An unnamed Santa dropped off a gift yesterday. He put it on my workbench. Strange I unwrapped "The Big Book of Laughs" by Reader's Digest. Wouldn't you know it the first little laugh story my eyes read came from Humor in Uniform, but it caused laughter and smile similar to an incidence taken from my early years just out of high school. Both stories are true. The uniform story said, two female privates were ordered to paint the general's office. They were warned not to get paint on their uniforms. So they locked the door, stripped off their clothes and got to work. An hour later, there's a knock at the door. "Who is it?" they asked. "Blind man." Thinking nothing of it, the privates open up. "Hi," says the man. "Where do you want the blinds?" What a sight to behold!
Three years after high school graduation I went bear hunting in Michigan's upper peninsula. I and a friend drove into a pretty lake way out in the wilderness on a late summer hot afternoon. The ground would literally shake each time B-52's flew over above on training missions and dropped thousands of foil packets to confuse radar trainees. The trees sparkled with shiny confetti leading to the lake. We found the lake campground inhabited by one tent, but we never saw the occupants. Placing our tent at the opposite end of the lake we started walking up the beach surf fishing for dinner when we happened around a small point and right before us were two 20+ something bare frontal exposure naked ladies chaise' sunning with towels over their faces. Needless to say we were stunned-grinned ear to ear. They were far better more beautiful in the flesh than the Playboy magazine pages were being passed around in high school locker-room. One woman took off her face towel and screamed to the other "We've got men!" What a sight! The ladies ran for their tents, but later returned wearing bikinis and being somewhat embarrassed apologized for being beach strippers. They had not expected to encounter two young men way out in nowhere. They invited us to dinner and we sat around the campfire into the wee hours of the morning talking and... I see you smiling. Now, now that was an evil thought-be adult. We never saw Black bears, just two bare nudists and... that's life!
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
The Most Beautiful Dancer in My World
I've watched Dancing with The Stars only a few times. Each couple tries to outdo the previous contestants. The women are gorgeous, the men handsome. All handpicked because of their stature and events as people performing live entertainment. This is performance dancing to a "Wow Factor," for TV ratings.
Strange as it may seem you have no chances of dancing with the stars of TV. Men gawk and I'm sure many see the ladies as sexual conquests - not as someone you'd dance with on stage. I'm no dancer, but my eyes can watch the ladies dance in bars and taverns and have no inclinations to get excited by what I witness and yet the most beautiful dancer in my world of entertainment sure thrilled most of the men in the tavern Friday evening. She was the Queen of Dance. She was an unassuming guest until she stood up and walked up onto the dance floor with a friendly male acquaintance who was reluctant to dance with her. She turned every male head in the establishment just getting there with her figure walking. The other gent was very hesitant to dance. Male eyes couldn't stop staring at her runway hourglass figure - the body shape was exquisite. She danced wildly and her hip gyrations made women uneasy knowing their husbands were staring in her direction.
I sat on a high chair like I do every Friday night waiting my turn to sing. My hair has silver streaks, but older ladies of 79 plus love to run their fingers through my hair, which I dislike and rarely do I get excited watching the ladies dance until that night. Many a men stopped and asked me "How can I stand it being so close to such a wild dancer?" Well, I'm still shy and I don't dance, but she continued to strut her style of dancing to my pleasure and turning gawking bar men into putty. My eyes drank her into my mind. They were melting. Others were afraid to dance with such a gorgeous woman. Then it happened. She came to the dance floor and before I knew it she pulled me off my chair and said, "Dance with me darling!" I was shocked. She said, "I love your beautiful singing." I felt special, but whispered I don't dance. She took my hands and placed them on her hips, pulled me close and we danced slowly. I said, "Not bad for a guy married 39 years." When the music ended I thanked the most beautiful woman dancer in the world proving that old men like a good dancer.
Strange as it may seem you have no chances of dancing with the stars of TV. Men gawk and I'm sure many see the ladies as sexual conquests - not as someone you'd dance with on stage. I'm no dancer, but my eyes can watch the ladies dance in bars and taverns and have no inclinations to get excited by what I witness and yet the most beautiful dancer in my world of entertainment sure thrilled most of the men in the tavern Friday evening. She was the Queen of Dance. She was an unassuming guest until she stood up and walked up onto the dance floor with a friendly male acquaintance who was reluctant to dance with her. She turned every male head in the establishment just getting there with her figure walking. The other gent was very hesitant to dance. Male eyes couldn't stop staring at her runway hourglass figure - the body shape was exquisite. She danced wildly and her hip gyrations made women uneasy knowing their husbands were staring in her direction.
I sat on a high chair like I do every Friday night waiting my turn to sing. My hair has silver streaks, but older ladies of 79 plus love to run their fingers through my hair, which I dislike and rarely do I get excited watching the ladies dance until that night. Many a men stopped and asked me "How can I stand it being so close to such a wild dancer?" Well, I'm still shy and I don't dance, but she continued to strut her style of dancing to my pleasure and turning gawking bar men into putty. My eyes drank her into my mind. They were melting. Others were afraid to dance with such a gorgeous woman. Then it happened. She came to the dance floor and before I knew it she pulled me off my chair and said, "Dance with me darling!" I was shocked. She said, "I love your beautiful singing." I felt special, but whispered I don't dance. She took my hands and placed them on her hips, pulled me close and we danced slowly. I said, "Not bad for a guy married 39 years." When the music ended I thanked the most beautiful woman dancer in the world proving that old men like a good dancer.
Another Spirit Intrepetation in a Dream - 158
I've talked about spirit visitations coming in dreams. It happened again. Bought some Chrysanthemums for the big pots in front of church from Rockford Hardware in Rockford. My intention was to transport them on Tuesday afternoon, but since I was tired I thought I'd take a nap [Monday]. Low and behold I visited dreamland for about a half hour, but a spirit of bright light visited - a light so bright that it glowed and the pulse voice from the beyond said, "Go to church now!" I snapped from my slumber and the first thing that came into my mind was, "What's the rush?" I was tired and reluctant to leave my Monday afternoon nap, but the spirit said, "Go as in immediately."
Snatched from my dream I asked my wife to help seat the large bronze/red flowers at the entry to church. We planted those mums and my wife was watering when a red car pulled into the church parking lot about 50' feet from the back door. A young woman came rushing forward and she asked, "Did we know where the church secretary was. I said, "The church office is closed on Monday's." Her face was sullen. She was hoping someone at the church could give her some money for gas from the benevolent fund , because she had no more money for gas to get her Vet friend to the VA hospital in Grand Rapids. He was sitting in a pool of blood, the result of Colon Cancer and was bleeding heavily from his rectum. He wouldn't let her phone for an ambulance citing the costs. Tears flooded her eyes causing my wife to cry, too. I asked the two church staff (maintenance) , but each didn't have much cash themselves. I walked down the hall and all I had was $11.00. I pulled it from my wallet and gave her $10.00. She cried heavier and wasn't going to accept my money, but my wife told her that's what I we as Christian's are supposed to do. My wife had no money to give her either. I was spirit sent from my dream to help her in their hours of need! When a Vet or anyone is in need the Bible commands I help them. Don't ever underestimate spirit dreams. Listen from the heart.
Snatched from my dream I asked my wife to help seat the large bronze/red flowers at the entry to church. We planted those mums and my wife was watering when a red car pulled into the church parking lot about 50' feet from the back door. A young woman came rushing forward and she asked, "Did we know where the church secretary was. I said, "The church office is closed on Monday's." Her face was sullen. She was hoping someone at the church could give her some money for gas from the benevolent fund , because she had no more money for gas to get her Vet friend to the VA hospital in Grand Rapids. He was sitting in a pool of blood, the result of Colon Cancer and was bleeding heavily from his rectum. He wouldn't let her phone for an ambulance citing the costs. Tears flooded her eyes causing my wife to cry, too. I asked the two church staff (maintenance) , but each didn't have much cash themselves. I walked down the hall and all I had was $11.00. I pulled it from my wallet and gave her $10.00. She cried heavier and wasn't going to accept my money, but my wife told her that's what I we as Christian's are supposed to do. My wife had no money to give her either. I was spirit sent from my dream to help her in their hours of need! When a Vet or anyone is in need the Bible commands I help them. Don't ever underestimate spirit dreams. Listen from the heart.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Tribute to SPC Zachary A. Shanafelt
SPC Zachary A. Shanafelt served his country gallantly until he passed away November 21, 2012 at Walter Reed Medical Center and was part of the Wounded Warrior program. Zach was involved in an accident more than a year ago in Afghanistan. He was a certified combat medic with the Attack Battery 1-84th Field Artillery at Combat Outpost Qaisar in the Fariyab Province Not all soldiers are killed or injured in battle. Not Zach. The injuries he received were from an accident he encountered in Afghanistan.
I never knew the Zachary directly, but indirectly. We crossed paths briefly for about an hour in 2006 when his Creston High School 11th grade class came to Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a Biome tour. Zach and his other ROTC friend stayed at the back of a group 12 other students, but it was easy to see Zach was different. He stood tall and although some students acted bored he never did. He listened intently on the subject matter. When I asked a question he snapped to attention. At the conclusion of the tour I noted some of his classmates derided on being an ROTC fanatic, but I saw a very personable young man who was destined for greatness beyond himself. He was proud and comfortable of who he was in his own skin. He had a destined "goal" in life. His father and mentors inspired him greatly.
Here was a high school student who knew what he wanted in life; he had a lofty goal to be proud of his heritage and serve the America which he loved dearly. Yes he was on the fast track and served his country honorably and bravely putting other people above himself. Fast tracks in military life pose even greater risk to body and mind, but Zach wasn't shy. He knew what he wanted to do from high school onward early in life. His mind was positively charged and his body was preparing for the adventure of his life when he visited FMG. He was securing his destiny.
Many times after tours I ask the students about their future plans and 11th graders these days pretty much don't answer questions. They stand like silent zombies afraid to answer lest they answer incorrectly, but Zach and friend weren't afraid to answer and learned to laugh at themselves. Zach had a sense of learning humor, too and was not afraid of the older docent (me) teaching him how to survive in other countries. He displayed a take charge mentality. Some said, "He was a dreamer who did what others classified as impossible," but he had the gift to inspire others to dream and make dreams come true. To family and friends they saw a young military man speeding through life like a blazing comet. After snatching his fiery star dust trail; he took them on a wild journey to experience life through his eyes. Zach never looked back; only forward pressing on and became a shining star to many children.
Zach made lots of small friends in Afghanistan and fell in love with the children always requesting gifts from American children and passing them out to children. He energized others to reach out and touch lives for the sake of humanity; put self last. He simply loved life and put the hope and dreams of others above himself. Today was Zach's funeral at Pederson Funeral Home in Rockford, Michigan at 11 a.m. Prior to bringing his casket out, the bagpiper stood on the cold front porch and played Amazing Grace. TV media were there across the street. Military family saluted. His casket was placed on the cradle in the middle of N. Monroe St. The family was seated on chairs and from the south marching north up the east side sidewalk came 700+ proud children who walked 1.5 miles from Valley View Elementary School in a procession a half-mile long to pay tribute to SPC Zachary as part their Patriot's Week Program. They proudly stood in the cold waving small flags. They made Rockford proud; to give of themselves to honor Zach and his family for his sacrifice to America and the freedoms adults sometimes take for granted. Many eyes misted and teardrops fell paying honor to a young soldier who loved helping children in a far away place. Never stop dreaming.
I never knew the Zachary directly, but indirectly. We crossed paths briefly for about an hour in 2006 when his Creston High School 11th grade class came to Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a Biome tour. Zach and his other ROTC friend stayed at the back of a group 12 other students, but it was easy to see Zach was different. He stood tall and although some students acted bored he never did. He listened intently on the subject matter. When I asked a question he snapped to attention. At the conclusion of the tour I noted some of his classmates derided on being an ROTC fanatic, but I saw a very personable young man who was destined for greatness beyond himself. He was proud and comfortable of who he was in his own skin. He had a destined "goal" in life. His father and mentors inspired him greatly.
Here was a high school student who knew what he wanted in life; he had a lofty goal to be proud of his heritage and serve the America which he loved dearly. Yes he was on the fast track and served his country honorably and bravely putting other people above himself. Fast tracks in military life pose even greater risk to body and mind, but Zach wasn't shy. He knew what he wanted to do from high school onward early in life. His mind was positively charged and his body was preparing for the adventure of his life when he visited FMG. He was securing his destiny.
Many times after tours I ask the students about their future plans and 11th graders these days pretty much don't answer questions. They stand like silent zombies afraid to answer lest they answer incorrectly, but Zach and friend weren't afraid to answer and learned to laugh at themselves. Zach had a sense of learning humor, too and was not afraid of the older docent (me) teaching him how to survive in other countries. He displayed a take charge mentality. Some said, "He was a dreamer who did what others classified as impossible," but he had the gift to inspire others to dream and make dreams come true. To family and friends they saw a young military man speeding through life like a blazing comet. After snatching his fiery star dust trail; he took them on a wild journey to experience life through his eyes. Zach never looked back; only forward pressing on and became a shining star to many children.
Zach made lots of small friends in Afghanistan and fell in love with the children always requesting gifts from American children and passing them out to children. He energized others to reach out and touch lives for the sake of humanity; put self last. He simply loved life and put the hope and dreams of others above himself. Today was Zach's funeral at Pederson Funeral Home in Rockford, Michigan at 11 a.m. Prior to bringing his casket out, the bagpiper stood on the cold front porch and played Amazing Grace. TV media were there across the street. Military family saluted. His casket was placed on the cradle in the middle of N. Monroe St. The family was seated on chairs and from the south marching north up the east side sidewalk came 700+ proud children who walked 1.5 miles from Valley View Elementary School in a procession a half-mile long to pay tribute to SPC Zachary as part their Patriot's Week Program. They proudly stood in the cold waving small flags. They made Rockford proud; to give of themselves to honor Zach and his family for his sacrifice to America and the freedoms adults sometimes take for granted. Many eyes misted and teardrops fell paying honor to a young soldier who loved helping children in a far away place. Never stop dreaming.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
The Most Beautiful Dancer in My World-3
Frederick Austerlitz arrived in Hollywood as a young dancer, but if you are age 50+ the stage and film dancer was Fred Astaire. Astaire arrived in time for a usual screen test. He passed inspection, but the verdict; "Can't act. Slightly bald. Can dance a little." Someone saw great promise in Fred and gave Astaire a chance to achieve such remarkable success that he became the "world's greatest dancer," said Balanchine and Nureyev. Fred partnered with the talented and beautiful dancer named Ginger Rogers. Together they produced a series of films that charmed the world with their dancing skills. Both seemed to float on air as they danced across the stage. Astaire played many roles as an elegant playboy destined to dance with Ms. Rogers.
Phyllis Astaire, the wife of Fred Astaire had a speech impediment. As an adult she had a little problem saying her r's. One day actor David Niven took Phyllis Astaire down to RKO to watch the filming segment of a "Cheek to Cheek," number musical for Top Hat, starring Fred and his partner Ginger Rogers. Ginger did her first take in a dress composed almost entirely of red feathers. "She looks like a wooster," giggled Phyllis."
Seems the dress was ready only just in time for the dance. "Slowly, one at a time at first, the feathers parted company with the original garment. As Fred whirled Ginger faster and faster around the gleaming set, more and more feathers flew off. It reminded Phyllis and Niven of a broken pillow fight at school, but both dancers pressed bravely on with the musical number and by the end Ginger looked ... well she or the stork never had seen something so beautiful. Phyllis seeing the clothing malfunction pulled Niven's sleeve and said, 'Let's get out of here' "Fwed will be so embawassed."
I doubt Fred Astaire was embarrassed. His eyes knew that Ginger Rogers could help them both achieve or elevate their dancing prowess. A good woman helps men achieve greatness. Sure sometimes things don't go as planned, but with a little help from talented beautiful women men soar. I guess Phyllis couldn't watch Fred undress Ginger on stage. His dance number with her uncovered more of her than what the stork saw at birth and it did delight his eyes and they danced into film history. God bless the woman who is attractive and active in life. Just be careful who you dance with in the presence of your wife for her eyes throw blazing swords when she gets you alone.
I guess what you must remember about dancing is the most beautiful woman, if married is your wife, but when not with her the most beautiful woman dancers are those who seek and ask us to dance with them. No longer will I refuse to dance with any woman who asks. I'll no longer sit and refuse to dance. Each week I saw too many guys, and I was one of them, refuse to dance with the ladies; mates, friends or complete strangers. Sure I made other guys [frogs] jealous last week, but I made a beautiful wild woman dancer happy dancing with an old karaoke singer and she changed my perspective of dancing with someone that is not my wife. If asked I'll say "I dance a little," but I won't sit with the rest of the frogs. I felt like a 'prince' dancing with the Most Beautiful Woman Dancer in My World. It's dancers who keep and make life better.
As Red Green of PBS Canada fame would say, "I am a man. I can change if I have to I guess."
Phyllis Astaire, the wife of Fred Astaire had a speech impediment. As an adult she had a little problem saying her r's. One day actor David Niven took Phyllis Astaire down to RKO to watch the filming segment of a "Cheek to Cheek," number musical for Top Hat, starring Fred and his partner Ginger Rogers. Ginger did her first take in a dress composed almost entirely of red feathers. "She looks like a wooster," giggled Phyllis."
Seems the dress was ready only just in time for the dance. "Slowly, one at a time at first, the feathers parted company with the original garment. As Fred whirled Ginger faster and faster around the gleaming set, more and more feathers flew off. It reminded Phyllis and Niven of a broken pillow fight at school, but both dancers pressed bravely on with the musical number and by the end Ginger looked ... well she or the stork never had seen something so beautiful. Phyllis seeing the clothing malfunction pulled Niven's sleeve and said, 'Let's get out of here' "Fwed will be so embawassed."
I doubt Fred Astaire was embarrassed. His eyes knew that Ginger Rogers could help them both achieve or elevate their dancing prowess. A good woman helps men achieve greatness. Sure sometimes things don't go as planned, but with a little help from talented beautiful women men soar. I guess Phyllis couldn't watch Fred undress Ginger on stage. His dance number with her uncovered more of her than what the stork saw at birth and it did delight his eyes and they danced into film history. God bless the woman who is attractive and active in life. Just be careful who you dance with in the presence of your wife for her eyes throw blazing swords when she gets you alone.
I guess what you must remember about dancing is the most beautiful woman, if married is your wife, but when not with her the most beautiful woman dancers are those who seek and ask us to dance with them. No longer will I refuse to dance with any woman who asks. I'll no longer sit and refuse to dance. Each week I saw too many guys, and I was one of them, refuse to dance with the ladies; mates, friends or complete strangers. Sure I made other guys [frogs] jealous last week, but I made a beautiful wild woman dancer happy dancing with an old karaoke singer and she changed my perspective of dancing with someone that is not my wife. If asked I'll say "I dance a little," but I won't sit with the rest of the frogs. I felt like a 'prince' dancing with the Most Beautiful Woman Dancer in My World. It's dancers who keep and make life better.
As Red Green of PBS Canada fame would say, "I am a man. I can change if I have to I guess."
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The Most Beautiful Woman Dancer in My World-2
My brother-in-law once commented that no man living man should have a wife more than 30 years. He felt like a prisoner. The wow factor in his marriage had stopped. His wife refuses to do things with him and he's lonely. Rarely does his wife stir from the couch potato position. She stopped exercising, but sits eating and watching TV 24/7. She is disinterested in his life and that makes him feel lonely and worthless. He feels trapped in his second marriage. The "wow factor" is gone.
I love my wife and best friend dearly, but she dislikes the spotlight on her when I sing karaoke songs. She dislikes late night hours, dark venues complaining she can't see her food and the music is too loud. She too sits in front of the TV letting it entertain her robbing us of companionship. My new friends can't understand her reasoning for not keeping the "wow factor" visible in our 39 year marriage. Lately I feel like its a convenience factor. Yes I've made new friends, but I'd rather have her by my side. Her refusal to be part of my singing life is driving a wedge between us. I enjoy the freedom to explore other karaoke venues, but my loneliness robs us of togetherness.
On the other hand I can understand why she might resent the fact that other women find me handsome and charming. She doesn't want to see other women, some of which are very slender beautiful dancers and singers give affection to me in real time. She has a "jealous factor" like Lucille Ball (Lucy Ricardo) and I know my wife couldn't handle seeing the affection I receive from other wild sometime provocative young women who put the wow factor back in my life with hugs and kisses. Whispering how much they appreciate me in my old ear makes my lonely life worth living instead of turning me into a retired couch potato like her while waiting for God. Isn't it any wonder why men turn attention to younger women; not that I am attracted to any. I should feel excited, but I don't. It's just I'm not ready give up my young at heart feelings and die from boredom.
Although I didn't resist the most beautiful woman dancer to ever get me off my bar chair she did make an impression on me. The thrill experience isn't dead. I felt alive and not dead like the other guys that resisted her attempts to get them to dance with her. As a writer I'll describe her visually. She had a fair complexion, but not pale, long below the shoulder black straight hair, rather tall; taller than myself with the physique of a speed skater - long powerful upper legs, slender waist and to complete the picture of her upper torso she was the 10+ that others guys said, "She's the hottest woman in the bar." I made them jealous? That made me feel better. I had never danced with another woman except my wife. What turns you off or on?
I love my wife and best friend dearly, but she dislikes the spotlight on her when I sing karaoke songs. She dislikes late night hours, dark venues complaining she can't see her food and the music is too loud. She too sits in front of the TV letting it entertain her robbing us of companionship. My new friends can't understand her reasoning for not keeping the "wow factor" visible in our 39 year marriage. Lately I feel like its a convenience factor. Yes I've made new friends, but I'd rather have her by my side. Her refusal to be part of my singing life is driving a wedge between us. I enjoy the freedom to explore other karaoke venues, but my loneliness robs us of togetherness.
On the other hand I can understand why she might resent the fact that other women find me handsome and charming. She doesn't want to see other women, some of which are very slender beautiful dancers and singers give affection to me in real time. She has a "jealous factor" like Lucille Ball (Lucy Ricardo) and I know my wife couldn't handle seeing the affection I receive from other wild sometime provocative young women who put the wow factor back in my life with hugs and kisses. Whispering how much they appreciate me in my old ear makes my lonely life worth living instead of turning me into a retired couch potato like her while waiting for God. Isn't it any wonder why men turn attention to younger women; not that I am attracted to any. I should feel excited, but I don't. It's just I'm not ready give up my young at heart feelings and die from boredom.
Although I didn't resist the most beautiful woman dancer to ever get me off my bar chair she did make an impression on me. The thrill experience isn't dead. I felt alive and not dead like the other guys that resisted her attempts to get them to dance with her. As a writer I'll describe her visually. She had a fair complexion, but not pale, long below the shoulder black straight hair, rather tall; taller than myself with the physique of a speed skater - long powerful upper legs, slender waist and to complete the picture of her upper torso she was the 10+ that others guys said, "She's the hottest woman in the bar." I made them jealous? That made me feel better. I had never danced with another woman except my wife. What turns you off or on?
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The Rebel Woodpecker - 153
I've always enjoyed woodpeckers, but not when I had excruciating headaches, but a Northern Flickers life is all about using their slightly curved bills to excavate dead wood or partially rotting wood for a nest site. Sometimes they just like to beat the snot our of hollow metal objects; like mail boxes. Sometimes I think it's just to annoy humans. Each year once both sexes meet they start excavating a new hole preferably someplace in the same nesting tree. Choice home sites include hollow tree stumps and branches, or old weathered fence posts in pasture fields, utility poles or behind the damaged
sidings of buildings. It's wherever they can roost from 2-60 feet above the ground. If threatened by man or predator they will protect their young.
After the nest cavity is hollowed out the female lays from 7-9 pure white, smooth, oval to short oval eggs. Both sexes over the next 11-12 days will incubate the eggs and rotate incubation between themselves every hour. The male incubates the eggs at night while the female rests at a nearby resting perch or preening spot. After the eggs hatch the male takes great care in incubating the brood. Once the young arrive both sexes are nonvocal to each other and the woods return to silence. This is a survival tactic to keep hawks and owls from finding the nestlings. Birds watch each other especially cow birds.
Believe it or not, ornithologists studying the reproductive systems of flickers have discovered that if one egg is removed from the nest each day, the female will lay another egg within 24 hours. She knows how many eggs she laid. Studies show that by removing one egg per day, leaving one egg as a "nest egg," 71 eggs were removed from 1 flicker nest in 73 days. The female only missed 2 days in egg production over the course of 2 months of laying additional 71 eggs. Flickers have the uncanny ability to lay the correct number of eggs that will permit them to produce the maximum number of offspring. Flickers will produce as many surviving young as possible to replace those lost to forces of Mother Nature and man. If a cowbird finds the nest and deposits one of her own in the nest with the other eggs, the woodpeckers will abandon the entire clutch and relay another set of eggs up to nine times. Flickers know the differences in eggs.
Unlike other members of the woodpecker family, the Northern Flicker is known as the "rebel woodpecker," because it does most of its foraging for food on the ground as opposed to pecking insects from behind tree bark. It is a migratory bird to Michigan from Canada and they begin migrating north as the earth warms and ants come to the surface. They begin moving as the snow and ice recede towards the north. Spring, summer and fall diets consist of more than 50% ants. They follow the progression of ants north like geese following the receding snows of winter.
Flickers will sit on the ground below bird feeders and occasionally hang on them, but only sort the seeds. They do swipe a sunflower seed, but prefer looking for ants to eat. Flickers come to feeders looking for cracked corn from April to June, not for the corn, but the ants it attracts. Ants love the sugar properties of corn. They love suet, peanut butter seed cakes in the winter and forage on insects killed by summer bug zappers. Catch the dead bugs and watch the flickers sort them. From mid-summer to fall they feed heavily on wild berries, nuts and seeds.
What also makes flickers rebels is the fact that they have long, smooth, sticky tongues instead of the barbed tongues like other woodpeckers. Flicker tongues are so sticky that ants quickly adhere to it and they love little fire ants in those big ant hill mounds in open fields. These birds do a war dance atop those two to three foot diameter ant hills using their feet and bills to stir up the ants inside. When the crawling nasties storm out to defend their home the flicker slurps them them up faster than an Aardvark. Flickers make craters in the tops of those ant hills when probing for ants, which are used for trapping more ants, too.
That African aardvark on the Pink Panther cartoon show always made me laugh when I saw his long probing nose with a flared nostril sucking up ants with mega sounds of a powerful vacuum cleaner. Aardvarks like flickers really use their long sticky tongues for slurping up ants and termites.
Flickers regurgitate food to their young unlike their cousins who feed their young with sticky sap-well dunked insects. During early morning hours the young are fed about every ten minutes, but after noon are fed only once an hour. Both sexes take turns feeding the young continually for three weeks.
Once the young birds start sticking their heads out of the nest hole, they will leave the nest and fly within seven days. Leaving the nest they are strong fliers, but will remain with the parents for two-three more weeks. The young are still dependent on their parents for food and protection, but by the end of that three week period they will be able to take care of themselves. Once the young leave the adult flickers they will go through one complete molt. The plumage colors change from late July through September, but time lapsed depends on when the young left the family group.
You will always know when spring arrives in the bird world when you see Northern Flickers slurping up ants or seeing them stomping the ground. "Shall we, dance" takes on a new meaning when you watch Northern Flickers eating.
Watch for more exciting tales about nature from my naturalist travels.
sidings of buildings. It's wherever they can roost from 2-60 feet above the ground. If threatened by man or predator they will protect their young.
After the nest cavity is hollowed out the female lays from 7-9 pure white, smooth, oval to short oval eggs. Both sexes over the next 11-12 days will incubate the eggs and rotate incubation between themselves every hour. The male incubates the eggs at night while the female rests at a nearby resting perch or preening spot. After the eggs hatch the male takes great care in incubating the brood. Once the young arrive both sexes are nonvocal to each other and the woods return to silence. This is a survival tactic to keep hawks and owls from finding the nestlings. Birds watch each other especially cow birds.
Believe it or not, ornithologists studying the reproductive systems of flickers have discovered that if one egg is removed from the nest each day, the female will lay another egg within 24 hours. She knows how many eggs she laid. Studies show that by removing one egg per day, leaving one egg as a "nest egg," 71 eggs were removed from 1 flicker nest in 73 days. The female only missed 2 days in egg production over the course of 2 months of laying additional 71 eggs. Flickers have the uncanny ability to lay the correct number of eggs that will permit them to produce the maximum number of offspring. Flickers will produce as many surviving young as possible to replace those lost to forces of Mother Nature and man. If a cowbird finds the nest and deposits one of her own in the nest with the other eggs, the woodpeckers will abandon the entire clutch and relay another set of eggs up to nine times. Flickers know the differences in eggs.
Unlike other members of the woodpecker family, the Northern Flicker is known as the "rebel woodpecker," because it does most of its foraging for food on the ground as opposed to pecking insects from behind tree bark. It is a migratory bird to Michigan from Canada and they begin migrating north as the earth warms and ants come to the surface. They begin moving as the snow and ice recede towards the north. Spring, summer and fall diets consist of more than 50% ants. They follow the progression of ants north like geese following the receding snows of winter.
Flickers will sit on the ground below bird feeders and occasionally hang on them, but only sort the seeds. They do swipe a sunflower seed, but prefer looking for ants to eat. Flickers come to feeders looking for cracked corn from April to June, not for the corn, but the ants it attracts. Ants love the sugar properties of corn. They love suet, peanut butter seed cakes in the winter and forage on insects killed by summer bug zappers. Catch the dead bugs and watch the flickers sort them. From mid-summer to fall they feed heavily on wild berries, nuts and seeds.
What also makes flickers rebels is the fact that they have long, smooth, sticky tongues instead of the barbed tongues like other woodpeckers. Flicker tongues are so sticky that ants quickly adhere to it and they love little fire ants in those big ant hill mounds in open fields. These birds do a war dance atop those two to three foot diameter ant hills using their feet and bills to stir up the ants inside. When the crawling nasties storm out to defend their home the flicker slurps them them up faster than an Aardvark. Flickers make craters in the tops of those ant hills when probing for ants, which are used for trapping more ants, too.
That African aardvark on the Pink Panther cartoon show always made me laugh when I saw his long probing nose with a flared nostril sucking up ants with mega sounds of a powerful vacuum cleaner. Aardvarks like flickers really use their long sticky tongues for slurping up ants and termites.
Flickers regurgitate food to their young unlike their cousins who feed their young with sticky sap-well dunked insects. During early morning hours the young are fed about every ten minutes, but after noon are fed only once an hour. Both sexes take turns feeding the young continually for three weeks.
Once the young birds start sticking their heads out of the nest hole, they will leave the nest and fly within seven days. Leaving the nest they are strong fliers, but will remain with the parents for two-three more weeks. The young are still dependent on their parents for food and protection, but by the end of that three week period they will be able to take care of themselves. Once the young leave the adult flickers they will go through one complete molt. The plumage colors change from late July through September, but time lapsed depends on when the young left the family group.
You will always know when spring arrives in the bird world when you see Northern Flickers slurping up ants or seeing them stomping the ground. "Shall we, dance" takes on a new meaning when you watch Northern Flickers eating.
Watch for more exciting tales about nature from my naturalist travels.
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