May 13, 2012
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Birding Adventure
Some friends from Thailand visited for the week and we got a chance to do several outdoor adventures. The kids love the outdoors and spent every available minute outside. We watched wood ducks, mallards and muskrat in our ponds. We stood at the edge of the pond after dark and listened to the trill of the spring peepers that were so loud we thought our ear drums would break. We saw some of the most beautiful country along the North Shore like Artist Point in Grand Marais.
But the highlight of the kids’ adventures was a visit to the ridge behind David Brislance’s home in Lutsen. David has spent several years walking his woods not only photographing birds but making friends with them. David took the kids out for a hike that very few kids will ever experience.
Sophie Feeding Chickadee
Not only Norris but several chickadees landed on their hands. Each of the kids took turns interacting with David’s friends. The chickadees would land on their hands, take a sunflower seed and head up into the trees to cache it for later. They came back time and again. Lucy had three of them dive into her hand at one time. She was so excited she didn’t want to go home. As we walked out of the woods she held back walking very slowly still holding out her hand full of sunflower seeds and whistling.
David showed her how to make the sound of the chickadee and with lots of practice I know like David she will master it.
Lucy Feeding Chipmunk
When I asked the kids to name their favorite part of their outdoor time this week it was unanimous; the best part was to have a wild bird land on your hand. Later while in Grand Marais Palmer said to his dad, “Can I show you my favorite spot on Earth?” His dad said, “Sure” and Palmer pointed to the rocks along Artist Point in front of Grand Marais.
I have to say that the kids brightened my week as much as the North Shore did theirs.
Outdoor Smiles
I never saw such big smiles. Most adults would be smiling from this experience.
