Foggy Day Chickadee

I was walking back to my car after checking out the location of the Wild Rose Gym in Bashaw early this afternoon. Saw a black-capped chickadee poking around in a softball sized hole in a tree in someone's yard. So I stopped and did what any self-respecting aspiring birder would do. I pished at it. Actually it's more like psh-psh . . . oh I'll spare you the details. I made the sounds that seems to call chickadees in closer. And it worked. The little fellow (or gal) came so close I spontaneously reached out my hand, wishing I had a peanut to offer it. But to my surprise the peanut wasn't needed. The bird actually landed on my hand briefly. Now I know that isn't a unique experience, but it was a first for me.
Way cool. Made my day.

I don't even live in Saskatoon

. . . but I did for a little while. A couple of years. Generally a pretty little city. But with some problems, which I will not speak of here, yet.

Saskatoon pie, however, I have enjoyed for much of my life. Saskatoons are a berry that grows all over the Canadian prairie. (They call them Service Berries in some places.) A berry used to make pemmiccan. Not everyone has a taste for them. Not often as juicy and big as a blueberry. But the flavour is to me the essence of a sunny prairie day spent in the brush along a river, or lake, warmth of sun, scent of earth and growth, berries staining my fingers and lips, friends and family picking nearby, finding the good patches. And then the pie. Best made in mid winter or early spring (like for my birthday hint, hint) with berries frozen or canned from the year before. With the first bite, the whole sensation of a summer day spent picking berries comes flooding back.

Can't do that when you're attached to a computer. Especially not a Blueberry.

Shalom.