The Bird and the Rock

River Bend's backyard wildlife habitat had quite a few feeding sections for birds. Knowing this, I decided to start experimenting with the idea of ground feeders.  I noticed that they had used a flat rock as a ground feeder, so I decided to emulate this process.  I placed flat and semi flat rocks in various locations throughout my yard in order to create a nice atmosphere for my sustainable, edible landscape.  Then I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Finally, I got a visitor. 

Yeah, I know.  Not the greatest picture... but you've gotta give me some credit, at least!  I mean, I did catch the bird in midflight, after all!

Unfortunately, I had a great big kitchen window screen in the way, so this was the best I could do.

It was a gigantic blackbird.  I still have no idea what kind of blackbird, exactly, but I'll figure it out eventually.  I actually think it's a Starling, but I haven't made a true identification yet.

I was actually rather surprised that this was the chosen rock.  There's actually a much larger flat rock about eight feet away that I figured would be the perfect spot.

I guess I was wrong.  No complaints from me, though, because this is the only spot that I can see without a problem from any given window.  This bird had clear intelligence beaming through his eyes, so I can't help but wonder if maybe it knew that was the case.

No eye rolling, now!  The idea for Hitchcock's The Birds had to have come from some kernel of truth, after all, right?