.

.
Borrego Springs, CA

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Tales of tails

Locals here along the OBX can’t seem to remember the last time there has been so much rain during the summer.  It seems to me that there has been plenty of rain, especially on my days off.  I had a shortened work day scheduled today, and once again we had 2.5” of rain pouring down.  Just before I left for work at the Gateway VC yesterday, I glanced out the dining table window.

_MG_9925

Perched atop the volunteer building was a red-tailed hawk.  Can you see how wet its feathers were and the water droplets it was shedding onto the rooftop?

_MG_9951

It soon flew down to the wind vane that is attached to the top of one of the electric fence posts.  Out came its wings to dry.  It was once again overcast, so there weren’t any sunbeams to help in the drying process.

_MG_9954This bird is just a youngster.  You can tell by the brown barred tail.  Next year, it will have the beautiful red tail that is so distinctive.  No doubt this is one of the offspring of the pair of adults that nested in the woods behind the rigs.

_MG_9982

I quietly sneaked out of the rig with my camera in hand to see if I could get a little closer.  The bird was curious about my movements, but allowed me to approach within about ten feet.  It was one of those great moments that comes from living on a wildlife refuge.

Now for a a little tale about seafood tails.  Perhaps you remember that back in July, I took myself out for a birthday dinner at the Tail of the Whale restaurant in Nags Head.  I had decided ahead of time that I was going to order the garlic shrimp entrée, so I told the waiter not to tell me about the daily special.  Sadly, I later found out that the special was a crab stuffed whole Maine lobster.  I had been craving some good lobster for some time. 

Well tonight my dream came true.  Jack and I went back to the Tail of the Whale, and they once again had the lobster special offered.  You can bet I listened closely to the waiter before I ordered.  Winking smile

_MG_9996

We started out with an appetizer of coconut shrimp with orange dipping sauce.  Can you tell that this place is not a dive?  Every once in a while I enjoy a place with real tablecloths and napkins, salad forks, and meals served in courses.

_MG_9997

The cavity of the lobster that usually contains its brain and that ‘green stuff’ was stuffed with large chunk crab meat instead.  With a dinner like this, I guess I’ll have to forgive Jack for the trip to the Waffle House last February.  (I was certainly not a ‘cheap date’ tonight!)

_MG_9994

What a grand time we had, and this was the view from the window at our table.  It was still raining, but the view of the Pamlico Sound was pleasant none the less.  I’m going to hate to see Jack leave on Tuesday.  It has been a fun week.

_MG_9993

                                                                                 THE END!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

22 comments:

  1. Love the hawk shots. We were privileged to see the Galapagos hawk a few times on our trip in July. Hawks are magnificent creatures regardless of where they live.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LOVED, LOVED THE LAST PHOTO...AND NOTHING LIKE LOBSTER TO MAKE YOU HAPPY YOU ARE NOT ALLERGIC TO SHELLFISH!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You are really making me wish I could be on that side of the country right now, and at the outer banks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. And the competition contiunes. Great end shot!

    Even greater lobster shot, that one was a real winner in my book. I drooled all over my keyboard. Now I have to go out and have some lobster, so much for the budget!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I sure hope you broke with tradition and took home a doggie bag! hugs

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yum. . .that was a good looking dinner. I know the middle of the country is sure wishing you could share some of that rain with them. . .

    Janice
    ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. dinner looked lovely!..nice to be treated to a 'white tablecloth' kind of dinner once in a while!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dinner looked great even though I'm not a Lobster fan.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Loved the hawk pictures and story. Yes, you are blessed to live so close to nature. Not much of a lobster fan but the coconut shrimp sure looked good.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful hawk. Dinner looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Like a few others, think I'd just prefer to leave the lobster in the Ocean:))

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great birding... Great Dinner... Great Company... Great Day! All sounds good to me!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh dear, I can't remember the last time I had lobster. I love lobster and crab. What a combination.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Glad you are having a great time visiting with Jack. Those are great pictures of the Hawk. I just love raptors.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm sorry that Jack is having to leave too. It's been nice seeing you have some two legged company. LOVED the end picture!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The hawk picture is most wonderful. I'm willing to bet you were holding your breath as you continued to get closer and closer; and hoping he wouldn't fly away before you got all the settings right. Wow, you're going to miss Jack, he treats you like royalty!!! Enjoy your week.

    ReplyDelete
  17. So glad you're enjoying time with your friend. Love the hawk pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Red tailed hawks or any hawks are magnificent birds. The shots are awesome.
    As for the rain we have had some much here too and everyday.
    Food looks really good.

    ReplyDelete
  19. We have a long story about a red-tailed hawk, too long to tell here, but the hawk's name was Mary. We had a wet bird here yesterday, a curve-billed thrasher. He got wet by taking a bath in our birdbath dish for several minutes, then going to a rock to fluff out, then returning to the water for another bath. He repeated this several times while we watched. Pictures? Not a one!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love Lobster and crab, wow what a great combination. The hawk photos are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh my Judy you do such wonderful posts. Those Hawk pictures are fantastic. And Lobster and Crab are my two absolute favorite foods. Put some drawn butter beside them and I'm in heaven. I want to be living your life. :-)

    ReplyDelete