Bird Nerd

Counting today's exciting new discovery, I have identified 52 species of birds on or near our property in the eight years we have lived in our home. The bird of the day: a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I am particularly proud of this discovery because the female of the species looks nothing like the male, which makes identification especially challenging.

We have seen and heard a wide variety of avian visitors over the years. On February 13, 2005 a bald eagle sat perched in a tree a mere 50 yards from our house. Two days later, a flock of snow geese flew overhead on their way to the Arctic Circle, their summer range. Wild turkeys, barred owls, goatsuckers such as the Whip-Poor-Wills and Chuck-Will's-Widows, and dozens of songbirds have entertained us with their calls. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have dazzled us with their agile flight. Cardinals and Summer Tanangers sport their bright red plumage while Blue jays, Blue Birds, and Indigo Buntings have a case of the Blues.

Do high gas prices and a half-hour commute to town make us feel isolated from the trappings of society? Yes, and we're loving every minute of it. In addition to the birds, we've also seen coyotes, raccoons, possums, deer, rabbits, squirrels, a flying squirrel, frogs, toads, turtles, snakes, lizards, spiders, and even a scorpion. We've smelled a few skunks, but thankfully haven't been close enough to see them! Given a choice between living near shopping and dining or living in the middle of all this nature, I'll choose life on Bud Wyman Lane everytime.