I and the Bird #55

Birding is an interesting avocation in that if you ever express even a slight interest in birds, people get the impression that you’re consumed with them (the birds, that is.) I’ve always found it fascinating that friends and family are routinely inspired to buy me bird books and related paraphernalia, most of which I already have, when they never considered any of my hundreds of other interests worth encouraging. Perhaps that says something about my other interests. Then again, maybe it’s simple recognition of the fact that there are very few folks on the fence about bird watching; either you’re into it or you’re not, and if you’re into it, you’re probably REALLY into it.

Back in the day, Jimi Hendrix proudly proclaimed, “I’m gonna wave my freak flag high!” Everyone, whether they’ll admit it or not, flies a freak-flag. If you’re a freak for nature, fly that flag high. The hosts of the newest I and the Bird certainly do. The team over at Birdfreak (c’est chic) consists of Eddie, Veery, SnowyOwl, and Kingfisher, inveterate birders all. So intimately acquainted are they with avifaunal obsession that they’ve identified 11 Ways to Tell If You’re a Birdfreak. They’ve also put together a smashing I and the Bird #55.

Are you the kind of birdfreak that blogs about birds (#11 on the Birdfreak list)? If so, you should be sharing your observations with the I and the Bird audience; you’ll not find a group as sympathetic to the siren song of nature’s wonders. Send a link to your best recent work on the topic of birding or wild birds to me or our next mighty host, Vern (evgauth AT pa DOT net) at Big Spring Birds. The next edition is scheduled for August 23, so get those submissions in by August 21, sooner if possible.