Closeup's of one of the Juvenile Downtown Worcester Peregrine Falcon's 2013

I'd be in number hell at work a little after lunch today with a bad case of eye strain so I'd be more than happy to see Tim from building management appear at my door to tell me one of the juvenile Peregrine Falcon's was on top of our building.  It would be then I'd remember I forgot my camera so grabbed my Droid hoping for the best!

He'd look at us with I believe the sweetest face I think I've ever seen on a falcon before (I know I say that every year but this time I'm serious!).  He didn't squack, or move or even look nervous but rather look at us in a deep way to try and figure out just what the hell we were!

After studying these birds over the years-each and every one has their personalities and of all the falcon's I've seen so far this one would major in philosophy at Oxford University as he seemed so deep which made me a tad uncomfortable as I thought he may be sick or something.  Where was the squacking, the glaring and all the other things these birds are known to do?

He even looked at his foot as if he were trying to philosophize it!

And us too for that matter!

Teasing me as he knew I didn't have my camera and am awful taking pictures with my Droid with no glasses on as I can't see what I'm photographing and was zoomed in too close as you can see!

Despite the disadvantage I managed some half way decent shots!  Once again look at the deep thought going on in his eyes.  I'm a sucker for brainiac's-Swoon!

Last one just as he was thinking of fleeing the stalker!  The highlight of my month so far.  Work's been so crazy I'm lucky to be able to eat lunch so getting out has been close to impossible so this made up for it.  Do wonder where the female is though, but glad I saw him.  Also on the 23rd floor which made for better photos and a perfect break for my eye strain!

Take care all.

If you can't beat em....Join em

The long days of summer are here and with that comes an overall lack of motivation to bird.  It's not as much to do with the lack of birds but rather the extreme humidity and bugs that go with it keeping me close to home just like winter as I'm as fond of the oppressive heat as I am the extreme cold and realize by now it's my normal pattern.  Plus living near the center of town in Millbury this time of the year can be rather hectic with the carnival and fireworks which usually causes more stress than it should with traffic and noise pollution so am always happy the 5th of July when my street goes back to normal and the carnies move on.  This year I'd try a different approach though as I get sick of being the town hermit so figured I'd try and live like the other 95% of the population and use this as a time to have fun, enjoy the chaos and yes- be social....Gulp.

So with that came nice cold beer as it goes hand and hand with hazy, hot and humid so would stop at the packie when I got out of work Wednesday to stock up on $30.00 worth of booze and another $50 on food!  I'd be okay with the beer as my body is used to it but my son and his girlfriend bought some fancy French vodka for strawberry daiquiris and I'd see my son trying to make them following the directions on the back of the daiquiri bottle and gasp as it was all wrong!!  My Martha Stewart instinct kicked in as I pushed him aside and told him he not only needed ice but the blender as well and got to work.  I'd taste the pre made drink mix and scowl as it was as thick as nyquil so would brush aside their suggestion of 1 part vodka to 2 parts mix and do my own calculation which would be as follows:  2 parts daiquiri mix to 3 parts ice to 1.5 parts of the fancy French vodka.  Put it in the blender, watch it mix for a bit and hope for the best.  I'd grab a small jelly glass and pour some of it in for a sample as my son and his girlfriend eagerly watched to make sure I didn't mess up their drink I demanded to make!  Sip....Hmmm......Sip.....Sip....."I think it's pretty good" I'd say as I gave them the other two sips and proceeded to grab myself a bigger glass and pour more of it in and it would be just in time for the fire works!!!  I'd then run to the bathroom, grab two small pieces of toilet paper to stick in my ears (yes I'm that neurotic about retaining my middle aged hearing ability)-and off we'd go!

Everyone would be on blankets or chairs but I'd plop myself right on my freshly mowed grass (thanks to Nori) and watch the energy of the crowds waiting for the show to begin.  Screaming children running around my yard with those light up florescent sticks (must be part of Tim's crew), a big pick up truck going by with two honkin American flags attached to both sides and Charlie Daniel's crooning from the radio, and a couple holding hands with a woman sporting a very fashionable patriotic vest that was not only red,white and blue, but blinked as it was lit!!!  I'd watch her blink on by as I sipped my cocktail and wondered if it was chargeable or battery operated.  Whatever it was, I thought all of it was fantastic.  See Kim, I'd think to myself.   You can be social and interact with mugglers- all you need is vodka to do so......... The Curious Birder strikes another level of genius again!  The fireworks did turn out lovely though as the town made them extra special this year to celebrate their bicentennial so I took some video.

You will hear my son scream "Happy Birthday America" in an effort to get our neighbor Tim going which is what he does every time there are fireworks and he's had a few and sure enough it would work.  Tim and his family has been welcome to my yard every 4th for fireworks and he brings his whole crew (50-60 people on average)-so was glad I didn't do a vegetable garden this year as I'd be at full capacity!  After the fireworks we'd go inside to eat a late dinner and then head on over to Tim's for one of his famous bon fires and sure enough that baby would be smoldering and the yard hopping!

People would be everywhere with a new guitarist this time (the other one is in rehab) and he'd be playing Johnny Cash so between the vodka and him I'd happily plop myself on a chair and be sociable!!  In fact, so sociable I'd be there until 1AM with my sign to leave when a recently divorced man tried picking me up (pattern I'm trying to break) so off I went for some much needed shut eye considering I'm usually up by 5!  I'd make my way across the fence when I'd hear the sound I'd been hoping for from across the street.  The Killdeer who live there and the ones I worried about with the fire works and the crowds.  I'd consider going over there, but with the hour and nearby carnies quickly reconsider so just sat down and listened to them for a bit wishing I had my recorder nearby.  This is the first time I've had Killdeer living so close so I've been amazed at what little sleep they get as they call all hours of the night.

I'd get up a little after 8 and be slightly hungover but after some coffee i'd have enough energy to make some blackberry jam as I have absolutely no motivation for canning jam this summer but have to do at least one batch of this considering the berries are right from my yard.  It would give me time to nap and get ready for round two of the more fireworks.  Wooot!  Not!!  I'd still not feel 100% but did manage another one of those nifty frozen drinks and a couple of beers....Just to be social of course!!  I'd wake up Friday and it would be then my middle aged body would cry in protest of the two days of abuse I bestowed upon it so called in sick leaving a message for my boss telling him I felt as if I got hit by a truck and I wouldn't be lying!  I'd spend the entire day on the couch watching TV and trying to stay cool but it would be no use.

I'd wake up today feeling marginally better but still not my usual self but did manage to get outside to get some pictures of my flowers.  I have so many sunflowers this year from the spilled sunflower seed from my winter feeding and didn't weed them this time as I was curious how many I could get.  The American Goldfinches have already landed on them to test but have quickly left as there's no seed yet.  Love seeing these yellow birds eating from these yellow flowers.

Another favorite of the goldfinches the Black-eyed Susan's.  The finches actually nibble at the base of the petals and have been doing so the past couple of days which is so fun to watch.

The Bee Balm which is a favorite of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird which is now in my yard a few times a day to get the nectar.

And the phlox the Hummingbird Moth's love so much.  Have only seen one in my yard this year but other insects (especially the fireflies and dragonflies) are out in full force.

AWFUL photo of a juvenile Tufted Titmouse who absolutely loves my Mullberries.  Most have gone bad already but there are still many ready to eat and these birds seem to do just fine mixed in with the Baltimore Orioles and Cedar Waxwings.

And last, not much recording the past week but did want to share one with you which is the high pitched call of the American Robin.  I guarantee you've had this bird doing it in your yard before as have I but in the past I assumed it to be a Cedar Waxwing-but surprise, surprise it's a robin!

How cool is that!!  Now it's time to plop myself in front of the fan again.  The town is nice and quiet and I couldn't be happier.   I'll take birds to fireworks any day and right now the ones in my neighborhood are doing just fine.

Take care all

Bolton Flats and Wachusett Reservoir

It's starting to become that time of the year again.  When bird song and activity starts to cease with most birds busy breeding and also the time I notice house dust bunnies or pizza sauce stuck to the kitchen ceiling can no longer be tolerated and I resign myself to the fact I need to spend more time on the home front and less in the woods to get stuff done before fall migration!  So with that said, off I went to Bolton Flats for 5AM yesterday to do some early morning birding.  The skies would still be dark as I made my way to the parking lot and would realize that big honkin puddle in the beginning of the parking lot was still there so parked my car near the side of the road, rolled my pants into my boots and trudged through the puddle.  It would be so deep I'm keep my car in this area as there was no way my car would make it so trudged back through the puddle and into the main fields.  The flooding wouldn't be limited to the parking lot as there'd be water all along the main path but the sound of the pumping American Bittern and other birds made me forget it as I went about my way and swatted mosquitoes.

The large puddle and my car parked to the side.  Yes we've certainly gotten a lot of rain this year!  I'd get toward the end of the path and be thrilled to hear the bird I came specifically for which was the Marsh Wren and it would be nearby for some decent recordings!

My first recording.  You can't help but to hear the Wood Duck which cracks me up.  The Marsh Wren was in the same area as the duck and I believe I startled the duck considering how early and dark it still was.

My 2nd best recording and this time a pissed off Mallard in the back ground!  I have learned that the dawn chorus is my favorite time to bird, but you pay heavily for it with 3:00 wake up times but it's the price that must be paid!

And lastly, a recording of some Song Sparrows nearby who appeared to be in the midst of a bar room brawl.  It would start getting light and I'd see one sparrow duck into the thick shrubs with another diving into toward it and then all hell broke loose which you will hear in my recording (funny because you can hear one try and break out into song in the midst of it).  Not sure if the begging young I hear in the middle of the recording are Song Sparrows but if they area I'm thinking I may have witnessed a lovers quarrel of some sort as the task of rearing young must be taking its toll by now!  I'd keep my ears to the right of the path in hopes of hearing one of the Least Bitterns but by then the mosquitoes would be fierce as they bit any part of skin I neglected to get with bug spray so off I went to a place with less standing water which would mean less bugs!

Which would be Gate 28 of the Wachusett Reservoir.  The dawn chorus would be done by now but that didn't stop the many birds from singing and giving me glances here and there.

Including the lousy photo of the Pine Warbler above.  I made sure to get a record shot of the bird as it was singing a song I'd never quite heard from this bird in that it dropped during the last part of song (kind of like a Wilson's Warbler)

You can actually see the drop in song in the sonogram above.  My guess it was still early in the day and late in the season and the warbler was only doing a half assed attempt of defending it's territory just to remind Pete 6 pine trees away to not even think of it!

There'd be other warblers out and about including the Prairie above scoring itself some caterpillars.  I'd hear a dry, rapid chip note coming nearby and ID it in my mind as a Prairie so pished it for confirmation.





And was glad to see I was right for a change!  The most satisfying part of learning bird communication are chip notes and hoping it comes in handy for fall migration!

I'd hear a bird in full song and at first glance I thought it could be an Indigo Bunting with the repeated notes but it just didn't sit right with me as it was too musical.  It would have some short introductory notes so next on the list was Baltimore Oriole as I've heard them do that before and that didn't sit right either so decided to do some recording.

You can actually see the beginning notes I'm referring to in my sonogram above.  After recording the bird I'd do some pishing and it wouldn't show its face so thought of a genius idea which was to play back the birds song I just recorded as each bird has their own unique way of singing so was curious to see if the bird would wonder who the impostor was!

And sure enough it did as it would turn out to be this gorgeous male Orchard Oriole!  Seriously threw me for a loop as I always notice the drop in in this birds song and didn't hear it at first but you can see it in the sonogram.

Another lousy photo but thought it was funny as I got the dragon fly in it as well.  HA

There'd be other birds out and about including the recently fledged Eastern Towhee above.

And this bird where at first all I could see was its face and I thought a small falcon of some kind until it moved and be embarrassed to see it was a young American Robin!  Never noticed the facial marking on recently fledged robins before but will be sure to remember it now!

The Brown Thrashers would be out as well for a nice treat as it would be a first for me for the month of June.

Flying away.

So now I sit here in front of the computer trying to will myself to the mop.  I'm in good company though with the singing American Robins and Baltimore Orioles who are parked in my mullberry tree as well as the Killdeer across the street.  There will be no birding today as I have a date with some much neglected pizza sauce.

Take care all.

Caspian Tern-Big Chauncey, Westborough

I had a 1/2 day at work today due to an ongoing two day headache so planned on heading home for some R&R to make it go away.  I'd get home and see a post by Nick on the Facebook Central Mass Birders page of his father finding not one but TWO Caspian Terns at Big Chauncey Beach in Westborough so off I went to try for them as Justin still had them so it sounded as if they'd do me the honors of sticking around.  I'd find my way to the quiet part of Chauncey Beach (away from the swimmers) and would see three birds close by so get my bins on them and could see one of the Caspian's right away but wouldn't you know off they'd fly!

Despite that- I'd still manage a quick record shot of them both!  The left and right with the Ring-billed Gull in the middle.  I'd curse to myself and be grateful I was quick with the camera but so wanted nice looks of them calm and on land.  That wouldn't be the case though as they spent the rest of their time flying over the water.

And coming in close enough for some half attempted flight photos.  Based on the photo I'm guessing this is the 1st summer.

While I was disappointed of the flight looks only, it did allow me a good amount of time to watch the two of them way out in the middle of the pond flying around together so took the opportunity to drink it all in and learn their overall flight patters as this is often how one sees them so appreciated the practice to be on the lookout next time!  The picture above is a good demonstration of the bird in foraging mode with it's bill pointed downward.

Highlight would be seeing them dive down to the pond for prey and then bolt back into the air again which is a good thing to look for when you're observing white birds flying far out over water as it's not typical gull behavior so can help you pick out the outlier in the flock as they would be flying around with the gulls here and there too.

The adult.   Soon enough they'd fly out of view and toward Chauncey Lake where all the dog walkers go near the soccer field so I got into my car to head over there to try and find them.  I really wanted audio of these birds and figured that area would be ideal with no nearby traffic to mess up my recording.  I'd get there and scan the water with my bins and wouldn't you know the little buggers would land back on the beach over where I just was.  Since I was there I figured I'd spend some time looking around Big Chauncey and would see a very cooperative Great Blue Heron nearby.

I'd slowly approach it anticipating a fly off but the heron paid no attention to me and went about its business.

Which would be scoring itself some lunch!

We'd be on the same wave length as he stalked his prey and I stalked him and if I'm not mistaken I'd be mirroring his crouched body movement.  He'd take two steps and I'd follow suit and when he stopped, I'd stop-to take a couple of photos of course!

Making for some pretty nice photos for my camera which is a rarity lately.  It would also give me the chance to record more birds making me happy considering it was mid day and the star would be some young Yellow Warblers in a moving flock with their parents.

I've been very lucky this year with calling young which makes for some much needed audio that often gets under recorded in the bird audio world as they can be tough if you don't see them and no parents calling (not to mention they almost whisper) and it's no wonder they are often given second thought.

In summary, while I was driving home from getting an awesome county bird, I'd wonder why the Caspian Terns were seen this late in the season and according to Peter Dunne's Field Guide Companion (my bible), fall migration (for lack of a better word) can happen among these birds as early as late June!  So when you stop to think of it this is the first of the fall migrating birds.  How crazy is that and just shows how time does fly.

So all in all a perfect way to take a 1/2 a day and my headache is gone!  Guess all I needed was a little dose of birding.

Take care all.

Bush Whacking to Soule's Swamp-So That's where it is!

I'd head out this morning to do some birding and exploring with Alan so he could finally show me parts of Brierly I never manage to find myself with my tendency to get lost.  Alan like the true friend that he is would take pity on me and serve as my compass which is something I often need which is another reason why we make such a good birding team!

The first spot would be the real Shiner Hole and not the one that's on all the Internet maps as that's actually Soule's Pond but no one know's that but Alan and other locals so it's no wonder I was confused!  Shiner Hole would turn out to be this small pond of water-smack dab in the middle of the woods with some bush whacking required but would be in the same general area the heard (and the day after saw) Swainson's Thrush earlier this spring so now have a destination to go to next year when I try for that bird again.  Next up would be an obscure spot called Mud Hole which is shown in the first picture of my post.  Not much to look at considering it's hard to access with all of the over growth but I'd be thrilled to hear the Winter Wren in the area as I wanted Alan to know the spot considering he gets as excited about Millbury birds as I do.  We have this mission which is to find as many migrating and breeding birds as possible in and around town to avoid the chase up North we often partake in and after a few years of doing this we'd like to stay more local.  Plus it's always satisfying to know how many cool birds live in town and where to find them!

We'd finally make it to Soule's Pond and be very happy to know it is indeed the pond I've been going to all along.  Soule's Swamp was the other area I wanted to know how to get to and I'd realize I saw some of it yesterday so we stopped in the area briefly to see what was around.

The usuals would be about with a couple bonuses including the Great-crested Flycatcher above who was rather close which allowed for an attempted photo.  The other highlight would be hearing the Pileated Woodpecker I saw yesterday so guessing they are nesting nearby.

We'd make our way closer to the part of the swamp I had yet to see when we'd notice a bird land nearby and for the first time in a while, I'd be at a loss as to what it was.  Come to find out it would be a juvenile Brown-headed Cowbird which would be a fist for me believe it or not (that may actually be a good thing though considering how parasitic they are!).  The host parent would fly in briefly but the little bugger would be too quick for an ID but had the potential to be an Ovenbird or House Finch.

And then finally Soule's Swamp.  We'd have to bush whack something fierce to get here but it would be worth it with tons of cat tails and no phragmites around making for some pristine habitat.  We'd find a large rock nearby allowing us half way decent looks of the swamp but vegetation is so tall this spot is more birding by ear than eye so that's just what we did.  Many of the usuals would be singing as well as at least one pair of Swamp Sparrows making for a nice find with it being breeding season so guessing it's probable they are.  No other birds of note which is perplexing with the habitat and potential for Least Bittern and Marsh Wren as well as the Virginia Rail Alan has gotten here in seasons past so will have to make this a regular spot to keep our eyes out for anything new.

It would also be here that I'd finally try out my new bird recording device above.  Woot!  I'd be itching to try it the entire hike through Brierly, but birds didn't seem as vocal as yesterday and I'm now getting to the point where the birds heard were the birds I've recorded over and over again so using discretion as I don't want to spam Xeno-canto.  I'd want to record the Swamp Sparrow though but knew the audio would be awful due to how far out the bird was so be thrilled to have a Red-winged Blackbird calling nearby with the sparrow singing in the background


Notice I will not suggest you turn up your volume as the recording would come out perfect with no manipulation what so ever in my Audacity software so am very pleased with my investment!

I'd get home afterwards all eager to listen to the songs I recorded and be reminded of the big Bicentennial Parade going on in Millbury today as lawn chairs and shiny, happy people littered the sidewalk.  I'd think nothing of it until Alan dropped me off and would realize my street was one of the drop off points for all parade participants with my street in utter chaos as people rushed to get ready for the 1:00 kick off.  People would be running around with excited chatter as I sat near my computer trying to listen to begging calls of a Tufted Titmouse and would realize it was no use as one of the marching bands started their practice round right IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE!

I'd look out the window and see this which was my que to grab my cellphone, binoculars, camera and recorder and head for the safety of some local, walkable woods nearby as driving wasn't possible with most streets blocked off.  I'd hastily walk out of town while others waked toward it and I'd realize the older I get the more anti social I become.  Most people like parades but I'm not one who likes crowds (unless they're birds or birders on good birds) so off I went to join my own flock!

The woods looked so inviting once I entered them and figured the further I went the less the noise and instead of drums, I'd hear the call of blackbirds but after a 1/2 mile or so I'd realize it was impossible as all the bands were in full swing practicing their numbers before show time!  The whole reason why I went into the woods in the first place (besides to just get away) was to try out my new nifty recorder but no matter what I did, the drums would drone and can't have that noise in my Xeno-canto recordings obviously!

I would make one exception though as there was a bird far out near water making a song/call I'd never heard before and it would drive me crazy.  The bird was fairly far out but could pick up the overall tone of voice as well as the phonetics which would be something like "He He Where Where"

Recording above and and not only will you hear the call/song in question but one of the MANY marching bands I could never escape!

I'd post my recording on the Xeno-canto ID Forum and get a response back of it probably being a Baltimore Oriole and after hearing other oriole recordings I'm convinced that what it is so it was nice to learn something new.  The other cool thing I'd learn on Xeno-canto was with another mystery bird I had this past week that turned out to be a Wood Thrush.  See High Pitched Call Forum Discussion for my recording in question as well as the wealth of information provided by Xeno-canto members of the high pitched alarm call all thrushes have but would only be introduced to them this year.

Take care all.

Searching for Solitude

Work's been really tough on me this week and won't' go into much detail except to say when I get home my brain feels as if it's going to burst and so heavy simple things like putting away dishes and sweeping the floors are too taxing so spent most of my free time staring into space getting ready for the next day of hell.  Not to mention another hefty car bill (this time a broken strut that actually crumbled when my mechanic got it up in the lift meaning it's been like that for a long time-so glad I caught it in time), and I'd be one defeated puppy.  It would remind me how tough it is to be an adult sometimes as the weight of the world is on your shoulders and all you want to do is escape, but reality sets in and you know that you can't.

A walk in the woods is permitted though and I'd ask my youngest son if he wanted to join me and be thrilled when he said yes (the highlight of my week).  We'd head to Brierly and I'd give him the binoculars while I had the camera and I'd be shocked to hear him ID birds I couldn't see without the bins and sure enough he'd be right with even a Downy Woodpecker call, which goes to show all the birding I do rubs off on my kids without them even knowing.  The highlights for him would be the singing of the Winter Wren as well as the "Who cooks for you" of the Barred Owl and the Beaver above.  I'd hear it's alarm call as its tail hit the water and he'd look at me perplexed and I'd let him know it was the local beaver and we'd be thrilled to see it was close by.  My son was so excited he proceeded to take pictures and post them on Facebook so think I've found a new way of bonding with him.

This morning I'd do what I thought about all week, which was hit the South Main Power Lines before sunrise to catch the first of the summer dawn chorus.

Bird song has decreased dramatically since May migration-but the breeding birds would be out and singing including the Eastern Towhee above who'd be singing it's usual song but an un-standardized version so of  course I had to record it as part of my new hobby!

There'd be another 3 or so Towhees all in the same general location and all singing the same song so not sure if it's the dawn song or not, but it was interesting to say the least.

Dawn song of the Eastern Kingbird above.  It would still be dark out when I recorded this and the powerlines would be alive with the sound of birds and bullfrogs all around as well as a wonderful breeze to help wake me up.  I'd get there before sunrise and be surrounded by inky gray skies and all the stress from the past week would melt away and it would be then I'd realize why I love birds as much as I do.  Relationships with people and even pets can be so trying at times as one often feels as if they give more than they take, but with birds they ask nothing of you except to give them the space and respect they deserve.  When the world is too much to bear all I need to do is look out the window and nine times out of ten, I'll find a bird to watch and will feel better seconds later.  You sure can't beat that.

After that it would be off the Brierly with my goal of hitting the same body of water I did last week, but this time the other side which never got the attention it deserved.

I'd do some recording here and there on my way to my destination promising myself I'd only stop for the unique including a Wood Thrush not only singing but calling as well.  Bird calls are now my number one fixation as they're tougher than songs and are heard year round, so it's in my best interest to learn them, so of course I'd hit the record button!

LOVE the "Thwak" call of the Wood Thrush and in looking at my Xeno-Canto records, this is the bird I've recorded most- in total appreciation of their song ability which you can see in the sonogram above.

I'd finally get to the small pond and birds would be everywhere.  I'd both hear and see a Pileated Woodpecker as it flew across the water as well as hear two Yellow-throated Vireo's making for a nice surprise.  Abandoned Heron's nests would be scattered on tree tops and there'd be both Green and Great Blue Heron's including what looks to be this first year above.  He'd land fairly close which allowed nice looks when suddenly an Eastern Kingbird would fly in and dive bomb him.  I'd have my binoculars for a better view as I watched the kingbird swipe at it's head and the heron would open its bill real wide in an effort to grab it I'm guessing.  I'd hold my breath the first few times hoping the kingbird would survive and after a few seconds I'd be reminded why this bird is called "Tyrannus tyrannus" as the heron didn't stand a chance against the kingbird.  The flustered heron finally had enough and would fly away as the kingbird followed suit continuing to dive bomb it as well as a Red-winged Blackbird who decided to join in on the fun, just to piss the heron off even more.  It would then that the sound of birds would be interrupted by the sound of moi letting out the only laugh of the week as I roared with it as I watched them fly on by.  I'd continue to bush whack and would hear many sparrows so stopped in an attempt to pinpoint where I heard a potential Swamp Sparrow who continued to sing sporadically the entire time I was there.

Song Sparrows would be about too including the two juves above who were so trusting of me I didn't have the heart to bush whack past them until they flew away.  They just looked at me curiously as I looked at them and my heart would swoon.  By then my cell phone battery would be close to dead but darn it I wanted a recording of the Swamp Sparrow.  I forgot the memory card to my camera at home so video was out of the question and after getting three confirmed calls of the bird I'd resign myself to the fact it wasn't meant to be as I headed on home for a much needed nap.  I'd wake up refreshed and would head to Best Buy where I'd proceed to buy a digital recorder just to capture the sound of birds.  And so begins the next chapter of the Curious Birder's many journey's.

Take care all.