Checking the Bluebird Boxes in HSV

To encourage the bluebird population in HSV, the HSV Audubon Society has placed bluebird boxes around the Village - especially on the golf courses. During the spring and summer, the HSV Audubon Society monitors the boxes for bluebird activity. We (Rosie and Bob) are back-up monitors for the first nine holes on the Diamante golf course. Since Ted and Linda (regular monitors) were out of town this week, we got a chance to get a first hand look. We also took some pictures along the way.

We found several nests with bluebird eggs. The eggs are small and blue. This nest contained 5 bluebird eggs.

We also found 2 nests with bluebirds incubating the eggs - i.e. keeping them warm. Interestingly, even though we banged on the box and opened the box to check it, the birds didn't move from the nest. They know what their priorities are!

We hope this is a great year for baby bluebirds. Looks like we're off to a good start. The bluebird box in our backyard has a nest, but no eggs as of late last week. We'll keep you posted!

Mountainside UMC Visit to Rice Depot, Little Rock, AR

On Thursday, 02-APR-09, 14 volunteers from Mountainside Church drove to Little Rock, AR, and worked at the Rice Depot from about 9 AM to 12 PM. Our work for the day consisted of repackaging emergency food kits to make them more "kid friendly." Here are some candid working shots:

This time we got Rosie in the shot.

Tom and Bob are having a good time. Just goes to show you that policemen and firemen can get along - even retired ones!

Rosie's sister, Julie, was visiting and got put to work. Julie is on the left working with Gail. Julie will probably think twice before visiting us again.Here's a photo of the entire gang:

This was the largest group we've had go to Rice Depot. Thanks for the great turnout. See you next month (first Thursday).

A "Walk on the WILD SIDE"

This week Rosie, Bob and Sam went for a walk on the HSV Cedar Creek Trail to view the wild flowers (and birds). We've found that wild flowers are much easier to view than birds - you can get a lot closer without them moving. Here are some of the flowers we saw on the trail.

Since we've had plenty of rain recently, the streams had abundant water flow. The dogwood and redbud trees were pretty and showed up against the brown and green background.We also saw a cardinal on the trail (actually on a part called the cardinal trail). He really stood out in the brown tree. We actually heard a lot more birds than we saw. However, we still don't know the individual songs and calls. Thank goodness flowers don't make noise!

Maybe by next week we'll know the names of some of the flowers since we're to have a botanist talk at the Audubon meeting and then take us on a wildflower walk.