Thursday, July 19, 2012

And A Very Happy Anniversary To You!

Has it really been one year already, dear readers? You may be thinking, "Probably not," and you'd be right, because for the first two months of blog existence I had almost no readership whatsoever. And then there are those of you who only joined once it became cool (just kidding; it's still not cool, and don't be holding out any hope for that to change soon either). Exactly one year ago today, almost down to the hour, I lit up a sign, nailed up some shingles, and opened Butlers Birds and Things for business.

Alas, we've made no money, but this has been a great year nonetheless. I have seen, learned, and enjoyed so much in birding this year, and the prospect of being able to share my experiences with other people has been the key motivation to this happiness. I would first and foremost like to thank my wife, Maria, for her unfaltering encouragement and proof-reading. I would also like to thank all of you who have taken the time to stop by, read posts, raise an eyebrow, share your thoughts, etc. and thus encourage me to continue developing as a birder. On that note, it is now my pleasure to unveil, the next exciting development with Butler's Birds and Things!!!

Behold! The first ever Butlers Birds and Things video/documentary clip. This may well be the only known footage of the elusive Red-tailed Hawk, and the narration supplied is my own tribute to David Attenborough, the lovely and inimitable voice behind the magnificent Planet Earth nature series.

*Some or all of the facts supplied on this video may or may not be totally false or true or contradictory


Thanks for a great first year y'all,
Laurence

26 comments:

  1. I gotta hand it to you Laurence, thats a pretty wicked Attenborough impresh, especially the way "hemisphere" was enunciated.

    Congrats on a year!

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    1. I'll let Mr. Attenborough know you appreciated his narration. We spare no expense here at Birds and Things, except when it comes to unpaid interns. We always spare expenses on the interns.

      I must admit, in a way that doesn't admit that that may not actually be Attenborough narrating, it's sometimes tempting to try and go the rest of my life speaking as David would, but then too often I'd start narrating things as they happen, which might annoy people.

      If you like, someday you can whisk me away on one of your birding excursions and I can try narrating things as they happen. We'll see how long that lasts.

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    2. Yes I think you two definitely need to do this- but Steve has to talk like Jack Black the whole time and I can come and film it. How bout it?

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    3. Hmm we'll need a wealthy, Steve Martin type person to bankroll the whole thing. Can you fulfill that role as well as filming?
      Anyway, I haven't heard back from Steve and some people have conjectured that it's hard to spend a week with me.

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    4. It is well known that Flycatcher Jen is extremely wealthy. It could totally happen. If I am to become Jack Black I will need a lot of uppers though.

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    5. Flycatcher Jen...Seagull Steve...Nutcracker Nicholas...Cardinal Chris...Dowitcher Dan...Caracara Karen...it seems all the cool birders have hip and mostly alliterative nicknames. I need to endeavor to earn one of these myself, especially if we're going to embark on a big BIG movie project and if I want to be taken seriously.

      Perhaps "Lovebird" Laurence is a worthwhile moniker, but that does contravene my misanthropy a bit.

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    6. Yes, I am totally rich. Just send me the bills. Lovebird Laurence is maybe better saved for your future in porn. For bird purposes... Loony Laurence? Laurence Longspur?

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    7. Hmm it sounds like you're still suggesting raunchy names there Flycatcher Jen. I suppose it's the sort of thing that should happen spontaneously, and also someone else should decide it. Choosing one's own nickname is, well, nick-lame!

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  2. Awesome impression!!! I really had a good laugh. I've been watching his shows this past week and he's still going! Congrats on the year celebration. Isn't it amazing how it all starts coming together? And then you become part of the world and it's wonderful. I've enjoyed reading your work. You're a birder with a heart and a good sense of humour. Not all birders have that personality. Here's to another year. Thank you for your contributions....and the video was fantastic!

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    1. Thanks a lot Chris. I always appreciate you stopping by and leaving your thoughtful comments.

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  3. Great video Laurence and Happy Anniversary

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  4. Congrats!!!! A whole year! I might have to go back to the beginning and see how this whole thing began... The video is hilarious... Attenborough with just a wee touch of pirate at the end there.. I hope this is the beginning of a series!

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    1. Ha! Thanks Jen. It's been a marvelous year, but I don't know if anyone should go back and look at the beginning...

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  5. Happy Anniversary! A wonderful amalgam of two of my favorite things - David Attenborough and Butlers Birds and Things! Looking forward to seeing what the next year brings.

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    1. Well howdy dee do bout' that! Thanks Nutcracker Nicholas (Neotropic Nicholas? Nuttal's Nicholas?).

      Thanks for frequenting the ol' place and making it classy (and rhyming!)

      P.S. Next year I'll be in south Florida for a wedding. I'm already looking forward to the birding opportunities there. Where about did you and Maureen live in Florida?

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    2. Oh sure, we leave south Florida and the rest of the birding world starts flocking to the place! We lived in Boca Raton, but we know all the hotspots as far down as Miami. Whereabouts are you headed?

      I recommend checking this out before you come - it's the area listserv-type thingy, where everyone posts rare and notable sightings. Might give you some clues about what's hot while you're in town:
      http://www.tropicalaudubon.org/tasboard/

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    3. It is rather cruel isn't it. But that's also the beautiful and tragic hipster way of life yes? Y'all like things and things before they're cool and popular, and then the rest of us come with the main stream.

      We'' be on the west side of the state, near Collier FL. This nice thing here is that my Florida birding is totally undeveloped, so even the common stuff will in large part be new.
      It's be mighty nice to see Spot-breasted Orioles though while we're there. That'd be worth a special trip.

      Maybe y'all can return to FL next July under the pretenses of "visiting old friends" but secretly in your heads you'll be equating "old friends" with "old awesome birds"

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  6. Very funny Lawrence! I saw 2 of these elusive and rare birds at the bog last night. I suspect one was a juvenile for it cried incessently for the entire hour I was there. The other may have been an adult looking for food for it flew to the top of various trees and would look down into the bog and screech as if to say, Be quiet! I'm trying to find you some food!" Happy blogoversary!

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    1. Thanks Kathie. Juvenile Red-tails are a whiny bunch aren't they? When I was birding in Pennsylvania there were 3 up in a tree and they squawked incessantly. It went from adorable to annoying in about 31.4 seconds.

      I'm looking forward to your great home coming Kathie!

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  7. Happy Anniversary! Glad to have found you fairly early on. You are great talent!

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  8. Happy anniversary to you and your blog Laurence! It's always such a pleasure to visit here:)

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