Up at 0500 with a tap on my door from Mary (since my alarm clock didn't work), hit the shower (we had 8 women and two showers so planning was a MUST), off to Burnside by 0600 for a hot breakfast and then pile in the vans by 0700 for our day trips. This was my morning routine for the week. Tuesday's trip was to Cranberry Glades, a ninety minute drive on mostly twisting narrow roads. Geoff Heeter drove our bus that day. "Oh shit!" popped out of my mouth more than once when he'd swerve a bit off the road and drop (several inches) down onto the shoulder. GULP!
The drive didn't seem that long though as we spent the time chatting and laughing, getting to know each other better. Most of the Flock was on this trip.
Jane, Kathi (with her back to us), Mary and Tim. Kathi had the coolest birding vest. Mary's getting a start on her "warbler neck."
It wound up being another really hot day but it stayed cool on the boardwalk under the shaded tree canopy. It smelled so good up here. Kind of like home in Minnesota.
I tried to take a panoramic shot to show how we were really in a bowl. At this higher elevation of 4000 feet there was no leaf-out yet. I think for me, the most memorable bird sighting on this trip was this Blackburnian Warbler.
He sang over our heads for quite a long time.
Moving from tree to tree, giving us different backgrounds to photograph.
I saw my first and only Blackburnian last spring at a park near home so this one wasn't a lifer, but it was pure eye candy.
This Black-throated Green wasn't a lifer either, but we got to watch two of them singing on their territories. The dividing line happened to be the road we were standing on so from time to time the two would duke it out right over our heads.
Keith Richardson, Dick Dennis (with another cool birding vest!) Connie Toops, Kathy Dennis (Denapple blogger) and Jane.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What I learned this day:
I LOVE hanging out with birders.
The Flock rocks!
I hope Geoff doesn't drive any more.
36 comments:
...beautiful portraits of the Blackburnian Warbler!
I remember the Geoff's little ditch... tee hee.
It was a marvelous day and I'm glad someone got some great bird photos. You rock, Linne!
Mary
LOL...I remember you saying to me that day, "If I don't make it, tell Art I love him!"
Still LOL......
That Geoff could have made a nun swear.
What a pretty day that was...and the last day we saw the sun.
I love your narration! The photos are excellent, and I got to see some things I've never seen before! Thank you. Love your blog.
Gorgeous photographs and great description of the day. I loved this post.
Hey it wasn't just the driving but the condition of the vans that concerned me! The one morning we went out it was raining and the windshield was all fogged up and the defrosters didn't work, so Bill Thompson was wiping it with a cloth! Yikes! Anyway, your Blackburnian is just so beautiful. I saw it but got no pictures the day I was there. Do you have a thing for 'birding vests'? You are funny girl. I miss you!
Whoops, mind the language.
Great birds, I remember these from Cape May but they were mainly juvs & flew overhead without stopping, so good to see the proper jobs clearly. Thanks Lynne.
It is such fun reading each of your accounts of this day--as I read through the "flock's" accounts, a fuller picture emerges.
Beautiful photo of a beautiful bird, the Blackburnian Warbler has got to be one of my very favorites.
That Blackburnian Warble is so eyecatching - you got a wonderful shot of him! Glad you are sharing your trip photos with us!
Lynne, I am in awe over your Blackburnian Warbler shots. FANTASTIC!! It looks like you all had such a good time with some incredible birds.
Sounds and looks like excitement from satr to finish.Being with fellow bloggers and birders,it just can't get much better.
Blessings,Ruth
OH, that's such a beautiful bird! We just drove through West Virginia a couple of days ago and passed a place called New River Gorge so we stopped and took photos of the huge bridge (and birds.) I wondered at the time if it was anywhere close to where you guys were last week. I'm gonna have to look it up. I think West Virginia is one of the prettiest places we've ever driven through.
Oh Shit is right! No other way to say it at that moment as Geoff swerved and veered off the road. Your photos are stunning!!! I miss you!!!!
Looks like you had a great trip. Your pictures are great--especially the Blackburnian Warbler.
I am so behind, just trying to catch up a little tonight. You had such a wonderful trip and you have some awesome photos here. The Blackburnian Warbler is my favorite.
Leedra’s Photos For FunLeedra’s Greeting CardsPhotography By Leedra
I was asleep when the van went off the road. Nina asked for extreme birding, that’s not what she ment?
Geoff
Looks like a great time. Love the beautiful warblers!
The photos are beautiful...Your flock DOES ROCK!!! I do miss my birder buddies!!!
My favorite warbler! Such amazing Blackburnian pics. Wow!
Those are some awesome pictures. I am going to vermont next week hopefully to get shots of these species like yours.
Lol at your blogger blurt!!
Love your commentary and pics on your trip..sounds like your journey to.. was just as exciting as your destination! Country driv'en.. one hand on the wheel and one on the horn!! So glad you arrived in safe mode.
Happy to see you all such a great time...and those pics of that Blackburnian warbler are just stunning!!
Wonderful pics and obviously you had a great time. Wow!
I can't resist a path, that one sure looks inviting. Reading the accounts of your trip, and seeing everyone's photos gives me a greater appreciation for that area. It is pretty!
That warbler is just gorgeous - and your photos of it are stellar!
My guess is Geoff was trying to get you ladies to stop chattering and giggling at that gawd-awful hour of the morning ;) Sounds like he failed.
Looks like excellent place. The snaps of the bird were very beautiful.
Dear Lynne,
The Blackburnian Warbler is gorgeous!
All of you must have had so much fun being together.
WOW!
Sherry
Lynne, your photo of the blackburnian is the best I've seen yet! This was a very good day!
and yes, THE FLOCK ROCKS!
Love the picture of the Blackburnian warbler, and to get him singing! Amazing.
Great shot of the singing warbler.
I too have had my share of crazy bus trips. But sometimes, those are just as fun as the trips themselves.
Great Blackburnian photos! Wow wee...
You all had such fun! I am thinking of joining you all next year if it works with our traveling schedule.
I dont shower but once every four days so that should work..just dont smell me..tee hee
Guess who is still wearing his blogger button from Va? check out my blog and see!
Your day at Cranberry Glades was awesome. I thought it beautiful when I was there in the rain, but you had more birds and got great photos! Beautiful!
(laugh)
The day I went there, well... the lady that drove the bus was flying! Thank goodness she was a good driver.
She said it was easy to tell drivers who had experience with mountain roads from those that didn't.
Experienced drivers know to SPEED UP in the curves, rather than riding the brakes.
LOL!
Lovely pics, Lynne.
Okay, this BW is even prettier than the Cape May one! How lucky you were to see all these beauties.
Gosh Lynne-what kind of camera did you use to get those Blackburnian photos? If you tell me a point and shoot I might start to cry! I 've never been able to get a warbler photo like that-let alone a Blackburnian.-Awesome!
I assume that is a lovely thing, and i can recommend as well this http://sildenafilgb.com
Karam
Post a Comment