Author Archives: Natalie

Merlin observations, 3/4/2024

I started a backyard recording at 6:40a today—and promptly forgot to end it after an hour. (I like one-hour samples. The file sizes are reasonable, and Merlin doesn’t choke on them later.) So, I have a 3.25-hour recording instead.

Merlin detected 27 species by their calls or songs. It’s not the same as seeing them, but this gives me an idea of what to study ahead of trying out actual birdwatching.

  • American crow
  • Blue jay
  • Canada goose
  • House finch
  • White-breasted nuthatch
  • Tufted titmouse
  • Black-capped chickadee
  • Red crossbill
  • Song sparrow
  • American robin
  • Northern cardinal
  • Pine siskin
  • American goldfinch
  • Red-winged blackbird
  • Common grackle
  • Downy woodpecker
  • Red-bellied woodpecker
  • Eastern bluebird
  • Red-breasted nuthatch
  • Golden-crowned kinglet
  • Yellow-rumped warbler
  • Rock pigeon
  • Carolina wren
  • Dark-eyed junco
  • Killdeer
  • House sparrow
  • Pine warbler

Afghan practice (square 3)

I spent some time studying the pattern and have a good idea of what I need to do for my own riff on it. It’s an interesting arrangement, and I can envision it in other colors and with slightly different construction. I think that’s a sign of a really good pattern—interesting enough for the initial project, and good fodder for future, original projects.

The blocks come together quickly. I’ve finished the third and have started the fourth.

Afghan practice (squares 1 and 2)

I started my first knit afghan this weekend. I chose the Hue Shift Afghan from KnitPicks.com. In my first day of knitting, I completed two squares (out of one hundred).

So far, my observations are that the pattern is easy to memorize and that it’s definitely going to help me add more knitting skills (like picking up stitches and working with two colors).

Progress so far looks like this:

On to square 3!