RARE RUFOUS MAKES 294

Back on September 20th we got to visit a nice couple in LeSueur, Minnesota. Visiting quite frequently was the very rare Rufous Hummingbird. These rare birds are inching me closer to 300.
I now need only 6 more. As of this post the bird was still being seen.

293 is a Wood Stork

AS BEFORE - I WILL NOT POST MUCH.............
BUT I THOUGHT I WOULD THROW ONE OUT THERE.
A WHILE BACK MY WIFE AND I DROVE TO HUGO MINNESOTA (ACTUALLY TWICE).
ON THE SECOND VISIT WE WERE BLESSED WITH THE SIGHTING WE WERE LOOKING FOR. MY 293RD MN LIFE BIRD - A WOOD STORK.
MAYBE LOST BUT CERTAINLY FELT AT EASE WITH THE MANY GREAT EGRETS AROUND.
IT WAS A BLESSING.

WOOD STORK IN FLIGHT

WOOD STORK - HUGO, MN

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

UNDER

CONSTRUCTION

TIME OFF NEEDED

TO RE-CONFIGURE THE PIE CHART

KEEP PRAISING GOD

GETTING CLOSER

None of us know how many days we have left on this earth. But one thing for sure is that I am getting closer to spotting and identifying 300 bird species in the state of Minnesota. Not an easy task. And there are no guarantees that I will make it. Yesterday's travels had me leaving directly after men's bible study and heading to a little town out west called Herman, Minnesota. In the past, known for having the biggest percentage of unmarried men, now they will be known for hosting the first and only pair (so far) of breeding Black-necked Stilts. It was a long drive but when I got to the Herman Water Treatment Ponds, there they were. It took less than 30 seconds to find them, but about a 3 hour drive. Next I was able to visit the farm & home of one Charlene Nelson who so graciously opened up her residence to birders wanting a chance to see a White-winged Dove. Both of these birds are very rare to the state of Minnesota so I jumped at the chance. Initially I left without seeing the dove but while in Herman, Charlene called me on my cell phone to tell me that the bird just showed up. Cell phones - as I have mentioned before (maybe not on this blog) - are a God-send when it comes to being able to spot birds. Drove back and got the bird. I now need only 8 more birds to join the elusive 300 Club. Neither one of the birds was a North American Life Bird as I had seen them previously on trips out of state. Enjoy the photos and I hope God richly blesses your day.

BLACK-NECKED STILT

WHITE-WINGED DOVE

WHAT'S IT ALL FOR?????????????

Sometimes I need to ask myself "what's it all for? Why do I even do this blog?" I love birds but I often trail off onto subjects that may directly affect my bird watching such as my current job situation or my health or the latest trips I have been on. My health related to my job is iffy (I am working on it). My job should be secure and I do plan on staying on - fighting whatever it is that is trying to knock me off my game. Latest trip??????? Just back from a trip up north near Brainerd, Minnesota. Wow!!! Identified 76 bird species over the course of 2 days. Nothing new but loads of fun and added some new bird photos to my collection. And now I can share with you.

Golden-winged Warbler

Mourning Warbler

LAKE BYLLESBY HELPS ME REACH 290 MINNESOTA BIRDS

After our Men's Bible Study today I loaded up the car with tripod, scope, and binoculars and headed south toward Randolph, Minnesota. Scope was needed to spot 3 new Minnesota birds (1 a Life Bird). Today I tallied the Common Tern, Sanderling, and Willet. I have now seen 290 different bird species in Minnesota. It was a long drive to the lake - a long day - and I opted out of searching for a White-eyed Vireo due to the possibility of getting ticks. It's that time of year. I guess I will stick to the tar paths for a while. From now on I plan to have more concentration on my Savior and less birding during the week days. I will try to post once a week. God Bless.

WILLET (ON LEFT) & SANDERLING - taken during a trip to Texas 2011

SKY THE BIRDMAN IS DOWN BUT NOT OUT

It has been a long time since my last post and as things have a tendency to change, the postings here will no longer be as frequent. My work situation is now in the balance and I may be searching for new work. A recurring sickness due to my work van is the cause for this concern and possible change. This could cause a change in the frequency of bird sightings, but not my love for birding. As I sit home today (taking a sick day) I have seen a Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, and a White-crowned Sparrow all in our back yard at the same time. If you know what our back yard looks like, then you know that it is intimate and small and having the wide variety of species is a joy!!! Although there may be changes brewing, I know that the Lord never changes and his love is unfailing.  And also the knowledge that my Lord and Savior is alive and well. He is active and living in me and I have nothing to fear. Thank you Lord!!!

GRAY CATBIRD

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW