But after all that, what she really considers herself to be is simply a birder – one who is not just interested in identifying birds and keeping a life list, but observing birds – how they behave towards each other, how they act when they are alone, and how living so close to us affects and influences them. And her partner in all this is her husband, Avery Cleon Spence.
Linda and Cleon consider their one acre yard a wildlife refuge and all their decisions are made not only for themselves, but also keeping in mind all the creatures that live there. Linda is afraid of snakes and Cleon does not like spiders, but both of them realize snakes and spiders have necessary places in the balance of nature and life. And both snakes and spiders live in their yard and garden. Linda and Cleon may not be totally at peace with that, but they will tell you they are making progress.
Their yard and garden are planned as a bird and butterfly sanctuary and in the 20 years they have lived there, both have increased in number. Linda and Cleon will tell you it has been hard work, but good work. Work with hands. Using muscles. Breathing fresh air. Listening to nature all around. And now, 20 years after they started with a blank slate, the yard and garden is a sanctuary not just for all the creatures that live there, but also for them. They simply cannot imagine living anywhere else.