Comments

Amazing! What a wonderful story. But would it help to put something on the window like a little bird cutout so birds don't fly into it? Poor little guy. Aw, that is so cute. Around here, a pair of purple finches have settled, and they seem to feel the need to make running commentary on my practicing. The male cardinal also makes his presence known, and the mockingbird will throw in her two cents too. But the most noisy are the cowbirds!

There is no problem here with the birds flying into the windows though. Maybe that has something to do with the cats constantly in the windowsills, staring at "Cat TV"!

I use a basic Peterson Field Guide to identify birds: "Birds of Eastern and Central North America". I bet you can get a decent California-specific, or western edition. It is nice to find out exactly what kind of critic/duet partner you are dealing with...

>Maybe that has something to do with the cats constantly in the windowsills, staring at "Cat TV"!

Oh, that's funny! Thanks for the tip on the field guide - I Googled around on Sunday, looking for a photo of the bird I saw, b/c he is still so clear in my mind, but I never found it. A field guide will do the trick.

>But would it help to put something on the window like a little bird cutout so birds don't fly into it?

Karen - in ten years of living there, it has never happened (to that window) before. It's in a hard to reach spot (second floor, away from balcony), so we'll probably let it go. Maybe I should open the screen window instead, next time I play Bach. : )

Loved this! Karin - thanks, and "loved it" right back atcha for your last blog post (that was archived before I could reply). Your daughter's quartet idea was just hilarious. : ) So cute. What a lovely experience!

It reminds me of a time when a friend was playing for a group of chickens (okay--it only sortof reminds me--your story was lovely; this one was just silly). But they were TOTALLY responding to her--getting all worked up and squawking rhythmically and flapping their wings. They never tired of it either. All of us spectators laughed ourselves silly, and I'd NEVER seen chickens so alert and focused.

Too bad my dog is mostly indifferent (kids too, for that matter).

Beautiful story! What a charming story! I most certainly hope that your husband was wrong. Jay and Corwin, thanks! And Theresa, your chicken story is just HILARIOUS. That's one I'll reread. That's a fascinating story, beautifully told. If you lived on the East Coast, I would say that the bird had to be a mockingbird. I'm glad the bird came back to validate your story to husband and son. Your description of the landscape is beautiful, too. In addition to the Peterson Field Guide, I recommend the Audubon Society's field guides. What a wonderful experience you had! I totally love this story, Terez. I even love your husband's idea about the narcissistic bird, who is really just in love with its own reflection...do we humans ever do that? ;) Aw! That's so awesome! Thanks, Pauline, Natasha and Laurie! Pauline, we do get mockingbirds here, but wouldn't it have tried to imitate the sound? Or do mockingbirds just sort of file away their repertoire and practice the new ones on off hours. (That's a hilarious image in my mind. But I DO love the way mockingbirds can sing so many different tunes.) And thanks for the field guide suggestion.

Laurie - loved the comment on the narcissism. Confession time: I practice in front of a mirror at least 50% of the time. Only to observe if I've got correct form, mind you! (And to be humbled by the sight of my double chin on the chinrest... ugh!)