More on the Birds of March 8
At Chickamauga Dam, a greatly reduced number of herons line the shore. I suppose the rest are off at nesting sites. A few herons and ring billed gulls circle overhead. They descend to grab fish stunned by the turbines. Occasionally, one will float downstream for a minute or two. Then, off they fly.
A lone fishing boat hugs the far shore. Soon it is headed downstream, perhaps done with fish for the day.
I saw a report of an Osprey here, sighted on the last day of February. Soon the will be a common sight at the dam, and possibly they will nest here, as they have in past years.
A photographer stretched out in the grass appears to be attempting to get an image of gill over the ground, also known as “stinking Johnny.” Its blue blossoms cover the ground tin profusion, and only give off their fetid odor when crushed.
The flower is a tube, and the stem square, indicating membership in the mint family, although they are not edible so far as I know. Henbit, a mint with a reddish blossom is present, but in smaller quantities.
In the distance, I spy a red maple with its pale blossoms. They are one of the earliest trees to flower, though many to whom I point them out are wholly unimpressed, perhaps even unable to see the delicate blossoms. Maples just can’t compete with the purple flowers of the red bud and the even more showy white of the Flowering Dogwood.
Herons Overhead
Descend for Fishy Dinner
Single boat departs
At Chickamauga Dam, a greatly reduced number of herons line the shore. I suppose the rest are off at nesting sites. A few herons and ring billed gulls circle overhead. They descend to grab fish stunned by the turbines. Occasionally, one will float downstream for a minute or two. Then, off they fly.
A lone fishing boat hugs the far shore. Soon it is headed downstream, perhaps done with fish for the day.
I saw a report of an Osprey here, sighted on the last day of February. Soon the will be a common sight at the dam, and possibly they will nest here, as they have in past years.
A photographer stretched out in the grass appears to be attempting to get an image of gill over the ground, also known as “stinking Johnny.” Its blue blossoms cover the ground tin profusion, and only give off their fetid odor when crushed.
The flower is a tube, and the stem square, indicating membership in the mint family, although they are not edible so far as I know. Henbit, a mint with a reddish blossom is present, but in smaller quantities.
In the distance, I spy a red maple with its pale blossoms. They are one of the earliest trees to flower, though many to whom I point them out are wholly unimpressed, perhaps even unable to see the delicate blossoms. Maples just can’t compete with the purple flowers of the red bud and the even more showy white of the Flowering Dogwood.
Herons Overhead
Descend for Fishy Dinner
Single boat departs
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