Migration, we are told, builds character. Endurance, determination, patience — these are the virtues birds are supposed to embody as they cross mountains, oceans, and increasingly unpredictable weather systems. From a distance, it all looks heroic.
Up close, it mostly looks tiring. When we spoke to several birds about resilience, most declined to comment. One kept flying. These four posters are for them.
There has been the occasional mild interest in products based on this series – posters, screensavers, coffee mugs, T-Shirts … Should you share this interest, please let me know in the comments or at kai.pflug@gmail.com; I might set something up.
Kai has lived in Shanghai for 22 years. He only started birding after moving to China, so he is far more familiar with Chinese birds than the ones back in his native Germany. As a birder, he considers himself strictly average and tries to make up for it with photography, which he shares on a separate website. Alas, most of the photos are pretty average as well.
He hopes that few clients of his consulting firm—focused on China’s chemical industry—ever find this blog, as it might raise questions about his professional priorities. Much of his time is spent either editing posts for 10,000 Birds or cleaning the litter boxes of his numerous indoor cats. He occasionally considers writing a piece comparing the two activities.
Wonderful posting, Kai! I urge everyone to take a look at these items and see if there’s something in there that speaks to you. These would make great gifts for any birder in your life! Thank you for your hard work on this project and I hope it “flies”.
After showing this post to the non-backyard dwelling backyard birds in my neighborhood, they suggested 1 more character-building virtue of migration: Tolerance – nobly accepting the dire consequences of a critical, life-sustaining spot along their route being replaced by a barren middle-class housing development.