7 November 2026

Archive for August, 2014

A rainy one

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014
Fruit of the Red Twig Dogwood, near Clam Cove, Rockport, Maine, 13 August 2014.

Fruit of the Red Twig Dogwood.

I didn’t see a single bird today, although I did hear six species. It was one of those cool, foggy, rainy summer days when you just feel like hunkering down—which, for me, was made easier by the fact that I’ve got no wheels still. Tomorrow, though, looks promising.

(Raining like a sumbitch tonight.)

Today’s List

1. American Crow (v)
2. Herring Gull (v)
3. Cedar Waxwing (v)
4. Osprey (v)
5. Black-capped Chickadee (v)
6. American Goldfinch (v)

v = Voice only

 

Naming things

Tuesday, August 12th, 2014
Mouse-ear Hawkweed, near Clam Cove, Rockport, Maine, 12 August 2014.

Mouse-ear Hawkweed.

Humans love to name things. Plants, animals, tall buildings. Assuming the names outlive us, it’s a kind of way to claim immortality.

The early common names of things seemed to have come naturally—although I suppose some individual person would’ve had to come up with them at some point. More recently, groups and committees decide these things. And I’m not even talking about scientific nomenclature.

Today I took a photo of a cluster of wildflower, then I looked them up. They were the blooms of Mouse-ear Hawkweed. I didn’t know the name of this plant until today. Apparently, it’s invasive, but medicinal.

Technically, identifying birds is nameing things. I do that pretty much every day. I wonder if that means I’ll live forever.

Today’s List

1. American Crow
2. Northern Cardinal (v)
3. Herring Gull
4. American Robin (v)
5. American Goldfinch (v)
6. Osprey (v)
7. Black-capped Chickadee (v)

v = Voice only

 

Desk chair, bike saddle

Monday, August 11th, 2014
Maple key, near Clam Cove, Rockport, Maine, 11 August 2014.

Maple key.

Sunny and coolish, with a few clouds moving through late. I spent a good while in my desk chair—too long (I’ve got a hankering for a stand-up desk)—but then took off on my bicycle. A good, luscious ride. Heard many birds, saw a few.

On my return I spotted a dried-up maple key on the landing of the stairs out back. They’re amazing things.

Captain Jack

Captain Jack

I also took a picture of Jack.

Today’s List

1. American Crow
2. Northern Cardinal (v)
3. Herring Gull
4. House Sparrow (v)
5. Northern Flicker (v)
6. Osprey (v)
7. American Goldfinch (v)
8. American Robin (v)
9. Cedar Waxwing
10. Song Sparrow (v)
11. Mourning Dove
12. Black-capped Chickadee (v)

v = Voice only

 
Bird Report is a (sometimes intermittent) record of the birds I encounter while hiking, see while driving, or spy outside my window. —Brian Willson



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