My "Solar" Bird!

As I have said before, I am a watcher.  I can spend hours just watching the animals here on the Bayou.  They amuse and bemuse me.  Sometimes one of the critters will do something that just flat out confuses me!  There is one Swallow that does just that!  Every evening, a "kettle" of Swallows flies out to the pier to roost on a rope that is tied between to of the tallest posts.  (And that bemuses me..a kettle of Swallows! Did you know that a group of Swallows is called a kettle?  Strange language we have here!)  Anyway, the Swallows will settle in for the night.  In the morning light, they take flight..skimming over the water or flying high in the treetops..catching all those pesky deerflies and mosquitoes! Often during their hunting trips, there is a need for a quick nap so back to the rope.  Most will roost on that rope but one insists on being a Solar Bird!  Mounted on top of some of the posts are solar panels that feed our pier lights.  The panel sits flat on top of the post and is obviously a very good resting spot for a Swallow!

I believe it is always the same bird since there is never any squabbles over "squatters' rights".  The birds just all line up with their little ones in the middle and this one atop the post.  Perhaps he is the patriarch and is keeping watch over his brood or perhaps he is just a mite standoffish and would rather be by himself or maybe he is being ostracized for having body odor.  This is anybody's guess!  Still, I like to watch the Swallows when they make their circles in the sky!  They swoop this way and that almost like some large serpentine ribbon!

I am not positive of their nesting spot but they do hang around the pier a lot.  The Swallows also tend to flock toward my brother's boats.  He has several large boats docked at his pier and I notice a good many of the Swallows make their way up under the awnings when there is inclement weather.  His boats provide them with shelter from the wind and rain unlike my skimpy rope!  Although..my solar panel might just provide a bit of warmth during the winter months!  The sun beaming down on the black glass most surely gives off a nice bit of warm air!  Maybe that little bird is just holding his space for this next winter!  I love these whimsical little birds!  (Except now I suppose I shall have to clean that solar panel..ewww!)