Observation #5

Site: Cotton Wood Ranch

Time: 8:34 pm

Weather: Completely rainy/ very humid, and winds were very strong

Notes: I wasn’t able to go out in the morning for this observation; although this was my second time in the rain. The birds were out but it looked as if they were just trying to avoid the very strong winds that were occurring. The lighting would strike and the birds would keep moving as if nothing happened but then when the thunder made its presence they would stop. I think it is easier for them to feel the sound waves in the ground therefore they would be more affected by the thunder. I think that these birds might be a part of the Black bird family. They look like baby crows, they are black but when wet, it looks like someone has dumped oil on them. They have a shiny, bluish tint to their feathers. Is it possible that there could be something in the rain that makes it look like oil? I don’t know but I just thought of that. The soil has been quite rich and moist since the first time it rained which was two weeks ago. I wonder how long soil retains water. The worms were out, and I started to think about how big the worms were. I was wondering if the small ones are babies or if it is a predator adaptation. If they are smaller they would be harder to feel in the grounds therefore the birds would eat the bigger ones because they would cause more of a commotion underground. The water in the ditch has risen enormously, it is fast running (for such a small thing) and it is now supporting very long grass, and bugs that flock with water. The population of bugs has increased every time I go to my area. The dead trees on the other hand don’t seem to be taking advantage of the rain. I don’t know if it is because they are dead (or dyeing) that they don’t accept the moister or if because they just don’t want it. I am not sure but I will look up processing of dead trees. Thursday I hope to be there in the morning