Ax^2 + Bxy + Cy^2 = 0

A Red-bellied Woodpecker surprised me yesterday. I was thirty feet or so from my apartment complex on the way to work when a woodpeckerish streak zipped across the street. I stopped and stared, amazed at how much closer he allowed me to get in the car than he would have if I were on foot.

I watched him crawl all over my neighbor's tree, my eyes straining to discern the red belly. Alas.

I wonder why it is just in recent months that I am beginning to see many different things than I used to see here--Eurasian Collared-doves, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Inca Doves? Sibley, at least, says many of the things I am seeing are present year-round. So am I just paying more attention now? Do they get bolder in hot weather? I know I never liked dealing with more than one variable in algebra classes, and I think I understand why now.

Either way, each discovery invigorates me for more.