The Backyard & Beyond  - April 2004

   Friday, March 5th started out as a good day. Arden & I picked up Mary Ann & Glenn Teague and drove to Fern Ridge Reservoir in Eugene. We did not wait too long in the rain and wind before we were able to view the rare Falcated Duck that was there. It had been found a couple weeks before and was seen for a couple days before it took off. We  made the trip but missed it that time and it hadn't been seen since. But then showed up again on the 3rd and was immediately posted on the internet. It is a beautiful duck that hangs out with hundreds of wigeon. From there we toured Finley NWR looking for but never finding the rare species reported at the refuge.

Falcated Duck

Flyway Articles

Back home, the evening began as usual. Dinner and  watching TV with our 15 year old Balinese cat on my lap where she stayed for a couple hours sleeping. But what started out as a good day was about to take a giant turn. When Natasha got up, I knew in a short time that her down hill health trend was coming to a head. She was diabetic and failing. We took her to the Urgency Animal Care and by 9 PM she was in "kitty heaven". It was a sad time to say the least. Pet owners will understand.

CLICK HERE
for other
Backyard & Beyond Articles

Natasha

Arden and I are advocates of "Cats Indoors" and Natasha was only allowed outside on the deck under supervision with a closed deck gate. This protection allowed her to live the 15 years without being ran over by a vehicle,  mauled by another animal or picking up diseases. This also protected our yard birds. She loved to watch the birds from inside the house and I often held her as we both viewed the birds flitting back and forth. She is missed greatly by Arden and I.