Photo by Niki/HVNY
What do you see in your backyard?
A countless number of Black-capped Chickadees.
A White-breasted Nuthatch.
A Downy Woodpecker.
A House Finch, I think. Or maybe it’s a Purple Finch?
Three very obese Eastern Gray Squirrels.
A sparrow, of some sort, facing off against a female cardinal, and winning a coveted spot on the bird feeder.
Five crow friends waiting in the dogwood tree after chasing off a Red-tailed Hawk from above our flock of chickens.
These were just some of the visitors to our backyard this morning. And technically, it was all research. Science, if I may. You see, this weekend is the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a global initiative where citizen scientists like yours truly can help actual, certified scientists associated with the National Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology, understand wild bird patterns and populations with a few simple observations.
To participate in the 2023 Great Backyard Bird Count:
Step 1: Decide where you will watch birds. It could be out your back window, at your favorite park, or on a field trip with a birding group like the Waterman Bird Club.
Step 2: Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, from February 17-20, 2023.
Step 3: Identify all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings:
If you are a beginning bird admirer and new to bird identification, try using the Merlin Bird ID app to distinguish what birds you are seeing or hearing.
If you have participated in the count before and want to record numbers of birds, try the eBird Mobile app or enter your bird list on the eBird website (if using desktop/laptop).
(Note: If you already contribute to Merlin or eBird, continue what you are doing! All entries over the 4-days count towards GBBC.)
Map: Where to bird in Dutchess County, from the Waterman Bird Club. Click to see the full map.
Webinar: Tips for the GBBC
Wednesday, February 15, 1:00-2:00 p.m Eastern
During a live Q&A session, experts from Audubon, Birds Canada, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology will share their tips for making birdwatching easier and more enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities. Get your questions answered about bird ID, counting birds, and more: Register for the webinar
Call for rare bird alerts:
Before there were websites and Twitter feeds following unique sightings in the sky (no, not that kind of sighting, but scroll down to our News + Notes for a recent report of a strange sighting over the region), you could call a phone number to hear a round-up of rare bird alerts in the area. The “Rare Bird Alert” (RBA) phone system is still around today, and covers New York’s five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland, and sometimes parts of Sullivan, Orange, Putnam and Dutchess counties. Updates occur every Friday night with the week's reports from the region. If you'd like to hear it all for yourself, give a call at (212) 979-3070.
What do you see out there? Comment below or email us and we’ll share them in the newsletter.
Acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 in. Original painting. Only one available.
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
Acrylic on canvas, 4 x 4 in. Original painting. Only one available.
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
A 5”x 8”, Handmade, copper ginkgo leaf mounted over top of a piece of burnt, shou sugi ban cedar. The copper is untreated. It will arrive with a high shine and patina with time.
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
Wooden clock with laser-etched fish design and iridescent painted finish that shimmers from blue to indigo when viewed from different angles. The small wooden fish in Wanda's belly is a lively swinging pendulum. Laser-etched painted wooden clock dial. Quartz clock movement requires one AA battery, included. (16"l x 6½"w x 2"d)
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
Hand-painted wooden background with a black-to-blue fade reminiscent of the sky at dusk. Face and swinging pendulum are textured stainless steel painted with subtle crescent moons. Celestial hands are textured navy blue. Quartz clock movement requires one AA battery, included. 20"l x 6"w x 2"d
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
Square background of hand-painted wood with a textured stainless steel face painted with a subtle crescent moon. Raised silver dots at the quarter hours. Textured black celestial hands. Quartz clock movement requires one AA battery, included. 12"l x 12"w x 2"d
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
Artist’s note: The art of botanical dyeing is so unique because each piece is different from one another. The magic of nature is that there's no way to replicate it.
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
Hand dyed silk bandanas. Artist’s note: The art of botanical dyeing is so unique because each piece is different from one another. The magic of nature is that there's no way to replicate it.
21”x 21”
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
Hand dyed silk bandanas. 21”x 21” Artist’s note: The art of botanical dyeing is so unique because each piece is different from one another. The magic of nature is that there's no way to replicate it.
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
1:1 DTG printed garment
1 available, Size: Large
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
Reproducible DTG garment
1 available, Size: Small
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
Screen printed, one available. Size L/XL
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
Naturally hued by wood ash and airflow, this tiny bowl measures 4.5×4.5× 1.5” and would serve perfectly as a salt bowl or trinket dish. One of a kind.
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
A tall woodfired mug with warm, natural color variation and a smooth, comfortable handle. Subtle ash patterns and a small slippy drip make this piece completely one of a kind. Functional, sturdy, and made for everyday use.
16 oz capacity
One of a kind
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
This one-of-a-kind handmade mug showcases delicate crystal formations and soft, natural hues developed over four days in a wood kiln. Shades of cream, pink, and warm ash settle across the surface, creating a quiet, layered palette. Subtle drips and crackle textures add depth, making this piece a one-of-a-kind example of what fire and time can create.
4 × 5.5 × 3.5”
12 oz capacity
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.
Custom hand-drawn graphite portraits in a variety of sizes: 5×7, 8×10, and 11×14; multiple pets per portrait available!
Ships directly from the artist + price includes the cost of shipping
Fine art print, 8.5×11
Ships directly from the artist + price includes the cost of shipping
Fine art print, 13x19
Ships directly from the artist + price includes the cost of shipping
Fine art print, 13x19
Ships directly from the artist + price includes the cost of shipping
A spooky holographic sticker for those who know how haunted the Hudson Valley is. Show off your spooky NY state pride with these weatherproof vinyl stickers that look good on anything you can stick them to. Size: 3"
Designed by: © Bee Reckless, @RecklessReads.
All rights reserved.
Ships directly from the author + price includes the cost of shipping
Magick is within all of us! In this book, Bee Reckless focuses on ways to tap into your inner magick. Along with the magick within you, she brings spells, rituals, and more that any level of witch can benefit from by incorporating into their craft.
Featuring:
✦ Guides to tapping into your own magick
✦ Spells & Rituals
✦ Kitchen Witch Recipes
✦ Reference Information & Cheat Sheets
Ships directly from the author + price includes the cost of shipping
If witchcraft seems overwhelming, you’ve come to the right place. In her debut witchcraft book, Bee Reckless shares spells and tips from five-plus years of dedication to the craft that any level of witch can benefit from. So, fire up that cauldron and charge those crystals… It’s witchcraft time, baby!
Featuring:
• Witchy life-hacks
• Rituals & Spells
• Kitchen Witch Recipes
• Reference Information & Cheat Sheets
Ships directly from the author + price includes the cost of shipping
Acrylic on canvas panel. 4×6”.
Ships directly from the artist + price includes the cost of shipping
Acrylic on canvas panel. 6×8”.
Ships directly from the artist + price includes the cost of shipping
A creative book on how to use flowers and natural elements to dye fabric and paper through a process called Tataki Zome, or leaf hammering. Local author Michelle Moore discusses all of the elements of working natural dyes from pre-treatment through mordants to the process of hammering flowers. Ships directly from the author + price includes the cost of shipping
2025. Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 10 in. Original painting. Only one available.
Ships directly from the artist. Shipping costs are included in the price.