Flying Things.....

A beautiful morning here in Port with an opportunity to take three nice long walks....before the forecast changes to some rain and possibly snow this weekend. Fenway and I went out first thing this morning for his short morning walk. As we rounded the corner a mallard flew in front of us landing in the parking lot. It slowly waddled across the pavement as Fenway's ears perked up. I could almost hear him thinking "Ah hah! A big fat bird that moves slowly....surely I can catch this one!" He ran to the end of his leash....but before he could even get close the duck took off. Disappointment once more. I just noticed that it was a beautiful male and the sunlight made his colorful feathers gleam.

Later we took a longer walk up the bike path. A pair of blue jays screamed in a tree, a lone sandhill crane flew overhead, honking as it disappeared over the bluff. A pair of cardinals talked to each other from one side of the path to the other. Finches flicked in and out of low bushes. Starlings with their yellow beaks explored a grassy area and plump robins searched for breakfast just off the path. They weren't bothered until we got too close...and then flew away. A little wren watched from a tree, cocking it's head as we walked by.

And then there was a noise off to my right and as I turned my head I saw a really big shape take wing. Coming from across the stream I watched as a big tom turkey flew/glided across our route and landed on the bluff to the left. Up the hill it walked......as I stood with my mouth open. We see wild turkeys all the time as we drive around Wisconsin, but this is the first time I've seen them along "our" path and close to our condo!

Later I walked into town to the library and a pair of geese flew, honking, overhead...nothing unusual about that. And as I approached my destination a painted lady flittered around me...swooping up and down before landing in the grass. My first spring butterfly.

So this morning was a lovely one - full of flying things doing their things. Once again I feel so lucky to live where I do with the chance to see small bits of Mother Nature up close and personal.