Yup! Snowy’s Search for Color has just been named a University of Minnesota Duluth’s NEMBA finalist! The winner will be announced on May 21st which also happens to be my 37th wedding anniversary. Guess who will not be taking his wife out to dinner that night due to the awards ceremony? Sorry Molly.

Remember, you may download a full PDF copy of my book for FREE!

Book theme: Follow the adventures of a young Snowy Owl as it flies south from its home on the Arctic Ocean in search of color! The owl meets up with other owls, red foxes, and even Smokey the Bear! It is a magical journey.

Answers to “Ask the Outdoorsman Questions”

A few weeks ago I started up a new service of this blog named: Ask the Outdoorsman. Remember, my blog now has a “contact Rich” form where you may privately ask me questions. Go to the “About / Contact Rich” section of this web site which is easily found via the menubar at the top of every page. Depending upon the question, I will either answer you privately or via a blog post (but keeping your identity secret)

• Karen G. asks whether I would be open to having her “tag along” on one of my Bog birding trips. Yes, but recently I have not planned my excursions till late the prior evening … when I understand the weather forecast.  Given I only live 45 minutes from Sax-Zim Bog, in the winter I pay extreme attention to forecast temperatures, clouds and wind before making a visit decision. I often wait till 5 am on the planned day of my birding outings to make a decision.
• Nancy N. wants to know how to train chickadees to eat out of her hands. The answer is patience, patience and more patience. The best way to ultimately make this happen and hand feed chickadees is to have only one bird feeder on your property, preferably a platform feeder. You must be willing to stand next to the feeder for hours, and even put your hand in the feeder with the proper treats. I’ve done this once in my life.
• Mary S. lives near my house in Duluth and she was interested in seeing a Snowy Owl. I helped her accomplish this task via some friends of mine (I was out of town).
• Deborah Crooks, who is a folk song artist, contacted me and asked if I would promote her song, Be Your Own Bird. While I don’t normally provide endorsements and have never allowed advertisements on this web site, I listened to Deborah’s song and like it … Be Your Own Bird has a nice message. I found her singing style pleasing, almost a female sounding Bob Dylan style. Deborah makes her song free for listening via her own web site … thus … here’s a callout to Deborah Crooks
  • Be Your Own Bird! (song and lyrics owned and copyrighted by Deborah Crooks)
  • Post Script: I used Deborah’s last name, because in this instance I know she was interested in the publicity. I promise to not hold it against Deborah that she is from California! The song is also available on Spotify. If you want to learn more about this singer, here is a link to her web site.

With Deborah’s permission, here are the lyrics to her song. Remember, you may listen to Be Your Own Bird via her web site at no charge.  She owns the copyright to both the lyrics and the music.

Song sparrow sings its own song
No other place it belongs
Like the towhee peeps in the leaves
In your own life you must believe
And be your own bird

Hummingbird nest in the tree
Spun thread a tiny blue egg
Wings a blur in the air
We all have our own truth to declare
Be your own bird

Nature can beautiful nature can be cruel
Some days you win, some days you play the fool
Mockingbird attacking its own reflection

Across the meadow I see some geese
Dabbling in the green green grass
No one’s first and no one’s last
Everyone has their own path
Be your own bird

Nature can beautiful nature can be cruel
Some days you lose some days you completely rule
Eagle perched atop the highest mountain

Be your own bird
Be your own bird
Be your own bird

©Deborah Crooks (ASCAP)