The Ohio River at the Falls of the Ohio is even higher now since my last visit with the fishermen. We have had some wild weather in the interim. First it gets unseasonably warm and then a cold front collides with a wet weather system originating in the Gulf of Mexico. The results of this can be very dangerous as this is the perfect recipe for a tornado outbreak which did occur south of here. My family was awakened to the sound of tornado warning sirens at 4:30ish in the morning. We began that day in the basement of our house which was a rude awakening even for the family dog. Luckily, we didn’t experience any damage although it rained hard and was very windy. And after the cold front blasted through it became extremely cold and was followed by snow. I think we have seen the gamut of winter weather and I was glad to hear the “groundhog” did not see its shadow in Pennsylvania meaning that winter would come to a normal end this year. That is if you believe animals can predict the weather?
I am certain this time that my outdoor studio under the willows is history by now. The Ohio River has claimed the spot and my cache of art materials. Unfortunately, there is a ready re-supply floating in the water. It seems I begin many a post with what amounts to a weather report, but please bear with me. My blog concerns itself with the local conditions which are the context that my adventures and stories are set in. I’m also amazed and concerned that I can detect variations in our weather patterns having lived in this area for so long. Much of the time I feel I’m bearing witness to events of importance to us all. What is happening here is also occurring in other places in the world. As I was walking through the woods on this day, I was surprised by the bird life I was encountering when I expected to see nearly nothing. My Eastern Bluebird friends were still hanging around and they had company. I saw White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Brown Tree Creepers and many more especially near the river’s expanding edge. I also saw and photographed another amazing bird which makes up the bulk of this post.
Fellow bird watchers had put the alert out that an unusual visitor was seen hanging out at the Falls. A young, male Snow Cock was seen near the Woodland Loop Trail which is a bird not seen in these parts since the late 19th century. As you can imagine this is a northern bird used to the cold and snow…in fact it depends upon these conditions for its survival. The Snow Cock (like some ptarmigan species) turns nearly white in winter. The rest of the year it sports plumage that is more like leaf camouflage. Regardless of the season, the Snow Cock is a cryptic animal and is shy and retiring. Except of course when it’s time to choose a mate when the males make it a point to be as noticeable to their own kind as possible. I was hoping the bad weather would cause this wayward Snow Cock to linger and I was rewarded by its presence. I took as many photographs as possible. I have a feeling that I won’t ever see this exact species out here again.
The Snow Cock is also called the “Snow Turkey” and “Styro-grouse” because of the large fan of tail feathers it uses for courtship displays. That’s how I found this particular bird which wasn’t all that wary. The young male was rehearsing his dance and song and establishing a lek or territory where he would fight other males for the attention of the females. Although this bird wasn’t going to hang out at the Falls forever, it was nevertheless, practicing this important survival skill. Other interesting field marks included a head crest, an unusual beard growing from his chest, and a long bill for seeds and insects.
I watched the Snow Cock look for just the right spot to strut its stuff. It was frequently hopping from one vantage point (usually a tall stump) to the ground and back. The call of the Snow Cock as you might guess is very chicken-like and not particularly beautiful in its own right. To my eye, it seemed very interested in the water which was noticeably spreading over the land. This might be the first flood it has ever experienced?
I kept my distance from the bird and quietly followed it through the woods. I observed it drinking from melting ice and I left it be hanging out near a large Osage Orange tree along the trail’s path. The wind was beginning to pick up again and more flakes were in the air. Despite wearing good gloves, my finger tips were cold and painful. I decided that now was a good time to go home and I did. I hope the next time I’m out here that the conditions will be more favorable for an extended visit. I had one other small surprise waiting for me along the Woodland Loop Trail. I passed the spot by the creek where I watched the fishermen catch sauger and was amazed and amused that the figure I had made from river junk that day was still there! He was missing his nose, but otherwise he was intact. I guess the fishermen appreciated him as I do you for tagging along on another adventure at the Falls of the Ohio.
Artist at Exit 0 Riverblog 
I think it totally makes sense that you give a weather report every post. Your art practice is outside and is concerned with the environment and of course the weather is a huge factor. It just is big deal making art outside in all weather!
I love the snow cock, it strongly reminds me of a grouse. It’s neck frill is just the right touch. Hope it finds a mate…
Thanks Annerose…I’m hopeful he will find a mate too since he is definitely a rare bird. I’m sure our light dusting of snow must be amusing to you?
It’s ok, weather is local kind of experience. It’s relative. Our river the Nechako is still frozen over and we have about 2 ft of snow. But the sun was shining today and it was above freezing…
Your flood is pretty impressive. I’m so glad you are documenting the weather (and bird life) of your river and have done so over such a long time.
Bravo!
Hi Al, another very interesting post. I was wondering about this statement:
“I’m also amazed and concerned that I can detect variations in our weather patterns having lived in this area for so long. Much of the time I feel I’m bearing witness to events of importance to us all. What is happening here is also occurring in other places in the world.”
Is this in reference to climate change? As someone who has been observing the same place for so long you would seem to be attuned to larger weather changes over longer periods of time. My Mom who lives in the German countryside has been commenting on all the different birds and insects that have been showing up at her doorstep that used to only be south of the Alps.
I feel like the effects of climate change are probably easier to ignore in a big city with its more artificial environment (until of course hurricanes hit or rising sea levels wash away beach properties in coastal cities), but folks in rural areas or just outdoors people like yourself must have been watching these more subtle changes for years. It would be great to get more testimony about these changes from farmers, hunters, and homesteaders in the rural parts of the country.
Since I’m just an artist and not a trained scientist…my observations are just anecdotal. Yes, in my post, I’m referring to what I perceive as climate change and the disruption of the “old norm” with its gentle rains and milder winds. Now it seems there is so much energy and fluctuations in global systems and by now everyone is realizing that we are experiencing more weather-related events and it’s not simply hyperbole coming from the television weather person. Since I’m out here, I try to pay attention to everything and I believe I have noticed changes in which birds visit here. That I believe is due to some climate change, but deer and man also destroy habitat and the feral cats are ever present. There are so many factors that are changing the way things used to be. It would be interesting to compare old “Farmer’s Almanacs” to the present moment and see if any patterns present themselves. With life changing as it is…I’m sure the authors of that guide book need to take a lot more into account. I think blogging has tremendous value in compiling an “anecdotal record” with so many eyes and pens circumnavigating the planet.
It would be great to put together a new almanac of farmer’s observations, perhaps even gleaned from blog posts around the world. Since observation plays an important role in science I would think that to be of tremendous help. Not necessarily in whether climate change is happening — I think that question has long been settled — but how and where so that farmers and municipalities can adapt in as much as is possible.
No Ohio irruptives here that I know of, however we are seeing some irruptives from Canada. MT @BirdDiva Best Feeders Award Winter 2013!: Redpolls, bird of prey &more VT backyard birdwatching. http://litterwithastorytotell.blogspot.com/2013/02/vermont-backyard-bird-watching.html …
Bernie, I imagine you are getting quite a lot of snow at the moment. I have other friends on the east coast who are dreading today with estimates between two and four feet! The birds will certainly be checking out the feeders during this time.
I don’t think one has to be a scientist –just mindful and aware of the context in which one lives–in order to notice the changes of weather, plant and animal life. It’s the folks who live in closed environments–climate controlled buildings/cars/planes–day in and day out who seem to clueless as to what is happening all around us in the REAL world of nature. Which we too are “in” even those of us always inside the comfy boxes. They just aren’t seeing anything.
Thanks for another adventure, Al.
Sven–interesting information from your Mother about the newcomers to her area. There’s a reason for these migrations/emmigration/immigrations–change.
🙂
There will always be a few people in the minority who see how life is trending and will try to make a positive difference in some way. The rest will resist until change is forced upon them usually through their shrinking wallets. Unfortunately, what took nature millions of years to create won’t be so easily replaced.
Hi Al!
Thank you for this interesting post on the Snow Cock. I have never seen one in his winter plumage before, and am particularly impressed by the convenient storage pouch he carries on his chest. Unfortunately my husband Alex is not a nature-lover, and says that Snow Cocks are a curse – they rip the lids off yoghurt pots, and completely destroy them… so he shoots them whenever he can.
Seriously, I have really appreciated this post, and the comments from you and others. I certainly value the experience of being out of doors as giving an intimate sense of one’s precise location on earth, and heightened awareness of subtle changes from day to day – at the same time as being aware of being a part of more universal patterns and shifts. I think it gets us out of our heads reconnects us with the real facts of life.
Linda, I completely agree about the need to reconnect and it is interesting to see how the many people who also feel similarly are attempting to do this. Nice to have found you and your art again.