Birds of a Feather

Releasing the Trumpeter Swans

The three swans from last February report (see Swans, part 4) spent all of last summer happily paddling around the mill pond enjoying life much to the disappointment of those who released them, and hoped they would find their way north for the summer. The swans never left the valley except for a short stay on the War Eagle River near Eureka Springs. Obviously, they are like the rest of us who love the Ozarks! Humans had plans for them to meet up with their relatives somewhere up north, spend the summer mating, nesting, raising young, then find their way back to Boxley mill pond in December, bringing more with them. I guess no one told them the plan!

So, again this week, wildlife officials in Arkansas and Iowa brought more young swans, called cygnets, to be released at the pond. You can read more about this at the Arkansas Game and Fish website. It was interesting to watch as the swans quickly adapted to their new home on the mill pond. It was a magnificent sight as they flew low across the water and landed-- glad to be free again after traveling 10 hours in a small crate! Their joy was evident as they dipped and splashed and chattered to one another

As of last Monday, the original three swans had come back to Boxley after a brief visit to a pond at Parthenon and joined the newcomers. The flock of seven beautiful swans make a lovely sight on the mill pond. However, they should be leaving soon to fly north for the summer. Do they understand "reverse migration" which is the goal those wildlife officials have for them? .One can only wonder why they didn't bring along a few old veteran swans to lead the way back up there. I have aways adhered to the notion that children learn by example. But I am no swan expert!

You made him (man) ruler over the works of your hands:

You put everything under his feet:

all flock and herds...the birds of the air..

How magestic is your name in all the earth.

Psalm 8

Where Are Those Woolly Worms?

Winterwonderland?

I'm still a little confused about the woolly worms and the persimmons as a prediction of a harsh winter. (See "Something Told the Wild Geese") However, the guys at the hardware store and the numerous fogs in August and the neighbor's huge woodpile certainly must have some credibility when it comes to predicting a bad winter!

The ice storm of 2009 will go down in history as the worst Northwest Arkansas has ever endured. Every single home in Newton County was without power after the storm hit on January 27. The next morning all of the Ozarks woke see ice up to 2 inches on everything! We knew it was bad, but it took several days to assess how devastating the storm really was. We were without power 12 days and were so blessed to have gas heat, cook stove, gas hot water heater and a wonderful generator! We suffered only minor inconveniences compared to many.

Yesterday, sixteen days after the icy blast hit, Carroll Electric announced all customers were back on line--two days ahead of projections. Thanks go to a lot of power guys from nearby states who moved in and worked diligently to replace broken poles (2500 total), string wires, and restore power through very rough terrain. Thanks guys!

This week the bluebird pairs are everywhere! By the way, one little bluebird actually spent his nights roosting in the porch rafters. We watched him from the bedroom window several cold, icy mornings as he hopped onto the downspout to check out the early morning scene before flying out. Heaven knows where he found his breakfast! When the ice melted, he moved on to spend his nights somewhere else--hopefully with a little female friend. We feed numbers of birds at the feeders, but so far, our little bluebirds reject anything we offer--raisins, berries from the freezer, suet cakes. We are ordering what is supposed to be a favorite of theirs--mill worms! We'll see!

We stepped out on the porch this morning just as the sun was rising over the mountain. Bluebirds were already up and singing. Their song is not the cheery chirping of some birds, but a calming, reassuring song of hope. Reminding all of us that "His eye is on the sparrow". It is nice to get back to normal for a few days!

Oh, no! The weatherman says "chance of snow"! We love snow!

He sends his command to the earth...

He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.

Who can withstand his icy blast?

He sends his word and melts them: He stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

Psalm 147:15-18