Q: Where are you?
On the interweb thingy I'm still in Southern California. In the real world (yeah, like a Big Year chasing birds is the real world) I'm in Orlando airport, trying to get a flight *back* to California.
Q: Wait - who's feeding the cats? Are they still alive?
They're fine...
Still alive.
Q: What are you doing in Orlando? Isn't that where Disney is?
Well - I've just spent a day (yesterday) on a pelagic trip out of New Smyrna Beach trying for White-tailed Tropicbird. And today I've chased Budgerigar for the second time and a very geographically helpful Code 3 surprise - a Fork-tailed Flycatcher - less than an hour from the airport. No Disney characters were hurt during these escapades.
Q: Whatever. Did you get the birds?
You'll have to wait for the posts...they should be online soon.
Q: Why don't I know what's been happening recently?
A combination of: too much birding / there aren't enough hours in the day / I haven't managed to delegate my blog / I'm too tight to pay someone to write it / 5-hour energy drinks don't work.
Q: So - why are you going back to California? Did you forget to return the rental car?
Ummm...no. There's a Lesser Sand-plover in San Diego. It's a stunning bird and a lifer. I may get it in Alaska in the fall, but this is too good a chance to miss. Plus, there was a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper too - but that hasn't been seen since.
Q: OK. Well, hurry up and write some more. This blog is the highlight of my life.
Really? Thanks! Well, I know birds are cool, and the writing is kind of funny and…
Q: I'm being sarcastic.
Oh. OK.
(*In this attempt at greater transparency I should mention that I've just made up these questions myself. But I think they're pretty good ones.)
Sadly this blog really IS the highlight of my life at the moment! No kidding.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post! Good luck! I mainly bird locally, and enjoy your nationwide birding vicariously!
ReplyDeleteThanks David,
DeleteGlad to hear you're enjoying hearing about the birds.
- Neil
Good luck with the Lesser Sand Plover (we call them Mongolian Plovers over here). It really is quite the cracking good bird. Post away, Mr. Hayward. We miss you!! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Bradlee,
DeleteGreat to see you're still reading!
Yeah - we used to get Mongolian Plovers in the UK - as very rare vagrants. Very excited to go to CA to try for this bird. Hope you'll enjoy seeing the pics later ;)
- Neil
Looking forward to it!!
DeleteVery well written and exceedingly humorous. I truly look forward to hearing about the disposition of the FL campaigns.
ReplyDeleteI'll be submitting some questions of my own for the next FAQ... heh, heh
ReplyDelete