Need a Romantic Get-Away

to the Boone Area?

 

Valentines Day is not far away. 

Enjoy a cozy bed & breakfast inn

 or a mountain cabin with fireplace

and jacuzzi. Check out our

our places to stay.

 

ExploreBooneArea.com

The Shoppes at Farmers

Come see our classic collection

of silver and semi-precious

stone creations by local artisans

including Turtle Old Man & Moss

Creek Jewelry.  Accentuate your

Winter attire with our wide

variety of scarves, totes and

hats including the unique and

nationally acclaimed creations

of local designer Angella

Eisman Designs. We also

feature baby gifts, quality pet

goods, and yoga supplies.

Dancers of all ages get your

apparel here. Sales are almost over. Open everyday.

Park behind the store.

$4.99 Lunch Special 

at Jersey Mike's

Subs

 __________________________ 

 

Different specials 11am-2pm weekdays

starting at $4.99 

__________________________

 

New Market Center

in Boone

(across from movie theatres)

 Open 10:30am-9:00pm daily 

828.264.4447 or click here

**Foscoe Rentals**

From hiking to fishing,

horseback riding to gem mining

now is the

time to come to the Mountains 

of NC! Cabins, Condos, and

Vacation

Homes. Even the family pet is

welcome!

Call now 800-723-7341

Fresh Start

Counseling Center

Quality, Affordable Counseling

 

 Offering a personalized

approach tailored to the

individual client's needs.

 

We work with a wide range of

behavioral & emotional issues...

depression, adolescent &

couples counseling, family

relationships, stress management,

physical & sexual abuse &

much more.

 

Call 828.413.2932 or

click here to visit our website

 

 


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January Highlights
by Curtis Smalling

Latest Update: January 22, 2012


Wild Turkeys are very visible in fields right now. Photo by Steven Bullock
January is usually a very slow birding month in the High Country. This year is no exception, but all hope is not lost! The nice thing about living in an area of the state with little bird activity is that we tend to be thankful for the little gifts that we sometimes get, even with common species.

The past few days a huge flock of Wild Turkeys have been in the bottom below Meat Camp Baptist Church. They really are beautiful birds and so amazing that they are so big!! Then last night I had a nice little Eastern Screech Owl calling at the house. Then just today, a really big Raven was in the road eating a rabbit carcass and it stayed in the road until the last possible minute then looked so big and amazing blue-black as he wheeled up in front of the car. Just gorgeous.

But a lot of birders do like the rarities and we have a couple just off the mountains. Dwayne Martin found a Ross' Goose and a Greater White-fronted Goose. There are also some Rufous Hummingbirds still around in the foothills. And now that February is coming, early returnees will be showing up like big flocks of blackbirds and grackles, migrant waterfowl, and sparrows moving through in March. So enjoy these days and look for the passing flock of chickadees, or a Pileated Woodpecker.

For more information on birds in the High Country call the Watauga Birding Hotline at 828-265-0198. Also visit www.ncaudubon.org, www.carolinabirdclub.org, Visit the Audubon North Carolina blog at http://ncaudubonblog.org/blog/


You can always count on Song Sparrows to brighten a winter day. Photo by Don Mullaney


Keep your eyes open for Fox Sparrows. Photo by Amy Cook


Eastern Bluebirds are checking out homes now. Photo by Don Mullaney