Here birdie, birdie!!!

Be Afraid...Be Very Afraid...

Alright most of you are aware that I'm not exactly an out doorsie kind of girl. I do look back on farm life as a teen fondly for the most part though, and I even feel the urge to institute an annual family camping trip once little Eva or Eliot is old enough! I guess what I'm saying is a bit of my mother HAS rubbed off on me more than I cared to realize, or admit until now!

As Michael and I sometimes tangle ourselves into little tizzies, we've learned what it takes to calm each others nerves ... and luckily similar tricks are usually successful for both of us, the best being taking a nice long stroll through the little neighborhoods in our area. On our walk this evening we FINALLY spotted the bird I've been hearing outside our window for the past few weeks. He usually chirps in the morning after the dew has all evaporated and the sun is starting peek through the trees, and again as it begins to set. I don't often pay much attention to bird calls ... but this one's cheerful, lilting little song creeps into my ears, down my jaw bone and back up through my checks tugging at my lips until they curl into a smile! EVERY TIME he chirps this happens ... I know I'm a buffoon, but this little bird just makes the beginning and end of every day so enjoyable no matter what happened in between! So, as you can imagine finally spotting the little guy tonight on our walk was very gratifying! I was so excited to at last be able to put a face to this pre-tty little voice! Michael being mildly curious as well, promptly googled the description once we arrived home. The photos of a black-headed grosbeak came up and looked exactly like my cheery feathered friend ... but in listening to his call didn't match at all ... not to mention the fact that they live primarily on the west coast. We kept searching to find the Oriole to look very similar as well, but again, the call didn't come close to the distinct smile inducing song I've been hearing. I was slightly bummed until I heard him again at dusk (by that time he's usually in bed) so I rushed outside to listen under the trees outside our window in hopes to get a better glimpse! 

I approached the trees slowly due to the fact that we also have two swans that live in the little lagoon that runs next to our condo, and I didn't want to give the poor things a heart attack. I rattled off a few whistles in hopes my friend would reply, when suddenly to my surprise one of the swans who had been perched on the water's edge got up and began to approach me. I never realized how BIG they were before and was astounded at how eager this one was to make friends! He waddled up very slowly and carefully stopped at about a foot away. I thought about reaching out to touch him momentarily, waited a moment, then ... *hhhoooooaankkk* he shrieked as he took another step closer!!! My now tiny little bladder nearly let loose! He kept coming balking at me clearly pissed I had even thought of disturbing his slumber. He kept coming to ensure I'd get the heck out of there ... flash backs of mornings on the farm dashing up the drive way mad roosters fast on my heels came rushing back and I RAN back inside! Michael greeted me at the door with open arms and trying his damnedest not to giggle. (He had over heard the entire scaring ordeal through one of the open windows!) Dyouchebag!

Conclusion to the day's bird hunt ... still don't know who's singing that lovely morning song ... and swans are JUST AS scary as roosters!!!