tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82129757129891648602024-03-05T04:12:17.879-08:00Little BirderI love all things outdoors, especially birds. And sometimes I write about where I go and what I see.Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-78740703661850201842021-04-30T20:29:00.001-07:002021-04-30T20:29:33.568-07:00March-April Recap<p>March and April are markedly different birding months, but the two shared one common feature this year: they both flew by in what felt like a matter of seconds! I meant to blog more through my various outings and trips, but life filled up and before I knew it I was always off on my next excursion before I could write about the previous one. It's a wonderful problem to have.</p><p>March can be deceptively slow. Winter lightly loosens its grip, and some birds begin to file out as they head north, but precious few trickle in to replace them. For birders who are active in January and February, the year bird opportunities can feel quite slim while waiting for new avian friends to get here. There is, of course, a solution to this slower pace: don't wait for the birds to get to you, go to them.</p><p>This strategy panned out quite nicely. Of course March began on exciting note with Caleb and Courtney's state first Winter Wren. A few days later, a trip two months in the making came to fruition. Chris Hinkle, Torrey Gage-Tomlinson, Nolan Clements, and I met up in Bend for an unforgettable adventure. Thankfully, just days before our trip a Common Grackle showed up in Sunriver, so before the evening's main festivities we stopped by to pick up this bird that is considered trash in much of the country. It gave each of us a new bird for our Oregon lists, and a big boost of momentum to start the trip.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnevNdaP8fICA8xcMAYcJw03DptpeAe6NuVbig6tQ1UISlA-vI0OkY6R2uaJTw28mriOPR9proKWH7zqQG1TTO3GpgSV6CqdS_DYdL39R9cV1yVvyI_TGGzHjMuXx4WvG6dBhRe98uDM/s2048/DSC_0060.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnevNdaP8fICA8xcMAYcJw03DptpeAe6NuVbig6tQ1UISlA-vI0OkY6R2uaJTw28mriOPR9proKWH7zqQG1TTO3GpgSV6CqdS_DYdL39R9cV1yVvyI_TGGzHjMuXx4WvG6dBhRe98uDM/w400-h266/DSC_0060.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Common Grackle</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Not a Bald Eagle</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>We actually fielded questions from multiple Sunriver residents who assumed we were looking at an eagle. No. Grackle.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>After that we fueled up with some Subway (still my only Subway sub of the year, putting me woefully behind Russ's 2011 pace) and headed straight to the Dutchman Flat Sno Park. Our target bird for the evening was Boreal Owl, arguably the most difficult breeding species in Oregon to find. We did not get an owl, but it wasn't for a lack of effort.<div><br /></div><div>We took off at sundown and cross-country skied into the dark. We climbed from 6,350 ft to over 7,000 mostly on snow mobile trails, covering 11-12 miles in all, stopping to listen for the owls 15-20 times. The late evening sky was beautiful, and for a while it was clear enough for us to see the stars. Some clouds set in and we encountered snow flurries a handful of times. Once we got up above 7,000 feet the temperature dropped and the wind picked up significantly, creating some rather chilly conditions and, more annoyingly, making it difficult to hear. We all agreed that the birds should have respected our efforts and decided to show, but alas, that’s not how birding works.</div><div><br /></div><div>I’d spent a total of one hour on xc skis before this night, so this was a wild way to experience my first legit ski trip. The first couple downhill portions in the dark were probably my favorite part of the whole night. That, and finally returning to the car a little after 1 am.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibguoaJ9_dBuTEm56bHDzNXEzHIlD8_fB3Zby8j5THJxri383ClRr3OsaziL0JOxFEctN2BVUap9aWdQoYi5Zim_WRThWNNVBcYymhg2I8pz83JvkjJOAshN2Y0FN2V7oiNtPlVk0GkU/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibguoaJ9_dBuTEm56bHDzNXEzHIlD8_fB3Zby8j5THJxri383ClRr3OsaziL0JOxFEctN2BVUap9aWdQoYi5Zim_WRThWNNVBcYymhg2I8pz83JvkjJOAshN2Y0FN2V7oiNtPlVk0GkU/w400-h300/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The Crew</i></div><br /></div><div>After that weekend it took 13 days to get my next new bird for the year, but it was a doozy. Nolan and I hopped on a fishing boat in Newport that went a couple miles offshore in hopes of seeing something out of the ordinary. In the first hour in offshore waters alcid activity was light, but as it began to pickup we were on alert. We both got on a stocky auklet flying right to left across the bow and watched it closely for a few seconds: a fraction of the size of the murres that had just flown by at the same distance from the both, stark plumage that was dark above and light below, with a short and stubby bill. There's one bird that properly fits that explanation: PARAKEET AUKLET! This was a lifer for both of us, and the general paucity of birds for the next four hours left us completely unfazed. We were ecstatic that our out-of-the-ordinary effort provided an extraordinary result. I didn't have my camera out at the time the bird flew by unfortunately, but I'm actually glad that I was able to simply focus on identifying the bird rather than fumbling to get a photo that likely wouldn't have turned out well anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next weekend Andrew and I met up with Nolan for a mad tear through northeast Oregon. We made another unsuccessful effort for Boreal Owl, this time a four mile night hike on the snow up at Anthony Lakes. We found something perhaps a little rarer than a Boreal Owl, actually: perfect silence. Untainted quiet. It was as jarring as it was refreshing, and it's just another one of those experiences that continues with me to this present moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following morning we were off to one of Oregon's finest spectacles: displaying Greater Sage-Grouse on a lek. This was Andrew's lifer. I'm pretty sure that the sight of a dance floor full of these bizarre little dinosaurs left me just as delighted as the first time I saw them some 27 years ago. What a special bird, sadly just barely hanging on by a thread:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8yxm0ctLtRzJasI0dLxqkZsvxNN9CaNTHKuj0d75WkZsOY4CF1dosK7WOl8Dei-QfV-uEgynLdefqKRy3k8cggAQivS-b9J4zszm0yvvAq33I_TKrJSvAOwQJYFmLwZuvFJwXzHpR9g/s2048/DSC_0617.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8yxm0ctLtRzJasI0dLxqkZsvxNN9CaNTHKuj0d75WkZsOY4CF1dosK7WOl8Dei-QfV-uEgynLdefqKRy3k8cggAQivS-b9J4zszm0yvvAq33I_TKrJSvAOwQJYFmLwZuvFJwXzHpR9g/w400-h266/DSC_0617.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3RjJMYD3dLGj78y9faR3dKKBxmaT4BX_AhNRCn2Nx2Yg2VuGo6nqwa2N604MLLpCVFr38n6OGMXYFDFjcDT5YpcbDnCDkMPEPu_wOuhv9R9Dz0cdJctOdYuBl4E4QwcPTVi47Vd1UTU/s2048/DSC_0622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3RjJMYD3dLGj78y9faR3dKKBxmaT4BX_AhNRCn2Nx2Yg2VuGo6nqwa2N604MLLpCVFr38n6OGMXYFDFjcDT5YpcbDnCDkMPEPu_wOuhv9R9Dz0cdJctOdYuBl4E4QwcPTVi47Vd1UTU/w400-h266/DSC_0622.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Greater Sage-Grouse</i></div><br /><div>A rarer grouse drew us to Wallowa the next morning. Our time up McCully Creek will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable birding hikes of my life. The road was closed off about a mile before the trailhead, so we walked up on the snow, then made it up the trail another mile and a half or so. At the moment we were about to turn around, some light tapping came from a group of lodgepoles up slope from the trail. A valiant effort from Nolan confirmed our suspicions: an American Three-toed Woodpecker! According to eBird, this is the first March record for Wallowa County! That's not terribly surprising, as all three of us wound up chest deep in snow over the next hour as we tried to track down the elusive pecker. In the midst of that arduous process we were rewarded with yet another high quality McCully bird: a pair of Pine Grosbeaks flying over! This was a long overdue state bird for me and a total thrill to snag so early in the year.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the hike back down the trail we all had our grouse detecting senses piqued, but Nolan's are apparently otherworldly. The guy found some tiny droppings at the bottom of a tree along the trail, looked up, and BAM: SPRUCE GROUSE. We plopped down in the snow and watched bird slowly crawl out a branch, snack on a needle from the lodgepole pine where it resided, then creep back to the trunk and take a nap. What a life. I could not wipe the grin off my face the entire time.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHPQfgUJ_VIeFrhOw5BuCpKp-xxRSmRSSMS8jQqUebs5q4RkOtahtulpGa0WcMrD96-YrI2JUs9us60007PtSaoxlaz_t5XDAOHQVzO-e0Q9FBo_tXETBdajXCsIdNHhoTaG7ETsKjhg/s2048/DSC_0901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHPQfgUJ_VIeFrhOw5BuCpKp-xxRSmRSSMS8jQqUebs5q4RkOtahtulpGa0WcMrD96-YrI2JUs9us60007PtSaoxlaz_t5XDAOHQVzO-e0Q9FBo_tXETBdajXCsIdNHhoTaG7ETsKjhg/w400-h266/DSC_0901.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Spruce Grouse!!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Post snack, pre nap. Relatable.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>This close to March capped off an exceptional month (for a full album of photo highlights, hit <a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHsmV5JS1r">this link</a>). By March 31 I had added 20 species, and my year list sat at 231.</div><div><br /></div><div>Charles Dickens once quipped that there are certain March days "when it is summer in the light and winter in the shade." This encapsulated Oregon's March quite well. Except without the summer in the light part. It was just plain cold. Cool, crisp, and uncomfortably breezy days dominated the month. Unfortunately those same conditions continued for the first couple weeks of April as well, and by the middle of the month we were starting to wonder if Spring (and its birds) would ever actually arrive.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I laid low for a bit and just picked up a few easy birds as they filtered in, conserving a little energy of my own in the process. On April 15 I saw my first Vaux's Swifts, #241 for the year. I saw this as the closing of the first act of the big year.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the following few days the weather began to turn, and the birding intensity ratcheted up accordingly. I took a wild day trip to Summer Lake and back, giving me the chance to soak up high dessert specialties, a few migrant passerines, and the ever impressive diversity of birdlife around the auto tour loop at Summer Lake: https://ebird.org/checklist/S85828125</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRP2Kf9h6KTS4KgSNGbgTq8RW4YKpaSGNXqdkLKrGHEfMn44wD7lT555tPUYoWkMimwJNPdkOx01QtiwSssVxBGN9SoeOKEGbAVQK5yzP5mFjHv1R93JmtEWdiTpd7N0wn7CjLhZiNExA/s2048/DSC_0164.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRP2Kf9h6KTS4KgSNGbgTq8RW4YKpaSGNXqdkLKrGHEfMn44wD7lT555tPUYoWkMimwJNPdkOx01QtiwSssVxBGN9SoeOKEGbAVQK5yzP5mFjHv1R93JmtEWdiTpd7N0wn7CjLhZiNExA/w400-h266/DSC_0164.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Sage Thrasher</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Thrashing the sage</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZnp8M_VzJ4ixIt9QmeFBR90hAABpEYfalFVoWDetN4w6cYeBMn01YofFnRBdmjjR02HKhO8tsSwrTk4y7DyFob2IGTOYXYPzniJWwUD4XpcLbdxk4I4Dy7QkdIZNnsEd4MG-ZZnefr8/s2048/DSC_0189.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZnp8M_VzJ4ixIt9QmeFBR90hAABpEYfalFVoWDetN4w6cYeBMn01YofFnRBdmjjR02HKhO8tsSwrTk4y7DyFob2IGTOYXYPzniJWwUD4XpcLbdxk4I4Dy7QkdIZNnsEd4MG-ZZnefr8/w400-h266/DSC_0189.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pronghorn</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Not a bird. But very cool.</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbglfFy_Q2-OTTFAy3SrHXHHChZpCRFGW6AZyt-Wuugpaji6N2MF7G16ck5v0zsDnFfFSCVloe-lcwv1PixvgZsqN_MNaBwfZdUV-GefjNw7qJvbVdP3_g9wZBCyGFRx7l-yGDK_Qglk/s2048/DSC_0208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbglfFy_Q2-OTTFAy3SrHXHHChZpCRFGW6AZyt-Wuugpaji6N2MF7G16ck5v0zsDnFfFSCVloe-lcwv1PixvgZsqN_MNaBwfZdUV-GefjNw7qJvbVdP3_g9wZBCyGFRx7l-yGDK_Qglk/w400-h266/DSC_0208.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Evening Grosbeak</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfoKiut-kfKw48MosblCRYIed5UWdQNhkRZj1V7Vmzgi5SQrZMLZU49QRjw8dTRGcdOdz235CAUBeLhU1aXDMQ9ybdF8MsqCu1kaG9OF4k52RkQF2fAcutLCiyeg_sgmm7w_14u0wxIc/s2048/DSC_0220.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfoKiut-kfKw48MosblCRYIed5UWdQNhkRZj1V7Vmzgi5SQrZMLZU49QRjw8dTRGcdOdz235CAUBeLhU1aXDMQ9ybdF8MsqCu1kaG9OF4k52RkQF2fAcutLCiyeg_sgmm7w_14u0wxIc/w400-h266/DSC_0220.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Obviously not a year bird, but man what a looker!</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxA0Y68bzOjcLoLkNiGyGTZpJzwwFl1mxcWdhJh6f_ZxhvOVBaWToNIXPsvEIurFslaYXEjamJBdVAdKmIlIhK1tkB92fVIL854MLgSCrxwSli-f8kR14LVQRG2P0UzWZMAiwK4D479I0/s1637/DSC_0237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1637" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxA0Y68bzOjcLoLkNiGyGTZpJzwwFl1mxcWdhJh6f_ZxhvOVBaWToNIXPsvEIurFslaYXEjamJBdVAdKmIlIhK1tkB92fVIL854MLgSCrxwSli-f8kR14LVQRG2P0UzWZMAiwK4D479I0/w400-h266/DSC_0237.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>White-faced Ibis</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Summer Lake is my favorite place to observe this species in the state. So many great views!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div>I found a pair of Solitary Sandpipers back in Eugene later that week on an evening outing with Mason.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiculT7yT4xe4zzLMxguCD-u5KqTskMxcR5mhAiMSZ-jGixpQdO9ENAKs8EkmMFtOZtNCr3-sMFxYWES2b9OXJsX3YGPmtUqGJhN3RIZhCLMTnZni-iSM3yPLXP81n_gsheYNlLt_uyuxo/s1034/DSC_0292.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1034" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiculT7yT4xe4zzLMxguCD-u5KqTskMxcR5mhAiMSZ-jGixpQdO9ENAKs8EkmMFtOZtNCr3-sMFxYWES2b9OXJsX3YGPmtUqGJhN3RIZhCLMTnZni-iSM3yPLXP81n_gsheYNlLt_uyuxo/w400-h266/DSC_0292.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Solitary Sandpiper</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>But there was more than one, as is often the case in Spring.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div>And just a few days later I was off for my longest solo trip of the year to date. The quiet, quick trip down the southern Oregon Coast then back through Josephine and Jackson Counties was good for the soul and the year list.<div><br /></div><div>One of the trickier birds to find in Oregon is the Allen's Hummingbird. Studies over the last few years have revealed an extensive Rufous x Allen's hybrid zone throughout the southern Oregon and northern California coastal regions. You can't just go find a <i>selasphorus</i> hummer with some green on the back and call it an Allen's. And you can't solely depend on the pendulum display that Allen's do, because many hybrids prefer that Allen's type display. So that means if you want to feel good about a seeing a *mostly* pure Allen's, you have to find an adult male with a full green back, and then getting to see it do the Allen's-type display pretty much seals the deal. It's a bit of a mess, no doubt. </div><div><br /></div><div>My quest to find an Allen's took me to within a stone's throw of the Cali border, along Peavine Ridge Road in Curry County. I found three hummingbirds about a mile or so up the road, but it took a while to nail one down. Eventually I spotted a male high atop a fir tree. The angle prevented me from seeing its whole back, but what I could see was green. I followed the bird and was able to get a good look at its full green back, then after some intense altercations with some other hummers that had similar motives, I watched it climb high into the sky, plunge down, then return part of the way up again, forming a fishhook type shape. It ended the whole business with a series of garbled, chattery sounds that I had not ever heard before. I got to see this individual repeat this process again before it returned back to its favorite fir for a break. I added Allen's Hummingbird to my year list quite comfortably, and in the process gained a whole new appreciation for just how involved it is to find one in the state. Great birding stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCuLGIdV_p62Ds69TKGEwRhAj5BvuMww0PJNeiWtb6f_eqP8t46rBIMSGYZcnLRZGnu3j56tIS7ggVt0UANlQmQMdBCU4Ate1nEzYfIm0M2bUcM8u5Wli3RuVHjp_-h8CDVi3XE8I9MQ/s688/SOGR+%252817+of+65%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="688" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCuLGIdV_p62Ds69TKGEwRhAj5BvuMww0PJNeiWtb6f_eqP8t46rBIMSGYZcnLRZGnu3j56tIS7ggVt0UANlQmQMdBCU4Ate1nEzYfIm0M2bUcM8u5Wli3RuVHjp_-h8CDVi3XE8I9MQ/w400-h266/SOGR+%252817+of+65%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Allen's Hummingbird</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>The photo is not 100% diagnostic, but the observation was.</i></div><br /><div>On the other side of a dazzling drive through California's Redwoods, I arrived in the wild and unique land of Josephine County. That night I found a Common Poorwill calling deep in Siskiyou National Forest, a huge highlight at the end of a long day of birding.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning I targeted the region's two main specialties (in terms of Oregon bird listing, to be clear): California Towhee and Oak Titmouse. I found both, along with a whole mess of other migrants and new arrivals during my walk with the Pacifica Garden. What a fun list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S86241037</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyhfOn_lMdU8M23uG8Be3plD46jdJDhByuPT3i95ix84W6hR54z04GnpCztM1igpiDXEYAFKXtViRrkcws6vdqjzCeaFjbuGvTXp-h9bISF2Cl6QC872s-JJRBW2Lmj17hUIg_TxUbJo/s1976/SOGR+%252834+of+65%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1318" data-original-width="1976" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyhfOn_lMdU8M23uG8Be3plD46jdJDhByuPT3i95ix84W6hR54z04GnpCztM1igpiDXEYAFKXtViRrkcws6vdqjzCeaFjbuGvTXp-h9bISF2Cl6QC872s-JJRBW2Lmj17hUIg_TxUbJo/w400-h266/SOGR+%252834+of+65%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>California Towhee</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIX8m7eYFIsTj_w-f2IUhCoQ1dZ5J5NKvMpA5DK9h-ej-5KV3OXZOxnT8icrSf_CSQFbYAqci6nB1hYkVsTlyg0Zfo4GyjnCql_mWrWV7cTGWM6Lw_jeP3C9iALG5kL7hEJ0DESaX4iCA/s1492/SOGR+%252839+of+65%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1492" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIX8m7eYFIsTj_w-f2IUhCoQ1dZ5J5NKvMpA5DK9h-ej-5KV3OXZOxnT8icrSf_CSQFbYAqci6nB1hYkVsTlyg0Zfo4GyjnCql_mWrWV7cTGWM6Lw_jeP3C9iALG5kL7hEJ0DESaX4iCA/w400-h266/SOGR+%252839+of+65%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Oak Titmouse</i></div><br /><div>I spent most of the rest of the day exploring new-to-me corners of Jackson County and soaking in the gorgeous country that makes up this wonderful pocket of the state. When evening drew near, there was one bird on the mind. I wound back up into the mountains. As I neared a meadow a large bird caught my eye for a fraction of a second then disappeared deep into the forest. Some birds are distinctive enough that that's all you need to be able to identify them, but I wanted more. I parked then wandered.</div><div><div><br /><div>After a few minutes of searching, the low hoots of a Great Gray Owl seeped through woods a few hundred yards away. I approached as far as I could, but the bird was on private property, so I planted myself at the edge of a meadow and waited to see what might unfold.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The owl called a few more times, and then a flash of gray swooped to a distant ponderosa. I watched as the second member of the pair flew back into the forest to say a quick hello to its mate. I thought for a moment this would be my only photo, which would have been perfectly fine with me:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDY2NF_o-kDWJ2LmORMzEGt8_BFYo7m7M9aKOpmCacnVSVkd5pKFsD0nv5n2BO2pkltRPoOsSI0GWvnQlVaSr08_vx9lzCTw8QJtsSp8ZCyG_rBcDKEE7VaYLfUuNi-46SjGYUWBpHME/s2048/SOGR+%252846+of+65%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDY2NF_o-kDWJ2LmORMzEGt8_BFYo7m7M9aKOpmCacnVSVkd5pKFsD0nv5n2BO2pkltRPoOsSI0GWvnQlVaSr08_vx9lzCTw8QJtsSp8ZCyG_rBcDKEE7VaYLfUuNi-46SjGYUWBpHME/w400-h266/SOGR+%252846+of+65%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Can't capture the essence of the Great Gray experience much better than this.</i></div><br /><div>The bird disappeared, and things grew quiet for a few minutes. I sat still at the base of a tree and waited. The owl returned to the other side of the meadow just as silently as it had left. For the next ten to fifteen minutes this Great Gray glided back and forth across the meadow from perch to perch. Every encounter with this species ends up turning into something special. I always feel deeply honored just to be in their presence.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbhdZJOTs_K2h-7pr0WaMiJvgYFeAuysYLofBL9D6rL37vQCYhtD9GwZI29wVBybznUMW-0_cPyRaAsTtpWhHoUvTQwI9VBcS4bUz7zozz4jqEaGq05RcBcAtTQ6ACN4QqpzDN8GvmIo/s2048/SOGR+%252854+of+65%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbhdZJOTs_K2h-7pr0WaMiJvgYFeAuysYLofBL9D6rL37vQCYhtD9GwZI29wVBybznUMW-0_cPyRaAsTtpWhHoUvTQwI9VBcS4bUz7zozz4jqEaGq05RcBcAtTQ6ACN4QqpzDN8GvmIo/w400-h266/SOGR+%252854+of+65%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qeMYrFwoZMVisVcy6r7sy8_84ttuXiowMRsUWq2RvVqfn1-L9k22qetR6tDylwvt39vmmSS7oulT9RDxcEY8rzHrJddphJmubTQWKgUBPM3yXk6MRD-2nbAcAzVilF2Vak92Fx1vbis/s2048/SOGR+%252857+of+65%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qeMYrFwoZMVisVcy6r7sy8_84ttuXiowMRsUWq2RvVqfn1-L9k22qetR6tDylwvt39vmmSS7oulT9RDxcEY8rzHrJddphJmubTQWKgUBPM3yXk6MRD-2nbAcAzVilF2Vak92Fx1vbis/w400-h266/SOGR+%252857+of+65%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTBMjvo-U7MsfkI-obW729LfQt6Tlbjf0TkN0Aq-YGr2Uk_L5h6iXbs5oX8f-dBwl6ej98z-4iilFMSUueW7ECNUgmhfR992rFHJDqS07hRi7KeSCCHXV8C4ZkOxOMnSI9Ek_JpY4Mak/s2048/SOGR+%252860+of+65%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTBMjvo-U7MsfkI-obW729LfQt6Tlbjf0TkN0Aq-YGr2Uk_L5h6iXbs5oX8f-dBwl6ej98z-4iilFMSUueW7ECNUgmhfR992rFHJDqS07hRi7KeSCCHXV8C4ZkOxOMnSI9Ek_JpY4Mak/w400-h266/SOGR+%252860+of+65%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_wCxGAdg0bgCDPYtCU2sZFbYGJqhtH0vKCE-U7D_mMW3mGJ7mpozV8tL8fC_tdoVzMkPGcvHMxrBx1YEeYYykrWYMNg7x8XWeODCkImQYBVYWwVSTgBnl3CFS6nFU3pF-47f8QT1siY/s2048/SOGR+%252863+of+65%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_wCxGAdg0bgCDPYtCU2sZFbYGJqhtH0vKCE-U7D_mMW3mGJ7mpozV8tL8fC_tdoVzMkPGcvHMxrBx1YEeYYykrWYMNg7x8XWeODCkImQYBVYWwVSTgBnl3CFS6nFU3pF-47f8QT1siY/w400-h266/SOGR+%252863+of+65%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9YFlJueDwrx6p07yM0c085Qx28VyeWhVfH7nN17wEzzmouUPScwB30uR2j7dtCaZwvnya6VS5TnQjBqDEuhEgQn5nA3gxNmqaTuL1PG-VMYj3xNIrF-7Y4FzltJQghWEqm2Ya6ChKL0/s2048/SOGR+%252865+of+65%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9YFlJueDwrx6p07yM0c085Qx28VyeWhVfH7nN17wEzzmouUPScwB30uR2j7dtCaZwvnya6VS5TnQjBqDEuhEgQn5nA3gxNmqaTuL1PG-VMYj3xNIrF-7Y4FzltJQghWEqm2Ya6ChKL0/w400-h266/SOGR+%252865+of+65%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Hard to beat.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div>This closed out yet another remarkably successful trip full of great memories and target birds that were kind enough to cooperate (for a full album of pics, see <a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVuHoCM">here</a>).<div><br /></div><div>Over the past few days I've added Green Heron and Western Tanager, my final additions for the year list this month. I've seen 226 species in April alone. Of those, 51 were new for my year list, which now sits at 282.</div><div><br /></div><div>One third of the year is in the bag. Eight months remain. Tomorrow morning kicks off what will likely be the craziest 6 week stretch of the whole year. I'll admit my energy has waned at times already, but I'm feeling revived as May approaches.</div><div><br /></div><div>On to the next! <br /><div><br /></div></div></div>Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-11960390335672712262021-03-01T22:14:00.002-08:002021-03-01T22:14:38.504-08:00WINTER WREN<p>The month of February ended on a rather quiet birding note, which made for a welcome weekend of hiking behind waterfalls and playing in the mountains with the family. A group of Canada Jays visited the parking lot at the Salt Creek Sno-Park a few times, which was my 211th bird for the year and a nice addition to close out the month.</p><p>Just minutes before we took off for Salt Creek a message came over the Mid Valley WhatsApp group about a possible Winter Wren near Corvallis. I wouldn't have a chance to chase on Sunday, so I didn't think much of it at the time. After enjoying a few hours in the snow under cloudless skies, we arrived back in the land of cell service and a message from Nolan popped up on my phone.</p><p>Turned out the possible Winter Wren was getting more intriguing by the hour.</p><p>Courtney Kelly Jett and Caleb Centanni picked up on the bird while out on a hike and got the word out quickly. Doug Robinson was in the area and stopped by to investigate. He was able to get quality recordings and a few photos of the bird in question, and those recordings started to make things interesting. </p><p>Winter Wrens looks remarkably similar to our familiar, abundant Pacific Wren. It's a little lighter on the throat and breast, has a slightly more pronounced supercilium, and is a cooler brown shade overall. But all of these features are subtle and can look rather variable from individual to individual, all the more so given lighting conditions. But, as is the case with several groups of species, vocalizations can be more diagnostic.</p><p>Just six weeks ago our neighbor to the north got its first record of <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S78897204" target="_blank">Winter Wren</a>. When the spectrograms of the Corvallis bird are placed alongside those of the Washington bird, they look identical. Watch the recordings of the previous checklist, and compare them with <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S82517976" target="_blank">Doug's</a>. And then note the difference between the Winter and the Pacific—there's a gap in the chip note for the former, but not the latter. Pretty cool stuff.</p><p>Convinced that this is likely a legitimate Winter Wren, this morning I decided to kick off the month by spending some time looking for this bird before work. I was shocked when I arrived to find no other birders in search of this first state record. A quick hike up a steep and muddy trail lead me straight to where the bird was hanging out the day before, and it was calling actively when I got there. I couldn't help but think that if I was on a hike and not paying terribly close attention, I could have easily passed over the bird, thinking it was a Song Sparrow.</p><p>I made a few recordings, then spent a while following it around and attempting to get photos. It was incredibly dodgy and deeply uninterested in having its picture taken, which made for some exasperating moments. Thankfully the surrounding bird life was entertaining in the meantime. A Hutton's Vireo and Canada Jay called nearby, while the calls of a Pileated Woodpecker and my first Northern Pygmy-Owl of the year rang out from an adjacent hillside. Sunlight poured through the trees. March was off to a quality start.</p><p>Mark Baldwin and Nolan joined the search after a little while, and in our effort to track the bird down I was finally able to get a couple poor photos.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogz_HQm-EWiyGiEdpciSeojDCJ_XM4OG86et8P29pifjR7RHEB0N_sdad6bIHbJs8R7SHHO70C_arWpvedkxSOc5ct5ulcdaZyfe3Jwa69XkXXPjoHvW0OLYz0A0CZazzvRbc2j6K4Qs/s1059/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1059" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogz_HQm-EWiyGiEdpciSeojDCJ_XM4OG86et8P29pifjR7RHEB0N_sdad6bIHbJs8R7SHHO70C_arWpvedkxSOc5ct5ulcdaZyfe3Jwa69XkXXPjoHvW0OLYz0A0CZazzvRbc2j6K4Qs/w400-h266/DSC_0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ePWugbbP9pmK0wtK6beGw0CgaCsAis8KiRgrDZPyiCThyyFJxY1DckYtNwWpqyT4QoXyfoeAi5i1yG3RlR43NaNKraPxqPiw4dQx74SkTpXfirdo_DMuzO6F9KmQ2NCSbvvDBLhldFE/s1336/DSC_9999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1336" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ePWugbbP9pmK0wtK6beGw0CgaCsAis8KiRgrDZPyiCThyyFJxY1DckYtNwWpqyT4QoXyfoeAi5i1yG3RlR43NaNKraPxqPiw4dQx74SkTpXfirdo_DMuzO6F9KmQ2NCSbvvDBLhldFE/w400-h266/DSC_9999.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>OREGON'S FIRST WINTER WREN!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can see and listen to my recordings <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S82578356?msgKey=singleLocMergeSuccess" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><p>This was an excellent find by Courtney and Caleb, and an absolutely unexpected species for my Oregon year list. I can't help but wonder if there are others around, just waiting to be found by attentive wanderers.</p><p>On to the next!</p><p> </p>Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-90475287124152712222021-02-25T22:11:00.003-08:002021-02-25T22:20:49.020-08:00Northeastern Oregon's Winter Specialties<p>A month and a half into the new year I had pretty well covered my bases with Western Oregon's winter birds. My year list stood at 192, and it was time for a foray into new territory. Plans for a trip materialized just in time for a winter storm of historic significance to hit Portland and the Gorge. This set things back a week, but ultimately created the perfect conditions for finding our target birds.</p><p><b><i>February 19:</i></b></p><p>Nolan came down from Corvallis to pick me up and we were on the road early with muffins, coffee, and high expectations. Our only traffic slow down of the entire trip came in Portland along 205 as crews still worked to clean up downed limbs and debris from the previous week.</p><p>Before long we were in Hood River picking up Black-crowned Night-Herons for our year and county lists, and then it was on to the Dalles. Arriving to a large group of gulls at the Lone Pine Island viewpoint got our blood pumping. The entire flock was facing us, making it virtually impossible to assess mantle color. But that didn't stop Nolan from picking up on a bird that stood out the mass of California Gulls—an immature bird standing a little taller than the surrounding gulls, sporting a black bill, clean white upper parts, a dark mantle (seen when it moved a few times), and a pale iris all sealed the deal: second cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrtpRWa2tH1GcmGlzjg27rNynErr9dJlMuivSs3QEs-hCduF92pp1xc9Xm9cRQGXkM2s1ty-dufatEPE9uxdX6oXn_CvfgU9b8GSYGx3Y2QKwtbzoDrsE_LvxSGiwQxM7IWJeVMw7I68/s1229/DSC_9639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1229" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrtpRWa2tH1GcmGlzjg27rNynErr9dJlMuivSs3QEs-hCduF92pp1xc9Xm9cRQGXkM2s1ty-dufatEPE9uxdX6oXn_CvfgU9b8GSYGx3Y2QKwtbzoDrsE_LvxSGiwQxM7IWJeVMw7I68/w400-h266/DSC_9639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lesser Black-backed Gull!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A bird of this age, likely this very one, was seen here back in November, and across the river in Washington in January, but hadn't been reported back at this site in a number of months. Lesser Black-backed was on our radar while in the gorge, but finding one in the first group of gulls we checked was quite the surprise. This species continues to increase in Oregon and across many places in North America, and it is likely to become even more regular in the years to come. Nonetheless, this was a huge find, and it was my first for Oregon. Nolan broke out the state lifer chocolate, we celebrated the early trip boost of momentum, then hit the road again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We picked up some county birds on the Wasco/Sherman County line, highlighted by a Black-crowned Night-Heron that left its companion in Sherman to fly west into Wasco for us. Quite kind. The well known Saw-whets in Sherman were a piece of cake to find, making for a fun first encounter with this species for the year. We spent all of 30 seconds saying hello then let them be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKI6hmYkulF_GZkpl4m7tox0_Qhz8KHxi6FgYx1j9jwHhgCRjz3BQjEVhC_-HnxUzNHiPBwOXhF-Mevf5yLxMFaA6QAycIzqHZkCG2GB_5EEYAJ9bBnhCgnI4EPXuMItPzC0zG8h3_xo/s2048/DSC_9652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKI6hmYkulF_GZkpl4m7tox0_Qhz8KHxi6FgYx1j9jwHhgCRjz3BQjEVhC_-HnxUzNHiPBwOXhF-Mevf5yLxMFaA6QAycIzqHZkCG2GB_5EEYAJ9bBnhCgnI4EPXuMItPzC0zG8h3_xo/w400-h266/DSC_9652.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Y1F7TsRvRIxcvrdAZ8eIeGakazH9ScJvOlfA3Dc5gEXh7enZmsDrqOmAObX4Xw8jLH2Y1ff7T4u4no0EGSSYCGEk7g62rrNCL99lTYGdc1PWo0-Nd96OkPPLGY6cgpeKnZap2czzpwU/s2048/DSC_9653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Y1F7TsRvRIxcvrdAZ8eIeGakazH9ScJvOlfA3Dc5gEXh7enZmsDrqOmAObX4Xw8jLH2Y1ff7T4u4no0EGSSYCGEk7g62rrNCL99lTYGdc1PWo0-Nd96OkPPLGY6cgpeKnZap2czzpwU/w400-h266/DSC_9653.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Northern Saw-whet Owls</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back on the road we had Black-billed Magpies fly by, which is the one true sign that you've arrived in Eastern Oregon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Phillipi Canyon provided a nice easy stop off the highway with sprawling views and vocal Canyon Wrens, always a treat to see and hear these gregarious little birds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a quick stop in Arlington we set our sites on La Grande. I-84 ascended to the pass at Meacham, where conifers caked in snow lined the highway. It felt like a portal to a magical land, and in a way it was. All we could do is remark over and again about how excited we were to be arriving in Northeastern Oregon. La Grande sits in a quaint valley between the dominant mountain ranges of the region: the Wallowas to the east, the Blues to the west. Though we arrived to falling snow followed by fog, the feeling a being hemmed in by these two mountain ranges was still palpable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the dying light of our first day we put in an effort to find the long staying Blue Jays but came up empty. Not a problem, as there would be other opportunities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nolan's parents, Steve Clements and Arlene Blumton, were incredibly gracious to let me crash at their place in the midst of the pandemic, and they were wonderfully hospitable hosts. It often seems quite easy to connect with fellow bird people, and this instance was no different. Shared interest in birds and the broader natural world so frequently translates to a similar disposition towards much of the rest of life. Little did we know we had quite the shared experience waiting for us the next day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">February 20:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're going to properly track down all of the "should-get" species in a given year in Oregon, you'll inevitably find yourself in each quadrant of the state multiple times. In the winter, Bohemian Waxwing and American Tree Sparrow sit atop the seasonal target list in Northeastern Oregon. Gray Partridge and Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch can be found at other times of the year, but they are easiest to snag in this area at this time, so they are also a part of the wants list for any birder who makes it out there over the winter months. The four of us piled into the Forester and headed east to Wallowa County, which has a handful of roads famous for producing our sought after species.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before we were even out of Union County a flock of 40 Gray-crowned Rosy-finches appeared in a barn yard along the side of the road. We would see a few more before the day was out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">School Flat and Golf Course Roads get much of the attention from visiting birders, but we got off of Highway 82 one system of roads earlier. The seven miles along Whiskey Creek and Jim Town Roads made for an incredible start to the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Near the beginning of Whiskey Creek Road, a Townsend's Solitaire sat quietly atop a juniper. Just a few lengths of the car later our first Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch in Wallowa appeared. We got out to inspect it as it hopped along the road, and this wound up being our best view all day of the "Gray-crowned" subspecies, which nests in the Rockies and winters in Oregon in rather small numbers. Can't really ask for better looks:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrla1o7nfeTXKOuSn2vd7xaIRQU46hjVJFw_QGC6V2k82K-PHQ9LppfgZt1FkkG9Fzanz18bE5_rzSz26hWRIkINOpZaANv41ca0AGc8woGXhyphenhyphenlnwd7PnX_znBrlPCUDowZ_uNBfe8Lo/s2048/DSC_9695.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrla1o7nfeTXKOuSn2vd7xaIRQU46hjVJFw_QGC6V2k82K-PHQ9LppfgZt1FkkG9Fzanz18bE5_rzSz26hWRIkINOpZaANv41ca0AGc8woGXhyphenhyphenlnwd7PnX_znBrlPCUDowZ_uNBfe8Lo/w400-h266/DSC_9695.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXKmG6SkHe-PFwFmqGLYQaLGDNsY5bjsBe2sTA7eXTMRb83dHuLoDYi5_iFsE2aaaprU1xcEnufQQ49LgH7QWtqqHjDsLBTnM9NmJfI-vJuq9HQcqp9QKtBg-uGl4gBFGTWPkZYzSXUA/s2048/DSC_9711.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXKmG6SkHe-PFwFmqGLYQaLGDNsY5bjsBe2sTA7eXTMRb83dHuLoDYi5_iFsE2aaaprU1xcEnufQQ49LgH7QWtqqHjDsLBTnM9NmJfI-vJuq9HQcqp9QKtBg-uGl4gBFGTWPkZYzSXUA/w400-h266/DSC_9711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"Gray-crowned" subspecies of the Gray-crowned Rosy-finch</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>from the Department of Redundancy Department</i></div><div><br /></div>Moments later we were waist deep in a flock of 150 of the "Hepburn's" subspecies:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9hsqxWDsM2_sUmuQ1IrM6wmzGrs7lpN_HV38Wu-JVaUppZ0Vximj1dwR653JTipXh7z83UgcBSF7y5b3aeIvyK5eCfR-a05U2ebYUVHp81VuSTw5gxE4FO_mXkLKwL7M5ly-EDrm3x8/s2048/DSC_9719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9hsqxWDsM2_sUmuQ1IrM6wmzGrs7lpN_HV38Wu-JVaUppZ0Vximj1dwR653JTipXh7z83UgcBSF7y5b3aeIvyK5eCfR-a05U2ebYUVHp81VuSTw5gxE4FO_mXkLKwL7M5ly-EDrm3x8/w400-h266/DSC_9719.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"Hepburn's" Gray-crowned Rosy-finch</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>most likely not named after Audrey</i></div><br /><div>As the large flock foraged on a brushy hillside, a handful of Gray Partridge began to emerge and then flew over us (!) only to return to the hill, where they called incessantly (recording on <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S82003143" target="_blank">this checklist</a>). It's the first time I recall hearing them, at least that well. Getting to see the orange outer tail feathers in flight was also a first. A great way to see species #200 for the year!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_xOF3-mjvhqeXteiPg2A1VC1OBAxtqAK8XsFXqO9lB8Fp2M_nPSGBfAzqJm0BSX-ADgv2zD3zKXXUGH7oHhyphenhyphen_-bCajMgCmyFCUxeQn5I026Mntc6b8EV1Qhyu1YbaZrCv06Z69932v4/s1445/DSC_9723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1445" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_xOF3-mjvhqeXteiPg2A1VC1OBAxtqAK8XsFXqO9lB8Fp2M_nPSGBfAzqJm0BSX-ADgv2zD3zKXXUGH7oHhyphenhyphen_-bCajMgCmyFCUxeQn5I026Mntc6b8EV1Qhyu1YbaZrCv06Z69932v4/w400-h266/DSC_9723.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrpcZwcNCs82NDE_u2z4B7xytoeDMgC_v6grNG6yAll4Fj5SKtQ2e2vdgqV3fw1x2N5l-izjn5kzDQRk_MwJ4KQ7krUhBA34Q26ltEE12VVzNn8dIBOmOeQZZxmN4JLD5uBNmOSIRRRo/s1630/DSC_9727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1630" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrpcZwcNCs82NDE_u2z4B7xytoeDMgC_v6grNG6yAll4Fj5SKtQ2e2vdgqV3fw1x2N5l-izjn5kzDQRk_MwJ4KQ7krUhBA34Q26ltEE12VVzNn8dIBOmOeQZZxmN4JLD5uBNmOSIRRRo/w400-h266/DSC_9727.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Gray Partridge</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>no pear trees</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jim Town Road hosted a couple groups of both rosy-finches and partridge, a sharp looking "Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk, and a relatively closer encounter with a juvenile Golden Eagle. Note how every color of the surrounding scene is replicated somewhere on the eagle. Camouflage is tricky for a bird this size, but it still makes a legitimate effort to blend in to its habitat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPc3aSiypusU9JKZvte5V3uSvE277HQZPI7EAnAZkWm7pyF_tvR7Cxjg-pNMkWGZdAP8tKR9t8RC8AXIBPOi0MVsPA1xU7sOOF38VAEFI-RZ0qnh-LRpsEmVUWZMnTST4RDpd9UjX0sE/s2048/DSC_9729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPc3aSiypusU9JKZvte5V3uSvE277HQZPI7EAnAZkWm7pyF_tvR7Cxjg-pNMkWGZdAP8tKR9t8RC8AXIBPOi0MVsPA1xU7sOOF38VAEFI-RZ0qnh-LRpsEmVUWZMnTST4RDpd9UjX0sE/w400-h266/DSC_9729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfRFlAVxF6m3eZoe5ikU4ym61C_mBUPLqfpmVEEXVsTP6xSDz8ghMQKQUniKlewYwrBlJBOTpb3hP_MA_bwFMJ2Y8vdOdsi90GMfwuIr5Ykm6L4byFcSO2xQgASltt2dS0IE5CFTbQNo/s2048/DSC_9732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfRFlAVxF6m3eZoe5ikU4ym61C_mBUPLqfpmVEEXVsTP6xSDz8ghMQKQUniKlewYwrBlJBOTpb3hP_MA_bwFMJ2Y8vdOdsi90GMfwuIr5Ykm6L4byFcSO2xQgASltt2dS0IE5CFTbQNo/w400-h266/DSC_9732.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9yP1BVkDlnDCUJfaBlUCvnrxckrGBqvXGOfeq6m7tGAtSz8heNOc2BINucspIF_0dEeDZeaj79dm5AsAe9DVqSEPKnb_OlJbEQxsaNM1iJZUn0qqzGSbE06PdQQL0C_4IOAWcx0tIKo/s2048/DSC_9737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9yP1BVkDlnDCUJfaBlUCvnrxckrGBqvXGOfeq6m7tGAtSz8heNOc2BINucspIF_0dEeDZeaj79dm5AsAe9DVqSEPKnb_OlJbEQxsaNM1iJZUn0qqzGSbE06PdQQL0C_4IOAWcx0tIKo/w400-h266/DSC_9737.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Golden Eagle</i></div><div><br /></div>The day was off to a roaring start, and spirits were high as we arrived on School Flat and Golf Course Roads.<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=11c9kF4ek1VT3vbyM-fLkM8TdCelcxpPg" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>School Flat Road Views</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="225" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1n4q_J9IRpLzGorjYMJWK_jZdvE6nVAgk" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A couple happy birders squinting due to the immensely bright surroundings</i></div><div><br /></div><div>It felt as though every time we came around a new bend in the road, another flock of rosy-finches would appear.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXt2eRAsnjt_aRKHPDEpptqO8tnXk3QTVMJGBEgEDV_YxhtYDzOF7kpbKe_3-n5Euj5DkcA0rnIu-wdi4HTfBBuBw9apguFY1ZAmHCUUxeO3EiofHhgFgHBRhhk2NPuS8aYLgnN0IJnc/s2048/DSC_9759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXt2eRAsnjt_aRKHPDEpptqO8tnXk3QTVMJGBEgEDV_YxhtYDzOF7kpbKe_3-n5Euj5DkcA0rnIu-wdi4HTfBBuBw9apguFY1ZAmHCUUxeO3EiofHhgFgHBRhhk2NPuS8aYLgnN0IJnc/w400-h266/DSC_9759.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkNmj-bSVOVj9FjKbNBXmzIe9rCTufG7o5xjfYuAsKu6TG5wZ4yOMkfMq4XgtThdFyATUusutmojLtrAD85FHTYRsOtsnJwncjO7hg7_qpW2sbkcifuRBTepdbQ_Mf9fznmiWrLOBzHk/s2048/DSC_9766.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkNmj-bSVOVj9FjKbNBXmzIe9rCTufG7o5xjfYuAsKu6TG5wZ4yOMkfMq4XgtThdFyATUusutmojLtrAD85FHTYRsOtsnJwncjO7hg7_qpW2sbkcifuRBTepdbQ_Mf9fznmiWrLOBzHk/w400-h266/DSC_9766.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Gray-crowned Rosy-finch</i></div><div><br /></div>We came upon a pasture along School Flat, and the exposed ground was a magnet for the birds. A large flock of Horned Larks joined the action with the rosy-finches and partridge.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkV30j6ghn2pkwFy-wsp3Jslfg8Vz5TomuCtWAvgiVap-f3ICLOItHVmeFj0LkzURZ-C6HTFZDvmJXUy6q0pT4A9_KFLOTzvyKxdu5xw0u5vgzYPpudufrvkwlmVryzfzGR-r6MB22D4/s2048/DSC_9783.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkV30j6ghn2pkwFy-wsp3Jslfg8Vz5TomuCtWAvgiVap-f3ICLOItHVmeFj0LkzURZ-C6HTFZDvmJXUy6q0pT4A9_KFLOTzvyKxdu5xw0u5vgzYPpudufrvkwlmVryzfzGR-r6MB22D4/w400-h266/DSC_9783.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi580i8LHF-4vFIvYTPbkCIZXCekbtqBKax35JHsx5MMtcLFgZt8PpKPJTSJs8qfFm7txJYWAkqwxBrBbqr-0MI4_lK7tTXa4LxprUUINBEC4ZLqZdNCwPolQu4jtDmDVgYm1oR8oR9xH0/s2048/DSC_9806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi580i8LHF-4vFIvYTPbkCIZXCekbtqBKax35JHsx5MMtcLFgZt8PpKPJTSJs8qfFm7txJYWAkqwxBrBbqr-0MI4_lK7tTXa4LxprUUINBEC4ZLqZdNCwPolQu4jtDmDVgYm1oR8oR9xH0/w400-h266/DSC_9806.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYk-aY6wj7_ozadCG8EgM0KTEEL_vgGrUAxG9f5MsK-pN_Zxt5xb6gkfxh0-p1ocKIJtObcpq_HQmzoq6HvkCE1GANCYkdqrngyWDXoS_RjLLTVs9Vu08F9fsGMWW0-YD59VihYmHSo4/s2045/DSC_9814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2045" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYk-aY6wj7_ozadCG8EgM0KTEEL_vgGrUAxG9f5MsK-pN_Zxt5xb6gkfxh0-p1ocKIJtObcpq_HQmzoq6HvkCE1GANCYkdqrngyWDXoS_RjLLTVs9Vu08F9fsGMWW0-YD59VihYmHSo4/w400-h266/DSC_9814.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Gray Partridge</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillqKvJMgs4jkhXV6ABodp9xVeJDYJTOORIpcwfGVH1FfQDKQAg1zDuBr17M7Q1oU04Gp3HPOhod9OBv53RupS-AQYawO2qXW6M5Bogp8h4I5mDNrn1yRxSH9c6_YRdidTcTSkT4C1qzM/s2048/DSC_9817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillqKvJMgs4jkhXV6ABodp9xVeJDYJTOORIpcwfGVH1FfQDKQAg1zDuBr17M7Q1oU04Gp3HPOhod9OBv53RupS-AQYawO2qXW6M5Bogp8h4I5mDNrn1yRxSH9c6_YRdidTcTSkT4C1qzM/w400-h266/DSC_9817.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Gray-crowned Rosy-finch</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Before long, our first American Tree Sparrows of the day appeared. After our first sighting it seemed like we saw them steadily for the rest of the day.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE0Lq9J2t89kR1n7SrLsq85zPnKOnym_FlYU1L7TvYPiYgSbYuLLi9Ag2xTgtvkG_aHUhXcssbPgqbrZZrRde3TcY_qMTmN95V3SHPvnoVqlThSWP9ZeeOIzuRJPP3-rcT56tkQOpUWc/s2048/DSC_9826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE0Lq9J2t89kR1n7SrLsq85zPnKOnym_FlYU1L7TvYPiYgSbYuLLi9Ag2xTgtvkG_aHUhXcssbPgqbrZZrRde3TcY_qMTmN95V3SHPvnoVqlThSWP9ZeeOIzuRJPP3-rcT56tkQOpUWc/w400-h266/DSC_9826.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOMB72s6SLKH1Qkf2AMQlitgrTFIBnFUv_N1lD_R397W0j22HDJD0Ms7fLIo7u-lm91TIo7OvAqVZ5fR3prgqJGWWnWRSWFWt_tNeQ3UhX6PckVOnfwQoWCFdoCf9OPbIHghyphenhyphenrjGVOPs/s1509/DSC_9843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1509" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOMB72s6SLKH1Qkf2AMQlitgrTFIBnFUv_N1lD_R397W0j22HDJD0Ms7fLIo7u-lm91TIo7OvAqVZ5fR3prgqJGWWnWRSWFWt_tNeQ3UhX6PckVOnfwQoWCFdoCf9OPbIHghyphenhyphenrjGVOPs/w400-h266/DSC_9843.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>American Tree Sparrow</i></div><div><br /></div>Did I mention there were a few rosy-finches around?</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWzqVjh7cJ8ckj32T-IL81gesC1Bdi54f_f3_K1h30O-vIwH7vVgUyRLciXQZ16r6gOZ23OV3c8z7h50m5AawqfsGJS0t77jxy4t0zsOBp_mVEjO8AgCzmomiQns-Y6J0y5q8dsaMe88/s2048/DSC_9831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWzqVjh7cJ8ckj32T-IL81gesC1Bdi54f_f3_K1h30O-vIwH7vVgUyRLciXQZ16r6gOZ23OV3c8z7h50m5AawqfsGJS0t77jxy4t0zsOBp_mVEjO8AgCzmomiQns-Y6J0y5q8dsaMe88/w400-h266/DSC_9831.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Xl1oJgoktgHZ8T0MolUu-yzO3V9gDPUvmiMspvdtS-AORdGvc7btD0X_tbteStD5C2qx2qgO1EVXAxwsws3i4Yh1CJs50gqOWLikCU05EAaXZZeU6phmGC1CFTvr-ZVg3UcMQC9xEFE/s2048/DSC_9833.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Xl1oJgoktgHZ8T0MolUu-yzO3V9gDPUvmiMspvdtS-AORdGvc7btD0X_tbteStD5C2qx2qgO1EVXAxwsws3i4Yh1CJs50gqOWLikCU05EAaXZZeU6phmGC1CFTvr-ZVg3UcMQC9xEFE/w400-h266/DSC_9833.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Gray-crowned Rosy-finches</i></div><div><br /></div>You have to be a special kind of nutty to ride along with the windows down on a winter day in Wallowa, but this questionable activity does pay off from time to time, and it certainly did on Golf Course Road when a group of Horned Larks flew over the car accompanied by the diagnostic rattle of a Lapland Longspur!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51VbkpkoaVKIPmK8Ey27hRjsH1eY08DT86sXKICqKDoAvY-F1v1ifx8nDyrgh_6MQF52ztwHRM6mE6ySZv44ouAgGbwlyqy60Bx5AdOww5YxFeCEoQSudUvhYTEVut1McNhoAiw30fks/s1214/DSC_9862.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1214" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51VbkpkoaVKIPmK8Ey27hRjsH1eY08DT86sXKICqKDoAvY-F1v1ifx8nDyrgh_6MQF52ztwHRM6mE6ySZv44ouAgGbwlyqy60Bx5AdOww5YxFeCEoQSudUvhYTEVut1McNhoAiw30fks/w400-h266/DSC_9862.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lapland Longspur</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXi54pTtkE7ljM5HqOo3qBs_G6o99vnK2r_ZA9OZ96DPjrc644nejmb_uY_kjAlIZUaA7x1mGDgMdPQmcp1xKs38cCynjwtmx6u2kc_saIpwXHannncmYru03v98AsvRAk696K49yIbo/s1876/DSC_9855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1876" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXi54pTtkE7ljM5HqOo3qBs_G6o99vnK2r_ZA9OZ96DPjrc644nejmb_uY_kjAlIZUaA7x1mGDgMdPQmcp1xKs38cCynjwtmx6u2kc_saIpwXHannncmYru03v98AsvRAk696K49yIbo/w400-h266/DSC_9855.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Horned Larks, Lapland Longspur, and Gray-crowned Rosy-finch</i></div><div><br /></div>This wasn't a year bird, but it was still an exciting find for the day, as was the case with the next mega flock of birds we found: Snow Buntings!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhrepko_hLbZlWErtsiQC9wBrFRb6wVzl229aYcRs2Gn3BVC4RMltA921VCO07whjybB5RDy2eEbpqdczEkX5aZi8N5yDVlQhsf1Ioj3OlDhFdNCmH-l61exebUIgRsmHbZ-tJURi8Oc/s2048/DSC_9868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhrepko_hLbZlWErtsiQC9wBrFRb6wVzl229aYcRs2Gn3BVC4RMltA921VCO07whjybB5RDy2eEbpqdczEkX5aZi8N5yDVlQhsf1Ioj3OlDhFdNCmH-l61exebUIgRsmHbZ-tJURi8Oc/w400-h266/DSC_9868.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MIknnl_KBBopmCmDXisBTDbt2iQTwH6tFFrl8Gy7Z2Zjm99jL5pgK2eI3glTOWb5QGIOwd7CXSMZ5tZQgw8Nwm3638iwSz-yk2G7yThrEhkKYX3ybhVLWULsxFyuIxKTo1V1k9NUa3k/s2048/DSC_9873.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MIknnl_KBBopmCmDXisBTDbt2iQTwH6tFFrl8Gy7Z2Zjm99jL5pgK2eI3glTOWb5QGIOwd7CXSMZ5tZQgw8Nwm3638iwSz-yk2G7yThrEhkKYX3ybhVLWULsxFyuIxKTo1V1k9NUa3k/w400-h266/DSC_9873.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Snow Buntings</i></div><div><br /></div>All of that, and it wasn't even noon yet. The constant barrage of birds was staggering to behold. Things finally quieted down as we arrived in Joseph. We walked the streets for a while, searching unsuccessfully for Blue Jays and Pine Grosbeaks, but on the south end of town we ran into a flock of 80 Bohemians!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4vV2BNWQtJaXupexYpTIMZ35SaWWzHyvot6nhhIBAXb0QhAmMbsTsWdItSBYGziOnGX7B2eJkGrdkeKm3_5mQ6SCTlOnsGznleHnFcqZwaebKkVwjza_Hm7fC44N4ypu20MddX1V3AY/s1934/DSC_9879.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1934" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4vV2BNWQtJaXupexYpTIMZ35SaWWzHyvot6nhhIBAXb0QhAmMbsTsWdItSBYGziOnGX7B2eJkGrdkeKm3_5mQ6SCTlOnsGznleHnFcqZwaebKkVwjza_Hm7fC44N4ypu20MddX1V3AY/w400-h266/DSC_9879.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Bohemian Waxwings</i></div><div><br /></div>Wallowa Lake had a single bird on it: a drake Barrow's Goldeneye. As we left the parking lot on the north end of the lake, yet another group of partridge appeared.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtI8irgq9-yyLDp3YdEhcI6EyIapW2B6O95P5WUebTdkJj6mJ3q1_m23jTh8z2_fioSDmXnresnISeswxvYhMeHunC37gxOl6_JDcJr74QPbYIk4Ith0eO0DBA1FsIanFgkM4q0iEsKhw/s2048/DSC_9887.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtI8irgq9-yyLDp3YdEhcI6EyIapW2B6O95P5WUebTdkJj6mJ3q1_m23jTh8z2_fioSDmXnresnISeswxvYhMeHunC37gxOl6_JDcJr74QPbYIk4Ith0eO0DBA1FsIanFgkM4q0iEsKhw/w400-h266/DSC_9887.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Gray Partridge</i></div><div><br /></div>The early afternoon lull threatened to set in, so we stopped at Arrowhead Chocolates in Joseph for a pick-me-up. I'll be stopping there for coffee every time I'm in town for the rest of always.</div><div><br /></div><div>Caffeinated and ready for more birds, we made our way up to the Ferguson Sno-Park. It was very quiet, but my first Mountain Chickadees of the year were still calling in the distance. The only other bird was a flyover raven.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the way to Elk Mountain Road we encountered more American Tree Sparrows, another large flock of rosy-finches, and our first snowfall of the day. A large falcon got us excited for a moment, but it turned out to be a Prairie rather than the Gyr that has been around all winter. Still a fun sight in the blizzard-like conditions. As we watched the falcon, a flock of 600+ rosy-finches rose up out of the nearby pasture, a few Snow Buntings in tow.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq_a9vR5PAF8wW-p_AOSzu7VFrtaE2WdyPOLXdTjH7YPQ2w4LULoLR__seZ7YUqPjWSn6XUk1JtEe0oucOJGZuA697LtGz_4pac8bHbGtxN0Hgnk38z-gMEWW8KFIb6uGYmb6ewbLWmw/s1154/DSC_9903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1154" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq_a9vR5PAF8wW-p_AOSzu7VFrtaE2WdyPOLXdTjH7YPQ2w4LULoLR__seZ7YUqPjWSn6XUk1JtEe0oucOJGZuA697LtGz_4pac8bHbGtxN0Hgnk38z-gMEWW8KFIb6uGYmb6ewbLWmw/w400-h266/DSC_9903.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Prairie Falcon</i></div><div><br /></div>The snow fell hard, but not for long. It made for a nice reminder of just how perfect the conditions had been all day long. The previous week's snow drove all of the birds to exposed ground and roadsides, but the roads themselves were in great condition for driving. We could not have asked for better timing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next we poked around a few spots in Enterprise. This hybrid goldeneye was the highlight of our stop at Pete's Pond. Note how the white spot on the face, the pattern on the back, and even the head shape are all intermediate between Common and Barrow's.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg908QIc1NGI9H98a5yEw8znTBPguo-h_loGtMIPpg7qBrftABk-IlWAfc_zncygw3mvdx4IPi8Xno0PcmxnXmmKjobWHMVkcCJB1ocG6opdBLBaz-zGI9Li9AljlIux7M91f4SV8JiPwQ/s1219/DSC_9921.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1219" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg908QIc1NGI9H98a5yEw8znTBPguo-h_loGtMIPpg7qBrftABk-IlWAfc_zncygw3mvdx4IPi8Xno0PcmxnXmmKjobWHMVkcCJB1ocG6opdBLBaz-zGI9Li9AljlIux7M91f4SV8JiPwQ/w400-h266/DSC_9921.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>hybrid Common x Barrow's Goldeneye</i></div><div><br /></div>We encountered our second flock of Bohemian Waxwings in town as well, and got much better looks this time around. Enterprise doesn't get as much coverage as Joseph it seems, so it turns out this was the first flock of Bohemians reported here this year.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1LRQf_9S6579hGspq2i2pTfC6JesS1YLM3pyjqRlhe_IidLZG6SXrBN3iy0JhQzfgMI46MpMMC1UojhTdx3TyiVnRg3Ct_0DHrFoEhDKm6v21jcm-TR044Ff6ptwonGMtYq8N3ktrvo/s2048/DSC_9926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1LRQf_9S6579hGspq2i2pTfC6JesS1YLM3pyjqRlhe_IidLZG6SXrBN3iy0JhQzfgMI46MpMMC1UojhTdx3TyiVnRg3Ct_0DHrFoEhDKm6v21jcm-TR044Ff6ptwonGMtYq8N3ktrvo/w400-h266/DSC_9926.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Bohemian Waxwings</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were over twenty checklists deep into the day at this point. My thumbs were tired from all the eBirding, but when we finally slowed down to take a look at the numbers it was all worth it. We had recorded 1,750 Gray-crowned Rosy-finches, spread over 12 different checklists! We figured with our conservative estimates on the large flocks that it was quite possible that we saw upwards of 2,000. Nolan started doing the math and estimated that we saw right around 100 pounds worth of rosy-finch for the day. Given that we laughed with joy with each new flock that appeared, a comical measurement like that seemed quite fitting. Back in La Grande we finished out the day with tasty takeout and Oregon Fog from Side A.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was one of those unforgettable days that frequent the life of an avid birder. We saw all our targets, yes, but it was the volume and manner in which we saw them that provided the greater joy. Sometimes you just need to be blown away by the birds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>February 21:</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Before making our trip home, Nolan and I spent a while walking around La Grande looking for Blue Jays. After an hour of fruitless searching we were starting to get nervous, though my waaaaay overdue first Hairy Woodpecker of the year added some comedy to moment. Then an odd corvid call drew our attention, and then another. It was not the standard call we were expecting, but when we arrived at the source we found our target flying across the road. Two Blue Jays dove deep into a thicket, never to appear again. All our searching culminated in a three second observation that didn't even give me enough time to snag a photo. But this was still a huge moment: another state lifer for me, and an important bird on an ever-growing year list.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A handful of stops along the gorge yielded a few more county birds, the best of which was a Clark's Grebe continuing in the Dalles. Our last stop of the trip was an unsuccessful search for Harris's Sparrow on Sauvie Island, but the constant sounds and display of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese overhead made for a perfect spectacle to round out a wonderful three days of birding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I wrap up this post I'm sitting at 210 species for the year in Oregon so far, I'm really ready for it to not be February any longer, and plans are in full swing for a busy Spring of seeing every bird I possibly can. On to the next!</div><br /></div>Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-73257045484284959012021-02-06T23:09:00.374-08:002021-02-08T06:29:54.500-08:00When All You Can Painted Bunting is Think AboutJanuary sizzled from start to finish, and apparently February is not about to let things settle to a simmer.<div><br /></div><div>On Wednesday, a Pacific Golden-Plover was found out at Fern Ridge. Word started spreading about the sighting as Mason and I were on our normal stroll through Delta Ponds. Talking a three-year-old out of their present moment of fun into some other sort of adventure is no small task. Thankfully the idea of seeing a new place (always my go-to) and stomping in some mud was convincing enough for him. Off we went.</div><div><br /></div><div>We arrived as the sun was getting low in the sky, which made the golden tones of this little shorebird just sing. Oregon gets two species of golden-plover each year, usually during fall migration (typically Pacific comes through on the earlier end, and American on the later, but there's plenty of <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S58309408" target="_blank">exceptions</a>). Both of them can be easy to miss if you're not on the ball, so getting one served up on a platter like this so close to home and so early in the year was a huge bonus!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXz7AjTpIsvKutaHH682A8vztoi5LvECEl_lEi8VRGoT2CcU0L6rtXYkkX55JlVVE5GKSRztwoTIVlTIMiUE5CwhSSMHCkUGdxIv1Z1d50_TFEWrwMEQU_D2e8Uy56hXws0P93wRXIWE/s2048/DSC_9414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXz7AjTpIsvKutaHH682A8vztoi5LvECEl_lEi8VRGoT2CcU0L6rtXYkkX55JlVVE5GKSRztwoTIVlTIMiUE5CwhSSMHCkUGdxIv1Z1d50_TFEWrwMEQU_D2e8Uy56hXws0P93wRXIWE/w400-h266/DSC_9414.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NzC893jqNtGL_5RCVl0eDLvbOXOHidsyuwgmtDtzKpYZabJWv8xYTO3LuQAcQnuXDDaKJLtjlDX01uFKggikocotSQjMzDGRCvcOr0l5PIC56fVBxSOPJaXp0iVXJLLZWbk7zZCzVMk/s1530/DSC_9415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1530" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NzC893jqNtGL_5RCVl0eDLvbOXOHidsyuwgmtDtzKpYZabJWv8xYTO3LuQAcQnuXDDaKJLtjlDX01uFKggikocotSQjMzDGRCvcOr0l5PIC56fVBxSOPJaXp0iVXJLLZWbk7zZCzVMk/w400-h266/DSC_9415.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix54WoP9KAMcFqTVEkR2RdceszeyAH5UCzcXOzbETzIRNwaK4lNoUxoLcuWzvbQOSaPhSS0EEn8uY14U7GK21pyBUoDTAkgsuCg7HE1_fdduEmB92L53vntdQAXNrzj3QHGORoL2UtwdI/s1994/DSC_9420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1994" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix54WoP9KAMcFqTVEkR2RdceszeyAH5UCzcXOzbETzIRNwaK4lNoUxoLcuWzvbQOSaPhSS0EEn8uY14U7GK21pyBUoDTAkgsuCg7HE1_fdduEmB92L53vntdQAXNrzj3QHGORoL2UtwdI/w400-h266/DSC_9420.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pacific Golden-Plover</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Fern Ridge, Lane County</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>This made for some nice momentum to start the month, and the weekend sent matters into overdrive.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the afternoon of January 31 a Salem resident posted photos on Facebook of an adult male Painted Bunting at her feeder. Many times in these kinds of cases folks are willing to open up their yards for the birding masses to come enjoy the bird, and that is especially true when the homeowner is a birder. But this was not one of those cases, and you can understand why—a crowd of visitors in the backyard in the middle of a pandemic is not what most people think of as a good time. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, birders had only a general idea of the neighborhood where the bird was. Sometimes this can be enough to be useful. But in this case, the streets are lined with front yards devoid of greenery, and the backyards are all closed off by fences. In other words, there's no way to see into the areas where a Painted Bunting would typically like to hang out.</div><div><br /></div><div>With only a general sense of where the bird was, a number of birders searched high and low along the surrounding streets, trying to catch of glimpse of this flashy little visitor to no avail. With no positive reports coming February 1 or 2, it seemed unlikely that the situation would develop into a stakeout.</div><div><br /></div><div>But on the morning of February 3, Caleb Centanni spotted the bird, and things started getting interesting. Over the next couple of days, some semblance of a pattern began to develop. While the bird would spend most of its time below the fence level, a few times a day it would pop up into a tree where it was visible from a couple different vantage points. The tree is a curly willow with dense patches where it could hide from the local pesky accipiters, as well as creepers of the birding variety. From mid morning to late afternoon, the bird will hop up into that tree a handful of times. With patience and a bit of luck, there's a good chance you'd catch a glimpse.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seeing reports of this bird start to trickle in while at work was, well... Have you seen this comical little commercial from Postmates?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="374" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rFTdxKN_IZ0" width="450" youtube-src-id="rFTdxKN_IZ0"></iframe></div><br /><div><i>When all you can Pad Thai is think about</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>That was my week, just substitute in the Salem Painted Bunting. Every time a positive report would come through I would check my watch and my schedule and my workload, and every time the verdict was the same: you cannot chase right now. That did not keep me from checking my watch and my schedule and my workload every time I got a notification. But it was just too busy of a week to be able to drop everything and go.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first moment I was free, I was northbound. I tried my luck on Friday after picking Mason up from school. He thought seeing a <i>rainbow bird,</i> as he came to call it, sounded like fun, and our drive to and from Salem was even easier than our post-school trek to Albany a couple weeks earlier. In the last hour and twenty minutes of daylight I felt good about our chances of seeing the bird, but it did not show. A young Cooper's Hawk stood watch the entire time, which did not help.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZXR_UNBFWd9KVQGqLDIB8Vxlty5jF8W2D1AiEIziTwaDsWI1A7DP6tUpcamWlYA4hTKEud6J-H9-Lf60cNDlwqrZJZDHd7a0VPlo-p6KtMv0ZAU3KPwqWr4P39sLnfblJoMsk5vH2-0/s2048/DSC_9429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZXR_UNBFWd9KVQGqLDIB8Vxlty5jF8W2D1AiEIziTwaDsWI1A7DP6tUpcamWlYA4hTKEud6J-H9-Lf60cNDlwqrZJZDHd7a0VPlo-p6KtMv0ZAU3KPwqWr4P39sLnfblJoMsk5vH2-0/w400-h266/DSC_9429.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Rude</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Go find a House Sparrow and leave our lovely guest alone please</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next morning I didn't want to put little man through the round trip again, so we stayed local and picked up a couple new birds for the year: Barn Owl and Black-bellied Plover. Mason's takeaway from an hour on the mud flats at Shore Lane Park: "I like this muddy place." Me too man. (If you ever want to watch Dunlin murmurations, this is a fantastic place for it.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the morning progressed, the Painted Bunting was reported again. My afternoon plans were settled. After dropping little man off at home I was right back on I-5, bunting bound. </div><div><br /></div>Thankfully it began raining right when I arrived. Wouldn't want to make this too easy, of course. For me it was not a question of how long I was going to wait for it, but simply how long it would take to show up. Andrew and I chatted for a while, and the growing group of birders reshuffled every time another arrived. It was nice chatting with Tom Crabtree for a few minutes. He didn't need the bird for his state list, but he did for his birds-photographed-in-Oregon list, which was already well over 400.<div><br /></div><div>Some photographers like birds. Some birders like taking photos. Tom is the latter, and he was the first to get eyes on the flash of color that darted straight into the heart of the swirly tree. The Painted Bunting sat deep in a tangle, and it was striking just how brightly it shone from the shadows. The red on its belly and breast could be seen with the naked eye all the way from the road.</div><div><br /></div><div>We walked up and got to an angle for some decent photos. They don't do this bird justice, but it is great to have them as a way to remember the moment.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipxf7U53YkmJankkiFIPNgI9c68SPMXSJ_vKXTk4BdsK2W_1BGo5EBhyphenhyphen1o_aBoW2aghRvtJBAvCgaVVpEhZKrk2fVNaYNxm99vw3A7_KtyZgpPmVUn8KQgj9FLQSqhkO_17Mio6c476Y/s1564/DSC_9513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1564" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipxf7U53YkmJankkiFIPNgI9c68SPMXSJ_vKXTk4BdsK2W_1BGo5EBhyphenhyphen1o_aBoW2aghRvtJBAvCgaVVpEhZKrk2fVNaYNxm99vw3A7_KtyZgpPmVUn8KQgj9FLQSqhkO_17Mio6c476Y/w400-h266/DSC_9513.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_x71gLNU1MulwTwlLOnIhD9Wr3waPrb8IFFEf09pu5_M-Y0kYMyiZ1f_aTwZy0S82jlpN51ALnerkVcrVoOrWH46jxI_glv1GqOK_1p4c0dh_11GScWXn-WVdcApDof0_na6fqohR0-k/s2024/DSC_9539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1349" data-original-width="2024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_x71gLNU1MulwTwlLOnIhD9Wr3waPrb8IFFEf09pu5_M-Y0kYMyiZ1f_aTwZy0S82jlpN51ALnerkVcrVoOrWH46jxI_glv1GqOK_1p4c0dh_11GScWXn-WVdcApDof0_na6fqohR0-k/w400-h266/DSC_9539.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>PAINTED BUNTING</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Marion County</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Any day you see a male Painted Bunting is a good day, even in the areas where they usually reside. But to see one in Oregon in the middle of winter is nearly too good to be true. Nearly.<div><br /></div><div>Now, let's be honest. This is not terribly sporty. It is not birding at its best. Waiting on a sidewalk between two stranger's houses, walking streets in a suburb lacking any visible shrubbery—it's not what comes to mind when I think of the many soul-nourishing times I've had in the field. This is more the obsessive collecting part of the hobby, and it's just what we do sometimes. If this is all birding was, I would need another hobby. But when I think back to that moment, I'll remember the glow of that bird and I will be plenty ready for whatever chase is next.<br /><div><br /><div>And on that note, it's not like there's no other birds around, even in that peculiar little neighborhood. On one of the initial searches for the bunting, Rachael Friese found a Red-naped Sapsucker just a couple blocks away. The stunning, out-of-place woodpecker showed very nicely for us:</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghWhds_drQ9lvmlxg4wS09aDNMcJHfUrXbsIXRuthyFfuUR4Zbg7BcR9cuLSL3HjojJomX5n-WM7iu7GMqzSmAY6d5AzQspBaBJrlB25LwV0di5aTlS30cXIwY7VRW2pkVTKx7ANgxe4/s2048/DSC_9565.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghWhds_drQ9lvmlxg4wS09aDNMcJHfUrXbsIXRuthyFfuUR4Zbg7BcR9cuLSL3HjojJomX5n-WM7iu7GMqzSmAY6d5AzQspBaBJrlB25LwV0di5aTlS30cXIwY7VRW2pkVTKx7ANgxe4/w400-h266/DSC_9565.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Red-naped Sapsucker</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Marion County</i></div><br /><div>That duo made for a great outing. Painted Bunting was my 381st bird for Oregon, and the sapsucker was my 190th bird of the year in (Western) Oregon so far.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the end of the day, those lists were 382 and 191, but that's a story I'll have to save for another day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pad Thai, anyone?</div>Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-51710589163661604832021-02-04T05:59:00.001-08:002021-02-04T14:57:05.426-08:00A Big January in Western Oregon<p>As a birder who enjoys keeping track of how many birds I see over the course of each year, January 1 is as invigorating a day as I can find on the calendar. Last year is in the books. All the numbers reset. The blank slate begs for a hint of color. Even without any particular goals in mind, the listing impulse dies hard. So, off I went on the first day of the year.</p><p>I had no way of knowing what was in store for the first month of 2021. I was certain this would be a year without birding goals and aimed to keep things casual from the outset.</p><p>Things are far from casual now. I guess you could blame the birds.</p><p><b>January 1:</b></p><p>After a cup of coffee and breakfast with the family the morning of the first, I joined up with my good friend Andrew Aldrich for some county birding in Linn. I took back roads on the way to meet him and came upon a very obliging <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S78388941" target="_blank">Prairie Falcon</a>, a great bird to get the juices flowing. Minutes later I found a <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S78392171" target="_blank">Say's Phoebe</a> flitting down a fence, an overdue Linn County bird for me, and my second quality bird before even getting to the day's target.</p><p>I pulled on to Falk Rd to find Andrew, who already had the Long-billed Curlews in view - a fantastic county bird, and actually my first encounter with this species in Western Oregon!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHR85DHBldDb0PpZH08M5nhzTO1Bkb1KVx9yAZ7uyVxUHjQ51upmHCZ66EBZhwq6ApJ6hlt2eHPuHO9pCyYs0Su459aKAkcbkjpFGEzCgB2zdJc07g14zxL4aIE4GfTmgSyZFvw65HbQ/s1190/DSC_8791.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1190" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHR85DHBldDb0PpZH08M5nhzTO1Bkb1KVx9yAZ7uyVxUHjQ51upmHCZ66EBZhwq6ApJ6hlt2eHPuHO9pCyYs0Su459aKAkcbkjpFGEzCgB2zdJc07g14zxL4aIE4GfTmgSyZFvw65HbQ/w400-h266/DSC_8791.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Long-billed Curlew</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Linn County</i></div><div><br /></div><div>The Willamette Valley offers endlessly entertaining winter birding. Over the next couple hours we were treated to fields full of thousands of swans, geese, and gulls, a steady diet of raptors, and one of the silly little Burrowing Owls that considers the valley's muddy ditches a nice winter getaway.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy62hD2cj9oCo61cdDIJF_qRgZpFkWB1U1dMhwdHvdP-GbWFWvA15Ejgq2b1aPcTngJfVvalqsWpmYANHwjUrFCIbjimlGEdDWtn-ethjK7W8bs_c0LLz8KVmGPnmcgdlyXPsKbQ0uZ-8/s2048/IMG_2324.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy62hD2cj9oCo61cdDIJF_qRgZpFkWB1U1dMhwdHvdP-GbWFWvA15Ejgq2b1aPcTngJfVvalqsWpmYANHwjUrFCIbjimlGEdDWtn-ethjK7W8bs_c0LLz8KVmGPnmcgdlyXPsKbQ0uZ-8/w400-h300/IMG_2324.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Partially-burrowed Owl</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Linn County</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div></div><div>We had some time to spare so we popped up to Corvallis and, after a few minutes of searching, got the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that had been found a few days prior. All in all a great outing, a nice kickstart to the year.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4TYkBZHOb-tV9CMFPdKdagV2PfIrPj6nwUwaOb3F2ovyh4CiyuqCuhB7sl0x4xAJSvV6oGgnRa1ZHaVz07wTXEN8OmtU8bfMQ_cRcHEJeiUocbZWtxoH3UPy20kC6Apg9id5O0Yye_s/s2048/IMG_2344.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4TYkBZHOb-tV9CMFPdKdagV2PfIrPj6nwUwaOb3F2ovyh4CiyuqCuhB7sl0x4xAJSvV6oGgnRa1ZHaVz07wTXEN8OmtU8bfMQ_cRcHEJeiUocbZWtxoH3UPy20kC6Apg9id5O0Yye_s/s320/IMG_2344.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Yellow-bellied Sapscuker</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Benton County</i></div><div><br /></div><div>As I pulled away from Corvallis the word began to emerge: a Yellow-billed Loon at Hagg Lake in Washington County. I didn't have any desire to chase the bird in that moment, but it did nestle itself into the back of mind.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>January 2:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>After a quiet day at home, I did some late afternoon birding in Lane. I watched a Merlin chase a passerine in the pouring rain, and dipped on some Short-eared Owls. On the way home I stopped by Kirk Pond to see if I could get a glimpse of the Snowy Egret that came in each night to roost there. After 20 minutes of standing in the driving rain, seeing just a few Great Egrets, and repeatedly asking myself what I was doing there, I admitted defeat and turned to take my sopping wet self home. Birders know that this is often the moment that something interesting happens. Sure enough, before I even planted my second step on the walk to the car, a group of 20 egrets appeared in the sky, and with them came a half-sized edition. I got a quick look at the Snowy Egret before its slender form dropped down behind some branches to a perch out of sight.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>January 3:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm honestly not exactly sure what happened, but I awoke on the third day of the year with a batch of intentions I simply did not have on the first. The Yellow-billed Loon showed well all day Saturday, and the thought of a chase for a quality state lifer didn't seem so crazy. But that would have to wait until the afternoon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mason and I were off to Delta Ponds in the morning, the local spot we frequent a couple times a week. Since the pandemic hit, Jen and I have been in a rhythm of trading off times with the little man so the other can have some time to themselves. It's been a sanity booster for both of us.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I chased Mason on his strider around the paths at the ponds (this used to involve a quick walk; it now requires a full on sprint), the Heyerlys reported an easy-to-see Barred Owl in a nearby neighborhood. On our way home we stopped by and got great looks:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzIWbCdxV30vTOCCtn9Fi4eceB-2O9pmfQAazOH6WyMCMVIwSSAlxt-q554GnbxcO0iGhiyIvqEsxl1Nkrpn6v6pCGiOESfN1CXhQ3IdX5ktqG_LFbEDWeEGja4pTeO-IbSx_iGZtDxw/s2048/DSC_8821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzIWbCdxV30vTOCCtn9Fi4eceB-2O9pmfQAazOH6WyMCMVIwSSAlxt-q554GnbxcO0iGhiyIvqEsxl1Nkrpn6v6pCGiOESfN1CXhQ3IdX5ktqG_LFbEDWeEGja4pTeO-IbSx_iGZtDxw/w400-h266/DSC_8821.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Barred Owl</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Eugene</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was Mason's first good look at an owl perched this close, and his face the moment he saw it is something I will never forget. I didn't get that exact moment, but I did capture this shot a few seconds later. He was absolutely taken with the large fluff ball up in the tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2goMGBbfZdW4ePwXndL2jRxN3ZFI1W8aUwGTcHEDgrZC2bnvNqegqyDeUWxE2qf4S1FangNDNFWeN1O8O_Ai1G_Bv7jTAijlkjiHprvhQK30uJT8R4jUNO-HWW6UwGo8tM12a0Lhvovg/s2048/IMG_2365.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2goMGBbfZdW4ePwXndL2jRxN3ZFI1W8aUwGTcHEDgrZC2bnvNqegqyDeUWxE2qf4S1FangNDNFWeN1O8O_Ai1G_Bv7jTAijlkjiHprvhQK30uJT8R4jUNO-HWW6UwGo8tM12a0Lhvovg/s320/IMG_2365.HEIC" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Then came the afternoon, and I booked it north. About 20 minutes before arriving at Hagg Lake a I received the best possible alert an Oregon birder can receive: a WhatsApp notification from a Hinkle. Chris had picked out a Rusty Blackbird from a whole mess of its blackbird relatives less than a half hour from where the loon was. Perhaps it was a good thing I had waited to come up after all.<div><br /></div><div>It took a little while for the Yellow-billed Loon to appear, but before too long a group of birders was enjoying scope views of the bird from the Eagle Point Rec Area. The overall lighter, browner plumage was quite striking compared to the Common Loon in the area, and there was no mistaking that pale bill, ever pointed upwards. Score.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NBmco6uacFPJU5KAWlidDtWr6KCnYcZCHUuotoIzl-jOVEbcDqY6O2LhikW7Pv9yZEdFw9mGcX3V4K9xXHVs_JUsFxjuLVVqNpOBfTHHeUiOWy1tE4OkBDn_YFAnc0hmnJ2Thyphenhyphen0hJhM/s783/DSC_8828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="783" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NBmco6uacFPJU5KAWlidDtWr6KCnYcZCHUuotoIzl-jOVEbcDqY6O2LhikW7Pv9yZEdFw9mGcX3V4K9xXHVs_JUsFxjuLVVqNpOBfTHHeUiOWy1tE4OkBDn_YFAnc0hmnJ2Thyphenhyphen0hJhM/w400-h266/DSC_8828.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Yellow-billed Loon</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Hagg Lake, Washington County</i></div><div><br /></div><div>And then it was off to the corn stubble. I arrived at the location Chris described to find a few birders already looking for it - Kayla McCurry, Leonard Barrett, and Tom Meyers are the ones I recall. A couple hundred blackbirds and starlings flew across the field and then back and forth between trees and then back to the field. As I was just starting to get acclimated to the scene, Kayla spotted it in her scope. We all scrambled over to get a quick look. For the next half hour or so, we repeated the process: one of us would spot the bird, and the others would scurry over to get another look at it, then the flock would disperse and we'd all go back to our scopes until the next person got eyes on it. It's a comical scene in retrospect. Perfectly choreographed flocks darting across the tree-lined cornfield, taking off at a moment's notice for some reason not readily apparent to us. And the birds were probably thinking the same thing about us as we humanoids scampered from scope to scope at bewildering intervals.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got close to a decent photo once, but then the flock took to the sky again and I only captured it flying away. Oh well. Two state lifers in two hours is pretty hard to beat!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hKVBcaxsJ2RbPL1bnh4j29uLuVnRUsLMU0ssh3n3Lh8m-hhYg7nk7K7I1xkysbMFfnkAODYk6C4yCgcEgOf73CvYdeaALKS0GJy0P8fscazv4unR0_06PGJ1xruN6HSTFvdZv5hSjUU/s363/DSC_8839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="363" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hKVBcaxsJ2RbPL1bnh4j29uLuVnRUsLMU0ssh3n3Lh8m-hhYg7nk7K7I1xkysbMFfnkAODYk6C4yCgcEgOf73CvYdeaALKS0GJy0P8fscazv4unR0_06PGJ1xruN6HSTFvdZv5hSjUU/w400-h266/DSC_8839.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Rusty Blackbird</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Washington County</i></div><div><br /></div><b>January 4:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>After work on the first Monday of the year I made a quick trip out to the coast to see a couple birds that were hanging around and got a couple others thrown in. At the Crab Docks this Long-tailed Duck was one of a couple that have been lingering this winter.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNturWCB-sV5bnMqFcF8eX7J01JBmEO2AeBwJhRwYVoxzZ7li3nQzZNdO7pyBeR2ZMDDKESIhXOEBnA7kJLkBxj2VaEr_Om8_JPxTBeLuxVIaim6I-qIn2vIHuNk-ZEVepATx9TL6fzSE/s1442/DSC_8847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1442" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNturWCB-sV5bnMqFcF8eX7J01JBmEO2AeBwJhRwYVoxzZ7li3nQzZNdO7pyBeR2ZMDDKESIhXOEBnA7kJLkBxj2VaEr_Om8_JPxTBeLuxVIaim6I-qIn2vIHuNk-ZEVepATx9TL6fzSE/w400-h266/DSC_8847.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Long-tailed Duck</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Siuslaw South Jetty Crab Docks, Lane County</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div>Out on the jetty the wind out of the west was fierce. The driftwood on the beach was all askew and being actively rearranged with each new wave. In the midst of the madness, I picked out a Red Phalarope flying in the channel, and this adult Black-legged Kittiwake sitting with a group of gulls.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8nTeqjvYiuYMZrR68wPkrnv4dOiq0ZHW0LFYF7T3VD-gZVr66Ze6a9uD6fpMOCEACfafTtzv_2Ee_IojfwgkouKC6s0_W5OG7ZwHsISv37L4IuXRw3yBxxfD98Ql_-P3Kk-59Ufrabc/s821/DSC_8860.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="821" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8nTeqjvYiuYMZrR68wPkrnv4dOiq0ZHW0LFYF7T3VD-gZVr66Ze6a9uD6fpMOCEACfafTtzv_2Ee_IojfwgkouKC6s0_W5OG7ZwHsISv37L4IuXRw3yBxxfD98Ql_-P3Kk-59Ufrabc/w400-h266/DSC_8860.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Black-legged Kittiwake</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Siuslaw South Jetty, Lane County</i></div><div><br /></div>I assumed in such conditions that the mocker would stay hidden, but instead it popped right out and danced along the edge of the parking area:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-n0MwDqkFlvVv5sLaZaMCn2nyEVYj9VTOPiO-z4CEbPcIzbhv2U9vYcEuXnvvnoLXlzVgvco1XOVQ4hwZ1J3FRRNrEXlHmPZ6ocJSqJYM_7yx2wQdqkc617pe-2rBwsVCRdmTPJLdxw/s1728/DSC_8866.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1728" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-n0MwDqkFlvVv5sLaZaMCn2nyEVYj9VTOPiO-z4CEbPcIzbhv2U9vYcEuXnvvnoLXlzVgvco1XOVQ4hwZ1J3FRRNrEXlHmPZ6ocJSqJYM_7yx2wQdqkc617pe-2rBwsVCRdmTPJLdxw/w400-h266/DSC_8866.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Northern Mockingbird</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Siuslaw South Jetty, Lane County</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I returned home after the whirlwind trip and realized I had already seen four species of birds that I did not get in 2020. Interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>January 5-6:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made a quick trip up to look for the Gyrfalcon in Polk County after work on Tuesday. I didn't see the bird, but I did manage to avoid the recliner that fell out of the truck in front of me on my way north on Highway 99W. Some days the win is a rare bird. Some days it's coming back with your life and vehicle all in one piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day I picked Mason up from Montessori and we stopped by the Lane Community College ponds, where the most reliable Eurasian Wigeons imaginable like to hang out. An easy #115 for the year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>January 7:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nice weather and some high quality birds made for a perfect excuse to flex some hours at work and take the morning off. I met up with Andrew for the quick tour of cooperative Portland rarities:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPo9kXSPna5AM5rv_5Ca3hyphenhyphenRFhfUXuWEGEGSLypWRzXBR-iTVC7rklKhkcOCjA4RfxeN57fHfimzBsFUK-xGWhyphenhyphenZykBIGLYqfX_BEKkis7A7zlEQ8o3TkqxWU5RAZUSgzarPsVCjf_L7E/s1657/DSC_8893.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1657" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPo9kXSPna5AM5rv_5Ca3hyphenhyphenRFhfUXuWEGEGSLypWRzXBR-iTVC7rklKhkcOCjA4RfxeN57fHfimzBsFUK-xGWhyphenhyphenZykBIGLYqfX_BEKkis7A7zlEQ8o3TkqxWU5RAZUSgzarPsVCjf_L7E/w400-h266/DSC_8893.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Orchard Oriole</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWmAaCKUgQb5q_lBpQJ9B2o_eJ3-YqfNH3QkU77X00EPEkqSjZbwC5so9ZxBy1aUirDiQ1cYXm2B8yW4CM7PCnt4wBs27f_wes4r7nsUJmX0buZJCnVnwGqrFBj4x2ITltlZL_c8i72A/s2048/DSC_8900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWmAaCKUgQb5q_lBpQJ9B2o_eJ3-YqfNH3QkU77X00EPEkqSjZbwC5so9ZxBy1aUirDiQ1cYXm2B8yW4CM7PCnt4wBs27f_wes4r7nsUJmX0buZJCnVnwGqrFBj4x2ITltlZL_c8i72A/w400-h266/DSC_8900.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Clay-colored Sparrow</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw5VaOtCO6_xCjsEdAkRJpWM_cxqF7GrLSlGtJQySNMf3v7-DuVxscIofGH5JAx6eFAwV9ysEOjcY6peF8lOsFkITtTweRkArKRyeSVZATrF7vhU7CS_C8jLyA6nCbd1ZIXAKpwHukD8/s2048/DSC_8906.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTw5VaOtCO6_xCjsEdAkRJpWM_cxqF7GrLSlGtJQySNMf3v7-DuVxscIofGH5JAx6eFAwV9ysEOjcY6peF8lOsFkITtTweRkArKRyeSVZATrF7vhU7CS_C8jLyA6nCbd1ZIXAKpwHukD8/w400-h266/DSC_8906.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q-_X__UAlsLd5AWsBng40wDld2ye3QMk7tld5h9f5EzdhK13_GlZ1CwLQz5WgHq81oVSNkMxNMgaiHIFOOcQy1Dg7RoTltT6wY1JsQutOD1xU9Z98xwQPlPcW59l7Q6uZKdOo6dh0Q8/s2048/DSC_8909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q-_X__UAlsLd5AWsBng40wDld2ye3QMk7tld5h9f5EzdhK13_GlZ1CwLQz5WgHq81oVSNkMxNMgaiHIFOOcQy1Dg7RoTltT6wY1JsQutOD1xU9Z98xwQPlPcW59l7Q6uZKdOo6dh0Q8/w400-h266/DSC_8909.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Great-tailed McGrackle</i></div><div><br /></div>Back in Eugene I picked up Swamp Sparrow for my 5 mile radius list before getting back to work, which was nice way to cap off a productive, efficient morning.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>January 8:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Several winters in a row now the Lehman Dairy has hosted a couple Tricolored Blackbirds. With the pair of Trumpeter Swans just a few miles down the road, it made for a quick and easy loop to pick up a couple nice birds in the home county on the final day of the work week.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8o_Fz24eZiHWqdclXCxKYggUUPD8ZJmAfiNG9wIbwvPzWLsk6DOZKq8mNOLtqeeCupwh2UOqaLxinSwe5B0RKHKkHSoBsipolK_oBx3Tz3TWFiEVmQnwDoF3SHb5hULs1jOlRYYqCRI/s1188/DSC_8932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1188" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8o_Fz24eZiHWqdclXCxKYggUUPD8ZJmAfiNG9wIbwvPzWLsk6DOZKq8mNOLtqeeCupwh2UOqaLxinSwe5B0RKHKkHSoBsipolK_oBx3Tz3TWFiEVmQnwDoF3SHb5hULs1jOlRYYqCRI/w400-h266/DSC_8932.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Tricolored Blackbird with cowbirds and starlings</i></div><div><br /></div><b>January 9:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>And then things started getting a little nutty.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the second Saturday of the year I was on the road well before 5:00 am en route to meet Andrew in Seaside by daybreak. I arrived there by 7:30 am and was met with a rather brisk wind. I reached back to grab my coat from the backseat, but my coat was not in the backseat. Nor in the front. Nor was it in the trunk. I texted Jen to confirm I was the idiot who did not bring a coat for a day of birding the coast in January. Indeed, she found it on the hook at home. Thankfully it did not rain that day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our target bird at Seaside was a Rock Sandpiper that had been there off and on recently. We came on an off day.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next stop was more productive as we snagged quick looks at the stunning Hooded Oriole in Nehalem, already my third state lifer of the year!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt54BXMeJwkZd4QnI_L_GLYx-Da-NjqNeLKe6YDgmIMUxoTbr_d7ELObg99aYddX9DPJRe9arN9sTbjAEn9iufzpIRkK-O_sZg_6zC0SNFffFrDtZUIg9TcJkfGFOG4OGVjijPulx49a4/s2047/DSC_8948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2047" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt54BXMeJwkZd4QnI_L_GLYx-Da-NjqNeLKe6YDgmIMUxoTbr_d7ELObg99aYddX9DPJRe9arN9sTbjAEn9iufzpIRkK-O_sZg_6zC0SNFffFrDtZUIg9TcJkfGFOG4OGVjijPulx49a4/w400-h266/DSC_8948.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Hooded Oriole</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next we picked up Snowy Plover for Andrew's state list at Nehalem Bay State Park before heading to Tillamook, where the highlight was this White-tailed Kite, which gave great, prolonged views perched and in flight. These birds are noticeably harder to come by now than when we moved here in 2015, so I try not to take any encounter for granted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32yMONg5Nv6bwDQlP_AUTmVhlIuRLzztMt_3setZDUhZr3IvymPNTkU2LcTmAWi1fDGSqGjemyB7HL8P4Jw7pVwrOu6UFD92PqA3qUTzSDhgziwisxHNypYD_a08XV9XgQe6FBQaiyp4/s1292/DSC_8967.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1292" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32yMONg5Nv6bwDQlP_AUTmVhlIuRLzztMt_3setZDUhZr3IvymPNTkU2LcTmAWi1fDGSqGjemyB7HL8P4Jw7pVwrOu6UFD92PqA3qUTzSDhgziwisxHNypYD_a08XV9XgQe6FBQaiyp4/w400-h266/DSC_8967.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>White-tailed Kite</i></div><div><br /></div>We wandered the backroads around Tillamook for a bit before parting ways, hoping for a Glaucous Gull that wouldn't materialize. At that time another timely notification came through: a male Tufted Duck in Philomath!</div><div><br /></div><div>I said goodbye to Andrew (who was busy the rest of the month finding all kinds of good birds in Portland and beyond) and started the journey south, which included a quick swipe through Basket Slough NWR that counted for my second unsuccessful trip for the Gyr.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I arrived at the Philomath Sewage Ponds, the word was not positive. Apparently the rare duck had not been seen for a couple hours. I didn't let the news get me down though, and instead focused my search on a different pond. Bam. The tuft wasn't fully developed, but it was still evident, and the rest of the plumage on the bird was simply immaculate. This was my third time encountering Tufted Duck in Benton in the last year!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sIUo-0Ali6hcwPZM5BH4rlsG-aKo-dNv0Athi0jvko9Zk3MFr0OTvGcRbN1D-vDNSH-reFPZwOd6XkTrDIQIGe9Uq3HebFxghPDvZ8YWcCMeVjgmTT_nlRpRHwgwyq4BSFoyOnJsIVI/s985/DSC_9002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="985" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sIUo-0Ali6hcwPZM5BH4rlsG-aKo-dNv0Athi0jvko9Zk3MFr0OTvGcRbN1D-vDNSH-reFPZwOd6XkTrDIQIGe9Uq3HebFxghPDvZ8YWcCMeVjgmTT_nlRpRHwgwyq4BSFoyOnJsIVI/w400-h266/DSC_9002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Tufted Duck</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Benton County, Oregon's TUDU magnet</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div>I had just enough time to squeeze one last bird out of the day: the Benton County Ferruginous Hawk was an easy pickup in the dying light on my way home. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtO7D4nx51XalsjkPYWuLlKUa_QuUPDMwFLjgsedmwWUjw24SAHeCK0pONT5mZYkiJun66x_ipYnpwANWOE9hVDMDvpa2yEyFlOzFEiI5GSog1TELuxiCByzkdUQfmCbh4Io6CrAKAp3g/s1944/DSC_9013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1944" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtO7D4nx51XalsjkPYWuLlKUa_QuUPDMwFLjgsedmwWUjw24SAHeCK0pONT5mZYkiJun66x_ipYnpwANWOE9hVDMDvpa2yEyFlOzFEiI5GSog1TELuxiCByzkdUQfmCbh4Io6CrAKAp3g/w400-h266/DSC_9013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ferruginous Hawk</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Benton County, my newest Oregon county with 150 species</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><b>January 10-15:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I stayed local over the next few days. The semester began here at Bushnell University, which meant that my full time work would now be accompanied by a class on the book of Psalms that I'm teaching as an adjunct. Though this makes the days busier, the energy I get from being in the classroom makes it a net positive for my overall wellbeing. Even with the challenges of being masked and socially distanced, getting to teach a small batch of students is an immense privilege.</div><div><br /></div><div>In my brief outings that week I picked up one of Tye Jeske's Short-eared Owls on Cantrell Road (which brought Mason's owl list to two), an American Dipper and Barrow's Goldeneye near Dexter, and a Redhead up on Meadowview Road.</div><div><br /></div><div>On January 14 my year list was up to 151. The 15th was the first day of the year that I didn't add a new species.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>January 16:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Circumstances worked out just right at the last minute for me to get to bird with Nolan Clements on the third Saturday of the month. Nolan is a spark of energy more effective than a shot of caffeine, though we did also have coffee in hand on this early morning outing. The annoyance of missing the Polk Gyrfalcon <i>again</i> was offset by the fact that we got looks at a Lapland Longspur along Livermore Road, and picked up a couple other nice county birds like <a href="https://ebird.org/pnw/checklist/S79337259" target="_blank">Say's Phoebe</a> and Eurasian Wigeon. From there we were off to the coast.</div><div><br /></div><div>The folks around us at Devil's Punchbowl were curious as to why we were exchanging high fives within out first thirty seconds of arriving. Rock Sandpipers are always a cause for celebration, particularly when they are the drive up variety. They can be quite tricky to track down, so we were quite relieved to see these two nestled in among a flock of Black Turnstones and Surfbirds. All three species are pictured here, poorly:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJAVZ304UcTFbYXJ4voPPd6PPhGP2pzSeIsccGdnHAATP9RUZxm6tOsOXCS2csfGlh5o7LzrcszBpnrGK-J9U3JxFCkbjf2wfIhHCn6c-BMTdJ2UEoCJ7vb6d61yyEo7SU0RJ6pW25Gs/s1588/DSC_9051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1588" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJAVZ304UcTFbYXJ4voPPd6PPhGP2pzSeIsccGdnHAATP9RUZxm6tOsOXCS2csfGlh5o7LzrcszBpnrGK-J9U3JxFCkbjf2wfIhHCn6c-BMTdJ2UEoCJ7vb6d61yyEo7SU0RJ6pW25Gs/w400-h266/DSC_9051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Rock Sandpiper, the rare drive-up subspecies</i></div><div><br /></div>The coast didn't offer up any great rarity this day, but the sun was out and temps climbed into the 50s on a day that felt nicer than some August weekends. And some above average birds were around for our enjoyment, like the obliging flock of Snow Buntings near the South Jetty in Newport:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZKLIb9zeYcryDabczr1XgCvBc54vsNRuL3UEBVxFOHFWqxA1TmvFLAc5KeQDXsTdo40iSWTWnqQVr1lX9HcpZYeBmOwn0VQjko5C1RWXpSKxqAPGMuuz1uJ4-onHILsgPSS8uqBgj-U/s2048/IMG_2476.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZKLIb9zeYcryDabczr1XgCvBc54vsNRuL3UEBVxFOHFWqxA1TmvFLAc5KeQDXsTdo40iSWTWnqQVr1lX9HcpZYeBmOwn0VQjko5C1RWXpSKxqAPGMuuz1uJ4-onHILsgPSS8uqBgj-U/s320/IMG_2476.HEIC" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Snow Bunting digiscope because I brilliantly left my camera in the car</i></div><div><br /></div><div>The wintering flock of Marbled Godwits and Whimbrel were close to the boardwalk at Hatfield. It felt like a good day to find a Palm Warbler, but we had no such luck.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkGLdsZlsnP0VVTPhEdff97gcTXE1EeHhsg_fSD_gvD1kGKpa3vZifo0s7HA6uG9WAx6GZj-ZtiD359A19dLHi2Q_vIR1KLtAgvCPkI0FpkhqCqtaBzJJnzHH7jsgBoiJNbsA-1DKSQo/s2048/DSC_9091.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkGLdsZlsnP0VVTPhEdff97gcTXE1EeHhsg_fSD_gvD1kGKpa3vZifo0s7HA6uG9WAx6GZj-ZtiD359A19dLHi2Q_vIR1KLtAgvCPkI0FpkhqCqtaBzJJnzHH7jsgBoiJNbsA-1DKSQo/w400-h266/DSC_9091.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Marbled Godwits and Whimbrel</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all it was an outstanding day that resulted in over a hundred species. And then, in keeping with the rest of January, news of another rare bird popped up before I even got home: a Mountain Plover in Lane.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>January 17:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The weather looked great the next day, so it was not difficult to talk the family into a beach day at Siltcoos. We climbed over the dune and settled in to a spot on the sand. I pointed my scope to the north and the first bird I saw was the Mountain Plover! It was a little too far for decent photos, so I picked up my scope to get closer, but before I got far it started flying south, landed right in front of me for a few seconds, then took off towards the mouth of the river, not to be seen for another a couple of hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was yet another of Daniel Farrar's great finds along this stretch of beach, and Lane County's first record for the species!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguznRN9DAsbNteJ7waaOQvq2Rp9czE7XrQfwdG3oaFSPMjshTmuYok9bFq5l2D3uAXceM8ZuzxhdbX8b1MqN1J_wXmZxaFGymc7hgcVsedoAh4wl1SIYqlDuRi8HAWJaNkX8ExT-U_0cM/s1846/DSC_9115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="1846" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguznRN9DAsbNteJ7waaOQvq2Rp9czE7XrQfwdG3oaFSPMjshTmuYok9bFq5l2D3uAXceM8ZuzxhdbX8b1MqN1J_wXmZxaFGymc7hgcVsedoAh4wl1SIYqlDuRi8HAWJaNkX8ExT-U_0cM/w400-h266/DSC_9115.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mountain Plover!!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNKhG6Ux5-NUoRoKWiZoJANyEQj6zY93wFgSQBOiDnqHC8jdUzmjtBU8zpSuZcrlY08lvMULPQTxYFAu27hEKQEvkCzbF6YEqk9NBfazdh1V8Z2pRwez71NzPugdTUSMDMqKKIp_G_iU/s2048/UkK3YgkqSj6cL3z7wXcwWg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNKhG6Ux5-NUoRoKWiZoJANyEQj6zY93wFgSQBOiDnqHC8jdUzmjtBU8zpSuZcrlY08lvMULPQTxYFAu27hEKQEvkCzbF6YEqk9NBfazdh1V8Z2pRwez71NzPugdTUSMDMqKKIp_G_iU/s320/UkK3YgkqSj6cL3z7wXcwWg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mason doing his best Sanderling impression while momma bird watches</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPaTaILWVV63j1FkSuvOCB6fJPlTKt5x2qWLiDxdHi_-R-EJvWkAzeFOlBkZqvAxv-k8WAMaELiNvSl3k3IjhEXcw8UwHME8UIHtVdfX4vsiyGkcaitHUp8LSl5ydVR7QeAZnw90UBoM/s2048/IMG_2599.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPaTaILWVV63j1FkSuvOCB6fJPlTKt5x2qWLiDxdHi_-R-EJvWkAzeFOlBkZqvAxv-k8WAMaELiNvSl3k3IjhEXcw8UwHME8UIHtVdfX4vsiyGkcaitHUp8LSl5ydVR7QeAZnw90UBoM/w240-h320/IMG_2599.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>post-plover / beach day happiness</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>January 18:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S79510222" target="_blank">Snow and Ross's Geese</a> cooperated along American Drive in Linn County, where the two year birds were also county ticks! The sheer number of birds here was staggering, one of those winter spectacles that the valley provides here and there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>January 20:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was getting ready to wrap up my work day and go pick up Mason from school when a text came through from Nolan:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtattGvS8Cw492RY4BCaFRT6qrm6DDgzgd2tFH_nz74OfEYDQF06iRGQPUHV-qqqx0lBKBNvACgY1qU7BWqnMthTFoXSK68hEzhjgA7tOjkiy86AAE-4j0kpROHqqeP2bJm6HVe3f84k/s820/fullsizeoutput_6786.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="820" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtattGvS8Cw492RY4BCaFRT6qrm6DDgzgd2tFH_nz74OfEYDQF06iRGQPUHV-qqqx0lBKBNvACgY1qU7BWqnMthTFoXSK68hEzhjgA7tOjkiy86AAE-4j0kpROHqqeP2bJm6HVe3f84k/s320/fullsizeoutput_6786.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Some very big news had come through in the twenty minutes since I had last checked OBOL and WhatsApp, and it required immediate attention. I grabbed a couple extra snacks for little man, picked him up, and hit I-5 headed north. 45 minutes later we showed up and Nolan had the bird in the scope. It was rather distant and insisted on not coming any closer, but a male Vermillion is always a sight to behold!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7kGjFUxfYlmSTk7asSjubO0bCD3RgKu6XKiD-JKpj8UwpVRO574mAgJsCJSKdLZwYIMB6BtdeUgruvFZevVtqV8Ss0BSwttYcSs-r5dwIE2T1YpKBWkxqRzAWhVakx91p1Zjpwih37w/s685/DSC_9172.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="685" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7kGjFUxfYlmSTk7asSjubO0bCD3RgKu6XKiD-JKpj8UwpVRO574mAgJsCJSKdLZwYIMB6BtdeUgruvFZevVtqV8Ss0BSwttYcSs-r5dwIE2T1YpKBWkxqRzAWhVakx91p1Zjpwih37w/w400-h268/DSC_9172.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Vermillion Flycatcher!</i></div><div><br /></div>Mason, however, was more impressed with the puddles and the quantity of rocks at his disposal. We stayed for another 45 minutes and played on this random rural road in Linn County. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLf9zGDF44WONYfkq69cj47GxjIpHH57aSX9nRhd3lPuwwKLk-mCs49xII3yYHS4ErUoDGrGP-KAd1LsWlG41qMqyzvaZ0SLVHayyM-sIcSds2A-sSgoDBPUVETfS-3iKzsDXAGRaeihA/s2048/6uZwZL71QxOsJYItwJV32A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLf9zGDF44WONYfkq69cj47GxjIpHH57aSX9nRhd3lPuwwKLk-mCs49xII3yYHS4ErUoDGrGP-KAd1LsWlG41qMqyzvaZ0SLVHayyM-sIcSds2A-sSgoDBPUVETfS-3iKzsDXAGRaeihA/w400-h300/6uZwZL71QxOsJYItwJV32A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><b>January 24:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Another weekend, another early departure. I left at 4:30 and picked Nolan up in Florence by 5:30. On our way down 101 we pondered Big Day strategy for later in the year while waiting for the morning's coffee to kick in, and before we knew it we were in Coos Bay picking up 2018 ABA Big Year birder, Nicole Koeltzow.</div><div><br /></div><div>At our first stop a River Otter poked its head out of the water a few times to look at us and make a sound that indicated it was making fun of us, or that it wanted us to leave. It was quite humorous, though our sleep-deprived selves were probably not the best judge of true comedy that early in the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>The southern terminus of our route for the day was the Winchuck River Mouth, just a stone's throw from the California border. Remarkably, we were there by 9:00 am. We arrived to a steady drizzle, ready to walk the streets of Winchuck for a few hours if we needed to. Fifteen minutes later we were watching our target bird on the feeder:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqvkEDu11M7rjF05mPI2G-Jn7RRR0I6b20DZd5GqOqfrHgX_hHexLaGgYi6ujOCPZpPkrtHUQnnH3kXaapFNZgHsAOMKya6HkoRSdxb8TBG83nqe5y307IHoJ1OLJcKyLfvu6KNWBS8E/s1761/DSC_9201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1761" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqvkEDu11M7rjF05mPI2G-Jn7RRR0I6b20DZd5GqOqfrHgX_hHexLaGgYi6ujOCPZpPkrtHUQnnH3kXaapFNZgHsAOMKya6HkoRSdxb8TBG83nqe5y307IHoJ1OLJcKyLfvu6KNWBS8E/w400-h266/DSC_9201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Costa's Hummingbird!!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Curry County</i></div><div><br /></div><div>We <a href="https://ebird.org/pnw/checklist/S79832385" target="_blank">lingered</a> in the neighborhood for a while and found a Sharp-shinned Hawk, a couple White-throated Sparrows, a pair of Peregrine Falcons, and a mind-blowing 45+ Anna's Hummingbirds. None of us had seen anything like it before!</div><div><br /></div>The rest of the day was quite the adventure. It rained off and on the entire time, but we still snagged the continuing <a href="https://ebird.org/pnw/checklist/S79840307" target="_blank">Northern Mockingbird</a> for Curry County. We came upon a parking lot full of blackbirds and gulls in Bandon, and the moment we pulled off the road Nolan and I let out a synchronized "WHOA!" In the midst of the gull wad was the bird we had been talking about much of the day: a Glaucous Gull!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLfPvhGcOHQfhMmGO3pz2Tfl44DevWjECc-8yGChdp5rePKmuCz7L44YGY7B7kiNukLuoGJ6Y33QIPReK0afKv-m8NU5tT9ZLYv2Cbn0uaossDtiJpxInz2u0YwY3mMz4LVjJN2XR5ag/s2048/DSC_9232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLfPvhGcOHQfhMmGO3pz2Tfl44DevWjECc-8yGChdp5rePKmuCz7L44YGY7B7kiNukLuoGJ6Y33QIPReK0afKv-m8NU5tT9ZLYv2Cbn0uaossDtiJpxInz2u0YwY3mMz4LVjJN2XR5ag/w400-h266/DSC_9232.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>yelp-warranting Glaucous Gull</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Coos County</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Our last major stop made for a crazy cap on an already memorable adventure. The Coquille North Jetty greeted us with wind gusts howling in excess of 50 mph. We scoped from the base of the jetty, where Nolan picked out the wintering Wandering Tattler. My eyes watered up instantaneously in the wind, making it nearly impossible to see through the scope, so I decided we should try to walk out the jetty. Unlike most jetties, this one actually has a concrete "path" poured down the center of it, which is why I was not paying as careful attention as I should have. I slipped while scanning with my binoculars and thankfully caught myself quickly instead of going full Kenn Kaufmann to end the day. The walk out there proved more than worth it as we all had great views of the Wandering Tattler, my twentieth shorebird of the month!</div><div><br /></div><div>On the way back to solid ground the hail began to fly. This was no small annoyance given the wind gusts hurling it our way, pelting our faces like little pin pricks. When we made it back to the car I realized my car keys had been in my unzipped jacket pocket when I fell. Thankfully, miraculously, they were still there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once out of the hail and under the cover of the car for which I still had keys, Nicole broke out the celebratory chocolate bar, and on the drive home we reveled in the joys of one long, wild day of birding.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>January 28:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>We were four weeks in to the new year and I was tired of not having a Gyrfalcon on my list. After getting some work done early in morning I used a few personal hours to go give the Polk County bird a solid effort. The time invested paid off, as I was treated to some of the best views I've ever had of this glorious species. I watched it at close range for about a minute, then it turned its attention to the flock of Cackling Geese in a nearby field. The falcon dropped off the pole and flew just a few feet off the ground, covering about a quarter mile in a matter of seconds. It crested a rise in the field then disappeared. Moments later the flock of Cacklers exploded into the sky. The Gyr didn't snag one this time, but the blood stains on its feathers indicated it hadn't been too long since its previous meal. It's obviously eating well in this area this winter. Though it wasn't successful on this chase I still got an absolute thrill out of watching this incredible predator at work.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz97PDTPWStQSFHBXCdqQHMFvxdDlw8HaIy1wm4Avu6zS_f5ho3TS9TTqffcx3upeL-tYlX1NczI0v-GtIAoaNiKFIw2dy2MwGhkXW_mBib-sAWj1jj4mut5BXpw7JMlT7VppUst5OD0/s2048/DSC_9316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz97PDTPWStQSFHBXCdqQHMFvxdDlw8HaIy1wm4Avu6zS_f5ho3TS9TTqffcx3upeL-tYlX1NczI0v-GtIAoaNiKFIw2dy2MwGhkXW_mBib-sAWj1jj4mut5BXpw7JMlT7VppUst5OD0/w400-h266/DSC_9316.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPABDtQ754Xqj74FPWLA9tnRxg-ZyaepPeYhGW6P65ojYQgxQL_SiX_pzq-kQ0aGtgHPTOG9r9LbaNZZ7n25WnglQlKcGciuEEUDZba6vRg0fueRorfkcCVKCR1zno-WkeVCZ-DQ0O04/s2048/DSC_9322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPABDtQ754Xqj74FPWLA9tnRxg-ZyaepPeYhGW6P65ojYQgxQL_SiX_pzq-kQ0aGtgHPTOG9r9LbaNZZ7n25WnglQlKcGciuEEUDZba6vRg0fueRorfkcCVKCR1zno-WkeVCZ-DQ0O04/w400-h266/DSC_9322.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-HAhaRFUJPIrLIY2HxfB4RGlGI0xT9L6MVjB5iIdXPbOZMI6mHR0SI2JCkeo2Altn7QI7JpHmpeXZs4VmFiTYZKVMnFFM3ov_e1whZVyV8tS6d9OQsnYPgXbdNUKCfYOusCBwNY7XP4/s1815/DSC_9328.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1815" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-HAhaRFUJPIrLIY2HxfB4RGlGI0xT9L6MVjB5iIdXPbOZMI6mHR0SI2JCkeo2Altn7QI7JpHmpeXZs4VmFiTYZKVMnFFM3ov_e1whZVyV8tS6d9OQsnYPgXbdNUKCfYOusCBwNY7XP4/w400-h266/DSC_9328.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jQeS0ndEdeQl-dW0yBWCC4obO7ccYLNq5RzSkFgaLELkAAQY0v2czQhhcclcWctYRgKa0r0rTP0XoQl28kIV596B_Xb_vtTSyxvhFYTrKBPFRaENX3XmZ2XnP9q0SJ9QXsQyvs_BdGc/s2048/DSC_9330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jQeS0ndEdeQl-dW0yBWCC4obO7ccYLNq5RzSkFgaLELkAAQY0v2czQhhcclcWctYRgKa0r0rTP0XoQl28kIV596B_Xb_vtTSyxvhFYTrKBPFRaENX3XmZ2XnP9q0SJ9QXsQyvs_BdGc/w400-h266/DSC_9330.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Gyrfalcon at work</i></div><div><br /></div><b>January 29:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>A Pygmy Nuthatch in Eugene caused quite the excitement among Lane birders over the last few days of January. This is an extremely rare bird in the county and one I never really anticipated seeing in Western Oregon. After I picked up Mason from school we made our way over to the local park where it was hanging out. It took just a few minutes to find this big time bird with the little name.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmP6_U8TeQlmnyQqfInR6orsCHRYm-YVFaiAr5-amOj4fbv0dV70ASos8LXjnreRxxnKqmYoQa1p__K2zpaMgc7pyH4KmdYaTGiuM7lxbUpcNYQb95c0v3oYrC3VtqoKqVRvX1CdCK-04/s2048/DSC_9379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmP6_U8TeQlmnyQqfInR6orsCHRYm-YVFaiAr5-amOj4fbv0dV70ASos8LXjnreRxxnKqmYoQa1p__K2zpaMgc7pyH4KmdYaTGiuM7lxbUpcNYQb95c0v3oYrC3VtqoKqVRvX1CdCK-04/w400-h266/DSC_9379.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pygmy Nuthatch</i></div><div><br /></div><b>January 30:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I don't quite have words for this day just yet. Nolan and I birded Lincoln County all morning to see if the week's odd offshore winds blew in anything of note. The winds this day stayed mostly from the south, and while the birding was quality all day we found only the usual suspects. In the early afternoon we wrapped up our birding in Newport and I decided to get back home a little earlier than expected.</div><div><br /></div><div>And a half hour later Nolan found a Ross's Gull with Idaho birder Carter Strope. By the time I made it back to Newport the one minute wonder was long gone, though a group of us searched the area for the next couple hours. I was rattled. I drove home with a pit in my stomach, trying to process the most gut wrenching moment that birding has ever dealt me. It was a brutal experience on my end, but that's just the way birding goes sometimes. After the month of rarities I'd just enjoyed, I was in no place to complain. On to the next.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, the legend of Nolan Clements grows. Just a few months after finding an Oriental Greenfinch he adds to his MEGA streak with a fleeting Ross's Gull. I think I'll keep birding with that guy.</div><div><br /></div><div>***</div><div><br /></div><div>The more I look at the numbers, the more amazed I become at just how wild January 2021 was. I saw 185 species without setting foot in Eastern Oregon a single time. With a total like that I've started wondering just where this year may be heading. Last Summer I started plotting out an Oregon year that could net 350 species and so land among the top ten all time Oregon Big Year results. By the time December rolled around I had talked myself out of trying it in 2021. But after this month I'm back following that plan, and I think 350 sounds a little tame.</div><div><br /></div><div>On to the next.<p><br /></p></div>Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-33793422973529075072020-05-02T21:41:00.000-07:002020-05-04T07:37:56.105-07:00The Habit of Birding the Five Mile Radius<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7RffxCGSWazoNtj4nukfQhaiA-E5HHluVDHmNye8KTQ1AJ48dVlH6eizi0sn3UoovnXRZhzgQtOTbkZk936797-LHKMQAkvKQyxUDLngnE6t_XR8gv9g-SCKiwr58Sz11dYfwRCszIQ/s1600/DSC_3828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7RffxCGSWazoNtj4nukfQhaiA-E5HHluVDHmNye8KTQ1AJ48dVlH6eizi0sn3UoovnXRZhzgQtOTbkZk936797-LHKMQAkvKQyxUDLngnE6t_XR8gv9g-SCKiwr58Sz11dYfwRCszIQ/s400/DSC_3828.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Dark-eyed Junco singing its head off at sunrise</i></div>
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<b>What Birding Does For Us</b><br />
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Birding is seen by many as a diversion from normal life, and I assume most birders would attest to this on some level. There's something about basking in a forest alive with song or sifting through a mudflat of <i>calidrids </i>that allows the rest of life to simply fall away for a moment. If my mind is occupied by the stunning color of a Lazuli Bunting or consumed with sorting out the identity of a migrant <i>empidonax</i>, then it is not distracted by an ever-filling email inbox or the finer points of a grocery list that complies with my oddly-timed Whole30 decision. If my body is on an observation platform overlooking a marsh, then it is not in my chair at work. Conditions in the field can be woefully uncomfortable yet infinitely more peaceful than the stressful situation awaiting back at work or home. Birders know diversion well. That part will always be there.<br />
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But there is much more to this silly hobby. A restorative effect is in play much of the time. The endless song of a Pacific Wren has a way of putting me back together every time I hear it, often in a way I didn't even know I needed. The thrill of finding a rarity or simple pleasure in the beauty of a common species can carry all the satisfaction of nestling the final piece of a puzzle into place. It's the deep breath that brings the heart and mind back to center. And with this needed exhale comes the power to get back to the demands of life. Some take to the woods and mean never to return, but I think most of us do so precisely because we know we must return, and we want to come back as whole persons.<br />
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Yet beyond diversion and restoration I find birding functioning on another plane. I often think of it as a sort of metonymy for real life, everyday life. With its joys and disappointments and seasons and gambles and overwhelming call for sustained attention, surely birding is simply practice for the rest of our lives. Birding—and any attentive engagement with the natural world, for that matter—isn't an escape from real life, but a return to it, participation in it.<br />
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I've been thinking more about these things lately because current circumstances are keeping me closer to home, and birding has been an important focal practice for me in this season. Thankfully, my closer-to-home birding habits were already in the works before this time of restricted travel was forced upon us. They've taken on a new life in the midst of the pandemic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsEpnuWu14zg7NvWKeG5sL5TCTcPa1op05WRPSGfqg842Qql-Pw0RBh-Ivxp0gEZSBxeuLOvidRG9BE9Ae7YCRS4L0pHjO8kyseOw2HXnLGoYElamB8IK0yDwLHfT3sTlUoMP6KjFToU/s1600/DSC_3913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsEpnuWu14zg7NvWKeG5sL5TCTcPa1op05WRPSGfqg842Qql-Pw0RBh-Ivxp0gEZSBxeuLOvidRG9BE9Ae7YCRS4L0pHjO8kyseOw2HXnLGoYElamB8IK0yDwLHfT3sTlUoMP6KjFToU/s400/DSC_3913.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>One of the bazillion Orange-crowned Warblers seen in April</i></div>
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<b>Birding Locally in a Time of Coronavirus</b><br />
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Last year Jen Sanford's <a href="http://www.iusedtohatebirds.com/p/vancouver-5mr.html">Five Mile Radius</a> movement bounded onto the birding scene and caught the attention of many. The rules are simple: draw a five mile radius around your home, then go find all the birds in that circle. Instead of devoting time to chasing rarities and building state lists, save a few tanks of gas and see what shows up right in your own backyard. I was a fourteen-month-old dad when I learned about the idea, so I jumped at the opportunity to give my birding efforts a more local flavor. The Five Mile Radius (5MR the rest of this post) shaped the way a large group of birders approached their birding in 2019.<br />
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No one had a clue how much we'd need it in 2020.<br />
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In January we were hearing the word <i>coronavirus </i>for the first time here in the states. In February it mostly felt like someone else's problem. In early March we were told it would magically disappear like a miracle, but instead it made its way to U.S. soil. We did our collective best to downplay the whole issue, but on March 11 the NBA took decisive action by suspending its regular season, and our sports-worshipping country finally decided to take the matter seriously. Within a couple weeks governors across the country, including Oregon's Kate Brown, issued some version of a Stay at Home order, and everything came to a sudden halt. The shock to the system was real, but it paled in comparison to the suffering that was already piling up around the globe.<br />
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For the safety of others, we're all mostly staying home most of the time. Other than getting out for groceries or other essential services, the one thing we're allowed to do still is get out for a walk or some exercise. And any trip out and about must comply with social distancing parameters. As an introvert and a birder, I feel more than adequately equipped to take these restrictions in stride.<br />
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Enter April, 2020, our first full calendar month on lockdown. With so much up in the air I didn't dare concoct plans of any sort, especially those of the birding variety. Instead, I stayed more local than I ever have for a full month. I did not set foot outside my 5MR at all in April, and the result was one of the most rewarding months of birding I've ever experienced.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsom65GXjlaYkgZ3BEIH_zWJMzIBAIogzjmuYpI2Qj8d2saHail-pDXkuBoarTkarNCedJssZpgKD5R3xREaVa3ChaEp77dRApWdutH4e7iuRVtS1d8LsOnsJxIJuVzEiFelzQf6EcQ3U/s1600/DSC_4279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsom65GXjlaYkgZ3BEIH_zWJMzIBAIogzjmuYpI2Qj8d2saHail-pDXkuBoarTkarNCedJssZpgKD5R3xREaVa3ChaEp77dRApWdutH4e7iuRVtS1d8LsOnsJxIJuVzEiFelzQf6EcQ3U/s400/DSC_4279.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Golden-crowned Sparrows are looking soooo fine in April</i></div>
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<b>The Birds</b><br />
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The fun kickstarted the first weekend of the month with a long overdue 5MR lifer <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S66623629">Northern Harrier</a> hunting over my favorite local spot, Stewart Pond. But the best find of that weekend, and probably the whole month, came while I was on a run. One of the main drawbacks to running (other than the part where you're putting one foot in front of the other for miles at a time) is that it makes birding quite difficult. Still, I like to pay attention to what I see and hear, and I often keep a list of birds I can identify while pitter-pattering along.<br />
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On Sunday, April 5, I was running my normal route along Pre's Trail through Alton Baker Park when I came upon a cedar full of passerines that were losing their minds. Chickadees and kinglets and warblers and bushtits were all adding to the cacophony, and I knew something was up. I stopped the tracker on my watch and slowly tiptoed under the tree, hoping I could find the source of the agitation. Sure enough, an owl was sitting quietly and trying to ignore the noise, but it was not the one I was expecting—a Northern Saw-whet Owl was staring back at me!<br />
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I was elated. Any owl seen during the day is grounds for celebration, but a Saw-whet is a rare treat. Plus, this was a county lifer for me, and of course, and lifer for the 5MR.<br />
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But I had a problem. With no phone on me, I didn't have a way of snapping even a poor photo of the bird, or any means of getting the word out about the owl. So I ran home faster than usual, picked up my phone and my gear, and called John Sullivan on my drive to the parking lot closest to the bird. Thankfully the bird was still there when I got back. I spent a while enjoying it from a safe distance, which is far more than six feet when it comes to owls. Over the course of the day dozens of birders got to see it, and I'm grateful so many got to share in the joy of this little floof.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RTVtRHUbn7GKGy-8KbI4iV9BSePD_dA1IUC3cIRLbl7TYFgYpEjW0bgy8lktG8Hs-sA0B0uqHVdTTXBIx9PjDgj0qIh0RWVKXYnAWpJHOLsAfgRMbgfoKZl-XXXo5ewOOIG5K_5rOg4/s1600/DSC_3800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RTVtRHUbn7GKGy-8KbI4iV9BSePD_dA1IUC3cIRLbl7TYFgYpEjW0bgy8lktG8Hs-sA0B0uqHVdTTXBIx9PjDgj0qIh0RWVKXYnAWpJHOLsAfgRMbgfoKZl-XXXo5ewOOIG5K_5rOg4/s400/DSC_3800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Northern Saw-whet Owl</i></div>
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<i>Alton Baker Park</i></div>
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The following Friday I hiked to the highest point in my radius at sunrise and was met with a deluge of delights. A Spencer's Butte sunrise is a must-have experience for any Eugene resident, in my opinion. I can never get over the wisps of early morning fog separating the endless layers of foothills and mountains.<br />
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<i>Sunrise at Spencer's Butte</i></div>
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Once I arrived at the summit I took a seat and planned to watch the scene unfold. Almost immediately the "qwerk!" of a Mountain Quail burst out just below me! I had Mountain Quail up here twice last year, but I only heard them. This one stepped out into the open for a few moments, which was just the third time I've ever seen one of these secretive little birds. I had to make do with my scenery lens, so the photo is awful, but I still managed to capture the bird in its quintessential habitat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pcXkdbzq0agmq0PALywUUVPvV8vvWm6VdBNznSwI5yPKtsRBVBe7g5cMouINkdbEMEKBCoR2eDUcDnZE8VmrrsdthUtUic7ZscsXnExonPNdLNwyKifkD92UoE4VRC5x5NaV8mHqVzI/s1600/DSC_3839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1166" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pcXkdbzq0agmq0PALywUUVPvV8vvWm6VdBNznSwI5yPKtsRBVBe7g5cMouINkdbEMEKBCoR2eDUcDnZE8VmrrsdthUtUic7ZscsXnExonPNdLNwyKifkD92UoE4VRC5x5NaV8mHqVzI/s400/DSC_3839.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Mountain Quail</i></div>
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<i>If you can't see it that's fine</i></div>
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As the quail scurried off into the bushes, a bird flitted up into the tree right in front of me. It was backlit so all I could make out was a silhouette, but I knew what it was right away: my 5MR lifer Townsend's Solitaire! And as I watched, another one joined it!</div>
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<i>Townsend's Solitaire</i></div>
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<i>Spencer's Butte</i></div>
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Solitaires have been around Eugene this year in irregularly high numbers, and several were found within my radius, but I never had the time to track one down. It was so satisfying to find my own on this beautiful morning. While I watched the pair and listened to the Mountain Quail call, a Northern Pygmy-Owl joined the fun and called for the next twenty minutes! You can see and hear the fun on my <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S66921540">eBird checklist</a>.<br />
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The good times continued that morning with another 5MR lifer, this time a new shorebird: Dunlin! I had a brief flyover at the Tsanchiifin Walk, then a whole flock at <a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S66927015">Danebo Pond</a>. Amazingly, I would end up encountering them seven times over the course of the month after having never seen one in my radius.<br />
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One key to birding the 5MR well is repetition, habit. Find the areas that are likely to produce good birds, then check them relentlessly. This is the best way to find rarities, of course, but it's also the perfect way to get in touch with subtle shifts that happen from day to day. Migration in western Oregon has a dramatically different feel than it does in the midwest. Instead of concentrated waves hitting in short periods, it's a slow burn basically all the way from mid-February to early June. Getting baptized in a shower of warblers on the Chicago lakefront will always be something I miss about my days in the midwest, but the incremental changes we get to observe here have won me over.<br />
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For instance, for a couple of weeks in April Stewart Pond was positively stuffed with Lincoln's Sparrows. They winter here, and a decent number actually breed in the county up on the western slope of the Cascades, but I never tire of seeing them. Just look at the intricate detail on this bird.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5yr99wGiCQOptbnZ8hEGL50PewrpYnsOk7p1h6DEYuAvaJ3VJ39Ed4_gXx8Ck45-c066U1r0L-lmNQOTsaJ_ixOm7QKnwfUL_H9Jhd3k9-VSKXC424xkJtWzU5g7XiPa4OmgU2dHxbs/s1600/DSC_3926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5yr99wGiCQOptbnZ8hEGL50PewrpYnsOk7p1h6DEYuAvaJ3VJ39Ed4_gXx8Ck45-c066U1r0L-lmNQOTsaJ_ixOm7QKnwfUL_H9Jhd3k9-VSKXC424xkJtWzU5g7XiPa4OmgU2dHxbs/s400/DSC_3926.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Lincoln's Sparrow, with a supercilium matching the background for style points</i></div>
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<i>Stewart Pond</i></div>
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Speaking of birds matching their background, check out this nearby Western Bluebird!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC5nhhJXwtDN7pN9LFRp0IoT8rOOOc5JPJZcIeZM-qkvszfe864w3gEXe6fcs3bQou7XOcOjfxw3GsAYt8CoDV6vX2gAYwWCcL2VfqfkYGQNlzZgDdSSWp_lsG-gvSNosBT3GoKhYfQw/s1600/DSC_3960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC5nhhJXwtDN7pN9LFRp0IoT8rOOOc5JPJZcIeZM-qkvszfe864w3gEXe6fcs3bQou7XOcOjfxw3GsAYt8CoDV6vX2gAYwWCcL2VfqfkYGQNlzZgDdSSWp_lsG-gvSNosBT3GoKhYfQw/s400/DSC_3960.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Someone once asked me why they're called bluebirds if they have orange on the chest</i></div>
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<i>I don't know how to help these kinds of people</i></div>
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The Stewart Pond + Bertlesen Nature Park complex is the one that I check most frequently. For much of the Winter and Spring, a female Cinnamon Teal moved between the ponds in this area—though it usually preferred not to be photographed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nPYF3KN_BRa6NucFGoDOQPYrtXeEU45VB9c_ll_wAv6qownHwkenhZPrg0AKFYA6JEtWojB6wqfgkpN2u4kLfZh8c4XK6wGgsCniGYPgY5DLcx5850vui4lML9fs5pZnoGFnRUdDIr4/s1600/DSC_3938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1343" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nPYF3KN_BRa6NucFGoDOQPYrtXeEU45VB9c_ll_wAv6qownHwkenhZPrg0AKFYA6JEtWojB6wqfgkpN2u4kLfZh8c4XK6wGgsCniGYPgY5DLcx5850vui4lML9fs5pZnoGFnRUdDIr4/s400/DSC_3938.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Cinnamon Teal accidentally hanging out in the open</i></div>
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<i>Bertelsen Nature Park</i></div>
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This <span style="text-align: center;">Golden-crowned Sparrow was begging for a spot on the blog by showing its crown and finding some pretty flowers for the pose. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVz7122VkmlPGL-ByRhDisVqwJO4lzWXUwf2NQx-pW08Jo5zzC7JWQGXJs3lW73UQjCuOh-qgsHUjqWuMkWohVAwc1Lj-qz3fX1fap3husmwzPpoQ5yONN6MRGDdh0XwaAFB8v8Db0ILI/s1600/DSC_4039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVz7122VkmlPGL-ByRhDisVqwJO4lzWXUwf2NQx-pW08Jo5zzC7JWQGXJs3lW73UQjCuOh-qgsHUjqWuMkWohVAwc1Lj-qz3fX1fap3husmwzPpoQ5yONN6MRGDdh0XwaAFB8v8Db0ILI/s400/DSC_4039.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>If you don't like the flowers + birds combos of Spring, I don't know how to help you either</i></div>
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<i>Bertelsen Nature Park</i></div>
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The following weekend started with a bang as I bagged another Lane County lifer in the 5MR. There's a little collection of ponds at the western extremity of my radius, and I like to swing by when I'm in the area because one day there will be an ibis there, I'm sure of it. Usually there's a Great-blue Heron, and Greater Yellowlegs frequent the spot. Both of those birds were present when I pulled up on April 18, but as I rolled my window down something else caught my attention. From the field on the other side of the ponds came a few piercing high notes followed by a unique, garbled song—VESPER SPARROW! I scrambled around the ponds and spent the next half hour chasing down three of them as they flew from bush to bush. This was a full blown county nemesis for me. I assumed I'd finally track one down in a hedge row one of these Falls, but finding three together, with one singing away—and in my radius no less—was so much more rewarding.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PnoS9UvEBJhNKaoG0LdKei_IKwi82vSe9AhM8Ak2nS72ErnBnGgj5Qq-L7dehKPwcJiFBgkJuDZvX0C6sOz1xxc2wkcDWYYQIG6Cu7tLMaf2HQtCghDiupRnDQP3RO4E7I0Vfsk_Dik/s1600/DSC_4136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PnoS9UvEBJhNKaoG0LdKei_IKwi82vSe9AhM8Ak2nS72ErnBnGgj5Qq-L7dehKPwcJiFBgkJuDZvX0C6sOz1xxc2wkcDWYYQIG6Cu7tLMaf2HQtCghDiupRnDQP3RO4E7I0Vfsk_Dik/s400/DSC_4136.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Vesper Sparrow practicing for his on-territory days</i></div>
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<i>Balboa Park</i></div>
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It was a close call for the 5MR list:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEybPMs6koANmA3B7lSLuGZXARQtZJJuA7l-5T9tLkDJ7D0IvRXd9BdT0wAawIRgs7V5pu63CF7c8B8ZwP8YW4Mzz6p3fv7xm54NFSmfvj59fMu1IVn9z2D8M9IvLuA5uA0F8BEmn-Jo/s1600/IMG_9859.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEybPMs6koANmA3B7lSLuGZXARQtZJJuA7l-5T9tLkDJ7D0IvRXd9BdT0wAawIRgs7V5pu63CF7c8B8ZwP8YW4Mzz6p3fv7xm54NFSmfvj59fMu1IVn9z2D8M9IvLuA5uA0F8BEmn-Jo/s320/IMG_9859.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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<i>The blue dot is me, looking at Vesper Sparrows</i></div>
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<i>Everything to the left of the red line is non-5MR land</i></div>
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On the way home it was back to Stewart Pond for my first Solitary Sandpiper of the year. This is one of the most reliable places in the county for this tricky Spring migrant. Can you think of a better name for a social distancing species than SOLITARY Sandpiper? This is false advertising though. There were two at the pond.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiats0hPpvjxDMuv2AhXUz9zkz7kEojzNvdaXFBoMFD6PRITl9RE5IoiFpEf6SWq-dsfvU2VpJQpaXP4EiANl3KXstE0sp4wev9fLUsYbVZKMgY36qYvnkkwqYNtpfqG36st5AtxFQmgYw/s1600/DSC_4176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiats0hPpvjxDMuv2AhXUz9zkz7kEojzNvdaXFBoMFD6PRITl9RE5IoiFpEf6SWq-dsfvU2VpJQpaXP4EiANl3KXstE0sp4wev9fLUsYbVZKMgY36qYvnkkwqYNtpfqG36st5AtxFQmgYw/s400/DSC_4176.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Solitary Sandpiper, but close to another one, thus betraying its name</i></div>
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<i>Stewart Pond</i></div>
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While repetition is an essential component of the equation, exploration is another. Nearly five years into living in Eugene, I feel like I'm barely scratching the surface of the potential birding areas near me. I currently have 58 locations that I have birded at least once within five miles of home, and I added five of those in April alone. One place that I visited only once last year was Melvin Miller City Park. I returned on April 19 and was treated to a close encounter with a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers, which are far easier to hear than they are to see.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovK4mgYXlfJqupV6vZdEKqrpgZ2G-fXCP8gMp5BYU9tTQXod7MGj1KCJ8ociBOp61efQTE9eV9YBCBtTpA4UTBS75unjQbZi-muHgxuZihYxMvOk2fm_pP14mrjIBmhkb7CMbYBDT-eI/s1600/DSC_4310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovK4mgYXlfJqupV6vZdEKqrpgZ2G-fXCP8gMp5BYU9tTQXod7MGj1KCJ8ociBOp61efQTE9eV9YBCBtTpA4UTBS75unjQbZi-muHgxuZihYxMvOk2fm_pP14mrjIBmhkb7CMbYBDT-eI/s400/DSC_4310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrtumThwmwNovErvQeqMc4aO_4pd1uXfSAPprWJ_EDiVmlZ5W6DEVVyqwLx9dj8QkRx5hRDUYXu9faFLkmw7XnhNJm2izjYKjVe4RsnTwy2ZCE5SDcaw_1HDVh6hSB3cSYMsYd6KBSxM/s1600/DSC_4331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrtumThwmwNovErvQeqMc4aO_4pd1uXfSAPprWJ_EDiVmlZ5W6DEVVyqwLx9dj8QkRx5hRDUYXu9faFLkmw7XnhNJm2izjYKjVe4RsnTwy2ZCE5SDcaw_1HDVh6hSB3cSYMsYd6KBSxM/s400/DSC_4331.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/O_BiEkfuJro/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O_BiEkfuJro?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<i>Pileated Woodpeckers are the size of a crow, and very loud</i></div>
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<i>Melvin Miller City Park</i></div>
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That same day Vjera Thompson made an incredible find for Eugene: a Red-naped Sapsucker! Thankfully it stuck around long enough for me to add this third county lifer in the 5MR in April!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9K6uHmR6CXPvHChFixMN3Lp5vxMXviwB5SRrApdeGdW95JXxSDt6sw2NCbQ6mfeRWuY1ZsrT5yX4yk0iYlzyWCbVNM_aSzeAG6LESzwIK6F_sHXfbbC_Ogrropl9G5kiL9wYYoLYsOQ/s1600/DSC_4503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9K6uHmR6CXPvHChFixMN3Lp5vxMXviwB5SRrApdeGdW95JXxSDt6sw2NCbQ6mfeRWuY1ZsrT5yX4yk0iYlzyWCbVNM_aSzeAG6LESzwIK6F_sHXfbbC_Ogrropl9G5kiL9wYYoLYsOQ/s400/DSC_4503.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Red-naped Sapsucker, kind enough to lack signs of hybridization</i></div>
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<i>Mulkey Cemetery</i></div>
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On April 20th my 5MR year list stood at 135. I made it my goal to hit 150 by the end of the month. Here's a few of the highlights from the last ten days:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWCVCpQsEs91ZLwbkJe3AKWU1w46UrNhhKicW9O7h4QKLkWTesLmnrDHpmjjdSUOsTP8QDKQMpEwYxOP0Ac5okSCN6-IiS6sNPP2vVb_bT1jivWGD9OjTAQlreQcrPZGK0frvEZO8SPk/s1600/DSC_4454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWCVCpQsEs91ZLwbkJe3AKWU1w46UrNhhKicW9O7h4QKLkWTesLmnrDHpmjjdSUOsTP8QDKQMpEwYxOP0Ac5okSCN6-IiS6sNPP2vVb_bT1jivWGD9OjTAQlreQcrPZGK0frvEZO8SPk/s400/DSC_4454.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Not new, but a nice male Cinnamon Teal and another Solitary Sandpiper</i></div>
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<i>that won't live up to its name (also a Green-winged Teal in between)</i></div>
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<i>Bertelsen Nature Park</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dspSkzepkep2nfFy6244yTrcTzzXh1LWszVO-xudWxY-WvUoR1MTnnF9dUbfWbih-Jv_Xy7gBa8MnjRxX7nSFynT1GtQg4KE8equ1ddjAbyR4lGtCya9brE8aJC0kVIHBa9shiqHgx4/s1600/DSC_4508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1430" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dspSkzepkep2nfFy6244yTrcTzzXh1LWszVO-xudWxY-WvUoR1MTnnF9dUbfWbih-Jv_Xy7gBa8MnjRxX7nSFynT1GtQg4KE8equ1ddjAbyR4lGtCya9brE8aJC0kVIHBa9shiqHgx4/s400/DSC_4508.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Western Kingbirds have been coming through in droves this year!</i></div>
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<i>Skinner Butte</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv5k-mgv0cN-KJPoT-i3_0BoQeoT7J0g-Pye02D5oO3nUqKYab3zvEg5l8vqvqYVTjjVOxfhTyQz8NrO-WpHBB-b3TsjIeIyYMWnbmw50UmySua60i1smQgTzN1P5-PzgIyJYaHVcYbo/s1600/DSC_4582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv5k-mgv0cN-KJPoT-i3_0BoQeoT7J0g-Pye02D5oO3nUqKYab3zvEg5l8vqvqYVTjjVOxfhTyQz8NrO-WpHBB-b3TsjIeIyYMWnbmw50UmySua60i1smQgTzN1P5-PzgIyJYaHVcYbo/s400/DSC_4582.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Dusky Flycatcher showing that cute round head and short wing projection</i></div>
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<i><a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S67749101">Click here</a> to hear its distinctive "whit" call</i></div>
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<i>Rasor Park</i></div>
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<i><br /></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVG4qtaF5kE7l82Oc26cC0SRY_6IL8OKFKPBPoHFU3zYAW89q8PE2bhv-RT2gnYoJnJ-VAOtpHFBGpxWh6nVkZ7UF5GYYif8Kzto-KJXyAOKKUZP9061sYcE8WWevQzILsyDw1khGlhQ/s1600/DSC_4772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVG4qtaF5kE7l82Oc26cC0SRY_6IL8OKFKPBPoHFU3zYAW89q8PE2bhv-RT2gnYoJnJ-VAOtpHFBGpxWh6nVkZ7UF5GYYif8Kzto-KJXyAOKKUZP9061sYcE8WWevQzILsyDw1khGlhQ/s400/DSC_4772.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Hammond's Flycatcher showing the characteristic crested look and longer wings</i></div>
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<i><a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S67892896">Click here</a> to hear its distinctive "pip" call</i></div>
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<i>Skinner Butte</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUyZoV4p-KCv071GAv55NuK7VFaJ1hQX3Y0Gh1WtbZy5VdcQMGTfN7mIIv937UrbL7aoMg3gSQJnkNg1OTE30hHVqJm3DunwNyQ5ONlnk5_5WI6XuybyQVZlfsqR5NzLr1D_-lsryPc0/s1600/DSC_4744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUyZoV4p-KCv071GAv55NuK7VFaJ1hQX3Y0Gh1WtbZy5VdcQMGTfN7mIIv937UrbL7aoMg3gSQJnkNg1OTE30hHVqJm3DunwNyQ5ONlnk5_5WI6XuybyQVZlfsqR5NzLr1D_-lsryPc0/s400/DSC_4744.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Finally got a (very poor!) photo of a Calliope Hummingbird in Oregon</i></div>
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<i>Bloomberg Park</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQH3WD9uYQju9QzAAwVxqpaNHTzyCGeAxKGzLpVxGlTwHATC7_nidhJ9nE5Udzh_y9ajVoCuSgHuqnw2md9LeB4auozugMyNPatDF22w2cKH2i6cm9md2kcTJSJd7HCKZBLac-GhLGLE/s1600/DSC_4742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQH3WD9uYQju9QzAAwVxqpaNHTzyCGeAxKGzLpVxGlTwHATC7_nidhJ9nE5Udzh_y9ajVoCuSgHuqnw2md9LeB4auozugMyNPatDF22w2cKH2i6cm9md2kcTJSJd7HCKZBLac-GhLGLE/s400/DSC_4742.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Western Sandpiper is a regular Fall migrant in my radius, but I had some fancy looking Spring migrants a handful of times in the last couple weeks (shorebird #9 this year for the 5MR)</i></div>
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<i>Stewart Pond</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-MYhyaMGXUcDgf_aSWEDyz3_LK7wzUI4_s9DDMLj2u6AQNzWDnAbAptR-uFeN27BsKmxUK1RYaP55M1KK5fe7n2ZHagGGN9i0r5YiKTUCEfv5d4uiqGHb7qV1qC4f4nDGV_mPT5wFFw/s1600/DSC_4864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-MYhyaMGXUcDgf_aSWEDyz3_LK7wzUI4_s9DDMLj2u6AQNzWDnAbAptR-uFeN27BsKmxUK1RYaP55M1KK5fe7n2ZHagGGN9i0r5YiKTUCEfv5d4uiqGHb7qV1qC4f4nDGV_mPT5wFFw/s400/DSC_4864.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>One of an astonishing FIVE Olive-sided Flycatchers in one place—<a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S67892896">personal high count</a>!</i></div>
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<i>Skinner Butte</i></div>
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At 148 with a couple days left, I joined a group of birders before work this past Wednesday and took to the hills behind LCC, and the birds were abundant. The year birds for me included a Great-horned Owl along one of the trails, a Western Wood-Pewee, and these two:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZlqQgro67bIcCZsfGaxK6Y8YVl3PBa_NRp3JlGWwdEetyiyYY69DuYTAPUuXfCzSwLKj7dViLB13cuPvZZtugeu49sRG2x0F8KpGYSyWPWWdaDmhLu_CINlYIfzFByUyahKV6c0vS10/s1600/DSC_4901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZlqQgro67bIcCZsfGaxK6Y8YVl3PBa_NRp3JlGWwdEetyiyYY69DuYTAPUuXfCzSwLKj7dViLB13cuPvZZtugeu49sRG2x0F8KpGYSyWPWWdaDmhLu_CINlYIfzFByUyahKV6c0vS10/s400/DSC_4901.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Yellow-breasted Chat, coolness overload</i></div>
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<i>Hills Behind LCC</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJf4-TrFa3pMGp7tuJ6juMu03lIaZUEU3FRiyDGboGLJiHa_Hm5IQAIRox0f579FcKWQSOH7AvjuHEOCbeEMeSMGS4LAYtl2CrLd_iFZSqEpRrVO0VQM2zpFWThAlMkQQ8XPSs4l4504/s1600/DSC_4908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJf4-TrFa3pMGp7tuJ6juMu03lIaZUEU3FRiyDGboGLJiHa_Hm5IQAIRox0f579FcKWQSOH7AvjuHEOCbeEMeSMGS4LAYtl2CrLd_iFZSqEpRrVO0VQM2zpFWThAlMkQQ8XPSs4l4504/s400/DSC_4908.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Chipping Sparrow is less cool, but I was grateful to finally find one of these cuties</i></div>
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<i>Hills Behind LCC</i></div>
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And that was the final puzzle piece for April. Last year I had 158 species all <i>year</i> in my 5MR, and by the end of April I'm already at 152, with 137 of those being found in April alone. Three county lifers, and three additional 5MR lifers. What a month.<br />
<br />
Was the birding THAT much better than usual this April? Perhaps. But I doubt it. I just think I was paying closer attention closer to home.<br />
<br />
And the more we pay attention, the more things come to the surface. Birding is just practice for real life.Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-10309745107774058892019-01-12T21:30:00.000-08:002019-01-12T21:30:25.597-08:00500, Again"Well, you won't be seeing as many birds, that's for sure."<br />
<br />
That sentence, or at least that sentiment, seemed to be what most folks felt the need to tell me in the months leading up to Mason's birth in October 2017. From some it felt like a cautionary admonition: you won't have time to waste on silly things like birding any more. From some it felt like condolences: sorry you won't get to have hobbies now. Either way, the point was clear: your life is going to change, and birds are going to be one of the first fun things to go.<br />
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I usually just smiled when folks made these comments. I had a sense they were off the mark, but I didn't have any way of knowing for sure.<br />
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And my life did change.<br />
<br />
But what people don't tell you is that, for all the change that comes, you are still the same person as a parent that you were as a pre-parent. Life gets fuller, no doubt, and a little sleepier. But lo and behold, my desires and habits and personality before becoming a dad look very similar still today. I could still eat tacos every day. I'm still an unashamed introvert. I still need regular time outside to be a contributing member to society.<br />
<br />
Enter, 2018, my most unexpected year of birding to date.<br />
<br />
In 2018 Mason grew from 2 to 14 months, a time span that included gathering new skills like walking and climbing and babbling with a purpose not quite yet matched by diction, and a lovely 3 month sleep revolt during our busiest time of the year. I taught 4 undergrad classes on top of my normal work. I picked up a new hobby, running two half marathons and over 500 miles. Jen and I even had a few dates along the way.<br />
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And, somehow, I saw 500 birds. Again.<br />
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Perhaps the primary similarity to the first time I saw 500 species in a calendar year (<a href="https://littlebirder.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-big-year-of-littlebirder-2014-in.html">2014 was the year)</a> was that, when the year began, I absolutely didn't see it coming.<br />
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Since 2014, I've been in a nice groove of seeing 400 species a year: 440 in 2015, 433 in 2016, and 439 in 2017. This involves a pretty straightforward formula of birding the home state well, and getting to take a trip or two to another part of the country.<br />
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But 500 requires more. In 2014 I birded Illinois hard, had a couple trips home to Washington, then time in Florida and southeast Arizona to make it happen. I made time to blog the whole thing, too. In 2018 I birded Oregon more than I had before (322 species is my highest state year list ever), then had trips to Texas, California, and Nome, Alaska to make for a final tally of 500 species on the nose. If there was one thing that I did not do in 2018, it was blog. That appears this has bothered a total of no one. But, it was quite the year, and it deserves a post, so here's a rough and tumble recap.<br />
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<b><i>Strong start in Oregon</i></b><br />
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A rather impressive group of birds gathered in Oregon at the beginning of 2018, and I tried to see as many as possible. By February 9, I had seen White-winged Crossbills, Common Redpolls, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Virginia's Warbler, Ruff, Steller's Eider (lifer!), and Emperor Goose (lifer!). Of that group, Common Redpolls are the only species I saw elsewhere over the course of the year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDu7l9OBV-f97Qp65qsIWxtDeDWwYokEGDpTua0eL1YliRtaw0z5ux13hea3-Vu2H-vauAYDy8EmVgAAw_V3wvwG1sWqZNEW93QKf31ENgZ3BkJNuORqKOCDs49f-5pVR_Ul1H6ohQWQ/s1600/STEI-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDu7l9OBV-f97Qp65qsIWxtDeDWwYokEGDpTua0eL1YliRtaw0z5ux13hea3-Vu2H-vauAYDy8EmVgAAw_V3wvwG1sWqZNEW93QKf31ENgZ3BkJNuORqKOCDs49f-5pVR_Ul1H6ohQWQ/s400/STEI-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Steller's Eider (found by Adrian Hinkle)</i></div>
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<i>Seaside Cove, Clatsop Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>January 20</i></div>
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<i>Emperor Goose</i></div>
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<i>Deschutes Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>February 9</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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I took a quick camping trip to Eastern Oregon in March to snag a couple easy state lifers, and in the process I found my own Northern Saw-whet Owl on a roost for the first time and saw my only Harris's Sparrow of the year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3Z1bTXpTCysEnrL5w8qriynOHgIKQEef6mlPEYRcjU5SL6qaGIyj6ggss9gWhPgBh7mntTfHIObjRdPaa9Bp6p13NwRjFObdEGXAJYekpZD2BeHlDhsPyYmYqrbx9AJ3ZQNN05WFeIU/s1600/Mar+9-11-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3Z1bTXpTCysEnrL5w8qriynOHgIKQEef6mlPEYRcjU5SL6qaGIyj6ggss9gWhPgBh7mntTfHIObjRdPaa9Bp6p13NwRjFObdEGXAJYekpZD2BeHlDhsPyYmYqrbx9AJ3ZQNN05WFeIU/s400/Mar+9-11-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Northern Saw-whet Owl</i></div>
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<i>Umatilla Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>March 9</i></div>
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<b><i>Migration on the Texas Gulf Coast</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
By April 19, I was at 201 species and had not yet set foot outside of Oregon. After a quick family reunion in Texas, I returned to Oregon on April 23 with 364 species.<br />
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This was the trip that changed things for the year list. I was thinking we'd maybe see 200 species, hopefully 15 warblers. We saw 215 (<a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHsmbUm7gW">many photos here</a>), and 27 warblers. It was the flurry of Golden-winged, Mourning, Cerulean, and Canada <a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44867656">on the final morning</a> that first got me thinking that 500 could be an outside possibility. The crown jewel of the trip was this surprise, even a state lifer for my dad!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiquQqhs4DuhfQiXjw9qZsE-36VUgIMNgTVdSBNltKdUMdJz-xFB8kdGbBEJwUUkA3cLE3ei04cO6xwRqNHobKjzHraTOI3Z9Ow0HWtEPHxpvadSE6SQLIAUheKwF0ClpRoFLmEDEzWOE/s1600/Texas-159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiquQqhs4DuhfQiXjw9qZsE-36VUgIMNgTVdSBNltKdUMdJz-xFB8kdGbBEJwUUkA3cLE3ei04cO6xwRqNHobKjzHraTOI3Z9Ow0HWtEPHxpvadSE6SQLIAUheKwF0ClpRoFLmEDEzWOE/s400/Texas-159.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Violet-crowned Hummingbird</i></div>
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<i>Corpus Christi, Nueces Co, TX<br />April 23</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<b><i>California Dreamin'</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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After a pretty normal May of Oregon birding I was sitting at 399 for the year, which was just enough for me to start crunching numbers. With 11 days in California to start the month of June quickly approaching I combed through eBird filters and maps and realized that, if I made the most of my time there, I could maybe add 40 more year birds in Cali, maybe even double digit lifers.</div>
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Jen flew down to a conference in LA, we spent a few days with friends, then she flew home out of San Diego. Before, during, and after this, I executed one of my crazier birding feats, similar to my cross country adventure in 2015.</div>
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The numbers kinda tell the story. 220 species (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157696559583531">many photos here</a>). 87(!) state lifers, bringing me up to 273 for CA. 12 lifers, bringing me to 647 ABA birds at the time. And 41 year birds, bringing me up to 440 for the year.</div>
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The ABA lifers provide a skeletal sense of the itinerary:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Ridgway's Rail and Black Rail at China Camp State Park in the Bay Area.</li>
<li><a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46246044">Bell's Sparrow</a> on the entrance road at Pinnacles National Park.</li>
<li><a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46245957">California Condor</a> on the High Peaks Trail at Pinnacles—an absolute BEAST of a trail in the middle of the day for an absolute BEAST of a bird. This was probably my most rewarding lifer ever.</li>
<li>California Thrasher at Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve—got nice scope views, but I'm looking forward to spending more time with this species on future trips to Cali.</li>
<li>Scaly-breasted Munia at Biola University, site of the conference.</li>
<li>Red-crowned Parrot at O'neill Regional Park. Yay established invasives.</li>
<li><a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46398192">Black-vented Shearwater</a> on a two hour whale watching trip out of Newport Beach, which was completely overshadowed by lifer BLUE WHALES! It was such joy getting to share this experience with Jen, Mason, and our dear friend Rachel.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrKYMgXfj9SllO1c7yssjdO8N0pKrfvFt_R5gSMw6p0xtlD6JfzR8lMwJ2NAZJNyByvYOnHDVD5PJq_aesnAh3BXvOiGjFGgD2RkcYpCU5N0GATTtDORI9OPZhVDqS1TG-p1htrBo4AU/s1600/Cali+Trip-85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrKYMgXfj9SllO1c7yssjdO8N0pKrfvFt_R5gSMw6p0xtlD6JfzR8lMwJ2NAZJNyByvYOnHDVD5PJq_aesnAh3BXvOiGjFGgD2RkcYpCU5N0GATTtDORI9OPZhVDqS1TG-p1htrBo4AU/s400/Cali+Trip-85.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Blue Whale</i></div>
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<i>Orange Co, CA</i></div>
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<i>June 8</i></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46405819">California Gnatcatcher</a> at Dana Point put on quite a show!</li>
<li><a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46453449">Lawrence's Goldfinch</a> at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, 100% as cool as I anticipated.</li>
<li><a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46460037">Yellow-footed Gull</a> at Salton Sea! They hadn't been reported in the area so far this year, so I was thrilled to find one, another very rewarding moment.</li>
<li><a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S46474606">LeConte's Thrasher</a> at Harper Dry Lake showed way better than I anticipated, an incredibly satisfying cap on a trip in which I found all 12 of the lifers I was seeking!</li>
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Yet for all the lifer success, and all the incredible California terrain I covered from desserts to mountains, one moment from the trip still stands out above the rest. Deep in the San Bernardino Mountains one evening I was listening to a Mexican Whip-poor-will call—an excellent state and year bird, but nothing compared to what was about to come. An SUV pulled up and out popped Roger Woodruff, a birding friend whom I hadn't seen in years! I soon learned that he and a friend were on a mission. I joined for the mission, and a few minutes later we were looking at this beauty:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAeAOZrx7hgc9KXnO53vviGWL4wZIbmQuCrsReBEd7SgPsxwz3XcEnaNC4ycWZSUSpyCNPVcn1vXK-uYwpZuGZXr8bECLGusp1yuhcJqt6W_rysr6xf33jdiBiOWTaIs5tmvvFpq8kOk/s1600/Cali+Trip-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAeAOZrx7hgc9KXnO53vviGWL4wZIbmQuCrsReBEd7SgPsxwz3XcEnaNC4ycWZSUSpyCNPVcn1vXK-uYwpZuGZXr8bECLGusp1yuhcJqt6W_rysr6xf33jdiBiOWTaIs5tmvvFpq8kOk/s400/Cali+Trip-47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Spotted Owl</i></div>
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<i>Right Place</i></div>
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<i>Right Time</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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It was one of the most surprising and serendipitous experiences of the entire year, quintessential birding. 500 wouldn't have happened without it.</div>
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On the heels of California I was able to take a quick weekend whirlwind trip through Eastern Oregon. The point of the trip was mostly to build my Oregon year list and see a few new-to-me places over there. In the process I added 13 ABA year birds, 11 of which I wouldn't see anywhere else the rest of the year. 500 wouldn't have happened without it.</div>
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<b><i>THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE NOME</i></b></div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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The first week of July arrived, and my year list sat at 454, and a week long trip lay ahead that was far bigger than any numbers could contain. Nome.</div>
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My first trip to Alaska came when I was 13, a whopping 17 years ago now. A rather quick tour through Anchorage, Seward, and back out to Denali National Park, that week left a lasting impression on me. I remember being blown away by the scenery on the shuttle ride from the airport to the car rental location, and from that moment on I was utterly enthralled as I was swept up into days that never grew dark and a world wilder than I knew existed.<br />
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I took my family's first digital camera on that trip—a 4 megapixel Panasonic point-and-shoot. Somewhere in the process of taking grainy-but-memorable photos of Moose and Gyrfalcons and Humpback Whales and Grizzly Bears, an interest in nature photography blossomed. More than any other experience, that trip is the reason why photographing the natural world is still a hobby of mine.<br />
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I had been dying to get back to Alaska ever since.<br />
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***</div>
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Running on the patchwork of an hour and a half of accumulated "sleep," mostly on an oddly shaped bench in a SeaTac terminal, I groggily stepped onto an early morning Alaska Airlines flight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRY6KEsO0cQxPMNTgne3grw15PK5YI0y7gbuC_cG0h8ed7Unf0TOhKub56ldleStTnrAcKLXaHXRalvU4qdpZ5XxKLweSA6HCACno75RHI2iHbwKxpHFA58bYJr2nmdYgVU1oPHvHKqdk/s1600/IMG_7193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1600" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRY6KEsO0cQxPMNTgne3grw15PK5YI0y7gbuC_cG0h8ed7Unf0TOhKub56ldleStTnrAcKLXaHXRalvU4qdpZ5XxKLweSA6HCACno75RHI2iHbwKxpHFA58bYJr2nmdYgVU1oPHvHKqdk/s400/IMG_7193.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The idea was to get some sleep, but when I boarded I made the mistake of beginning Noah Strycker's 2015 World Big Year tale, <i>Birding Without Borders</i>. His story paired with some coffee made for a jolt of adrenaline sufficient to keep me up for the first leg of the flight. Reading of someone else's birding adventures (and misadventures) in far flung corners of the world stoked the flame of Nome excitement all the more, and before I knew it the very snow peaks that stirred my enthusiasm all those years ago were appearing out my window as we descended into Anchorage.<br />
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On the layover I met up with my dad and our friend Gary. Gary is the reason this whole trip happened. In a remarkable act of generosity he offered to take my dad to Alaska, and when the idea of Nome came up, my dad then offered to buy my ticket to make it possible for me to go too. It's an incredible gift for which I'll forever be grateful.<br />
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With another cup of coffee in hand I paged through <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Guide-Wildlife-Princeton-Guides/dp/069113975X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533008742&sr=8-1&keywords=the+arctic+guide+wildlife+of+the+far+north">The Arctic Guide</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Birders-Guide-Alaska-ABA-Birdfinding/dp/1878788191/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1533008813&sr=1-4&keywords=alaska+birding">The Birders Guide to Alaska</a>, trying to glean any relevant details I could find. Birding in brand new places takes a good deal of study and preparation. It's one of my favorite parts of the hobby, actually. There's no substitute for field experience, but having a sense of what to expect where and when goes a long way towards making a an unfamiliar place a little less daunting. Nome was still daunting to me, though. In the months leading up to this trip I spent time working through these books, perusing blogs from those who had wandered this way before, and mining eBird's wealth of data in the form of bar charts and species maps and target species lists. Of all the corners of the internet, it's not a bad one to occupy.<br />
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The flight from Anchorage to Nome was quick. The bulk of Mount Denali and its surrounding beauty was surprisingly out to be enjoyed. But after a while the land retreated as we made our way over a body of water completely new to me, the Bering Sea. We flew along the south shore of the Seward Peninsula for some time, until the first and only town along that stretch appeared. Nome.<br />
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Somewhere in my years of dreaming and hours of studying about Nome, I had mistakenly conjured up an image of a relatively flat, barren-looking land. I assumed arctic tundra implied a lack of elevation. So as we made our descent I was amazed to see the terrain rise up into rather mountainous formations not all the far from town. My eyes grew wide and my heart began to pound.<br />
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Our plane had been on the ground and taxiing for about 30 seconds when I got my first bird for Nome. An adult Long-tailed Jaeger loafed along the tarmac in its textbook buoyancy, whirled around a time or two, and took off. An Arctic Tern followed suit. I had not reached the terminal and was already thoroughly charmed.<br />
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We touched down around noon on July 7 and left midday on the 12th. In the two half days and four full days we had to explore, we tallied 112 bird species (including 10 lifers) and 11 mammals (including 3 lifers). If you just want the pics, check out <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157696209434402">this album</a>.<br />
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There were a few moments and photos from Nome that seemed to capture the essence of the whole trip. For instance, the very first photograph I took was of this point-blank Muskox just on the outskirts of town.</div>
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<i>Muskox</i></div>
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<i>Nome, AK</i><br />
<i>July 7</i></div>
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Mind you, I was running on an excessively small amount of sleep at this point in the day. My fuzzy mind was not ready for a herd of lifer Muskox this quickly and easily. So it was in a bit of a daze that I moved back and forth between my camera and binoculars to take in these odd looking, hairy creatures. A jaeger from the plane and a Muskox in our first minutes on the road was evidence enough—there would be no easing into Nome. And the onslaught only continued.<br />
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Our next stop, the Nome River Mouth, was without a doubt our most productive birding location of the trip. Just 4 miles east of town, it was an easy place to check nearly every time we left or returned to town, so we wound up visiting it more than a dozen times during our stay. Upon our arrival, it didn't take long for the first lifer of the trip to show itself. I scanned through a pile of gulls, mostly Glaucous, then came upon terns, mostly Arctic. But then one of the terns was different. A slim bird with silky gray wings that bled into a similarly colored body, sporting its diagnostic black bill and white forehead—Aleutian Tern! There turned out to be more than a handful of them flying a bit further off, and we took our time soaking in this stunningly elegant bird. With <i>Aleutian </i>in the name, we were reminded once more just how far north we had made it.<br />
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And the Siberian species that followed it signaled to us just how exotic our time in Nome was going to feel. As we drove around to the bridge near the river crossing, a funny, new-to-us call caught our attention. A raspy <i>cheeep</i>, I suppose. It took a little while to get on the bird as it seemed to be on the move continually; but once we discovered it flitting back and forth above us there was little doubt as to what it was. Eventually the bird dropped down to a perch near its partner, and we enjoyed views of our lifer Eastern Yellow Wagtail! Much to our delight, we saw many of these over the following days, each time in this exact same manner: calling, flying overhead, and in pairs.<br />
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<i>Eastern Yellow Wagtail</i></div>
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<i>Nome River Mouth, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 7</i></div>
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But it was this first pair that was particularly meaningful because it wasn't just any ol' lifer, it was my dad's 700th ABA bird! 700 is really a milestone mark in the ABA area. It was so fun to get to be together for this momentous occasion—what a bird and what a place for it to all come together!<br />
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<i>Celebrating Dad's 700th ABA Bird</i></div>
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<i>Nome River Mouth, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 7</i></div>
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Cape Nome was next on the itinerary, another especially fruitful place for us right out of the gate. After scoping over the Bering Sea for a few minutes, a couple murres flew by. Elongated, with a dark brown-black above contrasting starkly with their white underparts, they were obviously Common Murres, a bird I regularly see by the hundreds off the Oregon coast in Summer. But every once and a while a group of two or three of these birds would fly by with a stockier friend in the mix. Its build, partially due to its body shape and partially an artifact of its stubbier bill, in addition to its jet black back, made this bird stand out far more than I anticipated: my lifer Thick-billed Murre! My dad had just seen them for the first time a few days prior on a boat trip, but these were significant to me as they represented a personal milestone: my 650th ABA bird!<br />
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And before that could even sink in, 651 showed up in the scope as one Common Eider, then another Common Eider, and then a whole raft of Common Eiders appeared. In keeping with the first half of its name, I knew this was going to be the easiest of the lifers I would find on this trip, but that didn't keep me from enjoying it thoroughly! We saw these in good numbers daily over the course of the week, and each time I was blown away anew at just how massive these sea ducks are. As I kept scanning, a young male King Eider emerged in the group, a bird that we knew would be tougher in early July. A very nice addition to our trip list, and a lovely introduction to <a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47061186">Cape Nome</a>!<br />
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Then it was off to Safety Sound, which is large enough that one could easily spend an entire day birding the area and not see everything it held. Being just our first afternoon in the area, we figured we'd poke around for a bit to get a sense of the area before heading back to town for dinner. More wagtails flew overhead and our first dapper Lapland Longspurs of the trip were quite ubiquitous. Semipalmated Sandpipers ushered their families around roadsides and parking areas. A Eurasian Wigeon stood out in a flock of dabblers, Black Turnstones made a quick pass overhead, while jaegers were in view the majority of the time. At the bridge, a distant flock of Brant and a group of three Bar-tailed Godwits came into view on the far shoreline.<br />
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Heading back towards town, a drizzle began to fall just before some waterfowl on a pond by the sound caught our attention, a group of Greater Scaup. But something larger was on the opposite side of the same pond. "SPECTACLED EIDER!" I exclaimed, and pandemonium ensued. We raced out of the car towards the pond for better views, where this gorgeous male dazzled us. This was one of the most desired and least likely lifers for us coming to Nome, and it easily secured its place as our bird of the trip.</div>
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<i>Spectacled Eider</i></div>
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<i>Safety Sound, Nome, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 7</i></div>
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Having scored a three eider afternoon (making for a full sweep of the eider family this year!), we finally got back to town before dinner, though not before a beautiful adult <a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47061169">Slaty-backed Gull</a> at the Nome River Mouth put an excellent cap on the first evening.<br />
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After five lifers and a smattering of other outstanding birds, we could have seen nothing else the rest of our time there and the whole trip would have still been a huge success. I could not have dreamed up a better start. But we did in fact see a few other things. The fun had only begun.<br />
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<i><u>July 8: Nome to Teller, Almost</u></i></div>
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When sunset falls around 1:30 am, and sunrise comes at 4:45 am, there is no such thing as night. And there's barely such a thing as sleep. On my first trip to Alaska I became convinced that I was solar powered because I didn't seem to ever get tired, no matter the time of day. If the sun was up, so was I. The experience wasn't much different this time around. I had a couple mornings where the prospect of getting out of bed wasn't all that appealing, but for the most part I ran on adrenaline and only really slowed down because we eventually arrived back at the hotel each night (though even then I was still tearing through <i>Birding Without Borders</i>). Thankfully I was not on the insurance for our rental vehicle because I probably would have gone back out on my own every evening and wound up with even less sleep.<br />
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The first night was pretty stormy as rain showers met a stiff westerly wind. Before proceeding to our intended destination for the day, we made a quick stop at the Nome River Mouth to see if anything had blown in. The bird numbers were down from the evening before, but as we were about to leave I spotted two dark blobs floating on the water. We stopped to check out the ducks, only to find that they weren't ducks at all. We were looking at Short-tailed Shearwaters! This was a species my dad had already seen on the first half of the trip, and I was hopeful that I would get the opportunity to see one as well. But I did not think it would happen like this. At point blank range, a group of three of these worn out shearwaters sat on the water, lazily flew around a few times, and even landed on the beach at one point.<br />
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Short-tailed Shearwaters are essentially the doppelgänger of the Sooty Shearwater, a common bird in the Summer and Fall off the coasts of Oregon and Washington; a bird I've seen by the tens of thousands on a couple occasions. These two species can be difficult to separate in the field, so the opportunity to study the diagnostic features of these Short-tails so closely was a treat and a gift all at once! Short-tailed Shearwaters have rounder heads and a more petite bill than Sooties. Their underwings are different too, darker and a more solidly silver color compared to the smudgy and lighter makeup of the Sooty, though this is notoriously difficult to judge as lighting conditions can make this underwing sheen appear drastically lighter or darker than it actually is. These birds checked all the right boxes, and in one flight shot you can even see the feet extending beyond the end of the negligibly shorter tail.<br />
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These were the first Short-tailed Shearwaters to arrive in Nome this year, pretty much on schedule with their standard arrival dates. They winter in Australia and New Zealand, and every year this tubenose makes the full tour from the south Pacific Ocean up along the coast of Asia, eventually crossing the Bering Sea to nest in Alaska. We were seeing these birds mere hours, if not minutes after they had completed that harrowing journey. And here nature had rewarded them after a rough final night with a safe harbor loaded with food. I tried to process the wonder of the moment as this individual picked at a dead fish on the surface of the water a few feet away from me.<br />
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<i>Short-tailed Shearwater</i></div>
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<i>Nome River Mouth, AK</i><br />
<i>July 8</i></div>
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If Spectacled Eider was the bird of the trip, this experience with these shearwaters was the surprise of the trip. Remarkably, different individuals from this trio were present when we returned over the next few days, offering even more quality views.</div>
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Amazed at all we had seen so soon and so close to town, we set out for some birding further afield. There are three main roads that depart from Nome, each of which are 50+ miles long and bear the name of a different community on the outskirts of everything: Teller, Kougarok, and Council. We had specific target birds down each of these roads and made a day trip out of each of them.</div>
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Our first intended destination was Teller. Some uncertainty on the nearest gas station to replenish our hearty Ford Explorer cut our day short, so we didn't make it as far as we originally planned, but the day was still a major success. On our way down the Nome-Teller Highway we made a handful of stops, the most productive being the <a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47087914">Sinuk River</a>. Among the avian delights here, the opportunity to watch Arctic Terns hover at little more than an arm's length away was probably the highlight. This is a bird I've wanted to see and photograph well for a long time, and it still exceeded expectations. And on the topic of long migrations, this one actually takes the cake. At 44,000 miles a year, it travels further than any other animal on earth. But for now this one was focused on staying put and finding a little grub for brunch.</div>
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<i>Arctic Tern</i></div>
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<i>Sinuk River, Nome, AK</i><br />
<i>July 8</i></div>
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Here's my dad photographing the same individual:<br />
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Beyond the specialty lifers Nome had to offer, one of the things I had most desired to see here was nesting shorebirds. Shorebird migration—both Spring and Fall—has long been one of my favorite aspects of birding, and the idea of seeing these birds in their most natural element was always intriguing to me.<br />
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Nesting shorebirds can be found down nearly every road around Nome. Semipalmated Plover and Sandpipers, Golden Plovers of both varieties, and Whimbrel were a few of the species we encountered with some regularity. But some locations are particularly good, and the ridge line at mile 34 along the Nome-Teller Highway is one of them. At one of our first stops along this road, I detected a shorebird call that was unfamiliar to me. As the call persisted, I eventually got on the bird circling overhead and followed it until it landed a few hundred yards away. I scrambled for the scope and finally found it amongst tundra rocks and grasses that all seemed to be about the same height as the bird. And there it stood, a gorgeous adult Red Knot, brick red in its alternate plumage. A little further down the road its mate appeared, and for a brief moment one of this pair's young emerged and tumbled around on its untrained legs.<br />
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<i>Red Knot</i></div>
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<i>Mile 34 Ridge, Nome-Teller Highway, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 8</i></div>
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Red Knots unfortunately stand in a long stream of birds that encapsulate the real world effects of <a href="https://www.audubon.org/magazine/may-june-2016/red-knots-are-battling-climate-change-both-ends">climate change</a>. They're listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (which itself is threatened under the current regime), declining in numbers due to habitat loss, truly hanging on by a thread. This bleak reality made this encounter with a successful breeding pair a remarkably meaningful experience for me, one that I wasn't expecting coming into the visit. Seeing these birds thriving on their home turf was one of the highlights of the entire trip for me.<br />
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And they weren't alone. The higher and dryer elevations were home to American Golden Plovers as well, which in my opinion are one of the finest looking birds out there. Even slightly past the prime of their breeding plumage they still look exquisite.<br />
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<i>American Golden Plover</i></div>
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<i>Mile 34 Ridge, Nome-Teller Highway, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 8</i></div>
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Speaking of birds that look pretty fine in alternate plumage, Lapland Longspurs entertained us the entire trip. You can see the whole checklist with more pics here: <a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47088099">Mile 34 Ridge Line</a>.<br />
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<i>Lapland Longspur</i></div>
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<i>Mile 34 Ridge, Nome-Teller Highway, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 8</i></div>
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The most surprising wildlife encounter of the trip came on the way back into a town when a cow Moose appeared in the road in front of us. But she wasn't alone. She had in tow not one, not two, not three, not four, but FIVE calves! This is quite anomalous, as Moose never have more than two calves at a time. It appears that two of these calves are larger than the rest, two are a little smaller, and the fifth the smallest—in other words, calves of three different ages. Out best guess is that this Moose gave birth to one or two of them, and generously picked up the other three or four along the way over the Spring. Raising five young on the rugged Alaskan tundra is not for the faint of heart.<br />
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<i>Moose</i></div>
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<i>Nome-Teller Highway, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 8</i></div>
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The shorter day on the Teller Highway provided time for some extra birding near Nome. We headed back to the <a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47088155">Nome River Mouth</a>, where this bulky Parasitic Jaeger put on an outstanding show for us, a nice compliment to better looks at Aleutian Terns and Wagtails.</div>
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<i>Parasitic Jaeger</i></div>
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<i>Nome River Mouth, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 8</i></div>
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Next it was on to Anvil Mountain, which provided an authentic Alaska experience: my lifer Northern Wheatear in a skirmish with a Short-tailed Weasel! It may help to click on the pics to zoom in and see some of the action. The top shot has both the Weasel and Wheatear.</div>
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<i>Northern Wheatear and Least (Short-tailed) Weasel</i></div>
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<i>Anvil Mountain, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 8</i></div>
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<i>***</i></div>
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<i><u>July 9: Kougarok Road</u></i></div>
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Our most frustrating day of the trip was our day down Kougarok Road, though that was no fault of the road itself, which offered up an early morning Moose for us:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwWsZ60412dBMaLf-GIuPbaVgKt4syd88QnxdfWw1IrDKiAXPhx8D5HZcT3DHaJpJp7CwudicB74spo6oqXldTEDqTrKdIdBi_tSU7H1X5wczSo79kw8PVhWvGyvR4HeU3hqFw6hY0i8/s1600/Day+3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwWsZ60412dBMaLf-GIuPbaVgKt4syd88QnxdfWw1IrDKiAXPhx8D5HZcT3DHaJpJp7CwudicB74spo6oqXldTEDqTrKdIdBi_tSU7H1X5wczSo79kw8PVhWvGyvR4HeU3hqFw6hY0i8/s400/Day+3-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Moose</i></div>
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<i>Nome-Kougarok Road, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 9</i></div>
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For much of the day we felt a tad late for the specialty species we desired. The ridge line at milepost 72 lacked the Bristle-thighed Curlew we were hoping to see, and left us instead with a cumbersome hike that was memorable in all the wrong ways. We made multiple attempts at finding a Bluethroat, but only had a single, unsatisfactory encounter with this much anticipated lifer. It took us the majority of the day to not find the things we were looking for, which was a bit deflating.<br />
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The main highlight from the day came in the form of a couple more Slaty-backed Gulls (a third and first cycle) and point blank looks at a sharp adult "Vega" Herring Gull.<br />
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<i>Third Cycle Slaty-backed Gull</i></div>
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<i>Nome River Mouth, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 9</i></div>
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<i>First Cycle Slaty-backed Gull</i></div>
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<i>Nome River Mouth, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 9</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTrJZIpuwJoYLGkUAeO7wpoKIrNxFVuM0v30H11-tP7oVvm0OJ1x5eP_6aMBD2b_FDPONT_5_FJmV_ipitwSVTUxh4g1K0naVGkjwZLri8RalgbSbRT1JTdIB03II7Ol2WaIyxIT285s/s1600/Day+3-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTrJZIpuwJoYLGkUAeO7wpoKIrNxFVuM0v30H11-tP7oVvm0OJ1x5eP_6aMBD2b_FDPONT_5_FJmV_ipitwSVTUxh4g1K0naVGkjwZLri8RalgbSbRT1JTdIB03II7Ol2WaIyxIT285s/s400/Day+3-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>"Vega" Herring Gull</i></div>
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<i>Nome River Mouth, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 9</i></div>
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<i><u>July 10: Teller</u></i></div>
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With a full tank of gas we left the next morning to take a second stab at the Teller Highway. There was one primary target on the mind: White Wagtails. On that account, we could not have been more successful. We encountered successful breeding pairs with healthy young in two different locations!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChdB3wUAiY6a5X-p0uNk5fcZy7MQ-FvqVSAAgOlCfk68B9eLZl-Rmw21nG2IA2KZcI6NmGRHSY9nZ9hfEc3EzMC2GRXUJLqv4k8D0LH8d7AtWofjTkAzJq72-yN_zB9UMNLypJY7DhiM/s1600/Day+4-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChdB3wUAiY6a5X-p0uNk5fcZy7MQ-FvqVSAAgOlCfk68B9eLZl-Rmw21nG2IA2KZcI6NmGRHSY9nZ9hfEc3EzMC2GRXUJLqv4k8D0LH8d7AtWofjTkAzJq72-yN_zB9UMNLypJY7DhiM/s400/Day+4-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>White Wagtails</i></div>
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<i>Bluestone River, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 10</i></div>
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<i>White Wagtails</i></div>
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<i>Teller, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 10</i></div>
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From the town of Teller, a spit juts out into the adjacent bay, providing good opportunities to watch alcids and sea ducks flying by. These were some of our best view of Common Eiders and Horned Puffins on the whole trip, but the big surprise here came in the form of our lifer Black Guillemot! I wasn't able to get a photo due to the distance and rough waters, but my dad and I both got great scope views of this bird we absolutely were not counting on: solid white wing patch with no black stripe, white underwing when it flapped. <a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47125036">Awesome</a>.</div>
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A stop along <a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47125052">Woolley Lagoon Road</a> on the way back gave us more great views of nesting shorebirds, including our only Black-bellied Plovers and Ruddy Turnstone of the trip. But for the most part, the highlights along the Nome-Teller Highway this day belonged to the charming mammal encounters: Alaskan Hare, Red Fox, Grizzly Bear sow with cubs, an entertaining troop of Caribou, and of course, Muskoxeses.</div>
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<i>Red Fox</i></div>
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<i>Nome-Teller Highway, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 10</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCkWv9nxy2681P1jkuoeuQ-Sern2ywhaNIz2jb1zLfcOFzSC6QkFUlWyxkC3c_wkJKSt6xdQ_YEla5obi-Eh-FEaca_7tbsUD-akscXIQHs-tR6mPdBW3MFSQkzqW8qieoej6pZ5gkc8/s1600/Day+4-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCkWv9nxy2681P1jkuoeuQ-Sern2ywhaNIz2jb1zLfcOFzSC6QkFUlWyxkC3c_wkJKSt6xdQ_YEla5obi-Eh-FEaca_7tbsUD-akscXIQHs-tR6mPdBW3MFSQkzqW8qieoej6pZ5gkc8/s400/Day+4-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Brown (Grizzly) Bears<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Nome-Teller Highway, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 10</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISIBRK6dpVa1ITPP4ExY1RkJ8kLwmszwD12jh5AULrKoUqsEC1rgpNVfhD3CLYUkOwsOpQ2LWDzFF0ZlsIwsJajHXO-LNG35gyMvTTBfn2hpEyjxa4EgVXO_DxxOBksJCq4zFWtSZmAU/s1600/Day+4-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISIBRK6dpVa1ITPP4ExY1RkJ8kLwmszwD12jh5AULrKoUqsEC1rgpNVfhD3CLYUkOwsOpQ2LWDzFF0ZlsIwsJajHXO-LNG35gyMvTTBfn2hpEyjxa4EgVXO_DxxOBksJCq4zFWtSZmAU/s400/Day+4-45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Caribou</i></div>
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<i>Nome-Teller Highway, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 10</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IDuk4v44RVI8bLNqPVr0SzzhF7jgwTlO1hgDEHp91vTix5mb3IEGY-dGCe-GMId-GEUp8obycp6t39GVCk0Ydc4Y01ooJjM4HrDj19nR4-BgVO4eQgibYYygmg049Nk3cxwiUDW_Ab0/s1600/Day+4-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IDuk4v44RVI8bLNqPVr0SzzhF7jgwTlO1hgDEHp91vTix5mb3IEGY-dGCe-GMId-GEUp8obycp6t39GVCk0Ydc4Y01ooJjM4HrDj19nR4-BgVO4eQgibYYygmg049Nk3cxwiUDW_Ab0/s400/Day+4-57.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui8Ck3iS57uSiD04IQmtifFZzNDmZr5xpJ2dw1Q7zO5crLqlaJllGUfFfsB0WRUH2yrKxqeA600Uu-YTN8hIU_7ITXDX-u-uSZybXoApBaCl73daugqX8S3-pcOlk8fnYFq9BjFUw4wQ/s1600/Day+4-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui8Ck3iS57uSiD04IQmtifFZzNDmZr5xpJ2dw1Q7zO5crLqlaJllGUfFfsB0WRUH2yrKxqeA600Uu-YTN8hIU_7ITXDX-u-uSZybXoApBaCl73daugqX8S3-pcOlk8fnYFq9BjFUw4wQ/s400/Day+4-38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Muskox</i></div>
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<i>Nome-Teller Highway, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 10</i></div>
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***</div>
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At this point, the trip had been an absolute success, and we still had a full day of birding to work with. We used it to take the trip to Council. The morning began with some excitement at Safety Sound as I found our first and only Sabine's Gull of the week.<br />
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After leaving the sound, the road to Council climbs to higher elevations than any other route around Nome. The purpose of the day was not to find lifers, but to experience a new terrain and habitat in this wild land. At long last we arrived at the edge of the boreal forest, where we were met by this roadside beauty:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZPw1rKBabEzwq-vpe-DfbmzE1N3Y_pmgM7RX3-SpH3Ep7xy4BKnwavwUKeIkft1cIFAXNoulAOl3XZna9npobAwuJ5zomjCvU7iQ84IcImT9IH4tQzQlqe16zEK13Gas7ED2o743wYg/s1600/Day+5-6-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZPw1rKBabEzwq-vpe-DfbmzE1N3Y_pmgM7RX3-SpH3Ep7xy4BKnwavwUKeIkft1cIFAXNoulAOl3XZna9npobAwuJ5zomjCvU7iQ84IcImT9IH4tQzQlqe16zEK13Gas7ED2o743wYg/s400/Day+5-6-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwG7nmR9yBu2Be8jdobZXKZ2A0lZnVXaF6Ek5imI4YV7MzETtvlFZjKUIBAdqbjiK-m5cdnyEE4qV9kI9shEq4zIp79qfvLe3fhFXlErO1nVD4-ZI2ca-AZDyObu6qbWrY_gcDKOfmb_I/s1600/Day+5-6-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwG7nmR9yBu2Be8jdobZXKZ2A0lZnVXaF6Ek5imI4YV7MzETtvlFZjKUIBAdqbjiK-m5cdnyEE4qV9kI9shEq4zIp79qfvLe3fhFXlErO1nVD4-ZI2ca-AZDyObu6qbWrY_gcDKOfmb_I/s400/Day+5-6-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Golden Eagle</i></div>
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<i>Near Council, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 11</i></div>
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And these views:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-MDPwEXX7ECgqQnYdYE2YRd0BYGorA25jqV5FGIxYUtvUMlnlgeQErEEboxABbvvmdKQYoRfN7jURO3JSNo0mjMTSQbUZfuxRJzyBig4DzoKtCKMCsCEnKGLGOCRlJKyGV58YSF8LBE/s1600/Day+5-6-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-MDPwEXX7ECgqQnYdYE2YRd0BYGorA25jqV5FGIxYUtvUMlnlgeQErEEboxABbvvmdKQYoRfN7jURO3JSNo0mjMTSQbUZfuxRJzyBig4DzoKtCKMCsCEnKGLGOCRlJKyGV58YSF8LBE/s400/Day+5-6-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Beaver Home and Dam</i></div>
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<i>Near Council, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 11</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAjQu1wl8CZf9dbXZPV4n0CPBar4Ua5cuFysoa-ON5BlTfmu8MRpv2B-QvXpxRtMpOxGcOcgEu0iv4mC0QcAPoXMQrXGe2n_GJeDe1OtJL9CaWx8jIfYQkiJ8Zaas3AMlfcfRZdxVVFo/s1600/Day+5-6-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAjQu1wl8CZf9dbXZPV4n0CPBar4Ua5cuFysoa-ON5BlTfmu8MRpv2B-QvXpxRtMpOxGcOcgEu0iv4mC0QcAPoXMQrXGe2n_GJeDe1OtJL9CaWx8jIfYQkiJ8Zaas3AMlfcfRZdxVVFo/s400/Day+5-6-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Beginnings of the Boreal Forest</i></div>
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<i>Near Council, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 11</i></div>
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In one sense, it was a completely foreign land, new to us in every way. But in another sense, the bird life made us feel right at home: Northern Waterthrushes singing left and right, the melodies of Pine Grosbeaks in the air overhead, raspy Boreal Chickadees excitedly moving from bush to bush. It felt like a July day at Salmo Mountain, one of our favorite haunts in the under-birded northeast corner of Washington.</div>
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The Blackpoll Warblers and Gray-cheeked thrushes mixed things up pretty nicely.</div>
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On our way back we got our best looks of the trip at this gorgeous Bar-tailed Godwit at Safety Sound. Peep the underwing:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjmz30Eq5MOheyQdzYCS97odViCSS2nidO0eLmM2trlEq0CcaB7hoIQ2kCsNVRC16f142sg9-7rcfioIBrQA17Z5Qw2OqTrRl2lvjzO0Pk0F5evX5umtrgm9TLRal28UzRQWcY2LHzOY/s1600/Day+5-6-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjmz30Eq5MOheyQdzYCS97odViCSS2nidO0eLmM2trlEq0CcaB7hoIQ2kCsNVRC16f142sg9-7rcfioIBrQA17Z5Qw2OqTrRl2lvjzO0Pk0F5evX5umtrgm9TLRal28UzRQWcY2LHzOY/s400/Day+5-6-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsArFyZ4R8jceKcoeH_AnT01zC-qt4taIramVpPoMTM6uB4t3ENeQ7f2Exg1vfMIJreQW5XrJFLnOb0uBvGkvgODToZa3xU2tyXW5OUjsP4by9cooZGd2clYWIAGwAwQKdr67wqTvKF1Q/s1600/Day+5-6-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1207" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsArFyZ4R8jceKcoeH_AnT01zC-qt4taIramVpPoMTM6uB4t3ENeQ7f2Exg1vfMIJreQW5XrJFLnOb0uBvGkvgODToZa3xU2tyXW5OUjsP4by9cooZGd2clYWIAGwAwQKdr67wqTvKF1Q/s400/Day+5-6-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Bar-tailed Godwit</i></div>
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<i>Safety Sound, AK</i></div>
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<i>july 11</i></div>
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Nome's Long-tailed Jaegers entertained every time we got back near town:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfe8QiWE1FuFXVmFh2xhypQS2qD7edQE4QoPJFV_C5PZSm73Fu4kVbcDJUcLGaaQvcEWpLKdy0GlmLoBUz4YbjrGylc7lIXYRWN4kxnLthMNqYx2WNgr4x8CsmF2Zj_5IqKXhiZmIym0U/s1600/Day+5-6-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1519" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfe8QiWE1FuFXVmFh2xhypQS2qD7edQE4QoPJFV_C5PZSm73Fu4kVbcDJUcLGaaQvcEWpLKdy0GlmLoBUz4YbjrGylc7lIXYRWN4kxnLthMNqYx2WNgr4x8CsmF2Zj_5IqKXhiZmIym0U/s400/Day+5-6-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1imIUvR1R8nXC32GVrRd_AW37zpgXLNHBpjOwAmw63jEAN2q2-FoMOG-T7cBhhDatGDBGSMD6VcvsN1KQHkwMSGZ0J6GGgTWZA4H0IIpKD14zbTJWySIP5b23gDBkfymbTbsulgmOjg/s1600/Day+5-6-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1imIUvR1R8nXC32GVrRd_AW37zpgXLNHBpjOwAmw63jEAN2q2-FoMOG-T7cBhhDatGDBGSMD6VcvsN1KQHkwMSGZ0J6GGgTWZA4H0IIpKD14zbTJWySIP5b23gDBkfymbTbsulgmOjg/s400/Day+5-6-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Long-tailed Jaeger</i></div>
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<i>Nome, AK</i></div>
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All of a sudden our final night in Nome was upon us. Presented with the opportunity to rest up before going home, my dad and I did the logical thing and spent most of the evening on the picturesque Kougarok Road. It was one of the sunniest stretches of time we had the entire trip, and it made for a perfect cap on an unforgettable trip. We had some great looks at Arctic Warblers this evening:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrMgxnXtbefYMaVemrcN51jHM_X-iXygyqoa6BiXafd4rJIqVhPJoNY_9Np7gwmCpu1TDke_q2QA0ds2Fct-EtTuv7NaBsgz_j0tPN-JqNb0q7MgFeNCQ5wa9kG4uEnHqP_uEE07RQfY/s1600/Day+5-6-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrMgxnXtbefYMaVemrcN51jHM_X-iXygyqoa6BiXafd4rJIqVhPJoNY_9Np7gwmCpu1TDke_q2QA0ds2Fct-EtTuv7NaBsgz_j0tPN-JqNb0q7MgFeNCQ5wa9kG4uEnHqP_uEE07RQfY/s400/Day+5-6-29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeHpw6P0WaI84FqUI446PcgwUkpQv9CKL2KQmwN_CD3KZffH0WJzI8a-f4CUG-3bfkwFCIjBH3ZkjsH-h93PLhk1asrwnJwERqeyGZ_-yCzv6aY0OA_bZIZixgiAfGSi-xHO5DCfGSb8/s1600/Day+5-6-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeHpw6P0WaI84FqUI446PcgwUkpQv9CKL2KQmwN_CD3KZffH0WJzI8a-f4CUG-3bfkwFCIjBH3ZkjsH-h93PLhk1asrwnJwERqeyGZ_-yCzv6aY0OA_bZIZixgiAfGSi-xHO5DCfGSb8/s400/Day+5-6-27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8uix82u1pgg_-rwWyW7xz_AEBOxxlQsoTQ1HuiNe4upqgHoiU823eqxil-xHmXmBLYwNbD34Q-ypSesc-Bf3FT9DbLNf30dwW7LINPaH8kW3KsWxm-2RKERERezSdXIKM3bNUW3UsgE/s1600/Day+5-6-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8uix82u1pgg_-rwWyW7xz_AEBOxxlQsoTQ1HuiNe4upqgHoiU823eqxil-xHmXmBLYwNbD34Q-ypSesc-Bf3FT9DbLNf30dwW7LINPaH8kW3KsWxm-2RKERERezSdXIKM3bNUW3UsgE/s400/Day+5-6-28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Arctic Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Nome-Kougarok Highway, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 11</i></div>
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For all the amazing birds and wildlife we saw, all the lifers and specialties, there was one creature that stood out above the rest for me: the Alaskan Hare. We saw them on a couple occasions and both times I was blown away by their sheer size—nearly two feet tall!—a truly Alaskan-sized rabbit. Our first encounter was fleeting, but on our last evening we got to watch a mother hare with four young for a while at close range. These babies were the size of the Snowshoe Hares I'm used to seeing back home. The dark gray back and white belly matched with the bold white eye ring and mile-high ears made for one of the most striking mammals I have ever seen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdgOSan3lM6Rln3BlNBXypfVTre-YYQn3qdoZb2ewdPoK57xOS6bCxcAdsx1J8c4T1XjdD1vjQjHVl6vXY-CWIQ6B1pCpt5AKDT3YYvSdeFMrD84LZZtbMImanfqodnGV70xstcgcLN0/s1600/Day+5-6-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdgOSan3lM6Rln3BlNBXypfVTre-YYQn3qdoZb2ewdPoK57xOS6bCxcAdsx1J8c4T1XjdD1vjQjHVl6vXY-CWIQ6B1pCpt5AKDT3YYvSdeFMrD84LZZtbMImanfqodnGV70xstcgcLN0/s400/Day+5-6-34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQkmfLhXrFSXeN1BA5gKpKtOyUZmLl-CG_-H2wUl3hyphenhyphenpdgyAGmP3FiLupNTz_l0MS4OOXrO3y6a__GqI42hyphenhyphenZgyCzM7hCMhQR5MmqqorYnIuNzOpARHI1EYjB1TpvtFa7OMRXvVBA534/s1600/Day+5-6-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQkmfLhXrFSXeN1BA5gKpKtOyUZmLl-CG_-H2wUl3hyphenhyphenpdgyAGmP3FiLupNTz_l0MS4OOXrO3y6a__GqI42hyphenhyphenZgyCzM7hCMhQR5MmqqorYnIuNzOpARHI1EYjB1TpvtFa7OMRXvVBA534/s400/Day+5-6-35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOVGzzuOVR6p1y12TtGjeF353VBmnl09xbWIAH2mUABC6IbffOAd7_GkKRzZqZm4u21VGVnvgtaEjY0UHcxDNTlrcrOTwl9rMtmH7hmKw1gDmwoFhnJS2lZjFa30rDp4lwAhVstvyHpo/s1600/Day+5-6-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOVGzzuOVR6p1y12TtGjeF353VBmnl09xbWIAH2mUABC6IbffOAd7_GkKRzZqZm4u21VGVnvgtaEjY0UHcxDNTlrcrOTwl9rMtmH7hmKw1gDmwoFhnJS2lZjFa30rDp4lwAhVstvyHpo/s400/Day+5-6-36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Alaskan Hares</i></div>
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<i>Nome-Kougarok Highway, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 11</i></div>
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Here's just a taste of some of the scenes from that night:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkm1XvBtTVMT2fG6tlEwWHNyieacqNBSrlidB5CTc_8Bx9OKKA1NrBZGysmVn2ogVo7tW9rT05o6dXCPBNYd1QqZWCoO1g8Ey1nXlxlR8zdggn_aT8Me7PUkHAnRd2qzTLy8As7U_02hk/s1600/IMG_7438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkm1XvBtTVMT2fG6tlEwWHNyieacqNBSrlidB5CTc_8Bx9OKKA1NrBZGysmVn2ogVo7tW9rT05o6dXCPBNYd1QqZWCoO1g8Ey1nXlxlR8zdggn_aT8Me7PUkHAnRd2qzTLy8As7U_02hk/s400/IMG_7438.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMrRwbrEead1dph5QsZ_7NCS9t4A4b_kSsR5iDYuuxiWCJdVm0mNhU1iV0QIZlVT4oibhFEWLJutzSm2FU-fvzfVgWYMxYp5u_eeeKS2ufxECg5lNZp6s3BbjqBe9wSnIGnzCEv2r9C0/s1600/IMG_7446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMrRwbrEead1dph5QsZ_7NCS9t4A4b_kSsR5iDYuuxiWCJdVm0mNhU1iV0QIZlVT4oibhFEWLJutzSm2FU-fvzfVgWYMxYp5u_eeeKS2ufxECg5lNZp6s3BbjqBe9wSnIGnzCEv2r9C0/s400/IMG_7446.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrgPCkiY2FqDzgY-XKFqrJhgbnKUJbfCTEhxRwVKUByVGCcZ3EepHWfGAIYdovALjAQVmimBCgsarwJGspgfNT78zJOd2RNcl-e9WKZo_RDDwao0Dz8IQBcH8Z7eHoo5d2TIUesEezf0/s1600/Day+5-6-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrgPCkiY2FqDzgY-XKFqrJhgbnKUJbfCTEhxRwVKUByVGCcZ3EepHWfGAIYdovALjAQVmimBCgsarwJGspgfNT78zJOd2RNcl-e9WKZo_RDDwao0Dz8IQBcH8Z7eHoo5d2TIUesEezf0/s400/Day+5-6-33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Nome-Kougarok Highway, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 11</i></div>
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On the final morning we stayed local, adding a few species to the trip list. If it was appropriate that a Muskox was the subject of my first photo of the trip, it was equally fitting that a Parasitic Jaeger was the subject of my last.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKT-CwTt40o78qHufy0toPx81v9hh8snHAYymDxZJRJlwpIXa-BOLJtiwwioL_VR5p8kEGxHO6yd5ctF-0MBrBmJTMIPsaAbdiBdirEgGmxITaI0O4GkJ6Mw9PgykBDL_0jkPEb6VrBk/s1600/Day+5-6-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKT-CwTt40o78qHufy0toPx81v9hh8snHAYymDxZJRJlwpIXa-BOLJtiwwioL_VR5p8kEGxHO6yd5ctF-0MBrBmJTMIPsaAbdiBdirEgGmxITaI0O4GkJ6Mw9PgykBDL_0jkPEb6VrBk/s400/Day+5-6-44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Parasitic Jaeger</i></div>
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<i>Safety Sound, AK</i></div>
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<i>July 12</i></div>
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112 species in all, 31 of which were year birds, bringing my total to 485 for 2018.<br />
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<b><i>Unforgettable Pelagic</i></b></div>
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The last major surge to the list came from one outstanding day with <a href="http://www.oregonpelagictours.com/2018/08/august-25-pelagic-more-laysans-and.html">Oregon Pelagic Tours</a> in the deep offshore waters west of Newport. The weather, species diversity, and staggering views of every species combined to make my favorite pelagic trip yet. You can see all my photos <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157697486452712">here</a>, but for now I'll leave you with one of our three Laysan Albatrosses from the day:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zSFmiibN0rIsUPeeIGi_NS9FdULJ9CLXnLhV5dcPvluxUakvU2mSmyTq4GqiF05JeGwMThDh6nB82tWUht7pKv7iBelzRjOs-xgr1WorvQN4t5cvgsEkq_CM0Cpc-_tQiCjv4jhFqfQ/s1600/August+Pelagic-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zSFmiibN0rIsUPeeIGi_NS9FdULJ9CLXnLhV5dcPvluxUakvU2mSmyTq4GqiF05JeGwMThDh6nB82tWUht7pKv7iBelzRjOs-xgr1WorvQN4t5cvgsEkq_CM0Cpc-_tQiCjv4jhFqfQ/s400/August+Pelagic-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWI_L-IXXoBD3Uq0X8YG_iU4ts2iCRBiXb0frdrAbDelburtIlmMNEQydtTmqTXqo9TnqCqNgKoWBYN9CfhNOcdLgVgeuPfRXTiiizN9iDDFCW0nN_9CtPNZqgkwa1M4FRVJIAYgNzTM/s1600/August+Pelagic-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWI_L-IXXoBD3Uq0X8YG_iU4ts2iCRBiXb0frdrAbDelburtIlmMNEQydtTmqTXqo9TnqCqNgKoWBYN9CfhNOcdLgVgeuPfRXTiiizN9iDDFCW0nN_9CtPNZqgkwa1M4FRVJIAYgNzTM/s400/August+Pelagic-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Laysan Albatross</i></div>
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<i>Offshore, Lincoln Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>August 25</i></div>
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Yet, for all we saw, we did miss South Polar Skua and Flesh-footed Shearwater, both of which were seen on nearly every other OPT trip this fall. Every species counts. And when you're inching towards a goal, every miss hurts. My total at the end of the day was 492.</div>
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<b><i>The Long, Slow Crawl to the End</i></b></div>
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It was about this time that our son staged a sleep revolt that would last through the end of October, and the semester began, which meant long days stacked on long days with little reprieve. And very little birding time.</div>
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493 was a White-tailed Ptarmigan on a picturesque morning at Mount Rainier National Park over Labor Day Weekend.</div>
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494 was a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Fern Ridge, mere yards away from where I saw my lifer Sharp-tail two years prior.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMwM0AtCJpcYH_GFhDHOhc1ejudTBQNDcMpinShshK4e6ejEcJkYNVbn1ZrLKger2g0FV7Cn_0eXGc6AJ-RgnbqHegCsuaYijBl11CEyWWc2kDoiZ9Eb1Ncnu8Fbab9f0XsScuV6eHEw/s1600/Mostly+Sept-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="739" data-original-width="1109" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMwM0AtCJpcYH_GFhDHOhc1ejudTBQNDcMpinShshK4e6ejEcJkYNVbn1ZrLKger2g0FV7Cn_0eXGc6AJ-RgnbqHegCsuaYijBl11CEyWWc2kDoiZ9Eb1Ncnu8Fbab9f0XsScuV6eHEw/s400/Mostly+Sept-47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and American Pipit</i></div>
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<i>Fern Ridge, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>September 23</i></div>
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495 and 496 came when I cleaned up Palm Warbler and Rock Sandpiper on a day at the Lincoln County Coast in October.</div>
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497 was an exciting lifer when I finally got away to see the long staying Tundra Bean Goose at Finley NWR!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL1OQ1mmtWDpDQiYylErpcAt0Bt-d_Azzlz2sp3sEiBgdO_8mShEKSnbltUTTjSB-kPy9MydDFFD7sdxYaLQ4Pr_y5Rz6rmSMfA42rH1a1yoMYRcgAOB2V4c6xYQHo34XzTksrTCpqfA/s1600/DSC_6266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1203" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL1OQ1mmtWDpDQiYylErpcAt0Bt-d_Azzlz2sp3sEiBgdO_8mShEKSnbltUTTjSB-kPy9MydDFFD7sdxYaLQ4Pr_y5Rz6rmSMfA42rH1a1yoMYRcgAOB2V4c6xYQHo34XzTksrTCpqfA/s400/DSC_6266.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Tundra Bean Goose</i></div>
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<i>Finley NWR, Benton Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>December 7</i></div>
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So I was three birds away with three weeks left. Finals week and the grading aftermath of finals week kept me from chasing anything else in Oregon. We were off to Spokane for Christmas, and my total was at the mercy of Eastern Washington.</div>
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We set out December 22 with five potential targets. Our early targets were unsuccessful: Gray Partridge and Blue Jay. The margin for error evaporated.</div>
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By late morning we made it to Asotin and decided to check out a group of gulls on the river before heading to the landfill. Out of that group I plucked not one, but two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls! This was a bonus for me as it 498 for the year, but also a Washington state lifer for me, #328.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaHHL4uBc0YFRvsJnA2hpcdqcpnZPoF0VaaIbObgT4uwVvkFCdHJndX3Nxl6QzKpL6dla6kySb0RnUkVOkgmGw-VQImLRNeVG8Sx4Qpo0i5mzCufYua2iy65vR4LSkki8bH44Cy3-2CQ/s1600/DSC_6321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1230" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaHHL4uBc0YFRvsJnA2hpcdqcpnZPoF0VaaIbObgT4uwVvkFCdHJndX3Nxl6QzKpL6dla6kySb0RnUkVOkgmGw-VQImLRNeVG8Sx4Qpo0i5mzCufYua2iy65vR4LSkki8bH44Cy3-2CQ/s400/DSC_6321.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Lesser Black-backed Gull with Herrings</i></div>
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<i>Asotin, Asotin Co, WA</i></div>
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<i>December 22</i></div>
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Just down the road this Western Screech Owl was soaking in the sun, 499!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcFzSwWYV17hslEDKuJS68uPb9VKBXBcgpU2nm1PIHdqF9aUaIJ_Ak7plrvY90QDjgTkn2hH80Ttmnwwkp-qRYVoE6sigwLbz-EPMZPSYp_4kwoViS2xcDyhK4S8D8l3jHvIfqVKpSHw/s1600/DSC_6326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcFzSwWYV17hslEDKuJS68uPb9VKBXBcgpU2nm1PIHdqF9aUaIJ_Ak7plrvY90QDjgTkn2hH80Ttmnwwkp-qRYVoE6sigwLbz-EPMZPSYp_4kwoViS2xcDyhK4S8D8l3jHvIfqVKpSHw/s400/DSC_6326.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Western Screech Owl</i></div>
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<i>Asotin Slough, Asotin Co, WA</i></div>
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<i>December 22</i></div>
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While in the area we hopped across the river into Idaho and birded Hell's Gate State Park, where I found another Screech sitting out in the open, one of <a href="https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50873704">three species of owls</a> roosting in a 50 yard radius!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCv_aIaz2PLhrA5wvcLf3XiSq2uz4oSW1EVqQd9Z4AFRHxrb6pc52ix_KSXoiPec8QzBqRj2836W1nvo0DPcxFLYEZhGioK466kVBzAgGqenot9kg-ncBKCHgd_K08tBOvHR6sIlBLALY/s1600/DSC_6344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCv_aIaz2PLhrA5wvcLf3XiSq2uz4oSW1EVqQd9Z4AFRHxrb6pc52ix_KSXoiPec8QzBqRj2836W1nvo0DPcxFLYEZhGioK466kVBzAgGqenot9kg-ncBKCHgd_K08tBOvHR6sIlBLALY/s400/DSC_6344.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Western Screech Owl</i></div>
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<i>Hells Gate SP, Nez Perce Co, ID</i></div>
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<i>December 22</i></div>
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And number 500 came in the form of one of my very favorite birds. We stopped by a roost on the way home, and it put on a nice little aerial show for us when we arrived!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQcekN9NXbgwMsvw554Smm9lBfJBQ9BTI8LN8n5OOcH85YweiVLdVNKTTpvLhIKsYE8FBSK-xG0Z8cbsEvCTJBiGANC18krYdU-X4WA3Tyz1LXgFRT-GPz6WJukjwOUcp_G8JJbd7sS8/s1600/DSC_6365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1456" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQcekN9NXbgwMsvw554Smm9lBfJBQ9BTI8LN8n5OOcH85YweiVLdVNKTTpvLhIKsYE8FBSK-xG0Z8cbsEvCTJBiGANC18krYdU-X4WA3Tyz1LXgFRT-GPz6WJukjwOUcp_G8JJbd7sS8/s400/DSC_6365.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Long-eared Owl, #500!</i></div>
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<i>Whitman Co, WA</i></div>
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<i>December 22</i></div>
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An exciting and satisfying moment to end such a wild, improbable year of birding! In 2019 I'm on to smaller and better things, trying to see as many species as I can within a five mile radius of home. Who knows? Maybe I'll even blog about it!</div>
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Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-68759683754379515212017-03-04T17:25:00.000-08:002017-03-04T17:27:02.283-08:00Tufted Duck!Yesterday, John and I tried for the Tufted Duck that has been hanging out at Pintail Marsh at Ankeny NWR for a few days. We spent about an hour looking for it, never found it, then left just in time for a whole herd of birders to show up and see it right after us.<br />
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That was a bummer.<br />
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This morning, we had better luck. This immature male Tufted Duck was, from most angles, darker than the nearby female Lesser Scaup. It lacked any white in the face and had a nice broad, black nail on the bill. But the darn thing dove like the dickens. I imagine this is why John and I missed it a day ago. But the diving caused a further annoyance—it made the actual "tuft" for which the bird is named rather difficult to see since the head feathers were wet and slicked back. On a couple occasions, the bird stayed up for a few minutes, the feathers dried out, and the wind caused a little tuft to emerge at the back of this bird's head.<br />
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It was just far enough away to prevent genuinely quality photos; but, all told, they're diagnostic. Here it is next to a male Ring-necked Duck:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlcyO3CAZu7wAqQOpDB6M0Ku3wCokQw1Ghcaob1NgCavkGvfBePeyE4sbm-bsfYk74gd7NWQnPCN6sjAqdSKCoFO8bWt7rZ9dVRCfHhhVK9eCn2lW9-2xFM-WVO02KOaYOWhczGMmr1A/s1600/Mar+4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlcyO3CAZu7wAqQOpDB6M0Ku3wCokQw1Ghcaob1NgCavkGvfBePeyE4sbm-bsfYk74gd7NWQnPCN6sjAqdSKCoFO8bWt7rZ9dVRCfHhhVK9eCn2lW9-2xFM-WVO02KOaYOWhczGMmr1A/s400/Mar+4-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In front of some "Dusky" Canadas:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHZxQcgbkdGo_uHPrkVKgzTjyXoEi_7Mf3iUkIFEHwXL-hK_v1aqcxoDGBBhmDj2XcR_AS6aCqRDcfqiM4aeT49OGWAfhdoPK0553QLZsP_Qr3x6FgActgUQF58SYAFc-5VLJ4viqMPw/s1600/Mar+4-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHZxQcgbkdGo_uHPrkVKgzTjyXoEi_7Mf3iUkIFEHwXL-hK_v1aqcxoDGBBhmDj2XcR_AS6aCqRDcfqiM4aeT49OGWAfhdoPK0553QLZsP_Qr3x6FgActgUQF58SYAFc-5VLJ4viqMPw/s400/Mar+4-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In flight between a Bufflehead and Lesser Scaup, showing extensive white in the wing (which I also <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/31959026880/in/photolist-RquPqx-SqG7cN-SqG7pS-SqG7y9-RquPkc-RcYCMJ-PZ19Pu-QG7nfQ-R5PSUB-R5PSxe-QG7mT7/">photographed</a> in Humboldt, Cali in January):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg9AoCGLaBgNG-mgv8jDFXpzV4d-Y2NHYsh5ca2npdiFnbSK0Pv0EW45HoVt0WMzV_AHQJatVLVWfrvFKSSV6p3LzJT-yweZLn1RDeI4BMoM6NEp0_hPkBzN9BEDngHnXqmpqRGuk63I/s1600/Mar+4-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg9AoCGLaBgNG-mgv8jDFXpzV4d-Y2NHYsh5ca2npdiFnbSK0Pv0EW45HoVt0WMzV_AHQJatVLVWfrvFKSSV6p3LzJT-yweZLn1RDeI4BMoM6NEp0_hPkBzN9BEDngHnXqmpqRGuk63I/s400/Mar+4-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And again in flight above a Lesser Scaup:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpJDuD_tbR9pOpZ09HgMDHrNMIMhiLpQn9a8SkO6vl0JnnO09mPeMmNH_07XBcC43K1mFIGwHUoH2hWiYUItMT1vs3vqz5_htWv4NdyNZNyXSGDvPHcUnYmZg8oYUJ7mtSOJp4H98NGs/s1600/Mar+4-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpJDuD_tbR9pOpZ09HgMDHrNMIMhiLpQn9a8SkO6vl0JnnO09mPeMmNH_07XBcC43K1mFIGwHUoH2hWiYUItMT1vs3vqz5_htWv4NdyNZNyXSGDvPHcUnYmZg8oYUJ7mtSOJp4H98NGs/s400/Mar+4-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Tufted Duck</i></div>
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<i>Pintail Marsh, Ankeny NWR, Marion County, OR</i></div>
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This Tufted Duck is: my 3rd ever, my 2nd this year, and my 1st for Oregon. Somehow I have one for Idaho, California, and Oregon, but not Washington. It's my 7th state lifer of the year already, and the 249th species I've photographed in Oregon.<br />
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The other really nice bird of the weekend came yesterday, when John and I had success with the Red-naped Sapsucker that's been hanging around Corvallis much of the winter. This is my first time seeing this species in the Willamette Valley/west of the Cascades.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeCQy1hgA8X7lzAlEcc1FGwrxUAUkLotrynBV47FXa5WC0AJjMtfJkw2-Qk5TDPtWV6kah6Cr9I_aT_gSOs5EPOJDJwdKzgmclU6-26lTcSB0j9A-YDq0XdCBtkDyLTCpei9upsUPiQU/s1600/Mar+3-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeCQy1hgA8X7lzAlEcc1FGwrxUAUkLotrynBV47FXa5WC0AJjMtfJkw2-Qk5TDPtWV6kah6Cr9I_aT_gSOs5EPOJDJwdKzgmclU6-26lTcSB0j9A-YDq0XdCBtkDyLTCpei9upsUPiQU/s400/Mar+3-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Red-naped Sapsucker</i></div>
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<i>Corvallis, Benton County, OR</i></div>
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Yay March. Yay birds.Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-66873068488828008102017-02-28T20:05:00.000-08:002017-02-28T20:05:31.978-08:00January-February 2017As the last few hours of February fade, it seemed like a quick summary of the first couple months of 2017 would be fitting, as it's been a very productive start to the year so far!<br />
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January kicked off with a trio of awesome ABA lifers. John Sullivan and I made the trek down to Coos Bay to get the King Eider that Russ Namitz found on the CBC, then headed to Sutton Lake where the Brambling made for a two lifer day! Amazingly, both of these birds are still hanging around!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c4K5QELd2g09i51l2nazA8bR5jDt3wKh5PspmUqFkTepOp8Kd7CyEuFVZA2jG9irLuEqxi_GSN9wgLcdIj-Ae7IyAjNpl_h0ncdXGdaZLa085yj53fgvZDC6eifAMqXDS0e9F1_PwmY/s1600/Jan+6-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c4K5QELd2g09i51l2nazA8bR5jDt3wKh5PspmUqFkTepOp8Kd7CyEuFVZA2jG9irLuEqxi_GSN9wgLcdIj-Ae7IyAjNpl_h0ncdXGdaZLa085yj53fgvZDC6eifAMqXDS0e9F1_PwmY/s400/Jan+6-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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King Eider</div>
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Coos Bay, Coos County, OR</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKTqLUyBpZdwL2aYo0J5Fy9gmT6hLXNSYYz1vA__cCKVX5D-jMAN53MaWCRI9_TehDt2Ipf15ImUimP-v4xB3g9k6U3vo0DPMbRFzjmd6X5yv4PSfYhMcgRvIIJp2lb_2ui-sNWhYDXM/s1600/Jan+6-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKTqLUyBpZdwL2aYo0J5Fy9gmT6hLXNSYYz1vA__cCKVX5D-jMAN53MaWCRI9_TehDt2Ipf15ImUimP-v4xB3g9k6U3vo0DPMbRFzjmd6X5yv4PSfYhMcgRvIIJp2lb_2ui-sNWhYDXM/s400/Jan+6-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Z5LE0X5ltGfbvNc-iAplsBlDziIzchxNr68fNp1NK2UYHEHbBqXDJofENjKY9VuQQ2uOfI0sLZkmTic6drSXstr045w874UOSxqj-KEBbDY2GmyVjtlmHj2zppTkxqBFHfJjU4KzSt8/s1600/Jan+6-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Z5LE0X5ltGfbvNc-iAplsBlDziIzchxNr68fNp1NK2UYHEHbBqXDJofENjKY9VuQQ2uOfI0sLZkmTic6drSXstr045w874UOSxqj-KEBbDY2GmyVjtlmHj2zppTkxqBFHfJjU4KzSt8/s400/Jan+6-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uw3_3TPBlJTY5TsGKh20Oc0NTGkPgIr-ZUO5nOHAUCgtr0SFzAXsIh5JQzJgG96zXY8TJ99aewWByqeEbqVGBXjLu4J8LzYmRxWNhEPXQj6r6by0YL8tPJsRw1honizjDLwW_wb9yq4/s1600/Jan+6-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uw3_3TPBlJTY5TsGKh20Oc0NTGkPgIr-ZUO5nOHAUCgtr0SFzAXsIh5JQzJgG96zXY8TJ99aewWByqeEbqVGBXjLu4J8LzYmRxWNhEPXQj6r6by0YL8tPJsRw1honizjDLwW_wb9yq4/s400/Jan+6-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Pzr6YFKPNKf3tOcWjT3DwtslcwAYqKkSFQCzuYR_xzJq5qjtt-1oM9UTP_00cOdqsfpOmq0XFj29fAqFTUGqLEXLA_c4191ACTZ7ktVTHc2aoYCEmqDV0jq93f3KeKxf6ghhFax1dnI/s1600/Jan+6-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Pzr6YFKPNKf3tOcWjT3DwtslcwAYqKkSFQCzuYR_xzJq5qjtt-1oM9UTP_00cOdqsfpOmq0XFj29fAqFTUGqLEXLA_c4191ACTZ7ktVTHc2aoYCEmqDV0jq93f3KeKxf6ghhFax1dnI/s400/Jan+6-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWzIPnEqvI0ARaN9TrHctTPKBerP1Qex9PmCU6pcqW57GAWzXtT1Csrl2Kyg99aEPVwTrRlcde99BJKEulEh7ga_Q3hENKw5p6HNzD-_jILNCekquk6yMTzoSNGBW_WzfR_MOYs-FN6U/s1600/Jan+6-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWzIPnEqvI0ARaN9TrHctTPKBerP1Qex9PmCU6pcqW57GAWzXtT1Csrl2Kyg99aEPVwTrRlcde99BJKEulEh7ga_Q3hENKw5p6HNzD-_jILNCekquk6yMTzoSNGBW_WzfR_MOYs-FN6U/s400/Jan+6-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Brambling</div>
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Sutton Lake, Lane County, OR</div>
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Continuing my established theme of taking lame photos of awesome birds, I headed down to California and was among the last group of birders to get to see the long staying Common Pochard! It was a tricky bird, half way between the body color of a Canvasback and a Redhead. The distinct blue saddle on the bill is a dead giveaway, but on this particular morning, the Pochard had its head tucked the majority of the time, making it virtually impossible to pick out amongst the hordes of immature and female Canvasbacks. Somehow, one of the times I put my phone up to get some digiscoped shots, it actually pulled its head out from under its wing so I could capture that distinct blue bill. Towards the end of my time there, a couple guys in a boat spooked the large <i>aythya</i> flock. I initially thought the flock relocated elsewhere in the lagoon, but I couldn't find it. And it turns out, no one else did, either. If I had taken off from home just a couple hours later, I would have completely missed this bird!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvGmCXcIFGUst9aqnHpcu0DdlcM2YcVTPQHRRVECkloQtdXKRgVE16Y7QX1MA6ipLALGzj8NduRkI9LAaMuyrkc4Dax9KSmlOfHgCkW0TWYLiNR1hKpNat6hyk1QnIxnIC8XBsnICmi0/s1600/32159401162_270916c066_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvGmCXcIFGUst9aqnHpcu0DdlcM2YcVTPQHRRVECkloQtdXKRgVE16Y7QX1MA6ipLALGzj8NduRkI9LAaMuyrkc4Dax9KSmlOfHgCkW0TWYLiNR1hKpNat6hyk1QnIxnIC8XBsnICmi0/s400/32159401162_270916c066_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Common Pochard</i></div>
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<i>Freshwater Lagoon, Humboldt County, CA</i></div>
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But, I did get the bird, and a lot more on that particular day. By all accounts, Humboldt County is not exactly a quality "day trip" from Eugene, but it was my first time birding the famous county, so I tried to make the most of it. The next highlight was this female Tufted Duck, which was special on several accounts: this is the first female of this species I've seen (the only other one was a male long, long ago), the first chance I've had to photograph one, and it capped off an incredible 7 <i>aythya</i> day, which I almost certainly will never do again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmynRfT8KPaMBm6FS4SOvjdkaDzNjcxlif-NuzgtoQwKD_FXqbyhzoSJBDb4QbBHKdgTD9oAPtHYX75_Y65Z72wVGWkguZw0Ws8KERepMbgiEyAewkWDYwv7qW33gaO6kPnHvmMmPF_k/s1600/Jan+13-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmynRfT8KPaMBm6FS4SOvjdkaDzNjcxlif-NuzgtoQwKD_FXqbyhzoSJBDb4QbBHKdgTD9oAPtHYX75_Y65Z72wVGWkguZw0Ws8KERepMbgiEyAewkWDYwv7qW33gaO6kPnHvmMmPF_k/s400/Jan+13-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjYvWG4A_gGHKjBchOisnSllF1fqELPWYv0YGBVZ2nt0EVZ35Le-PmHsgj1DlggdUcputYDY5dsBlIJYbS6FN5EPvo50hfF7ND0bqzivOYOhAV1hJ-iiwcNP5HE1JWbpTtOjQLFCOL4g/s1600/Jan+13-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjYvWG4A_gGHKjBchOisnSllF1fqELPWYv0YGBVZ2nt0EVZ35Le-PmHsgj1DlggdUcputYDY5dsBlIJYbS6FN5EPvo50hfF7ND0bqzivOYOhAV1hJ-iiwcNP5HE1JWbpTtOjQLFCOL4g/s400/Jan+13-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuJLvzMh18dzNG1e2ezYa9J8rozeTDCJqgjWMBmryHrx3dg-ucZ0dei7liNeg1uwY9R9AwXM340lmmhyphenhyphenBPZyI9VllsdxqOTrOF4YtvBOR_eHpzpbgF_71AzO2EITisEWpXDwNS8J2t_0/s1600/Jan+13-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuJLvzMh18dzNG1e2ezYa9J8rozeTDCJqgjWMBmryHrx3dg-ucZ0dei7liNeg1uwY9R9AwXM340lmmhyphenhyphenBPZyI9VllsdxqOTrOF4YtvBOR_eHpzpbgF_71AzO2EITisEWpXDwNS8J2t_0/s400/Jan+13-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Tufted Duck</i></div>
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<i>Arcata Marsh, Humboldt County, CA</i></div>
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I wound up tallying 93 species for the county, which all happened in basically a half day of birding. The concentration of birds at Arcata Bottoms was absolutely staggering to me. I may have to make a winter trip down there an annual thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyom3ZvYvh7fmJE6Vq2HUvTzPXhVsTXzoDxlHFho2W-3t66LakA27ELDKBfbnYCqvwvWbg0FnGIZlLCW12cFLzvg9YjRcZbY7rvL05DJ0zrc2o3Na4bQByhgU3HhCZK92pGw22yuqb_Ug/s1600/Jan+13-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyom3ZvYvh7fmJE6Vq2HUvTzPXhVsTXzoDxlHFho2W-3t66LakA27ELDKBfbnYCqvwvWbg0FnGIZlLCW12cFLzvg9YjRcZbY7rvL05DJ0zrc2o3Na4bQByhgU3HhCZK92pGw22yuqb_Ug/s400/Jan+13-26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>White-tailed Kite</i></div>
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<i>Arcata Bottoms, Humboldt County, CA</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJRRCnFq9-89KvQJ-SfCqY7M8XvLzWOIjxt3ESiptbgL2d0ac0teu43BqoKdBi-hFPSmgT6hTAUW8ug1xDPGV6GVxuR96d7Ziiu-tq4DEfqpxEspuWlLpFWZFagm056ZiybrPU8MPVfU/s1600/Jan+13-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJRRCnFq9-89KvQJ-SfCqY7M8XvLzWOIjxt3ESiptbgL2d0ac0teu43BqoKdBi-hFPSmgT6hTAUW8ug1xDPGV6GVxuR96d7Ziiu-tq4DEfqpxEspuWlLpFWZFagm056ZiybrPU8MPVfU/s400/Jan+13-30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Snowy Egret<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Arcata Bottoms, Humboldt County, CA</i></div>
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Back in the Beaver State, there have been plenty of birding goodies to keep us distracted—at least momentarily—from the rather lousy winter weather, which has included not one, but two ice storms. One of the highlights was the long staying Harris's Sparrow on Bond Road. Any day you see a Harris's Sparrow is a good day, but this one was made particularly sweet because it was joined by all of the other members of the <i>zonotrichia </i>family (that we get in the US anyway): White-crowned, Golden-crowned, and White-throated! To top it all off, I even managed to fit all four in a single frame! This is probably one of my favorite photos I've taken:<i> </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04lnRARwDuDb6o8hJs0pAdOjAua2GZG1UWlB14aFIZYKV32YOR10g8O57-lc8TT2c-5EAjm0r1DwMBy59osDP0ATdH54YHInH7JpVcsx2Dm4Zs0q1x5tVh3cOpPANE7J7EngfsUuMT6Q/s1600/Jan+14-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04lnRARwDuDb6o8hJs0pAdOjAua2GZG1UWlB14aFIZYKV32YOR10g8O57-lc8TT2c-5EAjm0r1DwMBy59osDP0ATdH54YHInH7JpVcsx2Dm4Zs0q1x5tVh3cOpPANE7J7EngfsUuMT6Q/s400/Jan+14-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Harris's, White-throated, White-crowned, and Golden-crowned Sparrow</div>
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Bond Rd, Lane County, OR</div>
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At the end of January I had a flurry of county lifers that put me over the 250 mark for Lane County, the best of which was this Say's Phoebe. After trying for this bird on Franklin Road a few hundred times (or maybe just three) and coming up empty, I randomly ran into it a quarter mile north along Alvadore Road while looking at geese and gulls one afternoon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSDX08CQUWcdnai49Ts_A0-c_Jcp5h9ZEmxqO3XBiTfvXCNW7Nd1nUdHBcExIi9xD8F1JCWeP2fDbpgt60-Ufr5S4gxwKJUIkO0YjBz8oEaFy26lSeWkeeH5VAU88bfpLLimK4TdYaAA/s1600/Jan+28-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSDX08CQUWcdnai49Ts_A0-c_Jcp5h9ZEmxqO3XBiTfvXCNW7Nd1nUdHBcExIi9xD8F1JCWeP2fDbpgt60-Ufr5S4gxwKJUIkO0YjBz8oEaFy26lSeWkeeH5VAU88bfpLLimK4TdYaAA/s400/Jan+28-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYWyms9xi8Bsgk6tvxo1wJm3tNlW1FHaLBbwosD0RNDhSoN8_bIYrffo4T589u9_EuVnneMVoRooXOK-vccXfsubCeKHZYR1UN71ievp0deMhv5dQKQjB6MyVe914zeQUQamZEjcH-Io/s1600/Jan+28-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYWyms9xi8Bsgk6tvxo1wJm3tNlW1FHaLBbwosD0RNDhSoN8_bIYrffo4T589u9_EuVnneMVoRooXOK-vccXfsubCeKHZYR1UN71ievp0deMhv5dQKQjB6MyVe914zeQUQamZEjcH-Io/s400/Jan+28-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Say's Phoebe</i></div>
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<i>Alvadore Rd, Lane County, OR</i></div>
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John and I have made a handful of trips to the coast, some more successful than others. We've put in a lot of work trying to pick out a rare gull, but just haven't been able to come up with one yet. It'll come. One particularly good day we had included my state lifer Costa's Hummingbird and Glaucous Gull, plus a few more Lincoln County lifers like Northern Mockingbird and Palm Warbler.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4HaSvSsvAvTAkmEcI1nAn9aGhuRn_YHtnuF-c_yHNFvXd8xKmaVfaCYYgVVWkOcEo-XiSZmtUWF-yAj7ogLBtNoMnqauI2H55maua_jasU-b_j6m6bOeztcaC3ud3sFfTOHpMtm2N9g/s1600/Feb+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4HaSvSsvAvTAkmEcI1nAn9aGhuRn_YHtnuF-c_yHNFvXd8xKmaVfaCYYgVVWkOcEo-XiSZmtUWF-yAj7ogLBtNoMnqauI2H55maua_jasU-b_j6m6bOeztcaC3ud3sFfTOHpMtm2N9g/s400/Feb+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Northern Mockingbird</i></div>
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<i>Newport, Lincoln County, OR</i></div>
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Apparently this guy is growing in more purple gorget feathers, hope it sticks around a little longer!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxU_ftG-TxBJ6XNaf8HvYXpVt8PN5aaWsHOrp1H7wl3yIOLyDTu-zOR_s60RFJqioX5OGNohVtfSbC7EI5nRYp5F3_OkDBdGTDDJFL4VTake6jkssVdfYhYVTa4Wk6aCyAQO8C1O98kE/s1600/Feb+3-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxU_ftG-TxBJ6XNaf8HvYXpVt8PN5aaWsHOrp1H7wl3yIOLyDTu-zOR_s60RFJqioX5OGNohVtfSbC7EI5nRYp5F3_OkDBdGTDDJFL4VTake6jkssVdfYhYVTa4Wk6aCyAQO8C1O98kE/s400/Feb+3-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSXS9ReSSU5QVUyE8q5IXUwvbCoShTjksvqL87ZmOMrKxKsP9vOpU96ys6x6eNLXszPekeA0VNsHXATCbjUserSMh01y2JQv-AGZAjBDrg1VrEoBaN4tAtlLvHbwIUiasTuEUZTXjN00/s1600/Feb+3-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSXS9ReSSU5QVUyE8q5IXUwvbCoShTjksvqL87ZmOMrKxKsP9vOpU96ys6x6eNLXszPekeA0VNsHXATCbjUserSMh01y2JQv-AGZAjBDrg1VrEoBaN4tAtlLvHbwIUiasTuEUZTXjN00/s400/Feb+3-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Costa's Hummingbird</i></div>
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<i>South Beach, Lincoln County, OR</i></div>
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We searched for about an hour for this Palm Warbler with no luck, then arrived back at the parking lot to find it had been waiting there for us all along. It caught, demolished, and devoured a worm right in front of us!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPrmDqcLrsNLq8XFFSWY74MaZJOPbaz05DrqzQ2igrg9SmrwUcmJN-rO6JooXXrRdyconPjuxHFfrKZZWWCEP-qTwh3OzzztMpEjvR7ry4DIH3TmMy1xbDj17K3mfhI81dZzTw1KRkUA/s1600/Feb+3-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPrmDqcLrsNLq8XFFSWY74MaZJOPbaz05DrqzQ2igrg9SmrwUcmJN-rO6JooXXrRdyconPjuxHFfrKZZWWCEP-qTwh3OzzztMpEjvR7ry4DIH3TmMy1xbDj17K3mfhI81dZzTw1KRkUA/s400/Feb+3-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Palm Warbler</i></div>
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<i>HMSC, Lincoln County, OR</i></div>
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An overdue state lifer:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_TMujitqeHG6JKGjQXUg67dBw2iFCUcTy60olDuikBqmval0EqaEn-kwT14Rjl_ZUL9TPr-zAoU97AgZMPw_af7xWJxJT90rZEFpV2kByWJUXHGsXjP9yLnHPOq_HxFwKJDeMSz9dxE/s1600/Feb+3-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_TMujitqeHG6JKGjQXUg67dBw2iFCUcTy60olDuikBqmval0EqaEn-kwT14Rjl_ZUL9TPr-zAoU97AgZMPw_af7xWJxJT90rZEFpV2kByWJUXHGsXjP9yLnHPOq_HxFwKJDeMSz9dxE/s400/Feb+3-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Glaucous Gull</i></div>
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<i>Newport Fishing Pier, Lincoln County, OR</i></div>
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The Siuslaw South Jetty provided some nice looks at a roosting Black-legged Kittiwake one morning, which was also my first chance to photograph one!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60xtg4jVVfWE0zvFkh-s24ZSsskxRkTYWKIXfLgJME4cotrMBMMCxAsD36yFxkH1PfxIp5FIySzJJ1wg-5T19iZuIedbcjw54pJi1RaVS-1DGKqaNJ-EeQGofkmS2J2ObcSCBnv0-JhI/s1600/Feb+10-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60xtg4jVVfWE0zvFkh-s24ZSsskxRkTYWKIXfLgJME4cotrMBMMCxAsD36yFxkH1PfxIp5FIySzJJ1wg-5T19iZuIedbcjw54pJi1RaVS-1DGKqaNJ-EeQGofkmS2J2ObcSCBnv0-JhI/s400/Feb+10-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Black-legged Kittiwake</i></div>
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<i>Siuslaw South Jetty, Lane County, OR</i></div>
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I have a few birds that I feel compelled to photograph every single time I see them, no matter what. In Illinois, it was Red-headed Woodpeckers. Now, it's White-tailed Kites and Black Oystercatchers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCGIxL2kNQMQ-r_NgMpAKGsnRLkgofCeg3CLgLBa1vVQKFeZ5S8PtPilyBVActgOIGngIW85EoApg8DesTVaA2O9QqUq1OACesvVKybS4tHEODpML0i_l1dN6Dh0PFDl1Vwo6_UmKSMo/s1600/Feb+10-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCGIxL2kNQMQ-r_NgMpAKGsnRLkgofCeg3CLgLBa1vVQKFeZ5S8PtPilyBVActgOIGngIW85EoApg8DesTVaA2O9QqUq1OACesvVKybS4tHEODpML0i_l1dN6Dh0PFDl1Vwo6_UmKSMo/s400/Feb+10-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Black Oystercatcher</i></div>
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<i>Bob Creek Wayside, Lane County, OR</i></div>
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This Brown Thrasher was an awesome state lifer for both of us, though a bigger deal for John's 400+ state list. However, it was not a very obliging specimen, as four hours of wandering a very small portion of the Salishan Nature Trail got us a couple brief looks and this truly crappy photo. On the way home that evening we had a Northern Goshawk fly over us in Philomath, making for another nice day!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCicnYfiintcpe3SwG2K7B2pCs7M80S08LPpspotZyfGbzZEyuPzrzVMPQStqEVLc_LIIcP5U1hIf2O1w0u_ScziVsDIC204XjWhgqMruNBHcomeRYc3J-J6NuXGD1sqYQmM8egQNGxI/s1600/Feb+17-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCicnYfiintcpe3SwG2K7B2pCs7M80S08LPpspotZyfGbzZEyuPzrzVMPQStqEVLc_LIIcP5U1hIf2O1w0u_ScziVsDIC204XjWhgqMruNBHcomeRYc3J-J6NuXGD1sqYQmM8egQNGxI/s400/Feb+17-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Brown Thrasher</i></div>
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<i>Salishan Nature Trail, Lincoln County, OR</i></div>
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My listing goals for the year are 300 for Oregon and 400 for the ABA area, but I've decided to add a bit of a challenge to it for 2017: photographing 400 species. We'll see how it goes. This Prairie Falcon was my 100th photographed bird for the year:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28n7fm-fiF9KTsYDpi3NaVDBBwYCszUquiBM7IbvvlEhZSY5etdIOaZxvoRhUMzCd-8akH1CJbnhbyMOWSGoCCeVyu6gFgRp8nPRy1TurfZo9mVoKdeZbcByVxY0MBLpyg-ivT22xFcQ/s1600/Feb+18-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28n7fm-fiF9KTsYDpi3NaVDBBwYCszUquiBM7IbvvlEhZSY5etdIOaZxvoRhUMzCd-8akH1CJbnhbyMOWSGoCCeVyu6gFgRp8nPRy1TurfZo9mVoKdeZbcByVxY0MBLpyg-ivT22xFcQ/s400/Feb+18-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Prairie Falcon</i></div>
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<i>Holmes Rd, Linn County, OR</i></div>
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And the 101st photographed bird of 2017 was Jeff Fleischer's awesome find in the final week of February: a Gyrfalcon!<br />
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<i>Gyrfalcon</i></div>
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<i>Lake Creek Dr, Linn County, OR</i></div>
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Lots of adventures still to come for 2017, hopefully the high quality birds keep coming too!</div>
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By the numbers:</div>
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ABA 2017: 172</div>
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Oregon 2017: 158</div>
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Lane County, OR: 129</div>
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ABA Life: 629</div>
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Oregon Life: 335</div>
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Lane County, OR Life: 254</div>
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Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-79278742352803618932017-02-07T19:35:00.003-08:002017-02-09T21:19:46.708-08:002016 RecapBetter late than never, right? Sure.<br />
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2016 provided some incredible birding memories, and some pretty decent numbers. It was my third year in a row of seeing more than 400 species in the ABA area (<a href="http://littlebirder.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-big-year-of-littlebirder-2014-in.html">2014: 511</a>, 2015: 441), and I think I want to make 400 a benchmark goal from here on out. I also saw over 300 in Oregon, which was my second time doing that in a state—though it was quite a bit less effort than doing so in Illinois.<br />
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This is a quick collection of the main highlights. To keep from clogging this post with pics, most of the photos below are links to albums showing more photos of a given trip/experience.<br />
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A February trip to Texas with my dad netted me 9 ABA lifers, a group including a few RGV I still needed, and highlighted by goodies like Northern Jacana, White-throated Thrush, and Crimson-collared Grosbeak. The trip was also loaded with tons of awesome photo ops.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157664963598895" title="Texas - February 2016"><img alt="Texas - February 2016" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1462/25156054256_245198cf07_k.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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An April weekend in Bend got me back into the birding swing of things, highlighted by a pair of Spotted Owls, a Great-gray Owl, and Greater Sage Grouse.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157676472449794" title="April 2016 Weekend - Bend Area"><img alt="April 2016 Weekend - Bend Area" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1577/26129354613_34c592b828_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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One of the two blogs I wrote last year detailed an awesome <a href="http://littlebirder.blogspot.com/2016/05/excellent-early-may-weekend.html">early May weekend</a> that I extended all the way from the Klamath basin to the Lane Coast.<br />
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Later in May, while Jen was out of town, I took an intense trip that included, in order, the following elements (to give you an idea of the skeletal structure of the adventure): worked 4 10s and getting off work on Thursday with enough time to make it to Klamath NWR by dusk, where the trip began with a Yellow Rail chorus and a Common Poorwill; camping nearby; waking up the next morning to take in and photograph the sunrise at Crater Lake NP; driving from there to Portland to pick up Khanh Tran, then east to meet up with my dad for a weekend of birding; Great-gray Owls at Spring Creek (the same day I woke up in Klamath, mind you); staying Friday night in Enterprise; displaying Spruce Grouse at McCully Creek the next morning; Great-gray and Flammulated Owl that evening in Union County (flat tire included!); staying Saturday night in the thriving metropolis that is Ukiah; displaying Dusky Grouse the next morning, then driving all the way back to Eugene on a donut tire by Sunday evening. By the end of that trip, I was starting to gain an appreciation for the incredible diversity of my new home state.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157666290196283" title="Oregon Weekend - Crater Lake to the Wallowas, early May 2016"><img alt="Oregon Weekend - Crater Lake to the Wallowas, early May 2016" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7232/26590344834_e22d5568b6_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Jen and I travelled to Chicago to see friends and go to a wedding at the end of May. Andrew and I got a day of birding in that was incredibly productive. We put a lot of effort in to hitting the 300 number for our buddy list before I left Chicagoland in the Summer of 2015, but our last couple trips just didn't pan out, and we fell short of the mark by a couple birds. Well, that shortcoming was rectified on May 31 when we snagged Laughing Gull, White-rumped Sandpiper, Piping Plover, and Hudsonian Godwits (a state lifer for me even!) in a single morning! It was with great satisfaction that we finally met our goal, but aside from the numbers, it was great just to be birding together again!</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/27653169415/in/datetaken-public/" title="Hudsonian Godwits"><img alt="Hudsonian Godwits" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7365/27653169415_6e05a9ee5e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Later in June I took another camping trip in which I covered an absurd amount of ground, this time seeing almost all new-to-me sites: Summer Lake, tons of Lake and Klamath Counties, Jedediah Redwoods in northern California, then up through Curry and Coos Counties. I picked up a handful of state and a bunch of county birds, and my lifer Allen's Hummingbirds!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157668728986623" title="Southern Oregon Camping Trip, June 2016"><img alt="Southern Oregon Camping Trip, June 2016" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7370/27517776094_4af7717c2d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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I logged a lot of miles on Oregon's pristine and picturesque trails, but no hike was as grueling and rewarding as South Sister. I did it on a whim, which is a mistake I won't make again. I don't think I've ever been quite so physically worn out, but I can't wait to get back up there again this Summer! The stunning view from the top is even accompanied by Gray-crowned Rosy Finches on both sides of the Lane/Deschutes County line!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157670614534540" title="First time up South Sister, July 22 2016"><img alt="First time up South Sister, July 22 2016" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8897/28331780450_27db49c004_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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In August, I joined my dad in Ocean Shores and Westport for a couple days of birding, the highlight being my lifer Bar-tailed Godwit! The Elegant Tern photo ops in Astoria on the way home were pretty great, too!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157676473253874" title="Late August 2016 - Washington/Oregon"><img alt="Late August 2016 - Washington/Oregon" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8016/29289199796_b62ea04593_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Baird's Sandpipers showed up in ridiculous numbers in the Fall, and we were treated to a couple lovely Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Fern Ridge. Two of my favorite shorebirds.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157672827310245" title="Buff-breasted and Baird's Sandpipers, 8/20/16"><img alt="Buff-breasted and Baird's Sandpipers, 8/20/16" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8015/29160642335_4e7657e210_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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I did my first Oregon pelagic in September, highlighted by my lifer South Polar Skuas and Buller's Shearwater, plus the jaeger slam! The trip dipped into Lane County, so it was fun to pick up some pelagic species for the home county. It was a bizarre day though, as we missed fulmar and only saw a lone Black-footed Albatross.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157680010210626" title="Oregon Pelagic - September 2016"><img alt="Oregon Pelagic - September 2016" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8334/29847307986_913787ba92_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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This was my lifer Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, which arrived at Fern Ridge in October, and put on quite the show one perfect morning.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/30030877035/in/datetaken-public/" title="Sharp-tailed Sandpiper"><img alt="Sharp-tailed Sandpiper" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7519/30030877035_47bc380d4d_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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November storms dumped a ton of Red Phalaropes across the entire western portion of the state, which made for some fun photo ops. Tropical Kingbird, White-winged Dove, and Chestnut-sided Warbler were great state lifers. But that all paled in comparison to the ABA's 2nd Common Scoter, which showed up and stayed in Siletz Bay for a few weeks. My parents made the trip out from Spokane and our first view of the bird actually came from their hotel balcony! Later in the day we got to spend some quality time with the bird while we watched it feeding at close range. Amazing.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157678309200061" title="November 2016 Highlights"><img alt="November 2016 Highlights" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5762/30745430770_0ec19e4f28_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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The now long-staying Harris's Sparrow on Bond Road showed up way back in December, my last state lifer of the year. At Christmas, my dad and I had some fun with Long-eared and Northern Saw-whet Owls in eastern Washington.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/albums/72157680109950295" title="December 2016 Highlights"><img alt="December 2016 Highlights" height="266" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/292/31553260760_96d445df51_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Mammal highlights abounded in 2016 as well. I had a confiding Mink at the Skagit Wildlife Area in Washington. Oregon provided a Mountain Goat, a Badger, a Long-tailed Weasel, and by far the most exciting—a pair of my lifer Pine Martens at Benson Lake!<br />
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By the numbers, here's how things looked at the end of 2016.<br />
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<i>Year lists</i>:<br />
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ABA: 433<br />
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Oregon: 308<br />
Washington: 190<br />
Texas: 190<br />
Illinois: 102<br />
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Lane, OR: 232<br />
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<i>Life lists</i>:<br />
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ABA life: 626 (added 15)<br />
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Oregon: 329 (added 40!)<br />
Washington: 324 (added 2)<br />
Illinois: 324 (added 1)<br />
Texas: 305 (added 40!)<br />
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Lane, OR: 247 (added 45)<br />
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Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-70730950016255947382016-05-09T16:07:00.001-07:002016-05-09T16:27:46.740-07:00Excellent Early May Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I knew it was going to happen. May arrived, and with it came photos and checklists from my friends in Chicago. Migration was beginning to ramp up there, when a walk to work can produce more warblers than I'll see all year in Oregon. I love every part of living in the PNW again, but for these couple weeks (and a couple more in the fall) I do miss Chicagoland and its neotropical migrants.</div>
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That sentiment hasn't changed altogether, but my regrets over not being back in Illinois right now have been mitigated after an awesome weekend of birding in my new home state. All told, I picked up 133 species on Friday, and 173 by the time Saturday's total had been added to it. Fifty-four year birds. County ticks galore. And, seven state lifers brought me into the 300 club for Oregon. Here's how it happened.</div>
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<i>Friday, May 6.</i></div>
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The alarm went off at 3:05 AM and I was on the road a little after 3:30. I was headed south and hoped to get to my first destination at sunrise. I timed it just right and had a really lovely hike at dawn.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWDWX3bATG_vLQf2wAsljwbzNSPDxs9zCXyKyBXRgbZWMrE_swkE373CrXz75iPSSN62_ybzNeZn4gj9FfAj1g0uQH89ItDfwd7ADzwpPNUDZZ7hZ9e7cBG3Z88b9Hwl_03SrBV_1Smc/s1600/May+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWDWX3bATG_vLQf2wAsljwbzNSPDxs9zCXyKyBXRgbZWMrE_swkE373CrXz75iPSSN62_ybzNeZn4gj9FfAj1g0uQH89ItDfwd7ADzwpPNUDZZ7hZ9e7cBG3Z88b9Hwl_03SrBV_1Smc/s400/May+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Sunrise</i></div>
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<i>Lower Table Rock, Jackson Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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The early morning sun lit up a new location for me— Lower Table Rock in Jackson County. I had picked this spot at the suggestion of Russ Namitz after sharing some of my target birds with him. I began the day with 295 species for Oregon, and since this was my first time birding the southern part of the state, I was hoping for a nice bump in the state list. It didn't take long for that hope to come to fruition in the form of this enjoyable bundle of birds.</div>
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#296:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypSnyKEWverOGyiJS1QBG44-Nb3Nf2vCxKdDhWmkvwa0r0RV-k-RrUPb4_TjHhBVol9kESHmDFwqyK-3XAFwdYJx8XVHcrovFePvHclYDZ97VZ-PTzsaXLkAACVcwuxSkMGqyypNPjcc/s1600/May+6-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypSnyKEWverOGyiJS1QBG44-Nb3Nf2vCxKdDhWmkvwa0r0RV-k-RrUPb4_TjHhBVol9kESHmDFwqyK-3XAFwdYJx8XVHcrovFePvHclYDZ97VZ-PTzsaXLkAACVcwuxSkMGqyypNPjcc/s400/May+6-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Blue-gray Gnatcatcher</i></div>
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<i>Lower Table Rock, Jackson Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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#297:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx31siEXa885xz4fou0OfN9nF649Plvh74Imuv4EwSk9IZrKQudAyaNMCmcc14lYXOfM44b9kYt5IuYOK0SHVL7HnzxnYJTHf9eM7Z_gGiPTrtBUwe-hWgv1iRmT1OepEec2TLWsUT82s/s1600/May+6-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx31siEXa885xz4fou0OfN9nF649Plvh74Imuv4EwSk9IZrKQudAyaNMCmcc14lYXOfM44b9kYt5IuYOK0SHVL7HnzxnYJTHf9eM7Z_gGiPTrtBUwe-hWgv1iRmT1OepEec2TLWsUT82s/s400/May+6-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Lark Sparrow</i></div>
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<i>Lower Table Rock, Jackson Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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#298<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpIxA9JG8asqKdI2MWVEU6actrK9LyTvHTti-TpAS-g5zu9bHZ_FMB0UdeNPABtqPEvpjUMF817mZzY8sy9ckETkiitK0SGybmzQFvQVjl7bGaHxZBcaR87Yy3WbWjQYjdOAkXyo8WxM/s1600/May+6-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpIxA9JG8asqKdI2MWVEU6actrK9LyTvHTti-TpAS-g5zu9bHZ_FMB0UdeNPABtqPEvpjUMF817mZzY8sy9ckETkiitK0SGybmzQFvQVjl7bGaHxZBcaR87Yy3WbWjQYjdOAkXyo8WxM/s400/May+6-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Oak Titmouse</i></div>
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<i>Lower Table Rock, Jackson Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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#299 was the California Towhee, chilling with an Ash-throated Flycatcher.<br />
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<i>California Towhee with Ash-throated Flycatcher</i></div>
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<i>Lower Table Rock, Jackson Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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It turned out that Ash-throats and their distinct calls were rather ubiquitous all the way from the parking area to the top of Lower Table Rock.</div>
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<i>Ash-throated Flycatcher</i></div>
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<i>Lower Table Rock, Jackson Co, OR</i></div>
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My next stop was at the ponds along Avenue G where I was hoping for one state lifer and came away with another. Upon getting out of the car I heard an elongated call that seemed to me to belong to a mockingbird, but I couldn't see the bird. So I checked the pond area, where I got skunked by the resident Great-tailed Grackle. I returned to my car and drove in the direction of the call I had heard earlier. Sure enough, on the other side of Avenue G, there was my Oregon #300 singing its little masquerading heart out.<br />
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<i>Northern Mockingbird</i></div>
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<i>Ave G, Jackson Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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The Kirtland Ponds had some waterfowl diversity and a little group of shorebirds, including some Black-necked Stilts and a handful of Western Sandpipers.<br />
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<i>Black-necked Stilt</i></div>
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<i>Kirtland Ponds, Jackson Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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As I finished there, it was 10:30 and I had a decision to make. I knew I wanted to end the day in southern Klamath County, but I was also interested in the Grizzly Peak area. My day had been efficient enough to that point that I decided to book it south for a little montane birding.<br />
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The drive up to Shale City Road was a treat for me as the extended oak habitat was new to me; as I continually climbed the views back down the valley behind me grew more and more impressive. A Bullock's Oriole was singing away around one corner, a Black-headed Grosbeak around the next, with some more gnatcatchers in between.<br />
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Trees topped with my first Western Tanagers of the year began Shale City Road for me, and the next four and a half miles up to the trailhead were an absolute blast. I had the window down as I cruised along, hearing the usual suspects. A Cassin's Vireo and a buzzy warbler call caused me to pull over and take my first extended stop along the road. I got on the vireo and kept hearing some other passerine activity, so I started the pulsing whistle of a Pygmy Owl to see if I could rustle up some more.<br />
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To my surprise, I got a response from an owl almost immediately! I was about to strike a dialogue with it when a Ruffed Grouse began its drumming display nearby, another surprise! I put my owl interest on pause for a moment to try to track down the grouse. I ended up seeing it briefly, but not satisfactorily, as these kinds of searches usually ago. Still, it had been a long time since I had heard one drumming, so I was pretty excited.<br />
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The owl was calling all the while, so I put some effort into finding it. I was unsuccessful, but the search wasn't in vain because in the process I ran into the source of that buzzy warbler song, a very friendly Hermit Warbler! These were some of my best looks at this species, an absolute delight.<br />
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<i>Hermit Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Shale City Rd, Jackson Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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Then a Nashville joined the party.<br />
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<i>Nashville Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Shale City Rd, Jackson Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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By this point I was a big fan of Shale City Road. I continued towards the top and made my next stop when a group of Chestnut-backed Chickadees caught my ear. I tried the owl imitation again and got an even quicker response this time! This one gave the trill first then slowed to its regular pace on a few occasions. It also took a great deal more interest in me than the previous individual and provided my best views of this species in years!<br />
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Came well equipped to deal with that itch:<br />
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<i>Northern Pygmy Owl</i></div>
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<i>Shale City Rd, Jackson Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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I eventually made it up to the trailhead where the views were limited by some low hanging clouds. I decided to walk around a few minutes before heading back down, and in that time I had a couple of Mountain Quail calling simultaneously!<br />
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All this fun had taken a little more time than I had expected, but it was totally worth it and I was still in a good position to get to Klamath on schedule, more or less. I checked out Keno Access Road on the way, where I picked up a few more Jackson County species (and my Hermit Warbler count swelled to eighteen!), bringing my total for the day up to 101. I had no goals number wise for the day, so hitting triple digits before even getting to one of my primary locations seemed like a solid accomplishment.<br />
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I drove over the pass, enjoyed the snowy views, then descended into the little town of Keno, now into Klamath County. Forster's and Caspian Terns dominated the scene at the river crossing in Keno, which was rather birdy. A flyover Black-crowned Night Heron was a year bird, plus a nice group of Western and Clark's Grebes added nicely to the day list.<br />
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From there it was on to Township Road and the Oregon Drain. As it turns out, most of the fields were dried up in this area, which was a bit disappointing, but the habitat along the Oregon Drain was still sufficient to provide some nice highlights.<br />
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<i>Bald Eagle</i></div>
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<i>Oregon Drain, Klamath Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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<i>Forster's Tern</i></div>
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<i>Oregon Drain, Klamath Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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There was a lone American Avocet and a lone Wilson's Phalarope amidst a healthy and diverse flock of waterfowl, along with a few other repeat shorebirds. Two of the species I was most hoping to see down here were Willet and White-faced Ibis, and I lucked out with both. Got an award worthy shot of the Willet too, wouldn't you say? :P<br />
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<i>Willet</i></div>
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<i>Oregon Drain, Klamath Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi565Ds4u0txWqRzRejMgNnXlkTqqeQknHwk_InothOP8_LQsP39jTZ32MJj0gtiboBqkM51lQGG1qGwfsli-rivwXOBpk8dmTHZz5Nk0hyphenhyphenpXNzJGrTRtChUb3Zj2h8RRyAcSZtxqyptzk/s1600/May+6-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi565Ds4u0txWqRzRejMgNnXlkTqqeQknHwk_InothOP8_LQsP39jTZ32MJj0gtiboBqkM51lQGG1qGwfsli-rivwXOBpk8dmTHZz5Nk0hyphenhyphenpXNzJGrTRtChUb3Zj2h8RRyAcSZtxqyptzk/s400/May+6-51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>White-faced Ibis</i></div>
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<i>Oregon Drain, Klamath Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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I dipped into California ever so briefly and picked up a handful of state lifers at Sheepy Lake. My only Eared Grebe and Ring-necked Pheasant of the day were on the Cali side of the line.<br />
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<i>Long-billed Dowitchers</i></div>
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<i>Sheepy Lake, Siskiyou, Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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I still had a little time to spare as I was wrapping up there, so I checked Birdlog and saw that there had been some interesting birds at the wetland along Old Midland Road. I decided to stop by on my way back and found about fifty American Avocets along with my first Semipalmated Plovers and Dunlin of the day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZehB6IJHi8pfjKxiUCI9_uGOeRhRPQxVJWJ_dhL9lAJRqMc9aFvcqIy95t_holPaqnUlgYbIvAXt2w3av7UCqX_xk-OAGMMjfcDKGnUKQqmTmwmuQvRJ_z58tMnZb7a51XgZiNZgTWA/s1600/May+6-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ZehB6IJHi8pfjKxiUCI9_uGOeRhRPQxVJWJ_dhL9lAJRqMc9aFvcqIy95t_holPaqnUlgYbIvAXt2w3av7UCqX_xk-OAGMMjfcDKGnUKQqmTmwmuQvRJ_z58tMnZb7a51XgZiNZgTWA/s400/May+6-58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>American Avocets</i></div>
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<i>Old Midland Rd, Klamath Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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A distant Golden Eagle and a few alternate plumaged Franklin's Gulls rounded out a nice set of additions to the day list at this last birding stop of the day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKmfyMSDLXDnsuBiimsGsA6lDnsOeP0DAFulCMHBOJKlWwWh-C7cUHYc8CqR0KdJICxwrEYVBCUjEez8ciQzu2wOmcNEQN6gQYUN6QF4I_CQFWkD3qb3NMMHSyh9PXoYRs1CzebPMwSI/s1600/May+6-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKmfyMSDLXDnsuBiimsGsA6lDnsOeP0DAFulCMHBOJKlWwWh-C7cUHYc8CqR0KdJICxwrEYVBCUjEez8ciQzu2wOmcNEQN6gQYUN6QF4I_CQFWkD3qb3NMMHSyh9PXoYRs1CzebPMwSI/s400/May+6-59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Franklin's Gull</i></div>
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<i>Old Midland Rd, Klamath Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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My route home took me up 58, and I find it rather tough to drive past the 286 foot beauty that is Salt Creek Falls when it's right off the highway! I managed to get to the overlook as the sunset was emerging in a rather spectacular fashion. I paused a minute to take in the magnitude of the scene before me and the day behind me. Turns out Oregon in May is going to be alright after all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQNf7To7WOAVvzQDwB56PGfqNeOThUAY3IypnuAnv54WzRZT8t8WX1eoEGCGNimAFdDmxeHAcC36DSaL7DZgtm9NLIkT0aKubFRWaQZutxY-WLD7fWzJuVgXOtZ_1uvjZNtte2M_p120/s1600/May+6-62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQNf7To7WOAVvzQDwB56PGfqNeOThUAY3IypnuAnv54WzRZT8t8WX1eoEGCGNimAFdDmxeHAcC36DSaL7DZgtm9NLIkT0aKubFRWaQZutxY-WLD7fWzJuVgXOtZ_1uvjZNtte2M_p120/s400/May+6-62.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Sunset</i></div>
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<i>Salt Creek Falls, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 6, 2016</i></div>
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<i>Saturday, May 7.</i><br />
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I took the morning to sleep in and have breakfast with a friend who was coming through town, both of which helped me feel rested and rejuvenated for a little half day of birding on the coast in Lane County.<br />
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I made it to the North Jetty of the Siuslaw at noon where I quickly picked up a few year birds, my favorites being alternate plumaged Bonaparte's Gulls, Rhinoceros Auklets, and Marbled Murrelets. Viewing conditions we're great as it was getting a little foggy, but I could tell birds were moving so I headed to the Siltcoos to try for some shorebirds. Going into the day, I was thinking Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, and Red Knot would be really excellent finds...<br />
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I parked the car and climbed to the crest of the dunes, gathered myself, and not a moment later I spotted some Black-bellied Plovers flying by. I put the binocs up to find that there were some smaller red birds in with them, so I scrambled to get the scope on them quickly. Sure enough, Red Knots!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLPd2hylUMenrRcdE-jF3cYvhTNwBKjhy5U4egB3FuaZIlMfIR7KK080UrX1u1DkF0PkZH6ByKvMLF-Uk1_H4Yc9UWMeIzLg1ZGSpqqd1S2pqhecAqPQ7xudJDY2lms8UojK3k46aW8s/s1600/May+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLPd2hylUMenrRcdE-jF3cYvhTNwBKjhy5U4egB3FuaZIlMfIR7KK080UrX1u1DkF0PkZH6ByKvMLF-Uk1_H4Yc9UWMeIzLg1ZGSpqqd1S2pqhecAqPQ7xudJDY2lms8UojK3k46aW8s/s400/May+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Red Knots with Black-bellied Plovers</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
I didn't even have time to celebrate as this group of Whimbrel flew by just a few moments later!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOotBdlNZQXiMRbbXPiZTQeCob3wnKyxpUOMpfHyS1c-uHDDsVstAlev-OsDDo4oY9yMEMsGYAUpA44_sx4kr9a2Zr0S6OFmE3Gk-6Lm_HEd56U2AqfyCQ5GQfE9Xq0lj_XnpVRBajW0/s1600/May+7-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOotBdlNZQXiMRbbXPiZTQeCob3wnKyxpUOMpfHyS1c-uHDDsVstAlev-OsDDo4oY9yMEMsGYAUpA44_sx4kr9a2Zr0S6OFmE3Gk-6Lm_HEd56U2AqfyCQ5GQfE9Xq0lj_XnpVRBajW0/s400/May+7-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Whimbrel</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
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One minute in and my stop had already been worth it. I was hoping the hot start would be a harbinger of good things to come, and indeed it was. I walked south down to the mouth of the river, picking up Snowy Plovers in the designated nesting area. Along the shore there was a large flock dominated by Western Sandpipers, Sanderling, Dunlin, and Semipalmated Plovers. I love the Western putting the landing gear down a little prematurely:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrNjet0x8oq_gMXHm9GcS-6wVHKN0Fm-Jb8xn2Fw_DZvRDJJiUimeKY6H0ZEcT95VNDyxDa06nxhUKUL0gGDNqAkXbbup-M__T-WWV3BkxekfCBjmh-JiRGz7-COVBGrQQHLp8-z-Kxk/s1600/May+7-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrNjet0x8oq_gMXHm9GcS-6wVHKN0Fm-Jb8xn2Fw_DZvRDJJiUimeKY6H0ZEcT95VNDyxDa06nxhUKUL0gGDNqAkXbbup-M__T-WWV3BkxekfCBjmh-JiRGz7-COVBGrQQHLp8-z-Kxk/s400/May+7-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Western Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plover</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
<br />
I walked back to see how much of the back water estuary was visible, as there were flocks of shorebirds streaming in and out of that area almost incessantly. I could see most of it, though there was a portion out of view that seemed to be attracting a lot of birds. Always how it goes, right?<br />
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I turned around to see another huge flock of shorebirds landing along the shore, followed by a group of twenty-five Whimbrel, most of which are pictured here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8Xg86PlEIFMPB_kO-9HWatCf6Q6SSJ_ghn83WOimyT5wa1ox_RTOgDrUZ6fv9Yq-pvM_Dn5ZptMNP_1G3Tx9eKJEovVQHwcOOHcV-dQCXEQU95qUBmLoIdwlCy1g-ejdpAOt2bBUcS8/s1600/May+7-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8Xg86PlEIFMPB_kO-9HWatCf6Q6SSJ_ghn83WOimyT5wa1ox_RTOgDrUZ6fv9Yq-pvM_Dn5ZptMNP_1G3Tx9eKJEovVQHwcOOHcV-dQCXEQU95qUBmLoIdwlCy1g-ejdpAOt2bBUcS8/s400/May+7-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Whimbrel</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
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<br /></div>
I walked back towards the shore and stationed myself with scope and camera ready. What followed was unlike anything I've ever had the chance to see before. I realized while standing there that I had never been out to the coast specifically to see spring shorebird migration, and there it was happening right before my eyes! It's definitely one of my new favorite things.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhMt24mWXTcmADilphSJhosBOW5stB2UFC9strWIwu-vOvxaUqClvOAY9kW3u7s-BIKNWaG2QnNoX6ebfVc8907oD6VvHoVYlNcPecDQHIpS4A50DF-8i_E0mVhrSJWEFo9iWxxTjUOg/s1600/May+7-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhMt24mWXTcmADilphSJhosBOW5stB2UFC9strWIwu-vOvxaUqClvOAY9kW3u7s-BIKNWaG2QnNoX6ebfVc8907oD6VvHoVYlNcPecDQHIpS4A50DF-8i_E0mVhrSJWEFo9iWxxTjUOg/s400/May+7-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Short-billed Dowitcher with Western Sandpipers</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
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These dudes are so sharp:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-Nq0CrPwI0sVvq2xwmuzxzkd9CQjD4BIB0yA2IVZ7xzDpDIguS2k2PCFAXlWzhyphenhyphenhJfAMqSSz-SCrlG2mZSjjQGtHQR54efYPGQGlPXq_md3WpEi-2VqAyyUX02xpzWK9ZdqV4wxtCkE/s1600/May+7-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-Nq0CrPwI0sVvq2xwmuzxzkd9CQjD4BIB0yA2IVZ7xzDpDIguS2k2PCFAXlWzhyphenhyphenhJfAMqSSz-SCrlG2mZSjjQGtHQR54efYPGQGlPXq_md3WpEi-2VqAyyUX02xpzWK9ZdqV4wxtCkE/s400/May+7-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Black-bellied Plovers</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
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This Baird's was a really nice spring pick up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9y12OS0zYQ4LlTMwOT81duAzsCG3vwou4PoCPuocO_8BkMZULcL1ZaSQ44Po8RNJfCMT4dnwk5RQ46kjORdC6CaoB1rN07UfQAqhkxsPrd7CkZYDvfxZ_JA9NN4IKbRAxHBxi2FPYE1Y/s1600/May+7-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9y12OS0zYQ4LlTMwOT81duAzsCG3vwou4PoCPuocO_8BkMZULcL1ZaSQ44Po8RNJfCMT4dnwk5RQ46kjORdC6CaoB1rN07UfQAqhkxsPrd7CkZYDvfxZ_JA9NN4IKbRAxHBxi2FPYE1Y/s400/May+7-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Baird's Sandpiper (front right)</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
<br />
The picture below pretty well sums up my time there (you can click to enlarge it). In this one photo we have Dunlin, Sanderling, Western, Least (back left), and Baird's (front right) Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers, Black-bellied Plover, Black Turnstone, and Ruddy Turnstone (hiding behind the BBPL). Nine species in one shot!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FFB0ORiwJQ6jYTOavzq3Eq6h8Q5QtOZdLRp26Isn07uHs0OjGu6RMBDpkae5Oa1DAWHHD9q7d5gQXXq64EwFA0b9XtGiCmCvAbS2Szl9lzNFhyca8vBBme9GntLfG_OUJuHiz5NC4Dw/s1600/May+7-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FFB0ORiwJQ6jYTOavzq3Eq6h8Q5QtOZdLRp26Isn07uHs0OjGu6RMBDpkae5Oa1DAWHHD9q7d5gQXXq64EwFA0b9XtGiCmCvAbS2Szl9lzNFhyca8vBBme9GntLfG_OUJuHiz5NC4Dw/s400/May+7-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>SHOREBIRDS!</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
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Oh, right, I got my other target. There were two Ruddy Turnstones hanging out with three Black Turnstones:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHtRgAi7AJSGnbXsCbASXN8YEmLUlMtHBelTg10SgniXrWZPuprzxYmE_PtjjW2l-ABT-kuubQLwA5PGAz5z17OYfsG4yQ5i0XFKvN8Rt-CFLIHuZnPb6pmAb4tgtptw-k5tMv2d0z6s/s1600/May+7-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHtRgAi7AJSGnbXsCbASXN8YEmLUlMtHBelTg10SgniXrWZPuprzxYmE_PtjjW2l-ABT-kuubQLwA5PGAz5z17OYfsG4yQ5i0XFKvN8Rt-CFLIHuZnPb6pmAb4tgtptw-k5tMv2d0z6s/s400/May+7-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVkRheFF2SzIobzDdQeMrKFq0lUIPcoGub0Cb3RFH8e-uNRXkillsC7gsdFQa2WEScRDCv0BzQGcvJL3ema5xpciHuOCfg_VIY9qQBpMRcahfeOaTjURFOVl5RCDhCbdbliAWQ4VtmRM/s1600/May+7-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVkRheFF2SzIobzDdQeMrKFq0lUIPcoGub0Cb3RFH8e-uNRXkillsC7gsdFQa2WEScRDCv0BzQGcvJL3ema5xpciHuOCfg_VIY9qQBpMRcahfeOaTjURFOVl5RCDhCbdbliAWQ4VtmRM/s400/May+7-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="text-align: center;">Black and Ruddy Turnstone</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6uWEusW_Yo-pQ8LSQAnqQez52XLrFeE9Kwyuk59tG-IhP7vvUolG_SFPVtO_ai07FvEh5CJ-EG5hyoYPIXz5muEOFZL13451Gjyxy6778Q0Zqz2KpEd1VWKx8xikPHKMPjp7tpkA2N8/s1600/May+7-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6uWEusW_Yo-pQ8LSQAnqQez52XLrFeE9Kwyuk59tG-IhP7vvUolG_SFPVtO_ai07FvEh5CJ-EG5hyoYPIXz5muEOFZL13451Gjyxy6778Q0Zqz2KpEd1VWKx8xikPHKMPjp7tpkA2N8/s400/May+7-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNfyhnkJDKqTbMglxWqNuArTP5zY44KogoZJJBmVA9Ou1lEo6D3AHHY0xrWRLIuFko9vgFarojqj1U5wqlbiSLk7EzzJE1DJJY5sve_-V5md5nCJ8zld7Q6BZSMZ4iluYqS1w5Vy1ovY/s1600/May+7-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNfyhnkJDKqTbMglxWqNuArTP5zY44KogoZJJBmVA9Ou1lEo6D3AHHY0xrWRLIuFko9vgFarojqj1U5wqlbiSLk7EzzJE1DJJY5sve_-V5md5nCJ8zld7Q6BZSMZ4iluYqS1w5Vy1ovY/s400/May+7-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Ruddy Turnstone</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
<br />
And anytime I looked over the breakers, the loons were streaming by at a crazy rate. The Pacifics, with those shiny silvery heads, were a site to behold.<br />
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<i>Loons</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
<br />
Every once and a while the steady northwest wind would blow one inland a bit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3DGDKYi7ntSjv7T-drJs0-YO8uQ3TSS2J-jJ7qIKYVTZKNSnxAGaDo248oytCec66edXtF9MlsT5P8_wmhYAmGtIEF4OTtCPdKYl7q6g6G_2GGymyQzp2Cs3dPEFkX3oIzpbMRd0JAs/s1600/May+7-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3DGDKYi7ntSjv7T-drJs0-YO8uQ3TSS2J-jJ7qIKYVTZKNSnxAGaDo248oytCec66edXtF9MlsT5P8_wmhYAmGtIEF4OTtCPdKYl7q6g6G_2GGymyQzp2Cs3dPEFkX3oIzpbMRd0JAs/s400/May+7-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Common Loon</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8Ywf2THdu0lAnqh9qiL93zYNtoX9X23nvGNhpYLzbPveq4KmsSySLEk3YDuTUG0wVLXdAWvMgCDZF6v7BLzHgW9MGVaAUmpsYMq5vXsyyK8M_2DRteUERITzjeh3ipEmZCysUkmHces/s1600/May+7-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8Ywf2THdu0lAnqh9qiL93zYNtoX9X23nvGNhpYLzbPveq4KmsSySLEk3YDuTUG0wVLXdAWvMgCDZF6v7BLzHgW9MGVaAUmpsYMq5vXsyyK8M_2DRteUERITzjeh3ipEmZCysUkmHces/s400/May+7-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Shorebirds</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
<br />
With a successful outing already under the belt, I headed to Cape Mountain and snagged my first Lane County Hermit Warblers. I followed that up with a nice little hike from the Dry Lake Campground area, then headed back home. I stopped by Fern Ridge briefly on the way back where the resident Grasshopper Sparrow cooperated ever so slightly, my seventh county bird of the day and seventh state bird of the weekend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxBGjv41sxEqJtidMbiJPJR1m5T1k-fbc6gbRCOg8AQ0HpIhZ2TxxIg1kIk1qCNgqrWWU_3vQ34tu0rnRbwfaCTWRu_Gskl9rm8WStmhyphenhyphenhyM2pWyAP4oT-2HahDq8ZlGwXAv2zxkUWNo/s1600/May+7-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxBGjv41sxEqJtidMbiJPJR1m5T1k-fbc6gbRCOg8AQ0HpIhZ2TxxIg1kIk1qCNgqrWWU_3vQ34tu0rnRbwfaCTWRu_Gskl9rm8WStmhyphenhyphenhyM2pWyAP4oT-2HahDq8ZlGwXAv2zxkUWNo/s400/May+7-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Hermit Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Cape Mountain, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>May 7, 2016</i></div>
<br />
Here's the full list of 173 species (plus one hybrid) between the two days:<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Canada Goose</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Gadwall</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">American Wigeon</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Mallard</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Blue-winged Teal</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Cinnamon Teal</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Northern Shoveler</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Northern Pintail</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Green-winged Teal</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Greater Scaup</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Lesser Scaup</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Surf Scoter</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Bufflehead</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Common Merganser</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Red-breasted Merganser</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Ruddy Duck</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Mountain Quail</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">California Quail</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Ruffed Grouse</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Wild Turkey</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Red-throated Loon</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Pacific Loon</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Common Loon</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Pied-billed Grebe</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Horned Grebe</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Eared Grebe</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Western Grebe</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Clark's Grebe</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Brandt's Cormorant</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Double-crested Cormorant</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Pelagic Cormorant</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">American White Pelican</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">American Bittern</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Great Blue Heron</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Great Egret</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Black-crowned Night-Heron</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">White-faced Ibis</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Turkey Vulture</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Osprey</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Golden Eagle</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Bald Eagle</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Swainson's Hawk</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Red-tailed Hawk</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Virginia Rail</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Sora</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">American Coot</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Sandhill Crane</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Black-necked Stilt</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">American Avocet</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Black-bellied Plover</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Snowy Plover</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Semipalmated Plover</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Killdeer</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Spotted Sandpiper</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Greater Yellowlegs</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Willet</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Whimbrel</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Ruddy Turnstone</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Black Turnstone</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Red Knot</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Sanderling</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Dunlin</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Least Sandpiper</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Western Sandpiper</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Short-billed Dowitcher</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Long-billed Dowitcher</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Wilson's Phalarope</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Common Murre</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Pigeon Guillemot</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Marbled Murrelet</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Rhinoceros Auklet</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Bonaparte's Gull</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Franklin's Gull</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Ring-billed Gull</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Western Gull</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">California Gull</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Glaucous-winged Gull</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Western x Glaucous-winged Gull </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Caspian Tern</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Forster's Tern</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Rock Pigeon</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Band-tailed Pigeon</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Eurasian Collared-Dove</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Mourning Dove</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Northern Pygmy-Owl</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Anna's Hummingbird</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Rufous Hummingbird</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Belted Kingfisher</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Lewis's Woodpecker</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Acorn Woodpecker</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Red-breasted Sapsucker</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Downy Woodpecker</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hairy Woodpecker</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Northern Flicker</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Pileated Woodpecker</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">American Kestrel</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Peregrine Falcon</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Dusky Flycatcher</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Pacific-slope Flycatcher</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Ash-throated Flycatcher</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Western Kingbird</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Cassin's Vireo</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hutton's Vireo</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Steller's Jay</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Western Scrub-Jay</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Black-billed Magpie</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">American Crow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Common Raven</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Horned Lark</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Northern Rough-winged Swallow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Purple Martin</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Tree Swallow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Violet-green Swallow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Bank Swallow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Barn Swallow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Cliff Swallow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Black-capped Chickadee</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Mountain Chickadee</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Chestnut-backed Chickadee</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Oak Titmouse</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Bushtit</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Red-breasted Nuthatch</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">White-breasted Nuthatch</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Brown Creeper</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Rock Wren</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">House Wren</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Pacific Wren</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Marsh Wren</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Bewick's Wren</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Blue-gray Gnatcatcher</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Golden-crowned Kinglet</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Wrentit</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Western Bluebird</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Swainson's Thrush</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hermit Thrush</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">American Robin</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Varied Thrush</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Northern Mockingbird</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">European Starling</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Orange-crowned Warbler</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Nashville Warbler</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">MacGillivray's Warbler</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Common Yellowthroat</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Yellow Warbler</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Yellow-rumped Warbler</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Black-throated Gray Warbler</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Townsend's Warbler</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hermit Warbler</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Wilson's Warbler</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Grasshopper Sparrow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Chipping Sparrow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Lark Sparrow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Dark-eyed Junco</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">White-crowned Sparrow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Golden-crowned Sparrow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Savannah Sparrow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Song Sparrow</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">California Towhee</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Spotted Towhee</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Western Tanager</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Black-headed Grosbeak</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Lazuli Bunting</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Red-winged Blackbird</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Western Meadowlark</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Yellow-headed Blackbird</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Brewer's Blackbird</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Brown-headed Cowbird</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Bullock's Oriole</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">House Finch</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Purple Finch</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Pine Siskin</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Lesser Goldfinch</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">American Goldfinch</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">House Sparrow</span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">And just like that I'm up to 233 for my Oregon year list and 340 for the ABA. I've got 72 hours of Oregon birding coming this Thursday evening through Sunday evening. Should be good times.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Thanks for reading!</span>Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-52293578777323110972016-04-30T20:20:00.001-07:002016-04-30T20:20:20.325-07:00Top Ten Highlights Since Returning to the PNW<div>
At long, long last I am finally getting back to this blogging thing. It's been nice to take a break and not always feel the (self-imposed) pressure of cataloging my outings in written form, but I am ready to get back to it!<br />
<br />
Though my writing has subsided for a time, my adventures have not. In fact, they've ramped up considerably. My wife and I moved from Wheaton, IL to Eugene, OR last summer. As part of that move I took a ten day cross-country birding/solo camping trip that eventually lead to my 600th ABA lifer. It was amazing, and I hope to write about it sometime this summer. In the ten months since we've been back to our native PNW I've had some truly astounding birding days already, and I'm finding that my hobby of birding is actually just nestling into wider appreciation for all things outdoors.<br />
<br />
When we arrived last summer, I already had 251 species on my Oregon state list thanks to some trips with my dad when I was just a little guy. Great Gray Owls, Greater Sage Grouse, and Tufted Puffins were some of those lifers that irreversibly cinched my love for birding from a very young age. Now it's great to be back here, to call Lane County home, and to have the opportunity to become well acquainted with the remarkably diverse avifauna of Oregon.<br />
<br />
With summer and a long list of places to go and things to see just around the corner, I'm figuring there will be plenty to write about, but I want to catch up, however briefly, on some of the highlights since becoming an Oregonian. Below you will find the ten experiences that stand out to me the most. They're in no particular order, but number one would be pretty tough to top. :)<br />
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<div>
<b>1. Red-throated Pipit</b></div>
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<br />
It's the rarest bird I've ever found. Perhaps the rarest I'll ever find.<br />
<br />
The day was Friday, September 11, 2015. A report of a potential rare shorebird had drawn me out to Fern Ridge to do a little looking around. I pulled off the busy Highway 126 to scope the area east of Perkins Peninsula, and while the shorebird turned out to be a false alarm, the stop was not all in vain because that's where I met John Sullivan for the first time. We chatted for a bit then decided to head over to the Royal Avenue area.<br />
<br />
We arrived and walked west from the parking lot, then north onto the dried out mudflat that eventually led to some shorebird habitat. The shorebird numbers were down, and the ground was crawling instead with pipits. We started scoping through the flock hoping for something rare, when I admitted to John, "I have not brushed up on my rare pipits lately." "Just look for a streaked back," he replied. This jogged my memory and all of a sudden I was on the alert.<br />
<br />
We hadn't been scouring the flock for more than a minute when I came across a bird that struck me as different. Along with its noticeably streaked back, it also had an orange-red wash on its throat. I got John on the bird and excitement began to build. We scrambled to get identifiable photos, which turned out to be quite the struggle in the hazy and monochromatic conditions.<br />
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The photos aren't great, but they sufficiently display the diagnostic features of the bird. Red-throated Pipit. The first ever record for Lane County, and only the fourth for Oregon. What a bird.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBRA-9mrcsxxtZxU0wuKWeaogyJWa3mZwreM9jGODWhrvtEnOyxZzQ-36jWV3dPVhkC_rVs59a4jmkRwGrte4mDPZlWzi4vVZTrFhtoWUDOn5jTAFeR3S3KqyZ0Ul2FPv9vu_L-_fJBA/s1600/RTPI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBRA-9mrcsxxtZxU0wuKWeaogyJWa3mZwreM9jGODWhrvtEnOyxZzQ-36jWV3dPVhkC_rVs59a4jmkRwGrte4mDPZlWzi4vVZTrFhtoWUDOn5jTAFeR3S3KqyZ0Ul2FPv9vu_L-_fJBA/s400/RTPI.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Red-throated Pipit</i></div>
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<i>Royal Ave, FRR, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>September 11, 2015</i></div>
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<b>2. Spring Weekend in Bend</b><br />
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Some of these highlights have to come in bunches, otherwise this post would be impossibly long. A huge perk of moving to Eugene is that one of my best friends from undergrad and grad school is living just over the cascades in the delightful town of Bend. I've had a few opportunities to visit, and this last time included some outstanding birds.<br />
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I had my first chance to see "Northern" Spotted Owls thanks to a couple surveyors who kindly took us to see them. Getting to watch and listen to this pair interact is an experience I'll never forget. The views couldn't have been better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbptcjOIRKxEH9luQjrQMfZQ2nO57AcsNfBpzrOxDlBAj6RthbRZ1PxYHhAk7MMCF2HnX_vb4ZkHzZVZAD0M9rASybY6Ucbl8HNBhDJtYcDJ5uEagDvztQkvWHSEaDoRVPFDJ9I4cxfYM/s1600/NSPO-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbptcjOIRKxEH9luQjrQMfZQ2nO57AcsNfBpzrOxDlBAj6RthbRZ1PxYHhAk7MMCF2HnX_vb4ZkHzZVZAD0M9rASybY6Ucbl8HNBhDJtYcDJ5uEagDvztQkvWHSEaDoRVPFDJ9I4cxfYM/s400/NSPO-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0uLfN5Z80zJ4z5uT1h7sPJDgBf7kSzOqpnCqpb1Tty-AMliMcwZ_J9hdSYNN5mAYJVEdNPvZyqtpSUwxBrkw8zi5f71FjYhQktbJ9DwJMykgR-eUXc0Zihvkg5LyC0jQd_AL-pDEMPQ/s1600/NSPO-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0uLfN5Z80zJ4z5uT1h7sPJDgBf7kSzOqpnCqpb1Tty-AMliMcwZ_J9hdSYNN5mAYJVEdNPvZyqtpSUwxBrkw8zi5f71FjYhQktbJ9DwJMykgR-eUXc0Zihvkg5LyC0jQd_AL-pDEMPQ/s400/NSPO-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8EOFDwpGhX_2jWDeJHDoDw1BXc3tzwTHYXYJx2oH_CJKKQAognc5tNDCosHToyr9D5sQwFAelmliG6hN4-nKqFN5WJV6D7qWXQNDt2fnlVFv3j7aWe0PmOqfIHqxJ6WkIhtBVM9sc4c/s1600/NSPO-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8EOFDwpGhX_2jWDeJHDoDw1BXc3tzwTHYXYJx2oH_CJKKQAognc5tNDCosHToyr9D5sQwFAelmliG6hN4-nKqFN5WJV6D7qWXQNDt2fnlVFv3j7aWe0PmOqfIHqxJ6WkIhtBVM9sc4c/s400/NSPO-33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Spotted Owls</i></div>
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<i>Oregon</i></div>
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<i>April 22, 2016</i></div>
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And the next day I got to relive some of the birding wonders that had gotten me hooked more than twenty years ago. At dawn I headed out to Millican for some really enjoyable high desert birding, the main attraction being a lek of displaying Greater Sage Grouse!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNMBdETNOE6vFpP4csRfQ6v-lO0r0gBqqt9aNUFzJ5HnDD_tHIYx1lAw0BAN-AXmk5lfRIZ0vq8YaT33oqtuyISrQmjKhDFNrVbdhkgyUfzL3gOpTomP6HoUvQIzzmR-mJ30BbnZ5wkk/s1600/Bend-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNMBdETNOE6vFpP4csRfQ6v-lO0r0gBqqt9aNUFzJ5HnDD_tHIYx1lAw0BAN-AXmk5lfRIZ0vq8YaT33oqtuyISrQmjKhDFNrVbdhkgyUfzL3gOpTomP6HoUvQIzzmR-mJ30BbnZ5wkk/s400/Bend-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsy9n9q7YzQs2l2NGMQQ5Kuxc6XsxFSG5eRIMfgQEFLkvwtFSzdqwtZVg_tVts7MTon9lDGWx9Ps3yGkx4ADCUcRh-PucXiMItztnAdsq3qruW9nky7Dk8DuoDghUcJllG0jywpV9mt9k/s1600/Bend-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsy9n9q7YzQs2l2NGMQQ5Kuxc6XsxFSG5eRIMfgQEFLkvwtFSzdqwtZVg_tVts7MTon9lDGWx9Ps3yGkx4ADCUcRh-PucXiMItztnAdsq3qruW9nky7Dk8DuoDghUcJllG0jywpV9mt9k/s400/Bend-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Greater Sage Grouse</i></div>
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<i>Deschutes Co, Oregon</i></div>
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<i>April 23, 2016</i></div>
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That afternoon I headed home to Eugene and made a stop by Sunriver on the way. It wasn't the right time of the day, but I couldn't pass up the chance to look for a couple Great Gray Owls in the area. Jeff Harding had given me some information on where he had them a couple weeks prior, so I decided to do a thorough check then be on my way.<br />
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The initial meadow I came across had no owl activity, but felt remarkably similar to the habitats in which I had seen Great Grays before. This gave me a little hope that I may be able to scrounge one up after all.<br />
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About twenty minutes in to my search I was walking across a new meadow, pursuing a chattery bunch of passerines, when a Great Gray flushed from about thirty yards in from of me! It headed off into the woods away from me and I tried to follow it but quickly lost it, amazed that the largest owl in North America could utterly disappear before my very eyes.<br />
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I thoroughly canvased the area in the direction the owl flew, but came up empty. I was bummed that I hadn't managed a photo, but content to have at least seen the bird for the first time in a long while.<br />
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I decided to go check the other end of this massive meadow before heading out, and just before I turned towards the trail to go back to my car, a light blemish in a sea of conifers caught my eye. I put up my binoculars and was astounded to find a Great Gray sitting atop a pine, regal as a king on his throne! I got to enjoy the bird for a few minutes before, just like the other, it disappeared into the forest. Paired with the Sage Grouse from earlier in the day, and the memories of these two species from my childhood, it was one of the richest birding moments I've ever had.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEZ4AL9thzYO8fa7z2fGaQl4AiGdD00i0reAmp1F8xLm5nbJuNJGPwy-pyZ3wcZTP8Hrv0jctlngjyBYnKl3DaMLZH9Ma656QfiCPamAI9kuHw2UtMHqiyMmAtfj6CFqv2496TAi7FHU/s1600/Bend-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEZ4AL9thzYO8fa7z2fGaQl4AiGdD00i0reAmp1F8xLm5nbJuNJGPwy-pyZ3wcZTP8Hrv0jctlngjyBYnKl3DaMLZH9Ma656QfiCPamAI9kuHw2UtMHqiyMmAtfj6CFqv2496TAi7FHU/s400/Bend-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA92fXHLX8gyw61CuO7ZvhUmeBNihJJ5EBr8BbWvyB9vBVh_gEcAtR28un6EieKl3jEyKXKyE8ZedFZ93dsmLIzGOYu75Kh3VVDibmDB3_hriAmaGQzYQ8gIkbGx-dx7VfWdpEu8DsrAs/s1600/Bend-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA92fXHLX8gyw61CuO7ZvhUmeBNihJJ5EBr8BbWvyB9vBVh_gEcAtR28un6EieKl3jEyKXKyE8ZedFZ93dsmLIzGOYu75Kh3VVDibmDB3_hriAmaGQzYQ8gIkbGx-dx7VfWdpEu8DsrAs/s400/Bend-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Z-nthVMurhShnUQlgN-es9EId3NqXLfLNW5n3UvktUmTWcFzurLpzZ5YRl7Jw8IF9yUcN_8SOhhPvWtaV0gbG89Pf_l5OH5SERnIO4EqgS_Kv7wBaAdvXWNXe93ZTddLd7o0CSxKqIM/s1600/Bend-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Z-nthVMurhShnUQlgN-es9EId3NqXLfLNW5n3UvktUmTWcFzurLpzZ5YRl7Jw8IF9yUcN_8SOhhPvWtaV0gbG89Pf_l5OH5SERnIO4EqgS_Kv7wBaAdvXWNXe93ZTddLd7o0CSxKqIM/s400/Bend-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Great Gray Owl</i></div>
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<i>Deschutes Co, Oregon</i></div>
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<i>April 23, 2016</i></div>
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<div>
<b>3. Great Shearwater</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
We're Oregon residents now, but with both of our families living in Washington we make it back up there fairly regularly—and far more frequently now the the trip takes just a drive and a tank of gas rather than a flight and the bulk of our savings account. So last summer I got to meet up with my parents at the coast on my birthday weekend. I had asked for a pelagic for my birthday and I was thrilled to get my first chance to bird out on the open ocean. The trip out of Westport, Washington was remarkable, and a day of lifers was topped off by the Atlantic vagrant found by Chris Warlow, the Great Shearwater!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XnY_LLMOLjeEXxVUM9aRXpc-e61CdjC4omuZIlzXGxA2FaIhqadmO_meN42jhl_c-6XmGBZWDF1KfDQDxLw_2VVrQJzSBTZ3PRAwPwJ4OdFu43ii-wKv9pqUjMNuqHz7Ovs7_MELH5A/s1600/Pelagic-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XnY_LLMOLjeEXxVUM9aRXpc-e61CdjC4omuZIlzXGxA2FaIhqadmO_meN42jhl_c-6XmGBZWDF1KfDQDxLw_2VVrQJzSBTZ3PRAwPwJ4OdFu43ii-wKv9pqUjMNuqHz7Ovs7_MELH5A/s400/Pelagic-41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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(with Sooty Shearwater)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDveiidH-zsEYPZqxv0vCPmJkGWrbDkLkNukyDBQAG0SSXPNaFQYJODVRgbRLkPDlQtw5LmBiM7oHWgf2QG91xRVRG9saMR48LpjWjVgCwgrCjZx1s-pHNuu4cR1pwgdGfEpJy-VejlTA/s1600/Pelagic-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDveiidH-zsEYPZqxv0vCPmJkGWrbDkLkNukyDBQAG0SSXPNaFQYJODVRgbRLkPDlQtw5LmBiM7oHWgf2QG91xRVRG9saMR48LpjWjVgCwgrCjZx1s-pHNuu4cR1pwgdGfEpJy-VejlTA/s400/Pelagic-42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzcX_HA93P8zACtSr7qHT886Fh1zHQunBj-LjHNpNQGzXzXMZducxhzCCUhi6MPy03niMuL9k3-fLotiPcWHzkjAAspXvSxHRnfu8_-OJS6Kn3P8FkNkGb4PP1LVDfqFkBfEis6tIBeE/s1600/Pelagic-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzcX_HA93P8zACtSr7qHT886Fh1zHQunBj-LjHNpNQGzXzXMZducxhzCCUhi6MPy03niMuL9k3-fLotiPcWHzkjAAspXvSxHRnfu8_-OJS6Kn3P8FkNkGb4PP1LVDfqFkBfEis6tIBeE/s400/Pelagic-44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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(with California Gull)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0crhyphenhyphenvQZnYB49FdtBw-tY0ClbUNjzJdvesu2k-_cfSwIvZ_eTD3IIiy0bnrIC7oTehXErZIQu-ifACLGjNB8u_7dieap86Uh_UBQDWBS178NrtzdHZZTbLXuB4m-g4JY3-lFYOyn4mIw/s1600/Pelagic-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0crhyphenhyphenvQZnYB49FdtBw-tY0ClbUNjzJdvesu2k-_cfSwIvZ_eTD3IIiy0bnrIC7oTehXErZIQu-ifACLGjNB8u_7dieap86Uh_UBQDWBS178NrtzdHZZTbLXuB4m-g4JY3-lFYOyn4mIw/s400/Pelagic-43.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Great Shearwater</i></div>
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<i>Offshore Waters, Grays Harbor Co, WA</i></div>
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<i>August 15, 2015</i></div>
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<div>
<b>4. White-tailed Ptarmigan</b></div>
<div>
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With the other side of the family over Labor Day weekend, my father-in-law and I did a hike out of Artist Point up to Ptarmigan Ridge. I was mainly in it for the scenery, but of course I had three target birds in the back of my mind as we went along. About five minutes into the hike a pair of Sooty Grouse passed just below us, my first time seeing them in many years. At the top I had a Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, which completed my Rosy Finch slam for 2015 (I had my lifer Black and Brown-capped on my drive out that summer), a pretty cool feat to accomplish over the course of the summer rather than at a backyard feeding station in the winter.<br />
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And in between those two targets, I had the utter delight of my 322nd Washington State bird, this incredibly confiding White-tailed Ptarmigan!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjHhm7MOh8lBtETBk87SrEO65FCAKlA4ViY0g8X35QqXClEEScGTNpb2M-HJS6D7jaVOo6DmmuvC-YRz_jv8tZ2fr3XPb2DLwOzNEDELBOHoGbGixrPVXWNTcKVxQp8_QBW3jKBEApZo/s1600/21146489270_ea05417b5b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjHhm7MOh8lBtETBk87SrEO65FCAKlA4ViY0g8X35QqXClEEScGTNpb2M-HJS6D7jaVOo6DmmuvC-YRz_jv8tZ2fr3XPb2DLwOzNEDELBOHoGbGixrPVXWNTcKVxQp8_QBW3jKBEApZo/s400/21146489270_ea05417b5b_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnH5CNouLwnMM0AaDUXUKVhZWRp9uNeHcv_wPw4Wab-LFhWdCUNyWSXqVEI_3w8mKH3xe4rnwezAtMjg5et2KkB6YWjigEpa5E3s4YflXEeqx7h67bbIaIOJZhvw31btrnDcdlUKq5zM/s1600/21147712259_1f7f539918_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnH5CNouLwnMM0AaDUXUKVhZWRp9uNeHcv_wPw4Wab-LFhWdCUNyWSXqVEI_3w8mKH3xe4rnwezAtMjg5et2KkB6YWjigEpa5E3s4YflXEeqx7h67bbIaIOJZhvw31btrnDcdlUKq5zM/s400/21147712259_1f7f539918_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>White-tailed Ptarmigan</i></div>
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<i>Whatcom Co, WA</i></div>
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<i>September 5, 2015</i></div>
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<div>
<b>5. Mountain Quail</b></div>
<div>
<br />
I knew that Mountain Quail were regular residents in Oregon, but I never imagined that I would find a whole family the first time I went looking for them! This was a thrilling lifer for me to pick up shortly after moving here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMp72yUUaVc7czZmFFWJNzIJKjil-XnegoFyRRoPaqU01AuiLH6w0BRchTyFIJzwYOfIEj7TFXYalA7wbGyn_Gz6bqDAmkoGMr0wscjivjKTarDN4v7GRGbn-FuJQXigPSFDosuRhM_8/s1600/Early+August-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMp72yUUaVc7czZmFFWJNzIJKjil-XnegoFyRRoPaqU01AuiLH6w0BRchTyFIJzwYOfIEj7TFXYalA7wbGyn_Gz6bqDAmkoGMr0wscjivjKTarDN4v7GRGbn-FuJQXigPSFDosuRhM_8/s400/Early+August-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Mountain Quail</i></div>
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<i>Mary's Peak, Benton Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>August 10, 2015</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<b>6. Lincoln Co Day</b></div>
<div>
<br />
Back to the bunches. On October 27, I had the chance to chase the rarities that had piled up in Lincoln County, and went three for three!<br />
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There was an odd, widespread of dispersal of Common Ground Doves last fall, and this was one of them:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvywiBaMx6Wk-FHjhlkWN09H_mFfGxOJ52Dyo-TGbemEzcsTNvSNvd_n2VTb6HLN8j12tC9KF8a3ydXfg0zTDWd1upt_6VLU83T42eeQg6Tg9d4R0pu-bMsC7T4rMbN20kuEfmNdoGTWQ/s1600/Oct+27-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvywiBaMx6Wk-FHjhlkWN09H_mFfGxOJ52Dyo-TGbemEzcsTNvSNvd_n2VTb6HLN8j12tC9KF8a3ydXfg0zTDWd1upt_6VLU83T42eeQg6Tg9d4R0pu-bMsC7T4rMbN20kuEfmNdoGTWQ/s400/Oct+27-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbiXuD7iRQNkv1abhT_RzuF9ERYdzGMfVNismgqStesTrohg_Ok2Cqvl5VI6gw3KvZxkK74mE_rDiwSR5V5JpJg2163wUJP3Y-cKOJWI-qfQtibOrZ3Wty-5Ycj04zo3tn1Qv51-93Fs/s1600/Oct+27-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbiXuD7iRQNkv1abhT_RzuF9ERYdzGMfVNismgqStesTrohg_Ok2Cqvl5VI6gw3KvZxkK74mE_rDiwSR5V5JpJg2163wUJP3Y-cKOJWI-qfQtibOrZ3Wty-5Ycj04zo3tn1Qv51-93Fs/s400/Oct+27-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Common Ground Dove</i></div>
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<i>Yachats, Lincoln Co, OR<br />October 27, 2015</i></div>
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And this Brown Booby in Newport was a lifer for me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweWmBxppABdOinmihWrcY1c9dyJffrkaxPB6mp-USCOynBpUNplTrAv2imunwquvsMBKo68XNxzQQJWn0DOd3bFUZ6GXY8rIU-DZVFRgB73_tps3vn5QXfEBvV80hHFFHr-pC1eo8RPI/s1600/Oct+27-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweWmBxppABdOinmihWrcY1c9dyJffrkaxPB6mp-USCOynBpUNplTrAv2imunwquvsMBKo68XNxzQQJWn0DOd3bFUZ6GXY8rIU-DZVFRgB73_tps3vn5QXfEBvV80hHFFHr-pC1eo8RPI/s400/Oct+27-27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1JN3sqarkBsIDgtiL1kDspy48ojbznotcSRTPw-khwrXPDskQnsf_Z3Jlb6ZCm8jMVY3JO-S88SRMzrxuuPy-ZeY1zLu4_0mnmFy58dXZlp65rI3OhvwlxMRKD__EVBuHtRo0tVutew/s1600/Oct+27-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1JN3sqarkBsIDgtiL1kDspy48ojbznotcSRTPw-khwrXPDskQnsf_Z3Jlb6ZCm8jMVY3JO-S88SRMzrxuuPy-ZeY1zLu4_0mnmFy58dXZlp65rI3OhvwlxMRKD__EVBuHtRo0tVutew/s400/Oct+27-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Brown Booby</i></div>
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<i>Newport, Lincoln Co, OR<br />October 27, 2015</i></div>
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The familiar call of this Great-crested Flycatcher made me feel like I was right back in Illinois for a moment, though the coastal views preceding and mountain views following this particular Oregon lifer jostled me out of that thought rather seamlessly. Great bird for the Oregon list!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBc6i38KB4BBU6D3iiRr1SWgweAadkXvvF1C8TFevMVg0kwy3zkENRiA42-mgMq_Rlncv4lBNPqDyRrl_JVhftHBkOBMDOJNlLls7QW67PCiliULad_fAD6UZ7URLWKOJ9mVK-ilvpxn8/s1600/Oct+27-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBc6i38KB4BBU6D3iiRr1SWgweAadkXvvF1C8TFevMVg0kwy3zkENRiA42-mgMq_Rlncv4lBNPqDyRrl_JVhftHBkOBMDOJNlLls7QW67PCiliULad_fAD6UZ7URLWKOJ9mVK-ilvpxn8/s400/Oct+27-32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Great-crested Flycatcher</i></div>
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<i>Thornton Creek, Lincoln Co, OR<br />October 27, 2015</i></div>
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<div>
<b>7. Tillamook Co Day</b></div>
<div>
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About a month later I had a similar day as I chased some rarities to the north. Again, these were familiar Illinois birds for me, and quite the delight to add to my Oregon list! The first two are far rarer for Oregon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy20CWTUeKYJy_hph8_DacrUQDAPP6jxdQBT3CPCXhqdZjG8pyq-5o3ViPsVJwLF6kj3Kv1AgotUCJCvH_JVKnFgbIW8_H0Y9i6AoweQ-rptSWAcQJz6yr24d6xje2ByNB5jY81JhpFkI/s1600/November+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy20CWTUeKYJy_hph8_DacrUQDAPP6jxdQBT3CPCXhqdZjG8pyq-5o3ViPsVJwLF6kj3Kv1AgotUCJCvH_JVKnFgbIW8_H0Y9i6AoweQ-rptSWAcQJz6yr24d6xje2ByNB5jY81JhpFkI/s400/November+23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Cattle Egret</i></div>
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<i>Tillamook Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>November 23, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kn29ToaM0uk4vrvqsmNuDjGgXWfrPJMcF5DlqPFDtG0PMYa9qwhyphenhyphenakz5qh1BWkhLqKEuNzENqNVxe7kmMiwuEfnGabDxTXbh0nnn3zG8GUxqTQ4APln4AW6q3ksdkJTjvtgkUbtglB0/s1600/November+23-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kn29ToaM0uk4vrvqsmNuDjGgXWfrPJMcF5DlqPFDtG0PMYa9qwhyphenhyphenakz5qh1BWkhLqKEuNzENqNVxe7kmMiwuEfnGabDxTXbh0nnn3zG8GUxqTQ4APln4AW6q3ksdkJTjvtgkUbtglB0/s400/November+23-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Dickcissel</i></div>
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<i>Bayocean Dike Rd., Tillamook Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>November 23, 2015</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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And it turns out these guys winter out here in small numbers:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1vPb1vmFqhUDM91qrpjU-iJFQxNQAhaHZKyJP5-fTfU5vkONERnnIQpbQGdIE48oj-_zzg_U6CFHm1JnpPWLz5-Nm4GL5iLHFMksb9or5ihy4dz-Ak6IDH63B1_o5sjEju06-IN0RS0/s1600/November+23-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1vPb1vmFqhUDM91qrpjU-iJFQxNQAhaHZKyJP5-fTfU5vkONERnnIQpbQGdIE48oj-_zzg_U6CFHm1JnpPWLz5-Nm4GL5iLHFMksb9or5ihy4dz-Ak6IDH63B1_o5sjEju06-IN0RS0/s400/November+23-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Palm Warbler<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Bayocean Dike Rd., Tillamook Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>November 23, 2015</i></div>
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<b>8. Rockpipers and Other Great Shorebirds</b><br />
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Rockpipers. Shorebirds on the rocks, basically. And they're one of the coolest parts of birding along the coast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5c4QJJUzRvb3-MkEKKP6at2aR3-S5LZjGix9HwEHFSRrIJTLJ_eaX0RNiTY8Q2zNoenUd1H6tAq-eI09PAh-SF2coAcVgtNFJVECYLgHklfy7yjiLSte0p0Uc5MZQ8FbgXlr-hEfuzrI/s1600/Early+Jan-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5c4QJJUzRvb3-MkEKKP6at2aR3-S5LZjGix9HwEHFSRrIJTLJ_eaX0RNiTY8Q2zNoenUd1H6tAq-eI09PAh-SF2coAcVgtNFJVECYLgHklfy7yjiLSte0p0Uc5MZQ8FbgXlr-hEfuzrI/s400/Early+Jan-41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Rock Sandpiper</i></div>
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<i>Seal Rock, Lincoln Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>January 15, 2016</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcU4Hb7DcdTJbk8g51aK8UKZ8kK1fsw27Kjav1O-2A5sePZKUx7Eq6h_iI0z6zwBTEhnoL897Q-aNgQlVtWovzh0r-a1yLePnMaIfWe_xPTQNjXqQ05DKKxC4xm8vGBhRZFD64Jchuhg/s1600/Early+Jan-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcU4Hb7DcdTJbk8g51aK8UKZ8kK1fsw27Kjav1O-2A5sePZKUx7Eq6h_iI0z6zwBTEhnoL897Q-aNgQlVtWovzh0r-a1yLePnMaIfWe_xPTQNjXqQ05DKKxC4xm8vGBhRZFD64Jchuhg/s400/Early+Jan-46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Black Turnstone, Surfbird, and Rock Sandpiper</i></div>
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<i>Seal Rock, Lincoln Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>January 15, 2016</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDqbTigataEv5TYR_ZR9TlbLHLc6bfPZitOrw1OVMR_cO-sgEsiq9LO6coSrJ7rTmWxWJUyVNptRWgQLZoL1G0QBTddqJ1ovJR0yGz3WkOzz8OMbqbmTfoAjTXHe5ZLmsSU508Z4wUXY/s1600/Early+Jan-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDqbTigataEv5TYR_ZR9TlbLHLc6bfPZitOrw1OVMR_cO-sgEsiq9LO6coSrJ7rTmWxWJUyVNptRWgQLZoL1G0QBTddqJ1ovJR0yGz3WkOzz8OMbqbmTfoAjTXHe5ZLmsSU508Z4wUXY/s400/Early+Jan-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Surfbird and Black Turnstone</i></div>
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<i>Newport, Lincoln Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>January 11, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzw1FbSDUv0EHmxp62xs0iMwz6N6AHe47QRIx9Azq99c753D9NzdXuEwdr5IQ3EWc1YcvrfVl0ubUoDFGnrbl2Pgv3NoPT_LKvSrbtIiKq0nqt6c_KBnuwBJLhyphenhyphenuuUzyBIh5ONPH3m7Q/s1600/Oct+27-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzw1FbSDUv0EHmxp62xs0iMwz6N6AHe47QRIx9Azq99c753D9NzdXuEwdr5IQ3EWc1YcvrfVl0ubUoDFGnrbl2Pgv3NoPT_LKvSrbtIiKq0nqt6c_KBnuwBJLhyphenhyphenuuUzyBIh5ONPH3m7Q/s400/Oct+27-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEoU9XSpN1WMvVChzpgR0Lf6uBL1ac6J60Izrav2FomN5YQ1fRqbty9q6KwHVrMQmEavIVRKnCGFd55LYMZC0X2ytt5TZRsOJrG4KiwWW_jZ07JsGZF34osmOb2QFq9hdItHgPlTctco/s1600/Oct+27-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEoU9XSpN1WMvVChzpgR0Lf6uBL1ac6J60Izrav2FomN5YQ1fRqbty9q6KwHVrMQmEavIVRKnCGFd55LYMZC0X2ytt5TZRsOJrG4KiwWW_jZ07JsGZF34osmOb2QFq9hdItHgPlTctco/s400/Oct+27-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUmMmvcDx61J9iHdkrYcthQUQDcnjMRNR0y0ryHXKUg2AHLQ0MvKS1_ACugzR8vQWgRv6DVKHSubRnVUG915pQQdoETQgLGNzkbInYG1vwgzUX2DZIfcstzUmGaj8qLRcb_g3doGK78w/s1600/Oct+27-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUmMmvcDx61J9iHdkrYcthQUQDcnjMRNR0y0ryHXKUg2AHLQ0MvKS1_ACugzR8vQWgRv6DVKHSubRnVUG915pQQdoETQgLGNzkbInYG1vwgzUX2DZIfcstzUmGaj8qLRcb_g3doGK78w/s400/Oct+27-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Surfbird and Black Turnstone</i></div>
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<i>Yachats State Park, Lincoln Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>October 27, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWPOxE_hCtXvClKEFVDdSmkml8dNLp1ppDPzagOXFw0WzdlDfYqpprprJgsSshRhmdKN8YovM5wAk5_TjdL3F5r3K6PvBBFYfcTjTqW55UFq25YLFE-k-ASAjKU38iUZpCcQpSogMfQY/s1600/15+Spring+Summer-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWPOxE_hCtXvClKEFVDdSmkml8dNLp1ppDPzagOXFw0WzdlDfYqpprprJgsSshRhmdKN8YovM5wAk5_TjdL3F5r3K6PvBBFYfcTjTqW55UFq25YLFE-k-ASAjKU38iUZpCcQpSogMfQY/s400/15+Spring+Summer-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Black Oystercatcher</i></div>
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<i>Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>August 13, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o2-9zPvZH6JkZ0NuVFPxMvDHZQxV6sOyEWoqB-xpwXcnMgG3heSFJR0GDT1wGrSWRH-_oeo3phMdTKod_Jpt94w3yhDoR25QfmvWD1WQXYlQcteqXZA2phiWQPUHPaEoC27Ebov1s-o/s1600/Late+September-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o2-9zPvZH6JkZ0NuVFPxMvDHZQxV6sOyEWoqB-xpwXcnMgG3heSFJR0GDT1wGrSWRH-_oeo3phMdTKod_Jpt94w3yhDoR25QfmvWD1WQXYlQcteqXZA2phiWQPUHPaEoC27Ebov1s-o/s400/Late+September-41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qGFUwo2jzVouDpJwm0y5ljAaKsjzCZbY4SbXX8hQfQy6dQuroazH-oFiWT7lVnYUkFIir60v86iA6aH5fTNv6lpQCot5NsaFOzrmxTsUObAFQkvJm8IXmaLFMQt0nkH2n57052SD9xM/s1600/Late+September-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qGFUwo2jzVouDpJwm0y5ljAaKsjzCZbY4SbXX8hQfQy6dQuroazH-oFiWT7lVnYUkFIir60v86iA6aH5fTNv6lpQCot5NsaFOzrmxTsUObAFQkvJm8IXmaLFMQt0nkH2n57052SD9xM/s400/Late+September-56.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHUCkIcs7yQo_8oa6iSVtt0WtziH2ksyU2YrKZhqzhlGTE8p2qts-lw3EGYzmZwKiu_5sr9tQYLnPHX-jZPXfA67oY0ivPfX54MqaTXU022fdHJ5UWP8QninmSwlZtMhwvD-Vb1wBXd8/s1600/Late+September-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHUCkIcs7yQo_8oa6iSVtt0WtziH2ksyU2YrKZhqzhlGTE8p2qts-lw3EGYzmZwKiu_5sr9tQYLnPHX-jZPXfA67oY0ivPfX54MqaTXU022fdHJ5UWP8QninmSwlZtMhwvD-Vb1wBXd8/s400/Late+September-59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Wandering Tattler</i></div>
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<i>Newport, Lincoln Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>September 25, 2015</i></div>
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And there have been a couple other shorebird treats since moving here, too! Here is my lifer Ruff!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEcOSSFXjvoyE_dDvDscoeFOD9Nbg608mBsMg5ykzycuC8GyljzLYdE7baJmHDL3sHCNWpbz7SH0HrW3XksMeGwKAqsEBvDEJbK0_QJPOdkH0Tw_atLNiJ55ew8SlIIOrbVzeoH3MoTU/s1600/Early+November-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEcOSSFXjvoyE_dDvDscoeFOD9Nbg608mBsMg5ykzycuC8GyljzLYdE7baJmHDL3sHCNWpbz7SH0HrW3XksMeGwKAqsEBvDEJbK0_QJPOdkH0Tw_atLNiJ55ew8SlIIOrbVzeoH3MoTU/s1600/Early+November-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEcOSSFXjvoyE_dDvDscoeFOD9Nbg608mBsMg5ykzycuC8GyljzLYdE7baJmHDL3sHCNWpbz7SH0HrW3XksMeGwKAqsEBvDEJbK0_QJPOdkH0Tw_atLNiJ55ew8SlIIOrbVzeoH3MoTU/s400/Early+November-28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Ruff</i></div>
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<i>Ankeny NWR, Marion Co OR</i></div>
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<i>November 9, 2015</i></div>
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By the end of 2015, I had picked up 39 new Oregon lifers, six of which were ABA lifers, bringing my Oregon list to 290 and ABA list to 610. My first new Oregon lifer of 2016 was this long, long staying Mountain Plover!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHnJGe6cDY5L1V1YXv-6pFRgepcl6iJeG9-XbHjgVD0WXFXnZKJPhJLaIRw4YwB3hcBZqwh22_aFJofsxDkBTfE9ie7c5WJ1Zf6gPJQv2KW8RoGVY5BJPVTKF8eaT09eUOYAUnAshLdo/s1600/Early+Jan-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHnJGe6cDY5L1V1YXv-6pFRgepcl6iJeG9-XbHjgVD0WXFXnZKJPhJLaIRw4YwB3hcBZqwh22_aFJofsxDkBTfE9ie7c5WJ1Zf6gPJQv2KW8RoGVY5BJPVTKF8eaT09eUOYAUnAshLdo/s400/Early+Jan-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Mountain Plover</i></div>
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<i>South Beach, Lincoln Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>January 15, 2016</i></div>
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<b>9. Breeching Humpbacks From Shore, and Marine Wildlife in General</b></div>
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Over the course of the fall John Sullivan and I made a handful of trips to the coast for some seawatching and had some truly amazing occurrences. In addition to seeing Pink-footed Shearwaters, Red Phalaropes, and a host of other enjoyable seabirds from the shore, we were met one morning in early November by a truly breathtaking spectacle. A group of Humpback Whales were moving through the area, and on several occasions we got to see them breech! Further out, and impossible to photograph, there was a large group of Pacific White-sided Dolphins, too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPT79RD2hH2UAa-NC86-BwVNevwq0qApfJBxaWemYs5ysYS1Dx4EBQw8h95M3y3f1XRqWoLHyIrHXBFpHyrUC4wj_sg8VqOdWlTcha4X_W-QuoaxzUUfp3MQA2s1xyiZemQ33Olv62YA/s1600/Early+November-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPT79RD2hH2UAa-NC86-BwVNevwq0qApfJBxaWemYs5ysYS1Dx4EBQw8h95M3y3f1XRqWoLHyIrHXBFpHyrUC4wj_sg8VqOdWlTcha4X_W-QuoaxzUUfp3MQA2s1xyiZemQ33Olv62YA/s400/Early+November-52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_wp6SstKyqhZyS-X8NAgnQgwFhl6TFUkGOmTlV1LDdCuNUpkTgp75V50vZhdxUy59NiUdC-mSSoE528itq3BgobPXsHcavOTBzO2mrTFbD0VuIasuC-_bdpihxtYtDWn2S57B7v4208/s1600/Early+November-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_wp6SstKyqhZyS-X8NAgnQgwFhl6TFUkGOmTlV1LDdCuNUpkTgp75V50vZhdxUy59NiUdC-mSSoE528itq3BgobPXsHcavOTBzO2mrTFbD0VuIasuC-_bdpihxtYtDWn2S57B7v4208/s400/Early+November-53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYmjeweoMSwC-dav3VO35OFoFEzROqRJq9dkm6SjlYlKBt2id0Fe45UbETJxtHyBIJZvn5zwr17idMAb_mQkD66sE5x3JuZwHmwdBFSLlv6u2NwcNFfUd9hXEnSuNk7e3J6aufNCIUjo/s1600/Early+November-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYmjeweoMSwC-dav3VO35OFoFEzROqRJq9dkm6SjlYlKBt2id0Fe45UbETJxtHyBIJZvn5zwr17idMAb_mQkD66sE5x3JuZwHmwdBFSLlv6u2NwcNFfUd9hXEnSuNk7e3J6aufNCIUjo/s400/Early+November-54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Humpback Whales</i></div>
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<i>Siltcoos River Estuary, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>November 6, 2015</i></div>
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That same day we headed down to Cape Arago where we had this Gray Whale:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1BJhr0cf6VERQ_PYtfbgoOk2pMxZuxCtEjCl62Uc7NAyzqXqXwyz2JSL2RVGI9uU3iAJPJ58ymoUb0aArtfmYSrt-obfFLv0wfYKSbssuMpc6nWZKrug8B8mneudPGIOCcXZ_hLaWlw/s1600/Early+November-61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1BJhr0cf6VERQ_PYtfbgoOk2pMxZuxCtEjCl62Uc7NAyzqXqXwyz2JSL2RVGI9uU3iAJPJ58ymoUb0aArtfmYSrt-obfFLv0wfYKSbssuMpc6nWZKrug8B8mneudPGIOCcXZ_hLaWlw/s400/Early+November-61.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Gray Whale</i></div>
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<i>Cape Arago, Coos Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>November 6, 2015</i></div>
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In addition to the birds, Cape Arago boasts an impressive four species of pinnipeds: Harbor Seals, California Sea Lions, Northern Sea Lions, and best of all, Elephant Seals!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNriF6mO2nzUQeqiaZB4GoOEhU77HrCTHECO5Jh3dUBPIRCZMEyIrMJLzmhSIaB1ul5oBB-mjlvZ6wIw4-sNWGgbInBS6Yui8KekF9EjbcvpEO7Mf4hD-Sk-5fuRVoIX9m7_NyB2UbnzE/s1600/ELSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNriF6mO2nzUQeqiaZB4GoOEhU77HrCTHECO5Jh3dUBPIRCZMEyIrMJLzmhSIaB1ul5oBB-mjlvZ6wIw4-sNWGgbInBS6Yui8KekF9EjbcvpEO7Mf4hD-Sk-5fuRVoIX9m7_NyB2UbnzE/s400/ELSE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Elephant Seal</i></div>
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<i>Cape Arago, Coos Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>November 27, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRweuYFzRp976jwhYhFpEBtmyn-NttRPLpOEeDq5N0v14EZkn8AA4CNEO9mUPhMBcpKPsR9gOZNLTS1akAAVDX46zb2do-ni_3_qSTZNbIaBSDCGePxGGhyphenhypheni46EL-hy4osYQffHB-id7g/s1600/Early+November-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRweuYFzRp976jwhYhFpEBtmyn-NttRPLpOEeDq5N0v14EZkn8AA4CNEO9mUPhMBcpKPsR9gOZNLTS1akAAVDX46zb2do-ni_3_qSTZNbIaBSDCGePxGGhyphenhypheni46EL-hy4osYQffHB-id7g/s400/Early+November-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Northern Sea Lion</i></div>
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<i>Cape Arago, Coos, Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>November 6, 2015</i></div>
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I love the personality these guys have:<br />
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNaxgqlDJ9KY49e7KVZDkkGFPPIs4xn-3ZqQD6Z7rb0ZsXZ_zfJ5nRBWlZEt43r3Cdx7br-9hGJ0e8yZYSe4Nqi6B4j0e5bDMKwPfLGcTcw6uyqYibVqU2bJevQHgaxEzAih-z5Jp1sc/s1600/Early+November-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNaxgqlDJ9KY49e7KVZDkkGFPPIs4xn-3ZqQD6Z7rb0ZsXZ_zfJ5nRBWlZEt43r3Cdx7br-9hGJ0e8yZYSe4Nqi6B4j0e5bDMKwPfLGcTcw6uyqYibVqU2bJevQHgaxEzAih-z5Jp1sc/s400/Early+November-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0IV3-owrjNtbuVpsyIUmQ4DOfwx_b_lcctVC2XkiKzLBJOK5K7S3IyviBBhsDo7uJ4kUF6FoepZeMRUbsHd2381c1e_8GXmKSSPHiIpBIWgEANy73VEbr1KqFpNyW5KxkeQcmR9t1iM/s1600/Early+November-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0IV3-owrjNtbuVpsyIUmQ4DOfwx_b_lcctVC2XkiKzLBJOK5K7S3IyviBBhsDo7uJ4kUF6FoepZeMRUbsHd2381c1e_8GXmKSSPHiIpBIWgEANy73VEbr1KqFpNyW5KxkeQcmR9t1iM/s400/Early+November-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nhL5KTOi9_1xYuRUSSirA0twS6_y_tOFa58VunnGPq3CLkilUuuUlRmTkirHRSSWvnrMqBbwz0sEiEaOez3xrOee-opu1mqzxnJpb73WrHj3TmpAA730oocCcr5vBm-knYlwcZmyjhw/s1600/Early+November-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nhL5KTOi9_1xYuRUSSirA0twS6_y_tOFa58VunnGPq3CLkilUuuUlRmTkirHRSSWvnrMqBbwz0sEiEaOez3xrOee-opu1mqzxnJpb73WrHj3TmpAA730oocCcr5vBm-knYlwcZmyjhw/s400/Early+November-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>California Sea Lions</i></div>
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<i>Cape Arago, Coos Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>November 6, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1xv8ceIwJbJWW3e2_mUlTrwM8eCjhTPJ7p6vm-pvQCwxMtj5ZxX28ZzdarOI8hNdJmLl8YxJJfMGH4SqFCKumPY1xNCiRd8FwRDfDQKCkmqIeiZXAj_9HdrqiIQiu6RbcGgut2RSRQs/s1600/15+Spring+Summer-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1xv8ceIwJbJWW3e2_mUlTrwM8eCjhTPJ7p6vm-pvQCwxMtj5ZxX28ZzdarOI8hNdJmLl8YxJJfMGH4SqFCKumPY1xNCiRd8FwRDfDQKCkmqIeiZXAj_9HdrqiIQiu6RbcGgut2RSRQs/s400/15+Spring+Summer-52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFI8yIU8mWtr_hrerYoyIhL0hvk4kveFbG_DBbKmOESi0YB_wSnCzbmb4EunSVRy-EhDZuH14tfook6ovCjqnCGSBSQUOqIY1dCbWkDx0GfHZGAWS-jacvlUFriuHr3-UOnb_-_K64ws/s1600/15+Spring+Summer-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFI8yIU8mWtr_hrerYoyIhL0hvk4kveFbG_DBbKmOESi0YB_wSnCzbmb4EunSVRy-EhDZuH14tfook6ovCjqnCGSBSQUOqIY1dCbWkDx0GfHZGAWS-jacvlUFriuHr3-UOnb_-_K64ws/s400/15+Spring+Summer-53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>California Sea Lions</i></div>
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<i>Westport, Grays Harbor Co, WA</i></div>
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<i>August 15, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSMuojRYZJ0BZLOhX36CzKSQoGawRm7ZbRoltSWUDwW5fqzcjN74_fKaluQSSUT7neupzhSNHBouXYU21QFntnr6Bha0DWRi5z0ZsU1-pmfAP_rZOSdsmTq0nbvCBwI6cX-w1bWtpzr0/s1600/Mid+September-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSMuojRYZJ0BZLOhX36CzKSQoGawRm7ZbRoltSWUDwW5fqzcjN74_fKaluQSSUT7neupzhSNHBouXYU21QFntnr6Bha0DWRi5z0ZsU1-pmfAP_rZOSdsmTq0nbvCBwI6cX-w1bWtpzr0/s400/Mid+September-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQwIPnJTXUHLZmZQiK-n0x0vq-MsBNpMKQGbKgg_7o6kBqvRSKhqr3xrJLbvJPzTk0m72ovaGNG139dYgZXCaYI4FQN5ZUKYDmIPSWsGjc_Fj9VjtFvVzQ7mdt16VFkVaHteUNeaD8Ps/s1600/Mid+September-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQwIPnJTXUHLZmZQiK-n0x0vq-MsBNpMKQGbKgg_7o6kBqvRSKhqr3xrJLbvJPzTk0m72ovaGNG139dYgZXCaYI4FQN5ZUKYDmIPSWsGjc_Fj9VjtFvVzQ7mdt16VFkVaHteUNeaD8Ps/s400/Mid+September-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>California Sea Lions</i></div>
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<i>Heceta Head, Lane Co, OR</i></div>
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<i>September 18, 2015</i></div>
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<b>10. Waterfalls, and Scenery in General</b><br />
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It's hard to believe it was a year ago that Jen and I were living in Wheaton and in the job search process. We had no idea what we would be doing, we only knew that no matter what, we'd be moving back to the PNW. In addition to our proximity to family and the slower pace of life, here's why:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWJAedV3rPEaO2x8y3YTkiJtu5iytUc8lNx_3TTt9MNCX-KbH-3wFYnh0WU8qXDRaCJQ29FkwEcqdSwitVg9_QKXTW6jCgSai7RwFuJCsE7Uu7W6dKq1GQ3UCNchjv84xyTrhTV4wVSM/s1600/Early+November-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWJAedV3rPEaO2x8y3YTkiJtu5iytUc8lNx_3TTt9MNCX-KbH-3wFYnh0WU8qXDRaCJQ29FkwEcqdSwitVg9_QKXTW6jCgSai7RwFuJCsE7Uu7W6dKq1GQ3UCNchjv84xyTrhTV4wVSM/s400/Early+November-32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbRBly60SZUxgVkLHPnXLAVhp3PIOlwy0grfLZUr6QDIQIlTOWGX_L7Ap7gxfxp1UyQor-mxcnNmaAOMSTQtiaVm1qLvmmW8HNbpwIzB_l7IQXUarQb4wf0hz15f2RyCE4xQ8_UmX-Xk/s1600/Early+November-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbRBly60SZUxgVkLHPnXLAVhp3PIOlwy0grfLZUr6QDIQIlTOWGX_L7Ap7gxfxp1UyQor-mxcnNmaAOMSTQtiaVm1qLvmmW8HNbpwIzB_l7IQXUarQb4wf0hz15f2RyCE4xQ8_UmX-Xk/s400/Early+November-34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Shellburg Falls</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeatYoLIBR6ipgtG0pA2YkB01VcSbNkYYrjZDIkLZRwPGOBu-fSHZ5VYIaLY0sqFOcjVXZdZ5oa-SWMHHhljg26Wlq9IMkbt7fUXROOIr9oH6JxfuyORrqdctviBygLxH-BLVmBUPDDE/s1600/Oct+19-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeatYoLIBR6ipgtG0pA2YkB01VcSbNkYYrjZDIkLZRwPGOBu-fSHZ5VYIaLY0sqFOcjVXZdZ5oa-SWMHHhljg26Wlq9IMkbt7fUXROOIr9oH6JxfuyORrqdctviBygLxH-BLVmBUPDDE/s400/Oct+19-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Proxy Falls</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfPzC0cE0Hn9eCEUFRO6JuC7YBioIO-varhzwcFjJ5bFivtASwcpkQtKYEyPEWSmTLHl1YQBOd-RTKwXeGVLuetqORUfAD7CJACIlXTjiybc0lucCJXibDvt5G2t-0HXuWxlvb49kw2A/s1600/October11-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfPzC0cE0Hn9eCEUFRO6JuC7YBioIO-varhzwcFjJ5bFivtASwcpkQtKYEyPEWSmTLHl1YQBOd-RTKwXeGVLuetqORUfAD7CJACIlXTjiybc0lucCJXibDvt5G2t-0HXuWxlvb49kw2A/s400/October11-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Lane County Coast</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHlxEY146xFlYvQWd0rM5_n2PzIZmUj0F7C7vzCCV1eVvY4GeB6-voTgOH3LfK0P1KYrNdvtoig9MoD9Lt15pgHnctatceCEGFOkqQZlzHC1uMfi1GskrMA6mRUAb4winqHmUk5BWLRQ/s1600/Early+October-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHlxEY146xFlYvQWd0rM5_n2PzIZmUj0F7C7vzCCV1eVvY4GeB6-voTgOH3LfK0P1KYrNdvtoig9MoD9Lt15pgHnctatceCEGFOkqQZlzHC1uMfi1GskrMA6mRUAb4winqHmUk5BWLRQ/s400/Early+October-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSdD8ns_5Ht1W67mWUj-dJLsXRTm89YEpPWl-gGSQSC5OvVyUUIqrGtkV4kiTl-zAEo-UDoGNrdds7accGpdfH4Dnr3XB-Or0zG1zOgbPhhF_cMsZxwYF8W9DIV9boAY6lHBsJqWW3m0/s1600/Early+October-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSdD8ns_5Ht1W67mWUj-dJLsXRTm89YEpPWl-gGSQSC5OvVyUUIqrGtkV4kiTl-zAEo-UDoGNrdds7accGpdfH4Dnr3XB-Or0zG1zOgbPhhF_cMsZxwYF8W9DIV9boAY6lHBsJqWW3m0/s400/Early+October-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_5kBgd-i8mIGIvqzqsEBe2KvRJoCa_N9AgHXglIwQmXgfpUR23bb9KCrV3Nf6gP-6aPRtd_vXFA4wMnQLJplHjx0zW9VrDFvYz0Im-SUJsBs2LhuNWaous-NDsg9JdR-C5_p2-bcyzQ/s1600/Early+October-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_5kBgd-i8mIGIvqzqsEBe2KvRJoCa_N9AgHXglIwQmXgfpUR23bb9KCrV3Nf6gP-6aPRtd_vXFA4wMnQLJplHjx0zW9VrDFvYz0Im-SUJsBs2LhuNWaous-NDsg9JdR-C5_p2-bcyzQ/s400/Early+October-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Sparks Lake</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaQoaVvtTICFi7_NYFqbnpJd02WxgKxb2w7fhjv0Rpl5fwjQfd8iYyKImd04o3wQrr9sRETgAi5JvAkvn3-4WfO9MSA0jZCmW6Qs83l14uXe2LnBlOTl68zZTn_vk9raVVBYK1XUlHeY/s1600/Nov+23-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaQoaVvtTICFi7_NYFqbnpJd02WxgKxb2w7fhjv0Rpl5fwjQfd8iYyKImd04o3wQrr9sRETgAi5JvAkvn3-4WfO9MSA0jZCmW6Qs83l14uXe2LnBlOTl68zZTn_vk9raVVBYK1XUlHeY/s400/Nov+23-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>South Sister</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ejOq22Cm3tzbjTmgKOWG1plQM3ONM6hegYkAq0aMEpzrO2sZNLCUR9DItaYzxcRJcv2qpTIF4QGL15tEEb0A61TA8Hb54CNJBYp5ZillocQQnNUcDOovPhUxSlxkhhv-_hpwtQ-o7bA/s1600/Nov+23-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ejOq22Cm3tzbjTmgKOWG1plQM3ONM6hegYkAq0aMEpzrO2sZNLCUR9DItaYzxcRJcv2qpTIF4QGL15tEEb0A61TA8Hb54CNJBYp5ZillocQQnNUcDOovPhUxSlxkhhv-_hpwtQ-o7bA/s400/Nov+23-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Broken Top</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_Wn_-zcqRPJXYUsje28__eRuXyYO3kW0VyHAAF7f_pqEkdbU4pznoK-lfPh6WcwxtJ5fS-kpvtF4KQ61fPmWxjZWqFpm5_c1S0h-iKD4ki552PbnXfzbSLeCYe0qF-AdmwlGOX9-dNs/s1600/Nov+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_Wn_-zcqRPJXYUsje28__eRuXyYO3kW0VyHAAF7f_pqEkdbU4pznoK-lfPh6WcwxtJ5fS-kpvtF4KQ61fPmWxjZWqFpm5_c1S0h-iKD4ki552PbnXfzbSLeCYe0qF-AdmwlGOX9-dNs/s400/Nov+23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Salt Creek Falls</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VFdnYebRiZnP0_eD3SnW6aE2EgU95PRTs6XqYVdrfEtE-y-IzrjBtH7d41uMKK1JpIUmifGVZ7qMzDtHNBXIGlXXOUXkFaaMBsTaOU5QGJhbyAbiWXh55qk5gQpJe2rB3eJo9-zB0s8/s1600/Cape+Perpetua-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VFdnYebRiZnP0_eD3SnW6aE2EgU95PRTs6XqYVdrfEtE-y-IzrjBtH7d41uMKK1JpIUmifGVZ7qMzDtHNBXIGlXXOUXkFaaMBsTaOU5QGJhbyAbiWXh55qk5gQpJe2rB3eJo9-zB0s8/s400/Cape+Perpetua-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Cape Perpetua</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCGnzpiunwnHAEE1mZDA09ae-bKAe2FL0S63ukMzmhvEKvXduxD1neCJMqW_enCZpqx9Hw9fIoQi-ikLfVpoMXqzeTXIo5Ai76LAb3ooUCRYnAkTmq8qJ82iBE02ULE43UiItnDKPsJQ/s1600/Sweet+Creek-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCGnzpiunwnHAEE1mZDA09ae-bKAe2FL0S63ukMzmhvEKvXduxD1neCJMqW_enCZpqx9Hw9fIoQi-ikLfVpoMXqzeTXIo5Ai76LAb3ooUCRYnAkTmq8qJ82iBE02ULE43UiItnDKPsJQ/s400/Sweet+Creek-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwedn4aSIjSg29YMm6yXHloVNNXrTSFocPl80RefK0Gl-CmdUOM93Z5ml6vAvSIxHk_7Vuc7H0stn7n7QISxu-PDIrgMxh9NIwg9jCDGGDh63qwZXkQJMDoGarN5mnXU3RxDo8W9xy-iU/s1600/Sweet+Creek-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwedn4aSIjSg29YMm6yXHloVNNXrTSFocPl80RefK0Gl-CmdUOM93Z5ml6vAvSIxHk_7Vuc7H0stn7n7QISxu-PDIrgMxh9NIwg9jCDGGDh63qwZXkQJMDoGarN5mnXU3RxDo8W9xy-iU/s400/Sweet+Creek-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3X1iKwq3sd6cwzNjkzQ0rBPySlcxxVb1TrSpzw-yvYi9-pE7kE7jGMuCU7UOu7Vv7bTj749yc0f5Tb9zedNdnl_ZN51Pn8GPTneUtCqTAjLV6IYWh0KnZ89twaDfRvKnjxYQRpChG1A/s1600/Sweet+Creek-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3X1iKwq3sd6cwzNjkzQ0rBPySlcxxVb1TrSpzw-yvYi9-pE7kE7jGMuCU7UOu7Vv7bTj749yc0f5Tb9zedNdnl_ZN51Pn8GPTneUtCqTAjLV6IYWh0KnZ89twaDfRvKnjxYQRpChG1A/s400/Sweet+Creek-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sweet Creek Falls</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSpalbWwoR0SZwjvyr01tBiB_Cv5I6xVmjNBQftWY-YyzJh8s3W5fZnXHaxRvU2UQ1G5BFnQjQ6PpOQyN0c10AI4jgQuKdBpcSQyQKaRhMOy-HZUtekPFJiRoK9E9bhh2vK9iOO4jF9I/s1600/Early+March-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSpalbWwoR0SZwjvyr01tBiB_Cv5I6xVmjNBQftWY-YyzJh8s3W5fZnXHaxRvU2UQ1G5BFnQjQ6PpOQyN0c10AI4jgQuKdBpcSQyQKaRhMOy-HZUtekPFJiRoK9E9bhh2vK9iOO4jF9I/s400/Early+March-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Spencer's Butte</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Jraa2geOJt-B232aP4oUt3N6J5dRppoSKK4pJwq56poJh_LjWbCRgFaNQ-OlWEf43kqh-Ah7SyxmJEuGflJB8uXclDCVbal47h3TteT44OovxwV7Py4Dgk295Xo0vrC0Mb6RegBZfrc/s1600/April+15-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Jraa2geOJt-B232aP4oUt3N6J5dRppoSKK4pJwq56poJh_LjWbCRgFaNQ-OlWEf43kqh-Ah7SyxmJEuGflJB8uXclDCVbal47h3TteT44OovxwV7Py4Dgk295Xo0vrC0Mb6RegBZfrc/s400/April+15-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Sahalie Falls</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9vb6Q6ExHiHf8_8xyj-HhflLdFC1HOuAjSGkTIK8aZw9NwI5uyTe-HqrSU_gUyHLyc2n4eQgWjwUmlnSB1oZLSxB-lGyO-8RR0YArCu0fCZ19rexZroo1zLuqQs9hm9yjIJD9ffn-nE/s1600/Tulip+Festival-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9vb6Q6ExHiHf8_8xyj-HhflLdFC1HOuAjSGkTIK8aZw9NwI5uyTe-HqrSU_gUyHLyc2n4eQgWjwUmlnSB1oZLSxB-lGyO-8RR0YArCu0fCZ19rexZroo1zLuqQs9hm9yjIJD9ffn-nE/s400/Tulip+Festival-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Mt. Hood from the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival</i></div>
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So, yeah, we love it out here. My bucket list for 2016 is already long and growing by the day, so hopefully the blog posts will be following.<br />
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Thanks for reading!</div>
Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-68556412511233250042015-06-16T19:50:00.000-07:002015-06-16T19:50:24.991-07:00Splashes of Color<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After my morning at Montrose the day before, I had all evidence I needed that migration was really beginning to pick up. With less time to get out on the 5th, I headed to my favorite local haunt, which I honestly think is the single best northeast Illinois location for migrants away from the lakefront. Even after being emptied of nearly all its understory in April, the place was still hopping this Spring. There are many more May blog posts coming, so I'll keep this one short.</div>
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Among other things, Elsen's Hill is one of the most reliable spots for Golden-winged Warbler, which is reason enough for it to be such an attraction.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP2te1pbsUU2cL5TN6moD6beljBGog3J9yiWxC7mkmJp-PXgAkYDSkg_BcX6yau4ulLInjgJTyrfki89fDYoo4bTRso1OwEQ74XZE4p5vP6d3JfKdMiy5q1rK1slU9d5TBeuGl5LYpf4/s1600/May+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP2te1pbsUU2cL5TN6moD6beljBGog3J9yiWxC7mkmJp-PXgAkYDSkg_BcX6yau4ulLInjgJTyrfki89fDYoo4bTRso1OwEQ74XZE4p5vP6d3JfKdMiy5q1rK1slU9d5TBeuGl5LYpf4/s400/May+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Golden-winged Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Elsen's Hill, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 5, 2015</i></div>
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I only wound up finding a couple pockets of migrants, but the warblers were definitely starting to show up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICUAS9T1npstiI5OzffHYoWgEMrFfmQsYD8RbCvj4HkSLdMm4taBWat534kIJu2ZzNSOtEosZl-msayy90BWUjOvHJMvGFkxqz38dE2EWAswjH37_LS1OUL7PRemsaa2rIOeIV2DQvKQ/s1600/May+5-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICUAS9T1npstiI5OzffHYoWgEMrFfmQsYD8RbCvj4HkSLdMm4taBWat534kIJu2ZzNSOtEosZl-msayy90BWUjOvHJMvGFkxqz38dE2EWAswjH37_LS1OUL7PRemsaa2rIOeIV2DQvKQ/s400/May+5-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Orange-crowned Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Elsen's Hill, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 5, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2ZmB4RqCEJ100dSK9rrgiURo69VhqRGbM8xNIxlSw54mXKXQqsXFEjbA7KxrEzd81ncwyBMBOiri5bikZnoaNm0mOIpnkLSewFc9gHJz0Q5T62L8J0iCVYgZJnK5Y25S3a8ejTLVTv8/s1600/May+5-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2ZmB4RqCEJ100dSK9rrgiURo69VhqRGbM8xNIxlSw54mXKXQqsXFEjbA7KxrEzd81ncwyBMBOiri5bikZnoaNm0mOIpnkLSewFc9gHJz0Q5T62L8J0iCVYgZJnK5Y25S3a8ejTLVTv8/s400/May+5-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwmCyXeTk7xDCO-uqAhP_yDT_57-RhpvDIcS3mrvDrBZ1Be4VZHbz0R-Ng2PVv36uWpwmcR5FzFDq1jKN54tBBiUOZtA7vERFxayijZ6HTEWyp4wDidQK5KPhm2SkdDVbnl3pZVwhTXk/s1600/May+5-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwmCyXeTk7xDCO-uqAhP_yDT_57-RhpvDIcS3mrvDrBZ1Be4VZHbz0R-Ng2PVv36uWpwmcR5FzFDq1jKN54tBBiUOZtA7vERFxayijZ6HTEWyp4wDidQK5KPhm2SkdDVbnl3pZVwhTXk/s400/May+5-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHSeDaRokDOQDX2qcrUoB1aKl0uk-ANXTYMxZG4g0s-KdWdhxLA27fHeRgiT0Q8yix4xbSCfeLo3ri5FLqy0kyuBzCPJhyphenhyphenwyWjRXbiYrKcZrMZQ5WfItk_IxQ3Rx7zJVsZeFg_bc_pLw/s1600/May+5-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHSeDaRokDOQDX2qcrUoB1aKl0uk-ANXTYMxZG4g0s-KdWdhxLA27fHeRgiT0Q8yix4xbSCfeLo3ri5FLqy0kyuBzCPJhyphenhyphenwyWjRXbiYrKcZrMZQ5WfItk_IxQ3Rx7zJVsZeFg_bc_pLw/s400/May+5-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHZbeQ3k6Npuqa3jlMC_ap5lL7ESlTEiqxJvmZ8PozV3zdkCEXB-NWpNddPLf8Gbq_FDwYS4DbGv2vBLCTSSIHL_tRDyZ2gUz9HFvCZeyCbbjo86U0J2e21yMHWkJEubdbcQUTtTvTcY/s1600/May+5-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHZbeQ3k6Npuqa3jlMC_ap5lL7ESlTEiqxJvmZ8PozV3zdkCEXB-NWpNddPLf8Gbq_FDwYS4DbGv2vBLCTSSIHL_tRDyZ2gUz9HFvCZeyCbbjo86U0J2e21yMHWkJEubdbcQUTtTvTcY/s400/May+5-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Blue-winged Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Elsen's Hill, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 5, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0k3LFRBLvqLkpFCgbH30L-W-bcuhhfBBrT6OwAecuJ43snVUksGaJmP9DHyE-sTDZgoN8UNpKDFZ_2jmgZo8-pfKINAZMxc8vdZBuozO-_rthR5lr3FbxDO9eRBPcbz1pFCRWd7SQCKI/s1600/May+5-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0k3LFRBLvqLkpFCgbH30L-W-bcuhhfBBrT6OwAecuJ43snVUksGaJmP9DHyE-sTDZgoN8UNpKDFZ_2jmgZo8-pfKINAZMxc8vdZBuozO-_rthR5lr3FbxDO9eRBPcbz1pFCRWd7SQCKI/s400/May+5-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Chestnut-sided Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Elsen's Hill, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 5, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDV7eDQaeKXit9NMN_8JqVNIDnR7vJOdEfxtL8ZuAvNyIYIVLES55UPiMa6BvCaTwtz80Q6Q4nGrKdlfmIk31ZlGg2nt7veUnUt0R9HdpxX4WZ1EuSXOm0S8zib_UQIXmY9ywq0Dbs4g/s1600/May+5-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDV7eDQaeKXit9NMN_8JqVNIDnR7vJOdEfxtL8ZuAvNyIYIVLES55UPiMa6BvCaTwtz80Q6Q4nGrKdlfmIk31ZlGg2nt7veUnUt0R9HdpxX4WZ1EuSXOm0S8zib_UQIXmY9ywq0Dbs4g/s400/May+5-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Magnolia Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Elsen's Hill, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 5, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHhDojUB5rickQKSf57mDaykjxLHmt2sYGTgRXDqQRytqy-6nuVNNnPXFjqAxiYOuVC2P-QxrxGqoCzZD_jxY83k_ktOCl56xcCiAJU4MiNF8h9wTpOYBBsdBC2YGtezh9wpM9GHQxIA/s1600/May+5-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHhDojUB5rickQKSf57mDaykjxLHmt2sYGTgRXDqQRytqy-6nuVNNnPXFjqAxiYOuVC2P-QxrxGqoCzZD_jxY83k_ktOCl56xcCiAJU4MiNF8h9wTpOYBBsdBC2YGtezh9wpM9GHQxIA/s400/May+5-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Warbling Vireo</i></div>
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<i>Elsen's Hill, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 5, 2015</i></div>
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Away from feeders, it's not all that frequent to get looks a male Ruby-throat perched like this, so this was a treat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7An30Y8vY0ahWbFe8wfP0IbOa2WaqXTlBeRdNnbUCUG9_g8zmfoCMUqJSyVctoNFVuJy6viN01vkNL1UCzuI3t3YupSsZeGxzQ8HWYVS6lWe1R0QE6Ht2Bm6TowoLGCLSTQ7DuzW_OU/s1600/May+5-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7An30Y8vY0ahWbFe8wfP0IbOa2WaqXTlBeRdNnbUCUG9_g8zmfoCMUqJSyVctoNFVuJy6viN01vkNL1UCzuI3t3YupSsZeGxzQ8HWYVS6lWe1R0QE6Ht2Bm6TowoLGCLSTQ7DuzW_OU/s400/May+5-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Ruby-throated Hummingbird</i></div>
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<i>Elsen's Hill, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 5, 2015</i></div>
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The highlight of this otherwise dreary morning came in the form of the most cooperative Baltimore Oriole I have ever encountered. It just fed a little above eye level about ten feet away from me, paying me no attention whatsoever. I kept expecting it to fly off, but it never did! It's a common bird, but getting to see one so well reminded me of what a brilliant species it actually is.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNMtbJToxz9nZdcOfvfAvuBI063XsOdQb6AdScGTlQ3hq66ftCTgElXR8Cgy9aYOVy65sftudEsuBczvUzRxiDWrZw2lYIie4swjX933PDnZhIqeYaxgQgfEsI5GvH4knfKp1CTISJYI/s1600/May+5-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNMtbJToxz9nZdcOfvfAvuBI063XsOdQb6AdScGTlQ3hq66ftCTgElXR8Cgy9aYOVy65sftudEsuBczvUzRxiDWrZw2lYIie4swjX933PDnZhIqeYaxgQgfEsI5GvH4knfKp1CTISJYI/s400/May+5-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDcZ0BOOSvsmwepllnC7v6Be-sVSuGMoBYUg4MHS_vbDNbYjUPKoO70VvrViuxak9DN0kkbFI6y7_oWW_FexSxvFcSILFLWNpKaHebg-EUr31jJtjoFUoPta8lPNlafp3tiFxLmZwq3E/s1600/May+5-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDcZ0BOOSvsmwepllnC7v6Be-sVSuGMoBYUg4MHS_vbDNbYjUPKoO70VvrViuxak9DN0kkbFI6y7_oWW_FexSxvFcSILFLWNpKaHebg-EUr31jJtjoFUoPta8lPNlafp3tiFxLmZwq3E/s400/May+5-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dCyL6PRLB64KXIK9F_k5IKXZweH-5MSNyYkb0WNcMqpx9seWqpEYeq-ab6Y8INI-w-4W4_sHXlM6iHxpOHOLTYfJ_ccwHlXOddnYVviFn8gsq0HGTnYFUki9JONV2PEwkKdPOikpOCM/s1600/May+5-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dCyL6PRLB64KXIK9F_k5IKXZweH-5MSNyYkb0WNcMqpx9seWqpEYeq-ab6Y8INI-w-4W4_sHXlM6iHxpOHOLTYfJ_ccwHlXOddnYVviFn8gsq0HGTnYFUki9JONV2PEwkKdPOikpOCM/s400/May+5-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzzyQdt50iNi3H5EHlA_4d4tomtUxFr40sUXb_X0CTC2bUJRIR92_9TFFRfhde8KR7u8WSUHQdHQ1QO9wH9xnXhFA0COmwxL796aPVSJpvU_uzMY-KlICgBQawCdkxzr7Wu2rlGAtmaI/s1600/May+5-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzzyQdt50iNi3H5EHlA_4d4tomtUxFr40sUXb_X0CTC2bUJRIR92_9TFFRfhde8KR7u8WSUHQdHQ1QO9wH9xnXhFA0COmwxL796aPVSJpvU_uzMY-KlICgBQawCdkxzr7Wu2rlGAtmaI/s400/May+5-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Baltimore Oriole</i></div>
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<i>Elsen's Hill, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 5, 2015</i></div>
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What a bird!</div>
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<br />Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-33367839144746219622015-06-16T19:34:00.001-07:002015-06-16T19:34:25.761-07:00May The Fourth Be With You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I<span style="font-family: inherit;">t was a rough April to be a Midwest resident. An unrelenting cold front showed up about halfway through the month and simply would not go away. You may recall that Andrew and I were quite unsuccessful in dodging the poor weather even on our trip to southern Illinois at the end of the month. Forecasts began promising warmer weather to come. And then it kept getting pushed back. Each additional day of unseasonably cool breezes seemed to be another nail in the coffin of a Winter that wouldn't give up and a Summer that would never come. While everyone experienced the temperatures in the same way, the lack of neotropical migrants just felt like salt in the wound for the birding world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And it is for that very reason that I imagine birders all over the region met the shift in weather with a heartier greeting than our non-birding friends, because for us it meant far more than comfortable temperatures. There's a flip side to an extended time of waiting for birds to show up, because in the mean time they're all bottling up to the south. Then, when a new weather system hits, places to the north - particularly lakefront locations like Chicago - get absolutely loaded up with birds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Such was the case with Monday, May 4.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was already planning on hitting Montrose early this morning, assuming the birds would be piling up pretty soon. Right before I went to bed Sunday night, photos of a Snowy Plover in the protected area of the beach showed up on Facebook. Needless to say there were no changes to my plans as my anticipation for the morning grew.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I arrived before daybreak, expecting to find a large group of locals down at the beach looking for the rarity. Having just driven almost an hour to get there, I was shocked to have the place to myself for the moment. This Pectoral Sandpiper and a nice looking Dunlin were among the first shorebirds I saw.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9M5bRbj-S8sQQhJYjc_M2MmiVgoxzxxCR2DLy8W_mgo0NhHMUxqR6HRbFAy-5tc_kwmKo3Zcq0f_HJsuiP_ayV8k4x0rdMGm9a3ggYx6JGcgWWc5lBI6sm-H0oy2Ona_I4x-GYt3J5A/s1600/May+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9M5bRbj-S8sQQhJYjc_M2MmiVgoxzxxCR2DLy8W_mgo0NhHMUxqR6HRbFAy-5tc_kwmKo3Zcq0f_HJsuiP_ayV8k4x0rdMGm9a3ggYx6JGcgWWc5lBI6sm-H0oy2Ona_I4x-GYt3J5A/s400/May+4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pectoral Sandpiper</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdMdnm7h-JG8qkv1GVpt4T4gvU7oE3Epldf9r44oWMwNMpeI3KceGo-bHS-q5ojmAraxKu3SfD2AoZeCOccYKXPgGA7r8k0rKmhXyNUbf5rsDNyyjWO1FIousJ2jNQdiSLU_uIV2LDtg/s1600/May+4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdMdnm7h-JG8qkv1GVpt4T4gvU7oE3Epldf9r44oWMwNMpeI3KceGo-bHS-q5ojmAraxKu3SfD2AoZeCOccYKXPgGA7r8k0rKmhXyNUbf5rsDNyyjWO1FIousJ2jNQdiSLU_uIV2LDtg/s400/May+4-2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dunlin</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I turned around to see Fran Morel and a couple other birders heading my way, and as I walked back towards them, a little plump shape just outside the protected beach caught my eye. Binoculars up. "Here it is!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There was no guarantee this bird was going to stick around, so I was thrilled to have relocated it. I got the word out by 5:45am, and for the rest of the day birders showed up to see this little rarity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejqeHtdEfiokz8paCLl-E77-LNmdXrc7dfviXfsK85Sp-2DXTtJCAIFVP_XRPPWTgOWeRvqtbogOKv2WB0fPJLLRiHO90EHNRFFwhIwvG77p3WRhKw204X6QHLcn9Z4nQ7aTiHqt_aEk/s400/May+4-9.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQnY7xxflt7zdjG2Hiele-KwLvgyRzz2GMQyNYtPH_V__BiaS8dGE_5FkejnnzLuORhkIz6VMJytKyS8w3EpVJ1WhzHb8FzlHJYfJE82VRGliHYSw94FHiCp-Z7Fw8TSz4G_COgRimvo/s400/May+4-10.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6B1naekC0VE3PlcRlGYFnvNRRxjc4sF-zRGGsU10Ux_mAeMJWLT5VuqvBtVnQvx9WRy9eV750YIwN-R6f7dzP6oP4E0MYSWenAJ1sf7N0c_8WWHdQ82KQj7lPwvZKxIhZkFPwLUqRFk/s1600/May+4-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6B1naekC0VE3PlcRlGYFnvNRRxjc4sF-zRGGsU10Ux_mAeMJWLT5VuqvBtVnQvx9WRy9eV750YIwN-R6f7dzP6oP4E0MYSWenAJ1sf7N0c_8WWHdQ82KQj7lPwvZKxIhZkFPwLUqRFk/s400/May+4-3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZJnXo1sxCXhxmkjW1VllJzYkhn_L4h-Fgk1t7fu45PHwTrzFXTJBzyqpTmWcNduNB6VOOhUsj6bePFPHM1hQLF77Q_oc4gG16IR-u77su9ORljvpDsVSA2VchcUE3XvmDG3u5tmDDp0/s1600/May+4-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZJnXo1sxCXhxmkjW1VllJzYkhn_L4h-Fgk1t7fu45PHwTrzFXTJBzyqpTmWcNduNB6VOOhUsj6bePFPHM1hQLF77Q_oc4gG16IR-u77su9ORljvpDsVSA2VchcUE3XvmDG3u5tmDDp0/s400/May+4-4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKSqCpK5Ufc/VUkOxfDY7LI/AAAAAAAAEs4/V6-LXyT64CM/s1600/May%2B4-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKSqCpK5Ufc/VUkOxfDY7LI/AAAAAAAAEs4/V6-LXyT64CM/s400/May%2B4-5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4aAMmziQDY68EA_8xWR2iywHyDGqUF7rucMHjIFZl0VCFj2nUYUG9Nk7vgcaEZqId1RZGyMlwHgZJdGlejfq4XGFgXBWmcNjIZBAAS7tmYXD5WieCPJ69XtiZh-LinVX_Ff6XL8K5XQ/s1600/May+4-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4aAMmziQDY68EA_8xWR2iywHyDGqUF7rucMHjIFZl0VCFj2nUYUG9Nk7vgcaEZqId1RZGyMlwHgZJdGlejfq4XGFgXBWmcNjIZBAAS7tmYXD5WieCPJ69XtiZh-LinVX_Ff6XL8K5XQ/s400/May+4-6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Snowy Plover</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I found this size comparison with Least Sandpipers and a Pectoral to be intriguing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimQZYx2Gg_kFLiMo7xBlr-0nSPU0KpMTIWq6nEhoXFrlFsYhkkB9Lp9d6sNvhWk5QYpVkN4JzYcmwirHFAsPHIRqvaBlJ464WVtRClpIfkPSB4IgYsQWIgqJj9jvX0mWFRtKdRjDQxlY/s1600/May+4-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimQZYx2Gg_kFLiMo7xBlr-0nSPU0KpMTIWq6nEhoXFrlFsYhkkB9Lp9d6sNvhWk5QYpVkN4JzYcmwirHFAsPHIRqvaBlJ464WVtRClpIfkPSB4IgYsQWIgqJj9jvX0mWFRtKdRjDQxlY/s400/May+4-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Least Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Snowy Plover</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And here's a pair of its relatives:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y291Nitkb3yPElBOHNZJ0WEMlkbhkBBHbHrbTzsvQK83glTn982oHek7ZkeVwrTZqAY3-yxlBW6XUsGCv190lXe4Ow2RTMNQngCDqPG_EZyXOLoEN7ZBjV1H6wO9Rn137IACMu49xJ0/s1600/May+4-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y291Nitkb3yPElBOHNZJ0WEMlkbhkBBHbHrbTzsvQK83glTn982oHek7ZkeVwrTZqAY3-yxlBW6XUsGCv190lXe4Ow2RTMNQngCDqPG_EZyXOLoEN7ZBjV1H6wO9Rn137IACMu49xJ0/s400/May+4-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Semipalmated Plover</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The day was off to a fantastic start. I then checked out the dunes and the hedge where there were already eleven species of warblers around, including this Blue-winged and a handful of Ovenbirds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmqxqrZ_vWlZF22H_Y6NT9kVNP2BJemr73iduYz7e0B8F7Pi2-yZ5LfNVx-NPUsJQ5EFyu9nSiUpTgCdtTSkFhhHZklsFo5W1NLIz0pnWkSDQ_J5eFc2PkD0E1eFaMRHjrMkpRWdZFBc/s1600/May+4-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmqxqrZ_vWlZF22H_Y6NT9kVNP2BJemr73iduYz7e0B8F7Pi2-yZ5LfNVx-NPUsJQ5EFyu9nSiUpTgCdtTSkFhhHZklsFo5W1NLIz0pnWkSDQ_J5eFc2PkD0E1eFaMRHjrMkpRWdZFBc/s400/May+4-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blue-winged Warbler</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JdO9KOyndx8eNkBNkrAV6j1JxF-b6yqXN7naObbVJxaA6Mjpb29utj9qjW_emL9jrLli62ndgeNOdzLi3JSxbb_WWWijMbbKNMIbwdiGgCnXTzJ36AKiS1hLMO84BHstx-fN5yFLDMo/s1600/May+4-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JdO9KOyndx8eNkBNkrAV6j1JxF-b6yqXN7naObbVJxaA6Mjpb29utj9qjW_emL9jrLli62ndgeNOdzLi3JSxbb_WWWijMbbKNMIbwdiGgCnXTzJ36AKiS1hLMO84BHstx-fN5yFLDMo/s400/May+4-27.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ovenbird</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thrushes were all over the place, too. <i>Catharus </i>thrushes can provide some identification challenges at times, especially in Spring when they arrive at the same time that the cobwebs are having to get cleared out all over again for everything from warbler calls to <i>Empidonax</i> ID issues, all gloriously relevant again. So, let's start simple. The easiest member of the <i>Catharus</i> family to identify is the Veery. Even this poor picture shows the uniform reddish coloration on the back. Underneath the bird is all white with the most subtle spotting of any of the thrushes. They're a treat to look at and a true delight to hear!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFW_coKgH_J4x5-GoVnG9aLHI8zMO60nWXRzQ4q_vOaNQbJLKH5zCi8vSt97vyYqqmWQGUyAebn-xEXwpfqDbQ4p4c1vCPgB14RgPoZ3-lBKrWPS5cF8_KXzbQCRf-SGapikGd9hG83c/s1600/May+4-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFW_coKgH_J4x5-GoVnG9aLHI8zMO60nWXRzQ4q_vOaNQbJLKH5zCi8vSt97vyYqqmWQGUyAebn-xEXwpfqDbQ4p4c1vCPgB14RgPoZ3-lBKrWPS5cF8_KXzbQCRf-SGapikGd9hG83c/s400/May+4-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Veery</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That then leaves the messier business of Hermit, Swainson's and Gray-cheeked. These are all much more similar in appearance, but field marks aren't the only thing to take into consideration when it comes to separating these three species. A quick lesson in status and distribution goes a long way towards clearing things up. The picture below is a screenshot of the frequency bar charts for northeast Illinois. A couple things are worth pointing out. First, if you see a <i>Catharus</i> before April, it is a Hermit Thrush. No ifs, ands, or buts, it's a Hermit.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTW7vL5Mwu_NHnMOgYuLA8StbYef-HbM2bMeU1ycQXoIo_PTe_QeDw3ECpro5YusDmRcKlUKfkYgnDnhtC5SQv2f-dFFtaqtzJOP9wehoJtuj8mHXsTPxY6EG0mxFUo6iL-7Piu1Vexfs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-15+at+5.25.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTW7vL5Mwu_NHnMOgYuLA8StbYef-HbM2bMeU1ycQXoIo_PTe_QeDw3ECpro5YusDmRcKlUKfkYgnDnhtC5SQv2f-dFFtaqtzJOP9wehoJtuj8mHXsTPxY6EG0mxFUo6iL-7Piu1Vexfs/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-06-15+at+5.25.16+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, there is actually only a tight little window in which all three of these species are likely to be found on the same day, and it occurs right at the beginning of May. It <i>could</i> happen a little earlier; it <i>could</i> happen a little later. But for the most part, it just doesn't. Hermits arrive earlier and are on their way out by the time Swainson's and Gray-cheeked are hitting their peak migration numbers. This is really important to keep in mind when it comes to any discussion of an ID with a <i>Catharus </i>thrush - and any bird, for that matter. Birding is so much more than parsing certain field marks. Birds, just like you and me, are creatures of habit. They follow patterns every season. Understanding the patterns of individual species allows you to be better prepared to make the correct identification when you encounter them in the field. There are always anomalies, of course, but there's a reason they're called anomalies in the first place. If a bird flags in eBird, there's likely a very good reason for it. Do you know what it is? If you don't, take that as a learning opportunity AND do your best to document the bird!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">OK, back to my blissful morning of birding. It just so happened that I was able to see all three of the above species, completing the <i>Catharus</i> slam for the day. The fact that all three of these can be identified from less than spectacular photos speaks to the fact we maybe don't need to be quite so intimidated by these ID issues Here's the most distinctive first, the Hermit Thrush: bold and rather extensive spots below, and chocolate brown back interrupted by a notably russet-colored tail, which is the most reliable way to identify this species. Even at this angle, you can see the reddish tail in the photo below.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hermit Thrush</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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Swainson's and Gray-cheeked is where it can get more difficult. There are elements of the facial patterns that distinguish the two species, but even at a more distant look one can notice the overall buffy tones around the face of the Swainson's Thrush. The contrast between the olive-brown back and buffy color of the face and chest is actually quite notable.</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Swainson's Thrush</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Compare that, then, to the poorly named Gray-cheeked Thrush. Poorly named because the other two we've been discussing have gray in the cheek as well. But this species stands out because of the way, well, it doesn't stand out. It's the most drab of these three thrushes and strikes me every time as a plain though quite handsome bird. Its overall complexion is darker, and its spotting underneath is heavier than the other species.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gray-cheeked Thrush</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The differences are admittedly subtle, but with some patience, practice, and experience - and a sense of which species <i>ought</i> to be present at the moment - sorting out the various thrushes gets easier over time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once Andrew arrived, we headed back down to the beach where our first buddy list bird of the day was still waiting for us, affording pretty spectacular looks:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Snowy Plover</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's a shot of the celebrity with its paparazzi, which includes Jerry Goldner, Jeff Skrentny, and Luis Munoz.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH3jFlfw8CITivVwPPBn6m05_nT3nMShyphenhyphen9t2Bx_awHta_p8cWLqFH7SgQoCtKIco2J7G4YB_koig4yU4ZZjfFc-5tLySQvTErV_lgNRFeAlLRjBqFUpX3rTRVuM_LbJW8ZlmnUaZD1Q8/s1600/groupshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH3jFlfw8CITivVwPPBn6m05_nT3nMShyphenhyphen9t2Bx_awHta_p8cWLqFH7SgQoCtKIco2J7G4YB_koig4yU4ZZjfFc-5tLySQvTErV_lgNRFeAlLRjBqFUpX3rTRVuM_LbJW8ZlmnUaZD1Q8/s400/groupshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As it turns out, Jerry wasn't photographing the bird at this particular moment. Thanks for the pic Jerry! You can (and should) check out his incredible photography <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/profilesofnature/">here</a>.</span></div>
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And the birds just kept coming. Andrew spotted a pair of Willets back in the protected area, and a group of Lesser Yellowlegs flew by while we watched them. Love the black and white wings!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xWB4W8TwKf5MYSRSvLNw-d-H3mBUhxQQ2kSsoczcvXyn_al6dqdzP2qk-8ANSyFLih8lX5w0v0eb1hzIG9DCmFmJ5NKn4FL4kWURrW8VAw4RmRsCcTZ6srHRGD_gLxbskHyrl-mhnlw/s1600/May+4-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xWB4W8TwKf5MYSRSvLNw-d-H3mBUhxQQ2kSsoczcvXyn_al6dqdzP2qk-8ANSyFLih8lX5w0v0eb1hzIG9DCmFmJ5NKn4FL4kWURrW8VAw4RmRsCcTZ6srHRGD_gLxbskHyrl-mhnlw/s400/May+4-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNIkmVF5GtfsZTLsYLD8kbVLnbB45uqXNlCcUCb2QtFRRWaF79otMV_vXUhNSQG9kBHdnSRKTEJg8rZbg8DvEDLb7msHJRSBW1xnzEXfN6HXHbMXJCitbrMVcQoFFnPXUSpBNcrzeM0Y/s1600/May+4-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNIkmVF5GtfsZTLsYLD8kbVLnbB45uqXNlCcUCb2QtFRRWaF79otMV_vXUhNSQG9kBHdnSRKTEJg8rZbg8DvEDLb7msHJRSBW1xnzEXfN6HXHbMXJCitbrMVcQoFFnPXUSpBNcrzeM0Y/s400/May+4-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_69w2JUEYlU9yuP_X1TBgNeielP_0GxigX5Jks5FDT_3th-TE89Q8W2sojDgmbrEb7qsSqnS3Ex_y6cBQtEmsO3nQfBBietGgnZ_CdJ5p2Yt1U6j9tQDEGRhhu_9wHpkWhANA-lc984/s1600/May+4-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_69w2JUEYlU9yuP_X1TBgNeielP_0GxigX5Jks5FDT_3th-TE89Q8W2sojDgmbrEb7qsSqnS3Ex_y6cBQtEmsO3nQfBBietGgnZ_CdJ5p2Yt1U6j9tQDEGRhhu_9wHpkWhANA-lc984/s400/May+4-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iaq98IWZvozp0-Khgo-BHTW4nmsj5ckSiueOE0JGSD3wfkHx5nv2EyJXqG-jyW2JmE78pUPekLdgGJ7XbKH4vdnNPpYMnNX66sRfTHI2R_nJN4t_9bJXdKbG6rPzbo8D9Lzgt0QSlRc/s1600/May+4-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iaq98IWZvozp0-Khgo-BHTW4nmsj5ckSiueOE0JGSD3wfkHx5nv2EyJXqG-jyW2JmE78pUPekLdgGJ7XbKH4vdnNPpYMnNX66sRfTHI2R_nJN4t_9bJXdKbG6rPzbo8D9Lzgt0QSlRc/s400/May+4-17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Willets</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JXtYynpgQ8S9qt0c5mA8JVXdj-YoSEeg71ge3PJzA-JRbbdpGBEuB9nxewjHl-H-Rnl_7ocmUzl0BKmUsM3EEDnDOJvy3tM3pEKnnzYS0vUFRGahZdOQczTOjmdaBZtyqaEjdWj47rE/s1600/May+4-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JXtYynpgQ8S9qt0c5mA8JVXdj-YoSEeg71ge3PJzA-JRbbdpGBEuB9nxewjHl-H-Rnl_7ocmUzl0BKmUsM3EEDnDOJvy3tM3pEKnnzYS0vUFRGahZdOQczTOjmdaBZtyqaEjdWj47rE/s400/May+4-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Lesser Yellowlegs</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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This Caspian Tern was kind enough to put on the brakes and not totally pummel the Dunlin in the photo.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTcs_CZMzp_JSN7-FOyWsl_jGpGkO2D5cfbawTFLOF062OAn4AsfN7cmBMc74Bbqinrf0WW_PowVkxJdmLzqtL9WpqYgQ6rP-DuRtn6qJAd4F1srd9gudewp1XAuCze0rqqoTnIB9oMY/s1600/May+4-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTcs_CZMzp_JSN7-FOyWsl_jGpGkO2D5cfbawTFLOF062OAn4AsfN7cmBMc74Bbqinrf0WW_PowVkxJdmLzqtL9WpqYgQ6rP-DuRtn6qJAd4F1srd9gudewp1XAuCze0rqqoTnIB9oMY/s400/May+4-32.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Caspian Tern and Dunlin</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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Then the small terns made their passes. Here's a Forster's, with a Caspian in the second photo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfWPPqL-xtHpY5fXCg9dFzzvLGDSTsYyjw7ESEgZOuVTa1AEBtN9I_n-xlNy9OkUq6A1hMp6VUuW1wW0VmunK6ertYBNp8jeOZ7hcrI87Tq1gUgQ9V8qsVdfm95Sk7n-uYaTdjTYfuzY/s1600/May+4-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfWPPqL-xtHpY5fXCg9dFzzvLGDSTsYyjw7ESEgZOuVTa1AEBtN9I_n-xlNy9OkUq6A1hMp6VUuW1wW0VmunK6ertYBNp8jeOZ7hcrI87Tq1gUgQ9V8qsVdfm95Sk7n-uYaTdjTYfuzY/s400/May+4-33.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn47AEmYt3xwW2PgTBBgY7Euh7vjgKW76XqE_rxrb2TymrJqFu6jQrihQxSXvWRH5BHRnV2Tnr8fK3nQamGOUjK326a5LCuDU266kXin1dxnKIyk7W1PmbLXkVpqQPoLZo-U1e_qUg4cE/s1600/May+4-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn47AEmYt3xwW2PgTBBgY7Euh7vjgKW76XqE_rxrb2TymrJqFu6jQrihQxSXvWRH5BHRnV2Tnr8fK3nQamGOUjK326a5LCuDU266kXin1dxnKIyk7W1PmbLXkVpqQPoLZo-U1e_qUg4cE/s400/May+4-34.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Forster's and Caspian Tern</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And, more importantly for us, this Common Tern was another buddy list bird for us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJVfAdUPuR1YF0VP75Gbm0LBvXvTsbzxc8Xy0CH1zArcmNjptikGNlXtWObElJGUFSBLQSmczrEnBDJIkiyEQ_BlKK2gLQLgLEIPrr60EjBkK0Y_46HPdBRlM5oAXamBJ-YNx9bIQmkQ/s1600/May+4-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJVfAdUPuR1YF0VP75Gbm0LBvXvTsbzxc8Xy0CH1zArcmNjptikGNlXtWObElJGUFSBLQSmczrEnBDJIkiyEQ_BlKK2gLQLgLEIPrr60EjBkK0Y_46HPdBRlM5oAXamBJ-YNx9bIQmkQ/s400/May+4-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Common Tern</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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Things were still busy back at the hedge, too, where the most unexpected bird was a perched Merlin.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOa3Go1qAKDFSlBo6GaDvgm_qGaVsgpICQSZteoQB8pSePo4nQXy_eWgcrXrKUo6PUBPih5M8LU4dwY5TN73jVdNCFi_YzPeJJDmXUq6-EDyn3qpjR0g-fsBRihb2FnEA8CGuvtthtQs/s1600/May+4-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOa3Go1qAKDFSlBo6GaDvgm_qGaVsgpICQSZteoQB8pSePo4nQXy_eWgcrXrKUo6PUBPih5M8LU4dwY5TN73jVdNCFi_YzPeJJDmXUq6-EDyn3qpjR0g-fsBRihb2FnEA8CGuvtthtQs/s400/May+4-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Rose-breasted Grosbeak</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb84bXf6KGl0ByDkx_gqKXW31UOPe0boBTmUKCSpsIqEBjEDp7HOusjT8zw7XHT1El5fvi1laDCs6jsfyR0-vjp_1VgtTU9JQyExeIdEWPyIJW1_imVOdHbYT_E2JWJhkEBDGgdtmC5eY/s1600/May+4-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb84bXf6KGl0ByDkx_gqKXW31UOPe0boBTmUKCSpsIqEBjEDp7HOusjT8zw7XHT1El5fvi1laDCs6jsfyR0-vjp_1VgtTU9JQyExeIdEWPyIJW1_imVOdHbYT_E2JWJhkEBDGgdtmC5eY/s400/May+4-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Orchard Orioles</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjBgfdbhOwTR4kjIVlbtQ6bzqB77s5ej4JeGH8kHLyr2egsP2LROmQ_wWpmI3z9Ow8YsNIWbXohZBKMJOdJ9_qCkn2lUlsj_R2yU2rAKFVsPMV-Po7EbIDe_n1q_feNeoVWRQJqaRD3E/s1600/May+4-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjBgfdbhOwTR4kjIVlbtQ6bzqB77s5ej4JeGH8kHLyr2egsP2LROmQ_wWpmI3z9Ow8YsNIWbXohZBKMJOdJ9_qCkn2lUlsj_R2yU2rAKFVsPMV-Po7EbIDe_n1q_feNeoVWRQJqaRD3E/s400/May+4-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Marsh Wren</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEROQz2kH6osL1_ZmfOID80rV_Fd78HRJZA71HIXHdtO2mAn2PYgRJ4Py0aINrGxqABx88ydgKFN41M9UQuN5dDF-KdbmzEnbbOSCenYJJMddbSxtGwIuN84zm5dkcc4EM49zgD9kXF8/s1600/May+4-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEROQz2kH6osL1_ZmfOID80rV_Fd78HRJZA71HIXHdtO2mAn2PYgRJ4Py0aINrGxqABx88ydgKFN41M9UQuN5dDF-KdbmzEnbbOSCenYJJMddbSxtGwIuN84zm5dkcc4EM49zgD9kXF8/s400/May+4-26.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Merlin</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1DgikTIPv67tKL8fb5GvVsNpVhpaiamLnwezR46UqwnxayKq_G02TZ6tBocFDnGT2uwbbHgX1nPnFLRv52etfg2TvAjPiAkSe9tj8h0NZbE3So65sh6MgLplJwqTTIzQJSpZinkFEws/s1600/May+4-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1DgikTIPv67tKL8fb5GvVsNpVhpaiamLnwezR46UqwnxayKq_G02TZ6tBocFDnGT2uwbbHgX1nPnFLRv52etfg2TvAjPiAkSe9tj8h0NZbE3So65sh6MgLplJwqTTIzQJSpZinkFEws/s400/May+4-28.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Least Flycatcher</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3K2enGMdM3ocKbhCwzRSK_AP0A7F-iKvXSGClDoYZK08OzvI3ZkqGs22LsK-a-pJeN-J2glOIJdWKAzMpMEUEq-C3UhyUo_-mMzxPrcjLMGfgINEdxJmb_JPDvHLTo5b57poVk3U4pxU/s1600/May+4-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3K2enGMdM3ocKbhCwzRSK_AP0A7F-iKvXSGClDoYZK08OzvI3ZkqGs22LsK-a-pJeN-J2glOIJdWKAzMpMEUEq-C3UhyUo_-mMzxPrcjLMGfgINEdxJmb_JPDvHLTo5b57poVk3U4pxU/s400/May+4-29.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Brown Thrasher</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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In addition to the general activity, the passerine movement was highlighted by the numbers of sparrows, both the diversity and quantity. It was the highest number of White-throated and Swamps I can ever remember seeing, and Clay-colored was a nice county tick for me.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5TTDG1DET0pOA3kmU6jL-DInQboyHEygfGL-6Rv5ngqzWx_0wJh1Uza10j2EDmfibhrw3z20ROo2X3lMicSWCKeTzyk_kPxxkM-KBxK7FatLPm2lOyGsErllWkH3U4RtzzExmYdLNNE/s1600/May+4-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5TTDG1DET0pOA3kmU6jL-DInQboyHEygfGL-6Rv5ngqzWx_0wJh1Uza10j2EDmfibhrw3z20ROo2X3lMicSWCKeTzyk_kPxxkM-KBxK7FatLPm2lOyGsErllWkH3U4RtzzExmYdLNNE/s400/May+4-46.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>White-crowned Sparrow</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmf0L2riM-w1Mk-LaKfTy-DUSzZqBmry83itv9CFEqOJ6rkbNe96ErcA1dSE6A0NF-1BgTb3-V8mK7YhSUJ-aH9E1E-drVfjDvpSHJm_vBwngRIDu1Nn8SpztH7209dnBItBuIQl8zl0/s1600/May+4-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmf0L2riM-w1Mk-LaKfTy-DUSzZqBmry83itv9CFEqOJ6rkbNe96ErcA1dSE6A0NF-1BgTb3-V8mK7YhSUJ-aH9E1E-drVfjDvpSHJm_vBwngRIDu1Nn8SpztH7209dnBItBuIQl8zl0/s400/May+4-47.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i> Clay-colored Sparrow</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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I was already up to 87 species just at Montrose alone! We decided to walk the trail along the golf course down to Jarvis, and the birds kept coming.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOckPbzcvzEzHnfj-Yu0WyOdDsu3vvi_gBbxT6YOOCr3pTO_2rlV9Q346UPfeaArnshbYNwBrlFb0g0NssqRgSmCsmN7oYU9krWQeHH52zCFHM8gXuW9Sm-iGLQsWAv6HsCUwbsLYYaZ0/s1600/May+4-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOckPbzcvzEzHnfj-Yu0WyOdDsu3vvi_gBbxT6YOOCr3pTO_2rlV9Q346UPfeaArnshbYNwBrlFb0g0NssqRgSmCsmN7oYU9krWQeHH52zCFHM8gXuW9Sm-iGLQsWAv6HsCUwbsLYYaZ0/s400/May+4-48.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Lincoln's Sparrow</i></div>
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<i>Marovitz Golf Course, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQV48Ld7S53zlRDxHFDnWZdYhwc3pxdbTYgwJDeGSRoTUd2ll5DYfUgRUkycEeRrSpnbZeS-a_BeiaKZ3mzTNXio6ovSMLISbXegbC-uXtcWS85wAWkBNENJyC__x6lHzU9ovjtLTDAk/s1600/May+4-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQV48Ld7S53zlRDxHFDnWZdYhwc3pxdbTYgwJDeGSRoTUd2ll5DYfUgRUkycEeRrSpnbZeS-a_BeiaKZ3mzTNXio6ovSMLISbXegbC-uXtcWS85wAWkBNENJyC__x6lHzU9ovjtLTDAk/s400/May+4-49.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Palm Warbler</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Marovitz Golf Course, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first surprise upon arriving at Jarvis was this singing Prothonotary Warbler, a county bird for both of us!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg-9671sAUfatVNiUChYmAb-O1herDaPmT5C85Pphp-cvUPtphWkr-5YbDiNiagYdlAcnz78p1SK5IwpH2eP8xar-EyyKutNxZX5Ck7DXdBcO40UGFusel9d_ur7bRhRJ8TZf0fDamDM/s1600/May+4-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg-9671sAUfatVNiUChYmAb-O1herDaPmT5C85Pphp-cvUPtphWkr-5YbDiNiagYdlAcnz78p1SK5IwpH2eP8xar-EyyKutNxZX5Ck7DXdBcO40UGFusel9d_ur7bRhRJ8TZf0fDamDM/s400/May+4-50.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudfhobx-sW_G9vxSoZB2wvf3TfcB5MOzS8jKhkornnIMUrqtMUMjSAbbnt1mfwGnhWO-yspGSiPGR430wnYhVIa84e8_YG0JQl1EtQIJyJcwlHgYPIMdpLjY04CTt935GpZwW8fjj_Xc/s1600/May+4-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudfhobx-sW_G9vxSoZB2wvf3TfcB5MOzS8jKhkornnIMUrqtMUMjSAbbnt1mfwGnhWO-yspGSiPGR430wnYhVIa84e8_YG0JQl1EtQIJyJcwlHgYPIMdpLjY04CTt935GpZwW8fjj_Xc/s400/May+4-51.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prothonotary Warbler</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's that other member of the thrush family.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG74bJnKnvhlR0XZvk7tqLCORJpWejmyrE_qJ4ylNo_xF0pG480Al3mmDiYk5mfek_9TgWe8ZqNQq5o-JM3O1gdhPMZJx2gWURbH1wf8A1EcF6RMeW1iKHYf8mlYDZBBC7hSidQUnAbdI/s1600/May+4-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG74bJnKnvhlR0XZvk7tqLCORJpWejmyrE_qJ4ylNo_xF0pG480Al3mmDiYk5mfek_9TgWe8ZqNQq5o-JM3O1gdhPMZJx2gWURbH1wf8A1EcF6RMeW1iKHYf8mlYDZBBC7hSidQUnAbdI/s400/May+4-52.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wood Thrush</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We added seven more species of warbler here altogether, putting me at 18 for the day. Another big surprise came when Andrew somehow picked out a Yellow-breasted Chat from deep within the fenced in area - again a county bird for both of us! It was unfortunately a little too illusive for photos to be a possibility, which are already quite difficult at Jarvis.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E1Ol0Gzkp3jpYyH_1xY0ZoYQ9MsD9T7BnyyD-pyVhHa82S-Z0kHsYVMF6zmwHRBjYhHtLSZ5sPtJyQTmhEDF6F3iCa-WzouElXd82vnVzo9veTTHGSUc4QzNzgXpZRZxmdYYae5-t6c/s1600/May+4-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E1Ol0Gzkp3jpYyH_1xY0ZoYQ9MsD9T7BnyyD-pyVhHa82S-Z0kHsYVMF6zmwHRBjYhHtLSZ5sPtJyQTmhEDF6F3iCa-WzouElXd82vnVzo9veTTHGSUc4QzNzgXpZRZxmdYYae5-t6c/s400/May+4-53.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Magnolia Warbler</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaerdwYp62fQycJ1gfftACCx9jHkb_vRCXdJViFwH9uZNPXNG1dT4LAjlm5rV-VMFQuVW9okySnnmzF3eP2ojmsAaZkwzO9U3JyQkBcMVqsH9t2zxxytq_sJhTrxkkHBz2Vn6aIcDCqk/s1600/May+4-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaerdwYp62fQycJ1gfftACCx9jHkb_vRCXdJViFwH9uZNPXNG1dT4LAjlm5rV-VMFQuVW9okySnnmzF3eP2ojmsAaZkwzO9U3JyQkBcMVqsH9t2zxxytq_sJhTrxkkHBz2Vn6aIcDCqk/s400/May+4-54.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Black-and-white Warbler</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wsdZQ3h8gFsSJ5Z9KgwgfPhnlEl38UMB5M496XRcF7wZjQjdqi3YP34_KXRj5kovfbfk03byu6OKuC_vhsg23IEM6bAH_I433xKix4OxWdz6woGCoS_YaiRx8VU_Sbb2CCe5l0yRYZc/s1600/May+4-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wsdZQ3h8gFsSJ5Z9KgwgfPhnlEl38UMB5M496XRcF7wZjQjdqi3YP34_KXRj5kovfbfk03byu6OKuC_vhsg23IEM6bAH_I433xKix4OxWdz6woGCoS_YaiRx8VU_Sbb2CCe5l0yRYZc/s400/May+4-56.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i>Cape May Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwK27HJBWLVaXsu0Tq8Zlu20ZVuh-9d_zNNgpkJebng17wxcVP604J5bhE26pXw-wspiH-DkiWTMyvZEHHBfQrUXAFXwJV2WH6wEBfKsaS7C_JlVL_L0FkZfg8nJtblVUld85X-uJfcA/s1600/May+4-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwK27HJBWLVaXsu0Tq8Zlu20ZVuh-9d_zNNgpkJebng17wxcVP604J5bhE26pXw-wspiH-DkiWTMyvZEHHBfQrUXAFXwJV2WH6wEBfKsaS7C_JlVL_L0FkZfg8nJtblVUld85X-uJfcA/s400/May+4-57.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i>Chestnut-sided Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C2Y_ECD4eWLVTSDKCdJEbVi2EGjr52mPAAHZmzNw4Cs3q5xK2ErLJ-0AfSLThOdaV8iiFWpokkNVZd8chrnG3a1ZQ81cmBQj0w0Kno9s0SCozwjigfpeeDLXqDRqdTXigAkJa5OzGmI/s1600/May+4-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C2Y_ECD4eWLVTSDKCdJEbVi2EGjr52mPAAHZmzNw4Cs3q5xK2ErLJ-0AfSLThOdaV8iiFWpokkNVZd8chrnG3a1ZQ81cmBQj0w0Kno9s0SCozwjigfpeeDLXqDRqdTXigAkJa5OzGmI/s400/May+4-58.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLN2g0X1V60oES49Iy-0_Krr2jlBzkBURdDWP864nozJrwTZ2PZcQurQCGBFZ_OQnU-TFduXFHpDjrwg_G0D2I7O_941h4y7PkLccF9OZR5FyCxBsC4lNaEcnvSHolCvnJACquh_avUY/s1600/May+4-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLN2g0X1V60oES49Iy-0_Krr2jlBzkBURdDWP864nozJrwTZ2PZcQurQCGBFZ_OQnU-TFduXFHpDjrwg_G0D2I7O_941h4y7PkLccF9OZR5FyCxBsC4lNaEcnvSHolCvnJACquh_avUY/s400/May+4-59.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i>Northern Waterthrush</i></div>
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<i>Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58Y5qceKpPKDUIMyuzaEiUVX-iS_vp0T6X_u7K6eimokRNop2sqGrDPD2lQiva1Q-YwVhR1sgjFfQj2B-7Gp4PJfnb1WJ-HNBeMWTBdRuGeeZl7Zwi2FoWCaqB5nNXt-nb1xgrZyUlXc/s1600/May+4-60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58Y5qceKpPKDUIMyuzaEiUVX-iS_vp0T6X_u7K6eimokRNop2sqGrDPD2lQiva1Q-YwVhR1sgjFfQj2B-7Gp4PJfnb1WJ-HNBeMWTBdRuGeeZl7Zwi2FoWCaqB5nNXt-nb1xgrZyUlXc/s400/May+4-60.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i>Northern Parula</i></div>
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<i>Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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This was my first chance to photograph the ABA Bird of the Year, too:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLueK1kJ5vADk-qgYXX6f22-NDVXGIfTFMzd_r_vXgKh-bidUWWuwAQHTpMjSrXzG1QW-HeDLO9Jm2J6Ma9lGyBdYmJZZzaq0UZFt1XyZlkzEoCwlwztZZuLVtZkf3aupXdNLuyt2I3AQ/s1600/May+4-55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLueK1kJ5vADk-qgYXX6f22-NDVXGIfTFMzd_r_vXgKh-bidUWWuwAQHTpMjSrXzG1QW-HeDLO9Jm2J6Ma9lGyBdYmJZZzaq0UZFt1XyZlkzEoCwlwztZZuLVtZkf3aupXdNLuyt2I3AQ/s400/May+4-55.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Green Heron</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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On the walk back to Montrose, we had up to five Clay-colored Sparrows together!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBr7x9Auvh0MCg6lNEwRqG8cbnbcWIQ9cj2vEmeZa5i3AR3lbbTG6qDiIcZOgUHmb0i5ru3HoVUBOhYHZ5N34L8VEq8z-gVh93RJC_WPAM_kr6sTQjMqxnfkw7p9J6J_iydyp9sC7XHH0/s1600/May+4-61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBr7x9Auvh0MCg6lNEwRqG8cbnbcWIQ9cj2vEmeZa5i3AR3lbbTG6qDiIcZOgUHmb0i5ru3HoVUBOhYHZ5N34L8VEq8z-gVh93RJC_WPAM_kr6sTQjMqxnfkw7p9J6J_iydyp9sC7XHH0/s400/May+4-61.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Clay-colored Sparrow</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Marovitz Golf Course, Cook Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 4, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">All of this had taken place before noon. I looked at my tally for the morning and I was well over 100 species across a pretty small stretch of lakefront! I had to get back for work and class, but the morning wasn't quite over yet. Near the golf course pond, Andrew picked out a funny looking object sitting stationary a few feet away from a bush. American Bittern!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBempAfj1tjgGyii-IfheUAVmOx6pb-JZidbgAQl0s0d16HIEkko6KCsDygBou1TPSO26g-wBxh4BaDjxERinpdiZ5OiiJVkeRHqVRZwGEsnPqqps6hgdVhl4B_NaftpQy6l6eiFn3BnU/s1600/May+4-65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBempAfj1tjgGyii-IfheUAVmOx6pb-JZidbgAQl0s0d16HIEkko6KCsDygBou1TPSO26g-wBxh4BaDjxERinpdiZ5OiiJVkeRHqVRZwGEsnPqqps6hgdVhl4B_NaftpQy6l6eiFn3BnU/s400/May+4-65.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bitterns are masters of disguise. Even though this bird was relatively out in the open, look at how difficult it is to locate in this photo (click to enlarge)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From the other side it was a little easier to pick out. Needless to say this was my best photo op with one yet!</span></div>
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<i> American Bittern</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 4, 2015</i></div>
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Bitterns are just ridiculously cool birds. What a way to close out an outstanding morning!</div>
Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-85461832230002789522015-06-15T14:45:00.000-07:002015-06-15T14:45:21.864-07:00Wheaton College Goes Birding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wheaton College, an institution over 150 years old, experienced a first this May. I had run into a couple students over the past year who had varying degrees of skill levels and interest in birding. This alone was heartening for me because birding, well, hasn't exactly been known for its appeal to the younger demographic. A lifelong birder myself, this phenomenon was lost on me, but it has hit home more over the past few years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">By the midway point of the Fall semester 2014, it seemed we had enough of a contingent to make a legit bird walk happen. Could Wheaton be looking at the potential of a student group devoted to birding? It seemed too good to be true. Then came the news that sealed the deal - Dr. Ryken, the college's President, is a birder too! Surely this would turn out to be good news.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the ensuing months, whenever I shared with someone around campus that Dr. Ryken was a birder, the typical well-meaning-but-glazed-over look I get when talking about birding quickly shifted to quizzical facial expressions marked by skepticism. "Wait, he's like, actually into it?" they would usually inquire. "Oh yeah. He definitely knows his stuff." I would respond. I was then patient as they took a moment to process the fact that their President was a birder, usually receiving some rich response like "Huh," or "How about that?" Eventually the pieces would fall into place. I mean, the man has a rather robust skill set and no shortage of credentials, of course he knows how to identify birds, too.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Through a couple conversations with Dr. Ryken, we decided a Spring walk was in order for the growing group of Wheaton birders we knew of.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Part of the way through April he sent out an email to several of us. Subject line: "Birds." Body of the email: "Any plans?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That was all the prompting I needed. I started scoping out a couple local spots and, over the course of a few emails, the group decided on going out the morning of Saturday, May 2. The cold front that had been lingering through the end of April was holding back the initial waves of migrants, so it was unclear what all would be around by the time we got out, but we were undoubtedly going to have an enjoyable morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr. Ryken and I went out early May 1 to get a sense of whether the planned locations would work or not, checking out McKee Marsh, St. James Farm, and Elsen's Hill. The birds were generally active, though the numbers of migrants left a little to be desired. Still, we felt as though we had a solid enough plan for the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And here's the amazing thing. At 5:30 am, on the Saturday before finals week, a group of ten Wheaties gathered in the lobby of Fischer Hall for Wheaton College's first ever birding field trip. We were off before the sun was up and pulling in to the parking lot of our first stop a few minutes later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dunkin Donuts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You see, near the top of the list of traits shared between the typical college lifestyle and the regular habits of a birder, one finds the intake of copious amounts caffeine and/or sugar in order fuel the duties at hand while assuaging the effects of minimal sleep. Hence Dunkin Donuts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A little after 6 am, the Thunderbirdz were a tad perkier and took to the trail at McKee Marsh. Logan Treat captured the moment as our troop trekked off into the quickly dissipating wisps of fog, glossy sunrise emerging before us. Eyes peeled. Ears primed. Nothing was going to slip past us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg572JyOw9TDmRnTECbNYyWLjXHGgCIcm4O6PS_-dn_mhVEP7bWqEVdIxFVxltNgz9EAZdprHESzXjcPzH9lJbPlZdmO79diaky4sjet0oTbf9BWcOjjW49KXMCow499MMD77cUpAQG3rw/s1600/11251774_10204415092285452_4212240561298196302_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg572JyOw9TDmRnTECbNYyWLjXHGgCIcm4O6PS_-dn_mhVEP7bWqEVdIxFVxltNgz9EAZdprHESzXjcPzH9lJbPlZdmO79diaky4sjet0oTbf9BWcOjjW49KXMCow499MMD77cUpAQG3rw/s640/11251774_10204415092285452_4212240561298196302_n.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thunderbirdz</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">McKee Marsh, DuPage Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The majority of our group is majoring in one of the sciences, so all of our participants came to the field with a finely tuned observation instincts. And at the end of the day, regardless of skill level, birding can be boiled down to this one thing: simply paying attention. Not surprisingly, our group of ten was pointing out movement and songs and calling out species all throughout the field trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The previous morning's Brown Thrashers sang away from similar posts and we eventually got a couple decent looks. An Eastern Towhee posed briefly in a nearby tree for us - always a treat to see out in the open. Tree Swallows in their steely blue-green fluttered actively around nest boxes along the trail, and a couple Eastern Phoebes called almost constantly. Waterfowl on the pond included Canada Geese, Mallards, American Coots, a couple Wood Ducks, a single Pied-billed Grebe and a Blue-winged Teal that poked its head out momentarily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The place wasn't exactly exploding with bird life, but there was enough activity to hold our attention. We had been hoping to get on a few species of warblers, and our first four of the day came here. Yellow-rumped Warblers proved to be one of the more common birds of the day, and we began with a handful here. A Yellow Warbler was pretty vocal near the overlook, and a Common Yellowthroat gave its distinctive "wickity-wickity-wickity" call from the marsh. The highlight here came in the form of a fancy little male Black-throated Green Warbler that I heard on our way back to the car. With some patience and a little pishing, he eventually came down and provided some nice views.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Black-throated Green Warbler</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">McKee Marsh, DuPage Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then it was on to St. James Farm Forest Preserve where Dr. Ryken and I had a couple birds the morning before that we figured would be reliable and pretty easy to relocate. The first was a group of Wood Ducks on the little pond, which everyone got to see through the scope. While taking in these beauties, the surrounding trees had some active Blue-gray Gnatcatchers squeaking and buzzing away alongside a couple Ruby-crowned Kinglets. All four of our woodpecker species for the day were here, too: Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, and Northern Flicker. The nesting Eastern Bluebirds also showed up right on cue and everyone was able to get great scope views of this wonderfully brilliant species. A couple lingering Purple Finches had been a surprise the day before; we still had a lone male hanging around. This was my shot from the previous day.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zxRLVgXqgVaNjG37Zqeku4TVEWxWYmPMsAcyC_RtRJAfNpSQ4-Kasx6Sy8Kv51GEMgiZgMj60yv2b7WFUuCTMk3KOAKUbY9d_qrzJGTdypI7RJbPD4wk8SdxzVU3qP6nh2LrCQpwlfI/s1600/May+1-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zxRLVgXqgVaNjG37Zqeku4TVEWxWYmPMsAcyC_RtRJAfNpSQ4-Kasx6Sy8Kv51GEMgiZgMj60yv2b7WFUuCTMk3KOAKUbY9d_qrzJGTdypI7RJbPD4wk8SdxzVU3qP6nh2LrCQpwlfI/s400/May+1-2-2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Purple Finch</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">St. James Farm Forest Preserve, DuPage Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 1, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then we headed south to Herrick Lake. The Yellow-rumped Warblers were more numerous here and were joined by a couple more Black-throated Greens, a Nashville, and a handful of Palm Warblers, which quickly joined the Yellow-rumps as the most conspicuous warblers of the day. Our first White-breasted Nuthatches called and showed themselves here, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We had powered through our first couple locations pretty quickly, so instead of working our way back to campus, the Thunderbirdz decided unanimously to check out a couple more preserves, and off we went to Fullersburg Woods. There were a couple nice additions to our morning's list here, including the 234th bird for my DuPage County life list - Yellow-throated Warbler! True to form, this very vocal male stayed pretty high in the trees, but a handful of us were able to get some decent looks at it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7-kGjGQIb3HBhX7yumoNlE5K5y-rOONA12bKu-a8rCGXRp3MGJ_OVBM3nF4E72vPcOYtENvhFajMgxz5gYqxeQFPa3xxX-M1FWCinNptvvChvjJBCvwoF94lqWiq2X7oCd_OT1AadzE/s1600/May+(1-2)-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7-kGjGQIb3HBhX7yumoNlE5K5y-rOONA12bKu-a8rCGXRp3MGJ_OVBM3nF4E72vPcOYtENvhFajMgxz5gYqxeQFPa3xxX-M1FWCinNptvvChvjJBCvwoF94lqWiq2X7oCd_OT1AadzE/s1600/May+(1-2)-4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV0Xal434tAr0KXHt_F-GqdjVhA11IkH1HAeFa3dPMnHMCitY2_CtaUpJPHCf9sCTlkkBP3WzVbENEPKElDrxToMSivZidBOFzeP4NtbvWLH4_Yc3q-PvosM2t1Lc1nOpv_Wy4nDIYqg/s1600/May+(1-2)-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV0Xal434tAr0KXHt_F-GqdjVhA11IkH1HAeFa3dPMnHMCitY2_CtaUpJPHCf9sCTlkkBP3WzVbENEPKElDrxToMSivZidBOFzeP4NtbvWLH4_Yc3q-PvosM2t1Lc1nOpv_Wy4nDIYqg/s1600/May+(1-2)-5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yellow-throated Warbler</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, DuPage Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There were both Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers present here, and this Solitary showed nicely for us:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6GU7rRmbEKBm0_Fq5rrlp2908jEmSpxyMkEW-WTAeB6o-AwlcQRJWwNbmvHl0d8QrW2KG0vW-s0b_pnYje7Iw7nUWTmGAMo5yps2xodZM0NVyMCpinPDIksUo3Au3R_7EyAaVHOrBEw/s1600/May+(1-2)-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6GU7rRmbEKBm0_Fq5rrlp2908jEmSpxyMkEW-WTAeB6o-AwlcQRJWwNbmvHl0d8QrW2KG0vW-s0b_pnYje7Iw7nUWTmGAMo5yps2xodZM0NVyMCpinPDIksUo3Au3R_7EyAaVHOrBEw/s1600/May+(1-2)-6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Solitary Sandpiper</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, DuPage Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And here was our most abundant migrant from the morning:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQbkRfpbhB2UNhhjxbH9qRPKAYa1KnjWCfv9_ReTyEjcy7KHcgVMwOyaHDQmxt8LRxa3SKBQaB-KuoVuR3uEWeA5UHcdCVuKzQgp2uZD4ms0LkHPAS7zHqup3HV6K3vuVVe_CcuuwiNI/s1600/May+(1-2)-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQbkRfpbhB2UNhhjxbH9qRPKAYa1KnjWCfv9_ReTyEjcy7KHcgVMwOyaHDQmxt8LRxa3SKBQaB-KuoVuR3uEWeA5UHcdCVuKzQgp2uZD4ms0LkHPAS7zHqup3HV6K3vuVVe_CcuuwiNI/s1600/May+(1-2)-7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yellow-rumped Warbler</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, DuPage Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Taking a quick break from identifying the avians around us, we gathered up for a group photo. From left to right, here's the make up of the first ever outing of the Thunderbidz: Alex Ockerse, Logan Treat, Ari Kim, Sean Lyon, Anna Chovanes, Phil Ryken, Mark Hansford, Josh Ryken, Seth Humeniuk, Joshua Little.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_NU0b4ILRCf7il-AtC0M1YX_nwiYABoUCNim6kbv84eo_QnegmKXJ2KHCcC8cLrcL6XQfAHe30OXHUtnbsqlJhUaqKxL7W0ewTWBNeQIapz2OxK69LYQbfKaoIVp5qH5uWvX-Uk76H4/s640/blogger-image-335698402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_NU0b4ILRCf7il-AtC0M1YX_nwiYABoUCNim6kbv84eo_QnegmKXJ2KHCcC8cLrcL6XQfAHe30OXHUtnbsqlJhUaqKxL7W0ewTWBNeQIapz2OxK69LYQbfKaoIVp5qH5uWvX-Uk76H4/s400/blogger-image-335698402.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thunderbirdz</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve, DuPage Co, IL</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">May 2, 2015</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hidden Lake Forest Preserve had more of the same for us, though a sizable snapping turtle was a really nice cap on the outing. By the end, we had tallied 56 species altogether, enjoyed a morning exploring nature, and perhaps most importantly, set the precedent for future bird outings for Wheaton College! I'll be sad not to get to continue to be a part of it from this point forward, but between the students' skill level and Dr. Ryken's commitment to the existence of the group, I'm trusting the Thunderbirdz will be a fixture in the college's community in the years to come.</span>Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-88729887391071764912015-06-10T16:55:00.001-07:002015-06-10T16:55:47.720-07:00Cook County Smith's Longspurs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I figured when I made the trek down to Jacksonville, IL to get the Smith's Longspurs at the end of March that I probably wouldn't see many more, if any, for the rest of the year. And surely I wouldn't get a chance to photograph them that well again. I mean, <a href="http://littlebirder.blogspot.com/2015/03/end-of-march-highlights.html">the pics weren't great</a>, but they were pretty decent for such an outstanding species.</div>
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Man was I wrong.</div>
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When the sizable flock showed up to Orland Grassland in mid-late April, I was slammed with work and had no way of getting down to see them. Even in the days following my trip with Andrew I couldn't find a window of time to go look for them. I had to wait until Friday, May 1 for my attempt. I was skeptical about them still being there, especially since no one had reported them the day before. The last of the cold front was still holding on though, which offered a slight ray of hope.</div>
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After an early morning of birding with Wheaton's President (more on that in a later post), I booked it to Orland. The weather was just beginning to switch, the north winds abating minute by minute. The sun was out and the birds were enthused. Several Henslow's Sparrows gave their little insect like calls, and this Grasshopper Sparrow sat up in a snag to do the same. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTsWEXhNjmvBwFtTeRS1dfstgJT5vMaY2xGJM_ZL_YTA5bd87TXzq1gExNliU7FFHm0R1uLDV3C8Z7ooyD1YtuRaGzPKPu4VVT7TaV8kImzZZqWnSiKcnQI8jpShj2mT1g-CGkam4kOE/s1600/May+1-2-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTsWEXhNjmvBwFtTeRS1dfstgJT5vMaY2xGJM_ZL_YTA5bd87TXzq1gExNliU7FFHm0R1uLDV3C8Z7ooyD1YtuRaGzPKPu4VVT7TaV8kImzZZqWnSiKcnQI8jpShj2mT1g-CGkam4kOE/s1600/May+1-2-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Grasshopper Sparrow</i></div>
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<i>Orland Grassland, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 1, 2015</i></div>
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I walked in from the west side to the top of the hill, then began traipsing back across the field to the north west. I flushed a few Savannah and Field Sparrows first. The ponds viewable from the hill were pretty calm, but a few Soras were calling intermittently. I kept moving, hoping for a rattle.<br />
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After a few more minutes of walking around fruitlessly, I detected a little movement just a few feet away. I stopped, and a small bird took to the air and began rattling. I took a deep sigh of relief - the longspurs were still here! Before long there was a large flock circling directly over my head. They're quick, and rather difficult to capture in flight, but I did manage a few decent shots.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JP7xFFUFGp0LEY2FQ_8dxaQ9DSfqO92IB7xfGCh0Vxy6rzdg7RzqALg4P4qrDu2fJIGpjkMK3MBGqARHZXwI6MBVy9W90kiBH0X3VVTiGA2zEXcOJZzWYXdWr06t64QR-vgOMCtfnbM/s1600/May+1-2-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JP7xFFUFGp0LEY2FQ_8dxaQ9DSfqO92IB7xfGCh0Vxy6rzdg7RzqALg4P4qrDu2fJIGpjkMK3MBGqARHZXwI6MBVy9W90kiBH0X3VVTiGA2zEXcOJZzWYXdWr06t64QR-vgOMCtfnbM/s1600/May+1-2-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdceIXndYvDfgXJTaOXd25doiLXatNg-4US-tPKOT7it9oyCrHM9SGdUGZgZsV9T3Eoi9_iqJ7udEPL2-_kJztozcbo5F-4R4523nTTp8HwhndN4PpDFoPuBh3NtNwF6-DfCbhFSBkhuE/s1600/May+1-2-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdceIXndYvDfgXJTaOXd25doiLXatNg-4US-tPKOT7it9oyCrHM9SGdUGZgZsV9T3Eoi9_iqJ7udEPL2-_kJztozcbo5F-4R4523nTTp8HwhndN4PpDFoPuBh3NtNwF6-DfCbhFSBkhuE/s1600/May+1-2-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzal2zZVgmt9Enw9mf0RSzpfk0GDUbS1UZR0NHRyvmkte37xAOqU51WD-x2y3OFJBnbqZbm2SGLJtzFVLfMdERL0SBPQZpO5t2kLB8WnSyszPI-3c-lIynLB7UOvQeBDOiiKjc6hA1N0w/s1600/May+1-2-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzal2zZVgmt9Enw9mf0RSzpfk0GDUbS1UZR0NHRyvmkte37xAOqU51WD-x2y3OFJBnbqZbm2SGLJtzFVLfMdERL0SBPQZpO5t2kLB8WnSyszPI-3c-lIynLB7UOvQeBDOiiKjc6hA1N0w/s1600/May+1-2-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0K37ApjfS7OPlGvR6WhSL8jLRwOeV0ptQtlyMRWmOAdQZXLafrazULabY-LfBg3OiLpHvpE0tQP6DM6jG7mlj-wavBv3jQuJrQyHmSOK2DWe8Wz5wXIn_9ng-MthDRAsJG6Urhhk4ZVA/s1600/May+1-2-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0K37ApjfS7OPlGvR6WhSL8jLRwOeV0ptQtlyMRWmOAdQZXLafrazULabY-LfBg3OiLpHvpE0tQP6DM6jG7mlj-wavBv3jQuJrQyHmSOK2DWe8Wz5wXIn_9ng-MthDRAsJG6Urhhk4ZVA/s1600/May+1-2-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwi1lYNvBmPO3vdeg6CXJ9NtDs2z8oqaAqEiXucOkpudCQ_Rjcog0KsSt_ldVfCyQTDe3hYz8qN4YtLLi9bwD-mwf1LRCX1Z91h4ll81_18EbUclPzIA5nWu25ddjiGv81_Uk31gEzVIU/s1600/May+1-2-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwi1lYNvBmPO3vdeg6CXJ9NtDs2z8oqaAqEiXucOkpudCQ_Rjcog0KsSt_ldVfCyQTDe3hYz8qN4YtLLi9bwD-mwf1LRCX1Z91h4ll81_18EbUclPzIA5nWu25ddjiGv81_Uk31gEzVIU/s1600/May+1-2-10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuI1SiyY-HMa7YBn8jxpgdYukMjGyQlNHWhlAppTuUMvBusYLjs3wm0mrTKSbBpUQQd861K6eUECvBeFrOXsO-h99Uwljkau-MBeWhlRhVNc5n7MILzv_uw2K0kki9hN9gfCjDLhBNtw/s1600/May+1-2-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuI1SiyY-HMa7YBn8jxpgdYukMjGyQlNHWhlAppTuUMvBusYLjs3wm0mrTKSbBpUQQd861K6eUECvBeFrOXsO-h99Uwljkau-MBeWhlRhVNc5n7MILzv_uw2K0kki9hN9gfCjDLhBNtw/s1600/May+1-2-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are some moments when you press down on the shutter and you just know you have taken a special picture before even looking at it. That was my precise experience with the photo below. One stunning male Smith's Longspur made a close pass, I did my best to get on it, and I came away with a photo that will probably stay on my all time top ten bird photos. I couldn't believe it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUqCDm5JJ_gLUc02lkdMhyphenhyphenQUS_Erh61C2FzzFgM69Gj3paOBPDtcyhC-ijmSjN6zTXBYrUKx_6gGDMXCY2zF3zMtPSPIAef0bckd0y4guQeniWX7Xqg2WD9h3imc6vNvoESN5IRFYAzI/s1600/May+1-2-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUqCDm5JJ_gLUc02lkdMhyphenhyphenQUS_Erh61C2FzzFgM69Gj3paOBPDtcyhC-ijmSjN6zTXBYrUKx_6gGDMXCY2zF3zMtPSPIAef0bckd0y4guQeniWX7Xqg2WD9h3imc6vNvoESN5IRFYAzI/s1600/May+1-2-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I spent the next hour or so stalking these little grassland experts, marveling at their ability to simply disappear at will behind any clump of grass. With a great deal of patience, I eventually got some crippling looks at short distances. They wouldn't stay out in the open for long, but they did cooperate enough for some nice shots.<br />
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This is how hard they can be to find. Yes, there is one in there.<br />
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<i>Smith's Longspur</i></div>
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<i>Orland Grassland, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 1, 2015</i></div>
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With the impending move back to the PNW in the back of my mind, I soaked up every last moment with these birds. It's quite possible that I'll never get the chance to walk a field full of breeding plumaged Smith's Longspurs again. It's one of the finest memories of Illinois birding I'll take with me.<br />
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And the morning's fun wasn't even over. At McClaughery Springs I picked up my Cook County lifer Yellow-throated Warbler, and this rather confiding Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.<br />
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<i>Blue-gray Gnatcatcher</i></div>
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<i>McClaughrey Springs, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 1, 2015</i></div>
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Then it was on to Montrose, where this Hooded Warbler had been hanging around for a few days. If you look closely, you can see a couple flies in these pics, and the little warbler was contentedly making a feast of them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7ppCD9ZkoswhfYoamPTZQ__z9EgQERpjunwruiC63GMWACm8KJMF0xk2uGgbpjvJ5sgKbnjRFG53SkqwDKP19Buk1iPhzPTTUNYpjX78z1utgzMXT1fLr6qd6JBTtskKi_OAt4W4R0M/s1600/May+1-2-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7ppCD9ZkoswhfYoamPTZQ__z9EgQERpjunwruiC63GMWACm8KJMF0xk2uGgbpjvJ5sgKbnjRFG53SkqwDKP19Buk1iPhzPTTUNYpjX78z1utgzMXT1fLr6qd6JBTtskKi_OAt4W4R0M/s1600/May+1-2-36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Hooded Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Montrose Point, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>May 1, 2015</i></div>
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Thus began the month of May. Typically, this sort of day would stand out as one of the highlights of a month, but as we would quickly learn, this would just end up being par for the course for May 2015. Ensuing superlatives notwithstanding, this morning with the Smith's Longspurs was one of my favorite birding experiences of all time.Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-91459686918820772912015-05-05T12:46:00.000-07:002015-05-05T12:46:34.267-07:00April Weekend Trip - Part 4The discomfort of the previous evening at the dredging ponds made the sleep that night a true treat. So, when the alarm went off at 4 am on Sunday, we didn't actually take too long to get up. We were on the road before 4:30, grateful this was last morning in the foreseeable future that we would be substituting Via for the real deal. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of the Iced Via, but I would never choose it over my normal morning cup of coffee. Nevertheless, it always does the job, and we were sufficiently caffeinated for a great morning in Brown and Adams Counties.<br />
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5:15 found us pulling into the parking lot at the Buckhorn Unit of Siloam Springs State Park. The place is know for Chucks, but no Chuck for us this morning. This was a bummer of a miss, but was quickly offset by another fun round of pre-dawn birding. Our first American Woodcocks of the trip were peenting here, and before long we were surrounded by Whip-poor-wills singing away! One flew into a bush right next to us and began calling; you can hear <a href="https://soundcloud.com/joshua-p-little/eastern-whip-poor-will">my recording here</a>. We chased it around for a bit, and Andrew got on it. I got a new flashlight for Christmas, and this was my first chance to actually use it - I'm happy to announce that the first bird it ever illuminated was this beauty. Andrew snapped this pic while I kept the light on it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEA6eLmzuckuFfNAWPGS1jIIPVFcCcMihVDcw0CEJ5azF0kSIiQmE3QX6uDRfIjfEISsOX3lC8Sxs9hB2nZajWSapxPWW2McgwwwfW1sr0vg6C-XQ4LylOfaZGI3Dngb4chDvL6coKzQ/s1600/17296165401_f7a1e1b3b1_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEA6eLmzuckuFfNAWPGS1jIIPVFcCcMihVDcw0CEJ5azF0kSIiQmE3QX6uDRfIjfEISsOX3lC8Sxs9hB2nZajWSapxPWW2McgwwwfW1sr0vg6C-XQ4LylOfaZGI3Dngb4chDvL6coKzQ/s1600/17296165401_f7a1e1b3b1_z.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Eastern Whip-poor-will</i></div>
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<i>Siloam Springs State Park, Buckhorn Unit, Brown Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 26, 2015</i></div>
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A couple Barred Owls called here, then I spotted another on our way to the other part of Siloam. The first Rose-breasted Grosbeak of the year/trip sang atop a tree near here. Ovenbird, Blue-winged, and Black-and-white Warbler were all nice pick ups along this stretch, especially for our Brown County lists. I like how this shot turned out.<br />
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<i>Barred Owl</i></div>
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<i>Brown Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 26, 2015</i></div>
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Then came one of the highlights of the whole trip. It wasn't a new bird for the year or buddy list or even for the trip. We'd had fun with Wormies the day before, but this time we got simply outstanding views. It flew up to a thicket just a little ways below us and proceeded to sing its little heart out. Our 13th of the trip, and definitely the best looks yet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9XukOVS77zoXh_jjx1emN_VOzqNS586DM6wvTQnRrNri8j1GCY9vn6rH_uAignV-nkkeWsjX_5MGWvkLWnIbL-z-VApo_YYKiHsRg4ExirY3WxQI7-hM_da8jH95gQGC3HBH2MOXgTKU/s1600/Apr+23-26-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9XukOVS77zoXh_jjx1emN_VOzqNS586DM6wvTQnRrNri8j1GCY9vn6rH_uAignV-nkkeWsjX_5MGWvkLWnIbL-z-VApo_YYKiHsRg4ExirY3WxQI7-hM_da8jH95gQGC3HBH2MOXgTKU/s1600/Apr+23-26-75.jpg" height="175" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtCWEEDbTurstu60dlGjTbtJQHLW5QzgcUbTi1iSjKyPmd0MJUdrwcN8-tbVEUR4oRkfzFHIW4MICXO8fhbmC3VPNipJ1s_fO_edZwOxyzfsc7h2XBVhgGvSbyNOpNIrtD0E90p2Tn-k2/s1600/Apr+23-26-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtCWEEDbTurstu60dlGjTbtJQHLW5QzgcUbTi1iSjKyPmd0MJUdrwcN8-tbVEUR4oRkfzFHIW4MICXO8fhbmC3VPNipJ1s_fO_edZwOxyzfsc7h2XBVhgGvSbyNOpNIrtD0E90p2Tn-k2/s1600/Apr+23-26-78.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZlnX29d9ZMASRQJiGIY3gQmJdZuetuP_AqBOmYjaYs5WTzxO5HtL_uWaFZjUVngw1V0R2UNUQT3asgmktWRY_clQZ2Y-XXZwLr3YErL0JJnJA2PxLGMsXLl80e-jXdS9y41j20LiV26g/s1600/Apr+23-26-79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZlnX29d9ZMASRQJiGIY3gQmJdZuetuP_AqBOmYjaYs5WTzxO5HtL_uWaFZjUVngw1V0R2UNUQT3asgmktWRY_clQZ2Y-XXZwLr3YErL0JJnJA2PxLGMsXLl80e-jXdS9y41j20LiV26g/s1600/Apr+23-26-79.jpg" height="227" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB8yuI7W0KpPQtcHtLqqL31FJoBjqpBcwX3a2C1d-UCT9niNxjEjPpYmxGbkxmTRRqFbk3gPZdPYcsz4O-mSiAwqk2YA0XPaHbLHdjKqW_E-exkSrISK5ukDMff8QupUKkMO9jRBgnCRH/s1600/Apr+23-26-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNB8yuI7W0KpPQtcHtLqqL31FJoBjqpBcwX3a2C1d-UCT9niNxjEjPpYmxGbkxmTRRqFbk3gPZdPYcsz4O-mSiAwqk2YA0XPaHbLHdjKqW_E-exkSrISK5ukDMff8QupUKkMO9jRBgnCRH/s1600/Apr+23-26-80.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nZQrsW01Zq8Avw3V6m8g4Dgn-4N47VXbP9Pw3W7jvj-wlfCoTmKJsNHVtYjF0eDFNg9FIWw4zp9E3Sbm8ImoeXxzoCS8mMQkBi71vBeQD1-53Le1rPFornrwyzpBWbTji6ci38tpcLmc/s1600/Apr+23-26-81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nZQrsW01Zq8Avw3V6m8g4Dgn-4N47VXbP9Pw3W7jvj-wlfCoTmKJsNHVtYjF0eDFNg9FIWw4zp9E3Sbm8ImoeXxzoCS8mMQkBi71vBeQD1-53Le1rPFornrwyzpBWbTji6ci38tpcLmc/s1600/Apr+23-26-81.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Worm-eating Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Siloam Springs State Park, Brown Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 26, 2015</i></div>
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The Adams portion of Siloam was solid, the usual warblers and a couple Broad-winged Hawks being the highlight. As we headed back out through Brown County, this beast sat near the road long enough for us to snag a pic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_dN61FjBk2kHkVErwFc1f6ANFv4a4AROUOibEHjYywa5DPQBQ2l14ArYpVZOHPlzESumfNXRNO4Z-kHSB9w7BwdeqJ9rlxukSSUsA5jjvnS1Gmil7NAmUbKxHpiPJEHRfMHno18dmpja/s1600/Apr+23-26-82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_dN61FjBk2kHkVErwFc1f6ANFv4a4AROUOibEHjYywa5DPQBQ2l14ArYpVZOHPlzESumfNXRNO4Z-kHSB9w7BwdeqJ9rlxukSSUsA5jjvnS1Gmil7NAmUbKxHpiPJEHRfMHno18dmpja/s1600/Apr+23-26-82.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Turkey Vulture</i></div>
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<i>Brown Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 26, 2015</i></div>
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The rest of the day consisted of county listing from the car, and some concerted efforts at both Emiquon and Hennepin Hopper. We were just a little early for the next wave of good stuff, but we did have a couple specialties along the way, including Common Gallinule and Black-necked Stilts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFtmu6b0WfKJz6pmRvATu4rhnzXSyY_MFTmqDPIYbWDSW1z3KJm04Ij206_bY2Qwyd4HoGbtS4c_bAvlCf3U4xriuE_yEweYSxwF0HMoViQzFkwUA6gkAwBeswf-Og2vU6xO2P7vcPdZD/s1600/Apr+23-26-83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFtmu6b0WfKJz6pmRvATu4rhnzXSyY_MFTmqDPIYbWDSW1z3KJm04Ij206_bY2Qwyd4HoGbtS4c_bAvlCf3U4xriuE_yEweYSxwF0HMoViQzFkwUA6gkAwBeswf-Og2vU6xO2P7vcPdZD/s1600/Apr+23-26-83.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Common Gallinule with American Coot</i></div>
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<i>Emiquon, Fulton Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 26, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkDD22atCvnxOTN6lFXFhDu1TRFc8GGNAzlDgKlF9mWMzkhMoWRj1VQESyNi6W_EJtaUJtV_j5WO16bAZmaggwoV9VWI2jBjPm3emd-fFbpU8D14xae62ge2yzRYuTkDlzKZ5gUiYud9H/s1600/Apr+23-26-84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkDD22atCvnxOTN6lFXFhDu1TRFc8GGNAzlDgKlF9mWMzkhMoWRj1VQESyNi6W_EJtaUJtV_j5WO16bAZmaggwoV9VWI2jBjPm3emd-fFbpU8D14xae62ge2yzRYuTkDlzKZ5gUiYud9H/s1600/Apr+23-26-84.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Sora</i></div>
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<i>Emiquon, Fulton Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 26, 2015</i></div>
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<i>Black-necked Stilts</i></div>
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<i>Emiquon, Fulton Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 26, 2015</i></div>
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We wound up with our highest day total of the trip on Sunday - 126 - mostly because of the waterfowl still lingering at Hennepin. This place is quite unique in that respect, making it a must for any Big Day effort in the northern region of the state - not that we have one in the plans or anything (wink wink). The biggest surprise was a flock of Greater White-fronted Geese. A single Yellow-headed Blackbird was already back, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2Gaq5sf2leaQZwlplRL729t3MDBIPWw_ucD_kWRGFeCWdgTM9YxZRUzpjSS9TTBdKO2zmWGBS5SPmWZMRxefQPmG2ZEAbEzQA55SVdWnN2YLXBMFsHYauerP5gu0mAC4x9KFcxqd_1BN/s1600/Apr+23-26-86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2Gaq5sf2leaQZwlplRL729t3MDBIPWw_ucD_kWRGFeCWdgTM9YxZRUzpjSS9TTBdKO2zmWGBS5SPmWZMRxefQPmG2ZEAbEzQA55SVdWnN2YLXBMFsHYauerP5gu0mAC4x9KFcxqd_1BN/s1600/Apr+23-26-86.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Greater White-fronted Geese</i></div>
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<i>Hennepin Hopper, Putnam Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 26, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTytwr9uQ-xN7vMYD1R4xiQfcypdSGAaiI2vmc37f1DPm3DkCF6o_twtyUiSkLE3tvs7VtjJ2GDWCcNQQSJG9wcbTL_97LEQ1tKQmwBsxJo6K2nikakFUOjm1C1tBul296vM7ogOKiRJa/s1600/Apr+23-26-87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTytwr9uQ-xN7vMYD1R4xiQfcypdSGAaiI2vmc37f1DPm3DkCF6o_twtyUiSkLE3tvs7VtjJ2GDWCcNQQSJG9wcbTL_97LEQ1tKQmwBsxJo6K2nikakFUOjm1C1tBul296vM7ogOKiRJa/s1600/Apr+23-26-87.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Purple Martin</i></div>
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<i>Hennepin Hopper, Putnam Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 26, 2015</i></div>
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Standing in stark contrast to our drive down the state just a few days prior, it seemed as though every next northward mile grew a little browner. We were nearing home, the birds we dissipating, and another week's worth of a cold front stood before us. But we had no room to complain. The highlights from our trip were remarkable. We had missed some things, but found even better replacements. And we had a handful of unanticipated adventures that only add to the memory of a trip like this. And the additions to the buddy list brought us up to 293. Just a normal birding trip, really.<br />
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I'll leave you with the trip list, 170 on the nose:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Greater White-fronted Goose</li>
<li>Snow Goose<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Canada Goose<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Mute Swan</li>
<li>Wood Duck</li>
<li>Gadwall</li>
<li>American Wigeon<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Mallard</li>
<li>Blue-winged Teal<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Northern Shoveler<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Green-winged Teal<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Canvasback<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Redhead</li>
<li>Ring-necked Duck<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Lesser Scaup</li>
<li>Surf Scoter<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Bufflehead<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Hooded Merganser<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Red-breasted Merganser--<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Ruddy Duck<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Northern Bobwhite<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Ring-necked Pheasant<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Greater Prairie-Chicken</li>
<li>Wild Turkey<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Common Loon<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Pied-billed Grebe<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Double-crested Cormorant</li>
<li>American White Pelican</li>
<li>American Bittern</li>
<li>Great Blue Heron</li>
<li>Great Egret</li>
<li>Cattle Egret</li>
<li>Green Heron<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Black-crowned Night-Heron</li>
<li>Black Vulture</li>
<li>Turkey Vulture</li>
<li>Osprey</li>
<li>Northern Harrier<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Cooper's Hawk</li>
<li>Bald Eagle<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Red-shouldered Hawk<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Broad-winged Hawk<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Red-tailed Hawk</li>
<li>Sora</li>
<li>Common Gallinule<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>American Coot</li>
<li>Whooping Crane</li>
<li>Black-necked Stilt</li>
<li>American Golden-Plover</li>
<li>Semipalmated Plover</li>
<li>Killdeer</li>
<li>Spotted Sandpiper</li>
<li>Solitary Sandpiper</li>
<li>Greater Yellowlegs</li>
<li>Lesser Yellowlegs</li>
<li>Upland Sandpiper</li>
<li>Pectoral Sandpiper<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Wilson's Snipe</li>
<li>American Woodcock</li>
<li>Wilson's Phalarope</li>
<li>Bonaparte's Gull<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Ring-billed Gull</li>
<li>Herring Gull</li>
<li>Caspian Tern</li>
<li>Forster's Tern</li>
<li>Rock Pigeon</li>
<li>Eurasian Collared-Dove</li>
<li>Mourning Dove</li>
<li>Great Horned Owl</li>
<li>Barred Owl</li>
<li>Barn Owl</li>
<li>Eastern Whip-poor-will</li>
<li>Chimney Swift</li>
<li>Ruby-throated Hummingbird</li>
<li>Belted Kingfisher</li>
<li>Red-headed Woodpecker<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></li>
<li>Red-bellied Woodpecker</li>
<li>Downy Woodpecker</li>
<li>Hairy Woodpecker</li>
<li>Northern Flicker</li>
<li>Pileated Woodpecker</li>
<li>American Kestrel</li>
<li>Peregrine Falcon</li>
<li>Eastern Phoebe</li>
<li>Great Crested Flycatcher</li>
<li>Eastern Kingbird</li>
<li>Loggerhead Shrike</li>
<li>White-eyed Vireo</li>
<li>Yellow-throated Vireo</li>
<li>Blue-headed Vireo</li>
<li>Warbling Vireo</li>
<li>Red-eyed Vireo</li>
<li>Blue Jay</li>
<li>American Crow</li>
<li>Fish Crow</li>
<li>Horned Lark</li>
<li>Northern Rough-winged Swallow</li>
<li>Purple Martin</li>
<li>Tree Swallow</li>
<li>Bank Swallow</li>
<li>Barn Swallow</li>
<li>Cliff Swallow</li>
<li>Carolina Chickadee</li>
<li>Black-capped Chickadee</li>
<li>Tufted Titmouse</li>
<li>White-breasted Nuthatch</li>
<li>House Wren</li>
<li>Carolina Wren</li>
<li>Blue-gray Gnatcatcher</li>
<li>Ruby-crowned Kinglet</li>
<li>Eastern Bluebird</li>
<li>Swainson's Thrush</li>
<li>Wood Thrush</li>
<li>American Robin</li>
<li>Gray Catbird</li>
<li>Brown Thrasher</li>
<li>Northern Mockingbird</li>
<li>European Starling</li>
<li>American Pipit</li>
<li>Ovenbird</li>
<li>Worm-eating Warbler</li>
<li>Louisiana Waterthrush</li>
<li>Blue-winged Warbler</li>
<li>Black-and-white Warbler</li>
<li>Prothonotary Warbler</li>
<li>Tennessee Warbler</li>
<li>Nashville Warbler</li>
<li>Kentucky Warbler</li>
<li>Common Yellowthroat</li>
<li>Hooded Warbler</li>
<li>American Redstart</li>
<li>Cerulean Warbler</li>
<li>Northern Parula</li>
<li>Yellow Warbler</li>
<li>Palm Warbler</li>
<li>Pine Warbler</li>
<li>Yellow-rumped Warbler</li>
<li>Yellow-throated Warbler</li>
<li>Prairie Warbler</li>
<li>Black-throated Green Warbler</li>
<li>Yellow-breasted Chat</li>
<li>Eastern Towhee</li>
<li>Chipping Sparrow</li>
<li>Field Sparrow</li>
<li>Vesper Sparrow</li>
<li>Savannah Sparrow</li>
<li>Grasshopper Sparrow</li>
<li>Song Sparrow</li>
<li>Swamp Sparrow</li>
<li>White-throated Sparrow</li>
<li>White-crowned Sparrow</li>
<li>Summer Tanager</li>
<li>Scarlet Tanager</li>
<li>Northern Cardinal</li>
<li>Rose-breasted Grosbeak</li>
<li>Blue Grosbeak</li>
<li>Indigo Bunting</li>
<li>Red-winged Blackbird</li>
<li>Eastern Meadowlark</li>
<li>Yellow-headed Blackbird</li>
<li>Rusty Blackbird</li>
<li>Common Grackle</li>
<li>Brown-headed Cowbird</li>
<li>Orchard Oriole</li>
<li>Baltimore Oriole</li>
<li>House Finch</li>
<li>Purple Finch</li>
<li>American Goldfinch</li>
<li>House Sparrow</li>
<li>Eurasian Tree Sparrow</li>
</ol>
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<br />Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-19070841932697853432015-05-03T19:28:00.001-07:002015-05-03T19:28:20.304-07:00April Weekend Trip - Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a day like Friday, it was tough anticipating where Saturday's journey would take us. The plan was to spend the bulk of the morning in Jackson County, then head north. The plan worked nicely. The luxuries of a shower and sleeping indoors were all we needed to have us up and ready for another high octane morning of birding, though of a different quality.</div>
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The predicted southerly winds over Friday night seemed to indicate we would see a new influx of migrants, but as was the case for pretty much the entire trip, our lists were filled with residents and breeders rather than migrants. Some stuff was still just hitting the Texas coast as we were exploring the far reaches of Illinois. Even though our migrant numbers were generally low, the quantity and quality of birds already singing up a storm on territory was the most staggering aspect of Saturday morning. We had three buddy list targets, and we came away with all of them.</div>
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Giant City Park was our first destination, and like the previous day, we were racking up the birds before dawn. There's something about a Prairie Warbler being your first warbler of the morning that gives you a little boost of energy. We had a nice little list of 11 species of warblers here, including double digit Kentucky Warblers. But we had another bird on the mind, and as we pulled up to our first steep hillside covered in dense vegetation, our eyes lit up when that milky smooth trill came ringing through the dreary forest. In a couple minutes we were looking at this beauty:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6IqU6RBoMR0irzUSP5zyYIIfu7YyiOqQXU4mFNaddSGW830B89PbSzUim22xqm8zklxnc8tZqkPvNjl6PA9ZzncM8B_qyDLLVhqanEH67-g9W3OEUBq-h_1Pzdl-5ZJfzemn5A3OGIHT/s1600/Apr+23-26-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6IqU6RBoMR0irzUSP5zyYIIfu7YyiOqQXU4mFNaddSGW830B89PbSzUim22xqm8zklxnc8tZqkPvNjl6PA9ZzncM8B_qyDLLVhqanEH67-g9W3OEUBq-h_1Pzdl-5ZJfzemn5A3OGIHT/s1600/Apr+23-26-50.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXx7EhoUj3qcxdvuaRWiyHqCAlyDpRSA2W4yK6DiQ1j07yzaonxtro27MSuQukHgOoSV_T13Kv1KnZtmO0Db8t7asltoQGXYRjtf7mqSzLAJFX-Ie46QrFmmnr8DwuEnBoRktyuGOz375/s1600/Apr+23-26-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXx7EhoUj3qcxdvuaRWiyHqCAlyDpRSA2W4yK6DiQ1j07yzaonxtro27MSuQukHgOoSV_T13Kv1KnZtmO0Db8t7asltoQGXYRjtf7mqSzLAJFX-Ie46QrFmmnr8DwuEnBoRktyuGOz375/s1600/Apr+23-26-51.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></a></div>
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A little further down the road we had another. And another. Before long we had a total of seven Worm-eating Warblers! This guy was particularly interested in us:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginraPDluGv5Oz1hYK6VCYoiGfWDvqckwYKhI0IoBcMVuFkz-zWPak4NdkkTI5yf4YdNQegOjfjVTwNzoNAob5PiHxbehMfRTAsf3ctaW6Sj8Twf_QPqyDhVzntIbahtjDegP49VjHMMQ9/s1600/Apr+23-26-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEginraPDluGv5Oz1hYK6VCYoiGfWDvqckwYKhI0IoBcMVuFkz-zWPak4NdkkTI5yf4YdNQegOjfjVTwNzoNAob5PiHxbehMfRTAsf3ctaW6Sj8Twf_QPqyDhVzntIbahtjDegP49VjHMMQ9/s1600/Apr+23-26-53.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSegaKPbmvOkQKaIetKKkRK5v_6hGNazpjnesNHR2-xokPQJvNc9tl4sl6ZgxTsXdp-nLNMG1EY3LLw12UhW_NTcXPTv4ilLt_MtJaK0jyBO3jXnOtpp_Gdp8cPs5C63aIqzDhtr6081F5/s1600/Apr+23-26-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSegaKPbmvOkQKaIetKKkRK5v_6hGNazpjnesNHR2-xokPQJvNc9tl4sl6ZgxTsXdp-nLNMG1EY3LLw12UhW_NTcXPTv4ilLt_MtJaK0jyBO3jXnOtpp_Gdp8cPs5C63aIqzDhtr6081F5/s1600/Apr+23-26-54.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBz4FmDifb0WfLMKsLQfN-uFXjVI5OyU0n67pteosnIj1qlKTGT6vVYl4a66m10TQhIGOPXTHDD2kzMgdrq2-IpvRjnLowQZRmbYNkGl24B8IbLJx-bYOTRIRQHczUxIdsFWcccJkRh4dG/s1600/Apr+23-26-55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBz4FmDifb0WfLMKsLQfN-uFXjVI5OyU0n67pteosnIj1qlKTGT6vVYl4a66m10TQhIGOPXTHDD2kzMgdrq2-IpvRjnLowQZRmbYNkGl24B8IbLJx-bYOTRIRQHczUxIdsFWcccJkRh4dG/s1600/Apr+23-26-55.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Worm-eating Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Giant City State Park, Jackson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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I know, these pictures are not going to be winning any contests, but I was still thrilled to get them. All of my views of Wormies in Illinois have been brief and resulted in pics like <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/9060043725/in/photolist-s4aewo-skGTmg-s4iise-s4actA-s2qgcZ-roKkVN-roK93Q-s4a52w-roWxAP-skKBtH-skKB5M-s4bkoU-skKALk-eNB6mr-nmqG14">this</a>, and even worse, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlebirder/14014639299/in/photolist-s4aewo-skGTmg-s4iise-s4actA-s2qgcZ-roKkVN-roK93Q-s4a52w-roWxAP-skKBtH-skKB5M-s4bkoU-skKALk-eNB6mr-nmqG14/">this</a> (trust me, it's there). Watching these little guys do their thing and sing away was remarkable. I was absolutely won over and throughly endeared. And this was buddy list #291.</div>
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One of the more surprising birds of the morning came in the form of this pair of Purple Finches. These are the little things that build trip lists.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGqkEPNDagez8D0VC0LHqT9HsstRamub3DYiObidI9QPH8Baz-zdI2hIlSRpKZehwUtEgmy-EpQpGd2g9qNCt-vNVvOMq2GGbuE5Co2R5wnUAh5z4Igg4rs2_0qapGrurB0X0L_XzalPL/s1600/Apr+23-26-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGqkEPNDagez8D0VC0LHqT9HsstRamub3DYiObidI9QPH8Baz-zdI2hIlSRpKZehwUtEgmy-EpQpGd2g9qNCt-vNVvOMq2GGbuE5Co2R5wnUAh5z4Igg4rs2_0qapGrurB0X0L_XzalPL/s1600/Apr+23-26-52.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Purple Finches</i></div>
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<i>Giant City State Park, Jackson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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While the migrants were scarce, we did get our one and only Black-throated Green Warbler of the trip here. And our first Wood Thrush was singing here, too.<br />
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Our next target location was the Pomona area. Andrew had been before, I hadn't. It was simply outstanding. The place was ridiculous with breeding warblers. A Prairie sang as we turned onto Natural Bridge Road; it was our first of 16 species of warblers we'd get along this road and part of Godwin Road in the next hour and a half.<br />
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We came next to a concrete bridge extending over a little creek. An ascending call with a little squeak at the end rang out. "That's it! That's Cerulean!" I exclaimed. With it being a dirt road, Andrew was driving much slower than he had been at the previous day's similar incident with the Prairie; he safely stopped on the side of the road. Within seconds of getting out of the car we were on it. Incredible bird, and always a relief when the ears recall that song with accuracy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFZsD3Lrr2cRZnRovcmzXRe0-76uDGfBhCQTowRpAQK4T7g-oU4TmrKXmJi_PI_cXkslPZQXsZwSbETv4BPzjDiQCqwYyY2kXKXVOIL9frnqh83Lv9WxBKkr7fE2SxSY3oCfQyDzWVD4r/s1600/Apr+23-26-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFZsD3Lrr2cRZnRovcmzXRe0-76uDGfBhCQTowRpAQK4T7g-oU4TmrKXmJi_PI_cXkslPZQXsZwSbETv4BPzjDiQCqwYyY2kXKXVOIL9frnqh83Lv9WxBKkr7fE2SxSY3oCfQyDzWVD4r/s1600/Apr+23-26-56.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4xwsynW31-fR0lI_xDRrG7cXtbd-YnSHh9uPzRxb-zwdRkk8hjfc32ErX2O3_Cq_51KU90X1ISAW_TVSdhFRLwkNoN3dmHZexnTIrMcfkXCzYtZkdr-pWtRCB1vYNpGab2fxEQOelaDQ/s1600/Apr+23-26-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4xwsynW31-fR0lI_xDRrG7cXtbd-YnSHh9uPzRxb-zwdRkk8hjfc32ErX2O3_Cq_51KU90X1ISAW_TVSdhFRLwkNoN3dmHZexnTIrMcfkXCzYtZkdr-pWtRCB1vYNpGab2fxEQOelaDQ/s1600/Apr+23-26-57.jpg" height="227" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Cerulean Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Natural Bridge Road, Jackson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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Continuing down the road, the birds kept adding up: Ovenbird, Worm-eating, Louisiana Waterthrush, Prothonotary, Nashville, Tennessee, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, American Redstart, and Yellow-throated Warbler. Past the intersection with Godwin Road, things really started heating up. Kentucky Warblers had been calling incessantly pretty much everywhere we had been so far, but it took a while to finally get a good visual on one:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkB73aybx2iNHDZxCe3iO2b1FrYINtqPJTD9UHTY00AGeLmAfXyktiNkr-woXgxQLyeCNO53vG0Oty3Rg9tLHqeWEHYOXKMAeKK8-guL8UHQDXdLmbGgmJ5VRM5sNYkr7lTaPr3G8bTeY/s1600/Apr+23-26-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkB73aybx2iNHDZxCe3iO2b1FrYINtqPJTD9UHTY00AGeLmAfXyktiNkr-woXgxQLyeCNO53vG0Oty3Rg9tLHqeWEHYOXKMAeKK8-guL8UHQDXdLmbGgmJ5VRM5sNYkr7lTaPr3G8bTeY/s1600/Apr+23-26-58.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFx__nYvcCmLns9NwvutS6Gu5ljch0GFr1KTzGg53HpNMV9YKctbLz7t3yyVLLYFOpICucAjwE2Z9oxhjSht32yrmG6Hz_Z3zZkSk9M2fvdO8qpYz465tXQ_eoM8FPHYlxmV7iYJptDLRd/s1600/Apr+23-26-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFx__nYvcCmLns9NwvutS6Gu5ljch0GFr1KTzGg53HpNMV9YKctbLz7t3yyVLLYFOpICucAjwE2Z9oxhjSht32yrmG6Hz_Z3zZkSk9M2fvdO8qpYz465tXQ_eoM8FPHYlxmV7iYJptDLRd/s1600/Apr+23-26-59.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Kentucky Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Natural Bridge Road, Jackson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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At the same stop we had a Pine Warbler and two Hooded Warblers calling, the latter actually being a buddy list bird, too, #293. I was determined to get a good look of the Hooded. It took some work, but I finally tracked it down:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1GEFTwl_5B8KOQxUeIIS_0hl7MIyn-FvrXqMKuoIvFRtvjemxLG_QIleOzAPqyL7cd2qTZlxWA6PE6Nx7Tmbyp10deakePtRhpFxRRD1bKMo52CE2wku44M1U-uRMAIHJOFfBKaXeJLD/s1600/Apr+23-26-60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1GEFTwl_5B8KOQxUeIIS_0hl7MIyn-FvrXqMKuoIvFRtvjemxLG_QIleOzAPqyL7cd2qTZlxWA6PE6Nx7Tmbyp10deakePtRhpFxRRD1bKMo52CE2wku44M1U-uRMAIHJOFfBKaXeJLD/s1600/Apr+23-26-60.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbwbdORcNq_CvhVZEoBLMGtji46zDJ16okx3KWLWoRyx0hNGcsM_P5-xkQNa3KWDZyIzyTWL_XfN7RxaH_UabXk_AkdJaGiegkhNfEOnUZKDRMW7AW539SnpmyN97EkK6U0G0Y0BUZcfm/s1600/Apr+23-26-61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbwbdORcNq_CvhVZEoBLMGtji46zDJ16okx3KWLWoRyx0hNGcsM_P5-xkQNa3KWDZyIzyTWL_XfN7RxaH_UabXk_AkdJaGiegkhNfEOnUZKDRMW7AW539SnpmyN97EkK6U0G0Y0BUZcfm/s1600/Apr+23-26-61.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn_xLJQmqsR5QHbI1cni9Wei6NDCW6Gqn64AUrGBUHcIUzA5HLxDxLqpePicGJGdqYHakSJ4C7C0p971b5v0GUSiaMdUBwTIk46GgFNgCMn9u_mEeBntjaCXRYUWrN899pQYawgYiymFu/s1600/Apr+23-26-62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn_xLJQmqsR5QHbI1cni9Wei6NDCW6Gqn64AUrGBUHcIUzA5HLxDxLqpePicGJGdqYHakSJ4C7C0p971b5v0GUSiaMdUBwTIk46GgFNgCMn9u_mEeBntjaCXRYUWrN899pQYawgYiymFu/s1600/Apr+23-26-62.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Hooded Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Natural Bridge Road, Jackson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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In the process, this White-eyed Vireo kept me company:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzy-eNQvDOxFyrckX79tymZ8B_TB0hi7LRExCbPC241iMKFPdS_rbZOkFB7MxCZQuA3j3NeHjiNtC91k4eYJRszMU1JPgHaZ4QnyfGpd3v0-ZaWxyU9eo1kzyAlBVg8YXsj45MZZr9Pey/s1600/Apr+23-26-63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzy-eNQvDOxFyrckX79tymZ8B_TB0hi7LRExCbPC241iMKFPdS_rbZOkFB7MxCZQuA3j3NeHjiNtC91k4eYJRszMU1JPgHaZ4QnyfGpd3v0-ZaWxyU9eo1kzyAlBVg8YXsj45MZZr9Pey/s1600/Apr+23-26-63.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9Vp97hkbk9rfT4aVflh7j2UKRK4-pJwV5CHAT7vqiQ0wwUcPATsBtCGJev3lt83m5LL-Z58wZh6huJkA-ejBQXBeX950OSHk3uh9gOeFTdARknoI3zNFmMu423sOBv2-XTod9K4JfqqM/s1600/Apr+23-26-64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9Vp97hkbk9rfT4aVflh7j2UKRK4-pJwV5CHAT7vqiQ0wwUcPATsBtCGJev3lt83m5LL-Z58wZh6huJkA-ejBQXBeX950OSHk3uh9gOeFTdARknoI3zNFmMu423sOBv2-XTod9K4JfqqM/s1600/Apr+23-26-64.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>White-eyed Vireo</i></div>
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<i>Natural Bridge Road, Jackson Co, IL</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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And while all of this was going on, a buzzy "zeeeee-zooooo" sounded forth. "Blue-winged" Andrew called. "Heard it!" I replied. After my fun with the Hooded I got some nice views of this beauty:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUm8nkK-8TfLk2NXkPp41qXrBPn-fincOoqvhXF3T1sMqRbm70ZIQdyxUzLqpV2zzs34yFQrNeeJxIVV3E3YlUho3WaJHfKs1zjV3IjF32boyEaAHbcN1F79ZjsfYI58hjOkscqUuwaZo/s1600/Apr+23-26-65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUm8nkK-8TfLk2NXkPp41qXrBPn-fincOoqvhXF3T1sMqRbm70ZIQdyxUzLqpV2zzs34yFQrNeeJxIVV3E3YlUho3WaJHfKs1zjV3IjF32boyEaAHbcN1F79ZjsfYI58hjOkscqUuwaZo/s1600/Apr+23-26-65.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Blue-winged Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Natural Bridge Road, Jackson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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Hickory Ridge Road was more of the same. We picked up Broad-winged and got nice looks at a Red-shouldered Hawk. And the impressive warbler show continued. At one point we came around a bend and heard another Cerulean, so we stopped and got out of the car. As we looked for it, a Hooded and Worm-eating began singing in the same location! I got an audio recording of the glorious melodies, and you can listen to the track <a href="https://soundcloud.com/joshua-p-little/howa-cerw-wewa">here</a>! It was one of my favorite moments of the whole trip. Just a little further down the road there were two more Ceruleans!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOc51t7PzAM53R-QfFxHmp4SkibO0zRG0dPQo3_d5E52v08C4qMMcjenk8Y5Rh1XaHvWTIYE5btqYmGwtTcIgCseWTdU3jWaJRMTQ_9r9PXpisxyoHdBO5INonZlEZuche_dyk-jzQKxA/s1600/Apr+23-26-66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOc51t7PzAM53R-QfFxHmp4SkibO0zRG0dPQo3_d5E52v08C4qMMcjenk8Y5Rh1XaHvWTIYE5btqYmGwtTcIgCseWTdU3jWaJRMTQ_9r9PXpisxyoHdBO5INonZlEZuche_dyk-jzQKxA/s1600/Apr+23-26-66.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Cerulean Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Hickory Ridge Road, Jackson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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The birds had not come in the same density as the previous morning, but the high quality in general and sheer number of Worm-eating Warblers (12 in one morning!!) in particular made for yet another overwhelming morning of birding southern Illinois. We were at 21 warblers for the day and 22 for the trip as we took off north.<br />
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Route 3 took us up toward East St. Louis. At one spot along the Mississippi, Andrew picked out a surprise group of Snow Geese and our only Peregrine Falcon of the weekend, our trip list growing little by little.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl6QIbOajskNyokTSkGpDWocRBiI7vX9Jd_zsxAgDXgRH5jPm_v6wAR-Zpex9UOAzaKnJg7TdlCuZ7Z3YxbnxunlCR6jBdOZtOUw5chusxh-Yz3V1V5KtvcKFY3RU4Utovtw53lcGKyfE/s1600/Apr+23-26-67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZl6QIbOajskNyokTSkGpDWocRBiI7vX9Jd_zsxAgDXgRH5jPm_v6wAR-Zpex9UOAzaKnJg7TdlCuZ7Z3YxbnxunlCR6jBdOZtOUw5chusxh-Yz3V1V5KtvcKFY3RU4Utovtw53lcGKyfE/s1600/Apr+23-26-67.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Snow Geese</i></div>
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<i>Randolph Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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Western Kingbird was a long shot this early in the year, but we thought we'd give it a try anyway since we were already down there. Came up empty, but the next couple stops added a little flare to the day.<br />
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Horseshoe Lake State Park always seems to have something interesting hanging around, so we decided to go there first. We picked up all the swallows here, the resident Eurasian Tree Sparrows, and a couple Black-crown Night-Herons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdWYNQjRUnzqUKozeAxfnIUgnrELlUHUwWPisWOO-fxHhx7EhoHGM5qSGQss5bdNh6bJoK1k4nPTdWTyXuuAmQFfO0HvPKjmztD_nb4jwHSOQ4lAov1R8aO4R0FUDYG27cfZx5pV-rASX/s1600/Apr+23-26-68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdWYNQjRUnzqUKozeAxfnIUgnrELlUHUwWPisWOO-fxHhx7EhoHGM5qSGQss5bdNh6bJoK1k4nPTdWTyXuuAmQFfO0HvPKjmztD_nb4jwHSOQ4lAov1R8aO4R0FUDYG27cfZx5pV-rASX/s1600/Apr+23-26-68.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Black-crowned Night-Heron</i></div>
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<i>Horseshoe Lake State Park, Madison Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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<i><br /></i>
There were a few nice Bonaparte's Gulls out over the lake, and the waterfowl makeup was pretty solid. As I scoped the various flocks, a bird stuck out in a group of Lesser Scaup. The bird was black, large, and had a brownish face with a couple light markings on it. Everything pointed towards a female Surf Scoter, but it was rainy and distant. Surely I was seeing something wrong.<br />
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Then I realized it wasn't alone - and a fine looking adult male with the bright white patch on the back of the head and fancy orange bill sealed the deal; a flock of six Surf Scoters! This was a year bird for me actually after they had been so scarce on the lakefront this winter. First Sora, Bank Swallow, and Surf Scoter of the year in the same place, that's a new one for me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvxIwxQ6YyAGgZGDGptGbCmDbwTej2S4L8Wsineco0F-7XV1w3wmw74SWxk2nU_iKWC4OSfil7CknJqzZcC-vdTHYCZECVHPCShZuazs-kdz5FOSK-FwR9JHaXw5yJI84K5ye2-oV5cM/s1600/16696887493_2364a482a0_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvxIwxQ6YyAGgZGDGptGbCmDbwTej2S4L8Wsineco0F-7XV1w3wmw74SWxk2nU_iKWC4OSfil7CknJqzZcC-vdTHYCZECVHPCShZuazs-kdz5FOSK-FwR9JHaXw5yJI84K5ye2-oV5cM/s1600/16696887493_2364a482a0_z.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Surf Scoters</i></div>
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<i>Horseshoe Lake State Park, Madison Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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From there it's just a quick drive to Cahokia Mounds, which is traditionally a good spot for waders. We couldn't pick up a Snowy or Little Blue or Yellow-crown, but we did have a very nice surprise.<br />
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As a birder, you spend most of your life getting your hopes up over white blobs out in fields. In the winter it may be a Snowy Owl. Any other time of year it could be a wader (or a freaking Whooping Crane!). And almost every single time, it turns out to be a piece of trash. Or a sign. Or a sign made of trash. Or another glob of snow. It's easy to become bitter and calloused and to stop caring about these white blobs. But, if you take heart, it does eventually pay off. Needless to say, we were real excited to find some white blobs turn into a group of three Cattle Egrets right near the entrance to Cahokia! They provided amazing looks. Such sharp birds with great personality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRiAELXxoAVmfcS82ayUOEBRFN_ipRs0pYp9QY_uj-Mu96zFS0ESm00X3et5qYQ0Ts8oHXZPVP2lERPiNFe1VJ2JED9ahF77Rwb8a4tz-Nov1KO9DlgZ9TWDKOM0Hu5rokcb0-A1bi0gx/s1600/Apr+23-26-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRiAELXxoAVmfcS82ayUOEBRFN_ipRs0pYp9QY_uj-Mu96zFS0ESm00X3et5qYQ0Ts8oHXZPVP2lERPiNFe1VJ2JED9ahF77Rwb8a4tz-Nov1KO9DlgZ9TWDKOM0Hu5rokcb0-A1bi0gx/s1600/Apr+23-26-69.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietlHmCKshqsA8B6ASi5_MwOudnYp9oQg7vHOVdcIMMFYLqqL1MFAS6yF9itp8ChatBPW5bTCbSBOeNWBtYCK6_Fp9G0SsV_Mbsw91n9QKZHwuhNKEwquikSWrQQ4Npw5F7Zp2c0D-R9uI/s1600/Apr+23-26-70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietlHmCKshqsA8B6ASi5_MwOudnYp9oQg7vHOVdcIMMFYLqqL1MFAS6yF9itp8ChatBPW5bTCbSBOeNWBtYCK6_Fp9G0SsV_Mbsw91n9QKZHwuhNKEwquikSWrQQ4Npw5F7Zp2c0D-R9uI/s1600/Apr+23-26-70.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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This one looks like it got in a fight with this dandelion. I don't think they're on speaking terms.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcvBg9Yik7dphLccwGkipPvMn5CohRuXfvoCujFu1vj5CkMPjIdQ0IYPyG8u2r2uOW7tvCrLUiZDt3s6GDgTafT8WfdfJAL1YjWxbNg44NtXQlT7JlISpcB_Y0nOJHX_WlvjVm7dK1hwB/s1600/Apr+23-26-71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcvBg9Yik7dphLccwGkipPvMn5CohRuXfvoCujFu1vj5CkMPjIdQ0IYPyG8u2r2uOW7tvCrLUiZDt3s6GDgTafT8WfdfJAL1YjWxbNg44NtXQlT7JlISpcB_Y0nOJHX_WlvjVm7dK1hwB/s1600/Apr+23-26-71.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8a_d0u86TACO-jP_mhYd8EuJQQTmcdysflYS-AieXNs-634AfB4Ja7bFVdkYK5-5Hn7HDPYR5dkWVxbp9CZHX-mW0YRI-HIIUxhYmafTfsnXV9VSFQlvBXeafHAy-MpGPOLVVk0UNvzq/s1600/Apr+23-26-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8a_d0u86TACO-jP_mhYd8EuJQQTmcdysflYS-AieXNs-634AfB4Ja7bFVdkYK5-5Hn7HDPYR5dkWVxbp9CZHX-mW0YRI-HIIUxhYmafTfsnXV9VSFQlvBXeafHAy-MpGPOLVVk0UNvzq/s1600/Apr+23-26-72.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Cattle Egrets</i></div>
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<i>Cahokia Mounds, St. Clair Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 25, 2015</i></div>
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From there, it was just a normal rest of the birding day. Which of course meant a couple hours in the mechanic shop for a quick fix. The guys at Auto Tire Care Center in Edwardsville took great care of us, and we wound up finding a great little cafe called Sacred Grounds just down the street. Two thumbs up to the town of Edwardsville.<br />
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We were leaving there with exactly an hour and a half till sundown, and exactly an hour and a half between us and the dredging ponds at Jacksonville. Andrew drove like mad and we got there just in time to snag Colin's Wilson's Phalaropes from earlier in the day. It was a crazy half hour of birding in the dying daylight, and we bemoaned not being able to see all the shorebirds well enough to identify them. But we bemoaned much more the ungodly, blisteringly cold winds that accosted us as we hauled our scopes across the fields between the ponds. It was utterly miserable, not unlike the <a href="http://littlebirder.blogspot.com/2015/03/end-of-march-highlights.html">last time</a> I had been to this same spot. The phalaropes were a nice payoff, but our freezing selves had had enough of the cold. So, for the second night in a row, we caved and got a hotel. The Knights Inn couldn't have been a better bang for our buck, being both nicer and cheaper than our Carbondale find the night before.<br />
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Cold and exhausted, and another 120 species in the bag for the day, we contemplated our plan for the morning. Getting up early again did not sound appealing. But not getting birds sounded even less appealing. Sunday didn't end up being the best birding day overall, but we were quite pleased with our decision to wake up and be to Siloam before daybreak.Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-66614544602854752562015-04-29T17:59:00.000-07:002015-04-29T17:59:36.438-07:00April Weekend Trip - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The sleeping was dismal at best. More like non-existent. We quickly learned that, on a 40 degree night, the car is no warmer than a tent. Both of us struggled to get to sleep, and even when we managed to doze off, it seemed like it was for no more than 10-15 minutes at a time, either the cold or uncomfortable position rousing us time and time again. Andrew would turn the car on intermittently so we could warm up a bit. Layers were added. But it was still pretty miserable.</div>
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Around 4:30 Andrew decided to let the car run for a little longer, and we both actually managed to fall asleep.</div>
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Until 5:00.</div>
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At 5:00 we were woken up again, though this time for a different reason. All of a sudden there was a flashlight shining in the car and a firm knock on the window.</div>
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Police officer. Of course.</div>
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Understandably, she was curious about the situation. Two guys sleeping in a running car in a gravel lot off the side of the road on National Wildlife Refuge property - she had cause for suspicion. Thankfully, she was quite kind and her questioning, though quite extensive, was amiable. We explained that we had intended to camp and why we chose to sleep in the car. She took our IDs and went back to her car - I still have a Washington State license so I was nervous that it would make us look even more suspicious.</div>
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She returned to our car, handed back our licenses, and explained that we really shouldn't be on National Wildlife Refuge property, but that at this point in the morning it was ok if we stayed. That was generous. And she joked that we probably wouldn't be going back to sleep anyway after being startled awake in such a peculiar way. She was right.</div>
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And she concluded with this gem: "Well, you don't seem like mass murderers, and I believe what you're saying. Right or wrong, I'm going to believe you." Quite the compliment.</div>
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This actually makes two decisive birding affirmations that I have received from cops in the past few years. One was a Walworth County, Wisconsin cop who explained to a disgruntled neighbor simply, "Nah, I think he's a legit birder." (I had been making the locals nervous by chasing Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings around some rural roads.)</div>
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So one officer has called me a legit birder, and now another has gone an extra step and declared that Andrew and I are not mass murderers. Really racking up the PD praise, wouldn't you say?</div>
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There wasn't a great deal of time for our non-arrested and un-ticketed selves to take in the fact that we had just been woken up by a cop, because we were about to get hit with a tidal wave of birdsong. We tried to get our wits about us as we prepared our cups of Starbucks Iced Via.</div>
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Then, the pre-dawn chorus erupted faster than you can say "Prothonotary," and the glories of birding southern Illinois in late April were upon us in a rather potent fashion. A couple Barred Owls - those caterwauling denizens of the south - sounded off. Our first Indigo Bunting of the year assured us we had come to the right place for new arrivals. This was followed by a nice surprise and our first buddy list bird of the day: a calling Eastern Whip-poor-will! After missing them the night before, this was a fantastic boost to begin the day. Not long after, the bold call of a Kentucky Warbler resounded through the forest. Another buddy lister! </div>
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Great-crested Flycatcher. Northern Parula. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Wild Turkey. Prothonotary Warbler. We were over 20 species in a matter of minutes; hadn't even left the parking lot. The freight train of Spring bird activity was quickly picking up steam, so we got back in the car and slowly trolled through Crab Orchard, windows down, ears primed, coffee in hand.</div>
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The high-pitched, descending song of a Yellow-throated Warbler rang out, shortly accompanied by its lazier counterpart, the Louisiana Waterthrush. Pine Warbler was our third buddy list bird of the day, and the more expected species like Ovenbird, Yellow Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat were conspicuous. A Yellow-throated Vireo was singing, and White-eyed Vireos were all over the place. A Pileated Woodpecker was calling, too.</div>
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The year birds were flowing, we had already tallied 34 species, and the sun hadn't even risen yet. This was going to be a good day.</div>
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As the sun showed itself for the first time this day, we were pulling into the boat launch ramp off of Spillway Road. Bonaparte's were flying out over the lake, a large group of swallows gathered in nearby trees, and the chorus continued. A Baltimore Oriole sang atop a tree on one side of the parking lot, while an Orchard Oriole did the same on the other side. There was a Green Heron here, too. Tufted Titmouse and Northern Parula were the calls that provided the background noise pretty much everywhere we went. Carolina Wren and Prothonotary Warbler followed close behind.</div>
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Somewhere on the drive down the day before, it was as though we crossed an imaginary line and immediately everything turned a bright, fresh green color, which is evident from many of my photos from the trip. This morning was more of the same as birds popped out from the beautiful, lush vegetation.</div>
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I don't know just how many more chances I'll get to go back to southern Illinois, so I tried to put a little more effort into getting some decent pictures this time around.</div>
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This was the first Prothonotary I got to lay eyes on:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1JSPWsv1mHi5L0MGNyJLUMdJGU2D2oJZ0KRqdkpYNjp7eNn-o7EAJlLtNQnYFk7Mxs5wm-qnwDRObW3vVOPzLdhUUkoiUcIGitv7ekfjN1SP2YaBNfQl-02tnEg6rfYGiHhDKuamkl31/s1600/Apr+23-26-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1JSPWsv1mHi5L0MGNyJLUMdJGU2D2oJZ0KRqdkpYNjp7eNn-o7EAJlLtNQnYFk7Mxs5wm-qnwDRObW3vVOPzLdhUUkoiUcIGitv7ekfjN1SP2YaBNfQl-02tnEg6rfYGiHhDKuamkl31/s1600/Apr+23-26-10.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcYe3iaFi5rrv3Gz5fCbIQeop6DLAeer53E5Y3-9IytWCkOORmjrj7vnQPxwjEyJ7bCfTyotkcQwo7R6P9RMAMipXMX1I41Y0jv1_ovmAbetWDWJZPasBqlhp5ZMOFudTtJ6aCej31DE6/s1600/Apr+23-26-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcYe3iaFi5rrv3Gz5fCbIQeop6DLAeer53E5Y3-9IytWCkOORmjrj7vnQPxwjEyJ7bCfTyotkcQwo7R6P9RMAMipXMX1I41Y0jv1_ovmAbetWDWJZPasBqlhp5ZMOFudTtJ6aCej31DE6/s1600/Apr+23-26-11.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Prothonotary Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Crab Orchard NWR, Williamson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbhbkfP7m2Z8VMb7MOu4xmdf1I2nLuznCK3CxmipXughf3UcARkTMtZk7OBPMafaXLSMayRSjs628KvYvERg90Gnyy8WOxjhgnAlN_GsJlGvzE83tqgUUvFrvGzsXx4SGnUS_CqMxSytL/s1600/Apr+23-26-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbhbkfP7m2Z8VMb7MOu4xmdf1I2nLuznCK3CxmipXughf3UcARkTMtZk7OBPMafaXLSMayRSjs628KvYvERg90Gnyy8WOxjhgnAlN_GsJlGvzE83tqgUUvFrvGzsXx4SGnUS_CqMxSytL/s1600/Apr+23-26-14.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Northern Parula</i></div>
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<i>Crab Orchard NWR, Williamson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnH8R8Og87riJrEnjTpxup-Qq3YP-R_6waCxNvxbX_ZOebCKRCCA2rbXi5Y2glvKP37pN63iQXvI2zxu_pwRhByq1tU47gRoBy0sJMbM0ahNKRqjT8ibBs06SCTBuWVOOw-besP-e8ltI/s1600/Apr+23-26-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnH8R8Og87riJrEnjTpxup-Qq3YP-R_6waCxNvxbX_ZOebCKRCCA2rbXi5Y2glvKP37pN63iQXvI2zxu_pwRhByq1tU47gRoBy0sJMbM0ahNKRqjT8ibBs06SCTBuWVOOw-besP-e8ltI/s1600/Apr+23-26-12.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzupQ74EKUIW4PwakXJN8wq9EEAOD136MT7_PpstPb7SrLemPaF3IGbY0Ipm-Cu5AdffmDGctvaORbUUrQCpDqqapx4y6Fg67_nnMLLiXiv8CnKn92l2HzkkXco5PTGsgk1TK1d0KxInp0/s1600/Apr+23-26-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzupQ74EKUIW4PwakXJN8wq9EEAOD136MT7_PpstPb7SrLemPaF3IGbY0Ipm-Cu5AdffmDGctvaORbUUrQCpDqqapx4y6Fg67_nnMLLiXiv8CnKn92l2HzkkXco5PTGsgk1TK1d0KxInp0/s1600/Apr+23-26-13.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Carolina Wren</i></div>
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<i>Crab Orchard NWR, Williamson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljUNrso_-XnxHacnLYg2WtTXbX8xABmYoFEl2FB40Full_PSTPEzXaAzc2_GfgfiTj6163nyts4yqVqKSPJqWPmal2E92iCcj0cwY5abpQq0RV5_BBvg4u3-Tc52tLlVTPXL9ZpgIRQmU/s1600/Apr+23-26-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljUNrso_-XnxHacnLYg2WtTXbX8xABmYoFEl2FB40Full_PSTPEzXaAzc2_GfgfiTj6163nyts4yqVqKSPJqWPmal2E92iCcj0cwY5abpQq0RV5_BBvg4u3-Tc52tLlVTPXL9ZpgIRQmU/s1600/Apr+23-26-15.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Orchard Oriole</i></div>
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<i>Crab Orchard NWR, Williamson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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There were a couple Forster's Terns and American White Pelicans on the other side of the lake, and all of a sudden we were pushing 60 species in the less than two hours we had been up since that rather unexpected awakening. It had been like drinking from a firehose. Even with all the stuff we ended up seeing over the course of the trip, that one stretch was the most intense flurry of birds we experienced. And we didn't even get a chance to process it because things we about to get even crazier.<br />
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A little after 7 am, we were pulling into Heron Flats, which Keith McMullen had suggested we check for shorebirds. The first pullout was pretty quiet, so we decided to keep moving. Less than a minute down the road we found a better pullout with a more substantial overlook, so we checked it out.<br />
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As the car came to rest in its parking spot, we noticed some white birds out in a field. We assumed they were egrets. Until we put up our binoculars.<br />
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Wait.<br />
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Are those?<br />
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No way.<br />
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Oh man.<br />
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No.<br />
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Whooping Cranes?<br />
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Whooping Cranes!<br />
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It's pretty much one of the most distinct birds in the states. There's essentially no way to misidentify them. But we still couldn't believe our eyes. We scrambled for our scopes, got the birds in our sights, and absolutely marveled at what we had just found - a flock of five Whooping Cranes (there's one Great Egret in the first pic).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_29Lw-r3qzVw8UmD5M-2YIVW5rZNRxyf8bE1cWzO_6I2cZHkvOKwD0I40tg7EtRz_Nd-nSzKj606uLdr78Cw2ngx3EoM0uJ6rIFbOUvyqyObavWUWCsfg2D_pm-xE1fBAj4uk_7crTlh/s1600/Apr+23-26-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_29Lw-r3qzVw8UmD5M-2YIVW5rZNRxyf8bE1cWzO_6I2cZHkvOKwD0I40tg7EtRz_Nd-nSzKj606uLdr78Cw2ngx3EoM0uJ6rIFbOUvyqyObavWUWCsfg2D_pm-xE1fBAj4uk_7crTlh/s1600/Apr+23-26-16.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpQATKlKgJBMsU78FBe4Jzfi42FM9F5h1SNwnC33aDXMlLaHNYsKwlfXnnjGYX2P4a0xqwW8p9C_T0PWfSN5WdSA_pqPEHjH6YPAdjTRocMleoHlJXRlt6G7geFJOUgTchT6PQkaohGRR/s1600/Apr+23-26-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpQATKlKgJBMsU78FBe4Jzfi42FM9F5h1SNwnC33aDXMlLaHNYsKwlfXnnjGYX2P4a0xqwW8p9C_T0PWfSN5WdSA_pqPEHjH6YPAdjTRocMleoHlJXRlt6G7geFJOUgTchT6PQkaohGRR/s1600/Apr+23-26-17.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGJDPHrHOosJcEJChk9iRBwrQzulk1T12lsTO2xxLfVpVvIbQqHkoxCiE72YjwOxol24J0V_1eGPW2NY3GTrFKXel3LrhD8sT8Jdy7p9nhckRWpMB8m7KUO2h51U8cvFsfKalJS0kKf19/s1600/Apr+23-26-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGJDPHrHOosJcEJChk9iRBwrQzulk1T12lsTO2xxLfVpVvIbQqHkoxCiE72YjwOxol24J0V_1eGPW2NY3GTrFKXel3LrhD8sT8Jdy7p9nhckRWpMB8m7KUO2h51U8cvFsfKalJS0kKf19/s1600/Apr+23-26-18.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx106JeLKM4BC6vXKVtAHc0IvOUwl4iDjJHALRVqNSNpdddwHm4vI9_cC6krXXLYfv4KGs8rLhXik-FbgbUISofqXyMZHNLZPh-L4vO2kpo9_trOoFmFBeO6eq3IejijO-jzxWcWMZqO90/s1600/Apr+23-26-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx106JeLKM4BC6vXKVtAHc0IvOUwl4iDjJHALRVqNSNpdddwHm4vI9_cC6krXXLYfv4KGs8rLhXik-FbgbUISofqXyMZHNLZPh-L4vO2kpo9_trOoFmFBeO6eq3IejijO-jzxWcWMZqO90/s1600/Apr+23-26-19.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Whooping Cranes</i></div>
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<i>Crab Orchard NWR, Williamson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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While we watched them, a lady pulled up with a big antenna on top of her vehicle. She had helped raise the birds and was tracking them all the way from Florida to Wisconsin. Somehow in my time birding out in the midwest, I had not learned the proper Whooping Crane protocol, which basically includes not reporting them at all. Apparently there are too many absolute idiots out there who want to shoot one of these beauties, so any public word about their present whereabouts is a potential threat. I got a barrage of emails - some kinder than others - alerting me to just this fact. Lesson learned.<br />
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This was buddy list bird #289 for us, and my 320th bird for the state of Illinois. There was a nice assortment of waterfowl here, and the best shorebird was a pair of Semipalmated Plovers. We were pulling away by 7:30 to head south to Massac County, kinda in shock from an unforgettable morning.<br />
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But it was still early, and there were many birds yet to be seen. On a couple side roads in Massac we picked up our first Blue Grosbeaks of the year and got to watch a Northern Mockingbird put on quite the show.<br />
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<i>Blue Grosbeak</i></div>
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<i>Massac Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2vjW1ZFMcRFdKaJAW1nWW_HaQano4HRcXpuZNCHmUIbX4t-mqC7O9RJm6Zv2sQS4EBWkzoL73pIDn-KeWsR0PH7HIBtInpW7MPj1_aO1E38dWfwsgqWaSKRefbxakxZ9y0z52LgjQomq/s1600/Apr+23-26-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2vjW1ZFMcRFdKaJAW1nWW_HaQano4HRcXpuZNCHmUIbX4t-mqC7O9RJm6Zv2sQS4EBWkzoL73pIDn-KeWsR0PH7HIBtInpW7MPj1_aO1E38dWfwsgqWaSKRefbxakxZ9y0z52LgjQomq/s1600/Apr+23-26-22.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTi61VqNAq3vjDLHxwu-a_RGgVGorchPRDNn2YvqeyTJ3tnxZGPDHWmCrNUyhL28njQQZay-WbXzb3cjCP7D1V0TnmvEcyT7BgzSbsYitDx1BnB0y6e_g3zrz-4hkiA3fACw42M_JzJ7p/s1600/Apr+23-26-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTi61VqNAq3vjDLHxwu-a_RGgVGorchPRDNn2YvqeyTJ3tnxZGPDHWmCrNUyhL28njQQZay-WbXzb3cjCP7D1V0TnmvEcyT7BgzSbsYitDx1BnB0y6e_g3zrz-4hkiA3fACw42M_JzJ7p/s1600/Apr+23-26-23.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Northern Mockingbird</i></div>
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<i>Massac Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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Then it was on to Ft. Massac State Park, which is a good spot for migrants at the southern tip of the state. It borders the Mississippi so you can see Kentucky from the park grounds. For many birds, this is the first piece of Illinois they see each year.<br />
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Some of our additions here included Swainson's Thrush, Fish Crow, Summer Tanager, American Redstart, Tennessee Warbler, and Nashville Warbler. Surprisingly, the gnatcatchers were among the more cooperative birds here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgDyPyGYiHjRZEDtR-m8vpresxExbSUYGfQd7zMkVuzEZeJndQw9e_33_nmTPpAH_GbbTyCwh7i6FzhqP5iUQ0VznDxtuXv3ch6D4Lp5jIr4ykGIjR1yq-JD7__ORdkQ1h0EGj33BUCO9/s1600/Apr+23-26-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgDyPyGYiHjRZEDtR-m8vpresxExbSUYGfQd7zMkVuzEZeJndQw9e_33_nmTPpAH_GbbTyCwh7i6FzhqP5iUQ0VznDxtuXv3ch6D4Lp5jIr4ykGIjR1yq-JD7__ORdkQ1h0EGj33BUCO9/s1600/Apr+23-26-24.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Blue-gray Gnatcatcher</i></div>
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<i>Ft. Massac State Park, Massac Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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Red-headed Woodpeckers were in surprisingly low numbers in the far southern portion of the state during this trip. May have just been our timing, but it made seeing this one even more special. I have no ability to restrain myself from taking pictures of these birds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cwMDEBNOfj5_yHc7V1LJKBj-FhM9e4krWfLLTtqbBApooojsdHUKudyfg6QwhyphenhypheneHOflYNo9CmWh7uGgXnp65TVLtDNA5ajQ4HTunIJ5-Vx3_7iKMC0VcvknbS-OPk9AfuCyvQtfZLPoC/s1600/Apr+23-26-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cwMDEBNOfj5_yHc7V1LJKBj-FhM9e4krWfLLTtqbBApooojsdHUKudyfg6QwhyphenhypheneHOflYNo9CmWh7uGgXnp65TVLtDNA5ajQ4HTunIJ5-Vx3_7iKMC0VcvknbS-OPk9AfuCyvQtfZLPoC/s1600/Apr+23-26-26.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Red-headed Woodpecker</i></div>
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<i>Ft. Massac State Park, Massac Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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So. Many. Parulas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnRgXCMA3x8FOXxE3C_6nJpUrzBZe1idEdFXhRf7Yt5cWPjygaIYtKVA39fEcPg2760LJ894RMd72iIpefChJ5xFRxAILrA2XW7Ujwh0r4Ee2ZoT_7-e-7IsqjwAqI-Vj6-DiXGV4hL7E/s1600/Apr+23-26-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnRgXCMA3x8FOXxE3C_6nJpUrzBZe1idEdFXhRf7Yt5cWPjygaIYtKVA39fEcPg2760LJ894RMd72iIpefChJ5xFRxAILrA2XW7Ujwh0r4Ee2ZoT_7-e-7IsqjwAqI-Vj6-DiXGV4hL7E/s1600/Apr+23-26-27.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Northern Parula</i></div>
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<i>Ft. Massac State Park, Massac Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4xPRjh-SlUw3R4D5POzQXbRrEV88rCwNHKQuPV5krXZ9179UWC2bVjz1vCWmX0tJRrelUFKfIdXmtUTJqz8fnAxg53iz6NytunQh1OBngNnRUxjWRVcnQI55hrvHGs5RtzL4e_baVaXe/s1600/Apr+23-26-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4xPRjh-SlUw3R4D5POzQXbRrEV88rCwNHKQuPV5krXZ9179UWC2bVjz1vCWmX0tJRrelUFKfIdXmtUTJqz8fnAxg53iz6NytunQh1OBngNnRUxjWRVcnQI55hrvHGs5RtzL4e_baVaXe/s1600/Apr+23-26-29.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Carolina Wren</i></div>
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<i>Ft. Massac State Park, Massac Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMikUmePq0LrQe8yxO_XuTNewXOafHwBtaykuzfn0UArJElVBrGwA21ykKBrpRUvYT5kflBymGS3DSCtPV7rrdMybRB4OjAtZ5nELUi2r7Qm8Q7gNGXoJAI7wWt0AXz2R52veUYhs122G/s1600/Apr+23-26-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMikUmePq0LrQe8yxO_XuTNewXOafHwBtaykuzfn0UArJElVBrGwA21ykKBrpRUvYT5kflBymGS3DSCtPV7rrdMybRB4OjAtZ5nELUi2r7Qm8Q7gNGXoJAI7wWt0AXz2R52veUYhs122G/s1600/Apr+23-26-28.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Great-crested Flycatcher</i></div>
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<i>Ft. Massac State Park, Massac Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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And anytime you have the opportunity to photograph a White-eyed Vireo, you have to jump on it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y9KdL0MKulJkxh1OscnTkkl9CMJqruXxJBfObX_guzv7JhDzHK1ATG_O41b0cW6EEVSfwa_OOMUmeHG_0yvMo7LGbZj9jdIEgvWqfVJiOjyMX9peZZmQWIUFZvnWmzYILQ2jFG1rAgrV/s1600/Apr+23-26-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y9KdL0MKulJkxh1OscnTkkl9CMJqruXxJBfObX_guzv7JhDzHK1ATG_O41b0cW6EEVSfwa_OOMUmeHG_0yvMo7LGbZj9jdIEgvWqfVJiOjyMX9peZZmQWIUFZvnWmzYILQ2jFG1rAgrV/s1600/Apr+23-26-30.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>White-eyed Vireo</i></div>
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<i>Ft. Massac State Park, Massac Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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From there we worked our way back north to Mermet Lake, picking up our buddy list Black Vulture along the way. Our next stop was Heron Pond, which is one of my favorite birding locations in Illinois. It's an old cypress swamp that you'd typically associate more with Louisiana than Illinois, and for that reason I really appreciate it. The Shawnee region really adds a great deal to the diversity of landscape and habitat - and, consequently, the kind of birding - that Illinois has to offer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GkAizCLfvwF9n6yy3jRw7sZS5J_ojb2vTpy1Q-uvXyuwAgV0FrxsZrFhL94-6nLn7Kl9szIynDuGXZc28gZA0Cj9vYsUa97wPRhLGW9z3LVlet80jB5Mk6soTw9xK1ktaMHC0bwAQUw/s640/blogger-image-867340911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GkAizCLfvwF9n6yy3jRw7sZS5J_ojb2vTpy1Q-uvXyuwAgV0FrxsZrFhL94-6nLn7Kl9szIynDuGXZc28gZA0Cj9vYsUa97wPRhLGW9z3LVlet80jB5Mk6soTw9xK1ktaMHC0bwAQUw/s400/blogger-image-867340911.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAqWR51pppUNrWwjnxNcZ1ZMiFsK997ptKAdLmjra36D4wAs9JuRYVLVY6l8VJItxN2tpAgNQaSPAITufWg_SE0CzHqmbeIUdjvOvf98N-KHjzFv5eH0ws00PGsbfDMeUGJLy9EbaNOU/s640/blogger-image-467740855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAqWR51pppUNrWwjnxNcZ1ZMiFsK997ptKAdLmjra36D4wAs9JuRYVLVY6l8VJItxN2tpAgNQaSPAITufWg_SE0CzHqmbeIUdjvOvf98N-KHjzFv5eH0ws00PGsbfDMeUGJLy9EbaNOU/s400/blogger-image-467740855.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There's also a freaking gigantic oak there:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmsiX-Nfxy1uY_zeKqaZ8nU22xgAjWAQ45FVdq-C5oVoOeu6jpGjI07Ly3GsjNE-dhAOJ7chNHdOCJ6yorjJfZ3TWSMuE_f9-2lWBxgJ0B2o0YvF5nexjpL0FxFJF1oZGWmzpuAW5sVI/s640/blogger-image-666809143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmsiX-Nfxy1uY_zeKqaZ8nU22xgAjWAQ45FVdq-C5oVoOeu6jpGjI07Ly3GsjNE-dhAOJ7chNHdOCJ6yorjJfZ3TWSMuE_f9-2lWBxgJ0B2o0YvF5nexjpL0FxFJF1oZGWmzpuAW5sVI/s400/blogger-image-666809143.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Heron Pond, Johnson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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The bird life of this place only adds to its unique aesthetics. We had 49 species here, but as is always the case at Heron Pond, the Prothonotary Warblers stole the show. We had at least 11 of them in our time there. I can never get enough of these brilliant little birds! The first shot pretty well captures the standard Heron Pond vibe. You can click to enlarge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGZoKay_izJXBu_dBxFU4lXvgmnq78Eluo6CRfMRRoJxZennaqsksFUT9xtnittacfFP9IjtgdHi0WzS6t5XqFojCqd4dyw_SxNZuadSQq0KYs8f_gNdweomTrUzcn6LbpnDZsTNOsf_9/s1600/Apr+23-26-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGZoKay_izJXBu_dBxFU4lXvgmnq78Eluo6CRfMRRoJxZennaqsksFUT9xtnittacfFP9IjtgdHi0WzS6t5XqFojCqd4dyw_SxNZuadSQq0KYs8f_gNdweomTrUzcn6LbpnDZsTNOsf_9/s1600/Apr+23-26-31.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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This one was fanning its tail for us:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMD6VpEcqkMj_hxLxtW40hWjDDkcbImDnR_Xiayrilqv2QpWdsRdatllF0FoDjq_hkrOrGHDulobzXKkmPi1y5WhetC0Lcd5ZsyiF7JMz7qsakYALA0Snoj9ImrYY4kW6RAjq9KQ3enZRW/s1600/Apr+23-26-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMD6VpEcqkMj_hxLxtW40hWjDDkcbImDnR_Xiayrilqv2QpWdsRdatllF0FoDjq_hkrOrGHDulobzXKkmPi1y5WhetC0Lcd5ZsyiF7JMz7qsakYALA0Snoj9ImrYY4kW6RAjq9KQ3enZRW/s1600/Apr+23-26-38.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlWYz1kV2y_l3zRGjHuwu8YHZ5xUo8aLd-kreTWSLN_iZwYK7H4bgH2I8kwPhiZp4tHZd2qEQDvjloATj3EWIaROPnQQP_FsJjIdDsR9NjI8cBYbXZ5OOlQ89skKuhclAR4_wwKOKZgdm/s1600/Apr+23-26-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlWYz1kV2y_l3zRGjHuwu8YHZ5xUo8aLd-kreTWSLN_iZwYK7H4bgH2I8kwPhiZp4tHZd2qEQDvjloATj3EWIaROPnQQP_FsJjIdDsR9NjI8cBYbXZ5OOlQ89skKuhclAR4_wwKOKZgdm/s1600/Apr+23-26-35.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjqaWs8pWUx93VcJ8KT4qKXZDaxQ55xS-xS2XKlN-wDL0rsuxz_hOaHKXEQ0YN7OAe-Fhdqw8UWr5q-gFEJn_S8HX6Wwl3fC_ckRij_WX0wxtQv5N8QpXCN0zkxeBKXukUUW4QPoFxQTm/s1600/Apr+23-26-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjqaWs8pWUx93VcJ8KT4qKXZDaxQ55xS-xS2XKlN-wDL0rsuxz_hOaHKXEQ0YN7OAe-Fhdqw8UWr5q-gFEJn_S8HX6Wwl3fC_ckRij_WX0wxtQv5N8QpXCN0zkxeBKXukUUW4QPoFxQTm/s1600/Apr+23-26-33.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Prothonotary Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Heron Pond, Johnson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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We finally got a decent look at a Nashville Warbler here too, and there were some Tennessee and Yellow-rumps moving through too, a nice accompaniment to the resident and vocal Yellow-throated, Kentucky, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Parula, and Louisiana Waterthrush.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdUtzkk6KjpRsFPJjSzTlalVpABcDLnyWVyPYdLDVgIRN4P23-lOd3QnNd_Jsi78a7weYCB_Si0xCsO26FuNJKnjLLKLhGrvkoZ8ZtLjgPwIPiidRfMJc_0ZIbHrSoPUu-OHBbMqyxzfm/s1600/Apr+23-26-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdUtzkk6KjpRsFPJjSzTlalVpABcDLnyWVyPYdLDVgIRN4P23-lOd3QnNd_Jsi78a7weYCB_Si0xCsO26FuNJKnjLLKLhGrvkoZ8ZtLjgPwIPiidRfMJc_0ZIbHrSoPUu-OHBbMqyxzfm/s1600/Apr+23-26-36.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Nashville Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Heron Pond, Johnson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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Again with the cooperative gnatcatcher:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqrUDcOyVRuwsCM_-IJV8sFyUQVjTDROBvRqvIogDeO1hVs4tuA52suSGcuo54l3PkO36tmAZbAVAo-7NmhKOT7SA9bP_HBlNzgInu72Q9FKyfJMkUwABcXS49sT6PlWV8EbGKKyzYqpf/s1600/Apr+23-26-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqrUDcOyVRuwsCM_-IJV8sFyUQVjTDROBvRqvIogDeO1hVs4tuA52suSGcuo54l3PkO36tmAZbAVAo-7NmhKOT7SA9bP_HBlNzgInu72Q9FKyfJMkUwABcXS49sT6PlWV8EbGKKyzYqpf/s1600/Apr+23-26-37.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Blue-gray Gnatcatcher</i></div>
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<i>Heron Pond, Johnson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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One of the other distinctive sounds of this place is the frequent "pickity-tuck" of the Summer Tanager, always as fun to hear as it is to see.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH96DTXhOYj1gEreUSUQXHnjMe3q7P8V4Z37aOCxG-6-oYS6zyl3vx26eJWCPaCPXeEh_fz9_FQhtp7c6x_rnRDjN5A9R-yqGt_SjSCvwjeKloJrmGSKZgUiGxPzo7sIuZgktZ7WBXZVq/s1600/Apr+23-26-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH96DTXhOYj1gEreUSUQXHnjMe3q7P8V4Z37aOCxG-6-oYS6zyl3vx26eJWCPaCPXeEh_fz9_FQhtp7c6x_rnRDjN5A9R-yqGt_SjSCvwjeKloJrmGSKZgUiGxPzo7sIuZgktZ7WBXZVq/s1600/Apr+23-26-39.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Summer Tanager</i></div>
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<i>Heron Pond, Johnson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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It's just a short drive from here to the Little Black Slough, which is part of the same Cache River State Natural Area. On the way there I nearly scared Andrew off the road with my celebration at hearing a Prairie Warbler giving its little ascending buzzy trill as we drove along. My reaction may have been disproportionate. Probably not though.<br />
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It turned out this would be the first of a handful of Prairies we would get to see in the coming hours. At Little Black Slough, we had the nice combo of Prairie Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, and our first Yellow-breasted Chat of the year sounding off simultaneously. And the Prairie here provided outstanding views. Any day you get to see and photograph the red streaks on the back of one is a good day! The combo of this little guy's plumage details and killer call has it on my top five list of favorite warblers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-e0TioZOqu9sFtmyiRIOGDm8r-Hviwz-9xjmxenpBzcR05vzek6D8VP-cAvl-5fSyuDgXcTncim5bdxOvuqmxfD8xoSpSnFjgfZhMRx5BXoSK_WxyzCvmlauNFTMlV6BFOP87qRQO1TK4/s1600/Apr+23-26-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-e0TioZOqu9sFtmyiRIOGDm8r-Hviwz-9xjmxenpBzcR05vzek6D8VP-cAvl-5fSyuDgXcTncim5bdxOvuqmxfD8xoSpSnFjgfZhMRx5BXoSK_WxyzCvmlauNFTMlV6BFOP87qRQO1TK4/s1600/Apr+23-26-40.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36pONnZQYS_91UTzUGTx3nTuUVOqzQYhx5hzxPkNezyMGe1xo_exniVdCof7FWgsJCBl3CWfYhxgviJw7hSSzDcbwFaeSpm7cHLeyPko3kesPKXbZH8RZ150RE7RwkbITezMOsmVCnubL/s1600/Apr+23-26-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36pONnZQYS_91UTzUGTx3nTuUVOqzQYhx5hzxPkNezyMGe1xo_exniVdCof7FWgsJCBl3CWfYhxgviJw7hSSzDcbwFaeSpm7cHLeyPko3kesPKXbZH8RZ150RE7RwkbITezMOsmVCnubL/s1600/Apr+23-26-41.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Wsc6hInPz-mDjwgBaWeOLPBOT7ofamiiRFHXXP3zktpogHg1WW0NU7RHqjgid3937YDBwasFS_WWoP3tfoDpF9xrMoFbJsbcaXgp_Zhi5Oy0lmkqsGgoCyvUQjH7jtcIOJO124BlGueT/s1600/Apr+23-26-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Wsc6hInPz-mDjwgBaWeOLPBOT7ofamiiRFHXXP3zktpogHg1WW0NU7RHqjgid3937YDBwasFS_WWoP3tfoDpF9xrMoFbJsbcaXgp_Zhi5Oy0lmkqsGgoCyvUQjH7jtcIOJO124BlGueT/s1600/Apr+23-26-42.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Prairie Warbler</i></div>
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<i>Little Black Slough, Johnson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIplJ6Y5tavzAUa2k7phR_tjDf11qfL6u4oFyX4xQw9DVsaYbcatNtc7y1NDCjbOR863OtefqqEkzA8BFWzQ7vO5-aTwNX78bGXGEKOYUCsSpLFJ-r3hezWuqjuD0pqSZuTpVKoyHLdoF/s1600/Apr+23-26-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIplJ6Y5tavzAUa2k7phR_tjDf11qfL6u4oFyX4xQw9DVsaYbcatNtc7y1NDCjbOR863OtefqqEkzA8BFWzQ7vO5-aTwNX78bGXGEKOYUCsSpLFJ-r3hezWuqjuD0pqSZuTpVKoyHLdoF/s1600/Apr+23-26-43.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Louisiana Waterthrush</i></div>
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<i>Little Black Slough, Johnson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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We took the always birdy Porter House Road on our route from Johnson to Pulaski County, picking up some nice birds along the way. At the Bellrose Tract of Cypress Creek NWR, we picked up Blue-headed Vireo and Purple Martin. And there was that great photo-op everyone dies to get down there: Black and Turkey Vultures together. Yes I'm kidding.<br />
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<i>Black and Turkey Vultures</i></div>
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<i>Cypress Creek NWR, Pulaski Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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The next stop provided a bit of a milestone for me actually. As we picked through a few shorebirds at Easter Slough, my Pulaski County total rose into the 80s, and with that, I hit my 5000th county tick in the state of Illinois! Considering that most of that has happened in just over two years, I'm pretty happy with that number!<br />
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At this point in the afternoon, the bird life was dying down, and we weren't quite sure what to do. We crossed the county line into Jackson and took a brief drive through part of Giant City Park to get an idea of the area where we would be starting the next day. Next we drove over the north end of the Big Muddy River (nice) and headed to Oakwood Bottoms, hoping for a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. We didn't get one, but we did have a stunning Red-shouldered Hawk on the way there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFagOHEY2Sk9f7giFFCgKqhsadYtZR8F3lIZsCM3kz04tKpMhmNJn4xAr_y5RJG6TVdzAW1zc8-CYZNKJJP5x-ryOGFuyE20jmOAoR2GEfcaAgdbe_QoGFv1dHsZGK7Tsu3F19ed1aNvb/s1600/Apr+23-26-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFagOHEY2Sk9f7giFFCgKqhsadYtZR8F3lIZsCM3kz04tKpMhmNJn4xAr_y5RJG6TVdzAW1zc8-CYZNKJJP5x-ryOGFuyE20jmOAoR2GEfcaAgdbe_QoGFv1dHsZGK7Tsu3F19ed1aNvb/s1600/Apr+23-26-46.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJCkVXBYELl47rTs3rKoAnk2-xgFlQuP_sYLvKF2uPuchKxcw2yBtHaYmKJBUCTilJfdVpZmNIsDu1NRI1n2-wjtcCFZPDn0lI8zoYAkpWEIVNdI2vaB-vCxAZZZGfCOhnkd4wm_gAEHl/s1600/Apr+23-26-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJCkVXBYELl47rTs3rKoAnk2-xgFlQuP_sYLvKF2uPuchKxcw2yBtHaYmKJBUCTilJfdVpZmNIsDu1NRI1n2-wjtcCFZPDn0lI8zoYAkpWEIVNdI2vaB-vCxAZZZGfCOhnkd4wm_gAEHl/s1600/Apr+23-26-47.jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgnrrLb1t2FJLnsF-aOisG91kBXMOzYwe1c83U8zzNHPl4soPpfZ_6925HJI787MQllSCjAznCAs7AEVg3-MGhMT9GKV4aKaUfBE7IJW7qXrn0FoW5Fk15XR9JKMb7I7SqacYovqRIqbg/s1600/Apr+23-26-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgnrrLb1t2FJLnsF-aOisG91kBXMOzYwe1c83U8zzNHPl4soPpfZ_6925HJI787MQllSCjAznCAs7AEVg3-MGhMT9GKV4aKaUfBE7IJW7qXrn0FoW5Fk15XR9JKMb7I7SqacYovqRIqbg/s1600/Apr+23-26-48.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqjLRSIDaDaPgeweoeLWHHWgv2azkb3TwNPo8VM0hnw9Fo4wbfUutDBSpgiioVadWL2kDRWDUbr-q2eywLml-35q9WdXvUb19XklftneJNmV9KV3WL5O8GlAIqprJDeoIlsVQC01GktVL/s1600/Apr+23-26-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqjLRSIDaDaPgeweoeLWHHWgv2azkb3TwNPo8VM0hnw9Fo4wbfUutDBSpgiioVadWL2kDRWDUbr-q2eywLml-35q9WdXvUb19XklftneJNmV9KV3WL5O8GlAIqprJDeoIlsVQC01GktVL/s1600/Apr+23-26-49.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Red-shouldered Hawk</i></div>
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<i>Jackson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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The rest of the daylight hours were spent at Oakwood Bottoms and the Union County Levees, where Andrew spotted our first pair of Northern Bobwhite for the trip. Other than that we didn't add a great deal to the trip list, though the county ticks kept adding up nicely.<br />
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This dramatic sunset lit up the sky and closed out a solid total of 120 species on an intense, involved, and quite unexpected day of birding southern Illinois. Like I said at the beginning of my last post: normal birding trip.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCETPGfRG-1Nmv9rE44un-SgPvbbc9XlcY_xChQsz6HOfCh4LfbMb5KQhwwQne8BbgdckCV9FscZzKZVVZoItmmR53oX5NIIKsrWKE1m96r7VVbyhFUzykYpVymCid6LrRHCnIK38Xt_o/s640/blogger-image-1354071932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCETPGfRG-1Nmv9rE44un-SgPvbbc9XlcY_xChQsz6HOfCh4LfbMb5KQhwwQne8BbgdckCV9FscZzKZVVZoItmmR53oX5NIIKsrWKE1m96r7VVbyhFUzykYpVymCid6LrRHCnIK38Xt_o/s320/blogger-image-1354071932.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Jackson Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 24, 2015</i></div>
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For the second night in a row temps dropped into the low 40s, this time with the promise of rain showers. We decided not to risk sleeping in the car again, and we were desperate for some decent rest, so we elected to go with a hotel for the night. Apparently the World's Fair had come to Carbondale, IL this very night, because the first five places I called were all filled up, which meant we wound up staying in the town's Econo Lodge Inn and Suites. Let's just say there's a reason our instincts kept this place at 6th on the list of places we wanted to stay. It wasn't great. But, it was far better than freezing our butts off and getting woken up by a police officer the next morning.<br />
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We needed rest, because we would be right back at it before dawn the next day. The rest paid off.</div>
Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-916719421934127782015-04-27T09:02:00.000-07:002015-04-27T09:02:25.709-07:00April Weekend Trip - Part 1It was a completely normal birding trip. If you're familiar with normal birding trips, you'll know that means we had a number of rather odd and unexpected things happen.<br />
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Andrew, Scott, and I had been dreaming up an April trip to southern Illinois trip for a while, and the plans for this one really began materializing in the last month or so. The research was extensive. The emails tome-like. The anticipation through the roof.<br />
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Unfortunately, Scott had some stuff come up last minute and wasn't able to make it, which left Andrew and me to a trip of taking care of some gaps on the buddy list. The route was going to be ambitious, but doable. The year birds were sure to be coming in copious amounts.<br />
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The plan for day 1 had us taking off from Chicagoland and spending the night at Ferne Clyffe. That almost happened.<br />
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On our way out of town, we chose to swing by Killdeer Wetlands in Cook County real quick to see if we could rustle up some good birds. The place was filthy with Wilson's Snipe, though overall there wasn't a ton of activity. We did end up flushing an American Bittern though, which was a nice spark bird to begin the trip with. We had the mojo going already.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxl_bBmwGnYONuQUXPOPCz9zZ33zjexG2SnrbqR4EghC-PR_Jcsd3NUF6ojzKq64GCV4DcnPrUKzVWH-Y8ENl5mgLVhvulbDYhqQLoMsZek1fDXlmrFrKOdyL9oQwkjMvayD71ZO78az5/s1600/Apr+23-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxl_bBmwGnYONuQUXPOPCz9zZ33zjexG2SnrbqR4EghC-PR_Jcsd3NUF6ojzKq64GCV4DcnPrUKzVWH-Y8ENl5mgLVhvulbDYhqQLoMsZek1fDXlmrFrKOdyL9oQwkjMvayD71ZO78az5/s1600/Apr+23-26.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>American Bittern</i></div>
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<i>Killdeer Wetlands, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 23, 2015</i></div>
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We hauled down to Champaign next. Andrew and I are all about birding in the boonies. We love the backroads and the places where cell service is less likely than a Scarlet Ibis. Miles from civilization is the norm for our birding adventures. Yet while all of this remains true, there is another fact we just can't get around: we are divas when it comes to our coffee. Champaign represented our last reasonable chance at Starbucks and a decent meal, so we had to take action. We entered the bustling college town - which stood in stark contrast to the ag fields and rural areas that extended for eternity in every direction from there - got our coffee and a Chipotle burrito, hoping it would be enough sustenance to get us through a few long days ahead.<br />
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Speaking of backroads, we soon found ourselves trolling through Douglas and Coles Counties in search of longspurs. It seemed they had all taken off and headed up to Chicago by the time we got there, but there were still some interesting things to be found. We had a little flock of American Pipits, and a couple juvenile Horned Larks that had our hearts stopped for a couple moments, that other pipit in the back of our minds.<br />
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<i>American Pipit</i></div>
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<i>Douglas County, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 23, 2015</i></div>
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<i>Horned Lark</i></div>
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<i>Douglas County, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 23, 2015</i></div>
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Other birds in the area included Vesper Sparrows, a random Solitary Sandpiper in a drainage ditch, a couple Chimney Swifts, and still no longspurs. But we kept at it, and eventually came across our first big highlight of the trip: an Upland Sandpiper that Andrew spotted just off the side of the road!<br />
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<i>Upland Sandpiper</i></div>
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<i>Douglas County, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 23, 2015</i></div>
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This was our first buddy list bird of the trip, #285, and a rather unexpected one at that!<br />
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Then the golden plovers started happening. We wound up with about 300 by the end of the day, including a nice group chillin' in a Coles County field. A couple of the males were looking real fine.<br />
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<i>American Golden-Plovers</i></div>
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<i>Coles County, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 23, 2015</i></div>
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Our next target was the state specialty Greater Prairie-Chicken, which was right where we had found it last year in Marion County. Not a great pic, but a pretty sweet bird.<br />
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<i>Greater Prairie-Chicken</i></div>
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<i>Marion Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 23, 2015</i></div>
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From there we headed southeast through Wayne into Edwards County, both of which were new for me. The highlight of Wayne was a Loggerhead Shrike along 1840 East. We arrived at the Harris's Sparrow spot in Edwards as the daylight was dying. Bob Shelby was incredibly accommodating, giving us specific directions and a can of birdseed to see if we could lure the bird out. He warned that this bird had seemed like more of a "morning person," which indeed was the case. We got a lot of activity out of that one can of birdseed, but the Harris's didn't show. A Common Yellowthroat sang nearby, which was our first and only warbler of the day. A Barred Owl sounded off, and a Great-horned Owl on a telephone pole on the way out of town rounded out the day list at 71 species. Not too bad for a day that consisted mostly of driving.<br />
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And there was plenty of driving still to be done. The unsuccessful Harris's hunt had taken us quite a ways east, so the trip down to our final destination was a significant trek from there.<br />
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When we started planning this trip, the idea was to camp all three nights, thinking we could count on southern Illinois to be produce weather conducive to such a thing in late April. This trip was many things, but a camping trip it was not, and each night unfolded a unique adventure.<br />
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We got in to Ferne Clyffe around 10 pm, which was apparently too late for any of the nightjars. Last June when I was there they went off incessantly throughout the night so I was expecting more of the same, but we learned on this trip that when they first arrive, chucks and whips only sing briefly right after sundown. Bummer.<br />
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What to do? The nightjars weren't cooperating, and temperatures were descending into the low 40s. Not wanting to set up a tent and camp in such weather, we began thinking through our options and decided to drive up to Crab Orchard NWR and find a little nook where we could sleep in the car. In our minds, this would mean we would be a little warmer and have an easy, quick start to the next morning because we wouldn't be packing up camping gear, and we were already at the location we wanted to bird.<br />
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So, we found a good nook, layered up, reclined the car seats, and tried to get some rest. There was absolutely no part of the ensuing hours that either of us would consider even remotely restful.<br />
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The next morning, we found out what happens when you sleep overnight in the car...<br />
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Stay tuned for Part 2.<br />
<br />Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-28048672272939421692015-04-17T13:22:00.000-07:002015-04-17T13:22:21.678-07:00Birdy Morning at DanadaAfter being cooped up all week writing and finishing my final project for this degree, I was itching to get out this morning. Last night's favorable winds and radars, and the morning's calm conditions seemed promising for a productive morning, and that's exactly what it turned out to be!<br />
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I made the decision to start out at an area I hadn't ever been to before: the west side of Danada Forest Preserve. I'd driven by plenty of times and always been intrigued, but never made a point of actually going there. Well, I'll be going back.<br />
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I arrived right a day break, the sun just cresting over the horizon, wisps of fog still lingering in the shadows. I hadn't been out of the car more than three minutes before my first year bird of the morning appeared, a Brown Thrasher doing its clumsy thing atop of bush. The surrounding chorus was nothing like what it'll be in another two or three weeks, but it was still a delight to the ear. And, the air had a different quality to it, a genuine warmth. By 7 am I was ready to shed my light jacket.<br />
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While watching the thrasher, a familiar call caught my ear, "hiccup........ hiccup.......... hiccup." Henslow's Sparrow! This guy was not on my radar at all and such a thrill to get to hear again. There ended up being three in the area, and the first one turned out to be quite obliging. I got to watch it scurry along the ground, perch up in some bushes, and give its little insect-like call for a while. It was hard to pull myself away.<br />
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<i>Henslow's Sparrow</i></div>
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<i>Danada Forest Preserve West, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 17, 2015</i></div>
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Objectively speaking, I got some "better" birds in the ensuing hours, but the quality time spent with this amazing little bird was the highlight of the day for me.<br />
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There were plenty more birds yet to be seen, though. I made my way over to the marshy area where there is a substantial rookery of Great Blue Herons. Towhees and thrashers and Swamp Sparrows and Ruby-crowned Kinglets were all sounding off. Then all of a sudden, out of the swampy chorus came the distinct and explosive "oop-a-chunk" of an American Bittern! This was my first time getting to hear one in Illinois, and the whole thing was even more special because this was such a long overdue county bird for me in DuPage! Awesome.<br />
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I worked my way back to the pond to the north of the main path, where a female Hooded Merganser, a pair of American Wigeon, and a handful of other waterfowl were present. My first Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of the year buzzed away from the nearby trees. Brown Thrashers continued to be everywhere.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_zX4uI7CaDSmzzZ2U0Ijada6iACbynhElBg1lzX21GGI51VurlFBw1UH5MfLDEni5ibl_S6wKqHZR1ouiMZjiXvnSAngF9Y_ga4IB0Vl7yuBynln3uUvqHDDRbLRPDpzBHCs4uEPrvQo/s1600/April+17-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_zX4uI7CaDSmzzZ2U0Ijada6iACbynhElBg1lzX21GGI51VurlFBw1UH5MfLDEni5ibl_S6wKqHZR1ouiMZjiXvnSAngF9Y_ga4IB0Vl7yuBynln3uUvqHDDRbLRPDpzBHCs4uEPrvQo/s1600/April+17-10.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Brown Thrasher</i></div>
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<i>Danada Forest Preserve West, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 17, 2015</i></div>
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As I got back to the intersection of the grass trail and main path, a rather out of place call stopped me dead in my tracks: "Teacher! Teacher! Teacher!" I started sorting through the rusty warbler files in my brain while trying to find the bird. Shortly after, the bird called again and up popped a <i>very</i> early Ovenbird! I couldn't believe it. The bird was really elusive and stayed back in the brush, so all my attempts to photograph it were null and void. That was a bummer, but it was still exciting to see and hear! I couldn't believe my first non-Yellow-rump warbler species of the year turned out to be an Ovenbird. Not long after that, a tail-pumping Palm Warbler flew to the top of a tree along the trail on the way back to the car. And just like that, I had picked up a county lifer and six year birds!<br />
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I then checked out the east side of the preserve, which I had been to a couple times before. The highlights there included my first Spotted Sandpiper of the year, and a group of three alternate plumaged Bonaparte's Gulls chilling with a few Caspian Terns. Gotta love a good look at a Bonnie, especially this time of year with that full black hood!<br />
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<i>Bonaparte's Gull and Caspian Terns</i></div>
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<i>Danada Forest Preserve East, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 17, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZlQbiyJluRLbekNlmEJ7C8a-kopwEtZ2vCuzk_mW9SL0W6ISqnypciLGMx3RwCmmlM4ovNJgua9PiMJdTruOVHvMcNdYz9n-2TE1qzEbXwnZX0_qfhBepH1XAi_8sfte7oeU0K0BqTbd/s1600/April+17-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZlQbiyJluRLbekNlmEJ7C8a-kopwEtZ2vCuzk_mW9SL0W6ISqnypciLGMx3RwCmmlM4ovNJgua9PiMJdTruOVHvMcNdYz9n-2TE1qzEbXwnZX0_qfhBepH1XAi_8sfte7oeU0K0BqTbd/s1600/April+17-15.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Bonaparte's Gulls</i></div>
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<i>Danada Forest Preserve East, DuPage Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 17, 2015</i></div>
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It was an all around enjoyable morning to be out. Spring is unfolding quite nicely!<br />
<br />
ABA 2015: 177<br />
Illinois 2015: 152<br />
DuPage County Life: 233Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-72553383973623739772015-04-02T07:14:00.000-07:002015-04-02T07:14:07.501-07:00Final Score - Say's Phoebe: 1, Little Birder: 1I should've known better. The whole thing was too perfect. At lunch on Tuesday, my phone started blowing up with news of a Say's Phoebe at Miller Meadows. This would be a state lifer, and an all around awesome bird out in these parts.<br />
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My natural reflex when getting this kind of news is to check the distance/time on Google Maps. 30 minutes. Not bad. But due to class and meetings for the rest of the afternoon, I didn't have enough margin in the schedule for the rest of the day to make a stab at it. Then a wonderful little thing happened - my class got cancelled.<br />
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Surely it was a sign.<br />
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Right?<br />
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I dropped everything and was pulling up to Miller Meadows in the middle of the afternoon. Of course the first bird I saw upon arriving was an Eastern Phoebe. After a few minutes, I ran into a group of birders who had been looking for an hour and a half with no luck. This was not comforting news. As I searched for my own hour and half, I reasoned with myself - yes, it could already be gone, but surely it's still here.<br />
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As I walked through the south side of the prairie, a couple impressive wingspans attached to disproportionately small bodies took to the air - Short-eared Owls! Short-ears have been extremely scarce in the state this year, and I hadn't even seen a single one yet. All of a sudden my otherwise fruitless search seemed a little more worth it!<br />
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Check out how the one got a branch stuck on its wing as it took off.<br />
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<i>Short-eared Owls</i></div>
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<i>Miller Meadows, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>March 31, 2015</i></div>
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That bit of excitement was fun, but eventually the time ran out. I had walked through the middle and worked the perimeter of both sides of the meadow, the right phoebe wasn't showing, and I needed to get back for a meeting. I posted to IBET about the unsuccessful search.<br />
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Twenty minutes later I cringed as my phone began to ring and I looked down to see it was Matthew Cvetas. Yep, the bird - which I had just declared to the entire birding community that I had missed - had reappeared and was showing nicely. Which it did for the rest of the day.<br />
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Say's Phoebe: 1, Little Birder: 0<br />
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I texted with Andrew that evening and we determined to be looking for the bird at dawn. I set the alarm clock, went to bed, and hoped the bird would deny its inner flycatcher and hang around another day.<br />
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The drive to Miller Meadows Wednesday morning was stunning as the Chicago skyline stood out stark against the backdrop of vibrant pre-dawn pinks and oranges. There was a good feeling to the whole scene. As I stepped out of the car, the crisp air hinted more Spring than Winter, and with sincerity.<br />
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I ran into Ted Wolff at the parking lot, who had suffered the same fate as me the day before. We were determined not to be skunked again. We exchanged numbers and split up.<br />
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I headed straight for the south portion of the meadow while Ted worked the north side. There was a brushy area on the far south side that was rather birdy the day before, so I decided to make a beeline directly through the meadow on my way there. I arrived to find more activity. Song Sparrow. Song Sparrow. Song Sparrow.<br />
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All of a sudden, a bird emerged out of the foliage and banked, showing a peachy underside and black tail - there it was! After flitting about for a second, the thing took off to the northwest, and I experience one of those classic birder moments. The elation of relocating the bird evaporated in a single second and was replaced with the terror that I was about to lose the bird as quickly as I had found it. So I began sprinting across the meadow, while reaching for my phone to call Ted. By the end of our quick phone conversation, I had caught back up with the bird and it was flying right at me - that's more like it (and should not be considered a normal part of the aforementioned "classic birder moment")!<br />
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And there it sat atop a snag, glowing in the soft rays of the recently risen sun. State lifer #319. Andrew arrived shortly after, and we had buddy bird #284 in the bag!<br />
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<i>Say's Phoebe</i></div>
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<i>Miller Meadows, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>April 1, 2015</i></div>
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So as it turned out, the whole situation couldn't have worked out much better. Though I dipped the day before, I got my Short-eared Owls for the year out of the trip. Then I got to have the joy of relocating the bird myself, getting the state lifer, and a nice addition to the buddy list.<br />
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Say's Phoebe: 1, Little Birder: 1<br />
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That's more like it.<br />
<br />
ABA 2015: 162<br />
Illinois 2015: 135<br />
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Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-70424866853635789532015-03-29T19:45:00.001-07:002015-04-21T07:41:26.164-07:00End of March Highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
March has been the month that it has really begun to hit home that I'm not doing another Big Year in Illinois this year. I've been birding only a fraction of the times I got out last March, and I've covered way less ground. Spring Break, which was two weeks (though it feels like an eternity!) ago, was really slow bird wise, quite different from the <a href="http://littlebirder.blogspot.com/2014/03/what-happens-on-spring-break.html">huge strides</a> I made during the same week last year.</div>
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As the month rolled along, I finally was able to clean up Long-tailed Duck for the year with this cooperative bird at Monroe Harbor.</div>
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<i>Long-tailed Duck</i></div>
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<i>Monroe Harbor, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>March 20, 2015</i></div>
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Besides the quick outing to get that guy, I had hardly been out in the past two and half weeks. So, when I saw that this weekend provided a brief window between busy seasons, I began making plans. Jen's out of town for her Spring Break. My weekend began with a retreat for my Comprehensive Exams for my current grad degree. Tomorrow morning begins the wild ride of finishing up my final project for the degree, along with final papers for my current classes - all of which will be getting done in the next three and half weeksish. So, in the quick day and a half between the retreat ending and life getting back to its busy self, I took some "me time" as a way of decompressing and getting rejuvenated. A nice solo birding trip to central Illinois and back was in order.</div>
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The retreat wrapped up at 1 on Saturday afternoon, and by 2:15 I was pulling up to the Des Plaines Conservation Area in Will County. With the overall dearth of birding in my life lately, I had accumulated a pretty significant list of easy-to-get year birds. The first time I got the scope out, my year list instantaneously took a bump of three birds: American Wigeon, Blue-winged Teal, and a singing Eastern Phoebe. Felt nice.</div>
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I then made my way to the River Rd. bridge to take a stab at the Red-necked Grebe that had been there earlier in the week. I figured it was pretty unlikely for it have stayed this long, but within moments of beginning to scan, I spotted it out in the river! A very nice bird to kickstart the trip.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgCEL0LKuR51E4cqsBP-sdjBkxmzq79sQnBQSv_9Apq-XeVrbL29SZaLuQIGp1jb3ZWBgiLYOcPHniOoXFI4SgE82VAvUK5XeEzN3qy8k6FtTueXxd_axvNi5s-uNcL3dL9NldypWGYv3/s1600/Late+March-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgCEL0LKuR51E4cqsBP-sdjBkxmzq79sQnBQSv_9Apq-XeVrbL29SZaLuQIGp1jb3ZWBgiLYOcPHniOoXFI4SgE82VAvUK5XeEzN3qy8k6FtTueXxd_axvNi5s-uNcL3dL9NldypWGYv3/s1600/Late+March-2.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Red-Necked and Horned Grebe</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i>Des Plaines Conservation Area, Will Co, IL</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i>March 28, 2015</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBruAoVzoFnm6MIN9tlGJ7wMVCN1RNH5hg5clQAKA6MVDcS3ak2ir8oxPdE0JyoWkBFkP1E8zHHj73_w2jgSakiKuozDnZix5Fl8qQHPHYvYfL2X6Y3PfXE37j3Rcs9q8-Is5a73d_oaY/s1600/Late+March-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBruAoVzoFnm6MIN9tlGJ7wMVCN1RNH5hg5clQAKA6MVDcS3ak2ir8oxPdE0JyoWkBFkP1E8zHHj73_w2jgSakiKuozDnZix5Fl8qQHPHYvYfL2X6Y3PfXE37j3Rcs9q8-Is5a73d_oaY/s1600/Late+March-3.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Red-Necked Grebe</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i>Des Plaines Conservation Area, Will Co, IL</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i>March 28, 2015</i></span></div>
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From there I booked it down to Bloomington, where I picked up a couple county ticks among the nice assortment of waterfowl at White Oak Park. The main destination for the day was Springfield, so I needed to keep moving if I was going to get there with enough light to see anything.<br />
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I pulled up to Lake Springfield with a little less than an hour worth of sunlight left, so the birding was quick as I made my way around the lake. From Center Park I pulled in my first Common Loons and Bonaparte's Gulls of the year, <a href="http://littlebirder.blogspot.com/2014/04/final-march-push.html">just as I had done</a> at the end of March in 2014, interestingly enough. The waterfowl diversity on the lake was outstanding, and I wished I could have had an extra hour or two to pick through it. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable evening of counting ducks with the backdrop of a lazily setting sun. As I got back to my car at the last stop, an Eastern Towhee was calling from a nearby bush, securing my seventh year bird of the day. Not bad!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMdiMz2fo9r5uaFwbYmjar1KhXROHX1EWaNBudAoj7u8V1UyQf9pi1__7qOLXhzy4ceSNUPpw9Sjk0x-ixaIvTll00mWsPh6aForLr429084Wx16J3Cysg68VzlS6ovcLYICc2lfEFuLM/s640/blogger-image--1120663203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMdiMz2fo9r5uaFwbYmjar1KhXROHX1EWaNBudAoj7u8V1UyQf9pi1__7qOLXhzy4ceSNUPpw9Sjk0x-ixaIvTll00mWsPh6aForLr429084Wx16J3Cysg68VzlS6ovcLYICc2lfEFuLM/s400/blogger-image--1120663203.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeAfucXeJRvF3t9LQuAtW7FbAcyfYIGUsEhDTKPW7X1WzGQhSjDpOXpu9gmxEFQLcMorKOW-HRmXQKFu53GzXT21LP-jIGRU6yybnz35ov_aDPogRJ6sqO4lRgeHlAMXgVx3kGMtSdWPt/s640/blogger-image--651553390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeAfucXeJRvF3t9LQuAtW7FbAcyfYIGUsEhDTKPW7X1WzGQhSjDpOXpu9gmxEFQLcMorKOW-HRmXQKFu53GzXT21LP-jIGRU6yybnz35ov_aDPogRJ6sqO4lRgeHlAMXgVx3kGMtSdWPt/s400/blogger-image--651553390.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Sunday, March 29</i>.<br />
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I was up early this morning, leaving Springfield well before sunrise, Starbucks in hand. The first year bird of the day came from a singing Eastern Meadowlark as I drove the backroads around Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary. Between last evening and this morning, I added ten new county ticks for Sangamon. I also found this little guy:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihckOnWgkDOJ13APtXm_40mRjfIvkSVpJQXsMWt1Y7L6h7rt8h3pAhmstMuyBYUKuVAhAu8Px1NWBt2zV5vIYRVO58z7aJ_6zXWfRDdoOYXD4pm767QnXgoO4LaYaxeURn6dxB3YgtSg0r/s1600/Late+March-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihckOnWgkDOJ13APtXm_40mRjfIvkSVpJQXsMWt1Y7L6h7rt8h3pAhmstMuyBYUKuVAhAu8Px1NWBt2zV5vIYRVO58z7aJ_6zXWfRDdoOYXD4pm767QnXgoO4LaYaxeURn6dxB3YgtSg0r/s1600/Late+March-4.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>"Oregon" Dark-eyed Junco</i></div>
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<i>Sangamon Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>March 29, 2015</i></div>
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I stayed on backroads as I crossed from Sangamon to Morgan County. The Dredging Ponds near Jacksonville were really the main destination of the whole trip. I arrived there at 7:45 am, greeted by a steady breeze around 20mph, and wind chills in the low 20s, quickly reminding me why cold "Spring" days take more of a toll on me than the bitter cold Winter days we learn to grow accustomed to. These were not the conditions I had wanted, but the birding still turned out to be great. The waterfowl numbers were a small fraction of what had been reported earlier in the week, but the diversity was still decent. My first Tree Swallows of the year flew by overhead, and my first Savannah Sparrow flushed while I walked around. In the same little patch, American Tree Sparrows declared that Winter was still hanging on, while Savannahs pleaded their case for the hope of Spring. The former were far more convincing.<br />
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I was getting frustrated by the cold, and the fact that I wasn't finding my target bird. Before turning to head back to the car, I decided to hike across a portion of a grassy area I hadn't yet checked out. As I approached, I heard that distinctive rattle I had been waiting for. A group of birds bustled on the ground nearby, though the first one to take flight wasn't what I was expecting - an American Pipit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvBThOMx0EiL25AqoNkS6ubIJPEUqBHLgaa4JK6TSK-OVeMuRnu7EYyVcRxaE1bY9UVunjlvLQ6x4w74IKCEy55p1RML_NW_JROg1DrUF2MdAWOfXaxNyYxN4X2FWR7crvUKrftqzhAdL/s1600/Late+March-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvBThOMx0EiL25AqoNkS6ubIJPEUqBHLgaa4JK6TSK-OVeMuRnu7EYyVcRxaE1bY9UVunjlvLQ6x4w74IKCEy55p1RML_NW_JROg1DrUF2MdAWOfXaxNyYxN4X2FWR7crvUKrftqzhAdL/s1600/Late+March-5.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>American Pipit</i></div>
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<i>Dredging Ponds, Morgan Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>March 29</i></div>
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Ok, back to the rattles. It didn't take too long before I had a flock of 35 Smith's Longspurs scurrying and flying and rattling all around me. Having only ever seen three quick flybys before today, this moment was quite surreal for me. I managed my first ever pics of this species, even pulling off a couple decent flight shots. But the highlight of the whole experience was getting to view a few individuals on the ground through the scope at close range. These were the looks I had been hoping for, though that's not at all the kind of thing you can count on. Success!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZncBSxnYQfqqwOHWTHMSH8IHqcBv6nteCG4294pki7T2dI6WbOuWDvN2vzWndg4nDpXFtrlERDSwxJIoxkUMUrYwx8s3CGYIZ9JucYxZF7nRYYzwvXyVb84hI9Ve-t-16yns5HQ_li9h/s1600/Late+March-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZncBSxnYQfqqwOHWTHMSH8IHqcBv6nteCG4294pki7T2dI6WbOuWDvN2vzWndg4nDpXFtrlERDSwxJIoxkUMUrYwx8s3CGYIZ9JucYxZF7nRYYzwvXyVb84hI9Ve-t-16yns5HQ_li9h/s1600/Late+March-6.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ibq2hyUuakdxw1ctxM52cUeUEWnxi-UqguCZWy80QOUTTKONjMogA0PmFihvHXlqtup42fdVBrOJWYsTNE5sP7QJt_tnXwaCEZ_iyPwAyXAJ3hnZmPiFgt1uc2ji_jP9TxuHNBTsvjE3/s1600/Late+March-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ibq2hyUuakdxw1ctxM52cUeUEWnxi-UqguCZWy80QOUTTKONjMogA0PmFihvHXlqtup42fdVBrOJWYsTNE5sP7QJt_tnXwaCEZ_iyPwAyXAJ3hnZmPiFgt1uc2ji_jP9TxuHNBTsvjE3/s1600/Late+March-7.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxSQKHFTQA-1os7XkgGd3Ev_KCVqMNDSh8j_Z47NPysPkGWGW-JI8aa1AkG5srQ5I9uD_gPnXHXb6fSvudi089H0X46kmdkVHUSEeNoCm2THSzSOk37Ie8ZccqLE7Q2ZBTq1paD4pnmE3/s1600/Late+March-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxSQKHFTQA-1os7XkgGd3Ev_KCVqMNDSh8j_Z47NPysPkGWGW-JI8aa1AkG5srQ5I9uD_gPnXHXb6fSvudi089H0X46kmdkVHUSEeNoCm2THSzSOk37Ie8ZccqLE7Q2ZBTq1paD4pnmE3/s1600/Late+March-9.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8Efe8ggpjHndFGA3rpMEG4W2IzgNku1NtIspAuSbO5jiBoUqjr7VYDBykT9TdUj3DvIH_HDrqLhpuwWZpeS25bhH8OKCqeVk3LvFV-01yM7LxEf2_c6-jiB_U76CpwOxmmaLbVw_aTSx/s1600/Late+March-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8Efe8ggpjHndFGA3rpMEG4W2IzgNku1NtIspAuSbO5jiBoUqjr7VYDBykT9TdUj3DvIH_HDrqLhpuwWZpeS25bhH8OKCqeVk3LvFV-01yM7LxEf2_c6-jiB_U76CpwOxmmaLbVw_aTSx/s1600/Late+March-8.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Smith's Longspurs</i></div>
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<i>Dredging Ponds, Morgan Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>March 29</i></div>
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By the end of the morning, I had picked up 15 county ticks in Morgan altogether. Then it was on to Mason and Fulton to check out Chautauqua and Emiquon. I didn't have anything out of the ordinary, though the blackbird flocks ended up producing a hefty number of Rusties (one flock was actually dominated by them) and a single Brewer's in Mason. And, any shorebird other than a Killdeer is always an encouraging sight, as was the case with the Pectorals I had at Emiquon. I've made enough trips down to this area by now, so picking up county birds is a little tougher, but I still was able to add a handful in both and inadvertently ended on a couple round numbers: Fulton 170, Mason 180.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sEfY2SfwhszG8VDDx0saDSR0aVyDVjnbuF4mahZhzJxeDF9ZktErgaNmjUEVuW7Wh-uWPtMduuIPZmxrcWTMgAbhAr56Fr9JLr7RN7rV4IZPFQ58qo5K0enbU_AtG0acGTZkq8I8T54l/s1600/Late+March-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sEfY2SfwhszG8VDDx0saDSR0aVyDVjnbuF4mahZhzJxeDF9ZktErgaNmjUEVuW7Wh-uWPtMduuIPZmxrcWTMgAbhAr56Fr9JLr7RN7rV4IZPFQ58qo5K0enbU_AtG0acGTZkq8I8T54l/s1600/Late+March-10.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Rusty Blackbirds</i></div>
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<i>Mason Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>March 29, 2015</i></div>
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I kept moving pretty quickly, hoping to be able to get back in time to catch part of the Gonzaga game (which they ended up losing, oh well). But thankfully I slowed down long enough to check IBET before leaving Emiquon, because the bird that had been in the back of my mind the whole weekend had showed up at Evergreen Lake. This was directly on the way home, and thanks to Matthew Winks helping me out with the location, I was able to drive right up to the striking bird, almost in full breeding plumage!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJ0gYo_ff2GTMMhKjRs9RNYUtpenoJmEHD3gDXIU_KE9HhdmJie5jb1XDy_TdIH728BLNLKGnA6SBqYCyeh0GivjJKZNZDd0lx4TfBse7pbNlz9ap4PG2AAl0DajM3oH9_8L-hB3PBS7U/s1600/Late+March-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJ0gYo_ff2GTMMhKjRs9RNYUtpenoJmEHD3gDXIU_KE9HhdmJie5jb1XDy_TdIH728BLNLKGnA6SBqYCyeh0GivjJKZNZDd0lx4TfBse7pbNlz9ap4PG2AAl0DajM3oH9_8L-hB3PBS7U/s1600/Late+March-11.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Eared Grebe</i></div>
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<i>Evergreen Lake, McLean Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>March 29, 2015</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
What a great way to end this productive whirlwind of a trip! I was hoping for 10-15 year birds, and I wound up tallying 17 altogether. And somehow, at 132, I'm only ten behind my pace from last year.<br />
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Now, it's back to a few weeks of long days strung one after another. I'll be more than ready to resurface in April once the work is done. I'm glad I was able to take this weekend as a sort of deep breath before the plunge.<br />
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Trip total: 83<br />
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ABA 2015: 150<br />
Illinois 2015: 132Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-47959742377545713132015-03-02T06:59:00.000-08:002015-03-02T06:59:17.389-08:00Another Wintery Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By the time Friday morning rolled around, I was ready for some time spent off campus and breathing in some fresh air. That's basically the case at the end of every week, but it was particularly true this week for various reasons. And, after temps had been generally warmer in the preceding days, I was hoping for a pleasant day out birding.</div>
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As luck would have it, the temps fell again and I woke up to wind chills in the -20s, which understandably gave me a little slower start to the day. I eventually made it to the Calumet River, where the best birds were the 17 White-winged Scoters. I was hoping for a couple other winter waterfowl for my year list, but instead my day quickly turned into a White-winged Scoter survey. Here's 13 of them flying off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODmN-j09_A-e17eFvDPX_UZ6vPE-q_LPL0100lg7cRXN9NsOk8IWqKXZlsNwzUaTpZhUJ5txunPCFmHylxExMs0vU3Bv_A5injexlQxsWhGupE8FG0sfSSUUjIyRofKBUvuOOHTTqCer2/s1600/EndFeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODmN-j09_A-e17eFvDPX_UZ6vPE-q_LPL0100lg7cRXN9NsOk8IWqKXZlsNwzUaTpZhUJ5txunPCFmHylxExMs0vU3Bv_A5injexlQxsWhGupE8FG0sfSSUUjIyRofKBUvuOOHTTqCer2/s1600/EndFeb.jpg" height="228" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>White-winged Scoters</i></div>
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<i>Bend of the Calumet River, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 27, 2015</i></div>
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I continued my solid streak of striking out on decent gulls at 126th St. Marsh, and only had a couple Herrings at the Deadstick Pond overlook. The river was completely iced over and no barges had come through recently to break things up. The most interesting bird in the area was this Red-tailed Hawk with a dark breast band, sharp looking bird.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGrlMiVnhqiAsvLAu5wGDOA_FT-rRcOGBPuFujy3kS8uljkxUOzUBnE1p4J1pAYoLfdh73moGNzFe6DqrVgHrBxJ5pkRkSYxdQLED9e9yjO507SvixJghmktRFybFTthiOoUz_W5DSFey/s1600/EndFeb-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGrlMiVnhqiAsvLAu5wGDOA_FT-rRcOGBPuFujy3kS8uljkxUOzUBnE1p4J1pAYoLfdh73moGNzFe6DqrVgHrBxJ5pkRkSYxdQLED9e9yjO507SvixJghmktRFybFTthiOoUz_W5DSFey/s1600/EndFeb-2.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Red-tailed Hawk</i></div>
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<i>Calumet Area, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 27, 2015</i></div>
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I made it to Calumet Park, the plan being to work my way north and scour the lakefront for some decent waterfowl. That's harder to do when most of the lake looks like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu7MDH_mpZ9wmfwR_z1b1_vN78u5SMsfK2TXlXs_z3m-UKHJs5-_UPVxBd08hVcllmUN_gwDhETdavUxW1yrXj0oNeb8YugMXkojzN_mi5JtmEhyphenhyphenhxEIaoIugcv7Vt9xMZFT6VWjQ-fbe/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu7MDH_mpZ9wmfwR_z1b1_vN78u5SMsfK2TXlXs_z3m-UKHJs5-_UPVxBd08hVcllmUN_gwDhETdavUxW1yrXj0oNeb8YugMXkojzN_mi5JtmEhyphenhyphenhxEIaoIugcv7Vt9xMZFT6VWjQ-fbe/s1600/IMG_1396.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Calumet Park, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 27, 2015</i></div>
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Most of the day from that point on consisted of diving ducks in little pockets of water here and ther, Greater Scaup and White-winged Scoters being most prominent.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw48vCHgNqUIUPWc1kFcOm3Wbtk_uuxnxDnodKItS98HlQGQIm8_lxNx7VKAHTXFLVeZfnWwnS5L8stVU6ZAf0jhDelKP0YdQk9dRb1oGxTPinB_NHcuh3AK0BWzTQOmWnyoW06vAtsu5d/s1600/EndFeb-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw48vCHgNqUIUPWc1kFcOm3Wbtk_uuxnxDnodKItS98HlQGQIm8_lxNx7VKAHTXFLVeZfnWwnS5L8stVU6ZAf0jhDelKP0YdQk9dRb1oGxTPinB_NHcuh3AK0BWzTQOmWnyoW06vAtsu5d/s1600/EndFeb-3.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Greater Scaup and White-winged Scoters</i></div>
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<i>Park #523, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 27, 2015</i></div>
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My only year bird of the day came from Park #523. While picking through White-crowned and American Tree Sparrows, I heard the sweet call notes of Snow Buntings, then looked up to see two birds with white bellies and bright white wing patches dive behind one of the large cement walls at the park. Snow Buntings are less regular along the lakefront at this time of year, so that was a nice surprise!<br />
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The situation at Jackson Park was similar, with the only open water still at scoping distance. This White-winged Scoter was sitting on the ice in the harbor. An adult Thayer's Gull was present out on the ice. Singing cardinals and chickadees made for the slightest glimmer of hope, a mild hint of warmer days still to come.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mOocQzfYkfIfATgrzKEi56RYuHQcZZMwMHcuD_EioKLOT9xn1XOX_H2YFhhMxj19idz4y8TOFCkaM3VNEhjrVQ-5tVPBgRT69G-qaAg1QzeDSUUabSFCi67YQuNk8E4vyKl1gD7ZIH93/s1600/EndFeb-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mOocQzfYkfIfATgrzKEi56RYuHQcZZMwMHcuD_EioKLOT9xn1XOX_H2YFhhMxj19idz4y8TOFCkaM3VNEhjrVQ-5tVPBgRT69G-qaAg1QzeDSUUabSFCi67YQuNk8E4vyKl1gD7ZIH93/s1600/EndFeb-4.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>White-winged Scoter</i></div>
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<i>Jackson Park Harbor, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 27, 2015</i></div>
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I made the precarious walk out the iced over pier (falling only once), where scoping yielded more of the same, plus a first cycle Great Black-backed Gull. You know you're a birder when these conditions, with a biting wind off the lake, don't slow you down. If nothing else, winter birding in Chicago has toughened me up a bit, and I'm the better for it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJR654JoNb2_mKubL6_0wuZmSjhMHvph8gnoTfz6FhSgqkgqmFF2Upx7DEgIX0Jj1C0DuUXzaF2jSr2PeJH_c5qXCcoBFheKntiO_aWLxZCpXJtiAqIhu1iO2hJrV_8TLQfagN2vMWs9TO/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJR654JoNb2_mKubL6_0wuZmSjhMHvph8gnoTfz6FhSgqkgqmFF2Upx7DEgIX0Jj1C0DuUXzaF2jSr2PeJH_c5qXCcoBFheKntiO_aWLxZCpXJtiAqIhu1iO2hJrV_8TLQfagN2vMWs9TO/s1600/IMG_1395.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>63rd St. Beach, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 27, 2015</i></div>
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My biggest mistake of the day came when I scoped from 39th St., then chose not to try again from 31st, where a Red-throated Loon was later reported. Oops.<br />
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Belmont Harbor was completely iced over as well, with yet another White-winged Scoter resting nearby on the ice, this time a nice adult male.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9bEbo0K7WDSoLPDDh3mObzPaL87bC4oQJBx0zt4SBmt9mTKZIDyvlkkxlaXmv_xfSN20I5lEKsnrKCQhoUtXINPS-b_sZnpgsgQMY10Yvby9DaaJ2stcTXcoe9vr91x4kwuE2m-cCEnQ/s1600/EndFeb-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9bEbo0K7WDSoLPDDh3mObzPaL87bC4oQJBx0zt4SBmt9mTKZIDyvlkkxlaXmv_xfSN20I5lEKsnrKCQhoUtXINPS-b_sZnpgsgQMY10Yvby9DaaJ2stcTXcoe9vr91x4kwuE2m-cCEnQ/s1600/EndFeb-5.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>White-winged Scoter</i></div>
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<i>Belmont Harbor, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 27, 2015</i></div>
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It was more of the same as I rounded out my day at Montrose. I wound up with 42 species on the day, which wasn't too shabby. My White-winged Scoter tally rose to 72, and this third cycle Great Black-backed was a nice sight too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXKgDkgjfi3rbk2V-lXAwet5Xc02hyKhWGHHEm4hsWr1c4hWloNO1xHmU9hHn0RDeRJ83Nd1nX-jPldRdDSufYpVKVs2lj9r8j3N54bBr-12RSuWX9fnpkZdCbWhBNNfIx4M8Xok5NBjf/s1600/EndFeb-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXKgDkgjfi3rbk2V-lXAwet5Xc02hyKhWGHHEm4hsWr1c4hWloNO1xHmU9hHn0RDeRJ83Nd1nX-jPldRdDSufYpVKVs2lj9r8j3N54bBr-12RSuWX9fnpkZdCbWhBNNfIx4M8Xok5NBjf/s1600/EndFeb-6.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Great Black-backed Gull</i></div>
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<i>Montrose, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 27, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODzZK5Z5imU0m3JOLDXBSXmAbRkMDzN4sB8yLFH9RiP_l1-KKPclIQCpCalPIcysO5c1_D81MPuLvZRhOrS-aj54Sv7bYB9rf70qWHPqNS8ev3vC0blPo1Ejb2KGqQMmamBfFPPsLwdsF/s1600/EndFeb-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODzZK5Z5imU0m3JOLDXBSXmAbRkMDzN4sB8yLFH9RiP_l1-KKPclIQCpCalPIcysO5c1_D81MPuLvZRhOrS-aj54Sv7bYB9rf70qWHPqNS8ev3vC0blPo1Ejb2KGqQMmamBfFPPsLwdsF/s1600/EndFeb-7.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdAS0geRVS3lwHq31_PZQQayfp3zsQDmz40Cgiu6Q9eLDqnS5__SmCJ3k7BZapDl33FenVjcgzoNnWUJQkBZwcT0rotRwng4TNmPUOf4vyqmi_cZbJlYzs4jcQ000Rg_iJQlysIf6_4WZ/s1600/EndFeb-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdAS0geRVS3lwHq31_PZQQayfp3zsQDmz40Cgiu6Q9eLDqnS5__SmCJ3k7BZapDl33FenVjcgzoNnWUJQkBZwcT0rotRwng4TNmPUOf4vyqmi_cZbJlYzs4jcQ000Rg_iJQlysIf6_4WZ/s1600/EndFeb-8.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Greater Scaup</i></div>
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<i>Montrose, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 27, 2015</i></div>
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Saturday rounded out the coldest February that Chicago had seen in 140 years, which is really wild to me especially after last year! I had a quick window for birding after I dropped Jen off in Geneva to do some shopping. I was hoping for Snow Buntings along Seavey Road, but came up empty. The nice looks at Lapland Longspurs along the road provided a nice consolation though.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-8e79vtvppZ62kpCZjDkVAaxJY-i_2J1xcNTZ-JLV-cd1N-sqKwpWf0wBx1laejFDw8s3bwy9iDUFQli6xqtVWKLbQSXxXM0hKVPGGOqTgP8xw8_G-mlMg03m7ZCozE5SDp64FbiBi0D/s1600/EndFeb-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-8e79vtvppZ62kpCZjDkVAaxJY-i_2J1xcNTZ-JLV-cd1N-sqKwpWf0wBx1laejFDw8s3bwy9iDUFQli6xqtVWKLbQSXxXM0hKVPGGOqTgP8xw8_G-mlMg03m7ZCozE5SDp64FbiBi0D/s1600/EndFeb-10.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2l4-T1Mz12C-khJQ558lxSqq3OaB4Cv08JgCBeJ3rD7tTlm6rzxIJ2IdzhIhiIN5t7XwEn4VatrietOICvPfD7qkQGxb-epyf2M885VmlqTZrx60iFTqyacMYB8TmTDcFE5k8ebwvV8r0/s1600/EndFeb-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2l4-T1Mz12C-khJQ558lxSqq3OaB4Cv08JgCBeJ3rD7tTlm6rzxIJ2IdzhIhiIN5t7XwEn4VatrietOICvPfD7qkQGxb-epyf2M885VmlqTZrx60iFTqyacMYB8TmTDcFE5k8ebwvV8r0/s1600/EndFeb-11.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Lapland Longspur</i></div>
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<i>Seavey Rd, Kane Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 28, 2015</i></div>
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Sunday afternoon it was back to the buddy list. Andrew and I had a couple targets. Unfortunately the Barrow's Goldeneye didn't cooperate, even though it had been seen consistently for a while, including the previous day. That was a bummer, but the second part of our search was successful:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVKlHWnSjEcI8SILkuP1QPOZ2imH5etGeHjeopMKpsDWy-e883rkQslR9iA-OpYjih-olYKam5Ze8R8SgosaHsoQpkVsY8NopBV60W5H52dPynH1v0-8UgiQdihD9Gj6xUjhstHNXy7ol/s1600/EndFeb-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVKlHWnSjEcI8SILkuP1QPOZ2imH5etGeHjeopMKpsDWy-e883rkQslR9iA-OpYjih-olYKam5Ze8R8SgosaHsoQpkVsY8NopBV60W5H52dPynH1v0-8UgiQdihD9Gj6xUjhstHNXy7ol/s1600/EndFeb-13.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Long-eared Owl</i></div>
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<i>March 1, 2015</i></div>
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This makes nine buddy list birds for us already this year and puts us in good shape to make a run at 300 in the next couple of months.<br />
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And now we're on to March. I'm trying to steel myself for the long, slow arrival of Spring.<br />
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<b>ABA 2015: 143</b><br />
<b>Illinois 2015: 103</b><br />
<b>Andrew + Joshua Buddy List: 283</b><br />
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Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212975712989164860.post-81780873657096293472015-02-22T14:24:00.000-08:002015-02-22T14:24:14.755-08:00Barrow's and Bohemian!Northeast Illinois provided yet another excellent stretch of birding this weekend. If you're going to have to endure a solid week of wind chills below zero, it's nice to at least have the consolation of some high quality birds along the way.<br />
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Friday morning found me making the trek up to Lake County in hopes of finding some good gulls. Jen and I were in Tennessee last weekend, which kept me from the Gull Frolic. In my mind, a week of frigid temperatures meant I had a good shot at getting my targets, but instead I arrived at North Point Marina to find the harbor completely frozen over, with only a small handful of gulls too far to identify out on the ice. With winds howling insufferably off the crusty lake, I was thoroughly unenthused and decided to keep moving.<br />
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With the shore being so socked in with ice, I thought the fairgrounds may be a good bet. On the way there, I saw a couple Herring Gulls flying over, then followed their trail to a flock of over 100 gulls circling above. I pulled over to assess the situation, and found that a large group of gulls was roosting on top of the Kiefer retail building. The viewing was a little difficult because there was no angle where the roosting birds could actually be seen, but they were an active bunch, and within the first few minutes I had an adult Thayer's, a crisp first cycle Lesser Black-backed, and a stunning first cycle Iceland Gull give good views in flight. It was a totally random find, and quite efficient as the latter two were year birds for me. I should have stayed and chummed longer to see what I could bring in, because my eagerness to get to the fairgrounds was unfounded. They were completely empty.<br />
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The continuing winds made me reluctant to spend much time birding outside, so I decided to head back to Kane County. My first stop was the bridge in West Dundee, where the continuing Barrow's Goldeneye was quite conspicuous and easy to pick out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k8btxo_ZKqlF-ceEsEnCAsiuCLYsUBDV8hzr_WEBMMNj8duTbEek-72t-madiBfYKq0WJknAz8nvRB6MfAX8o0NtlIVW04pLHAYSZaFy7DkmMcqWiB1EEoGKFLgDNwjTEDcUUdZCxDaP/s1600/Feb6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k8btxo_ZKqlF-ceEsEnCAsiuCLYsUBDV8hzr_WEBMMNj8duTbEek-72t-madiBfYKq0WJknAz8nvRB6MfAX8o0NtlIVW04pLHAYSZaFy7DkmMcqWiB1EEoGKFLgDNwjTEDcUUdZCxDaP/s1600/Feb6.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Barrow's Goldeneye</i></div>
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<i>West Dundee, Kane Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 20, 2015</i></div>
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The uncooperative weather persisted, so I called it a day, thinking my birding for the weekend was over.<br />
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Then Saturday came, and a handful of great birds showed up in Chicago, with a Bohemian Waxwing topping the list of excitement. Jen decided she was up for coming with me, so we made an afternoon of it. Along Lake Shore Drive, my first Merlin of the year flew by, and shortly after we were at Jackson Park. The bird couldn't have been much easier. Andrew arrived just as I was getting there, and after talking for a minute, the bird flew directly over our heads and landed in the top of a nearby tree. An amazing state lifer (318) and buddy list (282) bird, and a ridiculously easy one at that! It's bizarre that the bird has actually been here a week, and that it is completely solitary.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmRvJhVIHXDH8rEJYE6E680c4JsPi2J2E5Ll0fW5TmRnqk9Ow7eZrnSZbA3E3xnlxETig64Pj9TXhFdrXqo_1qsNcSfWcXLtdQpJAjOlPtnl6QYI8rwkZF3RkLdRO6QZJvoRepCdto8xE/s1600/Feb6-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmRvJhVIHXDH8rEJYE6E680c4JsPi2J2E5Ll0fW5TmRnqk9Ow7eZrnSZbA3E3xnlxETig64Pj9TXhFdrXqo_1qsNcSfWcXLtdQpJAjOlPtnl6QYI8rwkZF3RkLdRO6QZJvoRepCdto8xE/s1600/Feb6-2.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Bohemian Waxwing</i></div>
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<i>Jackson Park, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 21, 2015</i></div>
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I made it back up to Belmont Harbor right around dusk and was happy to find that the Black Scoters Fran reported earlier in the day were still there, along with a couple White-wings. Getting a close scope view of a male Black Scoter is always a treat! It seems like the winter waterfowl is really beginning to get good, so it'll be interesting to see what turns up in the coming weeks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vrpITWAHPU-9zOhFiB0tIKYRpWEzef2p_N48YuOhngw3hP-AzLohTRu_RQg1tbtvMEnNnmDy9V5L8Y2e6Lz5ZDNLKv45n_ZBDlqHp_OAFgoQIheKqP_SzmFSUgNBh93YMdSh_wDIUETJ/s1600/Feb6-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vrpITWAHPU-9zOhFiB0tIKYRpWEzef2p_N48YuOhngw3hP-AzLohTRu_RQg1tbtvMEnNnmDy9V5L8Y2e6Lz5ZDNLKv45n_ZBDlqHp_OAFgoQIheKqP_SzmFSUgNBh93YMdSh_wDIUETJ/s1600/Feb6-3.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>White-winged Scoter</i></div>
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<i>Belmont Harbor, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 21, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KXweZg4GyBPZLyoqP4HCrZy85k9v4u_JnDmeQyzFjIJqkuW1TGtvjMT8sKTnppVZrtJ6UEJaclJi1aCF25dkaJcACO1tAC6U3QK8RSTBKvqg6WiOTKWiRiN9i34dppr3Nnm__fH5jF4e/s1600/Feb6-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KXweZg4GyBPZLyoqP4HCrZy85k9v4u_JnDmeQyzFjIJqkuW1TGtvjMT8sKTnppVZrtJ6UEJaclJi1aCF25dkaJcACO1tAC6U3QK8RSTBKvqg6WiOTKWiRiN9i34dppr3Nnm__fH5jF4e/s1600/Feb6-4.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Black Scoters</i></div>
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<i>Belmont Harbor, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 21, 2015</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_Wb4hM3SMcTWdqETyL9ySELKt41pi0FKdzntAWl4R19_erM2d1QEY-fg_yvooNijLMFRqIYvtkOGp0dx0Zku1oYqV0Mml3HpRHpOsLOVi51Wuj6yXKtBFvZDpJ62LauqewjMaqKvpG3m/s1600/Feb6-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_Wb4hM3SMcTWdqETyL9ySELKt41pi0FKdzntAWl4R19_erM2d1QEY-fg_yvooNijLMFRqIYvtkOGp0dx0Zku1oYqV0Mml3HpRHpOsLOVi51Wuj6yXKtBFvZDpJ62LauqewjMaqKvpG3m/s1600/Feb6-5.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>White-winged and Black Scoters</i></div>
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<i>Belmont Harbor, Cook Co, IL</i></div>
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<i>February 21, 2015</i></div>
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We rounded out the day by joining the lively Birds and Beers crew for a really enjoyable evening of talking about all measure of bird nerdyness.</div>
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This recent flurry of birds has me over 100 species for the year in Illinois:</div>
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Illinois: 101</div>
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ABA: 141</div>
Littlebirdinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438486417162267375noreply@blogger.com0