Another life bird!

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." - Frank Lloyd Wright

So I'm sitting here at my desk, trying to solve for the determinant of a 3x3 matrix in my Algebra II class. The window is open and a nice breeze is drifting through; some Tufted Titmice are calling in the distance.

Then suddenly, this loud, obnoxious grating noise makes me jump. It's really close by. I heard it a couple days ago while riding my bike, but didn't think anything of it. This is really loud, though, and almost tree frog-like.

I look out the window, scanning the bare branches of the elm tree. The only bird in sight is sitting with its back to me; it is about the size of a dove, and for a moment, I nearly dismiss it as one.

But something is different. It has brownish coloration, and its head is way bigger. I grab my binoculars and focus in on the bird. It turns slightly and I see that its head has a big crest, its belly is greyish-yellow, and its back is grey and brown.

It's calling again: reeep REEEP rrrip rrrrip. After barely 2 seconds, it takes off.

I have seen just enough though. Flipping to the section on "Tyrranidae" in my field guide, I start comparing pictures and descriptions. The only one that fits is the one I had in mind.

A Great Crested Flycatcher!

It hasn't returned to the tree, but I can still hear it calling in the distance. What a fantastic bird! Big (Relatively), loud, boastful, and certainly unexpected.

That is my year bird #74.

Happy Birding!