more + more delights {14}

If you’re listening, you can hear it’s exciting times for backyard birding.

The other day, I swore I saw a warbler out of the corner of my eye. That telltale shade of yellow zipped up our driveway, passed the window of the room where I stood, and disappeared into the backyard maples.

It took my breath for a sec.

I associate migrating warblers with one particular park in Colorado…a place I knew I’d miss when we moved. The creek and bridges; woods and ponds and fields. It’s where a khaki-clad gentleman behind nice binoculars showed me my first yellow-rumped warbler. (I’d never even heard of it but fortunately stifled a giggle.)

So when that flash of ‘warbler yellow’ caught my eye, I gasped. And hoped to see it again.

(I haven’t. Yet.)

I see a fraction of what I hear, though — which is one reason why I love my Merlin app! So I started leaving my phone on the porch for stretches at a time, hoping to confirm my hunch. Hoping I saw what I thought I saw.

I was ecstatic.

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I’ve been casually watching, listening, recording the birds who visit our yard this year. Nothing against the house finches, cardinals, and blue jays. (They’re like the Cheers cast at my feeders. My regulars!) (Oh–that’s kind of fun. Who’d be whom among the Cheers cast of backyard birds? I think Diane, played by Shelley Long, would be a cedar waxwing.)

Back to what I was saying — those long distance migrants add a welcome mix to the sounds (and a few sightings). It was a real treat to find all these on my phone when I finished the school morning rush in our house:

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Which proves it’s a perfect time to participate in Global Big Day:

Just when it felt like May 11 couldn’t get any busier here, I saw this. But really, it can take as much or as little time as you have to participate in this worldwide count. I plan to ‘crock pot’ my phone on the back porch tomorrow morning (set it and forget it) and add our stats to what could be another record breaking year for the count.

If you’re already a Merlin user, it’s likely you’ve heard about this. If you’ve been curious about this buzzy app, now’s a fine time to try it.

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For me, one of the ‘delight-y’ things about backyard birding is that you can make it as big of a thing as you want. (Or not!) I love to watch and listen. I’m pretty excited when I make a proper ID. It makes my day to watch a big, busty robin splash half of the water right out of the pan while she bathes. (This is worth watching through binoculars. Oh my gosh.)

And? It seems I can’t remember the many, many calls. (Maybe Merlin’s become a crutch!?) I haven’t fully explored the app; I suspect I use it at its bare minimum. I stopped maintaining my List years ago. (I know. That makes some people gasp. I guess that’s not what it’s about for me.)

I just…enjoy it. I love when the sight or sound of a bird stops me in my tracks. I can watch their small movements for minutes without moving — cracking seed, scraping their beaks, carrying food or fiber. I do silly things, like say Hello, friend! in a voice (it seems) I only use with birds.

The pleasure is plain and simple. And absolute delight.

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Maybe if her eyeliner was heavy?

Maybe if the bird was smiling?

When you think of Cheers, does any particular pair come to mind?