Wednesday, May 6, 2015

NO SMARTER THAN A BUZZARD







A couple of days ago the weather oracles predicted rain would begin about eleven a.m. and continue throughout the afternoon, evening, and most of the night. The day certainly began cloudy, with skies to the west growing darker and more ominous and the morning progressed. The air felt heavy and damp. I thought it would commence raining right on schedule.

So, apparently, did the riverbank's resident turkey vultures.

In case you've never lived in close proximity to a band of ragtag buzzards, you should know they're creatures of habit. They sleep late, are slow to get up and going in the morning, and like to squabble a bit among themselves and perhaps take in some early sun before flapping off to spend their day sailing around on rising thermals, scrutinizing the land below for a tasty morsel of roadkill or otherwise deceased flesh. Moreover, they seldom stay out late—generally returning to their roost area by late-afternoon.

Decided homebodies, cautious, a little lazy. And always heedful of changing weather. 

For a turkey vulture, the roost area is both home and refuge. A pending storm—morning or afternoon—sends them scurrying back to their familiar shelter—which in this case is the riparian woods, and its mostly huge, towering sycamores, densely covering the island across from the cottage.

As I said, it was supposed to rain. It looked like rain, and felt like it was about to rain. I sure thought it was going to rain…as did the buzzards, who hadn't been off on their breakfasting carrion hunt more than a couple of hours before they came sailing back, obviously dodging the expected storm.

Except the rains never materialized. Not a drop. Though for the next couple of hours we all hunkered in our respective havens—the vultures amid their sheltering sycamores, yours truly within the cozy confines of the cottage—waiting and watching with bated breath, until the sky eventually began to lighten.

I hate to admit that when it comes to weather, I'm no smarter than a buzzard. 

–––––

25 comments:

Carolyn H said...

Funny. Like you I have vultures, both turkey and black, living around Roundtop, though there's no riparian habitat for them. They seem to like the boulders that stick out here and there on the mountain, but will roost wherever the winds drop them. I often see them early in the morning, though. Sometimes even before the sun is up, especially if the air is freshening.

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ - oh how I love your allegiance with nature and its creatures, crawlers, critters and seasons mysteries and promises. I sent you a msg on facebook about possum - take a peek when you have a moment. Meanwhile, here too it is promising rain - it is cloudy and cool (my kind of day), and the birds and squirrels are feasting. Enjoy your day my friend
Love Gail
peace.....

Grizz………… said...

Carolyn H…

Hereabouts, it's almost exclusively turkey vultures…though black vulture territory begins, quite noticeably, at the southeast edge of the county—across town and about 20 miles. While I've watched them pick up dead suckers and other fish from the river's edge, I don't believe it's the riverine woods, particularly, which draws and holds them, but the big sycamores—of which there are thousands along the banks up and down the stream, and of course on the islands. Sycamores are the predominant tree. (I have a dozen or so just in my yard, the biggest with a trunk somewhere between 5-6 feet in diameter.)

These sycamores are tall—many well over 100 feet—with massive trunks and main limbs, plus gigantic leaves, some approaching the size of a dinner plate once they've matured. the sycamores offer a buzzard the best sort of homey shelter and safety. And there's not much human activity to disturb them.

They tend to come and go regular a clockwork…up early to sun, usually in the very tops of the trees, then a bit of flapping and sailing about—warming up or showing off?—then away for the day—returning in late afternoon to circle an hour or so over the river and general neighborhood before another hour or more of "musical trees and limbs" where they land here, change to there, squabble, dow a low-sail around a minute or so…and eventually find that one comfy spot where they settle in for the night.

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

As always, I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

I checked out that possum link. But just between us, I'm willing to bet there HAS been a sports team somewhere with "possum" in their name or logo. Also, I've kept too many "pet" possums to tell anyone they won't bite; trust me, they will! But I agree, in principal with their philosophy—even if some of the "facts" are shaky.

Take care, eat well, and enjoy spring!



Anonymous said...

Who would have thought to compare you with an old buzzard?? Certainly not me .. Nope, not me! Lol!
What do they dine on besides carrion dinners (carry-in.. Haha).?.? If I didn't know better, I'd say that bird was performing for you to take his photo! Love the last one! Thanks for sharing all the beauty....

Moonmuser said...

Okay, you guys...just looked it up... Florida Fighting Possums Lacrosse... Who knew?

Grizz………… said...

Anonymous…

First off, yes…that's my trained buzzard in the photos. He's looking a little surly because I keep withholding his oozy gob of flattened fauna and insisting he turn his good side to the camera.

Now, in regards to my comparison…I'm something of a homebody. A bit slow getting started in the morning. I do like to sit out and enjoy the early sun, and have been known to squabble and fuss occasionally. But perhaps, as you point out, I do yet qualify as a middle-age—albeit quite mature—buzzard…because I can still flap rather vigorously, and on good days, even manage to soar.

Finally, I'll bet your carry-in carrion would likely be delivered by Meals-Under-Wheels!

Grizz………… said...

Moonmuser…

Hey, do I know my fellow sub-culture members, or what! And I'd further wager those Florida Fighting Possums are not the only team to so honor our doofy little marsupial. After all, possum is the OTHER other white meat!

Moonmuser said...

OK, so you figured out who i was...but I wonder why I came through as anonymous?? ''

I let out a raucous guffaw over the Meals under wheel...I'll be laughing all the way to work.

I sent a blog right away after that,but i ws sent to some google blogging gobbledygook instead..did it come through?

Grizz………… said...

Moonmuser…

Yes, a rather easy stylometric task, but I thought I'll allow you to keeping fooling yourself about who knew what about whom, because you never know when such information might be useful. And to put your musing to rest, you came through as Anonymous because—ta da!—you posted anonymously. Imagine that.

Re. the "I sent a blog right away" business…I see no new, or even recent, posting on your blog. Does that imply a musingless entry from Moonmuser? No muse is good muse? (Oh, dear, I'm becoming tacky. Perhaps I need more coffee.)

Moonmuser said...

Don't be embarrassed. There is nothing so wonderful as a really bad pun. I have read and heard that bad puns are a sign of great wit and intelligence. I'm sure you will agree:)

Now that we have exercised our more light-hearted synapses, I 'll get to work!

Moonmuser said...

Duh..just "heard" in my head what you meant by no muses... I thought I would write something last night so you wouldn't be birddoggin' me about it, but my otherwise prolific mind went blank!
I will do something tonight while I am observing my kittie's limping leg.

Grizz………… said...

Now, see...I thought it was a pretty good pun.

Grizz………… said...

Moon user...

Hey, I'll believe it when I read it. :)

Moonmuser said...

Fine. I accept the challenge. I can't promise it will be interesting. LOL

Yes, your pun was splended.

I sent you an emal, but don't remember if asked any questions.

Moonmuser said...

Such a funny guy, whomever you are..

Grizz………… said...

Moonmuser...

Not home yet, and haven't checked email. But will. Questions or not.

(Don't know why this showed as Anonymous before.)

Moonmuser said...

Because you posted it as "unanimousl" Imagine that!

Sounds like you have a glitch

Grizz………… said...

Moonmuser…

Okay, I'm getting worried, you being an editor and all. That original comment reply came through as being posted by "Anonymous," not "unanimousl" Of course they have the same "mous" suffix, so maybe being a hard-working wordslinger you were just tired rather than in dire need of a remedial reading class and simply mixed up your mouses, er, muses. Mice?

And FYI, I expect the whole "Anonymous," "unanimous" business came about because I foolishly tried to answer your comment via my iPhone, while sitting on the tailgate of the pickup which I'd parked along a woodsy byroad in hopes a passing warbler might present himself for a photo. (Yes, I know it's a lazy way to stalk birds, but it was nearly 90˚F out, and I'd been skulking about for a couple of hours already and was taking a rest and water break.) I'd not bothered to don my reading glasses, meaning I could only half see the minuscule text on the small screen, which is why I didn't catch auto-speller's change from "Moonmuser" to "Moon user" in the other comment answer. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished.

Moonmuser said...

Perhaps it was me, perhaps it was spell check, perhaps those comparatively smaller keys were driving me up the wall. Who knows? But you know I am a good speller and not a great typist. But I appreciate your perfectionism in keeping me straight, maybe not the constant sarcasm! LOL Actually, I get a kick out of it; it's part of your sometimes questionable charm. :) :) Now be sure to criticize my punctuation!!
You know, I like to drop the professional and be a little more relaxed in the blog!

Did you get a chance to look at my beginner's blog? Now,there is another chance for you to call upon your mighty vocabulary and critique away! I'm tough; I can take it. I can yell back at you through the tears!

I see no email responses, either.
Must be nice to run around in the truck and look for good shots...

Grizz………… said...

Moonmuser…

It IS nice to be able to "run around in the truck and look for good shots." I do it as often as possible…and about to head out to indulge in that very activity!

I did look at your latest post and see nothing to criticize. A photo of one of your cats. maybe? But the text is fine. And hey, you're the editor! And Big Kahuna of your blogging empire.

BTW, if you find nothing shameful in your punctuation, who am I to judge? And IMHO, I generally deliver truth, not sarcasm…perhaps a bit pithily put sometimes, but that's just Irish devilment. As to those tears—editors are tough, rhino-hided critters with sharp blue pencils just itching to tear into a poor scribe's masterpiece or jab your eyes out, depending on their mood.

Moonmuser said...

"Who are you to judge?" That's a good one. I did invite you to critique, after all though. The tears are "crocodile tears" to cover up the daggers I am sending back at you as I absorb your masterful advice and watch my viscera spill out onto the floor!
Hahah. Get some good shots --find a turtle! Be sure to share .. love your shots,as many do!

Grizz………… said...

Moonmuser…

Opinions may not always be right, but they should be given honestly.

I did get a few good shots. But it was tough going. The woods were hot, the pond and its surrounding meadow even hotter, and the prairie was stupid hot, like a biscuit-baking oven. Ninety degrees two weeks after several nights in a row of below freezing temps is just wrong—a winterized body isn't ready for the tropics on such short notice.

Moonmuser said...

I'm sorry it was so uncomfortable...had hoped you were having a wonderfully relaxing afternoon that I'm sure you need.
Must be something about the weather today..I came back from an outside assignment hardly able to breathe till getting back into the ac at the office.

You know I like to tease you with high drama. Always tell me the Irish truth! What are friends for?

What were your shots?
Oh, yeah, why didn't you leave a note on the blog so it will look like I have followers when I go seeking others? Lol. Maybe it wasn't your thing.

Grizz………… said...

Monmuser…

I hate hot weather—anything over 80˚F. Don't like AC, either; we don't have it here, and I've not lived in an AC place for decades. I much prefer fans.

You'll see shots as I post them. Guess I forgot to comment on your post…I was in a rush. Sorry. Will do next time.