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We had an excellent meeting Tuesday evening. Many thanks to Chris Doffitt of LDWF, our speaker, and everyone who came out. I came home very aware that I had promised many blog posts about a variety of things, and this is the first of those.

In its own words, Union (Parish) Museum of Art and History “will come roaring to life with its next exhibit, ‘Wild!‘ featuring wildlife art.” The exhibit will open January 31. The works of nine regional artists will be displayed, as well as art by local students.

Our own Charles Paxton, who did not tell us he is also an artist! will screen his new video featuring North Louisiana wildlife. Charles, you must be sure to let us know exactly when the screening will take place!

The Union Museum is located at 116 N. Main St. in Farmerville. The “Wild!” exhibit will remain up until March 17. Visit the Museums website or Facebook page for more information.

Special note: My photo with this post is for visual interest only. It is not part of the exhibit.

Although it is just a few miles south of where I live, I have neglected becoming familiar with Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area. On New Year’s Day, our LMN-NE Board Member and Treasurer Stephanie Herrmann mentioned First Day Hike on Facebook. I decided immediately to take up the challenge and wanted to go somewhere close to home, in part because it was sooooo cold. Brrrrr. Russell Sage, here I come!

In fact, I learned that Russell Sage is well worth many more visits. I walked down just one ATV trail–the WMA is set up primarily for hunters. So be it. I wore my hunter orange vest! And I was there for just two hours, moving slowly. Nevertheless, in the dead of winter, I enjoyed what I saw and will go back.

I already shared a bunch of photos in our Facebook group, including those of my encounter with a raccoon. They aren’t quite good enough for the blog. In my excitement, I couldn’t get my most high-powered lens focused! But I always find beauty, and this outing was no exception.

I saw LOTS of birds,  but the only decent shot I got is below. Many thanks to Board member Jeff Barnhill for assistance in identifying the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).

BTW, First Day Hikes is a real thing. Next year, I hope LMN-NE will have one of its own!

Our First Quarter 2018 meeting is just around the corner:

January 9, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Black Bayou NWR Visitor Center

We will have a guest speaker: Chris Doffitt of Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries will talk with us about Lousiana’s Natural Areas Registry program.

After Chris’ presentation and discussion, we will have a half hour meeting. I’ll publish an agenda next week. All are welcome to participate in the meeting, but only dues-paying members may vote–should we need to vote on anything.

And why a photo of a Great Blue Heron in the middle of this post? Last week I needed to go to St. Joseph one day, so I went down Hwy 425, turned east on Hwy 4, and drove up the Fina Road Access into the south end of Tensas NWR. Just as I approached a bridge over the Tensas River, I noticed a blue heron on the other side of the road at the edge of the woods.

There was a little space to pull over on the approach to the bridge, so I did, and carefully lowered my window to make a few shots. The bird just stood there and looked at me, so I decided to get out of my car. I slowly, carefully opened the door and stood up, at which point the bird hobbled and flopped into the woods.

Clearly, the bird was injured and could not fly. It was heartbreaking to see. Not wanting to stress the bird more than I already had, I did not attempt to follow.

But… should I have called Wildlife & Fisheries? In general, what should we do, if anything, when we see injured wildlife? I intend to ask Chris to talk about that at our meeting.

See you there!

Today LMN-NE Treasurer Stephanie Herrmann and I put our heads together and made a big improvement to the website. You can now become a member online!

Read the remainder of my post, first, of course. But then click on the Membership tab at the top of the page. You will see Paypal buttons for each of our membership categories: Student – $10; Individual – $20; Family – $30; and Business/Corporate – $100. Click the button associated with the appropriate category and you can either pay with funds in a Paypal account if you have such, or by entering a credit or debit card.

Please do complete the mailing address information. Doing so makes it unnecessary for you to complete a membership form.

Important note: We do not yet have our 501(c)(3) status. It shouldn’t be much longer, but in the meantime, know that your membership dues will not be tax deductible.

I also am pleased to announce that Charter Board Member Roselie Overby is our Membership Chair. You will probably hear from Stephanie or I right away, but Roselie will send you an official “welcome to the organization” email.

Your membership year begins January 1, 2018. Don’t hesitate. Join today!

And, of course, I had my camera along and went for a short walk in the woods near Farmerville after our work was done. How DO sweetgum trees do that, anyway?!