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Our Book Club selection for April 8 is West with Giraes, by Lynda Ruttledge. Here is a brief description from Amazon.com: "Woodrow Wilson Nickel, age 105, feels his life ebbing away. But when he learns giraffes are going extinct, he finds himself recalling the unforgettable experience he cannot take to his grave. It's 1938. The Great Depression lingers. Hitler is threatening Europe, and world- weary Americans long for wonder. They find it in two giraffes who miraculously survive a hurricane while crossing the Atlantic. What follows is a 12-day road trip in a custom truck to deliver Southern California's first giraffes to the San Diego Zoo. Behind the wheel is the young Dust Bowl rowdy Woodrow. Inspired by true events, the tale weaves real-life figures with fictional ones, including the world's first female zoo director, a crusty old man with a past, a young female photographer with a secret, and assorted reprobates as spotty as the giraffes. Part adventure, part historical saga, and part coming-of-age love story, West with Giraes explores what it means to be changed by the grace of animals, the kindness of strangers, the passing of time, and a story told before it's too late." Our meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 am in the RCN Room #3. All 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 Calling all birders! April is one of the best months for birdwatching at Four Seasons. A number of species migrate through our area in the spring. Look around and listen when you are outside and you may see some short-term visitors. Rufous Hummingbirds with their brilliant orange plumage and colorful yellow, black, and red Western Tanagers are just two of the species that regularly stop here on their treks. We are also a staging point for f locks of Turkey Vultures who have recently been seen roosting overnight in our trees. Watching them take off in the morning, circling up to catch the thermals, is a real thrill. Along with migrators, there is always a chance to see something special, such as a recent sighting of a Bald Eagle soaring in the skies above The Lodge. This is also active nesting season. Keep an eye out for birds picking up or carrying nesting materials. You may be able to see where they are building their nests. Nesting birds do not like to be disturbed, but you may be able to observe from a distance and catch a glimpse of the chicks as they hatch and grow. The Birding Club walks the trails as a group on the first Saturday of the month. We gather at 8 am by the Potrero Creek sign at the edge of The Lodge parking lot. We walk at a leisurely pace, taking time to see as many species as we can. Please feel free to join us. We love to see new faces. If you have any questions, please call or text me. ~ Genie Cooper (269) 930-0310. FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | APRIL 2025 41 Birding CLUB Book Club