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Subject:

Woohoo--Yard Bird!

From:

Bill Hubick

Reply-To:

Bill Hubick

Date:

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:41:29 -0800

Hi Everyone,

Among the nearly 100 sparrows around the feeders right now is a single AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. I've been hoping this would be among the bonus features of all this snow. It is my first in the yard and only my second in Anne Arundel Co. My other record was at Pig Point near Jug Bay on 11/23/2007, while Jim B. and I were unsuccessfully chasing an Ash-throated Flycatcher. 

I got some nice photos today for the low cost of $200 dollars in bird seed and one IKEA shelving unit. The former was paid by the standard process of buying heavy bags of seed and throwing handfuls about one's yard. The latter was invested during my photo shoot today. 

Step 1: Find American Tree Sparrow.
Step 2: Get camera and check settings.
Step 3: Take crappy photo through window to ensure you get something.
Step 4: Ever so slowly open the window. (In my case, pull the top window down and shoot over the top.)
Step 5: If bird is very close, gain elevation by any means available. Put right foot on shaky papasan chair and put left foot on IKEA shelf.
Step 6: Destroy shelf using extra mass gained via over-eating during recent periods of extreme boredom and restlessness. Scare all birds.
Step 7: Kick out cruel spouse who is enjoying shaking their head and saying "I told you..." and mutter under breath.
Step 8: Get better chair and be ready.
Step 9: Wait. Survey sparrows and broken shelf. Mutter more for good measure.
Step 10: Success! 

Also around the yard: Ruby-crowned Kinglet at the suet feeder, Brown Thrasher, and four Eastern Towhees.

Good birding,

b

Bill Hubick
Pasadena, Maryland

http://www.billhubick.com