Sunday, November 29, 2009

A Bad Day Birding! Never!

I had a very late start this morning but after a LONG last week preparing for the busy holiday season at work, I was ready to get out do at least a little birding. I needed it! Between work and the seemingly never-ending challenges that my teenager continues to put me through - stress relief couldn't come fast enough. As always, birding was just what the doctor ordered. At least for a little while.

American Goldfinch... Southwestway Park, Indianapolis, IN. If this was the only bird you saw during a day of birding... how could you be upset?
I don't believe there is a such things as a bad day of birding. To me, just having the ability to get outside to "bird" is wonderful! Birding allows me to get outside and forget about everything else that is going on in life. Most importantly, the stressful things in life that need to be released.
Today was one of those days that many would consider a bad day of birding. I saw a whole 10 species. Only 10. I was told by a couple of friends upon entering my first location that I wouldn't see anything and they absolutely correct - not a thing. I arrived at my next location to find the exact same thing. Hmm. From there, I went to Southwestway, a park very close to my home. I walked an entire trail and did not see one bird?? Finally, I came upon a spot near the mouth of the trail - a honey hole! At this one spot, after a morning of nothing, I found the birds. At this one spot there were 10 species that included: Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Downy Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Pigeon, and American Goldfinch.
Jackpot!... Southwestway, Indianapolis, IN. The highlight of my morning was this flock of American Goldfinches. This may not seem like a highlight to many or even a bird worth seeing but to me, a flock of this beautiful bird is like hitting a gold mine! There could always be an alternative... somebody could decide to tear this shrub down and this flock of Goldfinches could have never landed in it!?!!
There is really no such thing as a bad day of birding! Unless your not really a birder!

1 comment:

Kelly said...

...they do look sweet tucked up in that bush! I love stumbling across a flock of goldfinches too. That faint yellow is beautiful in the winter...and their call is just as cheery! Glad you were able to get out and see these cuties.

Indiana State Bird

Indiana State Bird
Northern Cardinal