by Judy Appel | May 10, 2024 | Uncategorized
This baby hummingbird was rescued by Linda of Sun City, Arizona recently. Join Linda and my other Gillespie Creek.com followers in participating in Saturday’s World Wide bird count! Last year 58,000 people participated using their free eBird phone app or Merlin eBird lists made throughout Global Big Day. 3.2 million bird observations were gathered.
Click on the “Newsletter” line on this website for more delightful Nature Note photos, stories and connections with our changing planet.
by Judy Appel | Mar 4, 2024 | Uncategorized
The burros of Lake Pleasant entertained us with their loving family antics on a late February sunset visit. Warned of their unpredictable behavior we kept our distance.
From Sunset Point to Scorpion Bay my guests and I marveled as striking colors and shadows danced before us ending an extraordinary, peaceful evening.
by Judy Appel | Jan 12, 2024 | Uncategorized
“World Heritage Sites” were featured in the New York Times on-line this past week. It seems that the Romanian Beech Tree forests are now being threatened by climate change and over population.
Concerned citizens of Nucsoara, Romania have set on encouraging walks in the Beech Tree wood so that walkers will select a personal tree to sponsor. The tree will be identified by its navigational coordinates and labeled as sponsored. Finally that sponsor is encouraged to write a personal story about their relationship with that specific tree.
Click on the “Newsletter” bar on my webpage to read more about establishing a “Personal Heritage Site” to protect an honored location that inspires you.
by Judy Appel | Dec 24, 2023 | Uncategorized
December 14, 2023 high stormy seas leave the Isle of Palms beaches void of Sanderlings.
Click on the “Newsletter” line on my website’s 12-20-23 line to view more.
by Judy Appel | Dec 5, 2023 | Uncategorized
Wood Storks have fascinated me since my first visit to the Lowcountry of South Carolina. This feeding Wood Stork I call “The Bird With A Dirty Face” let my daughter and I watch and photograph from landing to foraging a few days ago. Wood Storks nest within a tree based colony but prefer to eat alone. Interestingly the ecological partner to the Wood Stork is the alligator! Alligators keep the water open around the colony’s nesting tree and guard the birds from human interference.
In turn of course the guarding alligator is occasionally treated to a young Wood Stork chick appetizer. Click on this Gillespie Creek Website’s “Newsletter” menu entry to read more details on this endangered avian treasure.
by Judy Appel | Aug 5, 2023 | Uncategorized
This week my two favorite species of butterflies have joined the ever-present iconic Monarch species to bring stunning decorations to the meadow landscapes.
Yes, the White Admiral and the Giant Swallowtail
Butterflies have always fascinated me. This poem perhaps will send you into the dreamy place that restores my soul.
One Day Butterfly
Aren’t we all one-day butterflies,
not aware of time.
Searching for partners or honey
until Death kisses us.
Then in his arms, tenderly rocked,
waiting for a new chance
to fly away again
and join the dance
of the one-day butterfly
Check out this week’s Gillespie Creek Journal using this website Menu for more butterfly photos by JA, poems and sayings to sooth your soul.
by Judy Appel | Jun 23, 2022 | Uncategorized
This National Geographic Photo dramatically shows what is going on in tall grass meadows where a pond, stream or marsh keeps the ecosystem moist and undisturbed. Fireflies “Lightning Bugs” are actually beetles on the hunt for love. Check out the “Newsletter” button on this website for more details, posted 6-23-22.
by Judy Appel | Jun 1, 2022 | Uncategorized
June is busting out all over in West-central Wisconsin. The Wild Plum trees are blooming as are wild flowers. Red-eyed Vireos are singing their famous song ” Here I am, where are you?” Click on the Newsletter button on my website to enjoy all of the excitement of spring at Gillespie Cree,.
by Judy Appel | May 14, 2022 | Uncategorized
“What we must do, I suppose is to hope the world keeps its balance.” This excerpt from Mary Oliver’s poem “The Owl Who Comes” provided an invitation to my followers. In turn several living across the U.S. responded with photos and stories about their favorite resident backyard bird species.
This stunning picture of a Western Tanager came from Retta from Washougal, Washington. Although named to belong to the Tanager family, recently it has become recognized to fit better within the Cardinal family.
The Western Tanager is the dried fruit clean-up specialist.
Click on the “Newsletter” menu button of my website to find photos and details on the Goldfinch, Robin, Blue-ray Gnatcatcher, Great White Heron and a Whip-tailed Lizard. All are important members of Nature’s precision “Balancing” brigade, East to West coast America.
December 2023 found the Isle of Palms New Moon tides threatening ocean side homes