I joined this list so that I had a place to learn about my growing interest in birding but also to express my excitement among like minded people.  Earlier this spring I purchased a state park pass so that we could come and go to MD state parks. Since my son and daughter fish, we like going to the Avalon section of the Patapsco where they have the kids and mature adults only fishing pond.  The kids fish and I bird.  Last time we were there I had a very patient Baltimore Oriole singing for an extended length of time so that I could find it in the tree and then locate it in my Sibley book.  Yesterday, all the birds were patient and super sedentary (or maybe it is the behavior of these birds).  Yesterday, I saw several firsts for me--Green Heron and an adult male Belted Kingfisher.  An Indigo Bunting was kind enough to repeatedly land in a tree and sing long enough for me to positively identify him.  

Which leads me to my next point.  I had seen an Indigo Bunting before, but since I am still not able to identify him by sound/song I needed to make a visual id.  Each time I have seen the Indigo Bunting he looked different.  It is amazing, how in varying light, these and most other birds, can look different than their Sibley pages.   If any other new birders swear they have found a new bird because it isn't in Sibley's (like me) look again.  If you are fortunate enough that the bird remains visible or returns later to the same spot, take another glance because it'll probably "change" colors on you and then you'll find it on one of those pages for sure.  Other birds were Tufted Titmice, Chickadees, Goldfinches, and I'm pretty sure a Red Tailed Hawk.  Enjoy the cooler weather while it lasts.  

Michelle Dunn
Catonsville, MD