Black-Capped Chickadee

Black-Capped Chickadee

I found another new bird! This one is a black-capped chickadee! Just like I told you when I brought you the mourning dove, this is actually a common bird, but it's a new one for me. I've been seriously observing nature for several years now, and I'm still finding new things that seem common to some people. I've also found some things that are far from ordinary.

This should tell you that no matter how or when you start to do it, watching nature in all it's forms can bring you a great adventure. This bird is a new and exciting find for me, and tomorrow it will be a normal sight in my eyes. When that time comes there will be another new and thrilling adventure waiting for me to take it's place. The black-capped chickadee will then be a welcome old friend. Today it's still my exciting new discovery.

When I was walking along the path in this area I never expected to see this bird there in the tree. It's a path I've walked many times, and I've also seen many birds flying there, but they never remained so close. The last thing I saw here, in almost the exact same spot, was a small garter snake. That one happened while I was fleeing from a family of noisy little kids.

This bird brings back so many memories from this place. It really is a path I know so well. The only reason I noticed this bird was because I was already looking in that direction. I've seen many animals in that spot, and I was looking for more, just in case. This exact spot is in fact marked off as a bluebird sanctuary, even though I have yet to see one.

This little bird was hopping all over this tree in quick little motions. I was really having trouble keeping up with it with my camera. There were a lot of crowded together branches, so getting a perfect picture was out of the question. The important thing was that I got it at all.

I found it interesting that this was another bird that could cling upside down on the branches. There seem to be a lot of those. You might also find some very interesting things when you begin observing birds or any other wild animals.

I was among the first generation of kids to have video games while I was growing up. I loved playing them, but for maybe different reasons than other kids. I loved the adventure and the discovery of new things. Not too dissimilar, but I took that idea even further. The discovery was the thing for me. But it soon just wasn't enough. I needed something real. Nature is real. I'm telling you that this is even more fun than playing video games, because this is real!

I guess these are some of the thoughts that a new discovery inspires in me. What kinds of things go through you mind when you discover something new like this?