Thursday, July 29, 2010

Hey, Mr. Peabody!!

The firing of a 24 pound Howitzer shakes the ground!

Who turned the knobs on the Way Back Machine?!
We took a "bird free" trip this past weekend due to the heat , humidity and pending storms. It had been some time since we went on a history jaunt, so we made up for it by going back to 1812! Specifically, the War of 1812 and the areas involved in the Battle of Lake Erie, the turning point in saving the Western Reserve and our area of the young United States from the British.

Located along the Maumee River in Perrysburg, Ohio, Fort Meigs was a key strong hold on this waterway. It was commanded for a time by future president, General William Henry Harrison.

The amount of American history in this area is amazing! Along with this and other sites of the War of 1812, we have the birthplace of Thomas Alva Edison, and a number of presidents were born in Ohio, such as Rutherford B. Hayes...and what a coincidence...that will be the feature of my next post!

A day off from the war...relaxing with family and fellow soldiers...

I love the sound of these field drums.

A key part of the military, fife and drum bands led soldiers into battle.
Their music also gave signals for marching, movements and duties during the day.

These bands also served as entertainment during more relaxing times and celebrations.

Trading weapons.
Hard to believe, but his (real) flint lock rifle was lighter than my camera!
He was in charge of the volunteers of the fort and the firing of the cannon, what a great job!

Poor Doodles, trapped in the wrong century...

The "Hero of Lake Erie", Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Hard to Swallow....

"Hey! We're trying to sleep here!"

We have LOTS of Swallows nesting and zooming out at the BirdMobile. Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows( a couple of which I helped with banding!) and occasionally Northern Rough-winged Swallows passing through.

When I saw this nest under the awning of our neighbors mobile home, the first thing I said to myself was "Hey myself, that's a Cliff Swallowy kind of nest! Nah, that can't be a Cliff Swallowy nest, that ain't no bridge and that sure ain't no cliff! But it sure looks like a Cliff Swallowy kind of nest built on top of a Barn Swallows nest!"

I asked for Pro-Fessional advice from a real live pro-fessional! Paul Baicich, neighbor, birder, croquet king, conservationist and author of "A Guide to Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of North American Birds." Surely he would be able to solve this riddle built on an enigma! By golly he did answer that question of which I asked him ever so politely.

"Why yes David, that indeed IS the nest of a Cliff Swallow AND that indeed is a Cliff Swallow residing within."(He didn't really say it like that.) The Commandant has spoken. Now I shall use copious amount of digital media taking fuzzy, slightly out of focus photos of said birds and their humble home.

And here I share these with you, my friends and viewers, my fervid fans of featherdom...

Here's the big guy pushing his way out to get fed first.
He has one sibling tucking back in there, all cozy...and...uh, cramped...


It still amazes me how far down the brat's throat you have to go to get that bug in there!
I'm glad I'm not a bird...my son would have starved...

And here's proof positive that we have a Cliff Swallow for a neighbor!
Welcome to the hood!


Next episode...History and Hi-jinks!