Birth days

Yesterday the youngest Clarke turned six.  Partying was done, fun was had.

And today we have the dishes in the sink to prove it.

What a beautiful day it is, today.  We’ve got Spring Break this week, but if the weather report is to be believed, much of it will be chilly, rainy, and gloomy.  So today we ignored those dishes for a while and got out of the house.  Just in case we have little opportunity next week.

I’d show you pictures of our trips to The Raptor Trust and The Great Swamp, but I left my memory card on the kitchen table.  You’ll just have to trust me when I tell you the Swamp was crawling with rat snakes, and that six vultures dropped in on The Raptor Trust to visit some of the residents while we were there.  And none of that is as creepy or unpleasant as it sounds.  I promise.

Our big bird-watching this afternoon was inspired by Eagle Cam:

A friend sent this link along, and I’ve had it on my screen all day. The eggs were due to start hatching yesterday, so really there could be baby bald eagles at any moment.  Very exciting.  They’re such majestic creatures.  The Raptor Trust has one that can’t fly, but he’s impressive just the same – kind of gives me an odd little lump in my throat every time I see him.

The eagles in the webcam are also in New Jersey, about 25 minutes south of us.  I wonder if Mama Eagle, like most long-expectant mothers, is getting impatient for her brood to poke their little beaks out of the eggs.

Not much longer, Mama Eagle.  The hours may be creeping slowly while you wait, but soon? Soon you’ll be putting out red party plates and hanging up banners to celebrate their big-kidhood.  Soon time will fly in ways you’ve never imagined.