Dusting off the Digi-gear

This morning I spent 3 hours birding along the Pheasant Branch stream corridor under sunny skies but slightly cooler temperatures. I saw my first Eastern Phoebe of the year, and while it appeared to be finding insects, a nearby Cooper's Hawk seemed interested in watching the somewhat sluggish phoebe.



I found four Carolina Wrens, but they were not very cooperative photographic subjects. However, they were a joy to listen to perched atop the tallest trees and belting out their trademark “tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea-kettle” song. White-breasted Nuthatches were everywhere and are always more accommodating to nature photographers:



This American Robin hopped down to the stream bank to refresh itself:





Here are all the bird species I observed this morning:

Canada Goose

Mallard

Hooded Merganser

Woodduck

Cooper's Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

Sandhill Crane

Killdeer

Mourning Dove

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

Eastern Phoebe

Blue Jay

American Crow

Black-capped Chickadee

Tufted Titmouse

Red-breasted Nuthatch

White-breasted Nuthatch

Carolina Wren

Eastern Bluebird

American Robin

European Starling

Cedar Waxwing

American Tree Sparrow

Fox Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Dark-eyed Junco

Northern Cardinal

Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

House Finch

American Goldfinch

House Sparrow

It's a long story, but when I got back to my car I found a handwritten note on my windshield:

I'm the lady w/dog that was screaming at you at the Pheasant Branch Co. Park. I am very, very sorry for my behavior. I was hoping I would get a chance to apologize.

Sincerely,

Mary

p.s. I hope you can forgive me.

No worries, Mary!

All images © 2007 Mike McDowell