Ecologist's Notebook: Comments

Comment on "Signs of Spring 11: In between the snows"

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 19:29:43 -0500

I remember last year when we went to see these frogs, the day was so beautiful like last Saturday. I hope that your Signs of Spring 12 will to announce that spring is here to stay for a couple of months at least.

- MARIA ANGELES FRANCO-DE GOMEZ

Comment on "Signs of Spring 3: Groundhog Day"

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 13:18:36 -0500

While I am confused about so many things related with nature, I still love most of its creatures. I was used to seeing the robins returning to my front yard around March, but now I see them every morning. Is possible that they decided to stay here because they were confused about our “warm” winter?

- MARIA ANGELES FRANCO-DE GOMEZ

Comment on "Who's Writing This Stuff?"

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 13:17:18 -0500

- MARIA ANGELES FRANCO-DE GOMEZ

Comment on "Signs of Spring #1: An unexpected visitor"

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:17:40 -0500

Bill and Deborah, We were out this weekend wallowing in the mud. First to repair a broken water line in the barn and since we were muddy already, decided to tackle a few small projects that were not actually on our calendar until April!!! These projects kept us outside and yes, in the mud. Enough said about mud, what I am really getting to is the fact that there were so many honey bees out and about. They especially seemed attracted to the horses! I was glad to see so many honeybees, but maybe not on January 13th! Will this have any impact on the Spring? Last but not least, great information on the wood thrush! I hope he is there every Thursday so you can see him out the window!!!!

- TRACIE LYNN BROCKHOFF

Comment on "Hummingbirds"

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 10:36:48 -0500

Hi Bill and Deborah:

I read your hummingbird account and wanted to comment on the blog but don't have a Penn State user ID or password SOOOO,

When we were in the Rocky Mts. (Estees Park) we ate at the Baldpate Inn (1917 historic site). They have five hummingbird feeders hanging outside of the dining room windows. While we were eating dinner, I counted 11 hummingbirds at one feeder!!!!They said the record was 13. Quite a delightful sight.

Marilou (and John)

- WILLIAM HAMILTON

Comment on "Hummingbirds"

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 09:49:42 -0500

Thank you Bill for this interesting information, I didn’t know how to feed hummingbirds. I am so ignorant, and I gave them a little bit of orange juice. Thanks to you and Deborah, I am becoming a more educated “wild” person.

- MARIA ANGELES FRANCO-DE GOMEZ

Comment on "Who's Writing This Stuff?"

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:34:57 -0500

I love to read your writings. It is very peaceful to me. I even understand your love of snow. It makes me feel better to know there is a reason for everything. Can you come up with A GOOD REASON for MUD!!!!!

- TRACIE LYNN BROCKHOFF

Comment on "Signs of Spring (#1)"

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:02:28 -0500

I always enjoy these informative stories. They really add to the anticipation of the Spring season. I have noticed the pleasant aroma of the skunks recently. I was unaware it was due to the beginning of the mating season. I too will listen for the horned owl. Coyotes are strongly evident in this area. I have seen many in the past few year in my ventures in the woods.

- JASON BUSH

Comment on "Signs of Spring (#1)"

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:56:23 -0500

I'm surprised to read that coyotes are so close by, too, though the skunks also give me cause for pause. So far, we've been lucky that our dogs haven't had an encounter with one. Now that I know the males may be a bit "twitterpated" right now, and coyotes are in our midst, I'll have a talk with the dogs about staying out of trouble.

Thanks for the reminder to listen for the great horned owl and look to the tops of trees for signs of them at night. That would be quite a sight!

- JENNIFER KAY WOOD

Comment on "Signs of Spring (#1)"

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:42:04 -0500

I am glad that spring is coming, but I am worry about the coyotes. I didn't know that we have coyotes in Plum.

- MARIA ANGELES FRANCO-DE GOMEZ

Comment on "More Notes on the Sharp-shinned Hawk"

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:54:50 -0500

Hi Bill,

The Hammond family just read your post and watched the video. Now, the Hammond girls are chock full of questions. How do they catch and kill the birds that they eat?

Our local neighborhood hawk circles and screeches. Why do they exhibit this behavior?

Can you please post some more videos of the hawks? And finally, Addison wants to know "can we see a big hawk eating a blue jay or a cardinal?"

When I read the post, I substituted the word "playing" for "mating." Hopefully, we can hold off on those questions until another day. Meanwhile, thanks for the post and video; we're all hoping that spring is indeed just around the corner.

Best,

Hannah, Addison, Hallie, and Craig Hammond

- Craig Hammond

Comment on "Todd Sanctuary"

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:54:29 -0500

Hi Bill--

You bring Todd Sanctuary to the page so beautifully.
A real incentive to take a hike!
Sandy

- Sandra Finley

Comment on "Spring Cleaning, Hiking Plans, and an Old Friend"

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:46:33 -0500

Your spring cleaning was very fascinating. The oak really is very a pity....
But I think that is necessary to look at a life positively. =)

- sparkle clean

Comment on "Spring Cleaning, Hiking Plans, and an Old Friend"

Thu, 06 May 2010 15:30:41 -0500

sorry about the oak...guess we can think its time was up(or rather down) but there are more...thanx for the great summary.

- Lisa Meyerhuber

Comment on "Todd Sanctuary"

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:08:54 -0500

Bill,
Beautifully written essay. We are lucky to have Todd Sanctuary.
mls

- Mary Lou Schreffler

Comment on "Todd Sanctuary"

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:06:32 -0500

let me know when you go to pick the raspberries! YUM!

great description of the area Bill!

- Lisa Meyerhuber

Comment on "March 25 Up and Over"

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:20:44 -0500

we always look for mourning cloaks on our forays, but haven't succeeded in spotting one. it is good to be back walking the trail though! thanks for the great narrative Bill and great pix Deb.

- Lisa Meyerhuber

Comment on "March 25 Up and Over"

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:49:14 -0500

Can't believe you saw butterflies! Didn't think they arrived until May.

- mary & john mcnavage

Comment on "Signs of Spring, 2010 - Rock Furnace Trail"

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:25:26 -0500

My husband and I often walk the Rock Furnace Trail. A lot less people traffic than Roaring Run and the up-and-down is better for the exercise routine. It was absolutely gorgeous in the winter snow, but we are quite ready for the easier walking of the spring! I am a big fan of pileated (and downy) woodpeckers (who seem to love the numerous cherry trees on my property), but I was not aware that there were tanagers in this area. Thanks for giving me more to look for and appreciate when I'm on the trail!

- Melissa Gemballoa

Comment on "Signs of Spring, 2010 - Rock Furnace Trail"

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:33:44 -0500

I too love colt's foot! what a great name for this early spring bloom.
you have a neat way of describing the trail Bill and Deb thanx sooo much...

- Lisa Meyerhuber