phalacrocorax (from phalakros, bald, and kora, crow or raven) auritus (crested)
Sunday, October 5, 1980 — 2:30 pm
Barrington, Illinois — Baker’s Lake
The Double-crested Cormorant was standing on a mud bar well out in the lake. When we first saw it, its wings were spread out. It sat upright with its neck in an “S.”
catharus (purity of song) minimus (least)
Friday, October 3, 1980 — 11:55 am
Des Plaines, Illinois — home
When I first spotted this Gray-cheeked Thrush, it was standing on the rim of the birdbath next to the big tree by the shed in the backyard. It hopped down and splashed around some. Later we saw it foraging in and under the nearby bushes.
The yard in Des Plaines was a thrush magnet. Rarely did a spring or fall migration go by without visits from Hermits, Swainson’s, and Gray-cheeks. I had all the time I could ever want to study them and learn the differences. I also saw the occasional Wood Thrushes and Veerys. American Robins were always around and nested more than once. And, of course, I saw a Varied Thrush in 1979.
troglodytes (creeper into holes) troglodytes (ditto)
Thursday, October 2, 1980 — 5:10 pm
Des Plaines, Illinois — home
I spotted this Winter Wren out the window of our bedroom. It was in the nearly empty birdbath at first, then foraging on the patio around the base of the tall tree near the shed. It picked at the leaves and frequently hopped about on the woodpile. At times, it actually climbed onto the trunk of the tree where it climbed up and sideways on the bark. It was a very active, dark-rufous wren that looked like a mouse scurrying about. Its tail was a tiny, stubby-looking thing.
athene (from Greek goddess of wisdom, Pallas Athene, to whom the owl was a sacred bird) cunicularia (burrower)
Thursday, September 18, 1980 — 12:00 noon
Hammond, Indiana — 110th Street and State Line Road
All summer long, this bird hung around in a narrow power-line corridor wedged between a residential area and Interstate 90. Every time I called the hot line, it was reported. I felt like I should probably go down and see it, but I kept putting it off. I finally decided that if the bird was going to stay forever, I might as well give it a shot.
I drove down through an unappealing section of Chicago, full of industries and tiny homes. I found the spot and parked on State Line Road (on the Indiana side). I strolled into the field under the high-tension wires.
I spotted the owl right away. It was standing on the ground next to a pile of steel beams. It appeared to be resting on its belly as its legs were out of sight. I walked slowly toward it, stopping every so often to take a look. I got within five feet before it took off and landed on a cross bar of the power-line tower. It stood and bobbed a few times, calling occasionally. It looked around, turning its head as much as 180 degrees, for about 25 minutes, then took off again. It flew low over the ground and glided to a landing on a fence post. When it flew, its head and tail looked very short.
sterna (tern) caspia (of the Caspian Sea)
Sunday, August 24, 1980 — 2:20 pm
Illinois Beach State Park, Illinois — Lake Michigan
It was a beautiful day, and my wife and I decided to drive to the lake and take a stroll along the beach. Of course, I brought my binoculars along. The park was pretty crowded, but we had a good time. The Caspian Terns were flying up and down the shoreline, close to the beach. We saw a few with fish in their bills. Occasionally, one would hover in one spot for a few seconds.
