In Praise of Metro Parks

I have lived in this fine city since 1990, and have been a very-frequent visitor to our first and largest metro park (Fred G Bond Park at N 35.77848 and W -78.8289.)  It measures 310 acres in size, includes a small lake, system of hiking trails, and even an active beaver pond at its east end.  I took in a walk this morning led by the semi-official naturalist at the site who maintains a fine blog on his discoveries.  In about 2.5 hours we racked up 39 species and discovered one Great Horned Owl, two Barred Owls, and an adult Bald Eagle, not to mention both area kinglets, winter Wren, Ruddy Ducks, and others.  A good deal of our birding was done, properly, by ear, and we covered a good mix of habitats.  I must confess to being dazzled by what three guys with decent skills could come up with in this urban park setting.  And that wasn't even a full morning of work.  This one day made me appreciate these metro park treasures, especially this one.  And next time I'll be a good deal more attentive to what wonders it offers!

A Sublime Moment at the Bluffs

Every so often we are permitted to experience what the philosphers of the Romantic era called The Sublime.  And for me, one of those moments came today at the Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve.  After a desultory exploration of the bottomlands I returned to the upland access trail and came across a veritable convention of American Crows.  There were easily two dozen, gathered and unhappy, making quite the commotion.  One's birder instincts say "something is being mobbed".  And indeed something was, and I found this Great Horned Owl, perched high in a Loblolly Pine, studiously ignoring the crows.  But it did pay me some attention after I made some GHO calls.  Given that these owls patrol areas of 500 or more acres, finding one in daylight around these parts is a special event indeed.  In fact, that was definitely my special sighting of 2012!  Sublime, indeed.