Smith Family Weblog

Olivia, the self-proclaimed “best bird knower in the family,” is relishing the return of the Dark Eyed Juncos this fall. Bryan recently spotted a Red Breasted Nuthatch and a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (a name that sounds more like an insult, if you ask me), but I think I have the best spot of the season in this rather handsome Barred Owl.

Last night, Bryan had a dream that he saw an American Redstart here, but that hardly counts.

What’s flitting about your yard lately?

After a few days away, Bryan returns home tonight. We are very much looking forward to having him back in this great state on the plains.

This year, the peonies are in bloom almost a full month early.

This weekend, we mulched, mowed and planted both pansies and primrose. In March.

I take full responsibility for the ice storm that is sure to follow.

Over the past few nights, the moon, Jupiter and Venus have aligned in the same “binocular field.” It’s a rather amazing site, visible as soon as darkness falls. Last night, Bryan set up the telescope, and we found we could see all four of Jupiter’s main moons.

The view of our moon was pretty spectacular, too. Here’s an image Bryan captured through the scope with his iPhone camera.

Over Christmas break, our local paper reported unusual Snowy Owls sighting in the area as they move south in search of food. Our friend Dawn emailed last week to say she’d twice seen a Snowy Owl below the dam south of town.

We headed that direction this morning on what we thought would be a long shot. But, as we turned to drive below the dam, we found a group of people watching a Snowy Owl as it perched on a speed limit sign.We never imagined we’d be so lucky!

Despite the cars and spectators all around, the owl stayed put for quite a long time.

You can see the owl below—he’s just left of the roof rack on blue SUV.

As we headed down this road, we ended up a bit closer.

I golfed nine holes with my friend Tami tonight. We played an executive course in the center of town, and while the game was good, the most interesting part proved to be the wildlife.

We slowed the rate of play considerably by spending a good five minutes watching a Barred Owl, then we did a double-take on the ninth tee: A bobcat made it’s way across the fairway in front of us.

It’s the first time I’ve seen anything like this in the wild, and it was incredible. And right in the middle of the city, no less!

I’m always on the look out for one of the reported mountain lions that live in the area. Maybe that will come next!

Do you have sightings to share?