I come from generations of bird watchers here in northern Pennsylvania. My grandfather, a country newspaperman for much of the 20th Century (and some of the 19th) wrote often of his backyard birds. in his weekly column. "My birds gave me the cold shoulder for four straight mornings last week. I had begun to wonder, and then one morning came a male Cardinal. The brilliant bird took his time for a hearty breakfast of sunflower seeds. The next morning there was one Bluejay, and for a few seconds a Chickadee visited the feeder, just outside the window where I have my own breakfast. Since then the usual variety has come to breakfast and all are very welcome regardless of the brilliance or somber appearance of their attire."
To some, bird-watching and especially at a window feeder, might seem lame and pointless. But when could I get a variety of mammal species so close; or reptiles; or amphibians. If we have "fellow-feelings" with other vertebrate life forms, then we get no closer to see their ways of being than at a window feeder.
Jein is the Austrian word for yes and no. Today finds me in Maryland where Sheila and I are caring for her mother. But the warmer months will be bringing us back your way. We have a winter camp and a summer camp.
I can see the backyard feeder from my office window, and I occasionally take 15 minute bird breaks where I focus on the feeder and surrounding trees, registering who I see and hear for ebird.com. Right now I'm being serenaded by a desperate sounding Carolina Wren, who really, really wants to meet somebody special.
Such an entertaining, informative article! Tx, Fred!
I come from generations of bird watchers here in northern Pennsylvania. My grandfather, a country newspaperman for much of the 20th Century (and some of the 19th) wrote often of his backyard birds. in his weekly column. "My birds gave me the cold shoulder for four straight mornings last week. I had begun to wonder, and then one morning came a male Cardinal. The brilliant bird took his time for a hearty breakfast of sunflower seeds. The next morning there was one Bluejay, and for a few seconds a Chickadee visited the feeder, just outside the window where I have my own breakfast. Since then the usual variety has come to breakfast and all are very welcome regardless of the brilliance or somber appearance of their attire."
To some, bird-watching and especially at a window feeder, might seem lame and pointless. But when could I get a variety of mammal species so close; or reptiles; or amphibians. If we have "fellow-feelings" with other vertebrate life forms, then we get no closer to see their ways of being than at a window feeder.
Happy to have rediscovered your work. It’s nice to start the morning with First things first.
Howdy Carl, been a while. You repatriated?
Jein is the Austrian word for yes and no. Today finds me in Maryland where Sheila and I are caring for her mother. But the warmer months will be bringing us back your way. We have a winter camp and a summer camp.
I can see the backyard feeder from my office window, and I occasionally take 15 minute bird breaks where I focus on the feeder and surrounding trees, registering who I see and hear for ebird.com. Right now I'm being serenaded by a desperate sounding Carolina Wren, who really, really wants to meet somebody special.
Best wishes to your wren, they do not bear their grievances silently.