at the CBC 2010
~~~
Just when
you think you've seen it all, there's more! Each December, the
annual Christmas Bird Count has its own unique joys. Christmas Bird
Counts are full of surprises, educational experiences, abundant numbers
of birds, low numbers of birds, and brand new bird species.
The people (birders) who are willing to take their own precious time to get up, get ready, and be outdoors with binoculars before sunrise are my kind of people. Sure they are a bit conspicuously unconventional, but that makes the road traveled even more attractive. The thing that makes it all worthwhile is seeing that unexpected bird, like a sleepy-eyed Great-horned Owl in the middle of a St. George neighborhood or maybe a majestic Bald Eagle perched high in a towering pine in Zion National Park. Once in awhile you get to see species other than birds, like Big Horned Sheep. How neat to see one silhouetted on a mountain ridge in a snowstorm. Most impressive of all, on any Christmas Bird Count, are all the birds who stay the winter and somehow find food amidst the snow, rain and frigid temperatures. The next time December rolls around and you are sitting inside wondering what there is to do, think Christmas Bird Count. A full day outside looking for bird life will cure any type of the blues.
Hooray for the birds that make the 'counts' special. Hooray for the volunteers who keep abreast of 'what's happening' to wildlife and habitat so vital to our existence.
The 111 CBC: December 14, the St. George CBC had perfect weather and we counted 94 species. December 16, the Silver Reef CBC had rain most of the day and we counted 90 species. December 18, the Zion CBC had rain, snow, muddy roads, fewer birds . . . but we loved it! See photos below:
The people (birders) who are willing to take their own precious time to get up, get ready, and be outdoors with binoculars before sunrise are my kind of people. Sure they are a bit conspicuously unconventional, but that makes the road traveled even more attractive. The thing that makes it all worthwhile is seeing that unexpected bird, like a sleepy-eyed Great-horned Owl in the middle of a St. George neighborhood or maybe a majestic Bald Eagle perched high in a towering pine in Zion National Park. Once in awhile you get to see species other than birds, like Big Horned Sheep. How neat to see one silhouetted on a mountain ridge in a snowstorm. Most impressive of all, on any Christmas Bird Count, are all the birds who stay the winter and somehow find food amidst the snow, rain and frigid temperatures. The next time December rolls around and you are sitting inside wondering what there is to do, think Christmas Bird Count. A full day outside looking for bird life will cure any type of the blues.
Hooray for the birds that make the 'counts' special. Hooray for the volunteers who keep abreast of 'what's happening' to wildlife and habitat so vital to our existence.
The 111 CBC: December 14, the St. George CBC had perfect weather and we counted 94 species. December 16, the Silver Reef CBC had rain most of the day and we counted 90 species. December 18, the Zion CBC had rain, snow, muddy roads, fewer birds . . . but we loved it! See photos below:
Great Horned Owl
in St.
George
Cedar Waxwings in St. George
Northern Mockingbird
Tallying the St. George results at Tonaquint
Roadrunner at the Leeds CBC
Waiting to tally results at the Leeds CBC
Turkeys braving the elements at the Zion CBC
Conditions at the East Entrance to Zion
Lots of weeping at Weeping Rock
Keith and Marilyn Davis on the "snowy side" of the tunnel at Zion
Home - Red Cliffs Audubon
Cedar Waxwings in St. George
Northern Mockingbird
Tallying the St. George results at Tonaquint
Roadrunner at the Leeds CBC
Waiting to tally results at the Leeds CBC
Turkeys braving the elements at the Zion CBC
Conditions at the East Entrance to Zion
Lots of weeping at Weeping Rock
Keith and Marilyn Davis on the "snowy side" of the tunnel at Zion
We hope you
enjoyed the pictures of a
day in the life of a CBC birder! Please join us
next year for
the 2011 Christmas Bird Count. Until then, happy birding!
~~~
Home - Red Cliffs Audubon