birds

Well this is a post on several different types of birds. First up - the eagle. This is the insignia of full colonels in the US Air Force (and Army and Marines, they are Captains in the Navy, but they too wear the insignia). My husband was informed that he will one day get to pin on this rank. I am excited for him, and grateful to the outstanding leaders he has had over the years and the outstanding officers and NCOs and airmen that have served with him along the way-- all doing their jobs so well. I am also a bit sad that many very good officers did not appear on that list. But, mostly I feel lucky and incredibly proud of Eric.

Additionally, it is time to talk about the birds that live here in Wichita Falls. We have a corner near us that has approximately 6000 blackbirds roosting on the power lines and in the trees. I swear that one corner could have been the inspiration for the Hitchcock film "The Birds." They roost there from mid October through until spring. Makes you want to wash your car just driving by...and I can always hear their squawking no matter how much noise Eileen is making or what we are listening to inside the car.

Yet there are days of bird inspiration. Today was one of the few rainy days we have had here, and against that dark gray backdrop, I saw a single sea gull spreading wing. So lovely.

We often see single or groups of Hawks in the air near us - especially against the high blue cloudless skies.

Eileen and I walk a nature trail near our home and spot heron, ducks, and egrets as well. So, though I am not a birder, I have begun to appreciate them here....