So much activity in your backyard, James. You always include details in your posts like the plane siting, types of planes, destinations, routes, etc. All very interesting. You didn't mention butterflies. They are my favorite to watch. Keep putting in the effort to do nothing, my friend. You have become very good at it.
Hi KC. There are butterflies around. And Monarchs when migrating. It seems impossible that they can travel so far being so light. I've seen them in a roosting grove in S. Cal north of LA along the coast. Near Pismo Beach, I think. In the millions (billions?) coating the Eucalyptus trees. I will keep practicing at doing nothing. Sometimes I get it right. Thank you for your kind words and the restack.
Well, you've had the ultimate butterfly watching experience, James. I am envious. I also enjoy watching bees work flowers, but there are fewer each year.
We have a lot of little gray birds and little brown birds around here too. Now I know what to call them: LGB's and LBB's.
Spotted a few Swallow Tailed Kites a few times about a month ago. Apparently they stop here briefly on their way from somewhere to somewhere else. They are beautiful.
I haven't seen a swallow tail. It is aptly named. I've found that once I became aware of the birdlife around me, birds seemed to be everywhere, or noticeably missing. My brother is an avid birder. Knows what most of those LGBs and LBBs are. I get lost in the small details. I know Florida has a BIG lizard problem. Thanks for the reread, Jim, and for your long time support!
I had more interactions with nature in the last five minutes than I did on my six-mile hike through the woods on Wednesday - Thanks James - as a pilot I was all in.
I love every part of this post, Ron - the bird watching, the plane spotting, the hapless lizards. You have so much more of all of it going on than I do here, and I am envious! Although I am on the commuter flight path north from LA to San Jose Airports. They fly right over my house, and from 6 to 10 pm they line up one after the other about five minutes apart like a great sky-parade. My old mother used to love to stand on the back porch and watch them come in. Thanks for the great memory and the lovely writing, my friend.
I look forward to doing nothing a lot in my yard. It is a challenge. I rarely succeed unless I fall asleep. That may be cheating, but I'm ok with it. I like the jets, the coming and going of so many people going everywhere. Thank you so much, Sharron, I appreciate you.
So good to be retired! I remember this story, Sharron. It's still very good. It's hard seeing loved ones get old.
One evening, I must have been about ten, my dad called me to the kitchen backdoor. Like the picture of Venus and the new moon at the top of your story, Venus was perched right on the top point of the narrow crescent moon. It has always seemed a special moment.
Great story. I still have trouble holding still. But we do have a great yard with much of what you describe. Italian lizards are now abundant in Cincinnati, brought here in mid-twentieth century by a kid who brought a few over from Italy, contained in a sock.
I remember once, standing on the porch close to the hummingbird feeder. I just happened to be standing there when a hummingbird arrived. Since I wasn't moving, I don't think he knew I was alive. I stayed motionless. He was within inches of my ear, and I could hear the beating of his wings. It really was a hum.
Traveling is nice, but there's no place like home.
Thank you very much. I had to look up Italian lizards. They are nice looking. Those hummers move a lot of air. Yes to "no place like home." I have become quite the homebody in spite of myself.
So much activity in your backyard, James. You always include details in your posts like the plane siting, types of planes, destinations, routes, etc. All very interesting. You didn't mention butterflies. They are my favorite to watch. Keep putting in the effort to do nothing, my friend. You have become very good at it.
Hi KC. There are butterflies around. And Monarchs when migrating. It seems impossible that they can travel so far being so light. I've seen them in a roosting grove in S. Cal north of LA along the coast. Near Pismo Beach, I think. In the millions (billions?) coating the Eucalyptus trees. I will keep practicing at doing nothing. Sometimes I get it right. Thank you for your kind words and the restack.
Well, you've had the ultimate butterfly watching experience, James. I am envious. I also enjoy watching bees work flowers, but there are fewer each year.
We have a lot of little gray birds and little brown birds around here too. Now I know what to call them: LGB's and LBB's.
Spotted a few Swallow Tailed Kites a few times about a month ago. Apparently they stop here briefly on their way from somewhere to somewhere else. They are beautiful.
Love the plane spotting--fascinating.
And don't get me started on lizards!
Great writing, James. I enjoyed reading it again.
I haven't seen a swallow tail. It is aptly named. I've found that once I became aware of the birdlife around me, birds seemed to be everywhere, or noticeably missing. My brother is an avid birder. Knows what most of those LGBs and LBBs are. I get lost in the small details. I know Florida has a BIG lizard problem. Thanks for the reread, Jim, and for your long time support!
I had more interactions with nature in the last five minutes than I did on my six-mile hike through the woods on Wednesday - Thanks James - as a pilot I was all in.
LOL, Mark. That's a nice sized hike. Wish I'd kept up with the flying lessons. Thank you, very much.
You're welcome James
This was great! Love your detail description of doing nothing…and yet so much at the same time.
Hi Madelyn. I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for commenting! I like your name. My mother's name was Madelyn. : )
I love every part of this post, Ron - the bird watching, the plane spotting, the hapless lizards. You have so much more of all of it going on than I do here, and I am envious! Although I am on the commuter flight path north from LA to San Jose Airports. They fly right over my house, and from 6 to 10 pm they line up one after the other about five minutes apart like a great sky-parade. My old mother used to love to stand on the back porch and watch them come in. Thanks for the great memory and the lovely writing, my friend.
I look forward to doing nothing a lot in my yard. It is a challenge. I rarely succeed unless I fall asleep. That may be cheating, but I'm ok with it. I like the jets, the coming and going of so many people going everywhere. Thank you so much, Sharron, I appreciate you.
So good to be retired. We earned it, didn't we? Here is a very short piece about plane spotting with my mom. I think you will like it.
https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/katys-flight?
So good to be retired! I remember this story, Sharron. It's still very good. It's hard seeing loved ones get old.
One evening, I must have been about ten, my dad called me to the kitchen backdoor. Like the picture of Venus and the new moon at the top of your story, Venus was perched right on the top point of the narrow crescent moon. It has always seemed a special moment.
Unforgettable!
Great story. I still have trouble holding still. But we do have a great yard with much of what you describe. Italian lizards are now abundant in Cincinnati, brought here in mid-twentieth century by a kid who brought a few over from Italy, contained in a sock.
I remember once, standing on the porch close to the hummingbird feeder. I just happened to be standing there when a hummingbird arrived. Since I wasn't moving, I don't think he knew I was alive. I stayed motionless. He was within inches of my ear, and I could hear the beating of his wings. It really was a hum.
Traveling is nice, but there's no place like home.
Thank you very much. I had to look up Italian lizards. They are nice looking. Those hummers move a lot of air. Yes to "no place like home." I have become quite the homebody in spite of myself.