Dear Brandt,

"The Backyard Crooner" column you penned for the 4/15 - 28/11 BR Gazette caught my interest. Although not a "birder", I do observe, study and appreciate them.

As the story you related from the woman in your column, I've one as well.

Here at Wellington Square Apts. (between Johnny's Market and Carrollton), we have a garden courtyard we enjoy gardening and restful visiting in. June 09 several of us were sitting out near dusk, visiting. One resident had received a cell phone call. A bit later his phone rang, no message, no call.

As we visited this re-occurred 3 or 4 times, before I realized the sound tone was coming from a tree behind me somewhat at the end of our Bldg E.

I recalled that earlier in the day I had seen an unfamiliar bird in one of our courtyard serviceberry trees, the size, color and sound of which I had fleetingly wondered, Mockingbird?

We had Steve's son go upstairs to his apt and call Steve. Steve answered - and the tone "rang" out 3-4 more times. The bird was calling us.

What a fascination such simple, natural joys provide!

Sincerely,

Michael D. Hoover