Birding Etiquette

What happens when the world is looking for the rarest bird in the US?  Well, it was such an amazing thing.  Birders from all around the country come in flocks.  You swear a celebrity was in town.  The parking lot filled up like I've never seen before.  Parking starts out on the street and backs up.

I contact Kathie, who just came back from a big trip the night before, and she is on her way.  I had already seen the Groove Bill Ani the day before, but I want Kathie to get it on her list.  And she wants it on her list.  But she lives on the opposite end of town.  It's Sunday morning and people are going to church.  Traffic slows her down.

And Murphy's Law happens.  Almost too perfectly.  The bird lands right in front of me.  I hear the call first like I did the day before.  A man near me repeats, "Ani" the same time I do. And we're off.  Surprisingly, most people did not study the bird call before coming.  At least twenty people begin to crowd around with their cameras, but being that I had the call located to the right spot......I had the bird right in front of me.

But I crouched so that others could see.  I am a very tall guy and didn't want to be rude.  Someone's phone went off and the birders were all annoyed.  Really annoyed.  The bird flew into the salt bush.  And moved like our Road Runner does here in the desert.  I was able to then make adjustments to my camera the best I could.  You see....the Ani is from the Cuckoo family as is the Road Runner.  Not a graceful bird at all.

But the bird was quick!  It seemed to prefer the Willow Trees along the ponds. It perched mid to high range on those trees.  Birders, surprisingly kept their distance and allowed the bird some space.  But birders are aware of the idiots who don't care and just want the shot and ruin it for all. Today no one would try that move.  And thankfully no one played that call on their cell phones!  Extremely rude!

We observed the bird for 20 minutes.  It was quite the crowd.  I texted Kathie and said, "Hurry!  But be safe!"  As she drove into the parking lot, a Cooper's Hawk flew to grab the Ani.  The Ani dropped into the reeds and quickly disappeared.....for good.  The crowd, as quickly as they came, disappeared.  But others came after them and remained hopeful.  I stayed for Kathie to help her find the bird.  We were able to hear it several times that day but it never made an appearance again.

It would be the last time I saw the Groove Billed Ani.  Kathie would go again and not spot the bird.  I was bummed out about the timing.  She was kind and said it was okay. 

You win some and you lose some in the business of chasing a rare bird.  We saw the Common Loon together and were happy about that find.  But this one we couldn't both claim.  Kathie has to see the bird to make it count.  I have to get it on camera to make it count.   Once it's on camera, I will count the bird if I hear it by call alone. So what kind of birder are you?  And would you follow birder etiquette to get that shot?  

Try

I find chasing after a new bird has a cost because it doesn't always guarantee an excellent picture.....just a fuzzy one for that chance glimpse. And while running after that bird, many other species present themselves in broad daylight.  Ones that I've wanted to get great shots of since the beginning of this year.....but the distant call of the Groove Bill Ani calls me and I run.

Male Summer Tanager

As I run, the rare Male Summer Tanager taunts me sitting on top of a sign.  A test to see how bad I want this bird.  But I stop and hold myself together to snap shots of it.  The Ani calls again and my heart races and I must leave the bird that I've been trying to get better shots of........all for the Ani.

I walk briskly to the bird call.  Whenever there is a rare bird like the Plain Capped Starthroat Hummingbird or the Groove Billed Ani, I can't sleep well.   I memorize their calls and listen carefully while out in the field.  I hear the call repeatedly.

Meanwhile, like the devil taunting me, birds sit and stare at me giving me perfect shots of them.  "Come on!!!  Why couldn't you have done this before???  Why now!??"  The call comes again.

Rare bird indeed.  The only one in the US right now and the whole world is looking for it.  I find another birder also focusing her eyes on the same place I hear the call.

Cooper's Hawk

We look into the tree full of Grackles but a floppy jump catches my eye. "Everyone is here searching for you and we two lucky people found you."

But my eyes are distracted.  INCA DOVES!!!!!????  Come on!!!  Is this some sort of sick joke??!!!  I have searched for you all year long and now, NOW! of all times you and your friends are with the Ani in the tree.  

Inca Doves

A White Crowned Sparrow pops out....and perches perfectly for me.  I wish I had a copy of myself to observe them all at once.  But I can't.  And it's frustrating.  The Ani calls one last time and snaps my attention back like a tight rubber band. 

White Crowned Sparrow

And I catch it flying off into the reeds of the Sweetwater Wetlands.  And as soon as it all happens, it all quickly fades away.  Birders see us both get excited and MANY people come towards us.  I point the direction of the bird and they all quickly go after it.

Groove Billed Ani

"Try" happened twice for me to find this bird.  I had many sleepless nights. Finding the bird was pure adrenaline.  I won't forget that moment for a long time.  But I am a perfectionist and as a photographer, I was upset with my pictures.  I am OCD and went back the next day around the same time.  Would luck strike twice?  More tomorrow.....