High In The Treetops

  Late this afternoon, the old dog and I went for a nice hike about the back part of the property.  It has been a long time since he has felt well enough to meander the hillside with me so this time was special.  He needed a number of rest stops but that was fine by me.  Just having him along for the hike was perfect.  It was on one of these rests that I was delighted to observe a small bird out catching supper for its brood.  Mama Flycatcher could be seen high in the old black gum tree as she snatched insects from the branches.  She would land on a branch and scan the limbs until she spied a potential treat.  Then, she would hover near the branch and take her insect while on the wing.  A quick flight back to the nest assured that her little ones would have a full belly for the night.  She repeated this action time and time again.  

  This is a Great Crested Flycatcher and she has nested in a tall white oak tree behind the canebrake.  This type of flycatcher nests in cavities in the tree and line their nests with soft grasses but also make sure to weave in a snakeskin or long, slender piece of plastic that could be mistaken for a skin.  This action is believed to be a deterrent for potential predators.  If some other bird or squirrel tries to raid the nest, the skin might just scare them and make them abandon the idea thinking a real snake is present.  With the number of flycatchers we have around the area, I would venture to say their tactic is working!  

  Little Mama worked hard to feed her little ones and I almost came to the conclusion that she was a "single mom" until I noticed yet another flycatcher working in the canebrake, itself.  The dad was busy finding supper, as well.  The brood would be well fed tonight and we will have a great many less bugs on the loose!  It is often hard to photograph these birds since usually stay high in the treetops as to not compete for food with other insect-eating  birds.

As Far As The Eye Can See

  I will be the first to tell you that my vision is getting weak.  What started as just needed reading glasses has now developed into a full-time spectacles wearing adventure.  This aggravates me somewhat. I miss being able to see things as clearly as I once did.  Weird thing is...prescription glasses do not help.  Wearing cheap reading glasses constantly seems to have filled the need.  I asked the doctor about this and she simply replied that it might be all in my head.  Well, she has a point.  My eyes are in my head and whatever helps them must be ok...prescription or not.

  This morning, however, I noticed something.  While my vision may be blurred at certain distances, miles and miles away, things seem mighty clear.  Mr. PJ and I sat on the ground near a path heading to the back of the property.  The old dog had decided this was a good resting spot so he and I took a few moments to relax.  As the dog stared into the bushes at some unseen critter that was scratching about in the leaves, I stared upwards.  I COULD SEE FOR MILES!  Yep, just look upwards and marvel at your eyes' capabilities!  Think about it for a moment.  The treetops were clear.  The clouds were clear.  Planes passing overhead were clear.  Things were clear with a $1 pair of reading glasses!

  Speaking of treetops and clouds, have you ever thought just how many little fluffy wads of water droplets pass above us unnoticed every day?  How many birds, planes, bugs, dust particles and other things zoom past us without our ever looking up to see them?  I say when things get a bit foggy down at eye level, look up! Great things are up there as far as the eye can see!  Sometimes our vision is not what we see but how we look at things.