Spring is in the air!

When Jack and I went on our daily walk I saw several Canadian geese sitting on the ice in pairs and as I walked by I heard the distinct sound of a cardinal. Sure enough I looked up and there was a bright red bird. Suddenly another song, I don't know how or why I knew, but without a doubt it was a robin. I was so pleased to be enjoying this almost spring day, with all the birds that I nearly missed the sign. Deep down, in my very soul, there seems to be a birder emerging.

I was not prepared for the images this conjured up as I realized this could actually be happening to me. When I got home I looked in my back yard and sure enough there were 4 bird feeders, 3 bird houses and a bird bath. I wish I could say this is all, but lately, when we take our weekend stroll along the Minnesota River I bring... binoculars. The ONLY reason is because there is a pair of eagles nesting in the area. We have named them George and Martha, they have two youngsters that are about ready to leave the nest... Just like us. (Shhheeessshh!)

I believe this is another geriatric indicator of a maturing person, similar to diminished eyesight and the need to go to bed before 10PM. I have checked with Google and found a study by Linda T. Caissie, University of Waterloo (naturally it would be a Canadian). Here is what I have learned and can now share with you, it is all about group solidarity, highlights below:

As the older birders described their participation in nature clubs, it was evident a sense of solidarity had developed among them. When asked why they participated in nature clubs, many of the birders stated: birds of a feather flock together. Another birder stated: they [the birders] are all a bunch of kindred spirits. Based on the findings, this community of birders provided the opportunity for the creation of social bonds.

I wanted to see what my new group might look like so I Googled images of birders. They are a crafty bunch, with very few pictures of their faces, just their backs or shots of them looking through their binoculars. Frankly, I am afraid if I joined their group I would scare them. So maybe I will take this new hobby, interest, awareness of birds for what it might be... Finally, some quite time to notice all the beauty of our world.