I’ve come to appreciate crows after most of ours here disappeared a decade or more ago during an avian flu outbreak, their recovery has been welcome as I continue to appreciate their intelligence. I also really enjoy the activity of the community of what one birdwatcher dismissed as “LBBs” - little brown birds” - so I now see them as the under appreciated blue collar workers of the avian world. We got a couple of varieties of hawks and I’ve at least learned to spot which visit my yard for the squirrels and which for the doves.
I love this and have Merlyn on my phone. Have coffee with the birds every morning to chase the squirrels away... I'm a major fan of Carolina wrens and have decided that after twice leaving the garage open, it's not a mistake, I love sharing space with them. Can't wait to spy and see how such tiny guys bring huge piles of leaves... Once a whole nest fledged and landed on my head and shoulders... I was enchanted. That's the news from Belle Haven...
I loved reading through the details of the birds who greeted your day, and imagining flickers and mergansers as 80s rock stars is just so great. And that video--what do those incredible eyes see? Beautiful.
I really really loved this post. “They are begging us to listen, and come to our senses; to relish the moment.” This is so true. I missed our time with the eagles too — let’s plan another trip soon! 🦅
"...Experiencing awe is healthy; you don’t need to climb a volcano and peer into the caldera to feel it, but you do have to open your mind to let it in. A few ounces of bluebird can do it, from thirty yards away..." RIGHT ON!
I feel that way about bluebirds, too. They always make me think of one particular friend whom I don’t see often but when I do I’m surprised and delighted.
Friends of mine had to coax a Cooper’s hawk out of their chicken coop last year!
Looking forward to the Crow story. They really are fascinating. Did you ever see that Reddit thread about someone who’d started feeding a group of crows during Covid and was then having an issue with them attacking people who came to his house and wondered if he were liable if they hurt someone? Crazy story.
I’ve come to appreciate crows after most of ours here disappeared a decade or more ago during an avian flu outbreak, their recovery has been welcome as I continue to appreciate their intelligence. I also really enjoy the activity of the community of what one birdwatcher dismissed as “LBBs” - little brown birds” - so I now see them as the under appreciated blue collar workers of the avian world. We got a couple of varieties of hawks and I’ve at least learned to spot which visit my yard for the squirrels and which for the doves.
Thanks for sharing! Funny how sometimes what we're heading out to look for is waiting for us in the back yard 🤣
I love this and have Merlyn on my phone. Have coffee with the birds every morning to chase the squirrels away... I'm a major fan of Carolina wrens and have decided that after twice leaving the garage open, it's not a mistake, I love sharing space with them. Can't wait to spy and see how such tiny guys bring huge piles of leaves... Once a whole nest fledged and landed on my head and shoulders... I was enchanted. That's the news from Belle Haven...
I loved reading through the details of the birds who greeted your day, and imagining flickers and mergansers as 80s rock stars is just so great. And that video--what do those incredible eyes see? Beautiful.
I really really loved this post. “They are begging us to listen, and come to our senses; to relish the moment.” This is so true. I missed our time with the eagles too — let’s plan another trip soon! 🦅
"...Experiencing awe is healthy; you don’t need to climb a volcano and peer into the caldera to feel it, but you do have to open your mind to let it in. A few ounces of bluebird can do it, from thirty yards away..." RIGHT ON!
I'm happy to witness your evolution into true bird nerdery, Tom!
A week ago today, I was blessed to be at the Krewe of Nefertiti parade in New Orleans East.
It's a part of the city I never visited before. Lots of hawks were swirling around above the route. It felt VERY far from Bourbon Street!
I feel that way about bluebirds, too. They always make me think of one particular friend whom I don’t see often but when I do I’m surprised and delighted.
Friends of mine had to coax a Cooper’s hawk out of their chicken coop last year!
Looking forward to the Crow story. They really are fascinating. Did you ever see that Reddit thread about someone who’d started feeding a group of crows during Covid and was then having an issue with them attacking people who came to his house and wondered if he were liable if they hurt someone? Crazy story.