Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Girl from the North Country


Dear young Ms. Black-throated Green Warbler:

I was looking through some of my images from last fall, and I remembered the September day you dropped out of the sky, headed to the tropics from your home in the north country.

Please condsider this your embossed, hand-addressed invitation to return to the Indigo Hill weeping willow tree next spring or fall, on your way through Ohio. You know the tree, it's right off the deck out back. We never spray it, so the insects on it are "organically grown" you might say. I'm not sure what it is about willows, but all the songbirds seem to love them.

Since you last visited this ridgetop farm, I've gotten a new camera and I'd really love to take your picture again, if you don't mind.

There's no need to r.s.v.p. Just show up whenever it feels right.
I'll be outside watching for you.

Until then may you have safe travels, gentle rains, and helpful tailwinds.

Your friend,

Bill of the Birds

7 comments:

  1. LOL, you had me laughing over this one Bill!

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  2. P.S.
    And if it's in your itinerary, please stop by Loveland, Ohio. It will be easy to find us. We are the only yard with real plants.
    P.S.S. Watch out for the Coop.

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  3. Dear Bill of the Birds,

    Thank you for the invitation to return to your lovely home in Ohio. I will most definitely wing my way back to you in the Spring, especially if you promise to take more pictures of MOI with your new camera!

    That last photo (in September) was very pretty, but we can both admit that your new toy and your ever-improving photography skills will make me look even MORE beautiful when I return!! I can't wait. And I may even bring some of my gorgeous friends for a group shot.

    So be ready for me! My itinerary to the north includes a layover in a special 80-acre wood in southeast Ohio.

    Your friend,
    Ms. Black-throated Green Warbler

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  4. Who could resist such a heartfelt invitation? You're quite a gentleman, and I'm sure the lady will be back.

    Could you send her through a marshy area near Spring Mills PA as well? We have a willow too!

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  5. After visitng BT3 you are welcome to nest in our extended yard at Rondeau.
    We have lots of bugs.
    RR

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  6. BOTB,

    Hello Bill. I live in Morgan County, Ohio - which is not far at all from your willows. In fact, I have willow trees that hang over a pond on my property in rural Morgan County near the North end of Burr Oak Lake. During fall migration, these willows are filled with southbound warblers and sometimes, I can easily get at least 5 - 10 species of warblers in a fairly short time. The Black-throated Greens are usually the most abundant species of warbler and they adore the willows over the pond. Not to mention the Gnatcatchers, Kinglets, and others. I think these willows attract a lot of insects for some reason. Perhaps its the inviting, raspy bark that provides plenty of hiding places for these critters. Anyhow, willows rule, (at least near my pond) in Morgan County, Ohio.

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  7. BOTB: That's a lovely photo, but it must be the light, cause it does not look like a BTGW.

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