January has started 2010 off to a good start for me.

Even with it being so cold this month there have already been so many great opportunities and activities this month.

I started this year off in cold weather during a Christmas bird count on Jan 2nd.

Since I am really a beginning birder, it was a real learning opportunity for me when I learned that I would be covering one of the territories ALONE.   I guess in some ways this was a a good learning experience since I was able to do the bird count at my own pace.   I counted the birds which I knew and attempted to get photographs of birds that I didn't know.  Then I used the photos, bird guide books, the internet to help identify additional birds.   And then photos I had no clues about, several wonderful people involved in the bird count assisted with me getting additional birds counted.

I have already attended many excellent birding programs this year....

• Jesse Jones - Woodpecker class
• Jesse Jones - Junior birding class

There are so many activities and nature classes ocurring around the Houston area and the Great State of Texas.

You don't have to look far to find something you love.

As I went thru the Texas Master Naturalist training last year, it opened my eyes to all of the wonderful things occurring around me.

As I went thru the Texas Master Naturalist training it started out being just about the birds, but I found out it is much more than just about the birds.

Here's to 2010 being a GREAT YEAR!!!!

Hope to be able to keep up the pace for the rest of 2010.