Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1516095
This month, instead of birds, we're putting the spotlight on birders, as varied and colorful a group as the birds that enthrall us. Some of us, like our leader Gerrie Karczynski and long-time member Tina Canon, have been interested in birding since their fathers introduced them to pet birds as kids. Bill and Genie Cooper were already fascinated by birds in elementary school, but became avid birders in their twenties, traveling around the globe to faraway places like Tanzania and Ecuador, where Genie caught sight of a flock of exotic Cocks of the Walk. Gerrie likes to go birding at nearby San Jacinto, Big Morongo and Whitewater, and had a wild and crazy jeep expedition to the Salton Sea to see Burrowing Owls. Carol Hull was amazed by the eagles she saw at a rescue and rehabilitation center in Alaska. Others, like Karen Evans and I, have come to birding more recently, enjoying the opportunities we have right here to walk the trails, meet fellow residents, and, as Karen says, "see the vast details in God's creation." In fact, our Potrero Creek trail provides what Steve Edleman, the original founder of our club, once called "comfort birding." It's close, beautiful, and full of some of our favorite regulars: hummingbirds, Spotted Towhees, Cooper's Hawks, and Great Horned Owls. And although Gerrie says it's nice sometimes to bird alone to enjoy the solitude and the chance to take some of her amazing photos, we all agree that it is wonderful to spot birds with other people, share information, and tap into what Tina refers to as "a birder's best friend" — the Merlin app. Some of us are still on the lookout for birds that make our hearts sing. Bill dreams of seeing a Resplendent Quetzal, Genie imagines an encounter with a Harpy Eagle, and Gerrie hopes finally to see and photograph a Sora. Join us on our next outing, and see whose heart's desire we can fulfill. For more information, please contact Gerrie Karczynski at gerrie201516@gmail.com. ~ Kathy Hull Our selection for March 12 is e Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni. Here is a brief description from Amazon.com: "Sam Hill always saw the world through different eyes. Born with red pupils, he was called 'Devil Boy' or Sam 'Hell' by his classmates; 'God's will' is what his mother called his ocular albinism. Her words were of little comfort, but Sam persevered, buoyed by his mother's devout faith, his father's practical wisdom, and his two other misfit friends. Sam believed it was God who sent Ernie Cantwell, the only African-American kid in his class, to be the friend he so desperately needed. And that it was God's idea for Mickie Kennedy to storm into Our Lady of Mercy like a tornado, uprooting every rule Sam had been taught about boys and girls. Forty years later, Sam, a small-town eye doctor, is no longer certain anything was by design — especially not the tragedy that caused him to turn his back on his friends, his hometown, and the life he'd always known. Running from the pain, eyes closed, served little purpose. Now, as he looks back on his life, Sam embarks on a journey that will take him halfway around the world. This time, his eyes are wide open — bringing into clear view what changed him, defined him, and made him so afraid, until he can finally see what truly matters." 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 on our mailing list, please contact me at michelesrosen@gmail.com. ~ Micki Rosen FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MARCH 2024 41 Birding CLUB Book Club Bill's Resplendent Quetzal, picture from Amazon Gerrie's Sora, picture from massaudobon.org Genie's Harpy Eagle, picture from Animal Diversity Web