Comments on: Before the Spark

By: Larry Jordan

Larry Jordan — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 07:36:44 +0000

One of the most interesting posts I have ever read Jeff! The photos, the story, the film, just super!

My favorite photos (other than you at the ripe old age of 14) are the Anhinga and the Green Heron. The film, priceless.

My spark bird would have to be the Burrowing Owl my wife and I would see on our way home from town, standing in the middle of our long, dirt road. With the car lights shining on the little guy, we studied it long enough so that when we got in the house we could look it up in our “Harper & Rowe’s Complete Field Guide to North American Wildlife.” We had just moved out to the country and began seeing the world in a whole new light.

I hope to bring those little Burrowing Owls back to my home soon.

By: jim samis

jim samis — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:20:31 +0000

Was the Okefenokee trip an E. Paul Catts(U of D.) trip that so many Entomology/Applied Ecology majors took back in the late sixties/seventies?

Funny,although I am not an avid,participating birder, the Evening Grosbeak is a bird that sparked my interest ,in general,when ,as a 10 year old , digging for fishing worms,discovered a broken winged Grosbeak that I brought home and tried to rehabilitate. My dad ID’d the bird for me and I have had an interest ever since. Thanks for a beautiful post.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:40:01 +0000

I like the way you come to my defense, Julie. But what photo are you referring to? I’m lost!

By: MaineBirder

MaineBirder — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:42:55 +0000

Beautiful photos and an excellent article. Brings back some fond memories.

By: The Bufflehead Birder

The Bufflehead Birder — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:32:34 +0000

I really enjoyed this post and it’s got me thinking about what were my spark birds. I hadn’t thought about the fact that a spark bird could be encountered even after years of being a birder.

The photos are priceless.

Thanks!

By: Julie Zickefoose

Julie Zickefoose — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:49:43 +0000

Mike Bergin is MUCH cuter than that, Flowergirl. He was in mid-speak in that picture, methinks.

By: Flowergirl

Flowergirl — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:54:46 +0000

Thats true, I had never thought of it. there’s always a moment, when you go from hey nice bird, to let-me-take-a-closer look or what-is-it? For me, living in a city, its been a revelation as to how much there is right under my nose, or a few kms away!

And oh, I finally see what Mike (Bergin) looks like!!

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:33:02 +0000

Sweet post, Jeff. And don’t sweat those sweat socks. This may not make you feel any better but there are plenty of old photos around where I’m rocking the same look. That was the style back then, or at least I thought it was.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:10:42 +0000

Oh my goodness, you still stand that way!
Great post, as usual!

By: jeff

jeff — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:46:53 +0000

Wow, wow, wow–

I can’t thank you all enough for your kind words. I’m so glad that various aspects of this post amused and/or entertained you. And perhaps brought back some nice memories.

Yes, Julie, my Mom is hot–always was.

As for those sweat socks, well, it was the 70’s. My friend Brad wore them and he played basketball and wasn’t a virgin. In retrospect, maybe I should have copied the basketball and not the footwear.

Thanks again, all.