Countup to 100! The number is 90!

This past weekend was outstanding! Sun+Spring+Lots of Trees=BIRDS EVERYWHERE! This past Sunday was actually the busiest birding day I have had since I have been listing. As fast as I was able to identify one bird, another would pop up to draw my attention - what could be better, I was out of my mind with joy!

The new additions to my list were: Magnolia Warbler (BEAUTIFUL), Northern Parula, Rose-breasted Grosebeak, Palm Warbler, House Wren, Swainson's Thrush, Warbling Vireo, Swamp Sparrow, and Gray Catbird! Of all of the birds I saw, the only one that would be still long enough for me to take a photograph was this Mallard - always dependable!

83 Baby!

It's getting' bad, I am REALLY wanting to hit that 100 mark! To celebrate my forthcoming accomplishment, I even ordered myself a "100" pin! I really want to officially add this pin to some part of my birding gear!

This weekend I was able to add some pretty neat birds to my list... Chipping Sparrow, Black-throated Green Warbler, Pine Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Blue-gray knatcatcher, and Tree Swallow.

The weather was cloudy but nice. Today, the local Amos Butler Audubon crew had a luncheon in memory of Bud Starling - whom which I never had the privilege to meet, however, the stories that were shared today made me feel like I have know him for years. It was nice to hear so many wonderful stories from so many people and how he impacted them in their hobby of birdwatching! No doubt Bud was a pioneer! I heard Warbler season was his favorite so it was nice that we were able to spot so many Warblers on the hike today - in his honor!

A Troubled Day Gone Good! 77!

What can make a bad day better? Simple. Birding! On April 8, I had a morning that was so depressing at work that I refuse to even attempt to describe it in words! However, after the worst meeting I have ever had I decided to take the afternoon off and go Birding - the best way I know to take my mind off of anything that may be bothering me at the time. Long story short, my day was instantly better when I was able to add 3 more birds! Among many other birds that I was able to see this day, my highlight was spotting a Brown Creeper, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a pair of Northern Shovelers!

The day prior, a good day all day, I took a small group of Co-workers out with me to a small park to do a mini birding adventure and was amazed at what I was able to add to my life list in just a short period of time. The first highlight was a pair of Great-horned Owls that were in plain view for everyone to easily see! Then we saw an Eastern Towhee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and finally, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker! The short trail took us about 45 minutes to walk but paid off huge for all of us. Does it get any better?

Eastern Phoebe makes 70!

A beautiful weekend in Indiana, sunny and warm in the mid 60's F.

Saturday, we spent the day both picking up trash and birding near the water at Eagle Creek Park. Good News and Bad News! The Bad News - we picked up a TON of trash and plenty still remains. How sad it is that the same people who enjoy the park also so freely leave their garbage behind to destroy it!

OK, now the Good News! Saturday, while surveying the water (I love my new scope) I saw my first Blue-winged Teal, several actually! I also saw several Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Pie-billed Grebes, American Coots, and Red-breasted Mergansers.

Today, Sunday, my day was complete when I spotted an Eastern Phoebe - my 70th life bird! Now... on to 80!

The Number is Growing! Now, 68!

Despite a rainy morning and a long walk, I was rewarded to spot my first Golden-crowned Kinglet as I was hiking with the local Audubon group! A gorgeous bird that waited very patiently about 10 feet from the group so that everyone could take a look. After becoming discouraged that others had earlier saw a lot more birds than I did, I extended my day to look for more. My efforts paid off when I spotted my first Bonaparte's Gull, Horned Grebe, Pie-billed Grebe, and Field Sparrow. I can't wait until next week!

Costa Rica! Here I come!

I'm booked! It's official! I, along with two of my best friends will be heading out to the Guanacaste area in Costa Rica during the first week of June! I am absolutely beside myself with excitement and am not sure June can get here fast enough! This will be my first official trip outside of the United States for the primary purpose of Birding!!! Wow!

Has anyone ever been to this area? If so, suggestions on birding spots will be greatly appreciated.

My Easter Gift? Three more Lifers! 63!

Could a day get any better? My family and I went to Mass, Celebrated the Resurrection, ate lunch out (my kids behaved perfectly!) AND, I was able to get and hour in at Eagle Creek with two of my kids and my dear, dear friend, Mr. Vortex Scope! I was instantly gratified to see birds all over the water and immediately started huffing and puffing trying to get my scope set up before a single bird flew away - none did. Most were American Coots, but just as I expected there were several other notables mingling with the group, including: American Wigeons, Gadwalls, Green-winged Teal, Mallards, Canada Geese, Hooded Mergansers, and Red-breasted Mergansers. We then walked to look at the feeders and there it was - a single Pine Siskin waiting patiently to be added to my life list!

We walked to the next observation pavilion and there they were, another group of blessings - Common Loons! Beautiful Common Loons, swimming in plain view as if they had nothing better to do than pose as models for my Vortex! Lifers!

Oh yeah, and how can I forget about yesterday at the Mississinewa Reservoir? My first Double-crested Cormorants mingling with a large group of Ring-necked Ducks! I was also able to witness a very large group of Eastern Bluebirds that made me almost cry that I didn't have a camera, there was blue everywhere - I mean everywhere! Absolutely amazing!

How blessed we are to have such beautiful creatures all around us!