I’ve been seriously birding for about 5 years. With several trips to South America, by life list is hovering just below 800. Unless I travel, (or get serious about chasing owls in Northern Minnesota) it is not often that I get to see a new bird. The last time was in May 2011 when I saw my first Whooping Cranes.
Today was a special day. I was birding White Bear Lake with several friends scoping the lake for ducks and loons. We were treated to a flock of about 40 Snow Buntings playing along the beach. While watching the aero dynamics of the Buntings, Julian called out.. “Longspurs”!! Two small birds flew and chirped their way past us, joining in some of the Bunting antics and finally settling on the ground to pick away at grass seeds. Luckily, they stayed around long enough for me to run back to the car for a camera.
