A Flicker Rescue

It's another warm day. Neddy is stretched out on the desk, while Lovey just returned inside and laid down on the cool tile floor. Lovey caught a huge blue dragonfly after dusk last night, then brought it inside for Neddy to kill - I guess she's decided she needs to train him well in all of the usual kitty pursuits. When I was ready to retire last night, I had to chase both of them down outside - as soon as I touch the patio door, they both run outside as fast as they can. Neddy isn't ready to climb a tree yet, but Lovey is definitely showing him how to do it.
I had a lovely walk with Remy and Rosie yesterday - we met a few other canines out walking early, and the Rs were very well behaved. While we were visiting Suki and Boo at the end of the walk, I was able to perform my good deed of the day: the Rs were chasing squirrels in the front line of trees, and I heard some very agitated birds by the irrigation ditch, so I went over to check things out. A young flicker had fallen into the ditch, and the current kept sweeping it along, and under, the water, while the parents flew above and cried in distress. This alerted Suki and Boo, who decided to try getting a bite of the young bird - but I chased them off, then made a basket of my hands, and swept the youngster out of the water. It took about a minute for it to recover, and to begin gripping my fingers with it's toes. Once it was alert, I placed it on a low branch in the willow tree, and both parents joined it. They flew off together about 15 minutes later, so I felt good about the rescue.

Delightfully Cold!

When walking this morning, it was 8 degrees out, and the weather station said that the wind chill made it feel like -13. All I know was that it was invigorating! Once again I am indebted to Kathryn, for her knitted hat and scarf kept my head, ears and face from freezing - only a few die-hard joggers were out; no trace of wildlife. (Of course, they had the good sense to stay denned/nested where it was warm!) The sunrise was was greeted with a series of pink and peach bands, and it's currently cloudless and very bright out. The kits have run outside a few times, but keep returning inside for the warmth.

I enjoyed watching a larger flicker show a smaller one how to conform itself so it could eat from the sunflower feeder yesterday afternoon. The larger bird has been availing itself of the seeds as an additive to its' diet for the past 6 months or so. The feeder has very small feeding ledges - it's meant for small birds; the flicker perches on a corner and uses its tail as a brace against the bottom of the feeder, while scooping out sunflower seeds from the ledge with its curved beak and tongue. Yesterday my sight was drawn there because of the unusual amount of, and the soft sounds of, the clucking that was coming from the feeder (the smaller birds sound like small children at recess during school)... And there was the larger flicker showing the smaller - I have no idea whether the smaller bird was a youngster, or a smaller mate - but it was fun to observe!

Today I'm celebrating the birth of Jeffrey Dale Devine. In following his male-descent lineage, he was an Irishman. In following his paternal grandmother's line he was mainly English; following his maternal lineage, he was mainly Dutch and English. If ancient bloodlines can be believed, he was descended from Harold Bluetooth (King of Denmark), Richard (or Rollo) first Duke of Normandy, and Kenneth Mac Alpin (King of Scotland from 843 - 858). With this combination of bloodlines, it means he was directly descended from the Royal British household from Cnut (ruled 1016 - 1035) to Edward III and his son John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster ; and that he is a distant cousin of today's Royalty. Jeff was a loving, generous, kind and giving man - he loved life and adventure, and he partied as hard as his diabetes would let him; and he produced three wonderful children. He is missed.