This all really happened!
I am thrilled that so many of you enjoyed the last post - that was a special morning. Speaking of special mornings - I had another one this morning - back at Bullitt.
Here goes -
I left the house earlier enough to see the spectacular full moon setting - always a special way to start an outing. I arrived at Bullitt - no wind and 57 degrees - beautiful. As soon as I get out of the car I always extend the legs of my tripod, turn on my camera, and determine what settings to start with. I did my usual routine but I instantly got an error message on my camera. I thought ok - when in doubt, shut off the camera, take out the battery, put it back in and turn it back it on. I did that and all was a-ok. Thank goodness since I did not bring my 2nd camera this morning. Off I went. I spent more time than I have been in the lower field - the suns hits first in the lower field. I finally decided it was time to head to the upper field as I knew the sun would be hitting up there very soon.
As I was walking in the upper field I stopped where I normally do to scan the field and the edge of the woods. I was looking left when I heard a grunt… I looked to my right -
A pretty incredible way to start the day! We were so close to one another… the way this field slopes it is very easy for me not to see a beautiful animal like this until we are pretty darn close with one another. He continued to eat while never taking his eyes off of me.
Right after this shot I could tell he was going to move on. So often when I am near deer they will tolerate me for quite some time and then all of sudden leave in a huff. Right after the above shot I moved slightly to my left as I was anticipating where he might want to go next.
Sure enough exactly where I thought he would go. I then backed up and set up to hopefully catch him as he made his way through the field to my left as he would then head into the woods. And I scored! Who can believe the following?? :)
I love this shot and this series… I have seen deer run through very tall grasses many times and it is incredible to watch - and this morning I finally caught it to share with you! Nothing like a morning handstand! They are so strong and agile - spectacular creatures.
And then into the woods… wow…I was already so thankful that I made the trip to Bullitt and the sun was just coming up.
I heard Common Yellowthroats everywhere and finally spotted this sweet young male -I love everything about these little birds.
A little further along a gorgeous Chestnut-sided warbler
I spotted this young male chestnut-sided next and got ready… He sure looked like he wanted to go up to the branch above. I am constantly trying to capture all kinds of little birds in flight as they flit around in the trees and bushes. Today it came together for me.
As soon as I took this shot I turned slightly to my right as I guessed he was heading to a branch over there…and I guessed right! He sure stuck the landing!
incredible!
Seconds later a hummingbird buzzed to my left -
A beautiful female Common Yellowthroat
Male and female common yellowthroats together
Her turn to fly off
Next, this young one flew over to check things out
I love this old tree and I am always checking it multiple times while I am at Bullitt to see who might be in it or on it - and today - I finally saw a little House Wren poke its head out!
Zooming above me this young handsome male Scarlet Tanager landed in the perfect spot. Right after he landed I saw a flash of bright red above me!
And here he is…. what a beauty! When I see these birds I feel like I should be in some tropical climate birding… not in the fields and woods of Franklin County - amazing.
After the Scarlet Tanager I decided it was time to head home. I slowly made my way back through the upper field when who do I hear - but the song of an Indigo Bunting! There were far fewer today so I thought it was not to be today.
I honestly could not believe how lucky I was this morning. Little did I know - my morning had yet another incredible gift in mind for me…
As I made my way through the lower field after the wooded trail I saw a pickup truck with a cap on it driving on Bullitt Road. I waved as I always do when someone is driving by when I happen to be in that area - and the man driving the truck rolled down his window to say hello to me. I kept walking along the path and then he stopped his truck and got out. He asked what I had been seeing… I told him I had an incredible morning and listed off my sightings. He said - do you have a favorite bird? I said - I love them all but I definitely have some favorites. He then said - do you have a minute? I said - I sure do, let me just walk over to you. As I came off of the path and got onto Bullitt Road and started walking toward him I said - my name is Cheryl it is nice to meet you. He said - Cheryl, I am Tom Richadi, do you know who I am? I said - OMG Tom, I sure do! My wife and I called you years ago when we lived in Conway because we came upon an injured hawk and knew that you were the person to call. He then told me that he has been rehabilitating birds of prey for many, many years. I thanked him for everything he has done for the many injured and sick birds of prey that he has helped.
He said - I would like to show you something. I said I would love that. He opened the back of his truck and it was filled with wooden boxes of different sizes. He opened the smallest box and reached in and then turned back towards me with a Northern saw-whet owl on his hand!!!! I have wanted to see a Northern saw-whet owl for YEARS…. In fact, I had just said to dear friends of ours that once my life settles down I want to hire a local guide to take me out and see if maybe we can spot one. They are one of the smallest owls in North America and incredibly difficult to find in the wild - I have had zero luck on my own so far..
I said - Tom - you have no idea how special it is to meet you and for you to show me this precious owl this morning. I told him that I have wanted to see one of these little guys for years. I let him know that I would love to come see him and he said he would love for me to do that - so we will make it happen. He then put that sweet little owl back in its box as he was heading to do a program for kids. All of the birds that he takes to these educational programs can never live in the wild again for various reasons. The little guy he showed me has been with him for years. He does lots of programs with children in order to try and get them excited about our natural world. Tom worked for many, many years as a Massachusetts Environmental Conservation police officer. He is a licensed rehab specialist and a wildlife biologist. Since he retired he has cared for countless injured and sick birds of prey at his facility.
What a beautiful chance encounter. Tom, thank you for all of your many years of service. Your passion and tireless efforts are such an everlasting gift to us all.
As soon as I took the shot above……….. my camera died!!! Are you kidding me?? I changed my batteries etc - nothing! I cannot believe I was able to get these 3 shots off before it died - unbelievable. Thank you, Lorraine…
As I drove home I kept re-living every moment of my morning - my morning just filled me up. As soon as I got home I checked on my insurance for my camera and it is still insured. The camera that died is 3.5 years old and my insurance is for 4 years - I thought for sure it would have been past the coverage period. Thankfully I have 2 identical cameras so I will go out tomorrow morning as planned.
This morning was filled with all kinds of the most beautiful creatures - I am so thankful.