Good evening, and welcome to What Bird Is It Anyway? a game where everything's made up, and the points don't matter. Like an evening gown in Truth or Consequences.
Hi Percy. Thanks for being here tonight.
My pleasure.
So, you're a really big pigeon.
NO! I'm a hawk. Look:
Well, that is rather impressive. But, you don't really have a hawk beak. It's sort of pigeony...
I'm sorry - I was rude. Please don't pout. Tell us more about hawk life!
I'm sorry! Truly! It's just that ... it's, um ... your feet. They're very fluffy.
STOP THE CAMERAS. Okay, interview over. Out. Out, out, out, out. OUT!
No, I mean your fierce talons are elegantly adorned!
Get out.
Monticello was calling me, collect, so I thought it would be cheaper to just go there.
I didn't take many shots of the town because it's all private residence. I passed a crop of lavender in bloom, and while my mouth was agape at that, I turned to see bunches of nearly-ripe black wine grapes hanging on the vine.
I was still taking that in when I saw a rose bush full of scarlet blooms, old-fashioned size. I don't mean they were the size of a drink glass. They were small roses.
Loaded fig trees peeked out from over the top of an adobe wall. Not that kind of loaded.
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| National Forest Service road |
I met a fellow here who told me his great-great-great-great grandfather came here from Monticello, NY. I had to admit I didn't know where that was (I do now). That's how the town got its name.
I would love to spend a little time in this town. That would be challenging, though, since there are no businesses and no lodging.
I saw a sign that pointed to a campground 17 miles away, but then you've still got to drive in to be in town, and then you're back where I was today. The only person driving on the road, sticking out like a hitchhiking thumb. Sticking out like a five-year-old's tongue. Sticking out like a tourist in a Prius with New York State plates.
What I saw was charming, and I think you oughta go stick out there, too.
29 comments:
Purty flower pics, but - really - what is THAT bird? We need Judy....
Maybe if we invoke her, she will come help us.
Close by is the old western town of Chloride. It was restored by a notorious Republican and Obama-hater. But his town is cute.
I remember stopping at that old school ruins in Monticello on our way to Chloride. There is a great old general store right out of yesteryear in Chloride but likely not to be open. Just ask around a bit & someone may open it for you. It's not a working general store but is preserved as the way it was back in the 1800's. We did meet the guy attempting to restore the town. He was working on a building across the street. Another nice little old west town in the area is Hillsboro. Couple cozy little restaurants there. If you type the names of these towns in our blog's 'Search' bar you can read a bit about our visits there. Both Kelly & I liked this areas rolling hills. Groovy:))
Love the pigeon. He would fit right in in Trafalgar Square.
Or New Orleans' Jackson Square.
By George, I think we just might go there next winter...and to Chloride. Love your humor.
We had such a great time wandering around that area. Loved Chloride and sure would like to go back again.
Take my humor ... please! Thanks, Nan.
Jan, do they like fancy pigeons in Trafalgar Square?
Al, I would have gone right on to Chloride, except I happened to glance at my gas gauge and thumped myself on the head. Maybe it's just as well - this Duck can only take so much beauty and excitement in one day before I start molting. That will be my adventure for another day.
P&B - I will heed your warning and not initiate any political conversations with Mr. Chloride. I've heard good things about the restoration.
In my heart of hearts, I thought for sure I was looking a some new species of hawk never before seen or identified by humankind
! A pigeon... sheeeesh! It would have been a let down if he weren't wearing such elegant slppers. I hate to admit it but Chuck was right, he said pigeon all along!
Do go to Chloride, there is a gas station in Winston! Also visit the Winston General Store and eyeball all the beautiful handmade doors! Take a drive around the town too... cool place! Chloride is being restored by Don and Donna Edmunds and their daughter Linda. This has become their life project and they have done an amazing job! There is even a restaurant there now, built in the old bank building and a 5 space full hook up campground for $20 a night!
He looked so hawky! He curses those slippers night and day. Okay, next trip is back to Chloride.
Thought I'd Google Monticello and see exactly where it is... HA! The home page had a link to get directions... it came up blank! Are you SURE that place exists? You know there are a lot of "funny" things that go on north of T or C.... ;-)
Lol, Sharon! Well, its other name is "Brigadoon"...
Well you've done it now. The International Society of Hawk Defenders will have you on its list whether you have beautiful flowers or not.
The ISH-D! I forgot all about them. I have to eat crow or keep an eagle-eye out for those raven lunatics.
ha ha ha . pretty pics
Thanks, Mary!
I think it's a pigeon hawk which is very dangerous to look straight in the eye. Maybe take your gas mask to Chloride, and the camera.
Hahaha! And maybe a mirror.
Looks like a pigeon to me:)
He kinda does, doesn't he.
Where is Judy when you need her? Maybe she's buried in a bird book trying to figure it out too.
Just found out from Mike, the owner of the pigeons and the RV Park, that the elegantly footed one is known as an English Tumbling pigeon! Seems he tends to tumble in the air as he flies! Mystery solved!
No wonder he sat still so long. I'd walk everywhere if I had to tumble while I flew. E-bird-gency over, Judy!
I found a link on Tumbler Pidgies here..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumbler_(pigeon)
yours looks like he might have posed for the wiki pic
k-
Nice, k! I notice they describe the tumbling as an "ability," instead of a "li-ability." I also see they mention "Limerick pigeons."
There once was a bird from Nantucket ...
A tumbling bird from Nantucket
A pigeon with really bad luck-It
flew down from the sky
with a shriek and a cry
Landed butt over beak in a bucket
That's brilliant! *applause*
Loved the interview - and the limerick - great stuff!!
That limerick is a LOLer, for sure.
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