Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Winter blahs

Winter's not even officially started yet, and already I have the winter blahs. I find it difficult to post anything, difficult to go birding, difficult to do much more than sit on the couch and read Harry Potter books over and over, wishing I had a cool wand and could do magic.

Oh dear, I think I might have revealed a little more about the real me than I should've. . . .
At any rate, please excuse my sporadic posting.

I will say that I saw a great horned owl this morning on the way to work; I only wish we hadn't been running late (as usual), or I would've stopped and tried to get a picture. That's only the second time I've seen a GHOW that wasn't chasing me.

I went birding this past weekend with Roana and Nan from the State College Birding Club, and The Kid even came along. Em's developing an interest in birding, FINALLY! She always seemed a little resistant to get into birds when I would try to take her with me places, but she apparently saw a bald eagle flying near her dad's not too long ago, and it seems to have been her spark bird. I'm so excited that she's interested--I'll have a family birding buddy! We had a good time but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. I'm hoping for horned larks, snow buntings, and maybe Lapland longspurs sometime during the winter, when they are supposed to feed in newly-manured fields. Maybe we'll get a good snow soon and I'll spot some. All three would be lifers.

Speaking of which, I just checked my list and I'm up (drumroll please) 163 species! The Cape May trip really boosted my total. I wonder how long it'll take to break 200--probably a while, as I'm not really a chaser. With the surprising number of irruptive species being seen in my area this fall, though, I'm hoping to add at least a few more soon.

So--a rather lackluster post, but hey--it's a lackluster day.

12 comments:

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

Congrats on a new birding buddy and on the high total. I see you saw my new banner, I thought of you when we saw that bird and it just sat there on that bush like it wanted me to take it's picture or something. The new banner is a hat tip to you my avian loving friend.

Larry said...

I Know how you feel. I've been there many times myself.Don't put too much pressure on yourself.Just relax and the passion will come back to you.In the mean time enjoy your books with no regrets.-Hope you find those lifers and tell us all about it!

dguzman said...

Thanks, Dr. Monkey!

Thank you, Larry--I guess the urge for winter hibernation hits people too.

Earl Cootie said...

Good luck! Snow buntings and lapland longspurs would both be lifers for me too. Maybe I'll get lucky our trip to the coast in a couple of months.

dguzman said...

Thanks, Earl--I'm hopeful! I keep hearing stories from other birders about previous winters with huge (100+) flocks "all over the place" but I've yet to see it this year.

Sorghum Crow said...

My sister just sent me her old spotting scope, so of course, I have yet to see a bird near my house. I may have to trek out into the wild beyond.

Fran said...

That is great about Em! And it is a season of slowing down (no matter what the retailers and the priests of the church of money tell you) and stopping.

Spring will come and birds will fly anew.

Til then- go slow and enjoy.

dguzman said...

Cool, Sorghum Crow! Good luck!

Fran, I like that: "a season of slowing down." I'm going with that.

Mary said...

Lackluster? Welcome to the club! Even when you are feeling "blah", your posts make me smile.

I'm with ya, sista.

Anonymous said...

What an impressive species number. I got all excited because I saw my first ever Carolina Wren today on our feeder! But 163? Yowza!

Anonymous said...

Awesome post! Just tody we were commenting on scaley, light batting clouds mixed with the melting butter clouds.

dguzman said...

Mary-thanks; I feel the same way about your posts--they're all top-notch.

D-cup--Hey! I got a pic of a Carolina wren this morning--first time ever! He was posing for me and I got lucky.