Close Encounters

The Lab and I were out in the middle of several hundred acres of open, scrubby land looking for Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and Lapland Longspurs. In past winters we have been successful at finding all three- in December we were successful. Today- I saw three Horned larks. Two flew away as we approached, but one did not seem to mind our presence. He sang and sang perched on a little rock (see below). His plumage is not yet particularly vibrant, so I presume he was just practicing.

With the exception of the 4am Robin outside my bedroom window in early spring, I have always found birdsong relaxing. On October 17, 2022, The Max Plank Institute for Human Development ( https://www.mpg.de/19373671/1017-bild-pm-2022-october-149835-x ) reported on a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, that the study “…suggests that listening to birdsong reduces anxiety and paranoia in healthy participants.”

But I digress.

We watched and listened for a bit and then the lark flew off in a hurry. Given that is what they tend to do when a human and dog are around I dismissed it and started walking again.

Then I saw the Merlin.

The Merlin and the lark locked into an aerial sortie that was going to end in poorly for the lark, or in hungry disappointment for the Merlin. It lasted about 90 seconds and I lost sight of the lark. Since I was standing still and watching the whole time, I guess the Merlin didn’t see me a a threat. When he gave up, he flew to the top of the pole only a few meters from me. I was able to capture about two dozen images- of which the one at the top of this post is the best.

The song was lovely to hear and the chase scene was amazing. Like a tree falling in the forest, this close encounter between two individuals would have happened whether or not I had been there. I’m just glad that I was.