Soup and Sparrows

The “Sparrows” word is a club-sponsored bird walk at Osceola Island, downstream and in sight of the South Holston Dam. This time of year the northern ducks start to show up along with resident eagle and kinglets.

The “Soup” is the annual soup and bean dinner hosted by the South Holston Ruritan whose clubhouse is about a mile or so from the Weir Dam.

This was my firs time in 30-plus years ever going to Soup and Sparrows and I admonish myself for not going before. Between my guest and I, we had: Turkey and Wild Rice Soup, Bear Soup, Venison Chili, Vegetable Soup, Cheeseburger Soup. All home made. All you can eat plus a drinks and desserts (yummy desserts). I don’t know how many people came to this but the business was pretty constant. The doors opened at 11:00 and they so much traffic it takes two shifts.

Ruritan is to be congratulated on such fine meal and good hosts and if you can be in this neck of the woods the last Saturday in January of 2020, join us.
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Sandhill Crane

A genus (Grus canadensis) we don’t get much here in upper east Tennessee is crane, neither the whooping crane nor the Sandhill crane. Sandhill crane have been seen here once in a while but with no regular sightings. They congregate over winter not far from here, at Hiwassee Refuge about 40 miles north of Chattanooga where the Hiwassee River and the Tennessee River meet in the big middle of Lake Chickamauga. This gathering is in the 20,000 population range, give or take a thousand.

We are probably near the most south-easterly edge of the breeding grounds. The migration is west of north away from here so the few see got lost.

The huge flock is a delight to see. The crane are noisy, busy, and beautiful. However, you have to get there at the right time. By late February they’re gone. Headed north. You’ll have to wait until next year.
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