ROAD RUNNERS

MARY'S DAUGHTER, HEATHER, IS A REAL ROAD RUNNER FAN, SO TODAY'S BLOG IS FOR HEATHER.

THE SPRING TIME COURTING ACTIVITIES HAVE ENDED, AND THE RESIDENT ROAD RUNNERS ARE BUSY WITH NEST BUILDING. EVERY TIME YOU SEE THEM GO BY THEY HAVE TWIGS IN THEIR BEAKS FOR NEST BUILDING MATERIAL.

I HAVEN'T FOUND WHERE THE NEST IS THIS YEAR, BUT LAST YEAR THEY BUILT A NEST INSIDE THE GRILL OF ONE OF THE MOTOR HOMES. THEY ENTERED AND EXITED THE NEST FROM UNDERNEATH THE MOTOR HOME. PRETTY INTERESTING AS PEOPLE COULD WALK BY AND CHECK ON THEIR PROGRESS, BUT COULD NOT REACH THE NEST AS IT WAS PROTECTED BY THE GRILL.

LIKE ALL BIRDS, THE TWO EGGS HATCHED, AND THE YOUNGSTERS GREW QUICKLY AND LEFT THE NEST. THEY ARE ALLOWED TO HANG AROUND WITH THE PARENTS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AS THEY LEARN TO HUNT AND LIVE LIFE.

HOWEVER, IN THE END THE PARENTS DRIVE THE YOUNG ADULT BIRDS OUT OF THE RV PARK TO FIND A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD TO LIVE IN. IN THE NINE YEARS WE'VE BEEN CAMPED HERE, THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THREE NESTED PAIRS.

TODAY'S PICTURES SHOW HOW THEY SIT IN THE SUN. THEY RUFFLE UP ALL THEIR FEATHERS TO SOAK UP AS MUCH SUNLIGHT AS POSSIBLE.

MAKES THEM KINDA UGLY, DON'T YOU THINK?

THE PUNCH LINE
"Huge scientific breakthrough today. Researchers say they're very close to finding someone from Obama's Cabinet who's actually paid their taxes." -- Jay Leno