Watching local terrorists

It’s not too exciting parked in the repair shop lot, so I’m reaching a little here.    As Emma and I sit outside each late afternoon, I’ve been watching this pair of house sparrows go about their lives.  That’s the female on the left, and the male on the fence.  They’ve been quite busy supplying food to their young which are located in that round electrical connection.  This species was brought here in the 1850’s from England, and rapidly expanded to now be found throughout the country.  They could be considered the Osama bin Laden of the North American small bird world.  Bluebirds have been especially effected by their presence.

 

I knew a fellow bird bander when I lived in upstate New York that did a forty year study of this invasive species.  He ran an extensive bluebird nesting box trail, and when he would find a pair of house sparrows taking over a nest box, he’d wring their necks.  That was the extent of his study.  Does that sound a little harsh?  He wasn’t in the Navy Seals, but I can draw similarities to the news of the past 24 hours.

 

I’m not making light of the elimination of Osama bin Laden, as all three of my children have served or are serving in the military and I am one proud parent and appreciate their and all military families’ sacrifices for our freedoms.  The news also brought back memories to me of 9-11.  Things I’ll never forget.  All I’m saying is that we must be always vigilant; and that’s the end of my political segway.

On a happier note, I really enjoyed watching this male mockingbird sing his lungs out this afternoon.  He got so excited that he danced up in the air in full voice!  His exhortations must have worked, though, as a female soon joined in the audience to his performance.  What woman could ignore such a heart felt demonstration in song and dance?

 

I got the word this morning that it will probably be another week or so before my shades are delivered.  Ho hum!  So, I busied myself this afternoon with a trip to the grocery store for some staples.

On the way back to the rig, I decided to stop at Don’s Specialty Meats.  They have homemade boudin (pronounced boo-dan) and cracklins’, among other things.  Since I’ve got a freezer that really works now, I picked up a few things for the trip I’ll be taking with my sister to the UP of Michigan in June.  We usually trade off nights of preparing supper when we travel together, so I’m thinking a couple of my turns at cooking will involve some Cajun food.  I passed on the cracklins’ after finding out they were made from pig stomachs.  Just didn’t think I could go there…

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy