{*Did you know you can write on Elephant? Here’s how—big changes: How to Write & Make Money or at least Be of Benefit on Elephant. ~ Waylon}

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It was down by the lake that it all became clear.

I was standing on the same concrete observation platform I’d stood on so many times before gazing out at the familiar old waters. But today, the lake had a whole new life.

It was the first day this spring that the warm sunshine kissed my face. Behind me, tree branches were breaking out in plump, green buds. In the flower bed, the smallest of lush green shoots were poking their heads through the softening soil.

My attention, though, was riveted to what going on in front of me.

Loud honks echoed across the otherwise quiet park as two Canada geese chased each other through the air and past the reeds, landing in the water with a series of mighty splashes.

Unphased by the ruckus, a couple of Mallard ducks bobbed around the reeds edging the lake. One of the ducks was a dull, grey-brown. The other sported an emerald green head glinting in the sunlight.

Suddenly, I became aware of a dark, little creature speeding like a torpedo across the surface of the lake. It traveled a good 50 feet before it slowed down revealing its more duck-like form. Now that I could more clearly see the dark body and light beak, I recognized the American Coot chasing after another coot, less visible among the reeds.

Then I heard. From somewhere across the water came the sweet, trilling, and unmistakable song.

Chee-Cheeee-Chee-Chee!

Chee-Cheeee-Chee-Chee!

I know that song by heart. It’s one of my favorites. It’s the one I wait for so eagerly every spring and drink in happily all summer.

It’s that dear, sweet tune that tells me that somewhere across the water, perhaps tucked out of sight among the reeds, sits a little fellow I know so well. His slick shiny black plumage, interrupted only by the beautiful, bright red and yellow patch on his shoulder, makes him one of the most attractive birds in the park.

It’s the red-winged blackbird.

When I hear that tune, I know it’s that time of year again. The birders around the world are dusting off their binoculars and bird identification guides. They’re grabbing their jackets and tuning up their cameras. And they’re hopping up and down in anticipation.

Birding season!

Truthfully, no time of the year isn’t a birding season. Some species of bird or another is always hiding in the trees somewhere.

But spring is something special. The migrators are coming home and it’s finally getting warm enough to get outside and see them. More than that, it also happens to be the time that the birds start nesting and the darling little downy babies start appearing. It’s a bird watcher’s utopia!

There’s nothing about bird watching that isn’t awesome. Seeing the friendly travelers back from a winter away is like meeting up with a dear old friend. Spotting a new, rarely-seen species is like finding a treasure. And trying to identify a new species using an ID guide or app is like piecing together clues to solve a mystery.

Perhaps the best thing our feathery little friends bring us, though, is a sweet and simple peace. When you’re listening to the cry of a couple of loons calling out to each other across sunset-colored waters, or you hear the far-off low-throated hoot of an owl from deep in the nighttime woods or see a brightly-colored hummingbird do acrobatics around the feeder, everything else is forgotten. Aches, deadlines, and stresses are all gone as you indulge, for a moment, in the sweet, simple world of the birds. No nasty headlines or tight schedules. Just song and color and the pure and delicious freedom of flight.

Of course, we have to come back, eventually. But even the short moments of delight in the world of birding are medicine for the soul and a vacation for the senses.

So, quick! Look around. Where did you put your spotting scope? Get your birding journal. Dig out your best birding ID book.

Then grab your hat and follow me. We’ve got a lot of birds to see.

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