Pileated male
I have had a wonderful year learning bird species and how to photograph them. As 2008 comes to a close, I wondered which ones were my favorites. There have been so many great moments both here in the backyard and out and about. I’ve met new friends and neighbors. I attended my 1st Audubon meeting and participated in my first Christmas Bird Count. We visited the Audubon Sanctuary on Dauphin Island in Alabama and I watched my wife talk to a Northern Parula. We watched as a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers ate suet in our back yard. With so many precious moments, how do you pick just one?
Scarlet Tanager
If I had to pick my favorite, the most colorful memory for me was this past spring when a dozen or so Scarlet Tanagers showed up in our back yard during their migration flight north.
Wood Duck young
We live next to the Crepeau Nature Area, and have counted over 70 different species there during the year. One of our favorite resident species is the Wood Duck.
I have pulled together an assortment of my favorite 2008 moments if you’d like to see more at Best of 2008 Gallery.
May 2009 bring you great joy and happiness and enjoy the magic in the everyday experience.