Joann Merritt's Essays

Well, I Never!
October, 1982

I never before saw a Verdin taking a bath. It was a hot day on August 27th when I turned on the water sprinkler close to the apricot tree hoping to attract some birds. The Verdin flew into the treetop where the sun shining through the drops of water made his yellow head and red shoulder patches shine like jewels as he flitted among the leaves.

I never before saw a Roadrunner bathe in my yard. He chose an old tree stump to stand on, lifted his thick bill skyward and spread his wings like a cormorant. He first faced the water, then turned his back toward it.

I never before had 14 species of birds come to the water in about two hours time. The Bewick’s Wren never actually got in the water, just flitted around the edge. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo tried to cover the entire tree with his body. It’s a small tree, only about eight feet tall, and he looked as if he were hugging it. He would not tolerate other birds sharing his tree so they lined up on the electric wire and waited for him to finish.

Other species which came were Mockingbird, Black-chinned Humming, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Cactus Wren, House Finch, House Sparrow, Bullock’s Oriole, Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia and Lesser Goldfinch.

I never before - but I hope to again!