A bird called out as I strode north on Arlington Avenue toward Washington Street; I paused to listen to it, and looking at the bare branches of the trees that line the street, said softly, “Who are you?” I do this whether I am on city streets or city trails, as I am interested in the secret and public life of birds, and on this day, I was going to Ash & Elm Cider Company to meet with people with similar avian interests.
My interest in birds flowered after I met Wes Homoya (and wrote about) “Birdman of Indianapolis” (September 2016). Wes is a “native Hoosier, avid birder, tour guide and conservationist,” and was leading his chosen flock on another “Feathers and Fermentation” tour, this one featuring “Raptors and Romance.” I thought the “romance” part was because the tour was two days after Valentine’s Day, but it turned out to be about, um… birdy business, or “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”
After finishing the cider of the month (Blueberry Lavender) served to me by tasting room manager Siera Hipsher, I joined Wes in the production/event space. A bundle of birders (get it? A group name, like “covey of quail,” and “murder of crows”) was gathered at tables, waiting for Wes to explain our mission. He introduced us to Stefany Boleyn, who works at the Eagle Creek Park Ornithology Center, and Andy Bulla and Micah Red Elk, two drivers for Indy Brew Bus. I had met Andy on a previous tour, and he recognized my name. I sat at a table occupied by two other birders, and John and Dawn introduced themselves to me; we were soon joined by Pat and Christy. I found that Pat was from Denver, Colorado because he expressed mild and humorous disdain for the bold Pittsburgh Steelers logo emblazoned on my hooded sweatshirt. John and Dawn said that they had lived in South Africa, where they had sampled the cider offerings. After Andy and Micah delivered tastings of four ciders — Dry, Headlong, Sunset Tart Cherry, and Fleeting Youth — Wes gave us a brief tour of the production space. After being given the opportunity to get “to go” cans and growlers of cider, we bundled onto two Indy Brew Bus buses for the ride to Eagle Creek State Park.
Will Schaust, park manager of the Eagle Creek Park Ornithology center, with help from Stefany, gave the group a summary of the presentation we were to see, called “The Secret Life of Birds,” a fascinating study of the mating habits and parenting quirks of various birds. But before we got to the “business” of birds, Will asked a question that gave me the answer to the song I’d heard on my way to the gathering: a song sparrow had called to me. Will’s comedic chops made his information delivery more interesting than if it had been a dry, ornithological lecture. During the tour through the philandering and adulterous affairs of birds, a large green cage kept thumping on a table at the front of the room. Will eventually introduced us to “Reddington,” a red-tailed hawk, who seemed glad to be able to stretch his great wounded wings. After a brief tour of the taxidermy room, where about 150 birds were displayed, and views across Eagle Creek lake, we journeyed to Ellison Brewing, where we were given tastes of the brewer’s beers, honey and maple syrup.
Back at Ash & Elm, the group dispersed, and I was happy to have met Pat and Christy and John and Dawn and to have journeyed through the secret life of birds.
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