The air was calm and slightly over cast with the sent of flowering trees throughout the park. As I entered the banding station I knew it was going to be a good day. Sounds of songbirds filled the air as I helped Sarah setting up the mist nets. Linda and her husband came for the first time and I was excited to meet her again. We had met once before at the book store.
We only got half the nets up when we started to capture birds so the rest of the nets had to wait. While processing our first set of birds Tom and young naturalist J came from NY. We were all chatting when a photo journalist from the Erie Times showed up to take photos and video of us banding birds. It turned out to be great coverage for the start of our first Bird Festival on Presque Isle.
You can read about Linda's first time at the banding station here (she posted a video) and about Tom's visit before he and young naturalist J ventured on to Ohio for a birding lecture by Ken Kaufman and the banding station at Black Swamp Bird Observatory
Friday night Don an I worked the festival at the TREC guiding people to registration and the theater for the premier of 'Wind, Sand and Song' a documentary on birds throughout the seasons on PI. Presque Isle is a major stop for hundreds of birds before they make the journey over the Great Lakes north and also when they migrate south.
Saturday morning brought several visitors from the festival to the banding station. Kids and adults were excited to see the birds up close.
At one point we captured a male and female Baltimore Oriole in the nets together and after Sarah banded the male I held him till she finished the female so we could release them together. Poor thing it looks like I have this death grip on him but I don't. It's called a banding hold. I was photographing with my other hand.
Saturday ended with me meeting up with Tom again and a small group from NY for about an hour before they had to leave. We all captured this Mourning Cloak and a wonderful way to end the day at Presque Isle.
I have a big project to finish so will catch up with you all soon. Hmm I think I will photograph this project so you can see a bit of work in progress.
Strawberries!
2 hours ago
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9 Spattering of comments:
There was just something about the early morning smell and feeling in the air, the sounds of all those migratory birds and meeting bird-blog friends for the first or second time that makes last Thursday a real highlight for me. It just sounds like the Bird Festival was a big hit and I am looking forward to the NY State Park's Allegany Pilgramage. Oh, how I wish I could of held an Oriole!
Oh, Toni, what a glorious day you had. I envy you living up there. It is so beautiful. Love the photo of the butterfly!
I had such a wonderful time with you guys on Thursday and only wish I could visit every Thursday now! Saturday was fun also and by then I had gotten real tired from my long adventure! See you soon at the ANP!
Linda I am so looking forward to us banding together. Hope you can make it again before the season ends.
Sioux, well perhaps you can visit sometime.
Tom yes it was fun and wish we could all get together once a week.
Holding the bird in one hand and shooting a perfect shot with the other. Amazing!
Great shot of the Mourning Cloak.
Hi Toni,
I sent you an email on Sunday but did not hear back from you. I assumed I got spammed.
NOt to rush you at all, but I wanted to tell you I've started your book. I'm very excited.
Even in your "death grip" I can see the wonderful orange of the oriole. What a thrill he had to have been to hold. Probably felt like a giant though compared to the warblers.
hi there Toni
I just downloaded your alcohol transfer pdf .......thank you for that
I am wondering
If I go to my pharmacy do I ask for "70% rubbing alcohol"
or just
"70% alcohol"?.
best wishes
Aine
http://ainescannell.blogspot.com
WOW!!!
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