November 14, 2026
Where: just outside my house
When: 3:00 pm
Bird Species: northern flicker Heard but not seen: house sparrow, American robin
Things I Thought About:
- I woke up today with an urge to do some deep cleaning and organizing, completely ruining my weekend.
- I have decided I would like to get rid of one third of all my worldly goods, and no time like the present, a day where it has turned quite blustery and cold and seems like time to move all the boots and sweaters to the front of the drawers and closets, and banish the sundresses.
- It is gray and very windy, and I am quite sure today’s bird will be a house sparrow.
- Today’s bird walk is a ten-minute break from the task of sorting clothes with my niece, who keeps saying “Good call” every time I say “Donate.” She is being very helpful, but she has some fashion opinions.
- We cannot take a longer break because I am paying her, and am introducing her to the concept of low-wage non-exempt work.
- Just kidding, this is a ten-minute break because there are cookies in the oven.
BOTD: northern flicker. I cannot believe how this bird fucks with me.
I go outside, knowing I have to take the first bird I get, fully expecting, on a gray and very windy day like today to only see a house sparrow hunkered in a bush, but I see this silhouette in the tree at the end my parking lot and think, oh good, a mourning dove, because that's what's usually perched up there. As I get closer, I see the shape is little different and think blue jay? Then it turns, and see the jags of the tail, and say are you fucking kidding me. Of all the days and places to see a flicker. There is simply no limit to how he taunts me.
