10,000 BIRDS!

The Chestnut-sided Warbler above never did give me the perfect pose, but I spent a good amount of time trying! The trail head was also a great place to stop and talk with folks. I met some who were just getting into birding and I enjoyed sharing the Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green and Bay-breasted Warblers that appeared in front of us. I also ran into some old friends from some of my previous trips. Some who have been with us on many tours. It was a joy to bird with them as well.

The boardwalk offered more than warblers, too. A pair of gray-morph Eastern Screech Owls were very complacent in watching the crowds pass directly below them along the boardwalk. Catbirds, thrushes, and a Scarlet Tanagers made appearances, all attracting binocular views from the crowds along the boardwalk.

Yes, there were a lot of birders as well as photographers with huge lenses on tripods. I was very impressed, however, with the friendly air about the boardwalk. The photographers were sure to leave room for passers by, and never once did I here any form of, “Get out of my way” or “Your blocking my shot.” Everyone seemed very aware that we were all there for the purpose of enjoying the same thing. Everyone helped others get on birds. One rarely had to ask, “What are you looking at.” More often I heard, “Hey did you see the *insert bird name here* yet?” This House Wren had a crowd gathered as he tried to fit this big stick into the tiny nest hole. He finally gave up.

“Oh my gosh, I’ve never seen them so close!” was an exclamation I heard quite frequently. The squeal of delight from a young mother pushing a stroller as she viewed this Blue-gray Gnatcatcher preening only a few feet above our heads made me smile. I spoke briefly with one older gentleman in a wheelchair. He had a monopod attached to the chair with his big lens mounted. He had a huge grin on his face as a Black-throated Green and a Black-throated Blue battled for his attention.

The birds were fantastic. Watching this Prothonotary Warbler with 30 people at my side, I was still able to photograph it unencumbered. The crowds, though large, only made the experience that much more fulfilling for me. I love seeing the joy of birding as much as seeing the birds. I guess that’s why I became a tour leader!