The Return of the Osprey

We've been waiting for our migrating Ospreys to return to the pond, a bit concerned because we hadn't seen them yet. They usually show up just before the fishing derby held annually at the pond at Lions Park. On Friday they stocked the pond with several hundred trout in anticipation of this morning's event. At 8 a.m. the kids (14 and under) were let in and took up their positions. We enjoy watching the kids catch their first fish, usually within a few minutes (these are hatchery fish, after all).

Some of the kids seem to be old hands at fishing, deftly reeling in their catch and taking it off the hook. Others are not so sure, and wait for parental help. It's a great activity for families, and everyone seems to have a great time.

Mid-morning we glimpse a large bird soaring across the valley toward us and for the first time this spring an Osprey hovers over the pond. He/she  makes several passes but seems disconcerted by all the people around the pond. He makes several circles around the pond and flies off. Later in the morning he's back, and with fewer people fishing he hovers, then dives for a fish, flying off with his prize. Quite a show for the onlookers.

Osprey spend the winter from Mexico through northern South America. There's a great video about tracking Osprey migration at Oregon Public Broadcasting. Remember that Osprey are a federally protected species, and it's illegal to harm or harass them.

Birds and Buds

Great Horned Owl and chick, Bennington Lake                    © Diane B. Reed

We made the mistake of planting tomatoes too early. After a few nights of light frost the plastic shrouded plants looked like they might make it. But the final night of the cold snap dipped below 27 degrees and they gave up. Hopefully I can convince my other half that the conventional wisdom about waiting until Mother's Day might be judicious. In the meantime I'm resigned to being patient as the season unfolds.

Crows cavorting on a windy spring day                              © Diane B. Reed

The birds, however, are not holding back. The Great Horned Owl chicks are already outgrowing their nest holes, peering out at the world from the cliff openings.
    At the Lions Park pond the Mallards have disappeared into the woods along Garrison Creek and we're waiting for the first flotilla of baby ducks to make their appearance. We hope it's not during tomorrow's fishing derby when the pond will be ringed by hopeful young anglers.
     We're a little worried about our summer visitors, the Ospreys. They usually arrive just before they stock the pond for the fishing derby, but we haven't seen them yet. Hope they had a safe migration back to the Valley and will soon be perched in the big Cottonwood tree overlooking the pond. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, enjoy this poem and hope for spring's full bloom.

Today

 Spring blooms                                           © Diane B. Reed

by Billy Collins

If ever there were a spring day so perfect,
so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze
that it made you want to throw
open all the windows in the house
and unlatch the door to the canary's cage,
indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,
a day when the cool brick paths
and the garden bursting with peonies
seemed so etched in sunlight
that you felt like taking
a hammer to the glass paperweight
on the living room end table,
releasing the inhabitants
from their snow-covered cottage
so they could walk out,
holding hands and squinting
into this larger dome of blue and white,
well, today is just that kind of day.