skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Based on Amy Hopper's and Leigh Johnson's Meme, here's my take on my 10 most memorable birding moments in 2007:
1. Birding on New Year's Day, 2007 and unexpectedly seeing and then getting a good photograph of a White-tailed Kite.
2. A Spring Bonanza at Eaton Canyon Park in Pasadena, where in one April day, we got three lifers: Costa's and Calliope Hummingbird and a Macgillivray's Warbler!
3. Chasing Warblers all over Southern California: Pine Warbler at Estancia Park (OC); Bay-breasted Warbler at Seagate Park also in OC and later at Legg Lake in El Monte, (although we dipped on the Yellow-throated Warbler at Tewinkle Park); Artic Warbler at Galileo Hills; and the Black-throated Blue Warbler at Holmby Park in L.A.
4. Seeing the lovely Hepatic Tanager at the Tijuana River Estuary in San Diego.
5. Joining the throng of birders/photographers to see the Mississippi Kite at the South Coast Botanic Garden
6. Our week-long trip to Southeast Arizona in August where we bagged 7 lifers!
7. Finding the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Luckie Park in 29 Palms.
8. Thrilled at seeing exotics at Peck's Pit in El Monte: The Blue-crowned Parakeet in January and the Bronze Mannikin flock in October.
9. Dipping badly (three times!) on the Bald Eagle at Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas.
10. Seeing the Roseate Spoonbill at the Santa Ana River along with pratically the who's who of the Southern California Birding community.
Taking a break from writing about out Southeast Arizona trip, here are my answers to a Birding Meme that Cogresha (http://earthhouseholder.blogspot.com/2007/08/birding-meme.html ) published:
1. What is the coolest bird you have seen from your home?
I have two answers for this: One was a Blue Rock Thrush that I saw from my window when I was still living in the Philippines. It was a migrant from east Asia and normally doesn't stay in urban areas. But a storm just passed thru and must have blown this poor bird close to my home.
My second answer was a Townsend's Warbler flitting among the leaves of the oak tree in front of our apartment in Pasadena. I wasn't an active birder then and seeing a new bird other than the Bushtits, Scrub Jays and Mourning Doves was a welcome respite.
2. If you compose lists of bird species seen, what is your favorite list and why?
I am not a lister. Let me give a lame excuse. I also photograph birds and although I am unable to take pictures of all the birds I see whenever my wife and go birding, my "list" would be the bird photos we (my wife also photographs birds) have taken.
I know, I am a bad birder - shame on me!
3. What sparked your interest in birds?
Being born into this world. Ever since I can remember, I have always been fascinated by birds.
4. If you could only bird in one place for the rest of your life where would it be and why?
Earth. I have books on the birds of almost every country or region in the world, just so I can "bird" these places even if vicariously.
5. Do you have a jinx bird? What is it and why is it jinxed?
So far...the Elegant Trogon. Every year we go to Southeast Arizona to look for this species but no luck yet. At least we heard them this year - our third year of chasing them - so who knows..maybe next year the jinx will end?
6. Who is your favorite birder? and why?
I have not met any of the great birders, so ... next question please..
7. Do you tell non-birders you are a birder? What do they say to you when they find out?
No need to. My wife and I always wear camouflaged clothes (even in a city park. ha ha) and there's this binoculars always hanging from my neck. And of course, I have my ubiquitous camera with me. Some non-birding people are sometimes just curious. I leave all the explaining to my more articulate wife.
