I spend a bit of time online at a website for Photography called the Fred Miranda Forums. For me it is a way of measuring my own ability against others, learning, and getting feedback from advanced amateurs, semi-pro’s and pro photographers. For Johann it is a cyber-field trip. Last night as we were beginning to get ready to head for bead after welcoming in the new year I clicked onto the forums Nature & Wildlife Best of 2003 thread with Johann in my lap. Big mistake, well not so much mistake—but really bad timing.
Johann wanted to look at every animal in that thread before turning in—naming them, wishing them a Happy New Year, and inviting them to join our “party”. Remarkably he named all of the animals and most of the birds correctly, even the various egrets and herons. I sat drop-jawed as he took over the mouse and continued to name them off at will. All of the common backyard birds he simply called “birdie”, but with only one or two exceptions named every other one off correctly. He’s going to be a big help to me this spring when we start doing some nature/photo treks in the wetlands, forests and estuaries around here.