Aside from the construction, I had an interesting close encounter today. I really enjoy the natural state of the area around us, we live on the edge. Fifteen miles of river lies to our north and there aren't more than six houses on the water over that fifteen miles. The spectacular two and a half miles of water in front of the house, the eagles lifting from a branch along the river, the fish jumping in the glowing sun on the water, all bring smiles to my face and peace to my soul. When I came out of the house this morning I walked into the porch to the bird feeders to see if I had any customers since I filled them up yesterday. The feeders have had few visitors over the last day. Most birds headed south some time ago, and the stalwarts of Goldfinches, Chickadees, Cardinals, and House Finches are still around and feeding They have been joined by our snow birds, who must come from colder places to our temperate area to flee the freeze. Those birds are Carolina Wrens, Nuthatches, and a new transient I saw today. The new visitor was impressive and frightening. He came to eat, but not to feed on seeds. As I came up to the feeders next to the porch I saw a beautiful little Carolina Wren trapped inside the screened in porch. We found him in there last week too, and we guided him out to free him. Today I did the same thing, gently encouraging him to proceed down the porch walls and floor to the porch door that I swung open for him to fly out. It went well, he was a bit distressed but he seemed to know the drill and cooperated in the process without much panic. I was happy to see him exit the screen door and fly around it to the yew bushes along the porch where he usually hangs out all day. Just as it landed in the bush I saw another large bird come right through the yew bush trying to catch the wren. Wings were flapping noisily, branches were swinging and dipping. It all happened so fast, I was horrified when I realized what had happened. As my beautiful little wren gleefully exited the porch, a Perrigrine Falcon dived into the bush to catch it for dinner! I was stunned and stupified! I couldn't help it, because it happened so fast. I think the Falcon was just as shocked with the result as I was, not to mention he was disappointed and mortified because of his failure to catch the prey. I believe the terrified Wren took off for parts unknown, the Falcon landed on the Crape Myrtle tree about thirty feet away from the house. As it sat there I could see it was without meat in its talons, and it was spectacularly beautiful. Its tail was striped and fanned out. It had a moustach streak across its face and it had striped "feather pants" on its legs. I have seen Falcons before at my previous residence, but never here before. Lets just say they are spectacular. I was thrilled to see it, my Wren was so scared I didn't see him after that, at any other time throughout the day. I will also add that there were very few small birds at the feeder or dashing about the yard today, I saw one or two but visits were very sparse. Somehow I think the transient had a lot to do with that lack of activity. I have noticed the same "ghost town" effect when Ospreys are overhead. It is very possible that he has been around for sometime and that is why my feeders have not had many visitors. I am going to keep an eye on this development. I find it all very fascinating!
Aside from the construction, I had an interesting close encounter today. I really enjoy the natural state of the area around us, we live on the edge. Fifteen miles of river lies to our north and there aren't more than six houses on the water over that fifteen miles. The spectacular two and a half miles of water in front of the house, the eagles lifting from a branch along the river, the fish jumping in the glowing sun on the water, all bring smiles to my face and peace to my soul. When I came out of the house this morning I walked into the porch to the bird feeders to see if I had any customers since I filled them up yesterday. The feeders have had few visitors over the last day. Most birds headed south some time ago, and the stalwarts of Goldfinches, Chickadees, Cardinals, and House Finches are still around and feeding They have been joined by our snow birds, who must come from colder places to our temperate area to flee the freeze. Those birds are Carolina Wrens, Nuthatches, and a new transient I saw today. The new visitor was impressive and frightening. He came to eat, but not to feed on seeds. As I came up to the feeders next to the porch I saw a beautiful little Carolina Wren trapped inside the screened in porch. We found him in there last week too, and we guided him out to free him. Today I did the same thing, gently encouraging him to proceed down the porch walls and floor to the porch door that I swung open for him to fly out. It went well, he was a bit distressed but he seemed to know the drill and cooperated in the process without much panic. I was happy to see him exit the screen door and fly around it to the yew bushes along the porch where he usually hangs out all day. Just as it landed in the bush I saw another large bird come right through the yew bush trying to catch the wren. Wings were flapping noisily, branches were swinging and dipping. It all happened so fast, I was horrified when I realized what had happened. As my beautiful little wren gleefully exited the porch, a Perrigrine Falcon dived into the bush to catch it for dinner! I was stunned and stupified! I couldn't help it, because it happened so fast. I think the Falcon was just as shocked with the result as I was, not to mention he was disappointed and mortified because of his failure to catch the prey. I believe the terrified Wren took off for parts unknown, the Falcon landed on the Crape Myrtle tree about thirty feet away from the house. As it sat there I could see it was without meat in its talons, and it was spectacularly beautiful. Its tail was striped and fanned out. It had a moustach streak across its face and it had striped "feather pants" on its legs. I have seen Falcons before at my previous residence, but never here before. Lets just say they are spectacular. I was thrilled to see it, my Wren was so scared I didn't see him after that, at any other time throughout the day. I will also add that there were very few small birds at the feeder or dashing about the yard today, I saw one or two but visits were very sparse. Somehow I think the transient had a lot to do with that lack of activity. I have noticed the same "ghost town" effect when Ospreys are overhead. It is very possible that he has been around for sometime and that is why my feeders have not had many visitors. I am going to keep an eye on this development. I find it all very fascinating!
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