Artist at Exit 0 Riverblog

From a previous post…you know I’m into birds and since this is migration season, I’m at the Falls of the Ohio as often as I can get a few hours to get away.  I do keep a list of what I see in this park based on their official checklist that includes 268 recorded species.  I’m almost half way there!  I suppose I would have to live at the park year round to not miss any opportunities as long as the birds were willing to cooperate.  The birds, however, have their own time-honored agendas and I try to be present in their moments.  This season is shaping up to be a late one and I haven’t seen nearly the number of species I saw last year, but there is still time.  The last two days have brought some surprises which I was able to get a few snapshots to share with you.  Here are two new species for me at the Falls of the Ohio State Park.

The White-eyed Vireo is listed as being uncommon for this park.  You are more likely to hear this bird ( and it can put up quite a volume of sound for a little bird) than to see it.  It is a master of hiding in dense underbrush.  I was less than ten feet away from this bird while it was singing and I couldn’t visually locate it.  I saw one once in central Texas.   

Here’s today’s prize!  While looking for Scarlet Tanagers, I came across this male Summer Tanager.  This is the first one I’ve ever seen and had to do a double-take.  No black wings…pale colored bill and a slightly different call note.  I was able to watch this bird for about five minutes and got close enough to record this image.  Although I have seen several Scarlet Tanagers, I haven’t been able to make a photo decent enough to share.  The Scarlet Tanagers so far, are staying in the tops of the trees where all the little cut-worms are feasting on young leaves.  This is what is drawing migratory birds to this park.  This Summer Tanager is about at the northern limit of its normal range.  Seeing birds like this makes me want to go out everyday!  It’s a nice break from working with Styrofoam!!

The first and last images are bird sculptures I’ve made and photographed at the park.  Found objects I have used include various polystyrene foam pieces, plastic, wood, and bits of coal for the eyes.  The “Blue-tailed Styrobird” I later mounted on a nice branch and sold in a gallery.  The “Wood-winged Styrobird” I left for other people to discover and it later flew off.