[Birdtalk] After-Thanksgiving Day Sale

[Kristin Purdy]

I know this list serv is supposed to be non-commercial, but permit me for a 
moment to advertise some great deals I got on the day after Thanksgiving. 
This actually occured a couple years ago and I never knew what to do with 
this report. But since we're having a bird winter similar to the one I wrote 
about below, perhaps it's fitting that I post it now.

Kris

After-Thanksgiving Day Sale


"STORES OPEN AT FIVE!" all the ads say

To extend shopping hours after Thanksgiving Day.

So I set my alarm for well before dawn;

I made both a list and plans to be gone.



But I'll never be called a shopaholic,

'Cuz shopping practically gives me colic.

A quirk in my psyche caused me to explore

A location a world away from the stores.



"What?!?" you say, "Shop far away?"

"Don't you shop in the malls after Thanksgiving Day?"

Oh no! I'll confide I was planning to play -

I was shopping for birds on the big shopping day.



I didn't list gifts I wanted to buy;

My list was of feathered creatures that fly.

A list of bird species I wanted to see

At my day's destination - Smithfield Cemetery.



A cemetery's a peaceful place

To reflect, to honor, to find quiet space.

Winter birds flock there for cover and food

And birders for birdwatching interludes.



So I headed north to bird in Cache Valley;

Ready with list, pen poised for the tally.

The birds were busy when I arrived

With the daily press to find food to survive.



"Kip-kip"! The call that found my ear

Conveyed the big red finch was here.

Crossbills filled the pines to feed

And pried cone scales to get the seeds.



The kinglets did their level best

To show the colors of their crests.

One shone gold; one ruby red,

Surprising colors upon their heads.



Two nuthatches - those avian clowns

Viewed the world while upside down

Or downside up if you prefer,

An upside down him and a downside up her.



A second birdwatcher was there with me;

A Sharp-shinned Hawk lurked in a tree.

I was overt and he discreet;

I wanted to watch, he needed to eat.



A flash of a thrush made me aware

A juniper harbored a gray solitaire

He was trying to hoard his berries, you see,

But the robins and waxwings would not let them be.



Siskins, House Finches, and Cassin's, too;

Juncos were there, of gray-headed hue.

A Red-tail and flickers and American Crows,

Surviving November's cold and the snow.



Chickadees, creepers, all those you'd expect;

I checked them all off; I madly did check!

I checked them off left and I checked them off right;

A flurry of listing of creatures of flight.



After the flurry was over and done,

I reflected on shopping and my birding fun.

I came out ahead - I'd say I had won.

Heckuva sale, in my opinion.



My exploits were cheap; I spent not a penny.

And my list of bird species - I'd say I saw many!

Shop for birds again next year?  Oh yes - in a flash,

For I was enriched in the Valley of Cache.