This morning at the gas pump, the guy opposite me noticed my boat and asked if I was going paddling.  We talked some about the cold water temperatures and wet suits and then he asked me if I'd tried Wolcott Pond -- his favorite spot.  It's a little pond with a boat access ramp and is pretty much undeveloped.  I decided to give it a try.

 It was easy to find and no one was there as I launched.  Immediately, I saw a couple of Canada Geese with their little ones (photo).  The black flies are starting to show up but keeping moving in the kayak kept them at bay.

I try to combine a workout with some birding and carry my binoculars stuffed into my life vest.  There was no one on the pond and a variety of bird calls floated across the water as I cruised along.  It's a trick to find a little warbler from a coasting boat but a few times, I paused with the bow up against the shore and watched a Common Yellowthroat, several song sparrows, and several other types.  Then, from around the corner, I heard the wild sound of a loon.

Sure enough, up at the far reaches was a pair of loons, in summer plumage, cruising around.  I got quite close to them - too close since they must be nesting.  The male surfaced with a splash right beside the kayak.  I carefully left the area, not wanting to disturb them more.

After another half hour of higher intensity paddling, I slowed to watch a Great Blue Heron fish along the shoreline.  I didn't need binoculars for that -- or as I silently glided up to a pair of kingbirds cavorting in a overhanging tree.

It's a good combination -- the exercise of paddling and the peacefulness of watching birds in a quiet remote location.  Good for the body and the spirit.

I’ve just finished a great book called “On Watching Birds” by the late Lawrence Kilham -- who was widely known for his work with viruses and infectious diseases and later in life, became a distinguished expert in the behavior of birds, particularly woodpeckers.  It is a fascinating book.

I was thinking of his philosophy today when out hiking with the Vizsla.  I had binoculars along and was hoping to see some early migrants.  We’ve had a taste of winter and the ground is frozen, the wind nippy, and the birds pretty quiet.  As we climbed and climbed and there was nothing moving -- except the dog who was running to and fro, having a great time -- I started to get a little frustrated.  (Two weeks ago, I was hearing all sorts of bird calls and seeing 20 species or more on a walk .. in Texas.)  Then I thought of the book and Kilham's writing, particularly this passage:

“Enthusiasm for the beauty of life helps to keep the brain alive.  And there is a practical aspect to it. Things do not always happen when one goes out to watch birds.  There can be long stretches when nothing much seems to be going on, as when watching by the nest of a Pileated Woodpecker.  At these times I switch to thinking about how beautiful the world is, and instead of being impatient that the bird does not return, I find myself at peace with the world.”

What a great attitude -- although easier said than done.  I did mentally shift gears, noting the beautiful sky, the trees starting to show signs of budding, and my crazy dog, running joyfully through the woods -- not caring what the weather was nor whether she saw birds, squirrels, or deer.  

Combining those two attitudes: Dr. Kilham’s  “the world around us is beautiful ... slow down and notice it” and Penny’s “Hey, we’re out in the woods, let’s have some fun” sounds like a good strategy for walks.  I’ll test it as we struggle through the coming weeks, impatiently waiting for green and warmth and migrating birds.

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Penny, our Vizsla, is my canine companion who hangs with me - or not, depending on what other possibilities might attract her attention, on outings both in the truck and in the woods.  We've had adventures with moose, coy dogs, porcupines -- you name it.  She's not the greatest help in my birding efforts.

I've cranked up my interest in birding in preparation for our Southwest Trip, purchasing some new guidebooks,  Birdseye (a neat birding iPhone app,) and some new binoculars (so that Mary and I can each have a pair.) Today, while downtown, I stopped near our ball field to let the dog get some exercise.  I noted two waterfowl swimming on the North Branch of the Winooski and grabbed my binoculars.  Penny was off exploring smells and tracks and I got a chance to study the pretty birds as they dove and fished in the frigid waters.  Then the Vizsla was there and very interested.  Even though she's supposedly a pointer, with birds she's a chaser and down the snowbank to the stream she went, barking like crazy.  The birds just paddled, seemingly knowing that she was not coming in the water.  I watched them some more, made mental notes of their markings, and soon they got sick of the dog and just drifted downstream.  Penny decided it was too dicey to follow and deigned to come back up toward the truck and soon we were on our way home.

I wrote up my notes, checked my bird books, and found that they were a couple of female hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus.)  Fairly common but new to me and another addition to my life list.  

When we have to keep Penny on a short leash, the challenges of bird observation are going to be very interesting.  Binoculars in one hand, leash in the other -- picture it.  Stay tuned.

photo by  mikebaird

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