I guess I should apologize for this quiz up front. Special note to Corey, Charlie and Mike … I request that you do not strip the “quizmaster” epaulettes from my decorative 10,000 Birds jacket for posting this quiz.
A few years ago I flew on Southwest Airlines from my hometown near Albany NY to a location within the ABA area. My friend Rich Guthrie suggested that I drive to a very specific location about an hour from my destination airport in order to see something very good, birding-wise.
Directions: Just answer the questions below. Please do not post species names, family names, location names, etc.
Clues:
• 2 miles, 39 yards, 1 foot.
• I was breathless upon arrival at this location for two reasons, in addition to the birds.
• Three life birds easily observed from a seated position at a picnic table.
• Common in their respective environments.
• Three common suit colors.
• The only three species of this genus on the ABA checklist (no peeking).
• None of these birds are on the New York State checklist.
QUESTION: What does “watermelon” have to do with this quiz?
EXTRA CREDIT:
How many times does the following three letter word appear in this post?
– The 1st letter of this word is the last letter of the name of the specific location.
– The 2nd letter of this word is the last letter of the name of all three of these species (in English).
– The 3rd letter of this word is the last letter of the genus name (Latin).
Again, please let others have the joy and frustration of figuring this one out on their own … so don’t post names of birds, names of families, location names, etc.
Birds in quizzes are ABA birds (Version 7.0, November 2008) unless otherwise stated. Post your answers in the comments below.
Have fun and good luck.
Google translate so this may be nonsensical but: La montaña es un postre buen verano.
I really need to get back there when all 3 are present.
There’s at least one New England record, I’m guessing searching appropriate parts of NY will eventually turn one up.
Cheers to Jason for getting the Watermelon reference. I figured out the birds but didn’t get the fruit.
That said, the extra credit is 11?
@Jason: Guess I need to get that camera, just in case one shows up in NY.
@Nate: The extra credit is not 11. Like some elections, call for a re-count!
OK so I got my answer, but in a very roundabout way. I had my suspicions to the location, but Jason’s trip report from his travel to this location really influenced how I have written some of my trip reports, so I was able to make the jump to the answer.
(Otherwise I would have been lost)
I agree with Nate on the extra credit answer – 11
Dang, a recount netted 16. I must be blind.
I got 20 for the extra credit (assuming the post is everything after By Jory to Tags).
Nate, I didn’t get the reference either but googling the place and watermelon got me there.
Third count gets me 20 as well.
Who knew counting was so hard?
haha, nice quiz. I got 20 as well. And wikipedia is helpful with the watermelon reference.
I wonder where else you can see three often tough life birds easily while eating at a table. I can see this spot from my house and when the sunset is just right, the area does sort of have the colors of a watermelon: pink rocks below a rind of green vegetation.
HINT:
For those of you attempting this quiz, if you google the family name of the three species in question, the very first listing will yield a major clue.
Good luck!
I’m going to hold off on my inkling about the watermelon/bird/location, but I am guessing 18 for the extra credit.
I guess I can’t count, becuase upon recount, I only got 12?!?
Oh wait – hey! That’s not fair!!!
Dang, I keep getting 16 – no idea where the other 4 are hidden.