Nature Done Wright

On the first morning of summer, several birding-related emails arrived lickety-split — and inspired a request for you later in this column.

  * First, a Ramsey birder sent this email to my local nature group: “While in my yard yesterday, I heard multiple Baltimore oriole sounds coming from high up in the trees. I was then amazed to see four Baltimore orioles having an argument with two grackles! Extraordinary to say the least …”

  * Next, a backyard birder in Montvale wrote: “It is always amazing to see the different parents that baby cowbirds have. We saw a chipping sparrow feeding this huge baby yesterday.”

    * Finally, a birder in Wyckoff chimed in: “I continue to get a thrill watching adult hairy woodpeckers feed their young and adult downy woodpeckers feed their young — and to realize that a nesting pair of Flickers had at least one baby, who has yet to master the technique of hanging on to a railroad-tie wall as he pecks for bugs.”

   Inspired, I went to the dining-room window and what should I see but a female mallard swimming in our little brook with three newly hatched ducklings, already paddling for all they were worth.

  The e-mails and the ducklings brought to mind a sketch of a ruby-throated hummingbird that my wife has placed in a prominent spot in our home. The sketch is accompanied by a slogan: “Simple pleasures are life’s treasures.”

 So here is my request: What is your favorite birding-related moment, your “simple pleasure”?  

The link is here.