I don't think birding is something I'd personally enjoy, but I've got nothing against our fine feathered friends, and I'm glad it brings you so much wonder and solace. One of my best friends from college has also gotten really into the ornithology tip in recent years.
That said, I hope you find this as amusing as I do.
Last weekend I stopped into the Double Windsor for lunch and a pint (they serve what may well be the best burger in Brooklyn).
A few stools down a woman was waiting to meet her boyfriend and his buddy, who were on an excursion in Prospect Park. When they arrived, he pulled out his phone to show her the app he uses to log his sightings.
I tucked into my meal and didn't pay much further attention until the woman said "If they're so fuckin' rare, why is it called a COMMON merganser?"
That's hilarious! I've never seen one... just Hooded and Red-breasted. I'm a casual birder, I use Merlin and eBird to track what I've seen. I haven't gone out of my way to see a rare bird, but it might happen. If a Painted Bunting shows up in Philly this year, maybe.
Fracking awesome, Tom. Thank you. Exactly the mix of strength and beauty I, at least, needed to start this week. Those goldfinches! And I couldn't see the Dark-Eyed Juncoes on my short hike yesterday, but their song dripped all through the damp woods. As you say, "if you stop smiling at these little fierce birds, you’re burned out."
(Also finally got to watch Heated Rivalry last week. It's the sweetness that got me. Like it managed to rewrite the entire narrative of romance in 6 simple episodes. My sisters and I kept talking about bracing ourselves for betrayal or cruelty at several narrative junctures, and the fact that it never came showed a light on what we've come to expect from both love stories and success stories.)
I don't think birding is something I'd personally enjoy, but I've got nothing against our fine feathered friends, and I'm glad it brings you so much wonder and solace. One of my best friends from college has also gotten really into the ornithology tip in recent years.
That said, I hope you find this as amusing as I do.
Last weekend I stopped into the Double Windsor for lunch and a pint (they serve what may well be the best burger in Brooklyn).
A few stools down a woman was waiting to meet her boyfriend and his buddy, who were on an excursion in Prospect Park. When they arrived, he pulled out his phone to show her the app he uses to log his sightings.
I tucked into my meal and didn't pay much further attention until the woman said "If they're so fuckin' rare, why is it called a COMMON merganser?"
🤣😂🤣
That's hilarious! I've never seen one... just Hooded and Red-breasted. I'm a casual birder, I use Merlin and eBird to track what I've seen. I haven't gone out of my way to see a rare bird, but it might happen. If a Painted Bunting shows up in Philly this year, maybe.
Love your bird photos!
Yes, I was fascinated to read that we might have reached peak agricultural land use. The more of us spreading the good news, the better.
Between the land use and the extinctions peaking 100 years ago, we have tools to change the doom narrative that keeps people from bothering to try!
Fracking awesome, Tom. Thank you. Exactly the mix of strength and beauty I, at least, needed to start this week. Those goldfinches! And I couldn't see the Dark-Eyed Juncoes on my short hike yesterday, but their song dripped all through the damp woods. As you say, "if you stop smiling at these little fierce birds, you’re burned out."
(Also finally got to watch Heated Rivalry last week. It's the sweetness that got me. Like it managed to rewrite the entire narrative of romance in 6 simple episodes. My sisters and I kept talking about bracing ourselves for betrayal or cruelty at several narrative junctures, and the fact that it never came showed a light on what we've come to expect from both love stories and success stories.)
We've been betrayed by our storytellers, who take the easy way out with pain. Joy is harder to pull off... all double entendre intended!