Saturday, December 19, 2009

Snowbirds

Okay winter doesn't completely suck. We took a couple of more inches overnight, and the trees look all Christmassy. Once January and February roll around, everything starts to look all slushy and gray. But, for the time being, it's kinda cool looking I guess.

This is a place up in Northbrook called the River Trail Nature Center.


8 comments:

Cindy said...

Beautiful! I'm glad you're not a complete curmudgeon :)

(Way to "stop" at that Stop sign.)

Are they injured? Is that why they're in the cages? I like that the Bald Eagle was talking to you.

Right after I saw/heard that the birds in my yard started calling - it was weird.

Michael said...

Traffic controls in that particular forest preserve are suggestive rather than mandatory, although I would argue that considering the road conditions I came close enough to a full stop to satisfy the spirit of the "stop" sign. That's at a nature trail crosswalk, and I can assure you that besides the employees whose cars were also in the lot, I was the only human being in the place.

No, they are not injured. They are captive. Bald eagles are present out by the Mississippi River, but they haven't returned to the Chicago area yet...in the wild that is. The "logic" behind the caging of these beautiful birds is that it'll allow kids to see them close up. I'd say that my encounter with a red tailed hawk on a side street in Skokie last week puts that argument in danger. Had my camera not run out of memory (a problem since remedied with a stop at Best Buy for a 4gig MicroSD card) you'd have also seen a great horned owl in his little enclosure as well. I feel badly for them, out there all alone in a December snowstorm. Thus the comment I made to Baldy during our little chat.

Cindy said...

Ah, the spirit of the stop sign. Of course! :)

That's such a knife-edge: caging the birds to allow people to see them close up. I understand that, but man it is hell on the animal.

When you take your trip are you going to get anywhere near Lolo Pass? (Idaho and Montana border) Because I'm telling you that is the place to see some Baldies up close!

You need to get yourself one of those new Flip cameras! Go google it.

Keifus said...

Happy Christmas to you too, Smutty. Drive safe.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas, Schmutzie....

- - Robert

Michael said...

And a Merry Christmas to you too Keifus and Robert. Hope you spend time with family and friends. 'Tis the season. If you have time, say a silent prayer for the road crews in Oklahoma and Texas. I need my route at least somewhat clear or this trip is going to wait a month, which I don't want. Fingers crossed fellas.

Anonymous said...

nice snap on your header bro. You go boy.

- - Robert

Michael said...

That's New Mexico. I forgot how beautiful that state is (if I ignore the billboards for Indian casinos and jewelry)

Happy New Year Robert.