Thursday, March 5, 2009

Creagles?



Who are you calling a Creagle?!
So, you are probably saying to yourself, "Myself, what is a Creagle?"

I am NOT a CREAGLE!!

This is a rehab bird from the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center.


And that, indeed would be a good question and I shall be kind enough to answer and not leave you hanging and wondering for days on end, worrying, fretting and otherwise be saddled with undue stress that should be avoided at all costs especially in this time of worldly turmoil and confusion which I find to be quite bothersome and a bad habit that our politicians all seem to have with their rambling nonsensical speechifying and spinning of tales and non-truths to the point where you can't even remember what the question was that you asked in the first place. Got that?


Email me if you think I have a chance in politics.

I may possibly be the only person that thinks these are attractive birds. This is the only 'Ivory-bill' I've seen. This is a rehab bird from the Medina Raptor Center, thank you for not throwing up on me.



I shot this youngsta' through the sunroof of my car on the way to work. Gotta love sunroofs!


So, this time of year, we have these large black birds with red heads that start appearing in the sky. I saw one Monday and four today on my way home from work floating on the thermals over the highway.


In March, on the 15th to be precise, the Cleveland Metroparks hosts a festival called Buzzard Day to celebrate the return of...wait for it...Turkey Vultures, or buzzards as they are commonly called around here. It's a sign that spring has sprung, the snows will soon be subsiding and the warblers are not far behind.



BUT, any large black bird (with a red head) spotted before March 15th and the OFFICIAL announcement of the arrival of the Turkey Vultures in Hinckley, Ohio will be known as a "Creagle", part Crow, part Eagle. Honest. Would I kid you?


Very graceful to watch soaring overhead waiting to be called for "Clean up on aisle three!"


So, until March 15th, enjoy these Creagle photos.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Ruby, Ruby...

This male was found on a rainy day at the Carlisle Nature Center in Lorain County.

Maybe I'm the only one that remembers the old Doo-Wop song, 'Ruby Baby'...I really need to update the music here...But, it made me think of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that visit our gardens here in Ohio and throughout the eastern U.S.


I realized I posted photos of all the exotic hummers and failed to post one of the most common, at least here. After this, I'll have to work on a new theme for a little while. I received a few comments from Chris in Iceland about the hummers, I hope you'll enjoy these also!

Here's a female. What an amazing little speed demon!

This was outside a friend's balcony. Unfortunately, a heavy storm blew the nest down.

This is at the Navarre banding station in northwestern Ohio. This really gives you an idea of how small they are, not to mention REALLY feisty!