Taken from the proverb “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” which means that having something, even if it is a lesser quantity, is better than taking the chance of losing it in order to attain something else that seems more desirable.
Is this contentment? I think it is. To be happy with what one has. To stop striving for the greener grass on the other side. To stop looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. This is not saying to give up dreams and goals. I think it means to take stock of what you have. Be grateful for it and remind yourself how blessed you are every day.
Today I was up early again. Not always happy about that but grateful I could get out of bed. Following breakfast, I remembered to use the Birdlife Backyard Bird Count app. Last day today to spend twenty minutes over seven days counting birds. I’m not very good at identifying birds but I just give it a go. Let me say I know a bit more than I did a few years ago but there are so many still to discover. Google is always helpful. I also have the Michael Morcombe eGuide to Australian Birds. It has recorded bird calls too.
I sat on the verandah listening and trying to count the birds I could hear or see. How does one count the number of raucous Rainbow Lorikeets (with a guess!). The shy Eastern Whipbird is easily noticed with its distinct call. The Satin Bower bird makes some very interesting noises sounding a bit like mechanical buzzing and grinding as if from a machine.
The Eastern Koel is a Summer migrant into North and Eastern Australia. Trying to defend territory it’s call continues without pause or interruption. It feeds on native fruit and now cultivated fruit. The male is very handsome with his black and iridescent green sheen feathers and striking bright red eyes. The female like many bird species is less glamourous. She is brownish with spots at the back and stripey bars down her front.
The Eastern Koels are cuckoos, laying their eggs in other bird’s nest. Usually much smaller birds. The result being the Cuckoo leaves the raising of the chick to other birds who spend weeks trying to keep up with the voracious appetite of these unwanted interlopers. The Cuckoo chick has already booted out the smaller birds chicks or eggs.
One bird I haven’t heard yet is the Wonga Pigeon. Usually, we have a pair over the back fence. A very handsome plump bird with a repetitive call at high pitch becoming monotonous. Which is enough to drive you mad if you have one nearby.
http://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/wonga-pigeon
Today I leave with a photo of an Eastern Koel male and a juvenile Koel
I couldn’t resist one more thing. A British rock band formed in London in 1966. The group consisted of bassist Jack Bruce, guitarist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker. Their album Disraeli Gears was on repeat in my early teens. If you haven’t listend to the album give it a go and transport yourself back 50 years. This was when I spent a lot of time with a neighbouring friend and her older brother who influenced my musical taste and knowledge and introduced me to GTK-G0-Set Magazine circa 1969. I think Disraeli Gears will be my music to quilt by today. Check out the fashion.
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