Thursday, March 28, 2024 -
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It’s for the birds

I’ve never been a bird watcher. Birding is a “thing” here in New York City, especially in my neck of the woods, as many bird watchers flock to the part of Central Park that is practically my front yard, the North Woods. Not for nothing is this column “View From Central Park.” Yes, I have a view of Central Park as I sit and write by the window.

A friend of mine has been a bird watcher for a while. We can be taking a walk in Central Park or eating a meal in her building’s garden, and as a bird passes us by she names it nonchalantly. From our various meet ups over the years, I’ve learned to recognize the European Starling, with its elegant glossy sheen of velvety black feathers and, depending on the season, brown or ivory design in its plumage.

My parents’ backyard in Denver is very bird friendly. It has a strong plant habitat vibe. A tall red bird bath. A little private “woods” area across the back, uber leafy. Towering trees. In short, it’s a bird’s paradise. Depending on migration seasons, birds come and go, briefly perched on a branch or the bird bath for a few sweet moments until they fly off. It’s always fun to notice a blue jay or a red robin, or the flash of flight so swift, almost a mirage — a hummingbird’s barely perceptible wings whizzing in the air. Of course, some birds stay a bit longer, nesting for a while.

I don’t have binoculars. I’ve never officially “bird-watched,” but just by sitting in the backyard that is precisely what I often turn out to be doing. Especially this past summer and fall during COVID, when our visits were limited to distanced outdoor visits, we were out in the yard more than usual.

Spotting and enjoying the flight and surprise visits of the birds was so peacefully pleasurable, and at times even enchanting.

Yet it’s never something I’ve consciously done.

Enter Barry The Owl. Not only is he Central Park’s latest bird attraction, but he lives right across the street from my building. Barry the Owl is in my front yard, so to speak.

Hordes of people are coming to see Barry. While owls are normally nocturnal creatures, Barry is unusual. He is out during the day.

If you can catch a glimpse of the mysteriousness that is an owl’s face, with those hugely round unblinking staring eyes, why wouldn’t you?

Well, it seems everyone has caught a glimpse of Barry, except moi. For a time, back in the day, when I would see owl patterned pajamas, I’d pick up a pair. There’s something about those creatures that is alluring.

These days, owl watching, or more like “Barry The Owl Watching,” is becoming a pilgrimage around here.

Some have traveled from far away in New York state. Some people stick around for hours. Others have made the trip multiple times until they finally catch a glimpse of Barry.

Of course, I who live across the street and pass by Barry’s supposed hang-out a zillion times, have not spotted him once.

As if keeping track of one owl in New York City weren’t enough, when Rockefeller Center’s famous holiday tree was being put up, lo, a little owl was found nestled among its branches.

Sounds like a sweet children’s book, An Owl’s Journey, as a tree is chosen, cut down, brought to New York City, with an owl ending up in twinkling, urban Rockefeller Center.

Well, it’s is no children’s tale. The adorable owl was rescued and wrapped in a soft orange scarf. It is so adorable and everyone is smitten by the aptly named Rockefeller The Owl.

There are now Rockefeller The Owl T-shirts to be had.

No one could have concocted a better COVID distraction than all this owl shtick going on around here. Socially distanced Shabbos lunch picnickers in the park are pre-occupied with spying Barry. Trust me, this gives Where’s Waldo a whole new meaning.

As it turns out, bird watching in some form or another is a wonderful COVID pursuit. It’s free. It’s safe. It’s out of doors. It’s accessible. It can be so serene a way to pass the time.

By now I’ve made my peace with not seeing Barry as long as I can get my Rockefeller memento.

Copyright © 2020 by the Intermountain Jewish News



Tehilla Goldberg

IJN columnist | View from Central Park


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