Birders and Birding
Several years ago I joined a birding group while living in San Diego, California. I was privileged to enjoy the company and the great knowledge of an ‘expert,’ and I do mean expert. He was able to draw, mimic the sounds, and photograph the various birds he found. I was in awe. From that point on I’ve taken an interest in birds and have admired the ‘bird watchers’ I’ve met over the years. I am no longer an active ‘birder’ but I am grateful for the time I had enjoying this hobby with people who became good friends.
Photo by Patrice Bouchard on Unsplash
Beautiful senior couple hiking with backpacks and trekking sticks in the forest. Courtesy unsplash.com
Recently a lovely couple (Lianne and Doug) moved into the house two doors down from my house. Lianne and I are building a friendship. We both like to walk so once a week we walk and talk and while doing so I found out that Lianne is a published poet.
I read a few of her poems and wouldn’t you know it, the one of many that caught my attention is titled: “Birders.” I share it here with her permission. Maybe it will catch your attention and you’ll want to observe and enjoy the birds in your neighborhood or wherever you may be.
BIRDERS by Lianne Card
They arrive–
guidebooks at the ready,
dangling binoculars,
eccentric hats a ‘kilter.
They scan treetops
for silhouettes. One arc of wing calligraphy
or helicopter swooping
signifies a sky move; pinions will reveal falcon or hawk.
Birders listen
for stereophonic calls;
each warble, croak, or trill
identifies a feathered creature
distinctly named.
Birders count,
comparing numbers sighted
this year opposed to last.
Life lists are their trophies;
evidence of
patience and keen eye.
Birders wait lifetimes
for one rare moment:
“Oh yes! Never been seem before this far west,”
they say, one wondrous day when
wing flutter at fifty feet
makes them explorers,
surveying
undiscovered lands.
“A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” -Maya Angelou
Oh Karen, this post makes me want to grab my binoculars and run outside to observe…too late today. Maybe tomorrow! Love the poem and quote too!
Thanks for inspiring me to live an observant life!
Smiles, BRC
Thanks for your warm comment, Beth.
I really like this and I am VERY fond of birds. A few years ago I had a friend (now deceased) that came to my home to use use my piano. One afternoon when he was going home I walked him to his car and after a few steps we heard a bird singing! We stopped to listen to a Mockingbird.When the Mockingbird stopped singing my friend (he knew it was a Mockingbird) started whistling the exact same tune! It was awesome and as soon as he stopped the bird sang the same song again, then my friend! I am not really sure but I think they mocked each other three times but it could have just been two. It was beautiful and I was amazed.
Thanks, Love to you, Margaret
What a delightful true story, Margaret. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Karen, I have fond memories
feeding finches in my backyard in San Diego. John and I had many hours of pleasure watching the finches.
Russ and I are now entertained by
hummingbirds. All Gods creation.😊
What a lovely pastime, Joan, to enjoy with John and now Russ.
Several years ago my husband and our eldest daughter were on a walk in the woods when they heard a Great Horned owl hooting very clearly nearby. My husband hooted back to him exactly mimicking him, then the owl answered back! Back and forth they went! It was a real fun, memorable, exciting time for bird lover Dad and Daughter Tammy!
Thanks for sharing your similar story!
Joan
I love hearing this adorable true story. Thanks for sharing it.
We have a daughter-in-law who is an avid birder, Karen. I didn’t realize you’d spent time doing this too. Thanks for sharing the lovely poem.
Thanks for your comment, Carol. It was so good to see you and Don last week.