My column in The Record and Herald-News a week ago was all about Frank Chapman of Englewood, founder of the Christmas Bird Count 113 years ago.
It turns out that the American Museum of Natural History has a new video about Chapman -- narrated by the AMNH's Steve Quinn of Ridgefield Park.
Excellent!
Stiles Thomas, one of the most amazing men on the planet (and Marsh Warden Emeritus of the Celery Farm), turns either or 80 or 90 years old today.
Happy birthday, Stiles!
The Wright-Finn Christmas tree has a trio of new owls roosting on it this year, thanks to daughter Corie.
We decorated it last night (one of the new owls is pictured above; ID help would be appreciated).
My column for The Record about our mostly bird-ornament tree is here.
Folks may scoff, but I think the avian ornaments make a lot more sense than most decorations I see in stores. After all, what does a Yankees or Jets insignia — or Mickey Mouse or a Dunkin Donuts logo — have to do with the winter holidays? A relative once gave me an ornament that was a miniature pool cue and eight ball. Now that says Christmas!
Seriously, does any ornament except for birds on a tree really make sense — or by extension, squirrels and chipmunks and an occasional raccoon?
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/recreation/135230333_Bird_ornaments_adorn_family_tree.html?page=all#sthash.RWcPCcvh.dpufFolks may scoff, but I think the avian ornaments make a lot more sense than most decorations I see in stores. After all, what does a Yankees or Jets insignia — or Mickey Mouse or a Dunkin Donuts logo — have to do with the winter holidays? A relative once gave me an ornament that was a miniature pool cue and eight ball. Now that says Christmas!
Seriously, does any ornament except for birds on a tree really make sense — or by extension, squirrels and chipmunks and an occasional raccoon?
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/recreation/135230333_Bird_ornaments_adorn_family_tree.html?page=all#sthash.RWcPCcvh.dpufOur cat Pook (on right) likes the bird tree a lot, but then she loves looking at birds of every feather.
Column on Pook the birder is here.
Mike Limatola, tireless marsh warden of the Celery Farm, received the Harold Feinberg Conservation Award from the Bergen County Audubon Society last week.
Mike was recognized for his long commitment to the environment and conservation.
As BCAS president Don Torino wrote earlier this year, "From leading nature walks and field trips all over New Jersey to standing up on environmental issues such as protecting the Bald Eagle nest in Ridgefield Park, supporting the fledgling Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve and protecting the nearby historic Fell House, Mikes lives a life of dedication, perseverance and devotion to an Earth and community that he loves and sacrifices for."
In the photo above, that's Don Torino on the left, Mike with his award in the middle, and the legendary Harold Feinberg on the right.
Congratulations, Mike!
Emma Hoyt, a friend of this blog, passed along these photos of a snow scene at her farm in Morris County, and wonders: "What happened that left these marks in the snow?"
What do you think?