Great Backyard Birdcount-Day of Mishaps

It was one of the those days that I am sure many birders have (please tell me it's not just me). I started off very enthusiastic to start my third day of birding for science and had all of my spots planned. The first stop was Downtown Worcester, to be able to record at least one falcon for the count. Sure enough there it was at 7:15AM on top of the Unum building. I jumped out of my car and ran up to a parking garage on the top level to try and get a decent photo. Despite the height advantage, the photo came out lousy and not worthy enough to post.

Next, it was onto Institute Park in Worcester in hopes of spotting and photographing the pair of mute swans I had seen there previously. I was very excited to see them after reading Chuck Tague's wonderful article on birding courtship and mute swans in particular. After wobbling and slipping on the still existent ice, I got to my spot to only see one. I grabbed my binoculars trying to locate the other but it wasn't there. Hmmmmm. Perhaps a lovers quarrel??? Anyhow, I was able to get a couple of pictures of the one that was there. Lighting was terrible so the picture came out kind of dull.

I then proceeded to Hope and Notre Dame cemeteries which were both devoid of birds that I could see. I could hear them allright, but couldn't find any.

Hoping for better luck in Millbury, I went to the bike path which was again pretty quiet. I did see quite a few hooded mergensers, including the two in the photo above. I wish the photo came out better, but the sun was too bright. Does anyone have any tips on how to photograph birds in water on sunny days. The glare makes all of my photos too bright and adjusting on Picassa does nothing to help. I love how the mergenser on the right has its mouth open. Such pretty birds!

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't include my weekly obligatory picture of a crow stalking a hawk. I love how these two are in sync with one another. Kind of like Dancing with the Stars for birds!

I made a big boo boo with the gull above. You see, I knew this gull had to be unique because it was all by itself and not obnoxious. I took about 15 photos and this is the best one!!! That awful sun glare again........Anyhow, I was uploading my bird count data and was using my Peterson's Bird Guide to identify this one. On the bottom of the page is a photo of the Lesser Black Backed Gull and the Great Black Backed Gull. They are directly side by side and I only saw the text for the Lesser Black, so that's what I entered. It is indeed a Great Black Backed Gull. I feel terrible for submitting bogus info especially because according to Peterson, the gull is rather rare. I pray that a bunch of local birders don't see this and run to Millbury in hopes of seeing it, because of some newbie who can't get her birds right. Sigh, next time I will pay better attention to my field guide. Lesson learned.

Now onto the biggest mishap of the day, (as if it can't get any worse).........I went to the local cemetery in hopes of seeing a golden crowned kinglet and was trying to locate a nuthatch on a tree trunk when all of a sudden, I could see the heron out of the corner of my eye. It appeared to be down the river some on the other side. I squinted my eyes, but it was no use because it was too far away. I reached for my binoculars and I forgot them in the car (doh). I grabbed my camera to zoom in as much as I could when I realized that this was not a Great-blue Heron, but a Great Egret!! HA, this is fantastic I think to myself as I try and figure out a way I can take a good picture, despite the distance.

There is no use trying to get a photo this far away, so I decide to go into the unfamiliar woods to get a little closer. At first it's easy going until I get to a part with nothing but bushes and bramble. I mazed my way through the brush when I could finally see some bare land and the water to the river. I approached the clearing when suddenly my front tooth crown fell off of my tooth and into my mouth. You see I thought I could feel a hairline crack in one of the crowns last week but wasn't sure so I have put off calling my dentist because I fear him more than I do the IRS.

I am mortified at this point obviously and I take the crown out of my mouth and examine it. I then run my tongue across my front tooth and I can feel this jagged piece of my existing tooth against it. Hmmmmmm.........What to do-what to do. Well, I think to myself, the dentist isn't open today and I am so close to that egret, that I will just put the crown carefully into my pocket and take the picture. I know I look downright frightening at this point and I hope that no one else is in the woods forraging for mushrooms because one look at me would scare them for sure. I look like I live in the woods with my jagged front tooth, honking down coat with its mismatched knit hat.

I finally get to a decent spot to photograph and am shocked that the egret hasn't moved an inch. HA, I like this bird much more than I do the heron because it isn't' as skittish..... Brave in my discovery I inch up as close as I can and am embarrassed to discover that this isn't an egret!!! It's not even a bird!!!!!!! It's a frozen snow bank that is shaped like an egret!!!! Newbie, Newbie, Newbie, Newbie!!! I should have just stayed home today and read my field guide more and none of this would have happened. I would still have my front tooth and Audubon wouldn't think that a scarce seagull was living in the town of Millbury!!

Anyhow, I was able to put the crown back in my mouth temporarily. It actually snapped right onto the other 1/2 a crown that is still there like a puzzle piece. I will call the dentist tomorrow and put this traumatic episode behind me.

The highlight of the day was the turkey vulture I photographed at the bike path. This was the closest the turkey vulture has ever come to me and I got a great picture. A man was walking along the path and he looked up at it in total surprise. He saw me taking its photo and asked what it was. I was not only able to tell him the bird, but also answer all of the other questions he had. He walked away impressed with both the bird and my knowledge. I guess this newbie still has a lot to learn, but has come a long way since last May.

Happy Birding everyone!