We got the Townsend’s solitaire at Fenner yesterday morning before work. We were there at first light and it was a cool 15 degrees when we went wandering around the park. We knew the general area but at a fork in the trail we went left. Not for any particular political reasons, I just thought that’s where the bird was. After wandering around a bit we were headed back when someone on the right fork waved us over to the solitaire. Great views but it moved too fast to get good pictures.
Townsend’s solitaire picture. OK, so the bird wasn’t cooperating but I thought it was an interesting picture anyway. Kind of a Monet does birding thing. It’s the essence of a Townsend’s solitaire.
This bird is way out of its range, which is way out west. There has been one seen a couple hours away by Lake Michigan at Warren Dunes State Park. We tried for it as part of the 2012 Biggish year but never found it. So this lost little guy popping up in Lansing saved us some time and gas. Bad for him but good for us. He may be missing his buddies but he added a good one for this year’s count.
A few things have been popping up. We got a sapsucker when we saw the solitaire. Lise had a kestrel today and I saw a great blue heron on the way back from a business trip to Ann Arbor. If the weather holds we are going to try an eastern U.P. trip this weekend. Some good species have been reported, including a northern hawk owl at the Curleze Corner Hair Salon in Rudyard. This I have got to see. I’m thinking the big beehive hairdos like in the Far Side cartoons.
Ever the optimist, I expect a minor blizzard. This past weekend a local birder posted on his trip up there. Crossing the Mackinaw Bridge the wind was so bad it flipped a trailer with snowmobiles over in front of him. It took 20 minutes to get the trailer righted and they needed a semi to act as a windbreak as they drove off the bridge. This should be fun.
Since birding is slow here at the moment I thought I would add some commentary about the many talents of Fido the wonder lizard. Starting with Fido, the master computer technician. I’m surprised this thing puts up with us. I think she’s patiently waiting for us to die so she can gnaw on our carcasses.
Fido takes on repair of a vintage HP desktop.
This thing is hopeless. Have you tried a Mac? Is there any food around here?
Ed's and Lise's Biggish Years 