Got Suet?

Suet is a high energy formulation of animal fat

and other ingredients to attract insect eating birds.
It supplies a quick source of heat and energy for birds,
who's metabolisms are set on fast forward.
It traditionally has been used as a good substitute
for the insects that birds usually feed upon
but are not plentiful in cold weather.

These pictures remind me of the 'milk commercial'
where everyone displays a milk mustache...
hence the bird's display the 'suet' mustache.

Most suets are made of 3 main ingredients:
FAT + CORNMEAL + PEANUT BUTTER
Throw in a few nuts, seeds and dried fruits and
you have a delightful delicious treat for the birds.
Let's ask the birds what they think....

Mr. Red belly give me your thoughts on this suet.

Jalynn, You ARE the man!! Fresh suet.

I just can't wait to taste it

I'll just stick my beak right into that yummy stuff!

mmmmmm Now! That's what I call sweet

I'm so lucky to live in this neighborhood...

Hey! you other birds, come taste this for yourself!

It is simply.... Deeevine!

Thank you Red Belly, I think I will try some..

You're right Mr. Red Belly, this stuff sticks to your ribs...

and it sticks to your beak...

Maybe I can rub some off on the side of the tree....

Hey! Guys move on over it's my turn to try some..

I hate to show you how it's done....but dainty bites will
keep it off your beak...

See.. no mustache for me.

AAA Chooo! Oh excuse me I didn't mean to spit
on anyone....

To God be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done

Groundhog Day

I woke up this morning feeling pretty good....

The STEELERS
had won the Super Bowl...and I turned on the TV
to catch the latest news.

It was 7:30 and the broadcast was from Gobblers Knob. The world's
most famous groundhog was about to predict the weather .
Punxsutawney Phil emerged just after dawn in front
of an estimated 13,000 witnesses, many dressed in
black and gold to celebrate the
Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl victory the night before.
He saw his shadow which means 6 more weeks of winter.

The annual ritual takes place on Gobbler's Knob,
a tiny hill in Punxsutawney, a borough of about 6,100
residents some 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
13000 attended this morning events. The first trek
was made to the Knob in1887..
After the 1993 movie staring Bill Murray thousands
started to show up on this eventful day in February.
The prediction? No one really believes it, but it is a
reason to have a whole lot of fun.

Now, I've seen my share of groundhogs both in my yard and in my travels.

But.... right after I watched the broadcast from Gobblers Knob I looked
out the window and there was my very own 'punxy Bill'... I have never
seen a groundhog in the snow and this early in the season.
I grabbed the camera so I could document this sighting...

He looked like he just had awaken from his hibernation
and his eyes weren't even open yet.

I never believed the Groundhog actually sees his shadow but
by gum.... there it was. I marked it for you with the arrow.

Maybe there is something to this after all. Six more weeks
of winter for us here in Central PA.
He started to walk towards the tool shed...

and quickly disappeared underneath..........


To God be The Glory ~~ I saw a Groundhog on Groundhog Day!!

Wind Turbines and Pennsylvania Beauty

When I started out today I was just taking my dad some
homemade lasagna.. but it was early and I was in
the mood to take some pictures so I kept on driving.
He is half way up the mountain from a local Ski
resort and I would never have attempted to go there
in the winter with my old car.... but I got a new SUV with
4wheel drive so up up and away I went.

Along the way I took pictures ... This is an old familiar
farm where I look for deer in the spring and fall. None today.
But I enjoy the beauty of the snow covered hills.

The Wind Turbines have always fascinated me and
I wanted a close-up look. Controversial as they are
here in PA, we DO need energy alternatives.
Central Pennsylvania, with its many blustery
ridgetops, is seen as a prime location. Some of
the debate centers around these issues: 1) ridgetops
are home to unbroken forests and wildlife, 2)areas are
important bird and mammal areas,3) ridgetops are
the last forest habitat in central Pennsylvania
and 4)they bring damage to the aesthetics of the region.

The road is narrow and hilly but I fearlessly drive..

An abandoned house with most of the windows missing
makes an interesting shot out the passenger window

Closer the road is a enclosure with a picnic table inside..
I bet some family fun was shared here once upon a time.

The road is snow covered and gets steeper..
but I press on...the radio is playing an old song and
I am singing along... Marvin Gaye sings:

"Ain't no Mountain High Enough"

As I near the top the snow is much deeper....

The road is completely covered and the wind is blowing

I start down the other side and it's drifting and blowing
snow across the road... Hmmmmm was this a mistake?
Then in the distance I see the turbines and what a sight
I loved seeing it.

Up here it's colder and all the snow is sticking to
the tree trunks and limbs

It's like a winter wonderland

When I came upon the first huge majestic turbine
I was awed. They are some kind of BIG!!

The wind is turning them slowly and I can hear a
slight noise.

I am just amazed by these steel and metal structures

As I was reading about these particular turbines...I found
that there is a law suit pending by a local couple who
own a 100 acre farm within 1 mile of the wind farm.

Odd as it may sound, they did not sue for any of the reasons
I listed above, but because of the 'noise'..They describe
the sound from the equipment as a "whooshing" and "screeching.'

They say they have a significantly negative impact on their sleep, health,
quality of life and enjoyment of their property purchased in 1992.
While holding a bottle of water inside the home, the turbines'
vibrations can be felt through the hand. I will be interested
in the outcome of the suit.

Now I'm singing along with The Righteous Brothers;
"You've Lost that loving Feeling"

Enjoying more of that beautiful Pennsylvania landscape

As I round the bend, the snow is piled so high I can see
just the tops of two silos...

And a short distance later comes the barn and house.

These two would not lift their heads for me....I gave them
my best whinny and snort, but nothing...

To God be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done

The absence of fear.......

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the
judgment that something else is more important than fear.
Ambrose Redmoon


After leaving the Snowy Owl and heading home on Sunday,
Barb and I came upon a long line of cars we at first
thought was an accident. It was blowing snow and
visibility was poor. We slowed down and waited until we
could see what was up ahead. We were surprised to see
an Amish buggy with two horses trotting along as if the
cars and trucks didn't exist.

How dangerous this looked to us.

Their 'Sunday Meetings'
are apparently more important than a fear of traffic and
weather conditions.

We passed with care and went to the top of the hill and pulled
over.... put the windows down and waited for the photo-shoot.

It seemed a long time before we could see the horses coming
and posed ready with cameras in hand.

The 'Amish' which is a faith group of it's own
has attempted to preserve the rural culture
of the 17th Century. They try to avoid many features of modern
society and isolate themselves from American culture. And...
many of them do not drive cars depending on their sect.

Their horses are always impeccably groomed,
disciplined, and fearless. It's always a thrill to see
and observe them.

The last shot was my favorite. I can see the puff
of 'breath' from the horses open mouth as he passes.

A vision of Rural America

To God be the Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done