We definitely need to pay attention to the animals...

[OneGrassRoot]

Of course, we know this, but it's always so amazing when it's confirmed.

We had a rather epic (that's the buzz word surrounding our local weather event) tornado outbreak here Saturday afternoon. Six separate supercells, each embedded with large tornadoes that stayed on the ground for lengthy periods of time, tore through the Raleigh area (including downtown, with an amazing video of same) and points east. I think the video I linked to is the same that tore through the area I live...and maybe the same that affected points north, where Sandra lives. There were so many though that it's still confusing as to exactly what happened that day. :(

We escaped largely unscathed, and I hear Sandra is okay, too. I just got power back a few hours ago, but it's in and out.

But the reason I knew we were in for something intense was that for two hours before the storms hit, there were ZERO birds visible or audible. That is distinctly unusual, as I have tons of songbirds, crows, ravens and others around here pretty much all the time. BTW, the raven with the broken wing is still here. ;)

I knew danger had passed once they emerged and started vocalizing again, about 5 minutes after the tornado passed this area.


:grouphug:

[Sanity Claws]

1. glad to hear you and Sandra are okay

So if the birds were back in five minutes, they had not gone far. Where do the birds go when they feel a storm coming on? Maybe this is a question for an ornithologist.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. My impression is that they were tucked deeply in the trees/bushes...

It's not as though I saw many flying back when the danger passed; it's like they were there, but hunkered down, so to speak, and emerged when the storm was no longer a threat.

:)

[BanzaiBonnie]

3. I'm so glad you're okay,

and yes, we need to listen to the animals.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. ...

:hug:

[OneGrassRoot]

4. I also have to share about my kitties...

With my two older cats who passed a few years ago, whenever we'd get in the safe place (interior half bath under stairs), they would NOT do well. If I had time to put them in a crate, that was best. They'd growl and everything...they were afraid of bad weather.

The two youngest kitties -- Magick and Buddha :) -- did SO WELL!!!! Bless their hearts. They didn't even seem afraid; it was like some adventure. They always come with me into the bathroom anyway (they give me no privacy ;)), so it was no big deal. Mark is a big guy, and this bathroom is tiny. So the two of us were in there, with the two kitties (who are also BIG)...lol. My daughter is in NYC with her high school theatre group, so I didn't have to worry about her, thank goodness.

:hug:

[Lucinda]

7. My cats are all different when it comes to bad weather.

Yogi is the tough guy. He'll either brave the elements or curl up and sleep through it all.
Terry is a snuggler. Bad weather and he wants to be held.
George gets really frightened with loud wind, and will not go near the outdoors if its cold.

Fascinating to watch them all handle things so differently.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. So true...

They're all very different. These two are litter mates, which is such a different dynamic in and of itself.

:hug:

[Kookaburra]

12. OGR, that reminds me of something that happened

weekend before last. Saturday before last we had some of those horrifying storms that included strong winds, lightning, heavy rains, hail and tornado warnings. It was pretty wicked. When the hail started (jaw-breaker-sized stones), I thought I'd better get everyone into the hall bathroom for safety. Well, I couldn't find the cats -- I'm running all over the (mostly windows) great room and kitchen, like I didn't have a lick of sense, looking in cabinets and under furniture and I couldn't find them. Finally, when the hail became ridiculously scary, I figured it was time to take cover and let them fend for themselves. I walked into the bathroom, and there they were -- sitting in the bathtub, waiting for me to get a clue.

We didn't have a tornado (thank goodness), but there was still plenty of damage to deal with.

[OneGrassRoot]

13. LOL!

That is so darn cute!!!!

:applause:

"...there they were -- sitting in the bathtub, waiting for me to get a clue."

:rofl:

:hug:

[Lucinda]

6. I watched that video. Scary stuff.

We really can learn a lot by paying attention to nature.

[Howler]

9. I'm so glad you you are both O.K!!!!

YAY!!!! The raven with the broken wing made it through too!!!!:hug: :grouphug:

[OneGrassRoot]

14. Actually...

I haven't seen the raven since Saturday morning. Hoping he's fine.

:hug:

[onecent]

10. So glad to hear you are both safe. Strange weather

patterns these times

[OneGrassRoot]

15. ...

:hug:

:hi:

[kimmerspixelated]

11. It was a wicked storm, alright...

I was thankful no tornadoes touched down where we were, but our basement most definitely flooded. Animals, always know.

[OneGrassRoot]

16. Glad you're okay, too...

other than the basement. :(

:hug:

[Melissa G]

17. Happy to hear everyone is safe! My daughter might move to Asheville this summer.

Glad to know so many nice folks are in the area!

[OneGrassRoot]

18. Ooooh, lucky her!

If I don't move north, I think I'd enjoy living in Asheville. Very hippie-dippy vibe. :thumbsup:

:hug:

[get the red out]

19. Wow, I am so glad you are ok

I was thinking about the NC Asahers when I heard about that horrible outbreak, hoping all was well with you.

Our young dog will show distinct signs of nervousness long before thunderstorms arrive, I have already noticed that. I have no doubt wild animals anticipate when to duck and cover. You are right, we need to pay attention to the creatures around us, they are less cluttered than we are and information gets through to them naturally.