Posted by Paul Bithorn on September 19, 2003 at 14:34:08:
I spent four hours from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. looking for the Black-faced Grassquit on Long Pine Key in E.N.P. Although I did not see my target bird, on what would be my 8th futile attempt, I had ten warbler species, including a beautiful immature Chestnut-sided Warbler, which was a year bird. I also had a life rat, a chunky brown Cotton Mouse. A Great White Heron was seen on the drive in along the main road, an 8-point White-tailed Deer buck on the drive out and a large flock of Bobolinks in the field full of Castor Beans at the four-way stop across from the prison in Florida City.The brilliant, orange Leafwing Butterflies and patriotic American Beauty Moths helped make the trip even more fructifying. A White-winged Dove, rare for the park, was on the road to the campground and colorful Burrowing Wasps(see Lee Snyder for photos) remain on the north side of the residence. Life is good............................ knowing that Pam, my lovely wife of 26 years and my boss are still putting up with my most recent obsession.
"I would rather have a bottle in front of me that a frontal lobotomy.....................although I'm beginning to lean the other way."