Home, Home Again

Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks have been a bane to me ever since I started 'birding' the USA. The field guide describes the best way to differentiate between the 2 is by the shorter and more squared tail of the latter, but easier said than done when only one or the other is present! While it was perched in a tree and in bad light, this raptor was always going to present identification problems, but looking at the photographs this looks to be more rounded in the tail which also looks long?

so, here is Cooper's Hawk showing a rounded tail and a view from the


front showing the extent of the tail.

The United States of America

Travel in the USA is about as safe as it can be anywhere in the world, take you 'eye off the ball' and your bag will be gone, but generally all is well. Again a generalisation, the people too are welcoming, kind,hospitable and mostly wanting to talk to those from what they describe as 'Mother England'. One thing, almost throughout, is lack of direction so if you want to know how to get to the Post Office the last person you should ask is a 'taxi driver' or a 'local'. A visit to just about anywhere would be worth it, but it has to be said that the pace of life is less hectic and attitudes much milder the further north and central you get.

Greyhound Line Coach Services

Arguably the best way to travel, especially if extensively, with buses in the main reasonably comfortable, at a good temperature, cleaned regularly but be advised about the discipline. The drivers of these vehicles will tolerate no messing about at all and are adequately backed by State and Federal Laws and the Police. On boarding, there is a longish verbal instruction as to the do's and dont's, for instance no alcohol, drugs, firearms, swearing, profanities etc the punishment being instant removal from the bus, wherever it may be with a supporting report sent to the police immediately. Cell phones, music makers and the like are allowed but again in moderation, while after nightfall even the smallest distraction to the driver will be met with disdain. This all makes for a much more comfortable ride and if a passenger makes a genuine complain to the driver, he / she is duty bound to investigate and sort out the problem to the customers satisfaction.

If you anticipate long distance travel, value for money is guaranteed, with a 15 days Greyhound Discovery Pass costing just £255. This pass is not restricted only to that 'line', but to most major carriers throughout the land including much of Canada and Mexico's California Baja and as far south as Chihuahua. Be diligent on arrival that the correct document (The Voucher) is issued for the papers issued in UK as incorrect issue can lead to serious delays. It is my intention to work out my personal distance travelled and if the relevant fares are available on the Greyhound website, total just how much my journeys would have cost on an 'at thecounter' price - don't hold your breath!

Finally, there are good numbers of Supermarkets where quality, healthy food can be purchased, but these are NOT on the regular coach routes and stops. Here it is wall to wall junk, with only the very occasional apple or banana being available. Not expensive, you can eat for just a few dollars at each stop, but in the main it is burgers, chicken, tacos and fries.

Leaving On A Jet Plane - John Denver

It has been a long but exhilerating journey back from Panama City, Florida to Minneapolis - Minnesota which took me via Tallahassee & Jacksonville - Florida, Savannah - Georgia, Manning - South Carolina, Raleigh - North Carolina, Richmond - Virginia then Washington DC (District of Columbia).

As we crossed the Potomac River the first recognisable building was the (Smithsonian) Museum of American History, the Greyhound following the road directly in front of the columned museum.

Only the top of the Jefferson Memorial could be seen,

but not long after the sun had set and the moon about the same as in the image, this was very much the scene across the Washington Memorial, at the end of the National Mall, and the Capitol Building in the distance. These (borrowed) photographs should have some memories for Lisa as we saw much of this during our visit in the 90's. On that occasion we also visited the huge restaurant complex below the Union Train Station where it was posible to eat the food of just about every nation in the world!

A change of coach and it was onward to Baltimore - Maryland, Pittsburg - Pennsylvania, Cleveland - Ohio, Gary - Indiana and again to Chicago - Illinois. The final addition to the States list was Wisconsin which we crossed diagonally from south east to north west, taking in the city of Milwaukee in the process.

So, I've come to the end of this visit to the United States of America (about my eighth I think) but feel sure I'll be back again. When I left England the US readership on this Blog was what I considered a most respectable 52 individuals, but since this has risen to a monumental 378 (at the last count) comprising some of people I have met and enjoyed company with on the way.

The highlight on the bird front had to be the Red-headed Woodpecker (if only the Brown-headed Nuthatch had been as obliging), which I have had the opportunity of seeing in the past but has never shown up for me, a brilliant creature to say the very least. As for places, that has to go to the Crazy Horse Memorial carved into the Black Hills of Dakota, what a pity that he, Chief Henry Standing Bear and sculpter Korczak Ziolkowski could not be here to view it! People? Well that would be impossible to pick a favourite as the vast majority have been kind, polite, respectful and helpful. However, a minor situation that visited me just a day or two ago could have left me up a small creek without a paddle but for yet another immeasurable kindness.

I met Steve on the balcony of the AquaView Motel in Panama City Beach, and while a little loud he was a pleasant enough character. Over a beer it turned out that our next paths were in the same direction and on the same day at the same time. Without coaxing he offered me a lift which I accepted, and asked if I would contribute £30 to the fuel bill. That was not a problem and we agreed to meet in the lobby at an appointed time. Jerry, the landlord, was already concerned that he would not show up and in the end, to cut a long story short, he didn't. Jerry had already phoned the Car Hire firm to remind Steve of his commitment but he had told them he simply wasn't going to bother about me. With that Jerry drove me the 20? or so miles to the Greyhound Station without a care. I would like to take yet another opportunity to thank him and his lovely wife Sonja for their help and hospitality.

There are now just 3 States in the US that I have not visited, Idaho, Utah and Hawii which should fit in very nicely when I get my act together to try for 2 of the final 3 Gull species needed. They are Red-legged Kittiwake off Alaska and Yellow-footed Gull in Baja California, Mexico which would make for a very neat trip in itself. The final one is Relect Gull which may take a little more effort.

Ammendments, I'm sure there must be a number, but the only one I have discovered and put to right was when in Chicago last I reporte making it to Lake Superior, which should have read Lake Michigan.

Over the past 2 days, other species to have been added to the 'trip list' have included Belted Kingfisher, Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, Mute Swan and American Herring Gull none of which were photographed. This brings up what I guess will be the final

Total Bird Species - 70, World Lifers - 7 (10% of those seen is considered incredible),
Total States Visited or Passed Through - 28, New States Visited - 15.

The Star-Spangled Banner

A Stroll In The Park (Part II)

By mid-morning the heat was getting oppressive, but armed with plenty to drink plus signs of other avian activity up ahead I wandered on.

Northern Mockingbird, this has been the best pose so far of this very common species.

Sheephead, one of a catch otherwise Grey Mullet this man had with his throwing net.

and a couple of examples of the water-craft

and dwellings on the edge of the Gulf.

Forster's Tern (first winter) were also fairly numerous, this one making for a decent shot despite loss of a wing tip.

At last a 'settled' Dragonfly, this a Great Blue Skimmer.

Brown Pelicans then hove into view and were obliging as several sat atop waterside posts,

many on the wing, and close while

this juvenile and adult were content to swim past.

This Sharp-shinned Hawk chased a flock of small birds through the understorey before perching, for a few minutes, close by.

I had now completed the full circuit, and arriving back at the main gate I noticed it was both mid-day and 93F, time to head back. On the way a second Dragonfly was found perched in the middle of the pavement and allowed a number of uninterrupted shots. A little strange I thought, so moved to flush it but it didn't move. Unfortunately it was dead but in perfect condition, I believe its a

Eastern Pondhawk.

The best was most certainly saved until last as looking up from this beautiful insect to find a

Loggerhead Shrike perched on the wires above. Unconcerned with my presence it just sat there, and although not a 'first' for me, it was certainly the 'bird of the day'. In addition to the species shown, others to have been seen include Brown-headed Nuthatch (another 'lifer' which I 'twitched' and missed with my New Jersey birding pal Doug Johnson when we drove into Delaware some years ago) and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

'World Lifers' so far have been:-

PRAIRIE FALCON
LAZULI BUNTING
SAGE THRASHER
YELLOW RAIL
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER
BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH

A Stroll In The Park (Part I)

The reason for yesterday's hiccup? Plenty of time but no Internet access wherever I went, my only life line being 'new found mate' Steven Salem. He had an I-phone and the know how, but I had the information but couldn't see the digits on the blessed phone. Eventually, settling to post where or however it turned out, the gist of the message was there and will now be noted to be in correct chronological order. I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Steven, not just for the access but for also being yet another fantastic character I have met during this epic through the USA. Further Steve I hope your son remains safe in Afghanistan and all goes well with your job man!

After the beer and a much needed rest it was out at 06-30 to try and find some bird-life. The beach was much the same as yesterday, and with a wait of 90 minutes before the park opened I decided on some scrub land close to a huge hotel. The area was full of Blue Jays and Northern Mockingbirds, but most numerous were Dragonflies but none that I could identify and not one that would perch.

Arriving at the gate at 07-50 in the hope of entry was met with a rebuff, Miss More Than My Jobsworth was on duty and wasn't letting me in until the appointed hour. Coupled with the fact she had no idea what I might find within, no bird list and no map things weren't getting off to the best of starts. A little searching and she did find a map and as I'd seen, from a distance, what looked like a few Terns perched on the adjacent pier thought that the best start.

There were plenty of Cactus and some little tiny 'spurs' that clung to anything they could.

She did however let me take a shot of her 'badge of office'.

Great Egret the first new bird for the trip today, but it flew straight past.

Gulf Fritilliary were numerous,

with undersides as spectacular as the upper-wings.

Royal Tern. By now the pier was full of anglers and other holidaymakers so chances of a perched Tern had diminished. However, this single did do a flypast before disappearing seaward.

Next to fly in was this Snowy Egret, but much more obligingly

it landed allowing a better and longer look.

The anglers were doing quite well already, one lady landing this decent Flounder as I arrived.

Rufous-sided Towhee also seemed quite common,

this one responding to 'pishing' allowing good views.

Two small birds together in a dead tree was a lucky shot,

but this Carolina Chickadee was nearly overlooked as a Black-capped until consulting the field guide realised there is a distinct and defined border between the two species at the northern edge of the Carolina's.

The second was a little more difficult being a juvenile, but think I have this pinned down to Northern Parula. A little help would be welcome if anyone thinks differently send me an e-mail please!

What appears to be another juvenile, this time a Red-bellied Woodpecker there was an adult also present but not stopping for a photo call.

White-tailed Deer ran across the road right in front of me and seemingly unaware of my presence stood and posed.

With the temperature in the high 80's+ there was little in the way of wetland, so felt lucky to get these 2 in one frame.

The Great (White) Egret obligingly caught a fish

and swallowed it while the

Great Blue Heron did its best to relieve it of the catch.

The Long and Winding Road - The Beatles

It was a long haul, to say the least, from Chicago to Panama City Beach, Florida (29 hours to be exact) but well worth it for all that. Places of interest in between include the birth place of both Abraham Lincoln and Cassius Clay, Lexington, where 39% of the population hold a Masters Degree and Fort Knox the US Gold Bullion Depository.

There is a distinction between where I am at the moment and Panama City which is a completely separate city back over the bridge. PCB is a thriving resort on the Gulf of Mexico and given that I thought the last thing I should mention is my affiliation with 'Oil Rigs'. They have had none of the legacy from the Deep Water Horizon spill here but diplomacy will reign.

Hardly having time to step off the Greyhound I was met by Julian the taxi driver, full of bluster about his wife being English and what I should do and where to go. After calming him down a bit there was some sense in what he had to advise and so I hired him to drive me to the Gulf. Having pointed out the direction and distance to the beach and the Nature Reserve the neat little motel right opposite the junction we were stopped at seemed the ideal location. At the Aquaview I was met by Jerry and Sonja who made me feel welcome immediately and answered all my questions in quick time. Jerry himself something of a naturalist rattled off a number of species I might see and then between them showed me some of his wildlife paintings. Excellent would be an understatement as I was privileged to see three species of Hummingbird, a Barn Owl and a water colour of a Civil War sea battle painted by Jerry's father.

After such a lovely welcome there was still time to visit both the beach and take a walk to the gates of the Nature Reserve to find out opening times etc.

Greeted on the boardwalk by this adult Laughing Gull, this was a fine start to the walk.

It may well look like these Gulls are walking in snow as the sand is so fine and white.

It was like walking on flour.

This was the only juvenile Laughing Gull I encountered, but a little further on on there was a

single Turnstone,

these 2 Sanderling,

a closer look at this one, and a single

Willet seen from

two different angles.

The walk to the reserve was about a mile where I arrived just in time to catch the staff before they left for home. The main question was what time they would open the next day, but 08-00 wasn't ideal.

The temperature was still in the 80's as I wandered back towards the motel, with ahead of me the sun sinking behind the Gulf of Mexico while behind me

a Full Moon was already quite high in the sky. That's when I started to hear music and soon happened on

Patches Pub and simply couldn't resist the sounds.

It would be fair to say a beer or two was pretty irresistible too, and with a cordial welcome from all within I soon discovered where the bar got its name from.

Most of the walls were covered in an impressive collection of 'patches' from all walks of life, States and the rest of the world.

The US navy Seal's Insignia

There was also a strong association here with the US Navy Seals (Sea, Air and Land teams) which is the Navy's principle Special Operations Force, and all manner of Diving.

A 'hard hat' divers helmet all part of the decor.

Mine Hosts were Gay & Jay, himself many years a Seal and both world travellers with close contacts on UK.

With so much in common it seemed just moments before I was being seen as a 'local' and enjoying some great conversation with Gay and barman Shaun.

The 'house speciality', or maybe it should be described as novelty, are Vodka Jellos and as the name suggests are a shot of vodka frozen with jelly - which simply had to be tried.

The music that enticed me in was the new album by The Raconteurs, a new project from Jack White of White Stripes fame. On the face of it an excellent offering which I may well take a punt on once back home. The 'live' music however came from local gal and usual 'frontman' for local band Screamin' Fleas - Kc Phelps who's solo effort was nothing short of fantastic.

Another 'novelty' of the evening was the $1M bill

which the guy who presented it by way of payment for a pint of Bud nearly got away with. It was only lack of the right amount of change that foiled him!

At the time of leaving I felt every bit the 'local' and would like to think I may return one day, especially to experience Biker Week which is annual over the first weekend of October. Thanks to all you lovely people concerned, you can see the ladies were troubled by my leaving!!!!

and finally a little Rock Trivia:- Local school teacher Mr L Skinner of Jacksonville, Florida (just up the road from here) died a couple of days ago. Known by his pupils as a bit of a tyrant, his pet hates were rock music and boys with long hair. Unfortunately for him, there was a lot of both about in the 60's not least in his class. Having suffered long and hard at the hands of Skinner, when a few classmates formed a rock band they took his name and bastardised it, and in the process immortalising their teacher. The bands name?

'LYNYRD SKYNYRD'