Friday, May 30, 2008

Lunch Talk

Today at lunch our friend Jane told us about the Bullock’s Oriole http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Bullocks_Oriole.html
which she spotted in her yard and how she put out orange halves for it and went to Ace Hardware to get a special Bullock’s oriole feeder in the hope of attracting more of the species. I was amazed by two things. One was that she found having a beautiful bird in her yard was a wonderful thing worth reporting to friends. The other was that there was such a thing as a Bullock’s oriole feeder.
It does amaze me when people find interesting and worthy of note things I find interesting and worthy of note. I have long since assumed that I have weird and arcane interests. So Jane’s report on her backyard birds was a pleasant surprise.
Jane also told us she had put up her hummingbird feeder as they were back. Gail and I had heard one fly by just the other day so we were able to substantiate that fact.
I don’t dote on birds, but do enjoy seeing them and noticing them. I like to know their names and recognize their calls. I have two acquaintances here who know a great deal more about birds than I want to. Beth and Tim are wonderful resources whom I can ask about birds I see or hear.