Well, it seems that the powers that be in South Texas have decided that my Song Sparrow was really a Lincoln's. I guess I see their point; with all that gray on his sides, he makes an odd Song Sparrow.
I feel a little strange about calling the Lincoln's a lifer, kinda like I was hesitant to call the American Pipit I photographed but couldn't necessarily ID a lifer. But I've changed my mind, thanks in part to Beth in NYC's comment that just because I couldn't ID a bird right off doesn't change the fact that I saw it. God knows my ID skills are those of a relative beginner when compared with guys like John at A DC Birding Blog or my major birdy hero Julie Zickefoose.
So I'm going to count these birds, the Lincoln's Sparrow and the American Pipit, and I'm going to hope that I recognize them right off the next time I see them. That brings my ABA lifelist number to a whopping 269, which really pleases me.
But you know what?
I'd love to have to see a lot of those 269 birds over again--especially the ones I don't see every day. I'm gonna try to get in some early morning birding this week or weekend because I'd really like to see some warblers. I've been focused a lot on wetland/shorebirds, and my warbler skills have suffered.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Birding with AB
AB and I drove around to some old birding haunts today and had such a wonderful time! We went out to Penns Valley, though we didn't stop at the old marsh (which was still choked with purple loosestrife).
We drove to Long Road, a place I used to bird a lot, and found a very willing Chipping Sparrow:
We also saw Song Sparrows, American Goldfinches, an Eastern Kingbird, a pair of Eastern Bluebirds, a Killdeer, American Crows, Turkey Vultures, Common Grackles, and European Starlings, though the bright midday sun made photography difficult.
We then went out to the Coburn Rail Trail and saw some more Song Sparrows, a couple of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Baltimore Oriole, and a bunch of American Redstarts like this one:
AB had a great time with the BirdJam, keeping the bird close while I snapped photos. Again, the midday sun created some terrible backlighting, so this was the best picture I got. We also followed a Red-eyed Vireo but didn't get photos; AB is still learning how to use the binocs, and she was getting a bad case of Warbler Neck. Still, it was a lovely time; we heard Wood Thrushes, Eastern Wood Pewees, and Eastern Phoebes too.
Strangely, we also saw this little brown bat, in the middle of the day!
I thought they only flew around at night, but this one was flying over Penns Creek for several minutes, hawking for insects.
A few more photos:
Sorry this pic isn't better, but what is this strange sort of fly?
There were dozens of Red Admirals everywhere.
Yarrow (I think)
There are so many kinds of violets; I think this one is a Sweet White Violet, according to my studies of my copy (a gift from AB) of A Guide to Common Pennsylvania Wildflowers and my National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers (Eastern Region).
Swamp Dewberry (pretty sure)
a lovely swallowtail (pretty bitten up, though) on some Dame's Rocket
Greater Celandine, featuring the bright yellow-orange "ink" from its stem forming a D on the back of AB's hand
Black or Field Mustard (I think)
some strangely variegated Dame's Rocket
Golden-Alexander! I confirmed with the leaves on this one:
American Dog Violet (I think--again, violets are tough)
Daisy Fleabane
We drove to Long Road, a place I used to bird a lot, and found a very willing Chipping Sparrow:
We also saw Song Sparrows, American Goldfinches, an Eastern Kingbird, a pair of Eastern Bluebirds, a Killdeer, American Crows, Turkey Vultures, Common Grackles, and European Starlings, though the bright midday sun made photography difficult.We then went out to the Coburn Rail Trail and saw some more Song Sparrows, a couple of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a Baltimore Oriole, and a bunch of American Redstarts like this one:
AB had a great time with the BirdJam, keeping the bird close while I snapped photos. Again, the midday sun created some terrible backlighting, so this was the best picture I got. We also followed a Red-eyed Vireo but didn't get photos; AB is still learning how to use the binocs, and she was getting a bad case of Warbler Neck. Still, it was a lovely time; we heard Wood Thrushes, Eastern Wood Pewees, and Eastern Phoebes too.Strangely, we also saw this little brown bat, in the middle of the day!
I thought they only flew around at night, but this one was flying over Penns Creek for several minutes, hawking for insects.A few more photos:
Sorry this pic isn't better, but what is this strange sort of fly?
There were dozens of Red Admirals everywhere.
Yarrow (I think)
There are so many kinds of violets; I think this one is a Sweet White Violet, according to my studies of my copy (a gift from AB) of A Guide to Common Pennsylvania Wildflowers and my National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers (Eastern Region).
Swamp Dewberry (pretty sure)
a lovely swallowtail (pretty bitten up, though) on some Dame's Rocket
Greater Celandine, featuring the bright yellow-orange "ink" from its stem forming a D on the back of AB's hand
Black or Field Mustard (I think)
some strangely variegated Dame's Rocket
Golden-Alexander! I confirmed with the leaves on this one:
American Dog Violet (I think--again, violets are tough)
Daisy FleabaneIt's so much fun showing AB some of my favorite places and birds; she loves being outside and in the woods, and she's such a good sport, getting enjoyment out of my excitement over birds.
Bad Books
Quick short post today and I'm stealing the idea from the Wall Street Journal's Book Lover (Cynthia Crossen) (5/14/10). Anyway, someone wrote in to discuss how a favorite author can seriously disappoint a reader on a follow-up book. The Book Lover agreed that authors can write lousy books, and then make a come-back with brilliance. It happens.
The Book Lover used John Irving as her example. She loved World According to Garp and The Cider House Rules. Subsequent works, not so much. She writes, "Either he changed, or I did, or both, and now I don't even try to read his work."
Who's your disappointing author? Two came to mind immediately. Donna Tartt wrote The Secret History, and I loved that book. Then ten years (ten years later!) The Little Friend was published and ugh!, an absolute beating to read. I don't know that I even finished it. Same with Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones. Wow! I was enthralled with that book and recommended it to everyone. Then she came out with Almost Moon. Blecch!
Aldous Huxley said, "A bad book is as much of a labor to write as a good one, it comes as sincerely from the author's soul."
The Book Lover used John Irving as her example. She loved World According to Garp and The Cider House Rules. Subsequent works, not so much. She writes, "Either he changed, or I did, or both, and now I don't even try to read his work."
Who's your disappointing author? Two came to mind immediately. Donna Tartt wrote The Secret History, and I loved that book. Then ten years (ten years later!) The Little Friend was published and ugh!, an absolute beating to read. I don't know that I even finished it. Same with Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones. Wow! I was enthralled with that book and recommended it to everyone. Then she came out with Almost Moon. Blecch!
Aldous Huxley said, "A bad book is as much of a labor to write as a good one, it comes as sincerely from the author's soul."
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