Since I learned the hard way that I can’t bike on snow and ice (ouch!), I’ve been staying indoors more and finishing up some books that might be of interest to anyone in the same situation. The first one was a gift from the elves (at least
that’s what Danette’s text said ;-). It’s by a gentleman who decided to BIKE across the country for a Big Year in 2014. The book is “Birding Under the Influence,” a reference to the author’s struggles with addiction. His name is Dorian Anderson, but it was
only after I started reading the book that I realized that he had stayed at our house during his journey! I don’t even remember how we got hooked up, and I didn’t remember his name, but I have photos of him playing with our dog in the back yard. Small world.

Anyway, well worth reading. His dedication to his plan was amazing. He found 618 species and biked over 18,000 miles. Wow!

The second book that I highly recommend is “What An Owl Knows” by Jennifer Ackerman. This book is available through our library—or at least will be when I make it down there to return it. I learned a ton about owls from all over the world.
I first heard of the book from the Owl Research Institute’s annual report. They are located up in Montana (and deserve any donations you can send there way). The book actually made me want to send them more money because they have been studying owls for quite
a long time and doing quite a job. In the book, the author does a good job of getting you up close and personal with the research going on all over the world and up close and personal with the owls and all the challenges they face. From Eurasian Eagle Owls
to Elf Owls, they are all in the book, but the Elf Owl at the end of the book is the cutest. Imagine an owl the size of a sparrow!

Sorry to go on so long, but it’s all part of dealing with cabin fever.

Tom McCabe, Boise