Moon cycles

Our moon is beautiful as it cycles through its changes from new moon hanging close to the western horizon, not really visible until it is a thin sliver the next night, waxing to half moon on day 7, and on to full moon on day 14, which rises in the east as the sun sets in the west, and then waning backwards through half moon to new moon again in another 14 days. Each 28 days it happens all over again. What a wonder!

This photo was taken on June 14 when the moon was 3 days past the half moon, and you can see bats emerging from the Chiroptorium.

Wednesday, June 18 will be our full moon for this 28 day cycle. It is Tuesday tonight, and an almost full moon lights the Hill Country around us here at the Selah ranch-house. Because we don't have development around us or any bright lights, it illuminates the land and hills around us.

My friend Kathy Wilson, who you might recognize as the artist Kathleen Marie who did the pyrographic artwork of five different birds on the blog post from Monday May 19th with the title "Birding Workshop held May 17 and 18" sent me a wonderful piece of artwork. She also sent a short story about her walk in the light of a full moon. It was the Vernal Equinox, which is the time that day and night that are the same length (March 20).

Luna Blanca

Vernal Equinox (March 20, 2008) by Kathy Marie Wilson

It is so incredibly beautiful tonight, peaceful and luminous. I awake and think it is morning so I get up and find it is 3:00 am. The moon is so bright – it bathes everything in light that looks somehow like soft mist. I walk outside and think what a perfect night it would be to ride horses, a moonlight ride. I decide to take a walk. There is no need for a flashlight and that makes me feel giddy, like I’m getting away with something or holding onto a secret that no one else knows.

Last night before I went to bed I looked up at the sky and saw the brightest shooting star I have ever seen. It seemed like an explosion, undiminished as it disappeared. The sky is full of gifts tonight.

The dogs are asleep but Athena comes with me. I hear a frog sing in the pond, coyotes howl to the north then all is still. I’m struck by how full stillness can be and feel the prescience of silence.

The limestone boulders in Redbud Canyon are shining, reflective as mirrors. I walk back to Hope Spring and my shadow falls behind me. I realize I am following the moon and it leads directly to the spring where I want to go. The night is so quiet I can hear the cats’ footsteps as she follows me. That seems so impossible that it makes me smile. I stand by the spring and in the silence I can feel the rhythm of the night, like the vibration of molecules. In the stillness I sense motion, the energy of life, invisible, tangible, peaceful chaos: the riot of quiet.

Nothing stirs but Athena and me. The air is cool, delicious. Suddenly, far off, a cricket sings a few bars and I hear a deer snort down by the creek. Underneath it all is a constant, silent melody so soft that I can hear a leaf fall. I feel it. In silence I am part of the song. I take off my robe and bathe in the moonlight, turn a full circle and breathe a prayer of gratitude. KMW

A wonderful way to understand the moon cycle is to watch for the sliver of new moon, and each day go out when it first gets dark and notice where the moon is in the sky. Keep a record of it until it is full.

Summer nights are really nice, and the moon is a nice companion. As a child I wondered if the moon was really walking with me, which it appeared to be. I was disapointed when I found out that it really wasn't. I guess that was around the same time I found out about Santa Claus.

I hope you have a dark place around your house or a nearby park where you can go outside and see the night sky.

Birding Workshop held May 17 and 18

Selah staff members Steven Fulton and Colleen Gardner put together a new workshop to teach some of the basics of birdwatching. Justin Duke, the newest addition to our staff was involved in many aspects of the workshop, and in his 4 1/2 months here he has learned a lot about birds, including identification.

Eleven participants gathered in the Center for a delicious dinner before an evening of educational talks, pictures. and a night hike. There are lots of bird characteristics which help a birder identify the group a bird belongs to. They include beak shape and size which helps us know what that bird eats. For instance a Heron spears fish with a long sharp bill, a Warbler grabs insects with a small pointed bill, a Cardinal eat seeds with a strong stout bill, a Hawk tears meat with a hooked bill, and a Hummingbirds sips nectar with a long tubular bill. Feet and legs tell us whether a bird wades in water, catches and kills prey with its talons, or grips tree limbs.

Steven shows examples of bird characteristics, key markings, feather structure and bird silhouettes.

Suzanne and her sister-in-law Shy tackle an activity about bird beaks and food preferences.

Outside they listen for birds and discuss the importance of learning bird songs and sounds as a way of identifying birds that are difficult to see.

The group took a short break from birds to watch a bat emergence of Mexican Free-tailed bats at the Chiroptorium.
Hand-Colored-Lino Cut, by Margie Crisp

Upon returning to the Center, the group heard a fascinating talk by Sallie, a birds of prey rehabilitator. She told us about raptors and owls and the many things she has learned about them in her years of taking care of injured or orphaned birds. 

During the hike on Friday evening, Steven used his amazing ability to mimic a Screech Owl, and in response an owl flew to a branch within 20 feet of the group. I guess that the owl whose territory we were in wanted to find out what owl has invaded his area!
Pyrographic art by Kathleen Marie

I want to show everyone reading this blog some of the wonderful birds we see around the ranch. Since I collect nature art I decided to show examples of artwork done by friends and family. A volunteer at the ranch and good friend Kathleen Marie let me include some of her beautiful pyrographic art. My daughter Margie Crisp agreed to let me use some of her hand colored prints. Frances Sharp, my youngest daughter did a very nice set of painted wooden birds, and her Golden-cheeked Warbler is in the blog too. I also included an illustration that I did for the book about Selah, "Water From Stone".

Eastern Bluebirds live near our house in nestboxes so we see them frequently.
Hand-Colored Lino Cut, by Margie Crisp.

Black-capped Vireos live in areas where there are shin oak thickets.
Hand-Colored-Lino Cut, by Margie Crisp

Great Blue Herons are seen in shallow areas of Miller Creek and along the edges of tanks.
Hand-Colored-Lino Cut, by Margie Crisp

Golden-cheeked Warblers nest where there are both Ashe Juniper and Spanish Oak. Woodwork & Painting, by Frances Sharp (website is about her goat ranch)

Painted Bunting(s) in Texas Madrone Tree, are seen here, and it is always a thrill to see such a beautifully colored bird. They look like escaped pet birds from the tropics.

Pyrographic art by Kathleen Marie

Carolina Wrens build nests in nestboxes and other places near the house so we see them often. They are small and their perky tail is so cute!
Pyrographic art by Kathleen Marie.

I keep a feeder full of thistle seed so a frequent visitor in my yard is the Lesser Goldfinch, which nests here in the spring and many of them stay here year round.
Pyrographic art by Kathleen Marie

Inca Doves can be heard here singing their mournful "no hope, no hope".
Pyrographic art by Kathleen Marie

The male Vermilion Flycatcher is an amazing orange-red, and in spring-time they do a fluttering dance in the air, which shows off their brilliant plumage in order to attract a mate .
Water colored pen and ink illustration by Margaret Bamberger, for "WATER FROM STONE".

The workshop group woke up before sunrise on Saturday morning in order to be out early to hear and see birds. The following list is most of the birds seen between 6:45 and noon. They are in the order they appeared on the list that I copied from one of the birders. Bold indicates that a picture of the bird is in this blog.

Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Lark Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Berwick's Wren, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Turkey and Black Vultures, Red-tailed Hawk, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Vermilion Flycatcher, Lesser Goldfinch, Purple Martin, Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Redwing Blackbird, Cowbird, Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck, White-eyed Vireo, Black and White Warbler, Golden-cheeked Warbler, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Mockingbird, Cardinal, Black-capped Vireo, Titmouse, Caracara, Pine Siskin. A Chuck Wills Widow and a Screech Owl were heard on the night hike.

I've seen Eastern Bluebirds going in and out of bluebird houses, so they are here. Inca Doves and Carolina Wrens are here also but were not on the list from Saturday.

A few comments made by individuals attending the workshop:

Elaine said, "I especially liked seeing the Golden-cheeked Warbler."

Suzanne said,  "Sallie's raptors were amazing. Steve called an owl and he showed up!"

Darwin said, "I loved it - I'll be back!!!"

Susan said, "This was great! A weekend away from work & the clock was a real gift."

Sallie, our rehabilitator had a pair of hummingbird nestlings in her care, and because they needed to be fed every 15 minutes, she brought them out with her.  She is not allowed to use them to show the public. However, she did ask for my help in feeding them, and agreed to let me take a picture to share on this blog.

Birdwatching is gaining in popularity for good reason. It is a wonderful hobby, and takes one out into nature. you can find birds in the cities in tree lined neighborhoods, in parks and in the country. Avid birders often take vacations in foreign countries with birding tour groups such as the Victor Emanuel Nature Tours. There is the National Audubon Society and Audubon Chapters (Travis Audubon) in many cities, towns, and counties, that have newsletters, and regular birdwatching outings. 

Check it out - it is lots of fun, and birders are really nice people to be around. They are generally enthusiastic, fun, and very good sports. I've been out in freezing wet weather with a group to see a special Mexican hawk that was reported in Texas. We covered ourselves with black garbage bags to keep dry, and not a soul complained about the weather or how long we had to wait for the bird to show up.