Off to Ireland!

(Last post until first week in October.)

I'm off to Ireland to investigate the setting for book 3 in my trilogy Of the Wing. I'm looking especially at enchanted lakes like Lough Gur. While away, I'll also be birding! I'm eager to see such Irish birds as the Oystercatcher, the Lapwing, and, of course, the Curlew!

Shown here is a Public Domain photo (courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) of the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus). But I'll be stalking his Irish counterpart (Haematopus ostralegus). Having never seen our American bird, looks like I must travel to Ireland to see my first-ever oystercatcher!

I'll be sure to take lots of photos to share on my return in two weeks.

Until then . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne

Are you following me? asks the Eastern Phoebe

I must share a couple photos of my summer resident, an Eastern Phoebe. My unsuspecting fly-catching friend had casually perched upon the top of a shed door, when he (or she) discovered my nosy intrusion. Thereafter he flies off to evade my scrutiny--alas, to no avail.

How could I resist invading his privacy? After all, too soon he or she will fly south for the winter. Most of Pennsylvania is just north of this gray and white bird's year round territory. Check the phoebe's entire range at All About Birds:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Phoebe/id

My phoebe will soon be flying away, but I take great pleasure in knowing he'll be back again in the spring. Then I'll wait expectantly for that lovely two-note whistled song: phoe-bee, phoe-bee, phoe-bee.

Till next time . . . Keep bird's in your heart!

Georgia Anne

A Songbird Sendoff

Nearing summer's end, we must again say goodbye to those cheery songbirds who earlier in the year migrated north to spend the spring and summer with us. Those who migrated north to breed in our woodlands of Pennsylvania (and elsewhere) now return to their southern "wintering homes," whether these be in the southern states, Central America, or South America. (Public Domain photo of a Hermit Thrush, courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.)

Some of the birds gracing me this season with their songs included the...

Hermit Thrush
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hermit_Thrush/id

Black-and-White Green-throated Warbler
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-throated_Green_Warbler/id


Black-and-White Warbler
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black-and-white_Warbler/id

Red-eyed Vireo
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-eyed_Vireo/id

Ovenbird
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ovenbird/id

While I often heard their songs, I did not post on this select group because I could not photograph them (this is a secretive bunch!), and because Public Domain photos were scant or non-existent. (Again, these birds like to hide from view.)

Still I couldn't let the season close without some tribute to their beauty (in form and song), strength, and stamina. And so I wish them well on their long journeys southward and am consoled in the knowledge I'll hear (if not see) them again in six months time.

Send your goodwill their way by investigating each bird at Cornell Lab of Ornithology's web site All About Birds. Be sure to listen to each bird's song. Read their descriptions and view the range maps that show where they spend their summers (breed), where they winter, and their migrating paths. Learn to love birds and then listen for them next spring.

Till next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne