Mark's Reading Place: Chapter Seven

-Migration Fallout, Christopher Cudworth



-Red-Winged Blackbird

Audiobook:



Graphic/Comic:



February:

16) The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones 4 stars
17) A Wealth of Pigeons by Steve Martin & Harry Bliss 4.2 stars GN
18) Consider the Lobster by David F. Wallace 4.3
19) Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke 4 stars E
20) Paradise by Toni Morrison 4.4 stars G.R.
21) Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future by Elizabeth Kolbert 4 stars E
22) Mary's Monster by Lita Judge 4.8 stars GN
23) Driftless by David Rhodes 4.3 stars
24) The Floor of Heaven: the Yukon Gold Rush by Howard Blum 4 stars (audio)
25) Music for Wartime: Stories by Rebecca Makkai 4.2 stars

March:

26) Restless: A Novel by William Boyd 3.8 stars
27) Red-Tails in Love by Marie Winn 4 stars
28) Network Effect (The Murderbot Diaries, 5) by Martha Wells 3.8 stars (audio)
29) Wrecked (IQ 3) by Joe Ide 3.7 stars E
30) History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund 3.6 stars
31) The Yellow Wall-Paper: A Graphic Novel by Charlotte Perkins Gilman 3.8 stars GN
32) Humiliation: Stories by Paulina Flores 4.2 stars
33) Bright Wings: Illustrated Poems About Birds by Billy Collins/D Sibley 4 stars P
34) Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad 4.3 stars (audio)
35) City of Bohane by Kevin Barry 4 stars
36) Breakwater by Katriona Chapman 4 stars GN
37) The Story of More: How We Got to Climate Change by Hope Jahren 4.2 stars (audio)
38) The Committed by Viet Thanh Nguyen 3.6 stars E

April:

39) Old Baggage by Lissa Evans 3.8 stars E
40) The UnAmericans: Stories by Molly Antopol 4.3 stars
41) A River Called Time by Courttia Newland DNF
42) Eleven Sooty Dreams by Manuela Draeger 3.7 stars
43) Shooting Midnight Cowboy by Glenn Frankel 4.8 stars (audio)
44) The Invisible Circus by Jennifer Egan 3.6 stars
45) A Common Person and Other Stories by R. M. Kinder 3.8 stars E
46) Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong 4.2 stars (audio)
47) An Enchantment of Birds: Memories from a Birder's Life by Richard Cannings 4 stars

May:

48) The Missing American by Kwei Quartey 4 stars
49) Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton 4 stars (audio)
50) Hard Light (Poems) by Michael Crummey 4.4 stars P
51) First Person Singular: Stories by Haruki Murakami 2 stars

Abscess

Good morning kiss. Their teeth glance. Clack of June
bugs against pane. On the porch a young man
in the full sun rocking.
Jars incubate tomato plants. His mother sweeps the dirt
yard away from flowering vinca and bottle tree.
Straightens up, one-eyed by ragged hens. As her boy
ambles away to the steady pulse
in his skull.
The cattle gate
swinging open behind him.
She takes a headache powder
and it is nineteen and twenty seven.
The James overruns its levee, backs up
the Blackwater. Nineteen and twenty nine: she reads his postcard,
the tobacco crop burns. Nineteen and thirty, drought.
Long limp bags drag through fields. The Lord whistles
for the fly. Revival tents threaten a rain
of scorpions. To cure her hiccups,
the woman sees a hypnotist. Promptly
coughs herself to death. In pungs marked men ride. The son
is blown away. No one returns in this story. No one escapes.
The tribe is glued together for ruination, friends.
There is no more time, there is no way out.

By Forrest Gander

So I'm first! Wow, that's unexpected. Happy new thread!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Mark!

Happy new one, Mark!

Happy new thread!

>1 msf59: Makes me think of Bridge of Birds!

Happy New Thread!

>5 richardderus: Thanks, Richard! My first visitor on Lucky #7!

>6 drneutron: >7 jessibud2: >8 PaulCranswick: >10 SilverWolf28: Jim, Shelley, Paul & Silver!

>9 quondame: Thanks, Susan. Bridge of Birds? I am not familiar with it.

>11 msf59: It is very special and beloved book.

Happy New Thread, Mark!

Morning Mark!

Hope all is well. Heading over to the Center today for a trail discussion. Will be sure to head down to the lakeshore for a picture.

Taking my time enjoying the Kaufman and my current poetry, Peach State. Also hoping to start The Seed Keeper soon.

>12 quondame: I may have to look into Bridge of Birds. Thanks, Susan.

>13 connie53: Thanks, Connie!

>14 alphaorder: Morning, Nancy. Great to see you. Enjoy your time at the center and watch for early migrants on your walk to the lake. You should get a kinglet and a yellow-rump or two. how is Peach State? Would it be my cuppa?

>14 alphaorder: Not sure. Re: Peach State. Mostly about food. But I like it! Note that I just added my next novel above.

>16 alphaorder: Thanks, Nancy. The Seed Keeper does sound good. I will watch for your final thoughts.

"In Jennifer Egan’s highly acclaimed first novel, set in 1978, the political drama and familial tensions of the 1960s form a backdrop for the world of Phoebe O’Connor, age eighteen."

I am a fan of Egan but have only read her later work. I have a couple of early titles on shelf and thought I would start her debut The Invisible Circus. It seems to have received mixed reviews, so I am curious to see what side I come down on. My print choices have been a bit "iffy" lately. Anyone read this one?

Happy new thread, Mark!

Happy new one, Mark!

Hi Mark. Happy Tuesday, and happy new thread to you.

From your last thread, those up-close-and-personal-photos of birds you and Bill posted are amazing.

>1 msf59: Love the toppers.

>18 msf59: I haven’t read anything by Egan, but have Manhattan Beach and The Keep on my shelves.

Morning Mark and Happy New Thread!

I have also read mostly Jennifer Egan's more recent works: Manhattan Beach to which I awarded four stars but don't really remember, and Goon Squad to which I awarded 4.5 stars and remember quite well. To be fair, I read the latter in 2019 and MB in 2017. Anyway, I will be interested in how you like her earlier work.

>19 FAMeulstee: >20 katiekrug: thanks, Anita & Katie!

>21 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. Glad you like the bird-cam photos. I agree, they are pretty awesome. In regards to Egan, I also want to read The Keep.

>22 EBT1002: Thanks, Ellen. I LOVED Goon Squad and I am glad you felt the same. It was definitely not for everyone but if you locked in, it was really special.

Happy new thread Mark! Never read Goon Squad. Sounds like I should!

Hey Mark, happy new thread!

I am in the only read A Visit from the Goon Squad camp. Enjoyed it quite a bit. I should read more of her stuff, early or otherwise.

ETA - fixed the silly book title, its been so long I remembered it wrong.

>24 mdoris: Thanks, Mary. Goon Squad can be a challenging read, so keep that it mind but I hope you try it.

>25 mahsdad: Thanks, Jeff. I am due to reread Goon Squad. I can't believe it has been about 10 years.

>26 msf59: Been almost 10 years for me too

>27 mahsdad: We better get on it, Jeff. LOL.

Great Horned Owl dozing the day away. This was a nice surprise, on today's bird ramble.

>29 msf59: LOVE that!!!

Mark, my daughter is quite a bird watcher. A small bird with a red head is feeding on the sunflower seeds in my yard. My daughter tells me it is a male finch. Are you familiar with this bird?

>12 quondame:, >15 msf59: Oh, Number Ten Ox...what a sweetie.

>29 msf59: They're such weird animals, they look like they shouldn't exist! Like something the four-year-old gawd drew on her Big Chief in art class.

Happy new thread, Mark! Love the red-winged blackbird topper and the sleep great horned owl.

I'm still plugging away at Night Sky with Exit Wounds. Some of the poems are brutal, some over my head, but every now and then I've hit one that floors me.

Edited to get the touchstone to cooperate

Happy new thread, Mark. I read Manhattan Beach and enjoyed it.

>29 msf59: Love dozy.

>30 EBT1002: Me too, Ellen. I am still waiting to see an owlet or two. I may miss out this year.

>31 Whisper1: Hi, Linda. Good to see you. Yep, it sounds like a male housefinch. They are regular visitors to our feeders and are usually paired with a female, that does not have reddish markings.

>32 richardderus: No question, RD- owls are weird, other-worldly creatures. I think this is why we are enchanted by them.

>33 bell7: Thanks, Mary. Glad you like the topper & GHO and I am glad you are sticking it out with Night Sky with Exit Wounds. I agree that the few that are able to "floor" you, make the entire collection worth it. This happens to me quite often in my poetry reading.

>34 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg. Not far enough into The Invisible Circus yet, for any kind of verdict but it is readable. I also enjoyed Manhattan Beach. She should be due a new one.

>35 Caroline_McElwee: Hooray for dozy! GHOs are mostly nocturnal, so this is what they do most days.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you.

>29 msf59: Catching some rays...

>38 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. I have a few errands to run today, so no birding plans...yet.

American White Pelican. There were at least a dozen more at this location.



-Greater Yellowlegs. Multiple seen, along with Lesser Yellowlegs. Both FOY birds.

^This was from my Big Marsh walk the other day. I wish I could get clearer photos of the pelicans but they were at least a hundred yards out.

"Poet and essayist Cathy Park Hong blends memoir, cultural criticism, and history to expose the truth of racialized consciousness in America. Binding these essays together is Hong's theory of "minor feelings.
As the daughter of Korean immigrants, Cathy Park Hong grew up steeped in shame, suspicion, and melancholy."

I have had Minor Feelings on my audio TBR since it came out, a year ago. I like listening to NF, so I thought this was a good time to try it. Less than an hour in and I am enjoying her style, which contains a bit of a bite. I don't remember a lot of LT activity on this one. Anyone read it?

Happy 7th thread, Mark!!

Goodness, what a practical name: "greater yellowlegs." I'd've been unsurprised if they'd been called "Wings of DOOM" or some such, but so very directly and aptly called what they are? Not what I expect from Birdland! "Hoopoe" and "lammergeyer" it ain't!

It's Humpday at last. So nice when it's only a means of observing the calendar, no?

>42 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda.

>43 richardderus: Hey, RD. I think many bird enthusiasts prefer birds named for their looks, than something generic or after someone, like Wilson's Warbler, Cooper's Hawk or Anna's Hummingbird.

-Drew Sheneman

>41 msf59:. Me, me, me! Pre-pandemic. I have a different relationship to the book than you will, but am so glad that you - or anyone else - is reading it.

>37 msf59: oops, I was 33 as you note but >34 Familyhistorian: is Meg.

>41 msf59: I haven't read this one but it's on my TBR, so I'll look forward to your thoughts on it.

HAppy new one!

That post about the feeder cam that I put on your last thread, Mark, ambushed me on FB with an ad for a dash cam used as a feeder cam. Hmmm. Did you rat me out? :-) Just kidding. I know I ratted myownself out.

I sampled the first chapter of Utopia Avenue the other day. It's on the Short List. Leapt over a couple dozen books that were ahead of it.

>46 alphaorder: I thought you had read and enjoyed Minor Feelings, Nancy. I should have mentioned you. I think I am going to like it.

>47 bell7: I corrected it, Mary. Thanks. Not far into Minor Feelings but I like it so far.

>48 figsfromthistle: Thanks, Figs!

>49 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. I would never rat you out. It is eerie and frightening that whenever you search for anything online ,you will start seeing ads for it everywhere. I really enjoyed Utopia Avenue and I hope you do too. I am a big Mitchell fan and he delivered once again.

Hi Mark and happy new thread. It was so warm here today that I seriously gave some thought to digging out the fans. I expect this is just a false start and we will have cooler weather soon. I am revisiting Dr. Siri with The Curse of the Pogo Stick and just starting Kidnapped which I haven't read before now.

>41 msf59:
The reviews for Minor Feelings were good so I put it on my Wishlist. I haven't read it because I am deep into reading River Horse and Route 66 A.D.: On the Trail of Ancient Roman Tourists. Both books are about 500 pages each and I haven't had as much reading time this week as I would have liked. I doubt I am going to have an April reading record to match last year's. Probably because this April I have to go to work. Not being locked down really cuts into your reading time.

>51 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy. I hope things cool off for you. We are in a cool stretch here and will be through the weekend. Just hovering below normal. I have also never read Kidnapped but have a copy. Maybe you will inspire me.

>52 benitastrnad: Hey, Benita. Looks like you have some heavy reading going. Good luck. River-Horse sounds interesting. I will keep that one in mind, unless it fizzles for you.

I finished "Hemingway" last night. It is now one of my favorite author docs but that last segment was very dark.

^I am leading my first bird walk today. Some butterflies but I have a couple of more experienced birders tagging along, to give me guidance, if I need it. I think I am ready and they needed more leaders. There will be about a dozen of us and we will stay masked and keep a respectful distance. Wish me luck and lets hope to see lots of birds. I would like to see at least 35 species.

Morning, Mark! Best of luck with your first bird walk leading - you'll definitely be a natural and I bet you'll soon be in high demand!

Good morning, Mark, and good luck for your first time as Bird Walk Leader.

Woo hoo! Where do I sign up?

>54 msf59: Wish I could join you! You'll do great!

I put my hummingbird feeders up yesterday. I saw a report that one was spotted about 10 miles from me. I noticed on my walk that several neighbors have theirs out, too. Our warm weather has turned to cold, with rain and snow expected for several days. I feel bad for any early arrivals.

>53 msf59:
So far River Horse has not fizzled and I am 305 pages into it. I think this would be a great book to listen to but it was published in 1999 so I wonder if there are recorded versions out there. Actually neither book has fizzled and that's a bad thing. I have decided I am going to devote my reading time to River Horse and finish it - then I can concentrate on the Rome book.

The last episode was very dark - but I almost felt sorry for him. It seems clear to me that in addition to the Depression he had Traumatic Brain Injury as well. This added to his problems. Nowadays we know so much more about this type of brain injury that things may not have ended up the way that they did. The medical profession also knows much more about addiction and I am sure that he would have gotten much better professional treatment today than he did. I can honestly say that this in one instance when the Mayo Clinic let one of its patients down. I would like to think that if he were alive today that psychiatric care would have helped him, but it seems to have let other members of the family down in more modern times.

I did some more research on the Hemingway family because I remembered that the model/movie starlet Margot Hemingway also committed suicide. She was the 5th Hemingway in 4 generations to die by suicide. She was Ernest's granddaughter.

Good luck on your birding. You will do fine as you are a natural born teacher.

>55 scaifea: >56 karenmarie: >57 jessibud2: >58 Copperskye: The bird walk went great. Thanks. I heard no complaints. Mainly praise. I will try not to let it go my head. Two of my birding buddies assisted me now and then, sharing their fine ear and their expertise. Our species total was 33, which is not bad at all but 2 of those were heard only and not very well by me. I had two FOY birds and the other highlights were 4 ospreys, all soaring above us and at least twelve turkey vultures, also in flight.

Wouldn't it be great to have an LT bird outing one of these days? I have gone with Joe & Nancy before. And this would be followed up by a brewery visit, which of course, would include book chatter.

>54 msf59:, >60 msf59: Yay for a first-time success! A retirement vocation could expand soon.

>58 Copperskye: There have been no hummingbird sightings here, so I am holding off a bit longer, Joanne. I think our recent stretch of cooler temps, might be holding them and this cool weather will continue well into next week. Boo! They should be arriving.

>59 benitastrnad: I am glad you mentioned Hemingway's multiple concussions and other head trauma, they he suffered over the years. I am sure this all fed into his decline. He sure did not age well. In his 40s he was all ready looking much older. I had forgot Margot Hemingway had committed suicide too. What a tragic family.

>59 benitastrnad: Going from your first paragraph to your second I thought you were discussing the fate of William Least Heat-Moon. I had to backtrack to Hemingway. I didn't know about Margot's suicide, and mental health care still seems sadly inadequate to our current problems.

I'm so glad your first time guiding the bird walk went so well. I am not surprised -- you are knowledgeable and amicable. A good combo.

I'll be interested in your thoughts about Minor Feelings. It looks interesting.

Sweet Thursday! P and I have reservations at a nice restaurant tonight -- how weird is that? We're both fully vaccinated but if anything feels off, we will bail.

Hi Mark. The birds seems to come to the feeder more often when it is raining. Yesterday was the first time the season that I saw a pair of gold finch. They are my favorite. They seem so loyal to each other. Do you know if they mate for life?

>60 msf59: Mark, I am so impressed at your graduation from bird walk participant to leader. I'm glad it went well today and am sure this is just the beginning. Well done, you.

>61 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. I am one of the youngest of the trip leaders, so I might be the future. God help us all.

>64 EBT1002: Hooray for being "amicable", Ellen. Usually it takes me a couple of beers to get that way. Grins...

Have a great dinner with "P" tonight"! It should feel great getting out.

^I snapped a photo of this male goldfinch last week.

>65 Whisper1: "Goldfinches are monogamous and mate for life." I was not sure about the goldfinch but it is now confirmed, Linda. Hooray for our bright yellow beauties! Glad they have become your favorite. It looks like housefinch are also monogamous. I always see them in pairs at my feeders.

>66 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura. It went surprisingly well. It sure feels good, assisting new birders. I sure counted on trip leaders and experienced birders to help me along, when I was beginning.

Congratulations Mr. Bird Leader! You're one of the youngest? Hmmmm, not sure what that indicates.

'Morning, Mark, and congratulations. 33 species and 2 FOYs. Praise, too, but not unexpected from this armchair birder.

>69 brenzi: Thanks, Bonnie. Birders tend to lean toward older folk. Many in their 70s or 80s. There are more and more younger people getting involved too, which I am very happy to see and encourage.

>70 karenmarie: Morning, Karen and thanks. It was a nice, first time out. The participants seemed pleased, plus I got a FOY, ruby-crowned kinglet, (not a great look though) and several rough-winged swallows.

-Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (NMP) FOY. Not a good look but did hear him singing. I will be seeing plenty more of them.

I Never Wanted to Die

It’s the best part of the day, morning light sliding
down rooftops, treetops, the birds pulling themselves
up out of whatever stupor darkened their wings,
night still in their throats.

I never wanted to die. Even when those I loved
died around me, away from me, beyond me.
My life was never in question, if for no other reason
than I wanted to wake up and see what happened next.

And I continue to want to open like that, like the flowers
who lift their heavy heads as the hills outside the window
flare gold for a moment before they turn
on their sides and bare their creased backs.

Even the cut flowers in a jar of water lift
their soon to be dead heads and open
their eyes, even they want a few more sips,
to dwell here, in paradise, a few days longer.

-Dorianne Laux From Poem-A-Day

>60 msf59:

For LT Bird outings in Wisconsin, certain times in Autumn are fine for Devil's Lake, Horicon, and Wyalusing,
with a finish at Madison's Ale Asylum.

Wisconsin's online DNR also has an Activity Search which includes Birding and about a million possibilities.

If you choose Devil's Lake, first read ANCIENT ROCKS AND VANISHED GLACIERS with its wonderful coverage of Birds!

>74 m.belljackson: Oh, thanks, Marianne. I appreciate the tips. You know I adore Horicon Marsh. I would sure like to get back up there, later this spring. I was hoping to camp at Devil's Lake in late August but since Bree is due around that same time, we can't go. I really want to visit that place and I would LOVE to get to Ale Asylum. I have had their beers, although it has been awhile.

Some of us are enjoying the warmer weather, Mark. Like Judy says it’s summer like right now. In this time of increased restrictions it’s nice to get out and enjoy the outside.

>76 Familyhistorian: Happy Friday, Meg. Enjoy that warmth and getting outdoors. We haven't reached 60F yet today, despite all the sunshine. It also looks to be a cool weekend too.

"The stories in A Common Person and Other Stories, R. M. Kinder's third short-story collection, expose the disruption in our modern life and the ever-present threat of violence, and, most importantly, they capture the real heroism of everyday people."

My print reading has been just a tad underwhelming this month, other than my last story collection, so I am going to that well again with A Common Person and Other Stories. I received this as an e-galley a couple of months ago. It was published in February. I will start it tomorrow.

>78 msf59: I hope you'll snap the streak with it.

Happy weekend's reads!

My primary read just now is How Music Works, by David Byrne, perhaps best known as the frontman of the band Talking Heads. In his opening chapter, Byrne describes the evolution in music composition and performance over the centuries, adapting to changes in instrumental and performance settings. I thought you'd enjoy his information about birdsongs:

The adaptive aspect of creativity isn't limited to musicians and composers (or artists in any other media). It extends into the natural world as well. David Attenborough and others have claimed that birdcalls have evolved to fit the environment. In dense jungle foliage, a constant, repetitive, and brief signal within a narrow frequency works best—the repetition is like an error-correcting device. If the intended recipient didn't get the first transmission, an identical one will follow.

Birds that live on the forest floor evolved lower-pitched calls so they don't bounce or become distorted by the ground as higher-pitched sounds might. Water birds have calls that, unsurprisingly, cut through the ambient sounds of water, and birds that live in the plains and grasslands, like the Savannah Sparrow, have buzzing calls that can traverse long distances.

Eyal Shy of Wayne State University says that birdsongs vary even within the same species. The pitch of the song of the Scarlet Tanager, for example,, is different in the East, where the woods are denser, than it is in the West.

And birds of the same species adjust their singing as their habitat changes, too. Birds in San Francisco were found to have raised the pitch of their songs over forty years in order to be better heard above the noises of increased traffic.

A great lot of good stuff...

>79 richardderus: Thanks, Richard. Have you heard anything about this collection?

>80 weird_O: Hey, Bill. I am a big Talking Heads fan, so the Byrne book sounds really interesting and the birdsong facts you posted are fascinating. I have read about some of these discoveries before. Thanks for sharing. Your diverse book choices always impress me and slightly surprise me.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Saturday to you. Enjoy your 3rd birding day in a row. My feeders have been strangely quiet, I guess because there's beginning to be so much natural food out there.

Finished Restless the other day - really enjoyed it! Now I’m hunting for other Boyds. Thanks for sending it!

>81 msf59: No; never heard of the author, either.

Happy Saturday, and may a scarlet tanager delight your eyes and ears today.

>82 karenmarie: Happy Saturday, Karen. Kind of slow today. Struggled to get 25, which is pretty low for this time of year and with all those eyes and ears available, pretty surprising. I think this cooler weather is stalling out migration. And like you, nothing much at the feeders either.

>83 drneutron: Hey, Jim. Glad you enjoyed the Boyd. I still have a couple more on shelf, myself.

>84 richardderus: Happy Saturday, Richard. Looking forward to dipping into that story collection, in just a few minutes. Ooh, a scarlet tanager. One of my favorites. I think they begin to arrive a little later. Maybe next month? Fingers crossed. And the good news is, is that they breed here in the summer.

Hummingbirds are going crazy in our neck of the woods. Have to refill the feeder daily and lots of territorial posturing around it. (bossypants!)

>85 msf59: >82 karenmarie:

Feeders up here in Wisconsin also very slow with night temperatures dropping to near freezing.
Cardinals have been welcome regular visitors.

Still haven't put feeders up at my new house. Since it snowed! yesterday, I wonder if I would have few takers anyway, as many of you have noticed fewer feeder birds with the cold weather. Also bear sighting nearby and they LOVE birdfeeders.

My 14-month-old niece is a birder in training. She seems to hear every time a bird makes a peep and signs "bird".

>86 mdoris: Hi, Mary! I am glad you are enjoying your hummingbirds. Ours have not arrived. We usually put our feeders by now but they are still stuck south, waiting for the warmer temps.

>87 m.belljackson: My feeders are pretty lethargic too, Marianne. The usual residents are used to the cooler weather, so where are they?

>88 labfs39: Hi, Lisa. I hope you can put up your feeders soon. I will love to hear about what you see. Not sure how you make them "bear proof". You might need to do some research.

Hooray for your little niece! Now, that is adorable!

>89 msf59: I'm not sure how you can bearproof bird feeders. The Spruce had some suggestions, but the first was to remove the feeders until summer. Does anyone have experience dealing with bear? In Seattle, a bear climbed over our 6' high fence, demolished several bird and suet feeders of various types that were mounted in different ways, pooped on our lawn, climbed an apple tree, breaking off limbs into the blueberry bushes, and generally wreaked havoc before climbing back over the fence into the neighbors yard.

Yep, the bear issue sounds like it could be a problem. Putting it up to high would be a hassle. Is your yard enclosed? You might just try a flat, platform feeder and just put a little feed in it, every other day. It may just not be worth it.

Bruce Banner #3

I never missed that $60,
I could spend it easily.
I can take the stairs,
I have fingers and can use buttons.
Before lightning there should be thunder
and if there’s not, it’s still ok.

It was 2 p.m. and I saw a crane standing in a creek.
It was 3:40 and I saw an owl staring at me.
I rode my bike for 5 hours as I watched a sundial.
When I was fishing
I told every fish sorry,
kissed them on the mouth
and threw them all back.

Think about this:
everything I experience
popped out of my head.

In the afterlife I hope
all of my pets are there.
There is no wrong way to mourn
we’re drinking the same water as the dinosaurs.

I’m a superhero,
a green man
who gets angry,
runs through peoples lives
and destroys everything they own,
insurance doesn’t cover acts of god.

-BY KENYATTA ROGERS

'Morning, Mark, and happy Sunday to you. I hope you can get some reading in today between errands and yardwork.

>93 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Yep, I am going to squeeze as much reading in I can. Our nephew has a youth baseball game later this afternoon, we would like to attend. He couldn't play last year.

42) Eleven Sooty Dreams by Manuela Draeger 3.7 stars

This is a trippy fable, following the thoughts and dreams of a group of leftists teenagers, as they are trapped in a burning building. Obviously, not for all tastes. Much of the poetic prose is gorgeous and I was caught up in a few of the narratives but they didn't all completely work for me. A fascinating and inventive writer, though.

44) The Invisible Circus by Jennifer Egan 3.6 stars

I loved Egan's Good Squad and liked her last novel Manhattan Beach, but had not read her earlier work. I decided to start with her debut from 2001. It is a decent first novel, set in 1978 and also reflecting back 10 years earlier. Egan does pack a lot into the narrative, including 60s radicalism and complex relationships. I am looking forward to seeing how she grows from book to book.

Sun's shining here today after several gloomy days in succession. I need to get outside, to mow, to prune, just to move around.

>81 msf59: ...diverse book choices... You certainly tackle a diversity of subjects and authors, Mark. You're a good reading/listening model. I take what life offers. Just the last seven days I've been blitzed with intriguing topics. My brother visited last week, bringing several samples from his collection of Freddy the Pig books as well as a half-dozen books his wife plucked from her public library's book sales corner, things she thought might appeal to me. I also took some BB hits whilst surfing the threads and felt compelled to look for several at my go-to used bookstore, ordering two Wodehouse titles and snatching four other books.

I just can't turn off the flow...

Sunday orisons, Mark, have fun at your nephew's game.

Birddudde!! You have GOT to go look at the finalists for the 2021 best bird-picture award!


ETA size

>96 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. Glad you are getting better weather and I hope you can get out to do some chores. We have a decent day tomorrow, but then very chilly temps for the next couple of days after that. We NEED to turn that corner. I did not realize that your brother dropped books on you too. I have never hear of the Freddy the Pig books.

>97 richardderus: Hey, RD. We had a good time at Billy's game. We sat safely in our own camp chairs, down the third base line. After a shaky start, his team came back and won handily. When I was working, I rarely could make his weekend games.

>98 richardderus: Awesome shot! I think it might be short-eared owl going in for the kill. I did say many of these finalist photos. Thanks for sharing.

Just love all the bird pictures especially the dozing owl, Mark. I can't imagine spotting so many birds here in the Netherlands. It's a bit to crowded in this country. We have some rural spaces but they are too few. So instead I enjoy your photo's. Have a good week.

>100 connie53: Thanks, Connie. I am glad you like the bird photos. I do not think I have taken a photo in over a week. No opportunities. I am sure there are birds around your area but you have to seek them out. Most of these, I would not see, if I didn't seek them out.

'Morning, Mark, and happy birding day to you.

I hardly recognize any bird calls but always notice the increase in variety at this time of year. I just saw a Mockingbird and realize that although I see them all the time, had never added them to my Life List.

>102 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. We are just north of the mockingbirds range. They may be seen in far south Illinois. One pops up here on occasion but I have not seen one in the state. Funny, go east and south and you seem them regularly. Very distinctive call or I should say calls, since they can make all kinds of utterances, hence the name.

Have you read Shaun Tan's book Tales from the Inner City? There is a really good story about owl support for a hospital stay. Really creative and interesting.

>104 mdoris: Hi, Mary. I have read several of Tan's books but I think I missed Tales from the Inner City. Thanks for the heads-up.

'Morning, Mark and happy Tuesday to you!

I just looked at the range map and see that Mockingbirds only venture into Southern Illinois for breeding season. There is absolutely not one single bird at my feeders or even in the Crepe Myrtle right now. I can hear birds, just can't see any.

>106 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. That is exactly what I thought about the mockingbirds. A little activity at my feeders this A.M. but I haven't looked much. Chilly today, with rain and a possible rain/snow mix later. Sighs...

^Bree reading with her boys, (of course, there is another boy on the way...smiles). According to her husband, she is reading The Midnight Library, which will be passed on to me when she finishes it. I will take just a little credit for kick-starting both of their reading, (Sean has been reading more than Bree) but I am just glad to see them both enjoying the books. They both also like short stories, so you know I will gladly assist them there.

*Of course Duke has his ever present soccer ball, which has seen better days.

Morning, Mark! Loe the photo of Bree with her boys.

So funny you have a red-winged blackbird in your topper - we have one that has been hanging out at our feeders lately, and he is stunning. In fact, he is there right now.

>109 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Great to see you. I have missed your visits. Glad you like Bree & the boys. We sometimes get red-wing blackbirds at our feeders but they are far from regulars, although I do see and hear them regularly on my walks.

>108 msf59: That's a great photo, Mark, such a happy family group!

Tuesday? It is? Well, fancy that, another workweek begins.

FOR THEM!

I'm late to the party as always. I love all of your bird photos and congrats on your bird leading.
Wonderful poem >73 msf59:

>107 msf59:

Wisconsin's Jimmy the Groundhog was correct about an Early Spring,
but his prediction veered away with night temperatures going below 32 degrees
and our usual April Snow still predicted.

I love it since there's rarely enough to haul the shovels back out...
and the flowers - Snowdrops, Hellebores, Hyacynths, Tulips, and Blood root - all endure.

And my happy Red-wing and I are again whistling to each other
while Mama Groundhog gathers new hay for her nest - lots of fun to watch
her snurfling away with a bunch in her mouth while ignoring the neighbor's rooster and chickens.

Thank you for the Great Photo - a contented Mama-in-waiting and Dogs on Couch!

>111 richardderus: Hey, RD. Glad you like the photo of Mom & her boys! If Sue wasn't still working, I would probably start losing track of the days. No outside birding for me today. We have a snowy mix out there.

>112 Ameise1: Hi, Barb. Great to see you. Glad you like my continuing bird photos and the "I Never Wanted to Die" poem.

>113 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Hooray for "Mama-in-waiting ". Not sure you are currently getting snow but we are. I think it is mostly tracking south but with the temps hovering close to 40F, the little bit of snow will not linger. We could definitely use the moisture.

I love your descriptions of nature getting things ready for warmer temps. My feeders are hopping today.

"In these delightful meditations, biologist and bird lover Richard Cannings weaves stories of his personal encounters with birds into fascinating descriptions of their behavior, anatomy, and evolution."

Linda L kindly sent me a copy of An Enchantment of Birds: Memories from a Birder's Life awhile back, so in honor of spring migration, I decided to start that one and it is off to a lovely start.

-Western Meadowlark (NMP, but I sure wish it was)

"My earliest memories are of meadowlarks...The songs were the soundtrack of our young lives."

-An Enchantment of Birds: Memories from a Birder's Life

The first memories I have of birds were the Baltimore orioles nesting in Progreso, Texas, in the pecan trees my maternal grandparents had next to their little lake (actually an oxbow left from the Rio Grande moving at some point). The most gorgeous creatures I'd ever seen! And those nests.

What a wonderful introduction it was into the world of the bird. Texas has so very many species both native and migratory!

>117 richardderus: That is a wonderful memory, Richard. I am so glad that you can recall it so vividly. I did not see my first Baltimore Oriole until I started birding, a few years back. Texas is on my Birding Bucket List. Especially Big Bend and a couple of places outside of Houston, during migration.

Yes, they make very cool nests, which I see on occasion:



-NMP

‘Morning, Mark, and happy Wednesday to you.

>108 msf59: Sweet pic of your girl and her boys. I’m glad to hear that you’ve been able to kick start their reading. Have you bought any books for her to read to her little boy baby bump yet?

>116 msf59: This is going to sound strange, but we lived in a Los Angeles suburb and I don’t remember seeing a single bird when we lived there. I must have, of course, but I simply don’t remember. I do, however, remember a wonderful coloring book I had – dogs on one half, flipped, with birds on the other, and remember coloring a Baltimore Oriole. In real life, the first bird I remember is a Geococcyx californianus – Greater Roadrunner. We always saw them on our camping vacations at Lake Isabella.

>119 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. No, I have not gave Bree any baby books yet, but we have a few all ready and that is a fine idea.
Thanks for your bird memories. I think seeing a roadrunner for your very first bird is pretty awesome. I first saw them on our trip to Arizona, a few years back. I was just starting my birding life, at that time.

Mark, has this comic been on your radar? Just found it today:

https://www.gocomics.com/bird-and-moon/2021/04/19

>121 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. Good to see you. I have seen that comic and it continues to put a smile on my face. It wouldn't let me copy that image or at least not from that site, otherwise I would have shared it here.

-Steve Sack

>123 msf59: - Very good. Let's hope it matters beyond this one verdict...

>124 jessibud2: Fingers crossed, Shelley.

Great Blue Heron. Morton Arboretum. Striking a nice pose for me.

>126 msf59: He's a ham of a heron! Can't tell me that he doesn't know you're immortalizing him.

Hi Mark -- That Ruby-crowned Kinglet is cute!!

>123 msf59: Like.

Glad to see your comments about Eagan's debut novel. I liked Goon Squad so much.

Oh, and I like the pic of Bree, boys, and book, too!

>127 richardderus: The heron was a ham and not at all shy. Interesting, that from every angle I shot him, he looked different. Sometimes the plumage can look so dull and other times striking.

>128 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen. Glad you like the kinglet. Is Goon Squad the only Egan you have read? And hooray for Bree & the boys!

^I love pileated woodpeckers and I got good looks at one yesterday. He was high up and paused just long enough in his drilling to let me get a shot, before zinging away. This was the very same location that I saw my very first pileated several years ago.

Hi Mark! Happy first day of your camping holiday. Have fun.

>126 msf59: Excellent photo.

>130 msf59: So prehistoric looking, aren’t they? Great pic.

>131 karenmarie: Good morning, Karen and thanks. Glad you like the photos. Yes, I do plan on doing some birding while in Michigan. We are seeing pretty much the same birds as they are but you never know. Maybe, I will stumble on a surprise or two.

Those last 2 photos are amazing, Mark! Wow!

>133 jessibud2: Morning, Shelley and thanks. I had not taking a photo, in over a week so I was glad to get a few opportunities yesterday.

Enjoy your camping trip, Mark!

I finally got to and finished reading one of the first books I entered into Librarything back in 2008. This one was River Horse by William Least Heat-Moon. I really liked this book and his adventure filled trip across America by water. It was a mixture of historical sites and commentary on environment, wildlife and life in general. Very well done. It was published in 1999 and I think it is still a very good read. Next time I drive cross country to Montana I think I will have it with me even though his route will be on the Missouri River and mine will be on the Platte.

I am sorry to hear that your reading has slowed since your retirement. All that time listening to books while you were working did add to your totals. I just hope that you continue to get as much enjoyment and information out the books that you do get read. I think it also shows that retirement can make your life much busier than most people think it will be. Since it has now been six months since you retired it is nice to see that you have taken up a new job - leading the birding groups. I plan on spending my first six months of retirement doing nothing. I do plan to get up when I want to, go to bed when I want to, and drink all the coffee I want to while reading many of those books I have boxed up and waiting for me. After the six months is over, I will think about what I want to do next.

>130 msf59: Another handsome beast! What a glory to the world birds are.

Have a great time going North (where it's colder) in order to sleep outside, faithless to the sacrifices made by your generations of ancestors to ensure you could be comfortable and safe indoors. I mean "camping."

I think it's amazing that you have progressed to leading bird walks. Go Mark!

Hmmm. I've never read Goon Squad or anything else by Jennifer Egan. I may have to remedy that.

Hooray for camping! Hope it's not too unwarm there. (We're taking our 4th major April temperature bounce - 60's yesterday, snow predicted for tonight ) Looking forward to many beautiful pictures.

>135 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie! Warm clothes and campfires are a priority.

>136 benitastrnad: Hi, Benita. River Horse sounds really good and it is on my list. Believe it or not I am fast approaching the 8 month mark of retirement. Time flies, when you are having fun, right? Volunteering to lead a bird walk is something I will do once a month or so, but I am thinking about also volunteering at a forest preserve. I like your retirement plan. You definitely have enough books to keep you busy for a couple more decades.

>137 richardderus: Hey, RD. Actually our camping destination is straight east and maybe even a little south. It will still be cool though, especially overnight. Campfires and bourbon will be on the ticket.

>138 streamsong: Hi, Janet. Good to see you, my only Montana pal. I plan on leading another walk in May. I just haven't picked a day yet. Enjoy that April temperature bounce. It warms up nice here next week and I will be in Oregon. Grins...

>130 msf59: I saw a pileated woodpecker this morning! Usually I only hear them drilling.

Greetings from Warren Dunes State Park, MI. We had a nice first day, with fine early spring weather. A little hiking and lots of socializing. There are more than a dozen of us. A great bunch. I even did a couple solo bird jaunts and did score a Lifer, along the way. Yah. As a bonus, there are at least a couple pileated woodpeckers hanging nearby. It is supposed to rain, a good chunk of the day, so we may visit a local brewery or two. I am also trying to read a few pages here and there.

>141 SilverWolf28: Hooray for seeing a pileated, Silver. One of my favorites. I have seen a couple all ready on this trip.

Glad you're having a good time, Mark, and fantastic news about a Lifer.

>116 msf59: My earliest memory of birds is my grandmother trying to resuscitate a bird stunned after flying into the window.

My fondest wild bird/human memory is when a sparrow flew into our house, got lost, and landed on my daughter's outstretched finger. I even have a picture of it somewhere.

Excellent news, Birddude! And even bookhorning in a few pages here and there? You're way too busy to be retired.

Hi Mark! Love the picture of Bree reading with her dogs.

Congratulations on all the birding success!

Hi Mark, sounds like you are having an excellent weekend at Warren Dunes, you really know how to enjoy retirement! Our warm weather has moved on and we are now dealing with spring showers. A dull rainy day makes curling up with a good book very inviting. :)

Sounds like you're having a great time Mark.

The Warbler is back and getting ready for my Oregon trip for tomorrow. No rest for the wicked...

>143 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. We had a good time, despite some weather glitches. A little rain here and there on Saturday and it was a chilly one there today. My Lifer, a Louisiana Waterthrush was a definite highlight.

>144 labfs39: Hi, Lisa. Thanks for sharing your bird memories. The one with your daughter and the sparrow is a definite keeper. I know you can't put up feeders, but do you still see and hear birds in your backyard or neighborhood?

>145 richardderus: Hey, RD. It was a nice trip but very little reading got done. Too many distractions and a whole lot of socializing. During my upcoming Oregon trip, I will also get very little reading in, so I will have some catching up to do, when I get back.

>146 banjo123: Hi, Rhonda. Glad you stopped by. Yep, we are so happy about Bree. I hope we can see each other next month. That will be a treat.

>147 DeltaQueen50: Hi, Judy. We had a good time at the Warren Dunes. It is a beautiful place but we just needed warmer weather, to fully enjoy it. I hope you enjoyed your rainy day with the books yesterday.

>148 brenzi: Thanks, Bonnie. It was a good time, despite the lack of reading time.

Hi Mark, have a great time on your Oregon trip. Can't remember when I last stopped by here. Haven't been reading much.

"Accra private investigator Emma Djan's first missing persons case will lead her to the darkest depths of the email scams and fetish priests in Ghana, the world's Internet capital."

Every once in awhile I get an itch to read a crime novel, especially one with an interesting locale and The Missing American fits that bill. Thanks to Jim, for passing it my way. Not far in, but I like it. It looks like this author has written another series as well. Anyone read it?

Due to my travels, I leave for Oregon tomorrow, my reading will be limited. I will have some catching up to do, when I get back.

>151 lindapanzo: Happy Sunday, Linda. Good to see you, stranger. Fortunately, I have been able to see my sister, who lives in Oregon, nearly every year but I have not seen the rest of her family, for nearly 4 years. Looking forward to seeing them all this time.

Looks like you had a great time at Warren Dunes, Mark.

I hope you have a great time, Mark! How nice you can see your sister and her family. Enjoy!

>154 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. It was a good time with a great group of friends.

>155 connie53: Thanks, Connie. Looking forward to it. My daughter is going with me too, to show off her baby bump and to visit with her cousins.

My daughter is picking me up shortly and we are heading to the airport. Should be in Portland before noon. Of course, there will be a lot of socializing with family, especially with my sister. I hope to get out birding a couple of times, including this state park, but my sister has had foot issues, so we will have to see how difficult it is for her walking or hiking. Once again my online time will be limited but I will check in when I can. I will be back Sunday night.

Enjoy your family get together Mark.

Safe trip and wonderful times with your family, Mark!

Safe travels and enjoy!

Have a great time with your sister and being in a different environment!

Oregon ho-ooo!

Have a lovely trip, enjoy your stay, and we'll see you when you get back.

Hope you have a great trip, Mark!

I've heard a barred owl where I'm dogsitting, and saw it today in the woods while walking one of the dogs. I couldn't get a great look at it, but went online and listened to some audio clips to confirm the call I heard, so I'm pretty confident I'm right about the species.

Hope you're able to get some good time with family, birding, and reading in :)

Have a great trip, Mark! How wonderful to see your family!

One of these days I will head over Portland way, too.

Hi Mark. I have also read Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan.

I love the Pileated Woodpecker. I have seen a few of those in my life, and certainly have heard others. Seeing them is such a treat!

You are in Oregon now. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!! I wish I were already living back there so we could connect.

Have a great trip! Can't wait to see the pictures :)

Greetings from Salem, Oregon. Thanks for all the kind visits but I can only post on my cell and that is not easy. Bree and I hiked and birded yesterday morning. A beautiful area with deep woods and a large river. I went on a solo jaunt after that. Clocked in 5 Lifers and could not ID number 6. I did take some photos. Heading to the coast today for a day trip. This will include most of the family. I am heading out for a solo jaunt now, before meeting up at my sister's place.

Sounds like a great trip! I note over on Facebook you also managed to find some good beer... 😀

Oregon is a great place for beer. Especially over the mountains in places like Deschutes and Sisters.

Umhh. Come to think of it - its a great place for wine as well.

Maybe that just makes it a great place to imbibe.

I'm so glad y'all're having a good time in Oregon!

Yay for hiking and Lifers and beer.

And family, of course. *smile*

Glad that you enjoyed your Oregon time, Mark! Sorry that I could not meet-up with you and Kim. I am hoping, though, that we can meet up in May when we are in the Chicago area.

Greetings from Salem, OR! My last morning and I am going to squeeze one last walk in before heading to my sister's for breakfast and to say our goodbyes. I will leave for Portland, just around noon. It has been a very nice trip. Lots of great meals, socializing and I managed to clock in 50 species of birds, with 13 Lifers. I probably couldn't identify at least ten more. I will be back in circulation tomorrow. I miss visiting the threads.

>173 msf59: I'm missing you too, buddy. Good to see you getting plenty of clean air up in the Pacific North West. Is Powell's bookstore open?

>173 msf59: Sounds like a successful birding trip, Mark, congratulations on 13 lifers!
Safe travels home.

>173 msf59: 13 Lifers! Amazing. And time with family - can't get better than that. Safe travels home. Hope you have a good book companion on the flight.

I hope you and Bree arrive home safe, Mark

Safe travels and happy homecomings!

Sounds like you have been enjoying your western jaunt, Mark. Safe travels!

>173 msf59: The benefits of travel. Sounds great!

>174 PaulCranswick: Ah, Powell's. What a great bookstore. We held a mini-LT meetup there once. Mark, you were there, weren't you?

Looks like you are having a great trip, Mark. I'll live vicariously through you. We are confined to our region until about the end of May. Socializing and seeing family sounds like a dream.

>1 msf59: Btw, your thread topper reminds me of Conference of the Birds:



I think it's in your library, have you read it? It's wonderful. And Richard wrote a review that's almost as long as the book (wink), in which he assures us it is not a graphic novel.

Edited to fix image

^As a bonus, I was able to do a mini-Meet Up with Kim, while in Oregon. I had to take Bree back to the Portland Airport on Thursday, so I was able to visit with Berly. She was a perfect host, letting us, (my sister came along too) sit in her lovely garden, eat a nice Mexican lunch and toss back a couple of beers. Of course books were discussed, among other things. She has a very nice home, with a great stand of woods, directly behind her. I also saw a Anna's Hummingbird and a spotted towhee, while we chatted. Yah!

Greetings from Downers Grove, IL! Yep, I am back and of course I am heading out with my birding buddies. Migration is is full swing here and we want to take advantage of every minute.

I plan on slowly catching on up LT but in the meantime, I want to thank- Caroline, Karen, Shelley, Nancy, Richard, Mary, Janet, Ellen, Figs, Jim, Benita, Rhonda, Paul, Anita, Connie, Judy. Susan, Lisa & Meg! I appreciate you keeping my thread warm and I hope I didn't miss anyone!

Hi Mark. Good to hear you are back on the nest!

Morning, Mark, and welcome home!

Welcome home, Mark, and hope you manage at least one lifer while you're birding today!

Welcome back, Mark!

Welcome back, Mark, and thanks for sharing the pic of you and Kim! Have fun with your buddies today.

>184 msf59: What a great perk! I'm so jealous...Berly-boo is a fun hang-out partner.

Happy you're safe, sound of mind and person, and racking up them lifers, Birddude.

>184 msf59: Yay, an LT meet up, wonderful.

Glad you had a great break too Mark.

>186 connie53: >187 scaifea: >189 katiekrug: Thanks for the warm welcome, Connie, Amber & Katie!

>188 bell7: Thanks, Mary. No Lifers today. They are harder to come by once I am back in Illinois. I did snag several FOY birds, though. Maybe 5 or 6.

>190 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. Good to be back out with my birding buddies. Some fun FOY sightings.

>191 richardderus: Hey, RD. You are correct- Kim is absolutely a "fun hang-out partner". One of my very favorite LTers.

>192 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. It was a very nice getaway. Family, birds, beer & an LT pal. Yah!

^Birding and hiking in the PNW, (Pacific Northwest). Yes, I was in my element. Bird pics to follow...

Glad to read you are back home. I get the impression you...maybe...had a little too much fun. Hikes in unfamiliar woodlands, seeing more birds than you could identify, visiting relatives for the first time in more than a year. Lunch at Kim's. Beer.

Well, you're home now, so settle down. Books must be read.

>195 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. Yes, it was a good trip and I did have "a little bit too much fun" at times. It was worth it.

"Books must be read." Amen, my friend.

>194 msf59: What a beautiful shot of the woods Mark!

>197 brenzi: Glad you like the photo, Bonnie. Honestly, I could just point and shoot anywhere. It was that beautiful.

Welcome back!

>194 msf59: Absolutely beautiful photo. What a wonderful place to be!

>194 msf59: Really beautiful, Mark! Those trees are amazing.

>199 figsfromthistle: >200 connie53: Thanks, Figs & Anita. I am going to miss exploring these woods.

-Osprey



-Spotted Towhee



-California Scrub Jay LIFER

-Posting a few of my Oregon pics.

'Morning, Mark and happy Tuesday to you. I hope you enjoy your guided walk today. Speaking of which, are you scheduled to give any more?

>202 msf59: Excellent photos.

>202 msf59: Lovely things, jays...wish they were nicer. You know, I think ospreys and other raptors *know* they're Cool Lookin' Dudes and use that to intimidate prey. And onlookers.

May the Fourth be with you.

>203 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. Thanks, in regards to the photos. I am not leading any walks this month. We'll see if they ask me for June. I had a lot of fun on the walk today. Lots of FOYS.

>204 richardderus: Hey, RD. There were also Stellar Jays in OR but I couldn't get a photo. Great looking birds and very vocal too. And hooray for the raptors. Always love seeing them.

Congrats, mark, on the vaccines and on all the bird photos. Wow!

By the way, finished up The Floor of Heaven while you were gone. Blum's good!

>202 msf59: Beautiful Scrub Jay LIFER!

How did you create your list of Lifers?

As I read through an old Silbey's table calendar,
there are ones I'd LOVE to see on nearly every page.

>207 jessibud2: Thanks, Shelley. More bird photos to share...

>208 drneutron: I am glad you enjoyed The Floor of Heaven, Jim. It seemed like it would be a good fit for you.

>209 m.belljackson: Hi, Marianne. Hooray for the Scrub Jay! In regards to my Life List, I started it on the Audubon app and continue to do so there. Mostly logging in new birds. It saves all the relevant sighting information. I actually log nearly every sighting into Ebird, so that keeps track of all my totals. It is an invaluable service.

Bobolink

In a meadow
as wide as a wound
I thought to stop
and study the lesser stitchwort’s
white flowers lacing up
boot-level grasses
when I was scolded in song
by a black and white bird
whose wings sipped air,
swallow-like, until he landed
on the highest tip
of yellow dock,
still singing his beautiful warning,
the brown female
with him in fear.
The warning was real:
the anniversary of my husband’s suicide.
What was the matter with life? Sometimes
when wind blows,
the meadow moves like an ocean,
and on that day,
I was in its wake—
I mean the day in the meadow.
I mean the day he died.
This is not another suicide poem.
This is a poem about a bird
I wanted to know and so
I spent that evening looking
up his feathers and flight,
spent most of the night
searching for mating habits
and how to describe the yellow
nape of his neck like a bit
of gothic stained glass,
or the warm brown
females with a dark eyeline.
How could I have known
like so many species
they too are endangered?
God must be exhausted:
those who chose life;
those who chose death.
That day I braided a few
strips of timothy hay
as I waited for the pair
to move again, to lift
from the field and what,
live? The dead can take
a brother, a sister; not really.
The dead have no one.
Here in this field
I worried the mowers
like giant gorging mouths
would soon begin again
and everything would be
as it will.

-Didi Jackson From Poem-A-Day



-Bobolink (NMP) Still waiting to see my FOY.

>206 msf59: How great!! On your way to real immunity!

>212 richardderus: Yep, I am glad I finally got it, Richard. It is Moderna, so I hope the side-effects are minimal.

"The eight masterful stories in this new collection are all told in the first person by a classic Murakami narrator: a lonely man."

^I am a big fan of Murakami. That said, I think his last few books have been okay but nothing spectacular. Based on the first 2 stories of First Person Singular: Stories, I think this trend may be continuing. I hope that changes, as I go along. His last "home run" was 1Q84, IMHO. That came out in 2009.

-Cliff Swallow



-Western Bluebird (LIFER)



-Norther Flicker. We have yellow-shafted here, this was a red-shafted.



-Cinnamon Teal LIFER

-More Oregon pics. The Teal is my new favorite duck.

>215 msf59: Beautiful bird picks, Mark!

Congrats on being fully vaccinated - I get shot #2 on Thursday, so I'll be safe as I can be on May 20 (not that I'm counting or anything...).

Wow, some great bird pics!

>215 msf59: Great birdie photos Mark.

Glad you are fully jabbed.

>216 bell7: Thanks, Mary. Glad you like the pics. And I am happy to hear your getting your 2nd dose tomorrow. My arm is sore today but I hope that is the worst of it. I have birds to see.

>217 drneutron: Thanks, Jim. I love taking the photos and sharing with you guys.

>218 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks, Caroline. My arm is sore but I hope that will be the extent of the side effects. Are you vaccinated?

'Morning, Mark! Happy Wednesday to you.

Congratulations on getting your second dose!

Yay for the Cinnamon Teal, but poor Teal delegated to second place. Blue-winged or Green-winged?

>220 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Glad to get that second dose. Right now, the Cinnamon Teal is my favorite, (that could change, at some point). My next favorite Teal is the green-winged. I see blue-winged nearly every time I go out. They don't wear the fancy pants duds.

>219 msf59: Yes, fully vaccinated now Mark. Though I keep in mind the jab doesn't prevent you getting mild Covid.

Woot for being fully vaccinated! A week from tomorrow and I'll be 2 weeks past the second shot, too.

I'm sorry Murakami seems to be going downhill for you lately; here's hoping he'll surprise you with his next one.

Ooh, I love that Cinnamon Teal, Mark. It's amazing how many different species there are in the Western US vs. the Eastern or Central parts of the country.

Hey Mark! Wanted to tell you I saw two, new to me, feathered friends yesterday, the American Redstart. At first I thought, Oh it's just another red wing blackbird but when he flew off is wing was orange and a Tree Swallow. Their iridescent blue is so striking.

>215 msf59: Those are some lovely lifers to add, Mark! What a pleasure to be in a place that's so utterly different in wildlife.

Welcome back, Mark. The PNW sure looks purty up in >194 msf59:. great to se bree way up there reading with the boys. The Midnight Library has done well nationally, but I haven't seen it discussed much in our group. i'm a little leery because I wasn't a fan of his How to Stop Time.

i'm glad we have some pretty, if cool, weather for you to return to.

>215 msf59: Lovely pictured, Mark! It is amazing how some swallows can build their nests.

>222 Caroline_McElwee: Hooray for the "fully vaccinated", Caroline. Are you also experiencing people that are not willing to get vaccinated?
It has been a frustrating trend here in the states.

>223 scaifea: Glad you also got the second dose, Amber. Any side effects? Yes, this latest Murakami is just okay. Nearing the halfway point and no story has really blown me away.

>224 lauralkeet: Hi, Laura. Great point about the diversity of birds, throughout the US. Many of the cool birds we see here. They do not see on the west coast, including cardinals & blue jays.

>225 Carmenere: Hi, Lynda. Great to see you. Congrats on seeing your first American Redstart. One of my favorite warblers. I rarely get a warbler in our backyard. Not the right habitat. I am still waiting to see my FOY, redstart. It should be soon.

>226 richardderus: Hey, RD. It was a good experience. I plan on trying different places throughout the country but that will take some time.

>227 jnwelch: Hi, Joe. Great to see you visit. Yes, I LOVE the PNW and would love to explore more locations. I should get to The Midnight Library sometime this month and see for myself. Yes, I wish it would warm up a bit more but I do like the sunshine. Did you like all my bird photos?

>228 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita. Glad you like the swallows. They were many nests in this location, swarming with activity.

"The Jungle is a 1906 novel by the American journalist and novelist Upton Sinclair (1878–1968). The novel portrays the harsh conditions and exploited lives of immigrants in the United States in Chicago and similar industrialized cities. Sinclair's primary purpose in describing the meat industry and its working conditions was to advance socialism in the United States."

Here is a revelation- I have never read The Jungle and I have intended to, for many years. I even have a paperback copy on shelf, probably for a couple of decades. Well, I decided to finally try it on audio. Not far in, but I am finding it compelling and an early example of narrative nonfiction. Anyone else a fan of the book or any of his other work?

Hi Mark. Here is something you will enjoy: https://www.audubon.org/news/did-somebody-say-baby-bird-photos?ms=digital-eng-em...

:-)

>116 msf59: What a beautiful bird. Can you please tell me how to discern a male from a female gold finch?

It rained all day today. I filled the feeder with sunflower seeds, and within five minutes three cardinals were filling their bellies with food.

You have taught me a lot about birds.

>184 msf59: What a treat to have a meet-up with Kimmers!

Lovely photos, Mark and especially the one of the wooded pathway in >194 msf59:

>231 msf59: Ooof, The Jungle is a doozie. Dark and bleak, but powerful and so well written. I suspect you'll love it.

>229 msf59: I think the majority of people are taking the vaccines offered here Mark. I have one friend in her 70s who isn't, as they can't guarantee it won't aggravate other health issues, which is a fair reason to hold off.

>232 jessibud2: If this doesn't brighten your day, nothing will, Shelley. Thanks for sharing the Audubon baby birds link. I love this one and it is a great story too-



Sandhill Cranes, with a Canada Goose gosling tagging along. (NMP)

>233 Whisper1: Hi, Linda. Good to see you. It is pretty easy to tell the male goldfinch from the female, especially in the breeding season. The male is a glorious yellow.



Glad to hear, that you are enjoying those feeders and keeping those little bellies full.

Great thread

>234 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul. Good to see you. Yep, I had a nice visit with Kim. I wish a couple more of the Portland gang could have made it. Maybe next time? Glad you like the photos.

>235 scaifea: Morning, Amber! That is a positive report on The Jungle. Thanks. I can't wait to dive into it, a bit deeper.

>236 Caroline_McElwee: Glad to hear that, Caroline. The divisiveness here has really created a problem and will continue to do so. It got politicized, which is a damn shame.

'Morning, Mark, and happy Thursday to you.

I'm ashamed to say that I've never read The Jungle, although I read another major example of muckraking literature - How the Other Half Lives by Jacob Riis in high school.

So far this morning all I'm seeing are finches on the feeders.

>241 karenmarie: Morning, Karen. Glad to hear that I am not the only one who has not read The Jungle. How the Other Half Lives also sounds really good. I had not heard of it.

My feeders continue to be very slow. Maybe the birds are finding more to eat, in their natural environment.

>231 msf59: I did read The Jungle three years back, Mark. It is about the harsh working conditions in the meat industry in Chicago at the start of the 20th century. Not a happy book, but impressive.

>231 msf59: I'm glad it's working for you as an audiobook.

Spend a splendid Thursday!

>243 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita. Thanks for commenting on The Jungle. I hope to spend much more time with it, in the coming days.

>244 richardderus: Hey, RD! I have been making short driving trips the past 2 days, so I have not had a chance to get back to The Jungle. I hope to soon.

>231 msf59: Hey Mark, Happy Thursday! The Jungle is one of the couple "real" books that I didn't have to read for an English assignment in HS or college, it was purely because I wanted to read them. It was a very intense book. I should probably read it again. BTW, the other was The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham. No idea why I selected it, I just remember reading it for "pleasure"

>246 mahsdad: Sweet Thursday, Jeff. Great to see you. Only 90 minutes into The Jungle but I am really enjoying it. The engaging narrative style is completely different than I expected. I have also never read The Razor's Edge. Bad Mark?

>237 msf59: that's adorable! I did not know birds adopted too.

Have a great Friday, Mark.

>248 connie53: Hi, Connie. That crane and goose story is a lovely one. I think this happens from time to time in the animal world.

'Morning, Mark! Happy Friday. happy birding, happy books later on.

>247 msf59: oh, The Razor’s Edge is a fave of mine. You should get to it someday. Bill Murray’s movie isn’t bad either.

Hooray for your trip to Portland, family, great birding and the photos you shared! That cinnamon teal is sooo striking. Isn't it nice to be able to start traveling again!

Love the link in >232 jessibud2: The crane and goose combo are amazing. I wonder how the adoptee fared when it grew up?

Looks like our local Audubon group is resuming their bird walks, so mayhaps I'll have something interesting to report on.

Hi Mark. Birding question for you. Is there a good app you know of that helps identify a bird by its song? My friend told me yesterday that she heard a really melodic birdsong near her house that she had never heard before. She couldn't see it, only heard it. She has an app that if you type in the name of the bird, you can hear its song. But that doesn't help her if she doesn't know what bird it is. Any suggestions?

>250 karenmarie: Happy Friday, Karen.

>251 drneutron: It looks like I will have to read The Razor's Edge, Jim, after that endorsement. I have always wanted to read it.

>252 streamsong: Happy Friday, Janet. Great to see you. Yes, it was a very nice trip to Portland- family time, bird time and a Meet Up. The cinnamon teal seems to be a hit around here.

I am looking forward to hearing about your Audubon walks.

>253 jessibud2: Hi, Shelley. I have never used an app for recording birdsong but I have been meaning to try one. It looks like Song Sleuth is one of the best, (I have just downloaded it, for free) and another one highly regarded is ChirpOMatic. Let me know if either of these work for your friend.

Wishing you a great weekend, Birdman.

>255 msf59: - Thanks, Mark. I have passed along the info and will let you know if she has any success. Let me know, too, what you find.

Hi Mark, Happy Weekend with lots of all the good stuff, birds and books! Great combination.

Love all the bird photos, Mark. I use the UK's RSPB website to ID birdsong. Having an app to do it with must be brilliant though!

>256 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul. I hope you are enjoying yours as well and getting plenty of rading in.

>257 jessibud2: You are more than welcome, Shelley and please let me know.

>258 connie53: Happy Saturday, Connie! My weekend should have plenty of the 3 "B"s- birds, books, beer. Smiles...

>259 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte. Glad you like the photos. I hope to try new new birding app soon.

"Los Angeles, 1953. Lionel Walk is a young black caddy at Brookline, the oldest, most exclusive country club in the city, where he is known by the nickname “Train.” A troubled, keenly intelligent kid with no particular interest in his own prodigious talent for the game, he keeps his head down and his mouth shut as he navigates his way between the careless hostility of his “totes” and the explosive brutality of the other caddies."

^I have not read Dexter in many years. I did read Paris Trout & Spooner. Very dark books and I am sure Train will be no exception. I just started it yesterday, after finishing the disappointing First Person Singular.

**Paul sent this to me, a few years ago and it got lost on the TBR shelves, which happens from time to time.

Forgot that third B.

>262 connie53: How could you?? Grins...

"Be a part of birding’s biggest team! Global Big Day is an annual celebration of the birds around you. No matter where you are, join us virtually on May 8, 2021, and share the birds you find with eBird."

^Yes, I will be participating in this joyful event. I hope a few of my LT pals join too. Leaving shortly...

>255 msf59: Thanks for this info about birdsong apps, Mark, I've favorited it.

I've been using BirdNet, which has worked well for me, but I'm always interested in trying others to see what they're like.

>263 msf59: Because for me it's a W

‘Morning, Mark! Happy Saturday to you. Best wishes for a marvelous Global Big Day.

>261 msf59: Drat. A BB. Ordered even. Los Angeles, 1953 got me immediately – having been born there in that year.

>264 msf59: "ebird.org" is...it's...just so very, very You a thing to know exists. I don't mean that as a knock, I swear! Just, it's so very something I'd never even think to look up, so of course I'll learn about from Birddude.

Happy Bird Day!

>265 lauralkeet: Hi, Laura. I do not think I have used BirdNet. I will have to look into and also try these new bird apps.

>266 connie53: I think I know "W" you are talking about...

>267 karenmarie: Happy Global Bird Day, Karen. It was a good day, all around, my friend.

>268 richardderus: Hey, RD. Ebird is the most valuable service there is, in the birding world. I can keep track of all my sightings, do checklists for every place I visit, find out where the hotspots are and discover new places. I would be lost without it.

So the new Murakami isn't up to snuff, eh? That's sad.

>269 msf59:. So right, Mark. I love a glass of rosé wine.

>271 richardderus: Yep, it was a pretty lame collection, Richard. I surprised he allowed it to be released.

>272 connie53: Happy Mother's Day, Connie. Celebrate the day with wine.

'Morning, Mark, and a happy Sunday to you. Enjoy the time at Bree's.

>274 karenmarie: Morning, Karen and thank you. Have a lovely day too!

^Wow! I had some catching up to do...

45) A Common Person and Other Stories by R. M. Kinder 3.8 stars

I had never heard of Kinder before but I am a big fan of short fiction and thought this would be a good fit. I was correct. I like well-written stories about every day life and this one delivers. She does not get as dark and disturbing as some of the authors I admire, so this makes it more palatable for a wider range of readers.

46) Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong 4.2 stars

I was not familiar with poet and essayist Cathy Park Hong, but I loved this blend of memoir, and social commentary. Mostly surrounding her immigrant Korean parents but also looking at racial disparities throughout America. She is a fine writer and pulls no punches. A tough, frank approach, which I really admire.

47) An Enchantment of Birds: Memories from a Birder's Life by Richard Cannings

These are meditations and reminisces on the author's various encounters with birds through his life. They are well-written and informative. Mostly this will interest bird and nature lovers.



-White-Headed Woodpecker. I would LOVE to see one of these beauties.

48) The Missing American by Kwei Quartey 4 stars

I do not read as much crime fiction, as I used to. I read a steady diet of it, in the 80s and 90s but I like reading one, now and then and this crime novel, the first in a series, was quite enjoyable. Set mostly in Ghana, it features an ex-cop, private investigator, who is looking into an American, who has gone missing in her country. She makes an engaging sleuth.
**Thanks to Jim for sending this one, my way.

49) Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton 4 stars

I like country music and love the classic stuff. I never owned a Dolly Parton album but I have always admired her and definitely liked more than a few of her songs. I also did not realize how deep her song writing chops were, until I listened to this delightful memoir, told through her songs, spanning an impressive six decades.

**Thanks to Richard for putting this one on my radar. He also wrote a much better review.

51) First Person Singular: Stories by Haruki Murakami 2 stars

I think Murakami's work has slackened off, over the last few years and this latest collection has really confirmed it. Honestly, if his name was not on the cover, I do not think these stories would have ever been published. I am just surprised he would release this out into the world. A flat out DUD!

Hey Mark! Thanks for the shout-out. And I am so sad that your Murakami experience was so far from meeting your expectations.

Have a whimbrel in the kelp off Ireland's west coast to console yourself:

>278 richardderus: Hey, RD. Love the Irish whimbrel. Thanks for sharing.

I've been thinking about the Dolly Parton audio Mark. Is that what you read?

>280 brenzi: Happy Mother's Day, Bonnie. Yes, I listened to Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics on audio, with Dolly narrating. I recommend it, if you are a fan.

-Our first Baltimore Oriole, at the feeders, for 2021. I have also been seeing Baltimore's on nearly every walk I have been on lately. The males are staking out their territory. I never tire of seeing or hearing them.

FYI- There is grape jelly in the red bowl and they love it.

Nice Oriole! Didn’t know they went for grape jelly.

I saw your DNF review of A River Called Time. Struggled to finish, but I did finish. It didn’t get any better…

>283 drneutron: Hi, Jim. Yep, orioles love grape jelly and so do squirrels, believe it or not. Glad I made the right decision on A River Called Time. Sorry to hear, you had to finish it. Ugh.

Hi Mark! I hope you have a good day.

>276 msf59: I just looked at the range of the White-Headed Woodpecker. You’ll really have to go out of your way to find one, for sure.

>282 msf59: Yay. Nice pic too.

Welcome back, Mark! It’s great that you got to do a mini-meetup. Things are gradually going back to normal.

>194 msf59: “The woods are lovely, dark and deep”. Not sure why that line popped into my head. Lol.

Love all your bird photos.

I read The Jungle years ago. I’m thinking high school but hard to believe it would have been required reading at my catholic school, but you never know. My English teach was fairly progressive. Absolutely horrifying. I still have to shut my brain down to eat a hot dog or sausage.

ETA, Oh and recently saw my first Western Tanager of the year. They only pass through here for a few days on their way to the mountains. I immediately set out some orange halves but, of course, I haven’t seen any since.

Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley we had oranges galore so the orioles got a lot of 'em. Happy birds!

>285 karenmarie: Hi, Karen. It has been a good day. Birding in the morning, books in the PM. Life is grand. According to the book, white-headed woodpeckers were hard to find, a couple of decades ago, so who knows how tough they are to locate now.

>286 Copperskye: Hi, Joanne. Glad you like the photos. It has been a productive month or so. I got my Lifer Western Tanager in frigid Illinois, back in December. What he was doing there, I have no idea but I sure loved seeing him and so did many others. I am really enjoying The Jungle but it keeps getting more brutal, as it goes along. He does not pull punches at all.

>287 richardderus: Hey, RD. I hope to bird in Rio Grande Valley, one of these days. It is high on my bucket list.

>282 msf59: Very handsome. US birds seem to have a sweeter tooth than UK ones.

>289 msf59: I was sure The Jungle was part of my College of One collection. The literary and history course Scott Fitzgerald created for his lover Sheilah Graham. It took me years to collect the 40 books years ago, but it seems it isn't. I plan to do the course when I retire. Here's the list:

https://booknotesplus.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/a-college-of-one/

I'm past the midpoint in Utopia Avenue, Mark. AND I've returned to Midnight Rising. Also, I acquired another pile of reading at the first library book sale I've been to since December 2019.

>290 Caroline_McElwee: Hi, Caroline. We love our Baltimore Orioles and they have been everywhere lately. I checked out the College of One book list. I did terrible. I have read only 5. Bad Mark?

>291 weird_O: Howdy, Bill. Great to see you. I hope you are enjoying both of those books. I am a fan of both. I will have to stop by and see your new book haul. I am sure it is sizable.