Journal to a Muse

No medals yet, but good progress.

I watched most of the Saturday Prime Time skating, skiing and mogul'ing. Boy, I felt like a couch potato before, and now I think i feel like Scalloped Couch Potatoes.

Good think I'm in the KNITTING olympics, because bad knees and a big tush aren't a problem. Rather than start with a new pair of socks, I am finishing sock 2 of an old project, and still hope to finish the three pairs as committed to. Although Mr. Speedy Boy (from my adopted home state of TEXAS) was cool about planning to try for one medal at a time. Out of respect for him, my plan is to finish heel flap, and turn heel (at least by tomorrow) and perhaps wind up kitchener with Monday daylight. At 3 days per sock it would take 18 days to finish my challenge... but I'm hoping that pairs 2 and 3 are a bit smaller, AND that I get faster with practice.

This afternoon Emory Texas had it's annual Eagle Fest. Who knew that there were so many avid raptor watchers in East Texas. I have never been within a finger's length of a Sparrow Hawk, or a Bald Eagle, or Red Tailed Hawk or Barred Owl. Even the black Vulture was amazing. Their handlers took them off to SUV's on higher ground, and the birds came swooping in over us to their meaty treats. Swift, silent and majestic.












All of the raptors looked bigger in flight than when resting on the handler's leather clad hand.

There was a crested vulture that was so smart it waited by the side of the road, and looked both ways before venturing into the road after road-kill.




Some folks had long lenses. I wish I'd used a higher density photo card. These animals were magnificent. Most of them eat bugs or vermin. Many of them are adapting to urban living as their more pastoral habitats are jostled. American Kestrels (Sparrow Hawks) are happy sitting in trees waiting for unsuspecting creatures. Small Owls will sit near light fixtures waiting for moths. And another predator follows the grasshopper life cycle from Canada to Argentina and back.

Who knew?

Oh, and if a vulture is cornered and wants to attack... It vomits at the enemy. Since it eats rank carrion and can neutralize any even the rabies virus, one hates to imagine the odor or toxicity. Don't make a vulture angry.


This is a gratuitous cat photo, exemplifying what I want to do next.