by CKR
Wednesday was cold and breezy, colder than Tuesday, but a warm wind came through on Thursday. At dawn, it was almost 40 F, and the canales were already dripping, helping to alleviate my worries about ice buildup on the flat roof. It's just about freezing this morning before sunrise, with possible snow showers predicted.
I had scared the roadrunner away Tuesday night, but she came back Wednesday afternoon and finished up the dead fish. I surprised both her and me; she was tucked away where I couldn’t see her.
I think that the problem on Tuesday was too much television. I watched the Ford funeral most of the morning, while she was warming up in the sun. The area where she stays is close to my television room, and I suspect she could hear the goings-on: humans! Her area is also close to the cold-air return for my heating system, and that noise is probably also unwelcome.
I’m pleased with the photos I’ve taken, so I haven’t tried to get more. But it’s almost irresistable to try to look at her. She has so many moods: fluffed up and logy, sleeked down ready to run, or inquisitively raising her crest at me. That crest is very expressive.
After I startled her on Wednesday afternoon, she sat on the deck railing for a while. I retreated into the living room to read the paper. She came along the railing so that she could watch me. The sun was low in the sky and the wind made her fluff up. I stayed almost motionless, and so did she. She was looking toward the top of the house (too much snow) and down into the yard. After ten minutes of consideration and minimal movement for both of us, she opted for the yard. I finished the paper, hoping she’d come back, and then came back to my office, which seems to be far enough from her preferred places not to disturb her.
When I went back to get supper, I sneaked a look. She was back. She saw me but didn’t bolt. With the wind, that light fixture had to be extremely attractive. But she stayed elsewhere, I suspect in one of the pinons or junipers close to the house, which probably are almost as good for retaining her body heat as the light fixture, which is, after all, metal.
I want very much for her to be my very own roadrunner, but I also know that she has her own imperatives. I managed to get out shopping Thursday afternoon and put out some catfood and water. The food is untouched this morning—at least no other carnivores are visiting her area.
I’ll update if something interesting happens and will try to stay away from her part of the house in the late afternoon. But she will at least be the neighborhood’s roadrunner; my neighbor across the street tells me she has been pleased to see her too.