It's time to get those feeders up, JD! There have been several sightings in Southeastern PA just within the last few days. Here's a great and informative migration map you can check to find out in more detail... http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/humm_ruby_spring2012.html

maryanne: Thanks. Its amazing but I took both photos from my deck. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to aim the camera effectively yet. Both birds flew directly over me and were sailing. The back of my house and deck face a valley with a creek at the bottom about 100 feet or so below the house. The land on other side of the creek rises more slowly to about the same height of my house. The large raptors catch the breeze coming up the hills and they really seem to enjoy it. The vultures are very simple to identify (if I can identify them, anyone can). As you can see, the turkey vulture appears to have a white bottom from tip to tip around the back of its wing. It is large--about 6' across. The black vulture has white only on the tips of its wings and is only about 5' across. Up close the turkey has a red head and the black has a grey head. I've found that the turkey vultures will come down to check me out when I am outside working. They just fly above me about 30' up or so. They will also fly through the woods (when leaves are off the trees) cutting a trail in and out of the trees. I have no idea why they do this since it appears a bit dangerous for a 6' bird. Its almost as if the turkey vultures want to show off. The black vulutres do not do this. They seem more aloof. The read tailed hawk was also enjoying a sail without flapping. That is why I think its tail was completely opened. It was just above me and I couldn't focus on it so I just clicked the camera and looked and there it was--just dumb luck. Last week, I heard what sounded like a death scream in the front yard. I looked up and it was 3 of these hawks making passes at each other. The bald eagles are less common than the hawks here. However, they do land in the trees in back of my house. From the top of the trees, they can survey their kingdom. With some luck, I should get a chance at an image within 100 feet or so.

What was supposed to be a simple (if you can call it that) Gallbladder removal on Tuesday, turned into me getting stones in my cystic duct having an attack that caused me to get jaundice and my gallbladder started to get infected. They had to pump me with antibiotics and remove the gallbladder sooner as I was getting sicker by the minute. Nothing is ever easy with me. I popped on here to apologize to everyone and to look at all the good food I can't eat right now. Seems only thing I can tolerate is apple juice. Back to my nap :)

Dcarch - - Jimster Thanks Guys , it was really a nice visit. I just spoke to Karen on the phone, she is still laughing. I said " if you want to come out for a few days, I have good credit at my bank which is right next to my food market.I can get a small loan to buy food for you " I think she is preparing a comeback Post for the CF. I'd better watch what I say. ngraham: I finished the leftovers last night but I can send you some.? The rest of the Cinnamon Buns went right into the Freezer and I buried them. Out of sight out of mind. but they are still making me crazy. Hope someone comes by soon, so I can pull them out. Have a good one, LOU