In their instructions on running Breeding Bird Surveys, the Patuxent folks warn you that you might encounter curious passers-by.

Happens almost every year. More so, now, with all the energy traffic.

On my first route, had three rig hands headed back to their motel/home stop to see if I needed help.

Out there in the desert, it ain't quite normal to have trucks parked alongside the road, with somebody standing next to it.

But, no, I'm fine.

On the 50th and last stop of the same route, as I waited for my thermometer to finally settle down and tell me the air temperature, a fellow hauling drill bits that he hoped to sell at the rigs stopped for the same question.

Nope, just countin' birds.

"Which ones?" he asks, sincerely.

All of 'em!

With just a hint of a smile on my face.

And off he went to peddle his wares, sealed in heavy plastic wrap in the back of the pickup.

Did I mention I found a drill bit welded to the top of a headstone in our cemetery when I was chasing the bear around last month? No photos, of course. I was kinda busy. And doubt if I could find my way back to that grave. But clearly, a rigger proud of his occupation.

My second BBSroute passes through two oil fields, but these are well established, with only a maintenance crew maybe once a day. Rarely have any passers-by pass by.

Not last week. On Stop 29, as my three minutes of watching and listening wound down, I became aware that I had company. A curious passer-by, who was wondering just exactly what this truck was doing stopped on her road.

And came calmly walking up, just to see.