Old Sinner Man…
Jul 4th, 2008 by Duncan
With the third anniversary approaching, Pastor Mike of I and the Bird has exhorted the members of his congregation to examine their consciences and answer the question “Why are you still bird blogging?” Well brothers and sisters, I stand here before you with bowed head to confess that I have sinned, yes, weak mortal that I am, I have strayed far from the paths of righteousness. Even though I have taken part in every one of the seventy eight services, my thoughts have often been far away, to my shame, lusting after other earthly delights. In springtime I am too easily seduced by the beauty of wildflowers blooming, and in summer the brilliant flashes of dragonflies draw me to the pools to gaze Narcissus-like at the water. And then at night, those hot sultry summer nights, the moth light lures me to wait expectantly for some mysterious beauty to appear and beguile me with its charms. Then, in autumn and winter, fascinating fungi draw my eyes away from the tree tops, and as the faithful will have noticed, my posts have reflected my wayward transgressions. But have I really been so wicked? Before ye of unwavering faith condemn me and turn your backs on me, please let me offer some words and pictures to justify my backsliding.
Wildflowers, a delight for the eye, but also a delight for insects and birds, Pollen and nectar, rich foods for all, and in return the plants are pollinated, ensuring that life goes on. My camera lens is usually focused on the flowers, but occasionally the opportunity presents itself and a bird demands attention.
Dragonflies, aerialists supreme, outdoing even the birds with their astounding mastery of the air. Beautiful too, as are their kin the damselflies, challenging to identify and photograph, and their mysterious larvae are food for the fishes. Food too, the adults, for one of our most spectacular birds, and if you are fortunate enough you’ll see a Rainbow Bee-eater fly from its perch high on a dead tree to take a dragonfly in flight.
Moths, creatures of the night, bewildering in their number and forms, drawn to the light to flutter until their wings are frayed. With over twenty five thousand species in Australia, a lifetime’s study to the exclusion of all else, but does the Tawny Frogmouth care about that when it feeds on their plump bodies? No, and neither does another bird that has learned that the lights of humans are good places to frequent for a meal, the Southern Boobook.
Fungi, rivaling the moths in their number and species yet to be described, some beautiful, some bizarre, some with an odour attractive only to flies, eminently photographical. But, food too, for humans, for small mammals, and even for birds. One of my birding memories is of an Eastern Yellow Robin pecking at a large meaty fungus on the dim forest floor below the tree ferns. If it was eating the fungus, or insects that were there I do not know, but that is immaterial to this, my supplication that is now drawing to a close.
So, Pastor Mike, brothers and sisters, I now throw myself upon your mercy. Even though I have strayed far in the past three years in my dalliances with other beauties of nature, I’ll always repent and blog about birds. How could I not when they are such an outstanding part of the great world of nature which has been my lifelong interest, and will continue to be until I can no longer take a photograph or tap a keyboard. May your blogs be avian, and pax vobiscum.
All pictures are clickable for larger versions, from the top,
Showy Podolepis, Podolepis jaceoides with native bees.
Red Wattlebird on Tonghi Bottlebrush, Callistemon subulatus.
Yellow-striped Hunter, Austrogomphus guerini.
Rainbow Bee-eater.
Trictena atripalpis, The Rain Moth.
Southern Boobook.
Unidentified Agaric, possible Amanita species.
Eastern Yellow Robin.
Oh, Sinner man – where you going to run to?
While you have pointed out some of the sinful delights of your dalliances, I’m not really sure you have repented of the error of your ways, so much as trying to entice others to join with you in savouring some of the sweetness of those wayward temptations!!!!
Ah, John, trust you to see right through me! Good one
Feel free, Duncan, to keep these particular temptations coming!
More in the pipeline John.
With photos like that I’ll forgive you in advance.
Can’t pick a favourite but the fungi against the blue sky is definitely in the running.
Hi Ben
This the first time I’ve written a comment on your blog, but have been enjoying it for many months! The fungi is DEFINITELY the tops (just a stunner of a photo), and the light on the robin is amazing.
Cheers
Jen
Great variety! Please don’t change! My favorite is the Rainbow Bee Eater.
Well, it looks as though many will be going to the same place, Duncan!
Pastor Mike may find himself a bit lonely!
Lovely collection. I love the Bee Eater.
Thanks for the comments Alan, Jenny, Mick, and JL, When Mike made his request I knew I wasn’t clever enough to come up with something insightful and profound, so had a bit of fun instead. Allowed me to pull out some of my older photos too.
Hallelujah!
Hilarious Duncan! Let the “bird” blogger that is without this particular sin cast the first blog post!
Duncan
I am a believer!
Lovely poetic post, and nice images too.
Incidentally, if the white fungus was a very large one (like a dinner plate), it might well be a Macrolepiota dolichuala. Lovely looking things. Perfect design. Makes me believe in the Great Architect! Would that satisfy Pastor Mike? Probably not, you might have turned me into a Mason.
Cheers
Denis
Gouldiae, you can’t baffle me with long words.
Thanks Tai, nice one!
Hi Denis, the fungus was about 150 mm from memory, thanks for the tip I’ll follow it up. It looks as if Pastor Mike will have to come up with a good sermon to stop all this backsliding!
I don’t know what the white fungus is called, but they’re nice eating!
Sacrilege John!
Love the pastoral description!
Good one!
Cheers, Klaus
How can I preach against your transgressions, moral though they may be, when I myself not only take pleasure in your flagrant acts of non-avian communion but so regularly indulge in them myself? As tai haku implies, the ranks of bird bloggers are rife with closet botanists, herpers, and ode-oglers. But while Christ is said to have healed lepers, I don’t think “leppers” require the same divine intervention. In the worship of nature, there are many gates to Paradise!
I haven’t read something this witty or wise in ages, Duncan. Thanks so much for being one of the pillars of the I and the Bird community! Just don’t go spreading the “Pastor Mike” title around… if my uncle, the Monsignor, catches wind of it, there’ll be Hell to pay…
And so you know and understand why my “Bird Watchers Notebook” was renamed “Naturalist Notebook”. I long since forgave you all your sins, even as I committed my own.
Oh, we all suffer the same temptations. I confess that I recently succumbed to an orgy of wildflowers. We try to stay on the true path but I fear that forgiveness is all we can offer one another. Hate the sin, love the sinner? I cannot even hate the sin which produces such lovely photos. Sin on!
Pastor Mike, thanks for your forgiveness. Let me know if your uncle the Monsignor takes you to task, when working on the cathedral over here I racked up some brownie points with the local Monsignor, I’m sure I could ask him to put in a good word for you.
Thanks Klaus, it was fun to do.
Summer and Liza, looks as if we’re birds of a feather, thanks to you both for your clever comments.
Oh Duncan,
You will have plenty of us for company. Our interest in all things nature follows birds or visa versa, who knows but I love your post and have just promised myself that the Rainbow Bee-eater WILL be on my lifelist before I die! Blog on.
I fear for your eternal soul after reading all the replies… keep up the good work
Good on you Larry, nice to know I won’t be lonely! The Bee-eater is a great bird, hope you see it one day.