A Proper Snow

Doesn't everyone just assume that it snows in the mountains? I know I sure did! Last winter, snow fell a few times, however, not enough to hang around for long or make much of an impression for that matter.

Finally,we had a proper snow late last week and plenty of it. So much so that much remains, especially in the shady areas. 

In spite of me not feeling well, I could not resist going out in the snow, never having had the experience before! And yes, in Vancouver we had a few snow days, but it was in the park adjacent to our condo. Here, having your own yard and neighborhood took the experience to new heights! 

Snow photos ahead.....

Although I was hoping my feeling poorly was going to be a small stumbling block, my hopes were dashed. No need to go into too many details except to say that I had another episode of dehydration which landed me in the hospital emergency room for some hours. Finally, about ten days later, I am nearing the end of this misery! 

So the forecast was for a big snow that was to arrive around 11 in the morning. Okay, putting on plenty of clothes, I went out to fill the feeders around 8:30 ahead of the storm. It was weirdly calm and not really all that cold, however, when I was at the first feeder, tiny flakes began falling. To date I am not skilled at filling the Bird Buddy so Mr. Peck came out to complete that task.

It began looking so cute with the snow on the roof!

Lets just say I could not get enough of bird watching, with more activity than I could ever have imagined. 

I would go outside in my UGGS and thank God for them! Years and years ago, during an unusually cold snap in Orlando, Bruce brought them to me at a market, having stopped at Bloomindales on his way because he knew I was so darn cold. Rarely have they been worn, but I am so thrilled that I brought them with me because things would not have gone nearly as smoothly during my outdoor jaunts! 

What I learned from this experience is that birds of all kinds go into a feeding frenzy during a snow storm. At times there were scores of birds, either on one of the feeders or on the ground, especially as the hours passed. 

My camera struggled to focus at times as the snow kept falling, heavy until four in the afternoon. Various people have claimed to know how much snow fell, but I am going to average it out to 4.5 inches. 

This was the view through the parlor window so not great but it does give you a notion as to the number of our avian friends that came calling.

All shapes and sizes including a bird I have rarely seen here in North Carolina, a Spotted Towhee, a favorite of mine while we were living in Vancouver.

Our next door neighbor Daniel was so good, taking Jude and Farah all over town in their sled.

A salt truck came by, probably because we are so close to city hall!

A little later on Jude and his friend came back on their way to some sledding.

More bird action on the Japanese Maple a few hours later.

Daniel and Chastity's snowman began getting covered in snow.

The weary hydrangeas became even wearier.

No bird stands out in the snow more than a male Northern Cardinal. At least three pairs showed up during the storm, making for quite the show!

The view towards town.

There is an empty lot on the other side of our home and I stood in the snow on that lot to take this of our home, well really the tall trees along the border of our property.

Sandi's house across from that lot.

The boys were having so much fun heading down this huge hill late in the morning.

Crash landing at the bottom!

While cold, it was so beautiful.

My Uggs came in very handy as I went alongside the house, hoping to get some photos of the birds in the snow. The heater is on this side of the house and it was steaming like mad in the cold weather, prompting me to go higher than I'd hoped to!

The backyard and all of the bird houses that we hope will be filled with little birdies one day.

You know me, I took far more photos than I am showing you because, well, that's what I do and especially when there is such a fantastic lifetime event! 

Meanwhile, Bruce and John had begun the ramp building project. Actually it was delayed because of him spending most of the day with me during my health visits (euphemism alert!), however, once the snow stopped they were fast at it. I, of course, was at home nursing my little sick self while they braved excruciating weather conditions for four days! John was snowed in and could not make it down the mountain, so he walked in that cold to meet Bruce at the end of his road! Yup, he walked over a mile, fortunately, with nary an accident. 

Doesn't that just look miserable to you? Not enough sun yet to warm things up! A few days later it was done, but not without a whole lot of willpower on both of their parts!

Speaking of needing a ramp, I was so happy that although there are plenty of steps leading up to the house, we can use the walk-out basement option which is what I did to go in the backyard. Before leaving for his ramp building, Bruce popped over to the local hardware store for some salt for the steps. 

The sun has been shining brightly ever since that beautiful snow day which has helped with melting, but lots of folks are still not able to leave their properties! Our house looked like this two days ago. Still there are pockets of snow and ice meaning that yesterday, when I finally left the house, I walked with great care. I have not attempted the river walk, oh heavens no I have not, but maybe when we return it will all have melted. That said, some very cold, especially overnight, temperatures are in the forecast.

Oh Florida friends, before I forget, look at the huge magnolia tree covered in snow! Doesn't it look fantastic?

Holy cow, I just looked and snow is forecast for next Friday! Hmm...

Here is a look at the hill where the kids were sledding, taken this morning.

No one is leaving their homes on Bayless Street, I suspect! 

So the proper snow was fantastic, and of course I was going crazy, but look who we are going to see that will be even more fantastic. Here's hoping I continue to improve.

Then again, it makes me think of some gatherings during Covid, if it takes a mask, a mask it is! 

Won't be long now.

your friend,

Gail

Mostly Bird Watching

Yesterday morning, while looking upward into the tree cover, a man stopped his car to say, "Good Morning Owl Lady." Not a complete stranger, well I'd never met him before, however I did meet his son last week, he lives in the house across the street from Nell where the owlets have recently been hanging out. Well sometimes anyway. Last week, as I was standing on the sidewalk in front of their home, the aforementioned son came out of the house to see what I was seeing. A sophomore at Boone, he had no idea the owlets were in his front yard! We had a wonderful chat during which he told me he was heading to school a little later to take a test. Obviously I wished him the best, going so far as to say that perhaps seeing the owlets would bring him good luck? Silly, I know but it is darn exciting watching nature in action. Asking his father how the test went, he said very good! So there.

Well, he may think I'm an owl lady, and while there is some truth to that, in general I'm just a fan of birds. This season is obviously the best what with all the nests I've discovered nearby, including...ta da....one in our own Lady Palms!!

Hidden amongst all those fronds, but still a tiny bit visible. Last weekend I was chopping a bunch of those very same palms down because it was so darn full. We've discussed how they just spread and spread, so unless you want a jungle, I suggest you refrain from planting them! Anyway, at that time the nest was barely underway, but now Mama is sitting on it, making me very happy indeed.

Driving down our street on my way to do errands,  I saw one of the young herons perched in a pine tree in front of the Pooser's house.

This one is in the front yard, and obviously alive, unlike the dead palm where the nest remains. I still see the juveniles there on occasion, but I think, more and more, they are making their way out in the world. Naturally I had to stop and watch for a bit! And just as naturally I had my camera with me.
While I was taking the photographs the neighbor next door spotted me and said if I wanted to go in their backyard anytime to feel free. He also said he was thrilled the herons were leaving the nest because they are very loud. So loud, he claimed, that they wake him from a dead sleep at night! Can't say as I blame him for that!

Obviously flying is super cool and all, but the balance that birds possess is almost as miraculous. I guess if we had claws we'd have better balance ourselves, but flying, probably not going to happen!

My son Jonathan, who, by the way, sent me a Mother's Day card with this on the back,

claimed that my last post was long. My response was, they all are. Sorry! Anyway, both he and Alissa seemingly have Texas fever. What's that you ask? Either the map or the flag of Texas displayed everywhere!! When Bruce returns from Dallas tonight I'll have to ask him how many Texas flags he saw while there. As to the card, I indeed did smile.

So I said the owlets are hanging there sometimes, and that remains true. Catherine called me yesterday afternoon wondering where they were and I had to tell her they were nowhere to be found currently. While looking for them, just after the man encounter related above, I saw what I think was one of the parents, roosting in the Cyprus tree in Nell's yard. Mesmerized, I watched a tiny bird, couldn't tell what kind due to the foliage, slamming into the owl's head, squawking all the while. Now that would have been quite a video! Anyway, time and time again, it flew around, popping the owl on the head before darting onto a higher branch. Eventually, the owl had had enough!!

Oh how I wish the photo were better, however, I'm astonished I even got this! So, not able to spot the owlets, I rode over to check on the eagles.

As I rode onto Waterwich I saw an eagle in the big pine tree, facing Lake Conway. I know that sounds random but it does fit into the story, promise! Well, lo and behold just as I was getting to the gate leading into Harbour Island, spelled the way they do btw, I spotted a small hawk!

Guess what? The blue jays began bugging the hawk and before long, not nearly as patient as the owl, the hawk took off for safer roosting!

Crazy right? Well, there's more where that came from! Riding up to the house, I parked my bike in the driveway. Looks pretty cute here doesn't it?

For those of you worried about my trespassing ways, I have received permission from all of the nice folks whose yards I roam! Anyway, no eagle in sight, except, well yes, I did spot one of the eaglets, whom are probably called something other than that now that they are so big. No sign of two, but do you see one in the pine? And I don't mean the flying one.

Probably not, and that is the point. Should the eaglet not have been repeatedly dive-bombed by the crows, flapping it's wings to deter them, I would not have seen it either!

The smaller birds kept at it with the same wing flapping going on. After a time, I thought, well, that's probably enough Gail; I will never make a good nature photographer because I just don't have the patience! Putting my camera in the basket, I prepared to take off. However, much to my amazement, the eaglet finally had had enough, and flew high out of the tree with the smaller birds in hot pursuit!

Most of the flying photos did not turn out, no surprise there what with my skills, but this one gives you a pretty good idea of the action.

Tiring, the eaglet landed in a pine tree across the street. As I struggled to locate the bird, what should I see on my left, but this!

So random, but not surprising I suppose what with lake surrounding us. It's an island for crying out loud!

In time, the eaglet flew towards the lake, and I was not surprised in the least on the ride home to find it here.  (see reference above)

After all, isn't that what all children do...cry to their parents when they are bullied? Cry it did, a sound like nothing I've ever heard before!

While I was standing on the island watching, a woman who was out for her morning walk stopped and I showed her what I was looking at. Excited, she said how lucky we were to witness it. Indeed, I replied, like a nature documentary right in the middle of Orlando!

And oh yeah,  the party from Sunday...or at least a few of the folks. Pat is seated in the blue shirt.

Yup, I like people too!

For those of you who've been wondering, I talked to Maureen last evening, and she is still having great difficulties. As we talked about before, it is going to be a very long road to recovery.

As well, Corrine called me last week! Woo hoo! Although she sounded pretty good, at one point she began crying, saying how much she missed us. And, of course, Herb, who, according to his daughter, continues to lose touch with reality. So sad....

Reporting from Orlando,

Gail

Puns Intended

Last evening, around 5, it was time to head over to Bill and Roxanne's lovely home for our Sunday evening get together. Loads of our friends are out of town, and for that matter, out of the country, so Bill and Roxanne offered to host. I said to Bruce, "just give me a few more minutes please, I'm almost at the finishing line."

Get it? For this throw I quilted very densely, thus the line reference. Not funny? I didn't think so.

So, I had Bruce take the photo of me to show off how "I have returned to my roots." At the urging of some dear family members, I have, once again, some blonde in my hair, thanks to Monica who spent more than three hours with me on Friday. Unfortunately, the lighting, although great on my throw, is not so great on me. My sisters Nancy and Carol were dying to see it, and as I photograph so horribly, this one, taken on a very windy Saturday, is perfect to show off the color.

Before long I will be having some roots again!

Returning from my hair appointment Friday afternoon, following a belated lunch, I went outside to take something to the squirrel chewed recycling bin. Lo and behold, look what I found!! Baxter went right up to it, and the birdie never moved a muscle, although you can see that it moved its' bowels!

Never having seen a bird that looked like this, I did what everyone does these days, typed in the description on Google. In no time at all I learned that it is a Catbird, named because of the mewing call they make. Apparently they winter here and this one must be a late migrator to more Northerly back yards. Rain began falling softly which did nothing to get it to move, however, about 45 minutes later, after the tail went up and down a few times, off it flew into the blooming Confederate Jasmine hedge. Wondering why it stayed put for so long? I discovered some tiny feathers on one of the big glass windows of the sunroom. I hate it when a bird flies into those windows, however it is not the first time, and sadly, probably won't be the last.

Sunday, following the worship service, on a picture perfect day, the church had a celebration and dedication of the new cupola in their courtyard. You, like us, were probably wondering why they had a cupola in the first place, and I'm here to clear that mystery up for us. In the 1920's, following a gift from Charles Morse to buy the land, the current sanctuary was built and the cupola, rather than a steeple, was a cost saving measure. So, there you go. We knew we were not in Kansas anymore, what with cake and champagne the refreshments.

Thinking about it this morning, I was reminded of a time, more than 10 years ago, during our first visit to London. Walking in Kensington, we came across a church garden party with calypso music playing in their courtyard. Captivated, we stood across the street watching the merriment, before continuing our walk. That was a very good trip.

Meanwhile, just when you thought every blog post for the next month or so would include an owl picture, I have none to show you because I have not seen them now in a week! Very discouraging to say the least. This morning, while scanning the overhead trees, I heard some loud bird calls. Looking outside the tree canopy I saw two large birds in a bare tree over on the next street; so far away, I could not really make them out. Figuring I could crop my photograph to get a closer look, I thought perhaps the brown one was one of the owls. Think again Gail.

On closer inspection the brown one on the upper branches is a big Hawk and I do mean big because those legs are really something. The lower branch, where all the noise came from, looks like an Osprey to me.

Here's cropped version which shows off the size difference. This is not the first time I've seen smaller birds try to drive larger birds away.

Following the no owl sighting, I rode over to the eagle's nest which is just the perfect distance if I want to get at least five miles in during every ride. An eaglet with no parents. Apparently the eaglet is large enough not to need constant supervision as this is at least the second time I've seen it alone.

The Great Blue Herons, on the other hand, are still in the pine tree, and for the most part I see at least two herons every day. From my vantage point it is hard to tell who is who...I watched as the one on the left "flew" from atop the nest.

You may be wondering how it is that we have so many large birds in our area and the answer to that is we have a bunch of lakes. Lake Jennie Jewel is seven doors away, Lake Gem Mary, in the other direction, is three, then there is Lake Conway, Lake Gatlin, and Lake Pineloch nearby. As you can now tell, they are everywhere we turn. Water brings birds sums it up in a nutshell.

Should you be weary of birds, I've taken some flower photographs.

African Irises are blooming in so many yards, they are so pretty they are begging to be photographed!

Not blooming in any yard aside from the one I saw this in, or at least that's been my experience, is this iris, apparently from the same family as the one I use for my blog header. I took this Friday morning and today, not a single bloom is left. THAT is why you must take a photograph of nature when it strikes you because it may be here today, gone tomorrow!

I just love white flowers--tiny water droplets as a bonus.

Every year, a neighbor down the street has the most incredible display of amaryllises, and lest you think that is an easy feat, talk to my dear friend Cheryle who is an amazing gardener. She is currently lamenting the lack of blooms on hers.

The bougainvillea outside my office window is just beginning to bloom, however, the ones adjacent to the lake lot are going mad. So mad, they have grown over the gate opening!

They may be beautiful to look at, but be careful, as their branches are thorn-covered! I ducked under them to walk down to the lake!!

Since Bruce took the photo of me with my current project, I have successfully attached the binding with the machine. Not without a struggle, mind you, but it is on and now I will plop myself into one of the living room chairs and begin the hand sewing which will take probably four hours. Yikes!! I bought a needle threader the other day...let us hope it works because in spite of my new glasses, I still find it a challenge.

Trying to add levity to my blog with limited success,

Gail