tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23949908594627936852024-03-21T02:34:08.646-07:00PhotographicbirdlistomaniaA Photographic Life List of Birds and ThingsJamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.comBlogger1191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-54406873045243876232024-03-20T04:20:00.000-07:002024-03-20T04:20:26.722-07:00Clots, Lips, Teeth, Kites and Curlews (14-16Mar2024)<p>Sorry for the radio silence dear readers/oglers, I had a bit of a health scare recently which put a wrinkle in my birding activity. I was having some calf pain and the wife made me go in to the walk-in clinic to get it checked out due to my history with pulmonary embolism. Good thing she did because I had a big DVT (clot in the leg). They put me on a high dose of blood thinners and sent me home, with orders to not exert myself in any way to lessen the risk that the clot dislodges and travels to my lungs. It took a good week before the pain in my calf went away and I could get back out and do my survey on Figure 8. Thanks to Jacob for covering for me while I was out of commission.</p><p>Lately I have been bringing the beach cruiser to do the survey because the distance is a couple miles now that they have pumped more sand.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAfwoxO5dc1gDL2J4xaxZO0nE0EZuUISPm2bQmQANzh7f-eZxI0uMzVOitaZ2dckqNlhMJaI3abHDvRtd9NEGPELUQOy33_ffUz84ufcyZhLFyqlJv7xKkeji1Y1XEjjgsgS1xda3kwBcT9dF3rb_EgC57eTjDG4km90xC9YfEbztX8GPlBcCEo-6p_iAN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAfwoxO5dc1gDL2J4xaxZO0nE0EZuUISPm2bQmQANzh7f-eZxI0uMzVOitaZ2dckqNlhMJaI3abHDvRtd9NEGPELUQOy33_ffUz84ufcyZhLFyqlJv7xKkeji1Y1XEjjgsgS1xda3kwBcT9dF3rb_EgC57eTjDG4km90xC9YfEbztX8GPlBcCEo-6p_iAN=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>You have to wear a helmet when doing surveys at Figure 8 because you never know when a coconut or some other object will fall out of the sky.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQPjum7tKdZISTfg33J31tOllMgJCWbqAhZZHakxBYOPusxtIDNswN9v1qFiBaCCxGp45dI0NOoQUuJXEOl0mOjufwf1WNJ9yLXBQzoMyF0yY0dVWf180TEPP3auUXvtI2BKUwaMfi7L2aF3V4eXKTQ2RdbAoomdmwPd3v8PkZy78B7mAEd1bIjjPSof2F" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2567" data-original-width="3691" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQPjum7tKdZISTfg33J31tOllMgJCWbqAhZZHakxBYOPusxtIDNswN9v1qFiBaCCxGp45dI0NOoQUuJXEOl0mOjufwf1WNJ9yLXBQzoMyF0yY0dVWf180TEPP3auUXvtI2BKUwaMfi7L2aF3V4eXKTQ2RdbAoomdmwPd3v8PkZy78B7mAEd1bIjjPSof2F=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></div><br />Shorebird migration is in full swing with numbers of dowitchers increasing. This Short-billed Dowitcher was having a good scratch which caused it to pucker its "lips". Pretty cool that they can bend their beak tips to probe and snatch goodies in the mud.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS31S4IEN4QBWUlOHjlT5GIzcKSouh9kNc8cm27GwXsC3rqFVnm5kF6eixUWoCPeO_h5R6GauLJe-FJFG_g9A2pn29ixV3yNmTt4SbVcB6SlxaMa5wGvo4ASeH77qvA3AKd9x4aF9fruF3eh8cdM6-mV0NkiL5WbmDwzK4oazmwqs9tW7G5BNZXTCAkSnO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2513" data-original-width="3739" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhS31S4IEN4QBWUlOHjlT5GIzcKSouh9kNc8cm27GwXsC3rqFVnm5kF6eixUWoCPeO_h5R6GauLJe-FJFG_g9A2pn29ixV3yNmTt4SbVcB6SlxaMa5wGvo4ASeH77qvA3AKd9x4aF9fruF3eh8cdM6-mV0NkiL5WbmDwzK4oazmwqs9tW7G5BNZXTCAkSnO=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br />Although this looks like a sneeze, it was actually calling.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSGmW-WGTlExRg5BAmBvcbFavf8VwCLSNhAtTt02gIyd1yku-iEK6OSNHu5VC5bcZeoNb_GnMn0p67LmXpLAmvvKPbUyiChHJ9cdp84NRFiu4hU9mwZ3P3CM87kbYuQuUwguZSHjOXD-oW4F91jzOKsrGt4N7IX1SFQsMVozAWfUMfhHq_DYaiQPJS6GgV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2733" data-original-width="3667" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSGmW-WGTlExRg5BAmBvcbFavf8VwCLSNhAtTt02gIyd1yku-iEK6OSNHu5VC5bcZeoNb_GnMn0p67LmXpLAmvvKPbUyiChHJ9cdp84NRFiu4hU9mwZ3P3CM87kbYuQuUwguZSHjOXD-oW4F91jzOKsrGt4N7IX1SFQsMVozAWfUMfhHq_DYaiQPJS6GgV=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgZF1H3twmOlvkYxWan9alMFkf6X4ThjFUrp2Os1FJMgbDE1nyyG-_xpfyiRoGTWDX7Oo-bbq9AXoLvOl1KYsuo-6rmsxZFg_-zSWMkZeiNjf-u2TehXzT7syI7XwcdSUzaW3ne_WoNQYKgei5Mb3I2RO8WPmA7wc6n3l3TUd5S2MJPAm9e9hVr4tivCrZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1698" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgZF1H3twmOlvkYxWan9alMFkf6X4ThjFUrp2Os1FJMgbDE1nyyG-_xpfyiRoGTWDX7Oo-bbq9AXoLvOl1KYsuo-6rmsxZFg_-zSWMkZeiNjf-u2TehXzT7syI7XwcdSUzaW3ne_WoNQYKgei5Mb3I2RO8WPmA7wc6n3l3TUd5S2MJPAm9e9hVr4tivCrZ=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bet you didn't know Dowitchers have teeth! Just be careful because they can take a finger right off.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUXwwvcGL71eJluXFfeX_Y6XJP3ZitlMvIzRECoxRz7wc-dZgyO8BNjdFc31GCQLVmb-OYQYO3ckb3BOOq2L3AyDGXOyvz_Q5j4jjt0XSKx7Q3CEgqWoHQuRKs55O0CMHOQBSiSY91hZMEtVq87nH7XhCw_YeKg-vDsmP_3OYTO_e791uV-NtDxsXs5_cE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2052" data-original-width="3357" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUXwwvcGL71eJluXFfeX_Y6XJP3ZitlMvIzRECoxRz7wc-dZgyO8BNjdFc31GCQLVmb-OYQYO3ckb3BOOq2L3AyDGXOyvz_Q5j4jjt0XSKx7Q3CEgqWoHQuRKs55O0CMHOQBSiSY91hZMEtVq87nH7XhCw_YeKg-vDsmP_3OYTO_e791uV-NtDxsXs5_cE=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></div><br />My kids had a track meet in Brunswick county and I noticed some Swallow-tailed Kits circling high up so I went and grabbed my camera.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjczpomJ4U2TcqZ4Wn8zs_mc8f0569v0SBADQiB5TrAA7ntJINWF1tMqlhhIM-GSs7lBSjIx3aGdQ5muaZ6ER4hS_wSZUtwz0WGnBX566cZKf9Nsl9a7kMCRCOlv-B3cYSHOtEs4Ppn-ERTMYipkweZ8jQ3bHv8EvY8es9tcx9CnPfAT6dbM82sC6CN6551" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2117" data-original-width="3578" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjczpomJ4U2TcqZ4Wn8zs_mc8f0569v0SBADQiB5TrAA7ntJINWF1tMqlhhIM-GSs7lBSjIx3aGdQ5muaZ6ER4hS_wSZUtwz0WGnBX566cZKf9Nsl9a7kMCRCOlv-B3cYSHOtEs4Ppn-ERTMYipkweZ8jQ3bHv8EvY8es9tcx9CnPfAT6dbM82sC6CN6551=w640-h378" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of them perched up in a snag.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQ6Ly5ehO-MDaOjXU1yGRWSm7rBtba4uaBa2upp9w_Mdfm5xdygjQ7vqf3hRpn-0zQuPJdkaaYRTZqEoGNbGKLW93qBlGvvqUfrqjzjDzZ4aJX1fiIJ05HT-OHweZAKnXU0HNc3-uNXUZQ4wD3EEEh6-GxLa85OOccm9lQtmcj3DvFsG5JOpdruQdxicPr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2602" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQ6Ly5ehO-MDaOjXU1yGRWSm7rBtba4uaBa2upp9w_Mdfm5xdygjQ7vqf3hRpn-0zQuPJdkaaYRTZqEoGNbGKLW93qBlGvvqUfrqjzjDzZ4aJX1fiIJ05HT-OHweZAKnXU0HNc3-uNXUZQ4wD3EEEh6-GxLa85OOccm9lQtmcj3DvFsG5JOpdruQdxicPr=w640-h398" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then this happened!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4beVSIW2RFcJ16hQ49tMxHykuImHEKDmZfxrhCWgPoJsAYeNzTganNGfKOsDBq2Ej7n243o7sdVlE5AQMf6sjJTmr3lPGm5huHWmXDIoWNWJRbt6w3YGXOcO4mPKgGKU-mIRhBNeUzyaI-l8ZolywAbOLEvCQSCPdN9Ke-d0D-GpyIJfcqzDLx-xumKDv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2413" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4beVSIW2RFcJ16hQ49tMxHykuImHEKDmZfxrhCWgPoJsAYeNzTganNGfKOsDBq2Ej7n243o7sdVlE5AQMf6sjJTmr3lPGm5huHWmXDIoWNWJRbt6w3YGXOcO4mPKgGKU-mIRhBNeUzyaI-l8ZolywAbOLEvCQSCPdN9Ke-d0D-GpyIJfcqzDLx-xumKDv=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><p>Sweet sweet love.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizP_ibVZZXIeUjMSiM3PFS_Ko7WzWXypb0aE-iP18EWo0SP6q8JW9HJmILxnnrrBLfweV0gXFjdPjRF4nkB9HlwQadS7W8Hd4DBH_t_99Ph4fmU_Oo8DlzqgnpWoE9jAgrT0Bco0mugaswDZQexTpkMG8DaTC1QGsdAuD51rPwBGvO9LHnL_DvsvS5cMVW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1963" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizP_ibVZZXIeUjMSiM3PFS_Ko7WzWXypb0aE-iP18EWo0SP6q8JW9HJmILxnnrrBLfweV0gXFjdPjRF4nkB9HlwQadS7W8Hd4DBH_t_99Ph4fmU_Oo8DlzqgnpWoE9jAgrT0Bco0mugaswDZQexTpkMG8DaTC1QGsdAuD51rPwBGvO9LHnL_DvsvS5cMVW=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></div><br />I love it when birds come to me.<p></p><p>Ryan from the triangle texted me to get some intel on birding Shackleford Banks for a planned trip on Saturday and I had been meaning to get out there anyway so I joined him, Lee, Jeremy W and his daughter for a beautiful day out at Shack to show them around.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy5ueGa-8dw52Qb4WswTyPGSEZRr-ABvUqv0_RwfP8yCC1ZfQILuFuMR7K9ke5ixqsY-fx3SAo7PFqjg_DCAm3svSF3yPRrNxzGGUvbD-7DcwZJ5ZanPw5hceelz6RZkKk1aM3i3DNqShydrrAwcKvFYmP_63apL_6HL8Sj8C9GNBircRsAKegE_1hvV-p" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1770" data-original-width="2668" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy5ueGa-8dw52Qb4WswTyPGSEZRr-ABvUqv0_RwfP8yCC1ZfQILuFuMR7K9ke5ixqsY-fx3SAo7PFqjg_DCAm3svSF3yPRrNxzGGUvbD-7DcwZJ5ZanPw5hceelz6RZkKk1aM3i3DNqShydrrAwcKvFYmP_63apL_6HL8Sj8C9GNBircRsAKegE_1hvV-p=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>It didn't take long to find a Long-billed Curlew.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja5a3FuMsHUVYwP_xLXb0CM_gZHpb0bqBaFgkJSiOyrOJwsPXYRFFgHYFhQZQwkMXOt1gQJGxyAocEatECwQkMJVfDRzwxBGxEtSoiPWy9NVGBK4D0cOooaHrMtcL1kHKGq3CL0pF3uAggzNCwmty4CDVu2kNPyK6otLis0Nay-k9IPP_NnniP_27dKG-4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="2490" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja5a3FuMsHUVYwP_xLXb0CM_gZHpb0bqBaFgkJSiOyrOJwsPXYRFFgHYFhQZQwkMXOt1gQJGxyAocEatECwQkMJVfDRzwxBGxEtSoiPWy9NVGBK4D0cOooaHrMtcL1kHKGq3CL0pF3uAggzNCwmty4CDVu2kNPyK6otLis0Nay-k9IPP_NnniP_27dKG-4=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIpIhoeGNqMMmvbUKLcFFfDP5C_ZHXoatWNwh-utfNS30ZonFi3bPk9mh8_hsU8r7Lu3P0o_93ffaozlTiTOBXrwC9snD-jsKBMSH1s_Hn36-hfHoeXAJ6SwN_VjBu3AwpuPa5_0j2y8us4ebMNtrq3LRbpswk7vE4I_OVNnfwVqKmIo6ZIXa5g8CXlkLw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIpIhoeGNqMMmvbUKLcFFfDP5C_ZHXoatWNwh-utfNS30ZonFi3bPk9mh8_hsU8r7Lu3P0o_93ffaozlTiTOBXrwC9snD-jsKBMSH1s_Hn36-hfHoeXAJ6SwN_VjBu3AwpuPa5_0j2y8us4ebMNtrq3LRbpswk7vE4I_OVNnfwVqKmIo6ZIXa5g8CXlkLw" width="640" /></a></div><p>The Spanish Horses are always a treat to see at Shack.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi3wSnebnk1NEyOmvT5fvsjTsfZCWec0aJT9aWEit2eizvEbb0OKwFNANEeux-k4-jSV0_UJji2UKIAZzrEEaoMbwRQ_1GhaSKT5amliIMBIND059GJVcatMYt9VXxQa0x2WAN8bHPfYN490DavfJ0ZPrlHPb2tl6HbiMBOoR904Sjol6imOgjWuhVokhY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi3wSnebnk1NEyOmvT5fvsjTsfZCWec0aJT9aWEit2eizvEbb0OKwFNANEeux-k4-jSV0_UJji2UKIAZzrEEaoMbwRQ_1GhaSKT5amliIMBIND059GJVcatMYt9VXxQa0x2WAN8bHPfYN490DavfJ0ZPrlHPb2tl6HbiMBOoR904Sjol6imOgjWuhVokhY=w640-h480" width="640" /></a><p></p><p>Cape Lookout light in the distance.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfcRYixo3NyxLO4ecWgQOTZc3b0FkLD-CIGsAikp3rTde3i-LLl0zA3nftrsXzQ9kWz_Y-AqGnizEIWyMf2reeR-H4zHF47rxvH3CNaKYlywhG2CINMQgzUEZoPRk_xBjwrgAbnaGzWvCcSm1ebnrIGc0ItcUFgrrhoGRK3dCJ_WxFxRf5r2NsnK9alzgj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfcRYixo3NyxLO4ecWgQOTZc3b0FkLD-CIGsAikp3rTde3i-LLl0zA3nftrsXzQ9kWz_Y-AqGnizEIWyMf2reeR-H4zHF47rxvH3CNaKYlywhG2CINMQgzUEZoPRk_xBjwrgAbnaGzWvCcSm1ebnrIGc0ItcUFgrrhoGRK3dCJ_WxFxRf5r2NsnK9alzgj" width="640" /></a></div><br />We spent a long time scanning the mudflats for the Bar-tailed Godwit but came up short. Still a worthwhile adventure as always. My favorite place in NC.<p></p>My next post might be from my trip to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas! I booked a 5 day trip to mop up some of the eye-popping rarities that have been sticking around and maybe take in the Solar Eclipse.<p></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-55264204707305466912024-03-03T15:34:00.000-08:002024-03-03T15:34:50.914-08:00Winter Pelagic and Some Local Stuff (25Feb-03Mar2024)<p>Usually I like to get out on a pelagic earlier in the winter, but life gets in the way. First some local stuff....</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNyHPVpoWW7S5nDZYDbPTrj2EQdTKcTIA0mxh90VB7sL7juy82JmQ2LMtcIC52lrMBpBkf1Ueoj5MMGTw1jXHP-1FjtGY6qKU4JSDpcHKZ0FHFxdTCJ048gGfo2oJmg-i0zMC83T6uGke0Um7fg57IhmmlJZRS2JfM0d_pzPS9QTJDeswXNhkiga9OnClE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2210" data-original-width="3689" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNyHPVpoWW7S5nDZYDbPTrj2EQdTKcTIA0mxh90VB7sL7juy82JmQ2LMtcIC52lrMBpBkf1Ueoj5MMGTw1jXHP-1FjtGY6qKU4JSDpcHKZ0FHFxdTCJ048gGfo2oJmg-i0zMC83T6uGke0Um7fg57IhmmlJZRS2JfM0d_pzPS9QTJDeswXNhkiga9OnClE=w640-h384" width="640" /></a></div><br />Red-breasted Merganser at CB Lake - the original punk rocker of the duck world.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmA3CIoHX4ORgeFG8IN5QrUMkX8ojrfBRk0P6LuZBmEh7B22xxpv-LbUIYIkl5cnZqVNMCN2KQt-1CVL4ubjtdkqa27z_5qrjWMA3ls8-J8wa_q7fgXogp27GOedj1la_Pw6qeDlSDHETPjadrhTb_n0W4zueMOVgnHoF99mc8xweZDaZxJCHInPR1aK0f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2380" data-original-width="3585" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmA3CIoHX4ORgeFG8IN5QrUMkX8ojrfBRk0P6LuZBmEh7B22xxpv-LbUIYIkl5cnZqVNMCN2KQt-1CVL4ubjtdkqa27z_5qrjWMA3ls8-J8wa_q7fgXogp27GOedj1la_Pw6qeDlSDHETPjadrhTb_n0W4zueMOVgnHoF99mc8xweZDaZxJCHInPR1aK0f=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />European Starlings are gorgeous if you stop to smell the roses.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3b5rvsfGdMqbSbZuLmTlXzZJLq0v5omLc5h2luYETb1K97t9-cM_P0wyJprx5VoWxrr1DXyvoLhGJ-k_t8VLRSnKoWErnoYPWkHqAxBJEq4TWsSYubO1i4_5bIl4d-4-elGESsIfcjMmc4W-XaRCX2iwtMJccpl3oFfVT9ytLRtejqmlsAKwqc-TCgQnL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3019" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3b5rvsfGdMqbSbZuLmTlXzZJLq0v5omLc5h2luYETb1K97t9-cM_P0wyJprx5VoWxrr1DXyvoLhGJ-k_t8VLRSnKoWErnoYPWkHqAxBJEq4TWsSYubO1i4_5bIl4d-4-elGESsIfcjMmc4W-XaRCX2iwtMJccpl3oFfVT9ytLRtejqmlsAKwqc-TCgQnL=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ryan Justice found a Clay-colored Sparrow at Fort Fisher and it was still around later in the afternoon.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivFqghsd9jASUK9yJvhuYQ4SjM9OoBWzOUfcihzELc0oDyBlYnZbKtKOTHJMSs8MRUYhWf2gKAdHTrztaX4kOPYNZJNXFbdRaoHivIecmwCZX3LGXrCF6L9BUbkIFKDj5J-E7FK-Y7Pdcoa8Yw66b-WY8Glss5gOP3EAL3h6u6gm_YqCmHouLEHXnFlWQi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="3450" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivFqghsd9jASUK9yJvhuYQ4SjM9OoBWzOUfcihzELc0oDyBlYnZbKtKOTHJMSs8MRUYhWf2gKAdHTrztaX4kOPYNZJNXFbdRaoHivIecmwCZX3LGXrCF6L9BUbkIFKDj5J-E7FK-Y7Pdcoa8Yw66b-WY8Glss5gOP3EAL3h6u6gm_YqCmHouLEHXnFlWQi" width="640" /></a></div><br />The weather was looking really bad for Saturday so Brian P emailed and asked if I could do Friday instead. Luckily I could swing it and drove up Thursday evening.<p></p><p>The wind was coming out of the east so the way out to the gulf stream was a bit choppy but the waves were small. Once we got out about 20 miles we starting to pick up some alcids.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJR7erFuiQ6Dq_F3nWqGa3I1EQdUOeEgy_oiLB35sPIq5dyhj90Tvz0LJR1bNH6zBplDFUjbaT4vjOLe7T4l8sKDcoiBqNKdA0fM1BYBFnZlk9IXbmx9v9voyA1g9rpiiWCfIXRqGsXx0t-3LNLj9vR3BJppAA27DZ61Xhno2aEsOMYgJ7eH69CxXZxYiB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2203" data-original-width="3610" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJR7erFuiQ6Dq_F3nWqGa3I1EQdUOeEgy_oiLB35sPIq5dyhj90Tvz0LJR1bNH6zBplDFUjbaT4vjOLe7T4l8sKDcoiBqNKdA0fM1BYBFnZlk9IXbmx9v9voyA1g9rpiiWCfIXRqGsXx0t-3LNLj9vR3BJppAA27DZ61Xhno2aEsOMYgJ7eH69CxXZxYiB=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>.Atlantic Puffin<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5LtoKCmpiRuoHCSQrEkEA772TLwnOCFkCZRuZG35UiWSW0pToDlV7jTGl2swYYWLuxPPINuEkbHna5HYRTcAh5dwlA9mWRw0rdAyrYrKlzr_o94ZkPmrOAEACwmDXX8aXXRpuHqILKQJlqkIP-LVhKYwwa-gUULotUOjpOa2AIgTa3Z3LF8kJIM5o81iN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="2064" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5LtoKCmpiRuoHCSQrEkEA772TLwnOCFkCZRuZG35UiWSW0pToDlV7jTGl2swYYWLuxPPINuEkbHna5HYRTcAh5dwlA9mWRw0rdAyrYrKlzr_o94ZkPmrOAEACwmDXX8aXXRpuHqILKQJlqkIP-LVhKYwwa-gUULotUOjpOa2AIgTa3Z3LF8kJIM5o81iN" width="640" /></a></div><br />Red Phalaropes were around but kind of flighty and I only managed some really bad photos.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxKQmskmLZLYa_A5fcxhy0tgQsJKp4Hrgbb_t1_NClb59iC4l4OC5njTjRoloFEQ0glc94sf5uPeWMLcPyLEb1Xi18P5L9xkoRX5ggSmEMyM2-hxrYQk_VKIYChkVpIhprhHOe-Fml4aEuRYHzbv6gEEabCiMjXTTjrn2f4ye6SoUg5w58Out83d7wvV1e" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="5926" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxKQmskmLZLYa_A5fcxhy0tgQsJKp4Hrgbb_t1_NClb59iC4l4OC5njTjRoloFEQ0glc94sf5uPeWMLcPyLEb1Xi18P5L9xkoRX5ggSmEMyM2-hxrYQk_VKIYChkVpIhprhHOe-Fml4aEuRYHzbv6gEEabCiMjXTTjrn2f4ye6SoUg5w58Out83d7wvV1e=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div><br />We went very far out and consequently picked up an early Black-capped Petrel. I was actually hoping we would stay closer to shore and look for Murres.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKvvtnYtQl69lJDhn4rOL_O-Q_DdiSQjtP9xLMU4kbO3UlEMyRLWTM537wSYtOkhT0tFIhm-EZoXyUsfC7vb4RlfBcFGIU7-wMDeCPi2tylNt_e9kZVf7X-okHZcOPiIxbPWI619U7UMNeJXKaXSQBXs0HXZfqgQKXEYB1VvGS1G8Aw6659p1k47w8LGHw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3203" data-original-width="5187" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKvvtnYtQl69lJDhn4rOL_O-Q_DdiSQjtP9xLMU4kbO3UlEMyRLWTM537wSYtOkhT0tFIhm-EZoXyUsfC7vb4RlfBcFGIU7-wMDeCPi2tylNt_e9kZVf7X-okHZcOPiIxbPWI619U7UMNeJXKaXSQBXs0HXZfqgQKXEYB1VvGS1G8Aw6659p1k47w8LGHw=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_VJfvoenV9kCQktwXKBQQBvI4W6LvXFGQPo6N-ru5koslZFUt4Vfo4SPqD1i4qERpLPEDnTD07gk7EmHqluU_rfKJScTmrtUqJZoTv5SgrB_EPNnosmhFq-hTLHkZxjuOA6RuNazkBAj562If5IATLi1ca1GCfLQEhqzdalpsCxf7CH3EDJDH21G_GGhp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_VJfvoenV9kCQktwXKBQQBvI4W6LvXFGQPo6N-ru5koslZFUt4Vfo4SPqD1i4qERpLPEDnTD07gk7EmHqluU_rfKJScTmrtUqJZoTv5SgrB_EPNnosmhFq-hTLHkZxjuOA6RuNazkBAj562If5IATLi1ca1GCfLQEhqzdalpsCxf7CH3EDJDH21G_GGhp" width="640" /></a></div><br />Several Ocean Sunfish were finning close to the surface.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho_IrZKaY8RKOBE9uHIMIHYxSmVklz01cuVAdxBLBhzs33WUJutnm3QDnAg-CUplMRAqL1syKwIzZLoDlIkNsXpTjmt1mBHsHCn1hGK9Jie6E-dGurHqvaOPdwnSbdx7zYbRlpGXlVPT_ncvsuRCyskPmhWdrj-rJ53QVvqSCdMTTchBnCNDYy-uDyuR12" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2284" data-original-width="3964" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho_IrZKaY8RKOBE9uHIMIHYxSmVklz01cuVAdxBLBhzs33WUJutnm3QDnAg-CUplMRAqL1syKwIzZLoDlIkNsXpTjmt1mBHsHCn1hGK9Jie6E-dGurHqvaOPdwnSbdx7zYbRlpGXlVPT_ncvsuRCyskPmhWdrj-rJ53QVvqSCdMTTchBnCNDYy-uDyuR12=w640-h368" width="640" /></a></div><br />Manx Shearwater<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG6cKtxaoyzjFTzb1vc64YxT-nnB-icpKBDq0ftOgXsXH67AvUwFo_fH3pdOAIEbMSMrtgYtCKQmRrenHXXenSHb1bIpKTRVpHDkFd-YoiubsWkrFTpjieEZ-kuuOOa3nZi_ClyqpHX6eZX3bd_x1CTiKSPz8FyVG-lOThaioLODOnW1UsvaQYe_jqXXaq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1861" data-original-width="2964" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG6cKtxaoyzjFTzb1vc64YxT-nnB-icpKBDq0ftOgXsXH67AvUwFo_fH3pdOAIEbMSMrtgYtCKQmRrenHXXenSHb1bIpKTRVpHDkFd-YoiubsWkrFTpjieEZ-kuuOOa3nZi_ClyqpHX6eZX3bd_x1CTiKSPz8FyVG-lOThaioLODOnW1UsvaQYe_jqXXaq=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><br />We had a ton of Razorbills on the way back in but they were all flying by pretty far out.<p></p><p>Overall a somewhat lackluster pelagic even though it is always good to get Puffins. I don't think they have had any Kittiwakes, Fulmars, Little Gulls or Great Skuas this year. I know Skuas had a huge die off from Avian Flu.</p><p>In the evening I stopped at Milltail Rd in Alligator. There was tons of traffic so I was getting pretty frustrated because I think it's less likely to see owls when people are constantly driving around. I did however, get some really nice American Woodcocks displaying right in front of me at dusk. I decided I already have good pictures of Woodcocks in the past and I didn't to disturb them, so I only recorded them. Audio in my checklist, turn it up all the way. You will hear two Peent calls in the beginning then the twittering flight calls while they display in the air.</p><p><a href="https://ebird.org/checklist/S163384921">https://ebird.org/checklist/S163384921</a></p><p>I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Williamston, planning to hit up some spots on the way home in the morning. I woke up at about 6am with a splitting migraine and nausea. I was basically incapacitated until about noon when I felt marginally better and checked out. I don't know exactly what this condition is, but I seem to get it once a year, usually after a pelagic trip. I think I need to drink more water.</p><p>On the way home I stopped at Martin Marietta Park in New Bern to try for an Ash-throated Flycatcher that has been hanging out. It is a big park, so I was a bit worried I wouldn't find it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1Sl3kLhgUq-klxDoVjaOCr1Ep8iWO3Qnk8k2ty2eQuwms5I6yEGhuoSGICbrPv6F8Zjxcsk7jp2oh6TK3O-qDlqaXn_cVPJtyqynL0ETEsKFr4H5ff1VGB___UnxJeqFyWotKgStexdQv4cbiVKJGB1986CZ5Ff-fZ1O4HzFBQXRSYs5nYcCEWTlti1W-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2309" data-original-width="3643" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1Sl3kLhgUq-klxDoVjaOCr1Ep8iWO3Qnk8k2ty2eQuwms5I6yEGhuoSGICbrPv6F8Zjxcsk7jp2oh6TK3O-qDlqaXn_cVPJtyqynL0ETEsKFr4H5ff1VGB___UnxJeqFyWotKgStexdQv4cbiVKJGB1986CZ5Ff-fZ1O4HzFBQXRSYs5nYcCEWTlti1W-=w640-h406" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ash-throated Flycatcher - its been a big year in NC for this species with probably 10 or more.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh04LhfptyxNsa4cMPoTwgR1_eH_qWvW0fCPjBthK7-Cljr7uamC2kuw_zFrmBx7DU2HrOOI-ii9GGN8TWhfRANicAQgYdxwInrG3XUroWAv_NmZUPRftqbvuddPwESTETtgtwJUDOJKnY_sgZ4BRcu_fl8zXaoYqy24aQ9xwtMS7V3wW9QXORBZj0arb6F" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2981" data-original-width="4997" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh04LhfptyxNsa4cMPoTwgR1_eH_qWvW0fCPjBthK7-Cljr7uamC2kuw_zFrmBx7DU2HrOOI-ii9GGN8TWhfRANicAQgYdxwInrG3XUroWAv_NmZUPRftqbvuddPwESTETtgtwJUDOJKnY_sgZ4BRcu_fl8zXaoYqy24aQ9xwtMS7V3wW9QXORBZj0arb6F" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF6fNXP-eFK7-gZ5BaEClNptTkHDhTH1scSuc_hB90UsEy_VLOwUNgcHXY-eEZGxoD3ZmFnECwwJM6VNk8bgAvpPJYGxUpzNoPbCdLbMM43WHBkejqOTqlLPGV3Zc_5o0E5KWOCA7BNQkPsUgkWRlVGLF-M5d5gTaYueJcEVkUXurRDJGGkX9ruQgnPiOA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2597" data-original-width="3947" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF6fNXP-eFK7-gZ5BaEClNptTkHDhTH1scSuc_hB90UsEy_VLOwUNgcHXY-eEZGxoD3ZmFnECwwJM6VNk8bgAvpPJYGxUpzNoPbCdLbMM43WHBkejqOTqlLPGV3Zc_5o0E5KWOCA7BNQkPsUgkWRlVGLF-M5d5gTaYueJcEVkUXurRDJGGkX9ruQgnPiOA=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEimwDrXS_1_wUv_cFnwaOEFsJ9f0g0zf9MFzFkdo-2u220JRegFXLIbUj_DiYioneX2-wP3GPD-93UCbnB8_cUdZrO5ykCtRvBogxQTWzYNDMMZ12pxGSvB20jq_AQJ89EDpSC1B6tZVlnP9yRComiLtGNkR5foztfsdLSXoax8LxZXv17LkZyNxt2ENL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEimwDrXS_1_wUv_cFnwaOEFsJ9f0g0zf9MFzFkdo-2u220JRegFXLIbUj_DiYioneX2-wP3GPD-93UCbnB8_cUdZrO5ykCtRvBogxQTWzYNDMMZ12pxGSvB20jq_AQJ89EDpSC1B6tZVlnP9yRComiLtGNkR5foztfsdLSXoax8LxZXv17LkZyNxt2ENL=w640-h426" width="640" /></a><p></p><p>Ruddy Duck</p><p>Then after about another hours drive I saw a sign for White Oak River and I remembered that I had always wanted to check out the impoundments there. So I kind of blindly went in and started to explore. I should have done some research first because I ended up walking down a bunch of dead ends. I did finally find the place where the river walk starts about a mile down from the parking, but it was super muddy and I neglected to bring my boots. I did hear a King Rail at close range but could not coax it out.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSDQJAtElx9adxWKGXySo2z7oF5POcpYoJZNdt3u2hNRwtHUuCWWxrE8_ecgcTNEL3Tli-uXuADjcDXRYyggXN4Nv9dqA1b36HhJTnl-GT5-RODEDUnspbg4v_7-0EARuXkpqbJ6nqUQI-l-OErQ77JwHSBzcv5yUoMaDw4NnjgUJq3HwyuzGCY7-LnUgC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3042" data-original-width="4592" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSDQJAtElx9adxWKGXySo2z7oF5POcpYoJZNdt3u2hNRwtHUuCWWxrE8_ecgcTNEL3Tli-uXuADjcDXRYyggXN4Nv9dqA1b36HhJTnl-GT5-RODEDUnspbg4v_7-0EARuXkpqbJ6nqUQI-l-OErQ77JwHSBzcv5yUoMaDw4NnjgUJq3HwyuzGCY7-LnUgC=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />Wild Turkey<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUaiZwCffbMkyO9OyllxIBz7pc1FXEbrBV69yV--zy6VOPzwqxgUIIaO9t46GUYgCsHtq2ashfXdjW0L9mbcODVwHRYJCsa0DvIPxeiSVYYtQc9SdBieklSRA4P5t3rm4Ba_6Gj2dmhl6SRFhHH6fcv81IYcbw16AqDlldECDwMJaclSZuzXO5FdZ9oLqu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2982" data-original-width="4365" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUaiZwCffbMkyO9OyllxIBz7pc1FXEbrBV69yV--zy6VOPzwqxgUIIaO9t46GUYgCsHtq2ashfXdjW0L9mbcODVwHRYJCsa0DvIPxeiSVYYtQc9SdBieklSRA4P5t3rm4Ba_6Gj2dmhl6SRFhHH6fcv81IYcbw16AqDlldECDwMJaclSZuzXO5FdZ9oLqu" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK5k4ntGIx0j5OpAQ1mSDR1pJvKyyf2ftfpFqLyjGoG1tvYKlNXaKKVS9sUzgLS9WcBl9dk78yf-7rBS4C9zzsKjJXpQFnjlJm5Psn-uaz-L8azkTZUd3fy3z57Vs0qhtz7h0TBNio8gkxr0KYRRfr8zg-Ea_fkSKby9hQqQKQajWJy0AVva91mnZLOg7m" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2377" data-original-width="3468" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK5k4ntGIx0j5OpAQ1mSDR1pJvKyyf2ftfpFqLyjGoG1tvYKlNXaKKVS9sUzgLS9WcBl9dk78yf-7rBS4C9zzsKjJXpQFnjlJm5Psn-uaz-L8azkTZUd3fy3z57Vs0qhtz7h0TBNio8gkxr0KYRRfr8zg-Ea_fkSKby9hQqQKQajWJy0AVva91mnZLOg7m=w640-h438" width="640" /></a><p></p><p>Hairy Woodpecker </p><p>This morning I did the survey at Figure 8 and executed a major bonehead move. I was walking down in front of where the pipe had recently been pumping near the shoreline to count all the gulls that feed on the pumped tidbits. They had the pump off because they were fixing more pipe on so I figured it would be safe to walk out in front. I was far enough out that even if the pump started, I would be ok but might get my feet wet. However, what I neglected to weigh into the equation was that when the sand is super saturated and aerated it can be like quicksand. One step I was on firm sand, and the next step I sank all the way to my thighs. I had to lean over and shimmy my way out but it was a little scary. Luckily today I had on my sneakers and they were tied on good. If I had my boots on, I would have probably lost them as they tend to get suctioned in the quicksand from my prior experience.</p><p>Walking down the beach, I saw something I don't think I have ever seen on the beach, I lone Canada Goose standing right next to the surf line in the fog.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDzW5P3mcCUBb-C4yzCy5t94kia0rYLB-rMitxkYCz6VBdeYT0OPlMsBbvP2Kep90YQTuknJM2ICwLD69NDMHBZcAxMn_FxN9Y7dbATy76HLYlJmnVS8Rc0ScP-LjsI9Ahh-xJpBsrnrN5zFxYtDrZyj6u7cBjhAcoqMy40KchzcIRPqS6W1QIi1Ow9kFw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDzW5P3mcCUBb-C4yzCy5t94kia0rYLB-rMitxkYCz6VBdeYT0OPlMsBbvP2Kep90YQTuknJM2ICwLD69NDMHBZcAxMn_FxN9Y7dbATy76HLYlJmnVS8Rc0ScP-LjsI9Ahh-xJpBsrnrN5zFxYtDrZyj6u7cBjhAcoqMy40KchzcIRPqS6W1QIi1Ow9kFw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Weird...<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-85904009613632507492024-02-27T17:30:00.000-08:002024-02-27T17:30:07.579-08:00WInter's Last Gasp (11-25Feb2024)<p>It's been a pretty mild winter and today it was spring like with cherry trees blooming and daffodils popping up. Here are some photos from earlier the month.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_7AM42rP9PI_rR8wRUQ0Ij8UWFhcE1Rrb8tZuBKOe0Se7UMi_fLhAqNNDe3rdhgvtZuiAvFzrKSUVApdW_K_ODSxvaNKLURT65gLBIb8SXLM-U9g8ykmyipWAwsenf9ht-d6ZASpDjBwIReSVDmXu2ZFCmGfiDBRXDJGALxh_pJlr91aXVTmXDd1ree-Z" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_7AM42rP9PI_rR8wRUQ0Ij8UWFhcE1Rrb8tZuBKOe0Se7UMi_fLhAqNNDe3rdhgvtZuiAvFzrKSUVApdW_K_ODSxvaNKLURT65gLBIb8SXLM-U9g8ykmyipWAwsenf9ht-d6ZASpDjBwIReSVDmXu2ZFCmGfiDBRXDJGALxh_pJlr91aXVTmXDd1ree-Z" width="640" /></a></div><p>Yellow-rumped Warbler - I will not be sad to see these moving north.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrnRmCCrDlEnU7h2eW6iBn7n11gkinpEvUN99vlol5fbnG4NE7oSmMR50ffA1zkOLuyYW30w76DoULb_F-QciZNe1N5jOsSKzIbM-4AKVgOWk5bXrQu8QoG6qjpIateCOy7kBCqL3Peaf56_a8hxv23XAUDAhuitdJdKnzMzvNQkQRgHrq-TV6N7VWVv6r" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrnRmCCrDlEnU7h2eW6iBn7n11gkinpEvUN99vlol5fbnG4NE7oSmMR50ffA1zkOLuyYW30w76DoULb_F-QciZNe1N5jOsSKzIbM-4AKVgOWk5bXrQu8QoG6qjpIateCOy7kBCqL3Peaf56_a8hxv23XAUDAhuitdJdKnzMzvNQkQRgHrq-TV6N7VWVv6r=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Northern Cardinal<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYF_W3u6va1Wp_1gRHQvtoP2rhlj70wLqUiwg0JDFjUPL0FoP3UpaQMsBLFLD9bmmhkOMYxn0bLCELV3lmAKG5smFXYPqMOZU1vihLLiWm5Tq5SUlrN1zI2tJjhYKIu1zGvdyFvUububt8P6u1x5UPKkzn_NhXiiDWouOgLg9qKrZ1GF5i_XKkO97CylSQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYF_W3u6va1Wp_1gRHQvtoP2rhlj70wLqUiwg0JDFjUPL0FoP3UpaQMsBLFLD9bmmhkOMYxn0bLCELV3lmAKG5smFXYPqMOZU1vihLLiWm5Tq5SUlrN1zI2tJjhYKIu1zGvdyFvUububt8P6u1x5UPKkzn_NhXiiDWouOgLg9qKrZ1GF5i_XKkO97CylSQ" width="640" /></a></div><br />The waves have been good but its hard to get me to suit up nowadays.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil89TMqkARzpv4gAkS3dqFz0XuVzCbYCKj33QO1iRn04Cvwt-0DQ9h8VszQtuaWY_8vVBabAV7drTMJZzkLO5b40-h1EqQsvo1GjsM0mw38PjKwV4rCxYinKB_IOfWzGYsWhi4r9r6ZZ0t-4LX1FW3vM3NxbJd33bIyiefFINtZkK1mDV2QPj0i6bdQg83" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="4532" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil89TMqkARzpv4gAkS3dqFz0XuVzCbYCKj33QO1iRn04Cvwt-0DQ9h8VszQtuaWY_8vVBabAV7drTMJZzkLO5b40-h1EqQsvo1GjsM0mw38PjKwV4rCxYinKB_IOfWzGYsWhi4r9r6ZZ0t-4LX1FW3vM3NxbJd33bIyiefFINtZkK1mDV2QPj0i6bdQg83=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><p>A Dovekie at the south end of WB has been very cooperative for photos in good light.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr6_IWqxxVIMQBQ8rfluOWcs7HH5N2-dYXhIBw-eAJrfjSJHZoBafxi29wO68RC670Wi_yxmcdL3yWbsby5gWXS4o3INIS-UyJnTcSC4SUAdpwe3EcC2mfBqGoEkPEIxXxM6AHjCf6GlAyqT6gxkDNmI0oMQjCRhUdmnO4uSTunCZJbJ6kdt2xiYDK-8a1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2428" data-original-width="3934" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjr6_IWqxxVIMQBQ8rfluOWcs7HH5N2-dYXhIBw-eAJrfjSJHZoBafxi29wO68RC670Wi_yxmcdL3yWbsby5gWXS4o3INIS-UyJnTcSC4SUAdpwe3EcC2mfBqGoEkPEIxXxM6AHjCf6GlAyqT6gxkDNmI0oMQjCRhUdmnO4uSTunCZJbJ6kdt2xiYDK-8a1=w640-h394" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhObTWN1MyCkhLYny8iySooVEBBGbt7Hq5k529nkoin4GZEHUSWeZBFb1O5aSS1BfVI4oGaSuJXC6OVjJ4YxSQm9RLq4s_7gTRof1MSX18jw1N3MvAM7A24EpQJBt7SOVekryDnpqgVv9QGLKk__wyWJtVa64vG22Fy2ZjXamrU-2CyReg7Z-SUxDI_NjEC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2452" data-original-width="3886" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhObTWN1MyCkhLYny8iySooVEBBGbt7Hq5k529nkoin4GZEHUSWeZBFb1O5aSS1BfVI4oGaSuJXC6OVjJ4YxSQm9RLq4s_7gTRof1MSX18jw1N3MvAM7A24EpQJBt7SOVekryDnpqgVv9QGLKk__wyWJtVa64vG22Fy2ZjXamrU-2CyReg7Z-SUxDI_NjEC=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br />Cooper's Hawk<p></p><p>A couple weekends ago I had a day off from surveys so I headed up to the triangle and looped around to Charlotte to try and pick up a couple rarities. I started out at Schenck Forest in Raleigh.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWrTMs8G7KKqtj8OjOPRkp_KdytYe1-IRnS-pwWIY3ULnNh167Cz7uBm3lzXK6kywZGU0xOH0YcQO2s1gDlbZDTQWcPVtrUiSJqOvvoo5WX7tVCos4zZVmz6c9D-g0KVf5KzXTFv2mbmm1xZDlZfn6eOvziC7bRnlHPExgwsH-ouiM6BCjuSGkOhVCEJCm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWrTMs8G7KKqtj8OjOPRkp_KdytYe1-IRnS-pwWIY3ULnNh167Cz7uBm3lzXK6kywZGU0xOH0YcQO2s1gDlbZDTQWcPVtrUiSJqOvvoo5WX7tVCos4zZVmz6c9D-g0KVf5KzXTFv2mbmm1xZDlZfn6eOvziC7bRnlHPExgwsH-ouiM6BCjuSGkOhVCEJCm=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Hermit Thrush<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii1vQuz6VFH7hul8p-_r1jOxUiHKXpt-F4oh6chJogjH1MjVavLotF9caxwf9MuwhsXJqTYkfHmWvRshgOYitcF7xXadznW6Wm8alCTov03onCdRHGGc4Oo-AjmYHD3KlQ-SUXEj12mF9l-5BzTWgw_6Rit4Gnw95MYLNtVePS59qezsctFTc9uolH1X5G" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2472" data-original-width="3666" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEii1vQuz6VFH7hul8p-_r1jOxUiHKXpt-F4oh6chJogjH1MjVavLotF9caxwf9MuwhsXJqTYkfHmWvRshgOYitcF7xXadznW6Wm8alCTov03onCdRHGGc4Oo-AjmYHD3KlQ-SUXEj12mF9l-5BzTWgw_6Rit4Gnw95MYLNtVePS59qezsctFTc9uolH1X5G=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><p>Fox Sparrow</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDyyVVrt0jMHleoiE1x1AnlUnJde4_G1XvPq-rnCHptovYe4U_Ftb2gp9QzrLKeAgS5_XbYKJfFmg9G-1eakoDYFmyxvcDHtdu-sXOjRJRh4lS86CXz_Mvwie3S15NT31xCruqzIWAUIavbMPM1VDFDGEX672JpOCxyGwtDK53vb3GpYSeyCX8MMtwTTK1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2732" data-original-width="4244" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDyyVVrt0jMHleoiE1x1AnlUnJde4_G1XvPq-rnCHptovYe4U_Ftb2gp9QzrLKeAgS5_XbYKJfFmg9G-1eakoDYFmyxvcDHtdu-sXOjRJRh4lS86CXz_Mvwie3S15NT31xCruqzIWAUIavbMPM1VDFDGEX672JpOCxyGwtDK53vb3GpYSeyCX8MMtwTTK1=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO-oFdtjC_5MCssMDvBJozILwlRB2RlRq3ZDzYo2u6nFjiuBQ6SAPcmi8flARhID2MeEs1-pVVCyUQk6_UtRRhz9J6TmI2gjJ5EqYXtkegJIP2c3zDCxgGNlwMBz2fF04i3tKi3Y7gCJt2a4mzP4KRhl-QNbSNGue-XvT81wuSxEkfAnrUK1AqU8Ps1ZX6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="2579" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO-oFdtjC_5MCssMDvBJozILwlRB2RlRq3ZDzYo2u6nFjiuBQ6SAPcmi8flARhID2MeEs1-pVVCyUQk6_UtRRhz9J6TmI2gjJ5EqYXtkegJIP2c3zDCxgGNlwMBz2fF04i3tKi3Y7gCJt2a4mzP4KRhl-QNbSNGue-XvT81wuSxEkfAnrUK1AqU8Ps1ZX6=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><br />Wilson's Warbler - it took a little while to find and it never came down from high in the Long Leaf canopy. <p></p><p>Next stop was at a golf course a little north of Raleigh.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4iOp04-VBACzxOo5AkAM_1bFELTkrFF9a_tKehdRnZonTzh4y-8j_fNtd2nT9bOwPGBvS09QONVBSqtUPsqSXmPH3btjpQ3JhGa9PmzP2l1DpNV41pXw-dmifPFXiiVuDCTF1CZoHZFyr17AvkVBmG0kY5cj3MW0yiqFCZ11xUZIMupNAJwSsGCmCoLtT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2621" data-original-width="4030" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4iOp04-VBACzxOo5AkAM_1bFELTkrFF9a_tKehdRnZonTzh4y-8j_fNtd2nT9bOwPGBvS09QONVBSqtUPsqSXmPH3btjpQ3JhGa9PmzP2l1DpNV41pXw-dmifPFXiiVuDCTF1CZoHZFyr17AvkVBmG0kY5cj3MW0yiqFCZ11xUZIMupNAJwSsGCmCoLtT=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><br />Greater White-fronted Geese<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_1E5amOmB7o9t62bTh0lnxYsKcQxw3b72nraWRrrbNKy6rfiRXHOR11sYMOQhuADzLO2RQhhn1n0kRZ6FLzosm6udTR6zH0Gd_msKILa77BqjPDU00W87_3LV84yuRe2wmA_334UpulT4LfGK_6cRpyhIDrHlLZE4ztTI-04ujK3CfPJ4SOANzwTMw7Oo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3058" data-original-width="4404" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_1E5amOmB7o9t62bTh0lnxYsKcQxw3b72nraWRrrbNKy6rfiRXHOR11sYMOQhuADzLO2RQhhn1n0kRZ6FLzosm6udTR6zH0Gd_msKILa77BqjPDU00W87_3LV84yuRe2wmA_334UpulT4LfGK_6cRpyhIDrHlLZE4ztTI-04ujK3CfPJ4SOANzwTMw7Oo=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></div><br />There were over 20 Mute Swans here. I wonder how long they have been breeding here. It seems strange that only ones in the north part of the state are countable where these seem to be established.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpj8lSxsScbn07DB-gCOdP3_nwQoQKS-LjXTPG6YTtmjhba-L7SFCiUAL0wN8moTRZzrXf9pRADpXFPdV8oPVbCGBhczbDTiSyMWhaGPAIExiFVT0X_S3eUIaTF4zvE8CDpjTGhUr1IbwEYc07pjjW9xcD83SvywiMvmQbrmWxZo9EEAm44F0uEWMX9acG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1675" data-original-width="2690" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpj8lSxsScbn07DB-gCOdP3_nwQoQKS-LjXTPG6YTtmjhba-L7SFCiUAL0wN8moTRZzrXf9pRADpXFPdV8oPVbCGBhczbDTiSyMWhaGPAIExiFVT0X_S3eUIaTF4zvE8CDpjTGhUr1IbwEYc07pjjW9xcD83SvywiMvmQbrmWxZo9EEAm44F0uEWMX9acG=w640-h398" width="640" /></a></div><br />A handful of Tundra Swans were also chilling out here.<p></p><p>Things were going well so I decided to head up even further to see if Cackling Goose at Mayo River State Park was still around. It hadn't been reported for a week or so.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjai2cSm6TAJsXRHG_gX90BY8MLDfxvWNhwmFMBCkdFSDZxGDHadhA5U6rNr19ntaOV6CfXWqLDQ7hJC8xQ1qJ-cA3q8u6Y9muY_qoPoJ3RAtAIdGmNj0IUNRGDQY6pWHylZah8rUo_qaT5Eh2RoaNJ1lWVQmJNoV5bdEjVl_oq_svmRKpI64mwWMhwJygk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3336" data-original-width="4780" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjai2cSm6TAJsXRHG_gX90BY8MLDfxvWNhwmFMBCkdFSDZxGDHadhA5U6rNr19ntaOV6CfXWqLDQ7hJC8xQ1qJ-cA3q8u6Y9muY_qoPoJ3RAtAIdGmNj0IUNRGDQY6pWHylZah8rUo_qaT5Eh2RoaNJ1lWVQmJNoV5bdEjVl_oq_svmRKpI64mwWMhwJygk=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></div><br />I combed through the Canada Geese but couldn't find it. I kept looking and eventually found it hanging out with some domestic mallards in a pond about 100 yards from the Canadas.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQpjctEoy9-n66mTjREF2G9wbWaaI_H-t_NH45w46WIfvoyBIGxcjraElkDAIVL3RVNW6J1tL-vfVRyJmHR9OnJ4HJ2cFRepYHFSpRWptts4ada33yW11ggCOxMP0cFZfvVbmDU1qEEIoGDkU-RgdBP9s6m6luCRSFJ7rmon7kYbh-M7wAZwCfO-d705Nx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQpjctEoy9-n66mTjREF2G9wbWaaI_H-t_NH45w46WIfvoyBIGxcjraElkDAIVL3RVNW6J1tL-vfVRyJmHR9OnJ4HJ2cFRepYHFSpRWptts4ada33yW11ggCOxMP0cFZfvVbmDU1qEEIoGDkU-RgdBP9s6m6luCRSFJ7rmon7kYbh-M7wAZwCfO-d705Nx" width="640" /></a></div><p>Cackling Goose!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYyMAT_sGvejiEVDCrX7KwgoQfb8MYHQyYLEPWCjKt2SWd_LASK-zwHM5HJZpO2NOdOjh3-SfhgNBovsJ_EUA6u9kDY3oaN6CPEvCTsEomlLn_rJadoMzXcEbyjogWGehUp4qcpTi4My-d1bBf1IxBCG0PyoxxXSglDessFVh1PM9r7ihkYBp8_bnnx-bO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3352" data-original-width="5028" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYyMAT_sGvejiEVDCrX7KwgoQfb8MYHQyYLEPWCjKt2SWd_LASK-zwHM5HJZpO2NOdOjh3-SfhgNBovsJ_EUA6u9kDY3oaN6CPEvCTsEomlLn_rJadoMzXcEbyjogWGehUp4qcpTi4My-d1bBf1IxBCG0PyoxxXSglDessFVh1PM9r7ihkYBp8_bnnx-bO" width="640" /></a></div><br />So cute!<p></p><p>This is where my luck started to run out. I decided to go try for photos of the Short-eared Owls over at Guilford County Farm hoping three times was a charm. It seems quite a few people have seen them come out before sunset, but I had been skunked twice already this year with the owls only coming out after any possibility of photos.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5ogIuPLIAHvv2QtUWugrbkxdyOK-6OTCYZ7COB--E41uIgrpBy0beNGQeLx3SDQtLKI0l-5lfpr2WOVvb8DJcJSn4VEglMfVzbRvi5co4vy1FnBsNS7zngLJ6m5EdmbfhnlLFIMHabfxePrc-Tm0rLfy_ebQyUMT5FEd6WxlP8BymHMXgXIFpuugmyf1o" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5ogIuPLIAHvv2QtUWugrbkxdyOK-6OTCYZ7COB--E41uIgrpBy0beNGQeLx3SDQtLKI0l-5lfpr2WOVvb8DJcJSn4VEglMfVzbRvi5co4vy1FnBsNS7zngLJ6m5EdmbfhnlLFIMHabfxePrc-Tm0rLfy_ebQyUMT5FEd6WxlP8BymHMXgXIFpuugmyf1o" width="640" /></a></div><br />A bunch of people were already out waiting well before sunset. I did catch a glimpse of one but it was almost pitch dark.<p></p><p>The next day was President's Day so I had it off so instead of heading home, I headed to Charlotte to stay the night with plans to pick up a Common Goldeneye in Concord Mills and then the Lapland Longspurs east of Charlotte. I failed miserably at both.</p><p>The Concord Mills ponds in the morning were chock full of ducks but no Goldeneye. I thought I might have seen it way in the distance on a wetland, but I never got a good look before it disappeared. </p><p>The farm fields at Brent Haigler Rd where Martina found the LALOs was really birdy with huge flocks of American Pipits but I was never able to get on the Longspurs. Its a huge area and the Pipits they are supposedly hanging out with were all over the place.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVnqrtPy_GPzgMG0B9miHANtKfs4DBoBInkBlvzDgE1tkjvQUKzocEV0e6oBS_M_NxjblYIKa7voHWLIu6P-7l9eN3wek3fOBpJnXMNfxog8aBDyVQqhRTtQCSWkSIEL-3Q_5_tCmlmGGb-_TQMsd_6t1ZpdclVTUWdTwf_hJ9TcV94afvAxcj_tlcm_Cb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1918" data-original-width="3227" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVnqrtPy_GPzgMG0B9miHANtKfs4DBoBInkBlvzDgE1tkjvQUKzocEV0e6oBS_M_NxjblYIKa7voHWLIu6P-7l9eN3wek3fOBpJnXMNfxog8aBDyVQqhRTtQCSWkSIEL-3Q_5_tCmlmGGb-_TQMsd_6t1ZpdclVTUWdTwf_hJ9TcV94afvAxcj_tlcm_Cb=w640-h380" width="640" /></a></div><br />Strange to see an American Pipit sitting next to an American Kestrel.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyoQgTesqVr9O9j5OsxNoVPw9fWi6E2IAnZC-D2ntyv036JBQko_F02t-vQzOUYnpdlhyMsr6PULsbY_8vr-F66HYqfMe6nfwlixQJP2Xy0YP3lLzzLdLHw1HBen6hpKFcmCAeVOeD9ZzdgSmBPukaThjn119Ewh74tW06Km7fRrl58Vx2T3qc4f5PJwZH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="3135" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyoQgTesqVr9O9j5OsxNoVPw9fWi6E2IAnZC-D2ntyv036JBQko_F02t-vQzOUYnpdlhyMsr6PULsbY_8vr-F66HYqfMe6nfwlixQJP2Xy0YP3lLzzLdLHw1HBen6hpKFcmCAeVOeD9ZzdgSmBPukaThjn119Ewh74tW06Km7fRrl58Vx2T3qc4f5PJwZH" width="640" /></a></div><br />American Goldfinch<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhapm4uHHSTXbVfQkZEsb50TdG1SQQcNWJ-yeerix3M9iFIJYwWz9TmaYdijXUzn2Nx9qaUIhs1HokSlCGaYyhWnwiVfBk3noZ6MHXzmrioJ1sZiIAHH8qajdf_Wnf5NcrnLTmX2njV_rqXrbA1ebpTawgGbRgJa4OII4UL_13XIRmqlqtfqwf0XmJCzG_U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3241" data-original-width="4869" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhapm4uHHSTXbVfQkZEsb50TdG1SQQcNWJ-yeerix3M9iFIJYwWz9TmaYdijXUzn2Nx9qaUIhs1HokSlCGaYyhWnwiVfBk3noZ6MHXzmrioJ1sZiIAHH8qajdf_Wnf5NcrnLTmX2njV_rqXrbA1ebpTawgGbRgJa4OII4UL_13XIRmqlqtfqwf0XmJCzG_U=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Savannah Sparrow<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbrbvkcsspvFtymbcE_PBbVpLKSG_rJofOgUfvVwj2YhvBsP2yr9o9-jEra-eHBKrr4B6yWxXH1FDahqjoWgvJdLil1D8-0EOutVwQ4N22EPGm15X8X-O26OTSgy9jggarOn5gEnbn8qxeR8rLUyhg30YkL6_jV2RrTkFdz9nskbdeE9AUxGyo3a6FsEVe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2455" data-original-width="3809" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbrbvkcsspvFtymbcE_PBbVpLKSG_rJofOgUfvVwj2YhvBsP2yr9o9-jEra-eHBKrr4B6yWxXH1FDahqjoWgvJdLil1D8-0EOutVwQ4N22EPGm15X8X-O26OTSgy9jggarOn5gEnbn8qxeR8rLUyhg30YkL6_jV2RrTkFdz9nskbdeE9AUxGyo3a6FsEVe" width="640" /></a></div><br />American Pipit<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijg7CYKwOqL31OkExyuquRjbSvJAvrvnvhF4Ir9mJxB5NJ-C2tAlEB8OpEbD2u6_qiZegLlpVu-SK8rYKxy33kZTzXXmwX76DT_6HRczyzaCmE8wbDTW3_BSicefyaN00FKSmIe7d6sX0hmJXnz6RPci2aMmB0vEAC6t67NnufNNHh_Dz994lPMybXY1Dx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijg7CYKwOqL31OkExyuquRjbSvJAvrvnvhF4Ir9mJxB5NJ-C2tAlEB8OpEbD2u6_qiZegLlpVu-SK8rYKxy33kZTzXXmwX76DT_6HRczyzaCmE8wbDTW3_BSicefyaN00FKSmIe7d6sX0hmJXnz6RPci2aMmB0vEAC6t67NnufNNHh_Dz994lPMybXY1Dx=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile back home the Boat-tailed Grackles are starting to get horny.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhucpExTxESMbZswfNQUx4FQ0wprlghsvbeLYex1dKn0J2sgbYbaMnBPfJfmGAxi-oYMCJ-7JiCaGFifWSDworoLMOnL5yaF7lxi5BVme-lEA5aPNfEtDV51dGlUuY2_1a-0u-QUlKYm2gwSeAP0lH7hzr-OhSTnymAQLu7wDNTr-u45EXxvzbdVfEU2mY1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhucpExTxESMbZswfNQUx4FQ0wprlghsvbeLYex1dKn0J2sgbYbaMnBPfJfmGAxi-oYMCJ-7JiCaGFifWSDworoLMOnL5yaF7lxi5BVme-lEA5aPNfEtDV51dGlUuY2_1a-0u-QUlKYm2gwSeAP0lH7hzr-OhSTnymAQLu7wDNTr-u45EXxvzbdVfEU2mY1" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4yuNaRU5KkMpnzk5rrJlw-tRp2-QFDc64HNRG88gorOzfrku9YSJTpjQO1wkN8twQGt6txSHtI1Td84_rKEverBqE-9eEaoyXGApl6CaUfDaShAWAW52u6G4-KWH8MjS5Khq2rDS-v4Bq79AsLo73mNQLagmelQk6fqde6-U5zvA9OnHQWyXfeeO7hBgS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4yuNaRU5KkMpnzk5rrJlw-tRp2-QFDc64HNRG88gorOzfrku9YSJTpjQO1wkN8twQGt6txSHtI1Td84_rKEverBqE-9eEaoyXGApl6CaUfDaShAWAW52u6G4-KWH8MjS5Khq2rDS-v4Bq79AsLo73mNQLagmelQk6fqde6-U5zvA9OnHQWyXfeeO7hBgS" width="640" /></a><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpvAZ88ORToT9-nY1fxRXg-7M8KD22EanPqwP0ORNzl_ZRnNhQwS_pQHrdZIiIf6MMBFBygjMpujRWBOhtD42P2vPIwdUpc2rf07DX6Kd16IkK14v8cGz5Z7MfGcEsMth-IBPWFKA3gHFqURU5-f4hAhs5jUuzUImfKjI0J9YPavC6zMDXbQD8ldpVU8C7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpvAZ88ORToT9-nY1fxRXg-7M8KD22EanPqwP0ORNzl_ZRnNhQwS_pQHrdZIiIf6MMBFBygjMpujRWBOhtD42P2vPIwdUpc2rf07DX6Kd16IkK14v8cGz5Z7MfGcEsMth-IBPWFKA3gHFqURU5-f4hAhs5jUuzUImfKjI0J9YPavC6zMDXbQD8ldpVU8C7=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />More good waves!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0JGcM-0PTNOX5AVH2HjTwg3WX7AFR8vO2PyAyV2avWxt-1oCvGzJNy6x4yvzl2o8L2LaNu9dOSagkKZSRSYAQaL9Vbm6fRBwtB9EzKTScPrkLfgn3qawJclBcDAH896DD_uFZ1LRXNHtnVRJ0ajXkpiX4PhSCt7b18-W-LM0djmt_Eca9yXVeSthujKRM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0JGcM-0PTNOX5AVH2HjTwg3WX7AFR8vO2PyAyV2avWxt-1oCvGzJNy6x4yvzl2o8L2LaNu9dOSagkKZSRSYAQaL9Vbm6fRBwtB9EzKTScPrkLfgn3qawJclBcDAH896DD_uFZ1LRXNHtnVRJ0ajXkpiX4PhSCt7b18-W-LM0djmt_Eca9yXVeSthujKRM=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKXY8pjZK93AGBn2l94kV7DbUMVX66ZDIa0XpZaBgQEMoZwKT2rT0dt7og03kB1He7dXGTRohEetIrtxQ1tXDx_R6aIlZoovxsej6vsEV9ZJndLLdprAc4ZerCrVml03vTGjTBIHaa20KMM_NI8wcGDEwcXWoIpG5BMqsqesD3gzP9t07OFFJO72BNV1Mr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3179" data-original-width="4635" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKXY8pjZK93AGBn2l94kV7DbUMVX66ZDIa0XpZaBgQEMoZwKT2rT0dt7og03kB1He7dXGTRohEetIrtxQ1tXDx_R6aIlZoovxsej6vsEV9ZJndLLdprAc4ZerCrVml03vTGjTBIHaa20KMM_NI8wcGDEwcXWoIpG5BMqsqesD3gzP9t07OFFJO72BNV1Mr=w640-h438" width="640" /></a><p></p><p>At Figure Eight Island, I have been diligently combing through the gull flocks. I don't even know what to think of this beast. The huge dark eye and sharply bicolored bill was giving me weird vibes.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicH-qwzfbT3zG0NuQWMEu1YQU4qSe8ftV46huW6PSlR1lh822hq5bkQdR1TUaGarZiSvsNi0Z5PCdz5nCgEkXhWcG78f-_5IEzNV_LC7ttPbgei9SHU_AJkc2b1-c5Ii2VaY0mDpev0oL9cvdaLUaRrBlmDwJZ0uJUF8U4tH457fwWSRWy9eK99akPEtq3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="4042" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicH-qwzfbT3zG0NuQWMEu1YQU4qSe8ftV46huW6PSlR1lh822hq5bkQdR1TUaGarZiSvsNi0Z5PCdz5nCgEkXhWcG78f-_5IEzNV_LC7ttPbgei9SHU_AJkc2b1-c5Ii2VaY0mDpev0oL9cvdaLUaRrBlmDwJZ0uJUF8U4tH457fwWSRWy9eK99akPEtq3=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><br />A cooperative Bald Eagle sitting on the wood pile someone put up.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtSzt3HOdTr3jN0ghS7Cojy0q8In2CMjzuMDZ1-wiXIiZkCUV9AnvZVTpSa3-k0AUBrr4pcymEgI6jTmO0GHbDEU2e5-uM_V9-HuWrXSdKJUJZbTF21Qiq6E7DBiuOcpsocwIz5S1lshdQP77YxSGMMEGrjRa7dRkclLCH9BlCkSkohjNfMj5l1GepF5HR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2277" data-original-width="3345" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtSzt3HOdTr3jN0ghS7Cojy0q8In2CMjzuMDZ1-wiXIiZkCUV9AnvZVTpSa3-k0AUBrr4pcymEgI6jTmO0GHbDEU2e5-uM_V9-HuWrXSdKJUJZbTF21Qiq6E7DBiuOcpsocwIz5S1lshdQP77YxSGMMEGrjRa7dRkclLCH9BlCkSkohjNfMj5l1GepF5HR=w640-h436" width="640" /></a></div><br />Massive flocks of Cedar Waxwings have been feasting on rich people's hedge berries. I think it is mostly privet.<p></p><p>Last weekend I made another trip up to the triangle to redeem myself after the misses in Charlotte. A Common Golden has been hanging out at Jordan Lake.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEislX5nqWUTiQ2z6jNUFgigSiSzyLI36kGW4axp-B6AJRe5F4FqU2WawYlrSo6MpWF_SYWp6Mi5taFDp_z6MbK35S4eGHOxjyMz4IrCiLDBSXbEShJezxil0h-MnEOtqy_fX9lz8x8ytpvyX3jQG35yu83K_SuOT1j7pdZyPtPD25y7SQX2gYiPHywYJuba" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="2353" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEislX5nqWUTiQ2z6jNUFgigSiSzyLI36kGW4axp-B6AJRe5F4FqU2WawYlrSo6MpWF_SYWp6Mi5taFDp_z6MbK35S4eGHOxjyMz4IrCiLDBSXbEShJezxil0h-MnEOtqy_fX9lz8x8ytpvyX3jQG35yu83K_SuOT1j7pdZyPtPD25y7SQX2gYiPHywYJuba=w640-h394" width="640" /></a></div><br />Common Goldeneye - it took a while to get some decent pics as it mostly hung out in some far nook of the lake.<p></p><p>Erla B has been having a horde of Pine Siskins at her feeder in Raleigh so I got permission to come over and do some Geribirding.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX5rcu9mKgv22jby5Y_6WOr4dFm-l1StyeTJz6qUUp1_nXBoFYtBNMiU9d4DcD3TgxlElMfMMSNE8oYUAaykby0T0A9rzu1Yw1fLXDB4OAPdeKCBDIiI4zqfPGiFcnfva_9im3tn41dhuOhgTMcwVXX5NOLy8Sr_pz5k4kigtav4G8z9mFvrMUznIoggbQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX5rcu9mKgv22jby5Y_6WOr4dFm-l1StyeTJz6qUUp1_nXBoFYtBNMiU9d4DcD3TgxlElMfMMSNE8oYUAaykby0T0A9rzu1Yw1fLXDB4OAPdeKCBDIiI4zqfPGiFcnfva_9im3tn41dhuOhgTMcwVXX5NOLy8Sr_pz5k4kigtav4G8z9mFvrMUznIoggbQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>Yellow-rumped Warbler</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggS0nymu54r27gFkXMsjCZmPBc_UtZE4FULIYm9mBp5dKIHHxJiUaPiycPZadR306HK1_sdPpCFBBEITsIeiHpOypILYCA2xUoRsADaP5N9rFZx6zG6mLbFbPj9ZgCjYZSzFDncPaRoWrKtExSH2U6luLxmJdbO_RFaP-6S_0pVf9Osc-eN9314cGM1dsb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggS0nymu54r27gFkXMsjCZmPBc_UtZE4FULIYm9mBp5dKIHHxJiUaPiycPZadR306HK1_sdPpCFBBEITsIeiHpOypILYCA2xUoRsADaP5N9rFZx6zG6mLbFbPj9ZgCjYZSzFDncPaRoWrKtExSH2U6luLxmJdbO_RFaP-6S_0pVf9Osc-eN9314cGM1dsb=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Mourning Dove <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdF99MAEnJigXYAxRK82ukm1wSL_m3EeTdxmTXwVxy6XJ9fUOlqKTPQsclKuj8CknjpqCUPSlH3r-31THfU2d_WDrAK-7SJyTj4EOyMREWpbtqyUG2bzLX6MzPQYl782nRuiyVCsqFG14Q6jnNK6r-GiM1MhF95wiD2FgNi9nL9WQIH18cs1EISFbMQ149" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2973" data-original-width="4761" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdF99MAEnJigXYAxRK82ukm1wSL_m3EeTdxmTXwVxy6XJ9fUOlqKTPQsclKuj8CknjpqCUPSlH3r-31THfU2d_WDrAK-7SJyTj4EOyMREWpbtqyUG2bzLX6MzPQYl782nRuiyVCsqFG14Q6jnNK6r-GiM1MhF95wiD2FgNi9nL9WQIH18cs1EISFbMQ149=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pine Siskin feeding on shelled sunflower seeds.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyaEZ-X4b97qL3zc7RlK0NheKmM-F6I13c1sFNvpMUBsOYSTy47B5PeNiQtghyt_K7F4M3iH_QltjYhw6U0YJdtkTyB_0X1DuOpfF_kiH5Adon6PP9GsbiktLrZosTSAKaN4hEw6YFP6ZS4lBO-qy7lcK_QC4YtH9qm2R_PukITC-kVxmRVPij2J97ydOo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyaEZ-X4b97qL3zc7RlK0NheKmM-F6I13c1sFNvpMUBsOYSTy47B5PeNiQtghyt_K7F4M3iH_QltjYhw6U0YJdtkTyB_0X1DuOpfF_kiH5Adon6PP9GsbiktLrZosTSAKaN4hEw6YFP6ZS4lBO-qy7lcK_QC4YtH9qm2R_PukITC-kVxmRVPij2J97ydOo" width="640" /></a></div><br />Goldfinch<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTWmTbmyvWTqG9Mjz3sD_yOOs-1QM3BHbHf5f2c37XziSrffwzhe5JX0DLvuLjilteRAWTQCuwYSwmBz-Wr6J_k3V2U-TfzdTvXUCSkN0hhl7TtaxEY92CiBI2jMHfh3brq032lWiMsOb2VZ-vuXEF_xrR9q4F7fN5hADNtIhYI7Ow5nIC0Vy2tIZJgmBM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2496" data-original-width="3571" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTWmTbmyvWTqG9Mjz3sD_yOOs-1QM3BHbHf5f2c37XziSrffwzhe5JX0DLvuLjilteRAWTQCuwYSwmBz-Wr6J_k3V2U-TfzdTvXUCSkN0hhl7TtaxEY92CiBI2jMHfh3brq032lWiMsOb2VZ-vuXEF_xrR9q4F7fN5hADNtIhYI7Ow5nIC0Vy2tIZJgmBM=w640-h448" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pine Siskin<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioT0UFKC4b5ePZ60esrcFTupN14l-bO5Atmt-DuUxto-N6Yfeyimx4Ffto2N5Z9qj-9JGKBJBqAKX1-xJ5q5tlaU4eO1uDnLpC3f1X_yH2PTSZIYchAGhKQk4Yl8Ish-XhJyEpgsy5S1UyiqKiWOEUfpfiEr1q_rjnhPY8BgoQoUMqP6v6HrnODMfGZk4U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioT0UFKC4b5ePZ60esrcFTupN14l-bO5Atmt-DuUxto-N6Yfeyimx4Ffto2N5Z9qj-9JGKBJBqAKX1-xJ5q5tlaU4eO1uDnLpC3f1X_yH2PTSZIYchAGhKQk4Yl8Ish-XhJyEpgsy5S1UyiqKiWOEUfpfiEr1q_rjnhPY8BgoQoUMqP6v6HrnODMfGZk4U" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pine Warbler<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXddTx1RugVpfGw8rxsKMWaIjVBNG1gemRDQ09O9HE_4oCwTSItGwm10Qgn5QE8lECfVVzRlnH26CAdYBjsiUwVXzio11kgN9ASV3hxHEM3sbJLZq0kBj0am3RjIAv-8bYXFrtIJHdu5ipXMfWFCjfVEOL60o12DvpVMkGIkjTGUgedgx1vBBq9Nhg8q2P" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXddTx1RugVpfGw8rxsKMWaIjVBNG1gemRDQ09O9HE_4oCwTSItGwm10Qgn5QE8lECfVVzRlnH26CAdYBjsiUwVXzio11kgN9ASV3hxHEM3sbJLZq0kBj0am3RjIAv-8bYXFrtIJHdu5ipXMfWFCjfVEOL60o12DvpVMkGIkjTGUgedgx1vBBq9Nhg8q2P" width="640" /></a></div><br />Brown Thrasher<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3vgqgRaDR61hKfdfJezvROQRwl0H4vokS9DTexT8plQ9Js9G-w-V77Hbj5VK3y_-lanlt-oNVHwVBKHYaqbeFu_0O11mA4jqMfDFo9s3AY2SFINGIRI0nXmipFGDBQZdpmZKPUMMN82GPQuhp8bUv4g63LuthfLuPrGVpUVBafOF8ZDjrJDCntkxcHFUe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="3195" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3vgqgRaDR61hKfdfJezvROQRwl0H4vokS9DTexT8plQ9Js9G-w-V77Hbj5VK3y_-lanlt-oNVHwVBKHYaqbeFu_0O11mA4jqMfDFo9s3AY2SFINGIRI0nXmipFGDBQZdpmZKPUMMN82GPQuhp8bUv4g63LuthfLuPrGVpUVBafOF8ZDjrJDCntkxcHFUe=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br />Dark-eyed Junco<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBoL_XyIt-DtPY604WBGnEx6m8N1H0vx_0Sk82BfwqfP4EwBcnxXamwjyPgPMQzorETf7HSxryXJkQoaurBf2ubgEg9Jk3Q5gPAKk0uy1--pI3ZVkut1H8jfeKQOMHrXecDMoSqwJbPM77TRW-8XsOGX_KgVBdUHF0yNNwDudmhzk28sm1A-27IASPlZch" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2491" data-original-width="3794" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBoL_XyIt-DtPY604WBGnEx6m8N1H0vx_0Sk82BfwqfP4EwBcnxXamwjyPgPMQzorETf7HSxryXJkQoaurBf2ubgEg9Jk3Q5gPAKk0uy1--pI3ZVkut1H8jfeKQOMHrXecDMoSqwJbPM77TRW-8XsOGX_KgVBdUHF0yNNwDudmhzk28sm1A-27IASPlZch=w640-h420" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>A nice little day trip!<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBPfhUq5_GbD0vAALJcJhXfAT1WZwva8NTpDe7JA1E13Ee1LDjJ1EcqlyrWkDDX9dxKnMtYf-YYBa-1u4Skm5NE8SpIPJ-fBeJHmaOUEsh6p3dPD-ufcmZqlRAHPyxpglHTT6ZolbI9LQDMQBskF7IeYwvVG-YEso8NVhMhHFJgCfzCaEAYocsmYCXXrJF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBPfhUq5_GbD0vAALJcJhXfAT1WZwva8NTpDe7JA1E13Ee1LDjJ1EcqlyrWkDDX9dxKnMtYf-YYBa-1u4Skm5NE8SpIPJ-fBeJHmaOUEsh6p3dPD-ufcmZqlRAHPyxpglHTT6ZolbI9LQDMQBskF7IeYwvVG-YEso8NVhMhHFJgCfzCaEAYocsmYCXXrJF=w640-h480" width="640" /></a><p></p><p> A sun beam poking through the gloom at Figure Eight one morning. I was toying with the idea of going up to Shackleford Banks but by the time I was done with my survey, I decided to just stay local and hit up the sparrow fields at Blue Clay rd.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmX_azX0a_vW35OTpbT3gmIT8f5eewgjWpA2T92861DH7_XAiVGI6vpag2T12bZ2k8hEt2eCkFFr8vhkVryyO4KqJ6KzYhZVbgYuhgR3DsBuxumBKdX797qgr1kJk0yb6ogeJZ3VTv9mf5RvbMDnWH99hpfhV1GPw5e3sXccInBJn29Yh_6A66grguSxxE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="2394" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmX_azX0a_vW35OTpbT3gmIT8f5eewgjWpA2T92861DH7_XAiVGI6vpag2T12bZ2k8hEt2eCkFFr8vhkVryyO4KqJ6KzYhZVbgYuhgR3DsBuxumBKdX797qgr1kJk0yb6ogeJZ3VTv9mf5RvbMDnWH99hpfhV1GPw5e3sXccInBJn29Yh_6A66grguSxxE=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><br />Vesper Sparrow<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgpbFPx9pf6h3DZ3sTT46kXRACtMpm0uHctcXVQkpKHx94FUljlzuBw_ueSgyGgcYJNtDyWNR56ISkjZisZZYofNj48IeJujyVkeaP0PEGD8BNJT5_ngZNJ3z7NVv3y3gHf86kMEHRrTN3NlBzoYEimFkz39i2gBBMAOeplgJlPs9Y5wnXq_y0RS5SD2_e" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3099" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgpbFPx9pf6h3DZ3sTT46kXRACtMpm0uHctcXVQkpKHx94FUljlzuBw_ueSgyGgcYJNtDyWNR56ISkjZisZZYofNj48IeJujyVkeaP0PEGD8BNJT5_ngZNJ3z7NVv3y3gHf86kMEHRrTN3NlBzoYEimFkz39i2gBBMAOeplgJlPs9Y5wnXq_y0RS5SD2_e=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5CqIwf5WMgjTCtoGXQKqK58y7QPH792CqeRc3R1K24L-BbPlGRi6qT7pex5jRT0E2Sb6pXu2iKWfR4HyU4GXwKZe5jq3hC-ARrFZMCm1RYxPIIJbjT2zBjcIinggyWdgFDkNiDwmOIiy36CLslIz-F2PsS65qTQ_jXML_HoGFg3IDq1WVUiA2icaH4b3q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5CqIwf5WMgjTCtoGXQKqK58y7QPH792CqeRc3R1K24L-BbPlGRi6qT7pex5jRT0E2Sb6pXu2iKWfR4HyU4GXwKZe5jq3hC-ARrFZMCm1RYxPIIJbjT2zBjcIinggyWdgFDkNiDwmOIiy36CLslIz-F2PsS65qTQ_jXML_HoGFg3IDq1WVUiA2icaH4b3q=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Mallard<p></p><p>Great times!</p><p>This weekend is pelagic time! I hope the weather holds up.</p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-63015293903718377592024-02-17T11:16:00.000-08:002024-02-17T11:16:05.702-08:00Were-grebes of London and a Red-cockaded WP (05-10Feb2024)<p>Work had me going to London this past week but I only got outside a few times due to typical UK weather and a packed work schedule. I stayed at the Syon Park Hilton which is not really close to any of the good London parks except Syon Park which is closed in the winter. Bad luck! However, the hotel was next to a trout pond which had a few good birds.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFznmOly36UjIherossHBIV-7RGGWHzYAyKQKThQYpD-PglA9rEMHHn1ipyIZjiWnepanPzz-eBho6X7go3SNLaiuWpC_oXaX406gz787aFS8uopQ7vrc3LZN9L3sTB3wC_1I1U24NGWe1Fir1YU_Rmq5Bc5hi1uuuMnWfVdmLaj4lg46mGaMxMg9TSp18" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="3230" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFznmOly36UjIherossHBIV-7RGGWHzYAyKQKThQYpD-PglA9rEMHHn1ipyIZjiWnepanPzz-eBho6X7go3SNLaiuWpC_oXaX406gz787aFS8uopQ7vrc3LZN9L3sTB3wC_1I1U24NGWe1Fir1YU_Rmq5Bc5hi1uuuMnWfVdmLaj4lg46mGaMxMg9TSp18=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br />Little Grebe was actually a lifer for me.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiasCGapjrAaO4hmCThbzmqgyJx3AU2eGTJ8m317CdcTY31orQJFZhR18MX0fYhpi20QYL2majLp8-y_zQFXPudywAAMNrEN_QeaUzJ7bPjlqX8gT5flHmYMldyDtHmKHGY6U2Io-RSh_ICKDCv6wNC0rhpZ-Xa3C9a7eidJf3AL_EGhgC6iJh6bfnYLLxs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiasCGapjrAaO4hmCThbzmqgyJx3AU2eGTJ8m317CdcTY31orQJFZhR18MX0fYhpi20QYL2majLp8-y_zQFXPudywAAMNrEN_QeaUzJ7bPjlqX8gT5flHmYMldyDtHmKHGY6U2Io-RSh_ICKDCv6wNC0rhpZ-Xa3C9a7eidJf3AL_EGhgC6iJh6bfnYLLxs=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>Common Wood-Pigeons are conspicuous and everywhere.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7qmG7UFDp_Vk6vWepEF6BIAkx70UAYZGClgFEDZjrbKOv4wB5hL6X9xG6xajPop1wTtz3MTIieeVdASpqWPZUfzCwu64qWDzfIyml1lsLD1CWAdOjbEmLZy4M63HDQexhV82pHgVwDs1CT1C4gT3oVo0XIp87sHnQ9aNYxzPpa6sgO1bc9YChqB07hnhv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7qmG7UFDp_Vk6vWepEF6BIAkx70UAYZGClgFEDZjrbKOv4wB5hL6X9xG6xajPop1wTtz3MTIieeVdASpqWPZUfzCwu64qWDzfIyml1lsLD1CWAdOjbEmLZy4M63HDQexhV82pHgVwDs1CT1C4gT3oVo0XIp87sHnQ9aNYxzPpa6sgO1bc9YChqB07hnhv" width="640" /></a></div><br />I walked about a mile to the Thames River and there were about a thousand Black-headed Gulls but not much else.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPHaluhx5McAqxEL5NJK-3nsWy5cY1lpyZlsklhdlTCr3NI1-ll3fcMdkTP2M0a8P35qLvWBZzf9gju8RuDjOFitw1WrnbN8LW7pwiib4EA3j0JmiExnMMiELk4P7qqje9hYs_aL8L_H__cH3bzXUxye46HSVo2VxFurJJyZwdbhOzW815XBGeg1rBO3LF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPHaluhx5McAqxEL5NJK-3nsWy5cY1lpyZlsklhdlTCr3NI1-ll3fcMdkTP2M0a8P35qLvWBZzf9gju8RuDjOFitw1WrnbN8LW7pwiib4EA3j0JmiExnMMiELk4P7qqje9hYs_aL8L_H__cH3bzXUxye46HSVo2VxFurJJyZwdbhOzW815XBGeg1rBO3LF" width="640" /></a></div><br />Gray Heron - I feel like I am getting familiar enough with this species that I will be able to pick one out if we get one back home.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnKj8-WdzZm3ZFBrw7T4_haDDui73nPp9QvSqeDQvGhUwMib0nD44qqDUZH4v1ZcR74ubeUiZ8i8Ik76HabPUnKSO4g_m3Wyj6UfaXW0GzMVW-Nze6UgSxQYXHVHr5USBK4ur1RQq7n2nWV0GCb1NOgdRGTXyUOLehOs_6BYUrWV0dIAtziMyB59Aftl8n" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="4640" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnKj8-WdzZm3ZFBrw7T4_haDDui73nPp9QvSqeDQvGhUwMib0nD44qqDUZH4v1ZcR74ubeUiZ8i8Ik76HabPUnKSO4g_m3Wyj6UfaXW0GzMVW-Nze6UgSxQYXHVHr5USBK4ur1RQq7n2nWV0GCb1NOgdRGTXyUOLehOs_6BYUrWV0dIAtziMyB59Aftl8n" width="640" /></a></div><br />European Robins are cute as a button and sing all year long.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWrUN3kbxnWskoySfZUFdlwfbt5S3WkKac9iQTFJjZUlDGr35N74yqdIgXsycsC_UloEkJjHyk6roqZfPIvB3u64UnkY6UK4Bz9hIBN3olOh_VGRYFabMU9WJCBu8PSP50HKwtQu9mzt2v9auVoc0pp93osmW_R4S9vfyhCIaDSbIUJIAfBgJYEiB0AUZC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWrUN3kbxnWskoySfZUFdlwfbt5S3WkKac9iQTFJjZUlDGr35N74yqdIgXsycsC_UloEkJjHyk6roqZfPIvB3u64UnkY6UK4Bz9hIBN3olOh_VGRYFabMU9WJCBu8PSP50HKwtQu9mzt2v9auVoc0pp93osmW_R4S9vfyhCIaDSbIUJIAfBgJYEiB0AUZC=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Long-tailed Tits are also very cute but there is something about them that seems off. I think the color scheme is just weird.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOUtVMWQJc17U1Pdj96QygRxqDGcYkceqK-EhTAki8SSgqzwyURS4M-2ZKbYabIs0awv0DQELe6B71X8cM3Clud1dqVZ6oni06sccBQGs4uJoIxYneJnGrbLx3fy61n8_hqRnvNoKg5XWTaUrUoZ5yYwZsYLL3Ka7cG-c0r5sp3_j3Isp0aCOhheIEGLrL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3646" data-original-width="5147" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOUtVMWQJc17U1Pdj96QygRxqDGcYkceqK-EhTAki8SSgqzwyURS4M-2ZKbYabIs0awv0DQELe6B71X8cM3Clud1dqVZ6oni06sccBQGs4uJoIxYneJnGrbLx3fy61n8_hqRnvNoKg5XWTaUrUoZ5yYwZsYLL3Ka7cG-c0r5sp3_j3Isp0aCOhheIEGLrL=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eurasian Blackbird - the one that the Beatles were singing about.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdin8nDZUIH6NUW7OIjp4W5S8VPnJQJVZIr9Gbm4p8dYF6CpCQMOYuACoggKoOsDEwrH7x32WUUfrMR5ZgY_K_LEWxL-LuiMxn7oL5qe8hpx38hw9NeiwWTt0-Ysr9b8Q0CS6Y8Wed1bOdZeFlceAVYgglz3DNreMwWgS600zvQIYLttqS9xl2UCgtyZh6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3062" data-original-width="4697" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdin8nDZUIH6NUW7OIjp4W5S8VPnJQJVZIr9Gbm4p8dYF6CpCQMOYuACoggKoOsDEwrH7x32WUUfrMR5ZgY_K_LEWxL-LuiMxn7oL5qe8hpx38hw9NeiwWTt0-Ysr9b8Q0CS6Y8Wed1bOdZeFlceAVYgglz3DNreMwWgS600zvQIYLttqS9xl2UCgtyZh6=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><br />Tufted Duck<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1pdquYhooI8QhsZSk2TtwKYlO-syDk3pW9n8Ba2mv60gq7Da1hOfKpQHMMYkSUf_GOrZCN3dE2EpJpUvDqvQGQnyJguPr0Rof1NgNeujqR-mdgyE1FMbIQbbbFq2jDUJkvGz5_q_A3RBq4iJderllcsKCKmyQuA7jEazGmELRsEk5iB44OYg_L6tYpKWw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2586" data-original-width="3870" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1pdquYhooI8QhsZSk2TtwKYlO-syDk3pW9n8Ba2mv60gq7Da1hOfKpQHMMYkSUf_GOrZCN3dE2EpJpUvDqvQGQnyJguPr0Rof1NgNeujqR-mdgyE1FMbIQbbbFq2jDUJkvGz5_q_A3RBq4iJderllcsKCKmyQuA7jEazGmELRsEk5iB44OYg_L6tYpKWw=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eurasian Green Woodpecker - I had one of these in Norway but it was a new one for the UK.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuxlpiyIvIGza4L8Cj24xb3trflTUdMFouxCr1CK_B51093GPGy-Qm894W2P8r9MjSOr-rh5vmSEosU9IBkLLWFSBqLYftiMWNGZE-lt3JkPPfK4t5qpH_BfUlz-g8nYDtImJglxCEwz0drVGBo3rwCdKE-wf9z9PnD-7aiqAn0hLT6rehU9yle-rm2IxA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuxlpiyIvIGza4L8Cj24xb3trflTUdMFouxCr1CK_B51093GPGy-Qm894W2P8r9MjSOr-rh5vmSEosU9IBkLLWFSBqLYftiMWNGZE-lt3JkPPfK4t5qpH_BfUlz-g8nYDtImJglxCEwz0drVGBo3rwCdKE-wf9z9PnD-7aiqAn0hLT6rehU9yle-rm2IxA=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Great Tit<p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEjvmlBtBqJrzi8Sgx3DTvymYE2x2YT8jxL4YbfxpKUIyPMcu8CNjx7T8TT8GmIlATHQktz3KzYuR7eCvlm4uZxj_N_FVWmkAEPiFk2fPyYLJOoSmCXMfIU22ghhtMu8_fMcsP15BEx2Iiyv2BvF9Q81FuxZFepcNBnhFrUvN1eKAy9oFDYlI6o6i9zt6a" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEjvmlBtBqJrzi8Sgx3DTvymYE2x2YT8jxL4YbfxpKUIyPMcu8CNjx7T8TT8GmIlATHQktz3KzYuR7eCvlm4uZxj_N_FVWmkAEPiFk2fPyYLJOoSmCXMfIU22ghhtMu8_fMcsP15BEx2Iiyv2BvF9Q81FuxZFepcNBnhFrUvN1eKAy9oFDYlI6o6i9zt6a=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Stock Dove<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAR6AYK2qSI7hayv1OWUgwW1dCXJie59ksNqruhLQtO2iTScENMeu6xZ4jAqY4D8YceYWLo_FexAblw-MnC7et-aWqweKc3w4_E93eJ_0z_F-CbmJayX6WAyg3YM0Aojy1JEcPQuQFAUQPwNUxAOosf_4mUr9d5ZluOeu07CoOGe-1C6rR3BITxn9E7InM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAR6AYK2qSI7hayv1OWUgwW1dCXJie59ksNqruhLQtO2iTScENMeu6xZ4jAqY4D8YceYWLo_FexAblw-MnC7et-aWqweKc3w4_E93eJ_0z_F-CbmJayX6WAyg3YM0Aojy1JEcPQuQFAUQPwNUxAOosf_4mUr9d5ZluOeu07CoOGe-1C6rR3BITxn9E7InM" width="640" /></a></div><p>Eurasian Jackdaws</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiviq4QYMQuLqwXH40npm4a8f2OaKJAO_mTXohYdZK2pcyUpbpB8USPxRFFvncqtOh6LPpTnWyG_bx35A3rwXwuXhA4tp6mK9FcQmTpc2zFGj7Qt7_cZnipPbJQGNOM9TCa-zhYDwG3xgnaxoWHK2OJRbRVfolrHUHo07aMcaUnSw_LkdILcLfOpnkK0EkO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2672" data-original-width="4469" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiviq4QYMQuLqwXH40npm4a8f2OaKJAO_mTXohYdZK2pcyUpbpB8USPxRFFvncqtOh6LPpTnWyG_bx35A3rwXwuXhA4tp6mK9FcQmTpc2zFGj7Qt7_cZnipPbJQGNOM9TCa-zhYDwG3xgnaxoWHK2OJRbRVfolrHUHo07aMcaUnSw_LkdILcLfOpnkK0EkO=w640-h382" width="640" /></a></div><p>Rose-ringed Parakeets are everywhere in London and now other cities in EU too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBfSLndmyxu-RkM_FxRDOX4CuGwqzQuPgnKY5kMKMJ2280V0-VZJ14yr8FOYf_d5OCrueqPN0SXFShmge6YMoryqk0Ues38stwcHESiMHVnA-HwHVxzqpisGqQfGJvAkhYC4sH6pe0X6578PFvXQBoF77IykDSyRbtruv77ZNsm-3H95_m3T606grOiz6c" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBfSLndmyxu-RkM_FxRDOX4CuGwqzQuPgnKY5kMKMJ2280V0-VZJ14yr8FOYf_d5OCrueqPN0SXFShmge6YMoryqk0Ues38stwcHESiMHVnA-HwHVxzqpisGqQfGJvAkhYC4sH6pe0X6578PFvXQBoF77IykDSyRbtruv77ZNsm-3H95_m3T606grOiz6c=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH-4V7bF7399ZUkwV91nvbv1X5LJocxrLLJ5pNMpkG2b1fcl0YhUaSlnMQwbDzG5uEfE824bXD5G_eTWIE67W4PiInzSea1-aiQjpRtlxNVEQWEcKpsfsjr723ph2m2q8bwys1bEEsKG6WDJr3xzVatHb99XKhzdrx7WRXfxwAiDt6TPEuZB6qNLLYAYuO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3306" data-original-width="5182" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH-4V7bF7399ZUkwV91nvbv1X5LJocxrLLJ5pNMpkG2b1fcl0YhUaSlnMQwbDzG5uEfE824bXD5G_eTWIE67W4PiInzSea1-aiQjpRtlxNVEQWEcKpsfsjr723ph2m2q8bwys1bEEsKG6WDJr3xzVatHb99XKhzdrx7WRXfxwAiDt6TPEuZB6qNLLYAYuO=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><br />Egyptian Goose<p></p>On the last full day I had some time to play around but the weather was horrible and I barely got out.<p></p><p>Back at home I managed to make it up to Holly Shelter after my survey at Figure 8 and found a nice flock of Red-Cockaded WPs.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPZ5TxeykMfBanNvoVKx55hVRBsDbDo5_8tzwYxfXzSceEPDEUEGNdUs1dZZAWq31YqPzkKTE7m4L0TD-9f6a1ysDAOjfOkcTIi9kJUd8e8EbNj_N4z-5My9Z-bJhoMiKJDGQsZ42LbAdYDbF7Zi64QHVyuYS0lxi6d-93spQZzihUm5BtcGjjN9hM-uDJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="2119" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPZ5TxeykMfBanNvoVKx55hVRBsDbDo5_8tzwYxfXzSceEPDEUEGNdUs1dZZAWq31YqPzkKTE7m4L0TD-9f6a1ysDAOjfOkcTIi9kJUd8e8EbNj_N4z-5My9Z-bJhoMiKJDGQsZ42LbAdYDbF7Zi64QHVyuYS0lxi6d-93spQZzihUm5BtcGjjN9hM-uDJ=w640-h364" width="640" /></a></div><br />Red-cockaded WP<p></p><p>As I write this, it is Saturday and I am hoping to go chase some birds on Sunday, wish me luck!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-51029942061142825792024-02-12T04:10:00.000-08:002024-02-17T13:03:45.972-08:00A Thick-billed Murre and Varied Thrush! (01-04Feb2024)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">February has already turned out to be good for me. A rare Thick-billed Murre showed up at Carolina Beach State Park and I found (with two other people) a Varied Thrush at Airlie Gardens which is a county first! First some local stuff...</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/a/AVvXsEjPSU0RUO-M7p_zvhjv_nO3oPXTd3Y3p8_JkqSfnRPsN6AvAzABhF0cGZb4Q0IeRXUyKFyEOsRx05ZiTqmO8Iv0J_hZG7rwHmowvhmJOmCx1kgzNAdR-6DASF7l_wMZ3lB6raA9snkZO9ej7587VcoKeJ9jCkvYs_ZMHkuPqSNW_5NaQ5MVdtYbmR8QrYcZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2693" data-original-width="4666" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPSU0RUO-M7p_zvhjv_nO3oPXTd3Y3p8_JkqSfnRPsN6AvAzABhF0cGZb4Q0IeRXUyKFyEOsRx05ZiTqmO8Iv0J_hZG7rwHmowvhmJOmCx1kgzNAdR-6DASF7l_wMZ3lB6raA9snkZO9ej7587VcoKeJ9jCkvYs_ZMHkuPqSNW_5NaQ5MVdtYbmR8QrYcZ=w640-h370" width="640" /></a></div><br />Hooded Merganser at Airlie - this go to spot of mine is very convenient especially for a quick trip at the end of the work day.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitcgUcqvC_6AE5k657wD3qdrd1f-qK0VDtv87o_wFVhia7nWoGo16fPGl4NtuYit-87TgcXrT_D3lwfY_QyoyTtL93iWLt5tHbtCEJR-o6PGuf8TRGVOhLIMcmkvUjwd5Ww9sqb1mGpqrD0XI0qbAMsZhwXGVz_LM_WZrGfLtmGKbKxT2psE9HycjUu7Zj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2720" data-original-width="4876" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitcgUcqvC_6AE5k657wD3qdrd1f-qK0VDtv87o_wFVhia7nWoGo16fPGl4NtuYit-87TgcXrT_D3lwfY_QyoyTtL93iWLt5tHbtCEJR-o6PGuf8TRGVOhLIMcmkvUjwd5Ww9sqb1mGpqrD0XI0qbAMsZhwXGVz_LM_WZrGfLtmGKbKxT2psE9HycjUu7Zj=w640-h358" width="640" /></a></div><br />Interesting to see the white plumes that are normally laying flat on the birds back at the bottom of the open wings.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3wacwAc9zJe117RBRU6olWJ3Ch5obmL50y-OHN5Z215Qq2OTBViyWKnUttD7ADFvmaDDawBGEDc5RI_NdLplaRhOsY1iQPJkno6Caeebvy3WZDzuupBTsTJrey6w5oOk2P4VkyVC05MdBaZXHb0jF4pavsAoNyNUfKvfQIrp9sV7aZPCXM-zH8rhXyBDG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="1961" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3wacwAc9zJe117RBRU6olWJ3Ch5obmL50y-OHN5Z215Qq2OTBViyWKnUttD7ADFvmaDDawBGEDc5RI_NdLplaRhOsY1iQPJkno6Caeebvy3WZDzuupBTsTJrey6w5oOk2P4VkyVC05MdBaZXHb0jF4pavsAoNyNUfKvfQIrp9sV7aZPCXM-zH8rhXyBDG=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />There is almost always a Great Cormorant sitting on the north jetty at the south end of Wrightsville but it's difficult to get a pic due to poor light. Here was one day where the light cooperated.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrDPMzkn20vqRQ0hmHjJx9_LjCj1RYYxmHN6ATdSDBcZy1FEn6-o8ssKH_ZPgiQ4-BKhh_5eIA-1IQTafjK8NGed6M_cDPAwWRSK0HFyCQLpWg0JjkxyrQYPI_KVq8Hd047gZIxbeEYDS52GhsB6kas0pvUGKV-knt4RmdKaGC0d8VoaiDI7uXmje7q74O" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1509" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrDPMzkn20vqRQ0hmHjJx9_LjCj1RYYxmHN6ATdSDBcZy1FEn6-o8ssKH_ZPgiQ4-BKhh_5eIA-1IQTafjK8NGed6M_cDPAwWRSK0HFyCQLpWg0JjkxyrQYPI_KVq8Hd047gZIxbeEYDS52GhsB6kas0pvUGKV-knt4RmdKaGC0d8VoaiDI7uXmje7q74O=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br />Razorbill - Considering the amount of Dovekies we had a month ago, it is strange to see so few Razorbills. This one was way out and I had to heavily crop the image.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRjqfLK3rY0dUYy7Nc98-5la_7u5X20MhUA3dnNyxC_gzndnDNFO5UU6erbdNjTONfSt3odoJtX1n6EZH-J_SEj29ZxjsMVH5vzaSXapYgv8dhwQJr541NYi0QPcT5eDSzo63Z3io6OA6Wneeb3tvI1QHuJnHJQN0qYnSKkUnX6U9vAYPynxy9x20zFufH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRjqfLK3rY0dUYy7Nc98-5la_7u5X20MhUA3dnNyxC_gzndnDNFO5UU6erbdNjTONfSt3odoJtX1n6EZH-J_SEj29ZxjsMVH5vzaSXapYgv8dhwQJr541NYi0QPcT5eDSzo63Z3io6OA6Wneeb3tvI1QHuJnHJQN0qYnSKkUnX6U9vAYPynxy9x20zFufH" width="640" /></a></div><br />Anhingas are prehistoric looking and absolutely fabulous. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLYbEHBJT9ObEi_KJf8wPBmu_Xynj_Ny-354bZka0xNc1suBlHfukpOZiPnSkOl6bNcd5ZjT95FaYXLuGUQGBEDqSEv5NPdx_woGb3ERZO0JW2X4YUWjxWJFFnqRPaYXEmli3zzL6h9IEBQ_3l5zSuBRHZu1Joy-xclZCKM8sJuA5RkoGwfBbD-jCkQOOz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLYbEHBJT9ObEi_KJf8wPBmu_Xynj_Ny-354bZka0xNc1suBlHfukpOZiPnSkOl6bNcd5ZjT95FaYXLuGUQGBEDqSEv5NPdx_woGb3ERZO0JW2X4YUWjxWJFFnqRPaYXEmli3zzL6h9IEBQ_3l5zSuBRHZu1Joy-xclZCKM8sJuA5RkoGwfBbD-jCkQOOz" width="640" /></a></div><br />The plumes of the Great Egret almost led to its extinction at one point, or at least greatly imperiled it. Apparently ladies loved them in their hats.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhb-4VQtewrlUVyYfXoreheDLnP_fEPsnVG6bgk6LEIeMw2xiD1gz4zwEHHD_X2gDXJ0dRDQ1PQMCzSX9JufHTHw217yy0NxwyJClV3hN_7zuFs5iNDHa62ADJNFjpAzPS7bULjSfpky24NHZXIZcJHYUAhDOBkguYPM4AM68NS_4EFZ_Yh-LIF-unYNuZX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhb-4VQtewrlUVyYfXoreheDLnP_fEPsnVG6bgk6LEIeMw2xiD1gz4zwEHHD_X2gDXJ0dRDQ1PQMCzSX9JufHTHw217yy0NxwyJClV3hN_7zuFs5iNDHa62ADJNFjpAzPS7bULjSfpky24NHZXIZcJHYUAhDOBkguYPM4AM68NS_4EFZ_Yh-LIF-unYNuZX" width="640" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile back at the south end of WB, Ricky D had found a Harlequin Duck, but it was so far out you could barely see it.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx7EQd1UW4xYijZg_AuzULErDEs2Vs-Oh9Gcr3krQITjyyk_jT3Y8JyI-lfzydkOp066QxhZie8qLq8LPNq1EMGDYkWqptnhcp3Xp2hPwYGqG4IQNGnjlBx4sNs55HY-RBl84jdA15aj6GiYPzFABUDrlKrKKy4c9p-RX-74Gnu1NGIqIJOrTotc_LJQN6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1278" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx7EQd1UW4xYijZg_AuzULErDEs2Vs-Oh9Gcr3krQITjyyk_jT3Y8JyI-lfzydkOp066QxhZie8qLq8LPNq1EMGDYkWqptnhcp3Xp2hPwYGqG4IQNGnjlBx4sNs55HY-RBl84jdA15aj6GiYPzFABUDrlKrKKy4c9p-RX-74Gnu1NGIqIJOrTotc_LJQN6=w640-h388" width="640" /></a></div><br />Zoomed in shot. It was hanging out with Black and Surf Scoters.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6w9sqKSC915IO5Jk8XiWcYLzYWnWCFYz_nggNqH67AQgZNeNECLXW_ap_QVjIvJDB0sGPpsW30o1oEnr20ZmhkUwGIJAf0VESkH7J2AAgfWStaPhOvJ40CCG4Ng9s8TefcTbHcgIaVBe17y_DuuRMxFcAKYm73u8Q5APClQZjEMiRHFYt1tgZs2fQcL1g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6w9sqKSC915IO5Jk8XiWcYLzYWnWCFYz_nggNqH67AQgZNeNECLXW_ap_QVjIvJDB0sGPpsW30o1oEnr20ZmhkUwGIJAf0VESkH7J2AAgfWStaPhOvJ40CCG4Ng9s8TefcTbHcgIaVBe17y_DuuRMxFcAKYm73u8Q5APClQZjEMiRHFYt1tgZs2fQcL1g" width="640" /></a></div><br />As a surfer, waves have always interested me, and the waves that form on the breakwall at south end of WB are fantastic to look at. Imagine yourself as small as a Smurf and mindsurf those waves all day long.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMpR6S9iHhuCg_ig1oNzx5yK22I74548NO7kKtGTSyzGWXfkjQ4jkcZLFwvbYYKEQFpA7O4Z2KhtWO6j72_k5nZ4ZO53_cd6y2w2yvn9TVyInPoBvLhuUGuCOk6hlr7xa_jaeN5neQPmgi42puAUmfcGhB_tk7LfzkfQ5hdQZDEenf1-5-7mFD70HSdep4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMpR6S9iHhuCg_ig1oNzx5yK22I74548NO7kKtGTSyzGWXfkjQ4jkcZLFwvbYYKEQFpA7O4Z2KhtWO6j72_k5nZ4ZO53_cd6y2w2yvn9TVyInPoBvLhuUGuCOk6hlr7xa_jaeN5neQPmgi42puAUmfcGhB_tk7LfzkfQ5hdQZDEenf1-5-7mFD70HSdep4=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Rock Pigeons are really gorgeous if you stop to smell the roses.<p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3qdh2kmm6TkDcs70WAk2WJ6Y7_f--S5XBhqEd95R37ar2X4vtQPrxTSvj7rF15_duwE-0eAA1sqrMDHYExwLdlY5ONlAgCVFGRuB2TeGDrY1_2s90UGAr3MWZYJD4D8iDtXv1H5p5_MMatHPEd9hyESmcxWs1Ats32Rg20hhsda7rMT1Mev1AjGPVx7LG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1748" data-original-width="2605" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3qdh2kmm6TkDcs70WAk2WJ6Y7_f--S5XBhqEd95R37ar2X4vtQPrxTSvj7rF15_duwE-0eAA1sqrMDHYExwLdlY5ONlAgCVFGRuB2TeGDrY1_2s90UGAr3MWZYJD4D8iDtXv1H5p5_MMatHPEd9hyESmcxWs1Ats32Rg20hhsda7rMT1Mev1AjGPVx7LG=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></p><p>I love when I go to my dentist and he always tells me the story about how he saw a Bald Eagle. I tell him they are everywhere if you look for them.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs-a01Ww1y70dC_0FvmH2X5xR_SNLWZPDC4JcX8-0D_Y8m7-LuW_bN5HGkJLwdE8CGYAR8ZJRaHGrPBfXNBlCM_TDLfxzoHnC7YvlAkWHI4T30ruJ8YRNR_brFKNE-3QQwZ3AHfJuReS-_52WO2dPXf9T3lv0NIkT4keo55ikFJq8gY6Z63nQr8w0mnIsx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs-a01Ww1y70dC_0FvmH2X5xR_SNLWZPDC4JcX8-0D_Y8m7-LuW_bN5HGkJLwdE8CGYAR8ZJRaHGrPBfXNBlCM_TDLfxzoHnC7YvlAkWHI4T30ruJ8YRNR_brFKNE-3QQwZ3AHfJuReS-_52WO2dPXf9T3lv0NIkT4keo55ikFJq8gY6Z63nQr8w0mnIsx" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I love a Tufted Titmouse, they have such character and you have to appreciate the salmon colored flanks.</p><p>I was at Airlie minding my business when I bumped into Janelle and Ian McDonald from up near Hickory (I think) and I mentioned where I had a nice flock of birds on the other side of the garden, close to where Ricky D had a Nashville Warbler a couple days prior. I decided it would be easier to just walk over with them and show them. Usually I am a bit of a loaner so I am really happy I decided to hang out with Ian and Janelle. We were walking over near the Nashville spot when we all noticed a robin like bird sitting in some brambles. Ian seems to use his camera as a way to see the birds so he already had his camera up and pointing at this bird. I think we all were immediately struck by the fact that this thrush looked different but I believe I was the first to say, Varied Thrush! It all happened in a matter of seconds and the bird flushed before I could get my camera up. Luckily Ian had snapped off a bunch of photos in burst mode and a few of them were diagnostic!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5UdT_oluEBaVqCssiSfnGWayf6nupry23OvuuDO2f9N8T9PGmtSajf9DwDBYF8ndcscF3Iobb0GcdL5eXeictditp-YZmYigkaNUmXm3VXVs4NiLpxeup3Y7W3ujNuQIMaGe-BNxuWWM9XcNy-WRhhxUK-7BifZHc18I44ygkt3VA_k88YOrCM_a5Ks7w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="211" height="619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5UdT_oluEBaVqCssiSfnGWayf6nupry23OvuuDO2f9N8T9PGmtSajf9DwDBYF8ndcscF3Iobb0GcdL5eXeictditp-YZmYigkaNUmXm3VXVs4NiLpxeup3Y7W3ujNuQIMaGe-BNxuWWM9XcNy-WRhhxUK-7BifZHc18I44ygkt3VA_k88YOrCM_a5Ks7w=w640-h619" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Disclaimer - not my photo! This was probably the best photo Ian got showing the eyebrow stripe, but he also got some photos of the wing markings too!</p><p>I stayed for another hour or so looking to relocate the bird, but I think it took off with a large flock of American Robins that passed through.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8GW-VBVXGYVMFi36suQN861Q4XM_nFvSkKDCFyIYiRPXsJcObEqX8cYvaTs2sqWPMPF-3juaQW8mu94faMYOag1nvZ2m4zWO0jfiZaRnrP947qp4WfjWO8fzuF93ZBl-SdQT33OYjg5UyP9fLCajUQSJO2MRygvub8O703DVzEBn5r3-xdLUFXS7pFuLZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2975" data-original-width="4177" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8GW-VBVXGYVMFi36suQN861Q4XM_nFvSkKDCFyIYiRPXsJcObEqX8cYvaTs2sqWPMPF-3juaQW8mu94faMYOag1nvZ2m4zWO0jfiZaRnrP947qp4WfjWO8fzuF93ZBl-SdQT33OYjg5UyP9fLCajUQSJO2MRygvub8O703DVzEBn5r3-xdLUFXS7pFuLZ" width="640" /></a></div><br />While we were beating the bushes for the Varied Thrush, I found this cute Winter Wren but he didn't want to cooperate and stayed hidden.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsh4JRZE5YG4dSDnDEvqXMHEkLGcf_UszBAGgLAlkD30YRo_0rzIvL6MYofxNtGLIPWyr2PYKvlTSYGahyBYyXYXVQda80esnLqVN75YHyTHbjM9wE_PcTtDXr_FO8gcA7KToJZT7nucOHFo3FbTOg_YU6InMnV4MokeI79nfDOscXTHGPY7GKHJv8dNEJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsh4JRZE5YG4dSDnDEvqXMHEkLGcf_UszBAGgLAlkD30YRo_0rzIvL6MYofxNtGLIPWyr2PYKvlTSYGahyBYyXYXVQda80esnLqVN75YHyTHbjM9wE_PcTtDXr_FO8gcA7KToJZT7nucOHFo3FbTOg_YU6InMnV4MokeI79nfDOscXTHGPY7GKHJv8dNEJ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pileated Woodpeckers<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_L1ZHr_GbprZbYC39pTD4HhFnc71JUBRlZKp2BM4apeQAlLSmLJPypPbkqaHS2eTMDdelmg2vdAAgCiS3W4jW9PIuR43NklsolrD6yu2gpx_IkXwJWL0IA2AV4A1lHxn-HTzlrjmH_X9nBqpCRC3DEormbjh8CxfRjHosx3wEkkcgRuso1YY_JIOruu9w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_L1ZHr_GbprZbYC39pTD4HhFnc71JUBRlZKp2BM4apeQAlLSmLJPypPbkqaHS2eTMDdelmg2vdAAgCiS3W4jW9PIuR43NklsolrD6yu2gpx_IkXwJWL0IA2AV4A1lHxn-HTzlrjmH_X9nBqpCRC3DEormbjh8CxfRjHosx3wEkkcgRuso1YY_JIOruu9w" width="640" /></a></div><br />Anhinga<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFyoMIwOhQ-1yqU3Bc0TYOIESu2Ktzh36E0aX0BLOSw34Xp68pETVlqC7P1fPloFEsNodHN6ib2uHqMbB5F9A13Wzk6x9Q1dv1kXE-twzWsvNKjW1vYt_xlq_pAa85n5TNejfAw7H7zYVGIv5d1I208JAKo8HfEqjm3XC1_F_rvVXO5iJiGDNFF8FgWwlr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFyoMIwOhQ-1yqU3Bc0TYOIESu2Ktzh36E0aX0BLOSw34Xp68pETVlqC7P1fPloFEsNodHN6ib2uHqMbB5F9A13Wzk6x9Q1dv1kXE-twzWsvNKjW1vYt_xlq_pAa85n5TNejfAw7H7zYVGIv5d1I208JAKo8HfEqjm3XC1_F_rvVXO5iJiGDNFF8FgWwlr=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />White Ibis - At high tide, all kinds of birds roost in the trees at Airlie. <p></p><p>I went back the next day to see if I could turn up the Varied Thrush again, but no dice.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcI6hDn33laURvx4fbgRuQr5YFUQnHFJbjftFvEQSL-aJZRrsJO0AZNvKQ61qtNyq1tWGPiz-VN1LEAvtEnhdONtyqBtSk32XZLGGMEY_aNBSrNWU7FLfVYwWNBZmK_0WiUAVmKzHQ63Qdx-pk47W3Qxgyk-Hp7m2fqkSS713qjuHz3ofmrmoKjzPqscWr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcI6hDn33laURvx4fbgRuQr5YFUQnHFJbjftFvEQSL-aJZRrsJO0AZNvKQ61qtNyq1tWGPiz-VN1LEAvtEnhdONtyqBtSk32XZLGGMEY_aNBSrNWU7FLfVYwWNBZmK_0WiUAVmKzHQ63Qdx-pk47W3Qxgyk-Hp7m2fqkSS713qjuHz3ofmrmoKjzPqscWr=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>A Prairie Warbler was a nice consolation prize. Finally it was time for me to get going for my business trip in London, I was packing my bags last minute when I got a text alert, Jesse A had found a Thick-billed Murre at Carolina Beach State Park! Oh Lordy, I was planning to get to the airport two hours early for an international flight but I had to have this bird!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfwLIjyVAYWmcFHKbkataeetfqOEgFld5cIfN1eADJ-NVrysyYV5s6w9EvIK7Tcc1eT0p_GJGzxaJwjVKO1Nagesw1mePOWeEbIbvjj-JFkfuLZW6cJTGP-V9Fq4ZfwCo9tqcX6J__p5s5ctynZ9mha6MnDm8mYPARSvgmpO-D_KJKzXkpc8YfvvBiVLcc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3509" data-original-width="5485" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfwLIjyVAYWmcFHKbkataeetfqOEgFld5cIfN1eADJ-NVrysyYV5s6w9EvIK7Tcc1eT0p_GJGzxaJwjVKO1Nagesw1mePOWeEbIbvjj-JFkfuLZW6cJTGP-V9Fq4ZfwCo9tqcX6J__p5s5ctynZ9mha6MnDm8mYPARSvgmpO-D_KJKzXkpc8YfvvBiVLcc=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><br />Thick-billed Murre - I pulled up at the marina and no one was around so I began panicking. I checked everywhere in the Marina basin and finally decided to check outside in the Cape Fear and who should I find swimming around like it had no cares in the world but this cutie! In reality it probably was not doing very well, these birds are normally quite pelagic so ones found inland are most likely in trouble.<p></p><p>Next installment, some photos from my business trip in London!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-75656852570681901112024-02-10T13:49:00.000-08:002024-02-11T02:53:43.032-08:00January Finale! (23-31Jan2024)<p>This has been a great year for rarities so far. A Trumpeter Swan up at Hanging Rock State Park was good enough to motivate me for a chase. But first some local birds....</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMBlef9YlKVkNePXPSt_wu_dVDIVOT6RTNMm3_47j2jn-i2aLCGuWp8LIrL2ZMNa-LsUNuzhsJ0q_C0J9r3wD2RlV5GP-KcSvNp95X_p58RuQiU1IsTsZSabM5q2RLCFtRJOP3k3elVK_hC_vUdxQOcdkpwaRTc8UQLfOdBy81WBo4vwBmDrTaKarJeZ2u" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMBlef9YlKVkNePXPSt_wu_dVDIVOT6RTNMm3_47j2jn-i2aLCGuWp8LIrL2ZMNa-LsUNuzhsJ0q_C0J9r3wD2RlV5GP-KcSvNp95X_p58RuQiU1IsTsZSabM5q2RLCFtRJOP3k3elVK_hC_vUdxQOcdkpwaRTc8UQLfOdBy81WBo4vwBmDrTaKarJeZ2u" width="640" /></a></div><br />Lesser Scaup swimming at the end of Johnnie Mercer Pier.<p></p><p>I have been trying to get my yearly Pacific Loon, but so far I haven't had much luck with the loon flock staying pretty far out. There was one day where a massive Gannet and Pelican feeding frenzy was coming closer to the pier so I waited for them to get closer.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUsfHF_80OFzAFD7KE68u61f__xwlpfjQ5hFW4va4dZFamnURdQOAcyHS7RPyBwHgxBD_w9i-yJdDJV55TvjERckx50IdS-EdqyOkyTjWnjI2V55fafC70vFMTrybAUzuEREkHEJ43UpK_VOdJQmWMhZ2KjNP7cw5jpMvE4hA8pTPZMufqPvXL6dgep9jr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUsfHF_80OFzAFD7KE68u61f__xwlpfjQ5hFW4va4dZFamnURdQOAcyHS7RPyBwHgxBD_w9i-yJdDJV55TvjERckx50IdS-EdqyOkyTjWnjI2V55fafC70vFMTrybAUzuEREkHEJ43UpK_VOdJQmWMhZ2KjNP7cw5jpMvE4hA8pTPZMufqPvXL6dgep9jr=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Brown Pelican getting ready for a dive. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkViCx1tx9FuheUuKlif_AZpNpuYF88nSuYfRQAlfNAHqUIKQt97qMaqITFL1F3cuGqjOb7k1S3opWzMWmvV20VsI9iyxCeIrN_BkbbBWqXhRzcU4CChpxn0YOq-nvH7w8JhIrINj4VP0VpDIf3E_lUmZV_OwQQpAjPMKH-4qpFUZhcivK7oI6ImgzPqyT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2562" data-original-width="3894" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkViCx1tx9FuheUuKlif_AZpNpuYF88nSuYfRQAlfNAHqUIKQt97qMaqITFL1F3cuGqjOb7k1S3opWzMWmvV20VsI9iyxCeIrN_BkbbBWqXhRzcU4CChpxn0YOq-nvH7w8JhIrINj4VP0VpDIf3E_lUmZV_OwQQpAjPMKH-4qpFUZhcivK7oI6ImgzPqyT=w640-h422" width="640" /></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/a/AVvXsEgjCXtvu0JN8YFBS0b3NwdUH95cj2SOtzZ0vnbzh5BxuRcI5wZhD1cg9COeG_3yeQjaIgrpSjLjyw1PDm8jgePoWHXOZzArJlhcoMRyIhrOoIj_qYzHvDAnAwKiGKO_q6vqlrqt8KBsCFXlTkgyUmfSP7ISg5pAq6uyz6nOCL8r8yWE7F-Coy2xFf3SOnuW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4337" data-original-width="5862" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjCXtvu0JN8YFBS0b3NwdUH95cj2SOtzZ0vnbzh5BxuRcI5wZhD1cg9COeG_3yeQjaIgrpSjLjyw1PDm8jgePoWHXOZzArJlhcoMRyIhrOoIj_qYzHvDAnAwKiGKO_q6vqlrqt8KBsCFXlTkgyUmfSP7ISg5pAq6uyz6nOCL8r8yWE7F-Coy2xFf3SOnuW=w640-h474" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiomlXg6sTStyt8Ac9s2h9_oGhsDBmg3HxCI14_noWf-_31OOuu9BmaXA1J2oBHV3Y0twIgP7imVtHSh6yhqU6q8OQRXv3e86oLmeSYNYdtqNrHXFVzMO9XestOg23foxG8ribskvSMJOPA7SNw-Lq_RF3AqbMdIrDusjngX5jIUmSFdWM0vN2iQE_iTjvM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3327" data-original-width="5029" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiomlXg6sTStyt8Ac9s2h9_oGhsDBmg3HxCI14_noWf-_31OOuu9BmaXA1J2oBHV3Y0twIgP7imVtHSh6yhqU6q8OQRXv3e86oLmeSYNYdtqNrHXFVzMO9XestOg23foxG8ribskvSMJOPA7SNw-Lq_RF3AqbMdIrDusjngX5jIUmSFdWM0vN2iQE_iTjvM=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />Brown Pelicans are goofy looking on land, but they really are graceful when flying.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpZXHmtitFK5z7xeHoH78lg9XsH67sTpFxhmSTzhkRcRbbhHg4hLBiIyGipcElK5Fhn--vkZkQIgnoL6Zq6JYoa2aHVs_G1wLRnVUenCK9fHDvfA4H34m7zkjeXqCSJ22IExJzVgFJUizOLik79XUaJj7qmX0Mrs8VsqGfaW0x3FIouea0J8SYz9IAht1X" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2478" data-original-width="3674" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpZXHmtitFK5z7xeHoH78lg9XsH67sTpFxhmSTzhkRcRbbhHg4hLBiIyGipcElK5Fhn--vkZkQIgnoL6Zq6JYoa2aHVs_G1wLRnVUenCK9fHDvfA4H34m7zkjeXqCSJ22IExJzVgFJUizOLik79XUaJj7qmX0Mrs8VsqGfaW0x3FIouea0J8SYz9IAht1X=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><br />Northern Gannet<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHTimQdhNZlIvVgRwLoSecy5jH9s9fJdiXoyuW8gaLoq0fXjWNtUU0lASsJ1QGtiCg1zzcxC0GtBN6xWS1A85IJ2kUUJDfUNl7fW5qto5q3HEbOSY5Zs8fSVCYI56Rh2LOfhwYUb89vtlMRQOQJCkrbKLu2dBqG1xnZ2OkvXLJIM6YWQt3cm79waPAgxiz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2462" data-original-width="3555" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHTimQdhNZlIvVgRwLoSecy5jH9s9fJdiXoyuW8gaLoq0fXjWNtUU0lASsJ1QGtiCg1zzcxC0GtBN6xWS1A85IJ2kUUJDfUNl7fW5qto5q3HEbOSY5Zs8fSVCYI56Rh2LOfhwYUb89vtlMRQOQJCkrbKLu2dBqG1xnZ2OkvXLJIM6YWQt3cm79waPAgxiz=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp-DrUJv4qp1WrZTu6Neuc-e91ySRmVx276i6q0tzAXlEzwZl_ppGgfERE2StXPRfEMsRnLElfn-S3sSVLaOeVndwBCc3s16lflm-betuiMsn7cs4sJsgx6owPTH1lDtP6N2pgufCUN2xkfYxtS7PFkra-pFpD8uaMbWvF92UhhrZmk-QyXyPNss8JArON" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3025" data-original-width="4860" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp-DrUJv4qp1WrZTu6Neuc-e91ySRmVx276i6q0tzAXlEzwZl_ppGgfERE2StXPRfEMsRnLElfn-S3sSVLaOeVndwBCc3s16lflm-betuiMsn7cs4sJsgx6owPTH1lDtP6N2pgufCUN2xkfYxtS7PFkra-pFpD8uaMbWvF92UhhrZmk-QyXyPNss8JArON=w640-h398" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1FszxTmd6amY-AmjtGc8otUcPa7aYkm8CnPRWt_D4gB8pVyRXtJQFzA7YlpxaJvkTXcy55QGf04TMXjNEBCbLivCozFhv95JhYJvnlyTW0B0qdiTuf8_8nLJ566wqrEPr6_FBcKjtuL9Ya_YycjpZ8UBRhINcxGjGoJXr_iEA39P5Snw55rYsVqbSjAPC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3133" data-original-width="4782" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1FszxTmd6amY-AmjtGc8otUcPa7aYkm8CnPRWt_D4gB8pVyRXtJQFzA7YlpxaJvkTXcy55QGf04TMXjNEBCbLivCozFhv95JhYJvnlyTW0B0qdiTuf8_8nLJ566wqrEPr6_FBcKjtuL9Ya_YycjpZ8UBRhINcxGjGoJXr_iEA39P5Snw55rYsVqbSjAPC=w640-h420" width="640" /></a></div><br />Common Loon<p></p><p>Meanwhile during my survey on the south end of Figure Eight Island I was combing through a large gull flock and found this Iceland Gull!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghVeSOI-7give0f9fK_Vq2ZLJc9IBc6Ru7Q7IbDbioA_7ywWKOWodmGosENCjhRAMlpr8f9MUXA1RRO8iybrrKCYWEU7vMZiZu_P95uLDC5IWoC7Wg2q0Rpqxu7CXf9_Q8vcZhbEwWXI-rVLkzrhjZziDvqoF0KnhufdBQpp2ltyoRxKkL10mKqmxBGD7F" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghVeSOI-7give0f9fK_Vq2ZLJc9IBc6Ru7Q7IbDbioA_7ywWKOWodmGosENCjhRAMlpr8f9MUXA1RRO8iybrrKCYWEU7vMZiZu_P95uLDC5IWoC7Wg2q0Rpqxu7CXf9_Q8vcZhbEwWXI-rVLkzrhjZziDvqoF0KnhufdBQpp2ltyoRxKkL10mKqmxBGD7F=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>Iceland Gull</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmufFrm7v9xI1X5k1zH0Pl7bmsZ9K5sS2f1qM_kldGGKbOos9oEAHA5-0yH5DolczlAUPzL3LeUYeYG0Y3MSFlXS2yJhCL-NYebTJwvoW4zRaVU-4y-AbrEKE6Mmf8SxsK90-5tNsoyQY8805quJXxjxBjXsO3YoBoqmI24w95QoxNGzL_YhNfoCzABz9B" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmufFrm7v9xI1X5k1zH0Pl7bmsZ9K5sS2f1qM_kldGGKbOos9oEAHA5-0yH5DolczlAUPzL3LeUYeYG0Y3MSFlXS2yJhCL-NYebTJwvoW4zRaVU-4y-AbrEKE6Mmf8SxsK90-5tNsoyQY8805quJXxjxBjXsO3YoBoqmI24w95QoxNGzL_YhNfoCzABz9B" width="640" /></a></div><br />There are normally large flocks here to look through.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixzZaOnIGPEmYGTPLgQarDVlLaV3dRSqmGbmvRbf1m80GTyuuNhfZLsqWi6eqxSGKoVXonGk-zuF9P44bMJ5jGU2Jkh-6jUUKkrccsha9thk1oxuBCbE02h1zcXggSLVx_dHGrRoTUpEwSf3jlSK0Ed43aVb5D9Vj0WQ9deAtQ8EHG7Rm4KeYeNXsr570w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2258" data-original-width="3597" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixzZaOnIGPEmYGTPLgQarDVlLaV3dRSqmGbmvRbf1m80GTyuuNhfZLsqWi6eqxSGKoVXonGk-zuF9P44bMJ5jGU2Jkh-6jUUKkrccsha9thk1oxuBCbE02h1zcXggSLVx_dHGrRoTUpEwSf3jlSK0Ed43aVb5D9Vj0WQ9deAtQ8EHG7Rm4KeYeNXsr570w=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><br />Iceland Gull<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7FwdbSDU-P8UOKqPPdCk8mt59C2NLprYY4funWnzOxtHF_TSGeA_MwkizEc9x1oRXxDAsRbywiXIxqLGtDbaFz4-fgxooGje8IaprAmQFX2mTGofR29KnsfdXZbfTRu3_ZpsqFgEHKsVjxECdCNo7JlRTZezW_OVwvpF6lftHHzSnTkPToCB7dGUTtYjo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7FwdbSDU-P8UOKqPPdCk8mt59C2NLprYY4funWnzOxtHF_TSGeA_MwkizEc9x1oRXxDAsRbywiXIxqLGtDbaFz4-fgxooGje8IaprAmQFX2mTGofR29KnsfdXZbfTRu3_ZpsqFgEHKsVjxECdCNo7JlRTZezW_OVwvpF6lftHHzSnTkPToCB7dGUTtYjo" width="640" /></a></div><p>I have had a couple days were I had over 50 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A number of years ago they were considered a rarity down in New Hanover.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkdkTmO3mALKB_IH7QSgrIGwJao3wQZYqlp-rLSGCInpOs_Hi67ptoHyhVvL9l2uFISAKW8TupVT-QBPt4PbqVCt84plLvpQJHUpDmXbGqRMEkcHvLGTc44o0MU9unaZXo_oGQ64HPKG01aY6pcYsE-Ytsk4wIxmE0dZnrovW8-4yUzsJmnXR9Rb4RyFfD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3401" data-original-width="5160" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkdkTmO3mALKB_IH7QSgrIGwJao3wQZYqlp-rLSGCInpOs_Hi67ptoHyhVvL9l2uFISAKW8TupVT-QBPt4PbqVCt84plLvpQJHUpDmXbGqRMEkcHvLGTc44o0MU9unaZXo_oGQ64HPKG01aY6pcYsE-Ytsk4wIxmE0dZnrovW8-4yUzsJmnXR9Rb4RyFfD=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><p>Laughing Gull hormones are starting to fire up.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtTix0UHq4TrGvWtpYxkyaTIA06ZdItQjpq0SltLwVl6AHWCOoy7K5DjS-Zus13zMxhjdNwLGOXywsxm9YJQ-guWCyXqoJWKMpxkA_oMsgNKEdhEaKx2pf_ZTESEJNkeIeavS9c-q7fIMqZXZXaJGLlgnpmfyR9rgnkCA7jachuqeQgqJ5jgopHFm7S0Tc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtTix0UHq4TrGvWtpYxkyaTIA06ZdItQjpq0SltLwVl6AHWCOoy7K5DjS-Zus13zMxhjdNwLGOXywsxm9YJQ-guWCyXqoJWKMpxkA_oMsgNKEdhEaKx2pf_ZTESEJNkeIeavS9c-q7fIMqZXZXaJGLlgnpmfyR9rgnkCA7jachuqeQgqJ5jgopHFm7S0Tc" width="640" /></a></div><br />The two Piping Plovers continue. It's amazing how you can get to know a couple birds when you bird the same spot over and over.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPtLg6y1NqmCERLhh0H_Qih1W3oqOyGZoxhyGxRXwCpxluJsuzTw7lvX1hYvTCbeyI3bPEwlzwHu6LEuso8AffKKPwiJo1soedsPwvX7PSK4N3_jW0-04CBLhDV757qJp-MdLV2xk3rozt7p6qBVhVxi_VSLZTkmhIOZajUxIeh-VtWBt4Ve7N7Tyi89bT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3435" data-original-width="5204" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPtLg6y1NqmCERLhh0H_Qih1W3oqOyGZoxhyGxRXwCpxluJsuzTw7lvX1hYvTCbeyI3bPEwlzwHu6LEuso8AffKKPwiJo1soedsPwvX7PSK4N3_jW0-04CBLhDV757qJp-MdLV2xk3rozt7p6qBVhVxi_VSLZTkmhIOZajUxIeh-VtWBt4Ve7N7Tyi89bT" width="640" /></a></div><br />Black-and-white Warbler at Airlie Gardens<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVvzt85D12HTgo9CLMVJyggt8QjLjpTEWPzt6QrX_4d-UXkcgeb5wqraN0FrsC6q2uVOW_a2yq4_55aPjqlrpwi7pbJwtiGcaWHJabQtlztimQvjR0ZuMnIEg9Brr9HUwrtT9yZ0BSdur54UPk62fNlwIVt1MG-f9DBeh2bBYmEQJbS4xituKTwT2e2Q3b" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVvzt85D12HTgo9CLMVJyggt8QjLjpTEWPzt6QrX_4d-UXkcgeb5wqraN0FrsC6q2uVOW_a2yq4_55aPjqlrpwi7pbJwtiGcaWHJabQtlztimQvjR0ZuMnIEg9Brr9HUwrtT9yZ0BSdur54UPk62fNlwIVt1MG-f9DBeh2bBYmEQJbS4xituKTwT2e2Q3b=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Black-crowned Night-heron</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWj9EV63YmmM1fyJNryqtXgwm_gqnQ8YxcS9DB2kH6wQKZ7-yLHtSeuZNUohKoqIv98P04iVxLcS7yfLuHSuNgBDghKl_q1iMahrjbhtexzMhLiNpk3kyT8AQVypzsJaMXuEfybFne-Epe7CjcBbJeOYFzXWtUHsRZGpFkyUlPvikLsMUFutVeB28HXYRi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWj9EV63YmmM1fyJNryqtXgwm_gqnQ8YxcS9DB2kH6wQKZ7-yLHtSeuZNUohKoqIv98P04iVxLcS7yfLuHSuNgBDghKl_q1iMahrjbhtexzMhLiNpk3kyT8AQVypzsJaMXuEfybFne-Epe7CjcBbJeOYFzXWtUHsRZGpFkyUlPvikLsMUFutVeB28HXYRi" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin3MUa48dbC5kYSHkagvFnR1S9O7PdhSi5v4kLPy1b1xaDidHr2RFvEN7DXNqacsHyWm1y90xr_XNK9yIp29WiaLscezGPZfqhu4lfcG_Uwbl32S27Rm_dTS6zFAes4F2buCMfhDtPU1JPEKnIRVlsqZY7VDepq4m3U1i-c8KRhNoZ-HmXR4fHiVDMDzFD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3269" data-original-width="5223" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin3MUa48dbC5kYSHkagvFnR1S9O7PdhSi5v4kLPy1b1xaDidHr2RFvEN7DXNqacsHyWm1y90xr_XNK9yIp29WiaLscezGPZfqhu4lfcG_Uwbl32S27Rm_dTS6zFAes4F2buCMfhDtPU1JPEKnIRVlsqZY7VDepq4m3U1i-c8KRhNoZ-HmXR4fHiVDMDzFD=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eastern Phoebe<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7oWAc3V9qmGxn_rILH9fpRc2dyApMSdqp6jdYYMOYl4IlrrsGiDxcBikzHZsOM0j-Mb97TNL0D3vv7rQkhF2p_vyAIZMnzHQHugNBuULE5CAyp3Bu--E8bBHdmGUIJUWke99-6P3uyjEL8wrpDoQTNnrGsDCPoNhDS81iVSsJUn67KBpn-ciW4feq7VZS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7oWAc3V9qmGxn_rILH9fpRc2dyApMSdqp6jdYYMOYl4IlrrsGiDxcBikzHZsOM0j-Mb97TNL0D3vv7rQkhF2p_vyAIZMnzHQHugNBuULE5CAyp3Bu--E8bBHdmGUIJUWke99-6P3uyjEL8wrpDoQTNnrGsDCPoNhDS81iVSsJUn67KBpn-ciW4feq7VZS=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Blue-headed Vireo<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj--JljkHllQxdIo20MKfbaU9JHrXSfx9LJhZAOai92sdj8YlbmR-YDqXOZX3ZNAWKrnT4R7-Rhc9bKeMV6e8JWxPAVE-4Sh22LJlBWZZcBLgTEUFicOS1jN-4NiqJjm6-2NUdFI7ZlXwcx4920NTTPnUT93hyEeVc90NUfYy_FkMdvGbvC4ED0kNKY-KzC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj--JljkHllQxdIo20MKfbaU9JHrXSfx9LJhZAOai92sdj8YlbmR-YDqXOZX3ZNAWKrnT4R7-Rhc9bKeMV6e8JWxPAVE-4Sh22LJlBWZZcBLgTEUFicOS1jN-4NiqJjm6-2NUdFI7ZlXwcx4920NTTPnUT93hyEeVc90NUfYy_FkMdvGbvC4ED0kNKY-KzC=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi70OB7vJYtysNsL0xFz8AO7cNIkdouSgv3jS1iEDlFTx4dW5qkG3fJJ8gm8RrJ0wo24T7CQrwbPy7qiXMdG_bGkQ5IB-yO9bzomlHhqz16oJ6WddyQ15IE9FIyXIkQH5ROGICs_qNHOurQ-oqhpgSLOYm0gdkeMgfjYY39csJqyIBqukkegwHZZ-SjaM_X" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3420" data-original-width="5228" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi70OB7vJYtysNsL0xFz8AO7cNIkdouSgv3jS1iEDlFTx4dW5qkG3fJJ8gm8RrJ0wo24T7CQrwbPy7qiXMdG_bGkQ5IB-yO9bzomlHhqz16oJ6WddyQ15IE9FIyXIkQH5ROGICs_qNHOurQ-oqhpgSLOYm0gdkeMgfjYY39csJqyIBqukkegwHZZ-SjaM_X=w640-h418" width="640" /></a><p></p><p></p>Golden-crowned Kinglet<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXHuF8XSmgWVy45pXtdXHSvficgmjSyJyVNZadXlRcdNb1evapIGSfejAWcw-azcdPZKwjCau1LESKGGkUZMAvdJJAjN2tq554spm5dIVepxcK-exuCWtZhVDvfd1YHfTIIDF4JVjBqlFhZjs4x3igcMedz8oouduyqGF-EsReSAkmG9sCZ5mI2GpFsBTj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2817" data-original-width="4134" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXHuF8XSmgWVy45pXtdXHSvficgmjSyJyVNZadXlRcdNb1evapIGSfejAWcw-azcdPZKwjCau1LESKGGkUZMAvdJJAjN2tq554spm5dIVepxcK-exuCWtZhVDvfd1YHfTIIDF4JVjBqlFhZjs4x3igcMedz8oouduyqGF-EsReSAkmG9sCZ5mI2GpFsBTj=w640-h436" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sunday I did my survey at Figure 8 and then pulled the trigger on the drive up to Hanging Rock. My buddy Steve B texted me and said he also was thinking of chasing the Trumpeter so I met him in Chapel Hill and we made the drive together. It was super nice to catch up with him and his travels. He works for Lindblad as an on-board naturalist and has been all over the globe. I also found out he works for a small bird tour company that is owned by Ivan Phillipsen the host of a podcast I listen to all the time called The Science of Birds. The podcast is chock full of corny jokes but overall it is a really well edited podcast with good information about avian natural history and general biology. I have to admit I am jealous of my friends that can work for tour companies. It would be a dream job for me, but realistically I just don't know if I could ever be a good guide because of my hearing loss. Moral of the story - kids wear ear protection when you go to concerts!<p></p><p>This chase couldn't have been easier. The Trumpeter is the only bird on the lake and sticks out like a sore thumb.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGPk_rANdLb-QDxCnrIqsdUhhEzttmAzJ-EHvYsE0nn0V-PMm3GCadSJZ6YZcEs_G7330v1UJJjUhe5MNACTz2Uxqc8R6iZLLJOMzcv3FHNsI2pplaQ4Fn31mCWs8JCNqXA8kMHHnoiFcYnhiwss9XvFidjvBTFMJ7LwwVa-TjrutC8qbjpGXa_59EPkpu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGPk_rANdLb-QDxCnrIqsdUhhEzttmAzJ-EHvYsE0nn0V-PMm3GCadSJZ6YZcEs_G7330v1UJJjUhe5MNACTz2Uxqc8R6iZLLJOMzcv3FHNsI2pplaQ4Fn31mCWs8JCNqXA8kMHHnoiFcYnhiwss9XvFidjvBTFMJ7LwwVa-TjrutC8qbjpGXa_59EPkpu=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>Trumpeter Swan - some people did get some sound recordings for confirmation but it ticks all the visual field marks too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8X0tDOMrNqaDHbrk1kqoy_MowSMzI5a6AHydnqCiiefXuVwgkWPwFVHZ3I3BtPemupcoa1N_omw0km--ozEjvBmevg3ee1tbpaYaaTiP8RuFiE-0D2lTY6xiaz771OIdLDDnpIWc6LLOmI2m-XmRV_YwhFiGzl0JMgpDiM96rsj0SGBIw-tSmiVGP2gih" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8X0tDOMrNqaDHbrk1kqoy_MowSMzI5a6AHydnqCiiefXuVwgkWPwFVHZ3I3BtPemupcoa1N_omw0km--ozEjvBmevg3ee1tbpaYaaTiP8RuFiE-0D2lTY6xiaz771OIdLDDnpIWc6LLOmI2m-XmRV_YwhFiGzl0JMgpDiM96rsj0SGBIw-tSmiVGP2gih" width="640" /></a></div><p>One of the field marks for Trumpeter is that the forehead forms a V whereas a Tundra has more of a U, but it is a subtle field mark.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyDBBvW53x_IzsP9eu_TDucv5YIZrysCOSBal3DZZW-6T34PgSJmbKru9ln6bX4brJPhQKUR5cuSdWPLOxLgIH3AeK6QQL_Mq6JqruwH0WLoHmJQulKgmMm-12JTTjlFnGGtGe-1x6rmgRH4YKsCaeEvpSHFIcQcEeOQr-1RXWV4WZTkErZOxkxFh536mu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyDBBvW53x_IzsP9eu_TDucv5YIZrysCOSBal3DZZW-6T34PgSJmbKru9ln6bX4brJPhQKUR5cuSdWPLOxLgIH3AeK6QQL_Mq6JqruwH0WLoHmJQulKgmMm-12JTTjlFnGGtGe-1x6rmgRH4YKsCaeEvpSHFIcQcEeOQr-1RXWV4WZTkErZOxkxFh536mu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXfpLjOgK1PvfeFZu-cbmainpiCtdzHBgxqn5zgJk3F3Vqrgt0MfHFxls2Wi8P9vrqrVLMBtFCcHpfFDpporAik-yJNjla2Lh4jh-mM93ZtKFhBo6j24RCp_A5lAP1m_5ExFib1q3Jlu85C4I38VsxKIQ2eCRCP0yuKsp5F_GCkG0wtl715iksF8HGG8Az" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXfpLjOgK1PvfeFZu-cbmainpiCtdzHBgxqn5zgJk3F3Vqrgt0MfHFxls2Wi8P9vrqrVLMBtFCcHpfFDpporAik-yJNjla2Lh4jh-mM93ZtKFhBo6j24RCp_A5lAP1m_5ExFib1q3Jlu85C4I38VsxKIQ2eCRCP0yuKsp5F_GCkG0wtl715iksF8HGG8Az=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The area where the eye meets the bill is not pinched like on a Tundra which has a more beady eye look.</div><br /><img alt="" data-original-height="3012" data-original-width="5176" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyDBBvW53x_IzsP9eu_TDucv5YIZrysCOSBal3DZZW-6T34PgSJmbKru9ln6bX4brJPhQKUR5cuSdWPLOxLgIH3AeK6QQL_Mq6JqruwH0WLoHmJQulKgmMm-12JTTjlFnGGtGe-1x6rmgRH4YKsCaeEvpSHFIcQcEeOQr-1RXWV4WZTkErZOxkxFh536mu=w640-h372" width="640" /></div><br />Totally worth the drive! I got City BBQ twice too, once on the way up and once on the way down. Melissa thinks I am overdoing it but I just can't say no to some good brisket.<p></p><p>Back home during a work day, I was chatting on a teleconference when a Brown Creeper landed on my oak in my front yard. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNzZwdfyMnIixIarNv3EDaKoBe4dWPjT5rR2uplCw2lKHb27dodZ4s9XSp_hAwOnvKFpNt0WQlfVQuPMCocXGs7BeoxcIsJ6d2LTvdwsLsuFf3pAOtOh_C58UQoinA1nXbZVHHq8SPVqnK_KOO37UNKWxPMCuciZmnN97t1EDs89jxpSyFIxGbhf_M41Ve" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2637" data-original-width="4801" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNzZwdfyMnIixIarNv3EDaKoBe4dWPjT5rR2uplCw2lKHb27dodZ4s9XSp_hAwOnvKFpNt0WQlfVQuPMCocXGs7BeoxcIsJ6d2LTvdwsLsuFf3pAOtOh_C58UQoinA1nXbZVHHq8SPVqnK_KOO37UNKWxPMCuciZmnN97t1EDs89jxpSyFIxGbhf_M41Ve=w640-h352" width="640" /></a></div><br />Brown Creeper as seen through my office window! <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhznTJSfvp0PVfmFqBoZyys9TZSQCE33Jh1dCVfvqo2aOIA_Bj7y3QYRrxy4w87laoWNsNo_Ckftpoxgh6taK5MSSjGVRBH7n7P_BrA5mOVmrPCTk4bawcl8ARjXpMMr9GyG7G1Kf3scfeVuSarwqRdaNBKbJyvniK3Ih-SKwAJA6Epflm77I9fLm--uW7i" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="2442" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhznTJSfvp0PVfmFqBoZyys9TZSQCE33Jh1dCVfvqo2aOIA_Bj7y3QYRrxy4w87laoWNsNo_Ckftpoxgh6taK5MSSjGVRBH7n7P_BrA5mOVmrPCTk4bawcl8ARjXpMMr9GyG7G1Kf3scfeVuSarwqRdaNBKbJyvniK3Ih-SKwAJA6Epflm77I9fLm--uW7i=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />Three Long-tailed Ducks have been hanging out on the south of end WB.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja1aVAqtggRx0EYLjAGLkdVkQhJHzoOXrdqGuhi_9EKeCo2qZktqTV_V1HlddvSbIw5Mpe11V0jVNYypbpsl3wOIOwHnR3Ww9ePjVajgm3QjVNyDm5vJVqHZsLu2fVUQX4cimsM8sSiulb4XgVMT8tcuJ0_hL49XoSPV49TYAQ7bLiyBgjhYb2P0CluUWn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2812" data-original-width="4417" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja1aVAqtggRx0EYLjAGLkdVkQhJHzoOXrdqGuhi_9EKeCo2qZktqTV_V1HlddvSbIw5Mpe11V0jVNYypbpsl3wOIOwHnR3Ww9ePjVajgm3QjVNyDm5vJVqHZsLu2fVUQX4cimsM8sSiulb4XgVMT8tcuJ0_hL49XoSPV49TYAQ7bLiyBgjhYb2P0CluUWn=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><br />I haven't had a White-winged Scoter yet, but plenty of Blacks are around.<p></p><p>Next installment has a good rarity, so stay tuned.</p><br /><p></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-69134382123042525442024-01-27T03:07:00.000-08:002024-01-27T03:07:12.660-08:00OBX and some good Local Birds (20-21Jan2024)<p>Last weekend I had a Saturday to play around so I left work on Friday and made the drive up to the OBX. I woke early with great expectations and well laid plans. Things rarely go according to plan, but I did end up getting some good birds anyway. I greatly underestimated the impact of the stiff NW wind which was cold and kept many birds out of some key locations.</p><p>For the past several weeks a quartet of Harlequin Ducks have been hanging out near the Duck Research Pier. I had never been there so I thought it would be fun to check it out. There is no public access to the beach in that area so you have to park a couple miles away and walk. I chose to come in from the south and made the slog into the wind.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQEesbjknlWFz-1djTOx2bmfusufmfcxgzQ5qf4ko0F7ZbHz8ZWfBxqw-ye6fKhV_y9UXvo6gprA2oJB8uaUO3rXpCTx-7rojnaqO1_KNMlOx81MMtUcP2YM7ntepuna1vCxrUQZoqRFq1F9VfWsIBgkUXozSk3P_eh8T8HKlr7Dc-WiaHwyAhHggb_-uP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQEesbjknlWFz-1djTOx2bmfusufmfcxgzQ5qf4ko0F7ZbHz8ZWfBxqw-ye6fKhV_y9UXvo6gprA2oJB8uaUO3rXpCTx-7rojnaqO1_KNMlOx81MMtUcP2YM7ntepuna1vCxrUQZoqRFq1F9VfWsIBgkUXozSk3P_eh8T8HKlr7Dc-WiaHwyAhHggb_-uP" width="640" /></a></div><br />I new the pier was long but I was not prepared for how far away the ducks would be. Here is an un-cropped photo and you can barely make out the ducks.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdQ9JQelR3mUZcYuZ6udBsSESeVzmRe4oAfCUZ__f_f2TGg_f92tlUpI94x8-TR1jBYfAzxkTs5b503pJeqZnEZ7bNzJwAdWqtuTCn7MdGfupMMduWV8bX-TsF0xZnEHUPWvEvaTiNvNKQffgXiUXV70JFzloTzWtwN7b7MmQC0gGYWSgJE18kGlwMVBlG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1590" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdQ9JQelR3mUZcYuZ6udBsSESeVzmRe4oAfCUZ__f_f2TGg_f92tlUpI94x8-TR1jBYfAzxkTs5b503pJeqZnEZ7bNzJwAdWqtuTCn7MdGfupMMduWV8bX-TsF0xZnEHUPWvEvaTiNvNKQffgXiUXV70JFzloTzWtwN7b7MmQC0gGYWSgJE18kGlwMVBlG=w640-h384" width="640" /></a></div><br />The best image I came away with shows one adult male and some females. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuThsm2q5CoFCjBnt8CYqLgjVOfqseJRicUt9-fZDDbjF9gDDu0nQtXhzZ3AS6KM4taKB7Bj9j2a44N61N3Nf84BrmP8VFaccTvZvHCQ9Wh2XvZV7zDTv1ASwJfXmW3SRPzowsbVMpDBiFwLZhSh2o-OMJMuPOh6_QaVVQ2zP1lKo1izJwt2OLujz8HGxj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1606" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuThsm2q5CoFCjBnt8CYqLgjVOfqseJRicUt9-fZDDbjF9gDDu0nQtXhzZ3AS6KM4taKB7Bj9j2a44N61N3Nf84BrmP8VFaccTvZvHCQ9Wh2XvZV7zDTv1ASwJfXmW3SRPzowsbVMpDBiFwLZhSh2o-OMJMuPOh6_QaVVQ2zP1lKo1izJwt2OLujz8HGxj=w640-h420" width="640" /></a></div><br />A lone Surf Scoter initially had me questioning a possible White-winged, but when I looked at pics later you can clearly see the multicolored bill and white eye. The bill structure is definitely a better fit for Surf Scoter. This is why taking photos of your bird is always a good idea, first impressions are not always correct. <p></p><p>Next on the agenda was a visit to Pea Island to look for Snow Buntings and get some ducks in good light. I succeeded on the first count but was disappointed on the second. The Snow Buntings have been hanging out near the old Coast Guard Station so that is where I started.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl4Ks_XFFsVQ-lDlwnlNR34-OePioXH1DpR0jLSu42hvS3cUb6RqsDI3mwaVxB47U5BrKbl_LUItVuiQxXLTHRpvUF1OjCyfNpXGyuLm4MmUqMfT5XVh6tTXowMKYA3POBnSkxCKqQ33uba6xox0B5LSjJwvhG9wQ1rT5nXWFRHoPiTc4kUHChHQS53tw8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="3568" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjl4Ks_XFFsVQ-lDlwnlNR34-OePioXH1DpR0jLSu42hvS3cUb6RqsDI3mwaVxB47U5BrKbl_LUItVuiQxXLTHRpvUF1OjCyfNpXGyuLm4MmUqMfT5XVh6tTXowMKYA3POBnSkxCKqQ33uba6xox0B5LSjJwvhG9wQ1rT5nXWFRHoPiTc4kUHChHQS53tw8=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><br />A lone Redhead in the small bay at the CG Station.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf53N6IF4I_YZRYvJXUyYnHLuZUHZV1khDLLNwVfCUxkDeFI14sq95d4g0fyLGdTIwf7MrrP-V3gSpb_txyIAhLl1BHTMlKjsffOd7j1N-GZPTa1NNy5QbCh6tkduRGKqdRHgXms9LTnVaZnontc49VQTzuxbGWcrnS5vg0H3mQSt1wAgT6Bu-_h06mblf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2528" data-original-width="3784" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf53N6IF4I_YZRYvJXUyYnHLuZUHZV1khDLLNwVfCUxkDeFI14sq95d4g0fyLGdTIwf7MrrP-V3gSpb_txyIAhLl1BHTMlKjsffOd7j1N-GZPTa1NNy5QbCh6tkduRGKqdRHgXms9LTnVaZnontc49VQTzuxbGWcrnS5vg0H3mQSt1wAgT6Bu-_h06mblf=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br />It didn't take too long to find the huge Snow Bunting flock in the dunes. I even managed to get a bunch of other birders on them.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgArTdUkIrXSP0hZAsBiujbEzS4en__MMpOFB9ONS6tvszIEIhdyB_-JYmOKS7MncoLPfpd1_OXGkujZ6ITfPXP6Xut9RZ6MsCOqFmftndQnTku3mY1oxiZre-jW2idbos62kObwX0FtPaFolONzGa6sT7vWCLGx4GTsKyTqHqlZLFLPZ6A8QmHHdOdiGpj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2625" data-original-width="3992" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgArTdUkIrXSP0hZAsBiujbEzS4en__MMpOFB9ONS6tvszIEIhdyB_-JYmOKS7MncoLPfpd1_OXGkujZ6ITfPXP6Xut9RZ6MsCOqFmftndQnTku3mY1oxiZre-jW2idbos62kObwX0FtPaFolONzGa6sT7vWCLGx4GTsKyTqHqlZLFLPZ6A8QmHHdOdiGpj=w640-h420" width="640" /></a></div><br />Such cool characters! I tried for some good flight shots but failed. The people I got on the buntings said they found a Purple Sandpiper on the old bridge walkway so out I went.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiDlYILT5tbgPzTuvlMJ_FjS1a2vTMIK03oEf4wpbEebccx3hyh35F-fBbGdNmcO6exvAQOq2YbTCWYJzuQjOBpAp0wkgaBuUQiUL2w55qBVyt62o7B5NNvwL2Eq4NYQNlUveWRtKTkY3EdibF2-FjzywXVIfE8Ig2c9lePU370_bL4zbG2HriPSn5nBEo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1953" data-original-width="2836" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiDlYILT5tbgPzTuvlMJ_FjS1a2vTMIK03oEf4wpbEebccx3hyh35F-fBbGdNmcO6exvAQOq2YbTCWYJzuQjOBpAp0wkgaBuUQiUL2w55qBVyt62o7B5NNvwL2Eq4NYQNlUveWRtKTkY3EdibF2-FjzywXVIfE8Ig2c9lePU370_bL4zbG2HriPSn5nBEo=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><br />Another Surf Scoter that tricked me.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikQB1u24zGVe4Q3lr0CJzhqEApvFHQ5syckvpm6uWlBnQVPPmUGJHUGkVJo3dR_Chj0XcH1cDzEcksNOPxadmyT5xbiWoW7iF82VeK_brERFtEPiYu0eVZIJqHMoT4cotPn3ZUm5UPwDrAsvllp_MeVvphLEEk7AdAiCuBkVSLbjZm_vdow_-7GX1xXL9F" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikQB1u24zGVe4Q3lr0CJzhqEApvFHQ5syckvpm6uWlBnQVPPmUGJHUGkVJo3dR_Chj0XcH1cDzEcksNOPxadmyT5xbiWoW7iF82VeK_brERFtEPiYu0eVZIJqHMoT4cotPn3ZUm5UPwDrAsvllp_MeVvphLEEk7AdAiCuBkVSLbjZm_vdow_-7GX1xXL9F=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Purple Sandpiper<p></p><p>Next stop down Pea Island was the Visitors Center where I hoped to get ducks feeding on the bulkhead with the sun behind me. I have gotten some amazing photos there in the past, but this time the cards did not fall my way. The stiff NW wind had all the ducks sheltering on the north end of the pond or else they were in the far reaches of south pond or the back bay.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVrWJkBc6BIavWu3MTCc-R-OGaMJcn8WnvEJEklF1kh4Pg-dicKG3pxJ5LV1dCCNZZT_EuCMDuHqSLgu__HSi3Z8owICOOl0KzJq3bPDq1gLpdzHDF4imyJBsE9WHJS3DCGhPuEgAOPdRztly0L9hGZCY768EMNTCtMfCeuks3s0_HZpHGUD1fdxBYfpun" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3272" data-original-width="5099" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVrWJkBc6BIavWu3MTCc-R-OGaMJcn8WnvEJEklF1kh4Pg-dicKG3pxJ5LV1dCCNZZT_EuCMDuHqSLgu__HSi3Z8owICOOl0KzJq3bPDq1gLpdzHDF4imyJBsE9WHJS3DCGhPuEgAOPdRztly0L9hGZCY768EMNTCtMfCeuks3s0_HZpHGUD1fdxBYfpun=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><br />Some fly-over American White Pelicans were my only consolation.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi34jfUDeKy8p9uAtSbZ1F_bf7jE9KBUbEQRFYqvrE33Lmu_K1J2QEs10CIS2jYWz_NNZgNyBL5iYjm_EUU9Rq6B5fYDmxxInH-J55kawkn_15w_kSGRLLZtRAhuI1HtsG-QVQQX3n30fKuYGloreCl-xSeet2yLTaxT8I-vmRe_YEw2kCYOXyJDihGmR8i" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2201" data-original-width="3476" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi34jfUDeKy8p9uAtSbZ1F_bf7jE9KBUbEQRFYqvrE33Lmu_K1J2QEs10CIS2jYWz_NNZgNyBL5iYjm_EUU9Rq6B5fYDmxxInH-J55kawkn_15w_kSGRLLZtRAhuI1HtsG-QVQQX3n30fKuYGloreCl-xSeet2yLTaxT8I-vmRe_YEw2kCYOXyJDihGmR8i=w640-h406" width="640" /></a></div><br />And some distant American Black Ducks.<p></p><p>I got in the truck and headed up to the north end of the pond where a small flotilla of ducks was sheltering in the lee of the dyke.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitYFNmXeEpYYq85BFbQr6lx6K0n5HMislni3HUY8bTpeUBVAZs1DbPYcSTTiVhP4WAUZkUVJEb96HiI_XjBW4IHFGsMAkwRteftHZCv5C6MH_gJYSL33WcPP9Cc290nXnZ16vd4FqcYFLd8Ng3P5vWltF6yu6CM7dwKHc489_FvO0BzsqwgW7C2zZ-DVlJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="3906" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitYFNmXeEpYYq85BFbQr6lx6K0n5HMislni3HUY8bTpeUBVAZs1DbPYcSTTiVhP4WAUZkUVJEb96HiI_XjBW4IHFGsMAkwRteftHZCv5C6MH_gJYSL33WcPP9Cc290nXnZ16vd4FqcYFLd8Ng3P5vWltF6yu6CM7dwKHc489_FvO0BzsqwgW7C2zZ-DVlJ=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ruddy Duck stretching out her leg.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-OEgq_Jm53cvtCi_PLWErvqtBCvzqSKhQy9dNjcN_tCzgina1iIQeMHsJVAMv9HIYbx7A6dLejKwyOpi7lVlHWKRnK_0ovIexFL7352tJ73tJMt-r6uWdPWn8GQCVtr2t5GJEvUBWseF5dt9KvpNwkH-14IeaO_rkj8DtxszMVUZQzZsZUYXCvVuIQiAq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="3549" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-OEgq_Jm53cvtCi_PLWErvqtBCvzqSKhQy9dNjcN_tCzgina1iIQeMHsJVAMv9HIYbx7A6dLejKwyOpi7lVlHWKRnK_0ovIexFL7352tJ73tJMt-r6uWdPWn8GQCVtr2t5GJEvUBWseF5dt9KvpNwkH-14IeaO_rkj8DtxszMVUZQzZsZUYXCvVuIQiAq=w640-h394" width="640" /></a></div><br />Greater Scaup with nice clean flanks, a honker of a bill and the roundest gently sloped head you will find on a duck. Not to mention the nice green tinge which is not a good field mark in isolation.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGiFIemXXbPa6DTZ-ML4iRG7pqnqYaf4vQgqIuIyaW9db9P7so-lDe1A_63DLU_a7FdSwKqONnKECtbmEMRNbqIDPJkIeIUlZu7zb0X3pNsBEooN1QM04Rv05dFQlYVH0U4XJDGFQfrnpknvUJVEJzODIK-M8ShpR5NkrS_7WkJFNLOkdlzK4ql73pGFdY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2138" data-original-width="3446" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGiFIemXXbPa6DTZ-ML4iRG7pqnqYaf4vQgqIuIyaW9db9P7so-lDe1A_63DLU_a7FdSwKqONnKECtbmEMRNbqIDPJkIeIUlZu7zb0X3pNsBEooN1QM04Rv05dFQlYVH0U4XJDGFQfrnpknvUJVEJzODIK-M8ShpR5NkrS_7WkJFNLOkdlzK4ql73pGFdY=w640-h398" width="640" /></a></div><br />Another view of a Greater Scaup.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgImlv9psGUnHpIViXu-hHX3IaEOvKnKClnw4SgYCExQQzt6YLfRHDHloRLaDO3IjX71-nzrONJ25Sjm1Hppt-99hkK20Zee0cmdvQ7Cy1yID6H8oFoPgFMU8cdaORZJ6JmNMzyMdRMrmo1JvZrBaCPkiw3RtZwh6AzMTwyYHYMqdRCj5TVnL2dE6zd6LS4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="3346" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgImlv9psGUnHpIViXu-hHX3IaEOvKnKClnw4SgYCExQQzt6YLfRHDHloRLaDO3IjX71-nzrONJ25Sjm1Hppt-99hkK20Zee0cmdvQ7Cy1yID6H8oFoPgFMU8cdaORZJ6JmNMzyMdRMrmo1JvZrBaCPkiw3RtZwh6AzMTwyYHYMqdRCj5TVnL2dE6zd6LS4=w640-h378" width="640" /></a></div><br />A female Redhead and a Bufflehead - as you an see, the light on the north end of the pond was not idea with the sun backlighting the birds.<p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL5FmJlIjC_btw74ytekUDYKLv1GVllBBIKQlvCzOEdF8-FzMF1bG1W9HzP9M3tXhzQT-iSjGnalzLSm150A-kuHftWaO8OiCD6-1zuOJ81TEX6dTmqdwMBJsaltT2U3637M2z35ruDVkKNwMG1Tp17eugkA8Kbw0LlkVBMwTvWb-EzHAdKxL0PMKhR-w3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1834" data-original-width="3063" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL5FmJlIjC_btw74ytekUDYKLv1GVllBBIKQlvCzOEdF8-FzMF1bG1W9HzP9M3tXhzQT-iSjGnalzLSm150A-kuHftWaO8OiCD6-1zuOJ81TEX6dTmqdwMBJsaltT2U3637M2z35ruDVkKNwMG1Tp17eugkA8Kbw0LlkVBMwTvWb-EzHAdKxL0PMKhR-w3=w640-h384" width="640" /></a></p><p>Male Bufflehead</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPYkG5wMwXoSd0yS82_26CMmNZA9qQenrpdXh_9yEHMBVAqsYPtU39EZ2XHLCWyWFPZBqT0hi7Oip36AAFonWVt2u_FdHJ6cxBSMBWrbxFXiBAWxWPl-f9GG7bqqRR195A-Dpd2l26YWs4Mj2qBoUntsEtPvq81ShT_R4CkWwfXVBI8aiBx7JBXGoXx7bs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1711" data-original-width="2634" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPYkG5wMwXoSd0yS82_26CMmNZA9qQenrpdXh_9yEHMBVAqsYPtU39EZ2XHLCWyWFPZBqT0hi7Oip36AAFonWVt2u_FdHJ6cxBSMBWrbxFXiBAWxWPl-f9GG7bqqRR195A-Dpd2l26YWs4Mj2qBoUntsEtPvq81ShT_R4CkWwfXVBI8aiBx7JBXGoXx7bs=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><br />Green-winged Teal<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtWm9NYGdPrIrqZWpOnXGkBJ2CkdgMxmU8qtBhjttVJiJ2DZt89Xn5peds0fDZiJ2ukbalTklmacVIeFMf8myO-cVGY3WYLlhkBAdk8GDYdvxkEv-lkIx_9xDisPN2kT2eOm9XRnXq4MvGOAr7i-g1BjjujbbrCBk6bLfYek6291KADn6nY3Gk4GootYg1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1774" data-original-width="2677" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtWm9NYGdPrIrqZWpOnXGkBJ2CkdgMxmU8qtBhjttVJiJ2DZt89Xn5peds0fDZiJ2ukbalTklmacVIeFMf8myO-cVGY3WYLlhkBAdk8GDYdvxkEv-lkIx_9xDisPN2kT2eOm9XRnXq4MvGOAr7i-g1BjjujbbrCBk6bLfYek6291KADn6nY3Gk4GootYg1=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />GWT<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJKAMhcpJZObU7fWa7C1aggYLhW7HF2NN5uIHDeDBvac3DcWDRsOVT02eCl1MuS4iZW-hlQRtURX3FUXwo8Rk5RibC-KAINLqpGCzeIypIYZroUtZT-DvbB104j8nQMZZ5MpN4haiEO5PiEOYuabjzF6DTUsaOYhKDYRQqox1OXj959BwKjA4TIw0agJAe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1945" data-original-width="2953" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJKAMhcpJZObU7fWa7C1aggYLhW7HF2NN5uIHDeDBvac3DcWDRsOVT02eCl1MuS4iZW-hlQRtURX3FUXwo8Rk5RibC-KAINLqpGCzeIypIYZroUtZT-DvbB104j8nQMZZ5MpN4haiEO5PiEOYuabjzF6DTUsaOYhKDYRQqox1OXj959BwKjA4TIw0agJAe=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><br />Female Bufflehead<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPIRVOVRNkRagkKDgeiCPd4Ee0VD0Eunshmfkz4lYlrDZcbV5Me6Yqn-MzkR3Br7s0SC7AQDaGkkkbs_TlHIDpmmaok9W03TWTO1MBPHoRMioSq5HGibysB-oesshXYt-mSr5trva_7E4WLFGYawjV1Khmr2smPmuyl1Q6Sed21lz93_NkxaPaXwZOfwWI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPIRVOVRNkRagkKDgeiCPd4Ee0VD0Eunshmfkz4lYlrDZcbV5Me6Yqn-MzkR3Br7s0SC7AQDaGkkkbs_TlHIDpmmaok9W03TWTO1MBPHoRMioSq5HGibysB-oesshXYt-mSr5trva_7E4WLFGYawjV1Khmr2smPmuyl1Q6Sed21lz93_NkxaPaXwZOfwWI=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Male Ruddy Duck<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_es8mlKtiZqWe-GAZQtGdHF4IGGqRWupb_h_fQJTmAM_XQIjwvZaqBtLMC3T7Aaguuwqhg2l4fouHNtEI9U0_STAg_-G9rsPFJDtb2UND6fpObwQD5Jg-vff1ZO8I5nj8icjoyEDzKK3Kzk2LVwecDkjcYeT4sFfOnzRSTcFua79QoQDM08DuEZVsVF_V" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_es8mlKtiZqWe-GAZQtGdHF4IGGqRWupb_h_fQJTmAM_XQIjwvZaqBtLMC3T7Aaguuwqhg2l4fouHNtEI9U0_STAg_-G9rsPFJDtb2UND6fpObwQD5Jg-vff1ZO8I5nj8icjoyEDzKK3Kzk2LVwecDkjcYeT4sFfOnzRSTcFua79QoQDM08DuEZVsVF_V=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />A sleeping beauty female Canvasback was the only one I could find and it simply refused to show me its face. I waited 20 minutes before it finally untucked.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-Ju3txY76ufeF62VB2vgOEKW18f3Kaa939XoUBjiC4AL2jwxbJ23WZfPb74XkO46ieKCFgUbrbEVNKDBi2XLG834dV5Jk_kC0vAk9NjfLORgW6jnTowCU0k8LrfGBqbbrsa6h0JNwIwdhyVaPoaCPIAK-VlMUnFfotjHGbqxlbTWud74GZbKRhPhPzX0d" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2422" data-original-width="4134" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-Ju3txY76ufeF62VB2vgOEKW18f3Kaa939XoUBjiC4AL2jwxbJ23WZfPb74XkO46ieKCFgUbrbEVNKDBi2XLG834dV5Jk_kC0vAk9NjfLORgW6jnTowCU0k8LrfGBqbbrsa6h0JNwIwdhyVaPoaCPIAK-VlMUnFfotjHGbqxlbTWud74GZbKRhPhPzX0d=w640-h374" width="640" /></a></div><br />Female Canvasback<p></p><p>My Groupme App was alerting me to multiple sightings of Ash-throated Flycatchers at Alligator NWR so off I went with a short stop at Bro's Sandwich Shop for a Philly Cheesesteak. It ended up being a delicious mistake as by the time I got to Alligator the flycatchers were out of view.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh07oxiZ-lNr0H5ap_-0FJkJC6OaNwmLaPu3m0DJt4oAAEa_V87MmRBXomCSDmFS00boQxqdw410IfIhh3R6CnMrO9DnbAA9E7rolBX_Hda-B7RODjKZvxOgBW7OqNb6CZ1lVUfpan0iNSmal1ETOTHak2hPnxMzpiyy76Y9wrXPZYSYuimdgbp1zbpuseQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1630" data-original-width="2933" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh07oxiZ-lNr0H5ap_-0FJkJC6OaNwmLaPu3m0DJt4oAAEa_V87MmRBXomCSDmFS00boQxqdw410IfIhh3R6CnMrO9DnbAA9E7rolBX_Hda-B7RODjKZvxOgBW7OqNb6CZ1lVUfpan0iNSmal1ETOTHak2hPnxMzpiyy76Y9wrXPZYSYuimdgbp1zbpuseQ=w640-h356" width="640" /></a></div><br />Thousands of Northern Pintails littered the impoundments but most were quite far off.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUd9Z0X8jJrkB0SjRO_4b5rvIP57Y3yLoXjX7qBieBJO5vP6nwwmkTuatKeTARjRxVDDuSjlQ-DXx1hMFOX8wJukJ31VEV99Eu75VrzgmLBeg0_CAzrics9GbX2x44VpChgUlU6hBsYJP39a4kXOgbsAQ4EgTjvCWEzPtKmRk3MBnO_Dg1raLRxYo_2FOH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2407" data-original-width="3568" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUd9Z0X8jJrkB0SjRO_4b5rvIP57Y3yLoXjX7qBieBJO5vP6nwwmkTuatKeTARjRxVDDuSjlQ-DXx1hMFOX8wJukJ31VEV99Eu75VrzgmLBeg0_CAzrics9GbX2x44VpChgUlU6hBsYJP39a4kXOgbsAQ4EgTjvCWEzPtKmRk3MBnO_Dg1raLRxYo_2FOH=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><br />The fields were also chock full of Wilson's Snipes.<p></p><p>I stayed until shortly before sunset and said my farewell to Dare County. Not everything I hoped for, but not bad for a blustery cold day.</p><p>On Sunday after my morning survey at Figure 8, Sam C called and said he had secured entry to Landfall to go look for ducks and asked if I wanted in. Heck yeah I wanted in! I headed over to Sam's so we could carpool. In addition to the Rufous Hummingbird, now Sam has a Western Tanager coming to his feeders, so I posted up for a short session before we set off for Landfall.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMESSDouVuqU0gh03iTjTewcz0BjCXpbRDYglA7rFvt_ySHcbqmzvZizFvoLMVk0S6IbwEODsmxFHoRKKp1sQidkqipYyoVlAXpZ_rUdp2jhnRHh5yzD5OHOMIolTlgb_jK0KoS0qBxdrYo4CFQ5L1EvUr-k_0VDTWELg7aWsbGkpgeqeM49BUS4q7SlSd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMESSDouVuqU0gh03iTjTewcz0BjCXpbRDYglA7rFvt_ySHcbqmzvZizFvoLMVk0S6IbwEODsmxFHoRKKp1sQidkqipYyoVlAXpZ_rUdp2jhnRHh5yzD5OHOMIolTlgb_jK0KoS0qBxdrYo4CFQ5L1EvUr-k_0VDTWELg7aWsbGkpgeqeM49BUS4q7SlSd=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>Downy Woodpecker</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRCEvbb3xFKzL2-hl-hM2sv9F2urleZIvjmbCCynTnAwC1gf8ovXmqdkT35m4P4XSz4gYy2P-UGBSBp3AWNm1hkQdtQwgKu_n6vZAulj8Z2s7V-OiBVSGlPQ7tVz-rBliqvmlA9PWkAP5OFKOeteTfAZ9IQ622WyFxafaOaMYcn2d7NDFAuojDAuFPPdTh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3040" data-original-width="4339" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRCEvbb3xFKzL2-hl-hM2sv9F2urleZIvjmbCCynTnAwC1gf8ovXmqdkT35m4P4XSz4gYy2P-UGBSBp3AWNm1hkQdtQwgKu_n6vZAulj8Z2s7V-OiBVSGlPQ7tVz-rBliqvmlA9PWkAP5OFKOeteTfAZ9IQ622WyFxafaOaMYcn2d7NDFAuojDAuFPPdTh=w640-h448" width="640" /></a></div><p>Western Tanager!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMHDI3u98z4ugQ_u3PAwC0Gcut7zDRKy0JTzJ3xG1pJkSORD1pqTyPjVz5VhJbHku8u-hcJGhdQ2aR4yIHYVoptgwPU4VZ-isI3Q1k5_dWIPqrm00YwowIanhQ3w2ksyi6iYX98Yv1I1euFgenfKhmMiSaF94KNETYB67sORm3tvR6O5d2lXW7VHX8PqK3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2622" data-original-width="3979" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMHDI3u98z4ugQ_u3PAwC0Gcut7zDRKy0JTzJ3xG1pJkSORD1pqTyPjVz5VhJbHku8u-hcJGhdQ2aR4yIHYVoptgwPU4VZ-isI3Q1k5_dWIPqrm00YwowIanhQ3w2ksyi6iYX98Yv1I1euFgenfKhmMiSaF94KNETYB67sORm3tvR6O5d2lXW7VHX8PqK3=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhADDnUXj-CMTEHKZNck-t86cGD6JFWt97owXDHrMHO4sqXYi55UO4ooNRtJnm1SKKshfXqzXhKxG8uyelf16lYUgKRl5rrzb3zZPdhLP3a4h6y_oRuFLcRGkhKgU0T7E5TP6VZvwoJpzBG6o0HmxIMWE62fbL7hLEXEUI_O8J31VnsCj2wqV3w0oa9aWF2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhADDnUXj-CMTEHKZNck-t86cGD6JFWt97owXDHrMHO4sqXYi55UO4ooNRtJnm1SKKshfXqzXhKxG8uyelf16lYUgKRl5rrzb3zZPdhLP3a4h6y_oRuFLcRGkhKgU0T7E5TP6VZvwoJpzBG6o0HmxIMWE62fbL7hLEXEUI_O8J31VnsCj2wqV3w0oa9aWF2=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>He has a slew of Baltimore Orioles too. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVFd6AX59NTvl4j1F81IK5TO0Fvyh6snxyZKlO56CMbZWmJSZ5HntaxANQTqjPEs6shOBzGZVhYQJLS0geJ4tCyPztlRYwDxs_2iquJSrDGOgFOdT3E0FTXE-SiLi5Shs80XprtJc8_fZYbWmMHL70WkocDTCAzPdVXAr3FzV5w6IwRb6Uc3c5f3rNpMWb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVFd6AX59NTvl4j1F81IK5TO0Fvyh6snxyZKlO56CMbZWmJSZ5HntaxANQTqjPEs6shOBzGZVhYQJLS0geJ4tCyPztlRYwDxs_2iquJSrDGOgFOdT3E0FTXE-SiLi5Shs80XprtJc8_fZYbWmMHL70WkocDTCAzPdVXAr3FzV5w6IwRb6Uc3c5f3rNpMWb=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUAytoob3i7_HrPV6kA-vhv6ePWYEELLYnnX7P1o6l-U4DQWgBXxuPYEweR85MvkrhrVJU38PkmRsNBoz2ZV_J1im5bW011oCuiEemzL-n_dQavzdtoR0aDfyuFvgPeY5ECdfGQ5ouSkGhd-5MURY2QnoSnc_S00GR0E-EBElzF_sLrRLgGsIQKKEtT1pw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3220" data-original-width="5103" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUAytoob3i7_HrPV6kA-vhv6ePWYEELLYnnX7P1o6l-U4DQWgBXxuPYEweR85MvkrhrVJU38PkmRsNBoz2ZV_J1im5bW011oCuiEemzL-n_dQavzdtoR0aDfyuFvgPeY5ECdfGQ5ouSkGhd-5MURY2QnoSnc_S00GR0E-EBElzF_sLrRLgGsIQKKEtT1pw=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br />Once in Landfall, we started at the big lake and worked our way around the path that circumnavigates the whole lake.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvD0g6ZexGchkE0zQjHrEJc8t_DtW_yY-ORjP4tWjrsZzbr3WhmI4D4LG4qnykvqX_PztsxmwuDvdDRcgBVGj4D-LTYILdk8Z7BfCpFyq8U_nXPOKeVGTVmKChd24ZN_77EGK4qs8BszuQLpHM2OwMvgQQI8_oTJVLn2l3R2RsaG9ZRZ9b0MVbW0htVgMh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2648" data-original-width="4139" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvD0g6ZexGchkE0zQjHrEJc8t_DtW_yY-ORjP4tWjrsZzbr3WhmI4D4LG4qnykvqX_PztsxmwuDvdDRcgBVGj4D-LTYILdk8Z7BfCpFyq8U_nXPOKeVGTVmKChd24ZN_77EGK4qs8BszuQLpHM2OwMvgQQI8_oTJVLn2l3R2RsaG9ZRZ9b0MVbW0htVgMh=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><br />Wilson's Snipe<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh13qwE7EgQyDuZNi_cdMiTPZTSNa5UvblDt9kZONtZCrXaPNbM-nhOBcX4Veci672QLJottizu_q6EUIHmmn4iKcffMM4VxVr8hf6ohQcT0Gsz9Iq_tRIY9c-EN1uAlRE1dfgbuaUW9kZcBktLF9_QF3CYRf0JH9kbi6bkzP3oDlbqZP0t5mWILQ94R8xI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2934" data-original-width="5052" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh13qwE7EgQyDuZNi_cdMiTPZTSNa5UvblDt9kZONtZCrXaPNbM-nhOBcX4Veci672QLJottizu_q6EUIHmmn4iKcffMM4VxVr8hf6ohQcT0Gsz9Iq_tRIY9c-EN1uAlRE1dfgbuaUW9kZcBktLF9_QF3CYRf0JH9kbi6bkzP3oDlbqZP0t5mWILQ94R8xI=w640-h372" width="640" /></a></div><br />American Wigeon<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0wLZBSlUeIM2S8MHO9XSCyMcbP5h8w8xbRebOG5DSZFy1qKGlWV41M-vPoLwvNBrybsiIDoaIEu-uWeI3JnI7ShOnqVn8PcXa_q2PquKHSfJI5mbA1-ENgNV9REYCbZY1IeOkJrjNdCCM-QIOGA3rQOv0-845-AC7uTaONrPUaDwq8GAohcjopblzALJb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2706" data-original-width="3998" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0wLZBSlUeIM2S8MHO9XSCyMcbP5h8w8xbRebOG5DSZFy1qKGlWV41M-vPoLwvNBrybsiIDoaIEu-uWeI3JnI7ShOnqVn8PcXa_q2PquKHSfJI5mbA1-ENgNV9REYCbZY1IeOkJrjNdCCM-QIOGA3rQOv0-845-AC7uTaONrPUaDwq8GAohcjopblzALJb=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pied-billed Grebe<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgURyNOYiT2o5jH4Uq3WaocBBBvitQAFRjf17ec7AZ4w9BQn1WvEmImNhcNnkvHf8GZUt4P0OJmxdxJqBQQ339EGU4KBqH7tNpxy3JlU_mPXxDlpl86Vsl0AnnTR8bKy7Wm9nWeb1VBaInVxOEXY3ZgnFkq5bxGBFmw2EEV-cjI6Z_UHPhJX0JdPXHco8w1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2801" data-original-width="4625" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgURyNOYiT2o5jH4Uq3WaocBBBvitQAFRjf17ec7AZ4w9BQn1WvEmImNhcNnkvHf8GZUt4P0OJmxdxJqBQQ339EGU4KBqH7tNpxy3JlU_mPXxDlpl86Vsl0AnnTR8bKy7Wm9nWeb1VBaInVxOEXY3ZgnFkq5bxGBFmw2EEV-cjI6Z_UHPhJX0JdPXHco8w1=w640-h388" width="640" /></a></div><br />Greater Yellowlegs<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZMg8MslCv1c2S6aLHE8AhsPvMvWWY6_P7XU1SiI_ficue_TZ8jybXy4n8NteMXbyFU7ynU5EWoMmhm53KcQkhMltw8s4RrwF2znhNVteqS9Q82oxCgqATz1d0c74BRJZzD6azdzAzqrfQ6wAXXZhKIvzgZp8mqg0XqhiA9wrrz_4_aTWnhVnF1BlAWWrx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2470" data-original-width="3905" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZMg8MslCv1c2S6aLHE8AhsPvMvWWY6_P7XU1SiI_ficue_TZ8jybXy4n8NteMXbyFU7ynU5EWoMmhm53KcQkhMltw8s4RrwF2znhNVteqS9Q82oxCgqATz1d0c74BRJZzD6azdzAzqrfQ6wAXXZhKIvzgZp8mqg0XqhiA9wrrz_4_aTWnhVnF1BlAWWrx=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eurasian Wigeon! I was so glad to see this stunner was still around.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiddmkd-f2sXkXLWUZ6qyylCIrAjQ1BQh4l9tnEjBRaNsV9_GHRFVTfJ_C7J4Tj8OQXd229bynWhf-PmBvmX5JjqIdTyB-BorJfjosFE4aQ7B-MPEqLkHGu2oAAoCDBesFp2ieZZJXxgPbEghhDHTg2bdC2cdbYJcmkfUmKdaPzSIPqdUIqxJvBbMsbeUX9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2343" data-original-width="3698" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiddmkd-f2sXkXLWUZ6qyylCIrAjQ1BQh4l9tnEjBRaNsV9_GHRFVTfJ_C7J4Tj8OQXd229bynWhf-PmBvmX5JjqIdTyB-BorJfjosFE4aQ7B-MPEqLkHGu2oAAoCDBesFp2ieZZJXxgPbEghhDHTg2bdC2cdbYJcmkfUmKdaPzSIPqdUIqxJvBbMsbeUX9=w640-h406" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOrprhwjNDPRM58mpi5NEotC-HqQ15zdjaBe2EMvNYpyezko0pV0H-xQIblF7R23s1jUeAMp3_smGK_FNXctcye3XbIbMlmfcyiNbPqVe7TNcN7bGbVv9DzMU3cJ1q5N4Mx1uVrxwX7d0Y3TolTkOsLuN9Finsvm1J2G7g-pZO-fC8kRMl7Jafa34ZxEeX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3133" data-original-width="4811" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOrprhwjNDPRM58mpi5NEotC-HqQ15zdjaBe2EMvNYpyezko0pV0H-xQIblF7R23s1jUeAMp3_smGK_FNXctcye3XbIbMlmfcyiNbPqVe7TNcN7bGbVv9DzMU3cJ1q5N4Mx1uVrxwX7d0Y3TolTkOsLuN9Finsvm1J2G7g-pZO-fC8kRMl7Jafa34ZxEeX=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Glossy Ibis showed up on our way out.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEUdqoTX0vEUR3gCeGdqLzdQYgHRcwQz5a149EaV64GNUy_hmOXjFippGbVZDNVXNsJ8RmwWjk0hQ_OBpKLkgA6NUn8m1aIttEW8n04JaJ0mpN_BNQXqWW9zD55cKFanZlTHMx1kkbAK2jldj7w0Jk9BH_petTOoEVbuyjIu8giaV1MQHZHozUZz9W7Lu5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2686" data-original-width="3865" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEUdqoTX0vEUR3gCeGdqLzdQYgHRcwQz5a149EaV64GNUy_hmOXjFippGbVZDNVXNsJ8RmwWjk0hQ_OBpKLkgA6NUn8m1aIttEW8n04JaJ0mpN_BNQXqWW9zD55cKFanZlTHMx1kkbAK2jldj7w0Jk9BH_petTOoEVbuyjIu8giaV1MQHZHozUZz9W7Lu5=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheEA4aLcHMZJMuz-JlHGhJ8jB-xCLCEpwBDQC9esJJMNhKbM7lw5Dv2aKyJim5RZWK2w-EqfP-5B7pt9wh5RDJ0LswC_IIjLqlJRMNm8_Xyv8ZN_xTrFCPasPcNDDBxgcG5KIu4COIvO9e2drj5qqjsA2w8sYIv7HwQgRFPhXpL6L6_yrGVk9NbMteICMg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3075" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheEA4aLcHMZJMuz-JlHGhJ8jB-xCLCEpwBDQC9esJJMNhKbM7lw5Dv2aKyJim5RZWK2w-EqfP-5B7pt9wh5RDJ0LswC_IIjLqlJRMNm8_Xyv8ZN_xTrFCPasPcNDDBxgcG5KIu4COIvO9e2drj5qqjsA2w8sYIv7HwQgRFPhXpL6L6_yrGVk9NbMteICMg=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></p><p>Bonus Mammal! Muskrat!</p><p>This year has started well for a big year effort if someone were to try. The next couple weeks will tell if it is worth making an attempt. It would probably not be ideal as I will be out of the country for at least a whole month and I am doing this survey gig 4 days a week. I certainly am not in full out chase mode. There is a Trumpeter Swan up at Hanging Rock SP, but I just can't bring myself to drive 4 hours for one bird. Maybe if something else shows up near it.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-31044834233393445402024-01-24T02:33:00.000-08:002024-01-24T02:33:37.105-08:00Local Treats (14-15Jan2024)<p>Many of the good birds I have on my list this year are coming easy. Here are some local birds.</p><p>One of the really good local spots in past years has been the set of fallow sparrow fields across from the Blue Clay Bike Park at the very northern end of New Hanover. So I was really gobsmacked to see "they" are developing it. Who is they? No idea. I thought previously the land was owned and leased by the state. Anyway, it's all bull dozed and retention ponds are created, but so far no houses or whatever they have planned. So I put on my muck boots and took a walk. Still plenty of sparrows.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKS-2K2SHdN1IaH-GBZQsDT_4KSFCwupfVY8PHiiEjq-8Gjz2xVLEEn4KR9_groad27B7p42BFodnwVwGsJzyYB-CWcTmL8JfifcME4uLQ4N0MK-42DorkvwRiqSUxxW46AHEjDR1KOGrx8HmNGy3pYYgnqAeq0g8vXjCpzzcmfe5kF0TTdPpSBizLy9P7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2692" data-original-width="3990" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKS-2K2SHdN1IaH-GBZQsDT_4KSFCwupfVY8PHiiEjq-8Gjz2xVLEEn4KR9_groad27B7p42BFodnwVwGsJzyYB-CWcTmL8JfifcME4uLQ4N0MK-42DorkvwRiqSUxxW46AHEjDR1KOGrx8HmNGy3pYYgnqAeq0g8vXjCpzzcmfe5kF0TTdPpSBizLy9P7=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><br />Chipping Sparrows were everywhere.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSJx3kRUXmyBBpSh1bieWAySJQ9xp99mdFcwShezp5o7PCBK8aGl1_uhX6ovFOnJzawwlYOmNdv1AgI-BIz7AebDltfwrzdXqSk0gnxTvaca7vr48g8e6ZFe3ZOES4WeFxc1g-1_h69OzaB47v51dsNNh7UyDJaS4CpYydvVcV1U3kiEokVmQhMZlEo0KJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3291" data-original-width="4539" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSJx3kRUXmyBBpSh1bieWAySJQ9xp99mdFcwShezp5o7PCBK8aGl1_uhX6ovFOnJzawwlYOmNdv1AgI-BIz7AebDltfwrzdXqSk0gnxTvaca7vr48g8e6ZFe3ZOES4WeFxc1g-1_h69OzaB47v51dsNNh7UyDJaS4CpYydvVcV1U3kiEokVmQhMZlEo0KJ=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></div><br />House Wrens too.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOiA3W1J5VBcDMyLAoGwmZJkjH06NI-Wt1nqFWmZgIxGtOzO3Hf6249eVr5XetQYdA3avz1fPd-f8XZGYr6HtCLg4nM8pNzh-ox7AMJP0Wdxhv-GxwdLTlicrrr590VHqth4XkXuCNQ_d3-kClsxGldudVq-IuvwJjaqfREbOBXxQSjKJzFIxdWhv-EeWj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3074" data-original-width="4772" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOiA3W1J5VBcDMyLAoGwmZJkjH06NI-Wt1nqFWmZgIxGtOzO3Hf6249eVr5XetQYdA3avz1fPd-f8XZGYr6HtCLg4nM8pNzh-ox7AMJP0Wdxhv-GxwdLTlicrrr590VHqth4XkXuCNQ_d3-kClsxGldudVq-IuvwJjaqfREbOBXxQSjKJzFIxdWhv-EeWj=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>At one point I made the jump into the woods because I have had Hairy Woodpeckers in this area.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOiA3W1J5VBcDMyLAoGwmZJkjH06NI-Wt1nqFWmZgIxGtOzO3Hf6249eVr5XetQYdA3avz1fPd-f8XZGYr6HtCLg4nM8pNzh-ox7AMJP0Wdxhv-GxwdLTlicrrr590VHqth4XkXuCNQ_d3-kClsxGldudVq-IuvwJjaqfREbOBXxQSjKJzFIxdWhv-EeWj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-J69VhqfE07bOK8b0PjGLMTywsPfoFzS8TA2HvBxBUCEgjw35QkAm3gQzaoUUih_zwpgslwAyrVJzcrCzXtOCZeirNPMXDa-IJNOCw6cTOsRzjjSASiWuvk4QoFv-kRZ2CkM3QvoJd6oEFaNzWYQMuLiJNIx_5NDie9VjVVkIdZbpJdA45e_TPnD45bU7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3198" data-original-width="4558" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-J69VhqfE07bOK8b0PjGLMTywsPfoFzS8TA2HvBxBUCEgjw35QkAm3gQzaoUUih_zwpgslwAyrVJzcrCzXtOCZeirNPMXDa-IJNOCw6cTOsRzjjSASiWuvk4QoFv-kRZ2CkM3QvoJd6oEFaNzWYQMuLiJNIx_5NDie9VjVVkIdZbpJdA45e_TPnD45bU7=w640-h450" width="640" /></a></div><p> But all I could find were Downy Woodpeckers.</p><p>So that was a bit depressing. New Hanover is growing so fast that soon it will all be suburban sprawl. Hopefully I will be gone by then.</p><p>A couple trips to the beach yielded some goodies....</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXVp0CTZIS5Y92kxFX7jbbibs_i_OZVp6_GFZDlz4gbCvhaboQoHE7bbszmHZ2BqFZUwZBbF5_rdzGMuuA0NCRe_wA2hwGoGMy6lxk4QNe6s5qQN_HuPE3xyG96z8NPyZWnaOOncQe8ix3sZHTfhz0znyjXMp4GmaZNbMXqTK9FiGv6oC2gRbNDYssdZeI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXVp0CTZIS5Y92kxFX7jbbibs_i_OZVp6_GFZDlz4gbCvhaboQoHE7bbszmHZ2BqFZUwZBbF5_rdzGMuuA0NCRe_wA2hwGoGMy6lxk4QNe6s5qQN_HuPE3xyG96z8NPyZWnaOOncQe8ix3sZHTfhz0znyjXMp4GmaZNbMXqTK9FiGv6oC2gRbNDYssdZeI=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Common Loons in nice light on the intracoastal side of the South End of Wrightsville Beach.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBTa28NhSQzHogJmqi_vUaLWd7YLGNSgYjBd7eQ4HaMUOM_w1sQ8bgfy1n36-iiUdCHOpLaknkL-MjwV_-PT-ukuExh9df-79JnYU1ZGbhbjwWE231YfPizdbmUMhY9uN7YwF0RumGLRlEZJ8Zlh6TX33zrqYkrkeHCKIgCVmFl-H28-nNOKOxKJpF9M5x" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3041" data-original-width="5077" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBTa28NhSQzHogJmqi_vUaLWd7YLGNSgYjBd7eQ4HaMUOM_w1sQ8bgfy1n36-iiUdCHOpLaknkL-MjwV_-PT-ukuExh9df-79JnYU1ZGbhbjwWE231YfPizdbmUMhY9uN7YwF0RumGLRlEZJ8Zlh6TX33zrqYkrkeHCKIgCVmFl-H28-nNOKOxKJpF9M5x=w640-h384" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Common Eider</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik4Bi1-a9F_hNTE7oYv2O0VCiws0Y_64oEz3Bcir_MXiOCZ0bIaFZReOjtTw6UFFKZAqbXEN4TZL6ozuZ0wBuiKXJrrH8ye_6kzaSy-CHolkHdBVSwz13aOkf272RbBhWA_aDW0MFQvhtbUPSCb6h7Phk4up5ol8wDM46yD6QUYCE-myy-gCPvd7FcxZEB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik4Bi1-a9F_hNTE7oYv2O0VCiws0Y_64oEz3Bcir_MXiOCZ0bIaFZReOjtTw6UFFKZAqbXEN4TZL6ozuZ0wBuiKXJrrH8ye_6kzaSy-CHolkHdBVSwz13aOkf272RbBhWA_aDW0MFQvhtbUPSCb6h7Phk4up5ol8wDM46yD6QUYCE-myy-gCPvd7FcxZEB" width="640" /></a></div><br />Double-crested Cormorant </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I tried to go to Airlie but they were closed so I headed over to the adjacent Oleander Gardens which is really a Cemetery.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy--bJk8joqZWYWQjglMcWPtczRTVcY17GKyfPTyOf9Aoy4IshvaaySfC15UxOwphzsGIIbE0WVUXjnH6W2Y4LeVEW8nAnZVLK38fGSVDB9zO-nyo2I5vITvVDrbmoeM-gPo8CW9ToOlCYRvKKR6_N-Msjcx2L0LchuZXfdLpl6N9xgrc5sImMSp7y5rRj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3158" data-original-width="4621" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy--bJk8joqZWYWQjglMcWPtczRTVcY17GKyfPTyOf9Aoy4IshvaaySfC15UxOwphzsGIIbE0WVUXjnH6W2Y4LeVEW8nAnZVLK38fGSVDB9zO-nyo2I5vITvVDrbmoeM-gPo8CW9ToOlCYRvKKR6_N-Msjcx2L0LchuZXfdLpl6N9xgrc5sImMSp7y5rRj=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Fish Crow doing its diagnostic nasal "Uh Uh" call.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN8jBV-aFeZlF1707U3zCw1X1mgaKnBoVPSVwS-x2Pr3rR1T5MFMZxA4Ptlsih-NvI_UAAZJdikA-CMBfGkPf3GbPBPbImMzK96SJSQ6rSAMhDJVZ1DzW41iIwWy9okG54rz-9QxS6rXIb0p4aM8gmhYRza4_hEl_8_9z1Pr91ZOy3gF0RkWCqjjs0W8d8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="3020" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN8jBV-aFeZlF1707U3zCw1X1mgaKnBoVPSVwS-x2Pr3rR1T5MFMZxA4Ptlsih-NvI_UAAZJdikA-CMBfGkPf3GbPBPbImMzK96SJSQ6rSAMhDJVZ1DzW41iIwWy9okG54rz-9QxS6rXIb0p4aM8gmhYRza4_hEl_8_9z1Pr91ZOy3gF0RkWCqjjs0W8d8=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Belted Kingfishers can be hard to photograph so I was pleased to immortalize this one. This is one of the few species where the females are more colorful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihp05j-W23mxmsaE20Pbdgixsk8-oGFw1UHySSMynfMfDw-4bqiTSECeVLpmOEbLCRSDyrblTrM-iIWrzA_cAFx4llmV2gt-WdsMi_Ya46lIgTjlvPw9sNJUVFztxH1ZwZUD7xhkUM-wfVRIIt14y-hWzSjHqKjpMmiaPo2--m560F6GS0chYH9qkOta4W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2767" data-original-width="4503" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihp05j-W23mxmsaE20Pbdgixsk8-oGFw1UHySSMynfMfDw-4bqiTSECeVLpmOEbLCRSDyrblTrM-iIWrzA_cAFx4llmV2gt-WdsMi_Ya46lIgTjlvPw9sNJUVFztxH1ZwZUD7xhkUM-wfVRIIt14y-hWzSjHqKjpMmiaPo2--m560F6GS0chYH9qkOta4W=w640-h394" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pied-billed Grebe taking in its reflections.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg816OUKOBkZSI7em-TMwjutJTRbTLEQP05B4bz1eKL9j5q127jcBgSpIruvYIUvRchtkkXhZei3HA7BnQi9QX4nLkEiLdwCB3GVWtZ419T-1Ul6HlQ5mWBHGaMdA_eoaiqUanrjzYmbw5JmODprir_VnBL8isb3ibJasVcU8QZ7LVDcxn9Lk0i7JZVDw7s" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2451" data-original-width="3458" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg816OUKOBkZSI7em-TMwjutJTRbTLEQP05B4bz1eKL9j5q127jcBgSpIruvYIUvRchtkkXhZei3HA7BnQi9QX4nLkEiLdwCB3GVWtZ419T-1Ul6HlQ5mWBHGaMdA_eoaiqUanrjzYmbw5JmODprir_VnBL8isb3ibJasVcU8QZ7LVDcxn9Lk0i7JZVDw7s=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><br />Red-Shouldered Hawk</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's when a murder of Crows alerted me to a high tree with a nest. A Great Horned Owl! It was hunkered down low avoiding the crows so I didn't get a decent pic, but don't worry because I went back later!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sam C called and told me he had a presumed Rufous Hummingbird at his feeder. So I went over and staked out his feeder.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwgjLnNwNomvRIDxTlvqDVaznTk3eUR5VpwBPQ6PZuh8d_qCb0UKbHp7qWeBYfH6X1MltimXzKODorFsGS66Y3UDnK3_j-WYv_MaSULXiUBKq2yH40k08m0Iw_x1fp3cLzU7Uyb6r5Gkuq6YbnDXACO4kCdTfHTPlG0VZjiXD6fopwI2hpFKzu7eVQJOv7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2697" data-original-width="3969" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwgjLnNwNomvRIDxTlvqDVaznTk3eUR5VpwBPQ6PZuh8d_qCb0UKbHp7qWeBYfH6X1MltimXzKODorFsGS66Y3UDnK3_j-WYv_MaSULXiUBKq2yH40k08m0Iw_x1fp3cLzU7Uyb6r5Gkuq6YbnDXACO4kCdTfHTPlG0VZjiXD6fopwI2hpFKzu7eVQJOv7=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br />Northern Flicker - Sam has a great feeder set up which I need to aspire to.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0SYUTwHYBQtfzLZGrDbVxbc5CGXWmbYk--5Bux6H1GJ7VCeM8k9HMBFRWgHzD8jHR1lSkUbtyD8CEEu5ZJ9RbLSPunPZteb-bLG58Q5O7Atf4PKdplIHK69isIbD4zkLyyMkiu8l0J-2mPBFelHhjfEnLL7ku1z_pYylI0alXXeKV9nBxSG9uqAmJradW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2192" data-original-width="3008" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0SYUTwHYBQtfzLZGrDbVxbc5CGXWmbYk--5Bux6H1GJ7VCeM8k9HMBFRWgHzD8jHR1lSkUbtyD8CEEu5ZJ9RbLSPunPZteb-bLG58Q5O7Atf4PKdplIHK69isIbD4zkLyyMkiu8l0J-2mPBFelHhjfEnLL7ku1z_pYylI0alXXeKV9nBxSG9uqAmJradW=w640-h466" width="640" /></a></div><br />The only hummer that showed up was this female Archilochus which is probably just a Ruby-throated but made me think twice based on the drooping wings and short tail. Usually RTs have longer tails compared to wing tips, but it's possible this one is just worn down. It wasn't pumping its tail vigorously like you would expect on a Black-chinned.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhexEonI72uQPRUdItbhmpBVSJ_SxU4CmX_L8gg4nDPPWJSbmosMV9JRpOpTMwl7sAVGIJmhGJUGChmpNm8mzCdc73Cybgjkfv58ktzm4dXl6_ebWVMhKWWXNOCgc3Z-7lzpXs2G1ld8KiaTIbjLdZJ-0gAfr1-u_igl8vel-7FPWrQhc2SYzRbZCNzyWsU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhexEonI72uQPRUdItbhmpBVSJ_SxU4CmX_L8gg4nDPPWJSbmosMV9JRpOpTMwl7sAVGIJmhGJUGChmpNm8mzCdc73Cybgjkfv58ktzm4dXl6_ebWVMhKWWXNOCgc3Z-7lzpXs2G1ld8KiaTIbjLdZJ-0gAfr1-u_igl8vel-7FPWrQhc2SYzRbZCNzyWsU=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Carolina Chickadee</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had to go for a dentist appt so I left before seeing the Rufous. After the dentist I decided for a short trip to Fort Fisher to see what was around.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIAXvcAUIpbaIpkHw2Evh8VKn3ZRJqh4sP4bx-cYfxdiU9nVAxfjJl1QoDhMv38iDv0fmpwS_tdt6Y_0G4wAplmuPiYbZzUOsYw_B7o4Qg2PPwGS_tXG8xOHhfY6WOwHAH28Vgow4hie4aE93MRdZa_lb1TrCrRM_HTYZECuThgao3emQ2vMuUBJT-X292" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2776" data-original-width="4091" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIAXvcAUIpbaIpkHw2Evh8VKn3ZRJqh4sP4bx-cYfxdiU9nVAxfjJl1QoDhMv38iDv0fmpwS_tdt6Y_0G4wAplmuPiYbZzUOsYw_B7o4Qg2PPwGS_tXG8xOHhfY6WOwHAH28Vgow4hie4aE93MRdZa_lb1TrCrRM_HTYZECuThgao3emQ2vMuUBJT-X292=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br />Blue-headed Vireo - I was into a nice little flock when Sam texted me to say the Rufous was back!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBatdZXbica_vWGssWj8Zc6fqyTVes2P0a3R_zCW5pNwPUiLmjm1_CjajYba3qyHw3b9Vfur_rId3uV48udpttpvTDn6zob3YQTVk6Bg7XXYyy8Vat8codEDsnQqYBmx2ZlOgQ_xHDQZsoH8OpwiPRdpR3yEtIQ5lmEK3qWQ4878iPC5lTx2d5ijBBjwUD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3095" data-original-width="4802" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBatdZXbica_vWGssWj8Zc6fqyTVes2P0a3R_zCW5pNwPUiLmjm1_CjajYba3qyHw3b9Vfur_rId3uV48udpttpvTDn6zob3YQTVk6Bg7XXYyy8Vat8codEDsnQqYBmx2ZlOgQ_xHDQZsoH8OpwiPRdpR3yEtIQ5lmEK3qWQ4878iPC5lTx2d5ijBBjwUD=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Hermit Thrush doing a Swainson's impression bid me adieu as I prepared to head back to Sam's.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAuhebRiDLU7LcKRLH6dLnsrV8-IaBOelPKMB76Go48TiivSxk4kCG8s48cLoFEr6SbfeNvGIyvZ3w7O6EBlUK08_F7X5jpoJfR_DEnd2a4vDAl_3J0AJ8fwpSP7bvXd_Ib-QUMvjIT73U0GOLvrGQzLp1kdXGJLl0D5bQQXfEzCmnWhX2nARUyMeg__n_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4065" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAuhebRiDLU7LcKRLH6dLnsrV8-IaBOelPKMB76Go48TiivSxk4kCG8s48cLoFEr6SbfeNvGIyvZ3w7O6EBlUK08_F7X5jpoJfR_DEnd2a4vDAl_3J0AJ8fwpSP7bvXd_Ib-QUMvjIT73U0GOLvrGQzLp1kdXGJLl0D5bQQXfEzCmnWhX2nARUyMeg__n_=w640-h448" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbfzRWG0n6kOHbCiajkMkYHXRGoteTJlOmcsSHrtiJYwxfBguLjMeVDEDiZazdly-XhLjqoQCApcUKdFA5YFEH0UKSlsd8LFBsmlm04U43Rz6gWvGZm3MAE2mmieup4u7yAjbKwcIZP4MK4Mr4Bgq1POYMEr5VrxzFTveOJXcAv_0Q89lqN5ZczcxgFF4v" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2032" data-original-width="3045" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbfzRWG0n6kOHbCiajkMkYHXRGoteTJlOmcsSHrtiJYwxfBguLjMeVDEDiZazdly-XhLjqoQCApcUKdFA5YFEH0UKSlsd8LFBsmlm04U43Rz6gWvGZm3MAE2mmieup4u7yAjbKwcIZP4MK4Mr4Bgq1POYMEr5VrxzFTveOJXcAv_0Q89lqN5ZczcxgFF4v=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br />Back at Sam's this young male Ruby-throated showed up first. Note how the tail is quite a bit longer than the wing tips.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9I9K4YT6MdTE15DEqxGtn8vmjhPoScZ7EgipL31ngPmGBis8XvIpCr1TCeh5Z4E6ZbpPDe25kXKrErRQvKRbugKGmP9cuhh9jJMsD9FbzIc-VD1Oh0qMW9IoTnqvK3ajvPnCKzdA7jTUdV34v4D3FN3ea5HNLQubg3Df7jK-HIDVcc9rbwx8lxeMajIL0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2981" data-original-width="4247" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9I9K4YT6MdTE15DEqxGtn8vmjhPoScZ7EgipL31ngPmGBis8XvIpCr1TCeh5Z4E6ZbpPDe25kXKrErRQvKRbugKGmP9cuhh9jJMsD9FbzIc-VD1Oh0qMW9IoTnqvK3ajvPnCKzdA7jTUdV34v4D3FN3ea5HNLQubg3Df7jK-HIDVcc9rbwx8lxeMajIL0=w640-h450" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then the presumed Rufous showed!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However, I needed to get a tail spread shot to confirm. I went through all my pics later and found one!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbfRdC7KthoQAHrqGHtUNecWXImhhl4FzWN8yd70kM1bwjCCinPxCOsbgT4XARKLZRiwTCDlXS9dIcX-wYkcHAUqIbdDxEWFD_F_awPX0dULAsAXuL72_eC8zinB8H76OXGbz40CXGoVASHb0YAPktrgv7O3nLC6sCyAIzPmgp9O3XK5ihrrplPaSU7fVV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1619" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbfRdC7KthoQAHrqGHtUNecWXImhhl4FzWN8yd70kM1bwjCCinPxCOsbgT4XARKLZRiwTCDlXS9dIcX-wYkcHAUqIbdDxEWFD_F_awPX0dULAsAXuL72_eC8zinB8H76OXGbz40CXGoVASHb0YAPktrgv7O3nLC6sCyAIzPmgp9O3XK5ihrrplPaSU7fVV=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bingo! Rufous hummingbirds have a notch in the R2 tail feather (retrice). You can just make it out here.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNFtKSqVZI6R7F8nUOZyq4mCIqYNUw1eCZ6zRlIih2VN2mb57xOdLK6V098fnwqH41yjvd3RwvOzWZW0UrYDSS2queVJ_HSe1B_ctcefCG66DzsUAHyoM2STvIdy6s2iDmOdlrfvQz81RXqwWBJ2KxdgrS6KxDgxqSZnhlI0LTQvp_lXDV1RExPxbpCKCJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1006" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNFtKSqVZI6R7F8nUOZyq4mCIqYNUw1eCZ6zRlIih2VN2mb57xOdLK6V098fnwqH41yjvd3RwvOzWZW0UrYDSS2queVJ_HSe1B_ctcefCG66DzsUAHyoM2STvIdy6s2iDmOdlrfvQz81RXqwWBJ2KxdgrS6KxDgxqSZnhlI0LTQvp_lXDV1RExPxbpCKCJ=w640-h378" width="640" /></a></div><br />An Allen's Hummingbird would not have the notch. Rufous are also much more likely and Sam had a rufous last year too. It's probably the same bird.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was getting kind of late so I decided to head back to Oleander Gardens to see if my friend the Great Horned was stirring.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV6h9o-VeElmEI3ohW1Uun7DXWn2QIyCDr8f9D_k0zM_mMiH7mM7imbKIUnoLbnLtXfFJzaxrh4TOs7NO2wlqnQyJDLsI_PPSQaxyHkbks-7GkcRDP014YDeJYDjjyxMsc9oLjICjTad2SMh08kt8fWhK929MQsnbikHuCrvlO2Wz84XyxgsUn9lBS2_CV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1950" data-original-width="3025" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjV6h9o-VeElmEI3ohW1Uun7DXWn2QIyCDr8f9D_k0zM_mMiH7mM7imbKIUnoLbnLtXfFJzaxrh4TOs7NO2wlqnQyJDLsI_PPSQaxyHkbks-7GkcRDP014YDeJYDjjyxMsc9oLjICjTad2SMh08kt8fWhK929MQsnbikHuCrvlO2Wz84XyxgsUn9lBS2_CV=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></div><br />There she is!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next installment includes a day trip to the Outer Banks!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-27959634805887503472024-01-17T03:30:00.000-08:002024-01-18T01:33:45.742-08:00Local Stuff and a trip to Raleigh (08-13Jan2024)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Usually this time of year I focus on going to the Johnnie Mercer Pier every morning to pick up my ocean year bird fix. Since I have been doing surveys half the week at Figure 8, I haven't had nearly as many opportunities to get on the pier. Consequently I don't have any good pics yet of birds like Pacific Loon or Razorbill.</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/a/AVvXsEigY210J33wWAcA_K3eX6EJFQeyAZbjcMYhhx-xxtk-dn4T_ERTSBNDMCzdafiELe8N2qeTQaeS7-GVzJyR5hgpq1X2pzzbOtFVOypiJqzNm8SyHsgs2_yp6Czo2MeISiKVcG_Em16afWwSXLgcwTncJH-UGrkzVhJU-we18a2UHbxurvwkFtabbe_3OMc7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2950" data-original-width="4956" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigY210J33wWAcA_K3eX6EJFQeyAZbjcMYhhx-xxtk-dn4T_ERTSBNDMCzdafiELe8N2qeTQaeS7-GVzJyR5hgpq1X2pzzbOtFVOypiJqzNm8SyHsgs2_yp6Czo2MeISiKVcG_Em16afWwSXLgcwTncJH-UGrkzVhJU-we18a2UHbxurvwkFtabbe_3OMc7=w640-h380" width="640" /></a></div><br />Red-throated Loons are common near the pier.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqMm-MI3EnpuOJ91n-7R33UFb3LnzKFJlNKxBYBuo6OVfLZK-hE8ZSRGOqpiuPg7-AM5tnCUbSVxmQKyBAV2tqs75CybrP0QyjkjRqmx94R_gsepyQEVK16rf25aTXj2vnTdSU4aIt7TICnyDFKAL6LkvSbNpB5DigGrNiZ8sC_o2sgXFPZlcfy_-JMSVR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2522" data-original-width="3794" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqMm-MI3EnpuOJ91n-7R33UFb3LnzKFJlNKxBYBuo6OVfLZK-hE8ZSRGOqpiuPg7-AM5tnCUbSVxmQKyBAV2tqs75CybrP0QyjkjRqmx94R_gsepyQEVK16rf25aTXj2vnTdSU4aIt7TICnyDFKAL6LkvSbNpB5DigGrNiZ8sC_o2sgXFPZlcfy_-JMSVR=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile Carolina Beach Lake is usually good for some Scaup. These are Lesser Scaup based on dirty flanks and peaked head.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDRgBaejMOfVyld9GOtQmg_qpvcWfCe1sutEdOP5o6Xb2OaBdxnniHqnydAfFrwbgqmDXkATEEP6OuNTqrO9TFwmbXYxNM1Xqo_tchNjRuFBV98SWXPFeWNIEBVKRIDKgfzGq0BH08W5j_j_wmmUDH3ih3c3upVtPfRuJ5je7KeCYxgMVdbtTX_VSkY6JN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDRgBaejMOfVyld9GOtQmg_qpvcWfCe1sutEdOP5o6Xb2OaBdxnniHqnydAfFrwbgqmDXkATEEP6OuNTqrO9TFwmbXYxNM1Xqo_tchNjRuFBV98SWXPFeWNIEBVKRIDKgfzGq0BH08W5j_j_wmmUDH3ih3c3upVtPfRuJ5je7KeCYxgMVdbtTX_VSkY6JN" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Blue-winged Teal looked normal on her left flank, but the recent storm has evidently caused some damage to her right flank.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivcM6uK9aMuQIjK8UGyjCy_mf6jlB4Dzl-3zlw1DdAU-XyG4NTIWINmvPQ93S7vSMS45RE1cjPDE84_iU3KAGbjhT3M5zBjlga_672N5OaeQisXIx5RrmvK5zuT97wclxyGFPF4_dCLcvwIL6qxJNblrObZDBpmub9kwZM_k3VmSb3grWZ17wpdfJEl9NR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivcM6uK9aMuQIjK8UGyjCy_mf6jlB4Dzl-3zlw1DdAU-XyG4NTIWINmvPQ93S7vSMS45RE1cjPDE84_iU3KAGbjhT3M5zBjlga_672N5OaeQisXIx5RrmvK5zuT97wclxyGFPF4_dCLcvwIL6qxJNblrObZDBpmub9kwZM_k3VmSb3grWZ17wpdfJEl9NR" width="640" /></a></div><br />I can't tell if her wing was structurally messed up or maybe the feathers just blown out revealing her blue wing panel.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidEuIebHVEEHGE2M_rDJc5ynLv8yvEaxoAQSLY9T-iR0c6xVyPcO3462o9r5uIR9FWvrE_L3Wi8omj59zJepncgy24M7zkQQ0E4u3Y8V1cF2vciaySBdYpSSKRRKdfS_Yi-3AJbg5FAAToT6jTvNvwwS6hDPiEsdDvPDFePJAJ-zXjZnJugCWDra41nn8h" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidEuIebHVEEHGE2M_rDJc5ynLv8yvEaxoAQSLY9T-iR0c6xVyPcO3462o9r5uIR9FWvrE_L3Wi8omj59zJepncgy24M7zkQQ0E4u3Y8V1cF2vciaySBdYpSSKRRKdfS_Yi-3AJbg5FAAToT6jTvNvwwS6hDPiEsdDvPDFePJAJ-zXjZnJugCWDra41nn8h" width="640" /></a></div><br />There have been some good surfing days lately but I think my old age is getting the best of me and I have passed on most. It's easier to get motivated when it is warm.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcAb_agVaTTovbZ54_brOtnH-U2FyWMWRa01SI0ZnMYYnucrQCX9FeHK5aaqfFzoM8hJZRTTqqunGrQgQBlo23GMYulXTHdj3F_6JqhvLgUDzfQmByyJXTbUzhOhwAM8CF_XacWVKJ4hEbyHUfi1APzV3_J1mNLbHpQD5HjOmuRSeTLbgBwE3KwzghEPhh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2131" data-original-width="3432" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcAb_agVaTTovbZ54_brOtnH-U2FyWMWRa01SI0ZnMYYnucrQCX9FeHK5aaqfFzoM8hJZRTTqqunGrQgQBlo23GMYulXTHdj3F_6JqhvLgUDzfQmByyJXTbUzhOhwAM8CF_XacWVKJ4hEbyHUfi1APzV3_J1mNLbHpQD5HjOmuRSeTLbgBwE3KwzghEPhh" width="640" /></a></div><br />There is always an abundance of Palm Warblers at Fort Fisher.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxkQatNur5cDfFIenIDjnvYHKCTdz24CtvQmb-KI_liibGgFiZWb7lu-pN9ay9jrc_9DrJm6qobRThFzrhIFGp_bv9DeEgXEH_eKcsK8MuOtyep8I5o6azhoiq7viVHspzB81tAg2Lr2wXKiLGbUksRThLbAFmZ1-q75rRvJlV5Hm2oAaPb18agIssrb_h" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1548" data-original-width="2388" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxkQatNur5cDfFIenIDjnvYHKCTdz24CtvQmb-KI_liibGgFiZWb7lu-pN9ay9jrc_9DrJm6qobRThFzrhIFGp_bv9DeEgXEH_eKcsK8MuOtyep8I5o6azhoiq7viVHspzB81tAg2Lr2wXKiLGbUksRThLbAFmZ1-q75rRvJlV5Hm2oAaPb18agIssrb_h=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><br />A Western Kingbird has been hanging around Southport for the past few weeks so I finally went to check it out. It took about 30 seconds to find it.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZAVFbwxuzVZ1DOPhcO_rNK39RxRBaMJ8jaK81yZsr0evLQed26zfoKi9QYZrp9MzEMBICXsYcMgh-ZhRSUiTdULLY7eO0heJ9osHB3O3mfrP7rkKsWk-n1q9GbpMLtv6Upvmev5iNeBohx8vk7IinYicnuLhxkCy9QM-tLnenXoFbQHolxl4ncONXswc0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="4094" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZAVFbwxuzVZ1DOPhcO_rNK39RxRBaMJ8jaK81yZsr0evLQed26zfoKi9QYZrp9MzEMBICXsYcMgh-ZhRSUiTdULLY7eO0heJ9osHB3O3mfrP7rkKsWk-n1q9GbpMLtv6Upvmev5iNeBohx8vk7IinYicnuLhxkCy9QM-tLnenXoFbQHolxl4ncONXswc0=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><br />Western Kingbird<p></p><p>But the best surprise is always unexpected.....</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4Nr1gtJca3UQaHI3TM0RAbj4-PS7SR6ecPIm8R4u9Q5U52r_ZoXrjW5l_Tg6MHYCqMaqPz1xNcqPnk81MjVdDZd6B6vFrQigC3QsCCeuXEJxS6ArBzerzPY-op1fw6ZvK9YZ2lQoao1ZqcLJIj9RZfkSc2BIrKLgHm5E5JyXQ5-n4bdcw2DTpiwzuvLN5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3510" data-original-width="5068" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4Nr1gtJca3UQaHI3TM0RAbj4-PS7SR6ecPIm8R4u9Q5U52r_ZoXrjW5l_Tg6MHYCqMaqPz1xNcqPnk81MjVdDZd6B6vFrQigC3QsCCeuXEJxS6ArBzerzPY-op1fw6ZvK9YZ2lQoao1ZqcLJIj9RZfkSc2BIrKLgHm5E5JyXQ5-n4bdcw2DTpiwzuvLN5=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></div><br />A Lincoln's Sparrow in the hedge next to the kingbird.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFWO40KBCGkeiqxPtzvsu_SJ7PvHmZbEdVCkY7wacfAPOfIZPgVaHbRwRWeqnEoNECix431tnzIkXx9rdNh4mJgZWunc4O_-CrMoaIujasoCewRfWqILN18mW76clKqvFqB6OsrIetN-hSVP0XrcuRqvjiT74dJPlihkw7Zx1SWgHMy6_p8DDuJ05QtLEI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2338" data-original-width="3225" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFWO40KBCGkeiqxPtzvsu_SJ7PvHmZbEdVCkY7wacfAPOfIZPgVaHbRwRWeqnEoNECix431tnzIkXx9rdNh4mJgZWunc4O_-CrMoaIujasoCewRfWqILN18mW76clKqvFqB6OsrIetN-hSVP0XrcuRqvjiT74dJPlihkw7Zx1SWgHMy6_p8DDuJ05QtLEI=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></div><br />White-throated Sparrow<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrcKJXDWrKE1gqcssNKD2m9FzM4wg-7p2h2irLVJ5rFUAXQOhemO7_0eMO5eG4YtbGC096LplFmU4r5dLItqW0T_eaKorcTvU9dtNXZqx7ZuL9CtMRb5B-4eIWegx8zC0ErmaJwGdtLMm-qpKQNFuclsNQyPe4epcZCTfLM7u41ufpvnfWXhjvykrEhCmx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrcKJXDWrKE1gqcssNKD2m9FzM4wg-7p2h2irLVJ5rFUAXQOhemO7_0eMO5eG4YtbGC096LplFmU4r5dLItqW0T_eaKorcTvU9dtNXZqx7ZuL9CtMRb5B-4eIWegx8zC0ErmaJwGdtLMm-qpKQNFuclsNQyPe4epcZCTfLM7u41ufpvnfWXhjvykrEhCmx=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Swamp Sparrow<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpwVXmP8frYC3wYoTd601uIYkp3HcBkf8u1z87LlcxcWOesg1HvQ-BeRcckFNQLMHYrwZ9g-I8HCJwvFdM4zQHImjQ96v3bh-l3sdK8VFH_SyRA3Xc7jIW6CuviDosMN8Y51rOVw8IhkptZXbZkUo6X5b07mwaOypc4bzEdXiTChnOhn1LR_W2QCaSnOhu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3155" data-original-width="4783" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpwVXmP8frYC3wYoTd601uIYkp3HcBkf8u1z87LlcxcWOesg1HvQ-BeRcckFNQLMHYrwZ9g-I8HCJwvFdM4zQHImjQ96v3bh-l3sdK8VFH_SyRA3Xc7jIW6CuviDosMN8Y51rOVw8IhkptZXbZkUo6X5b07mwaOypc4bzEdXiTChnOhn1LR_W2QCaSnOhu=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><br />Field Sparrow<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnvZj9WPwJ_mGeLyy_P8r_McA9weXGLxv_oaZGk1SONoilq-U9resmPQRtTfjpaeruc_jt15-Hw9TGMMaPQLf5wvKRRNEnd9TQSBEIbIwkE8dK7e6I69h_4lAIWcD6yPgT9Jd_ihhQFL4r13DBPgRtNJwRe8d22fkJNQjrDNz_Vu124p12uR4TlwvhJoLa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2159" data-original-width="3177" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnvZj9WPwJ_mGeLyy_P8r_McA9weXGLxv_oaZGk1SONoilq-U9resmPQRtTfjpaeruc_jt15-Hw9TGMMaPQLf5wvKRRNEnd9TQSBEIbIwkE8dK7e6I69h_4lAIWcD6yPgT9Jd_ihhQFL4r13DBPgRtNJwRe8d22fkJNQjrDNz_Vu124p12uR4TlwvhJoLa=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eastern Meadowlark<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp-yA9e8nOsqeAYZwO5udNktRS2uVHda8b9XwL4VuisOlLiZf5qRb4J5euxL2Pz1Js9YulUF1UtPZEeh2b6YEkADpEnVUWGMpchL0NI-ueQEmYYkX9qbcJbe1bOS9T-9fuB394-LZ0vEWN9OIPp1ONx8K1C87Zls4AhvKvO9SK_uqfjvSY6kTt3E43GQ9l" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2943" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhp-yA9e8nOsqeAYZwO5udNktRS2uVHda8b9XwL4VuisOlLiZf5qRb4J5euxL2Pz1Js9YulUF1UtPZEeh2b6YEkADpEnVUWGMpchL0NI-ueQEmYYkX9qbcJbe1bOS9T-9fuB394-LZ0vEWN9OIPp1ONx8K1C87Zls4AhvKvO9SK_uqfjvSY6kTt3E43GQ9l=w640-h436" width="640" /></a></div><br />In hindsight, I should have waited another hour or so to see if there were Woodcocks.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8VqbFXLhtBMx1MAIIRzd_AMbccV2Sszge5fywsbOTWNQOPJYR-JvxdMlH26MOs_rAWZl7DtCBsfBil9FIEitNh-1Lke2Qh3MqMfInVb-1jOyBDELuIy6Yf2kg67onzJvj4L59-5K-KViPU5zDI6Pp4Q0qIitBfXxxTNMK8yrCu04ZbhA0WS6tx4aTJa2f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3692" data-original-width="5527" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8VqbFXLhtBMx1MAIIRzd_AMbccV2Sszge5fywsbOTWNQOPJYR-JvxdMlH26MOs_rAWZl7DtCBsfBil9FIEitNh-1Lke2Qh3MqMfInVb-1jOyBDELuIy6Yf2kg67onzJvj4L59-5K-KViPU5zDI6Pp4Q0qIitBfXxxTNMK8yrCu04ZbhA0WS6tx4aTJa2f=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br />Later in the week, the rain didn't stop me from finding a Loggerhead Shrike at the airport.<p></p><p>My buddy Jacob that splits the survey work with me said he would gladly cover Saturday so I could make a short trip to Raleigh.</p><p>I arrived first thing on Saturday morning at Mid Pines Rd and was immediately greeted by a few Vesper Sparrows.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoi7PdMx7ZZrTQiibF4oVJYSH8I7NOrqDlcPsDPsm1jL5cniq5_lY_8r3BqUAEe7XkYRs0-0MF_FAIvAvHVjV8Uk4t6wPAuhsW456_OTwm9UdXTb8Mc9lXC7LXbKJXJ1lQm7AjzGL-mKYo0lGrxU7FyWyjbTajh8op2fBI225lsxB-1l-zYps5s5o6eC5J" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2075" data-original-width="3280" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoi7PdMx7ZZrTQiibF4oVJYSH8I7NOrqDlcPsDPsm1jL5cniq5_lY_8r3BqUAEe7XkYRs0-0MF_FAIvAvHVjV8Uk4t6wPAuhsW456_OTwm9UdXTb8Mc9lXC7LXbKJXJ1lQm7AjzGL-mKYo0lGrxU7FyWyjbTajh8op2fBI225lsxB-1l-zYps5s5o6eC5J=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br />Vesper Sparrow - apparently named for the sweet song it is known to sing in the evening which is also when catholic vespers services are sung. I suppose they will eventually have to change the name of this one too to be more inclusive, although I think that would be a disservice - get it?? I did a pun.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKzVyD1x8qTsXKlmCenUR4ak4WFl0_AbaoJy0EAzthKiRF5YMqZAC-HpGTaSv73P9GsRHePYlyA4oxJgQe5WhOwfdsm58LS4yQlmbVXpOu87epi9hyJkfeF3R9YvgZUm2iKK2FKbj5iUzviM7pzdbC4-JhBtHAMbkqU4tE6XzH4N-GbSTwMAXgMLaYSbtY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3538" data-original-width="5025" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKzVyD1x8qTsXKlmCenUR4ak4WFl0_AbaoJy0EAzthKiRF5YMqZAC-HpGTaSv73P9GsRHePYlyA4oxJgQe5WhOwfdsm58LS4yQlmbVXpOu87epi9hyJkfeF3R9YvgZUm2iKK2FKbj5iUzviM7pzdbC4-JhBtHAMbkqU4tE6XzH4N-GbSTwMAXgMLaYSbtY" width="640" /></a></div><br />Apart from the white eyeing which is not always prominent, the rusty shoulder and well defined auriculars (ear patch) are good field marks.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5ZAAuUvRgAuliBSoQPMpzQCetURxOmEaHy056yuLDJO9afQ2Ll8IBDBZazc_XyTcNgjNrCa7hFSU6h-ZCEHkq-23vXObZgZeAzuTVMNjp3TZ5d0jZ-Q2jgHqkcQbc3rdtGNKm6OMFWGxuJZL2QIPkHPFCxEm5RwHYMQQ3u5l63vwMHERs7WNDCXoa9A2S" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1742" data-original-width="3014" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5ZAAuUvRgAuliBSoQPMpzQCetURxOmEaHy056yuLDJO9afQ2Ll8IBDBZazc_XyTcNgjNrCa7hFSU6h-ZCEHkq-23vXObZgZeAzuTVMNjp3TZ5d0jZ-Q2jgHqkcQbc3rdtGNKm6OMFWGxuJZL2QIPkHPFCxEm5RwHYMQQ3u5l63vwMHERs7WNDCXoa9A2S=w640-h370" width="640" /></a></div><br />I was scanning the fields for Horned Larks when I spotted a large flock of American Pipits which stayed pretty far out, but I managed a few recognizable shots.<p></p><p>I knew the continuing Ross's Goose at Yates Mills has been flying off the pond at about 8:30am for the past few days so I headed the less than half mile over there (as the crow flies) and was able to get some early morning light shots.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTDa60pilXwjzn8Ts7qzi2-1sBmRlEfEyeirK1KQdjzd9rK6ogkVk-C66_QMsqQ1Ak4dY8mI5j7hrsfBuU5grMTq-qvnvqsOBoY677QgypRfahyOdpJ4daiigBBNnOCgiJWwj-NBh9pAxGL4e8CM_GSqazrOg-3HUrxpgyWy9kdh5l6uNCARli7OUhT16q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTDa60pilXwjzn8Ts7qzi2-1sBmRlEfEyeirK1KQdjzd9rK6ogkVk-C66_QMsqQ1Ak4dY8mI5j7hrsfBuU5grMTq-qvnvqsOBoY677QgypRfahyOdpJ4daiigBBNnOCgiJWwj-NBh9pAxGL4e8CM_GSqazrOg-3HUrxpgyWy9kdh5l6uNCARli7OUhT16q" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ross's Goose<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3ss51ntIiVvIS9pp_vtHWZwTyYgztdeC6BqBJRZIJwn-LvpPJMpLo0Ab7eYYOU34ZruemI4Zfa_aZ-pcKVINw_QaDFxhl3BLgLm8PpHhW6OKGLUF1vmTD6aRJKDg2Np0DyrqTSnBUJJX-c83NurqnAlqXMxJJ2mmDrhnvR-AZRRWePaL2ArUeecjyUOkc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3ss51ntIiVvIS9pp_vtHWZwTyYgztdeC6BqBJRZIJwn-LvpPJMpLo0Ab7eYYOU34ZruemI4Zfa_aZ-pcKVINw_QaDFxhl3BLgLm8PpHhW6OKGLUF1vmTD6aRJKDg2Np0DyrqTSnBUJJX-c83NurqnAlqXMxJJ2mmDrhnvR-AZRRWePaL2ArUeecjyUOkc=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM51zc_oRpI8NQONln0Wl_WHU88p_gvG1ozwwPjZpE3-WkYvNM0JVfT1GLv7e113oC8HQ_toSiaJhW-9MFB1jNndIv45FmJ6sW9ReVIO7mzdWn5adc8q4vp9Zh7CYQzzlkuXK0ctHGlGTRQQP6Y3Ohth7FrEhD8vtw74dLiDoPduGuAHqN7XzGpcYrSy6o" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1934" data-original-width="3098" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM51zc_oRpI8NQONln0Wl_WHU88p_gvG1ozwwPjZpE3-WkYvNM0JVfT1GLv7e113oC8HQ_toSiaJhW-9MFB1jNndIv45FmJ6sW9ReVIO7mzdWn5adc8q4vp9Zh7CYQzzlkuXK0ctHGlGTRQQP6Y3Ohth7FrEhD8vtw74dLiDoPduGuAHqN7XzGpcYrSy6o=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></p><p>Apart from the small size, the bluish base of the bill and lack of a grin patch is what differentiates this bird from the Snow Goose.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIYe2GHKuptw45uBg6N4hwxyWxd7ehHkg88HDFtNsbyaNjS_DqEr-0IBxgreWsglpgsxDmkxopYo9xKzIn_JQZY0XamQj4poPssUh58z7Ozoq0TE9vk2NfeEBR_yhh1jIqhT1md_g3P3PDKg-WL42fuqBnLltFdky2X1ZHNNgfmxkJg66ohJ-ouRQIPAZa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2748" data-original-width="4378" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIYe2GHKuptw45uBg6N4hwxyWxd7ehHkg88HDFtNsbyaNjS_DqEr-0IBxgreWsglpgsxDmkxopYo9xKzIn_JQZY0XamQj4poPssUh58z7Ozoq0TE9vk2NfeEBR_yhh1jIqhT1md_g3P3PDKg-WL42fuqBnLltFdky2X1ZHNNgfmxkJg66ohJ-ouRQIPAZa=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><br />Canada Goose<p></p><p>My next target was redemption for my attempt at a Western Tanager from the previous weekend. It was easy-peasy finding this one that was frequenting a feeder in an apartment complex.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3ylFttihelZU-00m6AXusAlfoTzbQHYy49-50ObKuAnAGlQPm2RlhFpaYNs6_aaRrxiaXssGLiBNjLkyEXzMq0W27ShJCXG4pYXCAfyCPZrvM7SZH-4VAXD9jWNhHAeILHsFwRTdsDLsde8nT9zJ0RCTiFnfaeFFOGZr_wl7ur3EBXF7oj_ZNj_l96_pk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="3279" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3ylFttihelZU-00m6AXusAlfoTzbQHYy49-50ObKuAnAGlQPm2RlhFpaYNs6_aaRrxiaXssGLiBNjLkyEXzMq0W27ShJCXG4pYXCAfyCPZrvM7SZH-4VAXD9jWNhHAeILHsFwRTdsDLsde8nT9zJ0RCTiFnfaeFFOGZr_wl7ur3EBXF7oj_ZNj_l96_pk=w640-h380" width="640" /></a></div><br />Western Tanager<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNz5ZUzD7lT8NNyVZSL7acUQVjxvUKsFZdDR0a4jhi7G88cvA3qIJ6iOczZiHNXBGgXRPwP6Q2VqsdHMCQDO4yQlpuMA50eodYy8FNwaIaiHuHoo2NjG7pHqYTA13kahPg8LEnns58C3HyDd7loedKadAZfOq3eRsKCiYBnVauifjvBsuKKXNBSiMUxSmY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2272" data-original-width="3417" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNz5ZUzD7lT8NNyVZSL7acUQVjxvUKsFZdDR0a4jhi7G88cvA3qIJ6iOczZiHNXBGgXRPwP6Q2VqsdHMCQDO4yQlpuMA50eodYy8FNwaIaiHuHoo2NjG7pHqYTA13kahPg8LEnns58C3HyDd7loedKadAZfOq3eRsKCiYBnVauifjvBsuKKXNBSiMUxSmY=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />I was toying with the idea of going to Flat River Impoundments north of Raleigh but the pull of spending some quality time with the family was stronger especially since I knew hunters would be crawling all over the impoundments on a Saturday. However, I decided to swing by Mid Pines Rd. one more time to check for Horned Larks and I was rewarded.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqOayvZLskN2XR6ISdmqBoJq57htvbdKpZMAFT1oAWBdYPNJOwthkrZeRXeRZFvS2A7hvCrmA-ydEn7vf21_Lvr_69_JXGwHb90e016braqS4GdFLz8g4ZtS-6y7Re49xdLdZUFP4MqEuDD_AttMQjBFHXm_RESGzwWLzTQ-1aE5w5Q9qOVDAbF_D4f6xa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1906" data-original-width="3051" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqOayvZLskN2XR6ISdmqBoJq57htvbdKpZMAFT1oAWBdYPNJOwthkrZeRXeRZFvS2A7hvCrmA-ydEn7vf21_Lvr_69_JXGwHb90e016braqS4GdFLz8g4ZtS-6y7Re49xdLdZUFP4MqEuDD_AttMQjBFHXm_RESGzwWLzTQ-1aE5w5Q9qOVDAbF_D4f6xa" width="640" /></a></div><p>Horned Larks blend into corn stubble perfectly so it requires some luck and patience to find them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFi9vDFImGEHhlRVoUJvI0SyRkM634YD4aG-D0Y7gfXMwfHYp3YIlg9uqnSZjAOIghrrPomkfYuGzU6pcU9yVrlufW5YXjTW3B78MGE8uax6dXyTjMqBHXma1DlZPYsT9infqOYnBNLtcFTMebGFSMOzgeerZVhlbt-W-5Zf7BNw_W5BT66UPp19BqGyyP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1786" data-original-width="2820" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFi9vDFImGEHhlRVoUJvI0SyRkM634YD4aG-D0Y7gfXMwfHYp3YIlg9uqnSZjAOIghrrPomkfYuGzU6pcU9yVrlufW5YXjTW3B78MGE8uax6dXyTjMqBHXma1DlZPYsT9infqOYnBNLtcFTMebGFSMOzgeerZVhlbt-W-5Zf7BNw_W5BT66UPp19BqGyyP=w640-h406" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjw_p3H3St5E5l2lN8BaN7VxuHIs26RB3HevOKOWYtXweeBWKg2_Htrs5jQSfefTmU_llU0XdQ7JsN05Xw87RzOhwyBlfe8J7wml0pY7KzUZ7brJEhIcnXvebs0ZsWhPPzRi-4S5NrMi55a1MXaiL5PcKcU-aLmtAWwS-EGm2wh6FTnGytPNejnbIrpCwlW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1874" data-original-width="2790" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjw_p3H3St5E5l2lN8BaN7VxuHIs26RB3HevOKOWYtXweeBWKg2_Htrs5jQSfefTmU_llU0XdQ7JsN05Xw87RzOhwyBlfe8J7wml0pY7KzUZ7brJEhIcnXvebs0ZsWhPPzRi-4S5NrMi55a1MXaiL5PcKcU-aLmtAWwS-EGm2wh6FTnGytPNejnbIrpCwlW=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFC8qz6UtSp5CW-67a8HNIpXzwQaXlefXlzVzzAK4EAlvbcBXFMSCVQ1LJ_p339VJ3q4_YV8B1LBpX2v56J65mPIW19jAaBdYu-1cqAlZnNL8Jkcc1Vy1SXZ5jopTF4I63Xa_dgiNQHQVnhAe_DtAf1UuckwA26NDo3kaQc3E3p0DgV5-J2Qo_ef8Xntta" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="2352" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFC8qz6UtSp5CW-67a8HNIpXzwQaXlefXlzVzzAK4EAlvbcBXFMSCVQ1LJ_p339VJ3q4_YV8B1LBpX2v56J65mPIW19jAaBdYu-1cqAlZnNL8Jkcc1Vy1SXZ5jopTF4I63Xa_dgiNQHQVnhAe_DtAf1UuckwA26NDo3kaQc3E3p0DgV5-J2Qo_ef8Xntta=w640-h420" width="640" /></a></div><br />What a productive Saturday! I decided to reward myself and my family by swinging by Redneck BBQ Labs on the way home to pick up some Brisket, Burnt Ends and Smoked Turkey. That place is soooo good.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-19743795052085632652024-01-15T02:53:00.000-08:002024-01-15T03:00:17.444-08:00A Day in Carteret County (07Jan2024)<p>My buddy Marty W has been finding all kinds of cool stuff in Carteret County lately so I decided to take a day on the weekend and make the trip. It ended up being way more cold and windy than I thought it would be, but the birds didn't seem to mind.</p><p>I made it up shortly after first light at the Ocean View Cemetery in Beaufort. Some of the recent sightings there included a Western Tanager, Clay-colored Sparrow and Cape May Warbler. I only found the Clay-colored.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVp8SYzPjSTINrW2UxOUC-dft6aOot7Js0sd1O_-K8XKM6lHBzHi7ZAFyObykwNUxehEcnJJQ3ZyJEUp7dG8AvDPcZnBAO5yUbC_t7oDtQy38w26Q4coiQbkNMkJ_aPk5nJZ-5rjTJrTjruG3dbKfoDI95sCF4_PUVUnD4b0Du9RNRMsgf_AalY2_Cwdxu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1823" data-original-width="2514" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVp8SYzPjSTINrW2UxOUC-dft6aOot7Js0sd1O_-K8XKM6lHBzHi7ZAFyObykwNUxehEcnJJQ3ZyJEUp7dG8AvDPcZnBAO5yUbC_t7oDtQy38w26Q4coiQbkNMkJ_aPk5nJZ-5rjTJrTjruG3dbKfoDI95sCF4_PUVUnD4b0Du9RNRMsgf_AalY2_Cwdxu=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></div><br />Clay-colored Sparrow hanging out with a bunch of Chippers.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5FN2W8owDORw4KXeL3kpaiZ17mWSk5Pm9GDfJKnG7vo43llSlNJLyI7yKI5oBvapvMRvuOL3NRwyJFVRM7POXcb-NdWsrmD9nykRKvjhwSqbU4yBBindOh0qJejUPOFcyr5jspuangZaVV9VqSaFKlP-jtSyHMSUvEtmdm1NC5FgvAdVSUMw59YS8YseH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2954" data-original-width="3995" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5FN2W8owDORw4KXeL3kpaiZ17mWSk5Pm9GDfJKnG7vo43llSlNJLyI7yKI5oBvapvMRvuOL3NRwyJFVRM7POXcb-NdWsrmD9nykRKvjhwSqbU4yBBindOh0qJejUPOFcyr5jspuangZaVV9VqSaFKlP-jtSyHMSUvEtmdm1NC5FgvAdVSUMw59YS8YseH=w640-h474" width="640" /></a></div><br />Blue-headed Vireo<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgeT25U9LKuNogiwXtZqC5HGS68l_mEUgby1CNrG2My3TMXGCI_DmAT5jsEygiIi5hO6HFekz2ZByHVMFdUA_Q2Oysolug_nxT5n7CKhzHbWevNAZJuZqO84TgyujEye0ll-UHxVu8L945O2YridSrCjQazCQK3fHmNMplkZe1VLtu-R9KUjppGfD8kPfe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="3810" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgeT25U9LKuNogiwXtZqC5HGS68l_mEUgby1CNrG2My3TMXGCI_DmAT5jsEygiIi5hO6HFekz2ZByHVMFdUA_Q2Oysolug_nxT5n7CKhzHbWevNAZJuZqO84TgyujEye0ll-UHxVu8L945O2YridSrCjQazCQK3fHmNMplkZe1VLtu-R9KUjppGfD8kPfe=w640-h485" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRCOHzYyzE7ciAZZZTAN0-WpsZe3nfSyiInliMxu1UPDyAAEtgArnYh6p-4bEy8pkkfACVDkKu-Fd0LpMvZHXXbDdPmvtVEn0TNx9pOgBGr5X42rKH_79fAXIRl2e8i4iMKaHCDGDme1BQ5v8v0I_nQlKtg26m50ya0KjTB4xTofG4VNr8iJJ8fQyIGKdZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1900" data-original-width="3543" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRCOHzYyzE7ciAZZZTAN0-WpsZe3nfSyiInliMxu1UPDyAAEtgArnYh6p-4bEy8pkkfACVDkKu-Fd0LpMvZHXXbDdPmvtVEn0TNx9pOgBGr5X42rKH_79fAXIRl2e8i4iMKaHCDGDme1BQ5v8v0I_nQlKtg26m50ya0KjTB4xTofG4VNr8iJJ8fQyIGKdZ=w640-h344" width="640" /></a></div><br />European Starlings<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhddltbp6CvWq0SLV07YTW6DUdcitgcZQUUA5I1dPBB83fAdDYXVNhoEJUlAszXGExZ8UYyfhAvBWPS5BQ-9b4uo57E4Ns6r_QUfvIQjXG85OAX_SuqsKMVYRv6v689IzxfvF1y-rxnc66dehU3qF56ZsldCSflAq5U1OcbzndjIJ3HxJxj3QX3fMSbR-aO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3172" data-original-width="4996" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhddltbp6CvWq0SLV07YTW6DUdcitgcZQUUA5I1dPBB83fAdDYXVNhoEJUlAszXGExZ8UYyfhAvBWPS5BQ-9b4uo57E4Ns6r_QUfvIQjXG85OAX_SuqsKMVYRv6v689IzxfvF1y-rxnc66dehU3qF56ZsldCSflAq5U1OcbzndjIJ3HxJxj3QX3fMSbR-aO=w640-h406" width="640" /></a></div><br />Orange-crowned Warbler<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJBMpFT-JEfMZ2C9h1yhJovEH_ACSv9CQzv-d8ot30-n25mYozUCYxnLnErvULxI-_Rqdue9gMBTxsET3x4GNijpWMUtR9hkrPDHuAmQnkTo2-FZ-xEg8v7YyL9FwuEeZi0-IfBvkVtgUv6skPijPiyMaMTrkT7j6RjgeMa3-yysLxYtMShdapIH1ABs3d" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJBMpFT-JEfMZ2C9h1yhJovEH_ACSv9CQzv-d8ot30-n25mYozUCYxnLnErvULxI-_Rqdue9gMBTxsET3x4GNijpWMUtR9hkrPDHuAmQnkTo2-FZ-xEg8v7YyL9FwuEeZi0-IfBvkVtgUv6skPijPiyMaMTrkT7j6RjgeMa3-yysLxYtMShdapIH1ABs3d" width="640" /></a></div><br />Blue Jay<p></p><p>I did eventually see a large yellow bird flyby in the cedars but I couldn't get a confirmatory look. I decided to move on. </p><p>Just a little down the road, there was a Bullock's Oriole coming to a feeder, and I was able to get permission to drive in and use my truck as a blind in the driveway.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1fI8EylA4rsdhDAygfHXBsYOgDq4q6MqigjzFYo26O9pFTCymyRgz5sotFCXxj89aEO3CgLBIBuUG4QJnpM_OX_2BJPCeHX0UGiMXwy7zHVlgF5Ezl0gpt9LiUdjBWKTzBdRFsRBRQsrHTpv3_PRtALSylf3pzLbtKPN_tkFJAGIr7sOACW4LD_enXAXH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2987" data-original-width="4292" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1fI8EylA4rsdhDAygfHXBsYOgDq4q6MqigjzFYo26O9pFTCymyRgz5sotFCXxj89aEO3CgLBIBuUG4QJnpM_OX_2BJPCeHX0UGiMXwy7zHVlgF5Ezl0gpt9LiUdjBWKTzBdRFsRBRQsrHTpv3_PRtALSylf3pzLbtKPN_tkFJAGIr7sOACW4LD_enXAXH=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></div><br />First a nice Baltimore Oriole showed up.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqas3tRVrUJoEucbK1MK7Efme7PUqBF0mz-VortI69szZau5pPfc5OJ2B5idT5s-KJvx9SNO7uQgOMufVgdmvAYcGrVisfQ7avh7ZWEHQHrpHw1mVHmZBw_zfjpX6qBcVhtlAxV8TdPLJBykkG2QC9neSwjtFixFDK7Zh60keOi7x9fOQpYkCLFH1xWRDK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3858" data-original-width="5631" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqas3tRVrUJoEucbK1MK7Efme7PUqBF0mz-VortI69szZau5pPfc5OJ2B5idT5s-KJvx9SNO7uQgOMufVgdmvAYcGrVisfQ7avh7ZWEHQHrpHw1mVHmZBw_zfjpX6qBcVhtlAxV8TdPLJBykkG2QC9neSwjtFixFDK7Zh60keOi7x9fOQpYkCLFH1xWRDK=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then this nice Bullock's came in. Note the whitish belly, vague eyeline and little goatee.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7ErkzQyrnvVuPPB31DcXA3lsVyz2OCP_pgS9FBVHDHx2ybCw1yGHkKsxrRdIM2kn9uQvJrdOCX2savU7QkM3DqMgMiOjOHzqPTHh6n1xEekHIyXo1tMLKB4pBkkQc1hEtZvhTCUnPxyGAtVgFApG3xbE6DiB6P2NEApbe3hQVYIuFtZ_NsX61ajD_-JY2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3671" data-original-width="5261" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7ErkzQyrnvVuPPB31DcXA3lsVyz2OCP_pgS9FBVHDHx2ybCw1yGHkKsxrRdIM2kn9uQvJrdOCX2savU7QkM3DqMgMiOjOHzqPTHh6n1xEekHIyXo1tMLKB4pBkkQc1hEtZvhTCUnPxyGAtVgFApG3xbE6DiB6P2NEApbe3hQVYIuFtZ_NsX61ajD_-JY2=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bullock's Oriole<p></p><p>It was almost lunch time at this point and with the wind I was hesitant to make the trip to Shackleford Banks initially, but I figured I had the time anyway so I booked the 1pm ferry. I had about thirty minutes before I needed to go catch it, so I went back to the Cemetery to kill the time.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhF2na_05mXjdX9VhaeaFEERaNFLcg1_XeT9VvskfgDZVJVWgsfM0sgZQWk159ZX3n3K9AQ9CRCmLa6f8dqD81tMrpB5hSi1bqTzntEw3lqLGrA8RN1M9DDiqf0xPYVEgUifNJW_3TduPhuA1O0mBdgZ89eUnBFl8jaNyNSM9o8t3eVPOPCR95GDNp2L1je" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3883" data-original-width="5777" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhF2na_05mXjdX9VhaeaFEERaNFLcg1_XeT9VvskfgDZVJVWgsfM0sgZQWk159ZX3n3K9AQ9CRCmLa6f8dqD81tMrpB5hSi1bqTzntEw3lqLGrA8RN1M9DDiqf0xPYVEgUifNJW_3TduPhuA1O0mBdgZ89eUnBFl8jaNyNSM9o8t3eVPOPCR95GDNp2L1je=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br />Yellow-bellied Sapsucker<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX3uKany2RGwooZRVgO_V37tMcVp1NjYEujynlL7bAEPPvWDpnEn0Dnz7R9DzA34AqUyJWIayk2WWqAhRHyrwHDdK2hNmiTaDlHqLlyRLirt36z8MtG5cMvBJohCnbAmMvFXBO4wTCVOKoWeva3oS6ZXSRSI3JZx58keW4aI2qTWPhTxqy7YLh-9Xre3WV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3642" data-original-width="5368" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX3uKany2RGwooZRVgO_V37tMcVp1NjYEujynlL7bAEPPvWDpnEn0Dnz7R9DzA34AqUyJWIayk2WWqAhRHyrwHDdK2hNmiTaDlHqLlyRLirt36z8MtG5cMvBJohCnbAmMvFXBO4wTCVOKoWeva3oS6ZXSRSI3JZx58keW4aI2qTWPhTxqy7YLh-9Xre3WV=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br />Another Orange-crowned Warbler.<p></p><p>Still no luck with he Tanager.</p><p>The ferry ride over from Harker's Island to Shackleford was less windy than I thought it would be and there were tons of Dovekies swimming and flying around, but I didn't take out the camera due to salt spray. The tide was low when they dropped me off, and that meant I was better off staying on the marsh side of the island to look for birds.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAM3FINdi8ewQbbNS5-EGZW01rA_-uymOUzWOHi80QZXMYEZUOwXwnDsRRmAh4K50HPLi31X9ENczMq-iPdegjfx3VCN-L7KYoS7TiZbzelgF4H9C2PhB8s2aATnPQ3v47xKf3PTO0TNY6nNI5xiJBCl2UtFk_waVmBgwoN1pNs6Eqe9sMQBUh6Z43arXW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3006" data-original-width="4683" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAM3FINdi8ewQbbNS5-EGZW01rA_-uymOUzWOHi80QZXMYEZUOwXwnDsRRmAh4K50HPLi31X9ENczMq-iPdegjfx3VCN-L7KYoS7TiZbzelgF4H9C2PhB8s2aATnPQ3v47xKf3PTO0TNY6nNI5xiJBCl2UtFk_waVmBgwoN1pNs6Eqe9sMQBUh6Z43arXW=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><br />I was able to sneak up to this Red-Breasted Merganser using stealth mode.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4rE05U0A-LkmzCaNhlzN1w9i8ytCuKtQWTq80D9efTlvuJJwyl7QJVvuR6olWsLzHqqbm9i7h6CTITxqNQP3NGyVrBCbqRNO2dbB3FlpdVQgvBfrOwfClJQ0XPzuPcKM-SsnLs1y41HeZoqYjdL2rq8iksvxiVxzBiAlg5Sv1qWDW9STFYHdcjXsb7q8r" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2878" data-original-width="4945" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4rE05U0A-LkmzCaNhlzN1w9i8ytCuKtQWTq80D9efTlvuJJwyl7QJVvuR6olWsLzHqqbm9i7h6CTITxqNQP3NGyVrBCbqRNO2dbB3FlpdVQgvBfrOwfClJQ0XPzuPcKM-SsnLs1y41HeZoqYjdL2rq8iksvxiVxzBiAlg5Sv1qWDW9STFYHdcjXsb7q8r=w640-h372" width="640" /></a></div><br />What a stunning bird when you are able to get close and see the details.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt7gzwGaJzp5gxtY1bEW7eIT-ulwAh4aBduCjt2E8xmMyzt8_tN0AFdtQeGrtExD8eqZr7Oc0eyqBMAUEk2ALpIe_H5EwbqNJnDtNkaWBL5pXIlMfKSKStda_1vP_5wH7_r2rewcJuFlKk_lpRQCSLaTTIR7UVF7_VnBsbt9bqEOk75JWwCA7QnqGOXdv-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2171" data-original-width="3202" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt7gzwGaJzp5gxtY1bEW7eIT-ulwAh4aBduCjt2E8xmMyzt8_tN0AFdtQeGrtExD8eqZr7Oc0eyqBMAUEk2ALpIe_H5EwbqNJnDtNkaWBL5pXIlMfKSKStda_1vP_5wH7_r2rewcJuFlKk_lpRQCSLaTTIR7UVF7_VnBsbt9bqEOk75JWwCA7QnqGOXdv-=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br />A small number of Wilson's Plovers winter at Shackleford. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkUeWp84ZODHAAp23EwtiYw86-7Ye-CbIDujB7NsJZ1BbcAu_w2zRlRVKr7ljWxnOq1bcUiGbtrufj_vVgTyF7aRigJGis40bXa_gNSDwkozr0ku9EaL6PcPbqZBWlM2HjScV9Kig4p8E0R5TlniOspA5hG_kR3WF17RdJXV9-Zd_h8-llTcnkU-52NTdg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1642" data-original-width="2571" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkUeWp84ZODHAAp23EwtiYw86-7Ye-CbIDujB7NsJZ1BbcAu_w2zRlRVKr7ljWxnOq1bcUiGbtrufj_vVgTyF7aRigJGis40bXa_gNSDwkozr0ku9EaL6PcPbqZBWlM2HjScV9Kig4p8E0R5TlniOspA5hG_kR3WF17RdJXV9-Zd_h8-llTcnkU-52NTdg=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><br />I couldn't believe how many Piping Plover were here. I counted at least 14 but I think there were many more. When I get a chance I will submit this one as I can make out "TOL" on the green leg band.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhm6jlJsDp5w7gz7uoQvNbACrkRb4kPG3g8t-zYs4UVTg9oXTgluZp3n9YsB0do0H9lB6GUhlhDTvLiGHXmdGkbSDDKorhI967iC1RVOmnA46enL42JruMdm5ULUdXdFs0jJPinYLNQbFM9siBOTZEr9-jgo7pdi9B_5gu2y1IQ2qz7r3d3YbFXhNcEUnMN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2708" data-original-width="4580" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhm6jlJsDp5w7gz7uoQvNbACrkRb4kPG3g8t-zYs4UVTg9oXTgluZp3n9YsB0do0H9lB6GUhlhDTvLiGHXmdGkbSDDKorhI967iC1RVOmnA46enL42JruMdm5ULUdXdFs0jJPinYLNQbFM9siBOTZEr9-jgo7pdi9B_5gu2y1IQ2qz7r3d3YbFXhNcEUnMN=w640-h378" width="640" /></a></div><br />Red Knots were also abundant! <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXhFWRRVQWyc7m5K8DfKWKAMVgjMLeUGMfFBe2w_i1oqZnzL1UIcPnD22vOBaqZPcYa6zyGm2YhEoJMp_V7HNEzL0BvmfgnenjpePjCzjE7pzMGAW2rHYgMh_LqIjYvP_djryzmO7aF1yOIeNt80VBn08LbaZ_7SP7gxMk6AOI8HLf7jdoLIch1fZFH0PV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3142" data-original-width="4848" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXhFWRRVQWyc7m5K8DfKWKAMVgjMLeUGMfFBe2w_i1oqZnzL1UIcPnD22vOBaqZPcYa6zyGm2YhEoJMp_V7HNEzL0BvmfgnenjpePjCzjE7pzMGAW2rHYgMh_LqIjYvP_djryzmO7aF1yOIeNt80VBn08LbaZ_7SP7gxMk6AOI8HLf7jdoLIch1fZFH0PV=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcYLe2JYZfZNSV27GcL8jhE93lJ7J3DLVEV-aO03M5v0ljQu7yWRBfQRd0wPvMsc0e4T0oSzphVZEPKNygkvrDS8nDcxCYzAy3ns30mMElQFA_8QjWYHcz7JaDN9VtmkBQU-yUUmHSeMSUbeCdQBNvifOANpUBShH-HR59JxCzjhW-frl6br95q5tZ_FFN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1822" data-original-width="2923" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcYLe2JYZfZNSV27GcL8jhE93lJ7J3DLVEV-aO03M5v0ljQu7yWRBfQRd0wPvMsc0e4T0oSzphVZEPKNygkvrDS8nDcxCYzAy3ns30mMElQFA_8QjWYHcz7JaDN9VtmkBQU-yUUmHSeMSUbeCdQBNvifOANpUBShH-HR59JxCzjhW-frl6br95q5tZ_FFN=w640-h398" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Piping Plover had all kinds of bling.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVESTGd4tuF3RigProyJ8snSzbEZ0pcQvZJWsQDvfnm4j_cxmbL6w5DA5r6pMNIe603anwzdIekfcObPrcc7aeDThrgF-0it-AkHZXYyEY7FdEgF6X0ANrvQg3PkhFZjb_o86GmTaxnVPvgDznZKy8DenzmLcQm_GaEyFM4-gnd9YI4u-jwpVEtkyUvaop" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2220" data-original-width="3434" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVESTGd4tuF3RigProyJ8snSzbEZ0pcQvZJWsQDvfnm4j_cxmbL6w5DA5r6pMNIe603anwzdIekfcObPrcc7aeDThrgF-0it-AkHZXYyEY7FdEgF6X0ANrvQg3PkhFZjb_o86GmTaxnVPvgDznZKy8DenzmLcQm_GaEyFM4-gnd9YI4u-jwpVEtkyUvaop=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><br />Whimbrel - it is difficult to find birds among the Oyster beds, but with persistence I could have probably found the Bar-tailed Godwit that comes here every year for the past 5-6. I only had a couple hours and I didn't bring a scope.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkUtrZomJK7iGqggE-rw9HHaaUafT3865fuoljJrz3__srfR9HCfmUxk6-ZsxrxqLwrvnTAJwuhEx-eBPy0DkquxkeIN5JKIu5kpiW8qRFH9raXGsYq7lZ3_7_3zbK94utRlTy-Et0Xh4ywx0OaNJG8W972EGbhj7YvcR7qPfVFDxROSCTgjCjXfblLb-L" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2384" data-original-width="3778" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkUtrZomJK7iGqggE-rw9HHaaUafT3865fuoljJrz3__srfR9HCfmUxk6-ZsxrxqLwrvnTAJwuhEx-eBPy0DkquxkeIN5JKIu5kpiW8qRFH9raXGsYq7lZ3_7_3zbK94utRlTy-Et0Xh4ywx0OaNJG8W972EGbhj7YvcR7qPfVFDxROSCTgjCjXfblLb-L=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br />Marbled Godwit<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_bWvC3TbBypBNsjnSiKkv8wjvY_qteEIoDWCxNqIDlx6RqX2D6ur_OUnLuRGVB-YPrZhi2Xhp-ujMDMjVIs-FYQBP0WIKd2xayK5CwZ2KI_nj2A-qwJh8k4oMFU1hHv1vJVHlq-c_JgwZzcFRlCH7IQk1mRBPsB15ED8i4YONaokygErHIG6bJC5nd7Ma" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_bWvC3TbBypBNsjnSiKkv8wjvY_qteEIoDWCxNqIDlx6RqX2D6ur_OUnLuRGVB-YPrZhi2Xhp-ujMDMjVIs-FYQBP0WIKd2xayK5CwZ2KI_nj2A-qwJh8k4oMFU1hHv1vJVHlq-c_JgwZzcFRlCH7IQk1mRBPsB15ED8i4YONaokygErHIG6bJC5nd7Ma" width="640" /></a></div><br />Wild Horse <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvMh5xBkxfIsqMffRZ1pLaC1RDoky1Cu4BPmF7BSpgePwR8KLh7jfQ9P-_hztN5pbfrAmRyyzu8jhlWB8nRNSeXOHWAnFUlNKRwfXO2xJ8tnyKKEWHHA6L0iy9-9PnVJStfdU9zqzwKso9r2MVRzgfcXiL2JOFQ0adL0Ftb4ItiMFiDcPRpplcnlsNtBNQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2336" data-original-width="3427" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvMh5xBkxfIsqMffRZ1pLaC1RDoky1Cu4BPmF7BSpgePwR8KLh7jfQ9P-_hztN5pbfrAmRyyzu8jhlWB8nRNSeXOHWAnFUlNKRwfXO2xJ8tnyKKEWHHA6L0iy9-9PnVJStfdU9zqzwKso9r2MVRzgfcXiL2JOFQ0adL0Ftb4ItiMFiDcPRpplcnlsNtBNQ=w640-h436" width="640" /></a></div><p>Just about when I was going to head back to the ferry I saw this Long-billed Curlew! Such a an amazing bird.</p><p>The ferry picked me up and told me they just had to stop at Cape Lookout for a pickup. Well it ended up being a one hour wait because the idiots that he was picking up got lost and couldn't find the ferry landing. I really couldn't understand this because the landing is next to the only big building around which happens to be a really tall lighthouse. You can see the lighthouse from most places on the island. However, when given lemons, make lemonade. The deckhand and I spent the hour filming and photographing a Dovekie that was fishing next to the pier. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEianRsICvV-THwpNyZ51HfK9xx6h_NmMlRTuQbrX9owIKFs2dDnPMEo6NFYeBSBIdqfg_Kx9_wvmi5JYq_8qcThrZsCjzXz1EhuLTZuZG5C4_t6UO9Tl6cVvalXFYBkdGHMnrxqZ8tYx8McDgRrUjGHRbooIWCESwdf9vW7b2b8xiEAGMhopd9vZHB47xMG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEianRsICvV-THwpNyZ51HfK9xx6h_NmMlRTuQbrX9owIKFs2dDnPMEo6NFYeBSBIdqfg_Kx9_wvmi5JYq_8qcThrZsCjzXz1EhuLTZuZG5C4_t6UO9Tl6cVvalXFYBkdGHMnrxqZ8tYx8McDgRrUjGHRbooIWCESwdf9vW7b2b8xiEAGMhopd9vZHB47xMG=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The light was really horrible with the setting sun shining directly on the bird, and he only spent about 2 seconds on the surface for every 60 seconds and you never quite knew where it would pop up. The deckhand had a waterproof phone and was videoing the Dovekie underwater and got some great clips. I wish I had asked him to send me some.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBmMkN2uADaFdAq9X7Idw7RQz07GFURJ6A5fBZuk84Cz2lZz8AkfrxZAV3dYU1FpmHnbRXIPpz9SL2qZFijig6vOkA5Z1Mmjyp7LuCjpWs-cmfsRS6wRPzVTBVliP0l7d5QL923fSZoREuLTzgwn74fqAqVxPiGYbXIbYwG4LrlAwFGent-dAuVk14iFmb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBmMkN2uADaFdAq9X7Idw7RQz07GFURJ6A5fBZuk84Cz2lZz8AkfrxZAV3dYU1FpmHnbRXIPpz9SL2qZFijig6vOkA5Z1Mmjyp7LuCjpWs-cmfsRS6wRPzVTBVliP0l7d5QL923fSZoREuLTzgwn74fqAqVxPiGYbXIbYwG4LrlAwFGent-dAuVk14iFmb=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Eventually the captain got frustrated with waiting and just brought us back. Poor guys had to go back to Cape Lookout to wait for the idiots after they dropped us off. They probably had to motor back in the dark which is tough because of the many shoals in this area.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-58778908428731644482024-01-12T14:40:00.000-08:002024-01-12T14:40:42.746-08:00Western Flycatcher and the Dovekie Invasion! (05-06Jan2024)<p>The plan was to chase the continuing Western Flycatcher in Durham on Saturday but the weather looked horrible with potential sleet so I decided to get off work early and jam it up on Friday afternoon. This beauty of a vagrant has chosen the most unlikely of spots to winter. Morris Green Park is a postage stamp sized park in the heart of Durham's downtown area. Somehow I hit no traffic and got there at the golden hour which is 3:30pm this time of year. I saw some people leaving which made me nervous because I would now need to find it on my own and only had about an hour tops. Luckily it was very conspicuous!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKvj2hBhgnhzko4-6bCAUme6hIVp4B7jYSqhcpVHHSjXt1RcT3nt0OpNrIb9SQFETZ7rbm0Yo5KcncalPO8l-lcZselbUgRwS1sdJdJ6ikrUg-rTcXfz05eBAAe7eEF5Y_fLUJnSeekRAanNAOZUN9FZuDxa9UjHDPwwxwHlK9JnUtc5s-HrG_jBCEnG2B" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKvj2hBhgnhzko4-6bCAUme6hIVp4B7jYSqhcpVHHSjXt1RcT3nt0OpNrIb9SQFETZ7rbm0Yo5KcncalPO8l-lcZselbUgRwS1sdJdJ6ikrUg-rTcXfz05eBAAe7eEF5Y_fLUJnSeekRAanNAOZUN9FZuDxa9UjHDPwwxwHlK9JnUtc5s-HrG_jBCEnG2B" width="640" /></a></div><br />Western Flycatcher perched on a string of lights.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDTHCXTOWkJTMkfJzvCZZuSoEb65KWXv9TAwJHUbuFEOQxDOPmA4H_wQmSwsUADSMW6kCxe3ACxFPoU-15K7qY0CpvCb35y91-NvouiUoQJuJg79P_V2BMZW9adTuhnS8RXO-XvPu_EBl3ENLBLLWVH-SV6Rr-fiBt-iO-OX-8yRxcNGCp2kp07Uk6jkHf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3113" data-original-width="4592" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDTHCXTOWkJTMkfJzvCZZuSoEb65KWXv9TAwJHUbuFEOQxDOPmA4H_wQmSwsUADSMW6kCxe3ACxFPoU-15K7qY0CpvCb35y91-NvouiUoQJuJg79P_V2BMZW9adTuhnS8RXO-XvPu_EBl3ENLBLLWVH-SV6Rr-fiBt-iO-OX-8yRxcNGCp2kp07Uk6jkHf=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br />Perched on the floor!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoMSsYijR-piN4ixg3a4QsiMm2pILan1vn4eWEK8a7w2V06CfLKWsiWD3ZGDLN5BixtTFtpJXnBmfT5Rep8jUcjaeNHMaNbZlxDKs7aggai4D3KsQYbLV5H7_25Lzh-WiVC8tRz-ya0EU62Kvrw5hH4kUPGZ6lumQzdj11w55wlQOJObY9IXbX4pLaaNGa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3811" data-original-width="6008" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoMSsYijR-piN4ixg3a4QsiMm2pILan1vn4eWEK8a7w2V06CfLKWsiWD3ZGDLN5BixtTFtpJXnBmfT5Rep8jUcjaeNHMaNbZlxDKs7aggai4D3KsQYbLV5H7_25Lzh-WiVC8tRz-ya0EU62Kvrw5hH4kUPGZ6lumQzdj11w55wlQOJObY9IXbX4pLaaNGa=w640-h406" width="640" /></a></div><br />I took about a billion pics but I will spare you any more.<p></p><p>It's a good thing I bagged it on Friday because Saturday ended up being something for the record books. I knew the birding at Johnnie Mercer Pier was going to be good because of the strong East winds, but I was not prepared for what happened. I joined up with Sam and Jacob and we quickly noticed tons of Dovekies flying by the pier north to south. Many of them were being pushed close to shore by the wind and then when they hit the north side of the pier they flew up into the wind to the pier end right past us.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-4Ls7x26YtH1IauIt--g2Rk43syrd_24n2-dc8o4c7IQDEuJEIyrnfYjzJt7Xsn5OdcFi_6eERbpixHe4t-8anF1Zih95x8VT1WV0IGNndXjUfAPULH1ukwPdTCcn4_gwFmIeG0ctBPxQjusovRrh319P4TYnJhzrE2QulLyUjsMtOu2sBeJ8NJmRQR4U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2434" data-original-width="3626" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-4Ls7x26YtH1IauIt--g2Rk43syrd_24n2-dc8o4c7IQDEuJEIyrnfYjzJt7Xsn5OdcFi_6eERbpixHe4t-8anF1Zih95x8VT1WV0IGNndXjUfAPULH1ukwPdTCcn4_gwFmIeG0ctBPxQjusovRrh319P4TYnJhzrE2QulLyUjsMtOu2sBeJ8NJmRQR4U=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br />We had some groups that numbered more than 30! <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivrvgo-inQDQO7BCAlroMNHi3D392WKvCBuLIZorpy66zfoMLhplyKAkjX1FWYKOGKsU1w61bnEsDE8LBZm__aFOxo_NQkUvgg96-uzdRP0fCUuvTeKEIBijl4BZXR_UZWnPKw2ZSqDy84auHyeE2AL3JsskJufxX-Utw1tqUHPPfDVHXcrL6XKLVkeFOo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2372" data-original-width="4261" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivrvgo-inQDQO7BCAlroMNHi3D392WKvCBuLIZorpy66zfoMLhplyKAkjX1FWYKOGKsU1w61bnEsDE8LBZm__aFOxo_NQkUvgg96-uzdRP0fCUuvTeKEIBijl4BZXR_UZWnPKw2ZSqDy84auHyeE2AL3JsskJufxX-Utw1tqUHPPfDVHXcrL6XKLVkeFOo=w640-h356" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKQbbMqC8g3aoUZB7PEQb_9s5htLIrQ9DljhTxtaJzQ-LvQJJDHqSG4kHg5F0eDDe45RJ5NkxtHBCzr_AJrlQ614h5PJPfd-80cRwROTFXeOeqEf1N5wci_IcNaPy4JDPUUA8fTn_n_LigpXcDvVf3YmNyYL85wPnVp-LcSwuRW24iUBA3wygRY5Tm0wDL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1687" data-original-width="3056" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKQbbMqC8g3aoUZB7PEQb_9s5htLIrQ9DljhTxtaJzQ-LvQJJDHqSG4kHg5F0eDDe45RJ5NkxtHBCzr_AJrlQ614h5PJPfd-80cRwROTFXeOeqEf1N5wci_IcNaPy4JDPUUA8fTn_n_LigpXcDvVf3YmNyYL85wPnVp-LcSwuRW24iUBA3wygRY5Tm0wDL=w640-h354" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzdu61A3HI6MNoCs8ceNZFiSApwOXzyhHuAT2YkuAukYhT5OzOTxTNvt_H3RVNRhWgqvMTtpztEhCxJrdLLaBeIKuBKB9EXiDe17NuRjIKrqRTh47Q5EY2bbd7nwXiNPO-mSIbcFlRkrCC79YPRwEZvrHejZ_xVqRl4GYKgw5AMTPm3tJF6k5tIwYEGWRp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2773" data-original-width="4425" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzdu61A3HI6MNoCs8ceNZFiSApwOXzyhHuAT2YkuAukYhT5OzOTxTNvt_H3RVNRhWgqvMTtpztEhCxJrdLLaBeIKuBKB9EXiDe17NuRjIKrqRTh47Q5EY2bbd7nwXiNPO-mSIbcFlRkrCC79YPRwEZvrHejZ_xVqRl4GYKgw5AMTPm3tJF6k5tIwYEGWRp=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><br />Of course some were on the water too...<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_3Izd0tW608mgZ1o7gTcia7EghoY7twYmIMwfGVe3_nGCyk-GbYxOsimwJRTFNgm92NdP6wC2ifAlPnJjKPW6Npf8DUAaLwJb7L35h9Xx9830Kl5ex46FnLvPyzh69HeAQmkzLGQHl6skCfYs48EhmljgKcDLaeLDValHjf0D3hWMlXNwYICUjl6NPWhi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2935" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_3Izd0tW608mgZ1o7gTcia7EghoY7twYmIMwfGVe3_nGCyk-GbYxOsimwJRTFNgm92NdP6wC2ifAlPnJjKPW6Npf8DUAaLwJb7L35h9Xx9830Kl5ex46FnLvPyzh69HeAQmkzLGQHl6skCfYs48EhmljgKcDLaeLDValHjf0D3hWMlXNwYICUjl6NPWhi=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></div><p>We had a ton of Parasitic Jaegers too!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir5w8XxKv10iZ00p4enFU2exPlcZ4iYh5yidWUGoR88nCSyUcdPbgWxi-MNrclpyPG0Ub-rY1LtitHW4BQqpXrinRcMSbv9h2mNrB94nDpwioUJ0sekxjW-9ArulOC5i4lxpxeXXE9qhyhMQoxv8L5FDoOpCTlK92fDaoBrJgsZm2nmIJ1T_CxOPfce5gg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1726" data-original-width="2536" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir5w8XxKv10iZ00p4enFU2exPlcZ4iYh5yidWUGoR88nCSyUcdPbgWxi-MNrclpyPG0Ub-rY1LtitHW4BQqpXrinRcMSbv9h2mNrB94nDpwioUJ0sekxjW-9ArulOC5i4lxpxeXXE9qhyhMQoxv8L5FDoOpCTlK92fDaoBrJgsZm2nmIJ1T_CxOPfce5gg=w640-h436" width="640" /></a></div><br />By lunch-time the morning flight stated to wane. We had tallied a whopping 1079 Dovekies!! I believe that is a NC record even when considering pelagic trips off of Hatteras.<p></p><p>Later in the afternoon, I headed to the north end of Wrightsville Beach to see what I could see.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhznfPCFx2Uv10-IfiZ9moIbnUSB3kh0xbnuXpIbJ6jw8GkzVf7rtr3K6EfKjpHBQCSMM5t1TpaFT6QWI2S9ObmRsVsSAVdPVq9MIlEJO4Fv92RsOloSVsCI9N2bL2Zo-Pn-Nx6905Vw9OU9FuiMfd21L5v5FlR-cOC3D9utwrmtjqdX8in_XobSvZrkqGR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhznfPCFx2Uv10-IfiZ9moIbnUSB3kh0xbnuXpIbJ6jw8GkzVf7rtr3K6EfKjpHBQCSMM5t1TpaFT6QWI2S9ObmRsVsSAVdPVq9MIlEJO4Fv92RsOloSVsCI9N2bL2Zo-Pn-Nx6905Vw9OU9FuiMfd21L5v5FlR-cOC3D9utwrmtjqdX8in_XobSvZrkqGR" width="640" /></a></div><br />Huge numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls was unusual for this time of year. Usually they start coming in big numbers in March.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim4cA6IoSfDaU1xwhhrsaS80VCJjQQYA1pulC9kSj7BLgcVUmUuTc_cKbpiJDHEDvshDPlrP73q_iG9aueqrBsaAIjOSSQfCTJF5GE3mi3IJ8s5ewdAz3Wt7ePlt5qzEg1G3IdEk5y86_BJmWSJ6bMzFOoOL6Q_iVKK2YgboEXiPUEZ2QUPwJjDl_Um4EC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim4cA6IoSfDaU1xwhhrsaS80VCJjQQYA1pulC9kSj7BLgcVUmUuTc_cKbpiJDHEDvshDPlrP73q_iG9aueqrBsaAIjOSSQfCTJF5GE3mi3IJ8s5ewdAz3Wt7ePlt5qzEg1G3IdEk5y86_BJmWSJ6bMzFOoOL6Q_iVKK2YgboEXiPUEZ2QUPwJjDl_Um4EC=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Ring-billed Gull had some bling on his leg.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6vxcKIoc9MBdOzFG3JIADY7r6VnBVh49ZNpiSxoxkoejUlZKKd-TNfjh1iZaifDYoFiQeTqLUGmKpk6mUo4z1dyypqx1_xtn-yq-9G5lCtBp6qKiLz9UU5logEcR2boqKQqouaYR1y_yM4czkRFsLZQKrfCkt3sxtiseKrIE4f5ZCuy5wtfmjw3sCsizI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6vxcKIoc9MBdOzFG3JIADY7r6VnBVh49ZNpiSxoxkoejUlZKKd-TNfjh1iZaifDYoFiQeTqLUGmKpk6mUo4z1dyypqx1_xtn-yq-9G5lCtBp6qKiLz9UU5logEcR2boqKQqouaYR1y_yM4czkRFsLZQKrfCkt3sxtiseKrIE4f5ZCuy5wtfmjw3sCsizI" width="640" /></a></div><br />Forster's Terns sporting the winter pirate patch.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyi-_-Nqu5wU-UzCeJZPkP4Guua6xRRVa_QT1qwHTFgvwWeNLANRNnp0HmV75wvvIrpVFYP-iEMou09r1MzNKq4F7xvQOHWCor57tbcDMD8iG4DmmkMherjpA_Usl178Qmq9Cfkdt_XupqLvVywsJzCzlFRRPWDFaJuqxq3Kh3zMr68Oa2M4AVP_VBfj3u" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyi-_-Nqu5wU-UzCeJZPkP4Guua6xRRVa_QT1qwHTFgvwWeNLANRNnp0HmV75wvvIrpVFYP-iEMou09r1MzNKq4F7xvQOHWCor57tbcDMD8iG4DmmkMherjpA_Usl178Qmq9Cfkdt_XupqLvVywsJzCzlFRRPWDFaJuqxq3Kh3zMr68Oa2M4AVP_VBfj3u" width="640" /></a></div><br />Willet<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3TET2_eZ1mSNI2syE2jc-JV9XzdkVymBKaMs_TjJgGoRp2HLvQ2cXBtDK9hw_6Ph6_H1LgbVv4d5F0SNa4Sd8FEtVI941xipmQ7NoVKkvz3N1KST7NZsf3gbOL8-QB5FTeBvWNYuFKmkTS5ex6HA_2l0clRjXz46JgXIHx7S_IxDWPfzUHgMyAkm5_oUE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3085" data-original-width="4614" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3TET2_eZ1mSNI2syE2jc-JV9XzdkVymBKaMs_TjJgGoRp2HLvQ2cXBtDK9hw_6Ph6_H1LgbVv4d5F0SNa4Sd8FEtVI941xipmQ7NoVKkvz3N1KST7NZsf3gbOL8-QB5FTeBvWNYuFKmkTS5ex6HA_2l0clRjXz46JgXIHx7S_IxDWPfzUHgMyAkm5_oUE=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br />Black-bellied Plover<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbYFsrj2Xvic2I1y_2a9TpPsdRfpd7qxCpNY8_hsgeSuRpn7z0HXedYqFlnfDo2k7npeIRRtF9et66QZY5G21kpCzdiUKrGmuxW_5lOWwYDCMCrzCesHUHERxt1GSMQ_Lm5eiDZYw8tXkDHtkawADsoHVIoxSWrjNDTbMVMd_PiJveqEPJ2g1NSkFfKbc4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3128" data-original-width="4509" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbYFsrj2Xvic2I1y_2a9TpPsdRfpd7qxCpNY8_hsgeSuRpn7z0HXedYqFlnfDo2k7npeIRRtF9et66QZY5G21kpCzdiUKrGmuxW_5lOWwYDCMCrzCesHUHERxt1GSMQ_Lm5eiDZYw8tXkDHtkawADsoHVIoxSWrjNDTbMVMd_PiJveqEPJ2g1NSkFfKbc4=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></div><br />Forster's in flight.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA-3Nj9XngGNdtq62tX1G1wrb4DQ_mOH4wJd0SUZ-8PUU2onZawYK-uRdwxFFwijc5-PcK0QZ0bL7ogJedivy6ttzxlRnyHFTOVA516h-AerEjsR59AFux-YyfxYr_xIQsp2WNGvL-45E6Pi6LoEwfLBz0eIGrRSC1xZ-UyFRcM6fLIzGOLKXWXy4rUOj0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3740" data-original-width="5109" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA-3Nj9XngGNdtq62tX1G1wrb4DQ_mOH4wJd0SUZ-8PUU2onZawYK-uRdwxFFwijc5-PcK0QZ0bL7ogJedivy6ttzxlRnyHFTOVA516h-AerEjsR59AFux-YyfxYr_xIQsp2WNGvL-45E6Pi6LoEwfLBz0eIGrRSC1xZ-UyFRcM6fLIzGOLKXWXy4rUOj0=w640-h468" width="640" /></a></div><br />The Black-headed Gull is always around but most times is difficult to find in the horde.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLSLzmxzhA9v-PfMY3qz1lSnhD9sM93zPI4AS0vm5QHALIVkz_ZmM3JCAiDt0efjEguOPPYiaJLUfDUkHpxfB4N1S0RohJBICwWLw8dTS6vpMExtDKDJwzIe8IVmbMB2KShHr6t3fWx2rhzM6KRjIqjxabsrZBHOvKE0omRHubcQnGMX3QnEXplqzN0Zgv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3914" data-original-width="6210" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLSLzmxzhA9v-PfMY3qz1lSnhD9sM93zPI4AS0vm5QHALIVkz_ZmM3JCAiDt0efjEguOPPYiaJLUfDUkHpxfB4N1S0RohJBICwWLw8dTS6vpMExtDKDJwzIe8IVmbMB2KShHr6t3fWx2rhzM6KRjIqjxabsrZBHOvKE0omRHubcQnGMX3QnEXplqzN0Zgv=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br />Such a pretty gull!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAznyV66FT_4t3pKQ2V2PjxTQtiluXGaj-3u98WXzp02OYiL92gvY3uAVjvSo8X5rtSHK3hetuiP6OazcebmGNePosqQiqO63ckvfVExHBPboxV6tpY9EF1-BHrURDFOzRlkasSTD260ShwUtOfhjLOOUHSBdJJHEnN4gaimhVlbTKVrFh7QYDV8ctwhAl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3436" data-original-width="4704" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAznyV66FT_4t3pKQ2V2PjxTQtiluXGaj-3u98WXzp02OYiL92gvY3uAVjvSo8X5rtSHK3hetuiP6OazcebmGNePosqQiqO63ckvfVExHBPboxV6tpY9EF1-BHrURDFOzRlkasSTD260ShwUtOfhjLOOUHSBdJJHEnN4gaimhVlbTKVrFh7QYDV8ctwhAl=w640-h468" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9R0cAH3RGmfF5zkStn7Pjp5JpbOcgWhXwcr4nP4eNb0JE4UIiiGMWdjofIf9sGXEGj4JeugdYeOa80JnG4teI8keVlBL_-h5LOfoEEEk0w5FocWQJBiBEA39GOJO0prVX_BVqPByddXhMgoFd_S_8LVnfrMXJpSje6g3uJ7VznnXNtV7CcweHefLqjivq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3193" data-original-width="4991" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9R0cAH3RGmfF5zkStn7Pjp5JpbOcgWhXwcr4nP4eNb0JE4UIiiGMWdjofIf9sGXEGj4JeugdYeOa80JnG4teI8keVlBL_-h5LOfoEEEk0w5FocWQJBiBEA39GOJO0prVX_BVqPByddXhMgoFd_S_8LVnfrMXJpSje6g3uJ7VznnXNtV7CcweHefLqjivq=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>American Oystercatcher <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4ohyf9NeH7AGPTxyxqSwLTwPsaNVudQQa6NTNZwuTAaf34x5NDi5POh1Sp22EkxMImGFI9WCWZbEJT1FC-HoykhjK6pRX4vxPkSebwJy3qwi733AmTC6Wli6COftw-HtaVrtg3gcQAYmHHHWZms2irh41imVTGZ6MLk9fo9uNvXEiv9RSoriwYvESO1l6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2660" data-original-width="4249" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4ohyf9NeH7AGPTxyxqSwLTwPsaNVudQQa6NTNZwuTAaf34x5NDi5POh1Sp22EkxMImGFI9WCWZbEJT1FC-HoykhjK6pRX4vxPkSebwJy3qwi733AmTC6Wli6COftw-HtaVrtg3gcQAYmHHHWZms2irh41imVTGZ6MLk9fo9uNvXEiv9RSoriwYvESO1l6=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sometimes a Lesser Black-backed Gull can get legs that are almost pink, or at least not yellow.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHsL2rpktt8T41RTsG6D9J3MMCwdXhmflenaGjnT9b1ojMeuHGR9WpnHtwwCurZRKBQtonGaUJ3PtJxWn-V0d3bcK3trDhVMJYuQmvnh_oDAtEeQJzVBP5GF9QaELB-QH_YuUVnofL8YigB078z35YFxRSamRbUmF7bAEt1iAnh8ywG7mtrJ8y9YWRn9gP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHsL2rpktt8T41RTsG6D9J3MMCwdXhmflenaGjnT9b1ojMeuHGR9WpnHtwwCurZRKBQtonGaUJ3PtJxWn-V0d3bcK3trDhVMJYuQmvnh_oDAtEeQJzVBP5GF9QaELB-QH_YuUVnofL8YigB078z35YFxRSamRbUmF7bAEt1iAnh8ywG7mtrJ8y9YWRn9gP=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Black Skimmer numbers are starting to wane.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDC0jjGeD3FQbtDmgSlVaOhD6uinPjT4D2YaQFkeB_W9GbwZpQ-OgoAhDmujzHStnJwz1ftQExsmDreeK5xTo--BhNOiKHTrUltYpTM3xraHEK7UeQnmfaY36oWGRWNTiCqVYuPs9fGHQ2blQmncuqv1rlYMyyU79I9kZ0itDwebgv7rK3qhj_nejJCPOE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2153" data-original-width="3245" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDC0jjGeD3FQbtDmgSlVaOhD6uinPjT4D2YaQFkeB_W9GbwZpQ-OgoAhDmujzHStnJwz1ftQExsmDreeK5xTo--BhNOiKHTrUltYpTM3xraHEK7UeQnmfaY36oWGRWNTiCqVYuPs9fGHQ2blQmncuqv1rlYMyyU79I9kZ0itDwebgv7rK3qhj_nejJCPOE=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />Black Skimmers manage to be goofy and elegant at the some time which is not easy.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaf1fo6nPb0pxkDAupwsu_gnGP73wPQ7tsiOujK6kHNgYBQWu0ewaBjGULwqCMv8W0FD-0cf87e5d79GmCt9Lt1gCm5_wqM1EstDYJ-ti3rehlHDAWR2d_8Znm_WOHcejwBUqZDFnil9gU3hfx0hg_R1fULlzIda1dWZqIdh4pOgKC6pvO8rghfJ-xRkp4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3160" data-original-width="5001" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaf1fo6nPb0pxkDAupwsu_gnGP73wPQ7tsiOujK6kHNgYBQWu0ewaBjGULwqCMv8W0FD-0cf87e5d79GmCt9Lt1gCm5_wqM1EstDYJ-ti3rehlHDAWR2d_8Znm_WOHcejwBUqZDFnil9gU3hfx0hg_R1fULlzIda1dWZqIdh4pOgKC6pvO8rghfJ-xRkp4=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDT-nEO4enMloj55wPsxShpKs55YVmlHjnakTbrN7mpqwe6y-NPY0N5g3zHTp0oe0r3BsjsCiis9NBXc5Z2RN2U__S2ZRwcLgeEXNa-yZJP2lIa5K_k4a_xn88VbLmwM8vCR1xU4QAQQrKsPon7zQiCnTAmFcgIDFiwe5yhrLF3n20J1Ays4wrw1Y8Dj7E" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3095" data-original-width="4872" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDT-nEO4enMloj55wPsxShpKs55YVmlHjnakTbrN7mpqwe6y-NPY0N5g3zHTp0oe0r3BsjsCiis9NBXc5Z2RN2U__S2ZRwcLgeEXNa-yZJP2lIa5K_k4a_xn88VbLmwM8vCR1xU4QAQQrKsPon7zQiCnTAmFcgIDFiwe5yhrLF3n20J1Ays4wrw1Y8Dj7E" width="640" /></a><br /><p></p>Semipalmated Plover<br /><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLfcqySYf_Idp8-scvYYCpaFQPXKji8_a7FO408Fm5nTFUYdEk4XLxMAZ3dZldwXRWqCa18cDLR3axczReshTZ3xQHH6dzPc9Ar__vVaJcKNs24X6zDvnpgoEmRTQBGYx5G5CVpDZRKd4ezBrhw0jZhgCbwsjWJ-rc9nG6ybCP6Aym9xJe5iR8D2UY3eYZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLfcqySYf_Idp8-scvYYCpaFQPXKji8_a7FO408Fm5nTFUYdEk4XLxMAZ3dZldwXRWqCa18cDLR3axczReshTZ3xQHH6dzPc9Ar__vVaJcKNs24X6zDvnpgoEmRTQBGYx5G5CVpDZRKd4ezBrhw0jZhgCbwsjWJ-rc9nG6ybCP6Aym9xJe5iR8D2UY3eYZ" width="640" /></a></p><p>Least Sandpiper</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5iAkhaGGdZOez7cdkjWifyfl1-qiMUhBhQm7g3uaCzp5H4mNoPxA4J3pQ8pq5-puNs3OYuyjc_zPDDK6wVwsYjYzJdzY9jJy76rSV5Tv52H0wt6ck1bqsznCfPr6L0Bwy_nibmvZY2tT9zKpxo1dek2c3NnXiz53FsaiPegMwnk9T2VSax9yva8gPQSzp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2949" data-original-width="4187" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5iAkhaGGdZOez7cdkjWifyfl1-qiMUhBhQm7g3uaCzp5H4mNoPxA4J3pQ8pq5-puNs3OYuyjc_zPDDK6wVwsYjYzJdzY9jJy76rSV5Tv52H0wt6ck1bqsznCfPr6L0Bwy_nibmvZY2tT9zKpxo1dek2c3NnXiz53FsaiPegMwnk9T2VSax9yva8gPQSzp=w640-h450" width="640" /></a></div><br />Western Sandpiper<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzdIg3jsZtSnHRV-vSIQEyaVT80_tygHrq78-ZM8atIRp8lkVNJda1E7Pg8gT1wJrhZDEd_LqJkz33vp2sw786tl5RUbGgFLuGBYjpn6MNpvVjlnx2YtCOlSTF4FgqR6kwhjcxl037jy8B038oalSpA89Ha1TcVFeoAED-jmOnXS1tOleoQyoEH3mNgJL4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2829" data-original-width="4280" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzdIg3jsZtSnHRV-vSIQEyaVT80_tygHrq78-ZM8atIRp8lkVNJda1E7Pg8gT1wJrhZDEd_LqJkz33vp2sw786tl5RUbGgFLuGBYjpn6MNpvVjlnx2YtCOlSTF4FgqR6kwhjcxl037jy8B038oalSpA89Ha1TcVFeoAED-jmOnXS1tOleoQyoEH3mNgJL4=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />Dunlin<p></p><p>As the sun started to set, I decided to check the marsh side of Shell Island real quick.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPEQeoGindSsb0Epc_BhM8tmDAdBfx7UXrHY3id79bLOzgfNnHZ8Fi_NDD_ff3F8330d7tt_0UrSzA0S0fiJBbXT267Uznu4-BNRU6xuCvM-vPjQX42pd1boNbEF1LiNpLFH-kdCKPsPjVNgXjnGOQzGLBqHh7xjSbFW9fz7fX-tOu-1Rb0i7eGOJDWHzl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1614" data-original-width="2657" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPEQeoGindSsb0Epc_BhM8tmDAdBfx7UXrHY3id79bLOzgfNnHZ8Fi_NDD_ff3F8330d7tt_0UrSzA0S0fiJBbXT267Uznu4-BNRU6xuCvM-vPjQX42pd1boNbEF1LiNpLFH-kdCKPsPjVNgXjnGOQzGLBqHh7xjSbFW9fz7fX-tOu-1Rb0i7eGOJDWHzl=w640-h388" width="640" /></a></div><br />A Dovekie swam in the little pool right behind the resort! <p></p><p>It's always with mixed feelings seeing these rare birds during an irruption because usually these events lead to die offs and in fact I saw many dead Dovekies not he beach. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-25196352606218932792024-01-07T02:10:00.000-08:002024-01-07T02:10:19.095-08:00On a Lark..... Sparrow and Start of the Dovekie Invasion (02-03Jan2024)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I always start the year by spending as much time as possible on Johnnie Mercer's Pier in Wrightsville Beach. The cold keeps the crowds away and sometimes the birds can be outstanding.</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/a/AVvXsEjwRPfGEG56sq1E5wB2nMXlpfIng_q-zaIeyvRtKAnI0uOUzDVGstI9cI-454VVP84PnjVetbSQVZ886LkCgYStNrC9-ZHVMXUZVrehEM75RWpPgvarzb6qOl8m260Jcp6vkNGJACGP9eYV5Ug9h5qZH80wZG-ag9iFat0v9CTkOw6FKy9OooFYB5Gb5mqF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwRPfGEG56sq1E5wB2nMXlpfIng_q-zaIeyvRtKAnI0uOUzDVGstI9cI-454VVP84PnjVetbSQVZ886LkCgYStNrC9-ZHVMXUZVrehEM75RWpPgvarzb6qOl8m260Jcp6vkNGJACGP9eYV5Ug9h5qZH80wZG-ag9iFat0v9CTkOw6FKy9OooFYB5Gb5mqF=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ruddy Turnstones love the pier because they can pick up fisherman leftovers.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYScBMHF05e-udOtGnCduTDCV-tipXH2pLZJ4bu_Ew0TUEs5uSvdiMJxmyauyOzAHpL_7oW7leqKUz5GEqAszXpokemylBOFBn8VsYiGdFXZfXVu319_INAgSdTtp6cieKmEfdBOuyjY_P-a4QUWqshpfUAl1LwM7BMjsAZAT2ypsGl7JUe3cy8Tn0Sby3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2458" data-original-width="3326" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYScBMHF05e-udOtGnCduTDCV-tipXH2pLZJ4bu_Ew0TUEs5uSvdiMJxmyauyOzAHpL_7oW7leqKUz5GEqAszXpokemylBOFBn8VsYiGdFXZfXVu319_INAgSdTtp6cieKmEfdBOuyjY_P-a4QUWqshpfUAl1LwM7BMjsAZAT2ypsGl7JUe3cy8Tn0Sby3=w640-h472" width="640" /></a></div><p>Savannah Sparrows at Fort Fisher are confiding.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA0k_-EF7Q0NqjAZjBfzM3EnjiB--ixaExg97WgTtxOkNb4d4BCD_0-UsSlMTZQTXQP7jdg_dnIrTVk90tGC69s5H8uLRKPT4bhH5-UJJj0aP47-DTiI0x6YvStIoCtKgz73832_PD--8mEk3K6F4_K__Ui3d0Y9C3dI0DDKE0KmBE2HcZlHTxCXRq_fmI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2573" data-original-width="3762" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA0k_-EF7Q0NqjAZjBfzM3EnjiB--ixaExg97WgTtxOkNb4d4BCD_0-UsSlMTZQTXQP7jdg_dnIrTVk90tGC69s5H8uLRKPT4bhH5-UJJj0aP47-DTiI0x6YvStIoCtKgz73832_PD--8mEk3K6F4_K__Ui3d0Y9C3dI0DDKE0KmBE2HcZlHTxCXRq_fmI=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></div><br />A Cooper's Hawk surveys his killing grounds from a snag at FF.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_i1QZMasrA8DmQdKc1MbPchnuN_9qENh2uZt610omO1x5ProZKV-kbPXSCd633jj2Qn-DpJTzJJhJ17kX5sfQ3-nNXFNa6y7mZBQAE-picxuTms5L3WiQxMxZA903Ap67X00eTvrvSo0KLJsgAqC51RmJxyDAWACREMcIoEEWqHEhKj9ehOHbyNlXyWME" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2604" data-original-width="3828" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_i1QZMasrA8DmQdKc1MbPchnuN_9qENh2uZt610omO1x5ProZKV-kbPXSCd633jj2Qn-DpJTzJJhJ17kX5sfQ3-nNXFNa6y7mZBQAE-picxuTms5L3WiQxMxZA903Ap67X00eTvrvSo0KLJsgAqC51RmJxyDAWACREMcIoEEWqHEhKj9ehOHbyNlXyWME=w640-h436" width="640" /></a></div><br />Another Savannah.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZJqFCx6ri714VwFzDwAQVi6skXc8GE2McRsdxnL1ymEP7MYZ82DM2x5OLAtF491_yTAKSqioHUZoqINYh8qHI6x6P5Pfmbqz8mtFn1eXebF8yrRaAAFL8kg-t_CdCNF0LsqvUOJLVGX0HR4Go_b1YWz-4dmGc5sDDxoKU2j7rCrhZbZkAgG84-6dRNP1D" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZJqFCx6ri714VwFzDwAQVi6skXc8GE2McRsdxnL1ymEP7MYZ82DM2x5OLAtF491_yTAKSqioHUZoqINYh8qHI6x6P5Pfmbqz8mtFn1eXebF8yrRaAAFL8kg-t_CdCNF0LsqvUOJLVGX0HR4Go_b1YWz-4dmGc5sDDxoKU2j7rCrhZbZkAgG84-6dRNP1D" width="640" /></a></div><br />Northern Mockingbirds for the win.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjC_99c-gc6Ql_4S01oCSDnV4TPg0R-O0IcBXhoQOojiAzimh8YY3hNZX4pahlRWtiaIM4lUr5ZFF-dwZxj4lRAFWD9c5XuKmlTB8A3sxymqSx_fbKqqS5Ki9if0kwCdz6KYi_plx7FIDfKAHZvZIylf0uBOtsl-Xgyy_rW8kjT8ojt0NMqBPMZ86HnAcmf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjC_99c-gc6Ql_4S01oCSDnV4TPg0R-O0IcBXhoQOojiAzimh8YY3hNZX4pahlRWtiaIM4lUr5ZFF-dwZxj4lRAFWD9c5XuKmlTB8A3sxymqSx_fbKqqS5Ki9if0kwCdz6KYi_plx7FIDfKAHZvZIylf0uBOtsl-Xgyy_rW8kjT8ojt0NMqBPMZ86HnAcmf=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Yellow-rumped Warblers are still appreciated in January but soon they will be old hat.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIXamvy4kq-wPStx5rH_wDSbAcZolw6yMXQEnlTALbELIstIyttNeMvnIXo-8R0W-CD-t9k97qRceTsvLbbnCV-7yhlQu3jnrxnQQ2pcRp2tUuB_KzNIbpUE3QisYxQhsYr9A-Kjs6MQ2EIOsWXvfB-rjGHr8dKVmMkBIih3b_X3C7Pbiz2yPlqXzbgXyk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3593" data-original-width="5088" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIXamvy4kq-wPStx5rH_wDSbAcZolw6yMXQEnlTALbELIstIyttNeMvnIXo-8R0W-CD-t9k97qRceTsvLbbnCV-7yhlQu3jnrxnQQ2pcRp2tUuB_KzNIbpUE3QisYxQhsYr9A-Kjs6MQ2EIOsWXvfB-rjGHr8dKVmMkBIih3b_X3C7Pbiz2yPlqXzbgXyk=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ashley HS Pond is a great place to get your Little Blue Heron fix.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8WmoMH2l9Hy-XgVVDWS-yfqSygWp24sZyNuezj7dJ_t7nG8mCD8a2nxa2IFS0MfeAdZwqW0nRSbUw67Exhvhg-AQEvdWFpyUl4FUuUZi6T3xblOnMGEi3FLvtkuPXG_t3hm-vd5UrCs6gBhbeQGarEcwT5U3C3F_eWizslCyxjWeQBabS2YRk6l6IixEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2587" data-original-width="4056" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8WmoMH2l9Hy-XgVVDWS-yfqSygWp24sZyNuezj7dJ_t7nG8mCD8a2nxa2IFS0MfeAdZwqW0nRSbUw67Exhvhg-AQEvdWFpyUl4FUuUZi6T3xblOnMGEi3FLvtkuPXG_t3hm-vd5UrCs6gBhbeQGarEcwT5U3C3F_eWizslCyxjWeQBabS2YRk6l6IixEF=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><br />Gadwalls never get old. Mainly because they die young.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCoY-ENtPgtWIs5Nnmndp_r8CDt3u4L_w_3ek6JGPeZtGPNxgUCH2BWxCwRscv8LGR0LgWWJr5v7J75WZSuGugeoOsVr0GG69YpF7mj5NL90_ot7KAgBrAb3tS66CAWDOXHyZL-o24Zy5axJ9dX-RMFkGey6PEiM3eQLb9im2pOkzLSjK2h6GtUPeIR_Qk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3163" data-original-width="5123" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCoY-ENtPgtWIs5Nnmndp_r8CDt3u4L_w_3ek6JGPeZtGPNxgUCH2BWxCwRscv8LGR0LgWWJr5v7J75WZSuGugeoOsVr0GG69YpF7mj5NL90_ot7KAgBrAb3tS66CAWDOXHyZL-o24Zy5axJ9dX-RMFkGey6PEiM3eQLb9im2pOkzLSjK2h6GtUPeIR_Qk=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div><br />White Ibises always look surprised.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTEH8DUxrAj1nZdpWPGAHBioqdXwUZwyf_nOBiHGFYRRlzxBpAbBDOblmewX7FxexC2xN3rPrj_aFd8-n2H9rcPb1wxdHd3Pmh2QMEU8sZsh8n37_GpTIDmPZLwsc6hbvehGpHiz2-_wBk9OLb2PiVhSG90WJm-2Nm4fJuaKuynpg2FRqeEgHvL3NT6LLt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2396" data-original-width="3597" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTEH8DUxrAj1nZdpWPGAHBioqdXwUZwyf_nOBiHGFYRRlzxBpAbBDOblmewX7FxexC2xN3rPrj_aFd8-n2H9rcPb1wxdHd3Pmh2QMEU8sZsh8n37_GpTIDmPZLwsc6hbvehGpHiz2-_wBk9OLb2PiVhSG90WJm-2Nm4fJuaKuynpg2FRqeEgHvL3NT6LLt=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Northern Shovelers look goofy but fun.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2GKESkVGYo6cEsAZZqE8TZrr-fNRaoPelXZWTPbaqGu01y-Ak-KEJgsRqSH0dctdbzVy4pTzifwKRGmfZBHoaEm9RJB1pBIdxwnkMeTXX_I0zdviheNx-PQxA4GDpafIkcR6claN8TDe1M5nDmCgQGUDUHkbIyUIU6BfoT8Mex6ayP6SMX00ujC4kQtjA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2477" data-original-width="3481" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2GKESkVGYo6cEsAZZqE8TZrr-fNRaoPelXZWTPbaqGu01y-Ak-KEJgsRqSH0dctdbzVy4pTzifwKRGmfZBHoaEm9RJB1pBIdxwnkMeTXX_I0zdviheNx-PQxA4GDpafIkcR6claN8TDe1M5nDmCgQGUDUHkbIyUIU6BfoT8Mex6ayP6SMX00ujC4kQtjA=w640-h456" width="640" /></a></div><br />The Lark Sparrow is still around at Fort Fisher by the eagle monument.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguiRFegQW98ar9WcMAR74hOgK6wfdFoi59Mag__yBZXsyyg-rFbVYNX3RPq-f1frqROL7dwdq0XlTfEYnYlB4I6lW-052TBIVBMzgvR-CwULxcbJjYaQ0IvQYjBn-3ZEGRQTL-qz9Srnb2lRqL7rq9b7Lfr6PwrTexfJ8tnfogdvvA28jMMgTrD8yNf2kl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2494" data-original-width="3553" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguiRFegQW98ar9WcMAR74hOgK6wfdFoi59Mag__yBZXsyyg-rFbVYNX3RPq-f1frqROL7dwdq0XlTfEYnYlB4I6lW-052TBIVBMzgvR-CwULxcbJjYaQ0IvQYjBn-3ZEGRQTL-qz9Srnb2lRqL7rq9b7Lfr6PwrTexfJ8tnfogdvvA28jMMgTrD8yNf2kl=w640-h450" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCxqEoiDWNMYSaM-eHgV56k-iVCUdwzOzkG7du1Ew9yr6RfOOuBsvK9hQcQft8WDTHp-DKQzu5iCWQU7pUkXaD3reZ_atWiSTnOL6DDo54NBsPIW_qhnAUraoqwgbi6RXD31TMGOCdTWy54qKcOdHeP8fR3cX9qI0StcFazUEAUHnjlWBFk1vOfLBgSvJm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCxqEoiDWNMYSaM-eHgV56k-iVCUdwzOzkG7du1Ew9yr6RfOOuBsvK9hQcQft8WDTHp-DKQzu5iCWQU7pUkXaD3reZ_atWiSTnOL6DDo54NBsPIW_qhnAUraoqwgbi6RXD31TMGOCdTWy54qKcOdHeP8fR3cX9qI0StcFazUEAUHnjlWBFk1vOfLBgSvJm=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Snowy Egrets spend alot of time starting into water, waiting for an unsuspecting fish or tadpole.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaKkkFZhb6xLz6OCgu10btUcJZAvMj3aatnsdymNE43L4GQzXqo0j4hiPSVmfmsuzD1X59tLX3F3HQgPO7ccvUe_udAiUEGpDnxaLvhAsAuzlbfa48NmvawPOkvCk20QgoCTMm6af72LyopN0z4e2PE1pgXNAfYWPqXBOM3OOB1K4ip8QpZOICEZYP33a4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaKkkFZhb6xLz6OCgu10btUcJZAvMj3aatnsdymNE43L4GQzXqo0j4hiPSVmfmsuzD1X59tLX3F3HQgPO7ccvUe_udAiUEGpDnxaLvhAsAuzlbfa48NmvawPOkvCk20QgoCTMm6af72LyopN0z4e2PE1pgXNAfYWPqXBOM3OOB1K4ip8QpZOICEZYP33a4" width="640" /></a></div><br />Tricolored Herons are a little more impatient but they to like to gaze past their gorgeous reflections.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQLGFNf7K74Aq6pVO30qpSYXgWJceahWw2ROKZa4DKUgMLKAdWohKfvcIV4iJDPbQCO6ZmoyfpxeCskC5_SES_hwVjipkjQoUfaAz5kA32Kdq-mtRZ0LxrDogNT61wSdS6n_X43zKxaWyVhqZePcMKNzDogQQn7VneWCY1noGrFDNio7QaTk7D3oQgaAsy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQLGFNf7K74Aq6pVO30qpSYXgWJceahWw2ROKZa4DKUgMLKAdWohKfvcIV4iJDPbQCO6ZmoyfpxeCskC5_SES_hwVjipkjQoUfaAz5kA32Kdq-mtRZ0LxrDogNT61wSdS6n_X43zKxaWyVhqZePcMKNzDogQQn7VneWCY1noGrFDNio7QaTk7D3oQgaAsy" width="640" /></a></div><br />They are widely known to be the most handsome of the herons.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1mhIZr1bNiC9wzFD-eB7XcaoW5gBO4dyHCdgRYIrxyjJu0LwecNTH9dUKAIQ8oowJCzfGEjFyRjUO7Gjz6Eo5LaQ4NeM7Na_pJOvPYRO7-hmwuFyLaPvuiKGCP9lw0mHjiCrPNzfghxhfJ1alLx1xhmkmDFx-IW1oHq1tneVQtM2EYdSmLfBd8kywKX_r" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1mhIZr1bNiC9wzFD-eB7XcaoW5gBO4dyHCdgRYIrxyjJu0LwecNTH9dUKAIQ8oowJCzfGEjFyRjUO7Gjz6Eo5LaQ4NeM7Na_pJOvPYRO7-hmwuFyLaPvuiKGCP9lw0mHjiCrPNzfghxhfJ1alLx1xhmkmDFx-IW1oHq1tneVQtM2EYdSmLfBd8kywKX_r=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Rock Pigeons are under appreciated until you stop and really look closely at them.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkcyIRwB1p9-dTqHZwXTT2LqDr8hnJizvLrssU0YDQVrXApzuhez1mB-69noXH_S3Nu4mx7FGcZNySvgMMMecJQt9reepVOlSMItrkrQ9HvE7LBgHb8Ki_Cf3XlA4XujFF_Kk6512BMhk0oc6lQnY3ZckFSWlxliGC4_bGC1TQWAtAdxzB-a6X4eunH7et" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkcyIRwB1p9-dTqHZwXTT2LqDr8hnJizvLrssU0YDQVrXApzuhez1mB-69noXH_S3Nu4mx7FGcZNySvgMMMecJQt9reepVOlSMItrkrQ9HvE7LBgHb8Ki_Cf3XlA4XujFF_Kk6512BMhk0oc6lQnY3ZckFSWlxliGC4_bGC1TQWAtAdxzB-a6X4eunH7et=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Willets are agreeable this time of year. In the spring they become insufferable, following you around and yelling at you for hours on end.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiABG2gx8C5kIvyEZAQXJaCVU0GRcE6J7F0L5eli_8PZk7ga9gsBSZ4ieCe0EqVawIn6A1x_gkJldXu2QkWg3ujzulgOflSLnTdtZAs7GdBN0wc9LV8WCQUYM_5Tv9et9iBH79c2d1osZopcwISD8VASN71YJobE5ya9tx8KQImyMcMoR2UDIytY_Wpe5TH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2580" data-original-width="3728" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiABG2gx8C5kIvyEZAQXJaCVU0GRcE6J7F0L5eli_8PZk7ga9gsBSZ4ieCe0EqVawIn6A1x_gkJldXu2QkWg3ujzulgOflSLnTdtZAs7GdBN0wc9LV8WCQUYM_5Tv9et9iBH79c2d1osZopcwISD8VASN71YJobE5ya9tx8KQImyMcMoR2UDIytY_Wpe5TH=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><p>Dovekie! Dovekies have been seen in large numbers further north but on the 3rd, I picked up the first for this year in New Hanover County. Since then the numbers have been growing steadily. Next post I will describe a Dovekie Invasion. On the 3rd, I had 2 on the water and one on the beach.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaCVGRu5VIhR7K2fZXov-2JjFoO0od3xEYeCpNlqqdlLgLEvPmdZQ136F-G39sd-43YCr8y3BZdfJOZVddt7lGUkaJ73WTbmKCtZibhmJkuPoWh-iGEPy0j5MvyN4CN6pOSFYDXxMbNtZciLGMP2sGRwWjXqWM4LQtq3L_3H-DJjandptXjJ5myceEnG8H" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2044" data-original-width="3227" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaCVGRu5VIhR7K2fZXov-2JjFoO0od3xEYeCpNlqqdlLgLEvPmdZQ136F-G39sd-43YCr8y3BZdfJOZVddt7lGUkaJ73WTbmKCtZibhmJkuPoWh-iGEPy0j5MvyN4CN6pOSFYDXxMbNtZciLGMP2sGRwWjXqWM4LQtq3L_3H-DJjandptXjJ5myceEnG8H=w640-h406" width="640" /></a></div><p>Lesser Black-backed Gull</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgM7Zjblo9MHWWO3AQ7DjDgOQNuZEQXmNue8kF5Xe-f1_2WXnaQezni7zl9wfoMrEvlmAw4u0qRd8UI8ni1CHOXYt1poy5AqTHGdpCAi99guBGef9BfVhlaoPTft0e5dIBmd82wL8HbOLPhN4X3iHna2bvPHD1N_oYEbEy62bZZtxdkMHyM4oHvpyirUyX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgM7Zjblo9MHWWO3AQ7DjDgOQNuZEQXmNue8kF5Xe-f1_2WXnaQezni7zl9wfoMrEvlmAw4u0qRd8UI8ni1CHOXYt1poy5AqTHGdpCAi99guBGef9BfVhlaoPTft0e5dIBmd82wL8HbOLPhN4X3iHna2bvPHD1N_oYEbEy62bZZtxdkMHyM4oHvpyirUyX=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />I contemplated bringing this cutie to SkyWatch bird rescue but I have heard they don't do well in captivity and to be honest, I generally think nature needs to run its course. This little ball of fat will make a Great Black-backed or Herring Gull very happy. I just hope he was swallowed whole and not poked and prodded.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK4WC92f90YnunRKl8LLot_3tbhqvYIvMakWPYKRn_k1rHPMTOpZH6dVf1ERfTcWFjhD8FThmqrOOoGBZZzRxTvW4R4OAlKmSHFBLJ6tpCxhgOwKCllE1lNvZTgj-AeO6Bf_xrbr2g_QChVNMcijDWlLKmL8e6chehEeFmXMgB_KvdlYcwd6AHVClZt4u9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2863" data-original-width="4299" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK4WC92f90YnunRKl8LLot_3tbhqvYIvMakWPYKRn_k1rHPMTOpZH6dVf1ERfTcWFjhD8FThmqrOOoGBZZzRxTvW4R4OAlKmSHFBLJ6tpCxhgOwKCllE1lNvZTgj-AeO6Bf_xrbr2g_QChVNMcijDWlLKmL8e6chehEeFmXMgB_KvdlYcwd6AHVClZt4u9=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Some Black Skimmers are hanging on at the North end of Wrightsville Beach.<p></p><p>I am picking up so many birds, so hang on for the next installment in a couple of days.</p><p><br /></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-10500558188927959412024-01-04T02:26:00.000-08:002024-01-04T02:26:07.427-08:002024!!! The Possibilities are Endless (01Jan2024)<p>What better way to start the new year than with a new North Carolina lifer. A Harris's Sparrow has been hanging out at one of my favorite birding spots for the past several weeks and Monday was conveniently the first real opportunity I had to chase it. Warren Wilson College is a wonderful farming school teaching sustainable agriculture in Swannanoa, NC. It is adjacent to a regional park which offers easy access and parking. The farm fields are bordered by riparian habitat and hemmed in by mature trees so it is an ideal place to find all kinds of good birds and has hosted quite a few rarities over the years. I drove up Sunday night and stayed in Marion before heading over first thing Monday morning. It was pretty cold with frost blanketing the fields and ice on the puddles from recent rains. It didn't take long for me to find some sparrow flocks near the farm compost heaps.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKqNAmMGVm1IBt2RTF5GL0frlopg0qyTllD2LXDlUU87ck9XOb0O6ULJ4PsIZ-KvDekaT9ubRz1zGrLmsHbACTw1q8AVT4wooMeCGzRqpV6hBqj-F42EchGHM6ctS5uH6abYyr3c5tfa1q3rpNGDP2M6Y_JLDJS3z5Aonf1mk-HbiAA3eea_Ivli_dP4cp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2703" data-original-width="3882" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKqNAmMGVm1IBt2RTF5GL0frlopg0qyTllD2LXDlUU87ck9XOb0O6ULJ4PsIZ-KvDekaT9ubRz1zGrLmsHbACTw1q8AVT4wooMeCGzRqpV6hBqj-F42EchGHM6ctS5uH6abYyr3c5tfa1q3rpNGDP2M6Y_JLDJS3z5Aonf1mk-HbiAA3eea_Ivli_dP4cp=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></div><br />Field Sparrow<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLTleLN6peuAV4ayVBqQUePFZ-hxPRIjkp3UsGzA3hqUfmgIVsbPivBlcICMcQRBWS_LuYXg-rsb26l7mAWfCgJMSplkGalKdh76zpJxR7oknj3DEma9KNuEN_mAe9g7OcWHRH0DCkFeNDoPaQo0QgwK-uLN-FxzAlrSO36ff625CRfvYAUfP-f4dqWaWc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2485" data-original-width="3535" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLTleLN6peuAV4ayVBqQUePFZ-hxPRIjkp3UsGzA3hqUfmgIVsbPivBlcICMcQRBWS_LuYXg-rsb26l7mAWfCgJMSplkGalKdh76zpJxR7oknj3DEma9KNuEN_mAe9g7OcWHRH0DCkFeNDoPaQo0QgwK-uLN-FxzAlrSO36ff625CRfvYAUfP-f4dqWaWc=w640-h450" width="640" /></a></div><br />White-crowned Sparrow <p></p><p>However, I wasn't seeing the Harris's. Several other birders arrived and long story short, someone found the Harris's Sparrow mixed in with a massive flock of 30 plus White-crowned Sparrows feeding in a pig sty.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcy58-xX-ZQxksjvjuvLkRtyeGp29nrZQu0uxJv8nOoVLRyNPwig8N532cxsNx1UtIHUNga0PrDII8LTyLyO9EG0SV3tjDyWP-loJhvE7as4uGyWh6Xw9Rf8JhBv4-QC2q-aN23FT3q4bMdTzlaB4AovB1iy4Gm575dcI61og549ztDL47VPZ0ml3j_Cd0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1829" data-original-width="2541" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcy58-xX-ZQxksjvjuvLkRtyeGp29nrZQu0uxJv8nOoVLRyNPwig8N532cxsNx1UtIHUNga0PrDII8LTyLyO9EG0SV3tjDyWP-loJhvE7as4uGyWh6Xw9Rf8JhBv4-QC2q-aN23FT3q4bMdTzlaB4AovB1iy4Gm575dcI61og549ztDL47VPZ0ml3j_Cd0=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></div><br />Harris's Sparrow are in the Zonotrichia genus which includes White-crowned, White-throated and Golden-crowned sparrows. Most of them are found in the middle of the country. I had my first one in Nebraska on a work trip.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs0vmWtk_zRmK5d2dUNfmRBu4cDxiWBpAh7bJODTc-Oahe7ImrYa7GY0YqypSESGe4iIGxLIgzKNGd9Rod2SCmJiBVW1oFSnW51Vk0wQNMhynSIjo1UW4Ch3J_Guw37HA71m_fq48oYxvoKxNtEl5Spqdg2TaeKLupWrUdfAjCYQlwMocfDrj_Ppkkeg0_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2882" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjs0vmWtk_zRmK5d2dUNfmRBu4cDxiWBpAh7bJODTc-Oahe7ImrYa7GY0YqypSESGe4iIGxLIgzKNGd9Rod2SCmJiBVW1oFSnW51Vk0wQNMhynSIjo1UW4Ch3J_Guw37HA71m_fq48oYxvoKxNtEl5Spqdg2TaeKLupWrUdfAjCYQlwMocfDrj_Ppkkeg0_=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN9eauULdykI3VuaYeemStfot9KjyaTToGMwfdpp2h3AP0xDesmEGCWQ14ZIVh56XyMIpiTeXb87UK9ns5ACvpv2MG0hlApb4dVlIDvNqr03fM74994yb6ip6OR_cb2UaaDNdixilKKoxmJXViCuvt7DGOxyDOMy_XbH5pb3DkgSRzlwi8VpOdf4OpjxR7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="3435" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN9eauULdykI3VuaYeemStfot9KjyaTToGMwfdpp2h3AP0xDesmEGCWQ14ZIVh56XyMIpiTeXb87UK9ns5ACvpv2MG0hlApb4dVlIDvNqr03fM74994yb6ip6OR_cb2UaaDNdixilKKoxmJXViCuvt7DGOxyDOMy_XbH5pb3DkgSRzlwi8VpOdf4OpjxR7=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br />Its a damn good bird for North Carolina although there have been a handful over the years, just not recently.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuMJp6zExT45h19mgfg3tEAyQ3RVjdcqaT2AKEKZiTPN0193x-6Hv0DFeFrxMRgqpXI32UEJqyBCwYxzqpz_rHSLwiw2QnXwRZ42EhiEjXmYH1pb9tESgdFfAYXXEqF7CLKM_YZ3g7BYQ549mtn6rxpwzt0Yq0uDJ4C5jO-VInAEKan5aP953112LDBS4J" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="2694" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuMJp6zExT45h19mgfg3tEAyQ3RVjdcqaT2AKEKZiTPN0193x-6Hv0DFeFrxMRgqpXI32UEJqyBCwYxzqpz_rHSLwiw2QnXwRZ42EhiEjXmYH1pb9tESgdFfAYXXEqF7CLKM_YZ3g7BYQ549mtn6rxpwzt0Yq0uDJ4C5jO-VInAEKan5aP953112LDBS4J=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvzfMuT8vRs2Po_-Z5PBOidjAvLZpjl_Ttu49hqbebQRyiu11-2MrpcGxazkSjVMhtI5Ymx21Ew9ef3qC-FU7FryvzJx_1oDi-_02q2OPusBK0V8PrhHhWWFzxGTDvA1soc_NyPSF-D9ZKNed-7FZm_sPsj1nSz7P7BIoKUJLQJwbFeiiMNbZ-yh16rpe6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3951" data-original-width="5670" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvzfMuT8vRs2Po_-Z5PBOidjAvLZpjl_Ttu49hqbebQRyiu11-2MrpcGxazkSjVMhtI5Ymx21Ew9ef3qC-FU7FryvzJx_1oDi-_02q2OPusBK0V8PrhHhWWFzxGTDvA1soc_NyPSF-D9ZKNed-7FZm_sPsj1nSz7P7BIoKUJLQJwbFeiiMNbZ-yh16rpe6=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This Ring-necked Duck was there to greet me on my way back to the car.</div></div><br />It was shortly before lunch so I still had loads of time to play with. Many folks have been getting amazing pics of Short-eared Owls at Guilford County Farm which was conveniently on my way home relatively speaking, so I headed over. I arrived fairly early after lunch hoping to get some views in broad daylight but quickly found out that the reason other people had been seeing them during the day is that they were deliberately walking the fields and flushing them. I was torn on whether that was acceptable behavior. There is nothing that prevents people from walking the fields legally in this particular spot, but if everyone did it, the birds would eventually be harassed to the point of leaving the area. So I decided to wait for dark instead when the birds would naturally be hunting and easy to see. Perhaps if they continue throughout the winter, I will go back later and try for some daytime shots. <p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihK48xwFJvmpd9oSwCaPbvT11SCaGNGN63AKV1UtqlNYS_kBFDmli6CUdUpE18-2x2XRbzQxYh7r-en7FleGADTR9OKMEtOrM70t_iyHzNHJcdgWv5jYZJ_R4TsXZfXzUz3WMFMhaH46ZA2b26Bhe_d2PrjpDWsyspCzq4eTOw2mRD9Q1k4KplBjKT65it" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3579" data-original-width="4989" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihK48xwFJvmpd9oSwCaPbvT11SCaGNGN63AKV1UtqlNYS_kBFDmli6CUdUpE18-2x2XRbzQxYh7r-en7FleGADTR9OKMEtOrM70t_iyHzNHJcdgWv5jYZJ_R4TsXZfXzUz3WMFMhaH46ZA2b26Bhe_d2PrjpDWsyspCzq4eTOw2mRD9Q1k4KplBjKT65it=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></p><p>Eastern Bluebird at Guilford County Farm.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX2FwTMdfBYZYTVaJpLuMTigy5BsnSyFZwL3zDpZpbiNU5K-wTz9eV2WzZuw5yFyDFM3Es-OY-LX7MiQuOpPDhMX6YdvNZRPpbjfvXYxbzjSspxVM9fzRfl4Tdt9SGlsGY4rCyrI2EezPm7VUgHw72M9uS33kCS6eU3gvbmDvrLR3O2SqQ55E_AwltcRpB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2643" data-original-width="3552" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX2FwTMdfBYZYTVaJpLuMTigy5BsnSyFZwL3zDpZpbiNU5K-wTz9eV2WzZuw5yFyDFM3Es-OY-LX7MiQuOpPDhMX6YdvNZRPpbjfvXYxbzjSspxVM9fzRfl4Tdt9SGlsGY4rCyrI2EezPm7VUgHw72M9uS33kCS6eU3gvbmDvrLR3O2SqQ55E_AwltcRpB=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></div><br />Song Sparrow<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuGnL050zbLpIvw5XOPz8Eug1aMte57BlW0x-563IYPsSy1cxOK2N0Ne5OIesyWGXHVv0PeL_sVFL4jdox_YD1JvIo2EqDigMsdMC9lDA1vpUu51M7aqylmHNxhl46Hn3BCXJvgS0NKBvSIcnkDz8La4_j5uAA_4KM2f4pXGwnxvVe8OlzUdEr_TC8BnkR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3163" data-original-width="4377" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuGnL050zbLpIvw5XOPz8Eug1aMte57BlW0x-563IYPsSy1cxOK2N0Ne5OIesyWGXHVv0PeL_sVFL4jdox_YD1JvIo2EqDigMsdMC9lDA1vpUu51M7aqylmHNxhl46Hn3BCXJvgS0NKBvSIcnkDz8La4_j5uAA_4KM2f4pXGwnxvVe8OlzUdEr_TC8BnkR=w640-h462" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2WOhk5_KGmUhyYNBPgMIKkPbJvp1M2uhFylc_8_9q7yDIxAy4RnWdmFr8DcFKJC82zYJB2V8ItwZmsExt4QA5xGMdpS4LkRP5lrAMebFifyouCGC4HAGIcIuXfZeQ9-NfxWrTyc4NVR8Ffzf98phk2z7gLg_r7fJ9w-3nTpSaK_N-dB65F_KYfSqFhHyX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2WOhk5_KGmUhyYNBPgMIKkPbJvp1M2uhFylc_8_9q7yDIxAy4RnWdmFr8DcFKJC82zYJB2V8ItwZmsExt4QA5xGMdpS4LkRP5lrAMebFifyouCGC4HAGIcIuXfZeQ9-NfxWrTyc4NVR8Ffzf98phk2z7gLg_r7fJ9w-3nTpSaK_N-dB65F_KYfSqFhHyX=w640-h426" width="640" /></a><p></p><p>American Robin </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXyJKFjr2oE5Jgoy1qamY-QiAGdM25fhjt14_LEJCOHRQZhhMBX-JkJDTNPYjS0_NzVgvjsLKQSvlDdU5hTgJSbjmNwxulkBQsDwXnnGUtsdEJhG-l7SVoNtWd_mX0KkMwqtUcntv38NR_OykqYtuPBPnUQaCvieoj5SkC9JigP65xgivQoFpqTuoQE--s" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2431" data-original-width="3670" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXyJKFjr2oE5Jgoy1qamY-QiAGdM25fhjt14_LEJCOHRQZhhMBX-JkJDTNPYjS0_NzVgvjsLKQSvlDdU5hTgJSbjmNwxulkBQsDwXnnGUtsdEJhG-l7SVoNtWd_mX0KkMwqtUcntv38NR_OykqYtuPBPnUQaCvieoj5SkC9JigP65xgivQoFpqTuoQE--s=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />Another White-crowned Sparrow<p></p><p>Finally around 5:30pm well after sunset but before total darkness, the Short-eared Owls put on a show flying their moth-like erratic but graceful dance over the fields. Alas, it was too dark for photographs.</p><p>Not a bad way to open up the new year!</p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-22925167985668160982024-01-03T04:12:00.000-08:002024-01-03T04:12:25.440-08:00Christmas Bird Counts (29-31Dec2023)<p>After getting back from Eleuthera, Sam C called and asked if I wanted in for a small trip into Landfall which is a gated community in New Hanover County near the beach. There was an Eurasian Wigeon reported and I don't have one for my county life list so I was in!</p><p>It didn't take long to find it as the lake is small, and after some initial hoorays Sam said, "hmm looks like it was some green behind the eye."</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFpDiFkxa6J9_7x-3YeeRsACytNUDYfF68XiSqT3VSpKM8j6ImuH2kYIeCazh1vXPcHFowric4lAJOFsKTfvVuClGPqLLoEVEMrNxR54bzmJN3ydHfYvo_i7qoDdZFRIMRQCytkRVHvlEFK51ViEAMSvJI9ziXSvCJuQGgRRioNmL27jCrMlGl5W361MmY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2631" data-original-width="4169" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFpDiFkxa6J9_7x-3YeeRsACytNUDYfF68XiSqT3VSpKM8j6ImuH2kYIeCazh1vXPcHFowric4lAJOFsKTfvVuClGPqLLoEVEMrNxR54bzmJN3ydHfYvo_i7qoDdZFRIMRQCytkRVHvlEFK51ViEAMSvJI9ziXSvCJuQGgRRioNmL27jCrMlGl5W361MmY=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eurasian Wigeon - we scrutinized this for a while thinking but not saying the dreaded H Word (Hybrid) and I did a quick Google search. Apparently there is quit a bit of literature on this anomaly in what is otherwise a pure Eurasian Wigeon including plenty examples from Europe. Some speculate hybridization but most recognize these birds as pure Eurasian based on on all the other marks which don't show any hybrid traits, such as the clean flanks and and creamy crown.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisQDO9_isfs2Wyzpbe1Z02f_oMVX_lxnfTlzHHwM_cwmUfkCU_SBQVU3btvGTM2ICxF5r8RBqIpqL1RYZL65Un5rc4cXXSzjvFb61fuzyvIYXaEke1Mubsoof2zzjc6OAJIvum_Q0KMGvYt12aEpNfjuFsQPwfUC7pKdajXfVFvHRvStB6d2t0sbikVfUR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2572" data-original-width="4192" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisQDO9_isfs2Wyzpbe1Z02f_oMVX_lxnfTlzHHwM_cwmUfkCU_SBQVU3btvGTM2ICxF5r8RBqIpqL1RYZL65Un5rc4cXXSzjvFb61fuzyvIYXaEke1Mubsoof2zzjc6OAJIvum_Q0KMGvYt12aEpNfjuFsQPwfUC7pKdajXfVFvHRvStB6d2t0sbikVfUR=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></div><p>When we repositioned ourselves on the east end of the lake with the sun behind us, we couldn't reproduce the green spot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYmSloTwmgRv0Yuhx-cZfhsTBlPcF-c2hMOq6RMhYx9eB5oIaaVxVruFESodsRC0YBoxGvyT6e-PQQ8nVEBJVlfPuQ2Ug-we82hWvVdSgVql0n9h19pRR1eKqiJG65SVS34id8g8REXvB_NftDdBCOoHVHe1iF9r1d8iS3QFVTf_sDuyKBVkWRGDt3rMZH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="3701" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYmSloTwmgRv0Yuhx-cZfhsTBlPcF-c2hMOq6RMhYx9eB5oIaaVxVruFESodsRC0YBoxGvyT6e-PQQ8nVEBJVlfPuQ2Ug-we82hWvVdSgVql0n9h19pRR1eKqiJG65SVS34id8g8REXvB_NftDdBCOoHVHe1iF9r1d8iS3QFVTf_sDuyKBVkWRGDt3rMZH=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br />I posted the pics to the Advanced Bird ID Facebook Page and the consensus was pure Eurasian Wigeon. Hooray!<p></p><p>Saturday and Sunday were slated for the New Hanover and Brunswick County Christmas Bird counts respectively.</p><p>For New Hanover, I was assigned Ashley High School and all the area between there and the River Lights community to the north. Ashley HS is a hotspot in Wilmington and is home to a very productive little retention pond. I arrived shortly after first light and the geese flocks started to come in around 8am.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrQQ79IYr4eR8YTmhZe_07Yk6RksH0BNfGJVmnURU5ArREfEQ9K2dYVDT-JkiFYg8bvE96EWG3Le7n8mOB3Jnrh0FV1mqRDmxCAMgqlGiHqoI0LdVQAm_mrguU0mNTNUOAcrIbE-Gs81rax1zbvu8DWcp-ZksAq87Up1vV5rtxGsZIe3QTfpYKbuxMwROy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2588" data-original-width="3728" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrQQ79IYr4eR8YTmhZe_07Yk6RksH0BNfGJVmnURU5ArREfEQ9K2dYVDT-JkiFYg8bvE96EWG3Le7n8mOB3Jnrh0FV1mqRDmxCAMgqlGiHqoI0LdVQAm_mrguU0mNTNUOAcrIbE-Gs81rax1zbvu8DWcp-ZksAq87Up1vV5rtxGsZIe3QTfpYKbuxMwROy=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></div><br />Snow Goose<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOzBr-NJbcPzcZGMRoc3u8Qd4xbQETlwn5yKWxPQwW_DRbSnHRDCWjQdr1uQlGkSApdjLGdo18jX4WAt4-wdYU4feQuxJa1TjbQaeBaq6UgPoKls_nmhGcXNy6ka2HoJugTLokAMQMRAZKQGSrfsPXJcljLtlo-P_iHKBmZv2tyXr0TcN70s2KqR1-ypUa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3243" data-original-width="5306" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOzBr-NJbcPzcZGMRoc3u8Qd4xbQETlwn5yKWxPQwW_DRbSnHRDCWjQdr1uQlGkSApdjLGdo18jX4WAt4-wdYU4feQuxJa1TjbQaeBaq6UgPoKls_nmhGcXNy6ka2HoJugTLokAMQMRAZKQGSrfsPXJcljLtlo-P_iHKBmZv2tyXr0TcN70s2KqR1-ypUa=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></div><br />Snow Geese - A white and "blue" phase has been coming here off and on for several weeks.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfjW0LKAnnd9I-B1Azpa_DLDRz4gNTW0Jg0UQenfvdmlxgAZb5EFLRnH_YiSxAVxVB6LM9Yxg9bgxArsoKZsKrPbBenxlpzKU1Sw549B3QpVik_Jdh5-Ey4VZo8dkElQe41n3a4J3zcPYz6HRd2cYa2YgKrAp488NgyvGgROwPYwF7JnopE_KGT5KBCTu-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2460" data-original-width="3349" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfjW0LKAnnd9I-B1Azpa_DLDRz4gNTW0Jg0UQenfvdmlxgAZb5EFLRnH_YiSxAVxVB6LM9Yxg9bgxArsoKZsKrPbBenxlpzKU1Sw549B3QpVik_Jdh5-Ey4VZo8dkElQe41n3a4J3zcPYz6HRd2cYa2YgKrAp488NgyvGgROwPYwF7JnopE_KGT5KBCTu-=w640-h470" width="640" /></a></div><br />This pond always has tons of Gadwalls which are one of our most handsome ducks.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzFo6nT_9Ggk8ECO3vOUuTvlxloS0ma5b18s7gn5ZDiwVQYDpoJLTvz1uvi4h-WM1wxOjvdQ9HJYbwvGIwilFj9EzoMKOzQzqUlcwPWTsYAi7nxD0fAMmoPYu5G8408oxOywN7r5ABE0TIw8_6PLeZ8OzHDNMC2pP1VlPP-XeXPW_MKVaQOshVG2SqmZN1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzFo6nT_9Ggk8ECO3vOUuTvlxloS0ma5b18s7gn5ZDiwVQYDpoJLTvz1uvi4h-WM1wxOjvdQ9HJYbwvGIwilFj9EzoMKOzQzqUlcwPWTsYAi7nxD0fAMmoPYu5G8408oxOywN7r5ABE0TIw8_6PLeZ8OzHDNMC2pP1VlPP-XeXPW_MKVaQOshVG2SqmZN1" width="640" /></a></div><br />But this Greater White-fronted Goose has been the star of the show at Ashley for several weeks now. Generally these are regular rare birds in North Carolina but usually they are seen at a great distance. The hunters call them Specklebellies.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJfbJea_DkP7xs59dfPDAkjzHHAEDh0rKMe21pCcMGvHtr49g648KSM735AXVQfps7pTP3y2tNJPD0uceiKjTbZ0An1w33DIBs-_wHwPkq-szIDkNFtVC_aNVMvDROQS8LdbcliWFxfjxOh_uLIh-1Ge0J7z08Y12QPmObTRqGjik-Y2YDMZ66T8OYB1JJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJfbJea_DkP7xs59dfPDAkjzHHAEDh0rKMe21pCcMGvHtr49g648KSM735AXVQfps7pTP3y2tNJPD0uceiKjTbZ0An1w33DIBs-_wHwPkq-szIDkNFtVC_aNVMvDROQS8LdbcliWFxfjxOh_uLIh-1Ge0J7z08Y12QPmObTRqGjik-Y2YDMZ66T8OYB1JJ" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsFVaKeXXUJoAEI6ETZgZ8iyt7ZnVKeILbJwf8nhgy8Qe6VtvFk7eEMYkP3YhGcHAWOzD_pVZDp4imyXc5PAiu8L-cCj98hefIx8k023YNqe3ar3j78Q6NZjkCcmeY8WxmZ3UrqC_3NuVd1u50-Td5JutNn8257A3ZHLSbYpYLTlW8pH5BQOOmNNcaWhp_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3551" data-original-width="5025" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsFVaKeXXUJoAEI6ETZgZ8iyt7ZnVKeILbJwf8nhgy8Qe6VtvFk7eEMYkP3YhGcHAWOzD_pVZDp4imyXc5PAiu8L-cCj98hefIx8k023YNqe3ar3j78Q6NZjkCcmeY8WxmZ3UrqC_3NuVd1u50-Td5JutNn8257A3ZHLSbYpYLTlW8pH5BQOOmNNcaWhp_=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eastern Bluebirds are always a crowd pleaser.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy-35bL2g5nl5fJf7onBLRbHgSWtiz3NbV-rd96Ynw4SHL4JDIgbEopP2bp18g2H4c5_jlCyS-HshB-o5zyip3zTzPAAegQrPvhwJRhX0AHDlHWOXeYR_umm3PZLkkBp3f7GJuIivqG23oEeV5pQAUE4AMxvXwUiKRjbC4nrs5g-_Gb2VSVDVIYEU511OX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy-35bL2g5nl5fJf7onBLRbHgSWtiz3NbV-rd96Ynw4SHL4JDIgbEopP2bp18g2H4c5_jlCyS-HshB-o5zyip3zTzPAAegQrPvhwJRhX0AHDlHWOXeYR_umm3PZLkkBp3f7GJuIivqG23oEeV5pQAUE4AMxvXwUiKRjbC4nrs5g-_Gb2VSVDVIYEU511OX=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Pine Warblers can come in all different plumage variations but they are easy to ID when all yellow like this.<p></p><p>I searched hard and long for the Loggerhead Shrike that usually graces this spot to no avail. So I moved on to the Cape Fear River Park. This little pocket park used to be a gem as it was bordered to the south by some sandy scrub that sparrows and other passerines loved. Unfortunately in the name of "progress" it has all been developed into row homes.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkTWNjwwcaR2H2XvZkQ-JDb5iBOwpoyvhojWLlaALxRH-ItMCxJCNzeRZjGQ3MROZFgo5Cs8koHw7PbOPHGizEEjb0cuv5-FXHLNrj1ocjxm7mDmrVm952oa161FQ6ukt9dg4PbcPF6IAOHxhdni5uP0-D7aot52M-CMRqsll8vePjCptrMFwW5gMTqUyH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1693" data-original-width="2457" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkTWNjwwcaR2H2XvZkQ-JDb5iBOwpoyvhojWLlaALxRH-ItMCxJCNzeRZjGQ3MROZFgo5Cs8koHw7PbOPHGizEEjb0cuv5-FXHLNrj1ocjxm7mDmrVm952oa161FQ6ukt9dg4PbcPF6IAOHxhdni5uP0-D7aot52M-CMRqsll8vePjCptrMFwW5gMTqUyH=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><br />American Goldfinch<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqikeP0lJbo8jCyH1PX8bHSaGJoW9-lwdsb5yXiA8y-L5khX-21zId-lQ7Xt3SEFFv2OOq7Og1TleLqyyuYqS69B7ixQhDEN1IBYoYOPrrEcfre7sV868vM50EUWe7rWk_LUxb9aHErSI-9YHsxxiTS3lD3_Sv31jXj45_XJfSjVRk0ryITN0m1OhEFftH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2547" data-original-width="3807" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqikeP0lJbo8jCyH1PX8bHSaGJoW9-lwdsb5yXiA8y-L5khX-21zId-lQ7Xt3SEFFv2OOq7Og1TleLqyyuYqS69B7ixQhDEN1IBYoYOPrrEcfre7sV868vM50EUWe7rWk_LUxb9aHErSI-9YHsxxiTS3lD3_Sv31jXj45_XJfSjVRk0ryITN0m1OhEFftH=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eastern Bluebirds love Red Cedar berries this time of year when insects are scarce.<p></p><p>Next stop was the River Lights community which can sometimes attract some water birds on the retention ponds strewn throughout the development. I checked all the ponds and couldn't turn up anything interesting, so I parked at the main River Lights business district and hiked my way north. I noticed a long pier jutting into the Cape Fear about half a mile north that had a bunch of gulls so I headed in that direction. It turns out that the pier is part of an old abandoned marina called Watermark Marina and the birds have taken it over in the absence of humans. I loved abandoned facilities for the post apocalyptic feel. It makes me feel like I am in some wasteland and I have to survive on my own.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjjiOcXszrcx0uBOc9ExhmqRgS31foCgK7sB0TE5hcvboFtWT93P13po31TJQOmk8Bkrk-EFIJ7e3EOGJIjO8CP9SKWakgVMwPjEG0OuwXwb3jTC5mLi0UaZWqrFeyxfmf_gJfhva24FAhnV_kLFKo1DwwylBAQTrzT3g8pW7xDg-dmRHUbYrRC5JRS14J" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjjiOcXszrcx0uBOc9ExhmqRgS31foCgK7sB0TE5hcvboFtWT93P13po31TJQOmk8Bkrk-EFIJ7e3EOGJIjO8CP9SKWakgVMwPjEG0OuwXwb3jTC5mLi0UaZWqrFeyxfmf_gJfhva24FAhnV_kLFKo1DwwylBAQTrzT3g8pW7xDg-dmRHUbYrRC5JRS14J=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I was a little surprised to find that most of the gulls were Bonaparte's Gulls. I will have to check this pier more often.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2PsOGD9zz9clzpKB-TMmcur1bmRDa-dLwVOunvJpvfrY3yLnVxP6QWTeMBnhacKx5ZtjKsP3Yoluxu3TbprJymXbXx8e6QtZOlYo56_6u0Rm19fm8PTlvkV3MzpWlvesKZ_1GQYSpnJY0nAXBE527dvDK1QzPI3BD7I1cs-aJmW3tYZwBmL6evQbWwC-_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2PsOGD9zz9clzpKB-TMmcur1bmRDa-dLwVOunvJpvfrY3yLnVxP6QWTeMBnhacKx5ZtjKsP3Yoluxu3TbprJymXbXx8e6QtZOlYo56_6u0Rm19fm8PTlvkV3MzpWlvesKZ_1GQYSpnJY0nAXBE527dvDK1QzPI3BD7I1cs-aJmW3tYZwBmL6evQbWwC-_=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Christmas Bird Counts are fun because they force you to check spots that you ordinarily wouldn't. For example, I was heading down the busy road south of the marina and saw some woods on the side that looked promising for passerines. It wasn't posted, but it did look like it was private land owned by some utility. I jumped into the woods and came out on a power line cut that did have some birds.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWH4Cx5kGG7HtjPbV5jVvOZdzMKhQkyPL6bXHvhSaaZWaicKmYejA0qSVxmc7FO07A8JMVPmrq5KPW7XepmPJrgSZjWbN-BKyNip9rWIiFo6BFcXF6TKtYxPVDemMsud3sg126Ivi58R_XGMpNzEPLXwlpobodYy4ZFhnt3Z_Y8TYMOk9vcNq8K4p9ZTnt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWH4Cx5kGG7HtjPbV5jVvOZdzMKhQkyPL6bXHvhSaaZWaicKmYejA0qSVxmc7FO07A8JMVPmrq5KPW7XepmPJrgSZjWbN-BKyNip9rWIiFo6BFcXF6TKtYxPVDemMsud3sg126Ivi58R_XGMpNzEPLXwlpobodYy4ZFhnt3Z_Y8TYMOk9vcNq8K4p9ZTnt" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Orange-crowned Warbler.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkwYphYj7VaWs8LBBeLIc2_7OIv7emJEcxeo186cmUwrETwy8KbFmDm8Cqht_lkSqi9caHTM7Yg-B3jP_bkzZfyEYBdM1FOAZOpy8xKDRK-pLkGvb0MNzY2EMdKto9SFQyz3cSpKjrE03WT1DvICEG6A72lP2B3NtnXrrSP8BGt9JI2iR5w8YLBhM16RNZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkwYphYj7VaWs8LBBeLIc2_7OIv7emJEcxeo186cmUwrETwy8KbFmDm8Cqht_lkSqi9caHTM7Yg-B3jP_bkzZfyEYBdM1FOAZOpy8xKDRK-pLkGvb0MNzY2EMdKto9SFQyz3cSpKjrE03WT1DvICEG6A72lP2B3NtnXrrSP8BGt9JI2iR5w8YLBhM16RNZ" width="640" /></a></div><br />Gray Catbird<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCJ0fB2pw5Y2cKukSWC6JXsSrELSf68LfZMEiF6EC7zoCE5ZWD61iWh-b_6S8aGVKZIUQ2EK79MiyjHWz3GBraNpcWLTD8HmjGqPoPn9H3Fo3SI5Bf8ahAx8d-IYJmwvBHezKy_zaezBddbcz0bT51GdOK31LFMb4Abwh8C5txECNUHQy51x35G9Y8WYce" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3564" data-original-width="5129" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCJ0fB2pw5Y2cKukSWC6JXsSrELSf68LfZMEiF6EC7zoCE5ZWD61iWh-b_6S8aGVKZIUQ2EK79MiyjHWz3GBraNpcWLTD8HmjGqPoPn9H3Fo3SI5Bf8ahAx8d-IYJmwvBHezKy_zaezBddbcz0bT51GdOK31LFMb4Abwh8C5txECNUHQy51x35G9Y8WYce" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eastern Towhee<p></p><p>On Sunday, we had the Brunswick county circle to complete and I was assigned to hang out with Greg and Harry on the spit which is not really an assignment as much as a good time. But first I stopped at the monument to pick up the Lark Sparrow that has been hanging out next to the parking lot.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeAnnemRNSOM9TnsrBWtfKTW8-xSX5XAnYRz1z71CkGInH72-Dl-cAVttjredpeuS2PbKXp0JTpHr2eaMiF8uEfF4ZwOWSJGrXsnk3RvmnXTnxkjtFE1DUeDFNeI6t5JxMAdCg2MCSuQU_yTzEK9FpSwA4vA16UAJUL4uJBJ-Ie_k8AJtj3i94MZ0rmK29" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2417" data-original-width="3521" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeAnnemRNSOM9TnsrBWtfKTW8-xSX5XAnYRz1z71CkGInH72-Dl-cAVttjredpeuS2PbKXp0JTpHr2eaMiF8uEfF4ZwOWSJGrXsnk3RvmnXTnxkjtFE1DUeDFNeI6t5JxMAdCg2MCSuQU_yTzEK9FpSwA4vA16UAJUL4uJBJ-Ie_k8AJtj3i94MZ0rmK29=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><br />Lark Sparrow - while I was looking at this stunner, Ron C the compiler of the count showed up. It was good to see an old familiar face. He is heading to Antarctica soon so I shared some of my experiences with him.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhll_sFkIFgY-B_c7nxKz1qaJjuQOkj9A8vhTQEJVolI0QqqCP1EvIBET1zKfEaNGMw5jWLYBzgk2bKDkIHyDYUepYsTV-TlJl8Y4qmOw7nRB7bQiB7k9-5scXJKHzqMswqPuZ2-RDMHNpEBkJxZY5VkJukxGwgXAVESVKFX-D_JTlftF3RKqs1DCIa3VTA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhll_sFkIFgY-B_c7nxKz1qaJjuQOkj9A8vhTQEJVolI0QqqCP1EvIBET1zKfEaNGMw5jWLYBzgk2bKDkIHyDYUepYsTV-TlJl8Y4qmOw7nRB7bQiB7k9-5scXJKHzqMswqPuZ2-RDMHNpEBkJxZY5VkJukxGwgXAVESVKFX-D_JTlftF3RKqs1DCIa3VTA=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ruby-crowned Kinglet<p></p><p>Harry kindly offered to drive out on the spit and we headed out to find some shore birds. The Fort Fisher Spit is the stretch of beach directly east of all the mudflats in the Basin which is just north of Zeke's Island. During high tide, all the birds that feed in the mudflats head to higher ground to wait out the tide. The numbers of shorebirds that aggregate here on the beach during high tide are massive.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjR-4X0FTTCChDRaHd-af0J5wADnRd1AcdBema56V3KKz1A0euHozOsFCDKPPQ2KOJBS7agz87Yx84_yi1OluVAxn4KX1WxLYqrhb_mxyjQHyIQZIwnq4k2Zy5XJUA3KsUcqAgnQLlaA66ZkJb-e2JQdHcC_TDmQi7wcA0hhsXgAvxeguAv-7NfRdpziB_b" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjR-4X0FTTCChDRaHd-af0J5wADnRd1AcdBema56V3KKz1A0euHozOsFCDKPPQ2KOJBS7agz87Yx84_yi1OluVAxn4KX1WxLYqrhb_mxyjQHyIQZIwnq4k2Zy5XJUA3KsUcqAgnQLlaA66ZkJb-e2JQdHcC_TDmQi7wcA0hhsXgAvxeguAv-7NfRdpziB_b" width="640" /></a></div><br />I couldn't believe how many Least Sandpipers we found. Over 300! Usually Dunlins and Western Sandpipers outnumber the Leasts by 10 times, but this time the numbers were basically even.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_1bt76O7_6Sd1M5DhkKE6kkims56xQSozGEmI4GWxEV1X20ivgqAqCmqbnipf8QXn6j5C80X0XrqBEdF9n9lnESiukMYo5QFhU1ncPJmIlQr1HyN3JthMefTr8yyV_nS-9YmGApc10peZ7j2brx9jiZ6Tgp_vF5aY-vFwbIRccprH_jLoyyE-7WfLYypE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_1bt76O7_6Sd1M5DhkKE6kkims56xQSozGEmI4GWxEV1X20ivgqAqCmqbnipf8QXn6j5C80X0XrqBEdF9n9lnESiukMYo5QFhU1ncPJmIlQr1HyN3JthMefTr8yyV_nS-9YmGApc10peZ7j2brx9jiZ6Tgp_vF5aY-vFwbIRccprH_jLoyyE-7WfLYypE" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Red Knots are always a good bird to find in the winter so were were pleased as punch to find this one.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-NJkNxJmwL1YK8YHu07Ui5CTOjKa_AXHyuRjHTs0pZgQkF84jQIZLXtVxotH0IUklr5Jx31WoyjzYNiszDuTvk1ZuiojHGS4G1GC19HGCDU4s99dtyeoUWCFxqEoZCf1iGqBV5UZ3_xGDhVqIWjv3R94AJn5K86IaTgCDK5fZDacFRGJ3kjLP63hm_zh9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3069" data-original-width="5345" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-NJkNxJmwL1YK8YHu07Ui5CTOjKa_AXHyuRjHTs0pZgQkF84jQIZLXtVxotH0IUklr5Jx31WoyjzYNiszDuTvk1ZuiojHGS4G1GC19HGCDU4s99dtyeoUWCFxqEoZCf1iGqBV5UZ3_xGDhVqIWjv3R94AJn5K86IaTgCDK5fZDacFRGJ3kjLP63hm_zh9=w640-h368" width="640" /></a></div><br />Western Sandpipers basically look like mini Dunlins.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSHUlJt9EiCFaExWQWpKaSp0AB_ReIb6Y2rUhxfz1Hp13Yfpywr0h7AKPyg5-S8K4eRvNVl2ff-oA-LBLRQfwvXPQLmlBdaNW5-Ss0edNDill6CJEDEQStNfw6KDkUQiW-Bl8vOUCmKuwcEOHv0KR_hoXu7Jskq1_MsclmYEDUB_iQj3ekfp0Vj9qG9_nV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSHUlJt9EiCFaExWQWpKaSp0AB_ReIb6Y2rUhxfz1Hp13Yfpywr0h7AKPyg5-S8K4eRvNVl2ff-oA-LBLRQfwvXPQLmlBdaNW5-Ss0edNDill6CJEDEQStNfw6KDkUQiW-Bl8vOUCmKuwcEOHv0KR_hoXu7Jskq1_MsclmYEDUB_iQj3ekfp0Vj9qG9_nV" width="640" /></a></div><br />Semipalmated Plovers need to be scrutinized for potential Ringed Plovers.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgguCjU4lHp-v5aSOA1jMTGX-3BVhKz7pKhHmd7ZQgVfIwnWPHkgCp-t96bDwo7O0j2Oc-AARzhjcfvFw8zXRY23paljDM99KFjW8nLHAwPeS3QUrZUkgTYSmSLpQ1vv7CbJFN10vuS80fJsJITDIKr4aPr9qPSMWjL_xPrumqbZK6lKDkp9iYQId2dm6Eb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgguCjU4lHp-v5aSOA1jMTGX-3BVhKz7pKhHmd7ZQgVfIwnWPHkgCp-t96bDwo7O0j2Oc-AARzhjcfvFw8zXRY23paljDM99KFjW8nLHAwPeS3QUrZUkgTYSmSLpQ1vv7CbJFN10vuS80fJsJITDIKr4aPr9qPSMWjL_xPrumqbZK6lKDkp9iYQId2dm6Eb" width="640" /></a></div><br />Dunlins are pretty nondescript this time of year.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWmBNdAQPnDD2tKdxhTubokOU-wL1VHj-aUWxv0h8cYa4d0ocAQGZOKH8CjYyOJbAshtRLNI_E4VDuV1hhAWaFoOpdOkCvKOEu_z0osfRNZ1XlWpv9B45NkJ-AyNLWGIjDWRfr0NXJvSiyp5SEDIpKMopPBN-doizarc4XYVsHq-Qj3baaGbUWcuaX7H0f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWmBNdAQPnDD2tKdxhTubokOU-wL1VHj-aUWxv0h8cYa4d0ocAQGZOKH8CjYyOJbAshtRLNI_E4VDuV1hhAWaFoOpdOkCvKOEu_z0osfRNZ1XlWpv9B45NkJ-AyNLWGIjDWRfr0NXJvSiyp5SEDIpKMopPBN-doizarc4XYVsHq-Qj3baaGbUWcuaX7H0f=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Greg swears that he heard Long-billed Dowitcher calls in the flock but I couldn't make one out visually that would be a slam dunk. This one had tail bars that were more black than white but otherwise the bill looked marginal.<p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh94gMu0f-wJEjY4TfklL_XrttVGiBdLgeTE9y7rf3VGt1mMciH2-FUyKivBH5nIkBRDWLCJmbwT-mKGo47E5Jb2YvT2ibIKw1U0Kz1rc8THtL0S89ALJfgeIWf1G6mPmIvel_d-qAOHw8hBsUWR1F4sr0dCA_fUWICcQAuxKCYH8fpATInoQbvLveW9ZJW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh94gMu0f-wJEjY4TfklL_XrttVGiBdLgeTE9y7rf3VGt1mMciH2-FUyKivBH5nIkBRDWLCJmbwT-mKGo47E5Jb2YvT2ibIKw1U0Kz1rc8THtL0S89ALJfgeIWf1G6mPmIvel_d-qAOHw8hBsUWR1F4sr0dCA_fUWICcQAuxKCYH8fpATInoQbvLveW9ZJW=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></p><p>Periodically a fisherman would drive through the birds while we were counting and we had to start all over again which was tough because I only have 10 fingers and 10 toes.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA1Ccx34kZfnSxDAA0aYJHvGXo82TAW4KcHd9O4vaq_bO1dj7hRd6r2MLSGUqz2vFMrPkLPDfin_CqW_i-X150Mqa1YPso7Xre8x_xzqz3Kq5TRyB4Q404YJScVK-o8vtxhsYQhJZYIJ7UCC8KjO6-cDyKI1LfOqiFY699bY-UkrhfN-Krf1VEJGkyJVF6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2752" data-original-width="4333" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA1Ccx34kZfnSxDAA0aYJHvGXo82TAW4KcHd9O4vaq_bO1dj7hRd6r2MLSGUqz2vFMrPkLPDfin_CqW_i-X150Mqa1YPso7Xre8x_xzqz3Kq5TRyB4Q404YJScVK-o8vtxhsYQhJZYIJ7UCC8KjO6-cDyKI1LfOqiFY699bY-UkrhfN-Krf1VEJGkyJVF6" width="640" /></a></div><br />We tried for Marsh and Sedge Wrens and found one of the former but only the Yellow-rumped Warblers posed for pics.<p></p><p>Sometimes I like to post a year in review but I think I will skip it this year and my next post will be starting out the New Year with a bang.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-26549740467453675462023-12-28T11:54:00.000-08:002023-12-28T11:54:11.516-08:00Holidays in Eleuthera (15-26Dec2023)<p>It's been a couple years since I went to Eleuthera. Not much has changed which is a good thing. However, we did get a little unlucky with the weather. The first 4 days were raining and storming and the next 10 days were very windy and mostly cloudy. We didn't have power for the first 5 days which would be mildly annoying usually, but since the power also pumps the water from the cistern, we didn't have water for several of the days which is a little more than mildly annoying. Overall it was great seeing family and spending some quality time with my immediate family unit.</p><p>Here are some various pics from the area around Old Calypso, which is my father's land.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEkRr90bsi7EnU79HNLgpL1IG1hVIhtkhnQVlUyHMw5hzlt95STj-HXJDMiKwu1cdhShy5fu6YOhn0M5gKCfW2p29IaeMui3Yd90kNtImBf8F3S-DiqderX5l5yS46b-mCjBLHGOq_kpG2BHnn5AwxV0LhDZlzp22km1nCCe_kCkt_vcghILwyjpexeG00" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEkRr90bsi7EnU79HNLgpL1IG1hVIhtkhnQVlUyHMw5hzlt95STj-HXJDMiKwu1cdhShy5fu6YOhn0M5gKCfW2p29IaeMui3Yd90kNtImBf8F3S-DiqderX5l5yS46b-mCjBLHGOq_kpG2BHnn5AwxV0LhDZlzp22km1nCCe_kCkt_vcghILwyjpexeG00" width="640" /></a></div><br />Thick-billed Vireos are the most commonly heard and seen passerines on the property.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkqNIeCtcYueGnSshQMu43Prm7uUSoN2ts3NXwNB4KeXurmdC78qnqYxhNLdAK4q3tVboN5AcUhxvWfqJtm83oxin7Nm2Wf7zjJsQVEqOBy3I2Pr0FTNYZHbbYx6wzoVeA2Yk4pSo77mRy-Vuf1AnBeWxnDVY1iB5cGCNxE9VaRKlVeIpnaM8oW49wf8VS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2908" data-original-width="4219" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkqNIeCtcYueGnSshQMu43Prm7uUSoN2ts3NXwNB4KeXurmdC78qnqYxhNLdAK4q3tVboN5AcUhxvWfqJtm83oxin7Nm2Wf7zjJsQVEqOBy3I2Pr0FTNYZHbbYx6wzoVeA2Yk4pSo77mRy-Vuf1AnBeWxnDVY1iB5cGCNxE9VaRKlVeIpnaM8oW49wf8VS=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Composia fidelissima the Faithful Beauty or Uncle Sam Moth.</span></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisokNU4iLa-0z2jo4sS9nV6j8RIRBq7AITOAhfxXUeMm2vSRDbPtju9d8bLuYvLqUSgQRzrG0LDGbaV0vS4hqseb5dhO6YrVZSawFHX7_0X3K4A3FpmQOU-jP7p88GZ9uMK8-R_o_VfmFKx0Mp3lRq96AXCJp34rIFJHsAUReQ1FLpVdEjNydentyBEY9g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3210" data-original-width="5111" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisokNU4iLa-0z2jo4sS9nV6j8RIRBq7AITOAhfxXUeMm2vSRDbPtju9d8bLuYvLqUSgQRzrG0LDGbaV0vS4hqseb5dhO6YrVZSawFHX7_0X3K4A3FpmQOU-jP7p88GZ9uMK8-R_o_VfmFKx0Mp3lRq96AXCJp34rIFJHsAUReQ1FLpVdEjNydentyBEY9g=w640-h402" width="640" /></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/a/AVvXsEhuHVRAe6qJXQyLetK_qsysEyGwRNbHz2m5urPkrun1zfpvp315MP5UqDaYghPwsiKcUBYL4OCSIvUl5RTXiu-Jf7k6ADNEiagMzq4n1igZuV3dXYBhM-pazl4k0r9mh0llI4MVL0GKmaWFZDawpjv4e3ffFQuIZqAkqc7xzQcUAu6WFQaV6z-E_DJTc5dr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1901" data-original-width="3179" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuHVRAe6qJXQyLetK_qsysEyGwRNbHz2m5urPkrun1zfpvp315MP5UqDaYghPwsiKcUBYL4OCSIvUl5RTXiu-Jf7k6ADNEiagMzq4n1igZuV3dXYBhM-pazl4k0r9mh0llI4MVL0GKmaWFZDawpjv4e3ffFQuIZqAkqc7xzQcUAu6WFQaV6z-E_DJTc5dr=w640-h382" width="640" /></a></div><br />There were a ton of Least Grebes on the ponds this year including many young ones like this one which have white markings on the face.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigg4BdkzsPMOQmWd0nX6qYsdKKKT69AAgJVeiBGKrd0UPSeXy1NRmlGEWgNc7Q-7ySS2QXeNeph-xIKBfHc06hpxeQ5lEuP2HoMQxVAlJlOA1bogG4gZRvQVIZGKDzLqMyWHSd6qlvcaCRLtlUwWWCS3WOr44xxP0Dsfua7uwp0VuwSj44I9Kojfas37vY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigg4BdkzsPMOQmWd0nX6qYsdKKKT69AAgJVeiBGKrd0UPSeXy1NRmlGEWgNc7Q-7ySS2QXeNeph-xIKBfHc06hpxeQ5lEuP2HoMQxVAlJlOA1bogG4gZRvQVIZGKDzLqMyWHSd6qlvcaCRLtlUwWWCS3WOr44xxP0Dsfua7uwp0VuwSj44I9Kojfas37vY=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bahama Woodstar - my father has planted Firecracker plant all over the property and consequently has attracted what seems like half the Eleuthera population of Woodstars.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixi7PF0BlUTl-VI6vxzhL_JW39dLGdp26lOIxtNCFpQTLn1e_O_aiJkq06ZhiYmcWEYDcGCZqDqmZcuC8M6sX5qFpyK1qFM-VIjyl-TVr4FOWJPF7Iz8G__myOMubLmxFuPjL1rKvI1cWmPofaAeYVbuxKJcV11eWvVUN9qcPA39TDD-yhiGDAuiVO7Z6W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3402" data-original-width="4776" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixi7PF0BlUTl-VI6vxzhL_JW39dLGdp26lOIxtNCFpQTLn1e_O_aiJkq06ZhiYmcWEYDcGCZqDqmZcuC8M6sX5qFpyK1qFM-VIjyl-TVr4FOWJPF7Iz8G__myOMubLmxFuPjL1rKvI1cWmPofaAeYVbuxKJcV11eWvVUN9qcPA39TDD-yhiGDAuiVO7Z6W=w640-h456" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2kxfZ5nML5AOTugWfHjLjASZQiEx6P2drshrHAZS0C_zpaRddAkO13P90U1vMwsNBYkV_-p3cEIUdFkYXwzCC9QadkU1nb7PFieoVRpg3CtIfm97MvJgpPt54BAwSb9QtekwtfkGQ7AfZJAEgZOLpc70ZEguorw1qwtLpTT74EXqNoEpmTE6k6wPIpSc2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2753" data-original-width="3886" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2kxfZ5nML5AOTugWfHjLjASZQiEx6P2drshrHAZS0C_zpaRddAkO13P90U1vMwsNBYkV_-p3cEIUdFkYXwzCC9QadkU1nb7PFieoVRpg3CtIfm97MvJgpPt54BAwSb9QtekwtfkGQ7AfZJAEgZOLpc70ZEguorw1qwtLpTT74EXqNoEpmTE6k6wPIpSc2=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><br />I will have to enter this small frog into iNat to see if I can get an ID.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc10BziyBzS9iIkSopt2sn2PmtnmEnH41v0vSY7CMTBp9ewbTOBD3DXnnd5pJ7hMtbsix_kDa62as_Mv-dGRkc2zk7p8TydXnBVtlW7RXtHawmXfCoIg4vT6RFB757KRGxKrTl7jaX7tLl0VkdK1_Zq0g7Tdiu2fmWNIOjLX4NyhlmmMH5PPDZdaBLJzHB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3223" data-original-width="4674" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc10BziyBzS9iIkSopt2sn2PmtnmEnH41v0vSY7CMTBp9ewbTOBD3DXnnd5pJ7hMtbsix_kDa62as_Mv-dGRkc2zk7p8TydXnBVtlW7RXtHawmXfCoIg4vT6RFB757KRGxKrTl7jaX7tLl0VkdK1_Zq0g7Tdiu2fmWNIOjLX4NyhlmmMH5PPDZdaBLJzHB=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><br />White-crowned Pigeons are easier to see in towns where they have grown more bold, but at my father's place they are usually very shy so I was chuffed to get this photo on the property.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlSOB40djTv4prwYAfEZXy2_xyQwR6jNWkwQx8TculSVsA3naZ4IcxDYA56HGYr1TaVABjuv7g-ul0VELoOV3YbSFTRJmfFtLf8hbUrnH9skAEa8rSvDU28mU-qtgVtlOmYvk6ema5rEmIhn6UpE7uVimcnBymByrI2S8FhRxQS6WRr0PxQ4clEPJzoOfn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3693" data-original-width="5372" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlSOB40djTv4prwYAfEZXy2_xyQwR6jNWkwQx8TculSVsA3naZ4IcxDYA56HGYr1TaVABjuv7g-ul0VELoOV3YbSFTRJmfFtLf8hbUrnH9skAEa8rSvDU28mU-qtgVtlOmYvk6ema5rEmIhn6UpE7uVimcnBymByrI2S8FhRxQS6WRr0PxQ4clEPJzoOfn=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><br />This White-eyed Vireo flagged as rare in eBird.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCkO72Jf-K9H0IY32W5HavONEZeOqmj1a0N_hpI779WDGiylaDTLUljsE17sgJimTnmm7ieSwNRVTGj7sJ5FAMH6-XE8Fl5TE6ofonk5WCBAGdV_FBj9eP6j5bzLdkpaAwHBaOEWqSoZUGo9B7lgho4D93KsUSmutry978axkE7DIx3KLDla8nxUuh3SxU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCkO72Jf-K9H0IY32W5HavONEZeOqmj1a0N_hpI779WDGiylaDTLUljsE17sgJimTnmm7ieSwNRVTGj7sJ5FAMH6-XE8Fl5TE6ofonk5WCBAGdV_FBj9eP6j5bzLdkpaAwHBaOEWqSoZUGo9B7lgho4D93KsUSmutry978axkE7DIx3KLDla8nxUuh3SxU" width="640" /></a></div><br />Yellow-crowned Night-herons love the mangroves around the ponds.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEHtcekBBjgQ8R2U22VXbIQUYTOy9AvsoAK6CXvlnDmbbMfAXekw_TXLCSIgXSLU6xuqKsxPy7JWIeyAeHUvrfCopBFdvRFhFP3wLuqEiwU4i3oZGLJRPeBJOsYIlmSoMDMB2_ZyKXlwPlxOcRAvgBabsjDZuADWOXcqAKNFGYND15W56etBhBxph4v6Js" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2904" data-original-width="4229" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEHtcekBBjgQ8R2U22VXbIQUYTOy9AvsoAK6CXvlnDmbbMfAXekw_TXLCSIgXSLU6xuqKsxPy7JWIeyAeHUvrfCopBFdvRFhFP3wLuqEiwU4i3oZGLJRPeBJOsYIlmSoMDMB2_ZyKXlwPlxOcRAvgBabsjDZuADWOXcqAKNFGYND15W56etBhBxph4v6Js=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><br />This American Kestrel murdered a little passerine right in front of my father's house. I think it was an Indigo Bunting.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-_4c70h-Xm90eJaGdCDoKE1NovHtoR55qxGEl-SRc5ENwIsc5LhfrXGTOsvGc-UL8F9XppGsUcVC97JaXMzwG7MWQzLgXkvZvNjUhbm3MbSN5cFCubOD6HF3rbju95QdHfg1zllFuf1HzlVNioFY5kReIMtC_GE2FAIEomcHagqx-mqU-aWBLEBHQBGeL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-_4c70h-Xm90eJaGdCDoKE1NovHtoR55qxGEl-SRc5ENwIsc5LhfrXGTOsvGc-UL8F9XppGsUcVC97JaXMzwG7MWQzLgXkvZvNjUhbm3MbSN5cFCubOD6HF3rbju95QdHfg1zllFuf1HzlVNioFY5kReIMtC_GE2FAIEomcHagqx-mqU-aWBLEBHQBGeL=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>This was the first year where I saw Mangrove Cuckoos on my father's property, and I them frequently.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzvAA7Fc2kuG1PKePEsofA8HW7bOBHfPyqZSZLU_qEDDAcV3EnPhEsghOtUGpEaGNSiEl8dsSmESGikMHWAz5MUi2vjlFUNi0aBY5zEOQpPFKXa2EUZTL5Tu4iJrNiS66kck0h8fXo-eUZeUA_rXNlpJiHOoY2b_YGgpBgzofvGOp5UeAcLP0o4mqK43NV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzvAA7Fc2kuG1PKePEsofA8HW7bOBHfPyqZSZLU_qEDDAcV3EnPhEsghOtUGpEaGNSiEl8dsSmESGikMHWAz5MUi2vjlFUNi0aBY5zEOQpPFKXa2EUZTL5Tu4iJrNiS66kck0h8fXo-eUZeUA_rXNlpJiHOoY2b_YGgpBgzofvGOp5UeAcLP0o4mqK43NV=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBFfZpHsfkAfZmKyd4XrzM5EsmSeWFt1PZ_QqYrPlXwi3OTSTVKmsICqCeLIuida9rphqlbMXLe2_3eRnnVNfl9wUkclkCkHhg0DB0lQTBtEzN1n77vSU3xBvUPtO_4xa7XZbzhODZL2U46uKpf2TtGzyIkRqryrikyEUhFRMf4nz5tQRxnBxHcHfB9ofE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBFfZpHsfkAfZmKyd4XrzM5EsmSeWFt1PZ_QqYrPlXwi3OTSTVKmsICqCeLIuida9rphqlbMXLe2_3eRnnVNfl9wUkclkCkHhg0DB0lQTBtEzN1n77vSU3xBvUPtO_4xa7XZbzhODZL2U46uKpf2TtGzyIkRqryrikyEUhFRMf4nz5tQRxnBxHcHfB9ofE=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-GtQFWb2rwCQnx9UNQcZcJSyRHg_V28P5WmfHzzVDRx8C8M3POSK4in-tp2yp-LkccoEPVOt5YE6ILqEnzKNUB68VA1pVGQgTxBCeKGpLIMvu-TXkyRklby7LqwmpSR3756Tf3YTAA5j97B0ju0skw4pp-tJS0qxB-iXIx_pTPU-rQ-su5NT9_6FWyEy-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2816" data-original-width="4073" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-GtQFWb2rwCQnx9UNQcZcJSyRHg_V28P5WmfHzzVDRx8C8M3POSK4in-tp2yp-LkccoEPVOt5YE6ILqEnzKNUB68VA1pVGQgTxBCeKGpLIMvu-TXkyRklby7LqwmpSR3756Tf3YTAA5j97B0ju0skw4pp-tJS0qxB-iXIx_pTPU-rQ-su5NT9_6FWyEy-=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><br />Common Ground Doves are ... common...<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB-__yxEOgPiVtskn5-SnO1cQWMj321b2Op3v_rDoMJsH6aj7ePpx1anfT7xzM9KEzN_7HlrrYvwmTF6gp3Df8e5P9-kPTYecg8LGfayY7l2z9dArTAajnVxiYdc57xY0wVFnWTCYZ3BbZUW4pQNqMROolJyhAtdDueNXpFCSCBCOzajTMUzMwJyYunxre" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB-__yxEOgPiVtskn5-SnO1cQWMj321b2Op3v_rDoMJsH6aj7ePpx1anfT7xzM9KEzN_7HlrrYvwmTF6gp3Df8e5P9-kPTYecg8LGfayY7l2z9dArTAajnVxiYdc57xY0wVFnWTCYZ3BbZUW4pQNqMROolJyhAtdDueNXpFCSCBCOzajTMUzMwJyYunxre=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Black-faced Grassquits were also very common this year. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfK1FNewJRAIHkdFYk1wm3J6JgwM89OytHQISnW5Qew8wpR5ytOWYQDrZrlgfWZOBTtCO2P1pbgahlmvhfRXBNjpn7mtBd0hZ2spm2oTo0uKRY9Q1TPeKc6dbVbVS0SbDiuL8WpSuIh19Iy3kP8NTXagEGxvfVClAbiT88NBJEattWAeh4Hgqb5QeaP4b1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfK1FNewJRAIHkdFYk1wm3J6JgwM89OytHQISnW5Qew8wpR5ytOWYQDrZrlgfWZOBTtCO2P1pbgahlmvhfRXBNjpn7mtBd0hZ2spm2oTo0uKRY9Q1TPeKc6dbVbVS0SbDiuL8WpSuIh19Iy3kP8NTXagEGxvfVClAbiT88NBJEattWAeh4Hgqb5QeaP4b1" width="640" /></a></div><p>Here is one doing a Kakapo impersonation. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF0Gi5YZtbtScZ_25_qruLg-j-_kXJH48T3tGn1tPCWsf8Az-JFkef3qzEM3jVtnjKJNNXnt0efyDhJ9l4iQEHfcVLTNgttzX6t8x2IDR02kwX2pN_YH6Bhf7N1kPV3IDSbdThrCzJy887sfTk4K--gydfAf4olpPaj0xwHSY0i_S32UCavnNZXE_gLs9W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF0Gi5YZtbtScZ_25_qruLg-j-_kXJH48T3tGn1tPCWsf8Az-JFkef3qzEM3jVtnjKJNNXnt0efyDhJ9l4iQEHfcVLTNgttzX6t8x2IDR02kwX2pN_YH6Bhf7N1kPV3IDSbdThrCzJy887sfTk4K--gydfAf4olpPaj0xwHSY0i_S32UCavnNZXE_gLs9W=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Palm Warblers are the most common warbler in Eleuthera. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbOyEhGm_-mgy3N9o0LzWvAb9R_aZuBXJDIeIBsIFFUnzaUqXD00CxKwyd37nh-JbKLpl82WpZvCIcCF9u9PlUrpu0-7IGwFHKmLgfdNSkOVOQTWxbCU1urmi69ONh6XZl7K2aA8eY8B3edDjUaGWhheZh14Yl7O9OZnQdW83NliQXQzWH2etiSK580YKJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3433" data-original-width="4641" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbOyEhGm_-mgy3N9o0LzWvAb9R_aZuBXJDIeIBsIFFUnzaUqXD00CxKwyd37nh-JbKLpl82WpZvCIcCF9u9PlUrpu0-7IGwFHKmLgfdNSkOVOQTWxbCU1urmi69ONh6XZl7K2aA8eY8B3edDjUaGWhheZh14Yl7O9OZnQdW83NliQXQzWH2etiSK580YKJ=w640-h474" width="640" /></a></div><br />Smooth-billed Anis are mostly heard not seen but I did manage to see a few.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6t1S6hbGZAb6gc3KuItxkV2t-KaZWkAzRWCATduZ8OWElPQYURqWwvzSxFuN38PadIG0A2mPIQSdOQfdH33vZGf2QtxG1VfWLErxWZ2txkyUwOnACS3Iwdab_KKoVUuPmSbsTZGbn7Uukc54_zszyhj2QlGHYc1q-wR45ubdPq1skz2Rw-MkDTogWWyTI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6t1S6hbGZAb6gc3KuItxkV2t-KaZWkAzRWCATduZ8OWElPQYURqWwvzSxFuN38PadIG0A2mPIQSdOQfdH33vZGf2QtxG1VfWLErxWZ2txkyUwOnACS3Iwdab_KKoVUuPmSbsTZGbn7Uukc54_zszyhj2QlGHYc1q-wR45ubdPq1skz2Rw-MkDTogWWyTI" width="640" /></a></div><br />Greater Antillean Bullfinches are common but a little more difficult to photograph.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8KEfyO6uklCjmDSulQo6-iZj0TZ_tSh84nLB3to7oukdqva618GK20C087ZnhqVqRW8TPXmaIOH1ZzLm4JrocmMpuK2xhzHXXTTvtbBp7omM4hnnh6EiuVWUCnt5BOVmyh4yU2HuQk6SahZZghMCeJtGlm6f5CkbgYaGN3jRZ_bELvedZJwoZxWOcY4Wk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2377" data-original-width="3424" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8KEfyO6uklCjmDSulQo6-iZj0TZ_tSh84nLB3to7oukdqva618GK20C087ZnhqVqRW8TPXmaIOH1ZzLm4JrocmMpuK2xhzHXXTTvtbBp7omM4hnnh6EiuVWUCnt5BOVmyh4yU2HuQk6SahZZghMCeJtGlm6f5CkbgYaGN3jRZ_bELvedZJwoZxWOcY4Wk=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></div><br />I think this was only the second Zenaida Dove I have seen in Eleuthera. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE3Y-bZztFffooCSgQBifKbQU696vksIr_cThOarQVUkS2UvPh-Ud6YqZwrHswhxMyLD3Zak423oxBsn53ks-5Z9YPoS1xZoPejb5hDS5CEDJS5WQFa-bFt-bSSeN_xhNOz04JRm4mlDXMVi6ejs1xbjGk6hEunb30maddqjjDFRXYOkWCwk0JIRgGcT21" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4346" data-original-width="6163" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE3Y-bZztFffooCSgQBifKbQU696vksIr_cThOarQVUkS2UvPh-Ud6YqZwrHswhxMyLD3Zak423oxBsn53ks-5Z9YPoS1xZoPejb5hDS5CEDJS5WQFa-bFt-bSSeN_xhNOz04JRm4mlDXMVi6ejs1xbjGk6hEunb30maddqjjDFRXYOkWCwk0JIRgGcT21=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><p>Northern Waterthrushes are quite common.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisx8sx-GWfdrlxBM4XfTZl3_d-ZBsccgajmRabKR_V0naHkZaTZAt0jveY9n3ZImyUWxxh4i94kH9-8BPYf07aWCV1_eTh9Q-bG1N2R5lF0P2xY-fO3Px_Ysw4pL2rAIr4CQKb26VvA-zBHhvPoe2VLgfe4s2a3gWTGNRdyIA4sifaniVqkZAesvriT0OF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="3143" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisx8sx-GWfdrlxBM4XfTZl3_d-ZBsccgajmRabKR_V0naHkZaTZAt0jveY9n3ZImyUWxxh4i94kH9-8BPYf07aWCV1_eTh9Q-bG1N2R5lF0P2xY-fO3Px_Ysw4pL2rAIr4CQKb26VvA-zBHhvPoe2VLgfe4s2a3gWTGNRdyIA4sifaniVqkZAesvriT0OF=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><br />The large pond south of my father's place was chock full of Lesser Scaups but they mostly stayed out of range.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWq--chNjtZjVi6cHv_T7jw7gCQ2iEn1Hm3wxj8rO66gLV5ZT4D2eZFikws6GnJetzZVgSaoSy-jvbJ6WDzffx9RNqhvd10VLGfDvFzoowGy82Q1_3sGrECfEHMHmoYhgbg9Bf_0t_RKoQxeXs-y24jc6wImRiGcNnhNK5Sc2dr7fSlyDkdYqp5VGqPf2g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="2047" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWq--chNjtZjVi6cHv_T7jw7gCQ2iEn1Hm3wxj8rO66gLV5ZT4D2eZFikws6GnJetzZVgSaoSy-jvbJ6WDzffx9RNqhvd10VLGfDvFzoowGy82Q1_3sGrECfEHMHmoYhgbg9Bf_0t_RKoQxeXs-y24jc6wImRiGcNnhNK5Sc2dr7fSlyDkdYqp5VGqPf2g=w640-h324" width="640" /></a></div><br />A small flock of Red-breasted Mergansers was a new bird for me in Eleuthera and one of only a few previous sightings on the island. They were quite distant so this was the best I could do for a documentation shot.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM4RWB14QWYI-8p0acFpj27GN2uChWGBiiKLyWFAWVjjyEKXwJkeQ60PJAxh4wutLpXuZrhPwwUOSPOhJzCOnJxKvZh6_4PNbZla2Yxo3ecCYgzeXXCJ_0oI_gObomSBiuH_x9szFIRruwHSI_Ai21uSZHBo69RWWIPb5MYP8RB4b5S1E2gVH9GWF-lIMT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3576" data-original-width="5479" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM4RWB14QWYI-8p0acFpj27GN2uChWGBiiKLyWFAWVjjyEKXwJkeQ60PJAxh4wutLpXuZrhPwwUOSPOhJzCOnJxKvZh6_4PNbZla2Yxo3ecCYgzeXXCJ_0oI_gObomSBiuH_x9szFIRruwHSI_Ai21uSZHBo69RWWIPb5MYP8RB4b5S1E2gVH9GWF-lIMT=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here is a White-crowned Pigeon from the settlement which was much more tame.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgfdY--ais2sCH1-4HPCXs--cT1vtOuH0ArmwbD7EsGq6TSe3zWXPrMzuRGWmC0Qu3ydx2njWcdeV6ntt8taNd9W1SvX83mj3WhUd1PKWxu-fh7ljKFGCVGfu9SOI_gFzME_xOHpztmBxEY9F3FadSk3WzsqSRPStCIIuq1kSYsTAPFyHrHxnFLxbA9PST" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgfdY--ais2sCH1-4HPCXs--cT1vtOuH0ArmwbD7EsGq6TSe3zWXPrMzuRGWmC0Qu3ydx2njWcdeV6ntt8taNd9W1SvX83mj3WhUd1PKWxu-fh7ljKFGCVGfu9SOI_gFzME_xOHpztmBxEY9F3FadSk3WzsqSRPStCIIuq1kSYsTAPFyHrHxnFLxbA9PST" width="640" /></a></div><br />A male Black-faced Grassquit.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1vPkUniQuh1Sq038JNpQeYk-ZvWAKtioOY3gHV_FUDmLP8F4fh2NT2922gO2bpggL4r6FvLnlSzDu5fh3-ibSwzULa6uPAXPZ2vM3sLHH7XL_-ADXXShwyWS8vkTNxnbCjaj7EZ08wx1ZcgJtc2t_ABT2G-qN7V3cTeEtrfD2FrsdRR-Qpn0p1ipVh6Up" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1vPkUniQuh1Sq038JNpQeYk-ZvWAKtioOY3gHV_FUDmLP8F4fh2NT2922gO2bpggL4r6FvLnlSzDu5fh3-ibSwzULa6uPAXPZ2vM3sLHH7XL_-ADXXShwyWS8vkTNxnbCjaj7EZ08wx1ZcgJtc2t_ABT2G-qN7V3cTeEtrfD2FrsdRR-Qpn0p1ipVh6Up" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bananaquits love the many epiphyte flowers which were blooming. We planted these epiphytes on the property over 20 years ago and now they are everywhere.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSCEYjSgqxlcFnyTapxSOnUx1BQVAb0tHXwd7WTdf8qP5Eggqlrk7Y-HDAdWf2H1uZVA0qLY-R6QdiMJE-2NQRCoaWuF-6BhotWOArQtREF2qCpPaBcpODkZ4AsnWYPaFDV9r7VVUI9IMA7LOv65Dm4HRZEeBw0f7ZTpEP2ZzhkYPZJOhYBKDMasOxHY7D" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1913" data-original-width="2728" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSCEYjSgqxlcFnyTapxSOnUx1BQVAb0tHXwd7WTdf8qP5Eggqlrk7Y-HDAdWf2H1uZVA0qLY-R6QdiMJE-2NQRCoaWuF-6BhotWOArQtREF2qCpPaBcpODkZ4AsnWYPaFDV9r7VVUI9IMA7LOv65Dm4HRZEeBw0f7ZTpEP2ZzhkYPZJOhYBKDMasOxHY7D=w640-h448" width="640" /></a></div><br />ID coming after iNat confirms...<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzmzxIIURtw9-ZbLj1KxUcLcG9H-YM_d07GlBnrsSIoIq1aBkusAdp-cEYbxPiEJ-K2LKpVUrXsCMJtVcsi6wonBPSyZ8hybQVc2YCGrq3_F_Faljv3nawN9THvxv1QyY92odWhBrMGq78s_ydygudHB7oTkiU52s0pkpGeu6N_d_M9QyKLD05i3CljD5l" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzmzxIIURtw9-ZbLj1KxUcLcG9H-YM_d07GlBnrsSIoIq1aBkusAdp-cEYbxPiEJ-K2LKpVUrXsCMJtVcsi6wonBPSyZ8hybQVc2YCGrq3_F_Faljv3nawN9THvxv1QyY92odWhBrMGq78s_ydygudHB7oTkiU52s0pkpGeu6N_d_M9QyKLD05i3CljD5l" width="640" /></a></div><br />Common Yellowthroat - I am still looking for a slam dunk Bahama Yellowthroat to photograph.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLfhX_fWdrQFS3KReGHr41ajKD-Soflci9-Rep5MJQ4kDLGJ-vgRHlvDuFtwEpnRmYJAHH0XqP6K1iHldY4SGSY_J7BPJMcjHRqrwgOhhfR4tcf21cT58xzdl39ns3JQGD7bb0AMKNX7ysnu1KzsBgnL_4VftAOrXrC-kxwHqHIw0quBe72rW_WznqWBJn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3184" data-original-width="4526" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLfhX_fWdrQFS3KReGHr41ajKD-Soflci9-Rep5MJQ4kDLGJ-vgRHlvDuFtwEpnRmYJAHH0XqP6K1iHldY4SGSY_J7BPJMcjHRqrwgOhhfR4tcf21cT58xzdl39ns3JQGD7bb0AMKNX7ysnu1KzsBgnL_4VftAOrXrC-kxwHqHIw0quBe72rW_WznqWBJn=w640-h450" width="640" /></a></div><br />American Redstart <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7sJCxqH2QK4RR9xPU_pc4_VPX8ng_RakGrxWyeB9aVvnkO9TONIz2aPfadPj4Xku8DPd06hT76tB_SLxhXXKeyCEcjHhF1HOmPjjwEJ8WRzYiphoVR2aLRmbZR6ecUZaQ-F1RkzWCVxwc_cTyko98ZhcNCdB-bBMC5xM96qF0_SIi4YmSRflzTwqsri0C" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7sJCxqH2QK4RR9xPU_pc4_VPX8ng_RakGrxWyeB9aVvnkO9TONIz2aPfadPj4Xku8DPd06hT76tB_SLxhXXKeyCEcjHhF1HOmPjjwEJ8WRzYiphoVR2aLRmbZR6ecUZaQ-F1RkzWCVxwc_cTyko98ZhcNCdB-bBMC5xM96qF0_SIi4YmSRflzTwqsri0C" width="640" /></a></div><br />Great Lizard Cuckoo - I only saw one this year.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl82jU-vfjiMt5ODoWXvs4VAp-FJIsFyg8wnK1qWjtMDtnzoMl8WiEjk5fImrP48RtIloa5vIrjQrlh-DOwJ2CJuq-W_5D1imnW2eRnLKj-IzTWJFNiLaUL9HyrTNNPBhoPrupgjdFkGzcfBowaxebSsYfX8SND-N1SPJb9mMlwVzAMM3IAHkkBlhqZQmD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4052" data-original-width="6705" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl82jU-vfjiMt5ODoWXvs4VAp-FJIsFyg8wnK1qWjtMDtnzoMl8WiEjk5fImrP48RtIloa5vIrjQrlh-DOwJ2CJuq-W_5D1imnW2eRnLKj-IzTWJFNiLaUL9HyrTNNPBhoPrupgjdFkGzcfBowaxebSsYfX8SND-N1SPJb9mMlwVzAMM3IAHkkBlhqZQmD=w640-h386" width="640" /></a></div><br />Prairie Warbler<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH2w1Lam3eYJeDC1w8DCEMsRk29QdoX0TZvfy1LhUfeNYVyHkMIOlrlnuOtlqtri2fUSqpmyTjhktJsfp2MMcWr12jYqRM5bEa7BFCpkyk1QrKB2JTmKzx0AZt4NLoNW8ZpeHPAn95OTXFvn4_J8oP2oej_aIWLsY0R2Vo15rdHpkKgX1OO4jB4GDeHld1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2457" data-original-width="3840" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjH2w1Lam3eYJeDC1w8DCEMsRk29QdoX0TZvfy1LhUfeNYVyHkMIOlrlnuOtlqtri2fUSqpmyTjhktJsfp2MMcWr12jYqRM5bEa7BFCpkyk1QrKB2JTmKzx0AZt4NLoNW8ZpeHPAn95OTXFvn4_J8oP2oej_aIWLsY0R2Vo15rdHpkKgX1OO4jB4GDeHld1=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><br />Adult Least Grebe<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidULoaPPS0Lr2eXj-qvRkhqWQtzq4chc77sjqV7EQCNiKpTchLnxbqPJd3G9r6z0i_2nBw0uNbr9d-JBm2OrG2bFDncfNgVL2Jl0KkGwgDE-OoDAl2_6YbFHloIXcebD_3hzcLmiSml7dAE37hau9lkmciIrU2_oIch9C3-MbLevXJu4AgF45h4b6IezPX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidULoaPPS0Lr2eXj-qvRkhqWQtzq4chc77sjqV7EQCNiKpTchLnxbqPJd3G9r6z0i_2nBw0uNbr9d-JBm2OrG2bFDncfNgVL2Jl0KkGwgDE-OoDAl2_6YbFHloIXcebD_3hzcLmiSml7dAE37hau9lkmciIrU2_oIch9C3-MbLevXJu4AgF45h4b6IezPX" width="640" /></a></div><p>Bananaquit on an epiphyte.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoXvHJXv6bxxJEmv7Wc2SRvFz2VJp_SW5H0gFQ640qvxCYcMjZROkiZZ2Bz9qRQAIYIxRsAg8LL41wwcYv8mptdyf_luuFslAihIVS7TQJxrgmFtz8WWpPkAZuX4qiLajM9D-d04_fTKX_7Ww0BZSFNT0gkqZQNOQTy1bsErZxCICypCpJENL8tPZKczjq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoXvHJXv6bxxJEmv7Wc2SRvFz2VJp_SW5H0gFQ640qvxCYcMjZROkiZZ2Bz9qRQAIYIxRsAg8LL41wwcYv8mptdyf_luuFslAihIVS7TQJxrgmFtz8WWpPkAZuX4qiLajM9D-d04_fTKX_7Ww0BZSFNT0gkqZQNOQTy1bsErZxCICypCpJENL8tPZKczjq=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>Young Green Heron</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEsxnCBaA3uLmlIH81S9Y3RLFYTqQ2xrHMb7ZL0gSQGF_a3gvbQFipkf262WU2mafwipHTC6tMbGKnXq_oxZ_Z82mCUbvNLMPVr2FUGukZgxuuaEJ1aardjMcUmGYFmGtTiKNWrNp8xz6hL5sicBc7C7tZ3-m9CEPqmI9HMov2_MjH0a4lCj65jTCI80IE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEsxnCBaA3uLmlIH81S9Y3RLFYTqQ2xrHMb7ZL0gSQGF_a3gvbQFipkf262WU2mafwipHTC6tMbGKnXq_oxZ_Z82mCUbvNLMPVr2FUGukZgxuuaEJ1aardjMcUmGYFmGtTiKNWrNp8xz6hL5sicBc7C7tZ3-m9CEPqmI9HMov2_MjH0a4lCj65jTCI80IE=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>Yellow-billed Sapsuckers are the only type of Woodpecker I see on Eleuthera.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiri01KKKtF7Pn86E2TOznBGvedNvqQWDJBtWeULhCQ3UpyXRnpKr_JbvXsoDkatYaPvHLrDGFbxf-2AbZ4yT1ZlkoWIs2yd5qWPCGGKFIFg0oYlyS86HhaP6SL_RDe4JqPAiwJzJmAdg5iuNcknqdCh3PWoJMu-o9i_DHJYY0qyytYYspbRzUgdQ6Nmg75" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiri01KKKtF7Pn86E2TOznBGvedNvqQWDJBtWeULhCQ3UpyXRnpKr_JbvXsoDkatYaPvHLrDGFbxf-2AbZ4yT1ZlkoWIs2yd5qWPCGGKFIFg0oYlyS86HhaP6SL_RDe4JqPAiwJzJmAdg5iuNcknqdCh3PWoJMu-o9i_DHJYY0qyytYYspbRzUgdQ6Nmg75=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>White-cheeked Pintails <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI4LpFjilH2xYvHJHPRmHrL9nSN8RbUc8r9sDReohwUpvekmgETEuuHn14Ij6GXcSrKLGss5EtIznuopxLgpeRy7AqstVdS42CZe1qu0F9Osi9rt2XRToZSKPgBeiQXoLCYycvIlFmKDHRPugXCAlM3zw-5Q5wcEfImjxVP4SJfchqSAR0jazuDzrnMzJb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2958" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI4LpFjilH2xYvHJHPRmHrL9nSN8RbUc8r9sDReohwUpvekmgETEuuHn14Ij6GXcSrKLGss5EtIznuopxLgpeRy7AqstVdS42CZe1qu0F9Osi9rt2XRToZSKPgBeiQXoLCYycvIlFmKDHRPugXCAlM3zw-5Q5wcEfImjxVP4SJfchqSAR0jazuDzrnMzJb=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br />Overall it was a great trip and I can't wait to go back. I would love to go in May and see what kind of birds I can turn up in the spring.<p></p><p>As I write this, it is December 28th and I am getting excited about the prospect of a new year of birding! Next post will probably be packed with some year birds and maybe even a new NC bird for me considering a Harris' Sparrow is still being seen up at Warren Wilson College.</p><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-24453139925919522692023-12-05T04:17:00.000-08:002023-12-05T04:17:54.096-08:00New Hanover Stuff, a Broad-tailed Hummingbird and Anson County (30Nov-03Dec2023)Things are busy lately! Work is gangbusters due to end of the year activities and I have taken on a surveying gig at the south end of Figure Eight Island a few days a week for a dredging operation. So I have had very little time for continuing my county effort.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoa6RNCLkAdc8Zbl7Rzhau8DWgHVWaXOQrbuQU2d5aRN2aPOR198zOfEiyJmKGSzFdWQtDBgYRVHbBykRnB9shU1BaqTkJq2JGx-JOJwwxHLHM8wWxDSzB7G5r0E8GfOIi7UJLjPpq0RsSe7jgrUuYar6mLRPu6QXh-y-RA2iqxsyMdGu7XEoY0O0m3qAB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3059" data-original-width="4384" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoa6RNCLkAdc8Zbl7Rzhau8DWgHVWaXOQrbuQU2d5aRN2aPOR198zOfEiyJmKGSzFdWQtDBgYRVHbBykRnB9shU1BaqTkJq2JGx-JOJwwxHLHM8wWxDSzB7G5r0E8GfOIi7UJLjPpq0RsSe7jgrUuYar6mLRPu6QXh-y-RA2iqxsyMdGu7XEoY0O0m3qAB=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Piping Plover on the south end of Figure Eight Island has been present at every survey I have done so f<span style="font-family: inherit;">ar. I googled "Piping Plover V92" and found the following:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"It was banded as a pre-fledged chick at Fire Island National Seashore, NY on 7/2/2021. It's been seen at Wrightsville Beach, NC every winter since, and back in NY in the breeding seasons."</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The gull numbers have been truly amazing but so far I have not turned up anything rare. Lesser Black-backed Gulls are getting more and more common every year at Mason Inlet. The Black </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skimmer flock is still around numbering over 400. I suspect they will leave soon. However, I love waking up and watching the sunrise....</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZlyss_npyIV0ns5-h-7RkHzNSlMTg73k4TBNXA8YQVTJHXc6ocZub4owCwMiSFxjS__E8c4yBfw29E6FoNUd92Hx0y4khaSdjwe0yP1zehQ-slcVMz_MCr_GT8RIyyBVt73fJxjf0QJh_joCcb1W5X_-oQo2bT4bnGBMBIs6sK1zDA6ZD8-qLaBH4hfYs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZlyss_npyIV0ns5-h-7RkHzNSlMTg73k4TBNXA8YQVTJHXc6ocZub4owCwMiSFxjS__E8c4yBfw29E6FoNUd92Hx0y4khaSdjwe0yP1zehQ-slcVMz_MCr_GT8RIyyBVt73fJxjf0QJh_joCcb1W5X_-oQo2bT4bnGBMBIs6sK1zDA6ZD8-qLaBH4hfYs=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />No filters on this iPhone pic.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">On my one day off I made a run to Union County near Charlotte to check out the continuing Broad-tailed Hummingbird which is only the state's second record. It didn't take long to show up. I set up my 800mm lens with 2x extender to play around. I knew the quality would be impacted by the lens length and fixed aperture (F11) but I was curious on how it would perform with a tripod mount.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); color: #0f1419; font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); clear: both; color: #0f1419; font-size: 17px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVEGL6IUhrBO_xIIegABN1V3OS0Y8YfGszlnMxESBzJcn7pE5t_m_v6QbO3Hwb1LoiWIK0Jwa5KZllkifaloao6RmrVRk28T0XXIA3Ha1TbIDvBZqTOElhTH2ChULy_xPawLxL55n3Kdw8O-bNT72qUNKO4X5ik6DYFKGQxsZYcJwM3vvPeznQZD58tSI2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3745" data-original-width="4922" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVEGL6IUhrBO_xIIegABN1V3OS0Y8YfGszlnMxESBzJcn7pE5t_m_v6QbO3Hwb1LoiWIK0Jwa5KZllkifaloao6RmrVRk28T0XXIA3Ha1TbIDvBZqTOElhTH2ChULy_xPawLxL55n3Kdw8O-bNT72qUNKO4X5ik6DYFKGQxsZYcJwM3vvPeznQZD58tSI2=w640-h488" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not a bad shot although I wasn't able to free the wings. This is a full frame shot with no cropping.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB2CivQIgjzyItczN7m5OJSEZBUCNXa1PI1S7xDKVcRJzht3t54oLmYHbht75KP5qIJszL4iCXsPEuD_PnTebHD8EUKFLSyyDoX0_IUsl453xi3SPeTGHo5R0_DwAUXug_lYmx75cEXiYj9LN2minEzE5TpqiQC8XFl2rChzBDV9BKjEIvIJv59cFI7i8i" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiB2CivQIgjzyItczN7m5OJSEZBUCNXa1PI1S7xDKVcRJzht3t54oLmYHbht75KP5qIJszL4iCXsPEuD_PnTebHD8EUKFLSyyDoX0_IUsl453xi3SPeTGHo5R0_DwAUXug_lYmx75cEXiYj9LN2minEzE5TpqiQC8XFl2rChzBDV9BKjEIvIJv59cFI7i8i=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here you can see how the tail extends well beyond the wing tips which is a key field mark for this species of Selasphorus which includes Rufous and Anna's.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj91bnZj8QHdbcRcwswTP9kc2osbVU2NqRSdjlEjNHoHgFNLAUcnAPEmtBjGwe8j-ZTz3hp7kn1zc1tT_vCzltm-FVt-inwqxHO6UwGL2kpbb0RQqdYQ_1qOpUC6CL-MsEMZXL6MIyihsod6LvInrml3OHCY71vKHYdxANExION67wmgWJZMrofqV3Dw1yl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3747" data-original-width="5554" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj91bnZj8QHdbcRcwswTP9kc2osbVU2NqRSdjlEjNHoHgFNLAUcnAPEmtBjGwe8j-ZTz3hp7kn1zc1tT_vCzltm-FVt-inwqxHO6UwGL2kpbb0RQqdYQ_1qOpUC6CL-MsEMZXL6MIyihsod6LvInrml3OHCY71vKHYdxANExION67wmgWJZMrofqV3Dw1yl=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><br />These pictures are back to my 100-500 lens.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #0f1419;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 17px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8Y8Ax4ruvJg4_QQqpIL6LfTOwlYVFUwAr_TFGDIDqWwuDUtSlNm0Yu2R1HoCrW5fneJpiZU1g6hHcSJ0tMZpdmzTr3_dtWNgsXrdvt2uF_HsLFuVkaV5uleCjZeG-FnLBWpfsFQ6IqSU1d-drBRjibNNH_f2FCquyXp51auj0-YXdMktq0TMjJKp3XMIz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3965" data-original-width="5115" height="495" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8Y8Ax4ruvJg4_QQqpIL6LfTOwlYVFUwAr_TFGDIDqWwuDUtSlNm0Yu2R1HoCrW5fneJpiZU1g6hHcSJ0tMZpdmzTr3_dtWNgsXrdvt2uF_HsLFuVkaV5uleCjZeG-FnLBWpfsFQ6IqSU1d-drBRjibNNH_f2FCquyXp51auj0-YXdMktq0TMjJKp3XMIz=w640-h495" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 17px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXZw7TZ0D9XL_X6dUED1RuHOZ9mDbVWQ3AUB9-d-MrMfYyv-TpKKpTkbvnk5kbbyNztspIYxVwkzGvKA8FMDaeeZTDkCQ_Ya9Qbyuzx-PBpcjeLN5AKPlAweDMvHIgS3aAeqiiNe_D_BRCBNinzpNTFf3e3E5hl_NbLQk721k1V7aEI5xHKTqn9caNSY5E" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2427" data-original-width="3849" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXZw7TZ0D9XL_X6dUED1RuHOZ9mDbVWQ3AUB9-d-MrMfYyv-TpKKpTkbvnk5kbbyNztspIYxVwkzGvKA8FMDaeeZTDkCQ_Ya9Qbyuzx-PBpcjeLN5AKPlAweDMvHIgS3aAeqiiNe_D_BRCBNinzpNTFf3e3E5hl_NbLQk721k1V7aEI5xHKTqn9caNSY5E=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 17px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0Q-Qa2J8Q4Bfsbk61-g2SpKfQ78VsB1CHcnIhxViOrdEV3MDqIzX3KCdRdaaMosSh5YYRIgH2pEnUoBXBDa8dSwRFbCVKXCezXGkjWC5PQxSdvkROu_FuoaCLFH6zIyf7FfI0NNc9QU9_u-V_FdKjGbRqSJHrmOPUsc8m6rxBQa7mbfQeZrVtWlAEKdWG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3763" data-original-width="5146" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0Q-Qa2J8Q4Bfsbk61-g2SpKfQ78VsB1CHcnIhxViOrdEV3MDqIzX3KCdRdaaMosSh5YYRIgH2pEnUoBXBDa8dSwRFbCVKXCezXGkjWC5PQxSdvkROu_FuoaCLFH6zIyf7FfI0NNc9QU9_u-V_FdKjGbRqSJHrmOPUsc8m6rxBQa7mbfQeZrVtWlAEKdWG=w640-h468" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So cool that the lady who owns the house in this suburban neighborhood has allowed so many people to come and see this </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">little gem.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The weather was supposed to rain all day so I was really please that it held off. Initially I was just going to go home but since the rain held off, I decided to stop at Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge for a brief visit. Pee Dee sits in Anson County which is a new county for my year effort, but more importantly its one of the only NWRs in NC I have not visited. I came in from the west side and kicked around the visitor's center and adjacent pond. As is typical with NWRs, it was not very birdy, but I enjoyed the trails and solitude. I only saw one other car and it was super quiet.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipXA1-haTMntWZhjtUQZEnt39KVjiQUYarT05utEeok0NMyCPVOEj8JWPGkbOZyuBWtAuJo2fuFwdRcwy_ZQGaAQpuit8uSzRviB44yfAsdgMvWtuWQ4-dHOnX9iGOnKVaLGccWQJLTQE8uYT5TkRjeZOrt-x6MN-E-Z_iMnyMzCug5zLAiaWo3aGrxh59" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipXA1-haTMntWZhjtUQZEnt39KVjiQUYarT05utEeok0NMyCPVOEj8JWPGkbOZyuBWtAuJo2fuFwdRcwy_ZQGaAQpuit8uSzRviB44yfAsdgMvWtuWQ4-dHOnX9iGOnKVaLGccWQJLTQE8uYT5TkRjeZOrt-x6MN-E-Z_iMnyMzCug5zLAiaWo3aGrxh59=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7wz4H9qEWIPUFtd3nYmu127nWBvA8nZ4PNxex0egMwCn5S4DpiAlG7BDteEz5SLwxrPXMK6vDGXFQrkjTPt0QkWY_PZAXJF7Mu1dWLcAQ7p3mLVSZ9jGVNBEo3pEcQDSYYDoL5_NIu2XBTweDFhV-LmIN8m00zdgs6Ym_UfAd-lgIxHDeDiAybLHSTRYt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7wz4H9qEWIPUFtd3nYmu127nWBvA8nZ4PNxex0egMwCn5S4DpiAlG7BDteEz5SLwxrPXMK6vDGXFQrkjTPt0QkWY_PZAXJF7Mu1dWLcAQ7p3mLVSZ9jGVNBEo3pEcQDSYYDoL5_NIu2XBTweDFhV-LmIN8m00zdgs6Ym_UfAd-lgIxHDeDiAybLHSTRYt=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eastern Phoebe</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I picked up the usual winter birds like Winter Wren, Fox Sparrow and Hermit Thrush but the photography was bad with horrible light so I will spare you.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); clear: both; font-size: 17px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1g5VcFDw5GQM-8xgLPCexrDFOlD4k1BCUES4E9aTfGMEGJQvCG00YpP3ql3ZP5nhIAakBx46lFvXkFYYKn0inaCqbQNz1qpKHbcMt-U7U7grp6HwPjCJzYM8zqRKEo9AY810depicYgUaEkiLqA6e4Xe85L9MIGQvIr9ahNeHfX8WN-1AVvABti7vx4Mm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="792" height="595" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1g5VcFDw5GQM-8xgLPCexrDFOlD4k1BCUES4E9aTfGMEGJQvCG00YpP3ql3ZP5nhIAakBx46lFvXkFYYKn0inaCqbQNz1qpKHbcMt-U7U7grp6HwPjCJzYM8zqRKEo9AY810depicYgUaEkiLqA6e4Xe85L9MIGQvIr9ahNeHfX8WN-1AVvABti7vx4Mm=w640-h595" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anson County is 531 square miles which makes it one of the bigger counties, but it only has about 23k people in it which makes it one of the less populous counties. It is bisected by route 74 which is becoming an interstate corridor that connects Wilmington to Charlotte and beyond.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anson has has several famous sports stars, but I was more interested in someone called Juanita Moody, which was a cryptographer with the NSA during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Take a read</span> you are interested. </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juanita_Moody">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juanita_Moody</a></div><div><br /></div><div>My overall impression of Pee Dee was that it could use a face lift. Many of the boardwalks were roped off for "maintenance" but in actuality I didn't see any evidence of any kind of maintenance. It looks like it could use a cash infusion or maybe a new superintendent with some motivation. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the way home, Sam C texted me that a Sandhill Crane was sitting in a field in northern New Hanover County. I don't have one for the county so I was excited, but knew I would not make it home in time before dark so it would have to wait until Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQIweb6Ms1STn5-uo8qCpVURiZwqoKZ3k6vTNknJptkY5u5LjJpLQehxHIkjz24ijxgZmAcB1bAgx6rwOZnRV0TA_wJT6U84gcpIoQGPIEf-Tyj_sbXP1GLevyAOQaJjd0D95EzAuY8RThYy2IRNV_fAfzMEuqNlGRagPSbX3XTdL7eeLy3r4lqqiPJ-ZZ" style="caret-color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-size: 17px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQIweb6Ms1STn5-uo8qCpVURiZwqoKZ3k6vTNknJptkY5u5LjJpLQehxHIkjz24ijxgZmAcB1bAgx6rwOZnRV0TA_wJT6U84gcpIoQGPIEf-Tyj_sbXP1GLevyAOQaJjd0D95EzAuY8RThYy2IRNV_fAfzMEuqNlGRagPSbX3XTdL7eeLy3r4lqqiPJ-ZZ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday Morning started with the count at Figure Eight. The rain miraculously held off and I finished the count and headed to the Sandhill stakeout.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5TYvM9liv5YvDT0r4F-SF-NsLUGDbUc6S1d9wje-H0rJFux3msj0vhlE7qJA2jvV2bMVL-nQ33K0vN4O57BcA07OXcFe__M8ihKnaQCiQb9HDnTraNxBE1HHRFTQ1ZIaUUDRoCte_xl0HsDz_EsbstQPyzXSzDVJIWzKAVGZ43sE_1jkmz7xEMpPDcGRa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2522" data-original-width="4241" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5TYvM9liv5YvDT0r4F-SF-NsLUGDbUc6S1d9wje-H0rJFux3msj0vhlE7qJA2jvV2bMVL-nQ33K0vN4O57BcA07OXcFe__M8ihKnaQCiQb9HDnTraNxBE1HHRFTQ1ZIaUUDRoCte_xl0HsDz_EsbstQPyzXSzDVJIWzKAVGZ43sE_1jkmz7xEMpPDcGRa=w640-h380" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bingo! It was still there and as a bonus I saw Shun E who I have not seen in forever so it was nice to catch up with him.</div><div><br /></div><div>Any time I can get a NC lifer (Broad-tailed Hummer) and a County lifer (Sandhill Crane) in a two day period is a good time for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>So with the addition of Anson County, I am up to 67 counties for the year. Clearly I am not going to make 100 but it has been a ton of fun and I will continue into the new year until I have completed the mission.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-73507555918030826922023-11-26T14:56:00.000-08:002023-11-26T14:56:57.898-08:00Dare County Rarity Roundup and a Goose (11-26Nov2023)<p>It's been kind of a slow month for birds, mainly because of my work schedule which has been hectic and then a wedding in New York.</p><p>Earlier this month, I headed to Ashley High School which is one of the best hotspots around near my house. Plenty of different habitats including fields and ponds.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjprXuPNa4EbACiNjnuBDlsPAJow9LZzIp7GOlbAgmnQrGxwrr515P-YbsI20mKRxA3sE4VVcpOmRfchg1A3ZDQ7dBCKTUNtAST3nUR7RFlDhrx3gaB2NXZVywyDP3nQLI6f49lvF-PIG3oJi5bgBb_5z0sp75VqtwuXYy9w95WNn7jERIkKnM9miTDG4x" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3900" data-original-width="5306" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjprXuPNa4EbACiNjnuBDlsPAJow9LZzIp7GOlbAgmnQrGxwrr515P-YbsI20mKRxA3sE4VVcpOmRfchg1A3ZDQ7dBCKTUNtAST3nUR7RFlDhrx3gaB2NXZVywyDP3nQLI6f49lvF-PIG3oJi5bgBb_5z0sp75VqtwuXYy9w95WNn7jERIkKnM9miTDG4x" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Merlin was unusually tame allowing me to play with camera settings to compensate for backlighting.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3E9K_9QxeLq3hdTDzpbkWw7YFvSyEaa80uq-bM-0YZWEGtQnbOhDXr1RbxStxYAb1mF1vKPJacncoZojnLaIkuuGp7k4DE_MTVt75yDTNj_slrP4i_-68jxexZ_GKDJydn9RCPzyF3yWkvDf3lMIhr8OhjJy3oeqxHc9OUKiQ0f_Sx_VoSvpSVy4TVT64" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2809" data-original-width="4347" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3E9K_9QxeLq3hdTDzpbkWw7YFvSyEaa80uq-bM-0YZWEGtQnbOhDXr1RbxStxYAb1mF1vKPJacncoZojnLaIkuuGp7k4DE_MTVt75yDTNj_slrP4i_-68jxexZ_GKDJydn9RCPzyF3yWkvDf3lMIhr8OhjJy3oeqxHc9OUKiQ0f_Sx_VoSvpSVy4TVT64=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCmPwZYVMJbMaoXCTJ71CgDeD3AmCBRCH3Hk3hXRAd4A3JHiwvjJNHPL7qkzIcsfhoiGkAuQkG1D_Hq1ndNch5v2oz3USqkIGPiU3JEvP04up9XE_na1-T7DnbK8SSYUMGTaRHGCci7-AfOdoXvoRLCsxEj_0MMlSjd5EJLKRy6i8LYD7JMMavV9TR9GSf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2058" data-original-width="3081" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCmPwZYVMJbMaoXCTJ71CgDeD3AmCBRCH3Hk3hXRAd4A3JHiwvjJNHPL7qkzIcsfhoiGkAuQkG1D_Hq1ndNch5v2oz3USqkIGPiU3JEvP04up9XE_na1-T7DnbK8SSYUMGTaRHGCci7-AfOdoXvoRLCsxEj_0MMlSjd5EJLKRy6i8LYD7JMMavV9TR9GSf=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><p>The Gadwalls on the pond are looking fresh and crisp.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2d2V3iVj6YHDsyguRPLHGKEp0RXgkMh4BwXwV498cNRJ0AWiRB_aez_yeX47eoEHsOgcjYqT0OvJwJ4FY-ZxtAhN5Z9Ex2oUmVhoWut4Js5jEUeMfVJsEfNTcuaWzugXViOTRNXOLApAuf5VfEytrKGakZUfTF7QDRli8vaH5E0olM5WQyDdOU2huTxms" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2426" data-original-width="3858" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2d2V3iVj6YHDsyguRPLHGKEp0RXgkMh4BwXwV498cNRJ0AWiRB_aez_yeX47eoEHsOgcjYqT0OvJwJ4FY-ZxtAhN5Z9Ex2oUmVhoWut4Js5jEUeMfVJsEfNTcuaWzugXViOTRNXOLApAuf5VfEytrKGakZUfTF7QDRli8vaH5E0olM5WQyDdOU2huTxms=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><p>American Black Ducks too.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3oW7cLO7Z-DkztJOmcvvN3n4UG9v_UZ_YR7acgPRz4eOI9SmbIm-AyaBQpDpyEXrgvTLbjiav1g8t9ZRouFZErsu_GeBPKguLRKle71Vz_FSa2NadvPWWnfMZ590Vst9ARbVyhV5hHpGm_QhWbLOg5hgnb5YDoEMeJUKoMAy6Co_o_xPZHDQUtHd1mbUs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3834" data-original-width="5712" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3oW7cLO7Z-DkztJOmcvvN3n4UG9v_UZ_YR7acgPRz4eOI9SmbIm-AyaBQpDpyEXrgvTLbjiav1g8t9ZRouFZErsu_GeBPKguLRKle71Vz_FSa2NadvPWWnfMZ590Vst9ARbVyhV5hHpGm_QhWbLOg5hgnb5YDoEMeJUKoMAy6Co_o_xPZHDQUtHd1mbUs=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br />There is a ton of hybridization happening between Black ducks, Mallards and Mottled so its always good to get a flight shot. No white border on the blue speculum confirms Black Duck.<p></p><p>I agreed to participate in the Dare County Rarity Roundup and was assigned Alligator National Wildlife Refuge which is probably more exciting in the winter. I did it with Matt W and we tried hard to turn up some rarities but the only thing that flagged on eBird as rare was a Lincoln's Sparrow which evaded my camera.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizst3t4KCfUFPS0vSaJzpZnqxKsMqwIfsoZtrTuBQdExbx5SD6eARp6BeqNiBUW6QRO-cPkiOUq2u3Zr-GVQfCjleLaM5vwGvT4OtJWJN_xwM2LmzHN9-I94L8iODCfLoa1QWTSsZPFcAcmAc3rPyKKFDHa1SXFsqVAxHAkUt5xFvqetkfVoR-3TBwq96S" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2796" data-original-width="4378" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizst3t4KCfUFPS0vSaJzpZnqxKsMqwIfsoZtrTuBQdExbx5SD6eARp6BeqNiBUW6QRO-cPkiOUq2u3Zr-GVQfCjleLaM5vwGvT4OtJWJN_xwM2LmzHN9-I94L8iODCfLoa1QWTSsZPFcAcmAc3rPyKKFDHa1SXFsqVAxHAkUt5xFvqetkfVoR-3TBwq96S=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><p>Orange-crowned Warbler - No one else really turned up anything to write home about so I wasn't too sore about it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifkJAlwaCJ-X5vQ876Bqe5UdS498_PFnkU01GdYIexVg0bPmjEm3EfGhYbc4ThoMm1b2MFzKEPbHctoGvjvv36vFOAG4SzSzWygDiJz95UZhUCNlc6DfSG_hcWrxdO7kTi5GfIz27DrRQDmvJBUnLpt0gKUUSBeIc663qf6_vOsqugq45A1jHdbLPQGI4t" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2262" data-original-width="3620" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifkJAlwaCJ-X5vQ876Bqe5UdS498_PFnkU01GdYIexVg0bPmjEm3EfGhYbc4ThoMm1b2MFzKEPbHctoGvjvv36vFOAG4SzSzWygDiJz95UZhUCNlc6DfSG_hcWrxdO7kTi5GfIz27DrRQDmvJBUnLpt0gKUUSBeIc663qf6_vOsqugq45A1jHdbLPQGI4t=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />A Phoebe with no tail looked like a Manikin or something more exotic.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGL-e3blOxK5SeLhesZy2eGiI1HvT3Z-w12ZN0-t96UOPakfNyVSBkCT-zsAeTP5KfMnZmz4l-KXu6TsMKz3Qf9Srt6d-mMpJbBEesuG14sIkpllz1R9bKREvS4Vuj1fPiodmIuYepVLKELfRHjnxq5TXq0m349fwhzo2qX2uFXYGO9vy1dugy4h_ORvCG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGL-e3blOxK5SeLhesZy2eGiI1HvT3Z-w12ZN0-t96UOPakfNyVSBkCT-zsAeTP5KfMnZmz4l-KXu6TsMKz3Qf9Srt6d-mMpJbBEesuG14sIkpllz1R9bKREvS4Vuj1fPiodmIuYepVLKELfRHjnxq5TXq0m349fwhzo2qX2uFXYGO9vy1dugy4h_ORvCG=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />We saw a bunch of Cottonmouths including this beautiful red one.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjipOlV2KnSi_ny8ir75aPiHClilSBvwjDq8b_ReejbyEP88yuSosQWJIAnsA78fLX-Arxru5xsNoXMxvpHAZGqXdl8UYSJ_GCpWFJJDmFjI6luUGCkLXBBuDfmBlDP3tcV7EAYiPbTwHzIusXncjTg4CV9gZr6-R5EM0BaTQIk4tG5QOzMY-L4BV_79XRF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjipOlV2KnSi_ny8ir75aPiHClilSBvwjDq8b_ReejbyEP88yuSosQWJIAnsA78fLX-Arxru5xsNoXMxvpHAZGqXdl8UYSJ_GCpWFJJDmFjI6luUGCkLXBBuDfmBlDP3tcV7EAYiPbTwHzIusXncjTg4CV9gZr6-R5EM0BaTQIk4tG5QOzMY-L4BV_79XRF=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />This one looked like it was run over and was doing a series of death rolls, but I stayed well away just in case. There was a ton of traffic of people driving the roads around Alligator looking for bears. We did see a few of them.<p></p><p>For Thanksgiving I headed to New York for my brother's wedding which was nice but the camera stayed in my bag and I never really went birding.</p><p>This morning I was checking the Carolina Bird Club website and saw that a Greater White-Fronted Goose was hanging out at Ashley HS Fields and Ponds so I went down to get a county lifer.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVOzrFJbDAimHwJwCeIz6etDF3TMXAiHzqdHkv0ULncF6cdDHsIHEywXhA37_Aei6X88QuTwEmFPhVE8i_jVZ3tfm7L_sP6EfCYEGnyHYnamMcpwbNa_ypsRawOc7gfw7Os-ZCFAfRERq4t0fNPRO-bY3EfKzWBQ6B-HZzScI5zVDvAciphEDE5lSPAHg5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2053" data-original-width="3117" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVOzrFJbDAimHwJwCeIz6etDF3TMXAiHzqdHkv0ULncF6cdDHsIHEywXhA37_Aei6X88QuTwEmFPhVE8i_jVZ3tfm7L_sP6EfCYEGnyHYnamMcpwbNa_ypsRawOc7gfw7Os-ZCFAfRERq4t0fNPRO-bY3EfKzWBQ6B-HZzScI5zVDvAciphEDE5lSPAHg5=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><br />Greater White-fronted Goose<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgocI_Lb5Z5LH_OgTLuqHDdFXc1KTw5CuZLVTsnyHdY3Y7ov900-JoAk0Pcfwxor8PDpqtjdEa909HEUY_bIxijdbAF5IXB7C1XpIT6PTLoyrM06eRZUH6nefa0d40p_tJRcfQILA0O3yDDi0f2UJ1M6uB1Z51TPFx7NOxNTdEokFPMzl6v0ICs12bCzDYJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2176" data-original-width="3795" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgocI_Lb5Z5LH_OgTLuqHDdFXc1KTw5CuZLVTsnyHdY3Y7ov900-JoAk0Pcfwxor8PDpqtjdEa909HEUY_bIxijdbAF5IXB7C1XpIT6PTLoyrM06eRZUH6nefa0d40p_tJRcfQILA0O3yDDi0f2UJ1M6uB1Z51TPFx7NOxNTdEokFPMzl6v0ICs12bCzDYJ=w640-h366" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here you can see why the colloquial name is Specklebelly.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdhlglG2026YrXHQi_ijyEX7LstCS2-ydjNFrcjDocG3YQmNQ-t-UB-7re-MgP7cYOZdWxKi7bBwA339kCRT0ioHpj8AwXBzOH_6hu2BcRL6ledY-tG9uO973Ryq51uHM_bows0O-S52tt9jkKQeVC4S39B9JLiD8QH6CpQr8WVqx02KQu7WVbTuocKAD4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3103" data-original-width="4622" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdhlglG2026YrXHQi_ijyEX7LstCS2-ydjNFrcjDocG3YQmNQ-t-UB-7re-MgP7cYOZdWxKi7bBwA339kCRT0ioHpj8AwXBzOH_6hu2BcRL6ledY-tG9uO973Ryq51uHM_bows0O-S52tt9jkKQeVC4S39B9JLiD8QH6CpQr8WVqx02KQu7WVbTuocKAD4=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br />It moved around quite a bit but never went far.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8KgNtL-wqwKVMip2auPad_brT4GSUFFWBZxFrh4IEhmJEq00ZPNal0kRra51Zd8TeKlWdKbmluvUwrcNlIMO2CeATP_27O963n3gWmGbVRYhRkm7skxDueB6Wudj6R5iBKRzHOoq18E-XQyQ51nYnvmg2nKq8F1c-2d4pOhJ74hYWeYVWgSna7AjUGZnr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2710" data-original-width="4247" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8KgNtL-wqwKVMip2auPad_brT4GSUFFWBZxFrh4IEhmJEq00ZPNal0kRra51Zd8TeKlWdKbmluvUwrcNlIMO2CeATP_27O963n3gWmGbVRYhRkm7skxDueB6Wudj6R5iBKRzHOoq18E-XQyQ51nYnvmg2nKq8F1c-2d4pOhJ74hYWeYVWgSna7AjUGZnr=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><br />Someone has found a Broad-tailed Hummingbird near Charlotte so I may head up there next weekend. Until then!<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-48481454876490093792023-11-13T03:51:00.000-08:002023-11-13T03:55:26.945-08:00A Day in Belgium (05Nov2023)<p>Last week I had a work trip in Belgium, and although I was there a whole week, I only had one day to go birding. My work started on a Monday and so when planning the trip, I knew there was no way I could function leaving the night before and working the day after a red-eye flight. So I decided to leave Saturday night and land early Sunday morning in Brussels. This allowed me one day of stumbling around completely sleep deprived, looking for some birds in the typically bad Belgium weather. </p><p>The hotel my team was staying at for work was in Rixensart at Martin's Chateau du Lac.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix80cVPCA--bGl7ptDlBpQkSmxYoXJi_E0rnFoJqtvEixismTyxls1ywoSKM4BL1j5KhIuUVbT8RVW0XqMiLSFn5vASWDedNvaULenNjUFJWGXXyifFU4eMrKkgXDj7QrOSCtisZ47KCyLt66QtwTnmagOC9RMNAH7WeCMXf0KChc0HuZEoAB8nSnsPvCS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="831" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEix80cVPCA--bGl7ptDlBpQkSmxYoXJi_E0rnFoJqtvEixismTyxls1ywoSKM4BL1j5KhIuUVbT8RVW0XqMiLSFn5vASWDedNvaULenNjUFJWGXXyifFU4eMrKkgXDj7QrOSCtisZ47KCyLt66QtwTnmagOC9RMNAH7WeCMXf0KChc0HuZEoAB8nSnsPvCS=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This was only about 30 minutes from Brussels on the border of Flanders and Wallonia regions which are dutch and french respectively. Belgium is kind of a weird country in that the national languages are somewhat evenly split and it seems many of the French speakers don't speak Dutch and vice versa. I suppose you get that to a certain extent in Canada, but in Belgium it seems to happen fluidly in a much smaller area. My cab driver got me to the hotel by around 9:30 am so I basically had all day to find some birds.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTk7DmAwZxvVnKIjI3u6bHFVbL3zrhcfoA7RcPXtiBBoBtt3eRW5uAJ5l1fKmo-T00CUV6G_9o_O0zCcIoTKGI2OHVVM2hv6pRkomWlKtDRoX6ieSngxq-LybMrO8hmrffmwBoBcnLljcjXuBI5upqz7XrGW5IweURXGvCO5C9ip3YfSyHycjVyCTnWvsQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTk7DmAwZxvVnKIjI3u6bHFVbL3zrhcfoA7RcPXtiBBoBtt3eRW5uAJ5l1fKmo-T00CUV6G_9o_O0zCcIoTKGI2OHVVM2hv6pRkomWlKtDRoX6ieSngxq-LybMrO8hmrffmwBoBcnLljcjXuBI5upqz7XrGW5IweURXGvCO5C9ip3YfSyHycjVyCTnWvsQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Chateau du Lac - there was a nice trail all away around the lake adjacent to the hotel, so naturally that is where I started my walk. Originally I planned to take a cab to a nearby wetlands but it was raining and the cab situation was not reliable. I didn't want to get caught out in the rain and have to look for a cab. Initially the room was not ready so I had to check my bags with the front desk.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8T6yUT1KvyZ28dSUn_d_l1BxYR63M1Nh1-QgHYd3S1CqJ8oia5k62jc1I2sKbE913jOrLqmC24ilqCsBHyL-BdyeIh2BknTsdGyvjZ7L_sW07dTXaMGiBIltEyze_65s7q7zlwEDKCIWfgzzh0pxLL4De9lBLWzCHD9iIK4dAWoJUePwq4hYzaMpKQW8L" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8T6yUT1KvyZ28dSUn_d_l1BxYR63M1Nh1-QgHYd3S1CqJ8oia5k62jc1I2sKbE913jOrLqmC24ilqCsBHyL-BdyeIh2BknTsdGyvjZ7L_sW07dTXaMGiBIltEyze_65s7q7zlwEDKCIWfgzzh0pxLL4De9lBLWzCHD9iIK4dAWoJUePwq4hYzaMpKQW8L" width="640" /></a></div><br />European Robin - as is usual with birds, you get most of them in the parking lot of where you start. These little songbirds will sing year round and there were tons of them around. Most of the birds I saw here were the same ones I saw on my recent trip to London.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8ADDbZKi-lC2o2J4wRnxODOZC_fiJYJo4Xwhonc70gH4kw2U67_d-KmY1SAxCxXyOxaCJVOohSKIESj0CoXdlOvUTR9MtvRZVfUG7G-wq85aOlaBmPaQi5vpSGlRh1qXuHWCvZ09JvBWDPTLBhpMFPFIrkQdBcSbMdOzLXO0uFRedBmARu93jLM11iBVn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4013" data-original-width="6065" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8ADDbZKi-lC2o2J4wRnxODOZC_fiJYJo4Xwhonc70gH4kw2U67_d-KmY1SAxCxXyOxaCJVOohSKIESj0CoXdlOvUTR9MtvRZVfUG7G-wq85aOlaBmPaQi5vpSGlRh1qXuHWCvZ09JvBWDPTLBhpMFPFIrkQdBcSbMdOzLXO0uFRedBmARu93jLM11iBVn=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eurasian Blackbird - here is one someone should be renaming. Its not even a blackbird but actually a Turdus thrush. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirWSL-k3d8mYZo3rnL0sNInQawyMDAxN_0J9u_WhOyihXbDnTNTt9JEYfxgBHVZph1ei9hS9yhaCipvU3NOVw2Dk91dsrlg2T1B1bD0UurnePJNimztClbu4A8ObphF9FEjxOGZb7U18zvSac_FJr8C1h3DSUM3xqggY6FqMisl5LPulG_sqAhPtjSPDNq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirWSL-k3d8mYZo3rnL0sNInQawyMDAxN_0J9u_WhOyihXbDnTNTt9JEYfxgBHVZph1ei9hS9yhaCipvU3NOVw2Dk91dsrlg2T1B1bD0UurnePJNimztClbu4A8ObphF9FEjxOGZb7U18zvSac_FJr8C1h3DSUM3xqggY6FqMisl5LPulG_sqAhPtjSPDNq" width="640" /></a></div><br />I was a little surprised to see tons of Rose-ringed Parakeets here. I did a little digging and apparently they were established in Belgium before they were in London. Lore has it that the zoo keeper in Brussels intentionally let some out to provide some local color and then they spread like wildfire.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvBqvLyHX0PSthVVz4bTiYG6iVLiq-iBeJZYpNwZAIO-1kGbGHg8z0qVN8y6JKlIorYohvlu0PMlKOm828bilNF0afjRGPyU-qZ42z-BxlZqFhuOq7aJyiM3cO5qZ3zcrIoDNobADmMibNeEQrMrqyc3r0Un_xkh4drf0vLaiz1OOPExGo0WHf28Xc7tdb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2366" data-original-width="4247" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvBqvLyHX0PSthVVz4bTiYG6iVLiq-iBeJZYpNwZAIO-1kGbGHg8z0qVN8y6JKlIorYohvlu0PMlKOm828bilNF0afjRGPyU-qZ42z-BxlZqFhuOq7aJyiM3cO5qZ3zcrIoDNobADmMibNeEQrMrqyc3r0Un_xkh4drf0vLaiz1OOPExGo0WHf28Xc7tdb=w640-h356" width="640" /></a></div><br />I was not expecting anything but Black-headed Gulls on the lake, but this one had white primary feathers which made me initially lean to Mediterranean Gull which was a lifer! However, upon closer inspection, the ear patch was not right for that species and when the bird took flight, I saw that it had some random black in the primaries. The underwing was not dark like a typical Black-headed Gull so there was definitely something going on here. Turns out that Mediterranean Gulls will hybridize with Black-headed so I then that is where I leaned. However, an eBird reviewer in Belgium reached out and confirmed it was just a partially leucistic Black-headed Gull. Double doh!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEib8jHI20eMLIBF8frditMK7KG150JYg3c5THmk9_YuyLf3tAK4htXOMGutzc92HZUxg8tEeJjehlsFwf85bnq3mAWSVA-EPNOg4pbxNq0MxeiZ9yN8rMb5Z9lLxRbkjeoCdrEsdNT-9K_vd8mN2HlKtlaa656GFkKu9IfE9EJFYg5Dme1sGruot44pK6Yx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="4306" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEib8jHI20eMLIBF8frditMK7KG150JYg3c5THmk9_YuyLf3tAK4htXOMGutzc92HZUxg8tEeJjehlsFwf85bnq3mAWSVA-EPNOg4pbxNq0MxeiZ9yN8rMb5Z9lLxRbkjeoCdrEsdNT-9K_vd8mN2HlKtlaa656GFkKu9IfE9EJFYg5Dme1sGruot44pK6Yx=w640-h364" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1GMHolKxLwfNh7FUWvjF9lbdrERMGwNQCfGCHDWGDKPk5YZ_MaslfqYJrYMCdIA5nJc1_hkEnhdDFt3IhGeyyDWCbQWuFEtGW5gL6IJ8a1qV6YeeQRvR-M_YFoWsZMVPDuaOXRZ6jYvvh2lrUZdxEwR2ptyTWfwQSDn587i_-9zOvilViyILtV9GrO8sU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1945" data-original-width="3307" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1GMHolKxLwfNh7FUWvjF9lbdrERMGwNQCfGCHDWGDKPk5YZ_MaslfqYJrYMCdIA5nJc1_hkEnhdDFt3IhGeyyDWCbQWuFEtGW5gL6IJ8a1qV6YeeQRvR-M_YFoWsZMVPDuaOXRZ6jYvvh2lrUZdxEwR2ptyTWfwQSDn587i_-9zOvilViyILtV9GrO8sU=w640-h376" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFdiLDWS3PAXOiA6V78jKgByLt7NPdWWhgVDcK9lmafagDBdD2acGMFKH3w4urPgd7g3MEZvzgQu-k9ZmZVbOLwJ6BbLZP4ya0zWvxUFbJpBZAVUvyFEk9lwMSAIa9kaMd7EPg1FztYAJ-Qgasn2uiMCjT8KgCanDpiRIWqGHAqndBAGsTAUL2GPB235oX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1633" data-original-width="3017" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFdiLDWS3PAXOiA6V78jKgByLt7NPdWWhgVDcK9lmafagDBdD2acGMFKH3w4urPgd7g3MEZvzgQu-k9ZmZVbOLwJ6BbLZP4ya0zWvxUFbJpBZAVUvyFEk9lwMSAIa9kaMd7EPg1FztYAJ-Qgasn2uiMCjT8KgCanDpiRIWqGHAqndBAGsTAUL2GPB235oX=w640-h346" width="640" /></a></div><p>Weird bird. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5shVmJP-6TM6TrxF-gEXK2g040mPYUdFy-Qp2zNFvS-U4o3URjwyT_SjsjiZGgJQFBA8Ay1tu3q8GZ3ynOXqPqTQgHAmPkKYgMKXeA2RLyXi8GbaC7S28y0nIwRK3TbbtazynoG3-MEfUyLpY8LXCLtAr6kEQ4CE3ZdyeFBKViA_P26x68FkIRcIzughJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="2051" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5shVmJP-6TM6TrxF-gEXK2g040mPYUdFy-Qp2zNFvS-U4o3URjwyT_SjsjiZGgJQFBA8Ay1tu3q8GZ3ynOXqPqTQgHAmPkKYgMKXeA2RLyXi8GbaC7S28y0nIwRK3TbbtazynoG3-MEfUyLpY8LXCLtAr6kEQ4CE3ZdyeFBKViA_P26x68FkIRcIzughJ=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdr6zPgJ00AukvQ02rQM--Xbf_yLOJePTrBhXBiyIkFpUHD5iY1a3y18Z7bWuqkWRseIhkYKnEhVWec3gLUFX4IziJ7X1edvQ8wE3MBBKs3EtG7K3XFddD_1seLXyv4o2fZnPUFctZWqjMAVmJuH8tQ7dDXUR7vKxN8iI8YQ9Z-kCVwmNxVReZ6bYMi2KG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2669" data-original-width="4231" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdr6zPgJ00AukvQ02rQM--Xbf_yLOJePTrBhXBiyIkFpUHD5iY1a3y18Z7bWuqkWRseIhkYKnEhVWec3gLUFX4IziJ7X1edvQ8wE3MBBKs3EtG7K3XFddD_1seLXyv4o2fZnPUFctZWqjMAVmJuH8tQ7dDXUR7vKxN8iI8YQ9Z-kCVwmNxVReZ6bYMi2KG=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br />Great Crested Grebe - the harsh light on the water was not good for photography.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI96oCrwOLPXTJScqQQKxnamVoAdX2U9kOPcOogdZPhxz39y5ca3c3-oinyG4i4ekXXZa6hCIHTy-uZprzRxGWKMTW_AR2jNe7J9dlfECmimJHRmNJ3q3h7U1Izq8-T2y44ENsdjIRDEktl9fPJcfCJZrrOrzxJaEvBnp-iRYYIE-xaGUPvUE_k9CLGjyt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2190" data-original-width="3237" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI96oCrwOLPXTJScqQQKxnamVoAdX2U9kOPcOogdZPhxz39y5ca3c3-oinyG4i4ekXXZa6hCIHTy-uZprzRxGWKMTW_AR2jNe7J9dlfECmimJHRmNJ3q3h7U1Izq8-T2y44ENsdjIRDEktl9fPJcfCJZrrOrzxJaEvBnp-iRYYIE-xaGUPvUE_k9CLGjyt=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><br />I found a couple Gray Wagtails which I have seen in Norway before.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTKu-9hlycTbaSUvaa-pJEAR8uXppITSsD7-BRH83nVEM1LTS2l8EguJsq_wYZ9vyNQOaNnRNSpmjxhHxPMLIRGgN016vSOU9OBknKK59vQ58fgrU6aG33--dUt_bda8Dwmr0WcU_hYU8sMieQaX_W0WQZ3rmze85o3ZIpWMC-izMOvHHOSxrQ83ZDaaoY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2505" data-original-width="3863" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTKu-9hlycTbaSUvaa-pJEAR8uXppITSsD7-BRH83nVEM1LTS2l8EguJsq_wYZ9vyNQOaNnRNSpmjxhHxPMLIRGgN016vSOU9OBknKK59vQ58fgrU6aG33--dUt_bda8Dwmr0WcU_hYU8sMieQaX_W0WQZ3rmze85o3ZIpWMC-izMOvHHOSxrQ83ZDaaoY=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><br />Common Chaffinches were also in abundance. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKzPh8x9ykWQ2rxXcqnjn_gQyn7zhAH2PrcjfXUFGTC2KEMg9i11yEt2Shu58mIqMScHQoz9wsrzifgydrisJP4UomYqSHPlPVDFMrQCMHWCgZaTWYgS-jAQKIktjexHBOUKwGSXsXEy5AlEl_LrIZEbZUcNBH01_Puxs-ZLGCegIWIxOmzypzQzWuqqsS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="4822" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKzPh8x9ykWQ2rxXcqnjn_gQyn7zhAH2PrcjfXUFGTC2KEMg9i11yEt2Shu58mIqMScHQoz9wsrzifgydrisJP4UomYqSHPlPVDFMrQCMHWCgZaTWYgS-jAQKIktjexHBOUKwGSXsXEy5AlEl_LrIZEbZUcNBH01_Puxs-ZLGCegIWIxOmzypzQzWuqqsS=w640-h346" width="640" /></a></div><br />I believe all the Cormorants were Great and the Herons were Gray.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUmPrTlKSUXkY3FC8ZuN2ngXgM188PX0vPhRxDtl3B2llA-sAv7oLvtcKL6nV4pffdvMNCJXaNAkTrh4zFYwS_2tXADr2CFfsnR8PvghISjIVf6WAdl3VWpzX9gEMIdqvNHNn-yY1GrZB4GqOH3txsSu6uEU3KXbWcMoIedvSTX_mODfoPYTSJ04SXJB-9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUmPrTlKSUXkY3FC8ZuN2ngXgM188PX0vPhRxDtl3B2llA-sAv7oLvtcKL6nV4pffdvMNCJXaNAkTrh4zFYwS_2tXADr2CFfsnR8PvghISjIVf6WAdl3VWpzX9gEMIdqvNHNn-yY1GrZB4GqOH3txsSu6uEU3KXbWcMoIedvSTX_mODfoPYTSJ04SXJB-9=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Great Egret is a species that has only been recently expanding further into northern Europe.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTj3wL1SUs2rzpf4qS0WJN6qmF3a60kZTwpRW_vAMay9dzOCWASO-yJqC2deUT6FwMNMjfMrFxvc4MUbHOO7-6qFPckjpAf0yVbh_w53hrtt7JFNHuRD4Ntkrym5HVlmAD3xJHUKDNwdGdMJvC4tkRG8Qq1T_M3RiotNeydkTeBLG7KZ6l-ZoglmC_MlYp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3103" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTj3wL1SUs2rzpf4qS0WJN6qmF3a60kZTwpRW_vAMay9dzOCWASO-yJqC2deUT6FwMNMjfMrFxvc4MUbHOO7-6qFPckjpAf0yVbh_w53hrtt7JFNHuRD4Ntkrym5HVlmAD3xJHUKDNwdGdMJvC4tkRG8Qq1T_M3RiotNeydkTeBLG7KZ6l-ZoglmC_MlYp=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><br />Best bird of the day was this Common Kingfisher in the pond right next to the hotel. This was a lifer for me.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTUNro37KDbXEClpSIsnQQnGaK6dgo2zmICOkmpcRRG5kJrbiUwFhJTPxGVlKqB2TMfM88gjB91NYkcp6ss__DAbzMV6KZQAWHfvIUuwwKhURRVCR-7Gy1YpKzg7aSHkfpzI-bNOyNAsE6kiep9eiI3akR81yD6w8OmMebXz-orRhUMl47Ab_c7caKTMgo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTUNro37KDbXEClpSIsnQQnGaK6dgo2zmICOkmpcRRG5kJrbiUwFhJTPxGVlKqB2TMfM88gjB91NYkcp6ss__DAbzMV6KZQAWHfvIUuwwKhURRVCR-7Gy1YpKzg7aSHkfpzI-bNOyNAsE6kiep9eiI3akR81yD6w8OmMebXz-orRhUMl47Ab_c7caKTMgo=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eurasian Magpies are common but I don't think I would ever grow tired of them.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiczcilPqTgA7JszgvmPfR1U3NNqTRymgknFjy4VGPwneYJSzD96AzXK0jTUXLv6pQr_v9tvUFvySS7wI4XIPDP9nRvkDpVTYD76G21MzckouZY3fWnLQLNbyA2u-mB_-mbk3rqV7V3XCXBBCIqwcg_EZSTxC11fPt7q-J3IjW8bdZzG8iX6m2-TDkvVq1x" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3211" data-original-width="4828" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiczcilPqTgA7JszgvmPfR1U3NNqTRymgknFjy4VGPwneYJSzD96AzXK0jTUXLv6pQr_v9tvUFvySS7wI4XIPDP9nRvkDpVTYD76G21MzckouZY3fWnLQLNbyA2u-mB_-mbk3rqV7V3XCXBBCIqwcg_EZSTxC11fPt7q-J3IjW8bdZzG8iX6m2-TDkvVq1x=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>It was nice to study the Gray Herons more because I would love to be the first person to find one in North Carolina and you need to know your difference between our Great Blue and the Gray which can be subtle if you aren't paying attention. The Gray had white upper legs versus the Great Blue's rufous pants and also the neck has more white and black streaking.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4i6wSEypMyFx5qmrqTG9jcedy9HRjCSMmwtbQrfms4CoSgJhY7aQrQCITCR1_-26yCksleJ_y-1shd7G95XxrNfVUkTvJXELhxcbluH_Az8-XWxyJnh_pzIWhpMJpSZlb4fY5b6ZOrwJLPauVhscnOsiwI8d_5ZYLVqBIcJOa0PTUVfpW1R-g7dYBJt6a" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4i6wSEypMyFx5qmrqTG9jcedy9HRjCSMmwtbQrfms4CoSgJhY7aQrQCITCR1_-26yCksleJ_y-1shd7G95XxrNfVUkTvJXELhxcbluH_Az8-XWxyJnh_pzIWhpMJpSZlb4fY5b6ZOrwJLPauVhscnOsiwI8d_5ZYLVqBIcJOa0PTUVfpW1R-g7dYBJt6a=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4vG6VlirbPQns0DDw9CEK-YDRh6A1lGnJIEPavm3bE2C5SuV0v8lRPodfkrPmMdhFxfvAAn1hL_CQwaXRUlPAikQstGC9-g3-AvX5Yrp4IgjmBkGF2tIfVECBlRw7riujTvu9gWrLsPvuRo7Eu8PFFD8tLudhr0QHoT6ZsLl5j4-RbNFnEwSrPMQpVBVt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4vG6VlirbPQns0DDw9CEK-YDRh6A1lGnJIEPavm3bE2C5SuV0v8lRPodfkrPmMdhFxfvAAn1hL_CQwaXRUlPAikQstGC9-g3-AvX5Yrp4IgjmBkGF2tIfVECBlRw7riujTvu9gWrLsPvuRo7Eu8PFFD8tLudhr0QHoT6ZsLl5j4-RbNFnEwSrPMQpVBVt" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Egyptian Goose is an established exotic common throughout Europe.</div></div><br />I was able to check into my room and have lunch at the Chateau before setting off again. I looked at google maps and saw some farm fields about a mile up a big hill so off I went in search of some different habitat.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLK0X-lwLp1sDmxoIS35FEa9ew1qzq8qtQ_kOzy_1Fhv70oMPPS04O2SAcCk7Je78YgtUh-aEaag5673-2Ng1HPaqqzX7gMa9B-mtnid7cJjBo12p3HxJ66q-7sPLtMJAftShsGWZxhDFoIOEGKEJIi5lYmuZwEPyslVYZdYOJAIFQUpN2sM2T8K9rzvC0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLK0X-lwLp1sDmxoIS35FEa9ew1qzq8qtQ_kOzy_1Fhv70oMPPS04O2SAcCk7Je78YgtUh-aEaag5673-2Ng1HPaqqzX7gMa9B-mtnid7cJjBo12p3HxJ66q-7sPLtMJAftShsGWZxhDFoIOEGKEJIi5lYmuZwEPyslVYZdYOJAIFQUpN2sM2T8K9rzvC0=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Once I got up the hill from the lake and through the little town, the countryside began to open up with farm fields. I picked up some distant Black Redstarts and more common species, but for the most part there was not much going on in the monoculture fields.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5XMtbFtbhwhV8qTkEw0dckZuRU7HJcwlH4NYwXelCsTc8s7FvZIWNUl7yZKQtjVCiun4uMIG19Ppsyq8LKrRwJprVKdzA2w5UqPwWsBCz6dkfwcQOmsnQ9O3aP8FSe81KEDg1YILc_kKn6WVqN4bb8cWy6wIRm8PgnJAdVDGa-EzTExynfGzYSP9i0712" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5XMtbFtbhwhV8qTkEw0dckZuRU7HJcwlH4NYwXelCsTc8s7FvZIWNUl7yZKQtjVCiun4uMIG19Ppsyq8LKrRwJprVKdzA2w5UqPwWsBCz6dkfwcQOmsnQ9O3aP8FSe81KEDg1YILc_kKn6WVqN4bb8cWy6wIRm8PgnJAdVDGa-EzTExynfGzYSP9i0712=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />It seemed like most of the fields were chards or something like that.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxlZ6MEMst4a_yQJIxrYhC1eUEBkySIFG0zh171Gl1b3OZ-KnjhnpbE5gIOlQ9dSN3A4FEL9JYgYj1IgkOzWrX-6ZD4HBSzmJFAul2xu0JNA0k7QXzzqIAWjAMcDyppjngMrDwsSkQ4tomEEX7YNpmZbzVpuoQSh2yZAYUf__6CUKKAE1cfhupP2FW1PK-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxlZ6MEMst4a_yQJIxrYhC1eUEBkySIFG0zh171Gl1b3OZ-KnjhnpbE5gIOlQ9dSN3A4FEL9JYgYj1IgkOzWrX-6ZD4HBSzmJFAul2xu0JNA0k7QXzzqIAWjAMcDyppjngMrDwsSkQ4tomEEX7YNpmZbzVpuoQSh2yZAYUf__6CUKKAE1cfhupP2FW1PK-=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />I walked over an hour on country roads looking through some of the recently plowed fields hoping for some activity and finally found one field that had tons of Carrion Crows foraging so I took a spur road and hoped for the best. As I got closer I flushed a huge flock of Eurasian Skylarks which were perfectly camouflaged int he dirt.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyLcROkwgYrySm4jDwW-9EL7NnI3Ki2VwqPA9_66Jg-x6RnXmkPOBGlZWPxINmgxNAXb61uN1uSVocOn2JIOOmadrU7LZpiGYenWicMAgVYU6dYNtdwDfrlMP6pUyudVN6dN0rQbQxy4SE-Y7_2kzWJpwHNxfkzzPcvMnjgpTJcdFUNvbcPJR_7yVx0YUr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1557" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyLcROkwgYrySm4jDwW-9EL7NnI3Ki2VwqPA9_66Jg-x6RnXmkPOBGlZWPxINmgxNAXb61uN1uSVocOn2JIOOmadrU7LZpiGYenWicMAgVYU6dYNtdwDfrlMP6pUyudVN6dN0rQbQxy4SE-Y7_2kzWJpwHNxfkzzPcvMnjgpTJcdFUNvbcPJR_7yVx0YUr=w640-h376" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eurasian Skylark - a few remained in the stubble but they were far off and I only managed a few passable photos.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy-7mFVuPoPFpDr7Nh-iL0nXJHYdh5v5G9rUWbYO-F-Ff29paNgsd1beb_K9sNWM2Fi1ziS8NM7EYyQuRmJ4MPD6ZUHecXP9A5Viv2JfR9oCU4x4hBAg2LX8h-NeaceMPV8FiRN7jFHoTwH05lYQKS5Yv2C7i-ISrXzUTQqZoAKafKr51ymFGpU0iQLrK3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="2181" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy-7mFVuPoPFpDr7Nh-iL0nXJHYdh5v5G9rUWbYO-F-Ff29paNgsd1beb_K9sNWM2Fi1ziS8NM7EYyQuRmJ4MPD6ZUHecXP9A5Viv2JfR9oCU4x4hBAg2LX8h-NeaceMPV8FiRN7jFHoTwH05lYQKS5Yv2C7i-ISrXzUTQqZoAKafKr51ymFGpU0iQLrK3=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><br />Most of my photos were of birds in flight as they periodically flushed and landed.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiG9GkIR1VA3oLMYKe8A5ho3tjZ_Kstbsq4EuJ0N1toGGz7TeU1gPg-SvGKaSaf6JT52Ge-AhTkmHw3RA8Mp4oOB9xbqsbJOVlIQ5ICda0Z0bSUxPn3RajwLk13OzLx7L9JEIFkletaK0F05xHqnuO2kBhAEVmL1S-_8AyXL0J6oVrsQqhW1boC-pqb08j2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4103" data-original-width="6960" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiG9GkIR1VA3oLMYKe8A5ho3tjZ_Kstbsq4EuJ0N1toGGz7TeU1gPg-SvGKaSaf6JT52Ge-AhTkmHw3RA8Mp4oOB9xbqsbJOVlIQ5ICda0Z0bSUxPn3RajwLk13OzLx7L9JEIFkletaK0F05xHqnuO2kBhAEVmL1S-_8AyXL0J6oVrsQqhW1boC-pqb08j2=w640-h378" width="640" /></a></div></div><p>It was a little frustrating because they never really got close enough for a proper crushing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqp5feJ4pxsJTJM5ZrUHj1sTUJSt7bE5lNDjKdY3zzEn-fHSVxbRKmDG6ZxOgZWCXJtFHlmUgDVILRi4bbWlUdGZp-xP3oFhR3dDyRVFk0uhMpIXu6eXKApVCNxcD75tW-BtMuWHLEFHtc3upIerYy_xpdI1_hJdUw1v85frpGbdVY70hKq-tefCmE8J19" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1679" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqp5feJ4pxsJTJM5ZrUHj1sTUJSt7bE5lNDjKdY3zzEn-fHSVxbRKmDG6ZxOgZWCXJtFHlmUgDVILRi4bbWlUdGZp-xP3oFhR3dDyRVFk0uhMpIXu6eXKApVCNxcD75tW-BtMuWHLEFHtc3upIerYy_xpdI1_hJdUw1v85frpGbdVY70hKq-tefCmE8J19=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwy2E3oQGK_2dS4pvnwlgfby5I3N1iLimUBFahWlK4JMwaWFg0qjLvQAslP1WQtWdfljoQegAHZT5X4FmqE7hiyq2KcY-XdznrfiwFmfT171y75h3zoGlfaq4HQ8tA4iMiKcBKx4XQACFT_1Ar0NtJGOr4XdnW-wWq-mOhpEuFUJehVrIQ_JhmjworYnMZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="2107" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwy2E3oQGK_2dS4pvnwlgfby5I3N1iLimUBFahWlK4JMwaWFg0qjLvQAslP1WQtWdfljoQegAHZT5X4FmqE7hiyq2KcY-XdznrfiwFmfT171y75h3zoGlfaq4HQ8tA4iMiKcBKx4XQACFT_1Ar0NtJGOr4XdnW-wWq-mOhpEuFUJehVrIQ_JhmjworYnMZ=w640-h330" width="640" /></a><p></p><p>Eventually I did spot an Eurasian Kestrel and a distant Harrier which I thin was a Hen Harrier. Only the kestrel came close enough for some pics.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwChDr6i5V3BIB1hl6r1zCVOqOdyOea6JoqWtJcOSwxKXA9KFgX52D0lCJHWw8wm9xk7M7OHCQguAcfuNemgPkOxoi85mbCgLnbFwXJ8HwpTmv5qE3aU7Q3NIM5Zfn2qqQwES9_GhZqz8pmewDfnCLnTkKLnBrANOCSG8wuwLco1ChN78lS9LaayRD2PxK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="2390" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwChDr6i5V3BIB1hl6r1zCVOqOdyOea6JoqWtJcOSwxKXA9KFgX52D0lCJHWw8wm9xk7M7OHCQguAcfuNemgPkOxoi85mbCgLnbFwXJ8HwpTmv5qE3aU7Q3NIM5Zfn2qqQwES9_GhZqz8pmewDfnCLnTkKLnBrANOCSG8wuwLco1ChN78lS9LaayRD2PxK=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3aAju9QxYdlvQ7gB2un7QD16gj-GLPO47bfmDc5jLKvVXKbHJBERpGYpNPPFmdtzbSkDW_f-yBLCCLlNYnTij9wQJfogSOUc9wvF72WDjPNc4Jq3Q6PhMa2x3KMA0yosXowB_fxFm_5YJBgKxPyUnbEDjjQp06ZFWX65IsCKO0o51AIrBDLChbEy3Db2c" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="2246" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3aAju9QxYdlvQ7gB2un7QD16gj-GLPO47bfmDc5jLKvVXKbHJBERpGYpNPPFmdtzbSkDW_f-yBLCCLlNYnTij9wQJfogSOUc9wvF72WDjPNc4Jq3Q6PhMa2x3KMA0yosXowB_fxFm_5YJBgKxPyUnbEDjjQp06ZFWX65IsCKO0o51AIrBDLChbEy3Db2c=w640-h388" width="640" /></a></div><p>It was getting late so I hoofed it back down the hill to the chateau.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7Ma-hwrvBiyM8V7XEEGqU8oQ7c-2vYsTvHrn-mw5DmvA9YhtqsM_8GhbBC05_iL_4bFrPXwnsCfsbOV2jzKK5tY749ojXTwhbw3Z96XAGz51CRZUAakdFzY4znC3FIlNHH4Gr80LnJuXp1zrSazBUuCs_p_tapodZIVXpnWv4z5R2LSuHtfZE7E1J1hiH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3816" data-original-width="5681" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7Ma-hwrvBiyM8V7XEEGqU8oQ7c-2vYsTvHrn-mw5DmvA9YhtqsM_8GhbBC05_iL_4bFrPXwnsCfsbOV2jzKK5tY749ojXTwhbw3Z96XAGz51CRZUAakdFzY4znC3FIlNHH4Gr80LnJuXp1zrSazBUuCs_p_tapodZIVXpnWv4z5R2LSuHtfZE7E1J1hiH=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eurasian Moorhen <p></p><p>I ended up only 34 species after a whole day of birding in Belgium probably mostly because of the poor weather. It rained on and off the whole time I was there. The rest of the week was spent from sunup to sundown in all day meetings so the camera stayed in the bag.</p><p>I hope to head back and properly explore Belgium in the future.</p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-77165736765534128572023-10-29T14:01:00.002-07:002023-10-29T14:01:44.540-07:00The Big Sit, A Tropical Kingbird and Four More Counties (04-22Oct2023)October is my next favorite month after September. Cool fall weather, still some waves to be had, migration and now something that is becoming an annual event for me, the Big Sit! The Big Sit (<a href="https://www.thebigsit.org/">https://www.thebigsit.org/</a>) is a global event kind of like the eBird Big Day, where teams all over the globe try and get as many species of birds that they can in a 24 hour period. Here is the catch though, you can't leave a 17 foot diameter circle! That is harder than you think. You can leave it to go to the bathroom, but you can't count any birds that were not seen from the circle. More to come on the Big Sit in a moment, first a couple local birds in the days before.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjP2Dk-xh7YXOpltM4zsvzuAjyKVJPCGBm8LafOtnDq5uB0Qrj_vqVW9UlIrVnGe_froZR13RHWQ_e67ffaJP62fWDOsyv0lDMcUAlx3L6SkeZZXkEDcPCKwL5Ti6XbKuex2QuFYwbTYVe8Na5i9qGmxUpTds-zjCfQgX_sb68oP9iTULE1xBVs5aKjVtD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2954" data-original-width="3929" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjP2Dk-xh7YXOpltM4zsvzuAjyKVJPCGBm8LafOtnDq5uB0Qrj_vqVW9UlIrVnGe_froZR13RHWQ_e67ffaJP62fWDOsyv0lDMcUAlx3L6SkeZZXkEDcPCKwL5Ti6XbKuex2QuFYwbTYVe8Na5i9qGmxUpTds-zjCfQgX_sb68oP9iTULE1xBVs5aKjVtD" width="638" /></a></div><br />Red-eyed Vireos are the most common bird at Burnt Mill Creek in early October before the yellow-rumped horde comes. They are the vanguard or the cavalry, whereas the butterbutts are the infantry.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQb5Bx7AylJSYArUGR75aaTMucBW9pqsujKeEHyyGm_7AROsrKnkTmKnjbMuFCMC8tWaQeRpmWH54wLuLvuPGCZp_qFcAYCaGl2WPufsv2VKZhHE7PCJ8A9SRrV778YbFNr0vQQGeIJkStGMYQInENvcpas7Us2zRAsnSte4BbuZEU-qCdDV9-PknNnyYV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3134" data-original-width="4098" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQb5Bx7AylJSYArUGR75aaTMucBW9pqsujKeEHyyGm_7AROsrKnkTmKnjbMuFCMC8tWaQeRpmWH54wLuLvuPGCZp_qFcAYCaGl2WPufsv2VKZhHE7PCJ8A9SRrV778YbFNr0vQQGeIJkStGMYQInENvcpas7Us2zRAsnSte4BbuZEU-qCdDV9-PknNnyYV=w640-h489" width="640" /></a></div><br />White-eyed Vireos come in second as far as Vireos go.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcmhDxY_YlnAPtTTdpQi1CY-mXO3cAj3zagVpG6QHAKkzWeykhHfE4xIGLbuAzdyYwrNc9H5GzcnGDeCtcnzG6iCgGHaQa02IZozfCF8ZiKRBztE4c7MCxlzXH778SpMj7GJ2pppbWOFmfHUcPv4KFbrlRM7B48St4rfhB3cWx6akMl864zBTkiBRWnD4y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2289" data-original-width="3537" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcmhDxY_YlnAPtTTdpQi1CY-mXO3cAj3zagVpG6QHAKkzWeykhHfE4xIGLbuAzdyYwrNc9H5GzcnGDeCtcnzG6iCgGHaQa02IZozfCF8ZiKRBztE4c7MCxlzXH778SpMj7GJ2pppbWOFmfHUcPv4KFbrlRM7B48St4rfhB3cWx6akMl864zBTkiBRWnD4y=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><br />Black-and-white Warbler with plenty of crevices to explore along a lichen encrusted oak.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhth-G_VhP1ZcNAdbuXpebH08e2M4dz8fDif0FjAZoyBmcJoUNBIFS6lAWaLZD5xktqvqwcYOB6N3_9umAfKzqgS-IEzfnmrk0bx2xTU_Q4XIeztu8VPJ6EwNeN_I-iQYBHimK8by_l1jVdTU1pQ3fS1OKMt7gBPt_tkroakHXLtEzwuY50v_jADhUvmb7b" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhth-G_VhP1ZcNAdbuXpebH08e2M4dz8fDif0FjAZoyBmcJoUNBIFS6lAWaLZD5xktqvqwcYOB6N3_9umAfKzqgS-IEzfnmrk0bx2xTU_Q4XIeztu8VPJ6EwNeN_I-iQYBHimK8by_l1jVdTU1pQ3fS1OKMt7gBPt_tkroakHXLtEzwuY50v_jADhUvmb7b" width="640" /></a></div><br />Don't ever take a Tufted Titmouse for granted, they are one of the coolest characters around.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhInCWzQ9L4hsQK9fHvOYYHnPxsYSZdHOaCc9tMgLmhcmf9XCTTiENnYAY2yCaQF_TNBckSKN2pe2HamnK7Aqe6TpaAGKvFeJmHT2UxttAQ4peLP7VKHdT-H2FpHf4ywc-WW5jF1A1_DMNEP25I7_BZuyBkeVlmRGUz0ye6O4yYTb9VWdb2C8JgG6UkrKzt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1818" data-original-width="2558" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhInCWzQ9L4hsQK9fHvOYYHnPxsYSZdHOaCc9tMgLmhcmf9XCTTiENnYAY2yCaQF_TNBckSKN2pe2HamnK7Aqe6TpaAGKvFeJmHT2UxttAQ4peLP7VKHdT-H2FpHf4ywc-WW5jF1A1_DMNEP25I7_BZuyBkeVlmRGUz0ye6O4yYTb9VWdb2C8JgG6UkrKzt=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><br />Red-winged Blackbird</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjHmgyogD_-38mZZww9M5fWZAzn9dQMLaVw9mUK49FnRhSQIXA6vLebo-odftFAnfMaf-93T-A3xIFUT-2yQ-asEtd1nvsrW_BkX7ZvANpDaZoejXlnLoUvdLJreopKyW4p6y1KwNRhvVh31IYHAqZXTy_r0BLYCXc6eDiDW7Mko1Czjr8-SBS9WGe5H9A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3595" data-original-width="5636" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjHmgyogD_-38mZZww9M5fWZAzn9dQMLaVw9mUK49FnRhSQIXA6vLebo-odftFAnfMaf-93T-A3xIFUT-2yQ-asEtd1nvsrW_BkX7ZvANpDaZoejXlnLoUvdLJreopKyW4p6y1KwNRhvVh31IYHAqZXTy_r0BLYCXc6eDiDW7Mko1Czjr8-SBS9WGe5H9A=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><br />If you see a warbler in the undergrowth along the creek, chances are it is a Common Yellowthroat but I still diligently check them all.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJYVOb9oiuCqsg50c4Phj2-geTEYuZOtEMHunDc_ny0NnXq9lAOQPh6Ofu6sLLDB-h8zXqlw7laQ_WpJ1sR6ZVSb8ZSqy5Fb3C4XGRP2dFVx7n1fLoval6QLxH5LEwR7d1YXogSIoxNn11eO4RdQ2S0Is9vBkKlTkQAN83L_xRulD0BA0z7kTk_ngWTq0V" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2867" data-original-width="4563" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJYVOb9oiuCqsg50c4Phj2-geTEYuZOtEMHunDc_ny0NnXq9lAOQPh6Ofu6sLLDB-h8zXqlw7laQ_WpJ1sR6ZVSb8ZSqy5Fb3C4XGRP2dFVx7n1fLoval6QLxH5LEwR7d1YXogSIoxNn11eO4RdQ2S0Is9vBkKlTkQAN83L_xRulD0BA0z7kTk_ngWTq0V=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><br />Yellow Warbler playing hard to get.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZEdncHTFInOMO8HVLWl1Sk_KC0bfP_n84E54wXVnDWBu5FZizCAKh05bA0NUErWdqEhjq-ItL1oYrrxWgMXquZ76SnY6RWlami_9s2BMIGhe9fm2wAkpG0OjRCrwwHxP9qJCvUNvKz_6ANmhzongEdJ5mt6_E3GUBFDZU-VUFMtj2gq657IkipYxp0o31" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="4317" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZEdncHTFInOMO8HVLWl1Sk_KC0bfP_n84E54wXVnDWBu5FZizCAKh05bA0NUErWdqEhjq-ItL1oYrrxWgMXquZ76SnY6RWlami_9s2BMIGhe9fm2wAkpG0OjRCrwwHxP9qJCvUNvKz_6ANmhzongEdJ5mt6_E3GUBFDZU-VUFMtj2gq657IkipYxp0o31=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile at Airlie Gardens, a small flock of 4 Wood Ducks are still hanging around and they are more bold than most of this species.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihB_RP5QOBWGtZ-VSrq-Tq_1yS8XW6u82ioZn03KQgg6XQcKRycbV9un3cyMRshHUWeYpDIL1eu2UAc0BeGghTxz1L6HTKntcyAMghVW_ppATtiW01a1dwnZHhOmhh_AT2Zgxkd8jNA9VBc93dibG1Ve6d1SDaGcZzUY-_Hr1W30zV5FMdfn3ZJCFp6fOB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2768" data-original-width="4279" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihB_RP5QOBWGtZ-VSrq-Tq_1yS8XW6u82ioZn03KQgg6XQcKRycbV9un3cyMRshHUWeYpDIL1eu2UAc0BeGghTxz1L6HTKntcyAMghVW_ppATtiW01a1dwnZHhOmhh_AT2Zgxkd8jNA9VBc93dibG1Ve6d1SDaGcZzUY-_Hr1W30zV5FMdfn3ZJCFp6fOB=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><br />A Sleepy Orange, love that name.</div><div><br /></div><div>October 8th was the Big Sit Day. The weather was setting up to be perfect for Battery Buchanan at the end of the road in Fort Fisher. A cold front pushed Northwest winds overnight which promised to push migrants out to the Cape Fear area. New Hanover County is basically a big funnel.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0VIWMadasZyG7w2nno2P6zEHgYRYC-N0EI5kj3c84mQTXJNnxob2W2aAK_JsTiUWdAGJSp_VftjqqUXi3cBF0Y_N2aK90-BaJn5pnkR6ZtIEMOZdt86gf9WgIXIk13ceYojac4ApkcHnf7dGaI6qsE7PajJNa6-ojfGCNjbunHX7RbtA6Pmdu9ZcvSbyJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="806" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0VIWMadasZyG7w2nno2P6zEHgYRYC-N0EI5kj3c84mQTXJNnxob2W2aAK_JsTiUWdAGJSp_VftjqqUXi3cBF0Y_N2aK90-BaJn5pnkR6ZtIEMOZdt86gf9WgIXIk13ceYojac4ApkcHnf7dGaI6qsE7PajJNa6-ojfGCNjbunHX7RbtA6Pmdu9ZcvSbyJ=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><br />When you get strong NW winds, the birds migrating overnight get pushed towards the coast. For the ones that stayed over land, when the light comes they descend to feed and generally keep working their way south while they do so. For the ones that got pushed offshore overnight, they see their mistake when light comes and fly back to the coast. That concentrates all the birds as they move south and get hemmed in by the Cape Fear River on the west and the Atlantic on the east. Before you know it, they are all amassing at the very tip of where the trees end which is Battery Buchanan. Obviously Bald Head is south, but there is a lot of marsh between Fort Fisher and Bald Head, so many of the birds probably don't want to cross. When they get to Battery Buchanan, if the NW wind is blowing hard enough, they don't want to cross the Cape Fear River in a headwind so they circle around to feed in the trees at Fort Fisher. Some of them drop down in the few Red Cedars at Battery Buchanan to take stock and figure out their next move.</div><div><br /></div><div>I arrived at the Battery a little late to hear owls, but Sam C was there and he didn't hear any. The first bird was probably also the last and certainly the most vocal.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio7naCleqwimXBGWB_v-NkTUBdXRzzjzXPNVDVP-ZatGtUc1prt7VvSvQzWjAwJtWcLal7NhpNA7zPjppT-jcJiwdLOlGG-P03Zr7rsWhlIxL0eXg3oykFmePYSXyRrLPjCA-8UOpQGWjh-WCAufQO-BSkFuuIHYiKOwJt2JayHnR_gfNVdl_Lp0MU6IJ0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio7naCleqwimXBGWB_v-NkTUBdXRzzjzXPNVDVP-ZatGtUc1prt7VvSvQzWjAwJtWcLal7NhpNA7zPjppT-jcJiwdLOlGG-P03Zr7rsWhlIxL0eXg3oykFmePYSXyRrLPjCA-8UOpQGWjh-WCAufQO-BSkFuuIHYiKOwJt2JayHnR_gfNVdl_Lp0MU6IJ0" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Northern Mockingbird was posted up in the Red Cedar tree that sits on top of Battery Buchanan. This cedar was the focus of much of our Big Sit as the biggest tree within a few yards of our 17 foot diameter circle. The Mockingbird would chase many of the birds that landed in his tree much to our chagrin. Very early we had several species of warbler land in the cedar including Black-throated Blue, Cape May and Yellow but most of them only stayed a few seconds and then split.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXI6i07QXH_mtve8bHGpH8eo-BTyZrSELjJNV57BaJXzoAZYm896i_Tuc7GytaTuRkjsEypzSyaKOxlfHMLCcGi0D4eHNPvlJUjk7awBSi0UyvHBzYyo67F_aFIKiIZpDVyGyvUl8fUELa1RN4osTLoK-I2amT_fBu5kOHScAQe7ZgTp42nJd12KevuQvv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2342" data-original-width="3552" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXI6i07QXH_mtve8bHGpH8eo-BTyZrSELjJNV57BaJXzoAZYm896i_Tuc7GytaTuRkjsEypzSyaKOxlfHMLCcGi0D4eHNPvlJUjk7awBSi0UyvHBzYyo67F_aFIKiIZpDVyGyvUl8fUELa1RN4osTLoK-I2amT_fBu5kOHScAQe7ZgTp42nJd12KevuQvv=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Yellow Warbler. This one landed a little ways down from our spot. You are allowed to go look for a bird you saw from the circle and confirm it if you are not sure on ID.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKjtPmaoZvwluOryCANr8ZSmfAULF3twhD6qg7s5zxXz-8G1vZtpOLBEFRNFWU88P2qEw2GWk3jfWgajju8aGt8HxUD863ZvSpNmzus5UUKVJrxIMXaFmXsCYbxIc665VfanKPQXBuV7xwQj_kxX9erFTE3JUjOPlNQIhxlPNdypVfsMz3sKkj02NmiBCR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2189" data-original-width="3554" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKjtPmaoZvwluOryCANr8ZSmfAULF3twhD6qg7s5zxXz-8G1vZtpOLBEFRNFWU88P2qEw2GWk3jfWgajju8aGt8HxUD863ZvSpNmzus5UUKVJrxIMXaFmXsCYbxIc665VfanKPQXBuV7xwQj_kxX9erFTE3JUjOPlNQIhxlPNdypVfsMz3sKkj02NmiBCR=w640-h394" width="640" /></a></div><br />We had a few Sharp-shinned Hawks - the squared off tail and small size made ID relatively easy. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6xMVXrKxcMM-wf-ov1J7klUKTCmUelkUjzfWSP1SHHHX4FGjcA1Hb-WwrufAsFk-penXvzF72NrQjKm0dSqqd6DFxf9zJbhCrYWhQ2BZybEU2kvJAfLwbaLgamNs5b0f-YYX6smH9XIyNGzwwyF6rRdUAk2OhTUPgcd0txuZvzdiYQyNwQZ1WqINg_yeK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3351" data-original-width="4570" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6xMVXrKxcMM-wf-ov1J7klUKTCmUelkUjzfWSP1SHHHX4FGjcA1Hb-WwrufAsFk-penXvzF72NrQjKm0dSqqd6DFxf9zJbhCrYWhQ2BZybEU2kvJAfLwbaLgamNs5b0f-YYX6smH9XIyNGzwwyF6rRdUAk2OhTUPgcd0txuZvzdiYQyNwQZ1WqINg_yeK=w640-h470" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eastern Phoebes are sweet and cute.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigWY4L7OU9J8P4otQyuM4t5ySyP-om-xQuT5HoKNst8aIUMb4nH7oi0NoU46L1ZGpPVaArbIu26x66KUvYhhh6M-XCcqtSEi0AYutJSyeSbGPKL1nLBauUuhvpbx9VmBAH4raUd2EUtfYFy17DS2jtAs5pT7_kJOht02KLNsNfGT7zo6oQnAfZjMYZ5Bt5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3112" data-original-width="4973" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigWY4L7OU9J8P4otQyuM4t5ySyP-om-xQuT5HoKNst8aIUMb4nH7oi0NoU46L1ZGpPVaArbIu26x66KUvYhhh6M-XCcqtSEi0AYutJSyeSbGPKL1nLBauUuhvpbx9VmBAH4raUd2EUtfYFy17DS2jtAs5pT7_kJOht02KLNsNfGT7zo6oQnAfZjMYZ5Bt5=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />We had huge numbers of Northern Flickers.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPPSaQOe0tWvxWgnLjwp4LNX7NvLB2PywYbbMqT5QKm8w3UGQ1hLYxDVP9d-wcJHPoy4klVslX3aRzdTEM3zdkCoJnjHNc6qjFJ_jQt4WIbWJ6yoJGjZnefwyoa_TOWCyphet_uQybNqMX6wR5Oyw7XM11k3B1XzUIgxbFpQqy_v2UzO2xE9t7vgAJ-uAD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3079" data-original-width="4129" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPPSaQOe0tWvxWgnLjwp4LNX7NvLB2PywYbbMqT5QKm8w3UGQ1hLYxDVP9d-wcJHPoy4klVslX3aRzdTEM3zdkCoJnjHNc6qjFJ_jQt4WIbWJ6yoJGjZnefwyoa_TOWCyphet_uQybNqMX6wR5Oyw7XM11k3B1XzUIgxbFpQqy_v2UzO2xE9t7vgAJ-uAD=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></div><br />An adult Bald Eagle came in to check us out.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5x6IoTvt0sBjnUGU6sQjIT7hGMzsSNGsJgb8HbBfhBLnJqPmUuKg7j247OlKnqy58UDLD_4eXTI4Xq3jSBK7IXel0aCiev5Mp4V2qLkzkzK0QQZaLmhpPqJy4N_Z7O1uH4-JxjGhtAM0m1X8zdzOn7swebZgtGGZDp6TK1eLbxCJQICxJA538Zh-BZczb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1690" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5x6IoTvt0sBjnUGU6sQjIT7hGMzsSNGsJgb8HbBfhBLnJqPmUuKg7j247OlKnqy58UDLD_4eXTI4Xq3jSBK7IXel0aCiev5Mp4V2qLkzkzK0QQZaLmhpPqJy4N_Z7O1uH4-JxjGhtAM0m1X8zdzOn7swebZgtGGZDp6TK1eLbxCJQICxJA538Zh-BZczb=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div><br />Some Merlins buzzed us as well. In the end we tallied 87 species of bird which is 10 better than last year and I would guess enough to take the NC title for the year. I know this spot has good potential and we could push 100 if we keep at it.</div><div><br /></div><div>A couple of Burnt Mill Creek sessions were fun but didn't bag anything super interesting.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf3z0lrzyUp8ANCKlHUlOp61F4g_X9blX3wJ0brqhscMPCxsSpGVZutZNd327ib5bzi0ar53fUr263tSbQzgjcB2m7CYhItvSnTaLtNTDtU7YtdDRLgEANbgXHgugq7HxmVW7NsyXHNLoTnFnG4_Z9SF9HhrEn_rfM0gcNcM8cHeeLD9AaEQT3FUsWELWT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2704" data-original-width="3914" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf3z0lrzyUp8ANCKlHUlOp61F4g_X9blX3wJ0brqhscMPCxsSpGVZutZNd327ib5bzi0ar53fUr263tSbQzgjcB2m7CYhItvSnTaLtNTDtU7YtdDRLgEANbgXHgugq7HxmVW7NsyXHNLoTnFnG4_Z9SF9HhrEn_rfM0gcNcM8cHeeLD9AaEQT3FUsWELWT=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><br />Blue-headed Vireo</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIzmeBMWDw96f_hDTblSrqmHSSs31nJCbNbZTNjnUYuKVm_kpZtCQ3hsbA4jkcHkFGmyUQWsxV-DLRxuy_1BqH-zCv2KUjihOLy6h_nftbHio_F1GhnwhRkjf9IlbGCa0qWwRsTL2x-CLs9LDpaN0EDByeW_REhu9yqr5Kb71sQ8aWOH2TOvggLexXwEIB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIzmeBMWDw96f_hDTblSrqmHSSs31nJCbNbZTNjnUYuKVm_kpZtCQ3hsbA4jkcHkFGmyUQWsxV-DLRxuy_1BqH-zCv2KUjihOLy6h_nftbHio_F1GhnwhRkjf9IlbGCa0qWwRsTL2x-CLs9LDpaN0EDByeW_REhu9yqr5Kb71sQ8aWOH2TOvggLexXwEIB=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Northern Parula</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOznlrlklfI3QSioQRW9HXgj0IYML2_8k8r7fBedX1OKvDDjpdN0xeHBkdbfR21JVlzl0MFpmHHry5y47jB2wC7SEX7tAuPO3ZbPvdaj6PeHMx_1dwsehKdY5dW1P2qAbUZzK5x6kD9qwLGN3n6qDS9jgvHNfBc5F__EsKPsrMWVKAUZ3KMT_17LLlOPA3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3750" data-original-width="5529" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOznlrlklfI3QSioQRW9HXgj0IYML2_8k8r7fBedX1OKvDDjpdN0xeHBkdbfR21JVlzl0MFpmHHry5y47jB2wC7SEX7tAuPO3ZbPvdaj6PeHMx_1dwsehKdY5dW1P2qAbUZzK5x6kD9qwLGN3n6qDS9jgvHNfBc5F__EsKPsrMWVKAUZ3KMT_17LLlOPA3" width="640" /></a></div><br />Chestnut-sided Warbler - these little birds are basically a totally different bird from what they look like in the Spring.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPfUZ4Pj35QKg1YDaZWOURUfryja62hso4NN-yvBXpYAKBVYEdHtTw7i5Bt3h84qhjh9BcPVefoBUyWqv4dNtOkFi-559dNLzuaRnW1cEH8RMKB0iFSyjrwertsJKpMqe-DiBPW6ySyCoLo-orLK5ntXL5uG76Rgma3Z-7bX8ZQ9k0JXT72oU0sDjY-mKo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3323" data-original-width="5220" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPfUZ4Pj35QKg1YDaZWOURUfryja62hso4NN-yvBXpYAKBVYEdHtTw7i5Bt3h84qhjh9BcPVefoBUyWqv4dNtOkFi-559dNLzuaRnW1cEH8RMKB0iFSyjrwertsJKpMqe-DiBPW6ySyCoLo-orLK5ntXL5uG76Rgma3Z-7bX8ZQ9k0JXT72oU0sDjY-mKo=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOUUGY-PRY3LhQ19VrU7qDNUl4iKluTzWjQnvdkQvWfuNH-coylrjvhC_lzPXkP3hIK5mjtXQG6yN6bO15xar86g4iUzH43xZ13qG6RcilS5qfCjpXEDLLEAEucSGo4BIt9aXjsWYcC4ltzAdFGyocRDaks2r13gK4u4F1jDe36617aekWsubImpvXg_C4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="3727" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOUUGY-PRY3LhQ19VrU7qDNUl4iKluTzWjQnvdkQvWfuNH-coylrjvhC_lzPXkP3hIK5mjtXQG6yN6bO15xar86g4iUzH43xZ13qG6RcilS5qfCjpXEDLLEAEucSGo4BIt9aXjsWYcC4ltzAdFGyocRDaks2r13gK4u4F1jDe36617aekWsubImpvXg_C4=w640-h386" width="640" /></a></div><br />Clouded Skipper</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwSBANLWWNcf8YCYRA3tzPV91DdP68ru2tMavlQAH1HnBbQvB6fEk2oHe5E-mPaMLNR-6ND8gH6SfODZMFvW2MinnZGcOeOfpXofIm1Np6MxWmYvUFkQHvJQ2jxPD65R76zKOBSlaMGYj53OhwRnOM9lq1CTe0nWtgTnioP6JHvKUJuD1P1YyGS60hkOew" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3099" data-original-width="4325" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwSBANLWWNcf8YCYRA3tzPV91DdP68ru2tMavlQAH1HnBbQvB6fEk2oHe5E-mPaMLNR-6ND8gH6SfODZMFvW2MinnZGcOeOfpXofIm1Np6MxWmYvUFkQHvJQ2jxPD65R76zKOBSlaMGYj53OhwRnOM9lq1CTe0nWtgTnioP6JHvKUJuD1P1YyGS60hkOew=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><br />Indigo Bunting - my buddy Curtis has set up a nice natural looking feeder in an old log at Burnt Mill Creek. Various of the usual feeder type birds come down to feed here but this Indigo was a treat. She was having a bad hair day.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrGSWOb9LfLXkeJ5vccYR2PRGXepiLi4FSCSW29DWNkx85a3ahJn0eRyhbLs_WQZtdS9HzCNXP-cnNtws8MHUfQOO7SzlohE-erOypNJEbkcQe6EDgXGi0zu4IPF0wZoC5rEuqowxfV_ED4QhrrMAlaW02eDa81iWAnjgjyWiNNaaKjh0QQi5pLNW_JEOn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3052" data-original-width="4693" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrGSWOb9LfLXkeJ5vccYR2PRGXepiLi4FSCSW29DWNkx85a3ahJn0eRyhbLs_WQZtdS9HzCNXP-cnNtws8MHUfQOO7SzlohE-erOypNJEbkcQe6EDgXGi0zu4IPF0wZoC5rEuqowxfV_ED4QhrrMAlaW02eDa81iWAnjgjyWiNNaaKjh0QQi5pLNW_JEOn=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Ah that's better. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2wxE2YQxkQrboWJkXuKXwZilBhcIEOoHaKy3QmJOCZO1M5FvbDng-YEocTo8nj0GE3iHxdXRZXPzDYLTrw2GV_pYV4A9zADxynxudalACc5semhTTmXbX8lK-FpajKJVjv4KELiLDieUkEnwRz07Kzs9h7jcQM5hET59omcB3rsRryqC8trzVggCiCUu9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2wxE2YQxkQrboWJkXuKXwZilBhcIEOoHaKy3QmJOCZO1M5FvbDng-YEocTo8nj0GE3iHxdXRZXPzDYLTrw2GV_pYV4A9zADxynxudalACc5semhTTmXbX8lK-FpajKJVjv4KELiLDieUkEnwRz07Kzs9h7jcQM5hET59omcB3rsRryqC8trzVggCiCUu9=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Downy Woodpecker</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile at Airlie Gardens....</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYAiuqkqityNgFp7cfaVHDa88Sm3OdioxPpWOFpv93h93WG-GARTG4gZhiU4IEktVHBcErsLHUNZ_J5JGt0mhULk1ZmAxWiA0DZVP2lfr8WpvOvbPp2J8S8lDYbQtZ1Js_jo18xESbc4pj0pimVgSROtos292CXpAWxMlUZHr1f5MX_RMaRyODr4WxWHi7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3342" data-original-width="5027" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYAiuqkqityNgFp7cfaVHDa88Sm3OdioxPpWOFpv93h93WG-GARTG4gZhiU4IEktVHBcErsLHUNZ_J5JGt0mhULk1ZmAxWiA0DZVP2lfr8WpvOvbPp2J8S8lDYbQtZ1Js_jo18xESbc4pj0pimVgSROtos292CXpAWxMlUZHr1f5MX_RMaRyODr4WxWHi7=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Yellow Warbler</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhve50l0aiNgTjj2StgMcWxF6zG6A8VfBwwBvOScqaEvGsR43XFBrsi7CuOczDbX6ZXMu4e6GquYUvJ4XO2wfWCPC-YOQBxU-hyh7jbyNv-4X5zn5y9s2HfmxrMFDmWZz1z_5og48OK3_5dV3XBSAd2ZhWJMIzn5Su_EeBAaXumeiMi-XazSFWmrQjRQqC8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3430" data-original-width="4916" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhve50l0aiNgTjj2StgMcWxF6zG6A8VfBwwBvOScqaEvGsR43XFBrsi7CuOczDbX6ZXMu4e6GquYUvJ4XO2wfWCPC-YOQBxU-hyh7jbyNv-4X5zn5y9s2HfmxrMFDmWZz1z_5og48OK3_5dV3XBSAd2ZhWJMIzn5Su_EeBAaXumeiMi-XazSFWmrQjRQqC8=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ovenbird</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzRXWzM0jqFZZlOxWgCndjLdz2VgILg25qoNUV1WDqWzEvWKtpT8FI2qnKovMqL_FE74gGlW5kIjHh_I-pwqnp2uNNxm7yrO8mCocNNodFeshof8tvhornODCAhf3G3OzG0-g2J6pt_n6qcNoSRRcKeyd28Yi7KuNvZDKFixqBYxFTLC2hbmsebvCuiXW3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzRXWzM0jqFZZlOxWgCndjLdz2VgILg25qoNUV1WDqWzEvWKtpT8FI2qnKovMqL_FE74gGlW5kIjHh_I-pwqnp2uNNxm7yrO8mCocNNodFeshof8tvhornODCAhf3G3OzG0-g2J6pt_n6qcNoSRRcKeyd28Yi7KuNvZDKFixqBYxFTLC2hbmsebvCuiXW3" width="640" /></a></div><br />Black-and-white Warbler hanging out in the Sequoia they planted in the back of the garden. I think it has grown 20 feet in the past year, the tree not the warbler.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-8Ro2PAJ7a5fn8Zm-tVbpku848U_Zup99pNf7dDJgMIzyP6D2-Zv649Ckpd-qKVqyjtwit0eIOoknH5GR9kN4834SRivpXD6-JW9yiG4E99kSo0ii6SEYzT6L_BGgxp1jeC2th1JdBv9u1n6VcfywFxrFhj2MdFnPD8Kz5FE-7f_rkzHFeJxv4ovzxEvj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-8Ro2PAJ7a5fn8Zm-tVbpku848U_Zup99pNf7dDJgMIzyP6D2-Zv649Ckpd-qKVqyjtwit0eIOoknH5GR9kN4834SRivpXD6-JW9yiG4E99kSo0ii6SEYzT6L_BGgxp1jeC2th1JdBv9u1n6VcfywFxrFhj2MdFnPD8Kz5FE-7f_rkzHFeJxv4ovzxEvj=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />The Blue Mistflower at my house is blooming its heads off.</div><div><br /></div><div>A couple of weekends ago John F, Marty W and friends found a Gray Flycatcher at the old coast guard station on Cape Lookout. Unfortunately they didn't realize it until a couple days later when checking photos. The next weekend looked prosing for another cold front which can be really fun at Cape Lookout so I headed out hoping to find the Gray Flycatcher but mostly just to see what we could turn up. Trevor S joined me on the first ferry and we slowly birded our way from the ferry landing at Cape Lookout to the CG station.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj31t2CooZgN0SzjFrzUw5EYyh_wrekvwHy-JN5gZEhqR8rF0MAUTXJJigeq_M87G5G9oA47GR_qX6JYw49ZTiGkrzJv0xlJj_G7ZBQLLrAHqlD0gpdrdPYyUcHsjV51r_vmMxNV4ZBZyf7ebnGVJWig84GsLFBFDpSqnk-X_IO4ih2GQCSGhddB9ILFtyx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj31t2CooZgN0SzjFrzUw5EYyh_wrekvwHy-JN5gZEhqR8rF0MAUTXJJigeq_M87G5G9oA47GR_qX6JYw49ZTiGkrzJv0xlJj_G7ZBQLLrAHqlD0gpdrdPYyUcHsjV51r_vmMxNV4ZBZyf7ebnGVJWig84GsLFBFDpSqnk-X_IO4ih2GQCSGhddB9ILFtyx" width="640" /></a></div><br />We had many Cape May Warblers.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxKU4vDaiQXh9tPOP_OGzQXn2-yT5yyu27wXNBKIxeKF_8_KT24SnbetzXhZp401AKG4N1H1GbCePPC2rl3m7qlxolyFHw_KUazJ2QFQDXlTykmN8rAK_QHDcup7RX6Bn7GJWAwrCCWt55OfJTQQbn-tArVEqh8OS9QuByMmAFRrYRR1Y-FXEOyvsuzLPq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2253" data-original-width="3734" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxKU4vDaiQXh9tPOP_OGzQXn2-yT5yyu27wXNBKIxeKF_8_KT24SnbetzXhZp401AKG4N1H1GbCePPC2rl3m7qlxolyFHw_KUazJ2QFQDXlTykmN8rAK_QHDcup7RX6Bn7GJWAwrCCWt55OfJTQQbn-tArVEqh8OS9QuByMmAFRrYRR1Y-FXEOyvsuzLPq=w640-h386" width="640" /></a></div><br />And a Tennessee Warbler which is a good warbler for the coast. In fact we had about 12 species of warbler. When we got the CG station, we stayed around the area where the Gray Flycatcher was for a couple hours with no luck at first. Finally we picked up an Empidonax Flycatcher with what looked like short primary projection in the wings so we started to celebrate thinking it was the Gray. We snapped some poor photos and then quickly lost the bird.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1awtWnhx5WpIPPkzoXAtFEDBaQhXCsMfo3i0vcGB5ntNIMxS5BpLqiwnquHd4r89xfspQp1-AMwNG4nV3QmcJyM7wwmZe5IxNbHXcqrr-xL8gFV8Pu8TpGyRWXZhEa2DqhqvRKjmUPBpAeiwyn28yRTY0O3XhQiGZxw4AbjxrC093l83L90e6QNGEQx0x" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1613" data-original-width="2447" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1awtWnhx5WpIPPkzoXAtFEDBaQhXCsMfo3i0vcGB5ntNIMxS5BpLqiwnquHd4r89xfspQp1-AMwNG4nV3QmcJyM7wwmZe5IxNbHXcqrr-xL8gFV8Pu8TpGyRWXZhEa2DqhqvRKjmUPBpAeiwyn28yRTY0O3XhQiGZxw4AbjxrC093l83L90e6QNGEQx0x=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><br />We checked the photos afterwards and were really disappointed to find some field marks that were not right for Gray Flycatcher. Namely the bill was not dark-tipped like the photos Marty posted.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHVxqqfw1Izqu67Bhk2GyklZUCnKIJkkaBh04dcXj5PLoFXiruL3lBJrOyo-SGr_NjI5xWuSkCz6PmPFZrZVrrNzaBaleA3Vv2VYvSVpNx5u0-PZ-sL1Vnz4de_IofMCVjk9atBqoMZ7nq0AOJDKUtMPvNkAzz6mftcFCy0fmcArow_zyLizGXgdXoCwU5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="2224" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHVxqqfw1Izqu67Bhk2GyklZUCnKIJkkaBh04dcXj5PLoFXiruL3lBJrOyo-SGr_NjI5xWuSkCz6PmPFZrZVrrNzaBaleA3Vv2VYvSVpNx5u0-PZ-sL1Vnz4de_IofMCVjk9atBqoMZ7nq0AOJDKUtMPvNkAzz6mftcFCy0fmcArow_zyLizGXgdXoCwU5=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />The bill was quite small and all orange underneath.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture Marty posted in eBird of his bird:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh33n2F9LKvyap-RpzeWMQ3F6wkhl4-_QS9fsSRpr7_NvFcZzo3NpcMnKL0RM4GXIGfQD7VFHQP3mtjQtomXpuPloeqhCkeXLUAso1jQt_eQq4gIK05dPDAaCoVeZPh67cZ7jXo_t46-qMbAR6xNSihRGXuewt3H6MD84VNavPb73CZ1AOKDNNWPcaswLeI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1440" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh33n2F9LKvyap-RpzeWMQ3F6wkhl4-_QS9fsSRpr7_NvFcZzo3NpcMnKL0RM4GXIGfQD7VFHQP3mtjQtomXpuPloeqhCkeXLUAso1jQt_eQq4gIK05dPDAaCoVeZPh67cZ7jXo_t46-qMbAR6xNSihRGXuewt3H6MD84VNavPb73CZ1AOKDNNWPcaswLeI=w640-h376" width="640" /></a></div><br />The bill looks totally different. </div><div><br /></div><div>So we had to call in an Empid sp. Probably it was a Least.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSyn7lLJGjpegxKY52KHvttc1O65HARCQTuG9BOsUJykYZpe3olBp1VRqsjf2OLqJ2JugCaHsVIelvjlo3uJc5ObWMzea4P7eUzTrW6FeuI7lxHYmSwThjp8pwGNk8Ddf_aEASxMu5Mfq0RmnIKXbhNC9vleWvwcXtra98sKtLNDMHlNI6gh4038KE2cuW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSyn7lLJGjpegxKY52KHvttc1O65HARCQTuG9BOsUJykYZpe3olBp1VRqsjf2OLqJ2JugCaHsVIelvjlo3uJc5ObWMzea4P7eUzTrW6FeuI7lxHYmSwThjp8pwGNk8Ddf_aEASxMu5Mfq0RmnIKXbhNC9vleWvwcXtra98sKtLNDMHlNI6gh4038KE2cuW" width="640" /></a></div><br />Brown-headed Cowbird - overall it was a fun day but a bit disappointing that we didn't get the Gray.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIrZAZhlsDeSxYh4_Z1yq-CzFuiScwz83I0vH0yEZBnhaIgtqjxZAsy-H8M3LW47k7Y4FpNO2xnxJzge-c15d0c7HeN6CtLABzwGLWdfYJHPBuHao3jpxc9iLhx4MMIc_ipL2g4iPsddyTXw1L2opWXLu-4mWCabR6fRKTVBhkzCmtwXIKl2M9Eunh6TYK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2540" data-original-width="3688" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIrZAZhlsDeSxYh4_Z1yq-CzFuiScwz83I0vH0yEZBnhaIgtqjxZAsy-H8M3LW47k7Y4FpNO2xnxJzge-c15d0c7HeN6CtLABzwGLWdfYJHPBuHao3jpxc9iLhx4MMIc_ipL2g4iPsddyTXw1L2opWXLu-4mWCabR6fRKTVBhkzCmtwXIKl2M9Eunh6TYK=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><br />A trip to Fort Fisher last week was mostly uneventful except for some nice looks at Blackpoll Warblers.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPsZf8lL1tGqj3SKmQ1pkO52dkDekWBg7Z7CSBK9e5jy5m37nkffcS_zuUPmI9YYuL6AUF0P4MN4IOLOcp5NkrptkgwAZ3WsDebHDpBVkWhQcskemuqKpBebUniYNVo0YlKcb4djt3xTlf-H3bEuaeFf1Jkv8DzEvlR4R2UfLHPZ0-Xk_vc72rXXH-VinO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2815" data-original-width="4573" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPsZf8lL1tGqj3SKmQ1pkO52dkDekWBg7Z7CSBK9e5jy5m37nkffcS_zuUPmI9YYuL6AUF0P4MN4IOLOcp5NkrptkgwAZ3WsDebHDpBVkWhQcskemuqKpBebUniYNVo0YlKcb4djt3xTlf-H3bEuaeFf1Jkv8DzEvlR4R2UfLHPZ0-Xk_vc72rXXH-VinO=w640-h394" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Blackpoll</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibNV9IVd7bEoPA7i-lRDlWH3Lr9ylP4Jf3FqMQ_zQbsa59iOjBL7QxuWNdk4EfEWkvBIH9LTOtmfVr_gxvOpF3eEOz7Ro2yjyXzYqvW08K7vEVoAkkMpi2W-tuXg4oNrHsuQdExzHuSHwAwFiY7fWGTHgusRkKDqR4jod78FXGGwV3mAO3bXLri7i5TNzI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibNV9IVd7bEoPA7i-lRDlWH3Lr9ylP4Jf3FqMQ_zQbsa59iOjBL7QxuWNdk4EfEWkvBIH9LTOtmfVr_gxvOpF3eEOz7Ro2yjyXzYqvW08K7vEVoAkkMpi2W-tuXg4oNrHsuQdExzHuSHwAwFiY7fWGTHgusRkKDqR4jod78FXGGwV3mAO3bXLri7i5TNzI=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Oddly a Yellow Warbler tripped up the rare flag on eBird.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeZ7m7zPAbbZ9IxOCoXHDIvPtR85zNiqmSczsK0FSQvpf6Yj4EyjIjXbU7BTsX___720GwYDdnRwulDgZb_wlN5zzySzDWtfoSIUaTVybrLNw2qB8f7yVedK3VcCBagxK9tex0d79hxcwZX7Yv6FOfNXsIj52VDbfWb_9Vz_sAx9S4rN5yHP_v8RpOvDMA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeZ7m7zPAbbZ9IxOCoXHDIvPtR85zNiqmSczsK0FSQvpf6Yj4EyjIjXbU7BTsX___720GwYDdnRwulDgZb_wlN5zzySzDWtfoSIUaTVybrLNw2qB8f7yVedK3VcCBagxK9tex0d79hxcwZX7Yv6FOfNXsIj52VDbfWb_9Vz_sAx9S4rN5yHP_v8RpOvDMA" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sometimes a Northern Mockingbird just can't be ignored?</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyYL0nxiYqfo0bjcmXBzCzH3tK5T9bjwT4cW9tK7-7OQqhIHYDt9bg9ibITyNRZ7dRh6PDiQ-JNPZpfagM2AvRjAVApy85g5SF999HYnx41blmQkOWD1wlcJh17h8tBPLMAM5Atd0KmlICKLtQDRtvcmdyX8llGZL2yf4K-V3fOenkvTrf3RPK8RM_rdJE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2579" data-original-width="3974" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyYL0nxiYqfo0bjcmXBzCzH3tK5T9bjwT4cW9tK7-7OQqhIHYDt9bg9ibITyNRZ7dRh6PDiQ-JNPZpfagM2AvRjAVApy85g5SF999HYnx41blmQkOWD1wlcJh17h8tBPLMAM5Atd0KmlICKLtQDRtvcmdyX8llGZL2yf4K-V3fOenkvTrf3RPK8RM_rdJE=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><br />Blue-winged Teal at Ashley HS pond.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally this past week I just had to go chase a Tropical Kingbird someone found at Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge up near the Virginia Border in Currituck County. Although we have had a handful of these vagrant prone Kingbirds in NC, most of them were quick sightings that disappeared, or they were birds that never vocalized. Both Tropical and Couch's Kingbirds are almost identical but have very different calls. This particular Kingbird at Mackay was calling the trill typical of a Tropical and some folks even got some recordings.</div><div><br /></div><div>I arrived at around 9am and hoofed it in to the area where the bird had been seen and saw it immediately.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGEckembnReoVAGzf0PhGWzc12MMEBZp_fl1vGbcBc33NhWmoyGFHK71q5HNEysYxSS-rwwPdPgjjO9FFICCva8kxL7dVpDeiMJCTYFZntLwcXK6PMvN4K3qfFAZFSzoVZoolERvv2ETylqrGZZiOb7PreyjTKzYYqpKkHKBWCjVNJozlgXmhsO5T5NDHS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2617" data-original-width="4235" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGEckembnReoVAGzf0PhGWzc12MMEBZp_fl1vGbcBc33NhWmoyGFHK71q5HNEysYxSS-rwwPdPgjjO9FFICCva8kxL7dVpDeiMJCTYFZntLwcXK6PMvN4K3qfFAZFSzoVZoolERvv2ETylqrGZZiOb7PreyjTKzYYqpKkHKBWCjVNJozlgXmhsO5T5NDHS=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div><br />Tropical Kingbird - the notched tail is typical of Tropical/Couch's. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-fBpLo7BwDQ58fBVcm5VNMOLCyHCdHsuf7qmGpt_r55D4huzqObLw7NOh_YU747DkW0S7f0bzUC2JQJOn3KmyE7OeQ0zkKN1MCx6Ol8PbvMF2EbhkjaPvL8jZGTuS54cMwJGad-k5_zsOw0s6VtrRZMQ2xb-GCukfAQkRiM0NKt5lo6oP4CaS3cIpPANA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1727" data-original-width="2633" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-fBpLo7BwDQ58fBVcm5VNMOLCyHCdHsuf7qmGpt_r55D4huzqObLw7NOh_YU747DkW0S7f0bzUC2JQJOn3KmyE7OeQ0zkKN1MCx6Ol8PbvMF2EbhkjaPvL8jZGTuS54cMwJGad-k5_zsOw0s6VtrRZMQ2xb-GCukfAQkRiM0NKt5lo6oP4CaS3cIpPANA=w640-h420" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNuV8J3kH6xLDcGIKQhBVSLj1G7_Pn74CRFN0Qv4vFRJTr091ag6_jt7Ifbf6WiaPSLfB7c37Ul90cvYWrjXA-r-I-aSenMdMDtTayRq1wQxpKh7zP5eiEWiZ5nczTTZWxc_yF1ZMecTyqt2WRKu7O4pU7yfmYWUpLpUF0n6EX9ewv0YsWJwkADDdNllUz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2641" data-original-width="4154" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNuV8J3kH6xLDcGIKQhBVSLj1G7_Pn74CRFN0Qv4vFRJTr091ag6_jt7Ifbf6WiaPSLfB7c37Ul90cvYWrjXA-r-I-aSenMdMDtTayRq1wQxpKh7zP5eiEWiZ5nczTTZWxc_yF1ZMecTyqt2WRKu7O4pU7yfmYWUpLpUF0n6EX9ewv0YsWJwkADDdNllUz=w640-h406" width="640" /></a></div><br />With this beauty in the bag so quickly, I decided to work on my county effort. I was still missing a number of counties from this corner of NC.</div><div><br /></div><div>First stop was Merchant's Millpo<span style="font-family: inherit;">nd in Gates County. What a gem! Some text from the website: "<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41); color: #212529; font-size: 18px;">Located in Gates County 10 miles south of North Carolina's northeastern border with Virginia, Merchants Millpond State Park centers on a 760-acre millpond more than 190 years old. Hiking the surrounding trails or paddling the placid, shallow waters of the pond offer a great way to explore this wetland environment. Old-growth cypress trees adorned with Spanish moss create an "enchanted forest," particularly at Lassiter Swamp. Visitors have even spotted the American alligator here, at the northernmost point of its range. "</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizzQswW1k0fgoZ8HcRPhHyzZWccIVrOcGTYmrUWuY8tVgXXftmvM8XcJTsGOjdQ84ctpwLgT5b7mwrSBBV2l7S77HfWb2sr2CMysRBMYdp5Bwjb0NntR8ttSUqfgmUckads5hvujOM0eGi5Y8eoKkVKsKRNavr6R0KwyAqnyPfZkp0Z4h6Ajiyhttw085g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizzQswW1k0fgoZ8HcRPhHyzZWccIVrOcGTYmrUWuY8tVgXXftmvM8XcJTsGOjdQ84ctpwLgT5b7mwrSBBV2l7S77HfWb2sr2CMysRBMYdp5Bwjb0NntR8ttSUqfgmUckads5hvujOM0eGi5Y8eoKkVKsKRNavr6R0KwyAqnyPfZkp0Z4h6Ajiyhttw085g=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bald Cypresses can also turn a nice red color in the fall.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1VQ4dZP52LYiaISDIlP7pflP8ZSv9o_6_ba0ZntbyIDuAR8MsSf4KIRNAR2_U4TwFcsfOEFnXfpHz5eR-BTcYpvDtWUqW5qSl4n9JbBXKFJfYQwR3hND2_lGNWQ8TDTZjTvduWilewNLvu5K2n50GgBZ6ZjabWitwg92QdCU8K87tppjMyIfjMRdfwkPV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1VQ4dZP52LYiaISDIlP7pflP8ZSv9o_6_ba0ZntbyIDuAR8MsSf4KIRNAR2_U4TwFcsfOEFnXfpHz5eR-BTcYpvDtWUqW5qSl4n9JbBXKFJfYQwR3hND2_lGNWQ8TDTZjTvduWilewNLvu5K2n50GgBZ6ZjabWitwg92QdCU8K87tppjMyIfjMRdfwkPV=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />The heavily wooded trails were gorgeous but lacked birds in a big way. It was fairly windy and all the falling leaves made it hard to find any birds.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg31OUdvKDeOJuFxERzFXnBBIz6TWu_z2rlogc8SVH_LOkadYv50-vsEdMYZuLQmGpy7LH3fQU8LFYRKAnn4XFAGe8nSfHdO2ofB6aNFDd-I6EfFS1XW4c42nW2q96Mx7Jqut2hR57IRG4niUd-YRvYHRaxqUWxSJcaUkWQ65k2-T8Rgm93cwP7_KLJMQC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg31OUdvKDeOJuFxERzFXnBBIz6TWu_z2rlogc8SVH_LOkadYv50-vsEdMYZuLQmGpy7LH3fQU8LFYRKAnn4XFAGe8nSfHdO2ofB6aNFDd-I6EfFS1XW4c42nW2q96Mx7Jqut2hR57IRG4niUd-YRvYHRaxqUWxSJcaUkWQ65k2-T8Rgm93cwP7_KLJMQC=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I hiked a couple of miles, but the lack of birds had me pull the plug pretty quick.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoqhoC-iVUIPH0V8DFeg0ttRb1_Yh49F8CwUBVWOFLwpfU7jOtqvD7j1gYsov7KqXfPXTSI4jMJfpdH_dXRs5rFlckBJG1Cyn89ab_OCs5VdBTcrbxd051Hqw5C1qYHGSLPf5BYuHRNMVN630OLWjmN1vZ80VVFPJnJpX2-z00vh4ijmsq561K0dmMsLba" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoqhoC-iVUIPH0V8DFeg0ttRb1_Yh49F8CwUBVWOFLwpfU7jOtqvD7j1gYsov7KqXfPXTSI4jMJfpdH_dXRs5rFlckBJG1Cyn89ab_OCs5VdBTcrbxd051Hqw5C1qYHGSLPf5BYuHRNMVN630OLWjmN1vZ80VVFPJnJpX2-z00vh4ijmsq561K0dmMsLba=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />I find that many heavily wooded areas are birdless. Birds prefer edge habitat.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik0Y0WIFsEh2JlbMJ0rHgypEmQp2Kue8OqB65e0cc-W0gBaU8Oz46anVrKfbYkx_j8vOR9RjoXy8xmeOPDKZpet8iBLg2QwRbSZFPs50gCq93npcysIAg7ABbB9VqCIgGy4TiwrYAzgEB4bmkARVqwtSrZVB7C5rvgeNG9w8wN7OkVDaeCIrfRAAbEKhWn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik0Y0WIFsEh2JlbMJ0rHgypEmQp2Kue8OqB65e0cc-W0gBaU8Oz46anVrKfbYkx_j8vOR9RjoXy8xmeOPDKZpet8iBLg2QwRbSZFPs50gCq93npcysIAg7ABbB9VqCIgGy4TiwrYAzgEB4bmkARVqwtSrZVB7C5rvgeNG9w8wN7OkVDaeCIrfRAAbEKhWn" width="640" /></a></div><br />Presumed Honey Mushrooms.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxAbC_ztmpVA6HseOfM-fpf4u8BZ_MCPkRYcCFocsVg8LQo2JH226rjj_xBdDZndvJyjpG0GTpCZKQORpWODVsqwIYfFbZXST3CoF7J0LljLyFz-UITjAIoRG1z23Ta-aTM61KolA6whzeN3bkj0OPxjLe_M9ajo1qooSMDD5Ow_oJ0rChj3Ltla-Q2yzL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="876" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxAbC_ztmpVA6HseOfM-fpf4u8BZ_MCPkRYcCFocsVg8LQo2JH226rjj_xBdDZndvJyjpG0GTpCZKQORpWODVsqwIYfFbZXST3CoF7J0LljLyFz-UITjAIoRG1z23Ta-aTM61KolA6whzeN3bkj0OPxjLe_M9ajo1qooSMDD5Ow_oJ0rChj3Ltla-Q2yzL=w640-h450" width="640" /></a></div><br />Gates County is pretty small at 340 square miles which makes it the 76th largest county in NC. The population is also small at about 11k people. Gates County was named after Horatio Gates, a Revolutionary Army general that was infamous for being part of the Conway Cabal, which was a group of generals that tried to remove George Washington as Commander in Chief. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next county on the way home was Hertford. I chose Ahoskie Creek Recreational Complex as I have been doing with most counties, by targeting the eBird hotspot with the most species in the county. This recreational complex was basically a patchwork of ball fields and some extensive lawns with mature trees.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4Zb2Xolo3mtzfAFlEIo_mwp_Zh7mAbxi_xRZYgShGx_X9uYyDNlmo9HFl4xuE1L-6DHOSdfSnwt-Ok502eUWGve91FCs6HcGL9Apg2bSliMHuj-o7IekM7P1Na_E3EM4MaqAY2tsC0JGGI84skSGYld3LJJHQtnTndB529kL7rdjnWO4yYZdrUvEkaXcg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2083" data-original-width="2932" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4Zb2Xolo3mtzfAFlEIo_mwp_Zh7mAbxi_xRZYgShGx_X9uYyDNlmo9HFl4xuE1L-6DHOSdfSnwt-Ok502eUWGve91FCs6HcGL9Apg2bSliMHuj-o7IekM7P1Na_E3EM4MaqAY2tsC0JGGI84skSGYld3LJJHQtnTndB529kL7rdjnWO4yYZdrUvEkaXcg=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><br />Chipping Sparrow</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWbaxj8DWv_l4i_RcNptplpE-OfeF2YtNI3K9h3eZqC26Hm6TEDj0WtgGGquYhLIZ47fOYowYMZLduWourGlrhVwb6PYQYW-2bCqmr58uMU36W9pmbpNUQMMYWHOFaqdhxxFcomZjy3rMz89MTecnGFYmmW1wGdtCdeDEQt1r63dvNocrHOw_FO9UrhGEZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWbaxj8DWv_l4i_RcNptplpE-OfeF2YtNI3K9h3eZqC26Hm6TEDj0WtgGGquYhLIZ47fOYowYMZLduWourGlrhVwb6PYQYW-2bCqmr58uMU36W9pmbpNUQMMYWHOFaqdhxxFcomZjy3rMz89MTecnGFYmmW1wGdtCdeDEQt1r63dvNocrHOw_FO9UrhGEZ" width="640" /></a></div><br />An interesting bear sculpture in the park. I tried to find some good birds, but it was the middle of the day and things were slow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hertford County is marginally bigger than Gates but has twice as many people (24k). Whereas Gates borders the east side of the Chowan River, Hertford is on the west bank. As with Gates, the ancient inhabitants of this area were Native American but this county was the hope of the Meherrin Indian tribe. Never heard of them? Me neither and apparently Siri didn't either because she keeps autocorrecting the word. I looked for some info, but even Wiki doesn't have much. Such a shame that so much of the Native American history is fading away.</div><div><br /></div><div>Winton is the county seat of Hertford, but I think Murfreesboro has more people. I was super surprised to see that 66% of voters in Hertford County are Democrats. Not usually true of a more rural county.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is an interesting tidbit, Hertford County was the birthplace of Richard Jorden Gatling, the inventor of the Gatling Gun - the worlds first machine gun.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_hcwP7PUZcJ5ygORLaEMKDy6zvuejtE_u2DKhFeh6F9e9hjYNKyYKVOwrK5Qf7TQ18JSsc14y28jz9ewOVGuMpwXkpFOE_cVoPUXr6LQTTSnMd2A21vkyafA9JnaZMXwDWNMcVlwukdfpWWcMnqQUpxbGhxLsNG4E_29uWJET5tiBHZKyfWq_reZIGdeN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_hcwP7PUZcJ5ygORLaEMKDy6zvuejtE_u2DKhFeh6F9e9hjYNKyYKVOwrK5Qf7TQ18JSsc14y28jz9ewOVGuMpwXkpFOE_cVoPUXr6LQTTSnMd2A21vkyafA9JnaZMXwDWNMcVlwukdfpWWcMnqQUpxbGhxLsNG4E_29uWJET5tiBHZKyfWq_reZIGdeN=w427-h640" width="427" /></a></div><br />Good for you Dick.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next county up was Bertie, and the eBird hotspot was Cashie Wetlands Walk/Zoo. This riverside walk also had the added bonus of a free outdoor zoo.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEit0rlz8ZnO1LGSFwhQten1EYetuURb9i_cDSfQLngvBpTUa6ozWeZZKW0Xir_t5fnU9M8_XanD4zUhKhQx9ecnBSmb6i-VY4_4s8PfiAhfdnBt7m2Gj9EMIxUbF-1m7tjPVXgi70ri2IMrjtMTvLQhMDTBLLKCZBLHaR22gAtCTCrz37X4iz1YIiX7dQBN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEit0rlz8ZnO1LGSFwhQten1EYetuURb9i_cDSfQLngvBpTUa6ozWeZZKW0Xir_t5fnU9M8_XanD4zUhKhQx9ecnBSmb6i-VY4_4s8PfiAhfdnBt7m2Gj9EMIxUbF-1m7tjPVXgi70ri2IMrjtMTvLQhMDTBLLKCZBLHaR22gAtCTCrz37X4iz1YIiX7dQBN=w640-h427" width="640" /></a></div><br />Unfortunately I can't count this Emu. I will have to wait to a trip to Australia for this one.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxB5lDh9EowSLxMeVf3C0H4ZeG3ueasfS39J53VlGUKgjTwzXHKgnVVf6aMzmcfwDIQifv9BaJRFFSu7laVH7gXZ6WiEb8KkKpKZTi_kIz_F-yJKk1DffTj3hAf7QsPe87HseaBhhC6d1fB24fr-AUNbWoDGb2eyQ7G2FnrWFHE-k5qYDUqpiTd0MuiBF_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxB5lDh9EowSLxMeVf3C0H4ZeG3ueasfS39J53VlGUKgjTwzXHKgnVVf6aMzmcfwDIQifv9BaJRFFSu7laVH7gXZ6WiEb8KkKpKZTi_kIz_F-yJKk1DffTj3hAf7QsPe87HseaBhhC6d1fB24fr-AUNbWoDGb2eyQ7G2FnrWFHE-k5qYDUqpiTd0MuiBF_=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>There were two chain link fences between me and this Zebra, so it sort of took away from the experience.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAuEgfvb6QHbic8d6vhNGaA4KKDlyD0k_67ff_BZYxrGB2CjRQ9qSEgxSPHs35CjQIhC1qdyU6AhRYvFnq8zGgcUchBQ3qsdreKa5BN2W1N9sQskEBKj_1Rhz5iZBQIe6z2iI04wyM_0KNjWfaYjWwC5LLEJUCX13BKRebUv3WuTAM2eJiGSNOm0xf5Ur2" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAuEgfvb6QHbic8d6vhNGaA4KKDlyD0k_67ff_BZYxrGB2CjRQ9qSEgxSPHs35CjQIhC1qdyU6AhRYvFnq8zGgcUchBQ3qsdreKa5BN2W1N9sQskEBKj_1Rhz5iZBQIe6z2iI04wyM_0KNjWfaYjWwC5LLEJUCX13BKRebUv3WuTAM2eJiGSNOm0xf5Ur2=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Wetlands walk wound through some nice Bald Cypress and Water Tupelo forest but the birds were few and far between.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUDMCs_aIsgqPtjhq3VGQI8ZiOeLulmTOr4GSJgCZlbbn7eL3H9TD42Dq0dMozptW0X6fLW3t2DHUX2D_d9mbLY_T46bH67NYef3hC2vLD-9HauhAumRvR1qAMQjIHCipZtiUmujfvHecEVOlj8X5M0I7YprKYxkRR-JDRDJ380qMZrV08NryTWwsBBzxv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUDMCs_aIsgqPtjhq3VGQI8ZiOeLulmTOr4GSJgCZlbbn7eL3H9TD42Dq0dMozptW0X6fLW3t2DHUX2D_d9mbLY_T46bH67NYef3hC2vLD-9HauhAumRvR1qAMQjIHCipZtiUmujfvHecEVOlj8X5M0I7YprKYxkRR-JDRDJ380qMZrV08NryTWwsBBzxv=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi852p0yZrN6RXDyhF7HGS1jc1j0DqtgC0I9bIl9YexAfU8F1yY2nXaRpDc93-Mw3MKkAV1Hmas4XK913ANO8VRtuQo-j9Lv7uJPxfnFPC6fEZEongGNORrqC5cYb54JdoqlueDrvt2AzKe35_BeVuKDZoeoyDclTSJg7R2TbQGP7au5pgHajcLYu58qc66" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi852p0yZrN6RXDyhF7HGS1jc1j0DqtgC0I9bIl9YexAfU8F1yY2nXaRpDc93-Mw3MKkAV1Hmas4XK913ANO8VRtuQo-j9Lv7uJPxfnFPC6fEZEongGNORrqC5cYb54JdoqlueDrvt2AzKe35_BeVuKDZoeoyDclTSJg7R2TbQGP7au5pgHajcLYu58qc66=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />The Cashie River is a tributary of the mighty Roanoke River and flows through the town of Windsor. The county has a small population with 17k people but is 16th biggest in NC with almost 700 square miles. Windsor is the county seat and although the downtown area is nice looking, it was dead when I drove through. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOXg5WpWik46vHLpmRuyTdoSWHVQOrJVSvZfOidrTbDrqvK-AIiwZeOr13p_6geRwXwbRLkIQ3azh2UdXTOumZe2HfbkOrX8zU-eHUCVa9B0LDgAKrVItWGtSC2V5DFSns_o50QJstDSYN6RO79AZhLECk7t3dDBpMAAJSMYZpg_tYpJDzRBA9f99F7pwl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="773" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOXg5WpWik46vHLpmRuyTdoSWHVQOrJVSvZfOidrTbDrqvK-AIiwZeOr13p_6geRwXwbRLkIQ3azh2UdXTOumZe2HfbkOrX8zU-eHUCVa9B0LDgAKrVItWGtSC2V5DFSns_o50QJstDSYN6RO79AZhLECk7t3dDBpMAAJSMYZpg_tYpJDzRBA9f99F7pwl=w640-h462" width="640" /></a></div><br />This is also another heavily Democratic County. Searching for famous people from Bertie County, I found this on Wiki:</div><div><b style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Parker David Robbins</b><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> (1834–November 1, 1917) was a </span>Union Army<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> soldier during the </span>American Civil War<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, among the first Black representatives to the </span>North Carolina House of Representatives<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> in 1868–1869, and inventor from </span>Bertie County, North Carolina.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7FaQuiZsH3PF0t7CXUVEhqcS8wbBEW_vMeqxJMaLeatz7nYYsHPMcsA2Xqqo5DitbBXVvmFnvNzy7qe5hND_7mba71lLicLv2C7f-rkcDf5o8QXqyVSN5mYL-yAXy5LzOm3ZDXSKTzIZ0f50NFeYu3vfM52X7G1a5XkPG4BZ5uD82oSFJoY9NnDRN8uyu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7FaQuiZsH3PF0t7CXUVEhqcS8wbBEW_vMeqxJMaLeatz7nYYsHPMcsA2Xqqo5DitbBXVvmFnvNzy7qe5hND_7mba71lLicLv2C7f-rkcDf5o8QXqyVSN5mYL-yAXy5LzOm3ZDXSKTzIZ0f50NFeYu3vfM52X7G1a5XkPG4BZ5uD82oSFJoY9NnDRN8uyu=w507-h640" width="507" /></a></div><br />Photo courtesy of ncpedia.org.</div><div><br /></div><div>My last stop for the day was Moratoc Park in Martin County NC in the town of Williamston. I am very familiar with this town because I frequently stop here to spend the night when I am driving home from the outer banks after a pelagic trip as it is about half way home. I was not familiar with Moratoc Park though, so it was nice to see. The park itself is not huge but has a nice deck looking over the Roanoke River. The birds were again slow, but I did find a small flock in the evening light which made for some good photography.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGAm6WeShKglP0o6pqJYdWcyzF5KKTna-BZj1pbbb6qJXRymWXTEFqM0VgX0PAAseNttpOhnd96BpJkI_GKAlBNO0ZW2ckqHmWkgdYkJ932RHgs-FLM00YOdLyFoiVArzp8UPOXjJNnXI7KL2nssRQalxp3o5it6CZszWHEg2Lbwfna-FoSCT6pXjgbuRK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGAm6WeShKglP0o6pqJYdWcyzF5KKTna-BZj1pbbb6qJXRymWXTEFqM0VgX0PAAseNttpOhnd96BpJkI_GKAlBNO0ZW2ckqHmWkgdYkJ932RHgs-FLM00YOdLyFoiVArzp8UPOXjJNnXI7KL2nssRQalxp3o5it6CZszWHEg2Lbwfna-FoSCT6pXjgbuRK=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Carolina Wren</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9-nNV40jNyexPveejsFm3In84jQB07NZDgjpxOxQpAW-rVeyL80GS18j4FVlGZ3pbkA7yseBzCBSDO8OhYTs2V7uXtOvGjZnOFcPcICXiHKwqzsT5jHwhuh7enrU3Af8GGJTSwXdipi-aCjj7-xhPRF8oR7wkrCOY7l6J_KMvh437HYzSdXMjj5ogbvna" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3249" data-original-width="4698" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9-nNV40jNyexPveejsFm3In84jQB07NZDgjpxOxQpAW-rVeyL80GS18j4FVlGZ3pbkA7yseBzCBSDO8OhYTs2V7uXtOvGjZnOFcPcICXiHKwqzsT5jHwhuh7enrU3Af8GGJTSwXdipi-aCjj7-xhPRF8oR7wkrCOY7l6J_KMvh437HYzSdXMjj5ogbvna=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Ruby-crowned Kinglet</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbZ8sMiIXDp8rLzpya3CL2-aiJ8fY7KUCMIEB0lRzljpQrCG5BLWw4nB4S8FC-Vfvs3zOPXjDAzzoPYsJ36v6pICoUgJfmtkqTZ0qVjgj_hsPUkRswItj6BGpA6r3XLGmlOZhuVgPWj2rxWgHuzTpahJqr5xZ6RcHsl0L7DHKp2gAyzvg_XU3tWdt4b11v" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3074" data-original-width="4292" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbZ8sMiIXDp8rLzpya3CL2-aiJ8fY7KUCMIEB0lRzljpQrCG5BLWw4nB4S8FC-Vfvs3zOPXjDAzzoPYsJ36v6pICoUgJfmtkqTZ0qVjgj_hsPUkRswItj6BGpA6r3XLGmlOZhuVgPWj2rxWgHuzTpahJqr5xZ6RcHsl0L7DHKp2gAyzvg_XU3tWdt4b11v=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Cape May Warbler</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI518rFw0Hb-qCkyXaettcgKv4K5Re0iGGFpPU1HFp9djXP0f90ROI9SGUi1S1uKDE4MAb5CgYZ-c-iXw1hZpCP_BgGyEvfN9pZjgZ4H0t8G48gb2IluxsL-t3byAh5m0XdpyM0JwzVcsyTs6xPtv5fWIgJfYNaBAlmbcT7_hnIFd8XxSMBUPmY0lkH_Xq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3422" data-original-width="5285" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhI518rFw0Hb-qCkyXaettcgKv4K5Re0iGGFpPU1HFp9djXP0f90ROI9SGUi1S1uKDE4MAb5CgYZ-c-iXw1hZpCP_BgGyEvfN9pZjgZ4H0t8G48gb2IluxsL-t3byAh5m0XdpyM0JwzVcsyTs6xPtv5fWIgJfYNaBAlmbcT7_hnIFd8XxSMBUPmY0lkH_Xq=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><br />Martin County is middling in size and population with 460 square miles and 22k people. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0ABxPuOLSd2ik09zwTjxbNjd0YbOwV6hrT5RERYxgkGgE9sRyJJMjoaYWhOFSupnQjskH3U62HcPiKiQNzELBRee4m_Z0LPzt-i4X65hwc456-UdVt26ahB8LT_5kEyngF8MXRpWo6D_kwdrBzXml3y3wm7FWGxeFa7audczAZ2BBaw3RyalkLo8L9KEq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="796" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0ABxPuOLSd2ik09zwTjxbNjd0YbOwV6hrT5RERYxgkGgE9sRyJJMjoaYWhOFSupnQjskH3U62HcPiKiQNzELBRee4m_Z0LPzt-i4X65hwc456-UdVt26ahB8LT_5kEyngF8MXRpWo6D_kwdrBzXml3y3wm7FWGxeFa7audczAZ2BBaw3RyalkLo8L9KEq=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>The biggest town is Williamston. The most famous person from Martin is Wilber Hardee of the fast food chain Hardee's. Not sure if I should celebrate that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wow, that was a longer post than I thought it would be!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2mswcD9_epZ5BGG9VjTAst8FzD5-yCes1JDjMdVto7FJN0lrG2XxaEZXD3pA3nSwIIpnzzjBTSePFyofWc2WS7qQvmZT5F6CHQ5Gb89ei-Paox1HjrXP5o9Qwb0CLNvFkiBImwruPsy1dWqskZWadGsj-i4enazUJ9babmLuvfqRm0BwvuSfAgtcaj8cu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2mswcD9_epZ5BGG9VjTAst8FzD5-yCes1JDjMdVto7FJN0lrG2XxaEZXD3pA3nSwIIpnzzjBTSePFyofWc2WS7qQvmZT5F6CHQ5Gb89ei-Paox1HjrXP5o9Qwb0CLNvFkiBImwruPsy1dWqskZWadGsj-i4enazUJ9babmLuvfqRm0BwvuSfAgtcaj8cu=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>Larry Birds is up to 288 species of bird and 66 counties for the year. Not going to make 100 this year, but I am determined to finish this and visit all 100 soon, maybe by March of next year. It has been a fun project and I am learning a ton about our great state.</div><div><br /></div>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-82741351817223818592023-10-16T03:55:00.003-07:002023-10-16T03:55:53.096-07:00Four More Counties in Charlotte Area (30Sep - 01Oct2023)<p>My son George had a regatta up at Lake Norman at the end of the month and needed driving hours so he can get his license, so I hopped in with him and spent the weekend watching him sail but also getting some more county birding in.</p><p>We made it late Friday evening and I set George's tent up at the Yacht Club and headed to my hotel room in Mooresville. I suppose I am getting old and don't want to camp anymore if I can avoid it. In the morning I brought George some breakfast and birded around the Yacht Club grounds which is in Iredell County. Although Statesville is the county seat, Mooresville is actually the most populous town in the county. The county is named for James Iredell who was one of the first Supreme Court Justices and was appointed by George Washington. The Catawba River borders Iredell County to the west and the manmade Lake Norman is a huge part of the southern portion. The county is 597 square miles large and has 187k people in it. NASCAR is a big deal in Mooresville and some of its famous people are NASCAR drivers, although I wouldn't recognize any of them.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFoZMhrwJEAo9kyXDvvjwIFwUsCLWYx12LoSIYUE4m64HYk8Bd5fmN2AC25R67Ubfow0b55my2Lb-fbi3L01-8CGDvtFflont3pfogVRz2dQo_-pHBlRhr-Gj80zLuyAID7cONHjhXy93IDXX4NmBzl_pSKudcKY5ImKyDH3wpdH_sqK8M4QXrjPVzUGHI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="720" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFoZMhrwJEAo9kyXDvvjwIFwUsCLWYx12LoSIYUE4m64HYk8Bd5fmN2AC25R67Ubfow0b55my2Lb-fbi3L01-8CGDvtFflont3pfogVRz2dQo_-pHBlRhr-Gj80zLuyAID7cONHjhXy93IDXX4NmBzl_pSKudcKY5ImKyDH3wpdH_sqK8M4QXrjPVzUGHI=w640-h553" width="640" /></a></div><br />The birding was relatively slow with some Black-throated Green Warblers being the best finds but they stayed high in the pines.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiekokF-Cihu4iMee85RedziGqkNeUrua6mKIhwO9anr5rhaXVQfT91QnTuBcae1mCPahv649S80GDpYtp_p4GDUvyXqi6mscR19E9glXEb59wbM-ML9hAaTBS2-GiYRXhCcHHSOEXjouhqt4hqeFUqFzJrG4MD4awlSmnVtabuAdNSxFwjbEo2-fhwSuhm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1846" data-original-width="2992" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiekokF-Cihu4iMee85RedziGqkNeUrua6mKIhwO9anr5rhaXVQfT91QnTuBcae1mCPahv649S80GDpYtp_p4GDUvyXqi6mscR19E9glXEb59wbM-ML9hAaTBS2-GiYRXhCcHHSOEXjouhqt4hqeFUqFzJrG4MD4awlSmnVtabuAdNSxFwjbEo2-fhwSuhm=w640-h394" width="640" /></a></div><br />My son's regatta began and I took off to explore some other areas. The thing about regattas is that the boats sail way out and most times you don't know who is who, so it's not too fun to watch.<p></p><p>Not too far away, there were several reports of one or two Limpkins hanging around. Mountain Creek Park sits in Catawba County at the very north end of Lake Norman. It is a nice park with tons of trails and hills but a little too much activity for my taste. Specifically lots of people with barking dogs. If your dog is prone to incessant barking, why would you bring it to a park with other dogs? </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjP8kP2_xDLTBQ_srXI3IN2TWY8Auzfp_weMfi8BUG5Qx2GmKfu9FCOMCB3Uk5jX8trCRkwzTpUNqjPl6VwSarWYL7xzJjLWzoecE8BY8ZVH7_47B6ywx6XqOmp7w-E_W6LXazBWxmgfAzKgHxk95sp6txcfzfRNiHIAGa8JdNJyXFmy_gjJL5hNR_2FwGk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjP8kP2_xDLTBQ_srXI3IN2TWY8Auzfp_weMfi8BUG5Qx2GmKfu9FCOMCB3Uk5jX8trCRkwzTpUNqjPl6VwSarWYL7xzJjLWzoecE8BY8ZVH7_47B6ywx6XqOmp7w-E_W6LXazBWxmgfAzKgHxk95sp6txcfzfRNiHIAGa8JdNJyXFmy_gjJL5hNR_2FwGk=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />I hiked down one of the trails to the water's edge and saw a Park Ranger. She said that she hadn't seen the Limpkin but heard it was around. I scanned the shore over her shoulder and there is was foraging snails in the mud.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIBnQlkMJK3y89p2wBINhx900PT8Z16LBZxnVbxOR3vBGr3-XM__eeFOZzci4kneZ9GfUet9Asw_6ppxicMmw85QcEUZDxJV0bMFyEd6PRDcnqckvq-LFOwl9Wc6d6Ak6OPxrFdysZDVIZRV052m_6iu2iCEDGgM6RnBmn_yPK13Qh5yJ_y1oxe2ly7Dou" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIBnQlkMJK3y89p2wBINhx900PT8Z16LBZxnVbxOR3vBGr3-XM__eeFOZzci4kneZ9GfUet9Asw_6ppxicMmw85QcEUZDxJV0bMFyEd6PRDcnqckvq-LFOwl9Wc6d6Ak6OPxrFdysZDVIZRV052m_6iu2iCEDGgM6RnBmn_yPK13Qh5yJ_y1oxe2ly7Dou=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />I hung out with it for a while trying to get it in better light.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiio2L4JJ6xXwhrpF3xxP6jLm7hOU2EeOF1YpGYsth1oHPs-_lTpYmlzYuW3ubPrPgKYk4aqTE3dctUpqoHKrXQicgQ8BObs7d2OAAwP20UvAnK_o4sniZEvtFzAJgqJ-TaYk1O7tI5-Q9lM2onUx4ZVLg2EsZPJzwvbhE54ZclGNeDkgL1JtD2z2qTxcA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2801" data-original-width="4145" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiio2L4JJ6xXwhrpF3xxP6jLm7hOU2EeOF1YpGYsth1oHPs-_lTpYmlzYuW3ubPrPgKYk4aqTE3dctUpqoHKrXQicgQ8BObs7d2OAAwP20UvAnK_o4sniZEvtFzAJgqJ-TaYk1O7tI5-Q9lM2onUx4ZVLg2EsZPJzwvbhE54ZclGNeDkgL1JtD2z2qTxcA=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><br />It was especially adept at finding snails in the mud and then smashing the snails down on some hidden rock under the mud to get the meat out.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnuYl-1QcLtn0m6iLAcojV5hcxrXBUjDvaA4atGaxK2DuXY11JNGds5279vAJwkVFBYHLbBXBR2pElCqxyeVWG5zeu4FCRSBo4uFTMbI_9oFW-kXOAjzntqY71szxvEV-FoQRYQhTu5DDLB1MxcU43SvnZ1LtXz_Il19F957aZcPlbl058FmtNnnj2BnMh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2569" data-original-width="3744" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnuYl-1QcLtn0m6iLAcojV5hcxrXBUjDvaA4atGaxK2DuXY11JNGds5279vAJwkVFBYHLbBXBR2pElCqxyeVWG5zeu4FCRSBo4uFTMbI_9oFW-kXOAjzntqY71szxvEV-FoQRYQhTu5DDLB1MxcU43SvnZ1LtXz_Il19F957aZcPlbl058FmtNnnj2BnMh" width="640" /></a></div><br />On the walk back to my truck, I did also find one flock of warblers including a not very cooperative Bay-breasted Warbler.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBl7-YjEvw2L-H4vkdkGAK_8L2ayKAnLurOq-brPteUBmMwhSbO24GkE0U63bI2hhKPAwG7dk8J5nxGz8ya9udyoXMTVZp-knLQW-Exfk_pPSQrWBbHsXaygCGLjzemkDjrUkSPJ3PBBXBVi0fiRAPmF81ouCMiUY2gQI3j5oGJ4zmGG0Aoz63pzifrjSe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2227" data-original-width="2934" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBl7-YjEvw2L-H4vkdkGAK_8L2ayKAnLurOq-brPteUBmMwhSbO24GkE0U63bI2hhKPAwG7dk8J5nxGz8ya9udyoXMTVZp-knLQW-Exfk_pPSQrWBbHsXaygCGLjzemkDjrUkSPJ3PBBXBVi0fiRAPmF81ouCMiUY2gQI3j5oGJ4zmGG0Aoz63pzifrjSe=w640-h486" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Bay-breasted Warbler - apparently the Spruce Budworm outbreak on the breeding grounds has led to a banner year for them.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKx85nm2PY7NN5yVbjUtRN7jGqmwZ6aSey_A4zIjVQ9lNJX9kYdfk3rt7W3YEw2Y7zR7rpdS1AnKZ8q_i0-jgldSAnmd62laPE0NAVHBptQs1JlHu5i1N5XD6JiS7NE6yUK6Et1P6tvrquTvW7Nb1lq9Av1uKyr-7HubMSQVoUXFhv3HKdJKnK5PHjb2vM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKx85nm2PY7NN5yVbjUtRN7jGqmwZ6aSey_A4zIjVQ9lNJX9kYdfk3rt7W3YEw2Y7zR7rpdS1AnKZ8q_i0-jgldSAnmd62laPE0NAVHBptQs1JlHu5i1N5XD6JiS7NE6yUK6Et1P6tvrquTvW7Nb1lq9Av1uKyr-7HubMSQVoUXFhv3HKdJKnK5PHjb2vM" width="640" /></a></div><p>Black Rat Snake</p><p>A little more on Catawba County.... </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgegnfpHpiDLVKf7rJBBbEl0rw9Md8TsZ9RcnukqnLjtrTMCwFfEGzzvhk7oTY1p6KUAEOYOqotEtrKlvNW-rKHscpEOCT7QJWKQlJSjf1OrrRqFQgqXW76Jqf_vSjAxQXD2oPpXCRAS8J2otIu5Nq7RCsjs3ebibcQGzP7cRzfAyffoIQ9oq8rw2lJD_-S" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="791" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgegnfpHpiDLVKf7rJBBbEl0rw9Md8TsZ9RcnukqnLjtrTMCwFfEGzzvhk7oTY1p6KUAEOYOqotEtrKlvNW-rKHscpEOCT7QJWKQlJSjf1OrrRqFQgqXW76Jqf_vSjAxQXD2oPpXCRAS8J2otIu5Nq7RCsjs3ebibcQGzP7cRzfAyffoIQ9oq8rw2lJD_-S=w640-h472" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Much like Iredell, the county seat of Newton is not as populous as the city of Hickory. The Catawba River borders the north side of the county from Hickory all the way down to Lake Norman in the southeast corner. It has 160k people and 400 square miles of territory. Some historical info from Wiki:</p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Catawba County formed in 1842 from </span>Lincoln County<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, was named after the </span>Catawba River<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. The word "catawba" is rooted in the </span>Choctaw<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> sound </span><i style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">kat'a pa</i><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, loosely translated as "to divide or separate, to break." However, scholars are fairly certain that this word was imposed from outside.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-4" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;">[4]</sup><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> The Native Americans who once inhabited the region known as the </span>Catawba people<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">, were considered one of the most powerful Southeastern </span>Siouan-speaking<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> tribes in the Carolina Piedmont. They now live along the border of North Carolina, near the city of </span>Rock Hill, South Carolina."</p><p>Much like Iredell, the most famous person from Catawba was a race car driver. Bobby Isaac was apparently one of the top 50 best NASCAR drivers and was inducted into the NASCAR hall of fame.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8iUp8c_IO39keuHOMeRYh6GEiMRfYpkqqMJiFZ0LOSeCPPCgF64qMva5bPmW9urThJyZE2Sxu-kujHZZOjywQrP_26jK74AnQgY0CosXW08g-OROPq2yFKVe3DWHQxpI99lROObRJfsDpSgrHvYfZI6f7iKgZoQBNFMAxBuCwDQajBK0LYIDr2uQSKzhZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="594" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8iUp8c_IO39keuHOMeRYh6GEiMRfYpkqqMJiFZ0LOSeCPPCgF64qMva5bPmW9urThJyZE2Sxu-kujHZZOjywQrP_26jK74AnQgY0CosXW08g-OROPq2yFKVe3DWHQxpI99lROObRJfsDpSgrHvYfZI6f7iKgZoQBNFMAxBuCwDQajBK0LYIDr2uQSKzhZ=w509-h640" width="509" /></a></div><br />He was famous for his bad temper and frequently would start fist fights after races with people that bumped him during the race. He actually died of heart attack caused by heat exhaustion while racing. RIP Bobby. <p></p><p>After a couple of hours at Mountain Creek Park, I had some time left before heading back to my son's regatta for dinner so I headed over to my last stop, the South Fork River Rail Trail in Lincoln County. This particular trail continued on my theme of birding around the Catawba River, but this time the south fork which really is a completely different river and lies a good way south and west of the main Catawba.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil6qqr8Mr-w_RSioMcrUlbVSmEzhph7p6-eykD1KWRRHWbMOoKlE51WawCMu8Y3CWdWDDNZw96NT6pfogLWN4CncmW_toE3ydkjhQZXgc0akqRo7hcF94dYZSrAhBFLgq646yszvEhn0bccd3lnby-zdD-Hlm-_z89mjm1vsjhLtmvv9O-hrH49rPLiEZQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="935" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil6qqr8Mr-w_RSioMcrUlbVSmEzhph7p6-eykD1KWRRHWbMOoKlE51WawCMu8Y3CWdWDDNZw96NT6pfogLWN4CncmW_toE3ydkjhQZXgc0akqRo7hcF94dYZSrAhBFLgq646yszvEhn0bccd3lnby-zdD-Hlm-_z89mjm1vsjhLtmvv9O-hrH49rPLiEZQ=w640-h370" width="640" /></a></div><br />An interesting factoid is that Lincoln County NC is the most populous Lincoln County in the USA even though it only has 86k people. The county seat is Lincolnton, not very imaginative. The area is 304 square miles. I couldn't find any recognizable names from Lincoln County.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcKU7Zd3lBRlMC-5BTMJFqR9AnB8k_mF8BGSeR_zzN9oFfitFiKr0bVSQvTW-uYB7qNPd7t-w64wZpI8jaQjPoHkLQkB7iCwLKSxQtw0dSNslBssY4-F76sqbFyjf8mU4dUjJLHttOAtmOwzN71iw_6o9pfkBUFfeDnqzjb9Js-mUmUOD-hUiPAxo8w5UX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcKU7Zd3lBRlMC-5BTMJFqR9AnB8k_mF8BGSeR_zzN9oFfitFiKr0bVSQvTW-uYB7qNPd7t-w64wZpI8jaQjPoHkLQkB7iCwLKSxQtw0dSNslBssY4-F76sqbFyjf8mU4dUjJLHttOAtmOwzN71iw_6o9pfkBUFfeDnqzjb9Js-mUmUOD-hUiPAxo8w5UX=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />The Rail Trail was about a mile long but then linked up with another trail on the far side that is part of the Carolina Thread Trail. I didn't even know there was a Carolina Thread Trail.<p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLEZfr04Ckq2Ui23n6TTuAyUo5xfpclIchx076UhVHY5qB6Q9AoDp0WjjH_cL05cJ1fkIV6xwKXFc9sUWdHJKEMXG7HVooRrKclZFaIiAdcFqiIJzaox3DprLjP1kwr2ugn8Af_RNxGPx-iPntr7kIqtxGCvlum6mH637YekVArqJhw6odaNU0xVkGevOn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLEZfr04Ckq2Ui23n6TTuAyUo5xfpclIchx076UhVHY5qB6Q9AoDp0WjjH_cL05cJ1fkIV6xwKXFc9sUWdHJKEMXG7HVooRrKclZFaIiAdcFqiIJzaox3DprLjP1kwr2ugn8Af_RNxGPx-iPntr7kIqtxGCvlum6mH637YekVArqJhw6odaNU0xVkGevOn=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></p><p>This patchwork of trails has been pulled together by the Catawba Land Conservancy, a grass roots organization with a mission to set aside land for public use and enjoyment. Here is their website link: <a href="https://catawbalands.org/who-we-are/">https://catawbalands.org/who-we-are/</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgquLfL0T-RMZBfzHyuoD8wLwi9h5a-nFjqQFIUbFSlUSgGeGQJ_e1OssU-18_Olk5QRpvCqPwkCflWkfI5GsWLXMCxIDcvg5vszVf8h0EalQm9LRivFBsi0RBcseRIvJa020NWK2NdGZa4NxcFRYVau0K2FAgjAvIlT5HalmFbYYzDZ0ontGzmZymJmnTZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="900" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgquLfL0T-RMZBfzHyuoD8wLwi9h5a-nFjqQFIUbFSlUSgGeGQJ_e1OssU-18_Olk5QRpvCqPwkCflWkfI5GsWLXMCxIDcvg5vszVf8h0EalQm9LRivFBsi0RBcseRIvJa020NWK2NdGZa4NxcFRYVau0K2FAgjAvIlT5HalmFbYYzDZ0ontGzmZymJmnTZ=w640-h614" width="640" /></a></p><p>There are 6 counties included and the plan is to have all of the threads meeting for one long continuous connected network of trails. I wish we did more of this in our area.</p><p>The Rail Trail was a really nice heavily wooded trail adjacent to the river with some old ruins along the way which apparently were taken over by some shady vagrants, not of the avian variety.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ1Kdm-BSTd2QsgVb5_c_dPIKPcITnZglTF9RuJm-HKv0xQU8fUPchS7sRMq37SvHNtD1smNsusR_7qMEzE6gYHXaZO5HHQ58c_-MVU4wf6xeBFUrBc-Wxn1eAwMEM0PuXSuXr7uGZUsU8fGgkh5AHsA9MisSvzW4b3L4_o_vNUzlM-EVFG-acrwLQbKBd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ1Kdm-BSTd2QsgVb5_c_dPIKPcITnZglTF9RuJm-HKv0xQU8fUPchS7sRMq37SvHNtD1smNsusR_7qMEzE6gYHXaZO5HHQ58c_-MVU4wf6xeBFUrBc-Wxn1eAwMEM0PuXSuXr7uGZUsU8fGgkh5AHsA9MisSvzW4b3L4_o_vNUzlM-EVFG-acrwLQbKBd" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>An old spillway on the river that was at one time used as a mill of some sort.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmQDHYofwrS5LZrX5gPyhAtuBefhhrI-_aihOpLPmFX9Qq3s2z2-iuzfeTojUmRKFOXGJLFGQT-NcbMcgHJ3rFPLnQq16qV4Lv1HsIVLbUmUp_Z0mXgjvlxf7k1292pjvC0wUzWJAakpajabQQbaDbyHJhh7fjeWPtSNd-ENB5dxsGZl803XvXxMSs64zW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2510" data-original-width="4155" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmQDHYofwrS5LZrX5gPyhAtuBefhhrI-_aihOpLPmFX9Qq3s2z2-iuzfeTojUmRKFOXGJLFGQT-NcbMcgHJ3rFPLnQq16qV4Lv1HsIVLbUmUp_Z0mXgjvlxf7k1292pjvC0wUzWJAakpajabQQbaDbyHJhh7fjeWPtSNd-ENB5dxsGZl803XvXxMSs64zW=w640-h386" width="640" /></a></div><br />Now that I have found my first Gemmed Satyr a couple months ago, I am seeing them everywhere.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0P6jRFp1ezEkRYsz7iHxpzlJYLF_J6Yanj7_4d3oVg6IDTQueUKFFAOuMWrRNUFoJxD86KBAmG-w3FMr4J344DPr-TgPawOj9t-mDe1aQWo5xOC-B56GRHKvz6kg8SyKKXKFEKp4tvEUzLukaQeG46GuQrOLNcQ_AchJmQpjCyoo9N8Ms1afQHZhSm3Mf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="4471" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0P6jRFp1ezEkRYsz7iHxpzlJYLF_J6Yanj7_4d3oVg6IDTQueUKFFAOuMWrRNUFoJxD86KBAmG-w3FMr4J344DPr-TgPawOj9t-mDe1aQWo5xOC-B56GRHKvz6kg8SyKKXKFEKp4tvEUzLukaQeG46GuQrOLNcQ_AchJmQpjCyoo9N8Ms1afQHZhSm3Mf=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><br />White-breasted Nuthatch<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNV7p5UYC9ay7pTpefnt1gar-rTLIWr3myY9KW18XEBjN89PaKSbQbprjoAclSP7FKvBGU1PX1gxF_cXhp1V3shEIWtFzFvYq16e9VQFalCmBuD8jnT4dd25biEbQfL2IQ9rqD1TZPS9-acnO25d2Z7Taw7C6x7JWl9W260eb3xz9tTdWghi_ZNNnU0J7v" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNV7p5UYC9ay7pTpefnt1gar-rTLIWr3myY9KW18XEBjN89PaKSbQbprjoAclSP7FKvBGU1PX1gxF_cXhp1V3shEIWtFzFvYq16e9VQFalCmBuD8jnT4dd25biEbQfL2IQ9rqD1TZPS9-acnO25d2Z7Taw7C6x7JWl9W260eb3xz9tTdWghi_ZNNnU0J7v" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of the abandoned buildings had a German Shepherd on the roof barking when I passed. Very strange.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7RjUET0QCRCwTfzMWJjn4JYfLNsvJMwSiwWS53jr4klCs9ezhWDj85SoGAyNv4_EYGLcdoPH9NppEZV2BxyKmlAXr2GFX01GHOtZhzTvnS1uA-19sgI_vD2_MZNd6TBeEaR1pk_Wg9qcDcTdpwzfRRF0v64rkiuAt4C2L7vOwfwLn3pNg_BTVkP4z8XVb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3562" data-original-width="5306" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7RjUET0QCRCwTfzMWJjn4JYfLNsvJMwSiwWS53jr4klCs9ezhWDj85SoGAyNv4_EYGLcdoPH9NppEZV2BxyKmlAXr2GFX01GHOtZhzTvnS1uA-19sgI_vD2_MZNd6TBeEaR1pk_Wg9qcDcTdpwzfRRF0v64rkiuAt4C2L7vOwfwLn3pNg_BTVkP4z8XVb=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br />Most of the trail was thick woods with not much birdlife, but some clearings provided edge habitat that birds like this Cape May Warbler liked.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI2-1rRYA4Q2L-bwC0P6e4D-0Jqg9U9wtyfXY5MK-nsQGOWdkx8KJWsiJpDHfrmMnN_ZMqAqrtIrfypHsype_44bn--0Rv7IKUfzfh9ofnY56MVpCg4cJg8jkDOgXSuqsUU0gOy76zbQ6lTvRKCmB6rygQyemIhghaISi85lHyGxnKr6RTHb0JVZ2oNmXg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI2-1rRYA4Q2L-bwC0P6e4D-0Jqg9U9wtyfXY5MK-nsQGOWdkx8KJWsiJpDHfrmMnN_ZMqAqrtIrfypHsype_44bn--0Rv7IKUfzfh9ofnY56MVpCg4cJg8jkDOgXSuqsUU0gOy76zbQ6lTvRKCmB6rygQyemIhghaISi85lHyGxnKr6RTHb0JVZ2oNmXg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />I like Lichen!<p></p><p>After wrapping up in Lincoln County, I headed back to have some burgers at the Yacht Club and watched a Blood Moon rise over Lake Norman.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrZmecPf4DOv4J8oMF4l2b10_2Fub6lDRsabHLxoVy-TzLvSQnPxmbFuilaR8_cwP2sh_iI0P5S66D1QnpPJSdfk1olxyBa0NNZZqB6tdfjptVZLBmraHffocVNvQaaeKsK3sim6jZqR4dJwKKshzNHu3pobrff4t-jASSEoel-3g9sOzkyeZwiuIRGD5w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2940" data-original-width="4437" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrZmecPf4DOv4J8oMF4l2b10_2Fub6lDRsabHLxoVy-TzLvSQnPxmbFuilaR8_cwP2sh_iI0P5S66D1QnpPJSdfk1olxyBa0NNZZqB6tdfjptVZLBmraHffocVNvQaaeKsK3sim6jZqR4dJwKKshzNHu3pobrff4t-jASSEoel-3g9sOzkyeZwiuIRGD5w=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />Apparently my camera is good for something other than birds.<p></p><p>In the morning, I had one more shot at some county birding and I picked Moss Creek Nature Trail in Concord, Carrabus County. I unwittingly found another section of the Carolina Thread Trail to walk on. <a href="https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/hector-h-henry-greenway-moss-creek">https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/hector-h-henry-greenway-moss-creek</a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmSe67BUQ2nGlelaiwjVufi6UIDZ5qmmtmSd48v6aaL2oGzp3z3LbMgc1x5VdlEaamvzIavC_waiFss33YVcvXXOW2VHQr26a3OxT4t0VOk8K9Tusf_rScYFXhJOGSxovwjsLnEqcmfXXPvoorh9RtUfyS6f-SES-B4lKsmP9Hj7Kw0VHtiyWTeUdjRViN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2862" data-original-width="4357" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmSe67BUQ2nGlelaiwjVufi6UIDZ5qmmtmSd48v6aaL2oGzp3z3LbMgc1x5VdlEaamvzIavC_waiFss33YVcvXXOW2VHQr26a3OxT4t0VOk8K9Tusf_rScYFXhJOGSxovwjsLnEqcmfXXPvoorh9RtUfyS6f-SES-B4lKsmP9Hj7Kw0VHtiyWTeUdjRViN=w640-h420" width="640" /></a></div><br />The most common bird of the morning were Magnolia Warblers. It was not a great day of birding, but they can't all be. It was quite beautiful through with a paved trail cutting through some riparian habitat in an otherwise suburban landscape. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvq5alhK4h6lQSxZjTWwN3YM6HYG9orxetAbvAG2LAzu-DaLUAJdZbTIPke597SRyI65wI_YmkG9oqbg1iGwszmUehq8luywy4EAG8E-Z3OJHMclqZtNoV9-kmzs7539poYt6GU6rsACOihKbe_q6ILeURWn42WXFm-nTKa0OXV4LbC8qVCZJbJOCYHLdg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2289" data-original-width="3537" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvq5alhK4h6lQSxZjTWwN3YM6HYG9orxetAbvAG2LAzu-DaLUAJdZbTIPke597SRyI65wI_YmkG9oqbg1iGwszmUehq8luywy4EAG8E-Z3OJHMclqZtNoV9-kmzs7539poYt6GU6rsACOihKbe_q6ILeURWn42WXFm-nTKa0OXV4LbC8qVCZJbJOCYHLdg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Black-and-white Warbler<p></p><p>Some facts about Carrabus County.... The county sits on the northeast border of the beltway that surrounds Charlotte.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbJV_njqua2YrDfuW1OW_C51Qz0rBFzHpm-tNPudT2OHdxjdNCdwJJBMruUBS0yCrnG5YjMmPU6sSSc_QK8uCnhFI7M6YGILOPb6ROekzyfc-XZvIvmJgo0swvMzuVIdHmYvqK8mvmgKbIszThlV4RWC01qayaiPgZEzaA4gVlKeh_UFVYqvN5xJNyyTv5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="750" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbJV_njqua2YrDfuW1OW_C51Qz0rBFzHpm-tNPudT2OHdxjdNCdwJJBMruUBS0yCrnG5YjMmPU6sSSc_QK8uCnhFI7M6YGILOPb6ROekzyfc-XZvIvmJgo0swvMzuVIdHmYvqK8mvmgKbIszThlV4RWC01qayaiPgZEzaA4gVlKeh_UFVYqvN5xJNyyTv5=w640-h512" width="640" /></a></div><br />The county seat is Concord. Here is some nice tidbit from Wiki about how the town was named:<p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Catawba Indians were the primary inhabitants of the area until beginning about 1750, the county was settled mainly by immigrants: Germans on the eastern side and Scotch-Irish in the western area of the county. When it came time to choose a location for the county seat and county government, each ethnic group wanted the county seat located close to their populations and could not reach agreement on a site. Stephen Cabarrus wrote to the citizens pleading with them to come together in peace to choose a location for their county seat. A central area of the county was chosen in 1796 and aptly named Concord, a derivative of two French words "with" and "peace." Representative Paul Barringer introduced a bill into the state legislature to incorporate Concord; it passed on December 17, 1806."</span></p><p>How nice! Then the Native Americans were kicked out and everyone lived on in harmony in Concord to the present day. That's sarcasm by the way.</p><p>Before long the trail started to have lots of bike and walker traffic making it less enjoyable so I made my way back to the Yacht Club and watched George finish up his regatta. Unfortunately they didn't podium but that also meant we could leave earlier so it was a mixed blessing. On the way home we stopped in Rockingham and ate at the Taco Factory which is becoming our go to mexican restaurant half way home between Charlotte and Wilmington. We were feeling adventuresome so we tried the Tripa Taco (tripe) and the Suadero Taco. Both were delicious but I think the Suadero is now my favorite type. The Horchata was a perfect thirst quencher as usual.</p><p>I have a little backlog of photos from early October developing so I will share those next.</p><p>Stay tuned.</p><p>Oh by the way, my year effort is falling way behind but it is still notable that I have visited and birded in 62 counties out of 100. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrcg513F1zb7DCGd5cQXdFrQCJwTL7Bm0nqq7A0J7jHG3_IMLS-h9xcaf4yDmWsHkRL6FyEBWzIVHPqZo283z49vESd_0Sb1ApgOetbjPvXTiCxsLJpdtGza9ZvVgMv0GHuwrQU2nY0qaiDbJ2gVetP63AhWHBvVEuf2nZQxmFYbV6uOTteuQjLWvCyUyt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1440" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrcg513F1zb7DCGd5cQXdFrQCJwTL7Bm0nqq7A0J7jHG3_IMLS-h9xcaf4yDmWsHkRL6FyEBWzIVHPqZo283z49vESd_0Sb1ApgOetbjPvXTiCxsLJpdtGza9ZvVgMv0GHuwrQU2nY0qaiDbJ2gVetP63AhWHBvVEuf2nZQxmFYbV6uOTteuQjLWvCyUyt=w640-h362" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Even if I don't make 100 this year, I will continue and finish the project next year. It's not important that it happens in one calendar year.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-8922413036408588562023-10-08T16:35:00.003-07:002023-10-08T16:35:38.274-07:00Local Birding and the Death of a Best Friend (20-26Sep2023)<p>September is my favorite month of the year. The temperature starts to cool down, the waves are usually good and the migration is getting into full swing. I have been visiting my usual fall migration hotspot of Burnt Mill Creek (BMC) but lately Airlie Gardens has been really good.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTduQcURoWqUekwtpfG8T-4Hje_aamGMoSnTvaO78K2MEAdWjFqy4DxVQIybgDIX56_eTpws4twm0pvvsX0iuB2_49MyaHz0_INJg4V1l4FDu2pAGvg5Xaryw1WVbjrRNMCTJmoE-z0_CRjo3cP8G-h3mv90pbUkNcM01UuraZdLK0pdCb6eVkdWpio_px" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3789" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTduQcURoWqUekwtpfG8T-4Hje_aamGMoSnTvaO78K2MEAdWjFqy4DxVQIybgDIX56_eTpws4twm0pvvsX0iuB2_49MyaHz0_INJg4V1l4FDu2pAGvg5Xaryw1WVbjrRNMCTJmoE-z0_CRjo3cP8G-h3mv90pbUkNcM01UuraZdLK0pdCb6eVkdWpio_px=w640-h384" width="640" /></a></div><br />Chimney Swift - a cigar with wings.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZiho1kXsrG0erA3cU6H6kk8ZTTClgSdUCvyh2w17zeoTbkPMqb0dzQR3UPr9L8Ev9CczfoDZZ-wnAPicWws1iApnOcFI9LDi_ogw8ZMp3Hragv5efFBL4WwDPkvkjLzN22Ml1zBQk_9unZrM4zRgFblC-dKqxanE1frocmuBoXXVpLxPAuIQKoVkRerlI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3274" data-original-width="5446" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZiho1kXsrG0erA3cU6H6kk8ZTTClgSdUCvyh2w17zeoTbkPMqb0dzQR3UPr9L8Ev9CczfoDZZ-wnAPicWws1iApnOcFI9LDi_ogw8ZMp3Hragv5efFBL4WwDPkvkjLzN22Ml1zBQk_9unZrM4zRgFblC-dKqxanE1frocmuBoXXVpLxPAuIQKoVkRerlI=w640-h384" width="640" /></a></div><br />Eastern Kingbirds have flying through in huge numbers.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1CGUXLnTCabqTY4_FdjK-mCQa4mYGdVs3YPYXJ3S5sFGYvpc0eToy6hCHfZjWZ4d8Cd_4Ih7Z7X13LNHR6mQsQ5ikQlG1c_XXKP3Xu0gcf2CqRzEr6Zgk0k152WRtbOyljZtj2kVQBwS5VRT7hHOTFM3qEHUC9KWPPKSIu2R5kpb6ByUmd-grPbJnSyJu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2759" data-original-width="4394" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1CGUXLnTCabqTY4_FdjK-mCQa4mYGdVs3YPYXJ3S5sFGYvpc0eToy6hCHfZjWZ4d8Cd_4Ih7Z7X13LNHR6mQsQ5ikQlG1c_XXKP3Xu0gcf2CqRzEr6Zgk0k152WRtbOyljZtj2kVQBwS5VRT7hHOTFM3qEHUC9KWPPKSIu2R5kpb6ByUmd-grPbJnSyJu=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><br />A female Black-throated Blue.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk9Xqs_hoKrKZAAGzN3mi03-TL4foMwJd_AVLb7GIdOpNEzsTE7zjCO5MVf5xRJWsayovEhM3x3ujujv4PqMuBN-E3UE1NFn4zh3SRBGGbtI4bzaOHTmDUzvejNoG_Idzv4GyXc7c4T2mC9GfQYVSQduAOddh-yqzxm3gFe5ftR5wksqVpPRiA_AeCNQvm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="5365" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk9Xqs_hoKrKZAAGzN3mi03-TL4foMwJd_AVLb7GIdOpNEzsTE7zjCO5MVf5xRJWsayovEhM3x3ujujv4PqMuBN-E3UE1NFn4zh3SRBGGbtI4bzaOHTmDUzvejNoG_Idzv4GyXc7c4T2mC9GfQYVSQduAOddh-yqzxm3gFe5ftR5wksqVpPRiA_AeCNQvm=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><br />Every live oak at Airlie seems to have a couple American Redstarts.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTUG8NNrTMYHs0Bw00EmMEk1vmaabFn62A5B_yDJHt8H-tlqJY5US2it7Ikz45eWNjIqFO2HmFWc6URQGqZPyeRTyUz4W4cz5jVJPGs96BAlas8b1g-XacpA2tBfIMUnsmHYDZpmg6dQng3aTG1YPrtfbTMhrKcSdsSuNbif2WyqavEKSIWQP--ax2xCKb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2381" data-original-width="3723" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTUG8NNrTMYHs0Bw00EmMEk1vmaabFn62A5B_yDJHt8H-tlqJY5US2it7Ikz45eWNjIqFO2HmFWc6URQGqZPyeRTyUz4W4cz5jVJPGs96BAlas8b1g-XacpA2tBfIMUnsmHYDZpmg6dQng3aTG1YPrtfbTMhrKcSdsSuNbif2WyqavEKSIWQP--ax2xCKb=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><br />I found this Blue-winged Warbler at Airlie and it stuck around for over a week with many people seeing it.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX2TzxBn_U6_iWAljON-Bhusryy_Wi_1HKSFanQHFht7noiZDZQDKwibPKSs2S3iFSWjhgUOfsoWxm8INL2hAd5D1NWj58UUIObDibjGBNZDtfLlUxfS5eA3gmbt_x5Vdu_wYrR_fCw7rLUQ6tUMsTNexHXxTt7ngiC6Wz6e0t4w356F8JrhM1-KpaLIZd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2458" data-original-width="4011" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX2TzxBn_U6_iWAljON-Bhusryy_Wi_1HKSFanQHFht7noiZDZQDKwibPKSs2S3iFSWjhgUOfsoWxm8INL2hAd5D1NWj58UUIObDibjGBNZDtfLlUxfS5eA3gmbt_x5Vdu_wYrR_fCw7rLUQ6tUMsTNexHXxTt7ngiC6Wz6e0t4w356F8JrhM1-KpaLIZd=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here it is the next day in almost the same spot.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXMPh4yeTjW00lxJMxM9EpyNlC-XvI0BxU1XgdpTq2avA4Ch3bzEtMrrY1DWN5g4C-EOBRvnzgZYOqPeKmEAnN39kw7FP6DNXMkAOiiwGDWlian9LE9dUng6ZEmasyy7MJEy0TDN0UAtYFc7-1L8VropffarP3GV6JxFUgMlFrpUvlkX44dbp9YMuTka-P" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2196" data-original-width="3476" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXMPh4yeTjW00lxJMxM9EpyNlC-XvI0BxU1XgdpTq2avA4Ch3bzEtMrrY1DWN5g4C-EOBRvnzgZYOqPeKmEAnN39kw7FP6DNXMkAOiiwGDWlian9LE9dUng6ZEmasyy7MJEy0TDN0UAtYFc7-1L8VropffarP3GV6JxFUgMlFrpUvlkX44dbp9YMuTka-P=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br />Prairie Warbler<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwpYVxIQUILdSdgicG20AYxGJcdcE_KkC2UdK7iNBDJJiF5i9aiw-zMb1tBu-aam3M5g7Jzy7OVtB9eN5hStm7JnAzOson7Moyf099WT6irdF9Z5Z-9FXCrDOJlsyDxlRWPjTrtvuOZPT39Iw56VZE2kLNDbYIstis19pmTflYSaEy_XsTQCrFenOlclmN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwpYVxIQUILdSdgicG20AYxGJcdcE_KkC2UdK7iNBDJJiF5i9aiw-zMb1tBu-aam3M5g7Jzy7OVtB9eN5hStm7JnAzOson7Moyf099WT6irdF9Z5Z-9FXCrDOJlsyDxlRWPjTrtvuOZPT39Iw56VZE2kLNDbYIstis19pmTflYSaEy_XsTQCrFenOlclmN" width="640" /></a></div><br />Common Yellowthroat<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNTHW9jAf3VCWQZsNjqxMNrfSqkC2QhwzxLOXaIHHh2f5pHup-YUyemb1OK_ZCtSNCufc-Aw4oQKYxooWYoMvLNi7qL58vDLmqv0XyDLnswOkyTr4uhbLP4HwvDvxLQ2lZG0X9KLw4yBmBjAcRMvNzfhth3Uhh7oE_wo4eIIuzURpUUkuLfz8gUFxB8cXP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3026" data-original-width="4563" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNTHW9jAf3VCWQZsNjqxMNrfSqkC2QhwzxLOXaIHHh2f5pHup-YUyemb1OK_ZCtSNCufc-Aw4oQKYxooWYoMvLNi7qL58vDLmqv0XyDLnswOkyTr4uhbLP4HwvDvxLQ2lZG0X9KLw4yBmBjAcRMvNzfhth3Uhh7oE_wo4eIIuzURpUUkuLfz8gUFxB8cXP=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br />American Redstart with a snack.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbfuU7ti3eD2VIRSHrP9oPokM0u8vD135iX4mis0z8abwLRNWH3_iQrfomw6OJAlbd-D1GQOleSJdFeeu1iR2Yx959lPWvC-ROni3iem89V5W91u79cP3F_-JtKkEDRAbYdDMEkrkaixIF3B5l9wmtbUTn9QZ2W-wZ8vJfAlf9Z5WMHvOLi7wt2PBC0FwH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3112" data-original-width="4749" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbfuU7ti3eD2VIRSHrP9oPokM0u8vD135iX4mis0z8abwLRNWH3_iQrfomw6OJAlbd-D1GQOleSJdFeeu1iR2Yx959lPWvC-ROni3iem89V5W91u79cP3F_-JtKkEDRAbYdDMEkrkaixIF3B5l9wmtbUTn9QZ2W-wZ8vJfAlf9Z5WMHvOLi7wt2PBC0FwH=w640-h420" width="640" /></a></div><br />Yellow Warbler<p></p><p>Meanwhile, at Carolina Beach Lake, a big pink bird has been hanging out.....</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx-1h5svhjGdrg9ReBBn8IM3-tz50L6wrDZlctsxU0b9weidoVP8kb-D1BFbSrhiUMky9TrHvCBC4S-0-qRx_9iKk5fpPBc3yy0xm58I5_2NC6ck-JksU5j85ILq9b_K2SEmdJV0bjXOAKl041mtd8lFFSyaI2XE8VHzfvvHFURTklM6tcX98ocIYRiy4t" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx-1h5svhjGdrg9ReBBn8IM3-tz50L6wrDZlctsxU0b9weidoVP8kb-D1BFbSrhiUMky9TrHvCBC4S-0-qRx_9iKk5fpPBc3yy0xm58I5_2NC6ck-JksU5j85ILq9b_K2SEmdJV0bjXOAKl041mtd8lFFSyaI2XE8VHzfvvHFURTklM6tcX98ocIYRiy4t=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />No, unfortunately not a Flamingo, but a Roseate Spoonbill.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeED-_t9eJzR92cbdbR48fHPnv_xs8fE-agjwv6gvfniq5Fmjs4JrzIWrjwCXq6Ofl27EU4UOF6nsJGpY3pmyyVJ9J-ZFNyXA9Vn5EhiN4XEFCxlMaPfnza9zFhviUbNIbKD0epUcyQX14Th0qyInisWSLCsOrNIk9Xh4_1b6crTzcwACIPTHLSo_rwAjn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3714" data-original-width="5839" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeED-_t9eJzR92cbdbR48fHPnv_xs8fE-agjwv6gvfniq5Fmjs4JrzIWrjwCXq6Ofl27EU4UOF6nsJGpY3pmyyVJ9J-ZFNyXA9Vn5EhiN4XEFCxlMaPfnza9zFhviUbNIbKD0epUcyQX14Th0qyInisWSLCsOrNIk9Xh4_1b6crTzcwACIPTHLSo_rwAjn=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><br />A bedraggled Black Skimmer has also been scooping up fish in the sludge that is CB Lake.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigzRgGV4w2FXzoW-QD763qZdHuH96gaEAW-CX34nGs7kuPDrhP0W6Nph63gQhqL98Ks8g3rX3V1DL270ptftLWDiPj21LhsfmXBaDhS9dt2OuKTbXOy_3NwExslyAtQPBtz7jkfkrEUQn3owaVQ1UNuNsSQ9a9XHVaM8guKU3-LSngQv2Uu_MgvwsumdwL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="3053" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigzRgGV4w2FXzoW-QD763qZdHuH96gaEAW-CX34nGs7kuPDrhP0W6Nph63gQhqL98Ks8g3rX3V1DL270ptftLWDiPj21LhsfmXBaDhS9dt2OuKTbXOy_3NwExslyAtQPBtz7jkfkrEUQn3owaVQ1UNuNsSQ9a9XHVaM8guKU3-LSngQv2Uu_MgvwsumdwL=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Oddly enough, the Roseate Spoonbill didn't trip the rare flag but this late young Least Tern did.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5ceMBGUkYlaprgngEssXdnJnu1AaKAwgDkGjLaoyaxq0S4a43NUFcCkw1Ey7mz0h0CT1t-AZAZfJnKFj6ptXdkS9FV8WOOkAvS6WbSh5Ahp-nQwcUAfG2mO5QLOGCFSTxcWUET749ilHNi9gIE2EbFQNiwNDHbW3HpBQvAXVct8CVA-0L_rVji1hHx6Mb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5ceMBGUkYlaprgngEssXdnJnu1AaKAwgDkGjLaoyaxq0S4a43NUFcCkw1Ey7mz0h0CT1t-AZAZfJnKFj6ptXdkS9FV8WOOkAvS6WbSh5Ahp-nQwcUAfG2mO5QLOGCFSTxcWUET749ilHNi9gIE2EbFQNiwNDHbW3HpBQvAXVct8CVA-0L_rVji1hHx6Mb" width="640" /></a></div><br />Tricolored Heron - CB Lake is probably the best place in Wilmington to shoot herons at close range.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOSzfr6ciLtqvcLM3n29QIzz1pvDk3qy4ukJtdg7wopB_bZmekqLJX20SO3pq9KDelG6OawpPES6LpICAVFVTlt3rT0OSIu8P9YMP0KBPWtaKQD0f3ihNQHju5CYCmNdKbfjnCbYJcUlX2opA_Q_sBnEdqYcn2iK5OgJeVF5J8Y7T9wLsX2vXecf5C_xW4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOSzfr6ciLtqvcLM3n29QIzz1pvDk3qy4ukJtdg7wopB_bZmekqLJX20SO3pq9KDelG6OawpPES6LpICAVFVTlt3rT0OSIu8P9YMP0KBPWtaKQD0f3ihNQHju5CYCmNdKbfjnCbYJcUlX2opA_Q_sBnEdqYcn2iK5OgJeVF5J8Y7T9wLsX2vXecf5C_xW4" width="640" /></a></div><br />This time of year all the Yellow-crowned Night-herons have post breeding dispersal which usually is evident in the marshes around Fort Fisher. These were at the Aquarium pond.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjp3laJbR54lWUBLQEO6r7QI1vW2mnagdvwmCaWK_gLY2GZ3PoXTl1VfHgG2yAiq3BcW9PITGt9yodD4Lp81d7sBQIEMB4bgAsGXsEw-HOztWxPxXYSiTWgE9ipCGYcgKfZfdLfEOUpSRM8M3M0x3UqBIxHjoG2E_vSiXGpxJJFSO_j3mpoJ-D5f1-E0_di" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjp3laJbR54lWUBLQEO6r7QI1vW2mnagdvwmCaWK_gLY2GZ3PoXTl1VfHgG2yAiq3BcW9PITGt9yodD4Lp81d7sBQIEMB4bgAsGXsEw-HOztWxPxXYSiTWgE9ipCGYcgKfZfdLfEOUpSRM8M3M0x3UqBIxHjoG2E_vSiXGpxJJFSO_j3mpoJ-D5f1-E0_di" width="640" /></a></div><br />Fort Fisher is also home to one of the closest things North Carolina has to a point break with the waves off the gazebo rocks.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBvwdQtqKOAjiZAw6y1UdzY69Tb3YewFT_wTMcTo9EjPIE4ZyW0h7KtIz2igwuo9VneBRFCS7lcwxKVFjKuyq6v9J11j-VrsRscJEv8XhJeCsCY_JMa9gf4AjpYRs5TgV7ifu5_BXXS9DSWsYWbwdOMq2LXnDvuY2AJb9Ljg_Pq5WEtJb-QVFKehbnyq-c" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBvwdQtqKOAjiZAw6y1UdzY69Tb3YewFT_wTMcTo9EjPIE4ZyW0h7KtIz2igwuo9VneBRFCS7lcwxKVFjKuyq6v9J11j-VrsRscJEv8XhJeCsCY_JMa9gf4AjpYRs5TgV7ifu5_BXXS9DSWsYWbwdOMq2LXnDvuY2AJb9Ljg_Pq5WEtJb-QVFKehbnyq-c" width="640" /></a></div><br />This particular day was small which is why I didn't even bother to bring my board, but you can see that it gets crowded.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigjRsmfXm39cgiExzoIECpULEaCdIKGMNb1eLV1SZW0VdFtbunClQvFlNcLVJvntmT5Nfh5EILDe_6MW_vD-dEdQS2YUebzc-2W_8VEAiwaf_YKXtSzQIcW3U-N2BCW3EFG4b1A6Dfl4Yg92I0ZJUSEwhRW_Q1uKQ-dxik9tgw9h4Velht6m4dPYMvFasL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigjRsmfXm39cgiExzoIECpULEaCdIKGMNb1eLV1SZW0VdFtbunClQvFlNcLVJvntmT5Nfh5EILDe_6MW_vD-dEdQS2YUebzc-2W_8VEAiwaf_YKXtSzQIcW3U-N2BCW3EFG4b1A6Dfl4Yg92I0ZJUSEwhRW_Q1uKQ-dxik9tgw9h4Velht6m4dPYMvFasL" width="640" /></a></div><br />Back at Airlie another day, another Prairie Warbler.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2EW_yPCOAnIEOcJ2Rb-Yz6Bl9jRHpE3Yvre7ukQl3rabdECD2mu9MScvn3kqyBaDhCBO4AV0eB3EGCkMAYH0AzfOFV5q_pdoK7-dPBklQDYMzBg-KSPyJx1vC0zmpV4JJzYdbXtGerGmQCxR_Jnw1a-3dKjUUL_DOZddbjyQ6K5_PGeT9WSZ8eTA7uv3v" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2EW_yPCOAnIEOcJ2Rb-Yz6Bl9jRHpE3Yvre7ukQl3rabdECD2mu9MScvn3kqyBaDhCBO4AV0eB3EGCkMAYH0AzfOFV5q_pdoK7-dPBklQDYMzBg-KSPyJx1vC0zmpV4JJzYdbXtGerGmQCxR_Jnw1a-3dKjUUL_DOZddbjyQ6K5_PGeT9WSZ8eTA7uv3v" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of these days I will find a Gray Heron, but until then here is another Great Blue Heron.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0sy4OfVk8CqDRhPCRDzhRDGxUY8G18wQImDAU9CVrQqpbrVk74Dwl8OjKrDp5wl35fnXsJ-w1CVVQlbnkpp7_C7RkM9KufwOQtOpxwX-cLNzyRViHoZTCe6ADia5_lo-7wA8KTrGukLFphTFtzpqgjVGQfXs7XUIE8uZHlvCiVFB1YP1vlH8HYTnvI8cD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0sy4OfVk8CqDRhPCRDzhRDGxUY8G18wQImDAU9CVrQqpbrVk74Dwl8OjKrDp5wl35fnXsJ-w1CVVQlbnkpp7_C7RkM9KufwOQtOpxwX-cLNzyRViHoZTCe6ADia5_lo-7wA8KTrGukLFphTFtzpqgjVGQfXs7XUIE8uZHlvCiVFB1YP1vlH8HYTnvI8cD" width="640" /></a></div><br />American Redstart<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXRx-dT-vwqwZy1tCTUKbcF-n_TMVtt8bpIttJ8Zu2NoQI-pZxuUGrGE1EGZVrHkIHs2EfHXx_JJZ5Em9yHLg-nooLKPjq2ledY72H3ZGCwwYEyB9sgxiZciG3o06hYBhuATpVeTeqsgP4-ATYkBR0yzeT2Nv8FMl6KfqVfj7NRg95p6E8AvNH1CW44bTb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXRx-dT-vwqwZy1tCTUKbcF-n_TMVtt8bpIttJ8Zu2NoQI-pZxuUGrGE1EGZVrHkIHs2EfHXx_JJZ5Em9yHLg-nooLKPjq2ledY72H3ZGCwwYEyB9sgxiZciG3o06hYBhuATpVeTeqsgP4-ATYkBR0yzeT2Nv8FMl6KfqVfj7NRg95p6E8AvNH1CW44bTb" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Hooded Warbler was hanging around Burnt Mill Creek for several days.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5cOYqOttnhYmOQg6Orl1iSitrm4MlbNROf0GNvuFrUib1CNHlyo0w58cjq8AJdOEtWfjjn5ZWOn0Y5v_Qm8lYuAaV7pD6SRqTo2NTAqhO4cGKkR0mWRrLzAzrw8WoxuwaqkV_tgwSKgruPpykCz5x-xGmTUFwT915WpzS4IFMo1g0KNwhZBnUqsWUxcKZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2505" data-original-width="3552" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5cOYqOttnhYmOQg6Orl1iSitrm4MlbNROf0GNvuFrUib1CNHlyo0w58cjq8AJdOEtWfjjn5ZWOn0Y5v_Qm8lYuAaV7pD6SRqTo2NTAqhO4cGKkR0mWRrLzAzrw8WoxuwaqkV_tgwSKgruPpykCz5x-xGmTUFwT915WpzS4IFMo1g0KNwhZBnUqsWUxcKZ=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><br />Northern Parula<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZPl2yrEQ9b_0375ThduDNQpqpunE4HF4SAGVtby3FV2fAuHJzYZZ3Suo3ZXn8XuNrbdH_1H5RBM2-r0Jtu0W9cUPMngxZbAZ77HxoQ39jxpjO6JItamdKl7EP-eGl0fkTMf6vlTibPbM1Al0MKeDzbtkk981a2Ro5d2v9nfbzTdbkWnlcEi2EAsqemksv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2289" data-original-width="3745" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZPl2yrEQ9b_0375ThduDNQpqpunE4HF4SAGVtby3FV2fAuHJzYZZ3Suo3ZXn8XuNrbdH_1H5RBM2-r0Jtu0W9cUPMngxZbAZ77HxoQ39jxpjO6JItamdKl7EP-eGl0fkTMf6vlTibPbM1Al0MKeDzbtkk981a2Ro5d2v9nfbzTdbkWnlcEi2EAsqemksv=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></div><br />Nashville Warbler! BMC seems to be good for 1-2 Nashvilles every fall now.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTzfFTv8L8FTWuUeA132F6Q7VbpS0SnzLosdwWVy6lLWN6J_y6Qedi5M4tIexs9xF-OoLWRUbKgzo5t_zwqYEjmUxQzbiCCOVj0Kn3LglpA2dA7SNs8j4QgWGMU359vkAqN06IiCJ1voiIIYZsHTdJ4UM2f4B7W4sgEgCP5voD-IPGGW-Ky-GSSbKziTLG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2036" data-original-width="3491" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTzfFTv8L8FTWuUeA132F6Q7VbpS0SnzLosdwWVy6lLWN6J_y6Qedi5M4tIexs9xF-OoLWRUbKgzo5t_zwqYEjmUxQzbiCCOVj0Kn3LglpA2dA7SNs8j4QgWGMU359vkAqN06IiCJ1voiIIYZsHTdJ4UM2f4B7W4sgEgCP5voD-IPGGW-Ky-GSSbKziTLG=w640-h374" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSFwxGxN8IgQmpj_zoOSrSob22GDhtPcG-U3ONYrE6_JX7tcg-ubAMvVwnESfyG-TT02Ob32Kv5Ap9oWD0hT8Pm8gXRQxRTkFgA-SRoyMHdX3nPVP7E3sCGF7p60hHP7jYTtG-hpz6GYNY8pg9qMRULV30o6Ty-v1oYYI3BJaNQiGhXQoIs6_0mrKwa3fH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2345" data-original-width="3696" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSFwxGxN8IgQmpj_zoOSrSob22GDhtPcG-U3ONYrE6_JX7tcg-ubAMvVwnESfyG-TT02Ob32Kv5Ap9oWD0hT8Pm8gXRQxRTkFgA-SRoyMHdX3nPVP7E3sCGF7p60hHP7jYTtG-hpz6GYNY8pg9qMRULV30o6Ty-v1oYYI3BJaNQiGhXQoIs6_0mrKwa3fH=w640-h406" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz-Gku9kRivRgR-Tyy6tGs-7EAO4RMxY6t7arXgAHgtTMQvDZ0WYOqjirdXhuO_oqG50hFkTYSgc9oEVnMdw9xV--_S9lPvLcdkoXJlXSgnuYZP0x_SOnjXrNYuI5VdYOnTo4C63oFFdcLuAiWyEsi9MGBGoFWes2qBJ_1In_W-iI9oYRvtIgVp-29Wz4U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3196" data-original-width="5055" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz-Gku9kRivRgR-Tyy6tGs-7EAO4RMxY6t7arXgAHgtTMQvDZ0WYOqjirdXhuO_oqG50hFkTYSgc9oEVnMdw9xV--_S9lPvLcdkoXJlXSgnuYZP0x_SOnjXrNYuI5VdYOnTo4C63oFFdcLuAiWyEsi9MGBGoFWes2qBJ_1In_W-iI9oYRvtIgVp-29Wz4U=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br />Presumed Acadian Flycatcher<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgNCI8lzM83z_eNb-RMzHzlWYIHAtF9-30w0Qx3bDSjg4OPeYF0GS9BJlnyK_86WheMuDnq2zavg-JJwJUizrIAFENNl_dPqPZ68L_T4QGygXEN_7Kixy4J4Q2VoaBPFS1cAWeMuA_Q2YvSELaS_MczopgBGCFaQRgGBpSYCJGMFCtPCNTx47-gWdvX09i" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3125" data-original-width="4685" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgNCI8lzM83z_eNb-RMzHzlWYIHAtF9-30w0Qx3bDSjg4OPeYF0GS9BJlnyK_86WheMuDnq2zavg-JJwJUizrIAFENNl_dPqPZ68L_T4QGygXEN_7Kixy4J4Q2VoaBPFS1cAWeMuA_Q2YvSELaS_MczopgBGCFaQRgGBpSYCJGMFCtPCNTx47-gWdvX09i=w640-h426" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6WtPVb1D5Q3vuBwYTG-gufY5PPMKyyw7C_9PpCvsHE63QInlPIwDvjulw4vCPruyoh8PVfi_jn0T4qryvH_AizW6SG8m6O-4g1PNSBirld1ErERVxQhtDuQ-6Zy086qe-fONwC3Og9UniClKhTo16peR03gKPORABC8glS-o-ViNflIshCLmu9jqgR-QR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6WtPVb1D5Q3vuBwYTG-gufY5PPMKyyw7C_9PpCvsHE63QInlPIwDvjulw4vCPruyoh8PVfi_jn0T4qryvH_AizW6SG8m6O-4g1PNSBirld1ErERVxQhtDuQ-6Zy086qe-fONwC3Og9UniClKhTo16peR03gKPORABC8glS-o-ViNflIshCLmu9jqgR-QR=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>GBH<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiURXdWcB307tA97HH9jDqxy-v5LOud__OchHaPCyygc19EYw66gpNj3J2Oj69GJa1BWWcNqyxYSIB33ddOkkhWsUQ3Olz7mS8jKoPPEU_I7yfNuRfEzDlZn57k8CGgKniYH3uX-OMVwx1LMIIvHDQ6dI-yY68zP9FiWHrwqgTfV6Pl5M19hcUfRNwS0bie" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="4109" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiURXdWcB307tA97HH9jDqxy-v5LOud__OchHaPCyygc19EYw66gpNj3J2Oj69GJa1BWWcNqyxYSIB33ddOkkhWsUQ3Olz7mS8jKoPPEU_I7yfNuRfEzDlZn57k8CGgKniYH3uX-OMVwx1LMIIvHDQ6dI-yY68zP9FiWHrwqgTfV6Pl5M19hcUfRNwS0bie=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A young White-eyed Vireo</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh5b7wRhXCnSy-H-itLlYUGBizltJ4z6LC9EXQ4RtWUHOzlA44OT4zLSZ-krxRo4K2pHE4zYhyVQ8NtwwbN5eTCmaQPvyWN716u0vsKX9k_guTT4fZ90LuOszKx1MLoyR9i6WTGijNWRhWbgIbnGVgZbIYxp9tFRZ0aFJbfnrLqbmWZ6S_0Dgp9eYTCSM4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3139" data-original-width="4778" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh5b7wRhXCnSy-H-itLlYUGBizltJ4z6LC9EXQ4RtWUHOzlA44OT4zLSZ-krxRo4K2pHE4zYhyVQ8NtwwbN5eTCmaQPvyWN716u0vsKX9k_guTT4fZ90LuOszKx1MLoyR9i6WTGijNWRhWbgIbnGVgZbIYxp9tFRZ0aFJbfnrLqbmWZ6S_0Dgp9eYTCSM4" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Hooded Warbler was still around several days later.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNuj9COqakq8pxmxp0UWhOXe0ipty-i89gZBCZ7RMnC5znxNcIohoadbJPvGy4DIvlJRgDVQtkquzC99-XdQr32UhZr4cfoaxyfKxIJM7185bo8mBiojRun4UpPQR6Pqz-msjruYpJgQhWZRqFg8WQftmWU8yIUJJ4sYpFI-x05AwxI1FGCU2MUCMn5Hlf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="4084" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNuj9COqakq8pxmxp0UWhOXe0ipty-i89gZBCZ7RMnC5znxNcIohoadbJPvGy4DIvlJRgDVQtkquzC99-XdQr32UhZr4cfoaxyfKxIJM7185bo8mBiojRun4UpPQR6Pqz-msjruYpJgQhWZRqFg8WQftmWU8yIUJJ4sYpFI-x05AwxI1FGCU2MUCMn5Hlf" width="640" /></a></div><br />This young Acadian Flycatcher was vocalizing and Merlin confirmed ID. Merlin sound ID should always be taken with a grain of salt, but it is a good tool for confirming what you already have come to based on visual factors.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>One evening I had to go pick up George at WB for his sailing practice, so I decided to take a walk on the North end of the beach first.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjTZrtrNrAF2UQimxRP-g2DpKH1dIQ_YVXfYtuAd8XWGljWFUCdTQ63PrxZ53dG0qHZyrST3f1yMnQtZA6OqXuw-nLEp1hBsPueTQrWmsQuc6ddI1iYDDQmvH8eBrz8P0jLmVQ8SKMbnjHEp4Kb6jJzMQ5Lj5Vae5oPDZSfBnb2ysjAb1c7bLFfN1ZbDQm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjTZrtrNrAF2UQimxRP-g2DpKH1dIQ_YVXfYtuAd8XWGljWFUCdTQ63PrxZ53dG0qHZyrST3f1yMnQtZA6OqXuw-nLEp1hBsPueTQrWmsQuc6ddI1iYDDQmvH8eBrz8P0jLmVQ8SKMbnjHEp4Kb6jJzMQ5Lj5Vae5oPDZSfBnb2ysjAb1c7bLFfN1ZbDQm=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Western Sandpiper</div><div><br /></div><div>Then as I was scanning the gull and tern evening roost, I saw one gull that looked different.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggVKr2IWYGLhasy-Ofym76a6qWkXk3mTcYf-7a_umbJJZ9OD10vccxaJrSrVwspUXhqvT5-hsZmqkM62j2PtdIwM8fHS0tlrHkraFq2AcFaQclT7Z01TDejk0_DHKNrK1MyI8KJpESPjF3MKQU9rNpk3v9Av4TO8HLiaKOVJHTjZizrhB5Rr9RjGmd63r2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="4881" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggVKr2IWYGLhasy-Ofym76a6qWkXk3mTcYf-7a_umbJJZ9OD10vccxaJrSrVwspUXhqvT5-hsZmqkM62j2PtdIwM8fHS0tlrHkraFq2AcFaQclT7Z01TDejk0_DHKNrK1MyI8KJpESPjF3MKQU9rNpk3v9Av4TO8HLiaKOVJHTjZizrhB5Rr9RjGmd63r2=w640-h358" width="640" /></a></div><br />I immediately thought Franklin's Gull but it was nice a slam dunk because it was a young first year bird and did not have the adult white wing markings that make it easy to ID. Some Laughing Gulls can get a dark hood, so it was necessary to look more closely for the ID.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh_5jZGpsxh9tKsON1mLWG6HZ6WT0JUhyC7ZVmThE5ldk4PK89OVTeGeOl_-Q-7Spy38svsmtlBJDZ8uhFffcYh0KEwIK3m3K3tMzdR3g3-ZKQBj5g6Jz_KBTldd5VM7Ht96a0jxyYOFcrwjbRTS3eG4HQeQWWrGLidIjmkzzoe2kC2-AGHErBVr0rnNyb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2497" data-original-width="3702" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh_5jZGpsxh9tKsON1mLWG6HZ6WT0JUhyC7ZVmThE5ldk4PK89OVTeGeOl_-Q-7Spy38svsmtlBJDZ8uhFffcYh0KEwIK3m3K3tMzdR3g3-ZKQBj5g6Jz_KBTldd5VM7Ht96a0jxyYOFcrwjbRTS3eG4HQeQWWrGLidIjmkzzoe2kC2-AGHErBVr0rnNyb=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The nape contrasts nicely with the hood and mantle. On a young Laughing it would be more uniform.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-dEB78hsFEh_P4V-nGoUg_g0AZ2udcaV6jXXFJ90jhfhemRRi8RDVjEnTvTdNht5AMWP-_mnnEl4P0NoDhtcSkRi6xO-Mg6F5oqxGz4lpa_r8iUgjO_CL0nui6xiqRNpa4EONJg5apL-X3serMYpRu8liyww0LAQPaP9tbR99gcnGxv68TvRb2qcoVXW6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3309" data-original-width="4945" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-dEB78hsFEh_P4V-nGoUg_g0AZ2udcaV6jXXFJ90jhfhemRRi8RDVjEnTvTdNht5AMWP-_mnnEl4P0NoDhtcSkRi6xO-Mg6F5oqxGz4lpa_r8iUgjO_CL0nui6xiqRNpa4EONJg5apL-X3serMYpRu8liyww0LAQPaP9tbR99gcnGxv68TvRb2qcoVXW6=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br />Although the wings did not have the white crescents in the wings that an adult would, it showed some hint of it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR6Yzt2GzdRQxBy_x0HvrnK9O5wjA1H6ZK9DI7nagaoZtH-9Sz4P6wQBIB6zltHQeB-66P3j-_TC11h4nFMo_JDO8krK5M4i9bzx2v8n5iYImo864zfjjPT_jeMFdHAFjpTDPIecq9fp1clKq2ASL8OTj7lO7yuu4Sk4HpfZNhWsjfMqB2anQWAM4g0pDR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR6Yzt2GzdRQxBy_x0HvrnK9O5wjA1H6ZK9DI7nagaoZtH-9Sz4P6wQBIB6zltHQeB-66P3j-_TC11h4nFMo_JDO8krK5M4i9bzx2v8n5iYImo864zfjjPT_jeMFdHAFjpTDPIecq9fp1clKq2ASL8OTj7lO7yuu4Sk4HpfZNhWsjfMqB2anQWAM4g0pDR=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The bill was a little more petite than that of a Laughing Gull.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwmOJUV7iKCqM9BKl9q3ZfD_eXhiJ0zTHozrS9ZFn4nEzaKEmuNeduQjzzqapBWJl5VNH6qhEYaGeLdBrIjz55n45YkQz5FIzKhxamPmXn9eqxcqbb1jEs-5v1rOJtsgw3RVMXU4ed0kDeh9UWLVvMcd_aHH86XTx9PvM0-7mFlIptEL_mxrtc-kebZu_h" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3547" data-original-width="5701" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwmOJUV7iKCqM9BKl9q3ZfD_eXhiJ0zTHozrS9ZFn4nEzaKEmuNeduQjzzqapBWJl5VNH6qhEYaGeLdBrIjz55n45YkQz5FIzKhxamPmXn9eqxcqbb1jEs-5v1rOJtsgw3RVMXU4ed0kDeh9UWLVvMcd_aHH86XTx9PvM0-7mFlIptEL_mxrtc-kebZu_h=w640-h398" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The under-wings were relatively white compared to Laughing Gull.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKBcJpbJDaRGiqZSUu0tLbAqkjDg1PAQ_SJY7Xuu-VhPSFw6_nqbGgFvZTxMCAjZocWXZOI0X0BR6V2D4OOIz5LwWCwyYSpl4ZANYahAhcxCgqzI4wBpVvkem9xv05sdEifDcnoj_MRvKDITywhdXYiHQyb5REfRNMUoHxoSHBPa0LrWjHDS78KWxxetUH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3708" data-original-width="4930" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKBcJpbJDaRGiqZSUu0tLbAqkjDg1PAQ_SJY7Xuu-VhPSFw6_nqbGgFvZTxMCAjZocWXZOI0X0BR6V2D4OOIz5LwWCwyYSpl4ZANYahAhcxCgqzI4wBpVvkem9xv05sdEifDcnoj_MRvKDITywhdXYiHQyb5REfRNMUoHxoSHBPa0LrWjHDS78KWxxetUH=w640-h482" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The tail band is relatively neat. Laughing Gulls with tail bands are usually messy, not straight across.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwEPiCSFkrBeGDPOUkFveBdG9H0M5iYpq6X3Iqy8ReeEddWyCz13Oc_Xpfa2i91_cmTAF8egwfwR52xGm2hHvlFs0gbWMkm3AekKS0g3kEQfo4uMeLIL9U0-J5xWSdLlzwSCIgFspY6-S0ps__1qTOXtHcOo8Hqf_6X-mvJO5Be4pNgRZIHd28-AKAmsBq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwEPiCSFkrBeGDPOUkFveBdG9H0M5iYpq6X3Iqy8ReeEddWyCz13Oc_Xpfa2i91_cmTAF8egwfwR52xGm2hHvlFs0gbWMkm3AekKS0g3kEQfo4uMeLIL9U0-J5xWSdLlzwSCIgFspY6-S0ps__1qTOXtHcOo8Hqf_6X-mvJO5Be4pNgRZIHd28-AKAmsBq=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>He/she was relatively smaller compared to the nearby Laughing Gulls, although this was negligible on its own.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhR3__kQipXynkose41wKylOG9bddfYycRg9zBzEWucTYrI6AUrhewL371DN26aP_RCeprQIqW3XRaM9wLqrtyN4xuhbs2dJay3TWFoD1cJYV11haIIIGid9iDfqsbz3NrED5ZA3eBgFEqK66yijgJ_eYfUx_nXkgj5bs7vEvUZiEVMDm4u4aqodjnx3JKO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2958" data-original-width="4952" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhR3__kQipXynkose41wKylOG9bddfYycRg9zBzEWucTYrI6AUrhewL371DN26aP_RCeprQIqW3XRaM9wLqrtyN4xuhbs2dJay3TWFoD1cJYV11haIIIGid9iDfqsbz3NrED5ZA3eBgFEqK66yijgJ_eYfUx_nXkgj5bs7vEvUZiEVMDm4u4aqodjnx3JKO=w640-h382" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One interesting field mark is that Franklin's Gulls will sometimes show some pink in the legs which this one did.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOlG96GzQq-TB_QnnA577z1BVvi68jZSXj1pwS4BFZnaZ5J9QxmjVL8K6DJxh_P3gFB_q3aGsVTUrtxWypcTfnAs0IUBYoWuEYj1KIo_IZvHKLrr7-NOqcwdGOLc5HUCXTEvo6mdKeF1T-QD5yBHNJoCUvtnXd55FxHCIoEGF298o_5ZwG9Dv90eMSLP-f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOlG96GzQq-TB_QnnA577z1BVvi68jZSXj1pwS4BFZnaZ5J9QxmjVL8K6DJxh_P3gFB_q3aGsVTUrtxWypcTfnAs0IUBYoWuEYj1KIo_IZvHKLrr7-NOqcwdGOLc5HUCXTEvo6mdKeF1T-QD5yBHNJoCUvtnXd55FxHCIoEGF298o_5ZwG9Dv90eMSLP-f=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Regarding the black band in the tail, although it is neat, it does not extend to the other most tail feathers which is another confirmatory field mark.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWerHAX64Pto6jpEhEo5ewX7moAsnWS66sK5qyiti1BafCVMEUYDbBvlcPmGh2IxruOB_cgwlc3JC48kHGEHrQDTcOGIqQbkSuYQNE7aCMVgMG7Il4yaDXSf1aKAwX1bIQnbcpUSagXLxdszaW3_8pWGt0aUCBdGeZYRQ4wy5-JlL660PuK-Y2hW30ecVA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWerHAX64Pto6jpEhEo5ewX7moAsnWS66sK5qyiti1BafCVMEUYDbBvlcPmGh2IxruOB_cgwlc3JC48kHGEHrQDTcOGIqQbkSuYQNE7aCMVgMG7Il4yaDXSf1aKAwX1bIQnbcpUSagXLxdszaW3_8pWGt0aUCBdGeZYRQ4wy5-JlL660PuK-Y2hW30ecVA" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Sandwich Tern was kind of interesting. I have never seen one with a pink bill. I suppose young birds can have them, but not in that pattern.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7Zfv9bjW0lecZMSsiIheYA5U5RzU96X9G-1AEWqQVjgh3kPNe2dYRN5PRX3hv6irb92EsikznH81Gsgu9vmgjYIP5WhHKAqxm97F9dfGtqCbXz9sItBayFtNlJzfkj1BzVG55FoMvfq11_mac3DfRopbw-rXVtAUjBk8CwAzln5oIxL9AhWL6VrKW9DNx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4203" data-original-width="6081" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7Zfv9bjW0lecZMSsiIheYA5U5RzU96X9G-1AEWqQVjgh3kPNe2dYRN5PRX3hv6irb92EsikznH81Gsgu9vmgjYIP5WhHKAqxm97F9dfGtqCbXz9sItBayFtNlJzfkj1BzVG55FoMvfq11_mac3DfRopbw-rXVtAUjBk8CwAzln5oIxL9AhWL6VrKW9DNx=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Marbled Godwit</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixHKEqQkXOgCvYVi2rGYxX3yzHebSM-NX66FiKs3nm5Aruesqm8Bub5TKNEQS5KyHvqYVfxjWOpLRNiC_2Zt2VwzGoe31Kl0Zc_yXOPf-qDMt1XKnD0BTiY7BQinFcv1_o531pQsz9SM3XEWaX420hmY1GfcO9DHJeVFBDoKVK1cxvZuVyskgVCYB9KDC7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixHKEqQkXOgCvYVi2rGYxX3yzHebSM-NX66FiKs3nm5Aruesqm8Bub5TKNEQS5KyHvqYVfxjWOpLRNiC_2Zt2VwzGoe31Kl0Zc_yXOPf-qDMt1XKnD0BTiY7BQinFcv1_o531pQsz9SM3XEWaX420hmY1GfcO9DHJeVFBDoKVK1cxvZuVyskgVCYB9KDC7=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Whimbrel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2rgZALbP6m-JitWA7KznnuzrmY5EboTgsXnHsYgwtbdtH3ntta52h5u05uv5ncQjrgM705F0yYZq2USou1UnJBgv7pW9GA_TEyOzcFiANdJ6T7eX7-6dZohrjmppdRAtEYifFH61Uz_GDZ_xK_DRDL0JLH1jCtFoMibHiss6aaIMiNgzOD_xPOL5lvi77" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2680" data-original-width="4725" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2rgZALbP6m-JitWA7KznnuzrmY5EboTgsXnHsYgwtbdtH3ntta52h5u05uv5ncQjrgM705F0yYZq2USou1UnJBgv7pW9GA_TEyOzcFiANdJ6T7eX7-6dZohrjmppdRAtEYifFH61Uz_GDZ_xK_DRDL0JLH1jCtFoMibHiss6aaIMiNgzOD_xPOL5lvi77=w640-h364" width="640" /></a></div><br />I know Common Terns can have dark carpal bars, but this one was ridiculously dark.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDdtGZMw1y0aCh7T2T6gy6fSGrCmj7zUXL7sG_rvEhL54IKifzi6cVyCI67JaI02z3by-QSxojkimGexQvhx7l6WRi_z4579JmyMgKAWsG5FxIBVewzybk8H_HvzwR0Ban9QTk0_1NeIpeHVgxF2MuinoEQ5ijYPlRWKK8wbBd8yKS8D4BzpSODGEdiE0h" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3382" data-original-width="5527" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDdtGZMw1y0aCh7T2T6gy6fSGrCmj7zUXL7sG_rvEhL54IKifzi6cVyCI67JaI02z3by-QSxojkimGexQvhx7l6WRi_z4579JmyMgKAWsG5FxIBVewzybk8H_HvzwR0Ban9QTk0_1NeIpeHVgxF2MuinoEQ5ijYPlRWKK8wbBd8yKS8D4BzpSODGEdiE0h=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></div><br />The Forster's Terns are starting to get their Pirate patches.</div></div><div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgncvLhd04W9IoescyvRyvPd6SdcNUTwXvOOjbm4jUTza-z3Mzn7URaW6SX5ZgryWF8B3EfzHDk89g6rlsqqvzJ6PLaH_8XLteQ8te8KfHI3XPzh30v-rCTUKVitR4QH7Xa1-QxZm5fCZPBLA4Nz8KDP8JCkLbbKxr5AFAZ0Ios0KY_mVnRA6nTbNVy8Teq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3457" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgncvLhd04W9IoescyvRyvPd6SdcNUTwXvOOjbm4jUTza-z3Mzn7URaW6SX5ZgryWF8B3EfzHDk89g6rlsqqvzJ6PLaH_8XLteQ8te8KfHI3XPzh30v-rCTUKVitR4QH7Xa1-QxZm5fCZPBLA4Nz8KDP8JCkLbbKxr5AFAZ0Ios0KY_mVnRA6nTbNVy8Teq" width="549" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile, we had been loving on our dog Paco as much as possible as he had been struggling as of late with debilitating arthritis which made it painful for him to walk. We have been feeding him people food for the past couple of months and giving him tons of treats to make his last days as pleasurable as possible.<p></p><p>Well last week was finally the time to say goodbye as he could hardly stand sometimes and clearly was not enjoying life anymore. We all took the day off from work and school and had a vet come and euthanize him at home. A very tough decision to make, but I think it was the right one. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0ciTB5KAJ5eL6U4CkjYLHbtH5s9Ui1T2aTh3-1-TW1mZ1ym4vZYZYdMX7GKsv_wiSpLfZd-5HbCm7G5QTcwjORwdMY18Pq8dMOPfJp7StSdER3vJVhcO_E5Q6wUsCvIZuyuTTkvGNqRoDw1Brcf3HGwsKQzYMf50a51J4Rzl3o1v3WzOPGPCjOrKCEJGQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2400" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0ciTB5KAJ5eL6U4CkjYLHbtH5s9Ui1T2aTh3-1-TW1mZ1ym4vZYZYdMX7GKsv_wiSpLfZd-5HbCm7G5QTcwjORwdMY18Pq8dMOPfJp7StSdER3vJVhcO_E5Q6wUsCvIZuyuTTkvGNqRoDw1Brcf3HGwsKQzYMf50a51J4Rzl3o1v3WzOPGPCjOrKCEJGQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>He was one of my best friends and certainly my most loyal. We had him for almost 14 years which is about as long as a Whippet can live. He got into trouble sometimes, as evidenced from the scar under his eye (I can't remember if it was from a squirrel or a fence), but overall he was an awesome dog. He never barked, he was always friendly to people and other dogs and he loved to play frisbee. He loved eating mole crickets in the back yard and also my lantana bushes among other plants. I spend a ton of time tinkering in the yard and Paco was always game to spend his time with me while I worked.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEMeaexmopCoPNo-0nGKCqiqBs3DAKk15vkdx5N7atEj77RieD7VIL76yYuTD80ttEm9JCF0vsU1iNwc9-fRHpsuLFmlbKGk4MpzxzLmKkvfvZ4tlXk-07F2jthrqXTQEL5-VFCzbDk1F2akzS0lZPulHcRhJcVHMApIfub3z3ve1sb7AZwaM0086dpqIY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1857" data-original-width="1573" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEMeaexmopCoPNo-0nGKCqiqBs3DAKk15vkdx5N7atEj77RieD7VIL76yYuTD80ttEm9JCF0vsU1iNwc9-fRHpsuLFmlbKGk4MpzxzLmKkvfvZ4tlXk-07F2jthrqXTQEL5-VFCzbDk1F2akzS0lZPulHcRhJcVHMApIfub3z3ve1sb7AZwaM0086dpqIY=w541-h640" width="541" /></a></div><p>Here he is back when he was a pup and I still had some hair.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhn6vmVpYPIR3uZjvGkg1xvvSnhfOUqFo_vVGFe8eftDoUQIYmGoPBoXWI-XH6p4IwESZtwVindzdrJAi-01ONTV7BhpHl1xad1JtRTs5vdF5bDD5uHwjYmYjggG5P4iwIfzC2RfJ1GiId4UOwC0-Yh5YoBTsTJI0pO_QRhbGk5i3urPAMw9hAhl9X4cVS-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3010" data-original-width="3024" height="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhn6vmVpYPIR3uZjvGkg1xvvSnhfOUqFo_vVGFe8eftDoUQIYmGoPBoXWI-XH6p4IwESZtwVindzdrJAi-01ONTV7BhpHl1xad1JtRTs5vdF5bDD5uHwjYmYjggG5P4iwIfzC2RfJ1GiId4UOwC0-Yh5YoBTsTJI0pO_QRhbGk5i3urPAMw9hAhl9X4cVS-=w640-h637" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ever since Rosa (his doggie sister) died, we have been carrying him up the stairs to sleep in George's bed. <p></p><p>He will be sorely missed. I buried him next to Rosa and Ruby in the back yard. Ruby has a Live Oak, Rosa a Red Cedar and Paco an Arrow Wood Viburnum. </p><p>RIP Paco, we love you!</p><p><br /></p></div></div>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-39215005060818350442023-09-24T12:59:00.000-07:002023-09-24T12:59:10.666-07:00Davie, Davidson and Rowan Counties and More Local Stuff (09-16Sep2023)<p>The County Year effort is definitely not making much progress but I did get a chance to knock out a few counties earlier this month when Luke and George had a Cross Country meet in Kernersville and then Luke wanted to visit Catawba College in Rowan County. George needed to rack up some driving miles so he can eventually get his full driver's license so he tagged along and periodically scared the living daylights out of me with his driving. The meet was a late night affair going until 10pm. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglcGFvCMhIDT6KlOQKnDc9QCrwfQG4juN3xHaMhKczdilM_yTG_prFLUzOwDraoK8ZmBaxpCTmnONSWYptkhdmDeQi6SvHSrA1dF27vFBhP9qfn_qlGK59gFkPaAk3jHgHajywO3Cn_jgj-lcx6L1AKOVX27TYCBUC5VWBsZ6wuGEtqK8d6UbgqrOihEXW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglcGFvCMhIDT6KlOQKnDc9QCrwfQG4juN3xHaMhKczdilM_yTG_prFLUzOwDraoK8ZmBaxpCTmnONSWYptkhdmDeQi6SvHSrA1dF27vFBhP9qfn_qlGK59gFkPaAk3jHgHajywO3Cn_jgj-lcx6L1AKOVX27TYCBUC5VWBsZ6wuGEtqK8d6UbgqrOihEXW=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Half way through George's heat, I saw that he was in 3rd place running a 5:28 pace for his 5k. There was over 250 kids in his heat. I couldn't believe it. Luke has been the fastest runner in the family and he still is, but George is making huge improvements. As I waited near the finish line, I was floored, George was in first place! He won outright for Junior Varsity out of schools across all of North Carolina. They even interviewed him for TV.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_Vcjyf7yNW5kJiKMOwKFRBp8XwuZ7lmQ-H5Bho_a0U9OdFzLvPPFKDx_lS7PUWtVXjggylbvZw3hcjxd-z-CSYuC0O2gCtFHSt-QtvQq6F838mH7OVEbG_VlX4EZQBMTry4M_bb9hjuNwYJiHQ5XkEDSL0LJCVMIrlSGb7qiU-2NWh55J4vhXC7uTMNjM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_Vcjyf7yNW5kJiKMOwKFRBp8XwuZ7lmQ-H5Bho_a0U9OdFzLvPPFKDx_lS7PUWtVXjggylbvZw3hcjxd-z-CSYuC0O2gCtFHSt-QtvQq6F838mH7OVEbG_VlX4EZQBMTry4M_bb9hjuNwYJiHQ5XkEDSL0LJCVMIrlSGb7qiU-2NWh55J4vhXC7uTMNjM=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Luke did well but didn't place in the top 20. Some of the kids in the top 10 were running blistering paces and they will be getting free rides to good colleges.<p></p><p>We stayed in Greensboro overnight and headed to Salisbury NC in the morning which oddly enough is where Catawba College is, not Catawba NC. I was mildly excited because there is an eBird Hotspot on the college campus called the Catawba College Ecological Preserve. </p><p>George and I started to walk the preserve trails while Luke met with the coach for Catawba. The trails were nice in some bottomland habitat with ponds and hard woods. However, it was birdless and the mosquitoes were horrendous! I think we had 5-6 species of bird the whole time we were there which was over an hour. And to add insult to injury it started to pour rain.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqdT_MTi7HsmGcQvX7kXOM0aDY3KiyWzbyqDLV7rxbgJ12KNm5Yxxxj84c3OI6r1FDybNbsqLMTnVLKiwzvP6xPZKPJtkSg9ECkrEjA0Dcfj6re4y-mw9N9ppqmgFXgOud11Z3UAkt5dM5IYjCV6F0Aj_Kb9ocvgi-MR-HwEXOHNMesul1_iT4D8m1OTLZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2995" data-original-width="4782" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqdT_MTi7HsmGcQvX7kXOM0aDY3KiyWzbyqDLV7rxbgJ12KNm5Yxxxj84c3OI6r1FDybNbsqLMTnVLKiwzvP6xPZKPJtkSg9ECkrEjA0Dcfj6re4y-mw9N9ppqmgFXgOud11Z3UAkt5dM5IYjCV6F0Aj_Kb9ocvgi-MR-HwEXOHNMesul1_iT4D8m1OTLZ=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Northern Pearly-Eye - note the antennae are black with an orange tip. Southern Pearly-Eyes have all orange clubs.</p><p>Some tidbits about Rowan County.....</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh23xqDdBTk0cDAHDM4gR-SbmES6aHMBP_o-S6HNcymNsVJ89mQafmW-cmOijqdxtwk6SnQrdURV5heS7IdTq60NvQdTG9R_KQzJzcNC10bmey---x4P2Ye5lBRtKw_ZLUPrg5ypgsjUEzy6TPLyNOsxa6HfdrhO0ueeZZhi18oi6z760G6oF0U_AkrWfqb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="745" height="541" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh23xqDdBTk0cDAHDM4gR-SbmES6aHMBP_o-S6HNcymNsVJ89mQafmW-cmOijqdxtwk6SnQrdURV5heS7IdTq60NvQdTG9R_KQzJzcNC10bmey---x4P2Ye5lBRtKw_ZLUPrg5ypgsjUEzy6TPLyNOsxa6HfdrhO0ueeZZhi18oi6z760G6oF0U_AkrWfqb=w640-h541" width="640" /></a></div><br />The county seat is Salisbury which is not a huge town by any means, but it sits between Greensboro to the NE and Charlotte to the SW so its not totally out there. I thought this Wiki entry on Rowan was interesting enough to include here.<p></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;">"The first Europeans to enter what is now Rowan County were members of the Spanish expedition of Juan Pardo in 1567. They established a fort and a mission in the native village of Guatari, believed to be located near the Yadkin River and inhabited by the Wateree. At the time, the area was ruled by a female chief whom the Spaniards called <i>Guatari Mico</i> (Mico was the Wateree's term for chief). The Spaniards called the village Salamanca in honor of the city of Salamanca in western Spain, and established a mission, headed by a secular priest named Sebastián Montero.</p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;">This fort was one of six that Pardo's expedition established before he returned separately to Spain in 1568. Small garrisons were stationed at each fort. They were built into the interior, including across the mountains in what is now southeastern Tennessee. In 1568, Native Americans at each fort massacred all but one soldier in the garrisons. The Spanish never returned to this interior area in other colonizing attempts, instead concentrating their efforts in Spanish Florida."</p><p>So the natives here sent the Spaniards packing!</p><p>Rowan County is middling in size at 511 square miles and 137k people in it. The one famous person I recognized from Rowan is Mike Evans, otherwise known as Lionel Jefferson from All in the Family and also the spinoff of The Jeffersons. Apparently he also created and helped write episodes for Good Times.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWD6TaP6u3SSfWvqUEBflIR6QQ8zmOXQAgcW_Vk7FgHffIUgmTNsoq5tMP8Q_opFV4RikB6O_pDiSoPmVk8hsJ07u6scfyP-yf_yMd3R11_PIGRfebVcFffqZsB4DxxpYb59b8vXi3XxcnmuDOY0eSGBMy1cHnVX_4E-AADqWBCkLgFggTXPvKSjGWL3EU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="220" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWD6TaP6u3SSfWvqUEBflIR6QQ8zmOXQAgcW_Vk7FgHffIUgmTNsoq5tMP8Q_opFV4RikB6O_pDiSoPmVk8hsJ07u6scfyP-yf_yMd3R11_PIGRfebVcFffqZsB4DxxpYb59b8vXi3XxcnmuDOY0eSGBMy1cHnVX_4E-AADqWBCkLgFggTXPvKSjGWL3EU=w549-h640" width="549" /></a></div><p></p><p>There is Mike in the middle! He was born in Salisbury which is the town the college is in. The College sat a couple miles from the nicer part of town and had a stretch of unattractive strip malls in between town and the college. However, those strip malls also had a nice place to eat! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMgZvhBahWkvXTW--jNGMUAYBAEtQw7WfATq0CJPZbFmfgUzdhMADZyryT6-ZDQwX6T6Y6s9EXB51InTyI7ozmAHrdc6ef8ccyRqKPq3juw8hjqWVScXliosDW9GQIj8IKL7q9u0Yo2AKYyHZ3mpDAUMyrP243J19zFSA6JC5WG9vb8s0rzfDhA_n4y_iI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMgZvhBahWkvXTW--jNGMUAYBAEtQw7WfATq0CJPZbFmfgUzdhMADZyryT6-ZDQwX6T6Y6s9EXB51InTyI7ozmAHrdc6ef8ccyRqKPq3juw8hjqWVScXliosDW9GQIj8IKL7q9u0Yo2AKYyHZ3mpDAUMyrP243J19zFSA6JC5WG9vb8s0rzfDhA_n4y_iI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Yummi BahnMi! So yummy! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXEsjfd_yntq468Mxi5Xs7J5VylHH7UL0V0a7maNQNTW14poHJ46vOXlxqS2Wxmngk4SzZogs3XEtCfyq48y92CZaoOTAHXAXLfwU6eHXES9HgaLy4IcyT0PHAbltU4rYaFDhvWyBAkurN2R4wzeWWd0eTvCJhOZJqcpT0pc55dUZpHAXCrsvIAsoEadqs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXEsjfd_yntq468Mxi5Xs7J5VylHH7UL0V0a7maNQNTW14poHJ46vOXlxqS2Wxmngk4SzZogs3XEtCfyq48y92CZaoOTAHXAXLfwU6eHXES9HgaLy4IcyT0PHAbltU4rYaFDhvWyBAkurN2R4wzeWWd0eTvCJhOZJqcpT0pc55dUZpHAXCrsvIAsoEadqs" width="640" /></a></div><br />While Luke continued his tour of the college, George and I got into the car and decided to kill some time by driving to Davie Community Park in Davie County. It was only about 20 minutes away. It was not very birdy.... sorry folks, no real bird pics to share from that park.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-_XlBzGXJROuby7mIBQZadm3KKZSXhCy6vZY6rxOlpW0r9BGtTEVKN75MeLResmQD7F46WDdZn00GTOUrUd27xU1NEa-_Do1Hu8I5GdYSwRYv3emKZrpuxUq2md-S6OpfykBo55MHGQ0Wv9KMrHDcYowDTXiQsEDk9bp5Zic3k6dY14A8rC87Z-HRmPT1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2392" data-original-width="3759" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-_XlBzGXJROuby7mIBQZadm3KKZSXhCy6vZY6rxOlpW0r9BGtTEVKN75MeLResmQD7F46WDdZn00GTOUrUd27xU1NEa-_Do1Hu8I5GdYSwRYv3emKZrpuxUq2md-S6OpfykBo55MHGQ0Wv9KMrHDcYowDTXiQsEDk9bp5Zic3k6dY14A8rC87Z-HRmPT1=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><br />But I did get some butterflies, like this presumed Sachem.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilu2wDNfrC7XGfv4S5Gyte9ojknAM8KVHe9pgzm8Yil-yGn5lVPgpC5hD-mWmETqIPxDL-5HWOpSmMmgOQs9VxUP4TVAaxR9gBMtCE31_w4JDCROppjlyEtWmJ7QOEytciwzrfQgyvj4g6pg88HUCQvlNkz_eGtrnY8s3PvT1I2v1-kPgozGOT3z3E3NGc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2432" data-original-width="3777" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilu2wDNfrC7XGfv4S5Gyte9ojknAM8KVHe9pgzm8Yil-yGn5lVPgpC5hD-mWmETqIPxDL-5HWOpSmMmgOQs9VxUP4TVAaxR9gBMtCE31_w4JDCROppjlyEtWmJ7QOEytciwzrfQgyvj4g6pg88HUCQvlNkz_eGtrnY8s3PvT1I2v1-kPgozGOT3z3E3NGc=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Another angle of same butterfly.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHn6KHHlYs4VXJMs0_WLUaSTJYlOTaT2YsttSd-RoP3XuDFMvd7P5Bf0_NMtdObT12Dt5hyzBAnF7UE_bdtID63Paq_PsWERAr9NftoyNEe6BTTBbgcz88uu0AE0XR0eYtNmlkUMVMw1LHnfXoda0dDFX764uBXt-C_erBgsyGZ18TzaS5KkKdZn6Io1j9" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2493" data-original-width="3672" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHn6KHHlYs4VXJMs0_WLUaSTJYlOTaT2YsttSd-RoP3XuDFMvd7P5Bf0_NMtdObT12Dt5hyzBAnF7UE_bdtID63Paq_PsWERAr9NftoyNEe6BTTBbgcz88uu0AE0XR0eYtNmlkUMVMw1LHnfXoda0dDFX764uBXt-C_erBgsyGZ18TzaS5KkKdZn6Io1j9=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0P_Ucz93d7ZgDsBqP7H7luIdmUSQatFECDWMnkLMAqhSo_iuc-_7Tqs8nCCIoME1pvtJcakU6fNzLgackxp32CeMH3sXhdiS2sYZY9e6O4dHSTmdjKtyFAEaJbrFgJtnC-KS1pVBLkJ4PWnQNAh_i7WO_n7x_4fWbZB2Ea1hvkhHbRjgE0an5sN48jcQP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3243" data-original-width="5057" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0P_Ucz93d7ZgDsBqP7H7luIdmUSQatFECDWMnkLMAqhSo_iuc-_7Tqs8nCCIoME1pvtJcakU6fNzLgackxp32CeMH3sXhdiS2sYZY9e6O4dHSTmdjKtyFAEaJbrFgJtnC-KS1pVBLkJ4PWnQNAh_i7WO_n7x_4fWbZB2Ea1hvkhHbRjgE0an5sN48jcQP=w640-h410" width="640" /></a><p></p><p>Hackberry Emperor!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ9RONLKMDxDypjQHBlft1JfB5LQHaedN1kBfhEWfTnuBNLhtoqh8I-0SsDgoeXJBNkeBlVJcFWuurBuyEi8XEDyN3C-zrwtrsFTtB5L3MKlpkbdWZQ6H8HqTWVygf5oR1uCL5WPj-qe9tzvFXjaXWLGJAPZQbV2CuE4r_Lb6JwILa8Vg7N4-xl4h5DYuv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2066" data-original-width="3472" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ9RONLKMDxDypjQHBlft1JfB5LQHaedN1kBfhEWfTnuBNLhtoqh8I-0SsDgoeXJBNkeBlVJcFWuurBuyEi8XEDyN3C-zrwtrsFTtB5L3MKlpkbdWZQ6H8HqTWVygf5oR1uCL5WPj-qe9tzvFXjaXWLGJAPZQbV2CuE4r_Lb6JwILa8Vg7N4-xl4h5DYuv=w640-h380" width="640" /></a></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwTlYpqPvkismXd_H1Or1MPZUsZL77vtqN11hpIDgc61LHhgaMSew1WismCkyoE6e17AmIrpWwSESDbUIiZcKio-bV6nlERokPQBDHbiOPEP_w2EPlyUCNTtOa9OhHjWDyXs66aR8AbzmjPqC_3TYMkWpgqvsLcDhax5zYNCrbHbuXkkgb33KzJPDbc2Uh" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1745" data-original-width="2728" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwTlYpqPvkismXd_H1Or1MPZUsZL77vtqN11hpIDgc61LHhgaMSew1WismCkyoE6e17AmIrpWwSESDbUIiZcKio-bV6nlERokPQBDHbiOPEP_w2EPlyUCNTtOa9OhHjWDyXs66aR8AbzmjPqC_3TYMkWpgqvsLcDhax5zYNCrbHbuXkkgb33KzJPDbc2Uh=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></p><p>Davie County is 86th out of 100 in NC for size at 264 square miles. The population is about 41k people. I couldn't find any famous people from Davie that I recognized except the Senator Ted Budd which is a current sitting senator and I remember his name well because I had to remember current senator names when I was sworn in for American citizenship.</p><p>After picking up Luke from Catawba College, I asked the boys if we could make one more stop on the way home....</p><p>Lake Thom-A-Lex Park in Davidson County was a surprisingly nice park northeast of Lexington, the county seat. I took a nice walk down some of the forested trails bordering the lake, and again the birding was lame but the butterflies obliged.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvdmmRw-nfGvQ366qHW83GUB0t64DeNs-FWOtGEflZNRpOht29DBuG9mMDzfj8fofjS0bU_f_nxZZXDuu1yxr0IIpkA-1FGSQsZnj100pVX8zTX25AutAuosE4uYku25pdSand9zfbPmWVXaLylYRAjnU1GGOnxJmOqMNjMve9wa6GVZWaDp8zV9A-Mxt3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2704" data-original-width="4143" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvdmmRw-nfGvQ366qHW83GUB0t64DeNs-FWOtGEflZNRpOht29DBuG9mMDzfj8fofjS0bU_f_nxZZXDuu1yxr0IIpkA-1FGSQsZnj100pVX8zTX25AutAuosE4uYku25pdSand9zfbPmWVXaLylYRAjnU1GGOnxJmOqMNjMve9wa6GVZWaDp8zV9A-Mxt3=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><p>Gemmed Satyr!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVHxT6nPCnprFlXwGLKty8vnVjtCuTPabF_6dcLBJXq8eblxOm8suYhSldtalnqdpcLGg9mLlYNtyo1ie_b_As5UFd4HoTAmvo5BYWDVoPtTbkwCOjJF4NJJwrr7n55RdiP1kzVRca9eDGLNQfDXBMD3ZcDHtjmRdnfIl-iaz5VsbeD6YurkPRYqwOAB3P" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2187" data-original-width="3488" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVHxT6nPCnprFlXwGLKty8vnVjtCuTPabF_6dcLBJXq8eblxOm8suYhSldtalnqdpcLGg9mLlYNtyo1ie_b_As5UFd4HoTAmvo5BYWDVoPtTbkwCOjJF4NJJwrr7n55RdiP1kzVRca9eDGLNQfDXBMD3ZcDHtjmRdnfIl-iaz5VsbeD6YurkPRYqwOAB3P=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><br />Caroline Satyr<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVaag4eJOQ2tK8u7Y3wLW3jFZoFd3vzCNK56eF1dq4rIq5vUStRgod3TGYE-b6clZ3I-gu8aTsp45srZDArCGMUFnwPuVnHDye01agu3JRpgGtIVBqQKFnwIqoMATdgLdEPQYPPno5tUhLNf0bKOcMIXIoqYA89rQua5OXLJsrS6CkbadXshk5JmKuLIsV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVaag4eJOQ2tK8u7Y3wLW3jFZoFd3vzCNK56eF1dq4rIq5vUStRgod3TGYE-b6clZ3I-gu8aTsp45srZDArCGMUFnwPuVnHDye01agu3JRpgGtIVBqQKFnwIqoMATdgLdEPQYPPno5tUhLNf0bKOcMIXIoqYA89rQua5OXLJsrS6CkbadXshk5JmKuLIsV=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />A Robber Fly!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi79QlXk8n3EbvXiJCkcg2JCR5PhDCgpnFe6UgzvupAzouqdkCOiswzb09n6QWVEpwk2jbvE7-KMxed8TVFcixkqNTxAzLmi98XDviUQDCwLbjWvIghEaRzG3GIjOZKL576-8gMRANAzy4Gg-LW4iWhVItxmvKKNhZ_8_muiwqzgac0XzWsvogNeNigQjh2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2031" data-original-width="3145" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi79QlXk8n3EbvXiJCkcg2JCR5PhDCgpnFe6UgzvupAzouqdkCOiswzb09n6QWVEpwk2jbvE7-KMxed8TVFcixkqNTxAzLmi98XDviUQDCwLbjWvIghEaRzG3GIjOZKL576-8gMRANAzy4Gg-LW4iWhVItxmvKKNhZ_8_muiwqzgac0XzWsvogNeNigQjh2" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Blue-fronted Dancer! The great thing about Dragonflies or Damselflies is that there are still a ton of lifers out there for me. This thing was tiny and I had to take a zillion pics to get one in focus.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtlv4ndPIVXNi2CTPwiIbsCIeZaUdwTcn6D0B9mM0bHe8UNz4tkq0LZPzwhy0n1c5Y2hKUQaAqtwHKepVr4m-CZaSACQlEjO5Ei1KrMICnIP2X58GT8KE7qSa-H2bhAHPbHQbTkImKcPfQ90Tm2kkI4cLFmBecr_Drwy08oI8ZiRBIULuiBGpaG6QODLa-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="722" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtlv4ndPIVXNi2CTPwiIbsCIeZaUdwTcn6D0B9mM0bHe8UNz4tkq0LZPzwhy0n1c5Y2hKUQaAqtwHKepVr4m-CZaSACQlEjO5Ei1KrMICnIP2X58GT8KE7qSa-H2bhAHPbHQbTkImKcPfQ90Tm2kkI4cLFmBecr_Drwy08oI8ZiRBIULuiBGpaG6QODLa-=w640-h522" width="640" /></a></div><br />Davidson County is relatively large with 552 square miles and 163k people. <p></p><p>Ok this guy isn't necessarily famous, but he was born in Davidson County and he has an unfortunate last name so I thought it was worth giving him 5 seconds of fame on my widely read blog.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">John Robert Raper was born October 3, 1911 to William Franklin and Julia Salina (Crouse) Raper on a tobacco farm in </span>Davidson County<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> just outside </span>Winston-Salem, North Carolina<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. He was the youngest of 8 children. He was called "Red" because of his hair color.</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> His brother </span>Kenneth<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> was also a mycologist. Beyond mycology and genetics, Red loved music and was an avid </span>trumpet<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> player. He contributed to the </span>Moravian<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> community brass choirs around his childhood home and later to the </span>North Carolina Symphony<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. He was noted for his talent as a photographer and artist, regularly illustrating his own and others scientific publications.</span></p><p>Good on ya John. </p><p>The drive home went by super fast as I have taken up online chess and time flies when I am playing 10 minute chess games.</p><p>Here is a Potpourri of other birds from home later in the month.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIBtj9nN30oD5XqPSMOl5kDLa8u3ZV91QVJ_kMZuX8ejbnvv9sZiM8pyS7uu6ixlI9-eSZ_Rdzg_VNsWIW5cm4WRndfsj1EXTHV0wNhL_7nDd0sLYX4Q9bK4sJRM6bb6YEQW2BelS4y0QNCiJCsuoxHWVInguEqMCUC9W9h830_PrFQbev1y9hL4OJY26y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIBtj9nN30oD5XqPSMOl5kDLa8u3ZV91QVJ_kMZuX8ejbnvv9sZiM8pyS7uu6ixlI9-eSZ_Rdzg_VNsWIW5cm4WRndfsj1EXTHV0wNhL_7nDd0sLYX4Q9bK4sJRM6bb6YEQW2BelS4y0QNCiJCsuoxHWVInguEqMCUC9W9h830_PrFQbev1y9hL4OJY26y=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Yellow Warblers are showing up in big numbers lately especially at Airlie Gardens.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1XSyyQl69fKLAo0gOFiCRvW67UZRxDj3aSVvviNHPb5jSw6eJ0e-f-IJo-QgwOafRAmk5F67c0tJJC08E-S6KVWFTaL-CdTRvF2B0_EIVWy7btY7O9Rro1ES6h-X7O9qE3MqW7ai1E8COTMwrDxfhvpS-IZe_gtGZHrBfsyrHSI3D97_0vqrVyLC4xjvV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3298" data-original-width="4601" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1XSyyQl69fKLAo0gOFiCRvW67UZRxDj3aSVvviNHPb5jSw6eJ0e-f-IJo-QgwOafRAmk5F67c0tJJC08E-S6KVWFTaL-CdTRvF2B0_EIVWy7btY7O9Rro1ES6h-X7O9qE3MqW7ai1E8COTMwrDxfhvpS-IZe_gtGZHrBfsyrHSI3D97_0vqrVyLC4xjvV=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><br />Young Wood Ducks are dumb enough that they swim out in the open.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifFJtIeYqgYvEmcUzWwBq80eb6vBBLPI0n3L5UNd4J1d50uS_95rNUuHy0rBcg0Sg3f2C-Yt41Gz4SZQBGprqFMgvLwrydTJifpX-8QQEfW3nE1UDmMOJLESp4w4I1GBVSBVzieo8CLqzrUEUs9vFfKAvUWw6E-STxBy2oOInXARLxugQZRdOE6SpZ2gHo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifFJtIeYqgYvEmcUzWwBq80eb6vBBLPI0n3L5UNd4J1d50uS_95rNUuHy0rBcg0Sg3f2C-Yt41Gz4SZQBGprqFMgvLwrydTJifpX-8QQEfW3nE1UDmMOJLESp4w4I1GBVSBVzieo8CLqzrUEUs9vFfKAvUWw6E-STxBy2oOInXARLxugQZRdOE6SpZ2gHo=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />The warbler action has been picking up at Burnt Mill Creek as you can see from this Maggie.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdmI34vkgikNGMSfP5WhdxVTElhgpeec-LSl2cxmHz-pY8-ZcS7Ca04yrm7Vwx7JH19NZvb0gFhuhz0UI6BHEpwt6WGaDCt6KBgdr4QGhB0xVYvQWTqzgf9-79PCMfckRBna8pNyjG6oK8zjDGE_vHbpU5q2DQa2T2300wxTy2V7UM4w04bXQ3uEKKKrnl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3235" data-original-width="5202" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdmI34vkgikNGMSfP5WhdxVTElhgpeec-LSl2cxmHz-pY8-ZcS7Ca04yrm7Vwx7JH19NZvb0gFhuhz0UI6BHEpwt6WGaDCt6KBgdr4QGhB0xVYvQWTqzgf9-79PCMfckRBna8pNyjG6oK8zjDGE_vHbpU5q2DQa2T2300wxTy2V7UM4w04bXQ3uEKKKrnl=w640-h398" width="640" /></a></div><p>Red-eyed Vireos are always the most abundant bird at BMC this time of year.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6efwwO__QvOtra6Ug4fmB-hGsnB47Vt9ZHe4kEviNcdRrhMb-9_oBruh4YKijwC54Dk4tsMGd15Z-SvTfQps50guNKenuGZj0Oht3Wid4p4wLvaUZzOOm4_tSIayo3el8srmncZiA4OoimD5htwiOOP8NkZ_osWBM4kWa23WB648kWrpPi8FUUTFT7Jtz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3086" data-original-width="4842" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6efwwO__QvOtra6Ug4fmB-hGsnB47Vt9ZHe4kEviNcdRrhMb-9_oBruh4YKijwC54Dk4tsMGd15Z-SvTfQps50guNKenuGZj0Oht3Wid4p4wLvaUZzOOm4_tSIayo3el8srmncZiA4OoimD5htwiOOP8NkZ_osWBM4kWa23WB648kWrpPi8FUUTFT7Jtz" width="640" /></a></div><br />Veeries are never common in New Hanover County, but we usually get a few before migration is over.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ7MPaQ6LDGxNo1eGfqHG34nZQrFInKunzVHoylXrrLWMTESIjNPQIMqGDg-yVLae_fPe-zjkKNXWldEfQ2hKN-OAJvobU_QBtGJ1pEwYhbjesdV2wbvo35MZ22pZbuOnm-uouzQZO85PmvoT0qdh_VLdKVaAT-GzgwGnRv0VtIWHcJb6085Cg9YkJ4Pe2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2758" data-original-width="4505" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ7MPaQ6LDGxNo1eGfqHG34nZQrFInKunzVHoylXrrLWMTESIjNPQIMqGDg-yVLae_fPe-zjkKNXWldEfQ2hKN-OAJvobU_QBtGJ1pEwYhbjesdV2wbvo35MZ22pZbuOnm-uouzQZO85PmvoT0qdh_VLdKVaAT-GzgwGnRv0VtIWHcJb6085Cg9YkJ4Pe2=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTEKqzJdV511nDi8CWLOSBrhxCnKEWkLClaSBbwWDdGNHad4TzIhyAxrDALQ5EfD-DDS2yevX8_b6FI5e22C0ATrHQnvrB2yNz8qlOGBAgPokWUPwttF53Sou-LNPcqNY7jIg2zypCHByF5YaeEe3X5Nc4Z2w4lOQlEEz1arYjcn0JV8VPhTPFlMSi2Rf8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3582" data-original-width="5553" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTEKqzJdV511nDi8CWLOSBrhxCnKEWkLClaSBbwWDdGNHad4TzIhyAxrDALQ5EfD-DDS2yevX8_b6FI5e22C0ATrHQnvrB2yNz8qlOGBAgPokWUPwttF53Sou-LNPcqNY7jIg2zypCHByF5YaeEe3X5Nc4Z2w4lOQlEEz1arYjcn0JV8VPhTPFlMSi2Rf8" width="640" /></a></div><br />Likewise with Cape May Warblers.<p></p><p>The next weekend we had yet another trip for Luke's Cross Country. George didn't make the cut for this invitational. The race was at Wake Med Soccer Park in Cary, NC. I had a little time to bird before and after his heat but it wasn't too birdy.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQL4HJ1Uiv4wYIGCx_rUsrWUotfxXs1osF9jaTDqNtulzMbIyTqKCH47mEWGqu6gIll3MsyGlxLf47YM81rAm0_ZK86IaaHLnji-W5JAIDZiCS_UKdppddBhiQBGo1Kznpn0e0lCNU6N7us6Xe-57TDnbeWO_eCSkWjT7ATyX6ryFex-vUCgSb31TghDgt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2963" data-original-width="4696" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQL4HJ1Uiv4wYIGCx_rUsrWUotfxXs1osF9jaTDqNtulzMbIyTqKCH47mEWGqu6gIll3MsyGlxLf47YM81rAm0_ZK86IaaHLnji-W5JAIDZiCS_UKdppddBhiQBGo1Kznpn0e0lCNU6N7us6Xe-57TDnbeWO_eCSkWjT7ATyX6ryFex-vUCgSb31TghDgt=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br />Swainson's Thrush was the best bird.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZe8zW_gP_E9hcQbRMkup6Rn8meG5Dk3m0DBxbNbnPQfTCEO2tIBqpWym3XHewjdd4KBqQ9b3ENsdhVKFyZ4ZxfbzwyRoYb_F2w2B14alqB8Nbd_QEYORMmtdKcdtMQ5pTzcjXympJuy4wLbwKREWqNvnzv6oeHhlb3ckXluj9zseWRQS9Wqr3t7zTnLCR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1818" data-original-width="3288" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZe8zW_gP_E9hcQbRMkup6Rn8meG5Dk3m0DBxbNbnPQfTCEO2tIBqpWym3XHewjdd4KBqQ9b3ENsdhVKFyZ4ZxfbzwyRoYb_F2w2B14alqB8Nbd_QEYORMmtdKcdtMQ5pTzcjXympJuy4wLbwKREWqNvnzv6oeHhlb3ckXluj9zseWRQS9Wqr3t7zTnLCR=w640-h354" width="640" /></a></div><br />Fiery Skipper was the best Butterfly.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9_-J4JXGcg-mpKTIAvUnLyocjT3DBp08A9aURxd9Om0jmFx1xCxeatt92W3K2PrLBk1H6EXQCq1Ujm9eevJ4W0DGjqwWJkCj8smdU46oDjDciep1dlLwelWYUg8MDcGWHgJ4lPAmu0HkXtiVtSwBOjKVRph-hTqG5PezMkKuzvs3QQc2m16b49ZK79N90" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2083" data-original-width="3748" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9_-J4JXGcg-mpKTIAvUnLyocjT3DBp08A9aURxd9Om0jmFx1xCxeatt92W3K2PrLBk1H6EXQCq1Ujm9eevJ4W0DGjqwWJkCj8smdU46oDjDciep1dlLwelWYUg8MDcGWHgJ4lPAmu0HkXtiVtSwBOjKVRph-hTqG5PezMkKuzvs3QQc2m16b49ZK79N90=w640-h356" width="640" /></a></div><br />Unfortunately I didn't get to rack up any additional counties on that particular trip.<p></p>I am up to 58 counties which means I will most likely not finish 100 by the end of the year, but I don't regret the effort because I have visited some cool places I hadn't been to yet in NC.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiIbgv8YgZFzkVjEy_HpDWFF28crnktTmKkhLdr35EUiQ6yvBXZ9F7vKquTK0uIKc9Ei8Woc1yur4cUvW9evckOeLl6IaARs1o8LT1XqC72hkUrciBc2qIGDEJYnUYJz2z4cRjEVzyoLF33pYq28af7LMJhSo4XLcNYGxf2P-Dzs7w4k7DpgrM_JuilY2M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="1440" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiIbgv8YgZFzkVjEy_HpDWFF28crnktTmKkhLdr35EUiQ6yvBXZ9F7vKquTK0uIKc9Ei8Woc1yur4cUvW9evckOeLl6IaARs1o8LT1XqC72hkUrciBc2qIGDEJYnUYJz2z4cRjEVzyoLF33pYq28af7LMJhSo4XLcNYGxf2P-Dzs7w4k7DpgrM_JuilY2M=w640-h344" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-66720166247585080212023-09-19T14:23:00.001-07:002023-09-19T14:23:45.638-07:00Oregon Inlet Pelagics and other Stuff (26Aug - 02Sep2023)<p>Sorry for the radio silence folks, it's that time of year when the birds are flocking and the waves are pumping which makes it difficult to do anything but bird and surf. That's not even accounting for my son's Cross Country meets and other life stuff.</p><p>So now I have a huge backlog of photos including 2 days of pelagics out of Oregon Inlet. So without further ado.....</p><p>The pelagic on Saturday the 26Aug was kind of ho hum from a rarity standpoint but I always enjoy spending my time on the ocean.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7iPjZgShTldGTRP2OCepgUYUPvWKfqvudeDFCLTYCUB1dUT1ZIISIeR7MgFA75goDqOOSoXJFQcehUAsiAjHOJ3ZEC6DVv6WisWrMjPUgGVrDZYHjkdZ_6ZT_zB1ts5s2NCfsO4pT-5NnFtP4bQCcUJDSYtgS_E2LD-VtlIvNXFfcJqf76BtbfbXg6GPR" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7iPjZgShTldGTRP2OCepgUYUPvWKfqvudeDFCLTYCUB1dUT1ZIISIeR7MgFA75goDqOOSoXJFQcehUAsiAjHOJ3ZEC6DVv6WisWrMjPUgGVrDZYHjkdZ_6ZT_zB1ts5s2NCfsO4pT-5NnFtP4bQCcUJDSYtgS_E2LD-VtlIvNXFfcJqf76BtbfbXg6GPR" width="640" /></a></div><br />Red-necked Phalaropes on the way out to the gulf stream.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBUhVEZtUs73t-B1trzPN95IdgKrI_si_tWKUUKd8XAaJhPJgGuERK0GlpXwmmoqoMIwI0UreZDA-4QeN0X7as2x7VSZzMDEjYY-LcOEIoFi0gl8AJfcXEKeSAR4K6rZdym0pFZJALui6Jr9HgqMOx1GyskJVnwl7tkDEaR5OAOe63TPrCOh3tHA7dVgUE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBUhVEZtUs73t-B1trzPN95IdgKrI_si_tWKUUKd8XAaJhPJgGuERK0GlpXwmmoqoMIwI0UreZDA-4QeN0X7as2x7VSZzMDEjYY-LcOEIoFi0gl8AJfcXEKeSAR4K6rZdym0pFZJALui6Jr9HgqMOx1GyskJVnwl7tkDEaR5OAOe63TPrCOh3tHA7dVgUE=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Great Shearwaters are much more common in the late summer than other times of the year. They breed in the Tristan island group (Tristan da Cunha and Inaccessible Island) in the southern Atlantic which is basically halfway between Uruguay and South Africa. Talk about out there! How amazing are seabirds??!!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPVRb3ukOgjRbnH0-WkLiKnHaZDNrMg3t-AF4PRHXsNQoyaP_g0sbEeTmSCs-88UuGVfT9L01OKnfU8Kr37pnLdJPgrXgXoX58d7lzc9omH2oINr-FApSH9A4Zs266E2lBJfOL6vu6mad2_0ACiOxNyrvVzlFY8bbxZxOkV0riAefQafZMKN_kIW78QGGs" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPVRb3ukOgjRbnH0-WkLiKnHaZDNrMg3t-AF4PRHXsNQoyaP_g0sbEeTmSCs-88UuGVfT9L01OKnfU8Kr37pnLdJPgrXgXoX58d7lzc9omH2oINr-FApSH9A4Zs266E2lBJfOL6vu6mad2_0ACiOxNyrvVzlFY8bbxZxOkV0riAefQafZMKN_kIW78QGGs=w640-h426" width="640" /></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/a/AVvXsEjDl6WHs27L9vhBERilK03SZx_k-_WaaSBI0pRAbemP_JBIqTOCyXF6XPnbAnw3BVsK0Rz7cqQ_bYExj08Uid1nLAj_GtkA423Ofu5-vOR8Di13Ui3qTn0YtDUhB0JWbPnmTRL-31BwDeDL9DWOoiwuEdbvj44XOFYuKaZchjTMXb8isVuQTETCoUKjcuIi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDl6WHs27L9vhBERilK03SZx_k-_WaaSBI0pRAbemP_JBIqTOCyXF6XPnbAnw3BVsK0Rz7cqQ_bYExj08Uid1nLAj_GtkA423Ofu5-vOR8Di13Ui3qTn0YtDUhB0JWbPnmTRL-31BwDeDL9DWOoiwuEdbvj44XOFYuKaZchjTMXb8isVuQTETCoUKjcuIi=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Audubon's Shearwaters are Sargassum specialists that feed on the critters that hang out and make their living in the floating weed. The above one was photographed on the 26th, but the below one was on the 27th.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj20S-QH41Kwtmox_sX-fqgO366xOp9vnpl_Wfz3sihLNsRZ7-JXXhz3VWtGcvOeL_tuVdrhZKRVOGDO9xUYlN99UIz8R6DDtA_Kuvq-3ehLTEMl9j4UxFh4XoLj6j6clWFjJx13EpwLiY7SfXYVnOf055oZogDEnwWHRm0040l4LOCG0pRE4EQb5Hnnpry" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1727" data-original-width="2924" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj20S-QH41Kwtmox_sX-fqgO366xOp9vnpl_Wfz3sihLNsRZ7-JXXhz3VWtGcvOeL_tuVdrhZKRVOGDO9xUYlN99UIz8R6DDtA_Kuvq-3ehLTEMl9j4UxFh4XoLj6j6clWFjJx13EpwLiY7SfXYVnOf055oZogDEnwWHRm0040l4LOCG0pRE4EQb5Hnnpry=w640-h378" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here you can see one that caught a nice sized Sargassum Fish or some other critter.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYwWaLW2Lo8bUsZk4Oul60PILuXv2ACk3fq8Y3c9Zag7wRJVusP8Bf2yj-YovvvombzKAjAxeADrrgVivh8T3ycGCvZky1ZhLBEtKeGDYZG1mU43FfAxtz5YAzITgIFqOr65MFJdFqcaYIuNg0OcUutcUnpVLR8ovwku9-5LNfJjXOq1yA9vOrQo2mUWX2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYwWaLW2Lo8bUsZk4Oul60PILuXv2ACk3fq8Y3c9Zag7wRJVusP8Bf2yj-YovvvombzKAjAxeADrrgVivh8T3ycGCvZky1ZhLBEtKeGDYZG1mU43FfAxtz5YAzITgIFqOr65MFJdFqcaYIuNg0OcUutcUnpVLR8ovwku9-5LNfJjXOq1yA9vOrQo2mUWX2" width="640" /></a></div><br />Cory's Shearwater - hopefully this species will be split in eBird someday soon to include the Scopoli's sub-species as a separate species. The Scopoli's sub-species breeds in the Mediterranean but then makes its living in the Atlantic. I am not sure if this is a Scopoli's, it is easier to ID then in flight.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXKwXSjcfH2LejMciNZKEfOFYDhAqb9aBipiUhj1jEFOpJQjvObmHuCFuwg7OuQomkIzvMAECZzJE7kyLIxKSGebpAC2Qy425bLQqntVARa49eMPPSLpLHcJy_MU3OCt-KCGkIaM1zy5-CnoQJCoBfMhs1wqe6Ex5_3jMBI6yzfA49PhL-98FyGVTHVFlQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="2610" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXKwXSjcfH2LejMciNZKEfOFYDhAqb9aBipiUhj1jEFOpJQjvObmHuCFuwg7OuQomkIzvMAECZzJE7kyLIxKSGebpAC2Qy425bLQqntVARa49eMPPSLpLHcJy_MU3OCt-KCGkIaM1zy5-CnoQJCoBfMhs1wqe6Ex5_3jMBI6yzfA49PhL-98FyGVTHVFlQ=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></div><br />Band-rumped Storm-petrel - we only had a few of these over the course of two days.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixDkulUIFo4xHAYBB3hgYdyz88G9zZokBXDyBTXBb6Yz1faA1utHHdt-0cj9WPOxaGkDwpYSLwsDBYGkQT_C4xNBqZtd8Y9icAMLX9AptK_Rb7-nZapXlypHQzBY08OUbkKEAbxZmtMV5xDJSxdiZKZiMLPJWMI3b_kPlG9eGK9yjkk10E0AovInaZGrOz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="2055" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixDkulUIFo4xHAYBB3hgYdyz88G9zZokBXDyBTXBb6Yz1faA1utHHdt-0cj9WPOxaGkDwpYSLwsDBYGkQT_C4xNBqZtd8Y9icAMLX9AptK_Rb7-nZapXlypHQzBY08OUbkKEAbxZmtMV5xDJSxdiZKZiMLPJWMI3b_kPlG9eGK9yjkk10E0AovInaZGrOz=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><br />Band-rumped SP<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDHVM2ls-4RPai19fgclUt-dxVwir2UsJADeKEGcOetGTHIGCOPZJYOO0u5DqAjqbkDDHjh9Bn1rpoxrhmJ46IjEwTZye2OOjEHmONaCiTjCAGozXGcDszG33MP-eja-xzmgWaSWOw8lKBCDeXGfvBL0GYPGAx_pIwzKz6ua7WFujrSpO-AUVy0uO44q0H" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2924" data-original-width="4474" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDHVM2ls-4RPai19fgclUt-dxVwir2UsJADeKEGcOetGTHIGCOPZJYOO0u5DqAjqbkDDHjh9Bn1rpoxrhmJ46IjEwTZye2OOjEHmONaCiTjCAGozXGcDszG33MP-eja-xzmgWaSWOw8lKBCDeXGfvBL0GYPGAx_pIwzKz6ua7WFujrSpO-AUVy0uO44q0H" width="640" /></a></div><br />Usually this time of year we get a ton of Black-capped Petrels, but I think they like a good wind and we had relatively light winds.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhtGrytvUVnv--7uLBefYW0KEgd07OJ3digN3iCmioliWcndZ8TNr_Xt_qIy1qgNvu8iN1ANhfOAPF36BO9Xc8ehHakU_b6XUvS8tYe_ppspcCuEXZB0jSpMXGVFjfkY7k32qqOzHqYI-WA_WbHBmErIX-muPulI_6qyTQDwYOjivG1aUyQnkppjgKUWya" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="3718" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhtGrytvUVnv--7uLBefYW0KEgd07OJ3digN3iCmioliWcndZ8TNr_Xt_qIy1qgNvu8iN1ANhfOAPF36BO9Xc8ehHakU_b6XUvS8tYe_ppspcCuEXZB0jSpMXGVFjfkY7k32qqOzHqYI-WA_WbHBmErIX-muPulI_6qyTQDwYOjivG1aUyQnkppjgKUWya=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><br />Even the Wilson's SPs were in low numbers both days.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQGFdfaGQG7KuOBIJZ9M1t6DkWmYGVaJbgr76APV6qp5qnY_fn3-Gw_g_jyIYG-TqCnButOp_JwHR7byUV46jygU173adf6Wkb6z91a8_yzN-cbnoZPXTUQAwbYIF6iPV6inhz5WB_Yee4zYz0RpX8KdOpOzpHa-Kf4li-03Tv3T5Y5zA8m106_IZLihgK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2727" data-original-width="4708" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQGFdfaGQG7KuOBIJZ9M1t6DkWmYGVaJbgr76APV6qp5qnY_fn3-Gw_g_jyIYG-TqCnButOp_JwHR7byUV46jygU173adf6Wkb6z91a8_yzN-cbnoZPXTUQAwbYIF6iPV6inhz5WB_Yee4zYz0RpX8KdOpOzpHa-Kf4li-03Tv3T5Y5zA8m106_IZLihgK=w640-h370" width="640" /></a></div><br />Loggerhead Turtle! These are truly huge turtles!<p></p><p>Fairly early on the second day, we ran into a nice raft of shearwaters and other seabirds including....</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2vhGUgZMVSUQCaeg8e6EuJqBRb1IsowH9-4Ts38lARG-G8qr4_nX6ArJzxh3cHA2rU2_dlZXzbivbKLDri28ZzfvJT9PLo3y1HxdOeTFFekHrWBKyhr5qYm5ChwEGFKso7EfEocY0R2qZbRHdIXpoTPBx3q69Yo_9Xp_8_hlQ0DrvufkPEPNTY2fvWaCe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1634" data-original-width="2781" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2vhGUgZMVSUQCaeg8e6EuJqBRb1IsowH9-4Ts38lARG-G8qr4_nX6ArJzxh3cHA2rU2_dlZXzbivbKLDri28ZzfvJT9PLo3y1HxdOeTFFekHrWBKyhr5qYm5ChwEGFKso7EfEocY0R2qZbRHdIXpoTPBx3q69Yo_9Xp_8_hlQ0DrvufkPEPNTY2fvWaCe=w640-h376" width="640" /></a></div><br />South Polar Skuas<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpd6gk1ivRhZGwKsVCl0gTZthS3PfnWYFrfwLCT_vaNIXBaQ0b9oJM_tvNLWqEvjudMsIjz-GQpLQJfYIsce1C86Nu582lddVlwxzDgR9-RLDzF6Q4shoExRJTkSzs90joqrv_aAnE6my9hZrRSOrpeLUHS4ArJS5UJT0eMCdz0BdmxgevsIkP7O1M2JHF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2519" data-original-width="4813" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpd6gk1ivRhZGwKsVCl0gTZthS3PfnWYFrfwLCT_vaNIXBaQ0b9oJM_tvNLWqEvjudMsIjz-GQpLQJfYIsce1C86Nu582lddVlwxzDgR9-RLDzF6Q4shoExRJTkSzs90joqrv_aAnE6my9hZrRSOrpeLUHS4ArJS5UJT0eMCdz0BdmxgevsIkP7O1M2JHF=w640-h334" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKtkJzXDmJRHKgC4yL8BraoiEibIdUwa-iAnO4DsUm-ZFDFAl5GlNsVEgVNQaVZzHPeKMBOFwFCpMA3aobOdM9CVvWcOoovK3WP6tl0zr6xTADzkTjc7O8ikjdmW9EAvjR3o2ffry6glRtdQ0VLBEcdxdkA_hV3E73C_tT6nQfkxAO86anFWYTFSTtfCui" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2452" data-original-width="3955" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKtkJzXDmJRHKgC4yL8BraoiEibIdUwa-iAnO4DsUm-ZFDFAl5GlNsVEgVNQaVZzHPeKMBOFwFCpMA3aobOdM9CVvWcOoovK3WP6tl0zr6xTADzkTjc7O8ikjdmW9EAvjR3o2ffry6glRtdQ0VLBEcdxdkA_hV3E73C_tT6nQfkxAO86anFWYTFSTtfCui=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_UHZnocNTHGybFwiUpx5qmPEkg7uAzY1Bi9rhSK2hwymuf8rHmU43B5oxBngYB51a4Jj-l3BC0S7VNuNBlZkK07bviF7eikiJdEx6i62PS-HaWGtgIe6gYrr1ZKihRpS8LWgcXt8hJl8kRAplP8GFEFtgblhkL-gsA8OxQxkzP67-HEQWZ5mPJfTy68V0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1819" data-original-width="3105" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_UHZnocNTHGybFwiUpx5qmPEkg7uAzY1Bi9rhSK2hwymuf8rHmU43B5oxBngYB51a4Jj-l3BC0S7VNuNBlZkK07bviF7eikiJdEx6i62PS-HaWGtgIe6gYrr1ZKihRpS8LWgcXt8hJl8kRAplP8GFEFtgblhkL-gsA8OxQxkzP67-HEQWZ5mPJfTy68V0=w640-h374" width="640" /></a></div><br />A Masked Booby!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcOQ8mvK0ywa7avlzhC6SaWzglYQkDukyNrsFQxPUJuV8YgacRaZ5se-zy48Sm5K4UNUq5mwhQmyQoH77zWH1TGxv1ceXoHEoOKkzPiSIpgg93iNnEJUNdkAOE89wA38rT91rTczmc01ksDqVF7Ggjf8eFwXNFI49-BgatXHX4tjFQWDej-LoprpTgQT7Z" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2246" data-original-width="3771" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcOQ8mvK0ywa7avlzhC6SaWzglYQkDukyNrsFQxPUJuV8YgacRaZ5se-zy48Sm5K4UNUq5mwhQmyQoH77zWH1TGxv1ceXoHEoOKkzPiSIpgg93iNnEJUNdkAOE89wA38rT91rTczmc01ksDqVF7Ggjf8eFwXNFI49-BgatXHX4tjFQWDej-LoprpTgQT7Z=w640-h382" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0zxbAu1UwR5ayjk7k2GB0419fDWSYk6Bu54z253dr6ImjktJJTcZ0L_aU42QTrdJinWJb-BXTu61A_cGYouEAHlX4YGNrTYPZOPkpRgDHoAEw78YEWYhlxAtAENm_xj9XIzQ_8HXHAJzLsWkFieQKjwKPyxS5TAaRQR5V4jLsOlgS3pduGz3B8kOZaH-5" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2868" data-original-width="4434" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0zxbAu1UwR5ayjk7k2GB0419fDWSYk6Bu54z253dr6ImjktJJTcZ0L_aU42QTrdJinWJb-BXTu61A_cGYouEAHlX4YGNrTYPZOPkpRgDHoAEw78YEWYhlxAtAENm_xj9XIzQ_8HXHAJzLsWkFieQKjwKPyxS5TAaRQR5V4jLsOlgS3pduGz3B8kOZaH-5" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sooty Terns were abundant including these snazzy juvenile plumaged birds.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijFAPN9bRuJgiiR6sThDiUIOXFtWEOC42pNOr69vpIxms5leo6bydO9b6q4zoBlHZcFNsIWrMc8Bno9zDqXIP6wi-xo5xOh7DUiUmf9RyEJAD4FVQAu4j_aN_IgrNh_DNyJgHZL9CjDylarPNJAptR8PXtPIpdpDfiQXQk7olWPBshWQwdoWVCkC0dCr13" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2392" data-original-width="4143" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijFAPN9bRuJgiiR6sThDiUIOXFtWEOC42pNOr69vpIxms5leo6bydO9b6q4zoBlHZcFNsIWrMc8Bno9zDqXIP6wi-xo5xOh7DUiUmf9RyEJAD4FVQAu4j_aN_IgrNh_DNyJgHZL9CjDylarPNJAptR8PXtPIpdpDfiQXQk7olWPBshWQwdoWVCkC0dCr13=w640-h370" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFh-GWBMTdX-dOEG1HZ4nycxWpnrjWO5jVoSjdB2HECwM-UwlWpXqfqneaHxtm3UFNNqfLz131ouTwgG7GJqrcAJMAi0-GX-Jcl3l7sHHDeMwGLpWGOx4Em57yPzI802cb1WnyOMOPSgnhATQtC-8AtWN7vE6Gg2xHpOXKi3Ff7eBWT3ZGuJcZEy0mociA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3474" data-original-width="5206" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFh-GWBMTdX-dOEG1HZ4nycxWpnrjWO5jVoSjdB2HECwM-UwlWpXqfqneaHxtm3UFNNqfLz131ouTwgG7GJqrcAJMAi0-GX-Jcl3l7sHHDeMwGLpWGOx4Em57yPzI802cb1WnyOMOPSgnhATQtC-8AtWN7vE6Gg2xHpOXKi3Ff7eBWT3ZGuJcZEy0mociA" width="640" /></a></div><br />Scopoli's Shearwater - notice the white "finger tips" are extensive. The nominate sub-species has more dark feathering in the primary tips on the underside of the wing.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyb6HtevZCO1ldhb58Tc4CjdTU67bBt0Yb6uwdYB1vyKiOqYMXf5SZsB9w-IsOO5gcrSfXmExZ3uI5q3moCLN6cmYqOJ1CgCsMCRRGDNpjGI5qBeVI-xdklAGOL10YnrfUDz5__La3LJWXf4jRwibb-1KhfCMzLiCWgVlQyhjqMGC9Vgt6JFw1Ml0Z6J2j" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3111" data-original-width="5406" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyb6HtevZCO1ldhb58Tc4CjdTU67bBt0Yb6uwdYB1vyKiOqYMXf5SZsB9w-IsOO5gcrSfXmExZ3uI5q3moCLN6cmYqOJ1CgCsMCRRGDNpjGI5qBeVI-xdklAGOL10YnrfUDz5__La3LJWXf4jRwibb-1KhfCMzLiCWgVlQyhjqMGC9Vgt6JFw1Ml0Z6J2j=w640-h368" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here is one of the nominate sub-species typical of most Cory's Shearwaters. Note the dark primary tips.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpmWjVzlu71ZI9TaF1KHINXSAzSSWWsdyviZ8u5u63LaO2j2DupbOye_Ppl_Uoa6xbL9itKQclT-JZW_VC5HVFzkSbRbOgz6yixXS7FXXhtWD_IrTkEpImqjQFnzrlIa7idnOnhruM0gUpTmP9UMKP9hZ7U9j3_l-RHAParmys_h2zHeiMPBLW5FnO9m6p" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpmWjVzlu71ZI9TaF1KHINXSAzSSWWsdyviZ8u5u63LaO2j2DupbOye_Ppl_Uoa6xbL9itKQclT-JZW_VC5HVFzkSbRbOgz6yixXS7FXXhtWD_IrTkEpImqjQFnzrlIa7idnOnhruM0gUpTmP9UMKP9hZ7U9j3_l-RHAParmys_h2zHeiMPBLW5FnO9m6p" width="640" /></a></div><p>One of the highlights of both days were the mammalian sightings. This Cuvier's Beaked Whale was a lifer for me, I think. I previously had seen Gervais' Beaked Whales. These are some cool cetaceans! They dive deeper than any other whales. They have been recorded diving up to 10,000 feet! That's insane.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7zhUqiWGsH8q8jrEWRIn0YQtB8l8GZiPOKZEAIfF6DA7o3h6hUPXVMYiYTdUaOcnZb-LlJv85Ed49WLXRxLg6ORIBMJ1HUhli0Ov0KpxmZh4kYZzhXS0yLXJC0CP_GdUF5uRCwuKtOuia-OVG6EENrUk4uBGLxkpoT9fma9OsvXoyIjOiTVoCK0NvlQtL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7zhUqiWGsH8q8jrEWRIn0YQtB8l8GZiPOKZEAIfF6DA7o3h6hUPXVMYiYTdUaOcnZb-LlJv85Ed49WLXRxLg6ORIBMJ1HUhli0Ov0KpxmZh4kYZzhXS0yLXJC0CP_GdUF5uRCwuKtOuia-OVG6EENrUk4uBGLxkpoT9fma9OsvXoyIjOiTVoCK0NvlQtL=w512-h640" width="512" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwJQkTm2jFdN91aimdohXwC_CMN7pw4NlihE7aUJk5jKvxiV1srS7ynq2SxXexOjFlffNtLoTrCMoVyvB3-M7iWKG_PZGRjqqyEo-0kcoL_c99lV00zMAsyP3s3kIkCtkS6khr1-H0jneon4cTewrOHbauW6xtoDMoQDSv_Kn7SW-GPOzXXKnxLcovSRbM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwJQkTm2jFdN91aimdohXwC_CMN7pw4NlihE7aUJk5jKvxiV1srS7ynq2SxXexOjFlffNtLoTrCMoVyvB3-M7iWKG_PZGRjqqyEo-0kcoL_c99lV00zMAsyP3s3kIkCtkS6khr1-H0jneon4cTewrOHbauW6xtoDMoQDSv_Kn7SW-GPOzXXKnxLcovSRbM=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizplzf-Fcx4afbiUAnIHziirK_0IaZCM0anbZCNjU11OEspbyaQJ87HjuNBAMxgrnHCQA_D01x743bnM9cIiOV6nQJjP4zMxJpLYAq09W-u9aNgn7g7r-yFXxgYEw58awHP0OddWzcCRf5EnjzsdB3gXM1Q4VGx_JAyxzhSZfil69ocftDX0-w5Xi28xfc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3992" data-original-width="6823" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizplzf-Fcx4afbiUAnIHziirK_0IaZCM0anbZCNjU11OEspbyaQJ87HjuNBAMxgrnHCQA_D01x743bnM9cIiOV6nQJjP4zMxJpLYAq09W-u9aNgn7g7r-yFXxgYEw58awHP0OddWzcCRf5EnjzsdB3gXM1Q4VGx_JAyxzhSZfil69ocftDX0-w5Xi28xfc=w640-h374" width="640" /></a></div><br />I guess you need a huge blow-hole when you dive so deep. Not sure why the fins on the different whales I photographed look so different. I think maybe this is an older male that has seen some wear and tear on his dorsal fin.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQAoj8VeD_aQ4oxeUeFh2EQjIr5zRlTyNof0mO7lXVbIw9S1eIyK51vC4MLwAP4akW8sg2oqQcVSM7N0eYmPFzvAgFAfPoiCs1UqSz0b9zrksahTsnuyW48T6ZefOSbLiaAhkpKvNbzrvMHCRnzv__waXVLLSJyKy73AzMa8Crp9x4r9PXvSNj5KYWbSqu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1744" data-original-width="2648" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQAoj8VeD_aQ4oxeUeFh2EQjIr5zRlTyNof0mO7lXVbIw9S1eIyK51vC4MLwAP4akW8sg2oqQcVSM7N0eYmPFzvAgFAfPoiCs1UqSz0b9zrksahTsnuyW48T6ZefOSbLiaAhkpKvNbzrvMHCRnzv__waXVLLSJyKy73AzMa8Crp9x4r9PXvSNj5KYWbSqu=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><p>This young Bridled Tern was a beauty with all the cool scalloping on the upper wing.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2e0UKcxDkm_kXRyypWcKstGYxHHlrPAB03v5CzkQ0pZOQuUHcxunUL5hSaGryoAO9D0wBrgoO7bQxI2RbWHVl8UgHHwLehbQnMl_FJ7qbsLlS5SeAiNQh-8WSgwmeGh3-sgQmI7-U7yCGLT8CljhHrZ8gMrBHlRfguSOHJ9W61-RUdeTBl4wHW3tqaDBn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2852" data-original-width="4737" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2e0UKcxDkm_kXRyypWcKstGYxHHlrPAB03v5CzkQ0pZOQuUHcxunUL5hSaGryoAO9D0wBrgoO7bQxI2RbWHVl8UgHHwLehbQnMl_FJ7qbsLlS5SeAiNQh-8WSgwmeGh3-sgQmI7-U7yCGLT8CljhHrZ8gMrBHlRfguSOHJ9W61-RUdeTBl4wHW3tqaDBn" width="640" /></a></div><br />A Sooty Tern offering a nice view of the white outer retrices (tail feathers).<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKWG5u7EAllvWOCIaaQSQ_NoN9felZnuY_ehwWjcxyooeTzJseHrQPYNxN0LzffLe4jGsj6KvEousz4iR2U2FxjPpiotu73VjNLI6TZwLrjqaqoHXDlkKKAD3GQfSwVUQvpDAAylAWB2MMIxgoJKqmDhWwYxHEI6-ZZXoep-tRM0Snqv5n5dFBzcepYYmE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2692" data-original-width="4866" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKWG5u7EAllvWOCIaaQSQ_NoN9felZnuY_ehwWjcxyooeTzJseHrQPYNxN0LzffLe4jGsj6KvEousz4iR2U2FxjPpiotu73VjNLI6TZwLrjqaqoHXDlkKKAD3GQfSwVUQvpDAAylAWB2MMIxgoJKqmDhWwYxHEI6-ZZXoep-tRM0Snqv5n5dFBzcepYYmE" width="640" /></a></div><br />Audubon's Shearwater with Sargassum Fish.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2eiDWN4iSNSJLxBkMwg6cVhNIhM_A1kgIHF0ueUqoeoRAPWexmZQ-P-1yqEmPEsaMv-HGf5WELg-_wGVZUENGVcGZ-TEzoTbDBZ65LP4xFv5QX2VEJfW5qyY1w43avC1JbAZIMEeyOfF6Q6slG5Vm6C9HOe8XT_KexBwVnJlRRj-wZ-b0E0m-eACaZYrB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3394" data-original-width="5165" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2eiDWN4iSNSJLxBkMwg6cVhNIhM_A1kgIHF0ueUqoeoRAPWexmZQ-P-1yqEmPEsaMv-HGf5WELg-_wGVZUENGVcGZ-TEzoTbDBZ65LP4xFv5QX2VEJfW5qyY1w43avC1JbAZIMEeyOfF6Q6slG5Vm6C9HOe8XT_KexBwVnJlRRj-wZ-b0E0m-eACaZYrB=w640-h420" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sooty Tern<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4Rim-JyvldIH8DTrhC9rOv9Z90V5Endgz0vvNmSC9zadsO_DRRZiRiTfEdqF5DRC8QyqXhoBpghhnnfnuKiEJEgDmt2RaMzNbQvZcQ_kG0VREjYktPeDp6Vu2JV4YsGlZhgiRSn2gUsORqTkH61ZB9yjlOBQ0ecsHpKbUpFRe1ReTp9YM7b_pxd0Ptbna" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2078" data-original-width="3422" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4Rim-JyvldIH8DTrhC9rOv9Z90V5Endgz0vvNmSC9zadsO_DRRZiRiTfEdqF5DRC8QyqXhoBpghhnnfnuKiEJEgDmt2RaMzNbQvZcQ_kG0VREjYktPeDp6Vu2JV4YsGlZhgiRSn2gUsORqTkH61ZB9yjlOBQ0ecsHpKbUpFRe1ReTp9YM7b_pxd0Ptbna=w640-h388" width="640" /></a></div><br />Later in the day we found why the Black-capped were not obliging us with great views, they were just sitting on the water. Maybe they had a nice night of full moon fishing and were keen to just float in the low winds.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqu9PUCeKKi0c14D-Kl1QTOePhNKRL1Z-C9Ah_FXn09hsiLHng8uZyy_GE8LOTYa8cl--LcAirKTgqjcl0bjP_LZinKP0BlhJCGWxDuaJn80EqTOg5UkffUnddamuoBYr61KeDCzTC0j0k6OueTc7SB9h2PsJblU6bI3pcvFMSsywifgz2W-xu9g8vC-EC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="3342" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqu9PUCeKKi0c14D-Kl1QTOePhNKRL1Z-C9Ah_FXn09hsiLHng8uZyy_GE8LOTYa8cl--LcAirKTgqjcl0bjP_LZinKP0BlhJCGWxDuaJn80EqTOg5UkffUnddamuoBYr61KeDCzTC0j0k6OueTc7SB9h2PsJblU6bI3pcvFMSsywifgz2W-xu9g8vC-EC=w640-h386" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of our last birds was this Trindade Petrel that flew in the distance and never really gave good looks.<p></p><p>Back home I tried birding a couple times, but it was still hot and slow.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwmMmEgaNCoJRNYOIAfRIzavWtFE2aXjfbESDa3uiO9Wad0exJHcnFytlFaI1JxKdUjyLoetaPDVx3htDKVpj7m81SMJdHkhmh1yh3V29F654nqj8gfK3vYR2ZE0O8VHOt24PaHEskaTbNShpCfOnjuZlGmNe1ppF2uHXMw5qwXUN7GEh1zVXcCSvzZwu-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwmMmEgaNCoJRNYOIAfRIzavWtFE2aXjfbESDa3uiO9Wad0exJHcnFytlFaI1JxKdUjyLoetaPDVx3htDKVpj7m81SMJdHkhmh1yh3V29F654nqj8gfK3vYR2ZE0O8VHOt24PaHEskaTbNShpCfOnjuZlGmNe1ppF2uHXMw5qwXUN7GEh1zVXcCSvzZwu-=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Needham's Skimmer - when the birding is slow, go for the Odes (Dragonflies and Damselflies).<p></p><p>The weekend after the pelagic was also the weekend after Hurricane Idalia which left us relatively unscathed in Wilmington, but did end up giving us some storm birds. This storm came up from off the coast of the Yucatan where huge colonies of American Flamingos live. These colonies are known to get up and move to Cuba sometimes especially before or after storm events. The prevailing theory is that a bunch of flamingos were relocating from the Yucatan to Cuba when they got caught in Idalia's winds. Some folks have been able to read bands on the birds legs confirming they are from the Yucatan population.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqtEtSyWDjof5tXXlD5XIUF8XuzB2XWq7RqPqXXStEY36Lbnssj6kS_VnrcsddbwFRcwPl5PcZxlVrpF9vaDw9LQ1eK3lycnW2vac4B-xKJIFAxabOqEUBCc5CPa3F5OUT4l_Kbjb8T65AEq0IO-NfeXJcKu2I4zwwbYmitlS3eSHKyO-ifLwibO2i34st" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="936" height="517" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqtEtSyWDjof5tXXlD5XIUF8XuzB2XWq7RqPqXXStEY36Lbnssj6kS_VnrcsddbwFRcwPl5PcZxlVrpF9vaDw9LQ1eK3lycnW2vac4B-xKJIFAxabOqEUBCc5CPa3F5OUT4l_Kbjb8T65AEq0IO-NfeXJcKu2I4zwwbYmitlS3eSHKyO-ifLwibO2i34st=w640-h517" width="640" /></a></div><br />Picture courtesy of ABA.org.<p></p><p>Flamingos were being found in Florida and as far afield as Ohio. So Jeff Lewis of Dare County was smart and went looking for them at Pea Island and I am glad he did. He found a flock of 11 at south pond on Pea Island. Off I went, knowing that some storm birds don't stick around long. I made the 5 hour drive only to find out the birds had flew! You can imagine my state of mind. However, I collaborated with a group of other birders to look further afield and before long got a notification that they had been found out in the sound a good ways out from the Split Pea bridge. </p><p>I got several different looks but they were far out and not conducive to photography.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo7DcCVdkmaJ5D_nDYc36FccSBHiVnzFjFZElv2jr_luD14OcInvnhSGQx41pD62E3IBlOPrGs3NDpf_J3xnvRubAzXFEoULgVQTXKRHHMgc3cZi8yleBMwqpF7QBcnexbHi4zLv2gu_mxZVSchNtCZcAFSiYngyXjbyyX2BLiz49sllaXpKtu8MYFpMc-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="2624" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo7DcCVdkmaJ5D_nDYc36FccSBHiVnzFjFZElv2jr_luD14OcInvnhSGQx41pD62E3IBlOPrGs3NDpf_J3xnvRubAzXFEoULgVQTXKRHHMgc3cZi8yleBMwqpF7QBcnexbHi4zLv2gu_mxZVSchNtCZcAFSiYngyXjbyyX2BLiz49sllaXpKtu8MYFpMc-=w640-h378" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here are the 11 American Flamingos flying out over the sound near Split Pea.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhup8DatqTGk54sMCcYx-fUKl64IXMxY0Uo2HpMGzaWrGRCQirLuLWfXRAuWxBhwLDmB04K_M0ngmA4EnkxPjuELxxsgbylMVUhBA8Mc_1MZQh6YIGHxpS3ccGnI7LYfXWPSezdyYSOC2VxJDPmgOAn7ofT10wNiS4HmvInl1a8_CcSdfNfxe_QANXAm60u" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1636" data-original-width="2875" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhup8DatqTGk54sMCcYx-fUKl64IXMxY0Uo2HpMGzaWrGRCQirLuLWfXRAuWxBhwLDmB04K_M0ngmA4EnkxPjuELxxsgbylMVUhBA8Mc_1MZQh6YIGHxpS3ccGnI7LYfXWPSezdyYSOC2VxJDPmgOAn7ofT10wNiS4HmvInl1a8_CcSdfNfxe_QANXAm60u=w640-h364" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here is a picture I took in Cuba in 2017.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9EWzvaLwHtugg2ROMHT53ledIzbEjpvVfsnu-GrCd60mBrOkVuDvF_waa5LBHhxZPW6xtMROiz8le7cXx3q_Kqina0Ygltw5491_0Up42q0hmtg-9ucsMwha-zz2F2HNtaRgtdyWI7lPrVxFAWaCtD8AHjEbP8oBGv2W17tazbSh4v5tgOYynw4JVpWtW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="2372" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9EWzvaLwHtugg2ROMHT53ledIzbEjpvVfsnu-GrCd60mBrOkVuDvF_waa5LBHhxZPW6xtMROiz8le7cXx3q_Kqina0Ygltw5491_0Up42q0hmtg-9ucsMwha-zz2F2HNtaRgtdyWI7lPrVxFAWaCtD8AHjEbP8oBGv2W17tazbSh4v5tgOYynw4JVpWtW=w640-h492" width="640" /></a></div><br />And one I took from the Yucatan in 2019.<p></p><p>Very cool. As I write this, they are still out in the sound near Split Pea but most folks are getting long scope views. It would be cool to bring a kayak out there and get some better looks without getting to close so as to not bother them.</p>I have one more post to write for some county birding I did last week, but I will save that for when I have some more material to add.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-43676725629567540522023-08-20T09:24:00.000-07:002023-08-20T09:24:01.480-07:00Terns and Cuckoos in The Land of DeSantis (18-19Aug2023)<p>Dear readers and oglers, my deepest apologies for the radio silence. About a month ago I finally contracted Covid courtesy of my youngest son. That effectively meant I was too sick to bird and was quarantining myself until I was confident that I was no longer contagious. I spent many hours catching up on Netflix and curating some of my old photos and working in the yard.</p><p>Last week I was pretty much totally recovered and was itching to get out and about despite the ridiculously high temps. I made some small forays to the beach and Airlie Gardens but it was so hot all the birds were either hiding in the shade or dead. Let's hope it was the former. I was checking the American Airlines website and saw that I could use some of my old miles to fly to Fort Myers in Florida so I booked it and took Friday off from work. For those of you not following the ABA Rarities reports, a Large-billed Tern from South America has been hanging out next to a gold course in Naples for the past month or so. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-OHDeFEN8rsaQ9JgSyCuSU2TFFSydZM-3CTW0MNCPQqAcIABIj2alhEV2cAC8s4zDxEfHC9b7_vH-dplP_AqbbuLdIPKOKs39_VZbPP28GLmXMuJADZQO5LJtcddGMK0HGcI3SdEqmTbohnvC7jI7L-fq4B5o_zBSfFywF3bPkQKQQYZUlWuB6FA1xm2y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="220" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-OHDeFEN8rsaQ9JgSyCuSU2TFFSydZM-3CTW0MNCPQqAcIABIj2alhEV2cAC8s4zDxEfHC9b7_vH-dplP_AqbbuLdIPKOKs39_VZbPP28GLmXMuJADZQO5LJtcddGMK0HGcI3SdEqmTbohnvC7jI7L-fq4B5o_zBSfFywF3bPkQKQQYZUlWuB6FA1xm2y=w477-h640" width="477" /></a></div><br />I don't typically chase rarities on a plane, but this was one was so reliable, seemingly easy to find and convenient.<p></p><p>Friday morning I headed out to the Eagles Lakes Community Park and started looking for the tern. It had been seen foraging in a pond next to the park, but also at some little sandy spits next to the adjacent golf course. The pond next to the park was hosting 3 different species of terns feeding on small fish, but there was no sign of the Large-billed. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidEQpRUvMYuRUD_6h2V1LrRpBMpBcvJ0XsRbZs9-yOaGvcUC58qiaEHn0OMie5Scvys89qOmVuWjh93ZBBBkZlj3BwEMFD9G8ZjoyQm0ausVT9jpQeYUcP1KpzrLwdIhzWH3CtCWLz1v6FAx5rsjbdRpTXtNUO3iPyjnxvkoiU1_cl6GBUqhsLIpFUMHk2" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2842" data-original-width="4971" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidEQpRUvMYuRUD_6h2V1LrRpBMpBcvJ0XsRbZs9-yOaGvcUC58qiaEHn0OMie5Scvys89qOmVuWjh93ZBBBkZlj3BwEMFD9G8ZjoyQm0ausVT9jpQeYUcP1KpzrLwdIhzWH3CtCWLz1v6FAx5rsjbdRpTXtNUO3iPyjnxvkoiU1_cl6GBUqhsLIpFUMHk2" width="640" /></a></div><p>Some of the Royal Terns had a ton of black on the dorsal side of the primaries which made me do double-takes, but I had seen Large-billed Terns in Brazil and Colombia and knew when I saw it flying it would stick out like a sore thumb.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3GuzVipFacH9kSunIZeZgL5pJnjJ8T1vuIRJTmsObY0a7KOD3Ph0OMJ4h_iZCFLBt5BJhb-eZVm-1QdTFZVGRI2w-TKzb3d7rDG4jhEVGVhWsxYbvZZ8JpwzV2gr9CE0pjlFIHLsXk9IztELv1uhjB2M3OMDNxleZhQswMt188ZIg9Zni0961_xf8PB4-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3248" data-original-width="5030" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3GuzVipFacH9kSunIZeZgL5pJnjJ8T1vuIRJTmsObY0a7KOD3Ph0OMJ4h_iZCFLBt5BJhb-eZVm-1QdTFZVGRI2w-TKzb3d7rDG4jhEVGVhWsxYbvZZ8JpwzV2gr9CE0pjlFIHLsXk9IztELv1uhjB2M3OMDNxleZhQswMt188ZIg9Zni0961_xf8PB4-=w640-h414" width="640" /></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/a/AVvXsEjlcR4d6FifnCNmRYhEPhViUKpvp3T2TAdsnJfVErb9tMe-bf-KDBhCeyHb0rtHiIi49Z0OqAPyjFBjSTC2rdySmI83VN883q-x_cCbV29VZ1lRg63JdvdJAefEoH7qGDcQBVEaKnd7I17ab1Uz-HE2pVG4uS0g-4HS5QBu1am1w68l2O-0rcRw2q_hUojN" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlcR4d6FifnCNmRYhEPhViUKpvp3T2TAdsnJfVErb9tMe-bf-KDBhCeyHb0rtHiIi49Z0OqAPyjFBjSTC2rdySmI83VN883q-x_cCbV29VZ1lRg63JdvdJAefEoH7qGDcQBVEaKnd7I17ab1Uz-HE2pVG4uS0g-4HS5QBu1am1w68l2O-0rcRw2q_hUojN=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />It was so hot that I was sweating constantly, but I couldn't replace fluids because this sign said no drinking. This Anhinga looked relatively hydrated so not sure if they sign was only for humans. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggTzuGLG4iVsJ-Rw1YAkjTQG5RLis-JkN9mRoPL8Kg2ieLNbLiD3mGzttCaB5qirzQRfgHMo4dkDzxH4P0r7LLmBmd6NJYSMkR1lOsiK-tWO2Hp4wPDHZQSXTCNxewSpTVLnjBNoJF_VgNliPioQXebPI7kHbSiAzmbt4MYHJx78cMLk-JfyDtTcvO1If_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2562" data-original-width="3707" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggTzuGLG4iVsJ-Rw1YAkjTQG5RLis-JkN9mRoPL8Kg2ieLNbLiD3mGzttCaB5qirzQRfgHMo4dkDzxH4P0r7LLmBmd6NJYSMkR1lOsiK-tWO2Hp4wPDHZQSXTCNxewSpTVLnjBNoJF_VgNliPioQXebPI7kHbSiAzmbt4MYHJx78cMLk-JfyDtTcvO1If_=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><br />Caspian Terns were getting in on the action too.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiU1KTv7Byh03mfzji6jzK3VyIszmsGPRSra8undxMZ7CXtAZBdsQ77wUjIaBoH92zkI1kazGzHV0PSENGFTiCYgIO5oJNdT05Q94bMSCQv1LKhExS-1gInLZdrmdNqx1dhAMe1p7uzfzYeBwSW7OIpZeS69RT6EMm5bo2Nv5baR8Yz5hxqpVusqOIbI0p8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="3239" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiU1KTv7Byh03mfzji6jzK3VyIszmsGPRSra8undxMZ7CXtAZBdsQ77wUjIaBoH92zkI1kazGzHV0PSENGFTiCYgIO5oJNdT05Q94bMSCQv1LKhExS-1gInLZdrmdNqx1dhAMe1p7uzfzYeBwSW7OIpZeS69RT6EMm5bo2Nv5baR8Yz5hxqpVusqOIbI0p8=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sandwich Terns too.<p></p><p>I explored the neighboring golf course ponds but no cigar. On the way back to my car I was passing the community park lake again and Bingo!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUgqM3ll4twUy5SSoh3hmuZZYKdeUkkxbmoBz19z_iarhb8vaqpxCunCjjR1sJ4dV39SadrzFsaBHzJK-cikamZwiwhPolYwFCDso5x-kjAG5--d6N3MlyGlPjFB7kio3K6aOXd34jJB5ZMmMbeL3RSC0wr1TvboLbmAXWaDS_wP6gO8uB2ANrlItLj-4R" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2139" data-original-width="4036" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUgqM3ll4twUy5SSoh3hmuZZYKdeUkkxbmoBz19z_iarhb8vaqpxCunCjjR1sJ4dV39SadrzFsaBHzJK-cikamZwiwhPolYwFCDso5x-kjAG5--d6N3MlyGlPjFB7kio3K6aOXd34jJB5ZMmMbeL3RSC0wr1TvboLbmAXWaDS_wP6gO8uB2ANrlItLj-4R=w640-h340" width="640" /></a></div><br />Large-billed Tern! No mistaking that pattern. Some other folks showed up and I got them on the bird.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE03dSKEvZWzHjf6ifivFWVWMbdMb5KZWVCGcyhwQq_Q_jxgAtQZG12srT6TFB-ApCMSqS5Nx297xr_cvxxP_rQDWSVn4lk2XSoiUZNCTSJ1pb_0vYuJfBndfa8e61CDNzA2IZlFQYXt1hEBEtr3ALSTVkdiw2adwFkBdwzHQEpVfWPoF2C0vJodJR2OnI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2644" data-original-width="4269" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE03dSKEvZWzHjf6ifivFWVWMbdMb5KZWVCGcyhwQq_Q_jxgAtQZG12srT6TFB-ApCMSqS5Nx297xr_cvxxP_rQDWSVn4lk2XSoiUZNCTSJ1pb_0vYuJfBndfa8e61CDNzA2IZlFQYXt1hEBEtr3ALSTVkdiw2adwFkBdwzHQEpVfWPoF2C0vJodJR2OnI=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihd_lxyu2MpVT0rwp9UDT1-Q20PrIsvKdn8dx0muKLO-MCX5Cj0sRZtV64Sii2H-4D6mOYyxRpeH2t2AuwPRKaAehDNF77cXzefLTz-FvitInNQzQzdkyyUbKSNgQgOzem8wF9dcbLyJVeQwo-1BJVQBOoi-QRSgWc-z565ZZwJ0PB0puMUSWJ1xmLnYOu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2159" data-original-width="3602" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihd_lxyu2MpVT0rwp9UDT1-Q20PrIsvKdn8dx0muKLO-MCX5Cj0sRZtV64Sii2H-4D6mOYyxRpeH2t2AuwPRKaAehDNF77cXzefLTz-FvitInNQzQzdkyyUbKSNgQgOzem8wF9dcbLyJVeQwo-1BJVQBOoi-QRSgWc-z565ZZwJ0PB0puMUSWJ1xmLnYOu=w640-h384" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Even from underneath the dark tail and dingy underwings made it easy to pick out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-OJWJyk8zUHgd-DLBIF915t-CgNhYAYa8dvVtDd46w1hqRJlDKsoHdr1wRsEdv9HELYdocj2ubuPpLonmOEYFBcL6uGyXBTpO9WW2PWyFEEP_fPxJoFAKss_ZI5OPvGxhq8VfzdlXRDZuz_BLG7zzAOaOZf_A15ILNpKe2z1DpTteCbzo3BKoQyw55yRb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2139" data-original-width="3523" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-OJWJyk8zUHgd-DLBIF915t-CgNhYAYa8dvVtDd46w1hqRJlDKsoHdr1wRsEdv9HELYdocj2ubuPpLonmOEYFBcL6uGyXBTpO9WW2PWyFEEP_fPxJoFAKss_ZI5OPvGxhq8VfzdlXRDZuz_BLG7zzAOaOZf_A15ILNpKe2z1DpTteCbzo3BKoQyw55yRb=w640-h388" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div>I watched it forage for about 30 minutes until I couldn't take the heat anymore and was thoroughly soaked. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSm_RPD-fS91uqkY_rIgH6dQ05QzPRE1-HK8QPUjH3nqAAgHdQSd7nSB5aJ8_WcbZy7qIizFhBIkGmGYnufSxzPk8eEoT5Bpp3O8GymNP_U0rvJlmNJnVIo-OGXj_QO39h94JP0C0yvYrRkiD97lEBzBhND9tHDmtvkyAruCU_Y-sWBwr7dlfv0lj_fYVC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2145" data-original-width="3681" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSm_RPD-fS91uqkY_rIgH6dQ05QzPRE1-HK8QPUjH3nqAAgHdQSd7nSB5aJ8_WcbZy7qIizFhBIkGmGYnufSxzPk8eEoT5Bpp3O8GymNP_U0rvJlmNJnVIo-OGXj_QO39h94JP0C0yvYrRkiD97lEBzBhND9tHDmtvkyAruCU_Y-sWBwr7dlfv0lj_fYVC=w640-h372" width="640" /></a></div><br />I think that is my Hyundai Tucson rental behind the tern! I got it for $99 for two days.<p></p><p>Even though I took Friday off, I had some work to do so I worked for most of the hottest part of the day in the hotel room. In the afternoon I went out to explore some parts of Florida I haven't seen yet. I started with Marco Island, specifically Tigertail Beach which had some good eBird reports. I was a little annoyed to find legions of Floridians on pool floats in the lagoon at Tigertail which meant no birds. The lady at the park entrance said that the lagoon was dredged which ruined most of the good shorebird habitat. I decided I couldn't drive all the way there without exploring some more so I made the half mile death march out to the beach to check on some of the distant flocks in between the masses of beach goers.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNw5lWLUWqkcj5HIIyNm8iJgd8B94zIztYHVMpqKw12VcpWkE1Xx_I3CsShcNXMbaI3zdiKFYt10rSlAQIwBZxewMDDA92bj-GZCNBn_kX2M_B2JpUOpgx2cQeQqYrRWyS4ecmN8WkfSSN3N-KkcEKiLRQDtU6KXkBU3uVh_nLFIKXBeW3kcmuZwH3HhOK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2275" data-original-width="3948" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNw5lWLUWqkcj5HIIyNm8iJgd8B94zIztYHVMpqKw12VcpWkE1Xx_I3CsShcNXMbaI3zdiKFYt10rSlAQIwBZxewMDDA92bj-GZCNBn_kX2M_B2JpUOpgx2cQeQqYrRWyS4ecmN8WkfSSN3N-KkcEKiLRQDtU6KXkBU3uVh_nLFIKXBeW3kcmuZwH3HhOK=w640-h368" width="640" /></a></div><br />Black Tern<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgFxLujmluSHixTmKnGsFMOp4s_RMVccYno4Xdsq1LKaxF_WdiiB6LIl3gB4BoQ-EVD94kiAjPcLnzA5p5NBxhejpqCLYeb1Z1KSxQsbd_qQeK9vRrZaTEha9B4FuhYh9WKELU5vlm4hipGJ4vwe_x12TtOfix_XwLEehph8Hp9g-Qn-iPHWdA5bu-8nFC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgFxLujmluSHixTmKnGsFMOp4s_RMVccYno4Xdsq1LKaxF_WdiiB6LIl3gB4BoQ-EVD94kiAjPcLnzA5p5NBxhejpqCLYeb1Z1KSxQsbd_qQeK9vRrZaTEha9B4FuhYh9WKELU5vlm4hipGJ4vwe_x12TtOfix_XwLEehph8Hp9g-Qn-iPHWdA5bu-8nFC" width="640" /></a></div><br />The majority of terns were Royals in all kinds of plumage phases.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRQcKpgJytkTCs1zB9jHtjflLoGeFklHT3r2MredlPP6FgtUYrINeS5lvWn_2HpB54Lo8cMlcxMiV2-IHC7fdp-m3yLOkUvfXsbD6rCWimfdK2dStIvrzqVeD8L8G29gVj7rUedHhH9tWjr8e_-f1R4g_F7MtHSEGZJVifF9zgYDq8FxxWw6lGr-YyiCqS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRQcKpgJytkTCs1zB9jHtjflLoGeFklHT3r2MredlPP6FgtUYrINeS5lvWn_2HpB54Lo8cMlcxMiV2-IHC7fdp-m3yLOkUvfXsbD6rCWimfdK2dStIvrzqVeD8L8G29gVj7rUedHhH9tWjr8e_-f1R4g_F7MtHSEGZJVifF9zgYDq8FxxWw6lGr-YyiCqS=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Usually when you see dark carpals on a tern its a Common, but apparently Sandwich's also have them as juveniles.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrwhMMbHZnMZhi6a9Rhm-m2lgsYoYOFevDZ35Uv9rkW2V0192La1-EuQy1gijbGuXPclK2Okr6gplb6lm11TpsKeOlfWeGUQX8A1tfWOgZRKW25wSYeDWXcWYNT8tP-F2cuu87cbOVSKHd0tCAzvL86b1I35FDJdVX1Yw4PoR68ECaGGnllPi_xllrvr7o" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrwhMMbHZnMZhi6a9Rhm-m2lgsYoYOFevDZ35Uv9rkW2V0192La1-EuQy1gijbGuXPclK2Okr6gplb6lm11TpsKeOlfWeGUQX8A1tfWOgZRKW25wSYeDWXcWYNT8tP-F2cuu87cbOVSKHd0tCAzvL86b1I35FDJdVX1Yw4PoR68ECaGGnllPi_xllrvr7o=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Royal Tern had some pigment issues but it looked pretty cool.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwx9a8fYSmqU-B1T-gAjo5W8UO_VscerR-TNpCMnxEzPibka3Rl6jkvo7Ih7kT8Ie4qIX3gQM8FJc3leHhqsVJTqV09k3E8gW-41WrWxWn1ZOAFvvxkbVfhBgv0k1TBT6rSNVh-SgX_mf28ymOQeSGwFimq3ik_FigxrhspbAwLjo2IVvtJwezkpAT4TCy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3683" data-original-width="5849" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwx9a8fYSmqU-B1T-gAjo5W8UO_VscerR-TNpCMnxEzPibka3Rl6jkvo7Ih7kT8Ie4qIX3gQM8FJc3leHhqsVJTqV09k3E8gW-41WrWxWn1ZOAFvvxkbVfhBgv0k1TBT6rSNVh-SgX_mf28ymOQeSGwFimq3ik_FigxrhspbAwLjo2IVvtJwezkpAT4TCy=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTP-qhiA-w_alu90AVaBT4WixzbCa1ayf3I02669tUEblUH4mFDKp1rok4Je5ArzNS6Xu5e6CgyWviDYOb6rKJiVQftQ0a9bcdf4Kgm49IJw-xyWwbrXAjgb628W7aL2Xd4cH2kOxPyNUe0EGNzhQgcetPyPq31iXmPMQAjTPvRG1-HV8dO64a9TWOMgAr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTP-qhiA-w_alu90AVaBT4WixzbCa1ayf3I02669tUEblUH4mFDKp1rok4Je5ArzNS6Xu5e6CgyWviDYOb6rKJiVQftQ0a9bcdf4Kgm49IJw-xyWwbrXAjgb628W7aL2Xd4cH2kOxPyNUe0EGNzhQgcetPyPq31iXmPMQAjTPvRG1-HV8dO64a9TWOMgAr" width="640" /></a></div><p>Snazzy looking Royal juvenile.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyvCISmttChaNoaSnTisuYVx2GmzOcwnTayT7UyjGDKRGVCCd6mnJmwhMS0q7B9vPaRnZJ-pgVTlGkV1r3ASRX8ULaZRbckZIJ3FeW04p2HFh9WdPl34iZ1s1lEVR7vannh7oc4kR3s7V_JvnmVapGtFgSzZ-s2eeRDFvkqbUMXvVF9XhnSgMcwY8CoZeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyvCISmttChaNoaSnTisuYVx2GmzOcwnTayT7UyjGDKRGVCCd6mnJmwhMS0q7B9vPaRnZJ-pgVTlGkV1r3ASRX8ULaZRbckZIJ3FeW04p2HFh9WdPl34iZ1s1lEVR7vannh7oc4kR3s7V_JvnmVapGtFgSzZ-s2eeRDFvkqbUMXvVF9XhnSgMcwY8CoZeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Young Least Terns like to do Stint impersonations.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQowYyoC8TXaumMcRliwuYrLyVgcTOr_xeaEoIts_wRpbvwM_nbn7ZUnSq128-OOr59eeVk1jnAd_D9UiXVHY8IjI2KzHMGVgIUdpqF_GSdpHtgk3ud7RN5RAGA0sm4Q7ABKM28wLhRqbbUll6FpF3rFwdxDwcTJ6ssdacKMQqM01EhYQSjVR-0ZOWZ9pr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3295" data-original-width="5254" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQowYyoC8TXaumMcRliwuYrLyVgcTOr_xeaEoIts_wRpbvwM_nbn7ZUnSq128-OOr59eeVk1jnAd_D9UiXVHY8IjI2KzHMGVgIUdpqF_GSdpHtgk3ud7RN5RAGA0sm4Q7ABKM28wLhRqbbUll6FpF3rFwdxDwcTJ6ssdacKMQqM01EhYQSjVR-0ZOWZ9pr=w640-h402" width="640" /></a></div><br />Red Knot<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdnvx4XijRn9ednCwpyBfx--kfGVqJ9VpKRjQbEVJCpgXir-cLCGdWaPdf8AyhRv2voz7kjjtTuCZc5ZTVIyhGVjM7lsJL6dgbsH4Zh7sz5Lf8SA3ADR8HoS2woAYPPQ7zisqeE2RHDJHGZ_6XuMwuCUSUEx-4xTNMLH3ceKUsnmH0IBoLrDYseh2B4qZB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1375" data-original-width="2692" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdnvx4XijRn9ednCwpyBfx--kfGVqJ9VpKRjQbEVJCpgXir-cLCGdWaPdf8AyhRv2voz7kjjtTuCZc5ZTVIyhGVjM7lsJL6dgbsH4Zh7sz5Lf8SA3ADR8HoS2woAYPPQ7zisqeE2RHDJHGZ_6XuMwuCUSUEx-4xTNMLH3ceKUsnmH0IBoLrDYseh2B4qZB=w640-h326" width="640" /></a></div><br />Black Tern<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS9t79kvvZDbv_B92KP863ngaEVh6Y5fivLd8kUc52MODS4YB-bcnQORv5gPBGL5yfuzXg7_FqhgnmiJXAIU9DGgb8b5bg1bWuLm53znzVJg4iwMYCbw5xw93zJ2mhTMT_mUUVJi_Yki-LRFAEbijQO2w8lEu2f890eadqq0Yc34eYjV2LBlzVd1fwziTi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4104" data-original-width="6054" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS9t79kvvZDbv_B92KP863ngaEVh6Y5fivLd8kUc52MODS4YB-bcnQORv5gPBGL5yfuzXg7_FqhgnmiJXAIU9DGgb8b5bg1bWuLm53znzVJg4iwMYCbw5xw93zJ2mhTMT_mUUVJi_Yki-LRFAEbijQO2w8lEu2f890eadqq0Yc34eYjV2LBlzVd1fwziTi=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br />I had soaked through my shirt again so I huffed it back to the air-conditioning in my Tucson. The afternoon ended up being a big wash. I drove inland in a big loop hoping to find Snail Kites and/or Short-tailed Hawks but came up empty.<p></p><p>In the morning, I checked out of my hotel and headed north to JN Ding Darling State Park on Sanibel Island near Fort Myers. My primary target was Mangrove Cuckoo which is pretty tough to get in the ABA area although that park is a pretty good place for them according to eBird. I saw a handful of recent reports and none elsewhere in southwest Florida so it was a no-brainer. Sanibel is still recovering from Hurricane Ian that pretty much wiped it clean in 2022. Here is a video I found online that shows the devastation.</p><p><a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=sanibel+hurricane+2022&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:999ac41d,vid:yk4WOjc8rW8">sanibel hurricane 2022</a></p>A full year later, much of the mangroves are still in the process of recovering but I was able to find a few birds.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilW1LPLQSMt0JEG9FVX9zA5NZSa-PoOPgSnXJnFxHnkVFd7zZHf8iNglKEG4XxQ9-RMbXS-maDMtZBFcLmPBUPrTVm2YSwVg4xVNh58h8h5MwmMVNNIqyib5Ei0wEcsGJGcQuqj5DOuQBXVH-pabGGa6tHsWOoU2kqHDYaVOFXr_goFJgPUTwgC1uCwHEc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2871" data-original-width="4646" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilW1LPLQSMt0JEG9FVX9zA5NZSa-PoOPgSnXJnFxHnkVFd7zZHf8iNglKEG4XxQ9-RMbXS-maDMtZBFcLmPBUPrTVm2YSwVg4xVNh58h8h5MwmMVNNIqyib5Ei0wEcsGJGcQuqj5DOuQBXVH-pabGGa6tHsWOoU2kqHDYaVOFXr_goFJgPUTwgC1uCwHEc=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div><br />Roseate Spoonbill <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8vglXGy27qTq9fjJX44fy9EvPHcr5p-kmm5VeCYujMfRsbJcXDtIIHOzZEXsbVUc5Ha35TGrMmhudf0cskbGOLly0tvxVAHrNczM1G4ijC7ph_NFDkRXCf2DtB0C4mwpn1rwcrLCFWGxZcEqwHj6IrcP2sYn8bd2IVnYptWaHwXRGGAyHdfkNfm1TLw2I" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3228" data-original-width="4963" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8vglXGy27qTq9fjJX44fy9EvPHcr5p-kmm5VeCYujMfRsbJcXDtIIHOzZEXsbVUc5Ha35TGrMmhudf0cskbGOLly0tvxVAHrNczM1G4ijC7ph_NFDkRXCf2DtB0C4mwpn1rwcrLCFWGxZcEqwHj6IrcP2sYn8bd2IVnYptWaHwXRGGAyHdfkNfm1TLw2I=w640-h416" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've never seen so many Tricolored Herons - they were everywhere.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrhL48SysDgq8c7BRywuE8aSat6fjmKmsRFFOrfzkyhl7SN3HIB5RJFFiPw_sJ0J2vXkTvj0gNkt9jATcAoOiGTVDTfe4RoA5rA6dluvWK4KR9F5TMMIee05yhoY7l6TSOClUPiY2D6jq1i7jkDIHnDHp8X-Q4B8gJz1JVqEcUsaEOl8SaCxSOHawnjyLc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrhL48SysDgq8c7BRywuE8aSat6fjmKmsRFFOrfzkyhl7SN3HIB5RJFFiPw_sJ0J2vXkTvj0gNkt9jATcAoOiGTVDTfe4RoA5rA6dluvWK4KR9F5TMMIee05yhoY7l6TSOClUPiY2D6jq1i7jkDIHnDHp8X-Q4B8gJz1JVqEcUsaEOl8SaCxSOHawnjyLc=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Prairie Warbler - I got out and walked around a bunch of times but would have to retreat into the AC every 20-30 minutes. The Wildlife Drive through the park is one-way and about 2-3 miles long. I drove it slow checking for my target - Mangrove Cuckoo. I made it all the way to the end with little to show for it but ran into a dutch couple and they told me they had seen the cuckoo about a mile after the entrance. I was getting short on time but I just had to try the loop again. I am glad I did! About 1.5 miles in, I heard a Mangrove Cuckoo and then it was just a matter of time before I found them.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5mh92e8QOnBz5_wFwMGvm01p2KwxgWtd2ijxTswNylwWH7LzvoT75T6VMJJXBVWZC0enrcTfxzNl9NhkrxqHop2iU_Bqgskc49Aqa-4W3QhCZB9albVFe20yIvEppKj4VmeYMKjSMUfAmmkOsUKJedb9N160P6oCl-AeriSKrY2TuR87imOg_FHeh01vX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5mh92e8QOnBz5_wFwMGvm01p2KwxgWtd2ijxTswNylwWH7LzvoT75T6VMJJXBVWZC0enrcTfxzNl9NhkrxqHop2iU_Bqgskc49Aqa-4W3QhCZB9albVFe20yIvEppKj4VmeYMKjSMUfAmmkOsUKJedb9N160P6oCl-AeriSKrY2TuR87imOg_FHeh01vX=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />I ended up having two of them just chilling feet away from me and I had to step back to shoot them.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs7Vqr8Sl6OEoMOxpqKbzaAolEWk_SZwJWUJ9GaPINb-cSv5aGtR8QN-9qKFIo3dWhQSkmYmwTWI2n2uMI72Duhke2WGDrQdbiZ_H3H32o03LsxqYJ0sV-NKDpXVf1kkXa9tEZYFcMkTFb1m_85JnS3Pvm6Vuy2WCfykN-3UHVSB0jWeGqrhsbzoy-ZPqt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs7Vqr8Sl6OEoMOxpqKbzaAolEWk_SZwJWUJ9GaPINb-cSv5aGtR8QN-9qKFIo3dWhQSkmYmwTWI2n2uMI72Duhke2WGDrQdbiZ_H3H32o03LsxqYJ0sV-NKDpXVf1kkXa9tEZYFcMkTFb1m_85JnS3Pvm6Vuy2WCfykN-3UHVSB0jWeGqrhsbzoy-ZPqt=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpq4E88fR0Ict1Cp2yMCv7fCcpoOGv5eYp9xlBnHX-J74KinEdUf1fEtduexQq_OJxNs5YZiwtl308SdcOJtr_dBIhIvYwKQiyx9tNtyy_w4Isp69Dp3bNwzPuhHxQ5lISya0P0gAxdCQyk29JB2tOSN9PDgsuMRWRi_pYvSh8K4DiHPixLHm_eG1DSJBf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpq4E88fR0Ict1Cp2yMCv7fCcpoOGv5eYp9xlBnHX-J74KinEdUf1fEtduexQq_OJxNs5YZiwtl308SdcOJtr_dBIhIvYwKQiyx9tNtyy_w4Isp69Dp3bNwzPuhHxQ5lISya0P0gAxdCQyk29JB2tOSN9PDgsuMRWRi_pYvSh8K4DiHPixLHm_eG1DSJBf" width="640" /></a></div><br />What a great way to end the trip. I headed back to the airport and made my fight with no problems! If only all chases could be this successful! If that Steller's Sea Eagle comes back to Maine in the winter, I think that will be worthy of a chase.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2394990859462793685.post-57197014154624968072023-07-22T05:17:00.002-07:002023-07-22T05:17:44.907-07:00Western Counties fall like Dominoes Part 3 (12-15Jul2023)After 4 days in Cullowhee, the family unit packed up and we headed further north to reposition to the Boone area where my older son Luke was going to stay with some friends. I selected Fleetwood randomly based on the availability of a nice VRBO cabin, but I quickly learned it was somewhat isolated and required a 30 minute drive to get anywhere. This isolation was also partly why I liked it. <div><br /></div><div>On the way north, I convinced the family to take a short break near Camp Creek on the parkway so we could stretch our legs and let Paco go pee. I was hoping for an Alder Flycatcher as I have had them here in years past, but no dice. Probably it was too hot and the birds were resting.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIu9Ij-wl58Y92fmk-mEUhwvWR6XRko8wqgcYHLFenh6LcxC-B02arJIRVu3R_oGv2ZKWKrvCFPHaUjuYda3ip4IB-pQYCbUHsBqEP4w6V14-WuuVJStvbwMwc99M_uEjdCbjoBMis50sL5eNNGsAvI-ShKNBvZKF0MY_ZINDXgO8xn7HlfWsTHzMKTWoB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIu9Ij-wl58Y92fmk-mEUhwvWR6XRko8wqgcYHLFenh6LcxC-B02arJIRVu3R_oGv2ZKWKrvCFPHaUjuYda3ip4IB-pQYCbUHsBqEP4w6V14-WuuVJStvbwMwc99M_uEjdCbjoBMis50sL5eNNGsAvI-ShKNBvZKF0MY_ZINDXgO8xn7HlfWsTHzMKTWoB" width="640" /></a></div><br />Great Spangled Fritillary</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg29nEOkGAOZrsl59Lp0rxe3K7BA3u7QN3xBqfOmShOrtJC9j0hoj_AQisCR3VogSXz73QZufoPi31gnulhRlOtYDnh-kcq8xM0IydKvqtscNzFV1FV1R5SmAHdICa9d1B6M0Tgs4bIJ3xGigwVrEf7tYE0N5xJqGH-rf-tAerKWoimuc_Pfsq_HTdw9xTe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2948" data-original-width="4397" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg29nEOkGAOZrsl59Lp0rxe3K7BA3u7QN3xBqfOmShOrtJC9j0hoj_AQisCR3VogSXz73QZufoPi31gnulhRlOtYDnh-kcq8xM0IydKvqtscNzFV1FV1R5SmAHdICa9d1B6M0Tgs4bIJ3xGigwVrEf7tYE0N5xJqGH-rf-tAerKWoimuc_Pfsq_HTdw9xTe=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4eUaVAnJJMrmITpzzYdEB9-OSv4vAwe9UQOYzBc00zhaxIBXS-OsA63tZg9WWzg5-qN-RR9wHSvYxaBgSts6G8jijMo6lhoOUpgCP2FcHdTYt6zlV_pD_w1eLs1mzeS6Q_cKt2s8uApcLAqzv2SHviHDlJwC0lSK5uC5XimgtU2UTNE9Xv2S_oxPvdHsV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="3639" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4eUaVAnJJMrmITpzzYdEB9-OSv4vAwe9UQOYzBc00zhaxIBXS-OsA63tZg9WWzg5-qN-RR9wHSvYxaBgSts6G8jijMo6lhoOUpgCP2FcHdTYt6zlV_pD_w1eLs1mzeS6Q_cKt2s8uApcLAqzv2SHviHDlJwC0lSK5uC5XimgtU2UTNE9Xv2S_oxPvdHsV" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Black-throated Blue was way up in the canopy and it tripped up the rare flag in eBird. Not sure why as they are fairly common all over the parkway.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLa5RycyG5y6DZ-AFNzxv8ixlo5uEmIfp5HxStdYEB2wmmc0qvri3PlclvOuWAEt_GD6GTZckdglykAVFnPYiTz2UOeV3lcJ2WbjZtnApSrmEQYPsExNU5wpFxYP5CT9S7ThLPqwZUW8AjT2fuOQ4hKyDXPoSKfoLcmC-johtJslLX6mZ8rOf2rw-YnxQW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3811" data-original-width="6030" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLa5RycyG5y6DZ-AFNzxv8ixlo5uEmIfp5HxStdYEB2wmmc0qvri3PlclvOuWAEt_GD6GTZckdglykAVFnPYiTz2UOeV3lcJ2WbjZtnApSrmEQYPsExNU5wpFxYP5CT9S7ThLPqwZUW8AjT2fuOQ4hKyDXPoSKfoLcmC-johtJslLX6mZ8rOf2rw-YnxQW" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Red-breasted Nuthatch also flagged as rare.</div><div><br /></div><div>Camp Creek is in Burke County which also counted as a new one for my year effort although I suspect I will be back later this year to explore the county more thoroughly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Burke is a middle sized county with 512 square miles but it does have a decent population at 90k people owing to some larger towns like Morganton within its borders.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7Q4XlqZoR3WzS1KVZ-lAl_vEb1tFwZBtqBrpbJLUS-CBvQhDI_hIMbTJCZ84KLZjqtEGJ7drLzdtxqGIh4GeLCivlYhKsXCPjvoGiR1ztXAZjcdum3B76EBfLUp1MUuszHkA52GSUleKlG-Nrh4DvAqdLyiKa8HpOxVSNECcqzEU00IUuJEQ9LTvaV05Y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="805" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7Q4XlqZoR3WzS1KVZ-lAl_vEb1tFwZBtqBrpbJLUS-CBvQhDI_hIMbTJCZ84KLZjqtEGJ7drLzdtxqGIh4GeLCivlYhKsXCPjvoGiR1ztXAZjcdum3B76EBfLUp1MUuszHkA52GSUleKlG-Nrh4DvAqdLyiKa8HpOxVSNECcqzEU00IUuJEQ9LTvaV05Y=w640-h472" width="640" /></a></div><br />I was searching famous people from Morganton and I landed on a gold mine. The following is the Wiki entry for Robert Harrill aka the Fort Fisher Hermit.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh22g763RWYScC5KSfvZf8K1q11Gg12awz0XBBN75g6NXYtfesiebLQJeoPafv4MT1pNSpLDVvslkc_-lafcnRzYEpEdc_EyAKS5iZ0V8XbNsKK6jk2w_UVK5o6iGfhlfhtQVXpYpq4YzlejQGtaq-IfQU722XemuUsiXSTXthQGHQHXZqmdnMRiRHiTD80" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="150" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh22g763RWYScC5KSfvZf8K1q11Gg12awz0XBBN75g6NXYtfesiebLQJeoPafv4MT1pNSpLDVvslkc_-lafcnRzYEpEdc_EyAKS5iZ0V8XbNsKK6jk2w_UVK5o6iGfhlfhtQVXpYpq4YzlejQGtaq-IfQU722XemuUsiXSTXthQGHQHXZqmdnMRiRHiTD80=w451-h640" width="451" /></a></div><br /><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Robert E. Harrill</b>, or <b>Harrell</b>, (February 2, 1893 – June 4, 1972) was an American man also known as the <b>Fort Fisher Hermit</b>. He became a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermit" style="background: none; color: #795cb2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;" title="Hermit">hermit</a> in 1955, at the age of 62, having <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchhike" style="background: none; color: #795cb2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;" title="Hitchhike">hitchhiked</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Fisher" style="background: none; color: #795cb2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;" title="Fort Fisher">Fort Fisher</a> on the North Carolina coast from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morganton,_North_Carolina" style="background: none; color: #795cb2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;" title="Morganton, North Carolina">Morganton</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina" style="background: none; color: #795cb2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;" title="North Carolina">North Carolina</a>. He had previously been committed to a <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_hospital" style="background: none; color: #795cb2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;" title="Mental hospital">mental hospital</a> in Morganton, after his marriage failed. Harrill settled in an abandoned <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II" style="background: none; color: #795cb2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;" title="World War II">World War II</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunker" style="background: none; color: #795cb2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;" title="Bunker">bunker</a> set in a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_marsh" style="background: none; color: #795cb2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;" title="Salt marsh">salt marsh</a> beside the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Fear_River" style="background: none; color: #795cb2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;" title="Cape Fear River">Cape Fear River</a> in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Fisher_State_Recreation_Area" style="background: none; color: #795cb2; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;" title="Fort Fisher State Recreation Area">Fort Fisher State Recreation Area</a>. </span></p><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Harrill fed himself by fishing and scavenging. He and his bunker became a tourist attraction and visitors would listen to him talk about his "School of Common Sense", leaving donations in a frying pan. After living as a hermit for 17 years, he died under mysterious circumstances in 1972, with the official cause of death given as a heart attack. His life has been commemorated with books, films and a theatre production.</span></p></div><div><br /></div><div>Legendary!</div><div><div><br /></div><div>After another hour or so we found our VRBO and settled in for the evening. Paco was glad to finally get out of the car.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday was mostly a work day so I only briefly got out to visit Brookshire Park in Boone which is a nice park adjacent to part of the Appalachian State campus. This is Watauga County which I had already visited earlier in the year.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiemrXACbsgT8K0cqdVbFm4gNyT1Y_X3ZaI309bXRAg0B1W6YcFPRqubOfX-AFH3YWzjyWvvfMbMO74xYU2iUzkR83w61GGKbGRhiRKsiO25Q1tkjsk42lVDxuMCUgsG2jWlNAqsLy5Ia78v-iaa7yNNf1aQTLAuzD57ISMGnmwMSpZLshrh4wDIpeYx09i" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2641" data-original-width="4189" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiemrXACbsgT8K0cqdVbFm4gNyT1Y_X3ZaI309bXRAg0B1W6YcFPRqubOfX-AFH3YWzjyWvvfMbMO74xYU2iUzkR83w61GGKbGRhiRKsiO25Q1tkjsk42lVDxuMCUgsG2jWlNAqsLy5Ia78v-iaa7yNNf1aQTLAuzD57ISMGnmwMSpZLshrh4wDIpeYx09i" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This park is always good for Willow Flycatchers.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNHkxQYsBWGcIyCrKYfxXX_OOCMwhsurhajNfVcH7h6-JjglA0lkn2lmFS8PRfAR5vH2P8Na2PEoI8jV9uEe-lMkGRSTSeFVX392T_HvlKgRy175fNRZrp__FJgXKd1dHNg5-swskg3B58gruu4hde8JnoL7pZZB6OjCStXZZ28bytGLA6YTCX_2KxJrTb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNHkxQYsBWGcIyCrKYfxXX_OOCMwhsurhajNfVcH7h6-JjglA0lkn2lmFS8PRfAR5vH2P8Na2PEoI8jV9uEe-lMkGRSTSeFVX392T_HvlKgRy175fNRZrp__FJgXKd1dHNg5-swskg3B58gruu4hde8JnoL7pZZB6OjCStXZZ28bytGLA6YTCX_2KxJrTb" width="640" /></a></div><br />And Red-winged Blackbirds.</div><div><br /></div><div>After about 20 minutes into our walk, the skies opened up and it poured all over us as we ran back to the car. It took a day to dry out my camera bag but at least the camera stayed dry.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the evening we headed over to EB Jeffress Park up on the Blue Ridge Parkway to take a really short hike on the Cascades Trail. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYtRiLxcB9py0_5tAMB4f2fZaNiECn9-BDIKHxulOPIWqvLjkAWCozyAgN-O_8_4pIAQXlZnJ3WWlgCYbOO2UHnZ-NLXkS0LG1stltdA5LAcp7kPU0WCe94azfejvqsFt5mF5LKIk3cXtzhuorzN5FOysRK2I-mchBArZsiO3-3Xp-kwSdwGdpk_8UvnLg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYtRiLxcB9py0_5tAMB4f2fZaNiECn9-BDIKHxulOPIWqvLjkAWCozyAgN-O_8_4pIAQXlZnJ3WWlgCYbOO2UHnZ-NLXkS0LG1stltdA5LAcp7kPU0WCe94azfejvqsFt5mF5LKIk3cXtzhuorzN5FOysRK2I-mchBArZsiO3-3Xp-kwSdwGdpk_8UvnLg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />A trip to the Parkway is always worth it but unfortunately the trail was under maintenance and all we could see was the top of the falls.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi31eyWydf3_eyfz8eZxrCyzROJe3U-7xq38K2hOGmcLFbGiQq8DVDvhcEQkx7-hWuPizHDh45Z8-IBPtr3C1_xEnQhZTWATWgNE0EInmtK00YiFpaVMtvbn905S6qyyjn8U5KzUHCl3ZmdAdfFOKdb21LVUYf7QjslKVbBChbNCAn2LKsBLCtH5iUA0wct" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi31eyWydf3_eyfz8eZxrCyzROJe3U-7xq38K2hOGmcLFbGiQq8DVDvhcEQkx7-hWuPizHDh45Z8-IBPtr3C1_xEnQhZTWATWgNE0EInmtK00YiFpaVMtvbn905S6qyyjn8U5KzUHCl3ZmdAdfFOKdb21LVUYf7QjslKVbBChbNCAn2LKsBLCtH5iUA0wct=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />The bird life was pretty much non-existent and we didn't see any other cars either. It was eerily silent other than the sound of the falls.</div><div><br /></div><div>Technically this was a new county for me. In fact, this small section of the parkway only dips into Wilkes County for less than a mile or so as far as I could tell.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhm4mrodtCi0WWxpoGgecEfL7kVdb1wbAv_SN8m-pWpcJqCgt7edsfGdwPts0lDjgIVROOh5m0EbTNuLkVZpTbo5tP64vlztI9mZjlOLBSZYn24mtKo9rqVZqv3Jx0qBAAAC7fGYadljXkszrL0gSGg6mSUWHwAxrh3gW9p-4IlMhb1SbCXn62LHv130KdL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="831" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhm4mrodtCi0WWxpoGgecEfL7kVdb1wbAv_SN8m-pWpcJqCgt7edsfGdwPts0lDjgIVROOh5m0EbTNuLkVZpTbo5tP64vlztI9mZjlOLBSZYn24mtKo9rqVZqv3Jx0qBAAAC7fGYadljXkszrL0gSGg6mSUWHwAxrh3gW9p-4IlMhb1SbCXn62LHv130KdL=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><br />Wilkes County is definitely a county I would like to explore more of. It seems like it has some hidden gems to be uncovered. Doughton Park is in it as well as Stone Mountain State Park which I did visit many years ago. The population is middling with 65k people mostly due to Wilkesboro. It is one of the biggest counties in NC with 750 square miles. It was named for John Wilkes, an English political radical who lost his position as the Lord Mayor of the city of London because of his support for the colonists during the American Revolution. During times of prohibition, Wilkes County was known as the "Moonshine capital of the world". I couldn't find any recognizable names for famous people from Wilkes County but I am sure some of them are interesting none the less.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Friday both Melissa and I took the day off for the first full day of the trip where we didn't have to log on and work. It also happened to be our 21st wedding anniversary! After taking Paco for a walk to tire him out, we headed out with George and did the Elk Knob Mountain hike. Its about 2 miles straight up but it didn't take long to get to the top. This is one of the few over 5000 footers in the area. The other is Snake Mountain which hosts some Golden-winged Warblers.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic6ogd4w1shmeDLyCiZVEImzlNDE6dMhlAwryYxXAdlFpLsDQEKcn04qbDlmMwm_Rmmqlp97EOgtn60bWIzjHHt9d98FhfEGp3Ce6JaSgXwJzxJf_gyb7ssAO8VGNtgOEZ4InIFaG0Rzb2MSsfM3XnTE7Ca0YB1Pvj1VLN8I5zPoUy1Prv5oGoQc3z7Izr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic6ogd4w1shmeDLyCiZVEImzlNDE6dMhlAwryYxXAdlFpLsDQEKcn04qbDlmMwm_Rmmqlp97EOgtn60bWIzjHHt9d98FhfEGp3Ce6JaSgXwJzxJf_gyb7ssAO8VGNtgOEZ4InIFaG0Rzb2MSsfM3XnTE7Ca0YB1Pvj1VLN8I5zPoUy1Prv5oGoQc3z7Izr=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXBqE90CedvRgx-G7z8Xu7gEY5Igu9t9Z2iAbMTqwFYlN0uVfUNzyQAcAem59qpIevWMeOLuihp2b8-WggHysrj2GbxUzVg1vDSPIOiYoYZA-yhQFkAtSpvM9_dqnnx3hkQoMII1SjYFzyId4XDPkilBAXC4W_DdyC6wf75FZ8t1GFHCNLMiZvJNeHJ22P" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXBqE90CedvRgx-G7z8Xu7gEY5Igu9t9Z2iAbMTqwFYlN0uVfUNzyQAcAem59qpIevWMeOLuihp2b8-WggHysrj2GbxUzVg1vDSPIOiYoYZA-yhQFkAtSpvM9_dqnnx3hkQoMII1SjYFzyId4XDPkilBAXC4W_DdyC6wf75FZ8t1GFHCNLMiZvJNeHJ22P" width="360" /></a></div><br />21 years of marriage and we are still going strong. I didn't bring my camera this time and it was really much easier to hike and I kept up no problem despite Melissa and George's fast pace.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFfyIM1gGSBg4FDuk1nJkR12ivWB1mynKYnwW8W9IYmXDdN_9eJoxokfz09D10oFyDQFu-N5mkS-ZDd4MN8nU0K9-5aC1tha2MM3cUWaS6hqCpP2SHeZMlamQTTp8xhuJuhI6Ni7d3dFrlmmZdDpChm-WGup_0YMz_4EVMdMHwUp7tNPxXVxIygkbTdAFm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFfyIM1gGSBg4FDuk1nJkR12ivWB1mynKYnwW8W9IYmXDdN_9eJoxokfz09D10oFyDQFu-N5mkS-ZDd4MN8nU0K9-5aC1tha2MM3cUWaS6hqCpP2SHeZMlamQTTp8xhuJuhI6Ni7d3dFrlmmZdDpChm-WGup_0YMz_4EVMdMHwUp7tNPxXVxIygkbTdAFm" width="640" /></a></div><br />Back down in the parking lot I noticed a Turkey trying to hide in the grass.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqdtCFVECMCuoXEbH0qKi7anWOTFmTwlV06L1KTkzWT-kzpqOPWFIl2qWAFWPQSDKsFz1fSaI_Jiov2kZj5eXGpcb-L5wrzcGYQ8DdrzZVkEhAUJ9gbfdLvOU-py_mo5ar6o76UG-pcGG0gu5IinWBLGaMFg-noXy8o7buHPwjYrUjsTwrgP49Ih-Sy5wa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqdtCFVECMCuoXEbH0qKi7anWOTFmTwlV06L1KTkzWT-kzpqOPWFIl2qWAFWPQSDKsFz1fSaI_Jiov2kZj5eXGpcb-L5wrzcGYQ8DdrzZVkEhAUJ9gbfdLvOU-py_mo5ar6o76UG-pcGG0gu5IinWBLGaMFg-noXy8o7buHPwjYrUjsTwrgP49Ih-Sy5wa" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBm5TX7w_CiYZ1FCuogccJYRFyxD65BodDUfMGdW_SVL6oR7BW13NP1xbOIxutkuS5_lv6zp9NBrPnCzJ0O7JyHFPiwFcs6m8xMffNWPbNAS3qTdZ66TbLd8M18n28a4Wrp9YPYSozuhFQlmLMz3WI3vM-8MV6W-vDU73hOgMngbEkXiY10vJAHOi41zPC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4154" data-original-width="6055" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBm5TX7w_CiYZ1FCuogccJYRFyxD65BodDUfMGdW_SVL6oR7BW13NP1xbOIxutkuS5_lv6zp9NBrPnCzJ0O7JyHFPiwFcs6m8xMffNWPbNAS3qTdZ66TbLd8M18n28a4Wrp9YPYSozuhFQlmLMz3WI3vM-8MV6W-vDU73hOgMngbEkXiY10vJAHOi41zPC=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP14UhxM-hDBa7CyufiHMzrp_HSmxVTt8nALbkFiMQNGjuqkbau3gFEZVyofsFzv7iEWkUZb6tUJsVxH6trdH3vHmSruZXqgSUI7ds7P62q1uUhqe9tGU-b8sYHY3evVJC5gC3hhjdC3vS_XTPum3PYcj9es37d84_JpEFXyYoPeyDS6gf51WWYaOwUp3h" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3097" data-original-width="4866" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgP14UhxM-hDBa7CyufiHMzrp_HSmxVTt8nALbkFiMQNGjuqkbau3gFEZVyofsFzv7iEWkUZb6tUJsVxH6trdH3vHmSruZXqgSUI7ds7P62q1uUhqe9tGU-b8sYHY3evVJC5gC3hhjdC3vS_XTPum3PYcj9es37d84_JpEFXyYoPeyDS6gf51WWYaOwUp3h=w640-h408" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Field Sparrows breed up here.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL5dmDJnYDK6m_x60c_uA2PcvyZaOfbq6DECGxvRdg_00zaQj8YNGIaD36nricmSGT3gN4xg4vBnAdwvNMuMbDopcZEUTokeqDwqeKJEt0LrKhRebFMza7kAbIFVVrzljS9465Mq7-YIg4AnD6mPMmJWLElHPkng4sBLIJBwt0eX5zjm8spzpIQreJBk_W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3424" data-original-width="5546" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgL5dmDJnYDK6m_x60c_uA2PcvyZaOfbq6DECGxvRdg_00zaQj8YNGIaD36nricmSGT3gN4xg4vBnAdwvNMuMbDopcZEUTokeqDwqeKJEt0LrKhRebFMza7kAbIFVVrzljS9465Mq7-YIg4AnD6mPMmJWLElHPkng4sBLIJBwt0eX5zjm8spzpIQreJBk_W=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div><br />Dark-eyed Juncos too.</div><div><br /></div><div>We went back to let Paco out and then headed to the South Fork New River for a Innertubing adventure. The weather was a little iffy with possible thunderstorms and I had no idea if we would be jumping into the water so I didn't bring my phone and thus have no pics. It was a blast! We put in at the High Mountain Expeditions headquarters and floated for a couple hours on the New River. Perhaps because of the questionable weather, there were hardly any other people on the river and we had sections where we floated in complete silence.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9ZbW7mjAaHECTFR-czLOK77iZDDa4B2leSg3W6wQSdX9A143Xws5Oq5SB76QdCfOoNKD33GpdZsot-8DBZNpEdJXYoAi0Ab1D4XOS59oTX7rdGiNqyTFwbNBztA7BJX_JCTQ-HwS6uL3ZSomQCQ3THvuNZuaFV8Cq7mU91SBydACN6G2qtOJp8ZV3PBIH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9ZbW7mjAaHECTFR-czLOK77iZDDa4B2leSg3W6wQSdX9A143Xws5Oq5SB76QdCfOoNKD33GpdZsot-8DBZNpEdJXYoAi0Ab1D4XOS59oTX7rdGiNqyTFwbNBztA7BJX_JCTQ-HwS6uL3ZSomQCQ3THvuNZuaFV8Cq7mU91SBydACN6G2qtOJp8ZV3PBIH=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Not my photo but you get the idea. They pick you up two miles downstream and bring you back to your car.</div><div><br /></div><div>For dinner we went to an awesome restaurant called Craft Bistro in West Jefferson.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMFeuwWn_LBruEnDlD6nlKxd2k5SxvlxPZj9CT88A-isZk9nScXPdo60UARt7rA0FIL2qS992xU9y4Q-IBx4Wevd4wJ4s0kLkgvcDyNhoCnfxt-wcXOEta9cU9k82SKDXJEjouiMlwqCnC0vWMxyg9ELbulibOdRpIB8SPXbEZg_ty9jB-PTjc6Alq1e6C" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4996" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMFeuwWn_LBruEnDlD6nlKxd2k5SxvlxPZj9CT88A-isZk9nScXPdo60UARt7rA0FIL2qS992xU9y4Q-IBx4Wevd4wJ4s0kLkgvcDyNhoCnfxt-wcXOEta9cU9k82SKDXJEjouiMlwqCnC0vWMxyg9ELbulibOdRpIB8SPXbEZg_ty9jB-PTjc6Alq1e6C" width="640" /></a></div><br />Saturday morning we set off home early but I walked Paco one more time and saw some of the locals - Hooded Warbler Male.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjosjxBp3TqRPbbOK6kz5xobHoWmpoRdCpAp-sGl0nWv0Ty9LdzorMr3Y_itBi4HHuIpcEu1vF3_GvLiSNSp6eI1ewPTVlP91P_44_n-9TWFHxYDeOCNfLwladPpy18MGsL-v8-yIDCrP3TZHh45CBwWLtlhyTfX7cMzJSaBAHkziRqsml7q1oB6CW6pa-S" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjosjxBp3TqRPbbOK6kz5xobHoWmpoRdCpAp-sGl0nWv0Ty9LdzorMr3Y_itBi4HHuIpcEu1vF3_GvLiSNSp6eI1ewPTVlP91P_44_n-9TWFHxYDeOCNfLwladPpy18MGsL-v8-yIDCrP3TZHh45CBwWLtlhyTfX7cMzJSaBAHkziRqsml7q1oB6CW6pa-S" width="640" /></a></div><br />Female</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixiuYRSYz00Ej-Sbtr5ns1bHz_TFAqdFCByRaJ4ZLDdXghNKa4unl0O_aJOBr3KD_ztP2XNq8JC43SH5jH_81VBJNXlc_mfMotzvLX1LKGJdZJkoKy4f8SK74PhRgTsXsRyH_yl8qge0tIj_WyxwK-kAwv7s870DHTcAvQc-gIcPclV3vlI4Kio2mlGrtV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2673" data-original-width="4152" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixiuYRSYz00Ej-Sbtr5ns1bHz_TFAqdFCByRaJ4ZLDdXghNKa4unl0O_aJOBr3KD_ztP2XNq8JC43SH5jH_81VBJNXlc_mfMotzvLX1LKGJdZJkoKy4f8SK74PhRgTsXsRyH_yl8qge0tIj_WyxwK-kAwv7s870DHTcAvQc-gIcPclV3vlI4Kio2mlGrtV=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></div><br />Northern Parula</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiU5_XF9j3VNGtoIocT2hPTmp6CUWay23yLBEAQZl1uRPLi-jA8ymz8iTT0A7CwddCwU_lNC8rWd6nL3b5_Wg7SI8nPfKeinbnse4gYOOyMpnDDq6YOs7r6bdaRQvQTIEXc7yUEPDZ6TI76CEQOsjYZWL2C50RqJMvGPCM07ZX50-eP9H7t2SPRud_OoryB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2380" data-original-width="3645" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiU5_XF9j3VNGtoIocT2hPTmp6CUWay23yLBEAQZl1uRPLi-jA8ymz8iTT0A7CwddCwU_lNC8rWd6nL3b5_Wg7SI8nPfKeinbnse4gYOOyMpnDDq6YOs7r6bdaRQvQTIEXc7yUEPDZ6TI76CEQOsjYZWL2C50RqJMvGPCM07ZX50-eP9H7t2SPRud_OoryB=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><br />Indigo Bunting.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our final stop on the way home was to Yadkin Memorial Park in you guessed it, Yadkin County!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOUZtJirY7dCjYwEEOiQoSHVpfscpWGCaQ-0wW_rwdWMcXByml5wO1e3J1cPVy6DXrkHfzSenF81228K1K2KHvsNJXbNhQaYAQrQbfPEE_OD9bMiMh32dQ6VuimY23UabuagcSRkaOcsZ5V-6oa_ecKQsQhgARnMKlU67rxcOsbHLeAEK8xS2VfDxxA-iQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2790" data-original-width="4197" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOUZtJirY7dCjYwEEOiQoSHVpfscpWGCaQ-0wW_rwdWMcXByml5wO1e3J1cPVy6DXrkHfzSenF81228K1K2KHvsNJXbNhQaYAQrQbfPEE_OD9bMiMh32dQ6VuimY23UabuagcSRkaOcsZ5V-6oa_ecKQsQhgARnMKlU67rxcOsbHLeAEK8xS2VfDxxA-iQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Halloween Pennant</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWv6xryzjPtS2NK3dyuL2fUyDfO8q6uQvx2ahRWfLmPR6zv-A2EIs7jNQ4Gg4GlOBPlMk-qC3rY0iH8WB39eM8vxFMbp2wudkEoQjn0rUktoxzBCBSJarG0dEd0O0MWhwzybgZmjkJP6jUBZq1F8hJGBX7oGVMoxAP_xVDGhB3tj_Wq19SGb4FEaBwi7Rl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2572" data-original-width="3888" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWv6xryzjPtS2NK3dyuL2fUyDfO8q6uQvx2ahRWfLmPR6zv-A2EIs7jNQ4Gg4GlOBPlMk-qC3rY0iH8WB39eM8vxFMbp2wudkEoQjn0rUktoxzBCBSJarG0dEd0O0MWhwzybgZmjkJP6jUBZq1F8hJGBX7oGVMoxAP_xVDGhB3tj_Wq19SGb4FEaBwi7Rl" width="640" /></a></div><br />Red-winged Blackbird</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv39U6z6x9O88jfj_oKHpM3kdNpeaYkhDVgEaWNl2YWV3m0NKbwybBt-y9vBgXTW2b2Ha5X_mkdasrafgxEQautZ5ERNBgJJn5-wT79diMC_gu2sbZbar8NS3E906MTGw_xp2xhT4h_Im4JeDT24cb6ES8Cru93KL9xQ0EjC22-AA3-k2_acYoUHK7gKcP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv39U6z6x9O88jfj_oKHpM3kdNpeaYkhDVgEaWNl2YWV3m0NKbwybBt-y9vBgXTW2b2Ha5X_mkdasrafgxEQautZ5ERNBgJJn5-wT79diMC_gu2sbZbar8NS3E906MTGw_xp2xhT4h_Im4JeDT24cb6ES8Cru93KL9xQ0EjC22-AA3-k2_acYoUHK7gKcP" width="640" /></a></div><br />Great Egret </div><div><br /></div><div>It was blazing hot and despite trying, I didn't get too many bird pics. However, it was a really nice park with tons of different habitats and I will be back.</div><div><br /></div><div>So where do I stand with my county effort? 54 down and 46 to go! I don't think I am going to make it but who knows, maybe I will step up my game later in the fall. I love going to the mountains in the fall and the migration might light a fire under me.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a review, this latest trip bagged me Mecklenburg, Gaston, Jackson, Macon, Clay, Cherokee, Graham, Burke and Wilkes Counties. So if I can do a couple more trips like that, I could make it happen.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOzgWXd1Kg4Bl78s24ziQTdRg7_zqGqlk9jdOk4ERWwXmdcp_f-kmGJyXB0cdA3Q9Cn3NnG_uQhSEjXjn8NDyy3CnkFfkTDAofYHFnNZ-XKsvaqt-eJtztlTX0cHQG3vquEGb4BcEBMaE-sEn8U5UBUres5cR3Xck1JqjwNQYzoAR4mAO6S_VCFXF4nnpa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1401" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOzgWXd1Kg4Bl78s24ziQTdRg7_zqGqlk9jdOk4ERWwXmdcp_f-kmGJyXB0cdA3Q9Cn3NnG_uQhSEjXjn8NDyy3CnkFfkTDAofYHFnNZ-XKsvaqt-eJtztlTX0cHQG3vquEGb4BcEBMaE-sEn8U5UBUres5cR3Xck1JqjwNQYzoAR4mAO6S_VCFXF4nnpa=w640-h356" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Larry Birds, just not too hard. He just doesn't have the same drive that Jamie has.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jamie Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02865386365395215583noreply@blogger.com0