We've reached the point of summer when Sylvia, Dottie and I return to the Pheasant Branch stream corridor in hopes of finding early southbound warblers. The morning was picturesque with the sun's rays illuminating the dense foliage of the canopy. We found many of resident species like Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Carolina Wren, Gray Catbird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Belted Kingfisher, but nothing we could definitively say was a migrating bird from the north. It didn't really matter. The scenery and cool air made for a wonderful walk through the woods. Too bad there were so many freak'n mosquitoes!
We probably won't spend much time on the north side of Pheasant Branch until the boreal sparrows return late September. Its summer splendor is already beginning to fade, but memories remain most vivid. So many winged jewels were admired against this beautiful backdrop. Though their northern cousins are on their way, we already begin to await the return of those who have recently departed this magnificent place; we miss it for them - the glorious feathered beings whose home this wonderful place is.
PBC images © 2008 Mike McDowell