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| OAFS Photo |
Mind you, temperatures were in the 20s and the wind made it feel a lot colder. After studying the object in the tree for a few minutes, it moved. Bird!
A fair-sized bird, this was no robin-sized flying creature, from the looks of the beak, I had to say a raptor of some sort. A hawk perhaps, what type though I couldn't figure out.
There's plenty for them to eat around here - rabbits, squirrels, mice, all sorts of wee things that to a hawk would be appetizing. Yes, it's winter but normally it isn't as cold here on the coast as it is further inland.
Did a bit of research and there are a number of raptor species native to Little Rhody and some stay here year round.
No matter the type of bird, it was fascinating watching it out there. From the way he or she was all puffed up, I'm betting he or she was freezing his feathered butt off!
I'm really enjoying this stop to smell the roses thing. I got up early this morning (well, okay, 0830 isn't early for most people, it's pretty early for me, mind you, I stay up past midnight most nights) and decided to stay up.
Had my coffee and a bagel, read some, got on the computer to check the blog and respond to comments and thought about writing. I haven't finished The Tank vignette yet, I'm rather stuck on that one. Might just leave it for now and do something else in the meantime.
I mean I've got all day, haven't I?
Ciao.
ReplyDelete"I'm really enjoying this stop to smell the roses thing....I mean I've got all day, haven't I?"
I don't recall where I read this: "What are they saying?" "They're saying 'inshallah,' it's like 'manana' but without the urgency."
Enjoy! You've earned being able to do things in your timeframe rather then by the clock or bugle call.
This week is, in reality, my first week of retirement. Being with the grandkids for Christmas didn't really count, they kept me on my toes the whole time (and I loved every minute of it). Now I have to focus on a number of things, first and foremost is the book. Need to get that going and "out the door." But for the moment, I'm biding my time.
DeleteAh! Adjusting to a new routine Sarge, enjoy the ability to be a bit more independent. Nice not to have to be somewhere unless it's the dentist (9AM today) or the CT scan.
ReplyDeleteI'm still in the planning phase for "what comes next?" The number of projects all yelling "me first" amazes me. I have things to do, now I have to start.
DeleteGoogle Lens thought it was a Broad-wing Hawk. Enjoy the day!
ReplyDeleteI was leaning towards that or the red-tail. Hard to tell when they're all puffed up like that.
DeleteCold or not, everything has to eat.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a blissful start to a new stage of life. Enjoy it Sarge, you have certainly earned it.
So far, so good.
DeleteI’m going to say Red-Tailed Hawk. Chilly, hence the puffed up feathers.
ReplyDeleteIf you’re interested, the “Merlin Bird ID” app is pretty great, it can help ID birds for you, based on audio, photographs, or your deecription.
I do believe I'll be getting that app, it looks good and I've always enjoyed watching the birds.
DeleteI find that it works well for me in a lot of circumstances, as a novice birder. (Not sure how well it explains the “bird packs” but you’ll also need to install the relevant ones.) It’s also free, which is a plus.
DeleteMy dad really loved the birds that came to his feeders, and I was just starting to get into it when he passed. I’ve sort of half kept at it, but don’t get out and about enough to really practice enough.
I can thoroughly recommend the Merlin App. Over here in the UK I have a lot of small birds at my feeders including birds that winter here. I've found that when you attract small birds you get visits from raptors, still it's the circle of life isn't it? I'm amazed by the mental maps of their surroundings the Sparrowhawks have. I will occasionally see one flash past the window and through the undergrowth.
DeleteIsn't nature wonderful!
Retired
a bear - In my youth I spent many hours watching our feathered friends. I hadn't thought of that aspect of my past much but now I find it's yet another thing to occupy my time and mind. Thanks for that particular inspiration!
DeleteRetired - Nature is superb, the hawk reminded me to stop and watch it at times. The Merlin App will help, it satisfy the need inside me to identify things and understand them better.
DeleteThe lady of the house and I stay up well past midnight as well. Reading mostly until Lady Alexa turns all the lights off. It always sneaks up on us. Jeanie is a voracious reader (thank you Kindle Unlimited!) and I am finding myself reading "Substack" stuff. Have you tried that one, Sarge?
ReplyDelete35º this AM. Feet hit the cold tile floor at 10 with an emergency shot of adrenaline. "Pest Control!" said the man halfway into the kitchen. He has keys, matched with a somewhat impatient attitude. I usually remember that he's coming, but this AM, I totally forgot. Anyway, we've known him for years. We laughed about it and he made a hasty exit. And remember that ten o'clock is actually seven for a lot of people. So it's ok if no one is looking.
Well, if you want to be busy, you can always clean your room. No reading books as you find them.
ReplyDeleteMayhaps convince The Missus that you need to turn one of the spare bedrooms into a 2nd library. Call it the Napoleon Annex or something.