Adventures of a three-legged birder

Medical challenges rudely interrupted my summer, but thanks to excellent care and support by doctors, nurses, therapists and my family and friends, I’ve been able to return to the parks and fields for the fall.

One major difference: because of a balky knee, I now must walk with a cane, and I can’t tramp around as far as was I able to do three months ago. But by making sure I plant my feet stably, I can still see sharply through my binoculars and fire away with my camera, even with the lens zoomed at its maximum.

This morning, I made my first venture back to the Reed-Bryan Farm side of Mercer Meadows park. It was here on July 17 that I aborted my visit after getting out of the car and feeling less than my best, beginning what would be a long exile from birding.

Today, I pulled into one of the handicapped spots and put up my temporary disabled parking pass. I was immediately greeted as usual by squawking European starlings, and I could hear blue jays shrieking in the distance — in other words, all was normal.

I then headed past the big red barn by the gates to the main trail and did a slow, three-legged stroll with my cane downhill. I was thrilled to hear and see a few Savannah sparrows flitting about in the tall grasses. The vegetation was close to shoulder high, probably double what it was when I was last at the park in July.

I hoped I might see a Northern harrier, as they have returned to Mercer Meadows/Reed-Bryan/Pole Fam in recent weeks. I wasn’t that lucky in my brief walk, a quarter mile down the trail and then back to the lot. But I was pleased to spot a Northern mockingbird in a tree along the trail, the same area where I typically find them much of the year. Passing birders pointed out three American kestrels perched on a distant tree, out of camera range but still a thrill to see.

I made a couple of short walks at the Pole Farm side of the park in previous weeks, and I’m working on building up my endurance each time I go out. I’ve had good photo opportunities at Colonial Lake in Lawrence Township, where the lake is close to parking, and benches are nearby for when I need to take a break.

I hope to resume seeing my birding buddies on the trails (I saw one this morning) as I build up my stamina. I’ve missed that camaraderie along with the birds these past few months. But I’m back out there, as shown in the selfie topping this post that I took this morning, feeling healthy, happy and grateful.