June 15 - Lisa's Musings (on killdeer) and Every Day Life

Today was Road Commission meeting day, and it also included some communing with killdeer.

This is only the second time I've spent any time with these quirky little birds; my first meeting was at a dog show in Indiana.

Today, it was on the grounds of the Washtenaw County Road Commission headquarters on Zeeb Road.

Actually, when I saw them, I wasn't sure what kind of bird would hang out in the middle of the driveway, then just skitter away -- not fly -- when I approached.

The moment I drove by, first one bird, then a second one returned to the pavement. So I asked someone if they knew what kind of birds they were.

The answer I got was a killdeer.

I was told that the birds try to lure away onlookers from their nests. So I looked for a nest in the opposite direction of where the birds were trying to take me -- but I didn't see one. I wouldn't have disturbed it, I just thought it might be neat to see what one looked like.

So, after yet another quick meeting (did I mention I really LIKE covering these mid afternoon, very short meetings?) I went back outside to find the killdeer.

I tried to get a photo of them but for all their skittering while I was standing at a distance, when I tried to get too close, they flew away ... guess they figured they couldn't out run me, which I'm quite sure they could.

So when I got home, I looked them up. They are supposed to be a shorebird, according to All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Humm ... there aren't too many shores anywhere near the Road Commission HQ -- at least none that I know about.

Second, they are "graceful plovers common to lawns, golf courses, athletic fields and parking lots."

Ahhh.

And they run across the ground in spurts -- yup -- "stopping with a jolt every so often to check their progress, or to see if they've started up any insect prey."

It's all coming clear to me now.

And as I read further, I learned that they are the least water-inclined of all the shorebirds, which begs the question, then why call them one?

They have a distinctive kill-deer call, according to their description, but I didn't hear it. Plus, they do like muddy lagoons and I think there might be one of those in the back of the Road Commission property.

So today I learned more about upcoming road projects and killdeer.

I just never know what I might find when I set out to cover a story. It's one of the reasons why I love this job so much.

Jan. 19 -- Lisa's Musings from The Road Commission and Every Day Life

Today's topic is the Road Commission.

Now, before you groan, I'm excited about covering this board.

Really.

Who doesn't have an opinion about roads?

And, who among you doesn't travel on ones under the jurisdiction of the Road Commission just about every day?

My grandfather was one of the original Road Commissioners, so there's some family history here, too.

And his photo hung on a wall in the former Road Commission building. Before they moved to Zeeb Road.

I was told that when people walked by his portrait on the wall, his eyes followed them, all seeing and knowing, like one of those scary movies.

In another life, when I was a stringer for the AA News, I lobbied to cover this board -- but was only able to do so if an issue involved one of my many Western Washtenaw towns.

Like the Foster Road Bridge, or the Dexter Bridge or the E. Delhi Bridge.

But now, I get to cover roads (and bridges) throughout the county.

And I'm pretty excited about it.

So, I thought I'd give you my Top Three Reasons for Wanting to Cover the Road Commission for all of the Heritage papers.

Reason No. 3. I'm interested in all things road and bridge. Who isn't?

Reason No 2. The meetings don't last very long. So far, the first two I've covered have lasted an hour (or less) and during that short time, there have been a bunch of interesting topics for stories.

You have to understand a reporter's mindset. If you're going to sit through a meeting, you want to make it worth your while, and come back with several stories to write.

And No. 1. They meet at 1 p.m. twice a month. So, I don't have to get up early or stay up late to cover them.

For those three reasons alone, I really like covering the Road Commission.