I am probably bending or breaking a rule or two here, but at this point I think I need to risk a risk a bend, for the sake of my family. So I beg your indulgence.
To introduce myself fully to listers: I am a writer/editor for science, environmental, medical and animal related issues, as well as an emergency responder, veterinarian and single Mom. I'm re entering the for-pay job market after a long stint as Mom as my primary profession. As a birder and with my biology and writing background, I have a tremendous amount to offer fellow bird enthusiasts/ornithologist and researchers. I am really, really good at writing - actually at I'm good at whatever I do, given the opportunity to do.
I would not trouble the list - ever - except I am going into the Christmas season and new year with no employment at all (I thought I had some beginning Dec 7, but economic realities means the company does not have the position available until June) and very little support for my family. I would not trouble the list in ordinary times, but I'd like to beg indulgence this one time. If anyone has a connection with employment, or if I may help your interests with my writing skills (I will write on spec), please contact me OFF LIST.
Thank you for patiently listening.
For a more directly list related discussion:
Yesterday I spent a few hours at Blackwater. I was surprised to see so very few ducks. Many mallards and a few ruddies, but nothing else. We did see a few groups of coots. The snow geese were there - but far out in the water.
Our best birds were brown-headed nuthatches and two pairs of eagles. We watched one pair of eagles for quite awhile - the smaller one (male) flew from a tree across a large flock of Canada geese, then landed among the geese right next to the small raft of ruddies. The ruddies spun in circles and fluttered a distance away, but eventually resumed normal behavior. I don't know if the eagle was eyeing them or what he was doing sitting on the edge of the bank among the geese, but he eventually flew back to the tree and perched next to the female. They called to each other as he flew to her, then clucked and squeaked to each other, sometimes quite loudly, as they sat next to each other. I couldn't imagine what that was all about, really, but the idea of a domestic conversation came to mind "Well, the geese look pretty expensive today, Maw, but I think we can afford a Ruddy" "But Paw, we had Ruddy last night, couldn't we get something different for a change?".
The best birding of the day was at 8:30 AM, at my house. My lawn, trees and at times the sky was covered with dense fog and over a thousand of black birds. I was on my way to church, so I didn't speciate them other than recognize they were mostly grackles, joined by some red wing blackbirds and some birds that were neither of those. It was just amazing to stand there as they lifted from the lawn, flew overhead, and settled down again. The sound of the wings as they lifted reminded me of a car traveling on wet pavement nearby - loud and slightly slushy. At one point, I thought the sound was a jet overhead - but no, it stopped as the birds settled.
I took about five minutes to stand there and indulge myself, standing in the middle of swirling birds in the fog - truly a surreal scene. For some it might have been spooky, or portend doom - especially to someone worried about household economics. To me, however, I felt my spirits lifted. I found myself being truly Thankful for the wonders of nature and the goodness of my creator. Amazingly, the readings at church were about how God cares for the sparrows of the field - and the sermon included a poem about birds as well. Truly, life is good.
Oh yeah, I realized later (after returning home to find my friend's car spattered with poke-berry-purple and white "bird-shot") that during the whole time I stood under the flock, lost in the moment, that I didn't get pooped on - not one mark on my new "looking for work" suit! I wonder what the statistical probability of that would be!
Joanne
Joanne Howl, DVM
West River, MD
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