Late flight.

I realized that I haven’t posted here in a while so to catch up a bit here goes.

Needless to say if you follow this blog I was totally upset with the events of the giant oil fiasco in the Gulf of Mexico. The mishandling by the government and BP, the misinformation tossed at us via every channel you can imagine. Not completely with the aftermath as yet I guess we will have to wait and see.

On a lighter note and in keeping with the title today a number of V wings of cranes flew overhead this being the 5th of December makes for a rather late flight. I had seen many fly overhead in November thinking I had seen the last but today’s flight might be a record, at least for me, of the latest southern migration.

Cranes migrating North.

I had heard a small flock of these majestic birds flying north several weeks ago. Usually there are one or two, what I like to call, early birds that head north before the main flock follows. Well today was a nice, clear and sunny day so I was able to take a few pictures for one and all to see.

They fly so high in the sky yet you can hear their distinctive call.

Late migration?

Just now, 12:48 CST, when arriving back home after a little holiday shopping I first heard then saw a flock of about 25 or so cranes heading south for their annual migration. I haven’t seen them leave this late before. I’m not sure if it means anything but it is unusual. I must check my previous entries to check the dates.

Winter migration.

1420 hours, December 4, 2008.

Three very large flocks of migrating cranes flew overhead this date. I had thought it was later than usual so must check previous logs to see for sure. I wish I had a GPS so I could plot the longitude and latitude for all but the area zip code is 60491, Homer Glen, IL

THE CRANES, THE CRANES!!!!!

It has started, at least in my part of the world.  Those magnificent cranes have started to fly overhead on their annual migration south.  Although I did not see them I sure did hear them.  Sounded like a small flock maybe a vanguard either way I will listen and look for the next several days to get my semi-annual fix.

Hitchcock revisited?

A small portion of thousands of black birds

Just snapped these pix around camp. There were thousands, yes thousands of blackbirds swarming above and around my usually tranquil location. Alfred Hitchcock eat your heart out.

Good news and bad.

A friend whom I have not talked to in all too long called me today wondering why I hadn’t jotted any thoughts here lately.  I was quite flattered in that she read my missives so I just had to put something down, but what?  It dawned on me that I had been planning to comment on how, for the first time in many years, we have no red tailed hawks in the area.  We usually have a nesting pair with one or more offspring.  Not this year.  Also no hummingbirds, bluebirds or owls.  Not sure why they aren’t around and that bothers me.  There is a little good news though.  Several people have said that they had seen a new fawn in the area and today while chatting with my friend I finally saw it – cutest little thing I’ve seen in a long time.  Also, seems that a couple of baby raccoons must have lost their mom – they have been out and about in broad daylight the last couple of days.  Had a baby opossum but haven’t seen it in a while.  I don’t like the changes, hope it gets better.

I missed it.

I’m thoroughly upset with myself.  I don’t know how but I missed the mass annual crane migration north.  I had in the past been very observant waiting and watching for this spectacular sight.  It would the most fantastic event for me.  There were thousands of cranes flying high in the sky.  This year, for no apparent reason, I missed all but a handful of these majestic birds. 

Could it be?

This morning while setting off for some errands I saw a large “V” in the sky.  It was high enough up there were cranes usually soar.  Could it be that this was a vanguard flight of those beautiful creatures.  Since I was enclosed with no windows open I did not hear the very recognizable sound they make so I can’t be too sure.  If it was this seems to be one of the earliest moves north I can remember.  I must check last years blog entry to confirm that one.

Spring must be coming.

Today at my birdfeeder I saw my first Redwing Blackbird of the season.