Yesterday, with the comment conversations, there was concern with the wind generators killing birds. At first, when they started showing up all over in our area, I TOO was concerned for the bird populations. Now that I have watched the generators for decades, and the span between the blades AND the rotation speed deaths of birds and the gap/speed makes it nearly impossible ...perhaps probable, being the case 'accidents do happen'...birds make mistakes also...just as driving down the highway and you hit a bird!! Now, I had to go out online to see for myself: According to this study, cats kill more birds than wind generators. Read it yourself. Natural predators kill more; being a bird lover that I am, I think the generators are of least concern. This is my own opinion.
AND the unknown piece of equipment in the field was revealed. 2 gators, Gina, told me it was part of a pump jack...part of an oil well. Thanks Gina.
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The last of my country roads take me through ranch land in search of wintering birds that don't frequent the city limits. On this day the hawks were prevalent. Red Tailed, immature and adult, white tailed hawks, and kestrels [falcons]. But, to show a bit of the landscaping and what else is seen, I show you these photos to conclude my round-about on the farm and ranch lands nearby...
AND the unknown piece of equipment in the field was revealed. 2 gators, Gina, told me it was part of a pump jack...part of an oil well. Thanks Gina.
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The last of my country roads take me through ranch land in search of wintering birds that don't frequent the city limits. On this day the hawks were prevalent. Red Tailed, immature and adult, white tailed hawks, and kestrels [falcons]. But, to show a bit of the landscaping and what else is seen, I show you these photos to conclude my round-about on the farm and ranch lands nearby...
When I saw this as I was driving by, I had to put the car in reverse to get a photo for Sandra...I thought of her and her 'love of cattle' right away. In this particular field, it looks like mama recently 'dropped' the calf. It was still quite wobbly on its feet. And yes, they do birth in winter around South Texas [December] 'cause the weather is quite mild. I too was in shock to see such activity in the 'dead of winter' when we relocated on the Gulf, being raised in Colorado where the winters are long and cold and birthing doesn't take place until mid-Spring or later...
Often times Cotton Gins line the main county roads since, here, cotton is a big commodity...
I had to back the car up on this one!! Only in Texas!! Faux buck partially hidden...what a riot. Pretty rack, tho.
Oil is another huge business in this area. This oil pumpjack seems to be broken and abandoned...
...again, cattle. This time, short horned and what looks like to me a hybrid [Gertrudis and Brahma? ---the light brown heifer]. But wait!! A white tailed deer in the background along the fence line.
For me, birds are always a big attraction! This sparrow greeted me as I slowed down to get a photo.
PS...sorry to all who like the pop up comment form. I don't. I do a lot of blogging & visiting blogs...on my smartphone. And I use the embedded comment reply button with each comment so I know I've repaid THEIR visit. Otherwise, I have too many windows open on my phone & my replies are NOT directly under said comment. It's a personal preference.
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Part TWO
It's been a real treat traveling down your country roads. How special to spot the mother and calf. That faux deer would have fooled me for a second. I would definitely be doing a double take.
ReplyDeleteThat was what I thought was real, 'til I looked through the lens!
DeleteThat picture of the cow with the newborn calf is delightful and perfect for the season, even if it is a bit odd to think of them birthing at this time of the year. I also like the sparrow. :-)
ReplyDeleteI especially love both photos of the cows. Many homes in this area have faux deer and faux horses as lawn decorations. They are very realistic.
ReplyDeleteThank you for MY photo of that precious baby... also love the other two cows... the sparrow is precious too.. here in FL birds and squirrels and coons and cows all birth year round. I wonder if the pop up allowed Ruth to comment. I only blog on laptop or desk top and can see what it would do to tiny screen. I never go back to a blog post unless I forgot to say something. my comments come in my email and I reply to them by email. of course that doesn't work with you because you have no email on yur blog... we all have our favortie way to blog. do what you like best is my motto
ReplyDeleteI love the cattle and the birds!
ReplyDeleteAbout cats killing birds, I so hate the studies. They really don't know, since they don't know how many cats there are, they don't know the age, sex, genger of the cats, feral or fixed. Our 3 cats have caught 8 birds all year. Birds fly away when cats approach, for the most part. They are pretty clever about that. I'm so tired of 'research' making these claims.
I love the wind farms.
Loved the baby calf. I use to raise day old calves and there is nothing cuter. In Florida they birth in the winter also. It can get cold enough that I've seen steam rises off the new born when it hits the ground. Fortunately it never stayed cold.
ReplyDeleteI like having the reply option also.
Delightful journey with you. You hit the nail on the head with the cow and calf.
ReplyDeleteLove the faux deer!
ReplyDeleteThe baby calf is a total joy. But I think all baby animals are a joy
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking me along the back roads of my home state. Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteSweet shots.
ReplyDelete