It’s just me

(Or how I ended up liking mono-color birds best)

I have always loved Egret’s. They are stunning birds visually, eye-catching, and memorable. When I was a young adult, I felt that Egrets meant something — something good. Seeing them was like a good luck charm. Good things were on their way. How bad a day could it be when there was an Egret spotting? I’m not picky about my Egrets. I like all sizes and shapes and even their darker cousins, the Herons. All stunning, gorgeous birds.

Years ago, when I started a word-processing business in my home, I named it Egret’s Nest in hopes of being able to manage to work at home so that I could be home with future children. The business did well but I realized that working at a time and mental-energy consuming job such as word processing would not be compatible with children at home so I gave up that dream but the name stuck. And, when I started blogging, well, the name seemed perfect.

Now, I have a new career. I am a teacher and I work at the school that my children go to in the Santa Cruz mountains where Ravens soar among the giant Redwood trees. And, I have a new love: Ravens. Black, glossy, loud — they are in every way the antithesis of an Egret. But, they have captured me — my attention, my heart, and my camera lens. I see Ravens daily which helps to explain my fascination with them. They are smart and clever. They are funny and social. They are solitary but willing to compromise for a good food source — such as an elementary school playground after lunch time! They are amazing to watch — their affection for their lifelong partner is amazing. They work in a group in an amazing way. Their aerial acrobatics are breath-taking. So, yes, you’ll see Ravens here always, always, always.

Egrets will appear when I see them — I still love their beauty. I wouldn’t be a birder if I didn’t have room in my heart for many different birds. I am barely restraining myself from waxing poetic and the amazing qualities of the Chestnut-backed Chickadee, for instance.