Yah, yah, yah, I know - the name of the place is "Blackbird Ridge" but the logo sure doesn't look like a blackbird, does it? 

Well, there's a story behind that. 

The "Black Bird" is in actuality 

And they do look very much like a big falcon in the air. 

Here's how it happened. 

When we first moved out here we were looking for a unique name for the place.  We pretty quickly realized that there are a whole slew of vultures that roost up here - they like to soar on the updrafts coming off the field.  Vultures may be hideous up close and personal, but they are an absolute wonder in the air. 

I counted over 30 one day, circling around, sailing down, swooping as close as a mere 20' away before catching an updraft and soaring back up to the top, hundreds of feet in the air. 

So I came up with the name "Vulture Ridge".  Or "Buzzard's Roost".  Or "Vulture Gulch" (we do have a fairly deep ravine back of the ridge). 

But when I told my dad (I had decided on "Buzzard's Roost") he got, well, a little bit upset.  I guess it seemed an ill-omened name.  "Uh, can't you come up with a nicer name?  How about "Butterfly Hill"?"  he said, apprehensively. 

So as not to worry my Dad, who must know a thing or two by now, being as he was born in 1919, I settled on "Blackbird Ridge". 

Maybe that'll fool the evil spirits . . . Ya think? 

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