Comments for The Naturalists Corner

Comment on Rekindling the spirit by don

don — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:10:29 +0000

Hi Lena – yeah it always does the heart good to see “new” birders – kinda puts you back in that spot for a moment!!

Comment on Rekindling the spirit by Lena Gallitano

Lena Gallitano — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:11:52 +0000

Nice story. It’s so refreshing to hear someone else has discovered our beautiful birds!

Comment on Convicted by a jury of my peers by don

don — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 08:06:21 +0000

Thanks Lena!

Comment on Convicted by a jury of my peers by Lena Gallitano

Lena Gallitano — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:49:15 +0000

Don’s addiction to nature serves all of us well by making us aware of our natural world. Congratulations Don on your well deserved award!

Comment on Cold-weather wimps by don

don — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:39:35 +0000

Hey Bob, unfortunately the photo isn’t outdated – it was from winter 09-10. It’s not my photo it was to show overwintering ruby-throats. I think for those of us who are regular hummer feeders and have been for years the red dye controversy is well known for novices and/or newbies not so much. When I stopped using red dye years ago the storyline was that it “may” be harmful and that it simply wasn’t needed to attract hummers. I would love to know of some peer-reviewed or otherwise substantiated research that definitely links red dye to hummer ills.

But I agree that it’s not needed in any way – so why take the risk! I looked back through archives & I haven’t written about red dye & hummers in years – so it will make a good column come this spring!

Thanks for reading & commenting!

Ciao – Don

Comment on Cold-weather wimps by Bob

Bob — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:54:01 +0000

Don, Just FYI, the photo of the hummer and feeder is outdated. Research has shown that commercially produced nectar mixes that have red food coloring in them damages hummingbird organs. People should make their own mix of regular granulated sugar and water (1 to 4 parts) without coloring.

Comment on Rankin Bottoms by Mary Rule

Mary Rule — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:14:23 +0000

Do you know the history of the tipple. Why it was built there?
Thanks, Mary

Comment on Every breath sings mountains by don

don — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:27:08 +0000

Don my brain and fingers don’t always coordinate so good – it should have been equinox!! – Hope you have a good one!
Ciao

Comment on Every breath sings mountains by Don Bolger

Don Bolger — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:37:24 +0000

I thought I was confused… You use the “Autumn Solstice” in your first sentence, and I still do not understand its usage. May see yall this weekend! Don

Comment on The migrants are coming the migrants are coming! by don

don — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:51:49 +0000

Ina – I don’t believe hawks take monarchs because of the toxins. I know of only a few birds that do. I believe cuckoos in N. America and an oriole (sp?) and a grosbeak (black-headed, I believe) in Mexico at wintering sites. The oriole & grosbeak can be particularly devastating to wintering populations. One theory is that the long arduous migration depletes the toxins built up in the monarchs.

I haven’t had the chance to be out much recently – went back over to the dark side – working nights in Ashevegas – I’ve seen a few, here & there, but no concentrations and nothing I would consider migration.

Ciao, Don