Walking along the boardwalk, you could hear the lively chirping of birds as they fluttered among the branches high up in the tops of the bald cypress trees.
One of the most visible was the Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler which weaved in and out of the branches, flashing its bright yellow rump and sides as it searched for insects.
An energetic female Red-winged Blackbird clung to branches and did acrobatics as she used her beak to pick treats from among the greenery.
The most flashy of the birds was the Prothonotary Warbler with its bright yellow feathers. Migrating here in early spring, it spends the breeding season nesting and hunting for its favorite diet of insects and snails.
What a delight to be able to hear and observe these busy little birds.
“Spring would not be spring without bird songs.” ~Francis M. Chapman
Reelfoot Lake and the land along the Mississippi levee are favorite places to go for bird-watching. While some birds live there year-round, others migrate in and out at various times of the year, so you never know what you’re going to see. Here are some which were spotted between January and April.
Bald EagleYellowlegsCootLoggerhead ShrikeGreat Blue HeronGreat EgretGreater White-fronted GeeseA sleeping Barred OwlOspreyPied-Billed GrebeRing-billed GullTurkey VulturesSnow geese overheadStarlingGeese in a field
“Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise.” ~Alice Walker
We often park across the road from this American Sycamore tree when visiting the lake. Over the years, I have gazed up at this grand tree and admired its beauty and stately manner. This made me want to learn more about the Sycamore.
Sycamore in the autumnSycamore in the springSycamore in the summerSycamore in the winter
The American Sycamore has many unique characteristics which set it apart from other trees. It is one of the tallest and most identifiable trees in our area. The thin bark of the Sycamore tree is grayish-brown. As this fast-growing tree expands, the bark sheds, exposing a patchy camouflage-colored layer beneath. The highest branches, with their wide canopy, are smooth and white and stand out strikingly against the blue sky.
Peeling barkPeeling barkCamouflage appearance
The leaves of the Sycamore are serrated and flat and are made up of three to five lobes. They can grow to an impressive 4-10 inches in width.
Autumn Sycamore leafSycamore leaf in late autumnA carpet of leaves along the trail
The Sycamore is also known as the “buttonball” or “buttonwood” tree. It produces fruit which are about one inch in diameter, each of which hang from a single thin stem. When the balls ripen, they fall from the tree and break open, exposing seeds which are packed inside, along with a button-like woody core to which they are attached.
Some Sycamore trees live for hundreds of years due to the strength and durability of their trunk, which enables them to withstand harsh weather conditions. They are extremely adaptable to their environment. Their trunk, which can become hollow with age, has been known to provide shelter for wildlife and people alike.
Soak up the sun Affirm life’s magic Be graceful in the wind Stand tall after a storm Feel refreshed after it rains Grow strong without notice Be prepared for each season Provide shelter to strangers Hang tough through a cold spell Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky Be still long enough to hear your own leaves rustling. ~Karen I. Shragg, Think Like a Tree
Source | Warren Jacobs and Karen I. Shragg (editors), Tree Stories: a Collection of Extraordinary Encounters (Sunshine Press, 2002)
The grackles are a boisterous and bossy bunch at the feeders, and yet their behavior is suddenly forgiven when the light hits their glossy-black feathers, and beautiful iridescent colors magically appear.
When not feeding, they often sit in groups in the treetops, bellowing a loud and rather unmelodious song.
“The grackles are here and that is quite clear. The morning is ringing, – not with their singing, But with their talking, they’re piping and squawking . . .” ~Clarence Hawkes
walking on a country road 