I used to think that life would get easier as I got older. Well, it doesn’t. For several reasons, 2011 was my worst year in memory. So I eagerly anticipated the change-over to 2012. New year, better things.
It started well. I lead a large group to my favorite winter birding spot – Greenwich Point Park, a large peninsula jutting into Long Island Sound. Varied habitat and skillful landscape combined with a lovely waterfront setting are ideal for people and birds. This year beautiful weather further enhanced the mourning – temps in the 50s, plus clear sunny skies and no wind.
We amassed a goodly number of species to kick-start everyone’s 2012 Year List. But the true highlight was a close-up view of a Great Horned Owl about 20 feet up in a tree. I can still feel his large, bright yellow eyes staring back at me.
A good start for what I hope will be a good year. My favorite part of the day, though, was not a bird sighting, but a good feeling. Hundreds of people filled the park, people just enjoying a pleasant winter day in a natural settings. Lots of families and dogs. We even met another birding group with over 30 birders. As we left the park around noon, people were continuing to pour into the park. The line of cars entering was at least a ¼ mile long.
Somehow it was comforting to know that in this highly commercialized, high-tech world there are still so many people who seek to enjoy the simple pleasures of nature. Even in an upscale area like Greenwich.
Maybe 2012 will be a good year after all.
birdsoup 
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