Why, why, oh why?

The third anniversary of I and the Bird is coming up fast. And Mike asks us for a post answering the question,

"Why are you still bird blogging?"

He clarifies:

Why do you, in spite of all the other birding-related activities you engage in professionally and/or recreationally, put so much work into your blog?

What carried you through the tough times, the writer’s block, the scarcity of readers, to the point you’ve now reached?

Why, when so many millions have tried yet failed to maintain even a sporadic blog, are you so actively engaged?

And he gives us a deadline: tomorrow. So, here goes:

Why are you still bird blogging?

Because I'm still looking at and for birds, still exclaiming when I see a family of house finches at my bird bath for their evening ablutions (five of them after supper tonight), still talking back to my chickadees; "Dee dee dee, to you, too!" I'm still craning my neck to see eagles far overhead and counting hawks on fenceposts on every drive down the highway to Tsawwassen. I still try to photograph crows.

And shared joy is double the joy. Hence, I blog.

Why do you, in spite of all the other birding-related activities you engage in professionally and/or recreationally, put so much work into your blog?

At first, 'way back, I began a blog as a way to impose some sort of discipline on my day, but soon I discovered something: blogging, whether bird blogging, invertebrate ditto, beach, art, or whatever blogging (all of which I indulge in) is all about community. I write about what delights me, and I find myself in the company of others around the world who love the same things I do.

I found, today, on Huckleberry Days, a series of beautiful spider photos. (I know, not birds. But the principle applies.) I went back several times to look at them and marvel.

A couple of days ago, Hugh, at Rock, Paper, Lizard, wrote about looking for salamanders. (I know.)

"Why go herping? To see what’s there, of course."

I relished that saying all day.

Julie Zickefoose, today, posted photos of the courtship display of a Northern Harrier. (Ok, birds, this time.) I envy her and rejoice with her, both.

So I blog for me, but also for them, and the rest of you. Who knows, but that one of my posts will bring the same pleasure to someone else?

What carried you through the tough times, the writer’s block, the scarcity of readers, to the point you’ve now reached?

I never expected more than a few readers. I am always amazed to see the numbers in SiteMeter. But for me, that wasn't the point. Writer's block? Sometimes it rears its fearsome head. So I post a favourite photo. And sometimes that gets me started. Sometimes it doesn't. There's always tomorrow.

Why, when so many millions have tried yet failed to maintain even a sporadic blog, are you so actively engaged?

Because I'm having fun. Isn't that enough reason?

And because I can't do a post without a decent photo, let me see ... (browsing my files ... ) ah! Here are a few seagulls on the White Rock beach a couple of weeks ago.




I don't remember seeing gulls with the whitish legs around here before. In this particular flock, about half the birds had pink legs, the rest were white. Beaks were black, white, yellow, some with black tips, one with a white tip.

Pink legs, black beak.

I'll never get my seagulls sorted out.
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