It was one of those mornings when I just knew I would be better off staying indoors.
But, instead of paying attention to my better judgment, I just had to grab binoculars and take off for the woods.
The rain had slowed to between a drizzle and a mist, just enough that binoculars had to be protected.
Gray clouds scuttled overhead, so light conditions were not the greatest for watching birds.
On the plus side, except for rain-drops spattering on leaves and drip-drip-dripping from the foliage, the woodland was still, no one else rambling around.
If you haven't walked in the forest when it's moist from a recent shower, you should try it.
Often when the rain is over, or nearly so, there arises a foggy or misty vapor that lends the woods a surreal, almost ghostly appearance.
It creates a distinctive and different atmosphere, a nice serene experience.
Sounds in the forest seem to magnify when the woods is damp.
A plus for me, since I suspected this bird walk would be 75% audio, and 25% visual.
I delight in the challenge of identifying birds by songs and calls though, so I thumbed my nose at the less than favorable light conditions and walked on.
The rain-dampened leaves allowed my feet to fall soft upon the trail, thus my passage was quiet.
This is an important consideration on a rainy day because normally foot steps and walking noises loom large and carry far, inside the woods.
Too much noise warns the birds of your approach and spells disappointment in numbers observed.
As my ears grew accustomed to the stillness, I began to hear a few rustles in the undergrowth.
The movements were much too rapid and sustained to be made by birds, so I was not surprised when a couple chipmunks tore across the path in front of me.
As they lunged under the bushes, they startled a Northern Cardinal who hopped up into the thicket.
I stood quietly as the bird flew to perch on a top branch, flicking moisture from his wings.
He began preening his feathers and though his cone-shaped bill seems awkward in appearance, it proved a very satisfactory tool and soon his feathers were slick and smooth.
His brilliant red plumage made a handsome showing, as viewed through the misty air.
His suet-black face stood out in bold contrast to the clear red crest rising above his bill.
If you live in the southwest, you may be more familiar with the Pyrrhuloxia, (Cardinalis sinualus), who is kin to the Northern Cardinal, (Cardinalis cardinalis).
The two species bear a resemblance, sharing lofty crests, heavy conical bills, and the same general shape and size.
The male Northern Cardinal is clear, bright red and the female buffy to olive, tinged with red on crest, wings and tail.
The Pyrrhuloxia is an over-all gray bird with red on face, crest, wings and tail, while the female wears little or no red color.
Whichever species you are apt to see on your bird walks, he or she will be fun to observe in the rain.
A bit further down the path, I noticed an eruption of activity.
Drawing closer, I identified a couple Gray Catbirds scavenging for insects.
They appeared to be playing a waiting game by taking turns feeding.
One catbird would dash out, search the ground for a moment, discover and pluck up an insect, then fly back into the bushes.
Once the coast was clear, the other catbird performed the same exercise.
Hmm, thinking back I realize I assumed there were only two birds.
In retrospect, and considering they all look alike, could there have been three, or four even?I wish I'd been more observant! As expected, I identified a lot more bird species by ear than by sight this morning.
Blue Jays were amassed somewhere in the woods.
Over and over I heard 'Thief!Thief!' and their typical squeaky gate calls.
They were repeated at some intervals of time, but pretty consistent.
Downy Woodpeckers were giving their insistent little 'peek' calls, Red-bellied Woodpeckers were chortling, and a fair number of American Robins could be heard doing their 'whinney' calls.
Several times during my walk, I heard Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice.
At long last they came in close, feeding low enough that I could see them as they dashed and darted through the leaves,excitedly mixing 'chick-a-dee-dee-dee's with 'peter, peter, peter's'.
I don't know about you, but I think the chickadees, titmice and nuthatches are worth their weight in gold.
They never fail to perk up ones spirits.
Don't you just love 'em? The remainder of my walk was mostly reruns of earlier sightings, although I did get binoculars on robins and a couple woodpeckers, before my walk was finished.
All in all, I was glad I had ignored my better judgment and ventured out into the rain this morning.
It was a good birding day.
ANY DAY THAT INCLUDES BIRD WATCHING IS A GOOD DAY, or at least that's my frame of mind!
But, instead of paying attention to my better judgment, I just had to grab binoculars and take off for the woods.
The rain had slowed to between a drizzle and a mist, just enough that binoculars had to be protected.
Gray clouds scuttled overhead, so light conditions were not the greatest for watching birds.
On the plus side, except for rain-drops spattering on leaves and drip-drip-dripping from the foliage, the woodland was still, no one else rambling around.
If you haven't walked in the forest when it's moist from a recent shower, you should try it.
Often when the rain is over, or nearly so, there arises a foggy or misty vapor that lends the woods a surreal, almost ghostly appearance.
It creates a distinctive and different atmosphere, a nice serene experience.
Sounds in the forest seem to magnify when the woods is damp.
A plus for me, since I suspected this bird walk would be 75% audio, and 25% visual.
I delight in the challenge of identifying birds by songs and calls though, so I thumbed my nose at the less than favorable light conditions and walked on.
The rain-dampened leaves allowed my feet to fall soft upon the trail, thus my passage was quiet.
This is an important consideration on a rainy day because normally foot steps and walking noises loom large and carry far, inside the woods.
Too much noise warns the birds of your approach and spells disappointment in numbers observed.
As my ears grew accustomed to the stillness, I began to hear a few rustles in the undergrowth.
The movements were much too rapid and sustained to be made by birds, so I was not surprised when a couple chipmunks tore across the path in front of me.
As they lunged under the bushes, they startled a Northern Cardinal who hopped up into the thicket.
I stood quietly as the bird flew to perch on a top branch, flicking moisture from his wings.
He began preening his feathers and though his cone-shaped bill seems awkward in appearance, it proved a very satisfactory tool and soon his feathers were slick and smooth.
His brilliant red plumage made a handsome showing, as viewed through the misty air.
His suet-black face stood out in bold contrast to the clear red crest rising above his bill.
If you live in the southwest, you may be more familiar with the Pyrrhuloxia, (Cardinalis sinualus), who is kin to the Northern Cardinal, (Cardinalis cardinalis).
The two species bear a resemblance, sharing lofty crests, heavy conical bills, and the same general shape and size.
The male Northern Cardinal is clear, bright red and the female buffy to olive, tinged with red on crest, wings and tail.
The Pyrrhuloxia is an over-all gray bird with red on face, crest, wings and tail, while the female wears little or no red color.
Whichever species you are apt to see on your bird walks, he or she will be fun to observe in the rain.
A bit further down the path, I noticed an eruption of activity.
Drawing closer, I identified a couple Gray Catbirds scavenging for insects.
They appeared to be playing a waiting game by taking turns feeding.
One catbird would dash out, search the ground for a moment, discover and pluck up an insect, then fly back into the bushes.
Once the coast was clear, the other catbird performed the same exercise.
Hmm, thinking back I realize I assumed there were only two birds.
In retrospect, and considering they all look alike, could there have been three, or four even?I wish I'd been more observant! As expected, I identified a lot more bird species by ear than by sight this morning.
Blue Jays were amassed somewhere in the woods.
Over and over I heard 'Thief!Thief!' and their typical squeaky gate calls.
They were repeated at some intervals of time, but pretty consistent.
Downy Woodpeckers were giving their insistent little 'peek' calls, Red-bellied Woodpeckers were chortling, and a fair number of American Robins could be heard doing their 'whinney' calls.
Several times during my walk, I heard Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice.
At long last they came in close, feeding low enough that I could see them as they dashed and darted through the leaves,excitedly mixing 'chick-a-dee-dee-dee's with 'peter, peter, peter's'.
I don't know about you, but I think the chickadees, titmice and nuthatches are worth their weight in gold.
They never fail to perk up ones spirits.
Don't you just love 'em? The remainder of my walk was mostly reruns of earlier sightings, although I did get binoculars on robins and a couple woodpeckers, before my walk was finished.
All in all, I was glad I had ignored my better judgment and ventured out into the rain this morning.
It was a good birding day.
ANY DAY THAT INCLUDES BIRD WATCHING IS A GOOD DAY, or at least that's my frame of mind!