This morning I arrived at Black Rock Forest just after sunrise. It was a cold morning; my car told me it was 16 degrees Fahrenheit when I arrived. I enjoyed a 6.25 mile walk on a gorgeous, crisp morning. The birding was as you would expect, with plenty of the usuals. Birds of note included a calling Barred Owl, and a singing Winter Wren. Both birds were my first for 2024. Photos didn’t happen, so you will have to settle for a selfie I took in front of Upper Reservoir. I really was a beautiful morning to be out and about.
Afterwards, I went to Newburgh Waterfront Park to try one more time for the Wilson’s Warbler. Well, I guess 5 (6?) times is a charm, because not only did I get the bird, it posed for photos. Otherwise, it was the usuals, including the Ruby-crowned Kinglet which as been at that spot for a while now. I did a quick scan of the gulls present and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but by then I was ready to head home for the day.
Matt,
It’s ALWAYS a great day when I see any of your posts and see those great shots that you get( I know that they are not up to your expectations but all but perfectionists would consider them FANTASTIC!).
Thanks!
Thanks so much Ken, I totally appreciate it. Matt
Matt … While I am always in awe by the quality of your photography, I am even more impressed by your naturalist’s instincts. That is a skill that is only partially learned, but largely the product of a curious mind. Somewhere in your DNA is a “John Muir.”
Tom Lake
Thanks so much Tom. I always appreciate your interesting takes. I’ve never even considered myself even a naturalist in any sense of the word. But, as I’m thinking about it, it does seem like much of what I do is driven by a sense of curiosity, and maybe to a larger degree, the excitement that comes along with acting on and exploring that curiosity. Thanks for checking in and inspiring me to reflect a little bit this evening. Matt