You’ve probably heard me observe once or twice how hot this summer has been in the U.S. But like so many things, evaluations of temperature can be relative. I just spent some time experiencing real heat, the kind of 100+ degree blast that hits like a blowtorch no matter how dry it is. I found the experience of authentically aggressive heat rather refreshing, but much prefer my moderate New York summers!
My best bird of the weekend was Western Wood-Pewee… actually, no, that was Nate’s best bird for reasons that may never be adequately explained. The real highlight of my weekend, out of many worthy contenders, had to be Elegant Trogon. Multiple groups of trogons with young in the United States seems surreal, but is entirely possible in the right place. Corey’s best bird of the weekend was a Lark Sparrow, highly unusual at his current coordinates.
Bad picture of a great bird… Elegant Trogon!!
How about you? What was your best bird of the weekend? Tell us in the comments section about the rarest, loveliest, or most fascinating bird you observed. If you’ve blogged about your weekend experience, you should include a link in your comment.
It’s hard for me to decide between the Western Wood-Pewee or the House Finch. Or maybe the hybrids: Costa’s-Lucifer Hummingbird or the Costa’s-Black-chinned. But seriously, five or so Elegant Trogons – that is pretty dang awesome any day. Red-faced Warblers, Summer Tanager, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Elf Owl, Spotted Owl…so many spectacular birds in one weekend is mind-blowing.
A flock of five Black-necked Stilts on a small pond island near Longmont, Colorado on Saturday. I have been waiting to see a Brown Creeper all year and saw my first on Sunday. The Stilts were a life bird for me.
Mine was a little blue heron that was molting, changing from the less usual white plumage to blue. It would be easy to confuse it with a Louisiana Heron but the blue bill and grayish legs are diagnostic.
We are in the birding doldrums in Chicago, although a first-in-state Wandering Tattler was documented at the lake last week. (Missed it, but extremely happy for those who had the once-in-a-lifetime find.) This weekend I actually actively birded for the first time in a while, but the best find I came up with was glimpsing an American Kestrel flying over the building two doors down from mine … cool birds in urban areas are always special.
Well, it sounds odd, but I finally added Canada Geese to my year list….
Seriously, I think an Australian Magpie mobbing an Australasian Harrier was the best.
Has to be the two families of Ruby Throated Hummingbirds teaching their offspring to be rotten to every Hummer in sight. Most hummingbirds I have had at my feeders ever (about 12 years). At least 7 , probably more . So enjoyable,