I'm sitting here at my desk, responsibly trying to work on a column which I must get off today…only to be repeatedly distracted by a certain nuthatch who insists on regularly ratcheting down the trunk of the big box elder and giving me a quizzical, bright-eyed stare before flying off to snatch a sunflower seed from the feeder.
What's the deal? The feeder is in the other direction. An efficient nuthatch should be creeping down the far side of the tree—checking out that flightpath. Nope. Herky-jerky down. Stop. Stare…and stare…and stare some more. Then off and around the tree. A few minutes later, the scenario repeats. Maybe fifty times so far.
So I stare back and wonder.…
I sit at this windowside desk most days—and no doubt look pretty much the same from the other side of the glass: a sturdy fellow wearing a shirt—camo today—hunched over a keyboard. Neither so ugly nor handsome that he needs repeatedly checking out. Why the long, thoughtful looks?
If I were annoyed or unnerved, I could close the blind—or simply keep my head down and ignore the bird. Unfortunately, so far as my work is concerned, I'm rather amused. Distractedly, delightfully, amused. I've never been this window-peeped by a nuthatch.
20 comments:
Funny. The nuthatch at my feeder don't stare at me or the cats. They only seem to stare (down) downy woodpeckers.
Carolyn H…
I've never had a nuthatch repeatedly stare at me this way. When I'm filling the feeders they'll sometimes glom onto a nearby trunk and give me the watchful eye until I'm done and they can eat. When I'm on the deck in the rocker, they always give me a glancing check—just to make sure I'm not planning on having nuthatches for dinner—before flying to the seeds. But this one is making the effort to come down the back side (from the feeder) of the tree, then stopping and staring for a minute or more before launching off and away. Strange behavior…of course, nuthatches are goofy little birds, anyway. Maybe I ought to try leaping up and running away from my desk, make the bird think I'm acting like a big, frightened, stared-down downy.
Terrific photo, Grizz. I'm quite confident that the nuthatch find you to be no less interesting that you find it.
They are such a lovely bird Grizz and so like our nuthatches too. Today we have had two lively jackdaws at our feeders - I hardly like to discourage them but they are a nuisance. When I walk to the window they fly off but all the other birds remain where they are on the feeders - they are so used to us that they are happy to ignore us. The only thing that moves them is the sparrow hawk who flies through daily but rarely catches anything.
Thanks for your most interesting comments on my blog.
George…
Thank you. I couldn't resist shooting the portrait. But I'll have you know between nuthatch watching, taking bird photos, and quick posting the blog piece, my column took three times as long to get done. But it was a fun distraction.
Weaver…
They are quite lovely birds in their slate blue/gray and white, with black button eyes and that chisel beak. Odd, quirky, cute, and interesting. One of my backyard favorites. A lot of my birds are also fairly used to me being out and about, and take little mind so long as I don't stare too long or walk directly toward them. I could probably get a few chickadees to eat out of my hand with not much trouble. They're quite tame. But there's no approaching the pileateds or flickers. For whatever reason, I haven't seen a Cooper's hawk cruise through in several days…though I might have missed it.
It was my pleasure re. comment. I enjoyed your thought and post and couldn't resist.
HI GRIZZ - your relationship(s) with natures wild is most interesting and honest and appreciated. I love that you prefer being distracted and can be part of a "communion" with nature with such open humility, surrender,innocent wonder, joy and pure delight. Thanks for sharing such simple joy.
Love Gail
peace....
What a beautiful bird and photo.
So lucky to have such a window to sit by as you type away and see your garden.
I also have Cooper's Hawks where I live (Tucson) but I never get a photo as they zoom through my yard.
cheers, parsnip
Gail…
Thank you, and you're right (alas!) in that I seldom mind being distracted. Of course this all goes back to my work ethic—or lack thereof—which has long been labor for all I'm worth and to the best of my abilities until something more interesting comes along…then play hooky for as long as possible. Which explains why I have more adventures and such in my memory bank, than actual dollars in my bank account. The worst part is—try as I might, I've never yet regretted making such choices.
Angryparsnip…
Thank you. I am lucky to live where I do and have such an advantageous deskside window…though it's a blessing that often causes me to spend twice as long at a given task. Which isn't a complaint.
haven't seen my Cooper's for a week or more, which is probably just a question of observational luck. It will likely come zooming around the cottage's corner and through the yard toward the feeders any time now, as I'm sure it's still hunting hereabouts.
Am loving your bird pix of late, Grizz. That nuthatch in its sharp clarity just beats them all. I can only wonder at your photographs!
Solitary…
Thank you, though this one was probably the easiest of the lot by practically posing for the shot. But I'm really glad to hear you're enjoying the bird pix. I keep thinking I'm running too many, but that's what I'm mostly shooting, given the weather and all. And I never get tired of trying to better my last image, catch something different, whatever. We've had gray skies and rain, sleet, or snow for the past few days—since the day after the water shot post—and I've not had much opportunity to get out and about, even if I decided to try and make a few gray, wet landscapes.
Good to hear from you, BTW. I hope things are ging well. I really enjoy the poetry and interviews.
I love nuthatches--love their herky-jerky movement down a tree trunk, and the quizzical look they have in their eyes.
KGMom…
Yup, me too! They are neat little birds, interesting to watch, and seemingly interested in watching you right back. This one, however, went overboard on the reciprocal scrutinizing.
A FANTASTIC photo of yet another of my personal favorites. Distractions of this sort are always good, no?
Giggles…
Oh, yes, and alas, nuthatches—and birds in general—are well up there on on my nigh endless list of "worthwhile" distractions…which is why some projects take forever.
PS…sorry to be slow in replying. Yep, got distracted. :-)
Didn't notice the tardiness.... I'm always distracted these days. (Actually? Working on an exciting business idea. Wish me luck. I will post details ...eventually....)
Warm regards!
Hah! I love it! my kittens keep asking me to go out and play, which I do, of course, being gainfully unemployed.
Cheers from Cottage Country Canada!
Giggles…
Thank you, I'm glad you understand…lately I'm so distracted from several directions I'm having trouble keeping up with anything—let along the things I want to do and enjoy. What's that old saying? "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!" Well, I'm fast getting there.
BTW, looking to hear about the new gig.
Jenn…
Ahh, kittens…nothing funner. (Yes, I'm sure "funner" is a word because my Aunt Grace always said I was the most funner nephew she had.) I'd play, too.
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