We had an unexpected Cedar Waxwing visit over the Thanksgiving holidays. We heard a distinct “thump” at the dining room window, and when my son-in-law, Brent, went out to investigate, he found a small, stunned cedar waxwing under concussion protocol. He held the small fellow in his hand for several minutes until it regained its senses and then flew up to the treetops to connect with his … [Read more...]

  It hasn’t snowed yet, but my snowbirds are back. About 2 weeks ago, when the thermometer plunged to 20 degrees, they found their way to my backyard – where they belong. The friendly little songbirds had been missing in action since March, when things started to warm. Then, they headed for Canada to spend the summer. Now they have returned. Snowbirds, officially known as Dark-Eyed … [Read more...]

  Nancy and I were having breakfast in the cafe, with the ship docked  just off the coast of Kona. About 500 yards from the ship, I saw a school of tuna chasing baitfish off the port side. It was hard to judge, but they appeared to be 30 or 40 pound yellowfin tuna. While a tuna will eat a ten pound bluefish, a whale will eat a 50 pound tuna like we would munch on a pretzel. I has hoped … [Read more...]

  Most goldfish, I suppose, are gold. That’s how they got their names, but we have a goldfish who apparently wasn’t happy with his birth-color and has decided to turn white. We call him (ta-dah) Whitey. Whitey and his seven friends are rescue goldfish. Let me explain. About three years ago, I went on an early spring crappie fishing trip to Lake Orange and stopped at a bait shop … [Read more...]

    Tim and I were fishing on a pier in Urbanna Creek. Nothing was biting, but we continued casting, hoping a striper or trout would pass by. Suddenly, a Great Blue Heron flew towards us and landed on the pier about 10 feet away. I figured he hadn’t seen me, and would soon fly off, but I was wrong. He did see me and walked close enough that I could have patted him on the … [Read more...]

  I hadn’t seen my resident pair of titmice in several weeks – I even commented to my wife Nancy that they were missing in action. The very next evening while I was smoking a cigar on the back patio and watching my birds, they flew to the feeder.  Two lovely, dainty titmice. They must have known I had missed them. The official name, Tufted Titmouse, is quite a mouthful for such a small … [Read more...]

I saw a  pair as I pulled in the driveway this week. They were Northern Flickers. I could tell by the white patches on their rumps as they flew away. Flickers are easily the most beautiful birds that grace my yard. Their plumage is complex and spectacular with a black “necklace” above their speckled breast, a red spot on the nape of the neck and a black moustache. A special few times they have … [Read more...]

  Have you ever been “buzzed” by a bird? Like when they swoop down over your head? It’s a weird feeling. One spring I had a new pair of bluebirds nesting and went out to feed them meal worms. Babies had just hatched. As I approached, the male “buzzed” me – swooped  down just across the top of my head and clicked his wings together. I left immediately. Later, I was able to convince the … [Read more...]

  Loyal CvilleBuzz reader, Chuck Strauss from Nelson County, sent a recent e-mail about the birds at his feeders, or lack thereof. Said Chuck, “We have noticed a significant drop-off in birds coming to our feeders—both the window feeder, which has black sunflower seeds, and the big feeder which has regular bird seed. We normally see house- and goldfinches, a cardinal pair, chickadees, … [Read more...]

  Sitting on the back patio last week, I saw four dragonflies buzzing across the lawn. Since then, I have noticed dragon flies seemingly everywhere. Maybe they’ve been there all along and I didn’t notice them, or maybe it’s just been a really good year for dragonflies. Whatever the reason, they are interesting creatures. I watched one dragonfly intently. He hovered like a tiny black … [Read more...]