13 August 2013

....while we were in the okra patch I heard a concerted squawking from overhead. I looked up and there were about 9 large crane-like birds flying towards the north, sort of. These were birds I'd never seen before. They closely resembled the big white cowbirds I've told you of but these were an ochre color (yellowish brown) and the inside edges of their wings were solid black.....

...Of course I saw at least one small rabbit and several field mice. Have I told you of the little Downy Woodpecker I see every morning as we leave out from the road at the back gate? There is a line of electric poles at this road right outside the back gate and on the top of one of one resides at least one Downy Woodpecker. These are the ones that are the size of a robin (maybe slightly smaller) and are black and white. This being a creosote soaked high line pole, the bird doesn't peck or hunt for insects on the pole. It just seems to be living atop the pole. Rather strange I think unless he or she just uses this place as an interim jump-off spot. I know it flies to the nearby tree line, so that's possibly where it lives.......

image from allaboutbirds.com

3 August 2013

...a sparrow baby, which really looked to be quite old enough to fare for itself, was squawking quite adamently and flapping its not fully extended wings as its mother feverishly tried to keep enough bits of food transferring from her to the mouth of the babe's. After a bit the mom flew off, I suppose after more food, or possibly to encourage the baby to join her. The babe can fly, 'cause it flew to the sill it was perched upon. But after a bit the mom hadn't returned and the youngster was sitting, waiting, looking about, and every now and again a little peep was heard. Then all at once the mom returned and that baby went balistic, squawking like it was trying out a newly discovered voice. But that's how it is, at least for sparrow young, they will continue to let themselves be fed until their mom just wont any more. You know, that's not so strange is it after all, we all have probably returned to the roost a couple times for a good square meal. Some have never left....

Photo © Pheanix300