It was August 24 and the anniversary of my mother’s birth. It was also the day before my birthday. In the morning, I opened the blinds and saw a family of sand hill cranes.
Left to right: Father, mother and [big] baby. They spent most of the day digging bugs out of the ground. It was fun to watch. The young one would would have to stop for rest from time-to-time. It was a very special day.
Sunday
The Sunday of Labor Day weekend, we attended the neighborhood chili cook-off. That was fun to see old friends and neighbors and to meet new ones. There were an interesting variety of chilies and side dishes.
Our hosts raise turkeys and they have free range, so they were in view most of the afternoon. Some the kids would approach them for a better look. Usually they had a stick in hand . . . just in case.
Sylvia and I hope they do it again next year. We have ideas for a chili that will stand apart. Of course we’ll have to experiment with those ideas here at home. That’s what I most look forward to.
Return of the Cranes
September 7, we burned the second of two brush piles. The family of three cranes had returned that morning, but our activities at the burn piles made them nervous and they left. I was sad.
The morning before our 57th anniversary, September 8, the cranes were back and they stayed with us until sunset.
They had come very close to our house, but when I tried to capture an image, they retreated. For my part, I hope they are eating the bugs that burrowing critters like too.
The next day, Sylvia and I celebrated our anniversary and had a very nice day. We especially enjoyed that evening’s sunset.
Sunrise and sunset times are changing daily and rapidly as we approach the autumnal equinox. The cool days and warm earth make this my favorite time of year.
Happy belated birthday and anniversary!! We have cranes here and I like to watch them too. For a long time there were 3 and now there are 2. That made me sad!!! I miss the baby.
Thanks, Rosey. Let’s hope that baby is independent on on his own.
Found you through Ratty.
I enjoyed this post. I have never seen cranes here on PEI.
I will follow.
I’m glad we have such a fine mutual friend. Sandhill cranes rarely make it that far east.
Pure bliss on Bliss Road. May your 58th year of marriage be the most blissful to date.
I thank you my friend for that blessing. Thus far, it is lining up to be exactly that.
Cranes are fun visitors to see. I like any big birds. I grew up in the city only noticing birds like sparrows.
Yes, they are. I grew up on the outer edge of a small town. Behind our house were open fields.
Oh WOW! That is very cool that they come to your property. I would love to see them in person up close. I only see them waaayyyyy up in the sky, never on the ground.
The chili fest sounds like a blast. I hope you get the chance to participate.
Happy Anniversary!
This year marks the first time we’ve had the cranes visit us. In the past we’ve had herons stop by.
That chili cook-off has a large group of very congenial folks that attend. I’m sure we’ll have an entry next fall.
Thanks. We had a very good day.
Country life seems to add much enjoyment to your days with all of that beauty and the fun.
Happy 57th! Wishing you many more wonderful years together.
For us, this is the perfect place to live in the retirement phase of our life. New every day are the blessings we receive. Thanks for the good wishes.