Seven Species REPRESENT!!!

With the cooler fall temps up north, the species which primarily move after the BWs of September are keeping Bill in a constant battle to see everything in the all that sky.  The days are pretty, lately, but require preparation for change throughout the day from rather cool mornings and evenings to pretty warm mid day.  IT'S FALL finally.  Some good reports coming in!

"Soddy Mountain hawk totals
 Wed., Oct. 17, 2018

Coverage, (all times EST):

0845  - 1515 = 6.5 hrs.

Counter: Bill Haley

Weather (began 0900):

Clouds 85% @ 0845, 50% @ 1000, gradually decreasing to 15% at days end. Wind was north 2-10 mph all day, picking up to 10-15 after 1400. Temperatures 58 F to 69 F. Barometric pressure 30.31-30.27. Humidity 64% - 36%. Visibility 70-75 K all day.

Hawks:

0800: NH 1

0900: SS 2

1000: BE 1 (imm.), SS 1

1100: NH 1, SS 5, CH 2, RS 1, RT 1

1200: SS 1, AK 1

1300: BE 2 (1 ad., 1 3rd yr), SS 4, CH 1

1400: SS 1

1500: 0

Totals: 

 

10/17/18

Northern Harrier 2

Bald Eagle 3

Sharp-shinned 14

Cooper's 3

Red-shouldered 1

Red-tailed 1

American Kestrel 1

________________

  Raptor Total: 25

In yesterday's report I speculated it might be an interesting hawk day today, and with seven species counted, it was. At 12:30 I had 2 Sharp-shins, 1 Cooper's Hawk and 1 Northern Harrier in sight at the same time. Most of the birds got very high up this afternoon, and like BW season, when "speck hawks" just fade out of sight - I experienced this several times, losing some potentially countable birds. I had to work for what I got, as there were very few close "eyeball" hawks.

Other sightings: 4 Chimney Swift's (they will be gone towards Peru, where they spend our winters, very soon). 

Monarch butterflies 5.

Reporting: William G. Haley, Jr. "

 

Jimmy's report following his heart cath, is very good.  Originally told that when they got in to see his stented area, if it had stenosis or bad scar tissue, it could mean open heart surgery, we went in somewhat concerned.  Since his Myopathy had returned, even though under some treatment through lesser meds than the IVIGs, we were concerned that something done involving his Heart muscles, might be dangerous. They confirmed yesterday morning that he was at too high risk to consider the open heart option, before they took him back - to my relief. 

 

Now completely expecting a new stent to be placed in a new area, and a one day stay in Nashville, we were blessed to hear unexpected good news.  When they got in, the blockage was in a vein too small to stent, but in spite of some narrowing of both veins and arteries around his heart, all of his heart strengths were the best they've been in several years. the small vein obstruction isn't causing his heart difficulty as they expected. In fact, his heart is stronger, -beating better, has good rhythm, and has good pressure.  Seems that the unexpected blessing of replacing his immune system and going through all that misery to get to therapy, and a place of rebuilding muscle actually made his heart stronger!!!! God is good. 

Now to beat the Polymyositis again, and not feel lousy. I personally believe that the meds are helping sooner than expected. He just seems like he has more energy than in a couple of months. Fingers crossed and prayers going up.  Who knows, he might feel like a few hours on the hill before it's all over?

Here's hoping he and others can get up this season to help Bill

 

KEEP LOOKING UP!!!

 

Jimmy and Cynthia Wilkerson...