WHO was their real estate / rental agent!?? (Burd Tail)
They moved into a ruff neighborhood!
It all started a week ago;
just after I'd rounded up the Lawn Maintenance Crew -
(Myself, Odd Job (Orange *noisy* Diesel Traktur of Japanese Origins),
and Woody (OJ's tag-along-behind, grass munchin, assistant)
- for our weekly assult on The Lawn
(OK - the neighbors call it the Weed Patch).
We blazed a path towards the road - and immediately came
under Kamikaze-like ATTACK :eek: by Maw & Paw Killdeer! >>>
http://a1410.g.akamai.net/f/1410/163.../BD0188_1m.jpg
the Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)... (*link* to more Burd Info)
"Nesting ~ 4 pale buff eggs, spotted with blackish brown, in a shallow depression lined with grass on bare ground.
Discussion ~ This noisy plover is probably our best-known shorebird. Few golf courses or extensive vacant lots are without their breeding pair of Killdeers. If a predator approaches, a nesting Killdeer performs a conspicuous distraction display, dragging itself as if mortally wounded, often on one foot, its wings seemingly broken and its rusty tail fanned toward the intruder. This feigning of injury is effective in luring the predator away from the eggs or young, at which point the bird then "recovers" and flies off, calling loudly."
The Lawn Crew has dealt with their Burdy kin-folk for years -
often leaving unsightly "wild patches" in hay fields and
corners of the Estate/Ranch in defference to a staked-out "nesting site". :rolleyes:
And These Guys wanted the WHOLE front yard and half the pond!
Progress ? was slowed to a 3rd gear *crawl* -
(OJ & Woody normally dodge trees in 5th!) -
with me frantically looking left, right, and :eek: under, for the darn NEST!
Never spotted it; but Maw & Paw Burd continued to patrol the
entire front half of the Estate long after OJ & Woody
had retired to the garage.
ALL week long, as the FurKids and I pulled out of the garage for work,
and upon our return at night - we've been *Attacked* with
increasing dive-bombing ferocity and more dramatic
broken-wing / broken-leg / crash-landing displays!
------------------------------
Be *patient* ...
there's a LOT more to this Tail...
just let me copy it into the next window...
;)
Burd Tail ... continues ...
ALL week long, as the FurKids and I pulled out of the garage for work,
and upon our return at night - we've been *Attacked* with increasing dive-bombing ferocity and
more dramatic broken-wing / broken-leg / crash-landing displays!
Friday was Lawn Maintenance / Weed Abatement Day, again.
The Kar was "met" at the foot of the driveway by :eek: MAD :mad: Momma Burd!
Wings outstretched, *shrieking* KEE! - KEE! - KEE! -
with FIRE in her eyes, she CHARGED at the car!
We stopped...
the two furry Co-Pilots went berserk!
YIPP! YAPP! *WATCH* da Burd, Dad!
I *SEE* the darn Burd! She's blockin my Driveway!
We backed up... *HONK* *HONK*
Another attempt to drive on...
Another *CHARGE* KEE! - KEE! - KEE!
YIPP! YAPP! *YeeeOwwwwllll* ~ Ya *squisshed* her, Dad!!
I did NOT (I hope)! (We backed up, again.)
OMG! She was acting like we HAD hit her ...
spinning in circles,
*shrieking*, dragging a wing,
hopping on one leg... GUD GRIEF!
We drove on the grass...
Maw Burd "recovered" well enough to chase us into the garage.
Cinder & Smokey trotted down the drive to "check da Burdz out"...
All I heard was SmokeMutt *shriek*...
and they Both dashed back UP the drive, tails tucked,
and desperately wanted INto the Howze!
Tyme to *try* to mow grass/weeds...
Odd Job *barked* to life; Woody began Hummmmin his blades...
we ventured down the yard beside the drive...
:eek: Under aerial *ATTACK* by da MADD Burd Squadron of Two!
Then suddenly there was only WUN!
Paw Burd was doing crash-landings and frantic broken-wing
displays in the middle of the front yard...
WHERE was Momma Burd!???
No feathers behind Woody - THAT's a gud sign!...
We went down to 2nd gear...
Grass was growing faster than Woody was chewin it up!
Half way down the driveway, Paw Burd *Attacked* from the left - I ducked right...
and OMG! - THERE She IS!
Momma Burd was huddled - wings fully outstreached -
motionless - in the CENTER of the gravel driveway!
We inched down to the road and paused...
Momma Burd was frozen in place;
Paw Burd alternated his crash-landing displays on
both sides of the drive...
Is THAT where they built their Burd Howze!???
Smack-dab-Center on my gravel DRIVEway!???
GUD GRIEF! WHAT were they Thinking!???
We made another pass back up toward the Big Howze -
Momma frozen in place in the drive;
Daddy Burd *crashing* & *spinning* & *shrieking* KEE! - KEE! - KEE! in the yard.
By the 4th pass away from the drive, Both of em were airborn again -
*attacking* from both sides...
We finished mowing the front yard; and moved over to the pond side...
------------------
still more to come... :rolleyes:
and so ends another *Phred Epic Tail*...
:eek:
WADE a Minnit!...
Iffin I get a Fiur Kall inna middle of the nite...
I hardly EVER *wake up* till I'm half-way to the Station...
HOW am *I* gonna remember/see those darn Cinder Blocks at
Oh : Dark:Thirty inna mornin!???
<shoes back on>
<grabs two Saw Horses from basement>
<*stumbles* over south Cinder Block in the Dark>
*flutter* *FLAP* *KEE! - KEE! - KEE!*
Oh, *HUSH* Mrs. Burd...
We now have the Onlee Driveway in Towne with a
Two Cinder Block & Two Saw Horse Barricade
'tween the road and the Howze!
THAT otta *tweek* the Neighbors' Curiosity!
Later that nite...
DAWGz on their final *Outie for da nite*...
Musta taken a *jaunt down the drive* to
<Check da Burdz>...
YUPP!
<SmokeMutt> Another *shriek*...
followed by both Dawgs quite happy to be let IN!
And as I opened the door...
KEE! - KEE! - KEE! from the vicinity of the Burd Condo... :D
Maybe Maw & Paw Burd CAN take care of themselves and
those 4 lil Eggs!
;) :D
*Killdeer* Uppy-Date ~ Fambly Album pixs...
Dad took sum *snappies* of our Burd Sanctuary ~
inna CENTER of our Driveway... :rolleyes:
anna PROUD but *distressed* Parents >>>
BURD SANCTUARY at Phred's Ranch DRIVE??way >>>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...1/f8603e61.jpg
Where's a kupla Traffik Kones when ya NEED em!?
-------------------------
Whut allua *fuss* is about...
Da 4 Lil Cameo EGGS inna Nest >>>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...e/f8603e79.jpg
4 lil Killdeer - all *wrapped* for Delivery.
-----------------------------------------------
Maw & Paw Burd (PROUD Parents) >>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...f/f8603e4f.jpg
------------------------------------------------
"Checkin da Howze an Kidz"...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...8/f8602df7.jpg
------------------------------------------------
**LOOK**
Maw or Paw doing their Dead Bird / Broken Wing "act" -
to distract the Predator (Dad)
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...c/f8602deb.jpg
---------------------------------------------
An *Aerial Attack* on Dad >>>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...3/f8602db8.jpg
Maw & Paw Burd got *brave* as I walked toward the BigHouse -
this one Very SUDDENLY flew up and AT me :eek: from beside the pond!
Visit the Album here >>
Kildeer 2004 ~ the BURD Fambly Album :)
Livin inna *Burd SankShuAirie* is ...
Fur da Burdz! :rolleyes:
Mornin Outiez...
HEY! Where you guyz goin?
Check da Burdz, Dad.
NOOOO! You're NOT! - Stay away frumma Burdz!
And iffin I hear em *squwalkin*...
Sheeze!
Dey start *squwalkin* so az we hit da frunt porch!
Smoke> Yeah, anna Daddy Burd *CHAZES* me!
Den we drive onna grass goin ta werk...
*WATCH* it Dad! Yur gonna dribe Ober her!
Am NOT! :eek: Where IS she!??
Rite in frunta da car, Dad!
Didja HIT her? Her wing's all busted up!
NO, we dint HIT her! She's *fakin it*! *HONK*
She's givin ya a purdy *Durtie Look*, Dad.
Home at nite...
*WATCH* da Burdz, Dad!
Thank you - I AM watchin da Burdz!
Latur, fur Bed Tyme Outies...
WHERE ya goin?
Check da Burdz???
<Durtie Look frum Dad>
OK, guess we're NOT gonna *Check da Burdz*...
Awwww, Dad! De we HAFTA wear dat stuff?
<Dad affixes da Big Klanger Bell on SmokeMutt;
Cinder getz da Dreaded *FLASHIN* Blinkie Lite>
*KLANG* *KLANG* & *Blinkity-Blink-Blink*
:mad:
NUTZ!
We sound & look like a Gypsy Caravan!
DUCK, Smoke! Burd on yur 6 a-klok - commin in low!
:eek: I'z gonna go pee inna back yard, Cin!
Gud Grief!
Anudder 3 weekz of dis! :rolleyes:
:D
The Friday (6/18/04) Burd Fambly UppyDate ~~
Been a purdy *nasty* week - weather-wise!
Rainin Klawz & Pawz most ebery day or night;
wiff Tornado :eek: Warnings Monday and Thursday nites!
Dad alluz *Checks da Burdz* wiffa Bi-nokz affore us FurKidz are
allowed *out* inna mornin...
Toosday Maw Burd looked like she was "sittin" onna nest -
but not inna rite "spot"??
Tween da Rain, da Wind, anna Dark - took us till Wednesday ta figger
out da BURDZ MOVED der Howze!
Not far - onlee about a foot - an a lil bit "lower" than it wuz...
Duzint make much sense - unless da *wind* was botherin em up
on Top of the "mound" inna center of da driveway ??
"New" apartment is onlee an inch or two "lower";
an Dad sez it's :eek: closer to the wadder runnin down inna
tire groves - but whadda WE knowe bout pickin a Burd Kondo?
Mebbee Maw Burd dint like da wall papur?
But tuday we confirmed a bitta BAD Newz :( ~~
We onlee gotz THREE EGGz inna nest now... :(
Dad went out three tymes this mornin - fur a *klose inspekshun* an
sum new *snappies*...
An fur sure there's an EGGy Missin! :(
We *watched* frumma frunt porch wiffa Bi-nokz - to see iffin Maw or Paw
wuz *sneakin off* summwherez an tendin an Urlee Arrival -
but purdy sure they're NOT doin that...
Dad wuz onna hanz & kneez - searchin fur an Opened Egg -
but he sez there's nary a sign of even *pieces* of da Missin Egg!
He eben went Down da Drive - lookin to see iffin da Egg *warshed*
outta da nest inna storm - but NUFFIN found.
Now we're wunderin iffin a Nest Robber *grabbed* :mad: wunna da Kidz
an made off wiff it??
Guess all we kan do is *hope* Mum Nature an God will take
care of da Three Lil Wuns.
Here's a kuple *snappiez* frum tuday >>>
"NEW" apartment iz inna Upper Cirkel;
"Old" apartment in inna Lower Cirkel...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...6/f8378ac4.jpg
The "New Nest" - wiff onlee THREE lil EGGyz
and not as clearly "defined" or as "deep" as the first...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...b/f8378abc.jpg
Our "New Driveway" :p ...
Da more it Rainz - da more we *spin* drivin up to da BigHowze!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...3/f8378ab7.jpg
Kupla other *snappiez* onna Album >>
Killdeer 2004 ~ da Burd Fambly Album
We'll keep y'all *posted*.
Saturday Burd UppyDate...
Still have *3* EGGs in the "nest". :)
Not sure Whut's Up...
Today, as we *slid past* the Burd Kondo (on the "GrassWay")...
Only One Parent was on Nest Duty - and S/He didn't leave the "old"
driveway to escort the car down to the street...
S/He just hopped a few feet off the nest and did the Spread Wings
and Make Like the Nest Is over HERE routine...
#2 was nowhere in sight??
Earlier (noon) they BOTH "escorted the Dawgs" around the
garage area... (SmokeMutt does NOT appreciate their *helping* when
he's trying to Go Poddy!) :D
We "should" roll out the Lawn Maintenance Crew and chew up some
grass tomorrow... but I'm worried about the "Missing Egg" ...
*IF* the "Missing Wun" has in fact turned into a CHICK - :eek:
WHERE have they *stashed* it!?????
Maybe this is a Gud Excuse :p to Pass on the Grass
an just watch the NASCAR Race! ;)
It's ONE thing to avoid the nest...
Whole Different problem to avoid a Mobile Baby Burd!
The RACE is sounding better & Better! :D
da Eggz *HATCHED*!! ~ We gotz THREE (lil) BURDz!!
:D
They're *HERE*!!
THREE (lil) ***BURDz***
BURDletz #1 an #2 pecked out summtyme Thurzday;
an #3 pooped outta da shell inna dark tuday (Friday)!
We thunk sumpin wuz *up* Wensday nite...
got home aftur dark an da Nest-Sitter dint wanna get *off* da nest -
we dint eben see him/her when we slid up da 'grassway'.
Dad sed "OMG" an got da lektrik flashylite an went down fur a *look*...
:eek: BURD eyes inna lite beam! UN-happie Burd sittin ONNA nest!
Dad sed "Skooze me!" an left inna hurrie.
Thurzday Mornin: sorta da same thing -
Momma Burd *sittin* an dint wanna leave when we slid down da grass.
Daddy Burd sat by da street *hollerin* at us!
Momma sorta stood up - an we kuld see da three lil eggyz inna nest.
Ree-peet Thurzday nite -
Nest Sitter hardly moved when we slid up da 'grassway'
headin fur da garage. "Guard Burd" only made a kuppla aerial passes
ober da kar. We left well enuff alone an went in ta cook dinner...
Rukkiss started purdy quick durrin dinner prep...
KEE! KEE! KEE! KEEEEEEEEEE!
Burdz flyin rite up to da kichin winnows!
Kee! KEE! KEEEEEEE!
We hollered at Dad ~ "DAD! Burdz are kallin fur HELP!"
Dad snapped on da floody lite up onna end of da Howse...
Six eyes lookin out... An den we *spotted* da PROBLEM! :eek:
BIG black KAT - *slinkin* across da drive -
headed fur da NEST!
OMG!
Dad hollerz "KAAAAT! Get OUTTA der! DangIt!
How'd Boots get *outside*!??"
Poor Bootsy - he wuz jest loungin onna kichin island - *watchin*
Dad's dinner burger an slice a cheeze...
He heard da "KAT" holler an made a Mad Dash fur da fallin wadder klozit!
We tell'd Dad dat wuzint OUR Kat inna drive!
"Ooooh..." sed Dad.
Den it wuz "Sun uvva ??___" an Dad flew out da door onna frunt porch...
He kalled dat Kat bout ebberthin BUT a Kat... :o
DAD! Da nayburz are gonna hear ya! Watch yur language!
Dad back in - slammed da door - dashed down inna basement -
(hiz hard feets were down dere...) -
garage door went up - Dad fliez out wiffa lekrtik flashylite -
STILL *SKREEMIN* atta BIG Kat!
Maw & Paw Burd are *frantik* - KEE! KEE! KEEEEEEE!
We're up inna dinin room - BARKIN* our fool hedz off!
Dad *sprintz* down da drive to da Nest...
KAN'T FIND da EGGz!
Where'z dat *freakin* KAT!????
More *BARKIN* an KEE! KEEE! KEEEEE!
Dunno WHERE da KAT went - prolly de-sided he bettur haul his
big butt outta towne!
Dad *searchez* fur da Nest - BURDz are *quietin down* a bit -
but still flyin a tite formation overhead...
Dad'z onna hanz & kneez - *searchin*...
OMG! THERE they are!
TWO tiny micro-Minniez of Mom & Dad Burd -
layin on toppa #3 EGGy - *SAFE* & *Sound* inna Nest! WHEEEEW!
Dad searched round da Burd Sankshuairy Area fur Da KAT...
then came up near da BigHowze ta stand *guard* fur a while.
Wunna da Burdz cirkled down near da Nest - den *hopped ober* to
check da Kidz inna Nursery.
Our Dad came back in - mutterin bout da Dang KAT!
We wuz still purdy uppyset - talked Dad into lettin US out ta
do a Kat Patrol. Hadda put on our Gypsy Gear -
da *blinkie lite* anna *klanger bell* - an we went out fur da
Big Kat Hunt... Found nuffin!
Wun Burd still hoppin round doin some warnin Kee! KEEE! kallin -
but they purdy much settled down.
We pulled two more Kat Patrolz - nebber spotted da Bad Guy Kat agin.
We 'Left da Litez On.'
This Mornin Dad wuz a *nerbus wreck*!
Spent an hour wiffa Bi-Nokz *lookin* out da kichin winnow atta Nest.
Momma Burd *sittin* onna Nest - but she'z *lookin* all around.
Daddy Burd *hoppin* round da drive, *preenin* hiz feathurz.
Dad gotz da kamera reddy an we *slide* down da 'grassway'.
Mom WON'T get offa nest - jest gave us da *LOOK*!
Daddy Burd duz da Kar Eskort down to da street.
Dad parks at da street an walks back up.
Momma sez Kee! KEE! an * s l o w l y * hoppz up inna yard...
Dad takes a *peek*...
W:DW!
They LOOK "OK" - an OMG! #3 *popped* out ober nite!
ALL THREE huddled together - but not movin a bit!
Dad sed #3 wuz a lil bit "smaller" -
an dint have az much fuzzy down az #1 an #2...
Dad started *snappin* pix...
Mom & Dad Burd are doin sum soft kee! Kee! KEE! kallz,
so Dad hurries up - when :eek: ~
Nummer 2 Chick LEAPZ UP an makes a Mad Dash!
Dad sez he SAW ezaktly were he went - onlee bout a foot away -
but Dad kuld NOT *find* da lil bugger!
"LOST" inna driveway gravel an grass...
OMG!
We Lost Wunna da BABIEZ!
We drove around fur a while... Dad *frettin* an *wurryin*...
We Snuk back home - parked onna street...
Wunna da Burds *sittin* onna nest; but s/he jumped up soon az we stopped.
Boff Mom & Dad Burd walkin around inna drive near da far barricade.
Dad talkin reel soft-like az he approachez...
"Kee! Kee!"
Hmmmmmmmm...
Nummer 1 an 2 musta been reddy ta "travel" -
kuz they're BOTH GONE outta da Nest now!
Only lil Nummer 3 was gettin Sat On by a Parent!
Dad tell'd Mom & Dad to "Take GUD Care of da lil Kidz"
an we left em alone...
Prolly by da tyme we get back home, Nummer 3 will have built up his
strength enuff to *hopp off* wiff #1 an #2 to wherever
Mom an Dad Burd are gonna start Flyin Lessinz an Food Gathurin Klassez.
Be nice iffin we had a few Pet Talk Prayes fur
da Whole Burd Fambly's *Safety* an *Well-Bein*.
WE're gonna be doin a LOTTA *wurryin* bout da Darn Big KAT!
<sniff>
Hope we getz ta *see* em agin...
Be reel nice iffin Mom an Dad Burd would Fly em past da
dinin room winnows -
Be kinda NEET to see all Five of em Flyin In Formation! ;)
Here's the Burd Kids' *Babie Pictures* ~
From Friday Morning ~ June 25, 2004 ~
The BURD Fambly *BABY PICTURES* >>>
ALL THREE Kidz in the "Nest" >
#1 on the Center-Left;
#2 on the Lower-Right;
lil #3 "On Top" - Upper-Right...
all three "facing" towards the lower-left
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...8/f81ea59d.jpg
And then IT happened...
#2 *BOLTED*...
Leaped Up and made a Mad Dash OUT of the Nest...
Took off towards the upper-left of the first pix -
and now he's *somewhere* off to the right in this pix...
#1 and lil #3 weren't sure WHAT to do - so they
both just *stayed put* in the Nest >>>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...a/f81ea5b6.jpg
An Hour Later...
We came back to check on the Kids...
#1 and #2 had already been *marched off* to their
new *Safe Howze* by Mom or Dad...
Mom Burd was *sittin* on lil #3, but hopped off as
we approached.
Here's Lil #3 - ALL ALONE! :( >>>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...5/f81ea5a2.jpg
Mom went right back to lil #3 as soon as we left...
She'll sit on him today till he's strong enough
to *hopp along* and join the others in their new *Safe Howze* -
probably somewhere down near the pond.
In a week or two (God Willin) they should be finished with
Flight School and all be Flyin round da Ranch!
:D
PS:
See the WHOLE Tail on the Burd Fambly Album >>>
Killdeer 2004 ~ da Burd Fambly Album
;)
Lil Buggerz ARE pretty hard to see...
:p
Eben when ya KNOW where they are inna pix!
We made Dad go back an do sum *kroppin* an *en-hancin* -
THESE pix otta give ya at least a *chance* of pickin
da BURDz out frum da Rockz!
Here's ALL THREE huddled up inna pile -
And contrary to previous captions -
Nummer 3 is lookin off to da lower RIGHT!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...6/f81e5f5a.jpg
And then there were TWO -
(aftur #2 *skipped* :eek: outta da Nest!) >>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...3/f81e5f58.jpg
"Southern Expozure" of just the TWO -
#1 Now on the Right; lil #3 Now on the Left;
both lookin away...
(Dad had switched sides onna driveway -
a bit *FRANTIK* - he wuz *searchin* for #2 that he scared off!) >>>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...b/f81e5f54.jpg
An here's Lil #3 - ALL ALONE aftr Mom an Dad *marched off*
the two "Older" Chicks to their new *Safe Howze*.
But Mom came Right Back as soon as we left! :) >>
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...d/f81e5f57.jpg
Hope these "en-hanzed" Photos help the Folks who
were havin a Hard Tyme pickin out da BURDz frum da Rocks!
:D