But I do learn them… somehow.
The other day I was walking in the woods at Audubon when I heard a very lovely song I didn’t recognize. I happened to be carrying a very good pair of binoculars (donated to Audubon by Dan Cordosi – Thank you, Dan!!!). I decided I was going to see that bird if it was the last thing I did!
I listened intently until I determined which tree the song was coming from. I found a spot with a good vantage point and scanned for the source of the sound. When I finally saw movement, I lifted the binoculars and saw a tiny, brown streaked bird creeping along the bark of the tree, stopping occasionally to sing.
“Brown Creeper” popped immediately into my head. I don’t know where it came from… because if someone had pointed to that bird and asked me what it was, there is no way I would have been able to say for sure. Indeed, I wasn’t sure at all…
But when I got home, I looked it up on Cornell’s website. I listened to the song. Yep. No doubt. Now, how did my brain remember that? Where did my gray matter pull that from?
I was fascinated to read on the Cornell website that this bird usually builds a nest behind a flap of loose bark. Also:
Nest consists of a base made in part out of cocoons and spider egg cases, anchored to inner surface of bark, and a cup made of fine pieces of bark, fibers, leaves, mosses, and feathers.
Birdies are so interesting…
Many thanks to Adam Paul, Tom LeBlanc, and Marg, whose pictures I shamelessly used without permission because I’m a naughty girl. Click on each picture (or on their names in this paragraph) to go their photostreams on Flickr.com. They all take amazing photos!
Hi Jenn, Stop by my blog when you get a chance……I have an award for you.
You can shamelessly use my photos anytime ;D
I’ve been clicking and clicking here to see what you did with it-great post
I love Creepers-though I don’t think I’ve seen one this year yet
I love creepers–one of my favorite little visitors to the hickory tree beside the house.
Often I mistake him for a knot!
Hi Jennifer
I love this post! This is my first spring of birdwatching, so I’m very much a beginner. Your story about determination inspires me. The website you marked is amazing. Thank you for this!
Love seeing these creepers and they have such amazing songs to them! Glad I was able to help you here!
They’re great little birds, if VERY difficult to photograph because they are always moving. Very interesting about the nests – I never knew that!