The Biggest Week in American Birding...part 3?...

A wee lil American Goldfinch...

For me, this was a very strange festival. Normally I would be out everyday at Magee looking for them lil warbly things. This year I was asked to be a bird guide! Luckily for me, maybe unfortunately for them, I led two beginners bird walks at Pearson Metroparks just outside of Toledo, butt still close to Maumee Bay and Magee Marsh.

I was happy to have the company of Diego and Jay from Costa Rica along for the first walk. We had some great birds, great-crested flycatcher AT EYE LEVEL!, Nashville warbly, palm warbly and more. Everyone had a good time and saw some great birds!

The second day I had the company of three reps from Zeiss Optics! I felt awkward with my (lovely) Swarovskis! Another great day with the flycatcher still present! We had about a dozen folks on each trip and I kept my humor to a minimum...very difficult! I'm looking forward to seeing the surveys!

I left my camera behind(OUCH) both days to "focus" on the birds and beginners so I missed the flycatcher when I went back in the afternoon. Next time...

I did manage a few shots though! 

The Black-capped Chickadees were plentiful!

Gotta love those beebees! Wee lil Carolina Wrens...

Searching for food on the shelter roof...

A little snack for the kiddies...

This is what happens when there's a leaf partially blocking my view. There really were two Downy Woodpeckers on the tree...no ghosts!

Hello MODO!

This Red-bellied Woodpecker was keeping an eye on me...

My first Rose-breasted Grosbeak of the year!

Here's a puzzlement...I know it's a thrush...maybe a Veery...it took off before I could see the breast...

This Wren was playing air guitar and singing "Carolina in My Mind!" Honest, it was...I heard it!

 I'll have more photos from the Biggest Week at Howard Marsh and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Unfortunately, I came down with covid and had to quarantine for the rest of the festival...next year! Warblies look out!

Some Old Friends Stopped By For A Visit...

 Playing peek-a-boo with my favorite lil Black-and-White Warbly!

A great day to take off work and head out to Magee Marsh for the beginning of the Biggest Week in American Birding! Winds were blowing hard from the south and warblies and their buddies were finally heading up to visit us. Friday wasn't very crowded, being a "work" day...though I did see some friends that were also absent from work...I hope they had a doctors excuse or a note from mom.

I spent 6 hours strolling slowly along the boardwalk, speaking with old friends I haven't seen since last spring and lots of new friends and new birders as well. It was a great way to get out and enjoy the beginning of the spring migration!

 American Woodcock like to play peek-a-boo too!

They're better at it than most birds...

 The hard part is finding a hole in the scrub to aim through!

I think I hurt my back...

 Thanks to the Bald Eagle, there's one less squirrel in the world to steal bird seed from my feeders.

 Have I ever mentioned how much I love those little Black-and-whites?

 They're cute AND fun to watch!

 I was supposed to be assisting in the search for an Orange-crowned Warbly, but I found a Black-billed Cuckoo by mistake.

It was okay because it was a lifer for a couple of folks there!

 This Black-throated Green Warbly brought a splash of color to the drab woods...

 Oh my! I wasn't expecting to find a Blackpoll today!

 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers get angry when you take their photo...

Cranky little birds...

 This Cape May Warbly was kind enough to pose for my Birds From Behind collection!

 Chestnut-sided Warblies have shiny heads...just like me!

 This Great Egret caught a wee little fishy snack...and reminded me to get lunch.

 A pair of Killdeer out stalking their prey.

Though I've never seen them catch a deer...

 A very dramatic Magnolia Warbly...nice outfit!

 Speaking of dramatic, Nashville Warblies love to strike a pose.

 That naughty look in the eyes...oh my...

 I never noticed their dark cap before...

 This Northern Parula was practicing his beautiful song for us.

 Oops...sorry to interrupt!

A pair of Northern Water Snakes were making more water snakes right there along the boardwalk!

Have they no decency?

 As you can see, this Rose-breasted Grosbeak was a bit embarrassed by that snakey display!

 Even the Snowy Egret was diverting his eyes from that scene...

 Who's got golden slippers on?!

 I should have mentioned how windy it was.

At one point they had to close the boardwalk because the storm closed in with even heavier wind and branches were coming down! As I was hot-footing through the lot to my car, the rain came down and a kind couple allowed to get in there car...birders are definitely the nicest folks around!

 That pointy bug getting beak tells me this must be a Tennessee Warbly.

Appropriately, a Yellow-RUMPED Warbly for the last pic of the day!

I paid another visit on Saturday...so more warblies to come!

INVASION OF THE GROSBEAKS!!!!!

You gotta believe that his breast is all rosy!

Doodles was looking out of the kitchen window Sunday...she stares out of the window a lot lately...ANYWAY...she spots a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and calls me over. Then we spot a female. Then we spot a youngster...then another...then another...THEN ANOTHER! Holy Grosbeaks Batman! A veritable Rose-breasted Brigade, a riot of rosiness, a gaggle of Grosbeakiness! Wowzers.

And we shall call him Number Two(not to be confused with #2!)

Number Two was curious about every feeder in the garden.

Number Three was casual and aloof.
I like that word...aloof...cool.

Number Four could only think of food.
"What? I've been flying a long time!"

Thinking about going for a quick dip in the pond...that fish is a little scary though...

Hey look! There's one hiding in the French Cafe!
What, doesn't everyone have a French Cafe in their garden?

There's the hot babe!
The reason there's so many Grosbeaks in the garden!

By the way, we had our first Purple Finch Sunday as well.
The first in at least two years to visit our feeders!

AND our first Baltimore Oriole of the year!
Of course the stoopid Mourning Dove just HAS to get into the picture...

This is Hoover. He's named after the vacuum cleaner.
You can plainly see why...

He picks up more than our vacuum too!
If you need any Chipmunks, I have plenty to spare.
Please.
Pretty Please!?

Hey! It's time for...

THE BIGGEST WEEK IN AMERICAN BIRDING!!

If you'll be at Magee Marsh this weekend, look for me and the Doodles and say hello!