Image Up Advertising & Design

FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2023 41 Birding CLUB Shakespeare's Juliet said, "That which we call a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet." Centuries later, the American Ornithological Society has decided that this is not entirely true. They plan to change the common English names of some birds to make sure the names are more descriptive. They also plan to replace those bird names that are derogatory and those that include names of people, since they can "detract from the focus, appreciation or consideration of the birds themselves." Of course, some birders object to the renaming. They say it will break the connection to important figures in the history of birding. Others applaud this change, saying that it is part of a broader push for a more welcoming and inclusive science. But most people hope that, after adjusting to the new names, it will make it more straightforward to identify birds. For example, a Wilson's Warbler, a songbird with a black cap, might become easier to spot if it were known as a "Black-capped Warbler." At our monthly bird walk along Potrero Creek on Nov. 4, we saw many birds, and only a few would be affected by such changes. The Nuttall's Woodpeckers might be simpler to identify if their new name told about their black and white stripes, and the Anna's Hummingbirds would be distinguishable from other hummingbirds if their name mentioned their reddish throats and green feathers. The Mountain Chickadees we saw, the crows, the Northern Flickers, the Towhees, and the song sparrows will keep their familiar names and faces. Of course, none of this makes the least bit of difference to the birds themselves, although it is just possible that the Lesser Goldfinches and Yellow-rumped Warblers might be happy to be given more regally impressive names, like those of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet or the White-crowned Sparrow! Join the Birding Club to learn more about this topic as it evolves, and make sure to contact our leader, Gerrie Karczynski, at gerrie201516@ gmail.com for more information about our regular bird walks and field trips. ~ Kathy Hull Our Book Club selection for Dec. 12 is e Music Shop by Rachel Joyce. Here is a brief description from Amazon.com: "It is 1988. On a dead-end street in a run-down suburb there is a music shop that stands small and brightly lit, jam-packed with records of every kind. Like a beacon, the shop attracts the lonely, the sleepless, and the adrift; Frank, the shop's owner, has a way of connecting his customers with just the piece of music they need. Then, one day, into his shop comes a beautiful young woman, Ilse Brauchmann, who asks Frank to teach her about music. Terrified of real closeness, Frank feels compelled to turn and run, yet he is drawn to this strangely still, mysterious woman with eyes as black as vinyl. But Ilse is not what she seems, and Frank has old wounds that threaten to reopen, as well as a past it seems he will never leave behind. Can a man who is so in tune with other people's needs be so incapable of connecting with the one person who might save him? The journey that these two quirky, wonderful characters make in order to overcome their emotional baggage speaks to the healing power of music — and love — in this poignant, ultimately joyful work of fiction." Our meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 am in the RCN, Room #3. All of our book selections are recommended by book club members. Someone volunteers to lead the discussion about the book we have chosen for the month. For more information about the Four Seasons Book Club or to get your name on our mailing list, please contact me at michelesrosen@gmail.com. ~ Micki Rosen Book Club Four Seasons Birding Club on Trail A. Photograph by Gerrie Karczynski

• Cover