There are few natural sounds more uplifting to my spirit than the bright and cheering calls and songs of black-capped chickadees (山雀). One of my morning routines is to step outside the house and listen for the voices of black-caps.

There is something comforting to me in black-caps’ presence. 【小题1】 Sometimes they are the only birds I’ll hear on my local woodland walks and for me the forest would be a lonelier place without them.

After I’d moved into a house on Anchorage’s Hillside, I placed a makeshift feeder on my home’s back. 【小题2】 For each, the routine was similar: dashed in, looked around, pecked (啄) at the tray, looked around again, and dashed out. Nervous little creatures, full of bright energy, they soon had me laughing at their funny way, By the time they moved on, I sensed an all-too-rare upwelling of fascination and joy.

Within days, a whole new world opened up as woodland neighbors I’d never known, or even imagined, joined the black-caps at my feeders: red-breasted nuthatches, common redpolls…What was remarkable was that all of those species were common residents of the Anchorage area. 【小题3】

My newfound interest in birds grew quickly, surprising even me. 【小题4】 I visited bookstores in search of birding guidebooks. Excitedly exchanged bird descriptions with a stranger. Purchased 50-pound bags of sunflower seeds. All of this seemed very strange to a middle-aged guy who’d never been attracted by birds. Even more, I had previously judged bird watchers to be rather dull sorts.

【小题5】 They’ve reminded me how my world can expand and become enriched when I make the effort to pay attention. What else awaits me in our world, I wonder, that I haven’t yet discovered or noticed?