Look Up, Look Up!

But not in the dictionary. I read somewhere that most people spend very little time looking up at the sky. I have no idea if that is true or not, but farmers, who rely so much on the weather, watch the clouds all the time.

Birders even more so.

This week I have been glad to have both activities affecting the direction of my gaze.

First, yesterday when walking in from morning chores. Large black bird soars over, rooftop level. Lower than the tower even...very close. Thought it was a juvie turkey vulture, as it was SO low. 

Took a better look. Found myself staring into bright silvery eyes that were looking back at me. Young bald eagle...maybe a three-year-old from photos I looked up.

Amazing and close enough to enjoy feather detail.

Today, walking the divine Miss Daisy. Another black bird. Higher. Smaller.

I said to him, "I know you're not a crow but what are you?"

Hmmmm

Oh, okay, a raven, first since early spring. Not that ravens are a big thrill, but it was something different than catbirds, cedar waxwings and gold finches, which seem to be all the rage these days.

I'm glad for these two visitors, since birding has been real hit or miss as the songs stop and the migrants move on. Still seeing hummers and robins, but I don't think they are the locals. No fall warblers yet, which seems odd. Maybe they are just not stopping, or I am just missing them. Usually I see and hear them though.

At least surprises in the sky make routine chores more interesting.