I want to be out in the woods, I want to be where it’s wild. I want to wake up and hear birds, I want to walk outside and see a gaggle of turkeys bounce across my lawn. — Karen Allen, American Actress (1952-
Eagles fly into the storm with fearless hearts — unknown
Like a hummingbird may your life be full of colorful moments and sweet memories — unknown
Back at the porch in the somewhat early morning. It was still a bit cool even with the humidity hanging in the air. Oh, how hot it’s been for so long. Hoping and praying for some cooler air to come soon. The good news is our hummingbirds have increased in numbers and continually fight even though there are five hummingbird feeders at least six feet apart. If the birds did not come the red glass feeders would still be pretty to look at. I once was scolded for using red dye in the sugar water as hummingbirds are attracted to red. Red dye is not good for hummingbirds or maybe anything edible. It’s posted on Google that “red dye has been identified as a potential carcinogen, leading to concerns about its long-term implications on consumer health.” So, our birds are attracted by the color of the glass and feast on pure sugar water.
As the heat increased, Wilhelmina and I went inside. Just now as I’m writing a bird collided with the windowpane behind me. It happens fairly often and oddly enough most of them get their wits about and fly off. Whatever bird it was this time was not there when I went out and checked. I did find a couple of cicadas mostly upside down on their backs. I picked them up, gave them a little lift and they flew away. Yes, the cicadas are still here.
The day before while sitting on the porch, four turkeys sauntered from the lake, across the field and into the woods. From a distance in the shade their color looks black and hooded, their back appears humpbacked. When they stop in the sunshine, they stretch their heads which turn blue followed by red and white. There’s somewhat of a rumor that Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey as the country’s “Great Seal of the United States.” In January 1784 Franklin wrote to his daughter Sarah Bache somewhat explaining he wasn’t truly for the turkey as an emblem due to several other societies using a bird looking much like a turkey. He noted he wasn’t fond of the Bald Eagle saying the bird was of “bad moral character, he does not get his living honestly.” The Bald Eagle steals food from other birds, intended to feed the bird’s mate and young ones. You might wonder if it was true or typically Benjamin Franklin’s wit. In any case the turkeys are fun to watch. I do hope they stay around, and the cool weather will come.
Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].
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