Dennis Paulson wrote:
>
> This was sent to BIRDCHAT by Jeff Wilson and forwarded to me by Tom
> Schooley. It's much too wonderful not to share. I've already written Jeff
> and praised both his prose and his understanding of a bird. He informed me
> that he has seen 42 (!) species of shorebirds at Memphis, surely one of the
> premier areas for these birds along the Mississippi River.
>
> Next time you think of someone as an ol' coot, think of this.
>
> >A Least Sandpiper---Eye To Eye
> >
> >I was alerted to your arrival by a Killdeer's gaze, it saw you long
> >before I could. I followed its stare and then I made out your small
> >group, dropping in with the zigzagging flight so characteristic of
> >Least Sandpipers. I also could tell you were new comers by how
> >you selected a landing site. Looking over several places among
> >the mix of feeding sandpipers you would start to settle and each time
> >I thought you were landing, some one would see a better place.
> >The group would pickup and fly closer, after such a long flight
> >it must be hard to turn off the engines. I had settled myself with
> >almost as much thought, my back to some Giant Ragweed to break
> >my outline. The ragweed is certainly living up to its name this year,
> >as some towers to 10' or more. I also sat with the sun and wind
> >at my back for better lighting and I knew you would feed or stand
> >facing the south breeze. At last a consensus was stuck and your group
> >selected the flat in front of me, immediately you all started to feed.
> >That was a good sign, because it showed you were planning to stay,
> >otherwise there would have been preening and instant sleep by your
> >members and you would have left for the southern skies within the
> >half hour. Your group of all youngsters, some older, some younger,
> >started feeding in my direction, fat cells had to be filled out for the
> >long journey ahead. You had come to the right place as eggs, larvae
> >and flies are in abundance here at the pits. I sat still, waiting for one
> >of your group to find me and give the alarm but feeding is now
> >paramount. You now relied on the many resting groups that have
> >been here for a few days to give warning of danger, all had stood vigil
> >in turn, for in the sun sometimes lurked the forms feared by you all.
> >
> >When you and yours had approached to within 10 feet, someone
> >sensed my presence and a shutter went through the group, it was
> >as if you were tied together. I tried not to breathe. The stare of
> >nine sets of eyes riveted to mine, all asking the same question, was
> >a powerful but fleeting experience and all but you moved away.
> >You added a few feet between us as insurance, but then you stood
> >and questioned more, I searched within for a way to answer. The
> >black of your pupil surrounded by the dark brown iris opened into a
> >swiftly working, highly programmed brain, much superior to any
> >pentium chip. Inside were all the detailed maps and links to information
> >about which we can only speculate and hope one day to tap. This was
> >your first trip here, your fresh, bright rufous tones, white and cream edges
> >to your feathering tell me this, but even now you are already going
> >through changes, new basic plumage feathers have crept into your mantle.
> >
> >What does it feel like, being the smallest of your extensive clan?
> >Where did your journey start? Where will it end? Will you return as
> >some, back north in the first year or will you remain in South America
> >for a season? Where was your birthplace in the tundra, maybe Western
> >Canada? or the Alaskan coastal region? Will you winter in the U.S. or
> >spend your time in French Guiana as some of your banded brothers have
> >shown? I note some of your friends (siblings?) have molted more than
> >you but others show no changes at all in their bright unworn plumage.
> >Where did you feed yesterday? Was it along the lakeside in Illinois or
> >a farm pond in Nebraska? How long will you feed here? How is your
> >weight gain? Have you seen an Eskimo Curlew?
> >
> >I have asked too much and the spell is broken; your computer has
> >scheduled this time for fueling and with one last look you turn to feed
> >in earnest. A curved, all dark and finely pointed bill efficiently does its
> >job and the short yellow legs do theirs and I am left to do mine. My heart
> >yearns to know more, to question, it searches for a realization. I am left
> >with a wonderful feeling of connection, a Least Sandpiper, Eye to Eye.
> >
> >Good Birding!!!
> >
> >Jeff R. Wilson

I'd love to be able to write as well as the above. I think I mentioned
this in the car and wanted to share it with you. Joan
> >OL' COOT
> >Bartlett, Tenn.
> >OLCOOT1 at aol.com
>
> Dennis Paulson, Director phone 253-756-3798
> Slater Museum of Natural History fax 253-756-3352
> University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
> Tacoma, WA 98416
> http://www.ups.edu/biology/museum/museum.html