A Letter to Dr. Bob

Perhaps I jumped to conclusions, Dr. Bob, but upon hearing about your upcoming eye surgery, my gut reaction was, oh no, things are getting worse. However, as perspective started to set in, I realized this operation could actually be the start of something better. That being said, I don't think you'd much mind if I contemplated your condition, as you strike me as someone who is not necessarily afraid to talk about death. 

Perhaps I’m wrong, but it seemed to me that when I met with you in person that one afternoon, you spoke of your worsening breathing condition quite frankly, without being avoidant or despondent. That’s not to say you sounded unaffected either- far from it. The passion for life shared by you and your wife, Judy, practically exuded from the floorboards and burst out the front door as I walked in. No, it seems to me that for you, the idea of death is like a project you’d rather put off, but know you can’t delay forever (there's more on this topic from Dr. Bob himself at Dr. Bob's Bird Blog).

And so here I sit with the urge to write, which is surprising considering I spent the last I-don’t-know-how-many hours staring at my laptop working on the last paper of my bachelors degree. I’m not done yet, but I put in some good work on it today, which is an improvement over the norm. Paper or no paper, as my mind wandered back to your surgery, I knew I had things to say.

So what exactly is it that’s swirling through my mind? I guess it’s simply that I have a story to tell. It’s comprised of dozens of different stories you and Judy told me while I was visiting, and also of those things left unsaid. Unfortunately, I have a terrible memory when it comes to stories, so I’d be surprised if I could repeat back more than bits and pieces of any one of them. Still, I can capture the essence of my experience that day, and say the unsaid things, because those are the things I never forget.

I was going to your house to retrieve a whole collection of birding magazines. My dear friend Kevin had put me in contact with you, venturing I might be interested in some of the cool things you were getting rid of as you sorted through your belongings. You wanted to find someone who would appreciate the collection and read the articles with a fervor and thirst for learning. I looked up your  blog and read its most recent post. I was captivated right from the start, when you wrote the profound statement, "I am still the kid I was. Also I am still all the other ages I have been. The brain is an amazing thing! We are who we are - and everyone we have ever been - all at the same time." Well with this sort of philosophy, I knew it was to be one of those “meant” connections, an unexpected meeting of the spirits in some other realm, only detectable here by the instant feeling of knowing a person even when you don’t. And while I was excited about the magazines, it was never really all about them. No, it was that root force pulling me toward you that motivated me first and foremost. In fact, by the time I was getting ready to leave your home, I had almost forgotten about the magazines entirely.

After much postponing and delaying, I was finally on my way over. Cedar Waxwings greeted me from above your front door before Judy welcomed me in (I'm sure you'd agree, Cedar Waxwings are always a good omen). I entered the home and was met with an eclectic scene, warm and cozy and ordered in its chaos. This was the house of two people who loved life, loved to learn, experience, collect, document, and explore. Figurines, signed memorabilia, dolls, statues, paintings, musical instruments, photographs… everything had its place, and everything had its own story. I wish I would have taken pictures while I was there. It would have been fun to stare at the images and see how many new things popped into my awareness each time I looked.

Photo courtesy: Robert Setzer

Of course, aside from the “things”, there was SheBe (sp?), as in “She be a bird”. I was fascinated by your pet bird, who seemed similar to you in that she was accepting of her circumstances, however limiting they might appear. All the love she needed surrounded her, and for that she seemed happy to be alive. I’ll admit my gaze drifted over to her on more than one occasion during your stories… but I’m a birder, I can’t not look at birds! Well, you understand.

You look at birds too, but now in a different way than before. Before, you could travel, adventure, and explore larger territories. You could see many different individuals of many different species across varying habitats. Now, your birding efforts are mostly confined to your backyard, especially your back deck where the feeders are. You’ll do anything to preserve this little window to the avian world, even if it means going outside in the breath-stealing cold, shoveling snow off the deck so the birds can feed with ease. Again, instead of being limiting, this is simply something new for you. I loved hearing about the way this has allowed you to really know the individual birds in your backyard. Now this is the perfect study of bird behaviors! You can pick up intricate details about individual birds, study their feeding and fleeing habits, learn their social orders and behavioral differences. You told me about your observations of House Sparrows, for example, and how they work so closely to collectively evade capture by birds of prey, especially Cooper’s Hawks. It is pretty amazing that a group of dozens of House Sparrows can work together with such speed and synchronicity that every life is spared.

I found myself slipping into interviewer mode, asking questions about your life, then processing them in relation to mine. I expressed my concerns about direction, about going through life without much of a plan. This led you to share a string of stories about the various jobs you’ve had, each more unlikely than the last. You were open to new adventures of all kinds, and so you embraced whatever came your way. You seemed to be able to manifest many different opportunities throughout your life, each one a new chance to learn some new angle about life and about yourself. I admire that ability to ride the wave of change rather than sinking below it. One of your coolest professions, in my opinion, was that of phycologist, or scientist in the study of algae and seaweed. I recall the story of you introducing the title of your profession to a group of psychologists, leaving them with the impression you were making fun of them. This made me chuckle.

Another opportunity! The kiosk at the entrance to Beaudette Park, which would soon house posters of the birds of the park, as well as information about them, all provided by Dr. Bob. See his blog post about this here. Photo Courtesy: Robert Setzer

We also touched on the mundane things, the everyday details like how Judy and I prefer drinking water at room temperature, and how you always keep a stash of cookies nearby. You mentioned your to-do list, a long line of things that need to be moved, organized, or placed into new homes. It’s clear to me that you’ve come to a very wise place in life, accepting that the to-do list will never be done, but appreciating whatever progress you have the time and energy to make. I think this is important in life. Sometimes we can’t get it all done, but that doesn’t mean we’re failing. Life isn’t about being in a race; it’s about stopping to watch the birds every once in a while, enjoying the stillness between beating wings.

Of course, our conversations invariably returned to birds, and to the birders we mutually know. We talked about Kevin, Tom Heatley and Paul, Ed and others, each of us sharing fond memories and humorous anecdotes of being out in the field. It’s interesting to see how we’re all connected, and who flocks with whom. You and Judy shared stories of birding together, of moments of excitement spent around the country and in your own backyard. I could tell you two were birds of a feather, and lucky to have one another. I learned of some life birds you haven’t yet seen, including Sora and Pileated Woodpecker, the bird you said you’d most love to see before departing from this plane. I’m hoping we can make that happen for you sometime soon. It sure is a species worth marveling over!

Unfortunately, I don’t know how many more visits like this we’ll have. I’d love to be able to say we could collaborate on a project where I visit, you talk, and I record... which reminds me of something from your blog. You wrote, "What I really need now is a 'mentee' or a person who wants to learn fascinating things about the many worlds to explore. I would love to share my stories with someone! Even better if they would like to help me record them!!!" Your life, your stories, and your experiences are a colorful mural worth sharing with the world. Perhaps we will have more of these sessions. But for now, I just wanted you to know that visiting you that day is something like how I imagine you’d feel finally seeing that Pileated Woodpecker- it did not disappoint. One for the life list indeed.

My visit with the Setzers, Photo courtesy: Judy Setzer

Update on Dr. Bob's condition: Dr. Bob was previously placed on hospice and given six months to live. However, after our meeting, he was reevaluated by his medical professionals who removed him from hospice, stating there was no indication of an imminent downturn. Dr. Bob plans to get back to his blog as soon as his eyes start feeling better, for he has many updates on what he calls the "best year ever for deck birds!"

Bird Nerd School is In Session!

Birding is a classroom.

Sometimes its birders that are the teachers; sometimes you seek and find the answers through reading and research. Oftentimes, the teachers are the birds themselves.

With a year and a half of birding under my belt, I've learned countless lessons from these often surprising subjects.

I'll share with you some of their secrets...

Lesson 1: Robins are not a sure sign of spring

Source: The Cornell Lab, 2016

American Robin soaking up the sun, January 2016

Many of us, including myself until about a year ago, believe the American Robin signifies spring. While it's true they are migratory birds, they can be found in Michigan year-round. In fact, I've been seeing more of them this winter than I usually ever see! I find them hanging out in small flocks, often near flocks of European Starlings. Maybe I see them more lately because their rusty breasts are easy to identify even on the dreariest, grayest
winter days. So if Robins aren't the best indicators of Michigan spring, which birds are? In my experience, Killdeer and Red-winged Blackbirds take the cake.

Lesson 2: Bird names can be confusing

Q: Those woodpeckers with red heads are called Red-headed Woodpeckers, right?

A: Yes. And no.

The woodpecker on the left is a Red-headed Woodpecker. The one on the right is the much more common Red-bellied Woodpecker. I suppose when it comes down to it, the Red-headed does have more extensive red on the head. Perhaps the Red-bellied should be called the Red-crowned Woodpecker, but don't let me confuse you!

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)

Red-headed Woodpecker eBird, 2014

  

Lesson 3: There is no such thing as a sea gull

Gulls are some of the most complicated and confusing birds to identify. Without a scope, lots of studying, and the assistance of more experienced gull-watching birders, identifying gulls becomes overwhelming. My life list shows just a handful of Michigan's species (Ring-billed, Herring, Bonaparte's, and Great black-backed, the world's largest gull). There are many others who visit regularly or casually, including: Black-legged kittiwake, Little gull, Franklin's gull, California gull, Thayer's gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Glaucous gull (for a more extensive list, click here). Still, nowhere in this list is there a "sea gull". Of course, sea gull is just a casual term for these open-water birds. To non-birders, this naming distinction is irrelevant, but say "sea gull" in front of a group of birders and you just might get corrected!

Lesson 4: Sounds can be deceiving

There are birds whose songs exemplify the traditional qualities of a bird song: high-pitched, melodious, and sweet. Song Sparrows, Red-eyed Vireos, Northern Cardinals, and Carolina Wrens are all good examples. Then there are other birds whose songs and calls defy expectations and confuse new birders. Consider the Cedar Waxwing (click video to hear its call) whose single-note buzz sounds more like an insect than a bird, or the Eastern Screech Owl whose call is reminiscent of a ghost or a horse (or maybe a horse's ghost). On the flip side, there are other creatures who can lead to more confusion and cannot be ID'd by any bird field guide because...well, because they aren't birds! Chipmunks and Spring peeper frogs are two such creatures.
Source: YouTube

Lesson 5:  Birding hotspots are everywhere!

Backyard Cooper's Hawk (juvenile)

A secluded path in the woods, a wide open field, a stretch of pristine shoreline; these are all obvious places to look for birds, and will often host many a feathered friend. However, sometimes the best birding can be done right in your own backyard, subdivision, school, or parking lot. I remember last winter I was on the hunt for Snow Buntings when I received a tip about a mixed flock of Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, and Common Redpolls, all three of which were life birds for me at the time. I followed the directions from the tip and was surprised to end up in a subdivision which was under construction. I guess it only makes sense that birds would be closer to home than we think. After all, this land was theirs before it was ever ours. Similar moments include: a Snowy Owl perched on a telephone pole in my work parking lot, a Cooper's Hawk sitting right in front of my deck outside my back door, Bald Eagles flying over a local mall, and Peregrine Falcons roosting on a court building downtown.

Lesson 6: Birding is best without expectations 

I'll admit, this lesson is a subjective one, but it's worth consideration. There are times when a birding excursion revolves around a target species or specific goal (i.e. driving 3 hours away to see a rare duck, or going night birding for Northern Saw-whet Owls). These can be fun adventures and exhilarating, especially when successful. However, these types of outings tend to carry a tension, an anxiety that comes with high expectations and hopes. I think to give up hope, to give up the goal, leads to a much more peaceful, satisfying experience. When you relax, let go of the need to control the outcome, and open your eyes, ears, and mind to whatever is present, the beauty of the moment becomes more evident (whether due to an uncommon sighting, a beautiful common bird, or the peace that comes with a walk in the fresh air). Interestingly enough, it is often just after releasing expectations that a memorable sighting takes place. ABA's blog features a recent post by Lynne Barber, who seems to feel the same. She says, "The higher our expectations of what bird(s) we strongly want to see, the more we also risk our birding becoming a win or lose situation... It is my theory that it is only the people who can stand to 'fail' in their bird chases will keep birding long term" (click here for full article).

Baby Killdeer, Spring 2015

Birding is a classroom,
A field of study from which you do not graduate;
only progress
and learn
and teach others along the way.