As I knit towards my trip and my sibling reunion next week…
I saw a large crow high-tailing it out of our airspace today, a tiny junco divebombing it again and again with the flicks of its black-and-white tail making exclamation marks in the sky while the crow was dodging out of its way: You stay away from my babies!
That blur near-center of the second photo–our quail came back, singing alone for a mate and fluttering his wings fetchingly. Michelle wasn’t taken with the idea of naming him Dan Quail; how about Mr. Potatoe Head? (Paragraph 6 under Vice Presidency.)
But meantime. I learned today how spoiled I am by the professionalism of our falcon folks.
The idea that two men went into a peregrine’s nest, wore no protective headgear, went to band her eyases, and–
–the mind boggles.
I’ve been in the eight-story library across the street from our peregrines and watched one go past so fast that I had to ask someone if I’d actually seen what I’d seen; they’re not kidding when they say they’ve been clocked divebombing at 241 mph.
The Fish and Game guys are holding a livid mama peregrine off while they handle her babies (and normally it would be both parents attacking the intruders vigorously).
With a broom. And that broom ain’t lookin’ too new. And there’s apparently only one for two if not three people; I wonder what the reporter who was taking the photos had on their head?
It’s just not the way to sweep a lady off her feet.
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I had a sweet gentle parrot who took a chunk out of my finger one day when he was feeling out of sorts. I shudder to imagine what a predator like a falcon would do out of anger and fear if provoked!
Comment by Jody 05.21.11 @ 5:42 amWow. I’m trying to remember the quote my mother used to attribute to her Irish father… something about God looking after fools and babies? Hem.
Comment by Channon 05.21.11 @ 9:31 amHave a safe trip and lots of fun with your siblings.
Interesting post!
Comment by Joansie 05.22.11 @ 1:00 pmI was watching a crow get picked on by a small bird the other day, too. Amazing what the right motivation will do!
Comment by twinsetellen 05.23.11 @ 6:50 pmLeave a comment
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