Often in response to ‘How’s things?” my coffee dude friend Steve replies, “Oh, I’m livin’ the dream!” Steve is Irish and it takes a bit to unravel his meaning as it depends on who has asked the question.
Sometime the emphasis is on, “Oh”, other times “livin'” and more often than not, “dream”. Makes a huge difference in the message the enquirer takes away.
Sometimes, when we are out and about, waving long lenses and tripods and things, a passerby will ask, usually innocently, “Ah, are you out to take photographs,” to which my good natured response will be something along the lines of, “Yes, its such a lovely day to be out.”
Other times, as the question really is loaded, in that it infers, “What are you doing here taking photographs?” my response can be a little more obtuse.
Usually, “No, I’m actually cleaning out the guttering!, or, I’m really here cleaning the windows so you’ll be able to see out that little bit better!”
When the enquiry turns to a demand about, “Why are you taking photographs here?”, in a more aggressive manner, I have a legally prepared statement that I will respond with. It always ends with an abrupt, “I’m minding my own business.”
Just occasionally when we are out and about and a birdo or bird photographer drops by for the usual chat, which almost always begins with “Have you seen much, or what are you photographing”, I have a pretty standard reply,
“Oh, I’m photographing Striated Fieldwrens.” It they are interested in fieldwrens the conversation goes further, but usually it swings to, “Have you seen my …. (target bird)”. and that sort of ends the encounter.
To those that ask, “Oh, how many fieldwrens have you seen”, I usually can answer truthfully, “None, it’s been very quiet today.”
However just occasionally, the Striated Fieldwrens are on the move, vocal and out and about. Sometimes it’s just a matter of luck, because these little dude spend a lot of time in the bushes and grasses and with their superb markings disappear from view.
This one was out and about early in March this year, the last day we had an adventure at the Western Treatment Plant.
At least I could answer unequivocally about the fieldwrens, “Living the Dream!”
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
A fabulous read, David! I guess it all depends on what the dream is! A beaut image of the Fieldwren, they are always a treat to see! I wonder when the farm will be open again. Last time I looked there was just the areas closed notation.
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Ahh the Mystery of the WTP. At this stage mere mortals and people with access keys are locked out. Rumor hath it that we will have to wait until the chance of the dreaded ‘c’ thing is not likely to be flushed down the gurgler.
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Such a beautiful little bird. I love the delicate colours and markings. And that perky tail of course. Oh, and a lovely shot of it by the way!
People do ask the daffiest questions, don’t they, though usually no-one seems suspicious of me. What harm could a little old white-haired lady do, after all? Mostly people seem to say “Did you get some good photos?” to which I respond “I hope so.” I never count my photos until they are hatched on the computer screen.
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Hi Eleanor, I might fit myself out for a white-haired wig, and a frock and see how I go. No, on second thoughts.
Mostly I take it in all good natured humour. Just everyso often someone has to cross the line. Just because they can.
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A great narrative David, gave me a few chuckles, and so true, I wish I had sometimes had a quicker wit to answer some of the silly questions. Love your Striated Fieldwren, not a bird I am accustomed to in our area. What a wonderful find back in March, I think most of ours are down south toward Jarvis Bay to Eden. We are in our second day of unprecedented November heatwaves. Woke up this morning in 30°C heat, hanging out for the cool change this evening.
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hello Ashley,,
Years of practice, and more years of having to answer the same old questions. I feel l ike a politician sometimes, just reach into the bag for the the right canned answer.
We only get to see them everyso often, and this particular visit gave us serveral different locations with the birds on display.
But I do like sitting by the bushes and grasses sometimes simply just hearing them, and hoping for a view.
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