Most of the time when I look out the windows I see the same butterflies and birds doing their usual thing. Sometimes I look out and see something astonishing. A week ago, I saw a bluebird and his lady on the birdbath. Bluebirds prefer the yards with large expanses of grass, so I was surprised to see them come to take a bath and drink in our fairly small clearing. They probably come quite often, but I happened to be looking that time. While they were there, a hummingbird came by for a drink but flew off when he saw the bigger birds already on the bath. When the bluebirds flew away, two cardinals came immediately, just as the hummingbird made another pass and again flew off to a nearby branch to wait. The birdbath needed an air traffic controller that morning.
I get a lot of pleasure out of watching the birds go about their business. On the weekends we sit on the porch and watch them come and go at the feeders and baths. It's especially rewarding to see the shy ones when they think no humans are around, like the bluebird and his lady, and the indigo bunting I saw early in the spring.
A few minutes ago I looked out at the birdfeeders and there were the usual suspects and someone I had never seen before. He was the size and shape of a nuthatch and his markings were striking. Not the nuthatch I have seen many times in the woods-- this was a red-breasted nuthatch. I just added another bird to my life list. That's exciting even after all these years of birdwatching.
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