Another expedition—okay--walk, to learn how to
use my new camera. This time instead of
following the jogging path I opted for the brushy area at the end of the
airport runway.
Our winter snowfall and cold weather is ‘way
overdue.
The ice on the river should be
solid and the snow should be knee-deep.
More deer tracks on the mud.
The view wasn’t real scenic with all the gray
skies and naked trees.
Then I realized
without tree leaves the summer homes of the birds were much easier to see.
Some nests were very artistic. I’m guessing this one was built by a robin.
It is so well designed and has survived a multitude of wind storms.
The orioles build these highly engineered and
fastidious structures.
A posh home of the bird aristocracy.
In contrast there are magpie nests. Magpies are some of nature’s hoarders.
They can’t throw anything away and love to
bring home shiny things.
I’m glad this hornet nest is very high and
empty.
Nests under the bridge built by swallows
one-mouthful-of-mud-at-a-time.
Swallowing might be a bad idea.
Then I came across this large and odd
construction
thirty feet up in a cottonwood tree.
The same viewed from below. I’m guessing it is unfinished because somebody’s
mom found out where all the lumber from their fence was going and wasn’t too
keen on spending an afternoon at the emergency room.
The only thing sort of exciting was a whiff of
stink from a wandering skunk. No deer.
At least I didn’t see the deer, but I think I
scared the crap out of him.
