COLUMBIA SPY

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Several commenters mentioned the large number of vultures in the area shown above (from Park Avenue to Ridge Avenue, between 10th and 11th Streets).

I saw dozens of them swarming around the trees in this area at about 4:30 on Tuesday afternoon.

I estimated well over a hundred in the area shown on the map at the top of this post.

There are over 70 in this shot alone.

I wonder what's drawing them to this particular spot. They seem to prefer roosting in large pine trees, which provide protection, but is there enough carrion in the area to sustain this many birds? Yes, they fly to other nearby areas to find meals, but are there that many animals dying in town each day to supply these birds with enough food? Apparently so.

Supposedly, they are some of the cleanest birds around, but you wouldn't know it from looking at them.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

What I saw recently

Some pics that have been hanging around my hard drive lately:

The mighty Tide

I had an older version of this type of sled when I was a kid. We used to sled down the hill at Florence Street, which used to be called "Mary's Hill." We'd rub wax on the runners to make the sled slide better. (Someone always had a piece of wax. Where they got it, I don't know.)

Sledding was great when the snow was packed solid and had frozen into ice. When it wasn't packed down, you just sort of laid there on your sled, sank into the snow, and didn't go anywhere.

This piece of junk sat on Locust Street for several days until it finally disappeared. It was there for so long that I thought someone was about to open a health club.

I still say there's a TARDIS in there somewhere.

New sign at Sahd Salvage -

High marks for graphic design

Monday, January 14, 2013

More info on Jan. 4 wreck at 3rd & Chestnut

From LancasterOnline:

COLUMBIA: Police have released information about a Jan. 4 wreck at Third and Chestnut streets that knocked out power for more than 1,000 people.

Scott Reisinger, 33, of Columbia, failed to stop for a steady red light and his 2009 Chrysler SLX struck an oncoming tractor-trailer, borough police Officer Brent Smith said. His vehicle spun out of control and struck a utility pole.

Reisinger was transported to Lancaster General Hospital for treatment and was later released, Smith said. The truck driver, whom police did not identify, was not injured.

Charges are pending against Reisinger for multiple violations, Smith said.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/803237_POLICE-LOG--Monday--Jan--14--2013.html#ixzz2HzyRPXXP