Bob-O-Link

Photo by Bill Ravenscroft

I remember my first sighting of this species.  We had taken a working vacation to Minnesota.  While one of us was attending a meeting, I was out birding.  Yes, I got the better deal.  I chase a male bird across a field, hoping to get a little closer and hence a better look.  Never did.  But I was close enough to get an ID such that I could add to my life list.

The bird pictured above, however, was sighted this summer at Richland Chamber Wildlife Refuge in Texas.  We see more of these birds in Texas.  I don’t know if I am more attentive or if they are making the trip because of other reasons and conditions.

The male is unquestionably identifiable with its golden nape.  There are those who speak of a straw colored nape.  Not I; it’s golden. That nape, the black front, white scapulars and rump has a way of chopping up the bird.  I can see how this might aid in the bird’s survival in the open grassy fields it so enjoys.

Fire is something feared by a good many of us.  However, fire suppression is working against populations of Bob-O-Links.  Fire suppression on Midwestern prairies is allowing for succession of  grassland to a more forested environment--something to think about.

A Most Versatile Tool

Tools—our species is adept at creating them. We have so many things we want to accomplish and have active imaginations to create more. One thing we do well is find other applications for tools we already have created.

One such versatile tool is a pair of binoculars. Beyond its entertainment value, learned early in childhood, we use this item to explore our immediate surroundings as well as the distant plain. This even can be used to search the cosmos. So, if one searches the internet, one can find astronomy, birding, hunting, and sports binoculars.

What is the difference in all these? Truth be told, nothing. Really! The concepts behind each and every use are the same. Okay, I’ll admit that a hiker or a bicycler requires a binocular that doesn’t weigh much and would probably want a compact, while a pronghorn hunter might want something with a high powered objective lens. All that is admitting is there are different size and weight criteria. It does not change how the binoculars work.

On one occasion, a gift was made of a Vortex 8 x 42 Viper binocular. The first use was on a family vacation. During one evening, everyone sat outside on a hill overlooking the rolling hills of southwest Texas. The binoculars were brought out and everyone marveled at the Mule Deer spotted 300 yards away. The next occasion it was put to good use looking at the rings of Saturn. Following that, it was used to identify a phoebe near the barn. Same binocular; differently used.

Anyone looking for a great adventure consider a pair of binoculars. Put them to good use—all kinds of use.

Don’t forget the Binoculars

There’s a world to see out there. If you are one who desires to and can travel, more power to you. There is great preparation and planning to be done with every trip. We all want to begin confident that any and all in the party gets to the destination and have what is required for a trip with minimum trouble. To be sure, there are always glitches to contend with, but a good deal of thought and planning takes care of most needs.

It is good to make a list and check it often. Most lists include a passport, camera, cash or its equivalent, clothing and the like. Often, the item not on the list is a good pair of binoculars. However, this writer would suggest you consider adding this item.

Let me share a story about a couple who rather serendipitously received a gift of a trip to Costa Rica. The trip did not necessarily include any planned nature or birding activities. However, this couple made a smart move—they decided to go prepared, just in case. After some research, she bought a Vortex Fury, and he, the Vortex Diamondback. And how did they make use of these on their trip! There were several occasions when this couple became the envy of the group as they were often sharing their binoculars with others.

Even after this big trip, they continue to carry their binoculars wherever they go. On a short trip to the Texas coast, they were able to easily bird the area marveling at the Roseated Spoonbills, Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Herons and the like. Even then, there were a few who asked what they were seeing through their binoculars and asking “how do you know all the bird’s identity?”

Plan carefully, travel, take advantage of every opportunity, and—don’t forget the binoculars.

Red Bellied Woodpecker—You Can Really See That!

Many people still try to make this species into something it is not. They try often to tell me they have seen a Red Headed Woodpecker. When I identify it as a Red Bellied Woodpecker, they are incredulous and skeptical. I have to explain that this one’s head is not truly red but a little orange and the neck is white or buff. The true Red Headed Woodpecker, I say, has cherry red from its neck to the top of its head and is 360.

This doesn’t often satisfy the skeptic. I further explain that the observer doesn’t always see its belly. However, this one posed in such a way as to facilitate the sighting of its red belly. You can really see it.

But when I travel I still get a thrill out of fixing my binoculars on a Red Headed

Well Equipped

Well equip your birder with an outstanding birder binocular, The Vortex 8 x 42 Viper. This binocular is excellent in low light conditions often present in early morning or evening when much activity is evident. Watching Short Eared Owls frolic across open pastures feeding at dusk is greatly facilitated by the light gathering power of these wonderful binoculars. The Viper has XD glass and XR coatings to enhance image resolution and color accuracy while providing extraordinary brightness. The Viper is argon purged to extend the useful life of the binocular while providing superb water and fog proofing. It is lightweight and possesses excellent eye relief.

Couple the Viper with a wonderful field guide like the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America and your birder is set for a grand experience. The Fifth Edition of this field guide is touted as one of the best guides on the market today.

Red Corral Ranch, Wimberly, Texas

May 6 through May 8, 2009.

We made it back down to one of our favorite places to do some R&R, Red Corral Ranch (RCR) near Wimberly, TX. This is huge ranch where many events take place. Weekends in the spring are often for weddings. Yet, during the week it is possible to spend two or three days in a cabin deep in the woods, and to wander about the woods and fields and not see another human being. This was exactly our plan, and we took advantage of these dates.

We have been coming to this place for several years because it is Golden Cheek Warbler and Black Capped Vireo habitat. And this visit is the first in which I was rewarded with a sighting of the Golden Cheeked. I did not find him in the usual place but about 100 yards down the road from our cabin, a beautiful bird. I have seen these in other places, but this was a first for the RCR. The five best species of birds seen on this trip have to be Summer Tanagers (both male and female), Painted Buntings (both male and female), Ladder Backed Woodpeckers, Lark Sparrow and the Golden Cheeked Warbler. Below is a list of the birds seen or heard.

Northern Cardinal
Carolina Wren
Black Capped race of Tufted Titmouse
White Eyed Vireo
House Finch
Carolina Chickadee
Black Vulture
Bewick’s Wren
Hummingbird sp.
Ladder Backed Woodpecker
Mourning Dove
Brown Headed Cowbird
Summer Tanager
Barn Swallow
Painted Bunting
Nashville Warbler
Turkey Vulture
Lark Sparrow
Red Winged Blackbird
Gray Catbird
Song Sparrow
Red Eyed Vireo
Golden Cheeked Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Yellow Billed Cuckoo