My Most Asked Question

Hi, Birdeez!

In my brick and mortar gallery, I get asked one question, over and over. Okay, first they ask, "This is all YOUR work?" and when I say yes, they gape at me and are usually kind enough to give me a compliment.

But then there is often a follow-up, "You must really like birds." (you think?) What is your favorite bird? I mostly quip back that that is like asking me, "Who's your favorite child?" except that I would find that one easier to answer! :D

After the chuckle, I often say I love almost all birds (looking at you, English Sparrow!), but I have a few that engender special feelings. First, the one I consider my spirit bird, the Great Blue Heron. One of my most often photographed birds, they are meaningful to me because of my grandfather, Howard Huff. He had a large property in Mt. Savage, MD, with a big fish pond. The Herons were frequent guests. My mom, on the other hand, lived on a tiny quarter acre plot, but it was covered in flowers, and yes, a tiny fish pond. On the Christmas day after Grandpa passed, as Mom and I were working on dinner, we glanced out the back window to see a Great Blue on her fish pond. We both instantly felt it was Grandpa, with whom we had always spent Christmas. I get chills every time I tell this story.

Since Grandpa really engendered my love of birding and photography, I suppose 'his' bird has morphed into mine, and I'm fine with that. But other family members have earned their own birds. Dad was an Eagle Scout, so I associated Bald Eagles with him. Shortly before my mother passed, I asked her favorite bird, which was a Hummingbird (Ruby-throated because that's what we have here.) But I wanted a bird that I could see year-round and feel her presence. The day she passed, I said the first good picture I get will be her bird, and it turned out to be an Eastern Bluebird. I felt this was fitting, because she would feed them, refilling the dish when they would rap on it for her.

So, those are special to me, but I like others for various reasons. Some for color, like Indigo Buntings and Lesser Violet Ears. Some for attitude, like Chickadees and Wrens. Some for rarity for me, like those in Costa Rica. And some, because they sell well!

In future 'episodes' I hope to discuss some favorites in detail. In the meantime, keep walking on the wild side with me.

Diana