One of the members, Randy Jenkins, I've been following for years. Recently he was featured in a CBC segment, and we were all thrilled for him. He has chronic PTSD and though he never gave details of this when he posted on line, he did in the interview. Horrific.
I find the film segment such a testament to the human spirit. And Randy's relationship with the birds absolutely astonishing. He frequently posts morning clips of himself and the birds on Facebook. And now and again when his PTSD gets really bad he goes underground for a while. Also, he has shown clips where birds prefer to talk to him rather than feeding as if they sense his state of mind. Back and forth they go in conversation.
A great blue heron, posted today.
And finally, a funny header on one of the birdwatching groups. I had to laugh. So many were mine in my time.
Sweet video! And the guide to bird photography is very apt. I gave up trying to take bird photos, they’re way too fast for me. Even most of my Hapi photos are of her rear end. Birds are a joy, it’s sad we’re losing them.
ReplyDeleteAnnie- what's this about losing birds? Did I miss something?
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I hope Annie replies with the facts and figures, but yes, we've already lost a very large percentage of birds (and other wildlife; I think it's about 70%) around the world due to environmental damage, and cats. -Kate
DeleteWhat a beautiful soul.
ReplyDeleteAn example of nature helping to heal. Explore it, embrace it, enjoy it,soak it all in.
DeleteLike the ocean, the waves, the tide , the sparkle,the color,it all heals.
it certainly does Gemma, I am so glad he found some comfort from his unbelievable pain.
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Bird watching is an art that I could never accomplish. You have to have sharp eyes to see birds among the foliage and trees.
ReplyDeleteand an excellent pair of binoculars!
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Ah yes, trying to take bird photos can be so disappointing.
ReplyDeleteI have some great blurry eagle ones. They were perched quietly together but I was so excited that my camera kept shaking!
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What a wonderful man. Thank you. A wonderful heron, too. They are so shy. I wonder how many stop by Randy's.
ReplyDeleteI think the bird community must chatter to each other about him as they keep rolling in to perch on him!
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Lovely story. The birds talk to us here too. Don't know what they're saying or what I'm saying back, just as Randy mentions, but it doesn't matter; it still feels like communication.
ReplyDeleteExactly, I find the same with other animals, they do communicate when we pause and listen.
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So lovely to see the birds coming to him and eating from his hand. I talk to the birds around here, but with human language, just saying hello as I walk past them. If there are lorikeets or cockatoos whistling in the trees I will whistle back, sometimes they'll stop feeding and watch me.
ReplyDeleteyes, they are all as curious about us as we are about them! I find corvids particularly intelligent and communicative.
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Huge thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. Heartrending and beautiful.
I am so glad he has found the solace of birds.
Yes, it is so uplifting to finally see him as we only saw his hands for years and years and his bird calls and of course the wonderful birds.
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Since I am limited in my movements, I have to perforce restrict my bird watching to what I can see from my verandah in the mornings. That spell is really very satisfying. When I was agile enough, I used to frequent a bird sanctuary very close to my home on the river and its bank. Migratory birds during the season were particularly fascinating. I have not had the kind of equation that Jenkins has but, would love to have it.
ReplyDeleteYes, I take pleasure in the birds outside my window on the second floor as they nest and feed. I take food down to them and they are quite upset on the days I have none and squawk at me from the trees.
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That was lovely. I'm so glad he found healing in nature.
ReplyDeleteMe too SAW, so inspiring.
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Birds are a blessing. And those how not to photograph birds are funny. I did this too!
ReplyDeleteIt is funny, isn't it? We all have lovely collections of leaf photographs I'm sure!
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Amazing story ... thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Tom!
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Really, the birds talk to him? That's amazing. My father was a keen bird-watcher, but I can barely identify four or five common birds! I could do without the pigeons crapping on our lawn and patio.
ReplyDeleteThe crows are the only ones who talk to me though I've had great nesters in my time, cardinals and mourning doves beneath windows and I do love when they demand food from me.
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Thanks for the heads-up about Mr Jenkins. So nice to see someone like that. And the birds. I feed and talk to them here too; some will follow me, flitting from tree to tree, as I walk down the road. But I don't have the patience to wait for one to land on my hand! My son does, and he's had chickadees do it, but then that's not uncommon for chickadees, the brave little souls. Mr Jenkins doesn't have to wait long, as they know and trust him already. So inspiring. The pointer to his account on BookFace may give me more reason to check my own account more often! -Kate
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing video. xx
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