Hot Spot!

It was almost silent, no one else around. Every so often, a Carolina Wren would call through the woods, too far away to see, even with binoculars. A Tufted Titmouse would chatter up in the trees, playing coy whenever I turned to look.

As I passed a thick patch of saw palmettos, I jumped when something lunged away. Peering closer, I saw a Gray Catbird trying to escape my inquisitive gaze. Before I could gain a closer look with my binoculars, it had disappeared within the mass of palm fronds.

I hiked and hiked and hiked for what seemed like hours. At one point, I rounded a bend, and found myself face to face with a startled doe. We both froze, only feet away from each other. Trying to contain my excitement, I moved slowly, but she and another deer lurched away into the forest.

Beyond this point, the path diverged into several directions. My decision upon which way to turn was quickly made for me, when I became aware of the sounds of dozens of birds off to my left.

Slowing my pace, I turned and realized the area was teeming with birds. Not four feet away, a Black and White Warbler scaled an oak tree, in its woodpecker-like manner. Catbirds and Kinglets and Gnatcatchers and Cardinals and Sparrows and Chickadees and more flitted about in the treetops and underbrush. It was overwhelming.

Unfortunately, only a few minutes after I had discovered this gem, my mom came looking for me and I had to leave. I couldn't help but to think of all the birds I had yet to identify in that one small patch of the trail.

I can't wait to go back. This time, I know right where to go. Of course, there's no guarantee they'll still be there next week, but I have a pretty good idea of where to look, anyway.

So that's my birding adventure of the week!

Until next time,

Happy birding!