Before I go any futher, do ya know iof there are there any Snow Trillium blooming in your area? I know of some places toward southern Ohio, and I'm tryin' to track down the nearest location to Columbus... As for gettin' around, yeah, it's a consequence of midlife crisis: my wife and I are gypsy innkeepers, travelin' around the country innkeeping. We are in between gigs in columbus, stayin' with my wife's mother... My travels have allowed me to see so much; I had no idea there was so much incredible botany going on out there. Just the past Feb, on the way here through the deserts of AZ, two lupine species, encelia species (they have sinflower-like flowers), a mallow species, and some owl's clover were abundant along the interstate. Last summer I got to see mountain meadows in Washington and Oregon ... I've seen stuff all over the southern half of California ... the Gulf coast of MS ... I had no idea all this was out there. THis is one of the reasons I started the list, to share and to encourage others to share... So anyway ... wildflowers across the country ... I think it's a great idea for a list, from the early spring stuff in this area to Texas and the SW and CA where there is an embarrasment of colorful riches in bloom... When we lived in Ohio, myt wife and I had a pretty enthralling garden with native species as well as herbs and veggies and cutflowers and fruit ... a real labor of love. And have ya been up to Lake Erie in May to see the Lakeside Daisy? It's an endangered species, which blooms in May, and that is the only time the nature preserve is open to the public... And nice photos at your website. You clearly love nature... Hope to see ya at me wildflower list... Gregg

I've submitted three counts so far - one of my yard for Friday, Feb. 12, one for the local marsh on Saturday, Feb. 13, and one more of my yard for Saturday, Feb. 13. These reports are as submitted (emailed back from GBBC) First Report Locality: 02360, Plymouth, Plymouth County, MA Observation Date: FEB 12, 2010 Start Time: 6:45 AM Total Birding Time: 1 hour Party Size: 1 Skill: good Weather: excellent Snow Depth: Less than 2 in (5.1 cm) Habitat(s): deciduous woods coniferous woods scrub rural freshwater salt water Number of Species: 17 All Reported: yes Checklist: Wild Turkey - 15 Mourning Dove - 23 Downy Woodpecker - 1 Blue Jay - 5 American Crow - 4 Black-capped Chickadee - 1 Tufted Titmouse - 1 European Starling - 3 Song Sparrow - 2 White-throated Sparrow - 4 Dark-eyed Junco - 6 Northern Cardinal - 9 Red-winged Blackbird - 13 Purple Finch - 1 House Finch - 3 American Goldfinch - 15 House Sparrow - 20 Second Report Locality: 02360, Plymouth, Plymouth County, MA Observation Date: FEB 13, 2010 Start Time: 2:30 AM Total Birding Time: 15 minutes Party Size: 1 Skill: good Weather: excellent Snow Depth: Less than 2 in (5.1 cm) Habitat(s): deciduous woods coniferous woods scrub rural salt water Number of Species: 5 All Reported: no Checklist: Canada Goose - 125 American Black Duck - 3 Mallard - 2 Green-winged Teal - 3 Hooded Merganser - 1 Comments ---------------------------------------- Drive by sightings at Shifting Lots Preserve (adjacent to Ellisville Harbor State Park) ------------------------------------------------- Third Report Locality: 02360, Plymouth, Plymouth County, MA Observation Date: FEB 13, 2010 Start Time: 7:15 AM Total Birding Time: 1 hour Party Size: 1 Skill: good Weather: excellent Snow Depth: Less than 2 in (5.1 cm) Habitat(s): deciduous woods coniferous woods scrub rural freshwater salt water Number of Species: 17 All Reported: no Checklist: Wild Turkey - 13 Mourning Dove - 17 Downy Woodpecker - 1 Blue Jay - 13 American Crow - 3 Black-capped Chickadee - 3 Tufted Titmouse - 1 Hermit Thrush - 1 European Starling - 5 American Tree Sparrow - 1 Song Sparrow - 3 White-throated Sparrow - 6 Dark-eyed Junco - 12 Northern Cardinal - 7 Red-winged Blackbird - 5 American Goldfinch - 16 House Sparrow - 25 ***************************************************************************** I have another neighborhood count almost ready to submit for today, but I've emailed a few photos to a local guru for identification. There are some birds I've never seen before and I'm not sure if I've identified them correctly. Claire

Thank you so much for your help. I always get help right here at the KT! You are all right about the Painted Bunting. He was back today and brought a friend. I tried to get pictures but when I move toward the window, they fly away. I haven't found the other two yet but I am sure I will. We went for a ride today after Church and went on our Nature Trail, we saw a lot of ducks, herons,cranes, and a pink flamingo. Also, we saw a really large alligator.Jim said that he must have been at least 11 feet long. We saw another smaller one. The only thing about that trail, is I have never seen a squirrel or rabbit out there.

Did you ask your DR? They might have some recomendations. Or contact the company of your pair you have.