May 20, 2026
Where: around the complex
When: 1:00 pm
Bird Species: European starling, American robin, house sparrow, common grackle, mourning dove
Things I Thought About:
- Oh, dang, it's hot.
- What is the difference between a sunshade and an umbrella? Would a regular umbrella keep the sun off, or is there like SPF and shit in specific products?
- That grackle looks fake. Their eyes continue to amaze, they like big yellow buttons. A terrific bird.
- I have definitely tweaked something in my knee.
- All the birds have their mouths wide open this week. Apparently, they all do it, all the time, when it's hot. This is another thing I didn't notice until I was looking at birds every day, but it's very noticeable. Despite my canonical resistance to actual bird research, I had to look this up. Turns out that much like dogs, who also can't sweat, birds will breathe heavily through their mouths to dispel heat. Many species flutter their mouth membranes to increase the rate of evaporative cooling. I'd love to see it up close. I bet it's weird as hell.
- There was a peer-reviewed paper I read that suggested that birds are better at dissipating/conserving heat through their legs than through their bills, and what that might mean for body shape evolution and climate change (longer bird legs, and also longer bills.)
- Speaking of scrawny old bird legs, I desperately need a pedicure and some self-tanner. I'm probably six weeks late on both of those, actually. And some office appropriate clothes for hot days.
- Of course, it's supposed to be 60 degrees this weekend for the epic water balloon fight at the other aunt's house Saturday. I do not have to participate, but I am committed to filling balloons for it. Birthday party shit for the niece, who is now a teenager. She'd do it if there was a hard freeze.
- I hope her gifts get here by then.
- Maybe I should have an epic water balloon fight for my birthday next month, which is always hot.
- Maybe I should order some gifts for myself, too.
BOTD: European starling. This bird is absolutely gorgeous. The bronze trim on that plumage is so elaborate and beautiful. In the winter, those coppery tips are bright white, and they are startlingly gaudy. If you look closely, you can see that they are triangles, the top of the feather shaft. In the summer, their pattern is more muted, but when you notice it, you really notice it. If it was cloth, you'd use it to make thick, heavy curtains for a fairy-tale theatre, or a table covering for a magic act.
