Wednesday, April 15, 2009

OLD BIRDERS' PROVERB: An Offshore Wind Flatters No Standing Ducks

This is the third consecutive day of wind and rain. In some ways I don't mind, since an offshore wind means less work for me. I don't have to squeegee muddy Lake Erie spray off the back windows. But it can be very difficult on the birds. One time it blew so fiercely I watched it sweep a house sparrow completely off her feet and somersault her over backwards, like that little Woodstock bird in the Peanuts cartoons. This time, an unexpected gust whipped a starling right off the tree with the suet cage. I just happened to be trying for a photo of another bird when it happened, and caught the startled starling, too. What looks in the photo like graceful flight is really some fast and desperate course correcting!






And then there's the ducks. My pair of mallards stopped by and basked in a brief moment of sun that broke through the clouds. Sitting with one's back to the wind works if one remains seated, like the female, but stand up, like the male, and the wind does the most unflattering things with feathers. Talk about a wide load!






When the rain took a break, I popped out out to get the mail. We never get any pigeons around here, but I thought the beaded water on an oil spot in my parking area made pretty pigeon colors, so I went back for my camera. While it certainly wouldn't count as a sighting for anyone's Life List, after three soaking days, I'm getting desperate for something with a hint of color! I suppose I shouldn't complain; you don't have to shovel rain...

10 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Oh, it looks so cold! And I don't like the wind! We had some beautiful sunshine for a few hours yesterday afternoon, but it's gone again today and was in the 30s. Know that isn't cold for you, but with the damp, it goes to the bone. Poor birds! Love your "oil" photo, great colors! Stay warm! By the way if you want to see something inspiring, take a look at this video, it'll take a few minutes for you to see what I mean, but it's worth it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk cut and paste it.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Deb, Sorry about all of the rain and especially winds---but I'm glad they are blowing offshore.. Poor little birds.. I'm sure that wind makes it hard for them. Hope your weather turns around soon!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

bobbie said...

Wise words. "You don't have to shovel rain."

We are also going through a period of wind and rain and it's too darned cold for spring. They promise better weather for the weekend.

Annie Jeffries said...

We have lots of wind here too but no rain. I wish he had some of your rain.

Great Grandma Lin said...

we certainly are all having weather-ours is winds and no rain.

Quiet Paths said...

Oh those poor little birds. I bet that wind is fierce like on Flathead. Your last paragraph made me smile. I just wrote something similar regarding the need for a bit of color! The water droplets are pretty pigeon.

Kathie Brown said...

Deborah, you have quite the imagination there!

Cloudia said...

You live amidst beauty and share it unfailingly with us. Thanks & Aloha, Sistah

Naturegirl said...

Debra: I has been very windy in Scotttsdale also..Winds like I've never experienced...I also watched the birds being blownoff!
I'm home now...weather's not bad here! JUst like the cool mornings by the mountains!

SandyCarlson said...

The rain that never ends! April is as good as her name this year, I think. I'm thinking about letting things go "like water off a duck's back" and thinking it's a skill that comes with evolution! May the sun shine soon.