Birdwatcher by Garth Upshaw

"Birdwatcher" is a 2008 science fiction short story by Garth Upshaw. It is about a teenaged boy who witnesses the arrival of aliens bearing gifts. Non-Spoiler Summary In A Nutshell: "Birdwatcher" is a little slice in the life of Doyle, a boy who is singularly intent on wiping out the crows in his back yard. On one particularly hot summer day as he watches the crows ponder his peanut-butter-and-poison concoction he sees the sky flash brilliant colors. Suddenly the power is out and his mother is calling for his help. As he investigates he discovers "somebody" who offers him an amazing artifact. The sky flashed orange and purple, like a years' worth of sunsets had been dumped catywampus and stirred with a big stick. I looked up, surprised and mystified. Purple and orange. My high school colors. It was afternoon, four o'clock at the absolute latest. "Doyle? Doyle, are you outside?" Mom's high voice cut through the backyard like a mosquito's whine. "What was that flash of light? I know…