This is us, July 3, 2011

Crossroads of the North American Continent!

I used to think that the crossroads of America was Indiana, but our running for June has landed us in Belfield, ND. According to their Chamber of Commerce, Belfield, North Dakota is “the crossroads of the North American continent.” I guess there is a difference between the crossroads of America and the crossroads of the American continent! Belfield is situated on the banks of the Heart River, and it is halfway between New York City and Seattle, Washington. It is also on US 85, "the only intercontinental highway that extends from Alaska to Mexico City, Mexico." As they say, "You are truly at the crossroads of America. The Gateway City to the West."

We are still about 45 miles shy of the Montana border! Montana will be a looooooong state! North Dakota has been pretty long - about 352 miles or so. Montana looks to be about 650 miles. Hope to get there in mid October!

Happy Summer!

How you are celebrating the first day of summer? Cho Cho wants to know!

Ready, Set.....

Ready, set, flap your wings! We were for sure these birdies were going to fledge today! Instead they just kept teasing us by practicing flapping their wings and pecking at insects on the deck awning!

any day now!

We were watching the blue jays this morning and two of the babies were stretching their wings, flapping them at the edge of the nest. Their wings were blue and white. The other three babies are still more gray and fuzzy so they look to be a few days behind. Here they are awake with Mama. The one of the right is gray and fuzzy, but the tall one in the back is one of the two that look ready to fledge (in my complete nonexpert opinion)! And, also here Ms. Cho standing guard (the nest is on top of the light near the wind chimes). Also, a few more views of the brood!

Feed me!

The baby blue jays are growing up fast, and their parents are becoming super protective. Speedracer is going to go out in full armor (bike helmet, lab safety goggles, etc.) to get some better footage. If you come even within 5 feet mama or papa will buzz you! We read that blue jay babies fledge at about 21 days but that time period can be longer if the brood is large (we have 5) and if weather/feeding conditions are not good. The babies on our deck hatched on May 30th, so they are about 12 days old now. We have been putting some whole peanuts with shells out on the deck that the mama and papa seem to like. Cho Cho really does keep watch. Click on the arrows in the right hand corner to get a full screen view (it is a little blurry - sorry!).

The Three S's

Spit
Suck
Strut

This is what Genna & Bee taught us yesterday on our nature walk, here in Winchester. We found a honey suckle vine, and decided to taste the drops of honey. Bee & Genna really liked this, and must have picked about a hundred of them, and perfected the technique. First you bite off and spit out the little green part. Then you suck the drop of honey. Then you strut your goodness. The technique was enjoyed by all!