Tweets, Today I was reminded of a very precious phrase I learned several years
ago, while participating in Chris Chappells Master Birding By Ear
class. Learn to tune out the sounds and songs around you, and listen for
the distant sounds. It's like focusing your scope on the tree farthest
away, and zooming in on movement on a tiny branch; to see perhaps, a warbler,
or a hummingbird, whose silloutte is only identifiable when he
turns his little head, and you see his bill. Today, I swam for quite a
while, was bone tired; and heading up to the South Hill Mall in Puyallup.
Lots of cars on the freeway, a Wagner opera blasting away on my radio.
Then through all that noise, I heard a tiny, familiar, distant song. Radio
goes off, window goes all the way down, I slow down, and there in the midst
of
all the human invasion, in a small patch of grass, I heard again the soft
song of the Savannah. Now this isn't the first bird of the season, of course.
I've heard them alot on my drive to Fife pool every day. But because I
trained myself to
follow Chris' philosophical, sound advice, I was able to enjoy a moment with
that guy. I could see him on top of the only scotchbroom, singing.
It gave my morning a breath of fresh air. If only we could apply this little
gem to all aspects of our lives; when dealing with our kids, or an upset
spouse or neighbor; how wonderfully easy life could become. Chris
was an excellent teacher, and wonderful field trip leader, my husband would
even skip church to go to the mountains with Chris, if the opportunity ever
arose again. Its pouring rain now, and I am so glad we
didn't go to O.S. today. But life is still wonderful, isn't it......
Vicki Biltz Bonney Lake sawwhet85b at netscape.net
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A WOMAN BIRDER

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