9 November 2018:
Happy Bird-thday, Outside My Window! Eleven years ago today I published my very first blog post. I had no idea it would change my life.
For starters, it’s made me a Morning Person. I write best with a mug of coffee before dawn so I get up at 4am to have enough time to publish the day’s entry by 7am. Unfortunately a good article takes 3 hours to construct and illustrate. That’s if I’m lucky. It often takes longer, as it did today.
Second, it’s made me keenly aware of interesting topics. In the old days I would flail around on deadline without any ideas. (If you’re a writer you know what I mean.) Nowadays I keep an “Ideas” list online and dip into it for inspiration. Thank you to everyone who suggests new topics. If you don’t see your contribution right away, it’s on the list.
Third, I’ve met you! Every day about a thousand of you read my blog. Readership drops to 700 in the depths of winter and soars to 4,000 at times of peregrine excitement. I’ve made a lot of new friends.
I couldn’t have blogged for eleven years without you. Your enthusiasm keeps me going every day. Thank you, my readers! And a big thank you to all the photographers who let me use your photos. Without photos this blog would be just a pile of words.
Happy Bird-thday to the blog! Here to celebrate is Carmencitav’s opera diva, a double yellow-headed amazon.
p.s. This is my blog’s birthday, my own is in May.
(image of a hand writing from Wikimedia Commons, click on the caption to see the original. video by carmencitav on YouTube)
Congratulations, Kate and Happy Bird-thday! Ken and I met you several years ago at the Humane Animal Rescue Wildlife Rehab Center in Verona, and your enthusiasm was contagious. I was hooked on my first visit to this blog. Now every day starts here with my first cup of coffee and I’ve learned so much, starting with “look up.” All our best to you!
Thank you so much for your wonderful and creative daily blog!! I, too, start my day off by reading your blog. Happy Bird-thday and best wishes!
I don’t know how you do it…. Daily. So much references to read and internet. You start my day.
How about cameras and binocs?
congratulations! I too begin my day by checking your blog to see what’s happening in our skies and beneath our feet. Thank you for this sense of peace and hope in this increasingly chaotic world.
Happy Blogday!!! Thank you so very much for all the places you have taken me!! All the birds and other worlds of nature you have shown us!!! I am 84 yrs and not able to get out in the wild/field as I would like— so every morning I am here, checking out where and what we will be doing with you!!!
Kate, I have learned so much from reading your blog. I look forward to participating in a bird walk one day. Thank you for this labor of love.
Happy birthday to your blog, and congratulations to you, Kate! You have gifted us with information, advice, and help. Our love of peregrines developed because of your writings and assistance…a downed peregrine on Henry Street…peregrines nesting in the Green Tree water tower. Thank you for your dedication. Amazon diva is a treat! Vicki and Chuck
And another Happy Bird-thday! You are the first read on my phone and frequently forwarded to friends as well as referenced throughout day Thank you. Keep blogging.
thank you for your blog. I read it every day.
I am always amazed at your dedication. You even keep it up when you are on vacation. Most people would just shut it down for a week or so, but not you, Kate. You either pre-write or blog from your location. Now that is dedication. Thanks again for noticing the world around us and opening our eyes to it.
Congratulations, Kate, and thank you. A wonderful way to start each day with a cup of coffee and a read of your blog!
Happy Birdday!
Congratulations Kate! Your blog is the first thing I read when I log on my computer. I’ve learned so much from you in the past four or so years since I stumbled upon it. I truly enjoy every post. Even though I’m on the west coast, I always find a take-away from your information. Especially my love for peregrines!!
Congratulations, Kate!! I don’t know what my morning would be without your words here for me to read. I have been following since the beginning, and truly do thank you for your knowledge and inspiration. You truly, truly do teach me something I never knew just about every single day!!! Here’s to many, many more years. We will be here with you!
Congratulations and Happy Bird-thday, Kate!
Your blog is where I start every single day, and I love it. Thanks so much for the education and the fun.
Congratulations and thank you! It has been a wonderful 8 years for me reading your blog. learning SO MUCH and counting you as my friend!
Congratulations and Happy Birdday! I enjoy your blog everyday. I look forward to reading it even though I’ve moved away. Many more happy years of blogging.
I started reading your blog after you presented a talk on Peregrines in Erie, Pa. & I’ve not stopped; the only blog I read and I’ve enjoyed every post … keep up the good work!
The scientific knowledge, the visuals, the great literacy in writing, and so often the humor, all go to an amazing blog. Now I see how you do it-3 or more hours-wow! Thanks, just thanks.
Congratulations on this milestone! I read your blog every day. I have learned so much and also joined Three Rivers Birding club due to this blog. Thanks for letting all of us join you on a daily adventure through the wonders of nature.
You are an inspiration Kate
Congratulations!
Love the parrot
Kate – I started reading your blog when “Beauty”, daughter of Dorothy, came to Rochester NY in 2009. Since she was born at the Cathedral of Learning in 2007, I’ve been following your peregrine reports and educational posts. I’ve learned alot and appreciate all your efforts. Thank-you!
Thank you so much for your wonderful blog. I too, begin each morning by reading your blog. It helps keep me in touch with Pittsburgh as well as other interesting places. I always leave your site feeling that I have learned something new. In this day and age of so much negativity, your blog is always uplifting. Congratulations!
WOW!!! 11 Years! Congrats and Happy Birdday! Pretty cool that you have this incrediable passion and talent and how it’s grown!
Congratulations, Kate! We’re so pleased to start the day with your blog.
Here, Here, a find job with a wealth of information share over the past five years I have begun my day after posting my own outdoor blog. Saw my first peregrine catch a pigeon over the Tennessee River while watching eagles and other birds one cold winter day. The peregrine dropping and loosing the pigeon when two eagles showed up above it. The pigeon falling to the river where an eagle recaptured the falcons catch. Not knowing anything about peregrines I found your site with its fountain of wealth about the species. Since that time the falcons have been observed more and more of the year seeming to disappear in late summer before turning back up in winter. Luckily they raised two young this past spring and was able to view them feeding them when they started ledge walking on Kentucky Dam. Then photographing the young and adults as they taught them to catch birds by allowing them to steal from them. Later to drop the catch so the young birds would have to catch the birds in the air. I was amazed at how aggressive the fledglings were. As soon as they could fly they chased everything nearby. Osprey, gulls, heron and the cormorants they would even grab at their tails. Many thanks for the info you shared that helped me to discover about these incredible fliers…
Although my note is much overdue, I’d like to thank you for years of joyful and nostalgic reading.
Joyful because my husband and I share your devotion to Nature, and nostalgic because I grew up in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh, spending weekly time in Shadyside, Squirrel Hill and Oakland. Many of your photos bring warm memories back to me.
Please know how much we appreciate your dedication, and your informative pieces here in the Syracuse, NY area.
Congratulations Kate. I start my day with your blog and have learned so much. I would like to know more about binoculars and bird scopes. I had never heard of scopes before I read it in your blog
Kate,
Love reading your blog! Happy Bird-day ! Enjoyed your talk yesterday about the peregrines! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and fascination with birds.