We never thought of Los Angeles as a place where wildlife might thrive. We bought a bird feeder on a whim as a Christmas gift and hung it in front of the house. We were amazed to see birds materialize out of nowhere and feast in front of our eyes. We bought a second bird feeder, and a whole new world began to reveal itself. Each time we added another feeder (different types with different seeds), new species would show up. We put up nesting boxes and the sound of babies filled our house while we watched parents constantly fly back and forth in the effort to feed them. By the way, guess what the parents were feeding their babies? Insects. By installing nesting boxes, we were helping control the insect population. We’re not wildlife experts so learning this fact left us amazed. And there was so much more to discover.
As we read about making our yard a more inviting environment, we came to understand that all life—birds, plants, honey bees, lizards—needs water. So we built a bird bath off of our front porch. Within hours of filling it on April 15, 2015, two individuals showed up who would forever change our lives. They were huge, and at first intimidating, with five-foot wingspans, and feather hues of blue, purple, and black. These two welcomed the opportunity to have fresh water and, everyday, they would show up. Technically, they’re referred to as Common Ravens. We call them James and Margaret. They’re named after James Baldwin, the poet, and Margaret Mead, the anthropologist, in honor of a historic conversation they once had about the need to understand one another no matter what our backgrounds or identities are.
James and Margaret’s relationship was, and continues to be, astonishing. Ravens mate for life, which sounds rather impersonal and factual. What we see—every single day—are demonstrations of love, respect, and partnership. James bows (a raven trait) to Margaret and to us as well. To walk outside and have a raven bow to you is a surreal experience no words can adequately describe. We would take a moment to show our gratitude and bow in return. It wasn’t too long after they started visiting that James began to knock on our window when he arrived. Yes, James literally knocks on our window. And if this isn’t impressive enough, he knocks quite lightly upon first arrival and proceeds to tap harder if we don’t appear. He understands the gradations of pressure, sound, and summoning humans! (No, he has never broken a window). We were so stunned by the level of intelligence and our growing relationship with these two birds (!) that we decided we had to take photos or no one would possibly believe it was happening. This is how The Daily James on Instagram was born.
Now we’re at 75 species of birds and counting. This includes Western screech owls, great horned owls, turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, Cooper’s hawks. There’s also the coyotes, skunks, bobcats, rabbits, squirrels, and deer. We consider them our friends and each plays a part in keeping our ecosystem healthy. All of them live among us, right outside our windows, and to think, at one point, we had no idea. It is no exaggeration to say these friends have completely changed our lives, taught us how to respect and love, and provided profound insights into our world.
CONSIDER THIS
Given the collective human expansion of our own homes and food/supply/sources, we are undoubtedly taking away from unseen others who also depend on this for survival. While we may not want to stop all development and progress, imagine what might happen if you were to hang your own bird feeder. Then maybe put up a nesting box, and follow up with a bird bath or fountain. Our own yard is a tiny island of refuge, but your yard or balcony could be another. And if more and more of us did this, our tiny isolated islands would start to connect, and form into a continent—a place of cohabitation and wonder and just utter entertainment. Does it sound like a modern day paradise? Like something too good to be true?
Just start with one bird feeder…