Since I’m obliged to keep my distance from everyone, I have resorted to spending a bit more time at the Bottoms just going slow and watching the show. Since there is no dialogue with the process, I have to create my own story as it relates to what I see. People do this all the time – often getting the story a bit wrong.
Humans tend to apply human thoughts and ideas to the animals and birds they are watching or sharing space with. “Bambi” started that process many years ago and I have had lots of people tell me what their animals are thinking. After owning a series of all-star and some very goofy Labrador retrievers, I can promise you that we train them and use them and love them for a lot of human traits that we perceive them to have that may not be valid. If they thought like us, training would be easy. It’s not. We are primarily directing their instincts to share our lives and steal our hearts. If they thought like us, very few would run away from home. I had a lab that broke through a screen door and went two miles down the road until he found a female collie whose owner was kind enough to call me with the distinctly unpleasant news of his impending fatherhood. I have memories and nightmares about my little darling’s behavior. I read lots of books and was smart enough to engage some terrific dog trainers when I couldn’t figure it out. My dogs all slept in the house and accompanied me on most of my travels. None of them ever lived long enough. I miss every one of them. It’s a really good thing that a lick on the face by a new puppy can help relieve the pain of losing your old friend.
I’m sure this virus-caused isolation in our homes has allowed a bunch of us to get re-acquainted with our pets in one way or another. Make the most of it.
I have also had time to review some of the previous years of pictures taken in the same month. All my pictures are cataloged and backed up since 2005. I can somewhat determine the arrival of almost any species in the Bottoms. Karl Grover and Charlie Swank maintained a precise record of arrival dates for lots of different species. I’m sure Jason and his associates continue that process and can use it to see if patterns change.
The ultimate resource around here is Rob Penner with the Nature Conservancy. Mike Radar with KDWPT is a valuable and talented birder. David Seibel and Bob Gress correct my mis-diagnoses routinely and are kind enough not to laugh or berate me. Curtis and Pam at KWEC are also vast stores of knowledge. Jay Miller and Karole Erickson have a Birders dream of a backyard and are superb photographers. We have lots of local talent.
The serious birders and their organizations keep meticulous records to document everything from heart rate in flight to migration patterns and everything in between. If you want to know the impact of odd weather or wind farms – they have it with precision. I wonder if daylight savings time causes any trouble. I guess if you don’t own a watch ...
The Cinnamon Teal are just outstanding this year! Last Monday I spotted about 20 different individuals scattered across almost all of the pools. If you get bored with forced isolation, I highly recommend a trip around the Bottoms. It is warm enough to stop and roll down the window and listen. The near and distant sounds excluding the bird vocabulary are mesmerizing and peaceful. It is a calming and happy experience unlike most other endeavors. If you have time, find one of the pools with lots of birds and ignore the species – just let the colors flood your mind. Sandra and I moved here in 1990 just to watch this panoramic little piece of heaven. It won’t let you down!
I’m including a few pictures that I personally am fond of and aren’t related to anything in particular. I hope you enjoy them also! Cormorant, Yellow-headed blackbird, great blue heron, Cinnamon teal, Black-crowned Night heron, Ruddy duck, eared grebe – all are out there right now with more all-stars coming every day!!!
Doctor Dan Witt is a retired physician and nature enthusiast. Reach him at danwitt01@gmail.com.
