Country life

I love living the in “boondocks.” I see things like the Eagles that I’ve shared here. One night when I came home from work there was a Bobcat standing on the hill. It ran when I drove in. But I did get to see him. I saw a barred owl another night when I drove in at dusk. It was sitting on the perimeter fence. I drove past it and it never moved. It only flew off after I had gone into the house to get my camera.

One evening when D and I were first working on the property we had set up a boom box while we were cleaning up around the pond. I believe we were still picking up irrigation hose from the grove at the time. We stopped to take a break and listen to the wildlife. We were talking about all the frogs and critters that were singing so nicely and that we really didn’t need the boom box. When we shut it off…everything went silent. Apparently the frogs and critters were just singing along.

Another time I had been working later than usual so I came in around 2 or 3 am. When I got out of the car I stopped to take the time to listen to the night. First the turtles would sound off. Their deep bass a rhythm for the melody. Then the bull frogs would sing the Tenor chorus. Next the Frog choir would sound in, singing the melody so sweetly and finally the peepers would sing the aria. Next they would all play their parts together until one or the other would make a mistake and practice would start all over again. I stood outside that night for almost an hour listening to the choir practice. I felt as though I were listening to their rehearsal for the big concert coming up. It took me back to the days that I was in the band. First the Tubas and the drums play the rhythm to get the beat. Next the Brass play the melody and finally the woodwinds fill in the sound. Each practicing their own part separately then all together as a group. Wonderful memories all.

Show Time

As I look at the picture of the Sand Hill Crane I am reminded of last spring. I was working in my craft room, long before I had any feeders out there; when I heard the cranes making a racket quite nearby. I looked out the window and there they were just beyond the pile of dirt. I know it was spring time because he was showing off and looking for love. While I was watching them I realized I wasn’t alone in enjoying the show. All four of my dogs (this was before Katie came to live with us) were lying on the pile of dirt not 20 feet from the cranes. Now Sam and Ruff absolutely love to make any bird they see fly. But they were all laying on the hill watching. When the Cranes had decided they were done they just calmly walked away. All four dogs laid their heads down and went to sleep. It was almost like they said, “Ok, shows over, nap time.”

New visitor

Can't believe it has been over a month since I updated this. I'll have to get better. Last Wednesday (April 29) I had a new visitor. D called me and told me to look out my window. Right there not 15 feet from the window was this guy. The sand hill crane is about 3 and a half feet tall or better.



He stayed around for quite a while. I got these pictures then we ate lunch. My batteries for my camera went dead about that time. I'll have to go to the store and get more. Anyway after lunch I was clearing the table and looked at the kitchen door and he was looking in the window. We decided about that time to share some of our corn bread with him. So I set it on the blocks behind him but as I walked out the door he decided he'd had enough and walked away. I haven't seen him back yet but I have faith that he'll come back.

Birds?

I was very excited to finally get a birdfeeder that I could watch from my craft room. So of course I fill it and wait...

It looked like this.

Then it was empty? But I still haven't seen any birds yet, what is going on? I refilled it and soon it was empty again. I had expected to see somthing like this...

Or maybe even this...

Imagine my surprise when I finally figured it out. This is what I found.

Here is a closer view.

Sneaky horse. . . wait is that D's hand holding the feeder for him? Now I know. At least I can see the others now and then.