Monday, November 04, 2013

In Praise of the Commonplace

Mallard, Canada Geese and a
Downy Woodpecker
4 November 2013

    This morning I had to go out and do a little shopping and collect the key for the board room of the credit union (Libro Financial Services) where the executive of our naturalists' club meets. Whenever I do this I have a circuit that I follow and I do a little birding along the way.
    Included along this route are two storm water management ponds around which the vegetation has grown up and it forms good habitat and cover for a variety of birds.
    I am quite sure that as I get older my delight in the very basic components of nature gets ever more keen, and my appreciation of it grows exponentially. This morning, with a little ice already forming overnight on the still waters of these ponds, I was greeted by the sight of minor flotillas of Canada Geese Branta canadensis, Mallards Anas platyrynchos, and hitching its way up a tree a male Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens. In addition there were Dark-eyed Juncos Junco hyemalis, Black-capped Chickadees Poecile atricapillus, American Tree Sparrows Spizella arborea and a variety of other birds, all common and frequently observed. 
    Not even the rarest of sightings could have eclipsed my happiness as I wallowed in the deep sense of euphoria engendered by the companionship of old friends. We should all take note of the familiar and enjoy its rewards.










Marcadores: , ,
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

6 comments:

  1. Carole M.5 November 2013 at 05:14

    I love those woodpeckers, and your geese and mallard photos are beautiful David. A great catch en route to the meeting

    ReplyDelete
  2. Noushka5 November 2013 at 05:43

    Great sightings on your way!
    Where I am no such water spots to watch birds that close, you're lucky! ;-)
    Your pic are gorgeous, especially the last one!
    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Stewart M5 November 2013 at 06:44

    Nice post. I often wonder what raptures birders would go into if Mallard were rare! They are a cracking looking bird.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  4. Richard Pegler6 November 2013 at 05:39

    Beautiful images, David, especially that last one.

    It's all too easy to to overlook the commonplace birds. I was remeinded of this last Thursday when a friend and I went to a feeding station at a local beauty-spot for a few hours (great for a concentrated photographic practise session!) On reviewing the photos that I had taken, I was strongly reminded as to how spectacular some of our 'everyday' birds are.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Helma12 November 2013 at 05:43

    You leave here very well see how beautiful the wild ducks are. Beautiful colors and beautiful flanszende positions. And you call a Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker?

    ReplyDelete
  6. David M. Gascoigne,12 November 2013 at 06:28

    Helma - Downy Woodpecker is the commonest woodpecker in this area.

    ReplyDelete

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