February 25, 2009

RIVER WATCHER

WINGS IN THE WIND

Rex Burress

After a late February rain, the storm broke up with strong winds tossing dark clouds through the sky. Into this breezy scenario, I walked along the sheltered hill near the Feather River Nature Center, and high overhead I was surprised to see a woodland Cooperís hawk far above its normal domain.

The long-tailed, short-winged Accipiter was not hunting, but rather playing in the wind. It was riding the air currents the best it could without gliding wings, sometimes folding to do a trick maneuver, seemingly with great joy, unless there was a lady friend watching his showy performance. But it seemed to be gliding for the pure joy of freedom in the wind and sky.

I pondered on the marvelous wings of a bird, able to ascend into the sky and drift with the clouds in complete confidence of its ability. No going down in the Hudson River if it chooses.

The Coopers is especially efficient at darting through the forest, short wings allowing flight through narrow corridors. So swift is its aerial plunge that a small bird never knows what hits it when the predator strikes. Watch the barnyard chickens scatter when a Accipiter glides over, instinctively recognizing the silhouette.

The Cooperís hawk wasnít alone in enjoying the cloud show. Several gulls were sailing in spirals, as they are often prone to do in oncoming windstorms. The gull is akin to storm, adapted to the swirling seaside turbulence, and along the Feather River perhaps there is a feeling of home, complete with molecules of air borne afar from distant seas. Gulls have sturdy strong wings and are most at ease in the wind.

Up in the same sky were some vultures, also testing their more delicate flying skills in the wind. Complete gliders, they soar without a wingbeat, and they werenít on carcass patrol since they were so high and weaving in circles. It was a sky day and time to exhilarate with their angelical appendages.

You seldom see waterfowl, cormorants, or swans gliding in the sky. They are heavy and depend on constant forward thrust to remain aloft. White pelicans are an exception, able to glide for hours in large flocks once high aloft.

Birds of prey have mastered the art of drifting on winds and thermal currents They readily take advantage of light-weight bodies and streamlined design, and you wonder if they are aware of the special privilege of flight . Mankind has tried for ages to fly in the sky, and finally, after much experimentation, they have now not only attained flight through machines...even a breakthrough into the dark cosmos where no earthly bird will ever soar.

Birds do it with feathers, evolved through the ages, probably from reptilian linkage. Take a good look at a feather, and muse about the intricate perfection that allows an animal of earth to attain a godly realm long before mankind broke the boundary of gravity.

"Oh that I had the wings like a dove! For then would I fly away and be at rest."

ñPsalms 4:6