Day 164

June 13, 2022

I had an exciting surprise today

I had a special experience today at the rookery.  I went up around 4:30, it was 81 and sunny.  I stayed until after 6.  A gentleman arrived with a super telescope.  He didn't know the rookery was there, he didn't know about the 23 babies in nests.  But he was a serious birder with a serious telescope.  I told him we try to keep the whereabouts quiet.  He understood.

I collected 8 different wildflowers and will identify them tonight.  I know so little about them.  I brought them home and made a tiny bouquet.  

there is a spirit in this tree

He set the telescope up so I could use it sitting in my car.  It was so amazing.  Those birds could fill up the lens.  I could see everything as though I was right next to them.  

In these pictures there is a dead baby in the tree that obviously fell out of the nest and broke her neck.  I would have never known she was there by just my photos.  But in spite of the sadness, it was part of the reality that I go to see daily. I was in awe for a bit.  I couldn't figure out how to take a picture through the telescope.  

Before I left I thanked him for encouraging me to stay and try out the telescope.  It made me so happy.  He said he was glad he did it because it made him smile, too.