Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Waiting

I am much like the Captain's wife that walks the roofwalk, or as some know it, the widow's walk each spring.  Instead of scanning the horizon across the ocean, I scan the blue skies and the bare leaved treetops. I am waiting for the return of my osprey. The first ones have appeared in this county about seven days ago. "My" osprey usually arrive on or around the 15th of March. Today is the 19th and no sign of the first of the couple. Twice we have chased the geese from the nest. They nested there once two years ago, and we do not want that drama again as the osprey cannot chase them off!

I cannot pass a window that I do not check the nest several times a day.  It is odd how the angle of the sunlight tells me it is osprey time.  It is a deep inner longing that has grown in me in the 14 years we have lived here.

The various little songbirds are checking out the nesting boxes and chattering about front porch directions and viewing angles.  Most must get the approval of the spouse.  Woodpeckers have selected small holes in dead trunks and I can hear the rat-tat-tat as they make the holes larger for their egg laying.



The thrasher sits 150 up at the top of the dying tulip tree singing his repertoire of marvelous songs.  What female could ignore that talent?  This long concert only lasts a few days and it can be sad if you miss it because it will get much shorter as the days warm.

Still and again I do not see my osprey.  My thoughts go to dangers they may have encountered on their trip north from Central America and/or Florida.  It usually takes them 3 to 4 weeks to get here.  Dangers they encounter include tall buildings, electrical wires and poles, wind turbines and similar structures. "Birds that migrate at night are more likely to collide with lighted windows or other light sources. "  You can go here for other dangers to migrating birds if you do not understand how difficult this journey is. 

When I am away from the windows I find myself listening for their cry.  They always cry when they first arrive as if overwhelmed to be back home.  They are much like we are.

11 comments:

  1. That is sad but hopefully they will return. It is strange that as we get older we worry more about the creatures around us. I listen out for the owl at night and worry when it rains because owls do not have weatherproof wings.

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  2. The bird shall be there, but, not now. Beautiful bird high on a tree.

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    1. Bob, do you have thrashers in your woods?

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    2. No I'm afraid, I wish we had some Tabor.

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  3. Hope. Lovely stuff. I believe they will arrive soon.

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  4. I saw the first Red-winged blackbird this week. The birds are returning here too.

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  5. I love watching them at the shore. THey never return to their nest on the bay from the ocean without a fish in their talons. Amazing birds, interesting about the migration difficulties...never thought about it like that. Hope your pair returns soon.

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  6. Oh, I hope for your sake and theirs that your Osprey do returns soon. They are year-rounders here and our frequent companions at the cabin at Whidbey Island. Watching them fish is a special treat.

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  7. we don't have osprey here, just the red shouldered hawk and in the summer the mississippi kites. I hope yours return soon. I don't think we have thrashers here but we do have mockingbirds with their wonderful and varied songs. haven't seen or heard any of those yet now that I think about it.

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  8. it's good that you know and recognize your ospreys. They are a majestic bird.

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  9. Holding out hope that they arrive safely soon.

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Glad to hear from you once again. I really like these visits. Come sit on this log and tell me what you are thinking.