When I first moved into my home in Southeastern Missouri, I heard a birdcall that was new to me. I searched unsuccessfully for the owner of this beautiful song for a couple of years, and immediately began referring to this elusive bird as a Churple because that most closely described it's song.
Finally, in the third year, I spotted the female and discovered my beloved Churples were actually Summer Tanagers and no longer merely unseen birds of lore. The male is crimson and the female is yellow. They build shelf nests in the top of the trees, explaining why they were so hard to spot. I listen for them each spring as my harbingers that the seasons have once again truly changed.
And hence, the name of my little endeavor - Churplelore - where I use the naturally occurring rocks, wood, and other on hand items located on my property, combined with metal and wire to create one-of-a-kind sculpture, jewelry, and other brain children.
