During the night before last I woke up, got up, and made the decision to go home. It was 1:30am and I was in my Spokane motel. I checked on the computer for any last minute good news on the Black-vented Oriole in Texas. Finding none, I took the plunge. I changed my airline reservations for Wednesday. I was going home. With those changes in place I went back to bed for a few hours and got up in time to shower and catch the shuttle to the airport. I checked in at Southwest but I because my layover in Denver was longer than four hours, I would have to pick up my bag and wait three hours to re-check it. The route from Spokane to Denver flew over much of the length of the Rockies. Snow, snow, snow. It was gorgeous to behold. I'm sure the ski resorts are loving it. In Denver I waited, read, had lunch, and finally checked in including another security ritual. I'm still awaiting my first groping. Another three hours of waiting, but during that time I watched a Rough-legged Hawk and a Ferruginous Hawk hunting over the airport grasslands. Really nice! Then I was on my way to Chicago Midway. The plane was a bit late and my connection was tight, so I didn't get the meal I had planned. Of course when I got to the gate which was all the way around on the other side of Chicago Midway, my flight was delayed and there wasn't food to be had. I enjoyed a couple of granola bars, boarded the plane, and flew to Norfolk where Joyce picked me up. Got to bed about 1:00am.
Today I'm watching our bird feeders while it's snowing at home and I'm enjoying it immensely. The TX oriole hasn't been seen again. There's no follow-up on the Common Crane sighting in NJ, but I'm checking into it. So I'll have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a cup of coffee, and wait for something cool to drop in at our feeder.
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Hey Bob - Those Common Cranes (and lots of Common x Sandhill hybrids) in southwestern New Jersey have been around for about 20 years. They don't migrate, and they are known to come from a local collector. A pity! Apparently the single Commons in the Great Plains tend to move through in early spring (~March), and no one is sure where they spend the winter. Glad you're having a good break. CBBT count is set for the 26th as usual and would be great to have your company - Yellow-nosed Albatross? I keep thinking of Townley's bird back in 1981!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! Quite the weather you've come home to, eh? I had all kinds of plans today, but instead came home from yoga (1 hour to get home instead of the usual 25 minutes) and stayed right here, enjoying the birds and the hot tea. Renee
ReplyDeleteMaybe you'll have a chance for some Christmas bird counts. You know, to keep yourself limber just in case.
ReplyDeletethe Husted Landing Cranes you refer are escapes...
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