Return of the Finches
Springtime and the yellow finches have returned to our front yard. May father’s favorite bird, and mine too. This one enjoyed feeding in the late rain today (Mike Barzacchini photos).
Scenes From a Winter's Day
The days are gradually getting longer. Temperatures today rose to something almost above bearable. The sun rose and shined. And these scenes from this winter’s day warmed me.
On the Wing of a Bird
Often the best parts of my day never make it on a list.
You might say that today’s to-do list flew away on the wing of a bird. A broken wing at that.
Returning home from early errands, we spotted a small bird near our front-yard feeders that appeared injured. It would hop, but not fly. And while it would hop outside the gate between the slats, it would soon return, as if it knew things were safer inside the gate than out.
Smart bird. Our woodland neighborhood is filled with predators who would make a quick meal of a small, injured creature.
After watching the little bird for a short time to make sure it wasn’t just stunned, Susan gently picked it up and placed it in a cage lined with a blanket.
I then called Chicago Bird Collision Monitors and they put me in touch with Fox Valley Wildlife Center. We made an appointment to transport our bird into the Center staff’s safe hands. Our little patient will be assessed, treated, and hopefully rehabbed so it will fly another day.
What three things did I learn from today’s adventure?
Our patient was a Pine Siskin, a tiny songbird from the finch family.
Many smart and helpful volunteers like those at Chicago Bird Collision Monitors and Fox Valley Wildlife Center are working to help rescue and rehab animals seven days a week.
Often the best, most fulfilling parts of my day never make it on a list.
Our rescued Pine Siskin. Wired Lotus (aka Susan Barzacchini) photo.
You can donate to support the work of the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors and the Fox Valley Wildlife Center.
Deer in the Dark
You never know what you’ll find when you take your dogs out for that last walk of the night, or what might find you.
We had storms rolling in last night, so I hustled the dogs out for their last walk before bedtime. Lucy and Lulu, the little ones are easy, I just let them out behind the gate, but I leash Dino and Roy and take them to the side yard.
Dino was first. As soon as I got him out past the gate, he started to growl and circle and wanted to go back. Dino has two alert behaviors. When he barks and moves forward, it means he spies or smells something that warrants further attention. A squirrel or chipmunk, perhaps. When he growls and retreats, I pay attention. We kept close to the gate entrance so he could finish his business, then I hustled him and the two littles inside. I still had to take care of Roy, our three-legged, almost eighty-pound hound mix.
I leashed Roy and grabbed a flashlight. At least I’d be able to see what we were walking into. Roy doesn’t typically alert in the dark. He just bounds forward. It may be that he’s not easy to surprise after all his time spent in the Tennessee woods before we rescued him.
Lightning flashed in the distance as I walked Roy toward the side yard. I scanned the flashlight left. Nothing but trees. I flashed the beam in front of us. More trees. Then I moved it right to Roy’s “go-to” spot. A big buck stood tall and regal less than ten yards from us. I didn’t take the time to count his points, but he was easily the biggest specimen I’d seen on the hill this season and his gaze was fixed on us.
I’ve been chased by a buck while trying to navigate dogs on leash before and didn’t look to relive that experience, especially in the dark on the cusp of a storm. The thing about bucks this time of year, they act like they own the place. And even though I can produce the deed, they’re adamant. Roy and I retreated. He could make like the little ones behind the gate tonight.
Not long after, safe and warm inside with all dogs, the storm hit full force, wind, thunder, lightning, and driving rain. I thought about the buck and wondered where he sheltered. I thanked him silently for allowing Roy and me a graceful retreat from our nighttime encounter.
Roy, my fellow deer finder (Mike Barzacchini photo).
Enjoying the Ride
I’ve passed this field just after sunrise every week since late August. Each time I think, “I should stop and take a photo.” Yesterday, I finally did.
I don’t have much of a commute these days unless you count my trip to the home office, formerly our dining room. But on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I drive Roy, our three-legged foster dog about 20 miles roundtrip for training and daycare.
Each time, I pass a field of prairie grass, weeds, and I’m sure more than a few invasive plant species, cast in the bright glow of sunrise. Every day, I think, I should stop and snap a photo of this. Yesterday I did.
Roy has five more weeks of training. This means ten more times driving past this field. I look forward to seeing how the view evolves into late fall and perhaps the first frost.
This won’t be the last time I stop for a photo. It’s a reminder for me to enjoy the journey, no matter how strange and challenging the days and to start with each beautiful moment that makes up each day.
I hope you enjoy your daily drive or trip to your home office. What’s your favorite recent view of the world?
