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We weren't fishing today - most of it was spent on the
computer working on this issue. But since it was in the
high 60s outside it was just too darn nice to stay inside.
JC had scheduled a trim job on our front deck ceiling. This
'ceiling' is evergreen clematis growing on the rafters. It
needs a really good haircut about every other year. This
requires good clippers, loppers, ladder and someone (me) to
rake all the cut pieces up and take them to the backyard to
our burn pit. It took over two hours for JC to trim, and
another hour for me to get all mess cleaned up...(It's not
done yet, bonfire tomorrow.)
We sat on the deck once everything was done and just enjoyed
the yard. The lawn has been cut and trimmed, the tulips we
planted last fall are just starting to bloom. Both the lace
leaf and full moon maples are leafed out, and beyond we can
see Hood Canal. And a Bald Eagle. He was circling about a
block away, and then flew right up our street and past us.
Close enough to see individual feathers. We do have eagles
here, a pair of pileated woodpeckers, blue herons and tons
of birds in general. We've left a section of our yard 'wild'
so there is a place for birds. We've planted some bushes which
have berries in the fall there, but no paths or clearing at all.
On the opposite side of the yard there is a 'managed' woods.
Paths, birdhouses, bird baths, several feeders including suet.
We are highly rewarded. We have three resident squirrels.
One is a Douglas squirrel (who we named Douglas) another Douglas
which we call "other squirrel" and the third is a night creature,
a flying squirrel we named "Rocky." (Yes, from Bull Winkle.)
Plus all the birds who live around here and the transients who
find us as well. We go through a large amount of various bird
feeds.
Last night we had a special visitor. We were just falling asleep
when we heard a very strange sound quite close to the house. We
both were aware of it and listened intently. We heard it again,
and again. An owl. Not usual here. The first we've heard since
we bought this house sixteen years ago. Frogs are usual, not owls.
This morning JC went through our northwest raptor book and concluded it
was a Spotted Owl. Ya, right. We had heard it very clearly, so JC
googled up a web site with the calls of all the owls. Really, there
is one. It took a while, but the call of a Spotted Owl is very
distinctive. We're convinced, although from what we have read we
don't seem to be living in their ideal habitat. I did send an email
to my friend the 'bird lady' who writes a weekly column for our local
daily newspaper asking her opinion.
The response from the 'bird lady' came; "we have no records of spotted
owls for this area but the barred owl, its look-a-like, is moving in
more and more. When you hear the bird the next time, see if it sounds
something like, "who cooks for you?" They aren't shy and if you
hear it, you can probably get a good look at it." JC went back to the
owl website and we both listened to the call of the Barred Owl. No
question, it indeed was a 'barred' and not a Spotted.
We also have fish, indoors and out. Since we tend to overdo things,
we had to give away some of our indoor fish this past week, we just
had too many to maintain a healthy place for them. Plus it takes
considerable maintenance time to have twice as many fish as an
aquarium is supposed to hold. Gratefully they went to a good
friend who set up an aquarium just for them.
So while we didn't fish this weekend, (and to be honest we
generally don't fish on weekends anyway, Saturday and Sunday
are work days here), we still are connected with the outdoor world.
In fact, if you were here, you might be surprised how connected. ~ The LadyFisher
If you would like to comment on this or any other article please feel free to
post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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