Dogs and a Kite...

<Sigh>

~Charlie Brown

Zelda loves other dogs. She trembles with excitement when she sees another dog in the neighborhood. She strains against the leash to get to them. She whines, whimpers, and "talks." We were about to start the morning walk when the across-the-street neighbor crossed the street with her um, Cocker Spaniel? King Charles Spaniel? Some Kind of Fancy Dog?

Whatever it was, it was also a bit neurotic and fearful of the excited Zelda. We let them move down the sidewalk well ahead of us. Then we headed to the park where a Mississippi Kite was overlooking the scene from the top of an oak. It was finally dislodged by an aggressive Blue Jay.*

I am a terrible birder, but I have seen these in the park earlier and I've heard their call. They also have a certain "look" that is hard to mistake.

I should mention that I heard a "squawk" from this one that I did not find in the "calls," but most birds have a variety of calls/sounds/vocalizations.

We headed home listening to the barks of some 7 neighborhood dogs (or more). During the last week  I have started to understand the dog schedules - when people walk them leashed, when people just let them out to roam, which are harmless barkers, and which should be avoided. And we try to take this new knowledge into consideration for our walks - bringing along a sturdy cane for protection.**

DH will be back on the job tomorrow, but I may join them - to watch the birds and protect the family. I wield a mean cane.

I forgot we saw a pair of cardinals on the block. I love the flash of red.

NOTES:

*There are bird dramas in this place. I would have to spend more time observing to understand what is up. But I would bet the jay has a nest in the park and wanted the kite to move along.

**I've carried a number of things - pepper spray, pocket knives and the like. I find a sturdy cane will discourage curious cattle dogs and that demon three-legged "Lucky." It also stabilizes a responsible dog walker picking up after her dog (when she has thrown out her back and bending over has become painful). I try to swing it in a jaunty manner as I walk so that any hooligans will realize I am not a little old helpless target.

Back at the Springs

They both listened silently to the water, 

which to them was not just water, 

but the voice of life, 

the voice of Being, 

the voice of perpetual Becoming. 

~ Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha

Swallowtail - actually an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

I cannot remember my last trip out to the springs. Maybe it was a quick check of the milkweed growing near the dam. Whatever. It's easily been a year and probably more. And now, finally, the park is open again.*

We gathered at the south entrance and wandered in below the dam. The trails were clear and well marked. The company was the best - three humans and two dogs. Some folks might say "not enough dogs."** For today it was the perfect number.

The shady paths lured us deeper and deeper into the park. The springs sang as we walked over or past. Wildflowers bloomed.

But there was no milkweed...

The water in places was a bit stagnant...we need some good rain.

I'm ready for more hikes.

We took turns going first - blazing our path though the spider webs.

Thirsty dogs drink from the clear spring water (Zelda and Kason).

It's a vervain...but I need to research more.

Signs of the devil - Eastern Cottonwood seeds

One of my good (easy to identify) friends - Inland Sea Oats

We were first down some of the trails. You can just see the sun reflecting off this spider web.

This is some tree. It looks like two trunks grew together leaving spaces on each side.

Buffalo Gourd

Day Flower

We will be back.

NOTES:

*The foundation that managed the springs turned it back to the Corps of Engineers. Fortunately the two bordering cities collaborated to share responsibility. Volunteers have been at work.

**I miss my friend, SB, the dog whisperer and his pack.

Mostly Mockingbirds

Our lips were for each other 

and our eyes were full of dreams. 

We knew nothing of travel 

and we knew nothing of loss. 

Ours was a world of eternal spring, 

until the summer came.

~ Roman Payne, Hope and Despair

 

Oak limb down in the park. The storm may have been more than we thought. We slept through it.

It rained last night. The storms came from the east-southeast. While we didn't get much water, there were still a few puddles here and there. And the humidity broke - the storm pulling the water out of the air.

I checked the "past radar" only to see more storms heading our way this morning - this time from the west.* So we walked, quickly. And because we did not make it to the neighbor with the lovely yard (flowers my mother grew**) our goal was her yard. Maybe she would be reading her paper or drinking coffee in the breezeway. It has been a long time since we have seen her.

There were runners out. Some we knew - running man greeted us as he returned from the park where we usually see him. Three young women headed down the hill towards the park. We didn't run, but kept a good pace to avoid traffic and beat the rain.

The dobermans were not out this morning. Our neighbor was not sitting, but working in her garage. We could see her through the window and so we stopped and waived until she saw us. She came out and we talked dogs and plants and walking.

Even summer walks are better when planned early - to miss the rush. And so, this first "school's out" week was good, but almost too late.

The grackles made themselves known, but we saw many more mockingbirds. Doves cooed and the woodpeckers drummed for their breakfast as we turned the corner towards home.


NOTES:

* The weatherman says the rain will stop well west of us.

**Our neighbor replaced her usual basket of bougainvillea with a cactus - strike that "plants like Mom" comment. Mom wasn't much for cactus, but she loved bougainvillea.


FINAL NOTE:
We had a neighbor - Miss Judy to some, Aunt Judy to others - who would be out working in the garage (where her utility room was located) most mornings. Whenever I see  a woman in her robe (housecoat or "wrapper") I think of her and Mom and that simple time - for me anyway. My neighbor reminds me of home.

The Neighbors Send Flowers

You shall love your neighbour
With your crooked heart,

It says so much about love and brokenness -- it's perfect.

~ John Green, Looking for Alaska

A long trip through the neighborhood was attempted and thwarted this morning. Zelda tried to turn off to the small neighborhood park, but we continued on down the street - past the woman and her bike (she celebrates holidays and changing seasons). She waved her flag for Memorial Day. Another home had a flag display as well.

Memorial day to the 4th?

But we were forced to turn back by two dobermans wandering off-leash in their yard. Zelda always wants to join dogs (and children) in play, but - not knowing them - I refused. Our caution was rewarded by a close-up view of the snag where the woodpeckers nest (or so we believe) and by many blossoms shared by our neighbors. Each hike is a bouquet.

It's a grand old flag.

The woodpeckers' nest?

A katydid.

Senisa blooms.

Something was snacking on the sunflower.

But the next flower was perfect.

r

Even at the abandoned house there are Rose of Sharon blooming.

We surprised a neighbor's cat who took shelter behind a wood pile. Do you see the kitty?

It watched us as we walked by - thinking itself invisible.

Ghosts and Woodpeckers

 Missing you is worse than Pittsburgh.

~ Salvador Placencia, The People of Paper 

Zelda was supposed to be MY dog. I knew I needed motivation to walk...and a dog motivates.

But it is like making friends - you don't necessarily choose them...often something just "fits." Dogs decide.*

Zelda decided on DH. And he decided on her. Souls speak to souls. They go everywhere together. Seriously. Everywhere.

But I am managing the walks this week and what a gift this time has been. Today was no different. On our way to the park we saw a white cat returning from the overnight prowl.** Our neighbors have been missing a cat for months and my old brain tried to remember if it was this cat or a different one. A quick look at my watch - late enough for a text*** - and a text determined this was not the missing animal...no longer a ghost story.

Not a ghost

No one was about so I dropped the leash and let Z wander a bit. She is pretty good about staying close. As long as there were no squirrels we would be fine.  And we were either too early or too late for the squirrels.

But we were right on time for the woodpeckers.

I had heard the calls before I saw the two Red-bellied Woodpeckers. They moved around the park (probably because they saw us). We saw them and listened as they talked back and forth and fed on insects in dead wood.

The photos are awful - poor light and cell phone - see if you can find the woodpeckers in these shots.

Two birds here.

Silhouettes

Why are they making it so difficult for a photo that will allow me to know for sure what they are.

I often see these Red-bellies in the neighborhood, but usually lone birds. I cannot remember seeing two at a time before.

Finally. It's still bad, but will let me look it up and be sure.

What, you might ask, was Zelda doing while I was stalking the birds? She flopped down in the grass and watched the crazy woman moving here and there and talking to herself. When I turned my gaze back to the dog I found she had just decided to "roll around in that good smell." Great.

Time to head back home to breakfast and get on with this fine day.

NOTES:

*In a way it is like the clay deciding what it wants to be. The potter plans, but the clay decides. At least that is my experience. I visited the pound 3 times before the adoption. On two of those trips I brought DH so he could meet her. On each of those trips, she was not available - playing had to get? Nope. Closed once. In surgery on the other. "Just go get her!" he said. "If you can buy a house without me, you can get a dog." Yeah, I can get a dog - for him.

**Are cats "ashamed" returning home in the early morning? I think not.

***Unlike the texts I've been receiving at 5 a.m. [A little passive aggressive comment there. :-/ ]



RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER CALLS:

     It was the "kwirr" call this morning.  
     https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker/sounds

Pant...pant...pant...

I believe someone made a grievous mistake

when summer was created; 

no novitiate or god in their right mind 

would make a season akin to hell on purpose. 

Someone should be fired.

~Michelle Franklin

Good morning - I miss these sunrises most days.

We are trying to get out and walk more - even in this wretched weather. Walks before 8 are tolerable, but after that they are impossible. We hug the shade.

There are squirrels everywhere, but the proximity of the river (I am not jumping in that river) prevent any stalking.

Some fishermen were preparing their gear. I walked over to see where they would be. There is a low dam further down the river just past the bridge. It's dangerous. I feel compelled to warn. There was no need to fret. These fishermen would be moving upriver towards the big dam.

VM laughed at me. But I have reasons.

See 'em?

That's a good amount of gear on that little boat.

We didn't walk too long. I forget what happened but we were interrupted and we cut through the ball fields to get back to the parking lot. A park worker visited with us for a minute.

And then Zelda saw it. A squirrel was just ahead - near the concession stand. Zelda took off towards the squirrel.  Up into the fencing climbed the squirrel (no fool, he). We could hear the squirrel fussing at the pup from a good distance.

The house sparrows were almost swarming the area. Even well-swept, there are always crumbs remaining for the birds.

Mid-fence

At the top.

I stopped on the way out of the park. I hadn't seen the Purple Leatherflowers this year. And I did not see them today. The park workers cut the brambles back along the edge of the woods and they could have severed those vines as well. Still - poison ivy, snailseed, and honeysuckle grow profusely just beyond the trimmed vines. There is still hope for the leatherflowers.

A small wafer ash was showing its seeds within arm's length. I love these trees. I am sure they are not a tree to propagate, but I may try anyway.

It's getting hot. Time to go.

In Spite of the Heat

The morning heat had already soaked through the walls, 

rising up from the floor like a ghost of summers past."

―Erik Tomblin, Riverside Blues

Oh, heavens! The temperatures are already ridiculous - high 90s.

Walks must be taken early and quickly.

The park was busy with walkers and runners, birds and squirrels.

It was lovely.

Thursday morning observations:

A Red-shouldered hawk. Because of the size of his eye in relation to his body, I wonder if he isn't a juvenile. He also let us get much closer than most adult hawks would.

This little green heron was the only heron stalking the creek today.

A big patch of water-willow in the creek

Sweet evening primroses were still blooming - Pink Lady.

A giant cottonwood tree - the devil.

Cottonwood seeds pile up like snow along the creek-side path. This time of year is hard for many of us allergic to the cottonwood.

A group of crows were goofing off - preening and what looked like feeding each other. Maybe they were fighting for food.

Artists in the Park

Music, 

once admitted to the soul, 

becomes a sort of spirit, 

and never dies.

~ Edward Bulwer-Lytto

We heard the music just as we turned the corner on our walk towards the neighborhood park - it was a saxophone. No, it was two saxophones.

Golden rays of sunlight reflected off of the instruments as two young men practiced their music in the park. Golden notes rose to our ears.

What a surprise! What a gift!

Yes, there was spirit in the park today...

The artists, practicing for a performance

NOTES:

I am so impressed that the day after school was out these two young men (newly minted high school freshmen) were so dedicated to their music that they were working hard on it. And they are good. I know the saxophone is not an easy instrument. These guys know how to work and how to play.