I recall appealing to my friend Will's List on things encountered in 2009, my last year on the job. Retirement and stuff on all sides sent the List into cosmic expansion, holus-bolus, but we emerged ok. However, sometimes I have to consult notes from that decade, and much of the preceding century, when I could courageously inhale outside my house.
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 6:57 PM Subject: Question from Geo.: Mystery Bird!
Will,This
ornithological rendering was done on a bit of litter on the hood
of my tractor a few hours ago. Bird --about 11'' long and
8" high --was on the crown of the athletic field among
Canada geese, honking because they love Cheezits. It was brown, mainly, with light hinder
spots . Couldn't tell if it had webbed feet but seems otherwise built for marshes. Has one of the
longest beaks I ever saw, combination Dixiestraw and chopsticks. Anybody know what it is? As usual,
theories welcome! --Geo.
Will, Sorry for the delay. I think my friend Linda cracked the case.-- Pat
From: Linda
Subject: Re: Question from Geo.: Mystery Bird!
My first guess would be a Long-billed Curlew.
Linda was right. Go see Numenius Americanus!
*******************
I must include a photo from the same era of Canada Geese visiting on their own migration south. I'd walk out from my field-house rattling a box of crackers and call, "Honk if you love Cheez-it®s!" (which somehow reminds me of an old bumper sticker)...
And they would honk like anything and come running. As they closed in, their honks softened to gentle soprano "hoo-hoos" as they plucked the little crackers from my hand. Birds burn a lot of calories on their migrations and everything helps.
This concludes my scholarly sermon. Your regular pastor will return next week, after the White House in D.C. is distinguishable from damnation.
Mystery bird (Curlew) certainly has a long beak. I assume that they can dig for food without bending down too much. I envy them as getting food from the bottom shelf has become a problem in these later years. Getting down is not so bad, getting up can be an embarrassing effort.
ReplyDeleteI do love the sound of the Canadian geese overhead. They don’t fly south here; they tend to stick around all year. They spend their days in the farmer’s fields and ponds and take flight at dusk . It is always a beautiful sight.
This week might be rough, but I believe better days and better people will be ahead.
Dear Arleen, I know exactly what you mean re. postural distress, but wouldn't consider evolving a six-foot long beak in response to geriatric sarcopenia. I could lift things with it but be unable to enunciate some of my favorite words. Chickens only have little beaks but are denied fricatives. "Buck buck buck" is the best they can do. You're right about the rough week, but yes, we're embarking on a future where politicians will be more articulate than chickens.
DeleteDistinguishable from damnation--that line made me laugh! (but also cry)
ReplyDeleteDear Margaret, thank you. The line was heartfelt and I had the same response as you did. I have visited our nation's capitol twice and each time felt a secure sense of something special, nearly sacred. Prominent in this feeling was my reading of James and Dolley Madison fleeing bombardment from warships on the Potomac. They grabbed what they considered essential to survival: a pistol apiece and the U.S.Constitution, then ran out and dodged canon fire. They knew the world needed to grow up, to be courteous, kind, and still does.
DeleteI like geese. They're beautiful and seem sweet.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Dear Janie, geese are gentle beings. They express a very benevolent side of the Universe. They can also be hysterical, silly or both. Love appreciated and reciprocated, --Geo.
DeleteThe shape of that bird's bill initially made me think of the Ibis, but it seemed smaller than one of those and I figured you weren't in Egypt recent to your sighting. Linda seems to have a good bird brain, no insult intended. Feeding Canada Geese from your hand left me all agoggle. And I truly loved the line about the White House being saved from damnation. Tomorrow begins a new era, thankfully. In Joe we trust!
ReplyDeleteBruce, I had the same take on first encounter, which is why I sketched the little guy with dimensions attending. This bird was basically brown --no white feathers like the Ibis. Figured, if they were different species, they must be products of parallel evolution. I hear there are Ibises in Florida that have always been called Curlews but places named after them are loathe to correct. Frankly, I think Curlews resemble Whimbrels more than Ibises. Sounds like I'm talking about sewing machines,don't it? Cheezits, is anybody working on this?
DeleteWhat a kindly faced Curlew, I am hoping it knew/knows good things for the future :-)
ReplyDeleteDear kindly Lisa, like every thoughtful lifeform, curlew knows future depends on honoring the planet.
Delete*Happy Inauguration Day, America!* ...
ReplyDeleteThanks dear Cat. It's a new day, a good day.
DeleteIs the drawing an ibis?
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_sacred_ibis
God bless.
Dear Victor, I visited "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_sacred_ibis" and read its excellent entry on the Ibis, but considering the difference in bulk and coloring, despite beak similarities, must still lean toward Linda's verdict of "long-billed curlew".
DeleteBlessing welcome and appreciated.
A curlew, huh? Don't think I've ever seen one of those.
ReplyDeleteNor had I, dear Squid, despite living near the confluence of 2 big rivers and abundant wetlands.
DeleteI'd rather contemplate curlews than chaos at the Capitol. I cried with relief when Biden and Harris were sworn in. I see an artist and an engineer in your sketch. You have so many talents, my friend!
ReplyDeleteMost kind, thank you. I too welcomed the reestablishment of sanity at the helm.
DeleteThank you for your visit a few minutes ago. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
My pleasure,sir.
Delete