A Northern Cardinal pair. Courtesy of Jaya Ramanathan.

By Jaya Ramanathan. Reviewed by Sarita Yeola.

I experience various feelings when observing birds. Here, I share them along with examples of bird behaviors I associate with each of them, hoping it resonates with my fellow birders.

Love Bewick Wren’s mating song, Red-bellied Woodpecker’s courtship, Northern Cardinal pair kissing, sharing a bath, and the male shooing others away from the feeder.

A Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, and White-winged Dove at a bird bath. Courtesy of Jaya Ramanathan.

Playfulness Carolina Wren exploring bath nooks, Red-breasted Nuthatch hanging upside down on an oak, Blue Jay enjoying a splashy bath, Warblers playing peekaboo.

Competition Birds skirmish over the bath, Ruby-throated Hummingbird dominating the nectar feeder, Chipping Sparrows fighting at seed feeder, female Golden-fronted Woodpeckers feuding over a nesting spot, squirrels competing with birds for seeds and water.

Collaboration Flock of Cedar Waxwings, Common Grackle, or Franklin Gulls, Black Vultures congregating on an electric tower, different bird species simultaneously sharing our bird bath, Hummingbirds sipping together at our feeder, trading birding tips with fellow birders.

Restlessness Fast-moving Kinglets, White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and Warblers.

Reward Sighting the Golden-cheeked Warbler in Garner State Park after not spotting it in Lost Maples State Park, photographing a Nashville Warbler’s elusive chestnut crown, and its catch of a worm.

A Golden-cheeked Warbler in Garner State Park. Courtesy of Jaya Ramanathan.

Surprise Warblers in winter, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks on the roof top, sunflower patch planted by birds by spilling seeds below our feeder, House Finch snacking on elm acorns, picturesque sunrise over Pikes Peak, Colorado, when responding to a call from Black-billed Magpies.

Responsibility Downy Woodpecker pair caring for young, Mama squirrel gorging seeds to nourish her quadruplet, Carolina Chickadee pair exploring a nesting spot, Blue Jay warning others of Red-shouldered Hawk, Muscovy Duck guiding her babies on a swim in Murphy Park.

A Muscovy Duck guides her babies on a swim in Murphy Park. Courtesy of Jaya Ramanathan.

Patience Black-crested Titmouse eating one seed at a time from our feeder, Lincoln Sparrow foraging for bugs under our rose bushes.

Connection between Flora and Fauna Salvia blooms in time so that migrating Ruby-throated Hummingbirds can nourish on its nectar for their journey ahead, Carolina Wren foraging on bugs that could harm roses, American Robin snacking on American Sweet Berry, Monarch Butterfly feeding on Lantanas.

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeds at Autumn Sage; his gorget color varies. Courtesy of Jaya Ramanathan.

Awe Birds perching on one leg to conserve heat, techniques birds apply to migrate long distances for survival, gorgets of male Hummingbirds displaying varying colors depending on where light falls on them.

Delight First ever sights such as spotting Painted Bunting in Lockhart State Park, and Red-shouldered Hawk at our bath, a friend spotting and another photographing Vermillion Flycatcher, which I only heard when our ‘Camping Gang’ friend group visited the Frio River.

A Vermillion Flycatcher in the Frio River area. Courtesy of Srinivas Patil.

Luck Rare sights such as Leucistic White Squirrel, Blue-headed Vireo, and Armadillo in our backyard.

Resilience  Birds brave ice storms, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker nonchalantly handles cold winds ruffling its feathers during Bomb Cyclone, multiple Egret types make their home in even small habitats such as Murphy Park.

Great Egret, Cattle Egret, and Snowy Egret in Murphy Park Rookery. Courtesy of Jaya Ramanathan.

Fear Cooper’s Hawk attacking White-winged Dove, Mississippi Kite and Red-shouldered Hawk munching their prey, even if these represent nature’s cycle of life.

A Cooper’s Hawk attacks a White-winged Dove. Courtesy of Jaya Ramanathan.

Sadness Carolina Chickadee mourning a loss, Red-breasted Nuthatch departs in spring.

Dependence  Birds rely on us to preserve their habitats just as we depend on them for pollination, fertilization, and much more.