For the Birds

What do you call 13 turkeys? A Google search says a Rafter of turkeys, Benjamin Franklin said one should be our National Bird.

It was early morning, and Wendy was about to let the dogs out; then, stopped when she glanced at the pasture.

She kept the dogs in while we watched from the windows for about 15 minutes.

The dogs had been in all night, so she at last let them out. Fancy and Sebastian don't see the turkeys yet...but the turkeys see them and g0 on high alert.

Now the dogs see them and Frezz joins in; they didn't bark, but were galvanized by the exiting "rafter" of turkeys.

Outside doing pasture chores a few mornings ago, Wendy reported seeing Congress' National Bird...a Bald Eagle. The dogs alerted her to look up. They are accustomed to buzzards and are seldom interested in the perpetual circling somewhere in view, but started making noises when the huge eagle came into view.

Soon after the turkeys this morning I was briefly outside and heard geese.

Southbound.

Over in Tucson where inhabitants are experiencing the wonderful, winter season--the reward residents have after Southwestern summers--Carol and Janie have brought their horses back home from summer pasture in Tubac. Here are a few of the pictures Carol sent...

The farrier gets Montana's hoofs ready for the Tucson Mountains' rocks and caliche.

And uses a great new substance to take the place of pads.

Almost ready...just peel away the outer layer...

...and Montana's got an air- and water--proof pad to handle the terrain.

Carol points out the human plus; cuts down on hoof-picking.

Among the pictures she has sent are these from her and Janie's west view that just about make me want to give the bi-polar weather Goddess, still hiding under my bed, a shock treatment.

It is time for a shout out to Terry in Oregon whom I learned awhile back is following this blog. She sent a couple of photos to Carol who shared them with me. One, taken during her evening horse chores beautifully advances today's bird theme.

And, this one is Terry's Oregon view...

It is gratifying and engenders awe that the unseen space we inhabit can connect us with cybers and pixels.