Hello!

I just wanted to drop in and let anyone still out there that might be interested that I'm still here and doing fine.  I've just  really been busy at work and home.

Also - it's snowing here in NW Georgia, it's been snowing for almost twelve straight hours now...We are not accustomed to snow like this here, but don't worry - we have plenty bread and milk.

Stay safe and warm...ILYM

Today started the Great  Backyard Bird Count - his is my fifth year to participate.

Here's some details....

Mallard by Rene Wilbur, North Carolina, 2014 GBBC

Focus on Birds

The 2015 Great Backyard Bird Count photo contest is also underway and open for submissions. Take your camera along as you count and make sure you submit all of your best photos of birds (and birders!) to the 2015 GBBC photo contest. Each year judges from Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Bird Studies Canada pore through your photos and select the best in six different categories: Overall, Composition, Behavior, Group, Habitat, and People. Check out the amazing 2014 photo contest winners for inspiration before you head out to take some of your own!

GBBC 2015 Has Landed!

Data entry is open and we're waiting to take in your bird checklists from every corner of the world. Watch the dynamic map on the GBBC home page lighting up as the lists come in!

Not sure how to begin?

Download our "easy as 1-2-3" instructions which describe how those new to the GBBC can create their free account, how to go about counting birds, and how to enter tallies into the website.

If you've already participated in the GBBC in the past two years or already use eBird, you don't have to open a new account--just use the same login name and password you chose when you created your account.

Handy Resources

As you’re counting birds and submitting your checklists this weekend, we want to remind you of the wealth of birding resources that Audubon, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and Bird Studies Canada have to offer.

• Head over to the brand new Audubon.org to explore the new mobile-friendly online Guide to the Birds of North America, featuring illustrations from David Allen Sibley and exclusive content from Kenn Kaufman.
• Also be sure to check out the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds, which has photos and details on nearly 600 North American species, as well as thousands of amazing audio and video recordings from the Macaulay Library.
• If you’re participating from outside the U.S., head over to Avibase, a world bird database hosted by Bird Studies Canada, with information on nearly 10,000 bird species and 22,000 subspecies.
• Too busy birding to sit down at your computer? Then check out these great birding mobile apps to help make this GBBC the best one yet!

Have a Love-ly Valentines Day

ILYM