Friday, January 18, 2013

Grow Your Blog Party

Welcome Grow Your Blog Party goers!  


My name is Sherrie, and they call me the Bird Lady.  Bird Lady Blog is about my birding adventures here in eastern Washington (US).  I have blended my favorite hobbies together, bird-watching, photography, and computers.  I love sharing my love of bird watching, wildlife and nature with you!

I was excited when I stumbled upon the Grow Your Blog idea while reading a fellow bird bloggers post, but disappointed that the deadline had already passed a couple of days before.  By chance, I asked to still be included and Vicki, over at 2 Bags Full, was kind enough to let me join in on the fun.  I am looking forward to meeting other bloggers and readers and expand my reading list of interesting blogs.

Recently, Bird Lady Blog has had a bit of a makeover, with several new features added and a new scrolling banner at the top and bottom, as well as a new Photo Gallery page.  It's a great way to check out some of the older posts. Another neat way to explore Bird Lady Blog is Blogger's new Snapshot View or Magazine View.  There are several other views available that you can choose. There is no sidebar available when in these special views, so to get back to the normal view, just click on "Bird Lady Blog" at the top of the page.   I noticed that these 'views' don't work on my iPhone's mobile browser.

If you are on Pinterest, there is now a "Pin It" button on the sidebar at the right, that pins a link to Bird Lady Blog on your Pinterest.  I'm planning on adding a button to future posts so that you can easily pin a post you are interested in also.  Bird Lady Blog is also on Facebook.  So be sure to stop by and 'like' the new page.  There you will find links to all the posts here on the blog.  

I have been gearing up for a Big Year birding project for 2013.  My goal this year is to see as many bird species as possible, and to visit as many of the Great Washington State Birding Trails as I can. I've been tracking my bird sightings daily with my iPhone app BirdLog, which submits my sightings to eBird.  My sightings show up here on the blog in the sidebar to the right under the BirdTrax gadget.
Red-breasted Nuthatch, a daily visitor at my suet feeders

I hope that you enjoy reading about my birding adventures, and hope that you will continue to follow as I blog about my 2013 Big Year.  I'm always interested in meeting other bird minded folks, or those that just enjoy nature, photography and blogging.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Sherrie {Bird Lady}
Great Blue Heron

76 comments:

  1. Very nicely done Sherrie, and nice photos.

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    1. Thank you Terry. For some reason, your comment went to the spam folder and I didn't see it. Thanks for stopping by Bird Lady Blog. I enjoyed participating in the Grow Your Blog party, thanks to you!

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  2. i'm a new follower of your blog. glad to be finding all the great blog - i so love birds. check back with you again real soon. have a great weekend. sure hope you will pop over to see my blog too. take care. ( :

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    1. Love your fun blog E. Lizard Breath! The name is darn cute too! Look forward to getting more into your blog, there is alot to see! Thank you for becoming a follower on Bird Lady Blog.

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  3. I am glad you joined....love to find birdie blogs! I have a giveaway so pop by to see me!

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    1. I love that you have bird swaps! You are so creative. Thanks for stopping by Bird Lady Blog.

      http://birdladyblog.blogspot.com/

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  4. Love to see your birds here. We are feeding them in our tiny courtyard and they are coming in great numbers to feed. I don't recognise them all, but it's lovely to see them!

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    1. Merci Beaucoup for coming to Bird Lady Blog from France!

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  5. Nice pictures of God's creatures!

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    1. Thank you Robyn. Having a great time seeing everyone's blog!

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  6. Hi I found your thru the blog hop. I love bird watching too-I am retired and living in the woods in Missouri-so we enjoy many birds and wildlife in our "backyard" nice to m eet you Kathy

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    1. Thank you for checking out Bird Lady Blog. I absolutely love your bird pillow giveaway!

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  7. Hi it is nice to meet you. I am living in Florence OR but lived 20 years in North Idaho.
    Love you blog
    Nicole/Beadwright

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    1. Thank you so much Nicole. Idaho is not too far from the Spokane/Loon Lake area.

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  8. Hi Sherrie

    I've just enjoyed looking around your blog and am envious that you have loads of bird trails to go on! There aren't that many good birding places round where I live. I am glad you are talking about the photography side as well because I am learning too, and bird photography is so hard!!! :-)

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    1. I just recently discovered the bird trails. So far I have not seen many birds on the ones I have visited, but did get lucky a year or two ago to see Great Horned Owls nesting at a wildlife refuge that is known for it's birding and is on the trail list.

      Love your French blog. I've always been interested in all things French, even gave my son a French name... Beau. LOL.

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  9. Vicki's the best! Glad you're in on the Party - I could sit and watch birds all day long - beautiful photos here. Happy Saturday - hope it's filled with lots of your feathered friends. Tanya

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    1. Thank you for checking out Bird Lady Blog. I do sit and watch the birds all day long on most days! Especially with it being too cold to go anywhere, watching the yard birds is entertaining to say the least.

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  10. Hey Sherrie! You have such a unique blog, I've never followed one like this before. I look forward to reading more!

    -Jade @ www.muffinteahouse.com

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    1. Thank you Jade. You are very talented. I enjoyed reading about your wedding preparations.

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  11. I dropped in from the party. I really like your blog. I wish I was more technically adept.
    I had never heard of birding trails. I"m going to see if there are any in British Columbia.

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    1. Hey Susan, I found out that the Selkirk Loop contains about 40 birding trails in Southeast BC, northeast Washington and Northern Idaho. Many of the sites on the map are also on my Washington State Birding Trail Map and the one I have bookmarked in Idaho. I'm not too far from the stateline. Hopefully, you can visit some of the Canadian ones! Keep me posted. I'm waiting on better weather to start trekking around the trails. Wish it would hurry up and get here!

      http://www.selkirkloop.org/index.php/travel/activities/wildlife/birding.html

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  12. I love bird watching and am very happy you joined the party and I look forward to your bird pictures and stories.

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    1. Well thank you Angie. I stopped by your blog and loved the birdies on your page.

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  13. My hubby and I have a great time watching the birds at our feeders. We know the regulars now, and get excited when we see a bird we don't recognize. Been on bird trails, but almost never see a bird! lol!
    Glad to meet you!
    hugs,
    Terri
    artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Terri. You know I haven't seen that many birds on the trails I've visited either. But I'm hoping for better luck. At least they are a destination, and hopefully we will find birds along the way! My yard birds are some of my best birds, and I'm lucky to have so many living here at the lake and in the woods.

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  14. Hi Sherrie...great blog! I'm your 'neighbor' to the north...love birds of all types!

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    1. Hello Wilma. Another reader from BC I was just finding some birding trails for in BC, called the Selkirk Loop, and they also include northeast Washington and Northern Idaho and many are the same ones I will be visiting this year.

      I posted the link on a post farther up if you want to take a peak.

      Thank you for stopping by Bird Lady Blog.

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  15. Hi. My grandmother was a huge bird lover and it sort of rubbed off on me. My favorite bird is the nuthatch but unfortunately, where I live in Texas is a bit bird challenged (although I do occasionally see a Roadrunner which is something that I wouldn't have seen in WI).

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    1. I love the nuthatches too, especially the lil red-breasted ones. They visit my feeders daily. I always wanted to see a roadrunner!

      Thanks for checking out Bird Lady Blog Joy!

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  16. Oh, how I love the Chickadees. Miss them here in Michigan! Where I lived in Wisconsin, we had lots of them!

    I hope you'll stop by my Blog http://thecomfortofasafeplace.blogspot.com/ for a visit.

    I'm also your newest Follower.

    Jan ♥

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    1. The chichadees are another fav of mine too. I have been enjoying them visiting my balcony so close. They seem so friendly.

      Thank you for following Bird Lady Blog Jan.

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  17. I have visited several bird lover blogs. I think I have a new interest.
    Will be back soon. This blog party is fun!

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    1. Birding is fun! It can be addicting. I'm just now finishing with my comments from the party so far, and then off to party on some blogs myself!

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  18. Oh my! Your bird photos are amazing and beautiful! So glad I found your blog thru the hop!

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    1. Thank you so much Sharon. I'm still learning and trying to improve my photography. The birds are great subjects to practice on!

      Your jewelry is lovely on your blog.

      Thankful you for coming by Bird Lady Blog.

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  19. I adore birds! I'm having one nuthatch at my feeder also and always wondering why there is only one...

    You have a lovely blog. I'm a new follower and participant of 'Grow your Blog'. Have fun at the party!

    Evalina, This and that...

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    1. Hi Evalina! Welcome to Bird Lady Blog.

      I have 1 white-breasted nuthatch that I call Mr. White, he is always the only white one. The red's however, I have seen up to 4 at one time at the feeders. So cute when they bring the whole family when they have young-ins. They all hang together in a feeding flock with a downy woodpecker and a couple of chickadees.

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  20. I too enjoy birds and am facinated them since childhood. I am a new blog followe. I am glad I found your blog and wish I had found the grow your blog sooner so i could sign up. My yard has a couple of intresting birds I posted a few days ago. A roadrunner and some Gambels quail to start.
    dawn

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    1. Thanks for becoming a follower on Bird Lady Blog Dawn. I stopped by your blog and saw what lovely basket weaving you do. Loved the Road Runner picture too.

      - Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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  21. Hey Sherrie,

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love birds as well but know zip about them. We have Mockinbirds down here and all I know about them is they are mean....lol...Glad to see you are into photography as well. I'll be checking your blog often.

    If you want some inspiration and tips on using your camera go here http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/ This is where the madness started for me. I saw Ree's pics and thought "I can do that".

    Good Luck,
    Lori

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    1. Hey Lori. I love some of pioneer woman's recipes and may have checked out her photography insights before I think. But I will revisit, because it is a great site!

      Thanks for stopping by Bird Lady Blog.

      ~ Sherrie

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  22. Your blog is the second birdie blog I've come across. I love bird watching, too, but we don't get as many varieties here. Still, I take pictures of whatever I can. :) Have a great day! Tammy

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    1. Thanks for coming by Bird Lady Blog Tammy. I would love to see what birds you do have in Kuwait. The pictures of the buildings on your blog are so cool looking.

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  23. Beautiful photography. Lovely. I came here from Vicki's party, still going strong. Do stop by my blog too and enter the giveaway. See you there.

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    1. Thank you Socrates! Hope you enjoyed your visit on Bird Lady Blog.

      Your lace books are incredible. Lovely pieces of work.

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  24. Hi Sherrie! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love birds too and we do see quite a few at our home. With the woods behind us we also have owls and hawks as well as the traditional cardinal that is our state bird. Have a great week and enjoy this party!

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    1. Oh I love owls! Recently saw my first Snowy Owl, what a treat! Always wanted to see a cardinal, we don't have them on this side of the country.

      Thank you for coming by Bird Lady Blog.

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  25. Hi Sherrie, stopping over from the Blog Party, what a lovely place you've created. I am a complete photography addict but have never managed to get really good bird pics apart from gulls, swans and owls when they're sitting on someone's wrist!

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    1. Thank you Barbara! I swung over to your blog, and you have beautiful photography. I'm your 109th follower!

      - Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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  26. Beautiful pics of the birds unique blog
    follow me :) www.mscreations27.blogspot.com
    love
    maria

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    1. Thank you for becoming a Bird Lady Blog follower Maria! What fun this Grow Your Blog party is!

      - Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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  27. Best wishes to you this year as you begin the 2013 Big Year. I will enjoy following you. Thanks for following me.
    Sharon

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    1. Hi Sharon. Thanks for stopping by Bird Lady Blog. I can't wait to get out and do some walking again and go birding out on the trails!

      - Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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  28. Hi Sherrie, I just popped over from Grow Your Blog party and fell in love with all the beautiful bird photos. I love birds but don't have out bird feeders currently because of our resident black bear - we live in the highlands of the Mondanock region of New Hampshire. I've been working on ideas to get bird feeders out and close enough to view the birds yet far enough from the house for those bear visits... Anyway, I am your newest follower and look forward to future visits.
    Hugs,
    Beth P

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    1. Thank you so much Beth. Your place is fabulous in New Hampshire. You can enjoy my yard birds until you figure out how to not attract that bear to your feeders! LOL!

      - Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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  29. Hey Sherrie, :D I should have expected the Bird Lady to catch that! :D I have an attached porch on the side of my house that basically is 4 sets of double sliding glass doors - not my desgign. When we first moved in I was horrified at how many poor birds were crashing into the glass doors. So I found a hawk image and made 3 for each unscreened side of the 4 sets of doors and glued them to the glass hoping to deter them from hitting the glass. I can't tell you how many birds I went flying through my house to rescue when I would hear them hit the glass... it got to be a sound my ears became finely tuned to! Sadly there were several that died right away! I did save quite a few too! That is another reason I stopped feeding them so they wouldn't have to negotiate the porch glass! I refuse to wash the glass windows so they are dirty... better my view is a little hindered by some dirt than another poor bird dies unnecessarily!
    Hugs,
    Beth P

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    1. Oh bless your heart for trying to save the poor birdies. Thanks for explaining it, I just wasn't sure what it was I was seeing! LOL!

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  30. Hi Sherrie. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Your birds are so lovely. The little Nuthatch is so cute.
    ~Elizabeth

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth. I enjoyed your artwork, especially the ones of birds!

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  31. Sherrie, I just read this post and saw you are doing a big year in your state. It sure sounds like fun. Did you see the movie called the "Big Year" I loved it! Washington State has some great birds, I have been there a few times visiting my SIL in Bainbridge Island. I found a few places in Leavenworth after looking at the birding trail, was great for seeing birds. Good Luck on your birding year, happy birding. I will be following your adventures.

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    1. Hi Eileen. I have been wanting to see the movie The Big Year, but haven't been able to find it in stores. Guess I'm gonna have to order it online.

      We used to live just over the bridge from Bainbridge Island! In Poulsbo (actually closer to Suquamish). Great area! And we just visited Leavenworth at the end of October. I love that place. I wanted to do more birding around there, but it was a rainy weekend so didn't get to go on all the trails around there. Would love to go during the Birding Festival weekend!

      I just got done looking at all the blogs you follow... WOW! You follow lots of birding blogs that I will be investigating! Fun, fun, fun!

      ~ Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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  32. Hi Sherrie,
    I'm visiting from the GYB party and have had such a lovely time here.
    I adore birds and photography so you have both covered. Your photos are stunning.
    I need to spend more time visiting and checking back through your posts...I know I'm going to have a great time.
    I'm your newest follower but I don't think I'll be your last. ;D
    Have fun blog hopping and hopefully you'll land on my patch...I'd love to see you over there, plus I've a 'giveaway' too.
    Neesie ♥

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    1. Welcome to Bird Lady Blog Neesie. So glad you decided to follow along. I enjoyed checking out your blog as well. Look forward to getting to know you better.

      ~Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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  33. Hi, Sherrie...I am visiting via the Blog Party...love your blog. We also really enjoy the birds that come to visit us! Come see me sometime!

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    1. Thanks for visiting Jay. Your beadwork and quilting are very nice. I like your style. I'm very interested in the birds that are in Australia!

      ~ Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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    1. Hi Betty. Stopped by and saw your lovely silk paintings on your blog.

      I love living in the woods too. Such a great place to be at one with nature.

      ~ Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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  35. Hi Sherrie - thanks for visiting Comptonia earlier! Please let me know how to reach you so I can include you in the drawing :)
    Good gracious, you have some amazing photographs! I love the little nuthatch, staring down your camera ;)
    I'm no wildlife photographer, but one of the things I'm thinking about doing on my blog is writing individual posts about the plants and birds I see here at home. I think I'll start with plants, because they hold still longer for photos!

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    1. Thank you Quinn! I love that little nuthatch too! My daily visitor to my feeders. I would love to see some posts about your yard birds on your blog!

      You can always reach me via Bird Lady Blog, but I'll stop by and leave my email addy for ya!

      ~ Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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  36. Hi Sherrie! Wow, I LOVE birds, and used to love feeding them every evening, before having to move to a new home (apartment house I was living in was sold, and I had to move)... Now I live more in the city, and have no more of my fine little feathered friends visiting me like they used to. I MISS THAT SO MUCH!... Anyways, now I'm wondering if YOU do any scrapbooking to keep a story going, with all your photos, about all the bird sitings you encounter??? I think you SHOULD! (0; Nice meeting you via Grow Your Blog! ~tina (aka, "beansie")

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    1. I swear I have replied to this twice already, but don't know where they went??? Bizarre.

      I do have a few pages of my bird photos scrapbooked in an album. But I haven't journaled in them. I have tons of nature themed supplies to do more, and my photos have improved somewhat since way back then when I did these. I have some pics of them on my old myspace in a slide show, perhaps I will share on my blog one day soon.

      ~ Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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  37. Hi Sherrie!I enjoy reading your blog too. Birds are wonderful, we have blue Herons here in Northeast Ohio too. LOVE those pteradactles!lol I am joining you because one I love your Blog and two, Washington Girl, you share the same last name as before I was married! hee hee Dianna (Ohio girl)

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    1. Welcome Dianna! The GB Herons are one of my favorites to watch and photograph.

      And what a fine last name it is too! So fun to write!

      ~ Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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  38. Hi Sherrie, here in WV we have lots of birds, most I have no idea what they are called but my husband fills the feeders every other day. You have an interesting blog and I would be interested in seeing more so count me a new follower! Great photography by the way! Thank you for stopping by http://www.intheboondocks.blogspot.com and pointing me in your direction!

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    1. Nice to meet you Lisa! I liked the name of your blog "In the Boondocks", cause that's how I think of where we live, at least in the winter time. My bird friends keep me company during these long cold winters, but it's always nice to meet new friends online! I'd love to try to I.D. your WV birds!

      ~ Sherrie (Bird Lady)

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