Rat-a-tat-tat, we're here

Winter is trying hard to stick its nose under the door. It has been snowing all morning, although there is no accumulation. However, when the clouds cleared off the Manzano mountains, there is a lot of white up there. And of course it has turned colder, yet the oak trees are still holding on to a lot of their leaves. Today is a fine day to sit back and rest.

Seems like the last couple of days has been dominated by birds. Off to the side of our house, where we look when sitting at the breakfast table, I have let the grass (well, maybe weeds, but anything that turns green around here is grass) grow tall, tall enough that when birds are picking at seeds only their heads show. Mostly right now we have Steller's Jays, Western scrub jays, at least three Lewis's woodpecker, and one starving hawk.

I have seen the woodpeckers around from time to time all summer, beautiful birds with a russet belly and wings when they fly. But suddenly a couple of days ago they seemed to attack our well house. We watch three of them clinging to the stucco sides as they explored it. Later we though someone was knocking, but it turned out to be the three of them under our porch roof testing the plaster. Susannah chased them off and I haven't seen them again, but I suspect they will show up again in a day or two.

The Steller's jays are fantastic. If you have never seen one, you are missing a great sight. Backs, bellies, and wings are deep blue, the heads are black with golden eyes. Perhaps the most striking feature is the large crest they bear, it always reminds be of a an ancient Spartan soldier, or perhaps something from long ago. They are constantly flying in and out, then hopping through the oak trees, or searching the ground for seeds. We have counted at least 10 of them, and I suspect there are more.

The scrub jays are not as colorful, but also plentiful. Turns out the young may stay around for several years to help their parents raise subsequent broods. I suspect the Stellar's do the same. All in all it makes for a colorful display while we eat breakfast.

Yesterday we had an increase in activity with the arrival of either a coopers hawk or a sharp shinned hawk, haven't been able to identify which. He (or she) has been trying hard to make one of the jays into dinner. Because of its failure, I suspect it is young, but it hasn't failed for lack of trying. Given that the jays are about 12 inches long and the hawk is no more than 14 it has been an interesting contest. The jays pretty much ignore it unless it is actually chasing them, then the two go twisting and turning through the trees until the hawk gives up. Then everything is quiet for a few minutes followed by another swoop for supper, while the rest of the jays go on feeding on the ground. Well, just saw him chasing a jay in the woods on the other side of the house, which I can see from the computer. I know that most young hawks starve to death before they develop sufficient hunting skill, and I hope this one learns quickly. On the other hand I am a bit partial to the jays, hope he learns to catch mice.

We have a large "deck box" out behind the well house. It is about 6 foot long and a couple of feet wide and deep. Susannah keeps trash there until we take it to the dump. Last year it was pretty badly mauled by a bear and since then she has kept the garbage separate. Guess she left some veggie matter in it and we found it drug about 20 feet off to the side. Couldn't tell definitely what drug it; Susannah thinks it ws a bobcat, I still suspect a bear. I am dubious of my suspicions because I think a bear would have opened it (the last one did, in pieces!) and it maintained its integrity this time. On the other hand I can't see a bobcat going after veggie matter. I did find some scat that looked like bear scat not far away, full of acorn husks. Guess I will stick with the bear theory, with the addition that it probably wasn't very hungry.

The gas furnace, which we use for cold mornings has been turned off and the wood stove has been burning since yesterday keeping the hose a warm 80 degrees. Amber is asleep in her bed on the window sill next to me, Chaco is sleeping in front of the stove, and Oliver, the not so smart tom cat, is prowling around outside, or maybe hiding under the RV. At any rate he does not want to come in. Susannah is puttering around in the kitchen, and I think it is time for another lot into the stove and a snooze in the recliner in front of the stove. It may be winter outside, but the fire is cozy that the Laing tribe, New Mexico division, is at peace.

Hugs,

Mike L