The roar of March's lion continues to blow and the beasts of the air are having as much fun with it as they can...
Despite the several inches of new snow Friday, it has been starting to feel more seasonal and the weather reports are backing up that feeling.
Here in the Bear Swamp I took advantage of a few sunny, windy days to look up.
The Backyard Science group regularly publishes The Daily Bucket, which features observations of the world around us. What's in your backyard? Funny insects, unusual birds, pretty flowers, healthy vegetables, or shy snakes?
Any of these and much more are worthy additions to the Bucket and its comments. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment, and a picture if you will. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to as we try to understand the patterns that are unwinding around us.
Last week was typically windy but mild enough to stand in the sun and see what would blow my way. Hawks, vultures, eagles and other soaring birds were taking advantage; some were working, but I think mostly they were having fun.
A good sized group of vultures dawdled over the forest, swamp and farm fields that Mr. Jersyblue and I call home.
There were Black vultures circling around chasing each other higher and higher up the air column.
They were joined by Turkey vultures that swooped a little lower, just grazing the treetops.
Then they straightened their flight path and zoomed west to find the next swirl of air.
The winds carried them high. Almost too high to see even with a lens. But now there was something different. Brighter. No it's not a plane! It's a bird! A pair of Red-tailed hawks danced and hovered. Too far apart to be in the same frame at that altitude, but maybe I could catch one?
Hovering, seemingly perfectly still. Stuck to the sky like some kind of pushpin. Then with a tiny flick of a feather, the wind carried them miles away like a kite with a broken string.
Who would be next? Whom, indeed. Flapping for what seemed like dear life, fighting the path the winds had chosen for them. Far too high and fast, they were just blurs to the eye. Who were you?
Then in the middle of yet another vulture parade, a bright glint. A white head?
Yes! Bald eagle zooming overhead! Are you a Reservoir eagle? Or a river eagle? Just checking out the neighborhood?
Looks like another sunny, blue sky today. Take some time and look up.
Now It's Your Turn What's interesting to you? Please post your own observations and your general location in the comments.