I know, I know, it's Mi Vida Loca. But since we sold the cows and our world contracted to a microcosm of its former self, I have kept myself entertained with birds...as you have no doubt noticed....
So for me it has become mi vida NOCA, the latter being the four digit code for Northern Cardinal. BTW I am learning this code for listing because it is a lot quicker to write RWBL than it is to scribble Red-winged Blackbird. I keep hoping the FBI will snoop on one of my lists and think I am a super spy.
It's fun and it gets me and the boss out of the house. He likes to tool around town to see who has a nice barn, who bought a new tractor, whose rows are straight and whose are curly.
I like to find ticks for my lists.
It's kinda loca, but it works for us.
Anyhow, yesterday in the midst of cold howling wind, he needed to go over to Fonda to get a gallon of milk. He asked if I wanted to go down to the boat launch. Since we had seen Green-winged Teal there the day before and listed them on eBird, I agreed despite the nasty weather. GWTE are among my favorite ducks right up there with Ruddy Ducks and Northern Pintails. When the sun hits those green heads there isn't a thing in Oz to compare.
As we arrived another gentleman did too. He was tall and well dressed and sported good binoculars. Ooohhh, a birder! I have only ever met one other birder in our travels, up at Montezuma a while back.
I so wanted to go over and chat, but just couldn't (see introvert, shy, etc.)
Next he took a huge spotting scope out of his car, put it on a tripod, and began scanning the hundreds of geese, scattering of assorted ducks, crows, RWBLs etc. I was consumed with curiosity.
Then he began to fold everything up to leave...and came over to talk to us!
He had come because someone had reported Green-winged Teal there. Maybe it was even my eBird report that sent him down to the confluence of the Schoharie and the Mohawk.
Anyhow, we chatted for a minute or two about the birds there and about Iceland Gulls, which are seen around here now and then, and which I think I may have seen, and then he was on his way. A couple of Bald Eagles sailed by as if in celebration.
It was a little on the loca side, but super cool as well. You simply never know when serendipity will send you a special moment in your wonderful, amazing, and frequently crazy life.
Hi Marianne,
ReplyDeleteThat was me you ran into on Tuesday. Sorry I didn't introduce myself, I'm bad at that. After I left you I went to Fultonville where I saw a first-winter Iceland Gull and 2 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the rocks in the river just west of the Dunkin Donuts along with the regular three species of gulls.
Bill Purcell
Look at that you have a new birding friend.
ReplyDeleteTerry likes to drive around and look at the farms, the new tractors...and the straight rows or not. Most are straight now. Very few farmers farm with scribs here like Terry still does....it's all GPS.
Bill, I am so tickled that you found this and commented! It really made my day to meet you down there in the windy misery and get to ask someone who knows about birds some questions. I have birded one way or another since I was tiny and first recognized a robin, but there is still so much to learn. Warblers, shorebirds, and gulls, oh, my! Thanks for taking time to come over and talk to us. As I said, it made my day. We will stop down to the parking area by Dunkin' to look for the gulls, but I struggle with gulls, alas....although I am working on it.
ReplyDeleteLinda, isn't serendipity the coolest thing! It is so funny how this family birding thing is working out. I have always gone with Alan, which is great because he is good and if he stays interested will surpass my knowledge pretty quickly. However, he has a life of his own....the boss can barely pick out cardinals but he loves to drive around and so we have a fine time. Trying to figure out how we can work in a trip to Montezuma when it opens without him having to fight Thruway traffic.
Oh this is so much fun!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's always a delight to see another pair of binoculars!
Oh! And I'm too lazy to really do gulls. Maybe if I were 30 years younger :)
ReplyDeleteAnd your family's birding relationships is very, very much like ours.
Keith isn't even carrying binoculars in this pretty good birding location in Florida - but he's learning the egrets and herons and actually borrows mine on a few special birds.
Cathy, it is! It was!
ReplyDeleteGulls are so hard! Most birds you have to learn maybe two plumages. With gulls, it seems more like a dozen although I know it isn't. I envy you birding Florida! We get a few hours in every couple of years, but to be able to get out and see all that is there...wow. I subscribe to the rare bird alert from down there just so I can keep up on the rarities. And there are plenty.