Chirps and Cheeps

A work issue kept me from the early start I was hoping for this morning - but finally, five hours later than I wanted to start, I got on the road to Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Today's target birds were: Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoo, Prothonatary Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, and Yellow-throated Vireo. I gained one out of the five - and a nice gain it was!

I had gotten a fleeting glimpse of the Yellow-throated Vireo on Swallow Hollow trail about a week ago, and I heard it - a LOT - twice before. The bird visually eluded me though and taunted me as it sang loudly, obviously close! I never could get a good eye on it.  Today, though, I not only got some nice views, but I got my camera on it too!  NOW, I can claim it for my life list!

By the way, the Yellow-throated Vireo's population is declining due to the spraying of trees with chemicals and the decline in large forests.  This vireo needs a forest at least 250 acres in order for it to successfully breed.

On my way out of the woods around 7:30 PM, the innards of the forest - under the canopy of the trees - grew much darker quickly.  The croaking of the frogs began to rise in volume and the flute-like harmonics of several Veerys echoed to one another. It was a rather magical / mystical feeling - right up until two joggers tromping down the walkway jarred me out of my thoughts!  I was thinking - even though I didn't get any of the other target birds, and even if it took three times to get the Yellow-throated Vireo, I feel really great that I got to watch and study and enjoy this gorgeous lifer!