day-lab

Van's Garden

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:00 +0000

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Some photographs from Van's Garden 11.01.09

To see the larger versions of the photos click HERE

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St. Tammany Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:41:00 +0000

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Van and I drove out to St Tammany Parish on 10.31.09. to go birding with Mary Mehaffey, Tom Trenchard, and Glenn Ousset. It was a dark, drizzly, overcast morning but the day grew into a beautiful one with blue skies and a nice breeze. I had such a nice time with really great company.

A few pictures...
To view the larger versions of the photos: click HERE
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Tom Trenchard, Mary Mehaffey, Van Remsen, Glenn Ousset:

Glenn Ousset

Van Remsen:

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Getting back on track....

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:40:00 +0000

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Getting back on track here...especially for the holidays.
Look forward to tons of new day-lab things this coming week.

A little video from this past week..of clouds and such:

October Clouds from Amy Shutt on Vimeo.

Haunted Swamp

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:12:00 +0000

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At Leslie Lattimore's request, I put together this little video for a Bluebonnet Swamp program that will be held the next three Fridays in October: The Haunted Swamp Hike at 7:30pm + 9:30pm.

Leslie Lattimore of Wings of Hope Wildlife Sanctuary will be there with her resident Owls discussing some of the nocturnal animals of Louisiana. Stop by!

Creatures of the Night from Amy Shutt on Vimeo.

Wild Things

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:24:00 +0000

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Can't wait! This weekend...

And Terry Gross did a nice interview with Spike Jonze yesterday about the film.
Listen to it HERE.
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Cat and Crow

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:17:00 +0000

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This just got me..best story I've seen in a while.

Richfield Riversilt

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:46:00 +0000

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Went birding at Richfield Riversilt off the levee this morning with Van Remsen, Jane Patterson, Sue Broussard, Josh Sylvest, and Jacob Cooper. It was overcast and dark and rather quiet bird-wise.

A nice start to the day though..I really enjoy the walking, especially with the handful of breezes that came through, and the good company.

I was warned Richfield Riversilt wasn't very scenic, but it ended up being an interesting area with lots of pretty places here and there. There wasn't a ton of good light for photos (especially for bird photos), but I got a few shots after all.

View larger versions HERE

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Flying Birds + Lens Flares

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:17:00 +0000

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A few more from the Sunday Pelagic Birding trip...
To see the larger versions click HERE.

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To see the larger versions click HERE.

Also, Dave Patton posted some photos along with a map, chart, way points-which are great to see.
View HERE
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Pelagic Birding Trip

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:32:00 +0000

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This past Sunday I went with 20 others on a Pelagic Birding Trip. We left from Venice Marina to the Gulf in a 47' fishing boat, heading for the Mississippi Canyon (1500-2000 ft). Aside from the birds we saw an Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola), a pod of Pilot Whales, Dolphins, Leatherback Sea Turtle, and a Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, migrating butterlfies/moths...

It was an amazing trip.

Some photos from the trip below (to see larger versions and more photos click HERE).

*To see larger versions and more photos click HERE

Let's Get Personal Article

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:42:00 +0000

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I just happened upon an article article from July 09 in the San Antonio newspaper with me in it, which is pretty neat. I was never told the interview/q&a became a story. :)

The article:

Let's Get Personal

From top to bottom, let creativity flow in the bedroom. Crown molding, an upholstered headboard and assorted framed memorabilia set the stage

By Nina Yun
CTW Features

For many of us, the bedroom is more than just a room. It's our retreat. But with tough economic times, most of us won't be able to sleep so well if we have to hire a professional. According to Amy Shutt, owner of Day-Lab, a Baton Rouge, La.-based vintage accessories and gifts store, you can be your own professional.

"There is a tribe of people who enjoy taking such projects on, who really want to learn how to do X, Y and Z," she explains. "These people feel they can do it and do it right. And if you fall into that category, even if you have never really started a DIY project, I think it is worth it to go ahead and try. You will have a greater appreciation of the end result and you will know it was done well and done right."

Read the rest HERE.

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Chicot etc.

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:31:00 +0000

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My friend Kristen and I went to Chicot State Park for a night and stayed in a cabin on the water. It was deserted aside from the rangers and we almost had the entire place to ourselves. It was nice. I would really like to go back in a couple of months when it's cooler.

Cabin on the water

I befriended an alligator...

And some Crows..

We went canoeing and took pictures..

We hiked from the new Louisiana Arboretum Lodge to the old one.
It had been raining and the mosquitoes were running amuck.
I called in a Barred Owl who followed us for part of the hike, calling back and forth along the way.

Cypress knees and Cardinal Flower:

An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (female light phase)

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Favorites blooming in the yard the past few weeks are definitely the Turk's Cap...

And the Hurricane Lily (AKA Red Spider Lily)...

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It's starting to get a tiny bit cooler..finally.
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Sweet Darlin'

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:39:00 +0000

William, Mutt, Penelope from Amy Shutt on Vimeo.

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Music: Sweet Darlin' by She & Him

KITTENS NEED A HOME!
These kittens were born in May 2009.
Their mom is feral.
William and Mutt are males and Penelope is female.

I have been working to socialize them for the past couple of months and they are doing super well so far. I believe they will all make wonderful inside pets; as they all have very sweet and loving dispositions.

They are scheduled (along with their feral mom cat) to be spayed/neutered through the Cat Haven Ferals program in October 2009. Then they will be ready to go to new homes!

If anyone in the Baton Rouge area is interested in providing any or all of the kittens with a really really good loving home (to be kept as inside cats only please) contact me at: aubelandfils@yahoo.com with 'Feral Kittens' as the subject.

Please spread the word by emailing anyone you think would be interested this link:
http://vimeo.com/6682831

And Thanks!

Amy Shutt

Western Everglades

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:58:00 +0000

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This documentary is airing this month via Public Broadcasting across the US
(in Baton Rouge it will be on LPB 9-27-09).
The trailer is so beautiful...
I have to go the Everglades this Spring I think:

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Find out more:
www.bigcypressswamp.com
www.clydebutcher.com
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To do..

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:31:00 +0000

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Busy busy.

SEPTEMBER
•~~Evita! and Lo’s b-day party~~
•~~Sunday photo outing a.m.~~
•Chicot State Park with Kris
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•~~Pelagic Bird Trip~~ ~~in Gulf~~

OTHER:
•Finish brochure/send to printer
•~~Reschedule 24th appoint.~~
•Update day-lab/mailer
•HNF jewelry!
•Ads for day-lab, photo lessons
•~~Send Cat Haven Ferals check~~
•Large crate
•Put things in hallway in attic
•Clean screened in porch
•Start to organize/convert office + paint desk!
•Call about broken AC
•Fix car door handle/window/windshield wipers +get inspected
•~~Mow the front yard/back yard~~
•~~Reschedule buying trip ASAP!~~

OCTOBER
•Houston! The Dodos show + IKEA
•Clark Creek hike
•Shoot engagement with Kristen
•Ferals to vet to get fixed!
•Kayaking in Atchafalaya with Jane and Melanie!
•Buying trip (?)

OTHER:
•Cut metal jewelry + plating order
•Finish summer book + print
•Set dates for photo lessons/camp
•Find kitten homes for William, Penelope, and Mutt
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Been working on getting this going for October/November:

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Recent reads I highly recommend:

The Gulf Coast
CC Lockwood
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Letters From Eden:
A Year at Home, In the Woods
Julie Zickefosse

*Julie also keeps a fantastic blog that I have recently fallen in love with..it kinda makes me wish she and her husband Bill would adopt me:
Julie Zickefoose's Blog
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Flyaway:
How A Wild Bird Rehabber Sought
Adventure and Found Her Wings

Suzie Gilbert
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Migration Madness

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:44:00 +0000

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I'm going to see this Sunday...
The video is by Jane Patterson

Hummingbird Migration from Amy Shutt on Vimeo.

From the Baton Rouge Kids Who Bird Club website:
Mr. Dick Lancaster hangs 50 feeders on his patio and his house is on the Ruby-Throat Highway because hundreds of the little birds stop by here on their way to their wintering grounds in Central America. Next Sunday, September 13, from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, you can come spend some time marveling at all the birds. You're welcome to bring other family members or interested friends! Be sure to bring your camera!

If you think you'd like to come, please send me an email and I'll send you the directions! Hope to see you there! Jane Patterson: Education@braudubon.org
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Release The Kites

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:26:00 +0000

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Footage from today, releasing some of the Mississippi Kites..

Mississippi Kite Release from Amy Shutt on Vimeo.

Dauphin Island 1

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:54:00 +0000

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I spent Labor Day weekend in Dauphin Island, a barrier island located three miles south of the mouth of Mobile Bay in the Gulf of Mexico.

The island is also known as a top birding spot in the Southeast. It has some beautiful habitats scattered throughout: moss draped Live Oak groves, Tupelo Gum swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, beaches, marshes etc.

From dauphinisland.org:..it is the first landfall for neotropical migrant birds after their long flight across the Gulf from Central and South America each spring. Here these birds, often exhausted and weakened from severe weather during the long flight, find their first food and shelter. It is also their final feeding and resting place before their return flight each fall.

Below are a few pictures from the first day, mainly of the late afternoon into the evening on the beach accessed through the trails at the 164 acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary.

From dauphinisland.org: The dominant trees in the maritime forest are longleaf and slash pine, southern magnolia, live oak, and tupelo gum. A transition zone of white sand dunes separates the forest from the beach. Sea oats cover the dunes, giving way to a sparse covering of pines, scrubby oaks, seaside goldenrod, and lichens.

It is a peculiar thing to walk through a thick forest of pines etc. where you see squirrels, raccoons, forest birds, rabbits and the like then before you know it you start to hear the ocean waves crashing. The pine trees on the dunes/beach are strangely shaped-twisted and top heavy, not at all like the pines I am familiar with:

Then it was back to the motel for the night...

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For the rest of the weekend we explored more of the island, went to look at boats and planes in Mobile, saw some fantastic gardens at Bellingrath, watched the birds in the evenings on the jetties/beach. Before we headed home today we visited the Sea Lab Estuarium. And (almost forgot) we saw a wild boar foraging in the grass on the side of the interstate in Mississippi.

I took 797 pictures total.
More to follow soon...

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September Sunsets

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:14:00 +0000

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The sunsets have been really nice lately. In the early evenings Egrets fly overhead in great numbers to roost for the night in the Cypress trees at the lakes. The Ibises are right behind them. Today I saw three Tri-colored Herons and one Little Blue Heron as well. They were squabbling with juvenile Ibises for a little space on some of the lower branches.

From the lakes 9-01-09 and 9-03-09:

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For the past couple of weeks I've been really missing the Mississippi Kites in my neighborhood, as well as all the others that pepper the skies from point A to point B around town. I have been sad to see them go and am already anxious for them to be back this coming Spring.

Now I impatiently wait for the first Yellow Rumped Warbler to show up.
They are my favorite winter yard bird. When they left last Spring I think I missed them almost as much as I miss the Kites now.

A couple more Mississippi Kite photographs from 9-01-09.
It's been nothing short of amazing watching them grow into these beautiful full size birds from just the small awkward little beings they were only a couple of months ago:

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Catching Bugs...

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Hummingbird hunting for bugs... from Amy Shutt on Vimeo.

Early Evening

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:35:00 +0000

Early this evening from the kitchen window...

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Kites and Hawks!

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:21:00 +0000

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From Wings of Hope
August 25, 2009

Red-tailed Hawk:

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Juvenile Mississippi Kites in Flight Cage:

The Kites

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:59:00 +0000

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Video clips from July 3, 09 and today August 17, 09:

Mississippi Kites! from Amy Shutt on Vimeo.

New Things etc....

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:27:00 +0000

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www.day-lab.com
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Photos 7/27/09 to 8/3/09

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:14:00 +0000

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Photos 7/27/09 to 8/3/09
Louisiana and Mississippi
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Time to Die from The Dodos

noreply@blogger.com (day-lab Blog) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:29:00 +0000

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This was such a good deal I thought I would pass it along here.

The Dodos new album (MP3 download) Time to Die can be purchased for $2.99 HERE.

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