We had a rare treat this week. Daughter Erin invited us to come to NW Portland to watch the Swifts swarm into a large chimney at Chapman grade school.These little birds stay in flight all day eating insects and then at dusk congregate from miles up in the sky to dive bomb into this large unused chimney every dusk for several weeks until they continue their migration to Central and South America for the winter. They cannot perch like a normal bird during the day but they can cling to the inside walls of the chimney and evidently to each other. How tired and warm they must be after an average day in the air!
30 -40,000 birds cramming into one chimney brings a whole community of people out at dusk with their lawn chairs, blankets, dogs, supper and kids to watch this nightly event.
Cheers were heard as the last of the birds joined the main swirl into the chimney, boos and gasps as a hawk tried to swoop in for an easy supper 3 times.
We took friends back the next night...no movie theater could have offered such a show.
It was a natural air show of choreography, cooperation, and beauty. I can see God creating it to the orchestration of majestic music.
2 comments:
What an unusual event !! That is something that appeals to me. I sat in bleacher-like seats to see the bats at the cave opening once. I believe it was in New Mexico but right not the name of the cave won't come to mind.
Like everything else nowadays, I will remember it if I have patience.
Take care,
Betty G
Watching the swifts may have been one of my favorite memories from the summer. God's handiwork is so evident at times like that.
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