I sat on my front deck last evening listening and watching a light thunderstorm rolling past. The air from the River was delicious with the heavy fragrance of newly falling rain. A grey sky cast above the River in rapid movement, the thunder remained near the shores of Canada, with no visible lightening. The temperature is reaching into the fifties and it is becoming very pleasant to sit outdoors once again.
Grackles and robins are all about the yard collecting nest fodder to begin a family. I watched on grackle with a long stem of grass enter a likely tree. The grass was three times the length of the bird and negotiating between branches was a challenge. Suddenly another grackle appeared from under the cedar boughs, standing erect. The hidden bird had already laid claim to the proper nesting location and was unwilling to give it up. All the fellow with the stem could do was back down and search out another location. He lit onto a short cedar and vanished in its crown, successful.
There’s a pair of crows who have made a nest next door in a tall cedar. Their nest is already built, with one tending a batch of eggs. Crows have a remarkable array of vocalizations with which to communicate. I watched one returning last evening with some nourishment for its mate. The jet black silhouette came swooping through, making a series of clicking sounds. The bird seemed very proud of what it was carrying and proceeded to inform its better half that dinner was on the way.
Robins are becoming very territorial and fights erupt through out the day. It is strange to watch such a docile creature get its back up to another. If one happens to land on the ground too close to another’s nest site, then the “Robin rumble” begins. A face off to warn the intruder to leave or pay the consequences takes place. When that has no effect they each rise to dual in the air with flapping wings. Once may be sufficient but often as not it takes a few rounds to settle the issue.
The rain has also lured some hibernators to venture forth into spring. Night crawlers and peppers have emerged to cross the road as the rain saturates the ground. While out driving at night, they cover the roadway. The worms are hardly visible, but the peepers make short leaps, like popcorn in a black pan. All of this activity provides a wealth of food for birds and small mammals after a good rain.
I took a ride over to Wellesley Island with my niece, to take some photos last week. We saw a young bald eagle in a barren tree. This was the first eagle that I have seen developing from immature to mature. White was beginning to emerge from its head while some brown still remained. The eagle was sprawled out in the tree attempting to dry off. I made the assumption that it had tried to do a little fishing and got more than it bargained for! The usual stately raptor looked more like a wet dishrag in its current condition. Surprisingly none of the small birds bothered to harass the soaked creature. After a good air drying it once again took flight… a bit clumsily I must say.
On a calm sunny morning I took to my dock to enjoy the blue River and watch the wildlife. A pair of muskrats were swimming and diving on the calm surface. I ventured over to my neighbors dock for a better view. They seem to have claimed the underbelly of the dock for a home. Being leery of me, they would dive some twenty yards out and swim beneath me, up under dock. One did become somewhat accustomed to my presence and gave me a good photo opt. Carrying a camera is a good way to learn patience, especially when wildlife is the subject. What better surrounding could you ask for such a hobby as the St. Lawrence River?
No comments:
Post a Comment