Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/100060
Sarasota News Leader December 21, 2012 from his Audubon lectures, birding workshops and the beautiful, lively bird photographs he so generously contributes to SNL. Over the years that I have observed him seeking while we have been hiding, I have come to the conclusion that he must be part Kingfisher, and one that eats tons of carrots! Rick���s knowledge of birds ��� their habits, voices, flight patterns ��� is a given, but his eyesight is such he can announce to the team, ���Northern Gannet directly south of the sailboat on the horizon!��� Page 65 so spectacular about this Gannet, which flew all the way from Bonaventure Island to our shores just to be counted today. Meanwhile, I am trying to find ���scapulars��� in my dictionary so I can spell it correctly here. The Audubon team is checking us off its list one by one. What is worse is the sun is finally peeking through the clouds and it has warmed us up a bit. Butterflies and other insects have begun flitting about. The smaller birds are The seasoned members quickly raise binocu- hungry and coming out from the trees to forlars and start commenting, ���Two-year imma- age for insects and seeds. ture; check out the white spots on the coverts, Check for the Solitary Vireo (oops! now called scapulars and axillaries.��� Stuff like that. Blue-Headed Vireo), the Mockingbird, BlueThe newbie couple is squinting, still search- Gray Gnatcatcher and our lowly, native Palm ing for that sailboat and wondering, ���What���s Warbler ��� lowly because it forages in the grass and makes itself ridiculously easy for a Gannet?��� the team to spot and check. That is when Kathwren (is that not a dreamy name?), the team���s official recorder, again I was ratted out fairly early in the game, found takes out the books and shows them what is by a mere amateur, a newbie! This is how it Bird No. 9