This happens when you go bird watching: You see more than birds.
The deer peeking around a tree struck me as funny. Looked like she was trying to hide. But the tree was skinny and she wasn’t.
I had a camera that day, and got the shot. I keep this picture on the wall in a room where I work out.
Every time I look at it I smile. I’ve looked at it a thousand times.
This gets me wondering about why we stay interested in the same old things…
Yesterday I saw an American Kestrel on a wire. I stopped the car. Got my binoculars, and looked.
Cool sight. A “sparrow hawk,” as it used to be called. Fierce eyes. Tan like a cougar, with blue and gray markings. Two-fisted talons, the talons of a welterweight.
The Kestrel stared at me: “What the hell you loookin’ at?” Then turned his head, opened his wings and lifted off like a warplane.
I’ve seen Kestrels before. I’ve seen a lot of birds. It’s memorable when you see one for the first time. You lose your bird virginity, so to speak. But you don’t lose your interest.
I remember the first time I saw a Bald Eagle. Near a lake in the North Woods. I was excited. But the second time, I still was excited.
My first Scarlet Tanager was a score. But so were the tanagers I saw after that. Even the ones I saw last May, though they were far from my first.
Serious birders keep a list of species. I do that, too, in the form of check marks in an old field guide.
But I also keep a casual list of repeat sightings in the back of my mind. Every time I see an interesting bird, a little click registers somewhere.
Another Red-breasted Nuthatch. Another Hairy Woodpecker. Another Turkey Vulture. I don’t have exact figures, but I appreciate each sighting.
Maybe some day I’ll get jaded and stop raising my binoculars. Maybe I’ll figure, “Seen it all.” But not yet.
So I looked at the American Kestrel on a wire, and he looked back. I thought: What’s better than seeing a thousand Kestrels?
Seeing a thousand and one.
Love reading this, looks like the real world. Today as I was playing golf alone, as I do when working in my garden, I am also paying attention at birds. You can see the same birds, but it is still wonderful.
Thanks, keep writing.
I’m always looking for other nature blogs, and I think I’ve found treasure this time. Having my own nature blog and nature newspaper column syndicated regionally, I love to see others that are well written. I haven’t had time to cruise through all the blogs here, but have enjoyed what I’ve found so far and look forward to reading more. Good work – and happy birding!
I remember the first time I saw a “bald eagle” too. In an office building about 8 years ago. But this variety doesn’t have any feathers.
What’s better than reading 135 posts by the TFBW? Reading 136.
Love this post and totally agree. The deer photo is awesome.