Birding with Jerry Hall: ‘Funky Nests’ competition shows unusual bird homes

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This photo of an osprey nest atop a monument was a winner in the "Funky Nests" competition, hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

September 4, 2010

By Jerry Hall Daily Record Columnist The San Marcos Record Sat Sep 04, 2010, 11:03 AM CDT

— The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has announced winners in its annual “Funky Nests” competition. Some 200 photos were submitted, all showing bird nests constructed in unusual places.

Locations included hanging flower baskets, old boots, barbecue grills and street lamps. One of the winning entries showed an osprey nest built atop the 81-foot tall National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Google “funky nests” to see the winners.

One of my topsy-turvy tomato planters is home to a nest constructed by a Carolina wren. She built it to one side so water stays off the nest, and I have learned to tap on the planter before watering to give her a chance to fly out. Saves us both a heart attack.

My tomatoes have done very well this year, especially the yellow cherry variety, where she located. Maybe the nest helped.

Jane Little provided me information on a new birding festival – “Wings Over the Hills,” set for April 29 - May 1, 2011, in Fredericksburg. It promises “educational and entertainment activities focusing on the wildlife features of the Texas Hill Country.” There will be birding tours, a butterfly tour, a native bat tour, a dragonfly chase and assorted nature walks, lectures, demonstrations and children’s activities. For information, visit www.wingsoverthehills.org.

Coming up this year is the 17th annual Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, November 10-14, 2010, in Harlingen. This is one of the oldest and largest birding festivals and offers a chance to see such birds as whooping cranes, red-crowned parrots, groove-billed anis, mangrove warblers and buff-bellied hummingbirds. For information, visit www.rgvbirdfest.com or call (800) 531-7346.

I plan to visit the Galveston Featherfest set for April 7-10, 2011. There will be nature and bird tours at such hot spots as Bolivar Flats and High Island by bus, boat and kayak. I hope to visit the historic Grand Opera House while in Galveston and take in a performance seated in a fancy box seat with champagne – that’s been on my bucket list for a long time. I also hope to have meals at Stingaree and Luigi’s Italian, two of my favorite eateries. Love to have you along – visit www.galvestonfeatherfest.com or call 409 392-0841 for information.

Finally, on my recent trip to Brazil, I sampled the caipirinha, national cocktail of the country. It was a bit sweet for my taste, but several folks in our group really enjoyed it. So, as a service to my loyal readers, here is the recipe: Ingredients are two teaspoons of granulated sugar, eight lime wedges and two to three ounces of cachaca, also known as aquardiente – the most popular distilled spirit in Brazil, and produced using straight cane juice instead of molasses as in making rum. Most large liquor stores have cachaca, or you can substitute rum or vodka – but it won’t be the same.

Muddle the sugar into the lime wedges in an old-fashioned glass, using a pestle to get the juice out. Fill the glass to the top with crushed ice. Pour the cachaca into the glass and stir well. You can also combine the lime, sugar and cachaca with crushed ice and mix together in a shaker for about two minutes. Add lime slice on glass for a classy touch.

According to one review, “This drink is better than Viagra and not for the faint of heart.”

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