Thank you, Richard, especially for the lovely photographs--lovely words too. I'm one of the third group, whom you didn't target--ones who wonder at birds, ones who are indifferent to birds, and ones like me who are dazzled by birds but can't tell a song sparrow from a chickadee. A friend once explained to me: There are three kinds of birds: large black birds, small brown birds, and owls. That suffices for my identification. As for my wonder, it's perpetual.
My brother is worried that the avian flu is killing off the song birds. Have you noticed a decline in populations? I am not seeing a normal amount of bluebirds and there are fewer tree swallows. Yesterday, I spied a pair of gold crowned kinglets, so they have returned. I love the app, Merlin.
Love this, Richard. Your enthusiasm is, as always, contagious. I had always assumed there were two kinds of people: birders and those who can’t tell a sparrow from a crow. As in, if you don’t know much, you’re not a birder. Next!
But now I feel included. I may not know much about birds, but I know I’m a fan.
I’m reminded of the time you and I went birding almost by accident. A lagoon at the border of Bolinas and Stinson Beach, CA. where we stood, in mesmerized delight as we watched seabirds — seagulls? Heron? — land on the water. They’d glide downward effortlessly and just before making contact with the water, lower the landing gear, in this case their feet, which angled up much like the nose of a 747 hitting the runway. And then glide across the water, gradually slowing to a stop. Down they came, one by one, with the two of us cheering each landing.
I think the only reason we eventually got back in the car and drove on was bc the entire flock had landed and the show was literally over.
Nature is really at its finest when it makes you stop the car and get out.
I'm so glad you liked the piece, Suzanne. It gave me great joy to write it. I remember that California day!! I can see it all in my mind! I wonder now what those birds were. But we were lucky to have seen them! As for knowing about birds, I am definitely weak in that area. But not, like you, as a fan.
I just described for my husband this new bird that showed up today at our feeder, grayish brown with exquisite royal blue stripes on either side of his head! He/you are now firciyme out the door for a bird book! Bless you
Pat, did you figure out the bird? My offhanded guess would be a Red-breasted Nuthatch. What book did you get? Thanks so much for your response. I always appreciate it.
I ordered it from Abes but haven't gotten it yet. But it sure looks like a Red-breasted Nuthatch. So exciting! My cat and I are now staring out the window throughout the day, both of us ignoring my husband wondering how much the feed is costing. Honestly, your piece is really ramping up our desire to stay at the window all day!
“because when you create somebody who cares about birds, you create somebody who is concerned about the environment.” - Maybe it's because birds are such vulnerable, small, beautiful, innocent life forms, we feel almost a parental need to protect them.
These are all the same birds that we see in Maurepas Swamp, but the last time I was at Lake Martin we saw rookeries of swallowtail kites. I wonder if they're still there.
I loved this, Ricardo. And this because I love birds AND I grew up in Ithaca going to sapsucker woods a la Cornell. According to Cornell’s “All About Birds,” “The Prothonotary Warbler got its name from the bright yellow robes worn by papal clerks, known as prothonotaries, in the Roman Catholic church.”
I'm sort of a casual birder. I pay attention to the birds I see and recognize. One of my brothers-in-law, my brother and sister in law were big birders and I often went out birding with them when we were together in Michigan and Florida. I'm living in the rural south of France now where I don't know many of the little birds. But I know the hawks, owls, herons, egrets, ducks and geese that live there.
When I lived in the South of France, the men in my small village would hunt songbirds. Hard to think of that. I forget exactly where you live. Isn't it near Avignon?
Yay! The warblers are on their way! I await them anxiously every Spring, and although I can rare spy them, I've learned many of their thrilling voices. You are right about being uplifted by birds and how that leads to caring for the environment. Thank you for this beautiful reminder.
The last time I was in Cumberland it was there. Most of the birds were the tiny sanderlings which was fun trying to see the differences.
I love being in conversation with you :). I'm good.
Me too.
Once, a few years ago, during migration, on Cumberland Island, Pebble and identified 320
birds. With a bird book, of course, pen and paper. Warblers are my favorite. I love their songs.
Wow! 320! Do you still have the list?
Thank you, Richard, especially for the lovely photographs--lovely words too. I'm one of the third group, whom you didn't target--ones who wonder at birds, ones who are indifferent to birds, and ones like me who are dazzled by birds but can't tell a song sparrow from a chickadee. A friend once explained to me: There are three kinds of birds: large black birds, small brown birds, and owls. That suffices for my identification. As for my wonder, it's perpetual.
That's funny, Nancy. Remember you told me to contact Brian Willson? Now there's a birder!
My brother is worried that the avian flu is killing off the song birds. Have you noticed a decline in populations? I am not seeing a normal amount of bluebirds and there are fewer tree swallows. Yesterday, I spied a pair of gold crowned kinglets, so they have returned. I love the app, Merlin.
I'm told by someone who would know we've been continually losing birds for the last 50 years. Alas!
Wonderfully written… let’s go!
Ok, get your binoculars ready!
Love this, Richard. Your enthusiasm is, as always, contagious. I had always assumed there were two kinds of people: birders and those who can’t tell a sparrow from a crow. As in, if you don’t know much, you’re not a birder. Next!
But now I feel included. I may not know much about birds, but I know I’m a fan.
I’m reminded of the time you and I went birding almost by accident. A lagoon at the border of Bolinas and Stinson Beach, CA. where we stood, in mesmerized delight as we watched seabirds — seagulls? Heron? — land on the water. They’d glide downward effortlessly and just before making contact with the water, lower the landing gear, in this case their feet, which angled up much like the nose of a 747 hitting the runway. And then glide across the water, gradually slowing to a stop. Down they came, one by one, with the two of us cheering each landing.
I think the only reason we eventually got back in the car and drove on was bc the entire flock had landed and the show was literally over.
Nature is really at its finest when it makes you stop the car and get out.
I'm so glad you liked the piece, Suzanne. It gave me great joy to write it. I remember that California day!! I can see it all in my mind! I wonder now what those birds were. But we were lucky to have seen them! As for knowing about birds, I am definitely weak in that area. But not, like you, as a fan.
I just described for my husband this new bird that showed up today at our feeder, grayish brown with exquisite royal blue stripes on either side of his head! He/you are now firciyme out the door for a bird book! Bless you
Pat, did you figure out the bird? My offhanded guess would be a Red-breasted Nuthatch. What book did you get? Thanks so much for your response. I always appreciate it.
I ordered it from Abes but haven't gotten it yet. But it sure looks like a Red-breasted Nuthatch. So exciting! My cat and I are now staring out the window throughout the day, both of us ignoring my husband wondering how much the feed is costing. Honestly, your piece is really ramping up our desire to stay at the window all day!
“because when you create somebody who cares about birds, you create somebody who is concerned about the environment.” - Maybe it's because birds are such vulnerable, small, beautiful, innocent life forms, we feel almost a parental need to protect them.
I'm sure that's part of it.
These are all the same birds that we see in Maurepas Swamp, but the last time I was at Lake Martin we saw rookeries of swallowtail kites. I wonder if they're still there.
I don't know about the rookery for swallowtail kites, but I know they're here.
I loved this, Ricardo. And this because I love birds AND I grew up in Ithaca going to sapsucker woods a la Cornell. According to Cornell’s “All About Birds,” “The Prothonotary Warbler got its name from the bright yellow robes worn by papal clerks, known as prothonotaries, in the Roman Catholic church.”
Thanks, Jody. I hope you're doing well. I always appreciate your responses.
Nice article and excellent pictures, Richard.
Thanks, Tom.
I'm sort of a casual birder. I pay attention to the birds I see and recognize. One of my brothers-in-law, my brother and sister in law were big birders and I often went out birding with them when we were together in Michigan and Florida. I'm living in the rural south of France now where I don't know many of the little birds. But I know the hawks, owls, herons, egrets, ducks and geese that live there.
When I lived in the South of France, the men in my small village would hunt songbirds. Hard to think of that. I forget exactly where you live. Isn't it near Avignon?
Yay! The warblers are on their way! I await them anxiously every Spring, and although I can rare spy them, I've learned many of their thrilling voices. You are right about being uplifted by birds and how that leads to caring for the environment. Thank you for this beautiful reminder.
I'm glad you liked it, Elizabeth.
Beautiful writing and wonderful photographs! I'm an enthusiastic though inept birder, and I greatly enjoyed this piece.
I would describe myself the same way.
Lovely words and images.
Thank you, Kaylene.