Man. So I just wasted a lot of gas for a totally bogus trip to Hawk Mountain, one of the world's best places to see large numbers of migrating raptors. Its world famous. Ive known about it for years, and I figured I had to do it while I still had time. Of course, the weather has decided to shit on Pennsylvania for the last several days, and I managed to see one (1) raptor while I was there. This is what the kids would call an "epic fail". And now I'm typing this blog with some kind of awful gut-rot corroding my innards, the weather is worsening by the second, and I can't even go birding. Hell, I can't even drink coffee, for fear of causing some kind of irreversible damage. True, I will be visiting my personal physician in Milwaukee next weekend, but its a risk I'm not willing to take. At least I can listen to Off With Their Heads, which always makes wallowing in misery more enjoyable.
Autumn weather has really taken a solid hold in this part of the world. The air is crisp, with the smell of the death of summer hanging in the wind. The leaves on many trees are a mix of greens, yellows, golds, coppers, reds, orange(s), maroons, you name it. It's great, actually, when going outside is a bearable experience. A classic Hank Williams verse comes to mind.....
Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves begin to die?
That means he's lost the will to live
I'm so lonesome I could cry.
Among all the bird lyrics out there, I think thats pretty poignant. If only what passes for country still these days still had that sound....now we have "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk". Jesus.
Here are some recent pictures from the nearby Powdermill Reserve, where Tarabuddy bands huge numbers of migrants every day.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, a species lusted after by many hapless California birders.
Philadelphia Vireo, which apparently significantly outnumber Warbling Vireos in the fall here.
An adult male Mourning Warbler. Aside from this duder, I haven't seen any this year.
Tara, of El Centro fame, shows a Black-throated Blue Warbler who's boss.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.