My plan had been to go out early in the AM Jan 1, birding, of course. Unfortunately my favorite birding companion is out of town and my two kids were not at all thrilled with the idea of getting up early and indulging Mom, not after a late-late night. So I caved to the inevitable, and let them start 2010 the way they wanted - sleeping in for a change.
I woke up rather early this morning, groggy and unreasonably tired. My friend called while I was pouring coffee, and asked why I had called his phone at 4 AM. I said, no way, I was sound asleep then. It must have been a phone company issue.
Yeah, I WAS sound asleep at that hour. But as I look out in my back yard, scanning the nearly birdless feeder, I started thinking about a cool birding trip I'd just had - but when? It only took a second to realized that the trip could only have been last night - in my DREAMS! I remember dreaming I was on a beach somewhere, looking over the water, bundled up all nice and warm in my new Christmas jacket when a huge flock of birds started flying by - fast. I remember shouting out to my friend to look and help identify the birds. The first was a beautiful greater black backed gull. I don't remember the rest, but I do remember getting quite a list! It was sort of like a flash-card test - the birds went by so fast. I missed most of them (what is this, I create a dream, testing my bird knowledge and fail it?. Goofy). But that black-backed was pretty cool.
Now, I wonder if, while I was dreaming, I hit speed dial and DID call my friend at 4 AM? Like, when I dreamed I called TO him for help, I actually picked up the phone? Could that be possible? Gee... I hope not!
Holy crow, I mean cow - I think I need a new hobby!
Other than the greater black back of my dreams, my first REAL bird was a female cardinal, hopping on the feeder and staring in the window, apparently telling me that the feeder was empty. (no wonder I don't see any birds there yet).
I'd better go feed the birds.
Joanne
Joanne Howl, DVM
West River, MD
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