Turkey Buzzards in McLean

Every Saturday we go for brunch at McLean Family Restaurant followed by grocery shopping at the Safeway across the street or the Harris Teeter further down the road. It’s not uncommon to find deer along the roadway that have been struck by cars. That was quite common in the Midwest. In fact, it almost happened to me once coming home from work. It does take your breath away. And there are specific spots along the GW Parkway that we always see the deer feeding and always pay close attention to their whereabouts. So yesterday we saw a flock of turkey buzzards sitting along the median in the road. And that means only one thing. Because it wasn’t in full view, it looked like they were just hanging around, until we made a u turn and saw what was really on their minds. What was left of the deer carcas was just the head and a few bones. It must have been there for awhile. And up in the trees were three sentries keeping watch above on the action below. We have seen these huge birds many times - once sitting around a fence in Charlottesville and up on the chimneys in McLean. It is a rather disgusting sight to come upon this feast, but when you read about these buzzards you do learn to appreciate them. It’s a gross job but somebody’s got to do it. 

Turkey Buzzards and Safeway Savings

We just returned from a week long trip to Florida to visit my mother. We go even more regularly to the sunshine state since my dad died a year and a half ago. We typically drive, because we like it and still can. But when anyone returns home from a trip, the grocery store is one of the first stops to restock the shelves. So yesterday, we drove to McLean for our usual Saturday breakfast. On the way down Dolly Madison Parkway I looked up and noticed the chimneys were occupied. I think they were turkey buzzards - or something like that - since it is not unusual to see deer roadkill along that way. After all, it is a great perch to view the sights below. Or maybe, they were just warming their toes over the Fire sides. Anyway, they looked rather cozy way up there. I was just glad it wasn't my house. After breakfast, we went to the Safeway across the street from McLean Family Restaurant. I have been saving our ten per cent coupon on groceries from the flu shot we got there since September. It was a good time to use it after filling the grocery cart. But I think the cashier gave us a double dose of discount. I'm certainly not complaining about that random act of kindness. The ride back home was uneventful. Now I need to get back to a routine!