When I was growing up, my family was very active and outdoor-oriented. They loved hiking in the mountains, visiting zoos, or trekking through state parks. My mom and grandma in particular, but even my sister, would often comment on birds we’d come across in the wild. I remember on more than one occasion pulling off to the side of the road so they could jump out and get a better gander at whatever large bird they may have spotted. (Usually falcons and hawks, but I do recall a buzzard or two causing a stir, I believe because they first mistook … Continue reading →