I recently received an email from one of my blog readers (thank you so much Ingrid Taylor!) that has caused me to pause for some serious reflection. Ingrid had noticed in one of my posts my mention of the fact that I had raised pigeons as a youngster in southern California. She loves pigeons and when she and her husband rescued and fostered two homing pigeons, “Chauncey and Clive”, they became deeply attached to them. In her email Ingrid asked me if I “retain any similar affections for pigeons” left over from my childhood.
Do I ever! When I think back on just how much those few years with my pigeons changed my life for the better I’m simply astounded.
When I was in 6th grade and living in Poway, California my friend Dennis (on the right in the photo, that’s me on the left) introduced me to the joys of raising pigeons. We each kept a variety of breeds – homers, tumblers, rollers, fantails, tippets, helmets and others.
This is the pigeon coop that I built from scrap lumber and chicken wire at age 11 in 1959. I spent countless hours in that coop with my pigeons – caring for them, watching their behaviors and reading and then re-reading the huge book you see in my hand – “The Pigeon”, by Wendell Mitchell Levi. My parents supported and nurtured my obsession with my birds, largely for a reason I found out years later – that it “kept me out of trouble”. And they were probably right…
It was with my pigeons that my interest in animal behavior germinated. Most days I would spend hours inside that coop with my birds – learning the nuances of behavior and the very real personality quirks of each pigeon. It was with my pigeons that I became what I call a “watcher” (that word always reminds me of the book and movie “Never Cry Wolf”) – someone who revels in the tiny details of the natural world that might be missed by others.
That interest in nature and science began to grow in high school and truly bloomed in college where I had the dual majors of Biology and Zoology. Then after college I spent the next 33 years of my life teaching those subjects in high school and enjoyed it immensely. And my “pigeon legacy” didn’t end there – since retirement almost eight years ago my passion has been bird photography.
So, what do I owe to my pigeons? – only 54 years of personal and professional joy and satisfaction! Perhaps that sounds a little dramatic but I’m convinced that it’s true.
Yes Ingrid, I certainly do retain my affections for pigeons!
Ron
And thanks for being a teacher. I am sure that your positive impact on those young minds cannot be overstated.
Thank you Tana. How nice of you to say!
Ron, thanks to you, Hugh and I put “Never Cry Wolf” in our Netflix queue and re-watched the movie the other night, after many years. I’d completely forgotten about it. I also didn’t realize “Never Cry Wolf” was the reason Disney branched off into Touchstone Pictures, owing to the mature nature of the film’s subject matter So, it was an interesting cinematic history point for me. This post is beautiful and inspiring in more ways than one. I see the opposite occur far too often — where a lack of connection with animals leads to abject disregard. How poignant that your pigeons were a gateway of sorts to your personal and professional dreams and endeavors.
One of my favorite movies Ingrid. It was a very effective teaching tool in my zoology classes for years.
Wonderful story, and good of you to brave your ‘misgivings’ and post this Ron. Your excellent eye as a photog is, I think, due in no small part to the keen observational skills you developed as a “watcher”-all those years ago. And the passion still resides.
Beautiful post and great story, Ron.
Ron:
Great post. It’s interesting how early events and experiences play such an important role in what we do with the remainder of our lives. I’m glad you posted this.
I appreciate your comment Dave. I must admit that I had some misgivings about making such a personal post.
I am with you all the way. I spend (some would say waste but they are wrong) hours each day watching birds. We have a feeder which allows me to do so since my mobility is compromised. Each day I learn something new. Each day they make me smile, laugh and some days weep. You are so right about their character. Some birds will persistently act ‘out of character’ for their species, and claim the new character as their own. A never ending joy. A private obsession.
Thank you Elephant’s Child. Time spent watching birds is NEVER wasted IMO.