Pneumonia FML

Yep, the diagnosis is in, I've managed to contract pneumonia just in time for spring migration. After suffering with fevers and coughing since last Monday, I finally submitted myself to blood tests, chest x-rays and examination as of Friday to determine the extent of my illness. Ugh.

I'm supposed to rest and stay hydrated, but I have always trended toward being a risk-taker. Therefore despite my malaise and generalized weakness, I've managed to chase a few birds over my week of decline.

Black-necked Stilts, Co V &C ponds, Dane Co, WI 19April2017

And despite the quite seriously prescribed rest, I could not resist some small excursions between house hunting to look for spring migrants. None of this, the house hunting or walking trails looking for birds, is what the nurse practitioner envisioned in the care plan prescribed for me.

Anyway, being dealt pneumonia just in time for spring migration BLOWS. While it takes little energy to drive to find shorebirds or ducks. The warblers are the pinnacle, the crème de la crème of the season as are the spring ephemerals and insects. This is the time of year I want to walk the trails for hours lingering with the warblers and kneeling down in the earth to appreciate Nature's treasures. Alas I will have to swallow the bitter pill that this year will be different. My endurance is not what it needs to be to fulfill my aspirations for the season.

American Lady, Parisi Park, MIddleton, WI 22April2017

I've pretty much missed the Pasqueflowers. It is unlikely I will have the time or energy to visit the myriad of areas where I could admire this exquisite ephemeral. I am working on taking heart in the simple delights I can afford, things that may have become banal to those hitting the trails daily. My days are highlighted by sightings such as the first Chipping Sparrow in my yard.

Chipping Sparrow, my yard (for now(, Jefferson Co, WI 23April2017

And brief roadside stops to admire my first of season Palm Warblers.

Palm Warbler, Jefferson Co, WI 22April2017

On occasion I find time for brief visits to various birding hotspots at low key times of the day for both birds and birders. I'm keeping my birding subdued, on key and peaceful, grateful for the small collection of winged beauties and blooms I see along the way.

Orange-crowned Warbler, Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Dane Co, 22April2017

Testing the Lens

With the near future calling for work through the weekend, I used my "free" day today for birding and troubleshooting some difficulties I've been having with my Canon 100-400mm II zoom lens. Since acquiring this lens in December, my results with it have been frustrating. It feels rare that I can capture the crisp images I would expect from a new lens. Considering I have rolled the lens off the car seat on the floor of my vehicle at least twice, I believe some functions might be compromised. However, before I pull the plug on sending the lens to Canon for repairs, I decided to take it for a spin at Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Dane County this morning.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Dane Co, WI 12April2017

I discovered with greater mindfulness focusing on steady hands and stiff postures, I can achieve sharper results with close subjects.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Dane Co, WI 12April2017

But at any sort of distance, especially with birds in flight, the lens appears to struggle with auto-focus more than I expect. Thus I am likely to send the lens for inspection and repair while I am still covered for free repairs.

Northern Harrier at a brief stop at Goose Lake Drumlins SNA en route home, 12April2017

Much of the same birds that have been present in recent days were also present today at Pheasant Branch. High numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets have been migrating through southern Wisconsin. I've been delighting in watching the male Yellow-rumped Warblers wondering when the novelty of their presence will dissipate to that familiar attitude of "it's just another Yellow-rumped..." As spring migration waxes and wanes, the old jaded attitude toward the likes of Yellow-rumped Warbler and American Redstart seems inevitable for even the best-intentioned of birders. We thirst for novelty setting the bar higher and more grander with visions of more colorful jewels of the forest. I vow not to allow my mind to succumb to such blasphemy this year...to remember the joy of seeing my first male Yellow-rumped this year and the sheer awe I felt the first time I laid sight on an American Redstart at eye level.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (male), Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Dane Co, WI 12April2017 

The current brisk temps of early spring means many of the passerines are foraging low for insects. This affords crushing photography ops that are more difficult to come by in mid-May when the birds move higher up in the leafed-out canopy. Though Pheasant Branch Creek can lure these jewels down to the water to bathe when the temperature heats up later in migration. So the opportunities are still possible for some outstanding warbler views and photos.

I get pretty excited when I "freeze frame" any warbler singing (that's my shout out to J. Geils, RIP). There was plenty of singing happening among the Yellow-rumps and kinglets during my mid-morning birding stroll despite my having missed the dawn chorus.

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Dane Co, WI 12April2017

Though much drabber than their male counterpart, a female Yellow-rumped Warbler is still photo-worthy.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (female), Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Dane Co, WI 12April2017

Golden-crowned kinglet numbers have dropped off considerably, seeming to coincide with the recent uptick in the Ruby-crowns.

Golden-crowned Kinglet, Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Dane Co, WI 12April2017

Blue-jays are often considered a "junk bird" in Wisconsin. However I could not resist the morning light illuminating this striking corvid while it collected nesting material from the creek.

I saw my first of the season Hermit Thrushes today. Per usual with this species, none cooperated for photos.

Hermit Thrush, obstructed, Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Dane Co, WI 12April2017

It was late morning by the time I found the bird I was seeking for the day, Louisiana Waterthrush. I had just resigned to thinking I would not find this warbler when it flew in and announced itself with a few loud "chinks" while I was stalking a Brown Creeper.

Louisiana Waterthrush, Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Dane Co, WI 12April2017

As is often the case, my excitement with finding the bird translated into tremors through my upper extremities which prevented any sort of quality image of this difficult-to-photograph species. Once again, in low light, among the tangle, my results were "meh." But that's just fine. Observing the bird is where it's at anyway. Bird photographs are a dime a dozen these days. A photo is merely the icing and I've always preferred my cake plain anyway!

On the Cusp...

Apparently March was the unmentionable month this year, a blog-free month shadowed by three weeks of illness. March seemed nearly lost except for my last exquisite visit with the Northern Shrike of Goose Lake Drumlins SNA.

Northern Shrike, Goose Lake Drumlins SNA, 21March2017

Once again, and for the last time of the winter, I witnessed this bird's delightful serenade...



But that was March 21st and we are now in the thick of April, eagerly awaiting the promise of more spring migrants. This past Friday, a four day spell of warm weather commenced. Taking advantage of a day off from work, I spent much of Friday outside visiting various locations mostly in western Dane County. The mix of birds I encountered felt like a peculiar clash of winter and spring species.

My first-of-the-year birds for the day, Field Sparrows, Eastern Towhee and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers were consistent with my early spring expectations. These species along with the kinglets are some of the traditional earlier arriving passerines in Wisconsin.

Field Sparrow, Perry-Primrose BCA, Dane Co, WI 

Blooming ephemerals were further evidence of spring...

Hepatica, Blue Mounds SP, Dane Co, WI 

And all the snow was long gone from the southern Wisconsin landscape.

Perry-Primrose BCA, Dane Co, WI

Yet oddly enough, at one of my last stops of the day, the Perry-Primrose Bird Conservation Area, I spied a shrike perched in the prairie. Here in southern Wisconsin, we are in a window where Northern or Loggerhead Shrike is possible. My heart skipped a beat with visions of Loggerhead Shrikes dancing in my head. Without my scope, I would need to approach the bird with stealth to get a satisfactory look to be certain of species. Loggerhead Shrike is rare but regular in Wisconsin and would be a golden year bird for Dane county. However, Loggerhead, this bird was not. I had found yet another Northern Shrike, a revered species to find on any bird outing.

Northern Shrike, Perry-Primrose BCA, Dane Co, WI

This bird marks the fourth Northern Shrike I've found in southern Wisconsin this year. The others were encountered at the previously mentioned Goose Lake (10 times! between 1/24-3/21/17) as well as Jefferson Marsh (1/6/17) and Shovelers Sink (2/19/17). April 7 marks the latest date I have seen a Northern Shrike in southern Wisconsin. I associate this species with the tundra-like conditions of mid-winter. So it seemed rather strange to encounter one on such a balmy spring day. Yet there before me, another Northern Shrike perched on my fictitious non-existent soul...

Reflections of winter were further intensified by a Rough-legged Hawk hovering above. The presence of these two species gave me pause. Perhaps winter is not done with us? Surely it must be.

Rough-legged Hawk, Perry-Primrose BCA, Dane Co, WI 

More northerly climates are beckoning these birds for breeding. And while I'm certainly eager to get on with the thrill of spring, these reminders of the few graces of winter 2017 are a fitting finale to the passing season.

Transitions indeed...Spring is upon us and soon, with bittersweet emotion, I will be moving from the home I've known since 2005. The paperwork has been signed. The process is set in motion...and I have yet to figure out where I'm going...