Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

There have been a number of books (and a movie) about Big Years, and a running theme is the stress they put on a relationship. Fortunately, unlike most of the spouses and partners in these books . . . Ingrid is also a Birder and often she wants to get the bird just as much as I do.
 
But yesterday I pushed that premise to the limit. I was in Bar Harbor for a Birding Festival (naturally) and with Ingrid taking Friday off, she headed north after work to join me.
 
We had 7:00 dinner reservations and at 5:30 I headed to the hotel to shower off a day of bug spray, grime and sweat. Ingrid called me to say a rare Scissor-tailed Flycatcher had been seen at a horse farm in Trenton, Maine . . . a mere 20 miles from our hotel.
 
Well I couldn’t risk it flying off over night . . . so I rushed to the horse farm (passing Ingrid going north as I sped south).
 
Michael Good, a renown birder was also there and we spent 30 minutes scanning the field and fences of the area before I gave up . . . I had dinner reservations.
 
On the ride back to the hotel, I called the restaurant, pushed the reservations back to 7:30 . . . giving me just enough time to shower and change.
 
Just as I was I’m pulling into the hotel parking lot my phone rang . . . it was Michael . . . he was on the bird. I called Ingrid not knowing what to do do. She said “go get the bird and will figure out dinner when we you get back”.
 
I love this woman.
 
Anyway, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, a bird that belongs in Texas or Mexico was sitting on a fence . . . occasionally being chased by robins. I got some great photos and the next morning, Ingrid was able to see the bird herself.
 
Later we had a wonderful steak dinner . . . me smelling like Deep-Woods Off and Pine Sap . . . but I was truly happy knowing that I was the luckiest man in the world.
 
Maine Big Year Bird #275

3 comments

  1. By Mark Korducki -

    That’s a great story. My wife is wonderful as well but not a birder so chases can become a bit more contentious. Thanks for sharing your adventures this year. You seem to be getting a lot of rare birds for Maine and wonder if you are on record pace? Good luck

  2. By Steve Losier -

    Great story, you’re one lucky guy. Love the scissor-tailed, it’s one of my favorites (state bird of Oklahoma). Have seen them many times in Galveston, but am amazed one made it to ME.

Leave Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *