🇺🇸 Strolling in Ithaca (Part 3): Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Walking north through the Cornell campus, sunlight filters through the trees, falling on damp soil and open fields. Nestled among the woods lies the Cornell Lab of Ornithology 🪺 – a world-renowned bird research center established in 1915 under the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). It is a sacred destination for birdwatchers around the globe. Sunlight pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the visitor center, illuminating Jane Kim’s famous Wall of Birds mural 🖼️. Each bird is depicted with vivid detail – feathers and textures meticulously rendered. Against a giant world map, Jane selected rare birds (in color) and extinct species (in gray) to convey the message of avian biodiversity and inspire reflection on how to slow their extinction. Strolling along the forest trail, we spotted many birds not found in New Zealand: Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Cedar Waxwing, Red-winged Blackbird… along with turtles 🐢 and frogs 🐸. Through the binoculars, a breathtaking scene unfolded: a Green Heron plunged into the water with lightning speed 🌊⚡, emerging moments later with a “fish” in its beak. But look closely – it wasn’t a fish! A frog’s legs kicked helplessly in the air – its head and body already gone. Compared to the scene we observed earlier in the grass – a snake coiled around a frog with helpless eyes – this felt less brutal. Such is nature. We must respect its laws. What distinguishes humans is the presence of moral law – a philosophical topic for another day. Native plants in the woods attract deer 🦌, much like how Beijingers love fennel, and people in Yunnan-Guizhou relish fishwort. Deer have a special taste for local flora. Their heavy grazing allows invasive species to dominate, further endangering native plants. It’s reminiscent of the dynamics between locals and newcomers. How to maintain a healthy ecosystem, protect native species, and let birds, reptiles, and mammals coexist in balance is another lesson nature teaches us – one that may inspire more inclusive and diverse communities. Though the Vertebrate Museum and the Library of Birds beside the lab are not open to the public, their impressive collections reflect a century of scientific research. Every step here is an opportunity to observe, record, and reflect. Birdsong, predation, plant-deer interactions – nature and knowledge converge before our eyes and in our hearts. 🌿 Tip: Bring a notebook 📓. Record the birds, reptiles, and plants you see. Moments of predation, deer foraging – all reveal the delicacy and balance of the ecosystem, inspiring deeper thoughts on sustainable human development. #CornellUniversity #Ornithology #Birdwatching #Travel #USA #Biodiversity #Ithaca #Nature