Birding With The Jays : Birdwatching Adventures & Guide

Photo by Jazmin Barrientos: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Catherine B. Stillman Dog Park, Olmito, Texas

Someone did something very generous for us this week. There is in fact, no way we can repay them. But, there surely must be a way for us to show appreciation.

As the morning greeted my window, I decided to venture out with my son to quench the urge of getting out of the house, as well as to explore the possibility of finding something suitable for said person.

We had breakfast, packed and set out to find victory.

As I was driving, I noticed that I almost collided with a dozen birds. Each, individually, at different points in a timeline between A and B. Not only did this break my heart and leave me in panicking fear of actually obliterating a bird with my car, but it left me questioning a lot.

What in the hellish South Texas Heat were these birds thinking?!

And, to answer my own question, I said out loud “they are not.”

These birds were NOT thinking. They were doing. It is “spring” after all. Even though it feels like the depths of a lava pit down here in Texas, it really is time for them to take advantage and live out their feathered little lives. Not only are they in constant survival mode, they are also meeting their mates, making nests, finding food, rearing their young, then kicking them out because they are old enough to fly, and so on.

This led me to another thought.

They are always making split second decisions. Split second changes of mind. Changes that can mean life or death in many situations including incoming traffic.

Oh, I am going to go here, but I forgot I left the stove on, let me go back. I might’ve fed Harris but not Hawk, now I have to go to the neighborhood tree mart and find him a mouse.

Intertwining thoughts in my head. You know, the usual.

In all seriousness, aren’t we all this way? Inner dialogue and all?

We might take a lot of things personally, all the time or some of the time. And I am guilty of doing so as well. Even though, I have read, and have been told many times, “don’t take it personally.”

Sometimes YOU. JUST. CANT. HELP. IT!

People are constantly changing their minds. Just like birds. Taking flight this way, or that way. Living their lives. So engrossed by the mundane life of excess duty, challenges, and expectations. Forced to fly back and forth almost losing their heads when a car they haven’t seen is coming their way.

PSA : Always look both ways when crossing the street boys and girls.

It is not that the birds thought they were more important than me. It is not that I should expect them to understand I have the right of way, because maybe it was theirs and not mine. It is not that I am entitled. They aren’t entitled. So then what?

What it could really be, is that the Scissor-tailed flycatcher was on its way to feed its chicks. The fierce Northern Mockingbird is out to defend its nest before its too late. The House Sparrow is dropping off twigs because its home is falling apart. And that bright red Northern Cardinal saw the most beautiful female and could not miss the opportunity to get her tree address.

Just like humans. Someone didn’t make it to your party because they had no one to leave the kids with. Someone can’t call you right now because they are having problems at home that need to be dealt with. Someone may literally have their home in shambles and are making repairs right now. Someone couldn’t meet you for lunch today because they met someone they might be trying to start a family of their own with, since they have dreamt for this moment so long.

I’d like to imagine, I more than learned my lesson today.

We are all birds. Making last minute decisions. Living our lives. Sometimes, oblivious to people or things that surround us.

We must make conscience of being on both sides of this situation. Understanding not to take things personally because everyone is engulfed in themselves and their life and what they consider their immediate world.

But also understand that we, as well, behave this way at times; letting things blind us and not allowing us to see our surroundings, like the big red car almost hitting us 65 miles an hour.

So live your life in awareness. Balance out your life and try to be present in the life of others. Or else collision might happen.

Cheers to great birding!
Love Always,

Don’t be shy, please share your experiences, reflections and thoughts.