Spying On The Neighbors

On December 26^th, 2020 the Ontario government placed the entire Province of Ontario into a lockdown due to the pandemic.  There are few stores open, no recreation centres or gyms open and don’t even think about going to a movie theatre or a play.  We have been left to find our own COVID safe entertainment.  So, with binoculars in hand I stepped outside and began to watch my neighbors a little bit closer. 

I have discovered neighbors I didn’t even know lived in my neighborhood and I have even snapped a photo or two without them knowing!

It all began one rainy afternoon as I drove down the road.  There he was looking a bit miffed as he sat on top of a rather large fence post dripping wet.  I slowed so to get a better look and we held each other’s gaze for a second or two.  His cold eyes pierced right through me as I studied his plumage and decided with certainty that we had never met before.

Later, with the help of Google Images I pinned down his lineage.  He was my first Rough-legged Hawk! 

Two days later, while pumping gas I spotted a snowy owl on the light post and that very evening I stood transfixed listening to the deep hooting of what later was classified as a Great Horned Owl.  In the morning we were able to clearly see which tree he had spent the night; it is called “whitewashing” for a reason, all the way down one of the tall evergreens.

Since then I have become enthralled with winter birdwatching.  I have now seen 3 Rough-legged Hawks, countless Red-tail Hawks (there is one who lives along the way between my house and the church.  Daily we nod to each other so I have named him Oscar!), a large flock of Redpolls, 2 more snowy owls, and two Emus (they were in a farmer’s yard but I decided to count them in my log book anyway)! And, the most magnificent of all neighbors, an Eagle!

While walking along the shores of Georgian Bay I spied buffleheads, mallards and swans.  My birdfeeders have invited such neighbors as Juncos, Cardinals, Chickadees, Doves, Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, and Siskins.

What has amazed me is how many impressive birds are right in my neck of the woods that I never noticed before.  It makes me wonder what else I am missing in all my hustle and bustle, what other beauty am I passing by.

It has been a life changing lesson.  When this lock down is over I have promised myself not to pick up the pace so much that I forget to pause daily to glean God’s beauty.

What beauty have you noticed recently?

Blessings,

Rev. Heather McCarrel