Chirps and Cheeps

On this windy day, I decided to return to Sturgeon Point for reasons I can't explain.  I didn't expect to find much, given the strong winds - and even though I was here just the day before, I was in the mood for the peace and quiet that nature affords and this just felt right to me.

I scoped the lake for awhile first, enjoying the ducks as they streamed by in small flocks.  I had Lesser Scaup, Long-tailed, some Surf or Black Scoters, and many Common Mergansers.  An adult Bald Eagle flew overhead as did a Turkey Vulture and a few gulls.

Next, I talk a walk back on the trails. Soon, my ears began picking up the harsh call of a vireo between gusts of wind.  That was surprising because our resident vireos have all gone south by now.  Hmmmm... I quickly suspected a White-eyed Vireo, a regional rarity and one of my favorites.  We do get them passing through the area here and there in spring and fall, so I started to get hopeful one was here.  Sure enough, a little further ahead, I saw a flash of yellow back in some viney bushes.  I slowly advanced and found the bird in a thicket, calling its raspy call now and then.  Soon, it turned to face me and I was rewarded with those beautiful, white eyes!  Cool!  This was the first time I found this species on my own and I was quite elated.

I managed to get a few documentation-worthy shots of the cute, little vireo but he disappeared quickly and my camera never saw it again.  I did get another quick look at him about half an hour later, but it was unsatisfying and all too brief.

I'm glad I followed whatever it was that led me back to Sturgeon Point today!