January 5 ‘birds of a feather…’

Today is National Bird Day

My library is not only a collection of books, but of other treasures as well. With a daughter that began as a science teacher, and now teaches reading (!), and a son that works with a tree-cutting service, and five inquisitive granddaughters, I work hard with outdoor hobbies and studies. 

The first book of several, is a novel resource book. ”Bird Feathers: Identification of 379 species of North American Birds” by S. David Scott, 2010. I have included a few samples of feathers we have collected, and identified. Interesting feather is second from end on bottom row. It looks like two grey fluffy feathers, but is actually one feather. The Emu has double fluffy feathers. It was given courtesy of Peoria Zoo’s resident emu.

The next series of books are also special. These are pocket sized identification bird books that were my dad’s growing up in Zion. Whitman published these, along with tree books, insect books, and other outdoor studies. The ones showing are published in 1941. I have a bunch also from these various series from when my mom would drive us up to Racine, and buy books direct. An added bonus was that she would then take us to Racine zoo. That was always a ‘look forward to’ trip. 

The last book is nestled between two bird collections. One is a raptor skull we came across by lake Michigan in northern Wisconsin. The bird had fallen apart in the water and was eaten by animals by the shore when washed up. We called the US Geological Survey Bird Banding Lab with the band info, and they gave us information about the bird, ie. where it was banded, and lived. They closed the file on this bird, and allowed us to keep the bands, as well. She had lived 18 years. The other is a mounted hummingbird nest. It was in a maple tree in our yard that came down. The book is a wonderful and very old book. It is called “Little Nellie’s Bird Cage” by Mrs, R. Lee published in 1860. 

 My grandkids all enjoy reading about birds. We also hike with a telephoto camera, taking pictures, the oldest being a photographer. I may do a story just on her pictures. So go outside, see some nature, and then read about it when you get back home.