I began this blog by acknowl- edging what I left behind. It's only fitting that my final post on this topic concerns what I'm most passionate about in life - things that FLY! But this blog is not for the birds or bugs. It's for my bird/bug/bat friends, like Trish and Shawn in photo (former students of mine), who've left an indelible mark on my life.It all started with my parents. During family vacations they used to point out the hawks as we drove down the road, as well as other birds. We never needed a field guide or pair of binoculars - it was enough just to see the birds and enjoy them. Our house had plenty of bird art as my parents were fond of John James Audubon and Mark Catesby. They also fed the birds and ate a few since my father was a hunter. They appreciated the beauty and joy birds bring to the world, and it rubbed off on me.
Laurence Alexander, the teaching assistant for my ornithology course at the University of Florida, was my first bird mentor -- my first bird friend. After watching 400 Common Loons die along the Gulf Coast in one season, he began studying them to find out what was the problem. He took me under his wing and showed me how to identify and study birds through an independent research project. He converted my appreciation into an addiction. All of a sudden I had to have binoculars, field guides, quality raingear, equipment! It wasn't just for fun anymore - this was real! I'd joined the ranks of amateur birders and would soon be trekking around the world to count birds, study their behavior, collect their poop, get lost in the Alaskan tundra, you name it.
Now, almost 20 years later, I'm still as crazy as ever about birds and about my bird-friendly friends whom I've met along the way. There's one thing that we share, and it's like a disease. It makes you speak a different language filled with wierd-sounding names, sing funny-sounding songs ("quick, three beers" says the olive-sided flycatcher), do funny-looking dances to imitate the mating displays of your favorite birds, stay up late doing research on the internet, write blogs!, and so on ... And then there's the hardship that you're willing to endure just to catch a glimpse of a rare bird or behavior. Birder's neck refers to the excrutiating pain you feel when your neck feels like it's going to snap off from sitting in the same position too long. Biting insects are to be expected too, esp. when a rare bird shows up and you have to sit still long enough to identify it. And occasionally, a tree falling closeby or a lightning strike right above your head will bring you back to earth and remind you not to take it all so seriously.
So keep your stories coming, my bird/bug/bat friends -- it's music to my ears and it re-energizes my chi. Learning is never the same without a friend to share it with!
5 comments:
I hadn't heard that story before; it is good to know how your avian roots began. I think mine started in Doc Waller's ornithology class, too. Though I didn't know much about birds then, I sure was hot for Joe Mancuso, that rugby player who I wound up dating for 9 months! I always kep my eyes open to the skies, waiting for the day the info would actually sink in. Hanging out with you helped me learn some birds, then with Jay Abercrombie, then meeting and birding with Paul, and finally, my time at Cornell Lab of O really socked it to me. No turning back since!
Laura & Trish - I'm looking forward to the day we can go birding again and compare notes. Thanks so much for sharing your stories.
Hey Courtenay, I think your blog is way cool!!!! Like Trish and Laura commented before, it is interesting to learn how you became the Ornithologist Extraordinair.
To all those who look at the photograph of Trish and myself, I am not that dorky looking in real life, at least I hope not. Courtenay, didn't you have us pose for that picture???
Anyhow, I just want to thank you Courtenay for opening my eyes and ears to the wonderful world of "Birding". Before I took your ornithology class I couldn't tell anyone the difference between a house finch and a house sparrow, but now everything is cool because I can now tell the difference ...Thanks to you!
Seriously, because of the avian knowledge I gained from you, I now lead bird walks as a volunteer at the Geauga Parks District. I am going to miss helping you with the wetland hikes with the school children this year at Millcreek Park!!!! The hikes would be around this time of year, right? I miss you guys...all of you! Take Care.
Hey, I was in a graduate ornithology class at UF in 1986, Laurence Alexander was my grad assitant to Dr. Pearce Brodkorb. Just curious if we crossed paths. My husband, Rob Garrett, was a zoology grad student who played daily tennis with Laurence. We are both science teachers (21 years) and use Laurence as our basis for teaching the scientific method. We were curious if we croseed paths with you..do tell.
Hi Lynda, I took an ornithology course at UF also, and I believe it was in 1986, so it very well may be that our paths crossed. Laurence was the teaching assistant, and we became close friends. We lost contact though, after I moved on to graduate school. Later, I received a letter from his ex-wife saying that he passed away. I'm not surprised to hear he left a lasting impression on you too -- he was an amazing character. Nice to connect with you again!
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