Was heard last night, just after dark, when I was dragging bedding over from this side of the creek to bed up for the night. I used to keep the round bales Matt gave me over by the barn, but now we have four cows going outside and they tear the bales all up...so I have to lug it a lot farther.
It was sweet to hear the cry of the killdeer while I was doing the lugging though. Seems as if it is early for them. I will have to check back and see.
It is amazing to me how migration, which had barely begun just three or four days ago, is in full swing now. I went with Alan to get a load of hay yesterday and the roadsides were black with assorted black birds....funny how the red winged black birds and grackles flock up with the local starlings to form massive mobs that set the air ringing with their calls. They were settling over the long-harvested corn fields and then swirling up in black clouds only to settle again a few yards away.
We also saw a neat thing, a pileated woodpecker clinging precariously to a spike of stag horn sumac, tearing it up with its big chisel beak. It looked at first like a plastic toy, stuck in the branches and I did a double take as we whizzed by on our way home with sustenance for the girls....speaking of which, I cannot wait for green grass, which is our only possible savior this year. You don't have to buy it and they can eat as much of it as they want to. Praying for an early spring here with great sincerity.
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I noted my first killdeer yesterday too. Later in the season I will tire of their shrill repetitive cry. Right now, I could fill a room with them and be happy to be deafened by them!
Way back in January, the killdeer were all over the soccer pitch when the girls and I practiced.
Hope that spring arrives extra early.
I too hope for greener pastures!
Now that isn't fair, I want to see the killdeer!
Wonderful post, TC.
That bit about the pileated as a toy in the sumac. Delightful.
Can't imagine what a sight that was. We only see them high up and at a distance. Maybe a flash of white patches on a silhouette overhead.
I hear your prayer. From your lips to God's ear.
I love Killdeer! We only see them when we're at Ft.Desoto walking about.
Praying for spring and a nice warm summer!
I heard the raspy buzz of the red-winged blackbird on Sunday, and nearly tripped into the snowbank! Bring in on, birdies! :D
I am so with you....I really want spring to get here. Winter has been hard and long. Green grass is the best for food value although the girls seem to enjoy dry hay. I laugh at them and tell them it really is potato chips, but they just give me cow eyes that says....so!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
June, I have been very fond of the little brown birds since we moved to the country when I was a kid. Perhaps because they are kinda, sorta shorebird type critters and we live so far inland...anyhow, I love them
FC, they are amazing. I even know of a flat-roofed factory where a number of them nest up there.
Michelle, Can't wait for green grass!
Lisa, haven't seen one yet either...only heard them. Saw a bald eagle yesterday over the river though
Cathy, it was so cool. You know how you will see something as you flash by and only after you have passed do you process what you have seen...it was like that. Never saw them eating fruit before...and thank you
Dani, they are common here, but we never grow tired of them. Some years they nest in the driveway and we paint circles around the nest so we don't accidentally drive over them.
SC Momma, thanks! Couldn't ask for nicer weather than we are having today and I am grateful for it.
Mrs. M, I have only heard a few here but out in Glen there are thousands!
Linda, around here potato chips and milk are called the breakfast of champions, but for the cows...bring on that green grass and soon!
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