Birds

Watched the changing cloud formations as the sun came up — changing light patterns continue for over an hour. String after string of Canada Geese passing overhead. Did you know that it takes 12,000 muscles for the Canada goose, to move its feathers?

Birds
by William Wordsworth
Happier of happy though I be, like them
I cannot take possession of the sky,
Mount with a thoughtless impulse, and wheel there,
One of a mightly multitude whose way
And motion is a harmony and dance
Magnificient.

Long before I could see them, the sounds of a passing flock of crows drifted through closed windows. Soaring in, they would stop for a moment in a pine or hemlock, drop to the ground, patrol the clearing, pick at a seed or other tidbit and back into the air. Couldn’t count them… Black is their color yet light playing on their glossy feather brings an array of iridescent purple, green and blue. The clouded sky provides a perfect backdrop to watch their aerial ballet. I have to admit that I am glad they didn’t stay long but I did enjoy their short visit.
Crows:
“Here in central New York, they are among the few birds that are obvious in the depths of winter other than chickadees at a feeder. But for all their familiarity, most people don't have a clue about the complex and interesting lives that crows lead”. Kevin J. McGowan
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/cstudyoverv.htm

Got most of the yard tools cleaned and put away for winter, rolled up hoses, covered mowers, swept the decks and now we just have a few more bulbs to plant and a lot of pots to stack and store until spring. Most of the yard chores are finished --- ok, so we will have to shovel the walks and drive but otherwise….

We are directly across from a Bald Eagle Preserve. Last winter we counted well over five-dozen eagles while searching along the Mongaup River and the Rio Dam area. In trying to learn a bit more about the eagle preserve I became interested in learning more about the history and ecology of our area, more about that to come in future postings.