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Show birders and other naturalists in Portal asked if they would like to manage his business. So in August 1 999, the Gateses gave up education jobs in southern Mississippi and moved to Portal to operate the Cave Creek Ranch. It was a way to get here a few years earlier, Larry says. Always something different Birding brought Larry and Terrie Gate together. a- of people, and whether the visitors are amateurs or advanced-levbirders, most are easily won over by the hospitality at Cave Creek Ranch. The Gateses stay in touch with many of the people who have come to visit. Thats another aspect of birding that runs counter to the old stereotypes of loners and el It's clear these two have made the right choice. Outside their quarters, the trees are dizzy-ingalive with an array of birds. The sassy acorn woodpecker, with his bold red, black, and white coloring, dominates the scene. ly Hummingbirds whir through even in winter, and the Gateses seem as contented as the coveys of quail strolling the grounds. Rare birds are almost commonplace here, and many serious birders have sighted the species of their dreams at the feeders. ranchs well-stock- Rare birds once held a strong attraction for the Gateses. They recall a time they sped from Mississippi to Louisiana just for a glimpse of an albino hummingbird. It looked like a little angel," Larry says. These days, their focus has changed. Seeing rare birds is still a thrill, but its not as big a thrill, Larry says. Instead, he and Terrie are more inter- ested in learning about the behavior of the birds at hand rather than in chasing down an exotic species. Some of their behavioral observations have come surprisingly easily, such as when a female canyon wren moved in with them at the bird ranch. It nested and raised its young in their cellar one year, then came back and raised that seasons brood in a bat house the next year. Theres always something different, Terrie says. Birds arent the only interesting part of die couple s job. They also meet a steady flow misfits; birding can be surprisingly sociable. Tagging along with Larry and Terrie on a birding jaunt is a comfortable experience. They move fluidly over the rugged landscape while carrying on an easy conversation. Sparrows, hawks, and herons seem to appear from nowhere, and a javelina, a wild relative of the pig, saunters by. Many birders keep lists of their sightings: monthly lists, annual lists, local lists, county lists, and state lists. The most competitive birders are likely to keep lists of their lists. These days, Terrie and Larry Gates keep only Cave Creek lure birds Portals densely wooded mountains and sycamore-line- d from Mexico rarely seen anywhere else in the United States. a life list to remind them of where and when they first came across a particular species. Its okay to have lists. Its even okay to be competitive about it, as long good-natured- ly as youre having fun," Terrie says. Fun is important. But birding also -- exercise and good for your mental health, says Larry, a former professor of psychology. Birds capture your imagination, he says. They can fly. Theyre sort of a symbol for the human spirit. They rise above. Terrie agrees. You look through a pair of binoculars, she says, and everything else fades out. Terri Likens is writer a Cottonwood, Ariz., freelance whose work often focuses on nature. 4 IWM" is good a good lure far TTM r wSSfcflwmqf tes JL the a pair of bfooeufere uuiy 7x35 or 8x35 for bedpend bitting The Irat number refers to mapiifying power the second to the dhniter in mme-ter-s of die objective, or outer, lemThis determines how mud) igfrc is admitted 'four local Audubon Sodecy can offer farther gukhnce. The easiest way to attract birds to your yard is with one or more feeders. Hang these where you can readily watch them and refill them and where cracked hulls on the ground won't be a bother. The best feed is black-o-il sunflower seed It is high In fat and easy for small birds to crack open. Suet can be used birds such as g to attract nuthatches and woodpeckers. Orioles like oranges and grapes. insect-eatin- birds are moat apt so show up at a feeder or fa die wM in your area, log onto wwwiirdS.aomel.eduplW. Those who want to go beyond their own lend to explore die bird world dtould join a gnxftsys John Ifeglns, who leads laid trips for the Tucson (Art.) Audubon Sodecy tots of new birders get frustrated that they won't be able to leam it But when they go out with a poup of people, they leam it a lot faster Higgins says, to fen to go birding with others." . Check with your local Audubon Society, museums, and nature centers to And a group Higgins guarantees a positive experience for those who sock with it. When you go birding, its like fishing without a pole," he says. Stuff happens to you. Birds go by, flowers bloom. American Profile 1 Page 7 |