Mama Diaries

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Close Encounter with a Buzzard

The other day, I was walking my hundred pound German Shepherd, Schultz. Up ahead, I could see a rather large bird, hopping around on the tree lawn in front of a house. Schultz saw it, too, and the hair on his back stood up. He wanted to chase that thing.

I managed to keep the beast under control, and we passed the bird on the opposite side of the street without a catastrophe. It was a formidable looking buzzard. In case you don't know what they look like, here's a picture:



The way back was even more interesting. We had crossed the street and were now on the same side as the buzzard. I thought for sure when the bird saw us coming, it would take off. But no. Bird brain stayed right where it was, on the tree lawn.

I glanced down at Schultz. For some odd reason, the sight of the giant bird ahead of us didn't bother him. Okay, I thought. I'm going to walk right past this bird.

Schultz stayed on my left side, walking very nicely. And the buzzard, which was probably not even two feet away from me,  stayed very nicely on right side. I could have reached down and petted that thing as we passed it.  I had never been that close to such a ginormous bird! 

For the life of me, I have no idea why that bird was there, and why Schultz didn't get all spastic as we approached and passed it. Maybe the eclipse had something to do with it! 


Note:  I know you're all probably getting used to me not being around much. Still dealing with issues. But there are some good things going on too. I will have a new picture book coming out soon - Don't Feed the Elephant! And I'm busy revising a manuscript for an interested publisher. So a lot of "spare" time is spent working on those two projects. You still won't see me regularly, but I'll stop by to post and visit whenever I can.    

42 comments:

  1. Great news on the book front indeed at your feed.

    Maybe they were seeing who would flinch first, neither giving the other any satisfaction.

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  2. Good news about your books!
    That was one brave buzzard. The ones we get around here are called turkey vultures.

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    1. Yes, they are turkey vultures. But since I'm from Cleveland, we call them, buzzards.

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  3. Fantastic news! Amazing that both the buzzard and Schultz behaved. Maybe they were having a telepathic conversation that you didn't know about, and the buzzard just told Schultz in a mobster voice to keep walking!

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    1. Ha! I can imagine that little conversation going on!

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  4. Hi, Sherry!

    I'm glad things are looking up for you, at least on the publishing front. I hope all aspects of your life soon follow suit.

    That was indeed a bizarre encounter with the buzzard. Perhaps it was injured and could not fly. However in my experience those scavengers are accustomed to being in close proximity to people and highway traffic when they eat road kill. When buzzards are focused on securing a meal it takes a lot to shoo them away.

    Take care, dear friend Sherry!

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    1. I saw it fly later, so it wasn't injured. Just stubborn.

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  5. Wow! That was amazing to walk by that close--let alone with a big dog! Must have been the eclipse--LOL! ;)

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  6. That's one ugly bird! I'd runaway to another continent if I saw it in my yard.
    Congrats on the new book!

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  7. Good news for you, then. And wow. I'm surprised the buzzard let you get that close.

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    1. I was, too. Apparently, Schultz and I weren't scary enough.

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  8. That sounds totally creepy, Sherry. At least Schultz didn't get completely unnerved about it. I'm always glad to stop by whenever you have something to share. Glad you have some good things happening.

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    1. Probably because I was between him and the bird.

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  9. What an intriguing bird to have to be so close to. I hope all is well and hang in there. Warm greetings and best wishes.

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  10. Congratulations on the new book! And it did let you in close...unexpected.

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    1. Animals around here seem to be fearless. We have deer and coyotes that don't seem to care about humans, too.

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  11. Good news about the book Sherry. ....And I thought pigeons was not nice but after seeing that buzzard I'm slowly changing my mind.

    Yvonne.

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  12. That was obviously quite a sighting. I've been close to those birds before, but never that close.

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  13. Buzzards make your shutter, but they are unique animals. Yesterday morning (as you may have seen on my Facebook post) I was walking the dog and there was an owl on the ground. When we got about 10 feet away, he flew up into the tree just above us. I was amazed and caught some nice photos with my cell phone.

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    1. Those big birds are amazing to watch! I did see your photos. Very nice!

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  14. Congratulations on your new picture book coming out. And I commend you on your bravery – I could never get that close to a buzzard. Did you ever watch that old movie, "The Birds?" Scary. Birds pecking people to death; hence, my buzzard fear. :-)

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    1. I did not see "The Birds." Probably a good thing I haven't!

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  15. Maybe the bird was sick and your dog sensed it? That's really interesting!! Congrats on your new book!!! Drop by blog land when you can! Big Hugs!

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    1. I saw the bird fly away later, so I'm not sure what it was up to.

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  16. Huge congrats on your new book! Awesome news!

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  17. Congrats on your new book! How exciting!

    Amazing that you were that close to the buzzard with your dog and it was such a calm scene. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. It was very calm! I don't know how Schultz got so upset when he was across the street from the thing, but passing on the same side didn't bother him at all. Crazy!

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  18. I would've walked back on the other side of the street. LOL


    I'm glad you have good things going on!

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    1. I thought about it, but then decided I wasn't going to be the chicken.

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  19. I'm pretty sure Mr. Vulture wasn't well. They eat some dangerous things, so I'd chalk up his passive reaction to your proximity to indigestion. Good on Schultz! And good on you for your news. Hope all the other kinks work out soon, too.

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    1. Could've been temporary indigestion. He flew away later.

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  20. I would have run or walked fast on other side to avoid him. Congrats on the new book.

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  21. Ooh sorry, after a close encounter with a pigeon, I don't do birds .... unless of course there happen to be ten of them and they are zany.

    Looking forward to learning more of the new book. Stay well.

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    1. I had a baby pigeon walk into my house once. That was crazy. I had to make a little guide path to direct him out. He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. ;)

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  22. I've never had a close encounter with a buzzard though I've seen plenty of them from my vehicle window in my travels. They are creepy in a way, but they are also pretty amazing creatures.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. They are enormous. I'm glad they are more interested in road kill than live things.

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