I really appreciate descriptive reports like the one I just read by Linda Whyte. They not only mention birds and numbers but also mention habitat, climate, sounds and aspiring thoughts that pertain to birding. Tabulated numbers and rigid accounting are good for those who relish data and see no sense in the awe of nature. I just need a little more than that to feed my desires. I'm not getting down on those who do like the rigid format, but, once in a while I need to see the romantic side of birding, which may come from being an artist. To support the calculating sorts, I also like science so the numbers and counts are still needed. I will be going birding tomorrow in Northern Morrison and Southern Crow Wing Counties. An elder gentleman who has lost his wife and is recovering from cancer, lives all alone in the middle of the woods. He called me to identify some birds he has never seen before. As he said: I am out here all alone with 20 feeders, my birds, multiple flying squirrels and some deer. I have a microphone near my main feeder so I can hear the sounds. I saw a cougar once and many other animals. My life is my feeders, my chair, binoculars, and that which I see and hear as I look out my plate glass window. I will be birding with him. The coffee is on, I will have a good companion, and the birds will be there. We may even share a story or two.
For the data lovers. Near Little Falls I have come across a few Great Horned Owls (two calling near my house) 3 Eurasian Collar Doves, a good number of White Winged Crossbills with a few Red Crossbills mixed in. Pine Grosbeaks (surprise, surprise) , a Raven, and many, ducks and Geese on the Mississippi below the dam in Little Falls. I did have Bohemian Waxwings earlier but haven't come across any lately. Will be checking on a report of a Long eared Owl and will report back if it is accurate and accessible. Otherwise, Snow Buntings are showing up with intermediate Long-spur sightings. Did see a barred Owl on the way to work just South West of Little Falls this morning. Questions 1-320-267-1667 ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
