My first RB Grosbeak was seen the same day my father passed away (6/17/08).....
He was reincarnated into the Rose-breasted Grosbeak... so now everytime I see one, I think of my pops.
(^^^ My first ever sighting, and photo of a RB Grosbeak. 6/17/08)
I was obviously in a terrible mood that day, so I decided to hit up my favorite birding spot...about 3/4 to 1 mile into the mixed hardwood forest behind my house is a powerline cut that has grown over very nicely..... there are huge oaks and maples bordering the cut, with one row of 6-7 small red cedars and a couple giant willow trees sprinkled in. The path from my house leads to this cut, and up a rocky outcropping that is about 30' up and over looks the whole spot. Inside the woods, Wood and Hermit Thrushes and Veerys sing ALL DAY LONG!!!
I was sitting on the path right before it reaches the opening in the woods, feeling sorry for myself, when I heard the song..... sounds like a Robin with singing lessons (to steal a line from Peterson)..... the second I picked my head up from its position on the floor, I saw this beutiful bird looking back at me. My camera was in my pack, and the bird stayed chillin while I unzipped, loaded the memory card, connected the zoom lens, and took a few shots.
It was an amazing experience. I am NOT at all a religious, or even spiritual person. I am a firm agnostic and need proof of everything. While walking into the woods, I asked my father if I was going to see something new today.... sure enough, my pops helped me out. When I saw that bird, everything stopped and I felt as if my dad was telling me, through the bird, that he is ok and will check up on me every spring migration!!
Here is a better shot I got some 5 days later.... This time, unlike last, there was a female and 4-5 males!! It was such a cool thing to have so many gorgeous birds flying around me and going about their daily business without even caring that I was sitting 10 feet away....in awe....ans snapping photos like crazy.
**MoJo's Warbler Watch** --> 23 species; Most recent->Orange-crowned (9/20), Palm (9/30)
**2008/Life Total** --> 210 species;
Most recent-> Horned Puffin (9/17), Red-faced Cormorant (9/17), Harlequin Duck (9/17), Golden-crowned Sparrow (9/20)
