Birds and Binoculars

Last Saturday morning I spotted a wild turkey right in our front yard.  It was only a few feet away from me as I tiptoed down the drive way to the car.

This was a very big bird - big enough that I thought it'd more likely chase me off then the other way around.  But I didn't want to chase it away, at least not before allowing a few of the kids to share in the joy of this sighting.

William, my "naturalist", was the first one out the door and by my side.  He ran right back inside to get his North American Wildlife field guide.  We confirmed it was a male wild turkey, he fluffed his feathers a bit but was not too shy as we crept around him.  

William was so excited about the siting he decided to join me for the 45 minute ride to my early morning destination.  The whole way we talked and he read to me about wild birds in our area.  He expressed interest in bird watching but frustration about the plastic binoculars he got several Christmases ago - they were both lost and broken.  I assured him we'd get some real binoculars someday.

Just before we reached our destination I spotted a sign I could not pass by - Estate Sale - 1/2 off everything.  This was a high class neighborhood so even if we were "just looking" it promised to be good.  When I asked William if we should stop he answered immediately, "oh yeah, I love looking at people's stuff"!  It was raining and he was a few steps ahead of me, not because of the rain but out of excitement.  

I couldn't get passed the first room full of vintage costume jewelry and clothing but William urged me on.  There were all sorts of treasures!  But I had George in my arms and that saved me from my grabby urges.  

I did find two really nice wool blankets for the girls and William gladly carried them.  

Guess what he found?  Binoculars!  These were pretty heavy duty and preserved perfectly in a leather case.  They said "Made in Germany" but also had a $60 sticker on them, but at 50% off they were worth considering.  I called my Dad since he is the optics expert in the family.  He assured me "never pass up German made optics" - especially for $30 and if in the end we weren't happy with the purchase he'd gladly buy them off me.  So I bought them along with the wool blankets and another vintage typewriter (yes I already have 3 at home - this was for my sister's family).

What a memorable morning with William - we both agreed we'd never forget how exciting it was.  William rode the whole way home with the binoculars up to his face.  It was still raining so the visibility was not great but he spotted out all the necessary exits far sooner than I could read them.

When we got home we checked ebay and my dad was right - never pass up German optics for $30, or even $60!  New they start at $400 and being vintage they are doubly valuable.  But the experience I had with William that morning was priceless - these are his to keep.

I called one of my friends and laughed to her about my morning.  She shared her "mystic wisdom" and explained in ancient cultures the wild turkey signifies gratitude, abundance and fertility.  I laughed even harder.

We've actually been spotting the turkey quite frequently since last Saturday, so have our neighbors.  Here it looks very natural next to the plastic slide and cold forgotten basketball in our backyard.

The boys enjoy getting a closer look with the binoculars.

I keep spotting this boy spotting birds.  There were 43 robins outside my bedroom window the other day - some very fat, looking like they are ready to lay, that is what I'm told.  

I kind of like "boy watching", I think as William likes "bird watching".  

This is going to be an exciting Spring indeed.