Posted by Paul Bithorn on September 15, 2003 at 19:34:52:
I have now set a personal high for chasing a rarity, having made 6 trips and spending 31 hours, plus 12 hours of travel time, in search of the painfully
unpredictable Black-faced Grassquit. I looked this morning, Monday,September 15, 2003 from 6:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. but to no avail.
I must say that I heard the little bugger briefly on Sunday, September 7th with John Boyd, but we could not locate the bird. John, of course, saw the bird on a subsequent visit.
However, all is not lost. I have come away with an extremely intimate knowledge of and kindred relationship with Long Pine Key's unique, Pine
Rockland fauna and flora.
I have also been privileged to have met many lost souls, such as myself, who have wandered aimlessly in pursuit of this rare and elusive, diminutive
Caribbean stray.
Many celebratory libations have been placed in escrow with the cautious optimism that this bird will show itself yet another day. I say,"Never quit
on a Grassquit!!" Remember, Yogi Berra once said " Birding is 20% skill and 90% luck." If my persistence doesn't eventually pay off, I will nonetheless
release those celebratory libations from their bondage. They should not have to suffer any further due to my painful demise.
Life is good......................even if my wife said that if I make one more attempt, she is going to leave me.............I'm sure gonna miss her.
A wise man once said " It's easier to find a new wife, than to find another Black-faced Grassquit."
And remember, there is no 12-step program for a birder.