We had a Swainson's at our house in Las Cruces one memorable weekend years ago, blown in by a storm. What was most memorable wasn't the bird though--it was the dozens of birders who showed up to look out the French doors in the dining area of the kitchen, in hopes of spotting the thrush in our backyard. I forget how many actually saw that antisocial thrush, but it seemed like it usually popped up after the birders all departed. And thanks for the story of Ann Z and Dick ditching the writers conference so they could wander Nevada and gamble. What a hoot!
Thanks for this, Susan! Yes, the fun part is always the crowd of hopeful birdwatchers! I always have to alert my neighbors when something like a Yellow Grosbeak or Flame-colored Tanager shows up in the yard! And yes, I do miss the antics of Ann and Dick--and their hilarious stories...
Snowy here too! Enjoy Flagstaff, the snow, and the daughters (please tell the one who wrote the river book that I just gave a copy to my brother for his birthday--I love that book!).
<3 Lovely tribute to your friend. And I laughed at "antisocial thrush". Lol. Here in summer Swainson's thrush are quite common. I'd call them "Shadow Thrush" because they always hide in the shadows from my camera.
Wow--you and Dick knew and met with Ann Zwinger! We knew her personally from Doug's AF Academy teaching years and visited with her several times even going up to her cabin and Florissant. Great person and writer! Congrats on the Swainson's Thrush. Looks like it's going to be a very dull winter bird-wise here in the grassland. No seeds for the sparrows as the grass didn't even grow. Just brown straw leftover from last year. I am overrun with >100 Gambel's and Scaled Quail because I put out seed. Nothing for them to eat in the grassland so I must be sustaining them ($$$).
Ann was a good friend. I corresponded with her for many years and then finally met her when Dick invited me to join the two for some adventuring. So awesome you and Doug knew her too...I have all of her books, and her writing greatly influenced me when I was starting out, the way she used metaphor!
43 species for November but no surprises.
Here's for surprises in December!
Ken, Thanks for this remembrance of Dick and for all. John
He's always in my thoughts...
Wonderful memories.
Indeed...they keep me smiling for sure!
We had a Swainson's at our house in Las Cruces one memorable weekend years ago, blown in by a storm. What was most memorable wasn't the bird though--it was the dozens of birders who showed up to look out the French doors in the dining area of the kitchen, in hopes of spotting the thrush in our backyard. I forget how many actually saw that antisocial thrush, but it seemed like it usually popped up after the birders all departed. And thanks for the story of Ann Z and Dick ditching the writers conference so they could wander Nevada and gamble. What a hoot!
Snowy in Flagstaff this morning!
Thanks for this, Susan! Yes, the fun part is always the crowd of hopeful birdwatchers! I always have to alert my neighbors when something like a Yellow Grosbeak or Flame-colored Tanager shows up in the yard! And yes, I do miss the antics of Ann and Dick--and their hilarious stories...
Snowy here too! Enjoy Flagstaff, the snow, and the daughters (please tell the one who wrote the river book that I just gave a copy to my brother for his birthday--I love that book!).
Just did! Thank Susan! Melissa and I are writing together on this snowy morning...and breakfast is ready her husband says!
<3 Lovely tribute to your friend. And I laughed at "antisocial thrush". Lol. Here in summer Swainson's thrush are quite common. I'd call them "Shadow Thrush" because they always hide in the shadows from my camera.
Thanks Karen...I love Shadow Thrush! I hope the AOS asks us for our suggestions when they start renaming birds!
I do not envy them at all.
Yep...I think they stepped into something unfortunate...
Thank you for a beautiful post and pics 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
You're very welcome!
Wow--you and Dick knew and met with Ann Zwinger! We knew her personally from Doug's AF Academy teaching years and visited with her several times even going up to her cabin and Florissant. Great person and writer! Congrats on the Swainson's Thrush. Looks like it's going to be a very dull winter bird-wise here in the grassland. No seeds for the sparrows as the grass didn't even grow. Just brown straw leftover from last year. I am overrun with >100 Gambel's and Scaled Quail because I put out seed. Nothing for them to eat in the grassland so I must be sustaining them ($$$).
I'll be looking again for the Swainson's when I return to Bisbee this weekend...never know!
Ann was a good friend. I corresponded with her for many years and then finally met her when Dick invited me to join the two for some adventuring. So awesome you and Doug knew her too...I have all of her books, and her writing greatly influenced me when I was starting out, the way she used metaphor!
Wish we had known she was visiting Tucson!