[obol] Ahha moment

[sandyleapt at comcast.net]

Hi OBOLies,

I had a moment of understanding yesterday that I'm sure everyone must have on their way to becoming an experienced observer of nature.

I suddenly understood the pleasure of walking the same route (emulating Wink Gross) if not daily, then at least once or twice a week all year long.  You get to know the year-round and summer residents in all their plumage and behavior phases because once they pick a territory you can find and observe them.  No matter what I see from the most common Song Sparrow and Swallow to the elusive Pileated Woodpecker its all interesting.  I shared a bench at Salish Pond for about an hour with a young couple who had come to feed the ducks and geese.  I shared my binoculars with them and showed them how to tell the three kinds of Swallows apart (something I couldn't do this spring).  We enjoyed watching the Swallows pick duck feathers from the pond surface and carry them back to their nests.  The Mallards were interesting because many of them seemed to be first year birds; the males adults and immatures were molting their head plumage.  Canada Geese look really silly standing on one foot
 .  The
 Great Blue Heron spent a lot of time grooming and basking in the early morning sun.  The American Coots were absolutely charming, they may be my favorite bird right now.  So sweet the way the parents pull water plants from the pond and offer them to the little ones.  And the coot chicks look like something Dr. Seus thought up.  And that darn Grebe and its chick.  I walked around the pond at least twice trying to get close enough for a good picture and she just kept an I on me and moved to the far side of the pond from where ever I happened to be.  I have to really admire that parent Grebe for keeping the chick out of my way, even though I meant no harm.  I can hardly wait for the Black-headed Grosbeaks and Cedar Waxings to start showing up with their fledglings.

What a wonderful walk.


Sandy Leaptrott
NE Portland