I wish I were more smarter.

(More blog entries from ryan)

Look, trillium!

All the sights and sounds in the woods and I can only name a fraction of them.

I spend a fair amount of time outside. Well, when I'm not chained to my desk blogging. And even after all the time outside, I still can't identify most of the flora and fauna I see in the woods. Well, I do know what a moose looks like.

Case in point, I went out for a run on the trails today. (Side note: things are looking great out there. [Side note to the side note: that wasn't marketing babble. It really is.]) I hear all these birds. I see a number of them flit by. And, I don't know what they are. It's kind of frustrating. Plus, I can never remember exactly what the pattern of the call was. And, I rarely catch a good enough glimpse of the bird as it flits past. So, I end up saying "I saw some birdies." My life list is probably twice as long as I know. Now, some birds are easy. But how many types of sparrows are there out there? It seems like one and one million all at the same time. They all look the same to me. Raven or crow? I don't know. Those are kind of big and black, right? There's a swallow of some sort that hangs around the buildlings here. Anyone know what those are? Because I don't have a clue.

Flowers? Forget about it. I mean, I can do daffodils, tulips, geraniums, but the wild stuff...mot so much. Although, I do know a couple. The trillium are out on the trails. Good stuff. I dig those. But that's probably because I can identify them. I also think I saw some wild oats out there, too. Everytime we go on a hike, I'll point out a flower, identify it, and then D will correct me. "No, honey, that's bunchberry." I'm trying, but I wish I was smarter. I just can't remember them. Flowers and birds must be a lot like physics. *shudder*

- Ryan

Comments

Re: I wish I were more smarter.
by Christine on May 16th 2007, 2:11 pm

Hey Ryan, the birds flying around the building are barn swallows. One couple is building a nest above a light near the downstairs doors. The trillium are gorgeous, but I can't wait to see the lady slippers!!!!

Re: I wish I were more smarter.
by Ed's Buddy on May 17th 2007, 2:13 pm

Do you know Lupines? They are all over Great Glen. Mt. No Where should be named Mt. Lupine. Well, at least in June. Add Lupines to your list of identifiables. (Is that a word?) Then ask Chris and Amy and Susan to help you identify the kazillion other wild flowers all over GG. Know them all and you'll be a star!!

Re: I wish I were more smarter.
by Ryan on May 17th 2007, 2:49 pm

You mean I'm not a star already?

Re: I wish I were more smarter.
by Ed's Buddy on May 22nd 2007, 4:42 pm

Yes, you are a STAR in my eyes already!