Spark Moments

BY SAM WARREN

Celebrate Indiana Audubon’s 125th anniversary by sharing your spark! Everyone has a spark experience that connected them to the birds. Here are some spark moments from Indiana Audubon members.

I think I have a “spark” memory for just about every species I have ever identified. One that stands out was my first Belted Kingfisher. Way back when, I was standing at the edge of a nice small pond trying to figure out that weird crackling sound I had been listening to when this small bird dove into the water about 40 feet away from me and flew away with a small fish in his bill. It still gives me goosebumps when I hear a kingfisher.

—Jim Sweeney, IAS Member

Photo: Belted Kingfisher by Shari McCollough.

The Great Blue Herons at Morro Bay California in 1967. My husband was playing golf on the beautiful course beside the bay and I was riding around with him when this enormous blue bird took off in front of us. We were totally blown away! The locals Tom was playing with told us what they were and that they were nesting in the eucalyptus trees along the edge of the bay. We went down to check them afterwards. That planted the seed. A year later, we decided to return to Morro Bay and Tom said, “Let’s join the Audubon Society and find out more about the birds. I think it would be fun to be bird-watchers.” And so we did and that’s how it all started.

—Florence Sanchez, IAS Member

Photo: Eastern Bluebird by Mark Welter.

My grandmother passed away during the summer of 2020. Although she lived far away, I was able to visit her in hospice before COVID-19 restrictions were put in place. During our last in-person conversation, she told me that I will know her spirit is still with me when I hear the birds sing. The summer after she passed I had Eastern Bluebirds in my backyard for the first time, and I believe she sent them to me. Since then, I started paying closer attention to the visitors in my own backyard which has led to a complete love of birding. I’m fortunate that I live so close to the Indiana Dunes and have had some amazing visitors, from Summer and Scarlet Tanagers to Indigo Buntings and Pileated Woodpeckers. I love spending time in nature and feeling so close to my grandma.

—Megan Drazer, IAS Member

Photo: Sandhill Cranes by Shari McCollough.

Back in the 50’s I was riding home on the school bus; my grandpa was the bus driver. We passed a farm field where I saw some tall birds that I didn’t know. Getting home, I ran into the general store my family owned in Collett, Indiana, just south of Portland. I was eager to tell my dad about these strange birds. He quickly turned the store over to my mother and we drove back to see them. They were Sandhill Cranes! The pair was even dancing! I don’t remember if it was in spring or fall, but back then they were rare in Indiana. I wish I could take my dad to Jasper-Pulaski to see them in the thousands.

—Cynthia Powers, IAS Member

Share your spark! Submit your stories throughout the year at indianaaudubon.org/125years.

This article originally ran in the June–July 2023 print edition of The Cardinal.