We hear about odd birds in odd places.
A Green-tailed Towhee was spotted on a Rhode Island beach in winter. This West Coast bird is not just out of its range; it’s out of its mind.
An Anna’s Hummingbird is in Pennsylvania. Another warm weather bird that belongs in the west.
There’s enthusiasm for these sightings among birdwatchers who are also twitchers. Twitchers go where the odd birds are.
Oddities happen. Years ago, I saw a buck with a misshapen antler over its face. Like a pretzel that came out of the factory funny.
And I saw a Canada Goose grazing with others, even though it had an arrow through it. Oddities remind us that the world’s not always okay.
By contrast, I saw Cardinals and Black-capped Chickadees today on the sunny side of our snowed-in home. They were drinking from our icicles. Nothing odd about them. They belong here. They’re expected.
If I saw an odd bird hanging out with them, a Scott’s Oriole for example, I’d have mixed feelings. It would be like watching an accident. My twitcher friends get twitchy eyelids hearing this.
When I was on Mount Lemmon in Arizona, I saw a Scott’s Oriole. It was supposed to be there. This yellow and black bird verified my location. All was right with the world.
When you get off a plane in Denver, there are Black-billed Magpies. In England you see Great Tits. Like I say, birds verify our sense of place.
I’m not wild about a western hummingbird freezing its ass off in Pennsylvania, or a towhee in Rhode Island. These guys have a screw loose. I hear about them, and think of the deformed antler or skewered goose.
I prefer the cold Chickadees and Cardinals surviving on icicles where they live. Nothing odd in that.
Footnote:
Speaking of odd happenings in odd places. Why should Green Bay and Pittsburgh play the Super Bowl in Dallas? Not their territory.
The trophy should go to the team that wins, say, the best two out of three games. And they should play in their own stadiums.
Odd sightings may make nature interesting. But nature can’t help it. Football can. Enough oddness. Green Bay and Pittsburgh busting their butts in Dallas?
Most fans won’t even be able to go. They’re not twitchers.
Oh, Thank you for this post –
I FINALLY know I’m not alone – with my “wacky” opinions . . (not so wacky, when someone else holds or at least considers them . . . )
-g-
Hey mr two fisted guy, I found the hidden bird (roadrunner) on the – – – – page. I had to look pretty hard to find this guy. By the way I agree with your idea about having a best out of three playoff for the championship. The game should be more about the local fans and not so much about the hype and advertising that surrounds it now. Go Steelers!!
Talk to ya next month, Lee