The Birds on my Porch (final post)

This is the continuation and sixth and final posting regarding a bird family that took up residence on my front porch a few weeks ago, just outside a window and a few feet from where I type these words. My apologies if these posts have been tiresome; I personally have found the whole process fascinating. This is the final story of what happened on their last day there when they quite literally flew the nest. To read the previous posts in chronological regression, click here, here, here, here, and here. The following story happened a few days ago; I’ve been waiting to see if anyone has returned but they haven’t. The entire story–from hatching to flight–took just a little over two weeks. Amazing! Anyhow, here’s the last day.

I hadn’t taken pictures of the baby birds for a few days and thought I’d snap a few. For them I would stand on a chair and hold the camera a few feet from the nest and zoom it. They never seemed really scared, but I also didn’t get right up to them. On this day I noticed papa bird sitting on a branch next door; it’s a tree the parents would often retreat to. I found it odd that he didn’t fly away when I came out. I was able to snap the above picture. As I was taking his picture, momma bird showed up (first picture below). That’s odd, too, I thought. The parents are usually skittish and wouldn’t allow me to take their photos.

After snapping a few photos of them I placed the chair on the front porch in front of the nest, removed the lens cap from my camera and turned it on. And as I did this I looked up and noticed that momma and papa were now next to each other talking in their secret bird language so I snapped another photo (I’m not making this up…it’s pictured below). Hmm…I thought again, this is a bit strange. Sort of like an Alfred Hitchcock movie. But I’m too thick-headed to listen to my own intuition sometimes so I proceeded.

So I climbed on the chair and focused the camera in the nest. Because of the height of the nest and the angle I had to stand at it was always easier for me to see into the nest through the camera rather than with my naked eye. Anyhow, as I looked into the camera I was surprised by a couple things. The first was that I couldn’t believe how much they had grown in the last few days since I photographed them–they no longer looked like babies–and the other was that they looked afraid as I pointed the camera at them (they never did before). The below photo is the only one I was able to get before the parents arrived…I felt them before I saw or heard them.

I was standing on the chair with the camera raised when I simultaneously felt the wind of something go so close to me I could feel it passing and I saw something out of the corner of my eye like a shadow fly past. Something so quick I wasn’t sure if I saw anything at all. And then I heard them. The parents started flying back and forth directly in front of me–in between me and the nest and around my head–squawking, chirping, flapping. I almost fell off the chair (which is likely what the parents wanted). I realized later that the parents were probably not so much going after me as they were telling their babies to fly away…maybe it was a little of both. Anyhow, as a synchronized motion, all four of the babies simultaneously flew from their nest and the parents followed. Leaving me there in silence slightly dazed and confused. The entire thing lasted maybe 10 seconds. A photograph of the empty nest is pictured blow. It’s the closet I’ve been to the nest; I took the photo today. This weekend I’ll remove the nest and wash the poop from the shade to which it is attached, and reclaim my front porch. The natural world–even in the heart of the city–is an amazing thing.

Urban Simplicity.

Choricitos!

In the event that you’ve never had them, choricitos are–as their name suggests–small chorizo sausages. They are pictured raw above and cooked below…my mouth waters as I type these words. They are so easy to make–mix everything together and shape them–and really versatile. Make them spicy or not, they can be eaten as an appetizer or incorporated into any number of recipes (they are delicious cooked with rice).

Choricitos
(Little Chorizo Sausages)
Makes about 30 choricitos
1 pound ground pork butt
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon crushed hot pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. Shape into small meatballs or patties and cook them in a skillet or oven.

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#446)…and a brief comment

On the bike…a new travel guitar (wrapped in plastic because it was raining lightly and also because it was a birthday present for my son).

The brief comment…So if you ride a cargo bike or at least a bike that does not necessarily resemble what a bike in America “should look like” you’re likely used to getting comments and looks; this was one of my favorites. I was at a traffic light and I see, out of the corner of my eye, a young fixie guy staring at the bike. He was leaning against his bike that likely weighed as much as the guitar I was carrying and wearing his uniform, you know…tight jeans rolled up, bicycle cap, messenger bag, tattooed and pierced. Finally I look over at him and he asks me if I welded two bikes together. No, I told him, it was built this way. I also mentioned that it’s made to carry stuff…up to 400lbs. His eyes get wide, and he says, Doood…that is awwsomme! It made my day 🙂

Urban Simplicity.

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#445)

A small cardboard box containing $58.00 in sundries and other staples. A canvas bag containing a book, a journal, and a camera, a cardboard box containing a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor’s, and a 4lb. bag of dog food.

Urban Simplicity.

More about the Birds (numéro cinq)

So I was finally able to capture a couple pictures of the papa bird feeding the baby chicks (the top and bottom photo). And second from the bottom is the mother bird keeping a watchful eye as usual. Their breed was also identified…House Finch (thanks Rita!). And the image below is a closeup of one of the babies…they have become so full and chubby–and full of feathers–in less than two weeks. I’m pretty sure there are four in the nest. The reason the pictures of the parents are somewhat blurry are that I’ve had to take their photos not only from a distance (they hear the camera turn on, I swear) but also through an unwashed window (I really do need to clean my windows). Anyhow, to see previous pictures of the birds–in chronological order–click here, here, here, and here.



Urban Simplicity.

Two Views from my Handlebars

These are two views from my handlebars. The above is in the morning–facing eastward–on my short commute to work, and the below image is in the late afternoon on my way home, facing westward. Both images are on Allen Street in Allentown; the neighborhood in which I both live and work. I enjoy riding a bike on this street because it is so narrow. It is narrow enough that cars have to drive pretty slowly, and indeed sometimes even have to stop in order to let another pass (though when it is not crowded with either morning or evening traffic lunatics do tend to speed down this narrow street.) And when it is crowded during peak traffic times I often ride in the middle of the lane because I can keep pace with the cars if not go faster than them. And on a day like today–that was supremely beautiful outside–the morning ride was so lovely and fresh and the late afternoon ride invigorating after rushing around a hot kitchen. Most days–today being one of them–I felt glad and truly blessed that I was on a bike instead of in a car in traffic, but also that I had the initiative to be on a bike. I’m just saying. I’ll get off my little soapbox now.

Urban Simplicity.

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#444)

A dough rising bucket and a cardboard box containing loaves of freshly baked whole wheat bread.

 

100% Whole Wheat Bread
Makes 2 loaves
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup water
2 teaspoons instant yeast
____________
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 3/4 cups water
____________
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup olive oil
3 teaspoons instant yeast
3 teaspoons kosher salt
In one bowl make a preferment by combining 2 cups of whole wheat flour with 1 cup water and 2 teaspoons of instant yeast. Begin the autolyse in another bowl by combining 4 cups of whole wheat flour and 1 3/4 cups water. Stir each bowl just enough to combine the ingredients, taking care not to get yeast into the bowl with the autolyse. If the contents in either of the bowls need more water, add a small amount. Cover both bowls and allow to rest and ferment for 30-90 minutes, during which time the preferment will begin it’s job multiplying yeast and fermenting flour, and the autolyse will soak the grain, swelling the gluten.
After an hour or so, combine the ingredients from both bowls into the bowl of an upright mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the honey, olive oil, salt, and 3 teaspoons of yeast (add the yeast and salt on opposite sides of the bowl). Knead the dough on medium speed for about 8 minutes. Place the dough in a lightly oiled container, cover it loosely, and allow to ferment for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in bulk. Deflate the dough and allow it to ferment an additional 30 minutes.

Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and cut it into 2 or 3 pieces. Shape into loaves and place into lightly oiled pans. Loosely cover the loaves with plastic wrap and allow to ferment for 30-60 minutes, or until double in size and when gently touched with a fingertip an indentation remains.

Bake the breads for about 30-40 minutes, adding steam to the oven a few times (either with ice cubes or a spray bottle) and rotating the breads every ten minutes. The breads are done when they are dark brown and sound hollow when tapped upon. Remove the breads from their pans and allow them to cook on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Mother and Child Reunion

A few things first. In the event this is the first you’ve seen these birds this is a continuation of a post I started a week ago regarding birds that have taken residence on my front porch. To see previous posts, click here, here, and here. I’ve been somewhat concerned because I haven’t seen anyone tending the babies in the past day but I think they (the adult birds) have simply been sneaky about it. The image above is the best shot I’ve gotten of the elusive mother. She’s skittish and sees or hears me as I approach the window. Actually, as it turns out, I’m not sure if the above bird is the mother or the father…it turns out there have been two of them taking care of the baby chicks. Both are small birds–likely not taller than four or five inches–but the other bird has bright red breast and neck feathers. It’s amazing watching them feed and tend to the little ones. But speaking of them…they’re not that little any longer. It’s amazing how quickly they grow. The best I can figure is there are four or five of them pictured in the pile of feathers below…pretty soon they will be overflowing from the nest.

Urban Simplicity.

Kim Chi

I’ve posted a few variations of this recipe in the past, but what it comes down to is that kim-chi is a spicy fermented cabbage recipe not unlike sauerkraut  (but did I mention spicy). The above image may be a bit misleading because it is not the finished recipe, it is the ingredients that have just been mixed together prior to fermentation (beautiful isn’t it). In this heat it should be fully fermented in a few days, or at least by week’s end. The basic recipe is listed below, but really the ingredients are really up to you. If you’d like to learn more about fermented foods–via articles I wrote (yes, shameless self-promotion)–click here or here. I also recommend this book.

 
Kim Chi
(Korean-Style Sauerkraut) 

1 head Napa cabbage, cut into two-inch pieces
1 small daikon, grated
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small piece ginger, minced
1 small onion, minced
2 tablespoons chili paste
1 tablespoon sugar

Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl. Transfer to a container that is wide enough to fit a few small plates inside it. Press the cabbage down and weight it with plates. Cover the container and leave at room temperature. After a day it should release enough liquid that it is submerged, if not, add a little salted water. After about 2 days small bubbles will appear, after about a week or so it will smell and taste distinctively sour. Taste it as often as you like and when the flavor is to your liking transfer the container to the refrigerator to slow its fermentation.
 
Urban Simplicity.
 

Pictures of Water and a Few Other Things

Today it was hot, humid, and overcast. To get a breath of fresh air this evening I rode the short distance to Erie Basin Marina and drank a couple beers while I listened to free live music and snapped a few pictures. The marina is a crossroads (or more specifically, a cross-waters) of the Buffalo River, the Erie Canal, and Lake Erie. Click any image for a larger view.

Urban Simplicity.

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#443)…and a couple comments

On and being pulled by the bike…$184.67 in groceries.

Comment #1…I went to a big box supermarket today, haven’t been to one on a while. Not that I’m boycotting them or anything…I just don’t find them that convenient and would much rather shop in a smaller store. Anyhow, as my merchandise was being rang out I noticed that the cashier was putting it in plastic bags. I asked her not to put the remainder in bags, that I didn’t need them. I also mentioned that we could simply put the groceries back in the cart. How are you going to get them home, she asked, do you have bags in your car. Well, I told her, I have baskets and a trailer for my bike…I can just put everything in those without the bags. You’re going to carry all of this home on a bike, she inquired (it was a full cart). Yes, I don’t live too far. She eyed me suspiciously for the remainder of the transaction.

Comment #2…It is possible for an adult to survive in America without the daily use of a car.

Urban Simplicity.

Pasta (e Pesce) Fra Diavolo

If you’ve been to this blog before you know that I enjoy cooking and eating pasta, and just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean I’m not hindered. Tonight for dinner I made one of my favorites…Pasta Fra Diavolo. I cooked it in my outdoor kitchen in my backyard to alleviate heating my teeny indoor kitchen. For this version I used whitefish, but nearly any seafood can be incorporated. I also ate a side dish of cauliflower aglio e olio. The basic recipe for Fra Diavolo is below, but to learn more about it–including the etymology of it’s name and why there are specific ingredients in the recipe, click here. To learn to cook nearly anything aglio e olio, click here.

Penne Fra Diavolo with Halibut
Yield: 4 portions
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 anchovy fillets
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 teaspoons minced parsley
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2/3 cup red wine
2 cups tomato purée
1 pound diced halibut
1/2 pound penne rigate
Combine the olive oil, onion, garlic, anchovies, red pepper, basil, parsley, and salt in a skillet over medium heat. Stir and mash the ingredients with the back of a wooden spoon until the onion and garlic is translucent but not browned. Stir in the wine and simmer it for a minute or two, then add the tomato puree. Bring sauce to a simmer and cook it for 5 or 10 minutes. If the sauce becomes too thick thin it with a little water. While the sauce is simmering boil the pasta until al dente. Stir the fish into the sauce, bring it back to a simmer and poach it for about 5 minutes. When the fish is cooked gently fold in the pasta. Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors of the sauce and fish permeate the pasta.
Urban Simplicity.

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#442)

A paper bag containing a large tin of various leftover food items brought home from work, a canvas bag containing–among other things–two books, a cell phone, and an extra camera, six live Cordylena Bloodtsone plants.

Urban Simplicity.

Squawkin’ for Momma

This post is another continuation of the birds that took up residence on my front porch (click here or here for previous posts). They are really amazing to observe, and also how fast they are growing. I still have not been able to get a good photo of their elusive mother…the minute I step on the porch she flees. The nest is visible outside a window and sometimes all it takes is for me to approach the window for her to flee. The bottom photo is one I took of her in the nest feeding her chicks early this morning. The photo was taken from a distance and through an un-washed window.

Urban Simplicity.

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#441)…plus a quick glance and a couple comments

On the bike…A full tank of propane.

Comments…First of all I love the slogan that Yuba often uses, “What a bike can do.” And I love the comments and looks that I often get while carrying stuff on a bike (looks that say…I didn’t know you could do that). The above image is one I took on my way home from exchanging my empty tank for a full one (it’s getting hot out–89F/31C today–time to start using the outside kitchen). As I was pulling into the lot of the store with the empty tank on the back a guy in an SUV slowed, then came to a complete stop to look at the bike and me as I glided up to the front door. At first I thought he was angry by his look, but then his frown–behind the air conditioned glass of his vehicle–turned to a smile then a huge grin. He gave me two “thumbs up” and I could see his lips moving and he said “What the f#*k (I take it he was complimenting me). Then, after paying my bill in the store and meeting the manager outside near the propane cage to exchange the tank, the manager offered to carry the full tank to “my car.” Not wanting to explain things to him (sometimes it can get tiresome) I told him I didn’t mind carrying it. He then told me that he was supposed to, that it was store policy. Okay, I told him, my bicycle is parked over there. Blank stare. Then I had to explain the bike and said that it was big enough to carry this. As we walked and the bike came into view his eyes got big and he says, “Holy s#*t!” Again, I take this as a compliment.

Urban Simplicity.

New York State Paid Me to Remove My Truck from the Road

Yup, it’s true. Many of you know that I recently sold my truck, and after being car-lite for many years I am finally car-free (I did recently join Buffalo Car Share but haven’t used it yet…haven’t used a car in more than a month actually). Anyhow, as if the savings from the true cost of car ownership weren’t enough, New York State sent me a refund check for un-registering my truck. A few weeks ago when I turned in my plates the nice woman at the counter told me I would likely receive a check in the mail because I had almost a year left on my vehicle’s registration. Honestly, when she told me this I just sort of shrugged it off…yea, right, like the state is going to give me money back for this, I thought to myself. Well, I stand corrected. The proof is above. And it’s interesting that in the past month or so that I have not had my truck I haven’t really missed it (obviously it’s much easier this time of year while the weather is nice). And while I enjoy the benefits of physical exercise and the peace of mind riding a bike or walking, a side benefit is that it’s a lot easier on my wallet…and that makes me happy.

Urban Simplicity.