Thursday, February 19, 2009

I saw a Horned Lark today!

I think I'm getting bored with my winter backyard birds and I am getting anxious for my summer friends to return.  But I did see my first ever Horned Lark today!  I was driving home from the Niles hospital on the back roads.  I was at a 4 way stop in the middle of a large cleared farm field.  A strange looking bird landed right beside my car.  No one was around me so I stayed and watched it for sometime to try and take some mental notes of it.  It looked somewhat like a waxwing because it had a mask but it's back and belly feathers were nothing like a waxwing.  A short distance away I noticed about 10 more of the same bird.  As soon as I got home I ran for my field guide.  I found it! A Horned Lark!  But this is February and Horned Larks are summer birds in Michigan.... upon further reading my field guide said that Horned Larks are one of the earliest migrators arriving in February.  That solved that.  Sure enough, I saw my first Horned Lark today!  Now if I only would have had my camera with me.   

5 comments:

Shelley said...

How exciting just to see one!!

Minerva said...

Bet you'll bring a camera to work from now on, huh?!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Well they say that we birders need to take our cameras EVERYWHERE we go. I'm trying--but still don't always remember. Hopefully you will see him again and get his picture the next time.
Hugs,
Betsy

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Way to go.At least you have the memory forever.
Blessings,Ruth

Anonymous said...

I'm hoping that's another sign of spring! :)