BirdWalk Newsletter. Lisa Wingate, excerpt from Lesson from a River, When You Pass Through Waters, Waters Books Publishing, 2015.

Transcription

1 BirdWalk Newsletter Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Walks Conducted by Perry Nugent and Ray Swagerty Newsletter written by Jayne J. Matney Cover Photo by Jo Frkovich Value the Journey Don t rush. Don t focus far ahead. Look down. Look at where you are. Don t be afraid to walk aimlessly, to feel the water, to let the current slow your steps. The goal isn t to reach the end of the river as quickly as possible, but to know the river for what it is, to take in all that it has to offer. Understanding a river takes time. Devote the time that s needed. Lisa Wingate, excerpt from Lesson from a River, When You Pass Through Waters, Waters Books Publishing, Value is defined as regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something according to Oxford Dictionary. Driving onto the property of

2 Magnolia Plantation, anyone would marvel at the beauty and nature presented. The acreage here is more than valuable and worthy of careful, carefree examination. But, it is also important to note that everyone can value themselves by taking the time to experience what is provided here and what you can do for yourself simply by walking through the trails, past the river, and amongst the moss drenched trees. According to research by University of Exeter s Dr. Daniel Cox, the British Trust for Ornithology and the University of Queensland, your mental and emotional health receive great benefits from living near areas filled with nature (more specifically shrubs and trees in the study) and birds. If you take advantage of these natural environments and expose yourself to nature and birds, you are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress. The study included hundreds of people from all different incomes, ethnicities, and ages, along with comparing urban and leafy suburban neighborhoods. The number of birds seen, not the species or types, had a direct link in the health factors involved. According to more research done by Dr. Cox and Professor Kevin Gaston, watching birds relaxes people and helps them feel more connected to nature. Those, that take the valued time to do this already, know this to be true. However, sometimes life has a way of interfering with best intentions. Now is the time to take notice, and allow yourself- value yourself- while valuing the effects that natural environments can provide. Magnolia Plantation is a hub of those people that have found this place to do just that. This week is an illustration of some of the sights you would see here if you take the time, value the experience, and give yourself one of life s simple pleasures that you need.

3 Cloud s Reflection Great Egret Displays Both photos on this page By Jo Frkovich

4 Common Yellow-throated Warbler Photo by Guenter Weber Pansy with a Beautiful Purpose Photo by Paul Barnes Evening Nest Building Photo by Guenter Weber

5 An Owl Contemplates Photo by Guenter Weber Butterfly Bouquet Photo by Jo Frkovich Sunning with a Companion photo by Jo Frkovich

6 Osprey Photo left by Guenter Weber Alligator and Turtle Sunning Photo below by Jo Frkovich

7 Swamp and Canoe Photo by Jo Frkovich Turtle Yoga in the Sun Photo by Jo Frkovich Great Blue is on the Hunt Photo by Guenter Weber Bald Eagle Sighting Photo by Angie Bridges

8 Cormorant Top left photo by Anita Leonard White Ibis Pair Top right photo by John Nickerson Dragonfly on a Branch Bottom photo by Guenter Weber

9 Feathers of a Pond Photo by Paul Barnes On the Nest Photo by John Nickerson

10 Great Egret with Catch Photo by Guenter Weber Beauty of Black and White Photo by Angie

11 Beauty of White Photo by Paul Barnes Cardinal in the Brush Photo by Guenter Weber

12 Great Egret s Folly Photo by Guenter Weber Beauty in Orange Photo by JO Frkovich

13 Frog up to his eyeballs in duckweed Photo by Jo Frkovich Great Blue Heron Family Photo by Angie Bridges

14 Great Egret Mirrored Photo by Jo Frkovich Alligator Stack Photo by Jo Frkovich

15 Bird Count for Sunday : Wood Duck Gadwall Blue-winged Teal Pied-billed Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron White Ibis Glossy Ibis Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Blue Jay American Coot Laughing Gull Ring-billed Gull Mourning Dove American Crow Fish Crow Tree Swallow Carolina Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird Northern Parula Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Pine Warbler Common Yellowthroat Eastern Towhee Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Downy Woodpecker Common Moorhen Pileated Woodpecker Northern Flicker White-eyed Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse