Love your honesty. "Now that my meditation practice has deepened with time, I can see how the act of hiding in stealth was very down-regulating, and when I would focus on the now to observe the birds, I would find a place of calm in my monkey mind, or at least the space to recognize my own chaos and choose a different path. Though, I won’t lie, it wasn’t all deeply meaningful. I also liked being one of the best trapping keepers on our team, because I do have a competitive streak."
Thanks. I try to always lead with truth and stay present as much as possible. Otherwise, my monkey mind added to my imagination can run seriously amok.
So interesting, Amanda. You make me think of the time we had a nest of baby finches near the roof of the back porch. A Cooper's hawk came and got the babies one at a time before we even knew what was happening. The hawk was so silent we didn't realize anything was wrong until we saw a bunch of birds from several species, including hummingbirds, on the wire screaming. It was the noise they were making that alerted us. Sadly, it was too late. I'd never seen anything like it. They were all upset with the hawk.
Oh yes. That is called “mobbing” and most species of birds will come to a sound called a “phish” that the birds all know how to make that is an alarm call asking for help. Then they will act as a community to run off predators together if they can. I’ve seen mobs of birds chase an eagle away. They can be fierce tiny creatures.
Amazing. I could just picture it, you in full camouflage just like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator. I had a bird experience of my own this morning, a very small pair of songbirds. I actually don't know if they were songbirds, but they were little, and I think one was a youth - he was a little fuzzy on his head. I'm going to write the story somewhere, maybe you could give me some insights.
That would be great. Can’t wait to hear more about the baby birds. The smallest birds are generally either songbirds or warblers though there are a few other small species too like hummingbird.
Definitely not a hummingbird, I got dive-bombed by one of those earlier, too! We're visiting North Central Colorado. I am a bird novice, the best I could describe their conversation was a simple "cheep; cheep." They did a lot of hopping and cheeping. That's my scientific description!
Laugh out loud. Pretty much every baby bird cheeps to ask for food. So sadly I can’t help you with the species. Also I don’t know my Colorado backyard birds offhand. If you can snap a photo of them should they return that will help me help you ID them maybe. But all baby birds are also hard to ID until they have their full adult plumage. Except ones with specialized features like hummingbirds.
Oh wow! This is brilliant! You are brilliant! What an amazing feat. And I thought pulling a string to trap 2 kittens was heroic! You are so right—birds definitely deserve more credit and respect. I am always blown away by their sensitivity—from the wrens in my yard to the parrots I rescued to the turkey who was my best bud. I am so happy you are writing these stories!
lol! So true. I think I have taken way better care of the non-humans I have known than I even take of myself. Something I’m trying to remedy as I get older.
Caring keepers’ job:
tiring, rough, often messy.
Patients are worth it!
Love your honesty. "Now that my meditation practice has deepened with time, I can see how the act of hiding in stealth was very down-regulating, and when I would focus on the now to observe the birds, I would find a place of calm in my monkey mind, or at least the space to recognize my own chaos and choose a different path. Though, I won’t lie, it wasn’t all deeply meaningful. I also liked being one of the best trapping keepers on our team, because I do have a competitive streak."
Thanks. I try to always lead with truth and stay present as much as possible. Otherwise, my monkey mind added to my imagination can run seriously amok.
So interesting, Amanda. You make me think of the time we had a nest of baby finches near the roof of the back porch. A Cooper's hawk came and got the babies one at a time before we even knew what was happening. The hawk was so silent we didn't realize anything was wrong until we saw a bunch of birds from several species, including hummingbirds, on the wire screaming. It was the noise they were making that alerted us. Sadly, it was too late. I'd never seen anything like it. They were all upset with the hawk.
Oh yes. That is called “mobbing” and most species of birds will come to a sound called a “phish” that the birds all know how to make that is an alarm call asking for help. Then they will act as a community to run off predators together if they can. I’ve seen mobs of birds chase an eagle away. They can be fierce tiny creatures.
Hmmm. I’ll try that.
I still wish I could have helped them, too.
I know what you mean. I sooth myself with remembering that the hawk needs to eat too.
Amazing. I could just picture it, you in full camouflage just like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator. I had a bird experience of my own this morning, a very small pair of songbirds. I actually don't know if they were songbirds, but they were little, and I think one was a youth - he was a little fuzzy on his head. I'm going to write the story somewhere, maybe you could give me some insights.
That would be great. Can’t wait to hear more about the baby birds. The smallest birds are generally either songbirds or warblers though there are a few other small species too like hummingbird.
Definitely not a hummingbird, I got dive-bombed by one of those earlier, too! We're visiting North Central Colorado. I am a bird novice, the best I could describe their conversation was a simple "cheep; cheep." They did a lot of hopping and cheeping. That's my scientific description!
Laugh out loud. Pretty much every baby bird cheeps to ask for food. So sadly I can’t help you with the species. Also I don’t know my Colorado backyard birds offhand. If you can snap a photo of them should they return that will help me help you ID them maybe. But all baby birds are also hard to ID until they have their full adult plumage. Except ones with specialized features like hummingbirds.
This story is GOLD. And what a beautiful bird!
Thanks. I'm looking foward to reading yours at some point this week. I just bookmarked it in my email this morning. Yay for good reads.
😊
Oh wow! This is brilliant! You are brilliant! What an amazing feat. And I thought pulling a string to trap 2 kittens was heroic! You are so right—birds definitely deserve more credit and respect. I am always blown away by their sensitivity—from the wrens in my yard to the parrots I rescued to the turkey who was my best bud. I am so happy you are writing these stories!
Thanks. I wouldn’t say brilliant, but I appreciate you thinking so. And pulling the trap on two kittens is heroic! Any acto fo kindness is heroic.
Aw, thanks! I do love your writing and I sent you a DM
I love your tale of perseverance and respect for Mr. Pita!
He was such a sweet, little, shy dude. I couldn’t let him suffer any more than his stubborn streak allowed.
A good model for caring for people, too.
Always am I amazed at the effort humans go to save their non-human friends.
lol! So true. I think I have taken way better care of the non-humans I have known than I even take of myself. Something I’m trying to remedy as I get older.