
When Christine Guarino posted on the 6th, that Rich Guthrie had seen a Swainson's Hawk near the Thruway Exit 21B in New Baltimore, Greene County NY. A few days had already passed since the Hawk was found - Rich had apparently seen it two days before. When I read that post, I was thinking how lucky Rich was to have seen the bird, since I expected that bird to move on. However, after a couple of days went by and with reports of the bird still being seen filtered in, I began to toy with the idea of making the run for it. Scheduling was a little tight, so I kept my fingers and toes crossed hoping that it would still be there as the weekend neared. On Friday the 9th, when I spoke to friends Shai and Pat whom by now you should be quite familiar with as I have blogged about some good birding times with them, they gently "gripped" me. Indicating, that they were on their way back from seeing the bird. The conversation with Pat and Shai only strengthened my resolve, I was going to make a run for the bird. By the way, Gripped off - is just one of those birding terminology that means what you are when you've just dipped (missed) a bird that other twitchers (birders/chasers) that arrived earlier managed to see.
A few people were suggested by others as maybe having an interest in chasing; however, the connection was never made. Quite content with making the run alone, I was not at all dissuaded and so the gear was packed and the alarm was set. After a sleepless night, which is the norm whenever I have a mission like this at hand. I was up early on Saturday - ready, despite feeling the effects of little to no sleep. By 6:00 A.M. I was on the road listening to the sounds of Metallica, feeling that I left with enough time for sufficient light if I had to wait out the bird.

As I headed back to the truck to get my scope and lens. The Swainson's as is if waiting on cue came right towards me. It was a breath taking sight - what a neat bird! I will stop here and let the photos do the rest, enjoy!




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10 comments:
EEEee! That last photo gave me goosebumps!
Congrats on the Swainson's!
Metallica?
Metallica at 6:00 am?? No wonder you were awake enough to get these great shots. Beautiful bird!
hee hee..metallica? really?
well...soo glad the Swainsons was there for you...Awesome shots Dude of the birds!
@Lynne - I know what you mean, here I am staring at this bird through my optics and I get this look right back at me :)
@John - Thanks, the looks were spectacular.
@Dawn - Yep, the one thing I could listen to that would get me all alert for the run :)
@Pat - Yep, you got it right. Metallica was just what I needed. On the way back the mood called for something more soothing, so I listened to Dominique Durand of Ivy.
@Dawn - thanks, I figured you might get a chuckle from that. Pat was spot on, I needed that to keep awake.
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