the experienced birder and they are just as excited . Most birders are excited about any sighting no matter how common.
Today we walked through an area in the River Bend Recreation area . This area is part river escarpment and part upland grass. Of course , there's the river bank itself . The major tree is old spruce with a few poplar and the odd birch . The grass is old pasture so at this time of year it is heavy old last year's grass. The area has cross country ski trails so at this time of year they are grass covered and very easy and pleasant to walk on.
At the river we saw mallards and lesser yellow legs. There were yellow rumped warblers, robins and a Lincoln's sparrow . Of course, we can't forget the ever present crows and magpies.After that we saw pine siskins, golden crowned kinglets, white throated sparrows, chipping sparrows, white and red breasted nuthatches ,clay colored sparrows, chickadees, yellow rumped warblers , house wren, and phoebes.
We had eight birders this morning . It's always interesting to see a rookie birder being excited to see a bird they had never seen before . Now look at the experienced birder and they are just as excited . Most birders are excited about any sighting no matter how common.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
ALF HAS FUN!!!
Last weekend May 16-18 was a long weekend. So my neighbor took his five year old son Alf camping . Now I've written about Alf before and he puts on quite a show.
They went tenting . On Sunday evening it began to snow and on Monday it snowed very heavily. Needless to say, Alf and his Dad returned home by Monday noon . Did Alf run into the house to get warm ? Of course not! Alf was running through the deep snow in his yard having all kinds of fun making trails in the snow .
So I guess it's all from your own perspective as to what you enjoy . Obviously Alf was oblivious to the cold and enjoyed playing in the snow while I was being a wimp staying in the house and missing all the fun.
They went tenting . On Sunday evening it began to snow and on Monday it snowed very heavily. Needless to say, Alf and his Dad returned home by Monday noon . Did Alf run into the house to get warm ? Of course not! Alf was running through the deep snow in his yard having all kinds of fun making trails in the snow .
So I guess it's all from your own perspective as to what you enjoy . Obviously Alf was oblivious to the cold and enjoyed playing in the snow while I was being a wimp staying in the house and missing all the fun.
ROBBERS AND THIEVES
The other day I was looking out my window to the backyard when a magpie landed and pulled up a big fat dew worm . Now I thought what a good fellow . I don't like dew worms and would like to get rid of them . The magpie took two bites out of the dew worm and then a crow landed and scared the magpie away . The crow took a few bites of the dew worm and left . Now, crows and magpies are quite often called thieves and robbers and I had just witnessed a crime .
Later on I was walking by the school yard and heard a tremendous squawk and noticed a seagull in distress . The disruption was caused by a crow hanging on to a feather in the sea gull's wing. The seagull went round and round trying to get loose and the crow hung on tightly . The crow finally let go and the seagull left . I suppose the seagull had found a tasty morsel and the crow noticed and moved in .
Another robbery!
Later on I was walking by the school yard and heard a tremendous squawk and noticed a seagull in distress . The disruption was caused by a crow hanging on to a feather in the sea gull's wing. The seagull went round and round trying to get loose and the crow hung on tightly . The crow finally let go and the seagull left . I suppose the seagull had found a tasty morsel and the crow noticed and moved in .
Another robbery!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Old Guys Should Have a Paper Route
Well, what in the world is he talking about now ? Paper routes are for kids!
Well, not so fast . Work with me for a few minutes . After being retired for 12 years I decided I would like to do something different . Now I'm busy with many activities ...volunteering, reading , cycling , skiing , gardening , birding, listening to music . I didn't need something else to do . I just wanted to do something that I hadn't done before .
So, I looked around for something which wouldn't interfere too much with my other activities . About the same time I thought needed something to get me out of the house in all kinds of weather because I was becoming too soft. So why not a paper route?
I waited until a route became open beside my house . I started on Jan.2, 2009 . The day was minus 30 C with some wind . What luck! I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was very comfortable in these conditions. I have never been cold . I am always too warm by the mid point of the route. I found other pleasant surprises . I look forward each day to doing the route . I get exercise . I meet and visit with my neighbors . I get tips for good service! Wow! I'd never had a tip in my life . The routine was new so I had to learn to watch for instructions about changes in the route . The pay slip was a real riddle to figure out.
Saturday and Sunday mornings I can deliver early ...before 7AM. I am a morning person so this is enjoyable .
Some things give you a good laugh . I was on a step one day and heard a little kid inside saying ,"Paper man! Paper man! Paper man!" That little kid will be mixed up for life .
Sure there are a few downers . Flyers are a pain . The weight was much more than I expected so on heavy days I do the route in two sections. Sometimes it interferes with other activities .
Over all, the experience has been well worthwhile . Now, to say all old guys should do paper routes is a bit much . However, there is a positive aspect which is well worth while.
Well, not so fast . Work with me for a few minutes . After being retired for 12 years I decided I would like to do something different . Now I'm busy with many activities ...volunteering, reading , cycling , skiing , gardening , birding, listening to music . I didn't need something else to do . I just wanted to do something that I hadn't done before .
So, I looked around for something which wouldn't interfere too much with my other activities . About the same time I thought needed something to get me out of the house in all kinds of weather because I was becoming too soft. So why not a paper route?
I waited until a route became open beside my house . I started on Jan.2, 2009 . The day was minus 30 C with some wind . What luck! I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was very comfortable in these conditions. I have never been cold . I am always too warm by the mid point of the route. I found other pleasant surprises . I look forward each day to doing the route . I get exercise . I meet and visit with my neighbors . I get tips for good service! Wow! I'd never had a tip in my life . The routine was new so I had to learn to watch for instructions about changes in the route . The pay slip was a real riddle to figure out.
Saturday and Sunday mornings I can deliver early ...before 7AM. I am a morning person so this is enjoyable .
Some things give you a good laugh . I was on a step one day and heard a little kid inside saying ,"Paper man! Paper man! Paper man!" That little kid will be mixed up for life .
Sure there are a few downers . Flyers are a pain . The weight was much more than I expected so on heavy days I do the route in two sections. Sometimes it interferes with other activities .
Over all, the experience has been well worthwhile . Now, to say all old guys should do paper routes is a bit much . However, there is a positive aspect which is well worth while.
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