Archival Anecdotes: Birds of a Feather

They say a photo is worth a thousand words. There are very few words from the archives that describe this photo. In fact, the Eddy County Museum records say simply “Photo of woman on the prairie with binoculars and a young girl at her side.”

Records also confirm the duo as Mrs. Harry West and Princess Egbert. One can presume they are on the prairie on an early spring day. The grass is not tall and the tracks leading away look soft in the ground.

While Mrs. West looks sensibly clad in a coat and hat, little Princess Egbert seems perfectly comfortable

in her light attire. What are they doing out on the prairie? These two are likely birdwatching. They may be watching for a flock of snow geese on the horizon or observing a mating lek of sharp-tailed grouse. Either way, they are enjoying a spring day on the prairie, something we could all benefit from

Photo taken circa 1915.