Kip’s Comments - July 30, 2026
”Birding is So Difficult”
Every now and then I am honored to spend time with a friend named “Buttercup.” We share several commonalities - work careers, a passion for EMS, lives that are frequently interwoven due to situations in our midst, and the needs to unwind. We tend to lean on each other. Our unwindings do not happen often enough, but when they do we make the best of them. This morning was such a time.
Even though paddling challenged one of our comfort zones, we enjoyed time on the water in Winneshiek County. Of course we discussed worldly things. Much to Buttercup’s appreciation he also received several moments of outdoor education. One topic of interest was the green heron. I explained to Buttercup that the habitat we were paddling in was ideal for the presence of a green heron. So that we both knew what we were looking for I pulled up a picture of a green heron on my phone. After showing Buttercup the image, I heard how birding was so challenging. Green herons tend to be more red (or maroon or burgundy (or whatever shade that is)), yet they are known as green herons. Buttercup calling out the confusion with green herons helped me understand his difficulty learning birds.
Now that I have explained my sensitive side of why Buttercup doesn’t understand birds, or flowers, or bugs, I will be more blunt. Often I think he just is not interested - or he wants me to think he doesn’t care. That is OK. As I explained to him, one of these days he will wake up interested in the birds outside of his home. With fondness he will remember our many times together and hopefully at least one of his identification lessons I have provided will be correctly recalled.
We had a serious discussion about nature time and appreciating the little things. Even though we hardly fished, I saw plenty of interesting nature pictures to be made. Following is a sampling of what I saw. Hopefully Buttercup noticed these things too.
Artificial Bait on Bow of Canoe - Image 1128682
Black-eyed Susans - Image 1128729
Broadleaf Arrowhead Blossoms - Image 1128738
Canoeing at Lake Meyer - Image 1128781
Carolina Horsenettle - Image 1128804
Compass Plant - Image 1128827
Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly - Image 1128866
Eastern Phoebe - Image 1128883
Eastern Wood Pewee - Image 1128886
Evening Primrose - Image 1128817
Feather on Water - Image 1128914
Green Heron - Image 1128930
Monarch Butterfly on Wild Bergamot - Image 1129025
Painted Turtle - Image 1129058 (notice the tired shell)
Red Osier Dogwood - Image 1129062
Showy Tick Trefoil - Image 1129070
Virgin's Bower Blossoms - Image 1129077
White Turtlehead - Image 1129114
As Buttercup and I were preparing to end our paddling outing we noticed people gathered at the boat ramp. A local long-term care facility had brought residents out to fish. Just think how special this effort was. One lady had never fished before. Many were mobility challenged. I would guess all were hopeful of catching a fish, but quite accepting of being out in nature. At a time when I often remark about generations or two who are disconnected from the outdoors, it was very nice to see an effort made to reconnect a generation to the natural world. Good job Barthell Eastern Star Home!!!
Barthell Eastern Star Home Residents Fishing - Image 1128714
Thanks Buttercup!! Call any time!!!!
