Lazy Birdwatcher

Bellbird Tours – Chiang Mai

When Brian and I are walking to the gym at 0-dark-30 each morning, I’m thrilled by all the bird calls I have never heard before.

I listen and appreciate, but can’t see the birds doing the calling. There are at least 5 different birds calling each morning. I realize I could probably try to record the calls, but that would mean a distraction from my watching the uneven ground beneath my feet threatening to toss me on my head at any given moment. I can glance up and around quickly for the same reason, but can’t see them to even think about trying to identify them.

I’m a lazy, but appreciative bird lover, and it’s wonderful to hear different calls than I have ever heard in the states. Brian is concentrating on getting to the gym as soon as it opens, plus monitoring me to make sure I’m steady on my feet, am watching where I’m stepping, not falling on my head to and from the gym, not getting distracted – so he’s no help.

I think it would be GREAT if, when I hear one of the wonderful calls, I can say, “Oh, listen to that!” and the bird in question would step out on the branch, or, better yet, fly down close to us, throw his wings out, and say, “This is me!” so I can thank him properly.

I don’t really need to know what some bird-ologist named him – the “wooly headed, wide-mouthed, whapadoo,” or even be able to critically recognize him or his call when I next see him.

I just want to appreciate the beauty of the sound, and smile at the bird, letting him know I think he’s special.

Is that too much to ask?