The Pheasant that Stayed

Pheasant is happy to stay it seems. He has a bit of woods to hide in and now that the leaves are down he dissappears in the brown foliage except for his white collar and very red eye. Today I saw him pecking away at a little moss bed where I'd thrown millet for the sparrows. He has come by to gather millet at least two mornings that I've spotted. So today I added a little water bowl and some cracked corn. I hope he stays. I hope his mate is safe and blended somewhere back in those trees. I wonder how long it will be before someone decides to follow him and scare him off. I've seen him walking down the road like an old English country gentleman.
   I heard a story today that I don't want to lose: Well, I suppose you just need to know this dog -- an old English bulldog (speaking of things old and english for some reason) that since passed by the name of Winston. He scared a female pheasant off her nest but was sure to go back and investigate. He wedged himself onto the eggs by carefully backing up and then squatting. This was a dog known for his ram-like attacks on the world he loved. He was a regular at the nest,  sitting for a few days until the eggs disappeared (coyotes apparently). That Winston. What are they feeling? There is more and more evidence of animals like us but furrier and using four feet instead of two having a rich emotional life and perhaps an ethical one. They certainly demonstrate authentic caring. Thank you, Winston!

Thanksgiving visitor. The Pheasant.Phasianus colchicus Linnaeus

We have a local celebrity, a large male ringnecked pheasant. Quite pleasant.

barred owl 002

barred owl 002
Originally uploaded by garagesoap

This was a beautiful day (nearly 70 degrees), too beautiful to go to work so I stayed home knowing that I'd be raking up oak leaves and shoveling acorns (this year there are so many!) half the day. I went out back to change the water for the birds, looked up into the empty trees and saw this owl looking back at me, calm as could be. I watched him or her, on and off for a few hours. It was obviously hunting for small rodents in the ground which I think there must be many, especially mice. Later, i thought I saw two owls soaring in the sky, but so far off I might have mistaken the hawks for owls.

barred owl 005

barred owl 005
Originally uploaded by garagesoap

Nicely camouflaged barred owl out back in this cherry tree. All of the leaves are gone from this tree as it's often in the 30s at night now. Still waiting for a red oak to drop them, the pear tree and the plum. I hate winter wind, but right now, the windy days bring a very musical look to the sky with leaves flying every which way.

No wind on owl day.

fall comforts

fall
Originally uploaded by garagesoap

Beautiful colors this year

fall
Originally uploaded by garagesoap

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