October 13, 2006

This morning, as we were returning from our daily dog walk through the
open fields on our farm, I spotted a warbler bobbing its tail in the
multiflora rosebush along the road close to the house. Gus tugged
impatiently on his leash as I tried to manage binoculars and dog at the
same time. What I thought was a palm transformed into a magnolia as the
mid-tail white spots/band stood out, and I saw the eye ring. I guess it
was bobbing its tail to keep its balance with the wind howling across
Flint Ridge.

At great distance, about 200 meters, this morning I also saw a small
accipiter swooping on various perching birds in the defoliating treetops.
It looked jay-sized, and I'm inclined to believe it was a sharp-shinned,
which would be a new "yard" bird for our farm. But the distance made the
ID indefinite, and so according to my personal rules it won't join the
list, which remains at 120.

Yesterday's highlight was a flying pileated woodpecker rollercoastering
across the field just overhead, as Jane and I were out riding a couple of
our horses. 

Ah..., autumn!

Bob Evans
Geologist, etc.
Hopewell Township, Muskingum County

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