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Confessions of a Practical Blonde: The Birds, Bees and a SneezeBy Sharon Leary - April 23, 2008
iBerkshires Columnist
 | | Sharon Leary |
Just as the tulip bulbs are popping up from the Earth, and as if on cue from Mother Nature, I feel my desire for all things outdoors being reawakened.
Spring has sprung. That realization hit me over this past weekend as I spent the better part of it outdoors. For me, there is no surer sign of the return of spring then the return of my bird friends.
Each morning I fill my bird feeder, each evening when I return home I am amazed to see that it is almost empty. And that's just my bird feeder. At least 80 percent of my neighbors also have feeders. Robins, doves, wrens, swallows, cardinals, blue jays, ravens and sparrows all stop by my yard daily. I also have a few rabbits and quite a few squirrels hop through the yard to see if they can score something to eat.
One of my favorite quotes is from J.M. Barrie (he wrote "Peter Pan" and the movie "Neverland," starring Johnny Depp, was based on his life, check it out) and it relates to birds.
"The reason's birds can fly and we cannot is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings."
For the Birds
I have always had a fascination with birds. I think it's because I envy that they can take flight, but mostly I think it's the music. Bird song is unique and beautiful.
Part of the reason I have two parakeets, Leo and Jack, is because it allows me to have bird song all year long. Plus, they are easily taught to talk. Leo has a multitude of phrases that he has picked up, some of which I cannot repeat here.
With the onset of spring, I can do one of my favorite things — sit out in the yard early in the morning or late afternoon and listen to an unending myriad of bird song. I try to stay as still as possible to watch them flit and flutter about the bird feeder, the fence, the bushes and the nest built into the gutter.
[Hollingsworth, John and Karen/USFWS] |
It helps me to relax and connect to the nature right outside my back door. My neighbor Cindy is also a bird lover. She likes to sit out back each morning on her swing and drink her coffee while listening and watching the birds come and go. She has quite a few bird feeders in her yard as well as a bird bath that helps her achieve this goal.
Along with the return of the birds, also comes the return of insects. I know the weather is getting warmer when the lady bugs take over my back porch. I don't mind lady bugs so much. They don't creep me out like some other insects do. They actually tickle my finger when I'm lucky enough to catch one. Plus they are my favorite color. Most insects that are red are dangerous — fire ants and spiders come to mind.
And of course let's not forget about the bees. Not all bees are out and about foraging for pollen just yet. But the bumblebees are. These bees are probably my favorite of all the flying pollinators. They buzz around at a slow pace. I like to watch how they bumble from flower to plant to bush, looking for the good stuff. They don't bother you so much either.
My dog Remy also likes bumblebees; she likes to chase them that is. This weekend had exceptional bumblebee-chasing weather and I was thoroughly entertained.
When she first spots a bumblebee, her ears perk up and her gaze follows the bee's path. When they come close enough to her, it is then that she springs into action, chasing them away from the flower or plant they were buzzing, following them around the yard until they give up and fly away.
I don't think she wants to hurt them, I think she wants to play with them.
Their the Bee's Knees
Bees are extremely important to our environment and there is some distressing news about honeybees in particular. Colony collapse disorder is becoming more and more prevalent in North America. It is when a hive of bees just up and leaves and it has been happening more and more frequently.
In fact, "60 Minutes" did a piece on it last year that has been rerun recently. Honeybees are important to our environment because they help pollinate the fruits and vegetables that farmers grow. Think of the impact the bees have on our local farmers.
The Northern Berkshire Beekeeper Association does a lot of education on the subject of CCD as well as other aspects of beekeeping. You would be surprised at how many beekeepers are in the area. For more information on beekeeping or to attend one of their monthly meetings, contact President Tom Stefanik at tsmcs1@verizon.net.
The thought of sitting outside brings a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. I love to feel the sun on my face, a breeze on my cheek and the smell of flowers and trees blooming — but where there are flowers blooming there's a tear followed closely by the sniffles.
There is only one down side to the arrival of spring — allergies. And I have them. I'm officially allergic to dust, down feathers and most flower pollen. What people find most beautiful about the spring is noxious to me. As long as I stay a respectable distance I'm OK; I stay far away from lilac bushes and daffodils in full bloom. Two of the most beautiful flowers I cannot enjoy up close and personal.
Spring Sniffles
I am the lucky recipient of at least two sinus infections a year. I try to head them off with prescriptions and over-the-counter remedies. Eventually, even with prescription precaution, I will at the very least end up with a severe head cold.
My sinuses are so bad that once when I was having an MRI to find out why I was suddenly getting migraines, the technician commented, "are you sure the doctor wasn't more interested in these?" referring to my sinuses. I laughed. It is part of my genetic heritage. Even though I have Irish and French Canadian blood in my veins, I think my body was built to thrive in an arid, warm climate. I feel at my best when I'm near the ocean on a hot sunny day. Food for thought when I plan on retiring.
I will gladly suffer through my allergies if it means I can wear lighter clothes and open-toe shoes, open my sunroof in my car, barbecue, take longer walks with Remy and ride my bike.
If you have some time and are so inclined, next time you find yourself in your yard or in an area where there is lots of nature filling your senses, close your eyes and listen. I guarantee you'll hear a beautiful symphony. Enjoy the weather! |
I can always count on a warm feeling and a smile when I read your stories. Thanks Sharon!
| | from: finePen08 | on: 04-28-2008 |
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