a really good book and bird news

You know by now that I'm infatuated by birds. Since I was a little girl and Martin let a hawk fly through the chapel at school, I've loved the big birds the most. But they are all interesting to me. Their shapes, their song, their nesting, their stories. I like to watch them, draw them, stitch them.

To the book. From time to time, I'm one who wanders the library stacks with my head tipped to the right, reading the titles lined up on the shelves, hoping I'll randomly run into a really good book. This title got my attention. The Conjurer's Bird by Martin Davies. It's fiction about the race to find a rare bird in contemporary London, but the mystery is revealed through the story of naturalists in the 18th century. Beautiful writing, wonderful story. The thing that most surprised me though was that the book hadn't been checked out since 2006. All those years it's been sitting there, waiting for someone to take a chance on it. So glad I did. 

{Another title I brought home and also enjoyed is a collection of short stories, Birds of a Lesser Paradise. In the small world category, Erin just took a class with the author at a writer's conference last week.} 

Other bird news:

We have screech owls hanging around our house these last few weeks. At night they are right over the back door calling each other. The image at the top of the post is what I found pasted against the screen door one morning. Hmm. I don't know what happened but it was ominous to see this feather at eye level after a night of noisy birds.

A few weeks ago Maggie turned us onto the HBO documentary Birders: the Central Park Effect. We've watched that several times too. Fantastic. From that I learned that warbler season is approaching. They'll be passing through on migration and I've got my binoculars ready to go. We saw an American Redstart the other day and hummingbirds a few times lately. Regular residents this summer are cardinals, woodpeckers, nuthatches, goldfinches, house finches, chickadees, titmice, house wrens, sparrows, mourning doves and a flicker who does his own thing near the feeder. The grackles and cowbirds still stop by too. 

And over the weekend I designed a new sampler for my shop. I hope to have it all stitched up and ready to post in a few days. It has birds in it.

{Well, yes. Of course it does.}

Comments

[Nikki Gamon]

I do that in the library too! I'll add that one to my list.

[Jamie V]

Can't wait for the sampler! Jamie V in MT
http://rem-nants.blogspot.com

[Laura]

I love birds too. We have mostly the same birds here in our yard in PA that you see there, plus several different woodpeckers. We have hawks, but I have only heard an owl once or twice, it would be so cool to see one! Occasionally we see something different, like the American Woodcock, Rose Breasted Grosbeak or Indigo Bunting and that is just thrilling!
I can't wait to see your sampler! Lovely post, as usual!
Laura

[Jone Hallmark]

hmmmmm "GOOD DEEDS" looks pretty nice, Charlotte.

Different birds here in NM.... we actually had a roadrunner walk through our gate and around the yard once - they are HUGE birds!
We have doves in the backyard and they "coooo" all the time - so comforting.

xo

[Christine]

Have you ever read 'Wesley,' a true story about the incredible bond between a woman and the barn owl she raised? I think you would enjoy it.

[charlotte]

thank you, Christine! I so appreciate that and will definitely look for that!

[karen on bainbridge island]

We've been hearing the barred owls hooting in the woods, but they have yet to show themselves. The woodpeckers are tearing into the base of a few hemlocks, which aren't long for this world, but it's fun to watch their bright red heads just pecking away.

Can't wait to see the sampler. We have a vacation coming up to Tofino, B.C. to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and this might be my take along stitching project...so hurry Charlotte, hurry!

[Nicki]

I was so glad you suggested "The Conjurer's Bird." I checked it out of the neighborhood library here in St. Louis and just loved it! Love the account about the birds around your house too.

[Sara]

I read the Conjurers Bird a few years ago now. I really enjoyed it and remember it being really quite exciting without the violence that usual seems to accompany most mysteries that get solved.

Looking forward to seeing your new embroidery very much. I love your designs and look forward to seeing new ones.