We went to Portland to see the Vaux Swifts (birds) fly into their roosting spot in the chimney of Chapman School. They're only here in September, then they're off to who knows where. We had to see them before they migrated.
This year we invited our friends, the Reeds.
We probably looked pretty weird walking towards the school with a huge piece of cardboard. But we weren't the only ones. This school field was filled with people waiting for the birds…. And with kids and their cardboard, sledding down this hill.
We had a good long wait before any birds showed up, so we ate our dinner, while the kids played.
They were moving FAST! And when you get that many kids on a hill, going that fast, there's going to be a collision… or two… or several as we found out. But they had fun… so much fun that I don't think Jefferson stopped and saw a single bird.
Jefferson, Grant, and Jemma.
Reagan and Carter played safely at the bottom of the hill.
That chimney behind Reagan is where the birds live. Yep, all of them… THOUSANDS of them fly in there, and I'm still amazed how they all fit.
I took these same pictures of the boys when we came 2 years ago. It's crazy to see how much they've grown. You can see 'em HERE . Jefferson is mad because I made him come off the hill to eat some food.
Finally, the birds started to arrive and at sunset they bundled themselves into groups. Can you see that circular bunch of birds in the sky above the chimney? They would fly around and around and… then DIVE full speed into the chimney!
Then another bunch of birds would fly around in a circle... then dive! It was pretty breathtaking! This happened at least 6 times... I lost count. Just when we thought they were done, we'd see another group coming out of the sky. There was even a hawk that added to the show by swooping in trying to catch a swift for his dinner.
Reagan LOVED it! Birds are her favorite animal (tied with
elephants fyi). It was like watching our own personal National Geographic expedition.
The boys want to go back tonight and see them again... I think they just want to sled on the hill.
3 comments:
Seeing the sheer delight in the kids' faces brings a smile to MY face, too. Wow, they have changed tremendously since your last venture there!
Whoa! Didn't even know that happened at all! It's crazy that many birds can fit in that tiny chimney!
BTW, I've been meaning to call you, and thought about it even before getting on the computer, but my phones upstairs and I'm down and too lazy to go get it haha
I wanted to tell you THANK YOU again and again, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures! ALL of them! So, whenever you would like a day out with Shawn, I'm all for babysitting :)
Kristina,
I love the pics! what a great time you all had! I can only imagine the sight that must have been! Hattie especially liked seeing the picture of Reagan!
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