How did you interested in bird watching?

My grandmother's house was a feeding station when I was a kid. When I spent the night we would get up in the morning and sit at the kitchen window and watch the birds. She would tell me the names of the birds that we there and tell me to listen to them as they talked to each other so I would know their sounds. Was I time I knew what was around me before I saw them. Now that I am FINALLY in my own home(I have always lived in apartment buildings) I can watch the birds again. I don't remember much of the sounds and only a few of the names by sight. Mourning Dove always stuck out because she told me that they were named that because their song resembled the sound of an old widow crying over the death of her husband. So sad!!

My parents always kept feeders and a big concrete birdbath that my Dad cleaned every day.

Every Sunday, except when we traveled or went to the cabin, after church and Sunday dinner out, the whole family went to our local, very old, beautifully kept cemetery to look at the gravestones and informally bird watch. My mother and father are buried there on Dad's favorite hill, under his favorite old tree, with a big stone bench as their marker, for sitting and communing with nature.

Once a month, on Sundays (we had "new" TV dinners those Sundays), we went to Lexington, Ky, for my Dad to visit his brother in the VA hospital. My mother always took us bird watching at various preserves, parks, and old cemeteries while Dad was visiting.

All of our family vacations and weekend trips included some communing with nature along the way even if our destination was a city. Back then all trips were road trips with plenty of time allowed along the way for nature. A major part of each and every trip was activities along the way to destination.

We, also, spent a lot of time at our cabin on the Ky River just "being" with nature. There was other fun too like swimming in the river, huge rope swing, boating, skiing, fishing, frog gigging, canoeing, card playing, local "hillbilly" musicians and jamming, booze for the adults, and the kids roaming the hills sometimes finding trouble (and sneaking sips of booze when we got older). One highlight was going to a local "backwoods" church.

My Dad was a rural mail carrier; and I do mean rural. I frequently went with him on his route on Saturdays. He spent a lot of time pointing out his wild bird friends. His favorites were the Doves. My parents didn't allow wild game or birds for any meals, with the exception of fish, seafood, etc.

We had lots of Bird Books around and binoculars at the kitchen window always. When I was very young my parents started getting me all kinds of books, mostly animal and birds, that had stickers you put in the right places.

I kept a few domesticated Doves as a kid.

We had a parakeet for years who had the run of the house, much of the time, and was definitely part of the family.

My parents occasionally rescued, raised, and set free, baby rabbits and squirrels that did survive and live in our yard or nearby afterwards. They always fed the wild bunnies and squirrels. Dad had a very low powered air g*n that he stung (on the backside always) the neighbors cats with on a few occasions when they were harassing the birds. He outwardly expressed regrets about doing it but I think the "little boy" in him had some fun. Because of the wild birds we only had one cat, that my parents allowed my little sister to have, after much begging and pleading, after our parakeet died. We think or we convinced ourselves her cat was "well behaved". The cat didn't last too long as the cat was attacked, in her arms, by some big neighborhood dogs (Hardly anyone had fences back then). She was only about 6 or 7 and was so traumatized she didn't want, and still doesn't, another cat although she loves them dearly.

My sisters and nieces, and my daughter (no boys born) all have a great appreciation and fascination for all wildlife, have feeding stations and/or plantings for wildlife, AND none of us are married to h*nters although some of us like skeet shooting and other "non-destructive" g*n sports.

My two grand-kids, girl 5 and boy 3, are extremely interested in all flora and fauna and can identify many animals, birds, bugs, etc. and plants by correct name.

We are all "dog crazy" too.

gg=alice





This message was edited Aug 19, 2007 11:57 AM

This message was edited Aug 19, 2007 11:59 AM

Very nice storys guys!

Geekgranny if they ever discover a way to go back in time can I come with you?? Your childhood sounds so wonderful!! I especially want to go to the cabin!! Sounds like fun for young and old alike!! What wonderful family traditions you are passing on to your grandchildren!!

I think I was always interested in nature but started to really get involved when my children were young. I do remember having a small bird book as a kid which was part of a series .After marriage we always fed birds . When in my early 30's an older couple led bird walks through an adult activities program and I would go after the kids left for school.They were wonderful mentors. The next step was our local Audubon Chapter programs and walks.Of course wildflowers are a part of the picture also. Jane31

I was exposed to the outdoors as a kid, but not birdwatching. It was much later in my life when I learned to look a little closer at things.
When we moved to the woods and marsh here, we started seeing so many different birds. DH got me my first birdbook and got us started.

I found it is not just seeing a bird, it is being able to watch its habits, the way it flies, sometimes the young are taught to come into the feeder.
It sure is exciting to see a new bird.

We saw a Northern Harrier female for the first time this weekend. (marsh hawk) What an incredible bird. Has a face like an owl, and skims the marsh looking for small eddibles.

We also saw 2 bald eagles sitting side by side on a branch on the tree across the way. (about a third of a mile) I tried to attach my camera to the spotting scope and got a picture, but it is blurry. It is impossible to focus without the needed attachment. I have to get the one I found at Cabelas.
Here is the picture anyway. It still was a pretty cool sight.

That would have to be the highlight of the day, seeing two beautiful Eagles!

We see eagles often here, but still is the highlight of our day for sure.
It was kind of neat that they were sitting so close together. They sat there for almost an hour.
DH nephew came up with some friends from Chicago and they all got to see the eagles. They were pretty amazed.
Told DH that this photo opt was reason enough to spend the dough on the digiscope attachment.

My mom always loved to bird watch and at 80 she is still filling the feeders. Hummingbirds are her favorites and mine also.

Love the dual eagle shot. I have only seen a couple near the LBL are in KY.
Teresa

Thanks, wish I could get one in focus!

My parents, 88 & 87 years old, still watch birds and my dad (the elder of the two) does some of the filling of the feeders. I am there a couple times a week and try to keep everything filled up for them.

I started watching birds about 15 years ago when DH and I first got married - he had a house in Seattle that is on a greenbelt so there were numerous birds. I was easily hooked - especially once I spotted the Goldfinch!

Cparts, betcha you'll get a photo that makes you happy one of these days!! In the meantime, enjoy that one - you did good!

Thanks. I will keep trying.

We had an eagle in our area about 3 years ago but haven't seen or heard anybody talking about it lately. They are beautiful birds. Very IMPRESSIVE to see in flight. I knew they were big but to see one in the wild flying then I realized how big they are!!

They are incredible. You should see one eating something that it catches. (kind of gross) but fasinating to see the power that this bird has. We have been fortunate to see them often. I still am amazed every time I see one.
Hope yours comes back.

About 6 years ago I started putting up humming bird feeders but we did not get alot of action at them. We enjoyed watching the cardinals and the occasional blue jay that would pass through in our yard, so one year I got a regular bird feeder too.

Last January we moved to this home near woods in a more rural area and were amazed at all the birds we were seeing!!!!! The Pileated WP really 'WOWED' us! DH got excited as he yelled at me to come see this "blue bird" that is not a blue jay! It was an Eastern Bluebird. And we have a very busy colony of hummers here that entertain us all day long with their antics!!

We have eagles here too and have been able to see them a couple of times. Those were 'WOW' moments too.

We started a list and are up to about 40 identified birds. Including 2 more types of blue birds, an Indigo Bunting and a Blue Grosbeak!!

We both have always enjoyed the outdoors and critters, so we finally feel very comfortable here with wild life all around us.

This message was edited Aug 22, 2007 7:36 AM

Wow nanny, thats a great variety! You are really blessed!

I feel that way so I thank whoever is in charge EVERY day!!!! I have found this forum very valuable and has been a great learning tool for me.

You and Resin have helped me learn alot about birds and I thank you and all the posters here.