Window of opportunity

"Life is a window of opportunity."

According to various sites on the internet, the saying was attributed to several authors and inspirational speakers including American physician Dr. Debasish Mridha.

I much preferred that take on the saying rather than the definitions of the phrase "window of opportunity."

"A favorable opportunity for doing something that must be seized immediately," was what the Oxford Languages site said. 

Those words suggested a direct call to action that cannot be postponed.

Several sites said once the window was closed the opportunity was gone forever.

I found this to be true as I waited for the orioles and hummingbirds to appear for photo-ops at the feeders.

They would not come forward if I had the sliding glass door open.

​They would venture close if I had the door completely closed. So I seized the opportunity and took photos through the glass. While they weren't as crisp in focus as I like, I found that the glass acted as a filter. It kind of put an artistic blur on the photos. Plus, things may have been better if the window was clean, but I have slobber dogs. 

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However, as more and more summer birds arrive, the opportunities abound for photos without the window.

I was able to capture a male hummingbird taking a break.

​First one male showed up. Then two males were there. Then fights over the feeder began. Another feeder was added in a different area. 

Still skirmishes at both feeders erupted. Add into the equation three or four females, and the feeders were very lively places. Several pairs of orioles seemed to appear overnight.

They wanted me to seize the opportunity immediately to fill the jelly feeders that they were rapidly depleting. 

On a side note, my memories on Facebook brought up two photos from two different years that both featured snow on the hummingbird feeders. Ironically, they were both taken on May 9. Fortunately, this year no snow on May 9. 

Unfortunately while I was able to use a window for photo opportunities, they don't provide good opportunities for birds. There were multitudes of articles about bird-window collisions. An article titled "Opening the black box of bird-window collisions" on Science Daily delved into a study by ​researchers from Western University and Purdue University on the subject. 

Bird-window collisions happen all over the world throughout the year, but the frequency and severity of collisions seem to be underestimated by the public, especially at residential settings," wrote Brendon Samuels, the first author. 
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An article on dezeen.com provided sobering stats on the issue. 
"Collisions with buildings cause billions of bird deaths a year. As many as one billion birds are killed this way every year in the US alone ...", according to the post. 
"Public awareness of bird-window collisions has grown in recent years, thanks to surveys for dead birds beneath windows.

​However, as collisions events are difficult to observe directly, there are still major gaps in understanding how and why birds fly into windows, and what happens to the birds afterwards," said the post on Science Daily. 
The post on dezeen.com also mentioned that studies reported that the size of the window didn't seem to matter or have an effect on the overall issue. 
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Meanwhile, several birding sites provided some ideas like window decals that may help curb the collisions. 
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Audubon Pennsylvania and The Audubon Society, both had great articles on the subject. 
Closer to home, we have two wildlife rehabilitation centers that can provide aid for birds injured in window strikes. 

Skye’s Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Harrisville can be contacted by phone at 814-786-9677 or on their website. 
Tamarack Wildlife Center can be reached by phone at 814-763-2574 or on their site. 

Meanwhile at the pond, while the frogs were safe from window collisions. They weren't so safe from Sadie, the Newfoundland.
An opportunity presented itself when a large bullfrog refused to engage in Sadie's intimidation tactics.

The encounter lasted a brief minute. I was giggling the entire time and trying to steady the camera.
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In the back of my mind, I was slightly fearful that she might actually get this one.
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However, I didn't have to worry as this one got away like many others before it. 

I was able to capture the action and a somewhat surprised Sadie. 
Sadie continued to wait for her window of opportunity when frog hunting.
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I hoped that that opportunity would never come and that the window remained closed. 

Opportunities for flora photos abounded this week. In the woods and fields, the ragwort added some yellow to the landscape.

​Lady slipper orchids were preparing their slipper-like blooms. Back in the garden while some tulips started to fade, others were still holding onto their petals. 

Trail camera photos and a photo I took showed some of the neighbor does were looking a little round. I hoped that this year I would have a window of opportunity for some fawn photos.

That window was usually closed to me, but open for the trail cameras.

Windows of opportunity open and close. When you see one, you should probably take it. However, don't mourn if you miss it.

There may be another window open somewhere. Nonetheless, the window of opportunity to prevent bird-window collisions is wide open. 

That's just the nature of things 'round here. ​