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Borrego Springs, CA

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

That reminds me of a song

Throughout my life there have been many times when I’ve heard someone (including myself) say, “That reminds me of a song.”  The person would then burst into a sorry rendition of some song that vaguely had something to do with our conversation.  I had one of those ‘song’ moments today, but I’ll say more about that at the end of this post.

After checking the weather forecast this morning, I decided today might be better to do my weekly waterbird count than tomorrow.  So I packed a lunch and headed for the refuge.  It was a warm, muggy, cloudy, foggy day, but it may rain tomorrow.  Make hay while the sun shines didn’t really apply, but count the birds when you can see them did.

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Seeing six dowitchers and a least sandpiper was just the tip of the iceberg as I approached my favorite count area. 

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The Alice Jackson White 1B (AJW-1B) site is my favorite of the seven specific sites I count.  I can always bank on a lot of birds here.  Each of the sites is basically a semi-circle with a 300 yard radius.  This will give you an idea of just a portion of this site.  See those three white dots on the top right?  They are snowy egrets and sitting on the edge of my count area.  I don’t count anything beyond them.

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Throughout the winter, I would find thousands of ducks and geese at this site, but most of them have migrated on north.  It’s now the season for shorebirds moving in to rest and feed before they too move on.  I’m guessing that this pic covers just about a width of only 10 of those 300 yards.  It’s jam packed with dowitchers.  I had over 2000 of them here this morning, and after looking at this pic close up on my computer, I found one ruddy turnstone mixed in.  I missed that while I was counting.  Disappointed smile  I hope I don’t get a cut in pay…

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Just as I was about to move on to the next site, a pair of marbled godwits flew in.  I was thrilled to see the beautiful cinnamon color of their under wings as they arrived.  They’re the first ones I’ve seen this year.  If you’re not a birder, than I’m sure you couldn’t care less.  I understand.  That’s how I feel about race cars, guns, antique cars and such.

After finishing five of the sites, I headed for Frozen Point to enjoy my lunch along east Galveston Bay.  I stopped at the same place where the cow got loose about two weeks ago.  There were no wandering cows today, but something else happened.

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                      One of the ranchers pulled in across the road to unload some cows into the marsh. 

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There were only five of them.  I thought that was a little odd, since they generally move the herds around in a large cattle drive.  They move them often so no one area of the marsh is overgrazed.  Didn’t think much more about it until I got home and looked at my photos.

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Holy cajones!!  Duh!!  The ‘boys’ were being dropped off to service the ladies!  (see the ladies in the background?)  Hey, I grew up in Chicago.  I don’t know much about animal husbandry.  Flirt male But now I get it.

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That’s when the song popped into my head… ♫ ♪ “There’ll be a Hot Time on the Old ‘Marsh’ Tonight!” ♪♫

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

25 comments:

  1. Judy,

    One of the things I like about your blog is that I never know what to expect. Today was no exception. Very interesting and entertaining.

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  2. Always enjoy your birding expeditions and pictures. Love the lesson in animal husbandry. Especially love your explaination of "song moments". I never did know what to call that!

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  3. Soooo..... they dropped off the bulls to "service" the cows? No viagra needed I assume....... damn... I'd like to see the next set of photos of this scenerio..... okay, so I'm a pervert.... what can I say? Hey... you're supposed to be the bird lady, what the heck are you doing showing us this kind of life?

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  4. I'm not a birder but I love birds and hearing about them. The godwits are good looking birds, but where in the world did they get that name?

    When I lived in Ireland I had cows, bulls and steers on the other side of the fence. I spent a whole day at the window watching the bull wooing a cow who wasn't quite ready. He was very sweet and tender with her and I was surprised to see it.

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  5. You always keep your blog readers entertained, Judy! ;-)

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  6. That's funny Judy! Thanks for a laugh!
    I sure enjoyed going on the bird count with you today thru your pictures! Your enthusiasm is contagious!

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  7. What I am wondering, how do you get all those birds to remain still so you can count them????? Yea, how do you do that!

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  8. Lot of birds! It takes time for a bird count!

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  9. I have said it many times before that I don't know much about birds, but I do like those marbled godwits. So unique looking.

    HAHAHA...love your song rendition.

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  10. Don't accuse me of not loving birds. In fact, I'm often told by folks that the things I say and do are "for the birds". ;c)

    I wouldn't put that you slacked off and missed that one bird out of the 2000 you saw. That will give justification for your pay cut... :cO

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  11. Yep, we can usually find our laugh for the day at Travels With Emma.

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  12. Very funny, Judy! At least the Bull Boys take their work very seriously!

    Jo

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  13. ha ha ha. . .my chuckle for the morning!

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  14. I was a young lad of perhaps 6-9 when my mother and I led our milk cow about 1/4 mile up the road to a neighbors bull to be 'serviced'. Never forgot what I saw and to this day when I hear someone talk about 'government service' I wonder who is getting screwed.

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  15. Good story, Judy. Although the part about foggy, muggy, and coming rain made me actually glad I wasn't there to see it in person. Me and fog aren't the best of friends, whether it be in coastal Texas or coastal Oregon.

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  16. Did my comment disappear or are you screening now? Having trouble with my internet so I'm not sure. Anyway.........I do that burst into song thing all the time. I know the words to too many songs. Carrie and I do it when we are together and compete for points. Love yours! You win!!

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  17. What a hoot! Bet they do some dirty dancing tonight!

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  18. I thought I detected a swagger in the "boy's" walk..and those cows were probably digging in their purses for lipstick and cologne!!

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  19. Most serious ranchers want to know the exact lineage of their offspring...apparently that is not the case there. They must be raising for slaughter.
    I always enjoy your bird photos:)

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