Tag: Bluebird

I returned to the State Arboretum of Virginia this morning—the place I’ve called “Mockingbird Alley” in an earlier journal entry. At sunrise, I set up my monopod in my usual spot and waited. After 20 minutes, several mockingbirds perched high against the sky. I took a few photographs but kept only one. Half an hour into the outing, I moved to my next regular spot and found nothing. Rather than keep waiting, I explored more of the property and discovered a meadow where Ruby-crowned Kinglets and bluebirds perched on small trees and wildflowers. Not a mockingbird in sight! I spent half an hour photographing them and came away with several keepers. None made the portfolio, but I found a promising spot to revisit. Today’s lesson: familiar places still have something new to offer if I’m willing to explore.

Yesterday morning’s forecast called for rain. I decided I would do a little bird photography anyway, getting up before sunrise to visit the State Arboretum of Virginia in Boyce, Virginia. It turned out to be a beautiful morning. The Arboretum is one of four birding spots I visit regularly, and I call it “Mockingbird Alley” because there are so many mockingbirds. As expected, I came home with plenty of mockingbird photos, along with a decent bluebird photograph and a couple of keepers overall. The nice thing about returning to a familiar place is learning where to find the birds—and I’m convinced they’re getting used to me, too.