When you participate in
WV's New River Birding and Nature Festival where every day holds so much to see, it is hard to pick any day in the field that is your favorite. Each day is packed with special memories.
Wild Geranium
But there were several birds on my last day at the festival (May 1st), plus some flowers and a special lunch spot, that made the Sugar Creek trip settle in my memory with special contentment. You couldn't ask for better.
On the
first day of the festival I learned a new bird song, "teacher, teacher, teacher", and it now rings in my head whenever I think of the Oven Bird (above and below). I became acquainted with this bird back in Tennessee at our Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge
banding station. But this day I enjoyed an exceptional look on territory. He landed on a limb and walked along its length just as if he were on the ground, then threw back his head and sang.
Further up the ridge, we stopped in an area that over-looked brushy habitat in search of a Kentucky Warbler. This is truly the first time I've ever looked down to find a warbler. As our guide and host Geoffrey Heeter commented, "How often do you get to see the color of the tops of their heads?!"
Kentucky Warbler
Geoff Heeter
There was reason to also scan the ground. It was still early spring in the higher elevations and the woods were peppered with early spring flowers. Below a Jack-in-the-Pulpit.
And right before taking our break for lunch, the song of a Swainson's Warbler, my second spectacular look at this illusive bird. This male perched on a limb nearby and continued to sing.
Our river-side lunch spot.
I could have spent the rest of the afternoon sitting here with a sketchbook.
The best news about the New River Birding and Nature festival, it happens every year! Mark these dates on your calendar for next year--May 2-7, 2011
Links:
To see all my posts on the New River Birding and Nature Festival click
here.
Coming up: A June Slice of Florida's Space Coast
