Birds

I don’t think I could tell you at what point I became overwhelmed by the constant influx of news and information.  Memes that poked fun at the absolute ignorance of the powers that be no longer seemed so funny.  Updates on the death toll and ways of coping with the new normal weren’t helpful or informative any more. I had reached the saturation point.  

I also couldn’t tell you exactly how I came across the Cornell Bird Lab Feeder Cam.  But it was around that time.  

My sister has been an avid birder for years.  When we would visit each other either here in Chicago or at her place near San Francisco, a vigorous morning walk would turn into a leisurely stroll,  punctuated by sharp intakes of breath, and exclamations of “Look!  A (insert bird species here)”,  binoculars trained on some dense foliage or distant tree branches.  She’d often hand the viewers to me. I’d struggle to find what her eyes were so easily trained to see.  

It was also hard to discern their calls,  some of them so soft and high-pitched that they eluded ears that were damaged from years of touring and performing. It felt frustrating - what was I missing?  So I left the birding to her, trying to be patient and enjoy those moments through her.

Lately the walks I take in my neighborhood have turned into the most sacred part of my week.  I notice now what escaped me before.  Maybe the birds aren’t as hidden by the planes and traffic any longer.  Maybe there are more of them.  In any case they seem to be everywhere.   I’ve become eager to know more about them.

Hence stumbling across the Cornell Bird Lab and the Live Feeder Cam. There is something so hypnotic about it.  I find myself watching for long stretches of time, just absolutely transfixed. I would discern woodpeckers, a cardinal or two, finches, blue jays, some birds I couldn’t name yet - and of course the occasional squirrel. I’ve taken to looking at it first thing in the morning, turning it on and placing it in the window as I make my coffee instead of listening to the radio.  Bringing it with me on my phone wherever I go in the house.

I’m so grateful for these birds.  It feels good to connect to something bigger than myself.  Watching and listening to them makes me want to care for them. For the planet. For our home.  We all live here.  It’s not just about us humans.  It’s much, much bigger.  And that’s a good thing.