Birds

So, okay, some people may have been thinking that serious birding with a four-year-old was a ridiculous expectation. And, okay, I probably was thinking that myself. Because it is. A ridiculous expectation. But sometimes the vision is pleasant enough that you hang on to it. As long as possible. Until it is obvious that the vision has nothing to do with reality. Or, at least, very little. And so it goes.

H is learning which end of the binoculars to use, so that's something. And he does recognize an amazing number of birds given that he appears to be paying no attention at all. But serious birding? No, not really.

However, what has become apparent is that just sitting outside in the morning beside the fountain (yes! we have a fountain), sipping a cup of coffee, enjoying the mild morning temperatures, looking out over the golf course, one is visited by an impressive array of birds. Not an impressive number, but an impressive array. Just by sitting here we have seen northern mockingbird, black phoebes, Say's phoebes, doves, black-crowned sparrows, house finches, verdin, crows, some kind of itty-bitty wren, Anna's hummingbird, and this morning, la pièce de résistance -- a blue-throated humingbird!!! I kid you not! A rarity in California apparently, but then what with climate change and all, it's all up for grabs, it seems, so maybe not so rare anymore. Anyway, I saw it! With the iridescent blue throat and black and white markings at the side of the head. Thrilling! At least I think I saw it. I'm pretty sure I saw it, but who knows. Anyway, I'm sticking with "saw it." And at various places around the park we see mallards, gulls, wigeons, coots and Canada geese. So we are getting birding in after all.

The hummingbirds actually sit(!) at the edge of the fountain and drink. An amazing feat for ones so skittish. The white-crowned sparrow gets right in there and bathes, splashing water under his wings and everything. The northern mockingbird sings all night. (A bit ostentatious and entirely unnecessary, but we are only visitors here, so choose not to complain.)

We are also monitoring other patio wildlife -- so far just ants. We have seen them suck water from a fallen cucumber slice, a scout ant sense, locate, and call in reinforcements on an errant raspberry, and a group-feed on an unfortunate bug larva, still writhing. Life is hard, my child, life is hard, and there is much to learn.

And we are creatures of habit, so I will continue to persevere with the birding expeditions.