Sleeping northern flicker and lighting a fire in a young birder
Discussion
10 replies
Posted by Douglas Graham on February 13, 2010 at 5:42 PM
Completing the circle with my 4 year-old daughter. Today something happened that was so delightful I wanted to share with all of you. On the cover of the newest Peterson Field Guide to Birds is the picture of the northern flicker the story of why the guide has that picture goes something like this.
Roger Tory Peterson was an 11 year-old birder in the woods near his home when he came across what he thought was a dead flicker. In his writings it reads, “It all started with what looked like a dead Flicker. I didn’t expect the bundle of brown feathers to move when I touched it. But it did and in that woodpecker’s flurry of movement and the associated burst of color, I was forever “hooked” on birds.” He goes on to explain that the bird was just worn out from migrating up during a really hard and wintery early spring much like the weather we are having right now.
And so it goes my 4 year-old birding buddy whispered to me as we approached the northern flicker hanging from a tree trunk about 3 feet off the ground with his head under his wing, “is he dead”? Just as Roger Tory Peterson became hooked my daughter has not stopped talking about the event all afternoon. The bird did at one point lift its head and look at us but just tucked its head under its wing and went back to sleep. We shot a few frames and backed out of the woods and left the bird alone to recover. It all puts a big goofy smile on my face and makes me proud as a parent to have included her on such an important introduction to the natural world. She is right now looking at Peterson’s Guide at all the beautiful birds. Here we go.
Wonderful story and it should be great starting out that early in life. Wish you both a excelent journey. Decent shot also.
Posted by Ron Dudley on February 13, 2010 at 8:35 PM
Helluva story Douglas. Warmed my heart from a couple of angles.
Posted by Luke Ormand on February 13, 2010 at 10:52 PM
Douglas,
Thanks for sharing this story and the photo. It's funny to me because I recently purchased that Peterson's field guide and I never read the intro. . . but I've always wondered, "Why the HECK did he put flickers on the cover?" I mean, they're beautiful in their own respect. . . but out of ALL the birds in North America he chooses flickers? Well it all makes sense now!
Posted by David Graham on February 14, 2010 at 1:55 AM
Greatstories, Doug...
about RTP and especially about your daughter!
My grandaughter - twentyseven months old - delights in letting me know each morning which of our feeders is getting low: ..." the deedee's, hatcher's, or the pekkey']s" She has her own binos at the window, as well, and uses them, usually from the correct end! I totally agree; y'can't start 'em young enough !
Dave Graham
Posted by Douglas Graham on February 14, 2010 at 9:07 AM
Luke you wont find the information about why the flicker was used on the cover in the forward of the new guide book. That story was in the book called, "Birdwatcher: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson". However you should read the forward in the new guide book as its by his son Lee and is very moving.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on February 14, 2010 at 9:24 AM
What a great story, Douglas...thanks for sharing it with us!
Posted by Nate Chappell on February 14, 2010 at 7:03 PM
Congrats Doug, thanks for sharing your story and the interesting info about RTP.
Posted by Wayne Jones on February 14, 2010 at 9:03 PM
Way to go, Douglas!
I think flickers are great attention-getters to help develop an interest in nature -- full of surprises and seeming contradictions -- both camouflaged and colorful. (One of my favorites as a kid, too.) Of course, what it just as important is an adult to provide gentle and fun guidance and encouragement. Congrats on doing that.
Posted by Nick Saunders on February 15, 2010 at 11:26 AM
A wonderful story Douglas. Thanks for sharing that
Discussion
10 repliesRoger Tory Peterson was an 11 year-old birder in the woods near his home when he came across what he thought was a dead flicker. In his writings it reads, “It all started with what looked like a dead Flicker. I didn’t expect the bundle of brown feathers to move when I touched it. But it did and in that woodpecker’s flurry of movement and the associated burst of color, I was forever “hooked” on birds.” He goes on to explain that the bird was just worn out from migrating up during a really hard and wintery early spring much like the weather we are having right now.
And so it goes my 4 year-old birding buddy whispered to me as we approached the northern flicker hanging from a tree trunk about 3 feet off the ground with his head under his wing, “is he dead”? Just as Roger Tory Peterson became hooked my daughter has not stopped talking about the event all afternoon. The bird did at one point lift its head and look at us but just tucked its head under its wing and went back to sleep. We shot a few frames and backed out of the woods and left the bird alone to recover. It all puts a big goofy smile on my face and makes me proud as a parent to have included her on such an important introduction to the natural world. She is right now looking at Peterson’s Guide at all the beautiful birds. Here we go.
Thanks for sharing this story and the photo. It's funny to me because I recently purchased that Peterson's field guide and I never read the intro. . . but I've always wondered, "Why the HECK did he put flickers on the cover?" I mean, they're beautiful in their own respect. . . but out of ALL the birds in North America he chooses flickers? Well it all makes sense now!
- Luke
about RTP and especially about your daughter!
My grandaughter - twentyseven months old - delights in letting me know each morning which of our feeders is getting low: ..." the deedee's, hatcher's, or the pekkey']s" She has her own binos at the window, as well, and uses them, usually from the correct end! I totally agree; y'can't start 'em young enough !
Dave Graham
I think flickers are great attention-getters to help develop an interest in nature -- full of surprises and seeming contradictions -- both camouflaged and colorful. (One of my favorites as a kid, too.) Of course, what it just as important is an adult to provide gentle and fun guidance and encouragement. Congrats on doing that.