Beth Thommesen
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bethietee.bsky.social
Beth Thommesen
@bethietee.bsky.social
270 followers 770 following 140 posts
Madison, WI. Marketing by day, arts and crafts by night. My wish for the afterlife is that I can come back as a ghost to finish my ever-growing TBR pile.
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bethietee.bsky.social
Cooper’s hawk landed right outside the window a few weeks ago!
Cooper’s hawk, a medium-largish gray bird with white and rust mottled breast feathers and red eyes sits among bare branches and stares intently at the viewer.
May 4, 2025 at 3:38 AM
bethietee.bsky.social
If you see this, post your getaway vehicle.
Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang, an old-timey car with wings being piloted by Caractacus Potts, accompanied by the lovely Truly Scrumptious and the kiddos Jeremy and Jemima Potts.
May 3, 2025 at 11:09 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
Took an hour of the day to just turn everything else off and make some art.

FOY Ovenbird today and an extra crispy Diet Coke from McDs too so it’s not all bad.

Still finding joy in small things.
Collage of a blue, black, and orange bird sitting on a stump in front of various papers—handwritten notes, blue with small white flowers, green mesh, half a paper lace doily, reproduction of a postcard with a tropical bird and hibiscus on it, various butterflies, and a small sticker reading “Eternity.”
May 3, 2025 at 7:13 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
Some pics from the weekend for #MallardMonday. Went to one of my favorite places (UW Memorial Union Terrace) and caught this brave lass walking amongst the crowd. Bonus shot of the Union!
Lady mallard standing on paved surface surrounded by colorful orange, green, and yellow sunburst chairs at the Union Terrace. Shot of the Union Terrace. One of the best hangouts in Madison! A large stone building with many windows stands behind a large terrace holding dozens of bright Orange, yellow, and green sunburst chairs and tables, a crowd of people enjoying one of the first days of the terrace season.
April 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
A few days ago Glen heard some crows making a ruckus in the backyard and we went on the porch to investigate. Turns out they were harassing a Great Horned Owl that had been trying to nap in one of trees!

(Pictures taken through a screened window so they aren’t the best, bonus blue jay pic)

#birds
Great Horned Owl hanging out, just trying to be chill and not bothered by these dang crows. Great horned owl looking pretty intimidating. Blue Jay sitting on top of a shepherd’s hook holding bird feeders.
April 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
Repost with a favorite book from childhood.
Cover of Blue Moose by Daniel Manus Pinkwater featuring a large blue moose with yellow antlers and Mr. Breton, a mustachioed rotund man in round glasses, a chef’s hat, red shirt, and white apron.
April 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
bethietee.bsky.social
I’m not religious, but I believe in the Holy Trinity.
Sepia portrait of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt in old fashioned white lace dresses made to look as if in a floral picture frame for their album Trio: Farther Along.
April 7, 2025 at 3:30 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
How did I know when I read the first sentence that sarahkendzior.bsky.social was talking about my home county?

I too have felt protective of this land that holds the people and places I know and love, knowing they don’t deserve all that is coming to them.

Also, The Loading Dock is a solid choice!
In the past, when I left St. Louis for Illinois, I would go from a liberal city in a state with a conservative government into a conservative county in a state with a liberal government. The entire exercise felt like proof of how illusory partisan designations are. But suddenly states' rights mattered in a way that directly impacted my life. The Mississippi River border was no longer the purview of the nineteenth century, the distant domain of Dred Scott and Huckleberry Finn, but a living boundary that determined how much of a human being I was allowed to be. Whether I was a person or just a woman. "What can I do to help?" my husband had asked when I had woken in the dead of night in a helpless rage that I could not process and he could not feel. We both knew the answer was "noth-ing," so when I said, "I want to go to the Loading Dock and look at (the River).”
April 6, 2025 at 6:29 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
Went back to Goose Pond yesterday. Tundra swans still around but less in number. Tons of Canada geese, some sandhill cranes, buffleheads, mallards, gulls, red-winged blackbirds, killdeer, and coolest of all, a pheasant!
Brown sign with white lettering reading “Area Behind Sign is Reserved for Wildlife. No Trespassing.” Set against dried prairie grasses and a pond. A pheasant (brown and white bird with long tail feathers, a green head, and red patches around its yellow eyes) lying in dried prairie grasses. Red-winged blackbird sitting on a post amidst dried prairie grasses.
March 29, 2025 at 3:53 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
Happy Opening Day! Miss ya Mr. Baseball. ♥️

#milwaukeebrewers
Bob Uecker in the broadcasting booth at American Family Field (Miller Park).
March 27, 2025 at 3:04 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
Someday we hope to get a lens to help us get more up close but I still liked this shot of a pair of sandhill cranes from over the weekend.

#birds
Two sandhill cranes in flight against the backdrop of a winter-browned field, a white and tan barn, and some railroad tracks.
March 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
Some neighbors shared a video they took of the pelicans from yesterday—very cool!

#birds
March 24, 2025 at 12:29 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
Did today’s #TenMinMerlin over by the nearby lake in the hopes of capturing sounds of the American white pelicans that were hanging out there today. Alas it didn’t happen but we did get to watch them hanging out on the little island and we found some friends on the shore.
Screenshot of Merlin app, featuring images of birds: Canada goose (large brownish gray goose with long black neck and head with a white swoop behind its eyes), American Robin (brownish gray bird with reddish orange breast and yellow beak), northern cardinal (bright red bird with bright orange beak and black mask), common grackle (large iridescent blackbird), rusty blackbird (black bird with rusty edges to its feathers). Screenshot of Merlin app with images of birds: American goldfinch (bright yellow bird with black wings), song sparrow (small brown bird with gray breast and brown striations on breast), red-winged blackbird (blackbird with red-orange and yellow markings at top of wings), red-bellied woodpecker (larger woodpecker with black and white speckled wings and red mohawk-style marking on head).
March 24, 2025 at 3:24 AM
bethietee.bsky.social
We went to Goose Pond Sanctuary today and saw hordes of Tundra Swans. Did #TenMinMerlin there today too and got some great birds: American Wigeon, Mallard, Bufflehead, Green-Winged Teal, Canada Goose, Killdeer, Sandhill Crane, Red-winged Blackbird, Horned Lark, Song Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow.
Shot of a shallow pond surrounded by dried grasses and populated by swarms of tundra swans (many with their butts in the air), Canada Geese, and other assorted waterfowl.
March 23, 2025 at 1:29 AM
bethietee.bsky.social
Age yourself with a toy from your childhood.

I loved jumping around on this thing.
Image of a vintage Pogo Bal, a bright pink ball reading Pogo Bal in black lettering over a green and yellow palm tree mounted on a black plastic platform with an 80s triangle and palm tree motif (green and yellow palm tree, pink triangle) printed on it. Another pink ball (unseen) is mounted on the opposite side of the platform for bouncing.
March 22, 2025 at 1:25 AM
bethietee.bsky.social
First cowbird of the year in today’s #TenMinMerlin. I always think of the song by @sarahharmer.bsky.social now when they pop up in my list (even though it’s not *technically* about cowbirds). I’ll link below!
Screenshot of Merlin app, images of birds: house sparrow (small brown bjrd with gray breast), black-capped chickadee (small gray bird with creamy breast and black cap), hairy woodpecker (medium bird with black and white speckled wings and red patch of back of its head and pointy beak), house finch (small brown bird with rosy breast), northern cardinal (red bird with crest, bright orange beak and black mask), American goldfinch (bright yellow bird with black wings), American Robin (brownish-gray bird with orange breast and yellow beak). Screenshot of Merlin app showing images of birds: dark-eyed junco (small dark gray bird with light gray breast), common grackle (medium large iridescent black bird), red-bellied woodpecker (medium large bird with black and white speckled wings, red on back of head, sharp beak, and reddish peach coloring on its lower breast), blue Jay ( bright blue bird with mosaic wings and tail feathers, pointy black beak), American crow (medium glossy black bird), brown-headed cowbird (medium black bjrd with brown head).
March 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
An early #TenMinMerlin from this morning I’m just getting around to posting—it was a cold snowy start to Spring here (Madison WI) but tomorrow is supposed to be in the 50s so hooray!
Screenshot of Merlin app showing images of birds: northern cardinal (bright red bird with crest and black mask), house sparrow (small brown bird with gray breast), American crow (medium-large glossy black bird), downy woodpecker (small bird with black and white speckled wings and a red patch on back of head), Carolina wren (small rust colored bird with breast of same color in a lighter shade), black-capped chickadee (small gray bird with creamy breast and black cap), dark-eyes junco (small dark gray bird with light gray breast), American goldfinch (bright yellow bird with black wings).
March 21, 2025 at 2:23 AM
bethietee.bsky.social
Rainy rainy day (and then snowy) but some friends were out for today’s #TenMinMerlin.
Screenshot of Merlin app with images of birds: hairy woodpecker (medium black and white speckled bird with red patch on back of head), northern cardinal (bright red bird with black mask), American crow (medium-large glossy black bird) house sparrow (small brown bird with grey breast), downy woodpecker (small black and white speckled bird with red patch on back of head), black-capped chickadee (small gray bird with creamy breast and black cap), house finch (small brown bird with rosy breast). Screenshot of Merlin app, images of birds: killdeer (small brown bird with white breast and long stilt-like legs), dark-eyed junco (small dark gray bird with light gray breast), cedar waxwing (tan/olive/rosy/golden bird with black mask), American Robin (medium brownish gray bird with orange breast).
March 20, 2025 at 4:12 AM
bethietee.bsky.social
Missed a few days of #TenMinMerlin but I’m back! The blue jays were around all day yakking it up.
Screenshot of Merlin app with images of birds: house finch (small brown bird with rosy breast) American Robin (mediumish grayish-brown bird with orange breast), black-capped chickadee (small gray bird with creamy breast and black cap), northern cardinal (bright red bird with black mask), song sparrow (small brown bird with gray breast with brown striping), house sparrow (small brown bird with gray breast), red-winged blackbird (medium-large black bird with red-yellow stripes on wings). Screenshot of Merlin app with images of birds: dark-eyed junco (small dark gray bird with light gray breast), American goldfinch (bright yellow bird with black wings), sandhill crane (large brownish gray bird with long black legs, long neck and distinctive red patches around its eyes), white-throated sparrow (brown bird with gray breast with white markings on throat and around eyes), blue Jay (medium-large bright blue bird with mosaic patterned wings and tail), Carolina wren (small rust colored bird with breast of same but lighter shade and a white stripe above eyes).
March 19, 2025 at 1:47 AM
bethietee.bsky.social
Some shots of a Cooper’s hawk that’s been hanging around the area. I was sitting at my desk when it flew in!

#addbird #birds #birdingisforeverybody
Cooper’s hawk sitting in a tree. Largish brown bird with red eyes and a white breast with light brown speckles. Cooper’s hawk sitting in a tree. Largish brown bird with red eyes and a white breast with light brown speckles.
March 15, 2025 at 4:55 AM
bethietee.bsky.social
Today’s #TenMinMerlin. Pretty sure the gadwall is a false positive but the migration map shows it’s possible so IDK.
Screenshot of Merlin app showing images of birds: house sparrow (small brown bird with grey breast), northern cardinal (bright red bird with black mask), dark-eyed junco (dark grey bird with light grey breast), American Robin (brownish grey bird with bright orange breast), American crow (glossy black bird), mourning dove (buff/olive/rosy bird with black speckles), house finch (brown bird with rosy breast), Cooper’s hawk (largish brown bird with red eyes and white breast covered in light brown speckles). Screenshot of Merlin app showing images of birds: American tree sparrow (small brown bird with tan breast), hermit thrush ( small brown bird with tan breast with brown speckles), black-capped chickadee (small grey bird with creamy breast and black cap), sandhill crane (large brownish grey bird with long black legs, long neck and beak and red patches around its eyes), cedar waxwing (small rosy/tan/grey/olive bird with black mask), eastern towhee (small black bird with orange breast), gadwall (large grey duck with black tail feathers).
March 15, 2025 at 2:05 AM
bethietee.bsky.social
Surprises every day now in my #TenMinMerlin. I love spring!
Screenshot of Merlin app showing images of the following birds: house sparrow (small brown bird with grey breast), sandhill crane (large greyish brown bird with long legs and neck and a distinctive red patch on the front of its head around its eye), house finch (small brown bird with rosy breast), American goldfinch (bright yellow bird with black wings), dark-eyed junco (small dark grey bird with light grey breast), northern cardinal (bright red bird with bright orange beak and black mask), yellow-rumored warbler (grey and black bird with yellow on its breast and above its tail). Screenshot of Merlin app showing images of the following birds: song sparrow (small brown bird with light breast with brown vertical stripes), hairy woodpecker (medium bird with black and white wings and red patch on back of head), blue Jay (large bright blue bird with white breast and mosaic patterned wings and tail), Carolina wren (small orangish-brown bird with breast of similar but lighter shade and white stripe above eyes), American crow (medium-large glossy black bird), American Robin (medium brownish grey bird with bright orange breast), Cooper’s hawk (largish brown bird with red eyes, white breast with large light brown speckles), rock pigeon (medium grey bird with dark head).
March 14, 2025 at 2:02 AM
bethietee.bsky.social
Today’s #TenMinMerlin. I would be more iffy on the pheasant if we hadn’t just seen one last night. Still could be a false positive but there’s at least evidence they are in the area. Bonus picture of a cedar waxwing that I caught in our tree. I was so pumped!!
Screenshot of Merlin app, pictures of birds: house sparrow (small brown bird with grey breast), cedar waxwing (tan/olive/rosy bird with black mask) northern cardinal (bright red bird with black mask), house finch (brown bird with rosy breast), red-bellied woodpecker (black and white speckled looking bird with a red cap), downy woodpecker (small black and white speckled bird with red patch om back of its head), American Robin (grayish brown bird with bright orange breast), dark-eyed junco (small dark grey bird with light grey breast). Screenshot of Merlin app, pictures of birds: ring-necked pheasant ( large brown bird with long tail feathers, green head with red eye patches and a white ring on its neck), mourning dove (buff/olive/rosy bird with beady black eyes), white-breasted nuthatch (sleek grey bird with white breast), American crow (medium-large black bird), Carolina wren (small reddish brown bird with breast of a similar color in a lighter shade), American goldfinch (bright yellow bird with black wings), red-winged blackbird (black bird with single red-orange and yellow stripes on its wings), black-capped chickadee (small grey bird with creamy breast and black cap). Image of a cedar waxwing (tan, golden, olive, rosy bird with a black mask) sitting among barren branches.
March 12, 2025 at 8:30 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
“Avon calling!”

Drove around yesterday evening looking for cranes since we had been hearing them. Found this pair looking like they were getting ready to knock on someone’s door. ♥️

(Also I’m aware I aged myself with that joke)
March 12, 2025 at 2:44 PM
bethietee.bsky.social
A smaller list for #TenMinMerlin today. Got some new ones in the mix, also got a lot of good audio of the American F-35 (we live over by the Air National Guard base and I thought they were all out for the day—nope!).
Screenshot of Merlin app, images of birds: house sparrow (small brown bird with grey breast), house finch (small brown bird with rosy pink breast), American tree sparrow (small brown bird with tan/cream breast), mourning dove (medium buff/pinkish/olive bird with beady black eyes), red-bellied woodpecker (medium-large black and white bird with red cap on its head), northern cardinal (bright red bird with bright orange beak and black mask), dark-eyed junco (small dark grey bird with light grey breast). Screenshot of Merlin app, images of birds: Carolina wren (small orangey-brown bird with breast of similar color in a lighter shade), American goldfinch (bright yellow bird with black wings), purple finch (small bird with darker purple head, lighter purple breast, brownish wings).
March 12, 2025 at 2:06 AM